Mixed-Income Multi-Family Rental in the South Bronx
FDNY Approved and Certificate of Occupancy Received
On June 12, 2019, we received another FDNY stamp of approval, this time for our work on 491 Gerard Avenue in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The newly constructed 12-story building is a mix of 153 studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom affordable housing units that were built by Monadnock Construction. 491 Gerard was a true collaboration between Monadnock Construction, Phoenix Fire and Security Solutions, RGF Electric Corp., and RF Solutions. RF Solutions oversaw the smarts and parts of the project, but it was our partners that insured the system was installed correctly and met all FDNY standards. I was very impressed with Richard Feil, Gregory Feil, and Fred Laurent. This was their first wireless system installation, and after training and a few modifications to the final installed ARCS antenna system’s cabling plant, the network functioned flawlessly. It’s gratifying when a landlord receives passing grades and most importantly, a permanent Certificate of Occupancy for their building.
Rapid Development In The Bronx
491 Gerard is part of the Mix and Match Program of the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). The Mix and Match Program funds new construction of mixed-income multi-family rental projects. Half of the units will have rents affordable to households earning up to 60% of AMI (Area Median Income), while the other half will have rents affordable to middle-income families, earning up to 130% of AMI. This building is part of a more extensive development, which also includes 530 Exterior Street, that will bring more housing to the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, providing safer, more contemporary housing opportunities to an area that is seeing a rapid rate of development.
It Takes A Contracting Village
The installation of an ARCS (Auxiliary Radio Communication System) requires collaboration among several different enterprises in the construction pipeline. RFS’s Project Manager, Jude Fauteux worked closely with RGF Electric Corp., the installer of the ARCS. They were very receptive to learning all facets of the project and understanding what each step entailed. ARCS projects can take years to complete, as there is an array of sub-contractors and local authorities in the critical path of a project. Persistence is everything. Richard Feil, President of RGF Electric Corp., agrees. “Monadnock’s staff was critical in planning the logistics of our install, and RF Solutions was very responsive to calls and emails, and on the spot handling of the ARCS test with the FDNY and the DOB Electrical control. They are a professional company, and I look forward to working with them on future projects.” Ron Mattos, VP of Business Development for Phoenix Fire and Security Solutions had this to say about the 491 Gerard Avenue project, “We are proud to announce the completion and FDNY approval of this ARCS project in collaboration with Monadnock Construction, RGF Electric & RF Solutions. The entire team at RF Solutions ensured that this process in a newly code required market was a seamless one for all trades involved. For that, we are grateful and will recommend them on many projects to come. We look forward to advancing this partnership to the next level and working with them on future projects.”