Restorative Housing and Community Regeneration in Utica, NY
Maureen McGeary Mahle
Abstract:
The mission of Johnson Park Center is to promote positive change in the underserved Cornhill
neighborhood in Utica, NY. Toward that end, the non-profit undertook the restoration of two buildings
located at 210-212 Arthur St. and 1418 West St. and through a collaborative deep-energy retrofit
produced eight units of healthy, sustainable, and energy efficient housing complete with restorative
wellness suites to serve chronically homeless single women. The project achieved LEED for Homes
Platinum certification in Summer 2012, along with the ENERGY STAR label under version 2.5 of the
homes certification.
This session presents a detailed case study of this project, including the decision-making process that led
them to install a ground source heat pump system for heating and cooling, and roof-mounted
photovoltaics for solar electricity. The existing structure was carefully restored, and closed cell spray
foam was added to the 2x4 walls for maximum insulation effectiveness in a small space. R-49 blown-in
insulation was added to the attic. The project addressed environmental health indoors and out, from
capturing rainwater for irrigation, to utilizing energy recovery ventilators to deliver fresh filtered air to
residents. Long-term energy affordability is of paramount concern to the occupants.
The PV system includes individual inverters for each unit, so that occupants may each benefit from the
installed system. The overall Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index ranged from 44 to 51, indicating
49-56% energy savings relative to a new code-built home. The project is one of several undertaken by
Johnson Park Center to repair and rebuild the fabric of this neighborhood.
Bio:
Maureen McGeary Mahle
Maureen McGeary Mahle is an engineer and Director of Sustainable Housing Services for Steven Winter
Associates, Inc. (SWA), a leading research/design firm specializing in energy efficient and sustainable
buildings. Ms. Mahle supports project teams seeking to comply with regional green building programs,
utility-sponsored energy efficiency incentive programs, and national green building programs including
the National Green Building Standard, LEED for Homes, and ENERGY STAR programs for single family and
multifamily housing. Ms. Mahle has consulted on over 300 green housing projects totaling 5,000 units in
ten states. Ms. Mahle received her M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of
Wisconsin Madison.