Green Roof Proposal to ROC/Meridian by the Thomas Circle Go-Green Group
Jeff & Susan • January 20, 2016
Maudine Cooper, Jareta Coyle, Gloria Davidson, Jewell and Guido Fenzi, Joan Fletcher, Harriet Fulbright, Renee Gier, Sam Goekjian, Tina Hobson, Carmel and Fred Jordan, Jim LaMare, Johnny Lane, Barbara Lucas, Nana McIntosh, Sarah McMeans, Dail Moore, Robert Murphy, Ellen Overton, Marcie Simon, Jim Ward, Judy Werdel and Bill Wooby. 
JANUARY6, 2016
OUR GREEN ROOF TEAM
-
TinaHobson,SamGoekjianandHarrietFulbright Thomas Circle Residents’ Go-Green Group
-
Brendan Doyle, Georgetown University, Masters in Professional Real Estate Program
-
The Washington Architectural Foundation
-
Constance Whitaker Maffin Memorial Fund
-
Eliza Beth Engle, Geier Brown Renfrow Architects
-
Brian Uher and Zachary Pogue ECORE Living, Georgetown University, Masters in Professional Real Estate Program
-
The Washington Architectural Foundation
- Constance Whitaker Maffin Memorial Fund
- Eliza Beth Engle, Geier Brown Renfrow Architects
- Brian Uher and Zachary Pogue ECORE Living
OUR GREEN ROOF REHABILITATION PROPOSAL
- Maximize new uses and profitability of Thomas Circle rooftop; add value within the next seven years; add “Rooftop Living” to Thomas Circle amenities; align with ROC Seniors Housing environmental policy.
- Replace roof during 2016-2017 with new multi-purpose area, rooftop memory care and assisted living space, green roof, solar- heated hot water and additional amenities such as: food and beverage service, music, gardening, yoga, outdoor fireplace and fountain.
CONTINUED: OUR GREEN ROOF REHABILITATION PROPOSAL
- Proposal is based on: Condo owner and tenant preferences; Community health and livability; Sustainability (carbon footprint, air quality, water quality, daylighting, energy-efficiency etc.); Financial: costs, revenues, payback period, Internal rate of return; Long-term asset value and marketability
- Proposal consists of four elements:
- replace present roof and configuration
- include rooftop improvements
- convert roofing to “green roof”, living wall and solar hot water
- add additional amenities
Design Plan
1. Existing Roof
- Future roof replacement is within budgeted reserves
- Green Roof Team/TREMCO reports (2013-2014): need new 17,400 sq.ft. roof by late 2016-early 2017; fix leaks and masonry; address drainage.
- Total estimated cost: $610,800 ($35/sq.ft.)* Hard costs: $590,000
- Roof membrane and supplies
- Masonry Repairs
- Crane rentals/demo/dispose old roofing
Softcosts: $20,800
- Consultants: final design and engineering, landscape architect, project manager, legal, etc.
- Permits/studies: Building permit, storm water mgmt. plan
- O&M: 2-year warranty; $3600/year thereafter
*As of March, 2015
2. RoofReplacement 
- Capitol Seniors Housing Refinance Report (2012):
3. Roof Improvements
Total Estimated Cost: $719,028 Hard costs: $688,228
- Non-slippery Roof Pavers
- Glass Security Railing and Gate/Flashing
- Interior Renovation
- Additional Storage
- Security Cameras
- Telephone/intercom systems
- Emergency pull cords in the bathrooms
- Indoor drinking H20 fountain
- ADA pool lift
- ADA ramp from East Door
Soft costs: $30,800
- A&E/project management • Permits/legal
- O&M: $1000/year
4. GreenRoof(LivingWall,SolarHotWater,Gardening)
Total Costs: $394,933* Hard Costs: $369,933
- Green Roof and Living Wall
- Greenhouse and planters
- Solar Thermal Hot H20 panels
- Bee-keeping
Soft Costs: $25,000
- Permits, inspection fees, SRC fees
- A&E, LA, consultants/project management fees
- Legal/transaction costs/certifications
- O&M: $3300/month
Less reimbursements:
Rebate Yr 3: $173,930
Sell SRCs Yr 6: $21,621 (@$2.27/SRC)
Net cost: $199,382
*Does not include hard costs for solar hot water system provided by Nextility under self-financed contract.
Value of system $141,400
10 year gas bill savings $18,518-797-3377 year savings $108,000
5. Additional Amenities 
Donovan House Hotel next door
TOTAL Estimated Cost: $54,245 Hard Costs: $52,245
- Rooftop Memory Care/Assisted Living Space
- Multi-Purpose Area
- Outdoor/rooftop furniture and shade sails
- Planters & hanging baskets
- Lighting
- Big screen TV/movie projection
- Live entertainment
- Rooftop Pub with Food/Bevs
- Outdoor fireplace & Fountain
- Meditation and Yoga classes
- Physical Education
Soft Costs: $2000
- Aides/instructors/labor (?)
- Food/Bev service/labor (?)
- O&M
“Going-Green” is a Win-Win-Win
Environment:
- Reduces air and water pollution
- Shrinks carbon footprint
- Aligns with ROC Seniors Housing policy
Economic:
- Reduces water and gas bills: $2300-2700/year
- Increases Net Operating Income $3-5K per year
- Adds value; market advantage
Community well-being:
- Thomas Circle first sustainable retirement community in DC
Hawaii, 6/1/25. Part 1
The right to not starve, the right to have shelter, the right to be treated for curable illness, the right to not be ignorant. Humanity, over many years of civilization, has created solutions for all these and can provide them, Worldwide. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion (which is essentially freedom of speech) are not enough. To make the “pursuit of happiness” a real possibility a person must have the other four human rights, food, shelter, healthcare and education. It does not take a “rocket scientist” to figure out how to pay for and distribute these rights. We can use our representation for value, money, any way we wish. The way money flows now is the classic pattern that we all are born into and must use. Basically it is capitalism. The market is moved by profit. Only peripherally does preservation of humanity or limited natural resources come into view. Normally there has to be an emergency for this to happen; a war, weather disasters or a pandemic. When the workforce is reduced or resources made scarce. This is not a sustainable situation. It can last for a long time, as it has, but it is always in the slow process of destroying itself. Like the nightmare cliff dropping away behind you as you run. We have the solution in our hands: a Parallel Currency. It will not make everyone honest, kind or generous. But it will keep people from starvation, illness, ignorance and homelessness. Humanity will no longer be enslaved by the more destructive side effects of capitalism. A Parallel Currency is used just for the four basic needs. It is available to everyone from birth until death. When the Parallel Currency arrives at banks it is destroyed so it cannot behave like regular currency and be invested or saved; which can cause inflation. Parallel Currency is only used to provide education, food, shelter and medical care, it is a closed loop. Other currencies will continue to function as usual. Individuals can make as much money as they wish for whatever they wish. The difference is that they will not be depriving other people of their ability to survive. We have the communication, organizing and distribution tool already; the Internet. Locating, assembling, and distributing all the parts necessary for this objective is possible with our information technology. With the development of AI organizIng the Parallel Currency is even more easily done. We will start by paying for these rights but as time passes it will become obvious that this is advantageous to everyone and to our planet's health and like freedom of speech, we won't have to pay for it anymore, with money or blood. Susan Caumont June, 2025
Mexico, 5/5/25.
“It is soulless, exploitive, inequitable, unstable and destructive, yet also all- conquering and overwhelming.” Capitalism and its Critics: A History from the Industrial Revolution to AI By John Cassidy This is one of the best descriptions of Capitalism I have read recently. The only thing it leaves out is that Capitalism regularly destroys itself and has to be rescued with huge infusions of human labor (money). But Capitalism is so appealing to humans that it is allowed to continually transform and conform to new demands and circumstances, even though it is inherently unstable and destructive. Like the charming self destructive uncle who is so entertaining with his stories and wild money making schemes, no one wants him to stop. It is so much fun! For a few people. And all it takes is a few people to keep Capitalism going, approximately ten percent of the World population, the richest ten percent. That Capitalism has lasted and spread is testimony to its ability to keep adapting and improving on its main strengths: soullessness and exploitation. As a species we have become, over approximately 500 years, completely adapted to Capitalism. No matter what it distorts, destroys or lays waste to, it has captured our imaginations like a religion. We won't be saying goodbye to it anytime soon. But there is an antidote. We can make up for some of its most destructive symptoms with a Parallel Currency that is used only for basic human needs, food, shelter, education and healthcare, Worldwide. Some countries are already trying to do this with their tax structures and laws but a Parallel Currency would do this without taxation or inflation. It is a separate currency that can only be used to provide basic needs and is destroyed when it reaches a bank; it will not create inflation. It also will not inhibit the positive capabilities of existing currencies. They will continue to function as they usually do. The Parallel Currency is a closed loop created for the dignified survival of humanity. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion are not enough. A government by the people and for the people must also guarantee freedom from starvation, ignorance and curable illness, all things as a human species, over thousands of years, we have developed remedies.
Columbia, Cartegena, Columbia 4/21/25
“The path of least resistance.” (The path of the most loot.) Bonarais 4/13/25 “Island of the giants,” was the name the Spanish gave to Bonarais in the 1400’s because the native people were so tall. The prehistoric people of southwest Florida, the Calusas, were exceptionally tall also. Maybe the earliest sailing explorers? We are watching as they are unloading a container ship on the finger dock near where we are tied on. Four people halt its sway as it dangles from a crane and approaches the ground. A flatbed truck is already there, the container is placed and driven away. Repeat, repeat, again, again. An island has to import most of its needs. Bonarais is like a village of beautiful doll houses. The Dutch who were historically of colonial dominance, after they drove the Spanish out, and still maintain significant influence, designed the buildings with color and form that reminds them of their homeland. Pastel orange, yellow, and turquoise structures with contrasting gingerbread eves, cafe's where locals sit outside with coffee and converse in Dutch. The children eat ice cream. Very civilized, unhurried, no garbage.
The question is not, “ How do you pay for it?” The question is, “ What do you want to pay for?” We finally boarded the ship in Barbados 4/7/25.
Explore women’s impact on the economy and the concept of a parallel currency. Learn how these ideas shape sustainability and equitable financial systems.