Grand Opening of Sunrise Acres

“This project has been one of our greatest bright ideas yet,” said Akwesasne Housing Authority Executive Director Retha Herne. “This has been a full circle project that started as a planned project for the future and has developed into a really beautiful neighborhood.”

The Akwesasne Housing Authority (AHA) invited the community to witness the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of the Sunrise Acres Expansion Project that was held last Thursday morning. The Sunrise Acres Expansion project is a showcase of green building technologies in both construction and residual use and is dedicated to the Tribal Elders of Akwesasne. A total of 20-units have been built over the past year to create a neighborhood with this project.

The units have been constructed from materials like ICF Constructed Walls and metal roofs, which have high durability against the elements. Cork flooring that is very low impact on the environment. The plumbing in the units has water saving features like dual flush toilets and water saving faucets. Each unit has been equipped with Energy Star rated appliances for the refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer.

Probably the most visible feature of this neighborhood is the large solar electric power generation system. Two solar arrays, systems that use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity, flank either side of the neighborhood. These panels conduct electricity from light even on overcast and winter days, there can be several inches of snow on the panels and they should still function.

Solar domestic hot water tubes have been mounted above solar collectors located on the roofs of all the buildings. These systems are designed to deliver the optimum amount of hot water for most of the year; however, in winter an electric energy booster would be used to help heat the water.

Solar tubes have been used for indoor daylight, a technology for transporting or distributing natural or artificial light. In addition to this there has been high efficiency lighting installed throughout the homes. With both compact fluorescent interior lighting and LED exterior lighting, the energy consumption for lighting these homes is significantly reduced.

The last major green feature incorporated into these homes is a Geo Thermal Heating and Cooling unit, which uses the consistent ground temperature to regulate the homes temperature. By using heat pumps to pump heat from the building into the transfer medium, the heat is then pumped through narrow pipes that dissipate the heat in the earth. Once winter rolls around the system operates in reverse and takes heat from the group and brings it into the home to help manage the heating of the home.

“Because this project was done with stimulus funding the Akwesasne Housing Authority had to move quickly. They began in April 2010 and were substantially completed by May 2011,” said AHA Vice-Chair Dale White. “This project was done on time and under budget and have produced very nice state of the art facilities.”

“It wasn’t that many years ago…that the prospects for elders to live an independent life was non-existent,” said Tribal Chief Mark Garrow. “Now they don’t have to worry about shoveling sidewalks, mowing the lawn or falling in the middle of the night. They are now surrounded by neighbors, friends and family – the future looks bright for us.”

“I stand here overwhelmed by the craftsmanship and caring going into this project,” said Tribal Chief Randy Hart. “What I see before me I declare a tribal success – a job well done.”

A representative from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development was on hand to help with the ceremonies. “I’ve been to a lot of [Tribal territories] and this is about the nicest housing project I’ve seen,” said Harold Beiler from the Grants Management office at HUD. “The AHA are one of the most competent in our region, congratulations on finishing this project.”

“We are witness to another great effort in success,” said Alma Ransom, a tribal elder who was asked to dedicate the ceremony. “Nations are judged by how they treat their people. Sunrise Acres gives us great comfort, allows us years of independence.”

In addition to the buildings, a pavilion open to all residents, a training center and another portion of the project called the Sunrise Wetlands Preservation project all serve to provide elders with an oasis to retreat to. The Grand Pavilion, where the opening ceremony took place, is the doorway into the Sunrise Wetlands Preservation area and there will eventually be carefully designed walking trails and boardwalks through the area. This area will be known as Tsi Ka’nikonhriiohsta.

For more information on the eligibility criteria for elders interested in living in these homes, contact the AHA office at 518-358-9020.

“I’m totally blown away, the craftsmanship of the homes in unbelievable,” said AHA Chairman Ronald Cook. “They are phenomenal, nothing but high class all the way through.”

“We are here to dedicate our lives to our future,” said Chief Garrow. “Teaching our kids how to treat our elders through good work…our future looks bright.”