Page 13 - NY Cooperator December 2019

COOPERATOR.COM
THE COOPERATOR —
DECEMBER 2019
13
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with announcements sent through mul-
tiple channels – including direct record-
ings to land lines, which makes it useful resident enter that same repair request
to residents who don’t have computers, or into the online system. Shortly thereafter
who don’t use smartphones or email.
If they don’t want to receive notifica-
tions at all, residents can also opt out of email confirming the registration of their
the system entirely. According to Lott complaint or request, and may even find
however, if a resident does opt out, part the problem resolved by the time they get
of that opting out includes agreeing to home. The idea is that these systems are
indemnify management for any damages so seamless and efficient, the next time a
the resident might experience as a result resident has a problem and needs to re-
of them choosing to stay out of the loop. port it, they’ll go straight to the platform
Say they suffer a fall as a result of the lights and do it themselves.
being turned off for scheduled mainte-
nance that was announced via the alert
system, for example. The board and build-
ing would likely not be held liable for fail-
ing to deliver a warning message, because served on its board. When it comes to
the resident made it clear they didn’t wish people’s comfort with and integration of
to get one.
Mark Smucker is a co-founder and her view, the biggest hurdle is plain old
CEO of Bixby, another online manage-
ment tool. Based New York City and ser-
vicing customers worldwide, Bixby offers didn’t grow up with these types of tech-
vendor services in addition to commu-
nications and management features – es-
sentially creating a private marketplace need to have their children or grandchil-
for Bixby users attached to their app and dren come help them learn how to use it –
website that provides essential services, almost to literally ‘decode’ the mystery of
with preferred pricing to users for such how to use the technology for them. They
things as dry cleaning, storage, moving, too easily accept as fact that they ‘just can’t
and insurance. Bixby’s revenue-sharing do it,’ when what they really mean is that
agreements with its ‘preferred partners’ they don’t want to do it. They play dumb.
enable the company to offer clients access They panic at the login – and god forbid
to the partner list at no charge.
According to Smucker, residents’ son. If there’s no tech help, the game is
comfort with and integration of web and over.”
app-based tools like Bixby and Building-
Link into their lives is mixed, and usually fective response to this kind of reaction
cleaves along generational lines. His com-
pany works with management and staff to sion. One thing co-op and condo com-
get people comfortable with the app and munities can do to help all residents – not
its many benefits, but note that “There will just the older ones – gain comfort and
always be residents who say, ‘We don’t use facility with new technologies is to offer
apps and we’re never going to.’” He finds some training, with a bit of humor. Run-
that in older co-op communities – which ning a free learning seminar for residents
generally have older populations – the born, say, before 1970 to learn how to use
breakdown between those who will use the new technology not only saves face,
web-based communication apps and those but can help make people overcome their
who won’t is about 50-50. In newer con-
dos, where the population may be some-
what younger, the breakdown is about 70-
30 in favor of app users. It’s even higher in done better and more easily.
rental properties, where the resident base
tends to be young and internet-savvy; app Luddites. As Lott says, “There’s always go-
use in those communities can be north of ing to be that one grumpy resident,” but
90 percent of the building population.
Kestenbaum says that for residents, the efforts on the part of the board, manage-
learning curve is day-to-day. “It’s a hand-
holding process, and it develops over long way in making technological innova-
time.” He cites the example of a resident tion a part of a well-functioning commu-
who in the past would perhaps report a nity.
leaky faucet to the doorman, expecting
the doorman to then alert the super, who
would arrange for a repair. With Building-
Link or similar software, supported by the
training they provide to staff members,
the doorman might now instead help the
– perhaps even on the way to the subway –
the resident will receive a text message or
Smoothing the Transition
Dana Greco is a mental health pro-
fessional based in New York. She lives in
a co-op building in the Bronx and has
web-based technologies, she says that in
garden-variety embarrassment.
“Many people, particularly seniors,
nologies,” she says. “They don’t find them
easily accessible. Often, they will say they
the login doesn’t work for whatever rea-
Greco suggests that the best, most ef-
is patience, with a big helping of compas-
self-doubt and see that what might have
initially seemed intimidating is actually
very useful, and ultimately gets the job
That’s not to say there won’t always be
a little understanding, plus good-faith
ment, and technology supplier can go a
n
A J Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for
The Cooperator, and a published novelist.
façade type may also depend on whether the
project is located in a historic district, which
may require that the new façade match—or
as least blend —with existing buildings. That
decision, in any event, will require input from
the local governmental authorities as well.
“High-end projects,” Gaynor says, “still prefer
the glass look. These curtain wall systems are
not inexpensive. Energy efficiency depends
on many components—not just on glass or
masonry —so that factor may not be the deci-
sive one in façade choice.”
What Buyers Want?
Joanna Mayfield Marks, a broker with
Halstead property in Brooklyn says façade
style does make a difference for buyers. “Buy-
ers like anything shiny and bright. They love
floor-to-ceiling windows. But, these units can
be energy inefficient,” costing more to oper-
ate than similar units in masonry buildings.
Nonetheless, “Glass makes an easier sell,” she
says. “It brings the outside inside.”
Whether the market will see a drop-off in
glass tower construction remains to be seen.
Many factors will play into whatever trend ul-
timately emerges. One thing we know for sure
is that we are likely to see both options avail-
able for the foreseeable future.
n
GLASS VS. MASONRY
continued from page 6