ROOF DECKS, P.2

"We're enamored of it," says Higginbotham of the couple's own space. She estimates that on top of the $230,000 they paid for the deck itself, they invested about $100,000 more to pay for the staircase and bulkhead, garden designer, planters, landscaping, furniture, lighting, and a drip-irrigation system. There are ongoing costs in addition to the maintenance — a service contract for the irrigation system and gardening help, for example. "But we'll enjoy it five months of the year — well into October of last year. Every Saturday, my husband makes himself a pot of coffee, gets the paper, and parks himself here. We have cocktails in the evening and dinner whenever the weather's nice."

The rest of the building has come around, too — not only the deck buyers but also the shareholders in general, who now understand the financial benefits the move has brought to the building.

"Not only are the decks a wonderful amenity, but the project worked out to provide a buffer to mitigate expenses for the whole building," says Greenstein, who says other co-op boards should consider similar moves. "You definitely need some real commitment from the board, but it's very achievable. If you're having your roof replaced anyway, you owe it to yourselves to at least look into it."

For articles going back to 2002, join our Archive >>