Forget everything you've heard about Opportunity Zones. They're now permanent. The new program lets you reinvest the same capital repeatedly for decades, building project after project, with all growth tax-free. Here's the details:.

RT @moseskagan: This is totally bonkers.

RT @tracewoodgrains: excuse me, what

RT @Shay_Hawkins_OH: 🇺🇸.

Today I learned. Over the past 25 years the U.S. has averaged ≈ 3,000 structure‑fire deaths a year. Barely reduced by decades of code mandates. 92 % of those deaths happen in older 1‑ or 2‑family homes not brand‑new apartments that keep getting hit with costly new rules

Today I learned. Over the past 25 years the U.S. has averaged ≈ 3,000 structure‑fire deaths a year. Barely reduced by decades of code mandates. 92 % of those deaths happen in older 1‑ or 2‑family homes not brand‑new apartments that keep getting hit with costly new rules.

If you’re in local government and reading this thread, how is your municipality handling these things?. -FARS.-Radio Repeaters .-Smoke Curtains . Most elected officials don’t know this stuff. They should. It effects housing supply.

RT @DallasAptGP: A hidden fire‑safety rule is quietly adding $1+ million to the price of many new apartment buildings. Crazy part? . The….

Next week on surprise costs in 2021 IFC:. Radio Repeaters (minimum $50k to install and now required on most buildings over 100k sf). Smoke Curtains ($15k to install on each elevator and then $2k annually to test).

Developers learning that a new FARS requirement is applicable to their project now that IFC 2021 is in place

I anyone wants to learn more facts on this from a VERY BIASED perspective. Checkout "Firefighter Air Coalition" newsletter. The mailing address associated with it is Johnson Controls' HQ. You know, the company with the monopoly on the FARS equipment.

Safety is vital, but blanket rules can backfire. Should cities insist on the $1 M/building version of FARS or adopt the cheaper hook‑up approach and keep housing costs in check?.

Why it matters . Every $1 k tacked onto a unit prices out families. I already know three North‑Texas projects—over 1 000 workforce units—that may die because of this rule.

A cheaper compromise . Many cities that own air‑trucks allow a hook‑up‑only system: curb‑side valve + stairwell pipes, no pump room. Same benefit to firefighters, saves 75‑85 % of the cost.

Uneven geography . • Strict states (TX, CA, CO, WA) = full system, max cost • Moderate states (AZ, MA) = street hook‑up only, cheaper .• Most others = no FARS at all Result: the priciest markets get even pricier.

Fresh Dallas example . Our next project: 5 stories of apartments. Code forces FARS in 4 stairwells. Bids came back $858 k ($215 k per stairwell) without the on‑site air‑supply gear (Dallas owns three air‑trucks already).

Real‑world usage . A 2023 NFPA survey of 200 fire departments found one confirmed activation: a 2021 apartment fire in Frisco, TX. No documented life‑saves. All other FARS activations have been drills and marketing claims.

There is a monopoly on the hardware. Johnson Controls owns the only code‑approved FARS hardware. They bought the patent in 2022. Installers can compete on labor, but the equipment price is fixed.

What that means for rent . A 100‑unit building eats a $700 k bill. That’s $7 k per unit. Plus $5‑10 k a year in tests and tune‑ups. Only projects that can command higher rents will get capitalized.

Price list (per/building). • High‑pressure compressor   $100 k .• Storage tanks (cascade)   $50 k .• Blast‑rated pump room   $350 k .• Steel air pipes & fill panels   $160 k .• Street hook‑up   $30 k . Total ≈ $650k ‑ $1M per building.

The 2021 International Fire Code says buildings need FARS if they’re: .• 5 + stories above ground .• 2 + stories below ground .• OR bigger than a 500 k  sq‑ft . Cities adopted this edition in 2023‑24, so developers are just now finding out.