The University of Houston took another step toward its journey toward a new football stadium on Tuesday when the school officially announced the hiring of PageSoutherlandPage and DLR Group as the stadium's architects.

PageSoutherlandPage, a local firm that has done work with UH before, is the current designer of the new West Dining Hall and the new Cougar Place housing on campus. It was also the architect for the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, which was completed in 2003.

DLR Group has extensive experience with college athletic stadiums, including Florida's Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and Nebraska's Memorial Stadium. DLR Group also designed LSU's baseball home, Alex Box Stadium.

"Now, this allows us to get into the nitty-gritty of the design," UH athletic director Mack Rhoades said. "With the two firms, I couldn't be more pleased."

Rhoades said the plan is to begin demolition of Robertson Stadium in December and begin work on the new stadium shortly thereafter.

"It is now the starting point; the work will really begin," Rhoades said. "It's exciting to embark on that project."

PageSoutherlandPage will be led by principal in charge Jeffrey Bricker, design principal in charge Lawrence Speck and senior designer David Quenemoen. DLR Group will be led by stadium project manager Don Barnum and lead stadium designer Greg Garlock.

Rhoades said both groups showed great passion for the project. He said UH has told the architects to think "blank canvas" when it comes to design.

"Having a sports stadium that's commensurate with the achievements of the university I think was a big goal of theirs," Bricker said. "One of the main points we made in our interview when we were pursuing this project was that the University of Houston is the public university for the city of Houston. It's hard to get noticed in a city this big. So to do a stadium where you can be noticed in all of that is a goal of ours, and that's the stadium we're going to deliver."

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UH picks architects for new stadium

A developer wants to build a 7,000-square foot complex and two adjoining parking lots on what is now mostly wooded land on Bloomfield Avenue and Westview Road in Verona. The township's Board of Adjustment will review the developer's plan, which requires six variances, at its public meeting Thursday, June 14.

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING BY JOSEPH M. DONTATO

Construction plans for an L-shaped parcel of land in Verona, bounded by Bloomfield Avenue and Westview Road, are depicted in this drawing put forth by a Sparta-based developer.

Sparta-based company DMH2 LLC has planned a three-story structure on the site, which is located across the street from Everett Field. The plan consists of a retail office or salon on the ground floor and seven residential units each on the second and third stories. Every unit would have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and the third-floor units would also contain loft space, according to site plans and architectural renderings submitted to Verona's Building Department.

Sixty-three parking spaces would be split up between the two parking lots, one at the back of the property abutting the dead end of Montclair Avenue and another at the front nearest Bloomfield Avenue. The lots would be entered and exited via the one-way side street on Westfield Road and the bustling thoroughfare of Bloomfield Avenue.

The Victorian farmhouse at 200 Bloomfield Ave. and about 80 trees in the area would have to be uprooted for the proposed project, which spans 1.5 acres.

The farmhouse, known as "The Stonacker House," dates back to the mid 1890s and has retained a great deal of historic integrity including a 'spectacular' Victorian staircase, wide pine floors and period chestnut woodwork that appears 'brand new,' according to Verona Historical Society President Robert Williams.

'It could have been a historic site but it hasn't been landmarked, so as far as I know, there really isn't anything that could be done to protect it,' Williams said. 'It'd be nice if the owner and developer tried to recognize its historic significance rather than demolish it. It's a piece of the community's heritage.'

Both the farmhouse and wooded parcel of land are owned by Ella Theting, according to the developer's application to the township. The phone number listed for Theting on the application and in the White Pages is not in service.

Theting no longer resides in the old farmhouse, according to Westview Road resident Sarah O'Farell. The elderly woman moved into a nursing home, put her home up for sale a few times, and was unable to sell it, O'Farell said.

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Verona land eyed for retail and housing construction

OLD BRIDGE, N.J., June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With new big-box store closures negating the benefits of absorptions, the vacancy rate in retail properties along northern New Jersey's six major shopping corridors edged up to 8.2% in April from 8.1% a year ago and 8.0% in 2010, according to R.J. Brunelli & Co., LLC.The Route 10 and 46/3 corridors were the only highways to show improvement during the past 12 months.

The Old Bridge-based retail brokerage firm's 22nd annual study of the six-county northern New Jersey market uncovered 2.33 million square feet of vacancies in the 28.34 million square feet of space examined along the six corridors, with availabilities seen in 159 of the 818 properties evaluated. This compared with 2.33 million square feet of vacancies in 28.78 million square feet of space in the 2011 study, in which openings were seen in 173 of the 817 properties reviewed.

Traditionally one of the tightest retail real estate markets in the nation, the northern region has seen its vacancy factor increase for five consecutive years as big box closures began to take a toll. The region's vacancy rate escalated from just 2.9% in 2007 to 3.6% in 2008 before jumping to 6.6% in 2009 and 8%-plus in the last three years. Over the last 10 years, the region's rate was as low as 2.0% in 2003.

R.J. Brunelli's 2012 study reviewed shopping centers and freestanding buildings exceeding 2,000 square feet along State Highways 4, 10, 17, 22, 23 and 46/3, and certain intersecting arteries in Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties. Freestanding restaurants, auto service facilities and auto dealerships are also included, while enclosed regional malls and centers under construction or redevelopment are excluded.

Big-box spaces exceeding 20,000 square feet were once again a major driver of the region's vacancies, representing 1.09 million square feet, or 46.8% of the empty space along the six corridors, up from a 45.7% share in 2011. Notably, approximately 798,500 square feet, or 73%, of this year's empty big box space came from stores that remained vacant since the firm's 2011 survey and, in a number of cases, from 2010 and before. This represented an increase from the 62% ratio of held-over big-box inventory in 2011, but comfortably below the 84% ratio seen in the firm's 2010 survey.

"The Chapter 11 filing of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., which has since emerged from bankruptcy protection, and the demise of Borders continued to have the biggest impact on the northern New Jersey market," said Richard J. Brunelli, president of the firm. "Of A&P's six Pathmark stores that went dark along the corridors in 2011 or 2010, only two--a 60,000-square-foot location on Route 46 that's been leased to Fairway and a 42,000-square-foot location on Route 10 that is reportedly leased to LA Fitnesshave been absorbed so far. Consequently, over 226,000 square feet of empty Pathmark space lingers on the corridors."

Borders, meanwhile, shuttered a trio of 25,000-square-foot locations on Routes 17, 22 and 23 in the past year, adding to the 28,000-square-foot store closed on Route 10 in the firm's 2011 survey. With that, approximately 103,000 square feet of former Borders locations remains on the market. Moreover, the bankruptcies of Sixth Ave. Electronics, Syms and Einstein Moomjy added four stores aggregating 120,000 square feet along Routes 10, 17 and 22 to the inventory this past year. An additional 30,000-square-foot Sixth Ave. location on Route 46 in Wayne, however, was snapped up by Planet Fitness.

"On a positive note, besides the aforementioned absorptions of the Pathmark and Sixth Ave. stores on Route 46 and Pathmark on Route 10, we continued to see some of the older big box vacancies take on new life," Mr. Brunelli continued. These included Conway Stores' lease for the former Linens 'n Things on Route 46 in Totowa; Dick's Sporting Goods lease for the former Circuit City on Route 22 in Union; Harbor Freight's lease for the former Office Max on Route 22 in Union; Sears Outlet & Appliance's lease of the former Office Depot on Route 22 in Watchung; and Lord & Taylor Home's lease of the former Loehmann's on Route 17 in Paramus.

Results for the individual northern New Jersey roadways are as follows:

Route 17. The vacancy rate along the 15-mile corridor extending from Paramus to Mahwah increased to 8.2% this year from 7.4% in 2011, but is still below the 10-year high of 8.7% reached in 2010. Over the last 10 years, the roadway's vacancy factor has been as low as 1.9% in 2003.

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Retail Vacancy Rate In Northern NJ Rises To 8.2% As More 'Big Box' Spaces Go Empty, R.J. Brunelli Survey Reports

COSTA MESA, CA--(Marketwire -06/12/12)- C2, the largest privately owned reprographics firm in Southern California, announced its December 2011 acquisition of Robins Signs, a sign company serving Southern California since 1910. The values and stability of the 100-year-old company perfectly complement the good old-fashioned service model that C2 was founded upon.

Former Robins Signs customers will benefit from the availability of additional products and services. C2's clientele will find a wider depth and breadth of digital capabilities and color & sign production. Combining the expertise of a century in business with C2's state-of-the-art technology and color specialists make C2 a powerful one-stop shop for sign production and installation.

Robins Signs President Bob Burandt will continue to lead and operate Robins Signs, doing so as part of C2's color product offering, within the C2 headquarters.

"Bob's leadership has contributed to the longstanding success of Robins Signs, and that's something we couldn't just replace," says Gary Crisp, President of C2. "He's great with customers, and his expertise and dedication to customer service are important assets that we know will benefit all of us as we move forward as a single company. We've always considered our people to be at the core of our success, and Bob is a shining example."

The expansion brings C2 the additional equipment, vehicles and personnel to further develop its capabilities as a full service sign and installation provider. C2 previously delivered architectural renderings, marketing materials, construction and trade show signage under its C2 Color Studio Division. The division is now able to produce and install any form of non-electrical signage including: vehicle graphics, dimensional signs, parking signage, menu displays, vinyl cut lettering, sight signs (Braille), ADA signs, fleet graphics, dimensional lettering, safety signage, trade show graphics, banners, exhibits and displays, back-lit displays, monument signs, lobby signs, warehouse signage, equipment identification, window graphics, POP signs, wall graphics, city pole signs and street banners.

"We've always prided ourselves in the premier quality of our work and consistent service, and that's what kept clients coming back during more than a century of service," says Burandt. "Robins Signs and C2 really enhance each other's brands. We're embarking on an exciting new chapter in the business, and I'm enjoying the experience of being a part of that."

Gary and Julie Crisp founded C2 in 2002 and made its staff and customers a priority from the beginning. Their successful approach led to rapid growth resulting in seven (7) offices in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego counties and the Inland Empire -- a feat accomplished by outworking and outperforming competitors.

ABOUT C2: C2 is the largest privately owned reprographics firm in Southern California, with production offices in the Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego and Inland Empire areas and hub stores in Costa Mesa, San Diego, Ontario and downtown Los Angeles. Founded by Gary and Julie Crisp (the two "C"s in C2) in 2002, the firm provides premier reprographic services to the legal and courtroom, AEC (architect, engineer and contractor) and commercial business-to-business markets. The company's C2 Color Studio, C2 Business Solutions, C2 Legal Solutions and C2 Reprographics divisions are known for exceptional customer service. For more information, visit http://www.c2repro.com.

Excerpt from:
C2 Expands Capabilities With Acquisition of Robins Signs

June 13, 2012 - ASTM International Committee D20 on Plastics presented Award of Merit and accompanying title of fellow to Mark Lavach, manager of applications development and technical services in Functional Additives Division at Arkema Inc. Lavach works on several D20 subcommittees and is chairman of D20.13 on Statistical Methods as well as vice chairman of D20.20 on Plastic Lumber. With contributions recognized by various awards from D20, Lavach has been ASTM member since 1994. ASTM International 100 Barr Harbor Dr., Box C700 West Conshohocken, PA, 19428-2959 USA Press release date: June 5, 2012

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.-ASTM International Committee D20 on Plastics has presented the Award of Merit to Mark Lavach, manager of applications development and technical services in the Functional Additives Division at Arkema Inc., King of Prussia, Pa. The Award of Merit is the highest organizational recognition for individual contributions to ASTM standards activities, and includes the title of ASTM fellow.

Lavach works on several D20 subcommittees and is chairman of D20.13 on Statistical Methods and vice chairman of D20.20 on Plastic Lumber. He previously served as vice chairman of membership and vice chairman of products on the main committee. D20 has recognized his contributions with several awards, including an Award of Appreciation, Award of Recognition, Outstanding Achievement Award and the Award of Excellence. A member of ASTM International since 1994, Lavach is also a member of Committees E11 on Quality and Statistics and E60 on Sustainability.

At Arkema, where he has been on staff since 1984, Lavach specializes in polymer additives for thermosets and thermoplastics and applications development of polymer systems. Prior to assuming his current role in 1998, Lavach was a scientist in the PVC additives group and a senior research chemist in the plating division. He has received several awards for his work in polymer additives at Arkema, including the Chairman's Award.

Outside ASTM International, Lavach is a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, where he has served as president of the Palisades-New Jersey Section; the American Architectural Manufacturers Association; the American Chemical Society the American Composite Manufacturers Association; and the Vinyl Siding Institute, where he received the Ken Mieure Award for Distinguished Service in 2011. He has authored several publications on polymer additives and physical testing, and holds multiple U.S. patents.

A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University where he received a bachelor's degree in chemistry, Lavach holds a master's degree in engineering science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a certificate in technology management from the California Institute of Technology.

ASTM International is one of the largest international standards development and delivery systems in the world. ASTM International meets the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for the development of international standards: coherence, consensus, development dimension, effectiveness, impartiality, openness, relevance and transparency. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems and commercial transactions.

View this release on the ASTM Web site at http://www.astmnewsroom.org.

ASTM PR Contact: Erin K. Brennan, Phone: 610-832-9602; ebrennan@astm.org

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Mark Lavach Receives ASTM International Award of Merit for Contributions to Plastics Committee

13 June 2012 Last updated at 04:42 ET

The former house of Cranford author Elizabeth Gaskell in Manchester is to be opened to the public after being awarded almost 2m for a restoration.

Gaskell moved to the villa on Plymouth Grove in 1850, three years before her novel Cranford was published.

Visitors will be able to see the house as it would have looked during her time there, restored with the 1.85m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It was damaged last year when metal thieves ripped off most of the roof.

Gaskell's work enjoyed renewed popularity after Cranford was adapted for a BBC drama starring Dame Judi Dench, Dame Eileen Atkins and Michael Gambon in 2007.

Other novels written by Gaskell while living at the house included North and South and Wives and Daughters.

Gaskell was visited in the house by great literary figures including Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte, and the author lived there until her death in 1865.

Sara Hillton, head of Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: "This building is hugely important to Manchester - both because of its association with Elizabeth Gaskell and as a rare remaining example of a Victorian suburban villa.

"Alongside the preservation of the house itself, the creation of displays and exhibitions will enhance people's understanding of the Gaskells within the context of the local area and Manchester at the time."

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Gaskell home gets £2m restoration

12-06-2012 12:59 This video showcases the hot slide or cut-over procedure to replace an existing 3M(TM) Cross Connect Cabinet 4918 utilizing a 3M(TM) Cross Connect Cabinet 4230VKF with 3M(TM) Quick Connect System Blocks 2810 with 114" block tails.

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Cabinet Replacement for Hot Slide Using 3M(TM) Cross Connect Cabinets - Video

U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson in Mumbai earlier this year. (Rajanish Kakade/AP)

Poor John Bryson! Be honest: How many of you could have coughed up the name of the commerce secretary last week, even if a Jeopardy Daily Double were on the line?

In the year since he was nominated for the job by President Obama, Bryson had never once made it onto the front page of the Washington Post, New York Times or Wall Street Journal until, of course, the bizarre series of traffic accidents in southern California Saturday that prompted him to take a medical leave.

For those who assume a certain grandeur automatically comes with a Cabinet post, the incident suggested otherwise.

Bryson, 68, had what officials described as a seizure while driving his own car, alone. No security? Turns out thats how commerce secretaries roll when traveling on personal business, were told.

White House officials said they were only told about the accidents a day after they happened, and the president said he only learned about it Monday morning. Face it: If this had been, say, Tim Geithner, thered have been a 3 a.m. phone call and an instant cable-news stakeout.

Ron Brown in 1996 (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) Is commerce secretary the low man on the high end of the Washington totem pole? Probably no more so than any of the other Cabinet posts that huddle in the shadow of the Big Four: State, Defense, Treasury and Justice.

Its a hugely prestigious position, insisted Juleanna Glover, a Republican lobbyist and frequent hostess who has observed the Beltway status game over the years. Somewhere, theres a high-dollar Romney donor whos dreaming of being commerce secretary.

Malcolm Baldrige in 1985. (James K. Atherton/The Washington Post) Indeed, the title has traditionally gone to money guys who helped lasso big donors for the president, even if many (remember Don Evans?) tended to fade quickly into the background. Its a job with a broad and somewhat unwieldy mandate the Commerce Department promotes economic growth but also oversees divisions like the Census Bureau and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Georgette and Robert Mosbacher in 1989. (Dudley M. Brooks/The Washington Post) Occasionally, a big personality draws more attention to the job: Reagans pick Malcolm Baldrige, an experienced cowboy who died while in office after a freak rodeo accident. Bill Clintons pal Ron Brown, the first African-American named to the post. Bob Mosbacher, the rich, suave Texan whose third wife Georgette, a glamazon cosmetics exec, took the town by storm in the late 80s.

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John Bryson’s accident brings sudden fame for the unknown Cabinet secretary

NEW YORK, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

BIPV Roofing Markets - 2012 http://www.reportlinker.com/p0885005/BIPV-Roofing-Markets---2012.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Home_Building_and_Improvement

Summary

BIPV offers both the PV industry and the building products industry a way out of their current economic plights. For PV firms, BIPV provides a product strategy geared to adding value to products. For the building products industry, BIPV represents a new line of products that will enable construction firms to add saleable features to buildings of all kinds.

While all this is true of all BIPV products, there is a natural migration path from today's rooftop PV panels to BIPV roofing. With this in mind, NanoMarkets is publishing this report, which identifies and quantifies the market opportunities for BIPV roofing.

The report discusses a roadmap for BIPV roofing in which business revenues are generated initially by simple overlay products and then by conventional rigid and flexible BIPV roofing products and finally from fully integrated products. The report also shows how the performance of BIPV roofing is expected to evolve with a special focus on lifetime requirements and the materials that will be used both for substrates and absorber layers.

This report also includes extensive forecasts of the BIPV roofing market in terms of wattage, area covered and revenues generated. Breakouts are provided by type of building, type of BIPV roofing and key materials used. In addition, we project the nations and regions that will generate the most revenues for BIPV roofing and the breakouts of the BIPV roofing market by retrofit and new construction. As usual with NanoMarkets reports, this report also includes a detailed assessment of the strategies of the leading firms currently supplying BIPV roofing products.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary

E.1 BIPV roofing as a way out of the PV industry slump E.2 What BIPV roofing means to the construction industry and their suppliers E.3 Firms to watch in the BIPV roofing industry E.4 Summary of eight-year forecasts of BIPV industry

Chapter One: Introduction

Originally posted here:
BIPV Roofing Markets - 2012

12-06-2012 15:31 Part II of a window replacement in Orting, WA by A New Day Construction of Puyallup, WA Rick gets into the details of proper installation needed in our Pacific Northwest Climate

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Window Replacement Part II.wmv - Video