Social distancing matters. Here is how to do it and how it can help curb the COVID-19 pandemic. USA TODAY

Light poured through the empty windows and lit up the exposed wooden beams inside. The home on the lakefront property in Fort Gratiot was being remodeled. Almost the entire thing had been gutted and was being prepped for new drywall. Among the new amenities will be a shower with hookups for body jets on the walls in the master bathroom.

The project is just one of many that home remodeling businesses like LaDuke Construction are working on since restrictions related to the coronaviruspandemic were lifted earlier in May.

COVID-19 and the associated stay-at-home order had paused all services deemed non-essential, putting a stop to construction projects big and small across Michigan. Now, the projects are back on.

Kirk Harms, a field supervisor for LaDuke Construction, walks through a home in the process of being renovated Monday, May 18, 2020, in Fort Gratiot. The coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdown paused all services deemend non-essential, which put a pause on construction projects across the state.(Photo: Brian Wells/Times Herald)

The original stay-at-home order prohibited construction work except for those related to the safety, sanitation and basic operations of a home. This left remodelers with some work to do, but there's not that many emergency calls out there, Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan CEO Michael Stoskopf said.

"Most of their activity had to come to a standstill," he said.

During this time, remodelers were able to do some back-end work like ordering materials,speaking with clients, and developing safety plans. But since restrictions relaxed on May 7, contractors have had plenty to do.

"You've got clients who've been living in the house with maybe a partially remodeled bathroom or kitchen," Stoskopf said. "You know they're eager to get that project done."

Stoskopf expects remodeling businesses will operate under some kind of directive from the state until the pandemic is declared over, whether that comes through executive orders,laws passed through the Legislatureor revised OSHA regulations. Jobs will likely take a bit longer due to social distancing requirements, which Stoskopf said is likely the most lasting impact.

More: County extends due diligence period for developer hoping to buy former Art Van building

"Where you might be able to put a painter and a trim carpenter and a tile guy all in the same house at the same time on a remodeling project, you can't do that anymore at least not under these social distancing requirements that are in effect currently," he said.

Prices should stay relatively the same, however.

"While the amount of money spent in projects may be the same as it would without this occurring, it's going to take longer for that money to be spent," he said.

"A lot of things we had ordered pre-lockdown had been put off, and we're just starting to hear back from our supply chains now to get material," he said.

With restrictions being eased, the business is seeing a slight influx of exterior work such as deck work or painting.

LaDuke Construction owner Craig LaDuke said the business has many projects in the works, and is also waiting for suppliers to gear up for some other projects.One open project had to waiton a truss manufacturer to start back up. Others are unaffected.

"We have to be careful if we're going to start a new project that we're able to obtain the materials and supplies needed in a reasonable time frame," he said.

LaDuke said he hasn't seen an increase in demand for any particular kinds of renovation jobs, mostly a normal slate of kitchen, bathroom and other improvements. Overall, LaDuke said, the restart has been going pretty well.

"We've got a lot of work, which is great," he said.

While the regulations surrounding the pandemic change over time and could potentially tighten again, LaDuke said he plans to move forward and not worry about the "what if."

"I'm looking at what we can do now, hoping that everything's going to move forward," he said.

HBA of Southeastern Michigan maintains a COVID-19 resources page atbuilders.org/covid-19-resources.

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Contact Jeremy Ervinat (810) 989-6273 or jervin@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErvinJeremy.

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Home remodelers find there is plenty of work now that pandemic restrictions have been eased - The Times Herald

Contractors are less busy and material costs are lower

If youve done the hard number-crunching and are confident you can afford to stay put in retirement, your home likely needs a few tweaks to make it safer for an older you.

If your household finances are not under stress due to the economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis, now can be a smart time to start tackling age-in-place renovation projects.

A slowdown in the remodeling boom means contractors and architects are likely more motivated to return phone calls. For the past few years, spending on remodeling grew at nearly triple the rate of inflation. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard recently issued a downside update to its remodeling forecast that projects spending growth will turn negative into early next year due to the economic impact of the coronavirus.

A slowdown in business should make contractors more willing to negotiate price, and timing may be more flexible, as their backlog and waitlist on projects may have already shrunk.

Material costs are also lower. The National Association of Home Builders reported a record 4.1% decline in material costs in April. The -5.4% year-to-date decline eclipses the previous record slide of -1.3% in 2009.

Appliance costs should also decline amid reduced consumer demand.

And though some banks are making it harder if not impossible to qualify for a home equity line or loan, there are still lenders out there (hint: Check out credit unions) willing to make deals with qualified borrowers. If you have $400,000 in equity and are looking to borrow 10% or so of that to polish off an age-in-place project, you could get a more receptive greeting than if you have $100,000 in equity and want to borrow more than half of that.

Heres how to create a sensible age-in-place renovation game plan:

Focus on needs, not aspirations. Sure, aesthetics matter, but so too does cost. Reworking the bathroom so there is a level-in shower that wont require an older you to climb over a bathtub rim is a valuable age-in-place project. But its on you to decide if youre going to spend $20,000 for the bathroom you need or $40,000 for the HGTV-ready bathroom you want.

And keep reminding yourself that every dollar you spend will never be fully recouped by you, or your heirs. A quick web search of remodeling cost v. value will land you at sites that show the typical payback can range from 65% to 75% for many projects, such as a kitchen or bathroom remodel.

Polish off the low-hanging fruit first. Age-in-place renovations fall into two camps: smaller less expensive projects, such as installing grab bars in bathrooms and replacing trip-tastic rugs with carpet, to big-time construction, such as a new full bathroom on the first floor.

What you always want to avoid, especially right now, is stretching your renovation budget. If you have any queasiness about household income as we work our way through the coronavirus crisis, focus on affordable projects first.

Get three line-item bids The standard advice to get at least three bids is especially useful now. Quality and reputation remain paramount especially for big projects but having multiple bids gives you valuable intel to negotiate the best rate with the best contractor for your project.

There is never a good reason to accept a bid that does not carefully line-item every expense, but right now, with demand expected to be weaker, contractors should be more than eager to provide this breakdown to you.

Drill down on materials. Carefully reviewing the bid is essential before you hire anybody. Is the estimate based on using the materials and appliances you want? A low bid can be based on using cheap materials that you dont want. Conversely, you may find that your contractor has assumed a higher quality material than you deem necessary. Make sure you are comparing apples-to-apples bids that use the same materials and assume the same quality of appliances and mechanicals. For instance, does the bid include the cost of the most energy efficient new HVAC system which might cost more upfront or is it based on a more middle-of-the-road model?

Discuss subs. If you ask, you can often learn there are a variety of qualified subcontractors your contractor can use. Again, work quality is important, but there can be a wide range of rates among providers for certain projects.

And if your contractor suggests sticking with a certain sub, dont be shy asking if there is any give in the cost. In a slower market a smaller profit margin is better than having no work. But youre not going to get a break unless you ask.

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Planning to Age in Place? A Recession Can Be a Good Time to Remodel - Guaranteed Rate

Lennie Omalza, Special to Courier Journal Published 6:40 a.m. ET May 28, 2020

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Taking an old bathroom from drab to fab is about more than having a pretty powder room. A properly designed washroom can improve functionality in any home,making everyday experiences more efficient and comfortable while providing a clean, calming space to make your bathroom feel like an at-home spa getaway.

These three Louisville interiordesigners break downtheir experiences in building a better bath.

On the East End of Louisville, the bathroom in a midcentury-style ranch house was spacious, but in desperate need of an overhaul.

The home was built in 1959 with essentially no updates since then, said Dani Harris, principal and designer at Knot & Company Interiors.

This east-end bathroom remodel features a dual sink, marble-topped vanity with gold faucets, black mirrors, Shaker cabinets, and floor-to-ceiling wainscoting.(Photo: Provided by Knot & Company)

Harris utilized the ample amount of space by adding an extra sink and updating the room with gold fixtures, a marble-topped vanity, black mirrors, and shaker cabinets. She also added floor-to-ceiling wainscoting, as well as mixed metals and slate floors, creating an interesting architectural touch.

The best part of this project, Harris said, is that although we didnt move any walls or really even change the layout, the remodel is so drastic! We were able to add a sink, include better lighting, as well as create a simple but beautiful atmosphere for children and parents alike.

Home of the Week: A tale of two homes. Interior designer brings warm, cohesive flow to two Louisville homes

In Old Louisville, marvelous mansions require equally breathtaking bathrooms. Bethany Adams, principal of Bethany Adams Interiors, said her work on thisGeorgian homes washroom remodel was exactly that.

The goal of this project, she said, was to create a functional and modern master bathroom that complements the grandeur of my clients' historic home and its unique architectural features.

This Old Louisville bathroom remodel features book-matched Carrara marble slabs in the shower.(Photo: Courtesy of Justin L. Jordan)

While making a home from the 1910s functional for life in the 2000s, Adams still managed to respect and maintain certain historic details, such as original millwork and tile wainscoting.

We took a very sad space into this century, she said, describing the modern chrome vanity from Restoration Hardware and fixtures by Delta. The bathrooms shower glass and mirror, as well as the storage unit under the Palladian window, were all custom-made for the space.

My favorite aspect of this bathroom is how the Palladian window is reflected in the mirror, she said. There's a big tree outside the window, so every morning my clients get to walk into their bathroom, look in their mirror and experience the stunning architecture of their home, as well as be bathed in light and nature.

Home of the Week: Step inside the 'heart of the home' with amazing kitchen renovations in 3 Louisville homes

The bathroom in Cortney Hoeses colonial home in Holly Springs hadnt been updated since its construction in 1987 and her family was ready for a redo.

Functionally, it didnt do it for us, she said. And aesthetically, it definitely didnt do it for us. It was a combination of form and function.

The Kohler jetted soaker tub in this Holly Springs bathroom remodel features deck-mounted hardware, including a hand sprayer.(Photo: Courtesy of Bill Worley Photography)

A self-proclaimed design hobbyist, Hoese came up with the bathroom redesign herself, then enlisted Bailey Remodeling and Construction to execute the plans. Certain aspects of the renovation were set in stone: the color palette was predetermined, and Hoese was firm on adding a freestanding tub. With other parts of the remodel, Hoese just went with the flow.

Some of the tile choices were spur of the moment, she said (and) designing the countertop vanity that was an experience. That was a labor of love.

Hoese said that vanity was always long, but it used to be much lower all the way across. The biggest difference is the height. It was really hard to use.

The sinks were brought up to a higher level for ease of use, and a makeup counter placed slightly lower was added in the middle. Hoese also replaced the built-in Whirlpool tub with a freestanding tub and updated the shower to include a bench, two-tier shampoo niche, and three showerheads.

Home of the Week: This renovated Northfield ranch-style home is a modern, craftsmen-focused dream house

Her favorite aspect of the remodel, however, is the new heated floors. With the bathroom located directly above the garage, the flooring used to get cold very quickly and was unbearable during winter.

I love my heated floors, she said. We (used to have) rugs everywhere. Now its comfortable.

Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalzaataloha@lennieomalza.comor Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory atkgregory@gannett.com.

Bathroom 1: This was a full bathroom remodel in a midcentury ranch home in East End Louisville that was built in 1959.

Bathroom 2: This was a full bathroom remodel in a Georgian revival home in Old Louisville that was built in 1910.

Bathroom 3: This was a full bathroom remodel in a two-story colonial home in Holly Springs that was built in 1987.

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From heated floors to marble countertops, these bathroom renovations will make you swoon - Courier Journal

Across Chicago and the U.S., the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting everyone. Every business is in jeopardy of shutting its doors for goods. Every employee is in danger of losing their job. Every family is concerned about their health and wellbeing. And every single person in America is hoping to stop the spread of this deadly virus.

One thing that isnt stopping, however, is home renovation projects. Since everyone aside from essential workers are remaining in their homes almost 100% of the time, now is the perfect time for homeowners to improve their properties and begin (and hopefully finish) some important projects.

There is some concern over whether its even advisable to work on your home during this pandemic or not. Though there are some cons to beginning home remodeling projects due to the shortage of supply, potentially higher costs, and general feelings of being overwhelmed; there are plenty of advantages, too. For the most part, the costs are actually much lower right now. Several remodeling companies have come up with great deals and substantial discounts. Plus, if youre hoping to sell your home in the next few years, taking advantage of all this downtime and upgrading your home is a great option!

Here are some important things to consider whenever starting, or even thinking about starting, home remodeling projects:

There isnt a project on earth that wouldnt benefit from some diligent planning beforehand. Still, so many homeowners jump right into specific projects without an actual plan in mind, which can subsequently lead to a messy home, costly remodeling expenses, and high stress levels. Even skillful do-it-yourselfers need to plan out every step of their remodeling project. Without planning, chaos will certainly be the end result.

If you have a four-to-five-month timeline, you can talk to friends on who they used and look at Angies List reviews on their performance, said Kermit Baker, project director at the Harvard remodeling program. You can do your due diligence as you prepare to get the project ready.

Its important to have plenty of tools around the house, as well. If you just need a few things for a couple of quick projects, you can take advantage of tool rental programs. However, its best to own a legitimate set of tools so you can be fully prepared to take on any kind of home remodeling project. Here is a list of tools that every homeowner should have:

Every home improvement project will cost more than you think it will and will take more time than you planned, added Bob Harkson, a chief financial planner at Phase2 Wealth Advisors.

Remodeling contractors everywhere advise the same thing: the more thorough you are during these crucial planning stages, the more likely you are to stay under budget for each project.

Another great idea is to keep a detailed journal documenting every aspect of your home remodeling project. This can be helpful for all sorts of reasons! For instance, if youre working with home builders or a team of professional contractors and something goes wrong, you can use your journal in court or arbitration. Write down things exactly as they happen so you arent being charged for unnecessary costs down the line. Its best if your remodeling journal includes at the very least the following: project start date, major milestones, inspection dates, contractor work schedules, change orders, and all financial information.

Planning is one thing but budgeting can make or break not only your remodeling project ideas but your financial stability, as well. If you arent properly budgeting especially during these wild COVID-19 times, you are putting your entire future at risk. You need to carefully determine exactly how much you can afford to spend on every facet of your remodeling projects. Take, for example, home flooring projects. Your budget needs to account for everything, not just the final tiles. If you know what youre doing, you should still keep a strict budget and plan for spending on tools, materials, and everything else. If you are completely lost when it comes to flooring jobs or other potentially complicated projects like residential siding or plumbing repairs, consider hiring a team of professional contractors. But be aware, doing this will likely significantly increase the amount you spend on each project, which should be reflected in your budget.

Be realistic as you tour your homes interior and look at it as a buyer would with a very critical eye, said Gina Wolter, Broker/Realtor with The Real Estate Group. Determine projects that need the most attention. Some things on your list may require just a little elbow grease, while others may require assistance from a professional. Whichever the case, set your budget and work from there.

If youre working with a contractor, its important to ask as many questions as possible. This way, youll actually learn whats being accomplished. You wont have to hire a contractor for that specific project next time. Instead, youll be able to handle it all on your own! There is no better feeling than that. But dont be afraid of asking questions to the professionals. Even ones that might seem like are obvious its best to get the right answer than wing it on your own down the line. Plus, its your money that youre spending on these projects. You should know why youre spending that much and whats exactly taking place!

It might seem like a scary thing to do during these uncertain times, but there are loans out there available that are designed to help you and your family upgrade your home in a financially responsible way. A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 203(k) loan or a Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation loan, for example, are great options.

An FHA 203(k) loan offers flexibility because you can finance up to 97.75% of the improved home value, said Catherine Holtman, operations support manager for Embrace Home Loans. Theres a streamlined version for improvements up to $35,000 that are nonstructural and a standard version for major renovations including structural changes.

Additionally, taking out a home equity line of credit will provide you with the necessary flexibility to take advantage of remodeling projects. Youll only have to pay interest on the actual line of credit being used and not on everything else. Plus, closing costs are using pretty affordable! Cash-out refinancing, personal loans, credit cards, and 401(k) loans are all great options, as well just beware of high interest rates.

Upgrading your home is exciting but it can also be quite stressful if you dont know what youre doing, arent properly budgeting and planning, or you make mistakes. Some mistakes are minor and are just a little annoying. However, some mistakes even the minor ones can lead to catastrophic issues and ruin your home and your bank account.

Here are some of the most common home remodeling mistakes that homeowners across the country make:

So, in short, the best way to prepare for these kinds of home renovation projects is to save as much as possible, do plenty of research beforehand, make sure youre acquiring all the necessary tools, think about taking out a renovation loan,

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Home Remodeling and Repairs: Everything You Need to Know - Skyline

Home of the Year is proudly presented by The Redbud Group, creating great real estate experiences. Browse featured listings to find your own Charlotte dream home.

We know coronavirus brought a lot of unexpected change to our city, but Charlotte is still a place filled with architectural beauty and some of the best designers in the country.

We created theHome of the Year Award to celebrate the best of the best in new residential real estate. We want to honor that.

The home must be a new build or remodel within the past 12 months. Any remodel qualifies the home interior and/or exterior. Condos and apartments also qualify, so it doesnt necessarily have to be a traditional home.

Can I nominate my own home? Yes, of course! We love hearing directly from homeowners and we anticipate the majority of nominations to come from directly from homeowners.

Can I nominate a clients home?Yes, of course! If youre an architect, builder, or designer wed love to receive nominations, and when we profile our winner and finalists, we will credit all the people who touched the project.

Will there be finalists?Yes, we will profile a group of finalists. We will also select one overall winner. Heres our2019 Home of the Yearif youre looking for an example of the format.

Email your nomination(s) to brianna@charlotteagenda.com using the subject line Home of the Year nomination. Please include the address, up to three sentences on the home, and up to two photos of it. If selected as a finalist, well follow up for more information.

The deadline is Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Thank you for your help, and we look forward to celebrating the Home of the Year Award this summer!

Cover image: 2019 Home of the Year winner, The Providence Dream Home by brillhart architecture.

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Nominate your favorite new build or remodel for our third annual Home of the Year Award - Charlotte Agenda

An artist's renderings show what Regal Cinemas at River Park will look like after a renovation starting next month. Photos via River Park

published on May 21, 2020 - 2:36 PMWritten by Gabriel Dillard

River Parks Regal Edwards Fresno movie theater is headed toward a major remodel and an apparent rebranding, according to an announcement from the shopping center owner on Thursday.

A news release lists the theaters name as Regal Cinemas in River Park, a departure from the Edwards moniker that has remained with the 22-auditorium movie theater since it opened in the late 1990s.

A rendering of what the theater will look like after the interior and exterior remodel of the entire building also doesnt include the Edwards name.

A message left for officials with Lance-Kashian & Co., owner and manager of the River Park shopping center, were not immediately returned Thursday afternoon.

The remodel also comes with a new 15-year lease for the theater, which will be modernized and upgraded with all new seating as well as VIP lounge areas, concession stands, restrooms, lobbies and the entire facade.

Construction is expected to begin by June 1. The theater has been closed since March due to Covid-19 emergency orders. It is not clear if, once California movie theaters are allowed to reopen, Regal Cinemas in River Park will operate during the remodeling effort. No timetable was offered in a news release from Lance-Kashian.

The news follows the recent addition of 4DX and ScreenX technology at the theater. 4DX features in-theater special effects such as motion-synchronized seats, scents and other sensory effects. ScreenX technology surrounds audiences with an immersive 270-degree panoramic screen.

The first step in the complete renovation will be the addition to IMAX inside the main theater building, according to the news release.

This is truly a step into the next millennium, and we are excited for movie goers to return to our center to experience something magical, said Tracy Kashian, VP of marketing and public relations for River Park.

The release adds that all proper Covid-19 precautionary measures will be taken once the theater re-opens its doors.

River Park & Regal look forward to welcoming back our Central Valley families, concludes the release.

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Major renovation coming to Regal theater at Fresno's River Park - The Business Journal

Added to that is a higher demand for cleaning supplies, security systems, safety gear, sidewalk chalk and activity kits for youngsters, said Randy Rusk, national spokesman for Do It Best, a cooperative of hardware, lumber, and building materials stores in 50 states and more than 50 countries.

But analysts and marketing experts in the home and hardware industry are cautious. They predict a mixed bag in spending through the end of this year, dragged down by little or no construction in some states and nagging uncertainties surrounding the economic toll from the pandemic.

Smaller, in-home projects have been the bright spot in the sector. During the past two months, as unprecedented restrictions sent workers home and consigned people to work in bedrooms and at kitchen tables, the home services industry saw consumers flip their attitudes about their surroundings.

At first they were scared. Then, they began looking around their homes and decided they needed to get on projects they'd put off for years, said Larry Janesky, a Connecticut-based contractor with 300 dealers and 700 employees refurbishing attics, basements and roofs across the U.S.

Basement waterproofing and refinishing projects took off in the past month or so because people realized they needed to upgrade space for a home office. Roofing also has shot up, Janesky said.

Before the outbreak, spending on home remodeling was expected to post annual growth of 3.9% by the first quarter of 2021. But the latest data rolling together actual and forecasted impacts of the economic shutdown have led to predictions of declines this year, with more of a drop off into 2021, according to Harvard Universitys Joint Center for Housing Studies.

The uncertainty has analysts offering a mixed forecast for what will happen in the category later in the year.

Whether confidence returns to undertake large projects could be dictated by the depth and duration of the economic and housing market decline, wrote Wedbush analysts led by Seth Basham in a note about Home Depot, MarketWatch reported earlier in May.

Read more:
What a surge in decks and paint sales in the midst of a pandemics says about economic recovery - Oklahoman.com

This content is being provided for free as a public service to our readers. If local news is important to you, consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.***

Nineteen-hundred twenty-five was a momentous year in Florida.

The Sunshine State had just gotten its first taste of the boom times that would define its future: a powerful real estate market drawing northerners looking to invest or for a place of their own in the sun.

It also was a time of railroads, lines that connected Florida from top to bottom, and the beginning surge of what would become the beautiful, sandy and artsy Southwest Florida, home to Fort Myers, Naples and Sarasota.

Four years earlier, on May 14, 1921, Sarasota County was carved out of Manatee County and incorporated as its own community. Manatee, the much older sibling, was founded on Jan. 9, 1855 (when first created, Manatee included all of what is now Sarasota County, Charlotte County, DeSoto County, Glades County, Hardee County, Highlands County and part of Lee County).

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Read all of our Sarasota-Manatee Rebuilding America stories.

For the last 95 years, the Herald-Tribune has been here to document the stories and the growth of the two great communities of Sarasota and Manatee counties, through the financial crisis of the 1920s and 1930s to World War II and the subsequent Florida boom to Korea to Vietnam to the great Space Race of the 1960s and the birth of Disney to the Great Recession until now, when our state, nation and planet face another momentous time.

The Herald-Tribune has always been here to help readers navigate troubled waters and were here to help the businesses that serve as the backbone of this great community get back to what they do best.

Weve been here every step of the way through the COVID-19 crisis, documenting the first cases, telling you how to remain safe and partnering with local foundations and nonprofits to raise millions of dollars to help those folks most impacted.

In this Rebuilding America section, we have partnered with some of the regions most prominent businesses to document how they have dealt with the crisis and to ask them to stand beside us as we navigate our way out of it.

The Herald-Tribune is proud to be the trusted local source for news and information for Sarasota and Manatee residents, and we stand alongside our local businesses as we begin reopening.

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Read Rebuilding America stories from around the country.

The increase in web traffic and audience engagement during these difficult and challenging times has been explosive. Thats why this project is so vital. It zeroes in on focused economic categories, both in print and online.

During this difficult time, weve been been amazed at the generosity and deep sense of community weve experienced from both a personal and professional perspective. Were even more impressed with the adaptability and creatively of local business owners and those keeping our health and safety top of mind.

For example, the way Sarasota Memorial Hospital has kept the community informed about the virus and the importance of emergent and general health has been inspiring.

The creative way other local businesses have kept their employees working highlights local market leadership. Restaurants are a key economic driver for employment and commerce. Many have gotten extremely creative from selling grocery baskets at Pier 22 to many carry-out options from downtown restaurants like Duvals.

Sarasota residents and businesses have been deeply impacted by the pandemic. Being a community that relies heavily on tourism and residential seasonality, the timing was particularly difficult. As we begin thinking about traveling safely, we are so fortunate to have a local air travel option with Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

The automotive industry was one of the first to respond and adjust to our new environment with consideration for those impacted. Local dealers adapted business practices for both sales and service with drop-off and pick-up options in order to keep their employees and customers safe.

Building is an essential business. People are still buying and selling homes. As we take a deep look at residential building, local malls, real estate companies and new homebuilders are taking advantage of great rates from local financial institutions.

One positive note is that we are all spending more time with our loved ones as we work from home. This has given us time to evaluate our home environments. More than ever, people are looking into comfort, functionality and style for their space.

From home offices and furniture upgrades to even more extensive kitchen and bath remodels and home exterior improvements, like landscaping, pools and lanais, people are taking advantage of the work-from-home requirements to engage with contractors and accept deliveries.

Many of these businesses have joined with us as we innovate as well with Best of HT Preps. We had to pivot in order to celebrate student athletes in our communities. Rather than an in person banquet and awards show, we will produce an on-demand ceremony on June 18, 2020. We are seeing the same type of innovation with educators at all levels from elementary to college.

For 95 years, the Herald-Tribune has helped its readers and advertisers to see the light. We have no doubt that when we fully emerge from this latest test, Sarasota and Manatee counties will be stronger than ever and also wiser and more determined to succeed in creating a better community for our residents and their families, and a great place to do business.

None of this is happening in a vacuum. In fact, its quite the opposite.

Gannett newspapers across Florida are collaborating on this effort 23 of them to be exact from Pensacola to Jacksonville to West Palm Beach to Sarasota. Collectively, we reach a digital audience of 9 million, nearly 60 percent of Florida adults each month and 2 million readers in print.

But this effort is even bigger than Florida. Its happening across the 260 local brands that form the USA Today Network, which stretches from California to Maine to, of course, the Sunshine State, and most everywhere in between. Thats an audience of 173 million.

If you havent joined us in recent days in Rebuilding America, there is still plenty of opportunity to do so. This is just the beginning. We will be carrying this theme throughout the recovery and its a great opportunity for you to reach your customers and assure them youre back in business.

Were here for you like we have been for the last 95 years and well be here for the next 100.

Matthew Sauer, the executive editor and general manager of the Herald-Tribune, can be reached at matthew.sauer@heraldtribune.com. Stacia King, the media companys sales director, can be reached at sking@heraldtribune.com.

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Herald-Tribune is your partner in Rebuilding America - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

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Dave Hansen, left, and his son Austin Hansen work on a new seating area Thursday at Scooter's Chillin'-N-Grillin' in Twin Falls.

A new bar top has been installed at O'Dunkens Draught House Thursday in downtown Twin Falls.

New patio flooring has been put in place Thursday at Twin Falls Sandwich Co. in downtown Twin Falls.

Original flooring was found during the renovations to the theater, built in 1921, on Friday at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Twin Falls.

Downtown businesses have been keeping busy in spite of of COVID-19 closures by doing renovation projects in Twin Falls.

TWIN FALLS Sometimes even the darkest clouds have silver linings.

Magic Valley restaurants have lost huge sums of money because of COVID-19. Hundreds of food service workers have lost their jobs. Business wont return to normal for a long time if ever.

But there is one major benefit to shutting, or slowing, down business. Lots of business owners have done remodels to take advantage of their empty stores, and for some, theyve been able to do big projects that would have been more challenging under normal circumstances.

Financially it was the worst time, but as far as affecting customers it was the best time for sure, Twin Falls Sandwich Co. owner Shane Cook said. It took the entire time we were closed.

Owner Shane Cook stands over his new patio flooring Thursday at Twin Falls Sandwich Co. in downtown Twin Falls.

Many Twin Falls business owners have spent the past two months renovating their establishments, in some cases doing much of the work themselves or with the help of friends.

Cook said his business did a ton of deep cleaning, and also repainted, re-tiled and added new artwork by local artists to the walls.

Wed planned on doing it in two years, Cook said, noting that the restaurant is now brighter and more colorful.

Scooters Chillin-N-Grillin started working on major renovations even before Gov. Brad Little ordered restaurants to close. Manager Jamie Carlton said the restaurant decided to get a jump start since it was clear business was going to virtually disappear anyway.

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Watch Now: New business (re)models Store owners make the most of closures - Times-News

In March, states undertook dramatic and unprecedented measures to stem the spread of the SARS2-COV virus. And yet COVID-19 has claimed 100,000 lives in the U.S. Was the lockdown effective? Economists frequently address such questions in our research.

Seeing the unseen, or the path that we did not choose, is the key here. It is the fundamental challenge of economics, as illustrated by Frederic Bastiats parable of the broken window. A shopkeeper must replace a broken window. A neighbor, perhaps offering solace, points out that if windows never got broken, the town glazier would starve. To avoid believing that broken windows boost the economy, we must recognize what the shopkeeper did not buy due to replacing the window.

Economists visualize the alternative paths we could choose. What would have happened if we didnt pass NAFTA, or hadnt bailed out banks during the financial crisis, or if we raised the minimum wage to $15 per hour? The term counterfactual refers to the unchosen path.

Economists devise principles for constructing counterfactuals. Scenarios must be logically coherent and consistent with the available evidence. We must avoid overly optimistic or pessimistic alternatives.

I have never estimated potential deaths in an outbreak of a disease but have researched tornado warnings and worst case tornadoes. Like most economists, I recognize the challenges in evaluating the lockdown.

Heres a first challenge. WalletHub has scored the strictness of states COVID protection measures. The average COVID fatality rate for the ten states with the strictest lockdown policies is 686 per million residents, versus a fatality rate of 68 for the ten least strict states, or one tenth as much. The three highest fatality rate states are among the ten strictest states.

Does this show that lockdowns cause COVID-19 deaths? No. The states suffering the worst outbreaks will impose the strictest measures. This is the endogeneity of policy problem. Ignoring this issue would lead us to conclude that hospitals cause death because many people die there. Controlling for policy endogeneity is a major research focus.

Another problem arises because states imposed policies and Americans realized that COVID-19 was a serious health threat at about the same time. The NBA suspended its season March 11, people sharply reduced travel around March 15, and the first state stay-at-home order took effect March 19. We have very few data points to tease out the effect of various policies from behavioral changes.

The United States was slow in rolling out testing for COVID-19, creating another challenge. If we compared the number of COVID-19 cases in the month before and after lockdowns to test effectiveness, the total would rise simply because many more people were tested. Can we detect a decline in infections during a period of expanding testing?

Even if Marchs lockdown was effective, the policies may not be effective in another time or place. Policy effects may not transfer for several reasons. For the COVID lockdown, an important factor is peoples willingness to comply. If Americans do not favor shutting down the economy for a second wave of the virus, stay-at-home orders may prove ineffective when reimplemented.

Researchers at Columbia University have evaluated the lockdown, based on computer simulations with travel data between cities and reported cases and deaths. The policies appear to have stemmed the illness; indeed implementation of the same policies two weeks earlier could have avoided 83 percent of U.S. deaths through May 3.

The sophisticated technical analysis here, I think, obscures a bigger point. Nonpharmaceutical interventions, as epidemiologists call such policies, do not prevent COVID-19 deaths. Americans who did not get COVID this spring can still get sick next fall. Only a vaccine or effective treatment will truly prevent deaths.

Whether school closings and stay-at-home orders slow an outbreak is an important and really challenging research question. This question must be answered before we compare economic costs and health benefits. Ultimately a lockdown is merely a delaying action. Delaying actions are only worth fighting as part of a larger strategy.

Daniel Sutter is the Charles G. Koch Professor of Economics with the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy at Troy University and host of Econversations on TrojanVision. The opinions expressed in this column are the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Troy University.

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Dan Sutter: Did the lockdown save lives? - Alabama Today