Waltham-based fashion designer extraordinaire David Josef has always incorporated philanthropy into his work, but the COVID-19 pandemic has led him to take that segment of his business to a whole new level through his creation of unique, often sequin-embellished face masks. The Providence native has swapped out wedding dresses and ball gowns for face coverings that he donates to hospitals, nursing homes, and first responders. He also sells masks to customers, who he said cant get enough of his Ruth Bader Ginsberg design, or his seemingly innocent floral pattern that, upon closer inspection, has verbiage warning people (in very direct language) to keep their distance. I remember the day everything came to a halt: March 15. In one day I received 25 texts/e-mails from clients saying their events had been canceled, said Josef, 62. I didnt see things going in this direction, but this is [where we are], and were having a blast making the masks. Lets face it, they are the must-have fashion accessory. Josef creates the masks with his husband, Daniel Forrester (Its a real team effort, he maintained), with whom he lives in Waltham. We caught up with Josef to talk about all things travel.

Favorite vacation destination?

Being a moon child and a big queen, I have different places in the world that I love (depending on my mood). When I need to stop, relax, and rejuvenate, its Nantucket. When its going to be a lovely two-week vacation, my favorite place is Paris. But New York City gives me everything I need. I can hibernate in a hotel room, fabric shop, and see all of my friends and their Broadway shows. New York is simply the greatest city in the world.

Favorite food or drink while vacationing?

This is a loaded question. Currently, I am weighing in at an even ton, so eating and drinking is something I thoroughly enjoy anywhere. From the hot dog stand in New York City to the most fabulous five-course meal in Paris . . . Im happy eating and drinking anywhere in the world.

Where would you like to travel to but havent?

I am embarrassed to say that I am full-blooded Italian, but Ive still not yet traveled to Italy. In fact, we were supposed to be in Italy right now, in this moment. But the pandemic rules and, instead, we are home, making and shipping thousands of masks.

One item you cant leave home without?

I cant leave my husband, Danny, home when I travel. Other than that, Im a very, very light packer. No matter where were going, I am a light packer. However, my husband travels like Elizabeth Taylor with steamer trunks if were going to New York City overnight.

Aisle or window?

Always aisle. In the very early days of my career, when I was about 19 years old, I would have to fly to New York City for fabrics, meetings, etc., regarding my designs. That was back in the day of the Delta shuttle. I was a very nervous flyer [and] found that looking out the window was soothing. Now, or shall I say before the pandemic, I would be on planes once a month going here and there and everywhere for my work. Its amazing how our bodies become used to any situation. Now I sleep through every takeoff.

Favorite childhood travel memory?

Its kind of funny how life comes full circle. When I was about 12 years old, before my parents divorced, my mother, father, me, and my two brothers took a trip to New York City. I remember it like it was yesterday. We stayed at the City Square Hotel on Sixth Avenue and a rock n roll band, the Buckinghams, were staying on the same floor as us. I got a taste of what it was like to be famous by watching these guys navigate the endless crowds that were waiting for them on [our floor] and in the lobby of the hotel. It was cool.

Guilty pleasure when traveling?

I am a very strange traveler. I am not [someone who is] gung ho, lets get out of the plane and go shopping or sightseeing. My guilty pleasure when traveling is as follows: Check into the hotel and go to bed! Im a real jerk with hotels, too. I like all the upgrades and the amenities, as anyone would. I like to relax in my hotel for the first day and a half to get my bearings, get my footing, and then I will venture out to sightsee, or do whatever it is that needs to be done.

Best travel tip?

Danny and I have rediscovered Amtrak and train travel. Its truly glorious and incredibly relaxing.

JULIET PENNINGTON

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David Josef was supposed to be in Italy right now, but hes making masks instead - The Boston Globe

Tucked into the foothills outside of Fort Collins, this minimalist mountain home is the ideal base for a screen-free getaway. Photo courtesy of Andrew Michler

A Q&A with the designer of this 1,300-square-foot, certified International Passive House tucked into the mountains outside of Fort Collins. And, yes, you can rent it.

Escaping into the wilderness has long held appeal for Coloradans, but as we face another month of pandemic life, getting away to a place far from others sounds even more attractive.

Enter Off Grid Hideaways. The Switzerland-based startup partners with homeowners around the world to rent out their beautifully designed and remote properties. There are currently 13 homes in Off Grids portfoliobut just one is in the United States, and its right here in the Centennial State.

The Colorado Hideawaynicknamed MARTAK, an acronym of the designers familys surnamesis a 1,300-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bathroom home in the mountains of Larimer County, about 30 minutes from Fort Collins. The minimalist and open-concept space incorporates plenty of natural, eco-friendly materials (like Forest Stewardship Councilrated timber and recycled-newsprint insulation) and is the states first certified International Passive House. But dont let that scare you: There is electricity and indoor plumbing (and wifi, too, though you can ask to shut it off for a true digital detox). Its a regular house. You wouldnt even notice it as being anything different at first, says designer Andrew Michler, who lives in his own off-grid abode next door and runs the architecture firm Hyperlocal Workshop. We talked to Michler about MARTAKs aesthetic and what Passive House really means.

5280 Home: How would you describe the design of this house?Andrew Michler: Its kind of a Colorado contemporary cabin. It has a lot of inspiration from Japanese architecture in its use of materials and the space-making. People respond to two main things: the materials of the house, which are really quite simplepicket fencing for siding, plywood for the flooring, plywood boxes for furniture and stepsand the shape. Its a big, strong triangular motif inspired by hogback mountains here on the Front Range. Its almost like being inside one of those hills in a way.

Is there a spot in the house that guests gravitatetoward most?The most popular part of the house is the net (pictured above) at the very end of the loft space. Its 10 feet off the ground. [Overlooking] the main living area, it serves a few functions: We needed to make that space feel less cave-like, and it brings daylight in. Acoustically, it connects the two living spaces as well. Its just a lot of fun to do a surprise element in the house.

Tell us about the furnishings.Almost everybody responds to the minimalist aesthetic. People are feeling a little bit cluttered in their lives now that theyre working from home, and that decluttered-ness really speaks to them. The trick was trying to find the balance between creating a space thats completely uncluttered but still has the amenities you need to be comfortable. Its very much about getting people to engage with the space. [For example,] the windows are fairly deep, so [the sills] act as benches.

What does it mean that this house is a certified Passive House?This is the first certified International Passive House in Colorado; thats a very strict and rigorous energy-efficiency standard. The goal is to achieve buildings at any scale that use about 10 percent of the heating and cooling that a typical building would use in that environment. Its a massive leap from what typical buildings do. Its naturally comfortable.

I think its important for us to start focusing on the long-term quality of buildings, which goes beyond what we typically talk about: just the aesthetic component. Passive House has put a tremendous emphasis on the well-being and comfort of people. You cant take photographs of it, but a lot of people express how it feels to them. They feel protected. Its quieter. The temperature range is more stable. From a human point of view, our buildings havent been able to provide quiet spaces, constant fresh air, and really comfortable environments before. Thats something we can emphasize in parallel with the reduction of the carbon footprint of buildings in general.

So, no air-conditioning, then.Because Im off-grid, air-conditioning is not really an option. We use Earth tubesair is pulled through tubes that go through the ground, which helps to temper the air before it comes into the house. But primarily its just night cooling: Open the windows at night and close them during the daytime. In the wintertime, the main heating system is the sun, or passive solar; the secondary heating system is our everyday activities in the house, from cooking to taking showers. A small supplemental heating system makes up for the rest.

Whos making reservations?Lots of families; a lot of design-oriented people; people who are looking for a unique place to spend time for a few days or a week. Especially with COVID-19, everybody feels locked in. Theyre looking for something serene.

The Colorado Hideaway sleeps four and is available to rent for $250 per night; pets are not allowed.

Daliah Singer is an award-winning writer and editor based in Denver. You can find more of her work at daliahsinger.com.

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This Colorado Getaway Is the State's First Certified "Passive House" - 5280 | The Denver Magazine

Following the popularity of a riverside house that an architect and designer built for themselves in Australia, we've rounded up 10 other original self-designed homes by architects and designersfrom around the world.

Home Farm, UK, by John Pawson

Home Farm is the clutter-free second home of John Pawson, the British designer best known for his minimalist style.

Built within a 17th-century farming complex in the Cotswolds, the dwelling is fitted out with limited furniture and a deliberately simple material palette of pale lime plaster, elm and concrete.

Find out more about Home Farm

House in Samambaia, Brazil, by Rodrigo Simao Arquitetura

A large, sweeping rooftop shelters the stripped-back House in Samambaia that Brazilian architect Rodrigo Simo designed for himself, his wife and children.

Floor-to-ceiling windows wrap its exterior and frame its tactile, open-plan interiors, which feature various recycled elements and an exposed structure of white-painted steel pipes, beams and board-marked concrete.

Find out more about House in Samambaia

House in Tokiwa, Japan, by Makoto Suzuki

Makoto Suzuki designed the fragmented House in Tokiwa to facilitate communal living accommodating living spaces for himself, an office for his wife, a remote retreat for his father and a studio for the sculptor Takenobu Igarashi.

It is made up of individual blocks that are interlinked and unified by the same vertical timber cladding, which Suzuki left unpainted to mimic the trunks of the surrounding trees.

Find out more about House in Tokiwa

Ceiba House, Mexico, by Jorge Ramirez

Ceiba House is the 1930s family home of Jorge Ramirez, which he refurbished and extended with a white rooftop yoga studio for himself and his wife.

Located in Aguascalientes, the small home retains as much of its existing detail as possible, including weathered mud-brick walls, crumbling render and a small courtyard with a ceiba tree after which the house is named.

Find out more about Ceiba House

Hytte Ustaoset, Norway, by Jon Danielsen Aarhus

Framing the view of the nearby lake was the priority of Jon Danielsen Aarhus when designing his family's remote timber cabin, located on the mountain plateau Hardangervidda in Norway.

The pared-back dwelling is otherwise built to merge with its natural setting, clad entirely in pinewood that will grey over time and mimic the colours of the surrounding trees and rocks.

Find out more about Hytte Ustaoset

Blythe Road, UK, by Alex Michaelis

Alex Michaelis' self-designed sculptural brickwork house in London slots into a long, narrow site that was previously occupied by a disused garage.

Complete with rooftop gardens and a swimming pool, the design is Michaelis' "contemporary take on Corbusien modernism" and intended to offer a "unique and unparalleled experience of city living".

Find out more about Blythe Road

Dodge House, Portugal, by Daniel Zamarbide and Leopold Banchini

Daniel Zamarbide's Lisbon home is fronted by an opaque facade that opens unexpectedly into a bright, full-height living space, overlooked by staggered glass-walled rooms.

Its distinctive stepped section squeezes a kitchen, bathroom and three bedrooms into a footprint of less than 40 square metres and is designed to maintain a visual connection throughout the home.

Find out more about Dodge House

House in the City, Japan, by Daisuke Ibano, Ryosuke Fujii and Satoshi Numanoi

A stack of staggered white boxes makes up Daisuke Ibano's House in the City, which he built for his growing family on a compact site hemmed in by other buildings in Tokyo.

This characteristic form reflects its unusual interior layout, where the rooms are arranged as one "helical continuous space" without doors to help maximise light and space.

Find out more about House in the City

Le Pedrera, Uruguay, by Alejandro Sticotti

Le Pedrera is a coastal holiday home that architect Argentinean Alejandro Sticotti designed for his family using textural board-marked concrete and weathered-wood cladding.

The interiors were designed largely by his wife Mercedes, a graphic designer, and have a complementary material palette dominated by tactile wooden flooring, ceilings and furnishings.

Find out more about Le Pedrera

Basic House, Thailand, by Korn Thongtour and Nartrudee Treesaksrisaku

An indoor garage containing a vast collection of cars is the centrepiece of Basic House, the "clean-cut" home of architects Korn Thongtour and Nartrudee Treesaksrisaku in Bangkok.

Developed with their studio, Brownhouses, the dwelling conceals all its storage behind walls to enhance the pared-back aesthetic and retain focus on views of the garage throughout the home.

Find out more about Basic House

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Ten self-designed homes that reflect the unique styles of their owner - Dezeen

Donald Norcross Is The Last Person Who Should Be Throwing Around Words Like Catastrophic And B.S.

Norcross calls Postal Service changes, B.S., but we all know the real B.S. is Norcross policies

COLLINGSWOOD Claire Gustafson, Republican candidate for Congress in New Jerseys First Congressional District, said today that Congressman Donald Norcross is the last person who should be throwing around words like catastrophic and B.S.

At issue is that according to published reports Donald Norcross, at a press conference at the Bellmawr Postal Service processing center, referred to changes made in Postal Service operations by the Post Master General as catastrophic and said, Its B.S.

Its laughable that Congressman Donald Norcross would refer to anything as catastrophic when the real catastrophe in our congressional district was created by him, Claire Gustafson said. In February 2014, when he announced his first run for Congress, Norcrossbraggedthat he led the charge on getting the Economic Opportunity Act passed into law, the very law that led to his family and friends getting $550 Million in tax breaks.

Gustafson continued, Norcross went on to refer to Postal Service changes as B.S. when we all know the real B.S. comes from his mouth every time he mentions being a union electrician when he hasnt set foot on a job site in around 20 years. I interact with union labor more at industry trade shows for my business on job sites more often than he does.

Gustafson added, The catastrophic B.S. is local media allowing Donald Norcross to back away from his early bragging about the role he played in passing the law that ensured his family and friends got all those tax breaks. It must be nice to be part of the political cartel that rules South Jersey, the media even gave Norcross a free pass whenhe compared Camden City workers to childrenwhile backing up Holtecs owner after he made controversial comments.

Gustafson continued, Many of those tax incentives created by the law Norcross bragged about passing could have been used to help other areas of the district that are hurting. Imagine if businesses were helped move to the area of the Paulsboro Port. We might be bringing in steel from Brazil rather than wasting opportunity on Russian steel and taxpayers might finally be getting a return on their $255 million investment. Instead Donald Norcross worked hard in the state Senate to get tax breaks for his family and friends in Camden. As a member of Congress he seems to forget the district runs south to the Gloucester County Border with Salem County. He represents more than just the political cartel that rules South Jersey.

Its time to put an end to the catastrophic B.S. created by Norcross and the political cartel he happens to be a member of and thats why Im running for Congress, Gustafson said.

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Norcross Is The Last Person Who Should Be Throwing Around Words Like Catastrophic And BS - InsiderNJ

Norwich Viewing municipal utilities as a "gold standard" and hoping they can be used as a "measuring stick" for storm response, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, joined state legislators at Norwich Public Utilities on Tuesday to hear about NPU's storm response.

The visit came among ongoing and widespread criticism of Eversource for its response to Tropical Storm Isaias, and a day after Energy and Technology Committee leaders unveiled bipartisan regulatory legislation.

NPU General Manager Chris LaRose and spokesperson Chris Riley hosted Courtney, Energy and Technology Committee Chairman state Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Essex; and state Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, for a discussion in NPU's emergency operations center.

According to NPU, 35% of customers lost power due to Isaias, but of those 7,500 customers, 99% had power restored in two days and 100% in three days.

"When the storm came, I don't think anybody honestly predicted the damage that was going to happen," LaRose said, but noted that NPU prepared for a Category 3 hurricane.

In the response, he said the utility's priorities were hospitals, then business centers, then places with the most customers per outage. But he also said NPU doesn't wait until the end to deal with outages that affect only one or two households.

NPU has 146 employees, and all the general managers are unionized. That's about the same number of workers NPU had in 2011, when Connecticut saw massive power outages from both Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm.

LaRose said it takes about 10 years for someone to become a skilled lineman, and the company pre-fills jobs before they're vacant if they know a lineman is approaching retirement age.

He said there's no program in the state technical school system specifically for linemen but NPU looks for people who have a "high school education with a strong intellectual background" and gets some people who come in with an electrician's license.

NPU has 11 linemen responsible for power restoration, and after power was restored for all NPU customers following Isaias, eight worked from the Saturday to the Wednesday after the storm providing mutual aid to Eversource. They helped people in Lyme, Old Lyme, East Lyme and Waterford, for example.

NPU rates are about 24% less than those of Eversource but it varies throughout the year, La Rose said. NPU is holding a public hearing next week on rates and looking to put out a three-year rate schedule.

The paradox is that some want to see legislation enabling municipal utilities like NPU and Groton Utilities to expand their coverage area because of their storm response, but part of the strong storm response comes from having a small territory.

"We do very well in a storm response because we have a small and nimble area," Riley said.

Similarly, in response to a question from Osten about moving into other communities, LaRose later said that "if you get large, you have some of the issues of being as quick and as nimble."

Despite Eversource being much larger, both Courtney and Osten expressed that they thought it was fair to make a comparison with NPU's performance.

"To me, we're talking about the same weather event, we're talking about the same state and in some cases even the same county or region," Courtney said. Comparing Norwich to Sprague, Osten added, "When you go 10 miles down the road and it takes an additional five days to get power back, that doesn't make a whole boatload of sense."

e.moser@theday.com

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What went right with Norwich Public Utilities' response to Isaias? - theday.com

ALBANY The Dougherty County Commission is advertising openings for the following board appointments that will be made for current unexpired terms and terms of various lengths. Resumes and/or letters of interest must be received by 5 p.m. on Sept. 9.

JOINT BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS & APPEALS: One appointment. The joint appointment will fill an unexpired three-year term ending Oct. 1, 2022. The board considers appeals from citizens regarding decisions and/or interpretations of the building inspector as it relates to the Southern Standard Building Code. Applicants should have building industry experience. The board meets on an as-needed basis.

AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING, & VENTILATION BOARD: One appointment. The appointment will fill an unexpired one-year term ending Dec. 31. The purpose of this board is to review all matters pertaining to standards for use of air conditioning, heating and ventilation. The board meets on an as-needed basis.

CHEHAW PARK AUTHORITY: One county appointment. The appointment will fill a three-year term ending June 30, 2023. The Chehaw Park Authority is the governing body, created by an act of the Georgia General Assembly, for Chehaw Park & Zoo comprising 800 acres of land located in Dougherty and Lee counties. The authority is an institution of purely public charity, dedicated to the promotion of the general public welfare in matters of cultural development, education, pleasure, convenience and recreation of the public at large, and particularly those citizens residing in Lee and Dougherty counties. The authority was created as and shall remain a public beneficence, dedicated to the good of humanity and the general improvement and happiness of society. It is declared and established that the operation, maintenance, and expansion of the park is a proper public purpose and that the authority shall be responsible for operation, maintenance and expansion of the park. The authority meets the third Monday of the month at 6:15 p.m. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be a resident of Dougherty or Lee county.

ELECTRICAL BOARD: One appointment. The appointment will fill an unexpired one-year term ending Dec. 31. The purpose of this board is to consider all matters related to electrical installations, including alterations, repairs and equipment. The board meets on an as-needed basis. One appointment must be a master electrician, two must be electrical suppliers, one must be a professional engineer and one represents a citizen member.

FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT REVIEW BOARD: One appointment. The appointment will fill an unexpired three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2021. The purpose of the board is to consider variances on structures that are below the required base flood elevation levels and to consider special-use permits for proposed development in the floodway. This board meets on an as-needed basis.

For additional information on appointed boards, commissions and authorities, call the County Clerks Office at (229) 431-2121 extension 0 or email jware@dougherty.ga.us.

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Dougherty government seeks applicants for board appointments | News - The Albany Herald

Has a home theater been your dream for long but you believe you do not have enough space for it? Forget about such excuses! Now, you can either buy a TV lift and install your home theater in a place you want, or you can make your own lift system. The first option might cost pretty much. But if you have the needed money and you have found a system that you like, why not use it?

If you want to save some funds or you prefer something customized, making a DIY TV lift for your interior is the best option. You will need to buy a lift system here, and all the other elements you can make on your own.

We believe that you know already where you want to have your new home theater. If you are in doubt, we can suggest some ideas.

If you are planning to get a fireplace, it is a good idea to check one with a slot for TV. Modern options even have a power outlet for such purposes. Check if the slot size is big enough for your home theater, and the issue is solved. It looks modern and stylish. Though if you have a fireplace and are planning to install the screen in it or behind it, this idea is not the best one. If the fireplace is not made to be used with a TV set, the influence on your TV might be devastating. Drastic changes in temperature and humidity will decrease the item service life and deteriorate the experience in general.

Do you have an old dresser that has to be thrown away but is kept for some reason? You can use it to install your home theater there!

While the idea with a fireplace is clear: everything is already installed there, you might opt for a dresser.

Now, the cabinet for your new home theater is ready. You can move on to the TV lift part.

First, you need to choose a TV lift. You can make it, too, but you need good skills, special tools, and solid knowledge of the technology. If you do not have experience with such things, your TV lift might end up collapsing and destroying your TV screen and all the equipment.

If the TV lift is hidden in the dresser, its design might be not crucial. Though if you want you can choose the nicest one.

Once you are ready with all the preparations, you can fix the items. Attach the TV lift to the back wall of the dresser. If you believe that it is not sturdy enough (in most cases it cannot support the weight of a big screen and the weight of the lift system), consider reinforcing it. You can mount a metal or wooden bar on the back side and fix the application on the bar.

The TV lift comes with special supports for the screen. Mount the screen on the supports and fix it. do it properly otherwise, it might fall and get damaged.

Cabling is one more issue. In your case, you can just leave it hidden in the dresser. Fix them with special cable clips to avoid tangling. If you want, you might hire an electrician to hide them completely, but we believe that indeed, this is not the case when you need it. The main thing is to avoid interfering with the moving screen and tangling.

You can install the cable box anywhere in the dresser. Just make sure it does not interfere with anything.

Finally, you can test the installation. Check whether the screen popups properly and hides smoothly. Once more verify that everything is installed firmly enough. Make the last adjustments if needed. After that, your home theater is ready to be used. Invite your close people and enjoy it!

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Create an Amazing Home Theater with the Help of a DIY TV Lift - edmchicago.com

A once prominent retail corner in Mishawaka will soon see new business development that includes a new car wash, restaurant and retail store.

Johns Auto Spa, a Nappanee-based auto care company, is scheduled to open a new car wash and oil service on the northwest corner of McKinley Highway and Grape Road. According to a construction design release filed in late July, the total project area is proposed to be just over 6,600-square feet and, based on renderings from commercial real estate company Midland Atlantic Properties, will feature an indoor car wash and outdoor vacuum system. A representative with Johns Auto Spa did not respond to several requests for comment to detail specifically what the new car wash business will offer or to answer when construction is expected to begin and end. The new construction will replace the former Rallys restaurant that closed in January.

This isnt the first time the Elkhart County car wash business has attempted to come into the Mishawaka market. In 2018, Mishawaka council narrowly voted against rezoning an area across from the Kohls store on Grape Road for a new Johns Auto Spa business because of concerns about the businesss ability to keep oil, gas and other contaminants from leaking or running into nearby Juday Creek. Council member Ron Banicki, D-6th, whose district the proposed project would have resided in, said then, This is a good project, just not in the right spot.

Owners of the car wash business then simply looked a mile and a half down Grape Road and plans are now seemingly moving forward.

The car wash development is just one of a few other projects proposed for that corner. Specifically, shopping center McKinley Commons also is being prepared for new business development.

In a property brochure by Midland Atlantic Properties, which oversees the property, about an acre of outlier land (in what is now a parking lot) is for sale or lease for a proposed free-standing 2,800-square-foot restaurant. Kyle Nageleisen, director of leasing with Midland Atlantic Properties, said that construction for the proposed building will not begin until a tenant has been formalized and that he has been in communication with several businesses about the property but noted nothing is definite.

About 50,500 square feet of retail space also is available in the former KMart space inside the shopping center. Nageleisen said the space is currently under construction as a storefront is created and the facade is updated to make it more appealing to potential tenants. Nageleisen anticipates the facade construction to be complete in September and said he has been in communication with national and regional retailers about filling the space but, again, said nothing definitive has been established.

Even though we are talking to companies, we dont want to make it out that we have done deals, because we do not, Nageleisen said. We are still investing a big amount of money in the property to give it a great look and renovation.

Have you heard?

A new convenience store is slated to replace the former Muffler Man building in South Bend. According to a construction design release, a new convenience store will be built at 2302 S. Michigan Street. It was not immediately clear when construction will begin or when the store will open. ... Fleet Feet in Mishawaka will be hosting a fundraiser event this Saturday. The athletic shoe store at 3522 Grape Road will host a Shopping For Steve-O give-back day this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m where 10% of the days sales will be donated to the Racing For Steve-O Foundation.

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New development and car wash coming to McKinley Commons in Mishawaka - South Bend Tribune

NAPLES

The space that once housed Bellini and Paddy Murphys in downtown Naples is getting a facelift, and new restaurants and shops are on the way, but some in Naples arent so excited.

I came here to pay respects to this building, part of the culture on Fifth Avenue, said Rich Muller, a long-time Naples resident who brought his son to the demolition site.

The buildings are 50 years old and Muller says he and others may have had memories here that could be lost.

How many lives have been touched by this building? How many families owned businesses? How many people actually walked inside and experience something? he asked.

Bellini Italian Restaurant and Paddy Murphys Irish Pub in the 400 block of Fifth Avenue South will be gone in a few days. Demolition crews have already leveled the land where Citrus Restaurant once stood.

Property manager Matthew Slaughter is looking ahead to what the future of Fifth Avenue could be. We felt the time was right to build new at Fifth at this point and be part of Naples on Fifth Avenue for the long term.

So far, the plan includes a 15,000-square-foot building with restaurant space and a second-floor prime with office space. The plans also include solar power.

Some of the plans are to have a beautiful patio that is made of landscaping, and green improvements including solar if theyll allow it, Slaughter said.

John Leonard considers Naples his second home since he works across the street from the project. Hes excited about what it could become.

I think its a good thing. In my opinion, the buildings were outdated. Weve got some brand-new buildings around here and Im hoping that the construction here, the new construction, is going to be similar in style to these buildings, said Leonard.

Leonard and others who frequent Fifth Avenue could find out sooner rather than later what will go up. Developers hope to be finished with the project by August 2021.

But Muller is still sad to see his favorites go. Its exciting to see something new coming but at the same time, [a] very sad moment realizing were losing history.

Slaughter said that Bellini and Paddy Murphys could reopen once construction is finished.

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New restaurants and retail shops headed to 5th Ave in Naples - Wink News

After work stopped for a few weeks this spring, crews returned to the site of The Vanguard in Downtown Boise and the project started to rise.

The Vanguard calls for 75 residential units in an 8-story building at the corner of 5th St. and Front St. in Downtown Boise. The plan also calls for retail space, a rental office, dog wash and bike storage on the ground floor. The project started sprouting up on the former site of the BizPrint warehouse, just behind the Basque Block.

The development does not include parking, but sits next to the newly-built 5th and Front parking garage.

Ithaca, NY-based Visum Development is behind the project. Work started over the winter with the demolition of BizPrint. Initial work on the buildings footings started, but stopped after the COVID-19 pandemic started impacting Boise. Workers removed a mobile crane on the site for a time, before returning it later last spring.

Now, work continues on the footings and ground floor, though the project hasnt started to move skyward beyond the first-floor concrete work.

Visum has not released pricing for The Vanguards units, and a completion timeline isnt yet known.

[Going Up: Makeover converting aging Boise hotel into small housing units]

The Vanguard joins a flurry of residential projects along the Front & Myrtle corridor. RoundhousesCartee started last fall, as didOpus Developments River Caddis. Gardner Co.began work on Park Place Apartmentslast summer.

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Construction resumes on The Vanguard apartments in Downtown Boise, ID - boisedev.com