LOWER MAKEFIELD >> The board of supervisors is scheduled to vote in November on a final design for the Sandy Run Road project and will either bid the project at its second meeting in November or its first meeting in December.

Michael Baker International Inc., which was hired by the township in May to design the project, is expected to make a formal presentation at either the November 4 or 18 meeting.

The goal is to authorize this for bid before the end of the year with construction in the spring, said Township Manager Kurt Ferguson.

The proposed project is designed to reopen Sandy Run Road to right turns in and right turns out at Edgewood Road by building two mini-roundabouts - one at Schuyler Drive and one at Mill Road - that would allow Sandy Run traffic to double back without having to take a two mile detour or make an illegal u-turn.

Township traffic engineer Joe Fiocco from SAFE Highway Engineering LLC of Trevosehas estimated engineering and construction of the roundabouts and the barriers at about $540,000, considerably cheaper than a previous engineering plan that called for shifting the Sandy Run Road intersection to the west.

The approach to this is novel and I am impressed by it, said Supervisor John Lewis last December. And I hope that it passes muster as it moves forward.

In addition to allowing Sandy Run Road traffic to double back, Fiocco said the roundabouts would act as a traffic calming measure and slow traffic down to 25 mph - the minimum speed needed to allow traffic to safely make left turns in and out of Sandy Run Road at Edgewood.

If we get that speed down to 25 we could consider this a permanent solution, said Fiocco.

The goal, said Township Manager Kurt Ferguson, is to have construction of the project completed in the spring and Sandy Run reopened sometime next year.

For safety reasons, the township closed Sandy Run between Reading Avenue and Edgewood Road in January 2017 after a site inspection determined there was insufficient sight and stopping distance at the intersection of Sandy Run and Edgewood Roads due to changes at the nearby railroad crossing.

Since then, the township has been working with its professionals to find a workable solution to reopen the road.

As part of that process, the engineers, working with the township, reviewed and vetted more than 25 potential solutions.

In June 2018, the supervisors took action on two fronts to address the Sandy Run Road closure, which has caused inconvenience and headaches for local residents for three years now.

On the legal side, the supervisors voted 5-0 to authorize counsel to move forward with litigation against any party that might be held legally responsible for the road closure and the cost to remedy the problem..

The supervisors also voted 5-0 in 2018 to authorize its traffic engineer to look at two options to fix the problem - shifting the Sandy Run Road intersection to the west to create greater sight distance and building permanent chicanes to slow traffic on Edgewood - or the alternative, ending Sandy Run in a cul-du-sac near Edgewood Road.

The latest, less costly plan for mini-roundabouts was proposed in December by the townships new traffic engineer. It has since been vetted by the townships Citizens Traffic Advisory Board, which unanimously recommended that the supervisors move forward with the idea.

In other business, township engineer Andrew Pockl announced that a multimodal grant application has officially been submitted to the state to fund construction of a bike path on Woodside Road from Makefield Highlands Golf Course to Taylorsville Road.

At Taylorsville Road, the path will connect to a new path on Woodside Road that will eventually provide bicycle and pedestrian access to the new Scudder Falls Bridge via a ramp connector now under construction.

Pockl also announced that he is in the process of reviewing plans submitted for Prickett Preserve at Edgewood, a mixed use development project proposed for land on Stony Hill Road across from Shady Brook Farm.

Also at the meeting, the supervisors approved a development agreement for Heartis Senior Living, a new independent, assisted living and memory care facility tentatively scheduled to open its doors at Dobry and Oxford Valley Roads just to the north of Big Oak Road.

To address the concerns of neighboring residents, the developer has agreed to lower the lighting levels in its parking area. They are also working on installing shields over lights on the side of the building that are projecting out toward the driveway, according to Pockl.

While the supervisors approved Heartis, they voted unanimously to oppose a request before the zoning hearing board for a special exception that would allow a bed and breakfast or boarding house to operate at 3 Ridge Avenue. The request is being made by property owner Gene Augustin.

An Edgehill Gardens resident urged the supervisors to oppose the request. We did not move here to have a multi-family-type residence in our neighborhood, she said.

Christian Hoover, from Greenway Avenue, also urged opposition. If this is granted, which limits up to 10 people, Gene will stuff this house with 20 people.

The hearing is scheduled for October 20 beginning at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

In other action, the supervisors approved signage designating preserved township land on Oxford Valley Road in honor of Katharine Burke.

When she was 14, Burke attended a Board of Supervisors meeting to implore the board to preserve the 26 acres of wetland and woods. At the time, the board was considering selling 8.6 acres of the property to the neighboring Bible Fellowship Church, now Riverstone Church, for parking.

Reading from a passage from Dr. Seuss The Lorax, Burke stood before the board and said, I speak for the trees. Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, things arent going to get better. Theyre not.

The supervisors also approved a banner on Heacock Road across from McCaffreys Market recognizing Kays Day, the birthday of Kayden Mancuso, and to raise awareness of child safety and domestic violence awareness.

Looking ahead, the supervisors have scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, Oct. 28 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Ferguson will present the townships draft budget for 2021 at the meeting.

In other township news, Monica Tierney, the director of parks and recreation, announced that this years Veterans Day Parade will not be held due to the ongoing pandemic.

In its place, the township will hold a small ceremony that will be broadcast live on social media and cable TV on November 7 beginning at 1 pm. Residents may also chose to attend in person, but should wear masks and be prepared to social distance.

Also on November 7, the EAC is looking for volunteers to help plant more than 120 trees at Patterson Farm. Watch the townships FaceBook page for details on how to sign up.

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Lower Makefield Supervisors expected to approve final design for Sandy Run Road fix by year's end - Bucks Local News

October 12, 2020

LUMBERTON In a surprise move Monday, Chairman Sammy Cox Jr. announced his resignation from the Robeson Community College board of trustees, bringing two decades of service to an end.

Its been a great ride, Cox said. I feel like its time for me to move on.

Cox made the announcement during the boards regular meeting by reading aloud his letter of resignation, which is effective Thursday. His formal resignation notice now must be submitted to the Robeson County Board of Commissioners, which appointed Cox chairman of the RCC board in July 2019.

In his letter, Cox said he will focus on his family and his health during his retirement.

My wife has been telling for the past nine years that I needed to retire, Cox said. Im looking forward to total retirement.

At 21 years, Cox is the board of trustees longest-serving member. He was a student in the colleges Basic Law Enforcement Training program in 1975, and went on to teach in that program. He received naming rights for the colleges BLET building in 2018 after he donated $100,000 to the program. The building bears the name Sammy Cox Law Enforcement Center.

You dont serve 21 years on a board without caring about the institution, trustee Kyle Chavis said.

Bosco Locklear said hes only been on the board a few months but has known Cox for 40 years.

Youve certainly been a great leader, Locklear said to Cox. I thank you for all the years youve put in here.

Trustee Audrey Hunt spoke of the support Cox has given to the institution over the years.

Its going to be a great loss for the college, Hunt said.

Cox said he feels confident in the colleges leadership, the people who do the brunt of the work.

I think Im leaving it in good hands. You have excellent leaders, Cox said.

Because of the abrupt nature of Coxs announcement, the meeting was recessed until 6 p.m. Thursday to give the boards attorney time to review the proper procedures for replacing a chairman who has resigned.

Also Monday, the trustees got a look at some of the negative effects COVID-19 has had during the first quarter of the academic year. Steven Hunt, vice president of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, said that when the school year began enrollment in Continuing Education exceeded its projected 39.5 full-time equivalents by posting 61.67 full-time equivalents.

When I saw that number for the first month of the year, I was really excited in the midst of COVID, and then I got a wake-up call come August, Hunt said.

In August, the college only met 52 of the projected full-time equivalents, Hunt said.

Were roughly about 45 FTEs off the first quarter, Hunt said. Thats actually money.

Hunt said 45 FTEs represents a loss of about $175,000.

Were going to be short almost 200 to 210 FTE per year if COVID continues the way it is now, Hunt said.

To combat the loss, his office is trying to run as many programs as possible, Hunt said.

COVID is affecting the community college, Hunt said.

This is why the college will hold a special Winter Session that will run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 29, said Melissa Singler, RCC president.

Although COVID-19 has negatively affected enrollment it has pushed more people to give, according to Rebekah Lowry, director of Foundation and Development.

Lowry told the trustees that the Campus Fund Drive has seen a 86% increase in giving from 2019. The drive is when employees donate either a one-time gift or a payroll deduction gift to the Foundation for student scholarships. This year, $33,415 was donated to the Foundation.

Our employees dug deep, and they gave and they made history this year, Lowry said.

Lowry also told board members that the 36th annual Clifford Bullard Memorial Tournament broke earnings records. A net gain of $37,500 was raised for the colleges Foundation, beating the colleges record of $28,829.

In Building and Grounds business, Steven Hunt told the trustees that the price tag for getting the college in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is about $825,000.

To be in compliance the college must repave the parking lot, update bathrooms and add Braille and handicap signage throughout the campus. The project is to be completed within seven years.

Hunt also said that sooner rather than later the college will need to replace the roof shingles on Building No. 13 with seamless medal to prevent leaks. The project is estimated to cost $600,000.

The trustees also learned that instead of holding its annual Made in Robeson Day event, the college will make videos highlighting manufacturers and industrial programs at the college. The videos will be given to the Public Schools of Robeson County to be distributed to students.

Eric Freeman, director of the EMS program, gave a presentation on the Computed Tomography program, which began in August. The program is a modality added to the radiography program.

The trustees also reaffirmed its mission statement which reads, Robeson Community College provides opportunities for academic, technical, and life-long learning in a collaborative culture dedicated to inquiry, results, and excellence.

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Church events - The Robesonian

I-95 Southbound

Exit 133 (Route 17) Traffic Shift to New Overpass

Tuesday Wednesday, 7 p.m. 2 p.m., Single lane closure at 7 p.m. south of Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) and will continue to the Rappahannock River bridge.Double lane closures at 9 p.m. Traffic will be reduced to a single southbound lane until 2 p.m. Wednesday. Lane closures are needed for 19 consecutive hours of milling, paving and lane striping to shift all southbound traffic onto a new interstate overpass that spans Route 17. Between midnight and 3 a.m., there may be full intermittent traffic stops. All I-95 southbound traffic may be stopped up to 30 minutes at a time to allow crews to move large pieces of equipment within the work zone.

Tuesday, Oct. 13 Wednesday, Oct. 14

7 p.m. Single lane closure

9 p.m. Double lane closure

Midnight 3 a.m. Intermittent, full traffic stops up to 30 minutes

3 a.m. 2 p.m. Double lane closure

2 p.m. All southbound lanes open

When all lanes reopen, traffic will be traveling over the new overpass in the median of I-95, which will carry the future through travel lanes as part of the I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing. Expect major delays with this work zone. I-95 southbound travelers are strongly encouraged to choose an alternate route to avoid delays, especially for destinations outside the Fredericksburg area.

Click here watch a simulation video of this new traffic pattern.

Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway to Exit 133 (Route 17)

Wednesday Friday, 9 p.m. 10 a.m. and Friday Saturday, 10 p.m. 7 a.m. Lane closures and a traffic diversion on the schedule below for bridge beam placement for the future Truslow Road overpass, which is being built as part of the I-95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.

Wednesday, Oct. 14 Thursday, Oct. 15

9 p.m. Single lane closure

10 p.m. Double lane closure, with single lane of traffic diverted into temporary median lane for beam placement. View an online graphic of this traffic pattern.

4:30 a.m. Two lanes open

10 a.m. All lanes open

Thursday, Oct. 15 Friday, Oct. 16

9 p.m. Single lane closure

10 p.m. Double lane closure, with single lane of traffic diverted into temporary median lane 4:30 a.m. Two lanes open

10 a.m. All lanes open

Friday, Oct. 16 Saturday, Oct. 17

10 p.m. 7 a.m. Single lane closure

I-95 Northbound

Exit 140 (Courthouse Road)

Wednesday Thursday, 9:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure near the interchange for various construction activities as part of the I-95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.

I-95 Northbound and I-95 Southbound

Exit 104 (Carmel Church)

Tuesday Wednesday, 8 p.m. 6 a.m. Single lane closures for mobile operation for restriping.

Stafford County

Route 1 Northbound

Monday Friday, 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Single right lane closure on Route 1 northbound between Centreport Parkway and Potomac Creek Lane for the bridge replacement project.

Route 607 (Deacon Road)

Monday Saturday, 9 a.m. 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. 6 a.m. Daytime milling and paving, and overnight pavement marking and traffic signal detection equipment work. Expect travel delays. Alternating, single lane closures on Deacon Road between Route 218 (White Oak Road/Butler Road) and Brooke Road. Motorists may experience a temporary rough driving surface on the milled sections.

Route 610 (GarrisonvilleRoad)

Sunday Monday, 7 p.m. 5 a.m.and Thursday Friday, 7 p.m. 5 a.m. Traffic signal work at various intersections on Route 610 between Salisbury Drive and I-95 ramps. Virginia State Police will assist with traffic control.

Hospital Center Boulevard

Wednesday Thursday, 9:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. and Friday, 9:30 a.m. 2 p.m.Single lane closures on Hospital Center Boulevard between Route 1 and Austin Ridge Drive. Crews will be taking soil samples as part of the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.

Old Courthouse Road

Wednesday Thursday,, 9:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. and Friday, 9:30 a.m. 2 p.m. Single lane closures on Old Courthouse Road between Route 1 and Hospital Center Boulevard. Crews will be taking soil samples as part of the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.

Wyche Road

Wednesday Thursday,, 9:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. and Friday, 9:30 a.m. 2 p.m. Single lane and turn lane closures on Wyche Road at the Hospital Center Boulevard and Courthouse Road intersection. Crews will be taking soil samples as part of the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.

Routine Maintenance

Tuesday Friday, 7 a.m. 4 p.m. Stay alert for mobile lane closures. Crews will perform routine maintenance activities at the following locations:

City of Fredericksburg

Wicklow Drive

Monday Friday, through late October 2020. Large trucks (up to 180 feet long) with follow cars will be coming in and out of Wicklow Drive from Fall Hill Avenue to deliver bridge beams for the new I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing bridge. These deliveries will take place mid-afternoon a few days a week. While these deliveries are not expected to cause any traffic stops or impacts greater than the current construction activities taking place, residents and travelers should be aware of increased traffic on Wicklow Drive and the potential for delays as trucks pass.

City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County

Route 3 Westbound

Sunday Friday, 9 p.m. 5 a.m.,Friday Saturday, 10 p.m. 9 a.m. Milling and paving on Route 3 westbound at Gateway Boulevard and progress west to Bragg Road. Drivers may experience a temporary rough driving surface and overnight delays with single lane closures within the mobile work zone.

Spotsylvania County

Route 3

Sunday Thursday, 7 p.m. 7 a.m., Alternating, single lane closures on Route 3 at the bridge over Wilderness Run for bridge repairs.

Route 208 (Courthouse Road) Northbound

Sunday Friday, 9 p.m. 5 a.m. and Friday Saturday, 10 p.m. 9 a.m. Milling and paving. Alternating single lane closures on Route 208 (Courthouse Road) northbound between Crown Grant Drive and the bridge over I-95. Motorists may experience a temporary rough driving surface on the milled sections.

Routine Maintenance

Tuesday Friday, 7 a.m. 4 p.m. Stay alert for mobile lane closures. Crews will perform routine maintenance activities at the following locations:

Caroline County

Routine Maintenance

Tuesday Friday, 7 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Stay alert for mobile lane closures. Crews will perform routine maintenance activities at the following locations:

King George County

Route 206 (Dahlgren Road)

Sunday Thursday, 7 p.m. 7 a.m. Bridge repairs. Alternating, one-way traffic over Williams Creek, which is located east of the Route 301 intersection.

Read the original here:
Road work in the area next week - Fredericksburg Today

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In the cruelest of ironies, while Hurricane Delta drenchedthe Gulf Coast this weekend,there's noteven a drizzle to slowaclimate change-induced California wildfirelarger than the size of Rhode Island that rages on as you read this.

Explodingto more than a blazing million active acres this past week, the August Complex, in its two months of unremitting fury, has reached "gigafire" status, the first in California's modern history. Overall, ithas lost fourmillion acres representing about 4% of the entire state, double the previous annual record in a place where the wildfire season is now three months longer than in the 1970s.

The personal loss out westfor many cannot be overestimated, but the immense inferno's impacts have consequencesacross the continent to this coast.

Strawberries, lettuce and wine may be among the hardest expected to be hit with costs orshortage while government agenciesare monitoring agriculture and other commodities, such as almonds, avocados,cauliflower, broccoliand honey. Butthe big ticket item in growth and development appears to be lumber.

More: In the Know: Triggered by pandemic, record home buying eruption not subsiding; fancy poker operation debuts at former dog track land

And: In the Know: Plans for an Elon Musk-inspired 700 mph Hyperloop bullet train for Southwest Florida and an Aldi alert

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With factors such as the surging pandemic-fueled demand for Southwest Florida homes, we hadalready been experiencing escalatingprices for domicilesand other structures prior to the Golden State's summer of ferocious flames.

"The rising lumber prices are exacerbating the cost of purchasing a home, and wildfires can only increase that impact,"said Brian Alford, Florida director of market analytics for real estate research gurus, CoStar Group.

The evolving circumstances are being followed byJohn Boyd Jr. of The Boyd Company, an international corporate site selection firm that tracks global development trends in working with dozens of Sunshine Stateand worldwide clients such asBoeing, Dell, The World Bank, Samsung and UPS for more than 45 years.

John Boyd Jr., principal with The Boyd Company, Inc.(Photo: LAUREN PETRACCA/Staff)

"We are seeing the California wildfires driving building costs even higher," Boyd said."The wildfires have pushed lumber prices up 50%, and the average price for a new home up by $16,000."

And timberis a key piece to the housing puzzle, according to Southwest Florida's ever-expanding LSI Companies, which has been providingservices and consulting tohomebuilders, developers, landowners and investors for the past two decades.

"Framing and trusses comprise approximately 16% of a home cost. It's one of the largest components of a homes construction, second only to interior finishes at roughly 25% and land lot at 18 to 20%," said JustinThibaut, company president. "At a macro level, this is also affecting multifamily, commercial construction as concrete block is now cheaper for apartment construction than wood frame."

Justin Thibaut, LSI Companies(Photo: LSI Companies)

No one's sure exactly how much higher it could go or for how much longer, but other facets, some man-made, have already been in play, CoStar'sAlford said.

"The wildfires will certainly impact the pricing of lumber, but there is also still a lagged impact from our trade wars over the prior two, threeyears," hesaid. "Weve all stopped talking about the trade wars, but we still have 20% tariffs in place on Canadian lumber, for example."

Yes, President Donald Trump's trade wars that Forbes magazine reported this summer have cost U.S. company stock prices at least $1.7 trillion while the taxpayingconsumers of Americaare losing $57 billion annually,according to new data last month by the conservative American Action Forumaligned with the Republican Party. It's also helped lead toone of the biggest rifts with Canada, historically our biggest trading comrade in the world's largest partnership, since the War of 1812.

Besides a record year for wildfires, hurricanes, home construction, and oh yeah, a pandemic, 2020 is featuring a shortage of lumber thats costing you a lot of money thanks to the Trump tariffs, mills temporarily closing, high demand and now, Californias relentless climate change-induced immense infernos.(Photo: Photo by John Lavenburg)

The talk of tariffs was the only time during this past week's vice presidential debates that financial markets moved after Kamala Harris said Trump is losingthe trade war, whichhas resultedin bankruptcies for America's farmers and the loss of 300,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs, according to Bloomberg Markets and Finance's Dani Burger.

"Some policy discussion certainly moved markets in a decisive way. It came from comments by Kamala Harris over foreign policy" when the candidate condemned the trade wars, Burger said."The markets indeed did like that.

"It's been no secret that the trade war has been one of the big tail risks looming over markets, and some hope that if there is aBiden presidency, that tail risk would disappear,decisively sent stocks both in the cash session in Japan and U.Sfutures higher."

The fires have served as a reminder of the challenges Americafaces from the Trump tariffs.

"The California wildfires are putting a spotlight on the 20 percent tariff on Canadian lumber imports," Boyd said. "Repealing the tariff is one of the major lobbying priorities of the National Association of Home Builders."

More: In the Know: Naples keeps stretching south on U.S. 41 toward Everglades City, with new stores and developments

And: In the Know: Naples Airport, the $440 million driveway of the rich and famous; plus Toll Brothers and solar energy updates

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The Trump tariffs aren't alone in driving up your prices and the shortage of supplies. The universe has other culprits.

"The 2017-2018 tariffs on Canadian lumber increased pricing, but most recently the U.S. mills misjudged the effects of the pandemic,"said Ken Iglesias, senior vice president of commercial banking for Centennial Bank in Southwest Florida. "The thought process wasthat building construction would be slowed during the pandemic, so they closed some of the U.S. plants.However, they did not anticipate the surge in home improvement projects by homeowners in quarantine, which is made evident by the record sales for Lowe's and Home Depot."

Iglesias gets some agreement from Dan Adams, a vice president and principal for Stevens Construction, which has numerous projects in Southwest Florida including the high-profile work at Winkler Road and College Parkway of the $27 millionFineMark National Bank & Trust headquarters risingup in Fort Myers.

Dan Adams(Photo: Special to news-press.com)

"The demand has not slowed. This has created the perfect storm.(The mills) are way behind on orders from the shutdown and still only running at 50% capacity, creating an even further 'log jam,'pun intended," Adams said. "Lead times for lumber materials are being affected across the board, trusses, doors, trim, etc. The Masonite mills were shut down for over three months, which has delayed door deliveries.Doors are now 13-14 weeks out from the time of approval.

"Fortunately we are involved early, throughout the design phase, on the majority of our projects so we have been able to identify the lumber shortage and ever-growing lead times and plan for them.We are doing things like getting the truss and door packages released early, sometimes before we even have building permits in hand.By knowing the market and releasing packages affected by this shortage, we have been able to mitigate any major delays."

In the Know asked how the disruptionshave affectedFrank Jenkins, president of Southwest Florida's Frank R. Jenkins Custom Homes.

"As a custom builder this is hard to say because every home we build is different. We not only have a short-term lumber problem but mainly a skilled labor shortage. So a home that normally would take 8 months, I would allow 10 months," Jenkins said. "The biggest portion of our homes are concrete."

Frank Jenkins, president of Frank R. Jenkins Custom Homes(Photo: Brian Tietz)

A little luck in finding what you need can't hurt.

"On our FineMark National Bank & Trust project in Fort Myers, our wood trim supplier has had to buy up all of the remaining white oak in the county to finish the trim work on the project," Adams said."Lumber pricing is changing daily at this point. A sheet of 5/8 plywood cost $15 back in July, and now costs $41.We have seen truss prices double since March. Truss manufacturers are only able to hold pricing they give us for a few days.Standard yellow pine, 2x4 2x12, used here in the Southwest Florida region have gone up by 30-40% since August and has literally gone up every day during the month of September."

Other natural disasters, like Delta,haven't helped.

"Recent hurricanes have caused price increases for many building materials, including drywall and roofing materials," Iglesias said.

Ken Iglesias, senior vice president of commercial banking for Centennial Bank(Photo: Provided to In the Know)

The Bonita Springs-Estero Realtors group says the costs and shortages tied to the western fires have led to more interest in investment of existing dwellings, and at the same time, the outfitis encouraging sellers to upgrade outdated decor to compete with newly erected residences.

"There is an 8-12-month waiting time for a new build," said Adam Ruud, managing broker at Domain Realty in Bonita Springs, and a decade ago, a professional player in the USL, formerly known as the United Soccer League. Right now, buyers are giving additional consideration to resale properties due to the longer wait time and a cost increase on materials.

In a bit of a twist, another organizationthat may benefit from the lumberconundrum in Florida: The MormonChurch.

"ABoyd Company real estate development client happens to be the Investment Properties Division of the Mormon Church based in Salt Lake City," Boyd said. "The church happens to be the largest private landowner in all of Florida. Much of this land is valuable timber land almost 400,000 acres in the Panhandle area counties of Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla."

More: In the Know: Crazy buying surge as home prices rapidly climb in Collier; and latest on Tiger Woods venture

And: In the Know: Meet your new neighbors trying to escape tight spaces; they're probably from New York, New Jersey, Miami or Fort Lauderdale

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So, despite the current circumstances, what's the outlook?

The Boyd Company's John Boyd Jr.: "We expect the rise of the remote workforce model to accelerate Florida's population growth. (Another)significant driver behind Florida's booming construction industryis COVID-related home office projects, especially among high net worth execs relocating permanently from New York and New Jersey.Despite the increased lumber costs,we expect construction to remain a growth industry for Florida in the months and years ahead."

Centennial Bank's Ken Iglesias: "Socially distancing from non-family members is challenging in apartment buildings and crowded living spaces, which has sparked further interest in single-family homes. In response to parts of the economy closing, the Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates, and indicated they will remain low for some time.Families are now finding there is a need to have more space for work, educationand social distancing while the lower interest rates increased the affordability of home ownership. (In) Southwest Florida,I see homevalues continuing a steady increase over the next few years due to the current imbalance of supply versus demand in the market."

Brian Alford, Florida director of market analytics for CoStar Group(Photo: Provided)

CoStar Group's Brian Alford: "Mortgage rates are at record lows and are expected to remain low for quite some time, years perhaps, which should continue to foster homebuyer demand and keep the trend intact. (In 2020)the acceleration appears to be led by people seeking larger space to accommodate working and schooling from home."

Jenkins Custom Homes' Frank Jenkins: "It looks like the prices hopefully have spiked, and as supply catches up, we should start to see some relief in pricing. (The)Florida economy is booming and will continue to boom as we see people wanting to relocate to our amazing state."

Based at the Naples Daily News, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) writes In the Know as part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Support Democracy and subscribe to a newspaper.

More: Collier's House District 106 election: Jersey natives differ widely on best path forFlorida's future

And: In the Know: The intersection with the pandemic, a $1 billion loss in one month and two possible local toll expressways

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Read or Share this story: https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/columnists/in-the-know/2020/10/12/how-california-wildfires-hit-you-home-lumber-wine-produce-agriculture-strawberry-avocado-lettuce/5909447002/

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In the Know: Lumbering through a pandemic; how the California wildfires are costing you money in Southwest Florida - Naples Daily News

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) Construction is underway to rebuild the historic Greek Orthodox church destroyed 19 years ago Friday.

CBS2s Jenna DeAngelis takes a look at the history of St. Nicholas National Shrine in Lower Manhattan.

An old photo shows the majestic Twin Towers shining light on St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, a place of peace and prayer for 85 years on Cedar Street, until darkness took over on Sept. 11, 2001.

Luckily nobody was in the church that day, but as the towers were hit, obviously, the south tower came down on top of the church, said Father Evagoras Constantinides, spokesman of the archdiocese.

Only a few sacred items were found in the rubble: Icons, a candelabra, bell, tattered books.

But out of the ashes also came the commitment to rebuild.

It was the only house of worship that was destroyed on that day, and now it will be the only house of worship back at the site, Constantinides said.

credit: CBS2

He brought DeAngelis on the site of the new church to the welcome sight and sounds of crews working, a resurrection nearly two decades in the making.

Construction began at the Liberty Street location in 2015, but setbacks including financial troubles halted it two years later, leaving behind an empty dome, until the nonprofit Friends of St. Nicholas was formed.

We raised $45 million in January to March to help finish the church, said John Catsmitidis, the vice chairman of Friends of St. Nicholas.

But then came COVID-19, delaying construction again until early August.

They often say that, you know, good things come to those who wait. And I sincerely believe that St. Nicholas at the World Trade Center is the best thing. So its OK for us to wait a little bit, Constantinides said.

DeAngelis walked through whats to come, including the entryway, where people will come to light candles.

Inside, there will also be a nondenominational bereavement center a beautiful, open space, which, on the outside, will glow. A symbol of hope, strength, and unrelenting faith, for all.

Whether youre Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish, you come here to pray, to find solace, to find reason, Catsmitidis said.

The souls, the lives, the memories of those 3,000 people and their families and their relatives and their friends. All of the people, every single one of us, who has been affected by 9/11, this is a place for us, said Constantinides.

Completion was set for Sept. 11, 2021, and even though the pandemic set construction back, a ceremony is still planned for a year from now to commemorate the 20th anniversary of a day we will never forget.

The archdiocese says while that target date remains, its likely not going to be completed until next winter or early spring of 2022.

You can get the latest news, sports and weather on our brand new CBS New York app.Download here.

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Rising From The Ashes: Construction Continues On St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Only House Of Worship Destroyed On 9/11 - CBS New York

On this day 9/11 in 2001, two planes flew into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.

Today, 19 years later, the sad and emotional memories resurface for families and friends of the victims who unjustly lost their lives.

As the Twin Towers horrifically collapsed from the impact, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Manhattan was also buried.

St. Nicholas was the only other building besides the Twin Towers completely destroyed during the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Saint Nicholas Church, which commenced services in 1922, was named after Agios Nikolaos, Patron Saint of Sailors, as it was the first stopping point for many Greek migrants after they left Ellis Island, the United States busiest migrant inspection station.

For 85 years, the Saint Nicholas Church stood at 155 Cedar St, New York City, until the shocking terrorist attack occurred.

No one was inside the church during the September 11 attack, as a committee member and electrician were able to escape minutes before the south tower came crashing down destroying the church.

Amongst the rumble, only a little bit remained of the church including the damaged icon of St. Dionysios of Zakynthos, the icon of The Mother of God of the Life-giving Spring and a small handful of other religious items.

The churchs most valuable physical possessions, including the relics of St Nicholas, St Catherine, and St Sava which had been donated to the church by Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia, were never recovered after the attack.

A devastating number of 2,753 people were killed in the 9/11 attack, including 36 Greek-Americans.

After the 9/11 attacks, it was said that the Church would reopen as a national shrine. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the churchs new look is inspired by Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora, two Byzantine-era shrines in Constantinople.

The rebuilding and reopening of Saint Nicholas is referred to a beacon and some kind of miracle.

Construction of the new Church was halted when the money ran out and according to reports, a lot of the funds donated for the construction of St. Nicholas Church was used to cover unrelated expenses.

Earlier this year, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America used sprigs of basil and holy water to bless the restart of construction works at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Construction was set to resume in the spring, then COVID hit, grounding all non-essential projects statewide to a halt for months.

The aim is to have the new St. Nicholas open on September 11, 2021 the 20th anniversary of the attacks to offer comfort to New Yorkers of all faiths.

On the 19th anniversary, we remember those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

60 Minutes showcases the rebuilding of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

Read this article:
Remembering The Tragic 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, And The Destroyed St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - GreekCityTimes.com

The founding ceremony of the symbolic Hagia Sophia, which will be a miniature and replica of the historic church in Constantinople that was turned into a mosque earlier this year, took place in the Syrian province of Hama.

Greek Orthodox militias supporting the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad recently announced that they would build a new church in Syria, a copy of Hagia Sophia, with the help of Russia.

This was in response to the decision by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque in July.

When will it be ready?

The commander of the Russian Armed Forces group in Syria, Lieutenant General Alexander Chaiko addressed the audience in the ceremony saying, It will be a historical bridge between the best and spiritually moral traditions of the past, present and the future.

According to Chaiko, the construction is projected to be completed within one year and the church will function as an Orthodox place of worship.

What will the mini Hagia Sophia look like?

According to reports, this is a private funding project and has no political framework.

This is a private project, it will also be privately funded. Even the plot on which the church is to be built belongs to a family of Syrian Christians, whose ancestors resisted the Turks in the 1920s, like all Syrians at the time. You do not have to wait for a majestic construction: it will be a small church, said Nabil Abdallah, the commander of the pro-Syrian government National Defense Committee in the city a few days ago.

I do not think it deserves the echo of Hagia Sophia.

He added that the construction of the church was blessed by the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch.

The question remains, will the Greek state contribute to this construction?

With Greece and Syria formalising renewed relations, it appears that Greece can begin its re-established ties with Syria by supporting the Greek Orthodox community in the construction of this cathedral.

Abdullah obtained the approval of Bishop Nicola Baalbaki, the Metropolitan of Hama and its dependencies, to build a new church in the city of Suqaylabiyah in Hama province. The more than 17,000 residents of Suqaylabiyah are overwhelmingly Greek Orthodox, as previously reported by Greek City Times.

The Greek Orthodox militias in Syria, who have remained loyal to the government battling Turkish-backed jihadists, have successfully defending their towns and churches without any assistance from Greece.

For Greece to emerge stronger after this crisis with Turkey, Athens must seriously consider supporting all Greek Orthodox communities wherever they exist in the region, whether it be Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan or Egypt. By not forging strong connections with the Greek Orthodox communities in these countries, we only use geopolitical leverage and influence.

If Greece wants to better secure its geopolitical positioning, it must forge pathways with these countries via the Greek Orthodox community. Greece already disgracefully abandoned Syria and the Greek Orthodox communities to the hordes of Turkish-backed jihadists.

Now if Greece wants to reestablish ties with Syrias Greek Orthodox community, what better way is there then assisting the construction of a Greek Orthodox church in Suqaylabiyah?

More:
Hagia Sophia Replica Location In Syria Is Blessed; Why Isn't Greece Assisting With Construction? - GreekCityTimes.com

Here is the weekly road construction report for District 29:

BRADLEY COUNTY SR-60 Construction of small drainage structures (LM 15.85 and LM 15.90): During this reporting period the contractor will be working on the northbound shoulder of SR-60 (25th Street) near LM 15.85 just north of the intersection with SR-2 (Keith Street). The shoulder of SR-60 will remain closed for the duration of this work. Motorists accessing the shopping plaza at this intersection are advised to use caution and watch for workers and equipment moving in the area.[Whaley Construction, LLC/Wagner/CNU227]

BRADLEY COUNTY Utility Work on SR-2 (KEITH ST.

BRADLEY COUNTY Utility Work on SR-74 (OCOEE ST. N.E.) in both directions from LM 16.26 to LM 16.88: Shoulder and single lane closure between Westview Drive NW and Keith Street NW. Signage and cones will be present. Motorists should use caution through the area and be aware of personnel and equipment between 9 AM and 3 PM with an estimated completion 11/30/20.

BRADLEY COUNTY I-75 North and South at MM 30: TDOT Materials & Tests crews will conduct core drilling operations on a bridge deck on I-75 in both directions at mile marker 30 on 9/16/20 between 7PM and 2AM. The outside lane will be temporarily closed during drilling operations. TDOT Maintenance will assist with traffic control.[TDOT Materials & Tests]

HAMILTON COUNTY SR-319 Repair of the bridge over the Tennessee River and Riverpark Drive (LM 2.2): The contractor will be performing repair operations to the bridge that will require lane closures in both directions. Extra caution should be observed of trucks entering and exiting the work-zone. During this report period the inside shoulder and inside lane of each direction are closed. Traffic is shifted to the right in both directions. Additional flaggers will be present as needed.[Mid-State Construction Company, Inc./Osbonlighter/CNU205]

HAMILTON COUNTY The tunnel cleaning of the McCallie Tunnel on US-11(US-64, SR-2), the Stringers Ridge Tunnel on US-127(SR-8), and the Bachman Tubes on US-41 (US-76, S.R.8): On Wednesday, 09/16/20 (8 PM - 6 AM), there will be a tunnel cleaning operation at the McCallie Tunnels. This will be supported by a flagging operation. Later that night, the Stringers Ridge Tunnel will be cleaned & supported by a signed detour.[Diamond Specialized, Inc./Micka/CNU182]

HAMILTON COUNTY I-24 Replacement of Belvoir Ave. bridge over I-24 and I-24 bridges over Germantown Road near MM 183: Lane shifts are in place on I-24 EB and WB under the Belvoir Avenue Bridge, at North and South Terrace approaching the Belvoir Avenue Bridge, and on Germantown Road under the I-24 Bridge. Alternating single and double lane closures will be required on I-24 EB and WB on 09/10/20 and between 09/13/20 through 09/16/20 from 9 PM and 6 AM. Additionally, there will be single lane closures in the north and south directions of Germantown Road under the I-24 Bridge and at the intersections with North and South Terrace. These closures will occur on 09/10/20 and 09/11/20, and between 09/14/20 through 09/16/20 from 9 AM to 6 AM the following morning. Motorists should be aware of the Belvoir Avenue Bridge closure and detour that was put into place on 04/20/20, and the new traffic pattern at Exit 183 on the ramp leading to the intersection of South Terrace and Germantown Road on 08/10/20. There is a 45 MPH speed limit reduction throughout the project corridor on I-24.[Bell and Associates Construction, LP/Blevins/CMGC03]

HAMILTON COUNTY I-24 Resurfacing from the Georgia State line to near the ramp to SR-2 (US-41, US-64, US-11, Cummings Hwy): There will continue to be a paving operation on I-24 EB/WB involving lane closures as follows: Sunday - Thursday (8PM - 6AM). This project is continuous from MM 171 at the Georgia line through MM 178, just west of the US-27 split. Expect significant queueing of traffic. Manned attenuator trucks, variable speed limit signs, and two officers will be assisting in this operation.[Talley Construction Company, Inc./Micka/CNT374]

HAMILTON COUNTY I-75 at I-24 Interchange Reconstruction: Watch for trucks entering and exiting project. Traffic should expect multiple lane shifts traveling through the interchange. Lane closures will occur Sunday nights through Thursday nights between 9 PM and 6 AM at the following locations: I-75 NB MM 1, I-75 SB MM 3 and I-24 EB MM 184.0 Traffic pacing may occur throughout interchange Sunday nights through Thursday nights between 9 PM and 6 AM. Additionally, there may intermittent shoulder closures at various locations for access to the median and roadside areas. I-75 NB to I-24 WB split has been moved back 1500 feet from its previous location. Welcome Center traffic intending to use I-24 WB now, will have to detour on I-75 NB to Exit 3. Detailed detour information will be available at the Welcome Center. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 MPH throughout the interchange. RESTRICTIONS: There is a 14' width restriction on the NB I-75 to WB I-24 interchange ramp. This affects wide loads at approximately MM 1.7.[C.W. Matthews Contracting Company, Inc./Blevins/DB1801]

HAMILTON COUNTY US-27 (I-124) Widening from I-24/US-27 interchange to north of the Olgiati Bridge over the Tennessee River, including widening the Olgiati Bridge: Work on this project continues with activities occurring in the median and shoulders of US-27. Motorists should be alert for construction vehicles entering and exiting the activity area. Motorists should pay close attention to the detour signage posted. The speed limit on US-27 in the construction zone remains 45 MPH. Weather permitting, the contractor may implement temporary lane/shoulder closures on weeknights between the hours of 7 PM and 6 AM. At least one lane will remain open in each direction on US-27. Currently EXIT 1C from northbound US-27 to 4th St. has been closed and is scheduled to reopen on 09/15/20. Motorist should use alternate posted detours at EXITS 1A and 1B from US-27 northbound, to 4th Street. On Thursday, 09/10/20, thru Wednesday, 09/16/20 between the hours of 9 AM to 9PM temporary lane closures will be in place for southbound US-27 from the Olgiati Bridge to I-24 for milling and leveling of the asphalt. A State Trooper is requested for the duration of these scheduled lane closures. On Thursday, 9/10 (9AM 1PM) the US27 SB loop ramp servicing MLK will be closed to support a drilling operation for an overhead sign. Traffic will be signed & detoured to 6th St. RESTRICTIONS: I-124 (US-27)Southbound Exit 1C 4th St Of Ramp: No oversize/over dimensional loads; I-124 (US-27) Southbound Exit 1-B Martin Luther King Blvd. Off Ramp: No oversized/over dimensional loads; Martin Luther King Blvd. between Chestnut St. and Gateway Ave.: No oversized/over dimensional loads.[Dement Construction Company, LLC/Micka/CNP230]

HAMILTON COUNTY TDOT Bridge Inspection on I-24 both directions from MM 178 to MM 181.5: From 7 AM to 5 PM on 09/10/20 and from 7 AM to 5 PM on 09/14/20 through 9/16/20, structure inspections will take place closing the shoulders with a mobile attenuator operation.

HAMILTON COUNTY TDOT Contractor on I-24 in both directions from MM 184.0 to MM 171.0: On Thursday, 9/10/20 (9AM - 6AM), the contractor will be installing Emergency Mile Marker signs along the median of I-24 WB. Work start at about MM 184.0 and proceed WB. On Sunday, 9/13 thru Wed ,9/16, the contractor will proceed with the sign installation. Once he gets inside the I-24 OGFC project (MM 178 to MM171), the contractor will coordinate with Talley Construction related to the direction of the installation (EB or WB).

HAMILTON COUNTY TDOT Contractor on SR-317 (BONNY OAKS DR.) westbound from LM 1.734 to LM 4.545: On Thursday and Wednesday of this reporting period, there will be intermitting lane closures on Bonny Oaks from 9 AM-3:30 PM. There will be flaggers directing traffic at several spots in this area.

HAMILTON COUNTY Utility Work on SR-2 (BROAD ST.) northbound from LM 6.13 to LM 3.12: Shoulder and single lane closure between W. 35th Street and W. 33rd Street. Arrow boards, signage and cones will be present. Motorists should use caution through the area and be aware of personnel and equipment between 9 AM and 6 PM from 09/10/20 through 09/23/20.

HAMILTON COUNTY Utility Work on SR-2 (BROAD ST.) southbound at LM 6.98: Shoulder and single lane closure between W. 24th Street and W. 27th Street. Signage, cones, and flaggers will be present. Motorists should use caution through the area and be aware of personnel and equipment between 9 AM and 3 PM through 09/18/20.

HAMILTON COUNTY Utility Work on SR-319 (HIXSON PK.) northbound at LM 14.73: Shoulder and single lane closure between Heron Cove Lane and Freedom Bay Drive. Signage, cones, and flaggers will be present. Motorists should use caution through the area and be aware of personnel and equipment between 9 AM and 3 PM through 09/25/20.

HAMILTON COUNTY Utility Work on SR-319 (HIXSON PK.) northbound at LM 7.98: Shoulder and single lane closure between Brookaire Road and Destiny Drive. Signage, cones, and flaggers will be present. Motorists should use caution through the area and be aware of personnel and equipment between 9 AM and 3 PM through 09/25/20.

HAMILTON COUNTY Utility Work on SR-320 (E. BRAINERD RD.) westbound from LM 3.29 to LM 5.77: Lane closure between Bel-Air Road and Greens Road with flaggers, signage, barrels and/or cones. Motorists should use caution and be aware of personnel and equipment when traveling through the work zones. This is a nighttime lane closure between 7 PM to 5 AM starting 09/14/20 through 09/18/20.

HAMILTON COUNTY SR-29 (US-27) Repair of the bridge over Big Soddy Creek (LM 20.6): During this report period the contractor will have traffic restricted with one lane of SR-29 southbound closed over Big Soddy Creek. Additionally, one lane of SR-111 southbound will be closed as it approaches the SR-29 junction.[Mid-State Construction Company, Inc./Osbonlighter/CNU046]

HAMILTON COUNTY SR-2 (US-64, US-11) Improvement of the intersection at Edgmon Road in Collegedale (LM 22.7), including grading, drainage and paving: During this report period, the contractor will be performing grading, drainage and paving. Extra care should be taken while trucks and heavy equipment are entering and exiting the roadway. The roadway may be temporarily restricted to a one lane roadway by flagging operation.[Talley Construction Company, Inc./Osbonlighter/CNU012]

HAMILTON COUNTY SR-317 (Apison Pike) Improvement project from SR-321 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Road) to east of Layton Lane: Lane closures and flagging operations will be required on SR-317, Apison Pike, to install power poles and transfer lines. The flagging operations will be performed on 09/10/20, 09/11/20, 09/14/20, 09/15/20, and 09/16/20 from 7 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 7 PM. Closures will last about 2 hours per location. There will also be very short lane closures for blasting that will last five minutes or less. The contractor will have intermittent flagging operations during daytime non-peak hours for utility work, delivery of materials and equipment.[Wright Brothers Construction Company, Inc./Osbonlighter/CNT336]

MCMINN COUNTY SR-39 Resurfacing from Maple Street (LM 15.2) to east of County Road 469 (LM 19.7): During this reporting period, the contractor will have intermittent lane closures Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 AM and 5:30 PM for the installation of permanent pavement markings. Motorists are advised to use caution in the work zone and watch for flaggers assisting with traffic control.[Rogers Group, Inc./Wagner/CNU211]

MCMINN AND POLK COUNTY SR-163 Resurfacing from west of CR-750 (Piney Grove Road) (LM 9.0) in McMinn County to US-411 (SR-30) (LM 1.0) in Polk County: During this reporting period the contractor will have intermittent lane closures on SR-163 Monday through Saturday between the hours of 7 AM and 5:30 PM for the installation of rumble stripe, permanent pavement markings, and snowplowable pavement markers. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph in the work zone. Motorists are advised to use caution and watch for flaggers assisting with traffic control.[Wright Brothers Construction Company, Inc./Wagner/CNU137]

MEIGS COUNTY SR-58 Resurfacing from north of Ten Mile Road (LM 31.3) to the Roane County line (LM 35.1): During this period, the contractor will have one lane closed while performing resurfacing operations. One lane will always remain open. Additional flaggers will be on-site to assist with traffic control as needed.[Rogers Group, Inc./Osbonlighter/CNU163]

MEIGS COUNTY SR-58 Repair of bridge over Hiwassee River (LM 5.22): During this report period, the contractor will have the roadway reduced to one lane controlled by temporary traffic signals. Additional flaggers will be on site as needed.[Mid-State Construction Company, Inc./Osbonlighter/CNT103]

POLK COUNTY Utility Work on SR-33 (HWY. 411) in both directions from LM 9.9 to LM 14: Mobile lane closures from the SR-40 junction to Ocoee River Bridge as crews transition work zone. Motorists should use caution and be aware of personnel and equipment when traveling through the work zones. Signage, cones, and flaggers will be present between 9 AM to 3 PM with an estimated completion of 09/30/20.

POLK COUNTY SR-40 (US-64) Bridge over the Ocoee River: During this reporting period, the contractor will be working on the westbound shoulder of US-64 (SR-40) to construct a new haul road. The westbound shoulder of US-64 (SR-40) will be closed for the duration of this work. Motorists are advised to reduce speed in the work zone and watch for trucks entering/leaving the highway.[Charles Blalock and Sons, Inc./Wagner/DB1802]

POLK COUNTY SR-40 (US-64) Emergency slope stabilization near LM 20.5: During this reporting period, the contractor will be working to stabilize a slope near LM 20.5 on SR-40 (US-64). The eastbound truck climbing lane is closed at this location and will remain closed for the duration of construction. Motorists are advised to reduce speed to 35 mph in the work zone due to a lane shift and to watch for trucks entering/leaving the highway.[Wright Brothers Construction Company, Inc./Wagner/CNU909]

POLK COUNTY SR-40 (US-64) Repair of bridges over North Potato Creek (LM 26.93): During this reporting period, the contractor will be working on painting the steel beams on the eastbound bridge and installing a new concrete railing on the westbound bridge. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction on US-64 for the duration of this work. Motorists are advised to use caution and reduce speed in the work zone due to decreased lane widths. RESTRICTIONS: 12 ft. maximum width LM 26.93 Westbound 14 ft. maximum width LM 26.93 Eastbound.[Jones Bros. Contractors, LLC/Wagner/CNT062]

POLK COUNTY Boanerges Church Road construction of a bridge over Old Fort Creek: During this reporting period, the contractor will be working to install concrete walls for portions of the new bridge and construct new bridge approaches. This work will occur weather permitting. Boanerges Church Road is closed to all traffic for the duration of construction. Detour signs are posted diverting traffic around the closure onto SR-313 and US-411.[Summers-Taylor, Inc./Wagner/CNT279]

RHEA COUNTY SR-302 Resurfacing from SR-30 (LM 0.0) to SR-68 (LM 8.9): During this period, the contractor will have one lane closed while performing resurfacing operations. One lane will always remain open. Additional flaggers will be on-site to assist with traffic control as needed.[Rogers Group, Inc./Osbonlighter/CNU215]

RHEA COUNTY Utility Work on SR-68 (WATTS BAR HWY.) in both directions from LM 15.16 to LM 15.10: Shoulder and single lane closure between Peakland Road and Watts Bar Drive. Signage, cones, and flaggers will be present. Motorists should use caution through the area and be aware of personnel and equipment between 9 AM and 3 PM from 09/14/20 through 09/18/20.

RHEA COUNTY The grading, drainage, construction of bridges, paving and signals on a S.I.A. route serving Nokian Tyres: The portion of US-27 in front of the Nokian Tyres SIA entry will continue to experience a traffic shift with no shoulders. There will be the movement of construction vehicles in and out of the site as construction and material deliveries continue. The travelling public should be alert.[Dement Construction Company, LLC/Micka/CNU014]

Read the original post:
Weekly Road Construction Report - The Chattanoogan

Three years ago, the 130-year-old Sweetest Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Detroits east side was forced to repair or remove its two steeples or the city would condemn the building.

The cost to fix the problem would have left the parish devastated.

The 130-year-old Sweetest Heart of Mary Catholic Church faced an unfortunate fate three years ago when its two steeples started falling apart.

To restore the spires, it would have cost $2.5 million. The estimate to remove them: $765,000.

If the church didnt have enough money to do either, it could have been condemned by the city.

We saved part of Detroits skyline.

Larry Wilk has a deep connection with the church. His 92-year-old mother still attends mass and volunteers.

I was baptized here," he said. "My daughter was married here. We have a long standing relationship with the parish. My grandparents were part of this parish.

So, when he heard the news three years ago, he asked Father Greg Tokarski if he could help.

I dont claim to be a steeple repair expert by any means.

Larry has a construction background and volunteered to be the project manager. After negotiating contracts, he was able to get a team together to make the repairs at $500,000.

It wasnt an easy task.

The spires were in awful condition and the team found bullet holes in them. At some point, they had to shut down the streets and bring in cranes to get the work done properly.

It was a monumental task. We had many challenges. My contractor suffered a heart attack in the middle of the project.

Thankfully, he bounced back and now they have completed the project using new materials and copper.

Father Greg wanted to do something special for Larry, so the church is dedicating the steeples to his late daughter.

We will have these spires, hopefully, for another century or more.

The church is continuing to collect donations for other repairs to be done. You can donate at: https://www.motherofdivinemercy.org/

Go here to see the original:
Historic Detroit church completes three years' worth of repairs with help from community - WXYZ

Construction resumed last month on the only house of worship destroyed on 9/11. As we reported last spring, the faithful have spent nearly 20 years struggling to rebuild St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church into a national shrine at Ground Zero. At times opposed by the powerful, sabotaged by human frailty, the project is rising again, thanks to those who never lost faith in the resurrection of St. Nicholas.

In 1922, a tavern found religion. During prohibition, Greek immigrants consecrated a Lower Manhattan bar with a cross.

Bill Tarazonas: The first time I walked in, and alright, I saw that little place in there, beautiful little place, I felt something.

Bill Tarazonas was the last caretaker of St. Nicholas.

Bill Tarazonas: It was my pride and joy.

Scott Pelley: You called the place Uncle Nick?

Bill Tarazonas: That's the first thing when I walked in, say, "Hi, Uncle Nick. How are you?" That was my thing.

"Uncle Nick" was traditional. The tomb of Jesus was carried through streets on Easter. On the epiphany, the cross was raised from the river, symbolizing the baptism of Jesus. His face was humble but inside there was soul. Rich images of Jesus, Mary and the saints, known as iconography. Developers coveted the land but the lone church stood its ground.

Regina Katopodis: They were set that no one was gonna take their church. My father spoke for all. There was not to be any compromise.

Regina Katopodis' father, Jimmy Maniatis, was president of the church and frustrated developers for 34 years.

Regina Katopodis: He said, 'They offered me 15 million dollars and I said no.' There was absolutely no hesitation about it.

Scott Pelley: There was even a time that the Archdiocese itself wanted to sell the church. How could he turn down the Archdiocese?

Regina Katopodis: My father was a man of principle. And a church is a body of people. All he had to do was say no.

For eight decades, St. Nicholas remained defiant at 155 Cedar Street, an address that would mark its place in history.

Bill Tarazonas: Before we knew it, hell broke loose.

Bill Tarazonas was there on 9/11.

Bill Tarazonas: The building just went like this. What's goin' on here? and then I walk outside. That was the worst thing in my life.

A landing gear wheel bounded into the parking lot. Tarazonas opened his van to find human remains across his seat.

He fled on foot just before tower two collapsed.

Scott Pelley: That's when you knew that St. Nicholas was gone.

Bill Tarazonas: Yep I lost part of me. I lost a part of me.

The days that followed yielded only fragments.

Greek Archbishop Demetrios comforted rescue workers.

Archbishop Demetrios: A group of workers came and they said, "We would like to ask you to pray for us." I say, "Why?" They said "Here, as we work, we know that we deal also with remnants of human bodies. Please pray for us."

Among the dead was 31-year-old John Katsimatides, a bond broker in one of the towers, who had discovered St. Nicholas on a lunch hour. His sister, Anthoula Katsimatides, told us his remains were never found.

Anthoula Katsimatides: I don't have a gravesite to visit. and it's incredibly difficult, because we never buried anything or, you know, said goodbye.

Scott Pelley: What was it about the church that was so special to your brother?

Anthoula Katsimatides: With all these buildings and concrete, I think that he felt, I know that he probably felt at peace lighting a candle and just saying a prayer for whatever was going on.

Those buildings and concrete became the 9/11 memorial and plans were drawn for a small domed church, the St. Nicholas National Shrine.

But, as the congregation prayed at the site each year, there were delays and a budget that quadrupled to $85 million. Construction began in 2015. The dome rose a year later. But in 2017, the money, from private donations, ran out. Construction stopped.

Only faith kept St. Nicholas alive, as we discovered 5,000 miles away.

On the Greek coast, Mount Athos is a hermit peninsula of 20 ancient orthodox monasteries. Behind the walls of the Xenophontos Monastery, work on St. Nicholas never wavered.

Father Jeremiah: Xenophontos is one of the oldest monasteries on Mount Athos. The first historical witness we have is from the year 998.

Father Jeremiah hails from a town named for a saint, San Angelo, Texas

Father Jeremiah: This was where God wanted me, and here I am.

Scott Pelley: You've been here how long?

Father Jeremiah: Twenty-two years.

The Xenophontos Monastery is a fortress against time.

Father Jeremiah: About 50 monks live at this monastery. There's traditional tasks or what we call obediences in the monastery. The monks who work in the refectory. The monks who work in the garden. The monks who work among the olive trees, among others we have, of course, the iconographers who are very, very cultivated and have really mastered their art form.

Master iconographer Father Lukas is painting the iconography for the new St. Nicholas in the old craft of egg tempera.

Father Lukas: God has called me to do this work. to communicate the spirit of Mount Athos to the people.

Father Lukas granted us an early look at 56 icons for the project. He painted St. Nicholas, by tradition, as the patron of seafarers, lifting a man from a violent sea. But what's troubling these waters is 9/11.

Father Lukas: I personally want this church, through the iconography to open up a new horizon for people, That they come away with hope. If this happens, the icons will have fulfilled their purpose.

Near Father Lukas' studio we met the designer of the church at ground zero, Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava. He'd been to Mount Athos twice before, for inspiration.

Scott Pelley: You know I wonder, what does an architect see when we walk through this courtyard?

Santiago Calatrava: I believe you see, that you do not need to be an architect, or know a lot about the history of architecture, to, to feel architecture. It's like music or something like that. You just have to open your heart.

For St. Nicholas, in Manhattan, his inspiration came from the Hagia Sophia, the former orthodox church in Istanbul. Inside, Calatrava sketched an icon of Mary and he thought since she carried Christ her body was a church.

Santiago Calatrava: So there, herself becomes a kind of temple, isn't it? Containing something that, according to the Orthodox faith, you know, is almost uncontainable, you know? Which is the idea of God.

The vestments of the new St. Nicholas will be white marble, crowned with a translucent dome. At night, it will be a beacon.

Santiago Calatrava: Light. Very important.

Scott Pelley: Why is the light very important?

Santiago Calatrava: You know, light, in my eyes, is to architecture what sound is to music.

Light, candlelight, illuminated the Easter celebration on our visit to Mount Athos in 2018. Abbot Alexios led the procession and, at midnight, quoted the angel in the book of Mark, "He is risen, he is not here."

In the sanctuary, chandeliers were propelled into orbits to symbolize the joint celebration on Earth and in heaven, recalling the psalm, "Praise him sun and moon, praise him all you stars of lights."

But in Manhattan, there has been little sound or light since construction stopped in 2017. An investigation into finances revealed that millions meant for St. Nicholas were spent on other expenses of the archdiocese.

Scott Pelley: About three-and-a-half million dollars was used elsewhere by the archdiocese. Is that correct?

Archbishop Demetrios: It was a transferring of money from the St. Nicholas to another kind of account. Afterwards we heard about that, I ask, "Why you did that?" I said, "You should not have touched the St. Nicholas money at all for no matter what. It was a mistake, has been corrected.

The money was returned. Last year, Archbishop Demetrios resigned. A new archbishop and New York state named an independent board to raise the last $45 million and manage construction. Fresh hope for Anthoula Katsimatides who lost her brother.

Anthoula Katsimatides: I know that once St. Nicholas opens, my mom and I will visit and say a prayer for John there. a place of love and hope for all family members and for all people from around the world who are gonna come and visit and pay their respects to everyone that died that day.

Last summer, Father Lukas left his refuge on Mount Athos for Manhattan to take the measure of God's empty gallery. He told us the walls anticipating his paintings represent the most important work of his life. The feeling is familiar to Regina Katopodis whose father had refused to sell the old church.

Regina Katopodis: I'm in it for my dad and for everybody else that has gone and perished and hoping to, with their last breath, that they would be able to see St. Nicholas rebuilt.

Scott Pelley: 100 years from now, what will that little church on the plaza say to the world?

Regina Katopodis: That the good of mankind can conquer evil no matter what.

It was the orthodox church that made the cross the symbol of Christianity. But, during construction, it was discovered the dome of St. Nicholas, alone, had reached the maximum height allowed by a higher power, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey which controls the site. In another act of salvation, officials decided a few more feet of heaven could be spared. If all goes well, and it rarely has, St. Nicholas will be born again, next year, on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. A monument to death and life and unremitting faith.

Produced by Ashley Velie and Dina Zingaro. Broadcast associates, Ian Flickinger and Annabelle Hanflig. Edited by Warren Lustig.

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Nearly 20 years after being destroyed on 9/11, a New York City church is being resurrected - 60 Minutes - CBS News