Boston, MA - The kitchen is where families prepare their food; thus, it is important that it does not only look clean, but elegant as well. However, it could lose its elegance with time and soon, it will need a facelift. To achieve this, one needs professionals that have the expertise to deliver. It is with this in mind that Boston Prime Building is offering services to turn a home into a haven by offering a 10% discount on their kitchen remodelling services.

What is different about Boston Prime Builders is the fact that they actually listen to what a client would like to accomplish in remodeling their kitchen. Based on that they will share with the client what the best options are in terms of materials and design that will not only ensure the desired outcome, but will exceed it. The company is a local contractor company owned and managed by one of the most professional and skilled masters in the field, Mr. Pasquale Spadorcia. According to the spokesperson for the company, Mr. Roberto Fernandes, "dining rooms are being eliminated in favor of remodeled kitchens that accommodate kids doing their homework while you are cooking. You can add a large island where people come, join in a good conversation and in general have some fun, among other things." As such, whether looking for an efficient space or something dramatic, this company has designers that can turn customers dreams into reality.

The truth is that most homeowners have a special attachment to their kitchen. This is where family memories and special moments are created as immaculate recipes are brought into life and many delightful meals shared with relatives, friends, and family during holidays. It is imperative, therefore, to have a kitchen that is awesome and looks the part. This general contractor in Boston can make that happen and has been in the business of remodeling kitchens long enough to have a solid reputation and a slew of satisfied customers in their wake. The staff at this remodeling company comprises of a special group of talented and qualified individuals whose sole objective when working with a client is to deliver the desired results and leave a client smiling at the attention to detail, impeccable craftsmanship, and amazing design that culminate in a dream kitchen.

They will also help to design around budget since this is a big factor when remodeling kitchens. Boston Prime Builders (http://www.bostonprimebuilders.com/) provide homeowners with the opportunity to take full advantage of the 10% discount on kitchen remodeling offered among other perks that they have for their clients.

Get in touch with Boston Prime Builders for more information by calling them via telephone number 617-315-6140 or visit their website at http://www.bostonprimebuilders.com. Interested personnel can also email them at BostonPrimeBuilders@gmail.com. They are located at 6 Liberty Square Unit 2044, Boston, MA 02109.

Media ContactCompany Name: Boston Prime BuildersContact Person: Roberto FernandesEmail: BostonPrimeBuilders@gmail.comPhone: 617-315-6140Address:6 Liberty Square Unit 2044 City: BostonState: Massachusetts Country: United StatesWebsite: http://www.bostonprimebuilders.com

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Boston Prime Builders Offers Discount on Kitchen Remodeling ... - Digital Journal

From decluttering your home to having it professionally staged, there are a number of ways to potentially decrease the amount of time it spends on the market -- and not all of them need to cost an arm and a leg.

Kitchen remodels are one such improvement that should be kept simple and cost-effective. Sellers should aim to enhance the visual appeal of their kitchen without going overboard, real estate experts say.

According to Cedric Stewart, team leader of Entourage RG in the Washington D.C. area, sellers shouldn't spend more than 10 percent of their home's value on a kitchen remodel.

Making improvements to increase the homes value is a delicate process, Stewart told Quicken Loans ZING blog.

Fully renovated kitchens with high-end appliances and finishes usually get folks excited and a nod of approval from appraisers, but one must be careful not to overdevelop the home," he said, adding that"clean, modern, functional kitchens sell faster in todays market.

To help your home sell faster, real estate experts like Stewart recommend focusing on projects that will enhance the visual appeal of your kitchen. These can help make a good first impression on potential buyers, making them more likely to make an offer.

In its blog, Quicken Loans names several kitchen upgrades that can enhance the look of your kitchen without driving up costs.

Originally posted here:
Remodeling your kitchen for resale - ConsumerAffairs

You have heard it said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, but in the world of real estate does it still remain number one in the heart of the buyer? Sellers take note: the answer is a resounding yes. However, your local REALTOR is a good resource to consult before diving in to an expensive and life altering kitchen renovation. Most real estate experts would advise that the cost of your kitchen should reflect your home and your neighborhoods market value. Another consideration would be how soon you are planning to sell after a remodel.

Outdated kitchens make it difficult to sell a home, but many cringe at the thought of upending life to get that dream kitchen. Good news from Remodeling Magazines Cost vs. Value Report 2017: A minor kitchen remodel (averaging around $20,000) showed an 80.2 percent return on investment while a major kitchen remodel (averaging around $60,000) held a 65.3 percent return on investment.

With this in mind, here are SEVEN ways to put your homes kitchen in the plus column for a buyer:

Visit http://www.talktotucker.com/talk for more tips on prepping your home for sale.

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A Cook's Kitchen: 3 Top Kitchen Trends Important to Buyers - WISH-TV

NEW YORK >> If you build it, they will stay.

The small businesses that dominate the home remodeling industry are expecting robust growth in the next few years, thanks partly to baby boomers who want to remain in their homes.

Home remodelers say theyve had a pickup in projects from boomers who are in or approaching retirement and are seeking to modify their houses. Its a trend known as aging in place, an alternative to moving to smaller quarters or a warmer climate.

Many of these homeowners are hoping to make their surroundings easier to manage and safer in case they have health problems.

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Theyre replacing bathtubs with walk-in showers, installing safety rails, widening doorways and building ramps features known as universal design since they can be used by anyone, regardless of physical ability. Boomers are also redoing their kitchens and sprucing up other areas since theyre staying put, they want to enjoy their surroundings.

Zach Tyson estimates that 30 percent to 40 percent of his revenue is now coming from boomer renovations, up from 15 percent to 20 percent five years ago. Most of the projects come from homeowners who are healthy and mobile now, but want to be prepared if illness or injury hits.

Besides making bathrooms safer, theyre enlarging rooms so wheelchairs or walkers can be used more easily, and also to give the rooms a more open feel.

Its trending up, for sure, says Tyson, co-owner of Tyson Construction in Destrehan, Louisiana.

The oldest of the 76.4 million boomers, the U.S. generation born after World War II, are turning 71 this year. As more of them retire and make decisions about where they want to live, there will be a great need for accessible housing, according to a report released in February by Harvard Universitys Joint Center for Housing Studies.

A large share of these households live in older homes in the Northeast and Midwest, where the housing stocks have few if any universal design features, the study says.

The report predicts home improvement spending by homeowners 65 and older will account for nearly a third of the total amount of remodeling dollars by 2025, more than twice the portion that group spent in 1995-2005. Owners age 55 and over already account for just over half of all home improvement spending.

The boomer activity seems to be driving the market, says Abbe Will, a research analyst at the Harvard center.

Thats a change from the past, when older homeowners generally handled maintenance, repairs and landscaping but tended not to renovate. And some of the boomer-driven remodeling is coming from younger homeowners who expect their parents might later come to live with them and want to be ready, Tyson says.

The requests Tiffany and Bryan Peters get from boomer customers include replacing traditional turning doorknobs with lever handles that can be pushed down. Homeowners want motion-sensor light switches and faucets, and non-slip flooring. In bathrooms, theyre replacing fixtures with models that are designed for people with disabilities showers than can accommodate wheelchairs, and toilets at the same height as wheelchairs, Tiffany Peters says.

Weve definitely experienced an increase in requests for aging-in-place work, says Peters, who with her husband owns a Handyman Connection franchise business in Winchester, Virginia. We get several requests a month.

Home remodeling companies began seeing an increase in boomer spending about 18 months ago and expect it to contribute to their growth in the next few years, says Fred Ulreich, CEO of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, a trade group.

We see this as something that is dramatically affecting the marketplace, Ulreich says.

Boomers typically live in homes that are several decades old, prime targets for remodeling, Ulreich says. Unless they move to a brand-new home thats designed for aging in place, their decision is likely to mean remodeling.

Sal Ferro says boomers are his biggest group of customers, but hes not getting many requests for aging-in-place projects. Its more renovations to make their homes more enjoyable.

Theyre finally getting the projects done that they always wanted. Theyre getting that kitchen or bathroom, says Ferro, owner of Alure Home Improvements, based in East Meadow, New York.

Some remodeling companies are specifically marketing to boomers, sending salespeople to trade expos and events those customers are likely to attend.

Miracle Method, a franchise business that refinishes kitchens and bathrooms, has increased its outreach to boomers, says Erin Gilliam, the companys marketing manager. Franchise owners say much of the 11 percent growth in the franchises overall business in the past year was driven by boomers, she says.

Gilliams husband, Gabriel, sees the trend in the franchise he owns in Salt Lake City. He estimates that revenue from boomers has risen between 10 and 20 percent, and the growth is prompting him to hire more workers. He has five staffers now, having added one per month the past three months, and expects to reach 10 in the next year.

Im hiring as quickly as I can, he says.

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If you build it, they'll stay; boomers remodel their homes - Middletown Press

BUILDING PERMITS

PMT2017-00201 1141 Pearl St.; $425,000.00; Garbarino LLC; Harrington Stanko Construction; 3119 square feet area of interior, street level, tenant improvements for wine bar (Vinca) use. Scope to include addition of bathroom and grease trap installation in basement space, 813 square feet. Exterior improvements approved through HIS2016-00397 include window and door replacement on facade facing the Pearl Street mall and the alley. Associated MEP's included within the scope of this permit.

PMT2017-01423 4178 Clifton Court; $650,000.00; Hendricks Fine Homes LLC; New three story single-family dwelling with unfinished basement. Five bedrooms (including loft and study), 2.5 bath, and main floor study. Total of 4,399 square feet, 3,275 square feet of finished area, 599 square feet garage, and 880 square feet of decks, patios, and porches. (EDIT 6/2/2017) (hot-tub shown on plans has been removed from scope of work)

PMT2017-01727 1919 14th St. 300; $55,000.00; Wyatt Construction Co., Inc.; Installation of a 730 square-foot patio on the third floor roof, accessed from the fourth floor roof, over the 38-foot height limitation at roughly 43.5 feet to top of railing. See HIS2016-00317 and LUR2016-00097 for previous reviews.

PMT2017-01765 3769 Mountain Laurel Place; $464,660.00; Lezlie Forster; Remodel and addition for a single-family detached dwelling. Addition includes enclosing of existing upper deck for expansion of master bath and addition of balcony. Remodel to include kitchen, the rest of master suite, and finishes in other rooms.

PMT2017-01767 820 38th St.; $132,476.40; Nicholas Meima and Allison Welles; Timber Worx Construction; Addition of 1062 square feet, to include family room on first floor, two bedrooms and bathroom on second floor. Scope of work to include existing kitchen remodel, 228 square feet.

PMT2017-01778 2950 Stanford Ave.; $240,000.00; Mark Strynar; Addition of a single-family residence. Scope of addition includes conversion of 93 square feet of existing garage into habitable space (mudroom), conversion of front porch into entry way, addition to garage on main level along street-facing side (154 square feet), and addition above garage of 478 square feet for master suite on new second level. Scope includes associated MEP. See HIS2017-00132.

PMT2017-01808 2639 Spruce St.; $180,152.96; Namaste Ventures; PG Arnold Construction; Interior tenant remodel of an existing office suite. Scope includes reconfiguration of interior partition walls, and associated MEP changes.

PMT2017-01819 781 Grant Place; $48,077.00; Terry and Jessica Shidner; Home Remodeling Technology; Construction of new pergola over existing walk/entry way on the south side of the existing single-family home. Removing (3) exterior windows on the east facing facade. Installing (2) new window openings on the east facing facade. Installing stucco siding on all elevations.

PMT2017-01821 1810 Hillside Road; $72,000.00; Robert and Kathleen Burgin; San Juan Pools of Colorado; Replacement of existing concrete in-ground pool with fiberglass pool with a powered safety cover that complies with ASTM F 1346. Pool equipment to be replaced in existing location.

PMT2017-02080 949 Marine St.; $150,000.00; House Hill; Anderson-Garcia Construction; Removal and replacement of existing balconies with wood and steel balconies on an existing non-conforming 30 unit apartment building. Scope of work associated with Non-Conforming Use Review LUR2016-00024.

PMT2017-02177 3785 Longwood Ave.; $38,000.00; Bryan and Leigh Bergman; Van Matre Construction LLC; Kitchen remodel and modification to roof over the kitchen. Scope includes associated mechanical and electrical. (no change to setback, building height, coverage, or floor area)

PMT2017-02205 1205 Sumac Ave.; $90,000.00; Maxwell Lawler and Amy Schneider; CDC Development/Porchfront Homes; Addition - Second story addition of approximately 677 square feet above existing attached 3-car garage of a single-family residence. Includes wet bar area and seating area. Includes associated MEP.

PMT2017-02208 3109 28th St.; $96,563.58; Stephen Tebo; PG Arnold Construction; Tenant remodel to include demolition and new finishes of 1145 square feet for PG Arnold Construction

PMT2017-02212 1555 Redwood Ave.; $123,000.00; Jonathan Banis; Mr Pool Inc.; Construction of a new in-ground pool, 18'x32' and an in-ground spa, 8'x10'. Installation of new equipment pad and appurtenance, not to exceed 30" in height. Perimeter fence is existing.

PMT2017-02403 3033 Sterling Circle; $88,481.12; Westland Development; Tenant Remodel - Non-structural, interior/internal expansion of tenant space; 1442 square feet to be added and remodeled. Remodeled space to be converted into open office space and two conference rooms. Associated mechanical and electrical covered within the scope of this permit, including adding cooling units to the conference rooms. No plumbing proposed.

PMT2017-02651 3425 Cayman Place; $46,182.40; Matthew Hardy; Circle Contracting Ltd.; First time basement finish for a single-family detached dwelling. Scope includes one bedroom, one bathroom (on existing rough-ins), and a rec room.

PMT2017-02686 5237 Deer Creek Court; $47,477.76; Bruce Yelen; Blue Sky Remodeling; First time basement finish for a single-family detached dwelling. Scope to include a rec room, a 3/4 bathroom, an office with egress, and associated finishes (843 square feet).

PMT2017-02701 4679 Ingram Court; $19,200.00; Benjamin Greenwood; G Kenny Builders LLC; Demolition of a structural wall, between the kitchen and living room, to be replaced with a structural beam; installation per engineers' specifications. Construction includes wrapping existing furnace vent pipe with a non-structural column and adding a second non-structural column to the other side of the cook top.

PMT2017-02703 3742 Cedarlodge St.; $11,000.00; Lawrence Pevec; Reck Carpentry; Permit to finish a portion of an existing unfinished basement. Scope includes a finished office area and a new bathroom on existing rough-ins. Remaining "studio" portion of basement to be unfinished.

PMT2017-02719 4251 Vinca Court; $15,489.38; Daniel King and Sheila Hanley King; Elton R Construction, LLC; Remodel of master bathroom for a single-family detached dwelling. No change in plumbing fixture count.

PMT2017-02722 1611 Spruce St.; $15,000.00; Unit 1: Remodel of kitchen in one unit of an existing triplex. Scope includes removal of a portion of an interior bearing wall.

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Boulder Building Permits, July 3, 2017 - Boulder Daily Camera

A tree crashed through Bill and Katherine Trainors kitchen in spring 2016 and expedited their plans to renovate.

When it happened, the couple was on a trip to Asia, but their architects arrived at their intown Atlanta bungalow within hours and surveyed the damage.

Instead of building up, the couple bumped out the back to create a new master suite and laundry room, along with a better flow for outdoor living. The new fixtures and furniture fit with the classic style the couple prefers in the home, which increased by about 500 square feet in the remodeling.

We were also deliberate about keeping it a one-story home to fit with the original home and the rest of the neighborhood, Katherine said.

>> Click here to see a gallery of their home <<

Snapshot

Residents: Bill and Katherine Trainor and their Shih Tzu, Bob. Bill is a Delta pilot; Katherine is a corporate, tax and estate planning attorney at MendenFreiman.

Location: Atlantas Channing Valley neighborhood in the Collier Hills area

Size: 1,638 square feet, three bedrooms, two baths

Year built/bought: 1950/2013

Architectural style: Midcentury ranch

Favorite architectural elements: Wide, open entrance with views to the backyard; French doors

Renovations: It began as a two-bedroom, two-bath home. With about $300,000 in renovations, they expanded the back to add a master suite with a walk-in closet and marble bathroom, plus a laundry room. They knocked down the wall separating the kitchen and living room. In the hallway connecting the original house to the addition, they created a small office/mudroom. They restained the floors, repainted, and added plantation shutters and smartphone-controlled speakers.

Design consultants:MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers], King Landscaping, Stephanie Bauer Oppenheimer

Interior design style: Mid-century modern with traditional accents

Favorite interior design elements: They tried to keep true to the 1950s period with renovation decisions such as the tile choices. We really wanted to make sure it looks like it could have been in the original home, Katherine said. A lot of those old homes had such beautiful tile work. That was important to keep that.

Favorite outdoor elements: They replaced the concrete walls with terraced Tennessee fieldstone boulder walls layered with plants to transform the concrete canyon into a sunken garden. Boulder steps now access a new upper lawn on the formerly overgrown and underutilized lot. The patio, which has a dining table and seating area, is outfitted with speakers and a TV that make it an outdoor living room. With the large French doors open, it truly feels like a continuation of the house and bonus square footage, Katherine said.

Resources: Ferguson (bathroom fixtures), Moda Floors & Interiors and Specialty Tile Products (tile), Affinity Stoneworks and Top South (countertops), BWI Wood Working and Kemper (cabinets), Top Knobs (hardware), The ShutterWorks (plantation shutters), Fernando Noriega (sound system/TV installation); The Container Store (Elfa shelving). Furniture from Room and Board, Scott Antique Markets, Pottery Barn, IKEA, West Elm, Chairish, RH, CB2, Brice Ltd. at Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC), One Kings Lane and Ballard Designs.

Originally posted here:
Tree crashing on kitchen spurs midcentury update in Collier Hills - MyAJC

Sequim city councilors opted to move forward Monday night with plans to finish remodeling the Guy Cole Convention Center in Carrie Blake Park.

They unanimously agreed June 26 at their regular council meeting to spend up to $166,000 on renovating 1,540 square feet of space between 660 square feet in the kitchen and 880 square feet in two breakout rooms.

Matt Klontz, Sequim city engineer, said the project likely will go to bid in August with a decision on a contractor going before city councilors in September.

City councilors considered four separate kitchen plans ranging from $51,000 to $136,000 for the kitchen that covered the basics to the more high-end parts of a kitchen.

They unanimously approved what city staff branded a practical enhanced kitchen plan at $80,000 that includes needed changes to meet city and fire regulations and some newer amenities, sales tax and a 15-percent contingency.

Some of the additions include a new oven hood and fire suppression system at a $13,000 estimate, a service area kitchen counter $6,250, storage counter $4,400, freezer $4,100, stove $3,200 and new windows $4,000. The project also includes $4,000 to provide electrical and plumbing hookups for future items.

Some of the older equipment in the 34-year-old kitchen will be replaced and its bathroom will be removed to include space for a mop sink and future amenities like an ice machine.

City councilors Candace Pratt and Pam Leonard-Ray suggested looking into secondhand items to save on costs. However, Deputy Mayor Ted Miller expressed concern, saying that after spending so much on finishing the first phase of the project that he would hate for it to be superficial, and we nickel and dime to finish it.

Public Works Director David Garlington said mixing used and new items in a contract can be difficult because they may not be able to supply used items on time.

We have to know if theyre available for the contractor, he said. We dont want to get too clever with ourselves. What if we dont find it?

City Manager Charlie Bush said once the city receives bids, city councilors can consider adding more expensive items if the cost is lower than expected.

Leonard-Ray said she sees purchasing secondhand items as an option later on, too.

Klontz said of the citys $166,000 budget, about $72,000 comes from whats left over from a Department of Commerce grant that helped pay for Phase I of the project, $34,000 from the citys hotel-motel lodging tax revenue and about $60,000 from the general fund.

City staff reopened the Guy Cole Convention Center in May after closing in early 2016 to renovate the main bathroom, lower the ceiling and add new acoustic tiles, install new carpet, windows and trim, a new roof, exterior lighting and paint the inside and outside.

The convention center was built and finished in 1983 by the Sequim Lions Club and named after community advocate Guy Cole who served in many roles.

For more information on the Guy Cole Convention Center, call the City of Sequim at 683-4139 or visit http://www.sequimwa.gov.

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City councilors approve second phase remodel of Guy Cole Center - Sequim Gazette

Homeowners dont always want to tear apart their kitchens when they remodel. Often its because they like the layout and the cabinets are very strong and solid.

So here are ideas on refurbishing and remodeling while leaving cabinets in the same general place. There will still be work and it will cost something, but work can be finished more quickly:

Have your cabinets refaced. Cabinet refacing is much more economical than complete replacement. Some expert companies say having it done costs slightly more than a third of what it would cost to replace cabinets. Some companies that specialize in this process, but many remodelers can do it.

Be sure the contractor will use refacing material and veneers that are really wood and that these new items will be well-fastened to your cabinets. Its best to have all-new drawers installed. Some refacing companies just put new fronts on old drawers. You should get new doors that have top quality new hinges installed as well.

Have your cabinets repainted or re-stained. The cost of repainting or re-staining can vary depending on the size of your kitchen, but generally its about a quarter of the cost that replacement would be, according to Ray Hernandez of Ray of Light in Tempe. Hernandez company strips and sands existing cabinet fronts down to bare wood before refinishing them. Drawers and doors are taken out to be stripped. He can color or stain cabinets and sometimes adds new molding to the cabinets as well.

Take out some cabinets out or rebuild some cabinets. Some companies doing painting or refacing will also change the shape of cabinets, rebuild them or remove some cabinets. For example, Ray of Light will rebuild a small island to make it larger. Some renovators will build a new island in the middle of a very large kitchen. Or some will take down a partial wall of cabinets that a homeowner wants removed to open up a living area and make it more spacious.

If you keep the cabinets, you can also install new countertops, sinks, faucets and appliances. If youre planning to do any of these jobs, take them on at the same time that the work is being done on cabinets. After all, changing countertops later could wreck the newly painted or refaced cabinets.

If any plumbing or electrical work needs to be done, use professional contractors. You may have to change gas and electric lines to complete the work. In cases like that, permits are also required from the city or county.

Repainting yourself? If so, first remove hardware and doors and drawers. Label each knob, hinge, door and drawer with info that will tell you where to put them back on later.

Youll need to use fine sandpaper to sand down the surface of the old cabinets to get the new paint to bond properly. You dont have to remove all the old paint. But you need to sand whether doors were painted or not.

After sanding, wipe off the surfaces carefully and spray on high quality latex paint. Temper the paint with water or latex extender. Youll probably want to rent a sprayer to make things go more quickly. If you work with a roller, you want it to be short-napped; a brush needs fine bristles.

Give the paint an hour to dry. Then put on a second coat. After that put on a couple of coats of clear coat to protect the painted surface and help the paint last longer.

For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 29 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8 to 11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and from 9 to 11 a.m. on KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.

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Rosie on the House: Redo your kitchen, keep same layout - Green Valley News

In our fast-moving society, yesterdays exciting innovations are todays antiquated has-beens. Every industry faces pressures to evolve in response to a rapidly changing political, economic and technological environment. Our brand-new smartphones become relics days out of the box, our state-of-the-art kitchens look dated within the decade, and yes, our long-standing regulations can risk hindering rather than advancing the fairness and efficiency of the municipal securities market.

But when its time to remodel the kitchen, step back before swinging a sledgehammer. While some features are destined for the scrap heap, others stand the test of time and deserve preservation. The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) takes a methodical, participatory approach to keeping its regulations for municipal securities dealers and municipal advisors up-to-date.

One of the major advantages of the MSRBs structure as a self-regulatory organization is having experienced cooks in the regulatory kitchen. The MSRBs regulatory activities are informed by the insight of participants in the municipal securities marketplace who serve on the Board of Directors. An incoming class of new members joins the Board each year, ensuring that the MSRB receives fresh input on the practical realities of its rules from professionals who embody the diverse perspectives and activities of broker-dealers, banks, municipal advisors, municipal bond issuers, investors and others. Board member input is one of the most important ways the MSRB considers, on an ongoing basis, the need for review of certain industry practices or changes to existing rules.

When the MSRB identifies the need to further draw on the expertise and perspectives of market participants, it rallies a kitchen cabinet in the form of ad hoc advisory boards or committees to advise on topics of market interest. For example, the MSRB has convened an Investor Advisory Group to ensure our investor protection proposals, such as potential changes to MSRB rules on primary offering practices, are informed at the earliest point of consideration by input from investors in municipal bonds.

For kitchen remodelers, construction plans must be vetted by everyone who will use the revamped space. So too with the MSRBs plans to update or modernize its existing rules. The MSRB may issue a concept release to solicit insight from market participants and other interested parties on the underlying issue, including possible alternatives to rulemaking. If rulemaking is pursued, the MSRB generally publishes a request for comment so that the public and regulated entities can provide input on the proposed rulemaking. The MSRBs policy on the use of economic analysis in rulemaking ensures that available data and information on any anticipated burdens of implementation are considered at the earliest stage of the rulemaking process.

It is the policy of the MSRB to regularly consider and evaluate its rules retrospectively and propose amendments as appropriate and consistent with the public interest. As anyone who has tackled a kitchen remodel can attest, these projects can impact the rest of the house. Taking a hard look at a specific regulation in the MSRBs rule book of roughly 45 standard-setting rules inevitably prompts consideration of other related rules. MSRB rules are helpfully categorized by their intent to foster fair practice, uniform practice, market transparency, professional qualification or operational standards. When one rule within a category is identified as in need of updating, other rules within that category also receive scrutiny. To further support retrospective rule review, the MSRB solicits public input on the entirety of its rule book and body of interpretive guidance, as it did in December 2012.

The MSRB does not close the door to input and conversation once updates to its regulations are adopted. Rather, we conduct extensive outreach to municipal securities dealers, municipal advisors, municipal entities, investors and fellow regulators on a regular basis to solicit feedback that informs the MSRBs policy initiatives. MSRB Board members and staff frequently participate in industry events around the country and engage regularly with industry trade associations, issuer associations, investor representatives and other stakeholders. The MSRBs outreach initiatives often lead to the development of interpretive guidance or compliance resources that help facilitate understanding of MSRB rules as they evolve.

Market feedback received throughout the year is synthesized and incorporated into the MSRBs formal strategic and operating planning processes. Periodically, the Board meets in a dedicated strategy session to review the MSRBs strategic direction and goals, which it did most recently in January 2017. These planning sessions are also informed by market conditions and relevant priorities of policymakers. The MSRBs strategic goals guide the development of the annual operating plans that prioritize activities the MSRB will undertake in any given year to best serve its mission. This process includes identifying MSRB rules that are candidates for amendment, consolidation, streamlining or deletion in the interest of achieving greater efficiency, effectiveness or alignment with current behaviors and conditions in the municipal market. For example, the MSRB last year made two sets of amendments to its uniform practice rules, to modernize close-out procedures for municipal securities and to pave the way for the industry-wide transition to a two-day settlement cycle.

The MSRB recognizes that to be effective and best fulfill its mission, its rules must be responsive to changes in the municipal securities market and broader landscape. Our self-regulatory structure, participatory processes and commitment to stakeholder engagement support the MSRBs ongoing efforts to create and maintain efficient and effective municipal market regulations. The MSRB welcomes industry and public feedback and pledges our continued focus on rule maintenance and modernization.

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Commentary Remodeling the rule book - Bond Buyer

NORTH EAST The owners behind the popular Chefs Kitchen restaurant are planning to open a second restaurant at the site of the former Paradise Grill in North East.

The restaurant, which will be called Snatchers Creekside Grill, will serve food similar to that of Chefs Kitchen, though an exact menu has not yet been decided. Snatchers will be managed by Lynn Bollinger, a 15-year veteran of the restaurant industry who currently serves as the front of house manager at Chefs Kitchen and is a part-owner of the business.

Bollinger told the Whig that Chefs Kitchen decided to open up a second restaurant after the owners of the property at 510 W. Main St. approached them. Eric Polansky, who owns the property as part of EJP LLC and also operates B&H Auto Parts, is a frequent Chefs Kitchen customer, she said.

Chefs Kitchen, which was opened in 2015 by Michael Fuggitti, serves classic American fare at its location at 2240 W. Pulaski Hwy. Bollinger has worked at Chefs Kitchen for two and a half years and she said the Snatchers kitchen will be run by someone from Chefs Kitchen.

But before Snatchers can open, the restaurant needs a liquor license and Bollinger took a step toward that when she appeared before the North East Board of Appeals Thursday night seeking a special exception for the purpose of obtaining a beer, wine and liquor license. The board approved the request, which Bollinger called wonderful news.

Weve been waiting for it, she said.

While Bollinger doesnt intend to do any remodeling before Snatchers opens, she said an opening date has not yet been determined pending approval of a liquor license from the county.

Though Bollingers request was unanimously granted by the North East Board of Appeals, it came with five conditions, which had largely already been hashed out during a two-hour session with the towns planning commission earlier this month.

The need for the conditions seemed to stem both from the restaurants location near a residential area and from the past history of complaints received when the Paradise Grill was located there, rather than from any concerns about the Snatchers management.

Its a new owner. I think the planning commission has done due diligence on this and I think at this point we need to give the new folks the benefit of the doubt, said Gabrielle Oldham, chair of the board of appeals during the meeting.

The first of the five conditions granted the restaurant extended hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday with the stipulation that the closing hours represent the end of entry for new patrons but not the end of service. Bollinger told the board that she doesnt initially intend to serve breakfast at Snatchers because Chefs Kitchen does very well in that area but wanted to leave that option open for the future.

Secondly, music from Snatchers cannot be audible from any adjoining property past 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and past 9 p.m. Friday through Saturday. Third, the restaurant cannot use the words bar, pub, tavern or sports bar in its either its name or sign. While the restaurant was initially called Snatchers Creekside Bar and Grill, Bollinger dropped the bar part after learning bars are not allowed in town.

Fourth, if the planning office and the North East Police Department receive three valid complaints about the restaurant, Snatchers is required to reappear before the planning commission and board of appeals to reevaluate its permission for extended hours. Finally, Snatchers must appear before the commission and board annually to continue to review the operation of extended hours.

No one spoke against the special exception for Snatchers and quite a few people spoke in favor of having a new restaurant at the location, since Paradise Grill, which first opened in 2007, has now been closed for months.

Eric Polansky told the board he interviewed many applicants in order to find a tenant for the property and believes Bollinger will bring a lot of people to the neighborhood, noting hes eaten at Chefs Kitchen since it opened and always had a good experience. Acknowledging that Paradise Grill started to go down toward the end of its tenure, Polansky said he believes Snatchers will turn things around.

Being empty isnt going to help the community in any way, he told the board. As the rent comes in, Ill fix the place up and do anything I can.

Doreen Casimir, who lives in Victoria Park, a retirement community near the restaurant, said shes heard from many people in the community that are looking forward to having a restaurant re-open at that spot. And while she appreciates the boards conditions on the music from the restaurant, she actually wishes it could be a little louder.

I used to sit in my apartment and try to listen, she said to the laughs from the board.

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