RICHMOND When Gov. Terry McAuliffe lashed out at legislative Republicans last month over their refusal to expand Medicaid, he didn't just use his veto powers.

McAuliffe also told his staff to stop cooperating with a legislative committee studying Medicaid reforms. And he stopped work on a $300 million project that would have built a brand new building for General Assembly members and the couple hundred full-time staffers who work for the legislative branch.

Pulling executive branch cooperation from the legislature's Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission may not mean much, since both the General Assembly and the governor have pushed to strip its viability as a path toward Medicaid expansion. But blocking construction of a new General Assembly Building has ruffled some feathers. Some legislative leaders question whether McAuliffe has the power to hold things up as he has.

Legislators have been back and forth for years about what to do with the current General Assembly Building, which is actually several buildings of various ages, all connected together. It has plumbing issues, air quality issues and asbestos in the walls and ceilings.

It needs a new fire suppression system, and that means ripping out the asbestos, House Appropriations Chairman S. Chris Jones said. Repair costs would mount quickly.

"It's a life-safety issue that's driving this," said Jones, R-Suffolk. "It's not us wanting to have a new building."

The plan had been to borrow up to $300 million in bonds to tear the building down, construct a new one, renovate another building nearby and build a new parking deck for Capitol Square. The state would repay the money over 20 years and, with interest included, the cost would hit about $430 million.

This plan was in the state's so-called "caboose" budget, which the legislature approved earlier this year and McAuliffe signed, albeit after he expressed some concern over the project's cost.

The caboose basically tweaks an existing budget, in this case the budget for fiscal 2014. It's completely separate from the fiscal 2015-16 budget, which is in effect as of July 1, and which McAuliffe signed in June after fighting unsuccessfully for months to have House Republicans include Medicaid expansion.

Legislative leaders agree that McAuliffe could eventually hold this project up, because he has to sign off the bonds before they can be issued. But that approval won't be needed for some time, and McAuliffe went a step further, telling the state's Department of General Services to stop planning for the project all together.

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McAuliffe, lawmakers in tiff over office building

Office buildings in top U.S. markets are getting so expensive that landlords are choosing to build rather than buy, spurring the most development by real estate investment trusts in at least a decade.

Office REITs, led by Boston Properties Inc. (BXP), Vornado Realty Trust (VNO) and Kilroy Realty Corp. (KRC), are planning to plow almost $11 billion into new projects, triple the amount just two years ago and the most in data going back to 2004, according to research firm Green Street Advisors Inc. Much of that is focused on the coasts, including San Francisco and New York, the areas with the most demand from both tenants and investors.

Prices for office buildings in major markets have surged past peak levels, lifted in part by sovereign-wealth funds and pensions willing to accept lower yields than other investors because they are seeking safe investments. For REITs, which have to answer to shareholders seeking higher returns, building is often a better option than competing with institutional buyers.

Theyre selling assets and theyre developing, Michael Knott, a managing director at Green Street in Newport Beach, California, said in a telephone interview. Theyre going out the risk-reward spectrum by starting more developments rather than buying.

The Salesforce Tower stands in San Francisco in this artist rendering released to the media on April 10, 2014. Close

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The Salesforce Tower stands in San Francisco in this artist rendering released to the media on April 10, 2014.

Projects in the works include Boston Properties $1.13 billion tower in San Francisco that will be the headquarters of Salesforce.com Inc. and the citys tallest building. SL Green Realty Corp. (SLG) plans on constructing a 1,200-foot (366-meter) skyscraper in midtown Manhattan. Cousins Properties Inc. and Brandywine Realty Trust are developing offices in Austin, Texas.

For Boston Properties, the biggest office-focused REIT by market value, the vast majority of new investments are in development, Chief Executive Officer Owen Thomas said on an April 30 conference call with analysts. The Boston-based company has about $3.2 billion in projects, according to Green Street.

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Office REITs in U.S. Plan the Most Construction in Decade

Rob Brigham looked at the building at 27th Street and Fletcher Avenue as a possible Lincoln office for his growing construction services firm seven years ago when it was up for sale but ultimately decided it was too much space at the time.

So when he found out through the grapevine that the building was going up for sale again earlier this year, he jumped at the chance.

Brigham's firm, JEO Consulting, closed on the building July 1, paying just under $1.5 million.

"I guess it was destiny," said Brigham, who is the CEO of the Wahoo-based firm.

JEO Consulting, which offers engineering, architecture, planning, surveying and other construction-related services, has been growing rapidly, particularly in Lincoln.

The firm added about 20 people in the past year, Brigham said, about half of those in its Lincoln office. The company now has about 150 employees overall, about 40-45 of them in Lincoln, which is the company's biggest office.

He said the company's rapid growth in Lincoln has made it a bit apprehensive about buying a permanent office, for fear the company would quickly outgrow the space.

The 27th and Fletcher building, which had been home to the Nebraska Community Blood Bank, offers plenty of room to grow, Brigham said. It has about 6,700 square feet on one floor, with a full basement. The company also plans a 1,200-square-foot addition.

"It's just a great building," he said. "It gives us flexibility to do some things for our employees."

Cheever Construction is working on remodeling the interior of the building, work that should be done by the last week of August, and Brigham said the office will be up and running by Sept. 1.

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Wahoo firm moving into former Blood Bank office

Swansea, officially the City and County of Swansea, is a coastal city and county in Wales. It is Wales's second largest city. Swansea lies within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands. The City and County of Swansea had a population of 239,000 in 2011, making it the second most populous local authority area in Wales after Cardiff. During its 19th-century industrial heyday, Swansea was a key centre of the copper industry, earning the nickname 'Copperopolis'. The port of Swansea initially traded in wine, hides, wool, cloth and later in coal. As the Industrial Revolution reached Wales, the combination of port, local coal, and trading links with the West Country, Cornwall and Devon, meant that Swansea was the logical place to site copper smelting works. Smelters were operating by 1720 and proliferated. Following this, more coal mines (everywhere from north-east Gower to Clyne and Llangyfelach) were opened and smelters (mostly along the Tawe valley) were opened and flourished. Over the next century and a half, works were established to process arsenic, zinc and tin and to create tinplate and pottery. The city expanded rapidly in the 18th and 19th centuries, and was termed "Copperopolis". From the late 17th century to 1801, Swansea's population grew by 500% the first official census (in 1841) indicated that, with 6,099 inhabitants, Swansea had become significantly larger than Glamorgan's county town, Cardiff, and was the second most populous town in Wales behind Merthyr Tydfil (which had a population of 7,705). However, the census understated Swansea's true size, as much of the built-up area lay outside the contemporary boundaries of the borough; the total population was actually 10,117. Swansea's population was later overtaken by Merthyr in 1821 and by Cardiff in 1881, although in the latter year Swansea once again surpassed Merthyr. Much of Swansea's growth was due to migration from within and beyond Wales in 1881, more than a third of the borough's population had been born outside Swansea and Glamorgan, and just under a quarter outside Wales. Through the 20th century, heavy industries in the town declined, leaving the Lower Swansea Valley filled with derelict works and mounds of waste products from them. The Lower Swansea Valley Scheme (which still continues) reclaimed much of the land. The present Enterprise Zone was the result and, of the many original docks, only those outside the city continue to work as docks; North Dock is now Parc Tawe and South Dock became the Marina. Little city-centre evidence, beyond parts of the road layout, remains from medieval Swansea; its industrial importance made it the target of bombing, known as the Blitz in World War II, and the centre was flattened completely. The city has three Grade One listed buildings, these being the Guildhall, Swansea Castle and the Morriston Tabernacle. Whilst the city itself has a long history, many of the city centre buildings are post-war as much of the original centre was destroyed by World War II bombing on the 19th, 20th and 21 February 1941 (the 'Three Nights Blitz'). Within the city centre are the ruins of the castle, the Marina, the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea Museum, the Dylan Thomas Centre, the Environment Centre, and the Market, which is the largest covered market in Wales. It backs onto the Quadrant Shopping Centre which opened in 1978 and the adjoining St David's Centre opened in 1982. Other notable modern buildings are the BT Tower (formerly the GPO tower) built around 1970, Alexandra House opened in 1976, County Hall opened in July 1982. Swansea Leisure Centre opened in 1977; it has undergone extensive refurbishment which retained elements of the original structure and re-opened in March 2008. Swansea was granted city status in 1969, to mark Prince Charles's investiture as the Prince of Wales.

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City Building to surpass target collection this year

BUILDING PERMITS

PMT2014-00457 970 28th St.; $5,822,096.59; 970 28th; PCL Construction Services Inc.; Landmark Lofts II Parking garage associated with residential apartment development. Includes associated MEPs. Please refer to LUR2012-00014; ADR2013-00162; TEC2013-00068. All plant investment and tap fees associated with this case have been included on PMT2014-00459. (Pool and pool fence are deferred submittal items by separate permit(s), separate review(s) and separate approval(s) at a later date).

PMT2014-00459 970 28th St.; $3,144,699.88; PCL Construction Services Inc.; Landmark Lofts II Building 1 associated with residential apartment development. Includes associated MEPs. Please refer to LUR2012-00014; ADR2013-00162; TEC2013-00068. All plant investment and tap fees associated with this case have been included on PMT2014-00459. (Pool and pool fence are deferred submittal items by separate permit(s), separate review(s) and separate approval(s) at a later date).

PMT2014-00460 970 28th St.; $12,313,041.98; 970 28th; PCL Construction Services Inc.; Landmark Lofts II Buildings 2, 3, and 4 (one structure) associated with residential apartment development. Includes associated MEPs. Please refer to LUR2012-00014; ADR2013-00162; TEC2013-00068. All plant investment and tap fees associated with this case have been included on PMT2014-00459. (Pool and pool fence are deferred submittal items by separate permit(s), separate review(s) and separate approval(s) at a later date).

PMT2014-00461 970 28th St.; $3,474,013.08; 970 28th; PCL Construction Services Inc.; Landmark Lofts II Building 5 associated with residential apartment development. Includes associated MEPs. Please refer to LUR2012-00014; ADR2013-00162; TEC2013-00068. All plant investment and tap fees associated with this case have been included on PMT2014-00459. (Pool and pool fence are deferred submittal items by separate permit(s), separate review(s) and separate approval(s) at a later date).

PMT2014-00463 4640 Table Mesa Drive; $11,243,101.52; Haselden Construction LLC; New construction of two-story senior care assisted living facility (I-1) occupancy with a total of 48 units. New construction of a one-story attached memory care (I-2) facility with a total of 46 units.The project will include the demolition of existing facilities on site, new sitework, utilities, landscaping, and parking lot.

PMT2014-00510 0 Kalmia Ave.; $12,000; WCT LLC; Dohn Construction Inc.; New covered bike parking structure for Wonderland Creek Townhomes 270 square feet. No MEP.

PMT2014-00990 480 Kalmia Ave.; $509,033.52; Bert and Anne Tolbert; Sopris Development LLC; New single-family detached residence with attached three-car garage and shop area, partially finished basement, four bedrooms, seven baths.

PMT2014-01334 3610 Paonia St.; $376,291.55; Kalmia Investment; Coast To Coast Residential Development; New three-story, single-family dwelling home with basement, attached two-car garage, and covered front porch.. House to include study and one bath on main floor, four bedrooms and three baths on the second floor, and loft, mechanical room and roof deck on third floor.

PMT2014-01405 928 Seventh St.; $710,000; George O'Neill; Benchmark Construction Inc.; Construction of new single-family dwelling (2,785 square feet), including associated MEPs.

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Boulder building permits: July 7, 2014

ABC An artist's impression of the ACT Government office building originally proposed in 2011.

The Canberra Liberals have accused the ACT Government of "sneaking" plans for a new public service office block in Civic back onto public agenda.

ACT Minister for Economic Development Andrew Barr has today called for expressions of interest from the private sector for the construction of a new office building and the renewal of existing office space in the city.

To be considered, the accommodation must be within 10 minutes walking distance of the ACT Legislative Assembly and provide 40,000 square metres of office space.

Opposition spokesman for economic development Brendan Smyth said the ACT Government had been "quite sneaky" in bringing their plan for a new office block back into the public realm.

In 2010 the ACT Government spruiked plans to build a new office block in Civic worth $430 million - a move which was criticised by some in the property sector for ignoring existing office accommodation options.

But funds earmarked for the building were diverted to public health infrastructure in early 2012. At the time, Treasurer Andrew Barr said the new office block would go ahead, but in partnership with the private sector.

Mr Smyth has questioned why the ACT Government chose to make the plan public just a couple of days after the final hearings of the ACT's Select Committee on Estimates.

"You have to first question why none of this was mentioned by the Government in the budget papers," he said.

"This is clearly a big undertaking and it can only be seen as a cynical attempt to avoid scrutiny."

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Call for public service office block proposals 'sneaky': ACT Opposition

VOL. 7 | NO. 28 | Saturday, July 05, 2014

Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich says a video posted Tuesday on the campaign website of Democratic challenger Joe Brown questioning her sexual orientation represents a sad day in local politics.

Its just a sad day that someone that out of touch with reality is running for district attorney general, Weirich said at an afternoon press conference at the Child Advocacy Center that was called as part of an effort to remind parents not to leave their children in cars during the summer heat.

In the video, which was taken down hours after it was posted Tuesday, Brown is seen talking to a group of people about recent press coverage of his divorce. He segued from that to questioning Weirichs sexual orientation and saying her husband and children had moved out of the family home as a result.

They havent.

Kim Perry, Weirichs campaign manager, said Tuesday evening that Weirich and her husband were at home that evening as the video went up.

Weirich said Wednesday she had to have a talk with her 8-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter about the claim and the campaign by Brown.

Shelby County Sheriff Bill Oldham, at the same press conference, called the video reprehensible.

I call on all candidates to run their campaigns on fact, he said. This has no place in any campaign.

For 30 years, tourists from around the world have paid money to get a look at two airplanes once owned by Elvis Presley at Graceland in Memphis. Fans enjoy touring the planes for their direct connection to Presley and his jet-setting lifestyle, a sort of touchstone to the life of the King of Rock and Roll and his family.

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Waller Lansden Leases in Renaissance Center

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Thursday 3 Jul 2014 4:37 PM

Written byADAM LUKE

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A visually stunning Huntingdonshire office building has scooped its second award since opening earlier this year.

Alconbury Wealds Incubator was named East Anglia regional winner of Best Commercial Building by the Local Authority Building Control, and praised for outstanding construction and workmanship.

Tim Leathes, of developers Urban&Civic, said: The Incubator is our first building so we knew the design had to be visually stunning. But we also wanted the building to represent the values of the broader Alconbury Weald development with strong environmental features a real focus on good craftsmanship and quality materials.

Were pleased and proud of the team that delivered that and that it is being recognised with awards like this.

Dennis Cotton, construction director at Kier, which built the Incubator, added: It was a particularly interesting build as the transparent and stripped back nature of the internal spaces meant that quality of materials and workmanship were essential, and incorporating green technologies such as rainwater harvesting and flexible ventilation systems sits well with both our clients environmental aspirations for the development and our own sustainable construction commitments.

And Philip Turner, of architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, said: The Incubator has now established a new benchmark for economical and enjoyable offices and set a strong architectural precedent for further development in the future.

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Alconbury Weald Incubator office building picks up another best construction award

Construction crews are building the new Nye County Information Technology (I.T.) building behind the sheriffs department at 1520 E. Basin Ave., as the ambitious, county building program nears an end.

Nye County commissioners authorized $700,000 for the building in February 2013. Pac-Van was awarded a $664,151 contract to build the I.T. structure, which will be a 3,415-square-foot modular building with space for a computer server room, work room and office space.

It will also have a dedicated backup generator and backup heating and air-conditioning unit. The county is taking leftover funds from the $25.5 million in bonds used to construct the new Pahrump jail.

The county I.T. directors office building was displaced when the new jail was constructed at the Ian Deutch Government Complex. The county has been paying $1,000 per month to house the five I.T. department employees in office space at a strip mall on East Basin Avenue.

Once it is completed, computer servers in Tonopah will be brought to Pahrump. The building will have a stucco and stone exterior finish.

The I.T. building project was funded at the same time as $850,000 for the One Stop Shop modular buildings that will house the planning, public works and building and safety departments on the Calvada Eye.

Those modulars, however, are still standing after Pac-Van received the $195,375 contract to set the buildings in June 2013. County Manager Pam Webster said the county will be awarding a contract soon to design the One Stop Shop.

The One Stop Shop buildings were acquired at an auction from the Yucca Mountain project. Plans havent been announced for the old planning department complex at 250 N. Highway 160.

County Manager Pam Webster has talked about putting it up for sale. Commissioner Butch Borasky suggested asking the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to locate their Pahrump Field Office there instead of in Las Vegas.

County officials said they didnt have to seek competitive bids in awarding the I.T. building contract to Pac-Van, a vendor listed with the federal governments General Services Administration. Pac-Van has received numerous county contracts; they were awarded a $1.4 million contract in August 2009 to build the 11,000-square-foot county administration building.

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Construction of new I.T. building underway

VOL. 129 | NO. 128 | Wednesday, July 02, 2014

Cypress Realty Holdings Co. has filed a $7 million construction loan for a medical office building on Wolf River Boulevard in Germantown.

Operating as Cypress Realty Holdings Co. II 7600 WR LLC, the company filed the loan June 27 through Financial Federal Bank. Price D. Ford Sr. signed the trust deed as president of the borrower.

Cypress Realty Holdings Co., whose principals Joe Jarratt and Ford also operate Ford Jarratt Realty & Development Co., bought the land which included another parcel at the time that has already been developed in 2007 for $3.9 million.

The Memphis-based real estate firm filed a $4 million building permit last year for a two-story, 36,000-square-foot medical office facility on the nearly 3-acre lot along the north side of Wolf River Boulevard.

The Shelby County Assessor of Propertys 2013 appraisal of the land, which backs up to the Wolf River, was $1.4 million.

Source: The Daily News Online & Chandler Reports

Daily News staff

A Nashville-based law firm is moving into permanent space at the Renaissance Center office building.

Waller Lansden Dortch and Davis LLP, which opened a Memphis office in February, has leased 10,000 square feet in the East Memphis office building at 1715 Aaron Brenner Drive.

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Cypress Realty Files $7 Million Construction Loan