Article updated: 4/9/2014 4:31 PM

Construction will begin this summer on a Granite City Food and Brewery restaurant and Hampton Inn and Suites hotel that will open side-by-side next year just west of Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg.

The paired-up developments will take over the former site of American Hardware, 801 Plaza Drive, which will be demolished soon.

The joint proposal by the Minneapolis-based restaurant chain and hotel developer is unusual, Schaumburg Economic Development Manager Matt Frank said. Granite City Food and Brewery is seeking a stronger presence in the Chicago area, and this particular partnership is not occurring everywhere, he added.

Frank described Granite City as a high-end restaurant that brews its own beer on-site. The company runs 30 restaurants in 13 states, with the only other Illinois locations being in Rockford, Orland Park and East Peoria.

The Schaumburg restaurant will be 10,802-square-feet and have a 1,195-square-foot patio at its southwest corner, surrounded by a 4-foot-tall fence to separate the patio from the drive aisle.

The Hampton Inn and Suites will be a four-story, 64,294-square-foot building with 101 rooms, an indoor pool and meeting space. Schaumburg trustees this week approved a height variance allowing the 54.5-foot-tall hotel to exceed the normal 50-foot maximum building height in its zoning district.

Both the hotel and restaurant will occupy their own subdivided lots on the site formerly used exclusively by American Hardware. A separate third lot will contain a detention basin for water runoff from both businesses.

Though some other previously approved hotel developments in Schaumburg have been stalled since the recession, Frank said developers of the Hampton Inn and Suites have all their funding secured and are ready to start.

Read more:
Granite City Brewery, hotel to neighbor Woodfield

After a temporary halt in work, construction has resumed at a downtown site where a worker was crushed by an elevator on Wednesday.

It was the second injury reported since late March at the construction site at 303 Colorado St. where the 29-story Colorado Tower is being built. Work stopped after the incident and resumed Thursday.

The injured man, who is in his 30s, suffered trauma to his upper body, EMS officials said. He remained Thursday at University Medical Center Brackenridge.

He was working inside the elevator shaft on the eighth floor when the elevator car was activated.

The man had been freed by the time rescue crews arrived, said EMS Cmdr. Mike Benavides.

Officials said the man was conscious and had a 6-inch wide injury on his upper body when he was transported to the hospital.

A statement from the contractor, DPR Construction, said the man was a subcontractor who was working near the exterior of the building. The company has declined to release the mans name.

We are working with (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and the Austin Police Department to fully investigate the cause of this incident, said Gary Nauert, general manager forDPR Construction, in a statement.

This is the second injury reported at the construction site of the Colorado Tower in just over two weeks.

On March 26, a man who was sitting at a nearby restaurant was hit by liquid cement.

See the article here:
Construction resumes at Colorado Tower downtown after workers injury

Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions | Comments News and Views Disney Parks facing lawsuit over Disability Access Service | Disney hints at Fastpass+ changes | Disney's Polynesian Resort construction changes | New Disney Springs restaurant announced | Disney worker attacked at Art of Animation Resort | Construction Update | This week at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival | Quick takes | Crowd update Disney Parks facing lawsuit over Disability Access Service by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix and first published in yesterday's Disneyland Park Update

Parents of 16 children with developmental disorders and cognitive impairments filed a lawsuit last Thursday (April 3, 2014) against the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Inc. regarding the Disability Access Service. The lawsuit was filed in California, and alleges that the policy, implemented in October 2013 at both the California and Florida resorts, violates the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act. The individual plaintiffs have filed additional counts, including breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts today issued the following statement:

"Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all our guests. We fully comply with all ADA requirements and believe that the legal claims are without merit."

The company also denies claims that the theme parks refuse to vary their policy to meet individual guest needs:

"Our Disability Access Service is designed for guests who, due to certain disabilities, cannot tolerate extended wait times at attractions. In circumstances where the service might not meet guests needs, we work individually with guests to ensure we are able to accommodate them."

The lawsuit acknowledges that people with developmental disorders and cognitive impairments can have a wide range of abilities and impairments, but note that the disabled plaintiffs, "like other persons with cognitive impairments are mentally and physically incapable" of:

According to the lawsuit, both of these factors "will induce meltdowns in the large majority of persons with cognitive impairments, including the disabled Plaintiffs."

Along with these general issues, the lawsuit details the specific needs of some of the plaintiffs in an effort to show how DAS fails to meet their needs. For example:

The 176-page lawsuit details the differences between Disney's former Guest Assistance Card (GAC) policy and the new Disability Access Service (DAS), and contends the new policy fails to meet the needs of visitors with developmental disorders and cognitive impairments.

Continue reading here:
Walt Disney World Update

STEERS

Joelle Foster, Grand Champion Steer and Senior Showmanship, $8,000

Buyers: First National Bank, Texas Grill Restaurant, William Jenkins, Smith Supply, Bastrop Stone, Boyd Maxwell Insurance, Gonzales Livestock Market, Inc., Lockhart Auction Inc., Smittys Market, Tex Propane, Gaeke Construction, Juan & Leticia Esparza, James & Janet Rathmann, Anonymous In Memory of Adlinie Rathman, Tim & Gayle Foster

Kaylee Berdoll, Reserve Champion Steer, $6,500

Buyers: Coufal-Prater Equipment Ltd.-Tom Ezzell, Lone Star Cattleman, Direct Propane, Turner Land and Hay Company-Travis Turner, Callahan General Store, First National Bank, Benny Boyd - Bastrop

Kendall Hudson, 3rd Place, $3,500

Buyers: Gloria Hamilton, Dale & Julie Hudspeth, Duke & Mary Ducharme, Jeanne Cole, Amanda & Katie Frerich, Don & Sylvia Hudson, Adolph & Sharon Junek, George Cameron, Les & Dawn Hudson, Caleb Hudson, First National Bank, Deborah & Kevin Cole, Awesome Landscapes & More-Michael & Betty Wyatt, Katy Meuth, Carl & Lola Cole, Tyler & Lindsy Saunders, Texas Aggregates -Matt Arthur, C W & Stacey Schneider, Frontier Bank, AJ & Deena Zimmerhanzel, Robert & Rose Henderson, Elgin Breeding Service-Brenda Cardwell, James & Darlene McLaughlin, Wayne & Brenda Meuth, Adam Meuth Construction

Claire Byrd, 4th Place, $2,250

Buyers: Wheer Ransom Bros Cattle, Larry & Janet Hendrix, Lost Pines Toyota, L & L Ranch-Robert Long, Allen Stewart, David & Leigh Ann Lewis, Jane H. Wright, Gerard & Audrey Goertz, Clarence & Betty Vinklarek, Sandy Wright Kibby, Callahan General Store, Direct Propane

Bryce Wyatt, 5th Place, $2,500

Continue reading here:
2014 Bastrop County Junior Livestock Show Results

After several months of waiting, construction is finally underway on the new imax theatre in blacksburg. Construction workers are building the new I-MAX Theatre bowling alley and restaurant... Businesses in Blacksburg's First and Main shopping plaza say they can't wait to see it complete.

"We're very excited for the theatre to come in we need an anchor in this shopping center in order for it to become successful," Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Manager Wyatt Lifsey said. Lifsey says the Imax Theatre will help create more foot traffic, which could attract more businesses to First and Main.

Personal trainer Amy Simmons says having that extra traffic could jump start more people signing up for Anytime Fitness memberships. "For us it would get our name out there people would see that we're here for them for their fitness needs if they're not familiar that we're even here in the area," Simmons said.

Contractors expect the Imax Theatre to wrap up in about a year.

Originally posted here:
Construction Starts in Blacksburg for New Imax Theatre

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Work on a major thoroughfare in Jackson will improve its appearance, but it's providing a headache for area businesses.

Chuck Odom, of The Elite Restaurant on Capitol Street, says business at the landmark eatery has sharply declined since the Capital Street reconstruction project began.

The Clarion-Ledger reports (http://on.thec-l.com/1hT2ycP ) construction on Capitol Street in front of The Elite has reduced customer parking and made the front entrance of the restaurant a labyrinth of cones, dirt and uneven footing.

The Elite has been in Jackson since 1947 when Odom's wife's family opened it.

Ben Allen, president of Downtown Jackson Partners, continues to talk up the road project, which includes making busy Capitol Street a two-way road. He says the project is designed to make the Capitol Street area clean and safe, while making room for sidewalk cafes and pedestrian-friendly retail outlets.

But some business owners say they may not make it until the project's end.

Sam and Lamia Dabit own two retail stores Lamia's Boutique and Fashion Corner on Capitol Street and say the end is near for their businesses.

"I've been in downtown Jackson for 50 years, but this project has ruined our business," Sam Dabit says.

The Dabits say all their customers have vanished.

"We just don't see anyone anywhere around here these days," Lamia Dabit laments.

Read the original post:
Jackson street project: future help, present pain

Time is running out to stop a ritzy restaurant from opening in Union Square Park, but Mayor de Blasio wont bite.

Activists visited City Hall on Friday to deliver petitions against the controversial eatery, which is being built in the parks pavilion after a long battle with neighbors.

If we keep waiting, theres going to be a restaurant there before we know it, said Bill Borock, a member of the Union Square Community Coalition who dropped off a package of 500 signatures.

We thought things would be different [under de Blasio], he said. People are feeling a little betrayed.

Simon Oren, founder of 5Napkin Burger and owner of Nice Matin, will operate the 200-seat restaurant.

Construction began shortly after the states highest court ruled in February that the eatery is a valid use of public parkland.

Read the original post:
Opponents want last chance to block Union Square restaurant

Even though an Appeals Court gave the green light for construction to start, a group opposing the construction of a restaurant in the northern end of Union Square is still praying for a miracle. The Post reports, "Activists visited City Hall on Friday to deliver petitions against the controversial eatery, which is being built in the parks pavilion after a long battle with neighbors."

The controversial eatery has been the subject of a nearly 10 years-long battle; opponents insisted a private restaurant would be a "flagrant misuse" of public parkland, noting there are only two playgrounds in the parks but 150 restaurants, bars and markets in nearby. A judge had agreed, saying the city needed state approval to privatize the park but then a State Supreme Court justice overruled. Plaintiffs then lost two appeals to stop the restaurant.

A member of the Union Square Community Coalition told the Post, "If we keep waiting, theres going to be a restaurant there before we know it... We thought things would be different [under de Blasio]. People are feeling a little betrayed."

At a March 9th rally, a number of elected officials argued why the restaurant shouldn't happen. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer said, "It's beyond ironic that the Union Square pavilion where Emma Goldman and Dorothy Day made history practicing their brand of free speech could instead become home to free-range pork. This neighborhood already has an enormous choice of restaurants-- and a shortage of park space. To put a restaurant here, in this designated National Historic Landmark, puts a price tag on the publics enjoyment of what should remain a public space."

Rep. Carolyn Maloney agreed, offering de Blasio a way out by blaming Bloomberg: "For years this community has made it plain that it would be unconscionable to turn a part of Union Square Park, which has historically been a center of activism, recreation and other park uses, into just another high-end restaurant. It blows my mind that the previous administration would consider confiscating precious park space to develop another fancy eatery and watering hole. I strongly urge Mayor de Blasio to cancel the arrangement."

Assembly Member Richard Gottfried voiced a possible solution, "The Mayor has the legal right to cancel this contract for any reason. As the concession agreement provides and the Citys Law Department vigorously argued to the New York State Court of Appeals, the license is freely terminable 'at will' at any time which the City has vigorously argued."

Original post:
Opponents Still Hope To Stop Union Square Restaurant

A construction worker and an employee of a restaurant were trapped when a two-storey building collapsed in Balaji Nagar, Puzhuthivakkam on Friday. Efforts were on past midnight to rescue Masoom Sait (20), the construction worker, while Palani (40), a cook at the restaurant, was rescued and rushed to a hospital.

We went to the restaurant for dinner and even before we could realise what was happening, the building collapsed, said Tajimuddin, a construction worker.

He had accompanied a group of workers, including Masoom Sait, for dinner at Chandra Mess, functioning out of the building that is about a decade old.

The building came down a little past 10 p.m. While Jayapal, owner of the restaurant and three employees managed to run out of the building, Masoom Sait and Palani, who was at work in the kitchen, were trapped. Fire tenders from at least 3 stations reached the spot. Firemen used earth moving equipment to clear the rubble. While they managed to remove Palani from the rubble and rushed him to a private hospital, efforts were on to rescue Masoom Sait.

Read the original post:
One trapped as building collapses in Puzhuthivakkam

Construction is set to begin this month on a Bonefish Grill restaurant adjacent to the Drury Inn & Suites going up in Brentwood.

That's the word today from Spiegelglass Construction Co., which said it will build the $1.6 million project at 8780 Eager Road.

Spiegelglass, based in Maryland Heights, said the restaurant will open in October.

Spiegelglass said the restaurant will seat 380 people and will include an outdoor patio with a fireplace. Bonefish Grill is a seafood chain based in St. Petersburg, Fla. It has opened restaurants in 34 states since its founding in 2000.

Drury is building the eight-story hotel on Eager Road at Interstate 64 and Brentwood Boulevard. The $35.5 million, 210-room hotel is headed toward completion this year.

Tim Bryant covers commercial real estate, development and other business stories for the Post-Dispatch. He blogs at Building Blocks, the Post-Dispatch development blog.

Originally posted here:
Bonefish Grill coming to Brentwood