Many NFL teams script their first 15 (or more) plays before a game starts to focus on getting a few fundamental concepts right. Whether they want to attack a particular defensive player or scheme, exploit a perceived weakness or simply drill down on the offensive elements they think are most critical to winning, they pay particularly close attention to the plays they'll start with on Sunday as they wrap up the week.

Bill Barnwell takes a division-by-division look at moves each NFL franchise should make this offseason.

NFC East AFC East NFC North AFC North AFC West NFC West AFC South NFC South: Thursday, Feb. 23

Likewise, organizations need to pay attention to the first few critical things they do during the 2017 offseason, as those might end up defining the year to come. Some teams have a lot to do before the new league year begins March 9, while others won't have to make critical calls until the first day of the NFL draft on April 27.

In this two-week series for ESPN, I'll be running through the first five things that should be running through each team's mind as it prepares for the 2017 offseason.

Let's get to the NFC West, where we have a near-dynasty, a team that unexpectedly fell apart last season and two teams that overhauled their coaching staffs in a hope to return to relevance ...

1. Pick up Deone Bucannon's fifth-year option. The Cardinals were ahead of the curve in using a first-round pick on Bucannon, who is maybe the best example of the hybrid linebacker/safety combinations that continue to sprout around the league. Arizona will want to keep him around for the long term, but it'll at least get Bucannon for another season in 2018.

2. Franchise Chandler Jones. The trade for Jones may not have put the Cardinals over the hump the way that they surely expected last offseason, but the former Patriots star delivered on his end of the bargain. Jones stayed healthy, making it through all 16 games for the second time in his career, while finishing with 11 sacks and 21 knockdowns. He also drew enough attention to make things easier for Markus Golden, who broke out with a 12.5-sack season across from Jones.

Arizona's in a difficult financial spot because of the heavy investments made in Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald, who are due a combined $40 million on the cap in 2017. General manager Steve Keim was likely overaggressive in giving Palmer a one-year extension in August. Had the Cardinals not re-signed Palmer, they could have cut him this offseason and freed nearly $12 million in cap room. Instead, Palmer's contract is stuck on the Arizona ledger, with his $24.1 million cap hit ranking as the third-highest in football behind Tony Romo (who won't be playing under that cap hit) and Joe Flacco. Had Palmer retired, Arizona would have owed a staggering $28.8 million.

The Cardinals have suggested they will choose to franchise Jones. The tag would cost them $17 million this season, which the Cardinals could use as leverage for a long-term deal while waiting until they get cap relief in 2018. After next season, Fitzgerald will be a free agent and Palmer can be cut with just $6.3 million in dead money remaining. Jones likely will aim to get Von Miller money, which isn't out of the question. Miller will earn $60.5 million over the first three seasons of his extension with the Broncos, and if the Cardinals wanted to go year-to-year with their star edge rusher, they would owe $66.8 million for three consecutive franchise tags. Keim likely will need to hit that $60 million mark in guarantees to keep Jones in the desert past 2018.

3. Create additional cap room. Keim probably needs to create extra space, given Step 4. The Cardinals have $35.5 million in room at the moment, but that will drop to $18.5 million if they franchise Jones. They'll gain an additional $7.2 million if Daryl Washington remains ineligible, but Arizona might just want to move on from the long-suspended inside linebacker, a move which would instead create $4.7 million in cap room.

Besides Washington, the Cardinals will have to make some tough calls. With the news that Arizona intends to flip its tackles and move D.J. Humphries to the left side, Jared Veldheer's $10 million cap hit looks untenable. Keim could create $6.8 million in space by releasing the former Raiders pickup. (Remember when the Raiders were a laughingstock by letting Veldheer and Lamarr Houston leave?)

Justin Bethel is a star special-teamer, but he has hardly been playable at cornerback. The player Bruce Arians called "a failure in progress" in December has a $5.3 million cap hit, with $3.8 million shaking free if he's released. I suspect the Cardinals will keep him, in part because Bethel's penciled in to start at cornerback in 2017, but they may force him to take a pay cut. In all, if Washington stays suspended and Keim cuts Veldheer and Bethel as suggested, the Cardinals would free up an additional $17.8 million.

4. Figure out who among the rest of the defensive pieces you want to retain. Including Jones, six of the seven Arizona players who led the defense in snaps last year are free agents. The only returning player from that group is Patrick Peterson. Inside linebacker Kevin Minter, safeties Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger, cornerback Marcus Cooper, and two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell are unrestricted free agents this offseason. And that's without including depth pieces like Frostee Rucker and Alex Okafor, who were starters in 2015 and will hit the market. (Rucker could retire.)

It's difficult to imagine a win-now team like the Cardinals losing a superstar like Campbell, who is perennially one of the most underrated players in the league and hasn't slipped much despite turning 30 this past season. Given that teams like the Buccaneers and Titans can and would likely offer Campbell in excess of $13 million per year without batting an eye, though, can the Cardinals really afford to re-sign him given their other needs? They might instead decide to let Campbell go, hope that Robert Nkemdiche shows more after a frustrating rookie season, and bring back younger talents like Minter and Jefferson with the money they've saved. Jefferson, who was tied for second in the league in tackles for loss, might be the best safety on the market if Eric Berry re-signs with the Chiefs.

There's an alternate path that might be interesting. The Cardinals could choose to bring back Campbell via the franchise tag, re-sign Jefferson, Minter and Okafor, and take a swing at Swearinger or Cooper before targeting a released veteran or two in free agency. They could do all of that by letting Jones leave town. It would seem like a waste, but remember that the Cardinals are likely to recoup a high compensatory pick for doing so. If the Cardinals stay out of free agency, Arizona would pick up a third-rounder in the 2018 draft as compensation for losing Jones. In essence, given that they wanted to wash their hands of guard Jonathan Cooper (who subsequently failed to suit up for the Patriots), they would have dealt a second-round pick in the 2017 draft to New England for a year of Jones and a third-round pick in 2019.

The Broncos could use a more experienced QB such as Matt Barkley, and adding Jason Pierre-Paul might vault the Bengals back to the playoffs. Who would provide a boost to the other 30 teams?

Should the Patriots franchise Dont'a Hightower? How should the Vikings handle Adrian Peterson's contract? Doling out advice on the league's top upcoming roster decisions.

From Romo to Garoppolo, AD to JPP, Alshon to Dont'a, plenty of big-name players could be on the move this offseason. Where will they all end up? Our roundtable of experts makes predictions.

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Cardinals president Michael Bidwill has said the team intends to franchise Jones if it can't come to terms with him on a long-term deal, but Bidwill might be saying that as a negotiation ploy. Given Golden's breakout season, the Cardinals might just want to rely on the former Mizzou standout as their primary pass-rusher, bring back as much of the defense as possible, and let Jones leave after one season.

5. Find a receiving tight end. Arizona has basically gotten nothing out of the tight end position recently, with Troy Niklas struggling with injuries after being taken in the second round of the 2014 draft, while Darren Fells has been a replacement-level contributor. Starter Jermaine Gresham is a free agent this year, and the Cardinals will want to find a better option to work in the red zone. They probably won't be able to afford Julius Thomas even if he's released by the Jaguars, although a Thomas-for-Veldheer swap could make some sense. Keim might want to take a one-year flier on a player like Jacob Tamme or look for someone with soft hands in the draft.

1. Pick up Aaron Donald's fifth-year option. Send the paperwork in twice, just in case.

2. Re-sign Trumaine Johnson. Los Angeles probably regrets letting go of Janoris Jenkins, who had an excellent season with the Giants. The Rams can't afford to lose both Jenkins and Johnson, their other starting cornerback -- but keeping him won't be cheap. The Rams already franchised Johnson a year ago, so a second consecutive franchise tag would take Johnson to $16.5 million, which would make him the second-most expensive cornerback in the league behind Josh Norman.

The Rams won't want to do that, and Johnson's representation will know as much. Jenkins received $39.7 million over the first three seasons of his new deal from the Giants, and Johnson's going to top that mark. New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips made his hay in Denver with a trio of great cornerbacks -- Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby -- and while the Rams will try to develop Lamarcus Joyner and E.J. Gaines, neither has looked to be on Johnson's level. Even if it means letting free-agent safety T.J. McDonald leave town, the Rams probably need to commit to Johnson.

3. Try to gather compensatory picks. Rams general manager Les Snead doesn't have a lot of flexibility, given that his first- and third-round picks are on their way to Tennessee as part of the Jared Goff trade. The Rams weren't contenders last year, but they need to resist the urge to go after veteran free agents in the hope of a quick fix. They're going to need to rebuild around Goff with young talent.

To that end, the Rams probably need to avoid signing players who will infringe upon the formula for compensatory selections. They'll also want to let a few of their veterans leave, which means McDonald and Kenny Britt could hit the market. Johnson would recoup the highest pick, likely a third-rounder, but McDonald and Britt should get the Rams started with extra selections in 2018.

4. Build an offensive line around Goff. Snead and his predecessors have spent more than a decade trying to construct some sort of protective bubble for their quarterbacks, but it hasn't worked. Some of the problems were Goff's fault, given how the first overall pick looked lost for most of his abbreviated rookie campaign. The Cal product poasted a staggering 11.3 percent sack rate in 2016; that's the seventh-worst era-adjusted sack rate since 2000 for guys with 200 attempts or more. Case Keenum posted a far more plausible 6.3 percent sack rate.

The most notable failure on the line is 2014 second overall pick Greg Robinson, who has committed a league-high 35 penalties over the past three seasons and became a healthy scratch at points in 2016. New coach Sean McVay might move Robinson off Goff's blindside, but that just leaves a crater at the line's most important position with no obvious replacement or path to one.

Realistically, the Rams are going to have to use their second-round pick on a lineman or shop in the bargain bin for offensive linemen who were cut by other teams. They should seriously consider Branden Albert if the Dolphins part ways with their starting left tackle. Signing Albert, 32, doesn't exactly fit with Los Angeles' long-term timeline, but the Rams desperately need to create an infrastructure within which Goff can develop. They otherwise run the risk of turning Goff into the next Tim Couch or David Carr, quarterbacks who developed bad habits and lengthy injury histories while under fire at the beginning of their careers.

5. Be patient. Los Angeles is in a tough spot. It surely wants to develop a competitive team to attract fans in its new home, but the moves it has made haven't panned out. Goff was a mess as a rookie. Todd Gurley was wildly disappointing during his second season. Tavon Austin's contract is horrific, one of the worst in football given his production. The Rams are stuck in a division with a dominant Seahawks team and a Cardinals squad which should be better in 2017. They feel years away from the playoffs.

Whatever the Rams do this offseason probably isn't going to make a huge difference, and that should be OK. Goff will be better as a sophomore. Gurley will break off more big runs in 2017. Austin might thrive in the Jamison Crowder role under McVay. They still have a great defensive line, and in Phillips, they have arguably the best defensive coordinator in the league. Los Angeles will probably be better in 2017. That should be enough for now.

1. Re-sign Eric Reid. One of the few promising young players on the San Francisco roster, Reid has been relatively effective as a pro while struggling with injuries. He has suffered multiple concussions and missed the final six games of the 2016 season with a torn biceps. Reid's in the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, and the 49ers might have to pay a premium to keep him from testing the open market next season, but they will likely have in excess of $100 million in cap space with which to work. The 49ers might also try to bring back Jeremy Kerley, who was a useful slot receiver for $760,000 last season.

2. Resist the urge to do something dramatic at quarterback with the second overall pick. If Colin Kaepernick opts out as expected, the 49ers will literally have no quarterback on their roster. Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder and Thaddeus Lewis are unrestricted free agents, and they wouldn't exactly inspire confidence if they were on the roster. Coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch have two paths to a new quarterback: the No. 2 pick or free agency.

It's possible that the brain trust could fall in love with Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson and decide to take one of them with the second overall pick. It would be aggressive given that the league-wide perception, at least at this point, seems to be that neither Trubisky nor Watson is that highly rated. Some have suggested that the 49ers send the pick to the Patriots to acquire Jimmy Garoppolo, which might be even more aggressive, given that the organization would then need to pay its new quarterback to keep him in town after the 2017 season. It's also way out of line with what teams have paid for emerging backups like Garoppolo in the past.

The 49ers also possess the 34th pick, which would be a more plausible and palatable offer for Garoppolo, who has attempted only 94 career passes. They could also pursue one of the options available in free agency, with the ability to outbid anybody for a quarterback like Tyrod Taylor or Jay Cutler. Kaepernick could very well decide to return if he doesn't like his market. There are options here.

There are two things to keep in mind, however. One is the enormous opportunity cost of trading away the No. 2 pick for a quarterback. Not only would they be making their most important guess as an organization with the very first pick they have, but they're incurring an enormous opportunity cost by not using that pick elsewhere. The 49ers have so many needs that the second overall pick could fill -- most of the defenders likely to go in the top eight would make sense for a team that was 28th in defensive DVOA last season -- that they basically have to be 100 percent sure about a quarterback to justify the selection.

And the other one is that this is a group of coaches and executives that will be learning on the fly. Which brings us to:

3. Actually, resist the urge to do something drastic in general. Shanahan has never been a head coach at any level. Lynch has never even held a personnel job, having transitioned immediately from his time as a player to an announcing career. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has never been a coordinator at any level and didn't even have his own positional room until 2014.

None of this is to say that the new guys are doomed to fail, and the 49ers can't be much worse than the 2-14 mark they posted last season. It is fair to say, though, that there will be a learning curve. Everybody running this team will know a lot more about how to do their jobs in a year than they do right now. Given how late in the cycle they had to hire Shanahan, the 49ers might very well want to hire two different coordinators next year. Making bold decisions right now might seem foolish in 2018.

Patience is a dangerous virtue to espouse for a team on its fourth head coach in four years, but the 49ers gave Lynch and Shanahan six-year contracts under the idea that this rebuild is going to take a while. This team is almost definitely not one quarterback away from contention, unless Aaron Rodgers is suddenly on the market. (They should trade for Aaron Rodgers if he's on the market.)

The other benefit to waiting on a long-term quarterback decision is that Shanahan's oft-discussed affinity for Kirk Cousins could come in handy next year. If the rumors are true that Cousins is disgruntled in D.C., Washington will basically have to let him leave after the 2017 season. Cousins' franchise tag of $23.9 million this season would be feasible, but there's no way Washington can realistically pay their passer $34.4 million on a one-year deal for 2018. San Francisco could then sign Cousins without having to give up any draft picks. It's also likely that the 2018 quarterback draft class will be better than this year's bunch.

4. Pursue defensive help. The 49ers will want to target players who are going to hit their peak in two to three seasons, so their goal should be to look for young talents who can help one of the league's worst defenses. This is a relatively deep class of defenders in free agency, so the 49ers should have a few options.

The 49ers desperately need a pass-rusher; Aaron Lynch went through a lost 2016 season, combining a four-game suspension with a high ankle sprain, and the only San Francisco defender who shone as a pass-rusher was rookie DeForest Buckner. San Francisco could take some risk on Nick Perry, who broke out last season, and the 49ers could be in line to go after Patriots rotation end Jabaal Sheard. Both Perry and Sheard are 26, which is the age range the Niners should be targeting.

Behind Perry and Sheard, the Niners need to spend on a cornerback after years of letting the position fester. The 25-year-old A.J. Bouye makes sense, and the 49ers could be the team that goes after Stephon Gilmore or Logan Ryan, both of whom are 26. The Niners aren't going to fix their defense overnight, but making one or two additions this offseason is wise.

5. Re-sign Carlos Hyde. The 49ers probably don't need to treat Hyde like a superstar back, but he has been useful enough amid some pretty middling offenses, and it would mean that at least some small number of fans in the stands at Levi's won't have to buy new jerseys over the next 18 months. Hyde's an unrestricted free agent after the 2017 season, and his injury history suggests that the 49ers probably won't have to pay him like a superstar to keep him in San Francisco.

1. Re-evaluate left tackle. And left guard. And right gua ... You get the idea. I was tempted to just make each of the five items on this list a different offensive line spot, but that's no fun. It's safe to say that Pete Carroll, John Schneider, and Tom Cable need to re-evaluate their plans up front, given how bad the offensive line was in 2016. Sheil Kapadia wrote in January about Seattle's offensive line philosophy, noting how the Seahawks want to draft and develop offensive linemen while trying to find buy-low opportunities from other teams.

That's great in theory, but the Seahawks haven't been able to pull it off. Their offensive line is a mess, and it's time for them to shift -- at least a little bit -- in a different direction. It's reasonable to give 2016 first-rounder Germain Ifedi more time to develop at guard, and Justin Britt has been decent at center when healthy, but it's downright dangerous to go into 2017 with George Fant at left tackle.

There will be plenty of left tackle options available. Russell Okung, the team's former starter on the blind side, will be a free agent if Denver declines his option. Branden Albert's likely going to leave Miami. Kelvin Beachum was cut by the Jaguars. Andrew Whitworth's a free agent and was still playing at a high level for the Bengals. Jason Peters could be available via trade from the Eagles. None of these players represent long-term answers at left tackle, but the Seahawks haven't shown much aptitude for solving their O-line problems in recent years.

2. Leave the Jimmy Graham contract alone. Somehow, all options are on the table for the Seahawks and their tight end, who delivered a surprisingly effective 2016 season after rupturing his patellar tendon in 2015. As Graham enters the final year of the four-year, $40 million deal he signed with the Saints before the 2014 campaign, the Seahawks could conceivably decide to keep Graham around by signing him to an extension. They also could feasibly cut Graham to free up cap space in the hopes of addressing another position. Not that any positions come to mind.

The best option seems to be keeping Graham on his current deal for another year. His $10 million cap hit is tenable given Seattle's current cap situation, and as Graham hits the wrong side of 30, the Seahawks might be better off drafting a tight end to team with Graham this year before taking over for the four-time Pro Bowler next season. The Seahawks can also franchise Graham in 2018 if he has a stellar season.

3. Add depth at defensive tackle. Otherwise, truthfully, the Seahawks don't really have much to write about. They're going to continue to do what they do with their core of talent, and while they've made surprising trades in the past, there's no obvious weakness on the roster requiring attention. They perennially cycle through veterans at defensive tackle, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them target a couple of veterans to play behind Jarran Reed and Ahtyba Rubin. They're already planning to meet with former Dolphins tackle Earl Mitchell, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them give Jags free agent Tyson Alualu a look.

4. Draft a strongside linebacker. Carroll is set at linebacker with Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, but the Seahawks need somebody to play in their base packages with Michael Morgan hitting free agency. Morgan played less than 13 percent of the defensive snaps last season, so it's not a huge position of need, but the Seahawks would love to draft a physical linebacker who can also take some of the load off Wagner and Wright as a reserve.

5. Target Adrian Peterson or Jamaal Charles in free agency if their market crashes. Thomas Rawls was effective as a rookie, but he struggled mightily last season and has missed chunks of each of his first two pro seasons with injuries. There's still plenty of promise, but Rawls might end up as a better fit in a situational role.

The Seahawks have a pair of interesting backups in C.J. Prosise and Alex Collins, but Prosise profiles more as a receiving back, at least thus far in his career. I don't think anybody would have done well behind the Seahawks' awful 2016 offensive line, but if Peterson or Charles (both of whom presumably will be cut) want to try to rebuild their value on a one-year deal, Seattle would be a fascinating place for one of them.

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Five moves each NFC West team should make this offseason - ESPN

Herdegen Funeral Home Proposal View Full Caption

LAKEVIEW What was initially proposed as a modest one-floor addition to the former Herdegen Funeral Home would now involve a second building that reaches five stories tall under new plans proposed this week.

Developers with Spring Bank Six Corners group want to add two floors of condos to the two-story Herdegen Funeral Home, 1356 W. Wellington Ave., adding a contemporary design with limestone and brick elements.

Across the alley at 3015 N. Southport Ave., the project would add a five-story condo building with enclosed parking on the first floor and the top two floors set back from the street.

Neighbors railed against the new plans, voting 33-7 against recommending the zoning change to Ald. Scott Waguespack (33rd). Developers acquiesced, promising to consider tweaks to the contemporary building material, set-back upper levels and street-facing balconies before seeking approval from the alderman.

Baffled by the expansion to what was first proposed in 2015, neighbors asked Tuesday what had changed.

"We were all under the impression we knew what it was going to be, and now you're saying, 'Well, we're not doing that,'" said Amy Rosenwasser, a member of the group's board. "That building has sat there, basically an eyesore, for some time, so why can't you do what you started?"

Developers said the Herdegen lot alone didn't have room for adequate parking. Without building on the Southport Avenue lot, they wouldn't be able to use it as a parking lot, according to project attorney Tyler Manic.

Rendering for 3015 N. Southport Ave. [Provided/South Lakeview Neighbors]

An aerial view of the site, with the Herdegen Funeral Home in blue and the lot at 3015 N. Southport Ave. in red, across from St. Alphonsus Church at Southport, Lincoln and Wellington. [Provided/South Lakeview Neighbors]

Some said they saw the changes as a money grab, but developers said it was important to build something that fit in with the neighborhood.

"We're in it to make money, but we're also trying to do something special," said David Trandel, founder ofSpring Bank Six Corners.

Trandel touted his successes redeveloping historic buildings that became the JW Marriott and the Residence Inn Downtown, both of which he worked on as an executive with the Chicago-based Prime Group Inc.

"We have a history at Spring Bank of really [looking at] how do we do something integral to the community with adaptive reuses of what are generally very important buildings," Trandel said. "We have this commitment to finding a repurposing for a great structure."

The project would offer eight condos in the Southport building and another seven above the funeral home, which is on the northeast corner of Southport, Lincoln and Wellington.

The Herdegen building would have retail on its first two floors, with developers expecting to lease space to a mattress retailer, a pizza restaurant and a daycare center with an enclosed playground on the second floor.

Renderings show the elevation of the two buildings at 3015 N. Southport Ave. (left) and 1356 W. Wellington Ave., formerly the Herdegen Funeral Home. [Provided/South Lakeview Neighbors]

It would also have five parking spaces, plus 10 enclosed parking spaces and five covered spaces on the first floor of the Southport building.

Condos would have around 16,500 square feet of space on Southport, mostly likely as three-bedroom units with two bathrooms. Units above the Herdegen building will be between 1,049 and 1,633 square feet each, with either two or three bedrooms.

Renderings show floor plans for the former Herdegen Funeral Home and the two floors of condominiums above it. [Provided/South Lakeview Neighbors]

Designs for 3015 N. Southport Ave. [Provided/South Lakeview Neighbors]

Glass railings, brick facades and limestone that plays off the Herdegen's terra cotta features "really tie the two buildings together," said Mark Kluemper, senior project manager for OKW Architects.

"It's a building that blends into the neighborhood, respects the existing architecture and is appropriately scaled to be a good neighbor," Kluemper said, adding that city and federal guidelines recommend contemporary additions to classic or historic architecture.

Samples of the materials OKW Architects recommends for the two-building complex planned for the former Herdegen Funeral Home. [Provided/South Lakeview Neighbors]

Architects designed an weaved pattern of bricks with ivy to hide the first-floor garage at 3015 N. Southport Ave. [Provided/South Lakeview Neighbors]

"Matching or copying is discouraged by most historic standards," he said. "It's meant to be a contrast."

Several neighbors, including Heritage Bicycles owner Mike Salvatore, said they appreciated development along the struggling Lincoln Avenue and hoped more residents would sustain the businesses on the deteriorating street.

"From the retail side, we suffer from a lack of density," Salvatore said. "As a group here, it's hard to keep rejecting density and thinking Lincoln Avenue is going to change."

Developers need a zoning change on the two lots to build an extra four feet above the 50-foot maximum height currently allowed and to build bigger condos.

Developers said they remained undecided on whether to include affordable housing units in the buildings or opt for the $100,000 payment required per unit into a city affordable housing fund. Chicago requires at least 10 percent of projects with more than 10 units be sold as affordable housing.

When the Herdegen property was sold in late 2014, one of the seller's requirements was to keep the funeral home building intact. Built in the 1930s, the late Gothic building has potentially significant architecture, although it is not a historic landmark, city records show.

Designed by Olsen & Urbain, its terra cotta features and red brick masonry is matched by another Chicago structure from the duo of architects: The Tremont Hotel in Gold Coast.

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Herdegen Funeral Home Plans Swell To Five-Story, Two-Building Complex - DNAinfo

Submitted by Caffrey & Associates 4:07 a.m. ET Feb. 18, 2017

Enhancements to Quail Wests Preserve golf course have been completed and the course is open for play.(Photo: Picasa)

Stock Developments Quail West community in North Naples is introducing returning residents, club membersand luxury homebuyers to an array of completed amenity enhancements that have further solidified the Quail West Golf & Country Clubs standing as one of Southwest Floridas most preferred club experiences.Budgeted at approximately $30 million, the two-phase member approved and financed enhancement initiative is designed to meet the needs of Quail Wests growing membership and the changing lifestyle characteristics of the communitys members.

The renovation initiative is making Quail Wests 70,000-square-foot clubhouse an even more highly preferred destination while providing residents and members an experience that offers the finest in high-end amenities and services without leavingthe community, including formal and casual dining, a glass enclosed, heated swimming pool, fitness, wellness, golf, tennis, and salon and spa services.

The renovation design is focused on providing an integrated club experience in a single location.The renovation of the clubhouse complex will feature a new 12,000-square-foot dedicated fitness and wellness building; enlarged and redesigned pre-function spaces to enhance the members experience during events; a major enhancement to the casual dining facilities and outdoor dining areas; an Internet Caf with grab and go service; and a complete renovation of the kitchens to improve food preparation and service in all dining venues in the Club.

Renovation of the upstairs banquet kitchen has been completed.Thekitchen renovations are primary aspects of the upgraded clubhouse facility.The fine dining experience has been enhanced by the completion of expanded pre-function space overlooking the indoor glass enclosed pool with a completely new lighted bar with a contemporary glass wall that is reminiscent of restaurants on FifthAvenue South in downtown Naples.The design of the new pre-function space is centered on the undulating shape of the bar and the glass wall that contain moving water and mood lighting.A double-sided fireplace warms the room and allows seating venues for casual conversation in both the pre-function room and the adjacent club room.

The expansion of the second-floor kitchen has enhanced service to both the Mahogany Room formal dining room and to events including 300 to 350 people in the adjacent ballroom.

Work on the redesign of the main lobby entrance has also been completed.Exquisite furnishings are framed by a new fire and water feature in the lobby that creates a memorable impression on members and guests as they enter the Quail West venue.New furnishings and area rugs provide comfort and a consistent look for the lobby and hallway leading to the ballroom.

The two-story dedicated fitness and wellness center building, being built by Gates Construction, will be completed this spring.Gates is also completing associated site improvements to expand parking at the clubhouse complex and redoing four of the Clubs eight tennis courts with new hydro court surfaces and LED lighting.The new fitness and wellness center will promote exercise and wellness classes for membersand will feature dedicated areas for Pilates and spin classes, cardio and weight rooms, and TRX personal training technology.Live and video workouts will be available throughout the year.A glass-enclosed lobby reminiscent of a fine luxury hotel will provide a bright note of welcome to members and their guests.The new fitness and wellness center will connect to the existing glass-enclosed indoor heated pool and to the clubhouse.

The design of the improved clubhouse spaces has been a cooperative effort of Humphrey Rosal Architects, the clubs membership, and Clive Daniel Home.Their design concept is intended to enhance the clubs high-end finishes while incorporating new design elements consistent with the new building additions. The upper floor of the clubhouse has remained more formal with a transitional feel. Phase II renovations are scheduled to commence in summerand will transform the lower floor of the clubhouse.The redesigned lower floor will provide more casual spaces that tie in the traditional elements of the club with a more relaxed casual atmosphere presented by the lower floors corridor that will integrate golf, fitness, tennis, the salon and spa, and casual dining.

As part of the renovation initiative, Quail West is investing approximately $12 million to enhance the playability of its Preserve and Lakes championship golf courses that were designed by Arthur Hills more than two decades ago.The renovations are addressing enhancements to the irrigation systems, green complexes, the adjacent bunker, fringeand grass areas, and fairways.New irrigation technologies are being introduced to embrace best water conservation practices and reduce overall operating costs.The renovation also includes improvements to the golf practice area that is being enlarged.

Renovations to the Preserve Course have been completed and the course reopened in December.Enhancements to the Lakes Course are expected to begin this spring with completion anticipated January2018.Phase II of the initiative to be undertaken and completed next year will include a new golf pro shop that will offer a wider array of golf equipment and apparel selections.

The golf course enhancements are being overseen by J. Drew Rogers, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects who is highly regarded for his ability to undertake golf course renovation projects.Rogers is familiar with Quail Wests golf courses, having worked directly with Arthur Hills to design two nine-hole layouts that would later comprise the Lakes Course. The Preserve plays to 6,841 yards from the back tees and takes the golfer on a meandering journey through woodland areas. The flags are equipped for laser link distance measurements.

The 7,041-yard Lakes Course offers wide-open vistas across a system of lakes.The fairways and rough are Tiffworth 419 Bermuda grass and the greens are a Champions Bermuda strand.The layout is fairly open and has a links quality to it, although there are numerous water hazards and marsh areas to negotiate.The flags on the Lakes Course are also equipped for laser link distance measurements.

Quail West is east of Interstate 75, one mile south of Bonita Beach Road.Take Exit 116 (Bonita Beach Road) east, turn right on Bonita Grande Driveto Quail Wests main entrance. Visit http://www.QuailWest.com.

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Quail West introducing enhanced amenities - Naples Daily News

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Owner Arte Moreno is committed to long-term improvements to both the Los Angeles Angels roster and their venerable stadium.

The Angels will remain in Angel Stadium until at least 2029, Moreno said Saturday after their entire roster reported to Arizona for the first full workout of spring.

Moreno also believes the Angels will soon be in better financial shape to pursue baseballs top players this year and beyond, boosting their chances of building a winner around two-time AL MVP Mike Trout.

The Angels could opt out of their lease at their city-owned ballpark in 2019, and they have examined opportunities to build a new stadium nearby. Instead, Moreno confirmed the Angels will stay in the majors fourth-oldest park for at least the next 13 seasons while making yearly additions to an estimated $40 million in improvements during his ownership, which began in 2003.

Its going to take some time to get ourselves prepared to see which direction were going to go, Moreno said of the possibility of building a new ballpark. We have flexibility, but acquiring land and getting a proper partner and getting prepared in California is a three-, four-year process.

After 2029, the Angels have three three-year lease options to stay in the stadium through 2038.

Angel Stadium opened in 1966 as Anaheim Stadium, built on acres of former orange groves as the home for the Los Angeles areas AL expansion team. Only Dodger Stadium (1962), Wrigley Field (1914) and Fenway Park (1912) are older.

Angel Stadium hardly shows its age in most areas, however. In the Angels latest round of yearly improvements this winter, they installed new lights, improved the visitors clubhouse, added new concourse lighting and upgraded the suites.

So thats probably a good sign, said Moreno, who made his fortune in outdoor advertising. If we were leaving, we wouldnt be spending a million and a half bucks to put new lights up.

Speaking of fan-enticing improvements, Moreno and general manager Billy Eppler also made several additions to the roster that finished last season at 74-88, its worst record during Morenos tenure. Moreno also believes the Halos will be more competitive simply through improved health after injuries to their pitching staff scuttled last season, but he also likes Epplers veteran additions.

We will have a couple new left fielders (Cameron Maybin and Ben Revere) and a second baseman (Danny Espinosa) and a new catcher (Martin Maldonado) and (starting pitcher) Jesse Chavez, Moreno said.

The Angels havent won a postseason game since 2009, and theyve made just one playoff appearance during the concurrent Angels careers of Trout and Albert Pujols. Moreno has the expected spring optimism for a team that couldnt catch an injury break last season.

Moreno said Epplers refurbishment of the Angels barren minor-league system is their top priority, but the owner also looks forward to getting past the budgetary constraints caused by his lavish contracts for Pujols and Josh Hamilton, among others. Moreno made several bold splashes earlier in this decade, but didnt land any big-ticket free agents for the past few years while those hefty contracts constricted their payroll.

C.J. Wilson made $20 million last season and didnt throw a pitch, while Hamilton is making more than $26.8 million of Morenos money not to play for the Angels this year. Wilson is gone, and Hamilton is finally off the Angels books this fall.

We really looked hard at `16 and 17, and felt we would start to open up more economic flexibility in `17, `18-plus, Moreno said.

The Angels also have more immediate economic flexibility to fill injury holes in 2017 than they did last year, when they struggled to replace three key starting pitchers lost to season-ending elbow ligament injuries.

If our people feel its a player who fits, thats what were going to do, Moreno said. Were going to try to win. We will look at whats on the market this year, and what may help us in the short term, and obviously how were playing.

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The No. 17 hole on the Champion course - also the last in the Bear Trap - awaits players in next week's Honda Classic at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens.(Photo: MIKE GRAHAM/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS)Buy Photo

Reigning PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker committed Wednesday to The Honda Classic, to be held Feb. 23-26 on the Champion course at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens.

Tuesday, Honda officials announced the Rickie Fowler would take part in the PGA Tour event.

Walker and Fowler are part of a strong field that also includes defending champion and world No. 7 Adam Scott, Justin Thomas (No. 8), Sergio Garcia (No. 9), Justin Rose (No. 12), and defending Masters champion Danny Willett (No. 13).

Fowler is coming off a 4th place finish at the Waste Management Open Phoenix Open.

Thomas is off to a red-hot start in 2017, having wonback-to-back PGA Tour titles last month in Hawaii.

Garcia, who was the runner-up to Scott at the 2016 Honda Classic, is coming off a wire-to-wire victory at the Dubai Desert Classicthat pushed him into the top 10 rankings.

Scott, who Tuesday called the Champion course "a bit of a brute," is in the field of this week's Genesis Open being played in Los Angeles just his second start of the year.

Also in the Honda field are a host players with local ties, including Stuart native Derek Fathauer, Stuart resident Ken Duke, Palm City resident Jim Herman and Hobe Sound's Freddie Jacobson.

Other top 25 players committed include Paul Casey (16), Branden Grace (17), Russell Knox(18), Tyrell Hatton (19) and Louis Oosthuizen (25).

The Honda Classic officials are still hopeful additional top-ranked golferswill commit. Players have until 5 p.m. Friday to do so.

For more information on the The Honda Classiccall 844-846-6328 or visit thehondaclassic.com.

Fran Massolini had a hole-in-one on Feb. 12 on the 125 yard, No. 8 hole at Evergreen Country Club in Palm City using an 8-iron. The shot was witnessed by Carol Gusack, Jane Taylor, Merlynn Johnston.

Dick Picken had a hole-in-one Feb. 12 on the 115 yard, No. 17 hole at Vero Beach Country Club using a pitching wedge.

Kenny Parker had a hole-in-one Feb. 14 on the 147 yard, No. 7 hole at Monterey Yacht & Country Club in Stuart using a 3-wood. The shot was witnessed by Tom Roehm, Tom Creagh and Jim Hensel.

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Walker, Fowler latest additions to Honda Classic field - TCPalm

For over a decade, Jittery Joes has been the only name in coffee on the University of Georgia campus, but now they are facing unexpected competitorsa Starbucks and a Caribou Coffee both operated by the university.

This local Athens brand took its place on the second floor of the Zell B. Miller Learning Center in the early 2000s and has been providing an exclusive late-night fix ever since.

But eight months ago, that changed.

In July of last year, the national brands Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels came to campus as a part of the new Science Learning Center, and they were joined in November by Starbucks.

Now, a local brand with 16 locations is competing with two of the most recognizable names in coffee.

The hometown brand

In spite of these new additions, Jittery Joes is still busy pushing on ahead. The local brand has no plans to surrender anytime soon.

In fact, it is in part thanks to Starbucks that Jittery Joes has its current location in the MLC.

Bob Googe, the owner of Jittery Joes, said the location, which Jittery Joes now occupies, was originally intended for a Starbucks.

The university and Starbucks were innow this is my understanding of courseconversation about coming on campus, Googe said. Starbucks and the university architects were not seeing eye to eye on things, and so the university asked if I would like to bid on that contract as well.

This deal was also the result of a survey, said Googe, which also returned Starbucks as a top choice. The original survey, he pointed out, did not include Jittery Joes as an option as it was still only a couple of stores.

Googe said this doesnt surprise him, and he said even today, Jittery Joes isnt an instantly recognizable brand outside of Athens.

Jittery Joes is a brand they have to learn. Were available in lots of places in Atlanta, but we only have one store, Googe said. Students dont come to UGA having grown up going to Jittery Joes, so they have to learn who we are.

Plans are already underway to open a second on-campus location in the Science Library, which Googe said will open in March of next year.

When asked if he was concerned about the size and fame of his completion, Googe said, I am not concerned, but I am paying attention.

The convenience factor

Susan Van Gigch, the associate director of retail operations for Dining Services, said theres also another group benefiting from the deal students.

We surveyed all the students, faculty and staff, and asked a wide variety of questions, Van Gigch said. Without a doubt, Starbucks was the number one requested concept.

The student body seems to agree. Both Grant and Van Gigch pointed to steadily rising revenue at Starbucks, and van Gigch said Caribou had, exceeded expectations.

The store runs on the dining services system so students can use paw points for coffee.

I have paw points and I also love [Starbucks], so it kind of goes together, said Elizabeth Qardan, a junior psychology major from Cumming.

The other side

The new shops may have been a popular choice, but not everyone is happy with how things were done.

Caribou was built into the Science Learning Center, but Starbucks replaced a long-standing dance studio that was important to many students.

Grace Ho is an executive board member for the Prelude dance ensemble, which used that studio for regular rehearsals.

Ho said they first heard about the new Starbucks when they were told they would no longer be able to reserve that space for spring of 2016.

This was especially frustrating because the studio was closed even though work hadnt even started.

Over that entire semester no construction took place, Ho said.

Van Gigch said that at that point they were still working out the final legal details with Starbucks. The project did not begin in earnest until September.

For the most part weve made it work, Ho said. I cant even imagine what other dance groups had to do...for the longest time we werent able to tell our members this is where were going to be.

Ho said that she understood that, certain decisions had to be made, and that she was glad to see more job opportunities for students, but it was still a shock.

Weve been practicing there since 2009, every fall, every spring, so we were used to the space, thats why it was kind of unfortunate at the last minute just being booted out, Ho said.

Frances Newton is the general manager for WUOG, Starbucks new neighbor, and she lamented the loss of an artistic space.

This whole space has changed a lot, it was a dance studio, which kind of blends well with us because theyre two creative elements, and now thats replaced by Starbucks, Newton said. Its not a business that breathes creativity.

Still, she says its actually been a good thing. It caused some concern at first, but now shes glad Starbucks is there since it draws in a new crowd.

Its nice having new people coming in because of [Starbucks], Newton said.

Success is in the name

Van Gigch said name recognition is one of the characteristics that makes recognizable companies successful on campus.

Its prevalent. Its everywhereits the same everywhere you go, said Max Grant, the manager for the Starbucks in the Tate Student Center. When we go through our training one thing that Starbucks hits home for us, and a big reason why I think theyre successful, is everything is the same.

According to their contracts, both Caribou and Starbucks are licensed to the university, so except for a few small fees, 8 percent for Starbucks, and 6.5 percent for Caribou, the university gets all the revenue.

This means that the university takes more than 90 percent of what students spend at both stores.

UGAs profit is less than 90 percent, since they bear the full operating costs, but the university is still pleased with how things are going with the new coffee shops.

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The battle of the brands: After years as UGA's only coffee shop, Jittery Joe's faces competition - Red and Black

Melissa Curley, For The Journal News 12:33 p.m. ET Feb. 15, 2017

This circa 1862 estate, known as Seven Oaks, is a 6,200-square foot Gothic Revival style home at 64 Ludlow Lane, Palisades.(Photo: Submitted)

Tucked away amonglofty cliffs, Palisades is known as a stealthy celebrity suburb of Manhattan, boasting boldfaced residents such as Bill Murray, Uma Thurman, Al Pacino, Trey Anastasio and Bjork, according to reports. Heres a look at five unique homes on the market right now:

This circa 1862 estate, known as Seven Oaks,"is a 6,200-square foot Gothic Revival style home on just over foursubdividable acres.The 15-room, nine-bedroom, eight-bath Victorian features expansive gardens, a large in-ground pool and two original outbuildings. Set on a hillside with a great lawn which features several old oak trees the home is defined by a steeply pitched cross gable slate roof with decorative dormers, an expansive wrap-around veranda and a three-story bay window on its east side. Interior features include oversized landings on all three levels, high ceilings, decorative moldings, 12 fireplaces, a sun porch, butlers pantry and more.

Seven Oaks at 64 Ludlow Lane, Palisades, is set on a hillside with a great lawn which features several old oak trees.(Photo: Submitted)

Why it's unique: This is the first time in 38 years this Snedens Landing estate has been for sale.

Details: 64 Ludlow Lane, Palisades. $4.8 million; South Orangetown School District;$63,913 in taxes; Listing broker: Richard Ellis of Ellis Sothebys International Realty, 914-393-0438.

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Cliff House at 40 Lawrence Lane, Palisades, features crisp and clean lines perched on a hill overlooking the Hudson. This two-story home is a 1960s show space.(Photo: Submitted)

Cliff House, perched on a hill overlooking the Hudson, is a two-story, 1960s show space set on 2 acres with numerous windows and doors leading outside to assorted decks and patios. Described as a "perched cinder block and frame construction," this three-bedroom, three-bath home has wood flooring throughout and also has a bluestone patio off a newly updated kitchen. Three working fireplaces and a wood stove add extra warmth in winter. Located on private lane, bordering a tranquil park that runs 12 miles along the Hudson River, there are scenic views from every room.

Cliff House at 40 Lawrence Lane, Palisades, is located on a private lane, bordering a tranquil park that runs 12 miles along the Hudson River, there are scenic views from every room.(Photo: Submitted)

Why it's unique: Mid-century modern design nestled into a woodsy setting.

Details: 40 Lawrence Lane, Palisades; $2.3 million;South Orangetown School District;$37, 969 in taxes. Listing broker: Richard Ellis of Ellis Sothebys International Realty, 914-393-0438.

The home at 4 Chipman Road, Palisades, has a bluestone patio and a separate lot adjoins the property with possible subdivision or a studio/guest cottage.(Photo: submitted)

This sophisticated circa-1920s home is situated on a picturesque property bordering Snedens Landing and the Hudson River. A custom gourmet kitchen is fully turned out with coffered wainscoting ceiling, a sommeliers wine cooler, Jerusalem tile, soapstone counters and a farmhouse sink. The open concept living space is floored throughout with rich Brazilian cherry wood. The second-floor master suite leads to private office/den. A breathtaking bluestone patio is the highlight of a private backyard that has a separate lot that adjoins the property with possible subdivision or a studio/guest cottage.

This sophisticated circa 1920s home at 4 Chipman Road, Palisades, is situated on a picturesque property bordering Snedens Landing(Photo: Submitted)

Why it's unique: This light, bright classic colonial farmhouse is upgraded with interior bells and whistles.

Details: 4 Chipman Road, Palisades; $1.6 million;South Orangetown School District; $22, 888 in taxes. Listing broker: Hamid Moghadam of Ellis Sothebys International Realty, 845-216-7670.

The historic Captain John House at 20 Washington Spring Road, Palisades, has a hidden garden and hillside gazebo with commanding river views.(Photo: Submitted)

The beguiling "Captain John House" is rife with local history.

The six-bedroom, five-bath homestead was constructed in the 1820s in Greek Revival style and features distinctive decorative balustrades on two levels of porches and stairs in the front. Additional period details include six working fireplaces, striking interior stone walls, hand-hewn beams and more. This site has past incarnations as a tavern and an inn and is located in the former boatyard/ferry district only 200 feet from the river with access to kayaking and other water sports. For backyard entertainment, a swimming pool is situated over a creek. Chill out in a hillside gazebo with commanding river views and an old sandstone stone fireplace. Or, wander the brick paths to a clandestine garden.

"Captain John House" at 20 Washington Spring Road, Palisades, is rife with local history. The six-bedroom, five-bath homestead was constructed in the 1820s in Greek Revival style.(Photo: 20washingtonspring1.jpg)

Why Its Unique: Your story is the next one in the illustrious tale of this historic property.

Details: 20 Washington Spring Road, Palisades; $3.9 million;South Orangetown School District;$51,784 in taxes. Listing broker: Richard Ellis of Ellis Sothebys International Realty, 914-393-0438.

Jesse Trenchard House at 694 Oak Tree Road, Palisades.(Photo: Submitted)

Named for the hamlets first blacksmith, the Jesse Trenchard House is one of the oldest dwellings in the Palisades historic district. This Dutch colonial was built in 1780 with additions in 1833 and 1994. It received preservation citations for historically accurate restoration of a colonial house. This 15-room listing is stocked with period details like wide plank floorboards but has contemporary comforts like updated appliances and air conditioning. An open floor plan family room offers views to a lofty deck and garden; an interior bridge connects the rest of the home to a master bedroom and bath, three-car garage and workshop. Walk to the library as its located across the street.

The Jesse Trenchard House at 694 Oak Tree Road is one of the oldest dwellings in the bucolic Palisades historic district.(Photo: Submitted)

Why Its Unique: Antique character is fused with avant garde touches in this listing.

Details: 694 Oak Tree Road, Palisades; $1.2 million;South Orangetown School District;$15,654 in taxes. Listing broker: Marjorie Galen of Ellis Sothebys International Realty, 845-598-1375.

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5 unique homes in celebrity enclave Palisades - The Journal News | LoHud.com

Scott Broden , USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee Published 12:17 p.m. CT Feb. 14, 2017 | Updated 10 hours ago

Will Jordan(Photo: Submitted)

The Rutherford County Commission will consider appropriating $57 millionthis week to build Rockvale High School by Summer 2019.

The commission meeting begins at 6 p.m. Thursday in the second-floor courtroom of the County Courthouse on the center of the Square in Murfreesboro.

The commission's Budget, Finance & Investment Committee that's led by Chairman Will Jordan voted the previous week to recommend funding a Rockvale High that will open next to Rockvale Middle and across the street from Rockvale Elementary on New Salem Highway, southwest of Murfreesboro.

"The growth is there," Commissioner Jordan said. "Were growing over 400 high school students a year, I think a high school is our next priority. I agree withthe school board on that. We dont have much choice."

The budget committee did not address $30.2 million in funding for the Rutherford County Board of Education plan to also build Rocky ForkElementary. That school is scheduledto open by summer 2018, next to a Rocky Fork Middle that isscheduled to open this summer on Rocky Fork Road in Smyrna near a bypass over Interstate 24.

"I think we're going to wait and see," said Jordan, who noted the districtmay get relief in serving younger grades if Murfreesboro City Schools pursue a plan to open another elementary school within the next couple of years on the west side.

The city is pursuing 160 acres for a possible school, park and firefighter station on Franklin Road a couple of miles west of Murfreesboro's boundary near Veterans Parkway. A school there could mean relief for Blackman Elementary, and school zone boundaries could be adjusted to provide relief to other schools, including Stewarts Creek Elementary in Smyrna, Jordan said.

Part of the reason Rockvale High is a greater need is because the district is getting an influx of home-school students in the upper grades who want to pursue sports and take foreign language classes that many parents are unable to teach, Jordan said.

"We have a very successful school system, and a lot of people see that," said Jordan, noting that the county's high schools also offer advanced placement credits, ways to earn college credits and many social activities.

When counting $2 million for architecture services, the Rockvale High project will cost an estimated $59 million, according to the five-year school board plan.

County leaders are also talking about the possibility of moving forward on school expansions, including an Oakland Middle Annex buildingfor $13.5 million and an addition at Siegel High for $6.1 million, Jordan added.

In addition to expansions at Oakland Middle and Siegel High, Board of Education Chairman Jeff Jordan said school officials are examining a possible addition at La Vergne Middle, which according to the existing district plan would cost nearly $8.1 million.

"Those are just three areas we're looking at," said Jeff Jordan. "We have a lot of places that need attention because of our growth. We are just growing so fast. What we need are classrooms and desks. That's what we're desperate for in many areas."

The district has 46 schools at this timeand depends on 141 classrooms to serve about 44,000 children from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

"We're re-evaluating our five-year plan," Jeff Jordan said. "We're looking at possibly putting some additions to other schools in front of Rocky Fork Elementary. We are really doing that at (the commissionbudget committee's) request."

Additions cost less because they don't require cafeterias, gyms, libraries and in the case of middle schools, parking lots, Jeff Jordan said.

"It's so much cheaper than having to build a whole new school," said Jeff Jordan, noting how challenging it is to fund the building of a new school every year. "It makes it cheaper for the taxpayer."

Reach Scott Broden at 615-278-5158. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden.

Number of students: 2,168

Percentage increase from previous year: 1.8%

Number of portable classrooms: 4

Number of students: 2,038

Percentage increase from previous year: 4.9%

Number of portable classrooms:12

Number of students: 2,090

Percentage increase from previous year: 6.6%

Number of portable classrooms: 0

Number of students: 2,163

Percentage increase from previous year: 6.7%

Number of portable classrooms: 10

Source: Rutherford County Schools

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Rockvale High funding up for vote - The Daily News Journal

After four years of work, the $11 million expansion to the Morgan County Jail is almost ready to begin housing inmates.

On Tuesday, the Morgan County Commission gave approval for several additions for the jail expansion, chiefly allowing Sheriff Ana Franklin to hire 23 new corrections officers.

Commissioners also approved purchasing 148 mattresses for the second floor of the addition at a total cost of $5,772. However, Franklin said they plan to start with just the first floor before expanding upward.

"I like to do things in phases and in steps to make sure that everything is open and runs smoothly," Franklin said.

Just before the meeting the sheriff's office received their certificate of occupancy and passed the final inspection of the construction phase. They now move into finalizing the technology throughout the building as well as making sure all of the supplies are in place to house the inmates.

Currently, the jail has a daily population of around 480.

Franklin said new classrooms were also incorporated into the design of the building, with smaller rooms being used for counseling, drug counseling, parenting classes, etc. and larger classrooms for both inmate activities as well as officer training.

"That will save the county some money in sending folks off and we're going to plan on starting that two-week classroom training for our new hires and current employees quickly," Franklin said.

She said the expansion was needed not only because the City of Decatur wanted to house their inmates with the county's, but also because the county numbers are increasing.

"Our numbers have crept up due to a lot of proactive law enforcement and arrests and also due to the increasing problems with drug abuse and the economy. And those things that have coupled together to cause some increase in the number of people that are being housed in our facility," Franklin said.

Franklin said that when she took office in 2011, the daily inmate population was around 216. Today, she said that number is closer to 480.

She said part of the increase is due to steps that have been taken to try and keep repeat offenders off the streets.

"We're doing bond revocations, higher bonds, probation violations, those kind of things that would prevent those people from being repeatedly out in the revolving door that it was because we've had the space to do that," Franklin said.

Commission Chair Ray Long said the City of Decatur is buying 120 beds for their inmates to be housed in the facility. The city put $2 million toward the cost of construction and will pay the county $100,000 per month.

A formal ribbon cutting ceremony will take place Thursday morning to mark the end of construction on the expansion.

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Forbes

'NBA 2K18' Wishlist: 30 New Additions That Would Make The Best ... Forbes NBA 2K18 is coming later this year, so this is the time to discuss the features that would make this year's game better than the last. and more »

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'NBA 2K18' Wishlist: 30 New Additions That Would Make The Best ... - Forbes