Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Walking up 15 stories can take some time. Thats why McShane Construction Co., when working on a recent transformation of a 15-story former office building in Clearwaterinto luxury apartments, had a strategy to make it more efficient.

Just the simple travel time of walking up 15 flights of stairs can take you 15 minutes going up and 15 minutes going down, says McShane Construction Co. Senior Project Manager Derek Lewis. In the grand scheme of a day, you can lose an hour just traveling between floors.

To save time, finish trades started on the top floor and went down, with materials flowing the same way. As youre bringing trash out of the building, youre jumping things down to the floor below, he says. Once youre done on the floor, theres not a reason to go back. It makes things run a lot more smoothly if you can keep from backtracking.

Courtesy. McShane Construction Co. added exterior walls, window systems, unit walls and corridor walls.

That sense of efficiency was top of mind for McShane as it led construction work on the project, dubbed 1100 Apex. The project by GSP Development involved converting a tower built as an office building in 1972 into apartments. The project wasnt without its challenges, including finding enough workers to get the job done.

McShane, based in Rosemont, Ill., has satellite offices, including one in Auburn, Ala., that handles the majority of the companys Southeastern work. McShane got involved with the project in late 2017 before construction started in early 2018. The firm was tasked with finding some savings in construction. We tried to do as much due diligence as possible, says Lewis. We found a few items where we could save.

McShane provided a value-engineering log with options to the developer. Cost savings pitched included buying prefabricated granite countertops from overseas instead of cutting them on site and using alternatives to high-end porcelain tile. The company, in a statement, says savings amounted to over $2.6 million.

Lewis, who declines to disclose the cost of the project, says savings also come from using a tower thats already in place versus building a 15-story structure from the ground up.

In 2005 and 2006, before the economic downtown, another company tried to revamp the building. Lewis says it gutted the structure and built a two-story parking garage before the project ground to a halt.

The first thing we had to do when we showed up was make sure everything was safe, says Lewis. The site had become a safe haven for homeless people living in the garage and tower. McShane made sure a no-trespassing order and guardrails were in place before starting work.

When we got involved, it was pretty much a concrete shell, he says. The building, exposed to the elements from about 2006 to 2018, had taken a beating and needed some concrete reinforcing.

One big thing that we struggled with was the building code, says Lewis. Since the tower was constructed in the 1970s, the building code had changed a lot. McShane worked with fire and building departments to determine what had to be done.

It didnt seem there was enough skilled labor to take care of it. Keeping guys on the job on a daily basis was a very difficult task. Derek Lewis, McShane Construction Co.

The projects architect, Tampa-based Kimmich Smith Architecture, reconfigured floor plans for residential use, working around columns placed sporadically throughout each floor. McShane added exterior walls, window systems, unit walls and corridor walls.

There were six superintendents on the project plus Lewis as senior project manager. With a project the scale of 1100 Apex, scores of other workers were needed, too. Staffing for those needs proved to be another challenge.

With many in-progress developments in the area, competition for workers was fierce. It didnt seem there was enough skilled labor to take care of it, says Lewis. Keeping guys on the job on a daily basis was a very difficult task.

Projects down the street would offer workers a raise of 10 to 15 cents an hour, and theyd leave the McShane project and take that job. The hardest workers to find were in waterproofing, painting and framing along with drywall hanging and finishing. Tampa is hot, says Lewis. Theres so much going on there, it makes sense.

To solve the problem, McShane sought help from its subcontractors. What we ended up doing was relying on relationships with local contractors, he says. Workers were pulled from other jobs in Florida and elsewhere in the Southeast. You can get into a bidding war with labor, and it will just keep going and going. Luckily, we did have those relationships in the region that were able to help.

The now-complete project has 134 units, with 111 in the tower and 23 in surrounding townhomes. Theres also a 201-space parking garage and two ground-floor retail spaces.

Lewis says he expects to see more projects like 1100 Apex in coming years. With more urban development and limited land, prime property thats sitting around could become more attractive. Plus, with the pandemic leading some companies to abandon office space, more office buildings could become ripe for residential redevelopment. He says, Were seeing a shift out of the office climate, and I think theres going to be a lot more of this adaptive reuse.

Read more from the original source:
Project transforms '70s-era office building into luxury apartments - Business Observer

Charlotte, NC LaConcha Hotel is a member of the Crowne Plaza family of Hotels. As such, they maintain a 4-star rating consistently. On arrival, we proceeded to the front desk and were greeted immediately. There were plenty of signs asking everyone to please wear a face mask and compliance was excellent during our visit. We were informed that about 50% of the hotel was blocked off for remodeling. This hotel has 2room sections on opposite sides of the reception area. One is a 9 story set of rooms, and that is where the remodeling was taking place. We were given rooms on the opposite side, in a 4 story section. We were informed of the restaurant and the retail store was closed because of Coronas limitations.

Rooms; We selected a 1 queen room with a courtyard view. Our room was large and comfortable. The hotel had instituted new cleanliness protocols prior to our arrival. One of those protocols stated that no employees would enter our room for any reason during our stay. That was most interesting, as there was no daily housekeeping. If you wanted clean linens, you called down to the front desk. The towels were left in a sealed bag, at your room door. There were extra bath supplies, so we never had a problem during our 4-night stay. The entire hotel was very quiet during our stay, and we really enjoyed the extra solitude. There was an outdoor pool on a second-floor rooftop that we enjoyed several times during our stay.

City of Key West; Normally a bustling tourist city year-round, we found most areas were open for business, with very few crowds. All restaurants, with a few exceptions, were open under reduced capacity. That actually turned out to be a benefit for us, as we were never crowded. The beaches were also thinly populated. We found some of the snack locations and some beachside retail shops were closed, but those were an exception rather than a rule. Every time we have visited, the line for photos at the Key West Monument was enormous.

Join us next week for more on Where in the World is Phil- August 2020, Part 6

Read more here:
Where in the World is Phil- August 2020, Part 5 - Mint Hill Times

Takasuu / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Man and woman thinking about housing

Q: What remodeling projects or improvements add the most value to a home?

A: There are two ways to look at this question. Is the remodeling for yourself and your enjoyment or for resale? Of course, the kitchen is the heart of the home, and a beautiful kitchen remodel will always stand out to buyers.

We recently saw a home in Walnut Creek that was almost eighty years old attract seventeen offers, because it had a beautiful, spacious and contemporary kitchen with all the bells and whistles. If you are going to put that extra pizazz into something, the kitchen is the place to do so.

If you are remodeling strictly for resale, spreading your remodeling dollars among the kitchen and bathrooms would be ideal. What you dont want to do is install that dream putting green in the backyard and leave the kitchen andbaths in their original condition.

Its funny, but even if people dont cook, they love those gleaming stainless steel appliances.

Dave Smith, Dudum Real Estate Group, 415-298-7851, davesmith@dudum.com.

A: Tastes have shifted during the pandemic and more buyers want a home in near-perfect condition. Buyers will pay top dollar for a home that they can just move into, without looming repairs, so comprehensive inspection reports are imperative. If repairs are needed, such as a new roof or a substandard electrical panel, then they should be made right.

Painting and floor refinishing are the cheapest and most obvious improvements. If the floors have already been freshly carpeted, at least provide the buyers with a quote for installing hardwood.

A complete kitchen renovation is too expensive. New quartz stone counters, sinks, faucets and light fixtures will transform the kitchen, the most significant room in the house. New cabinets are too costly, but existing cabinets should be painted.

Bathrooms should be updated too, but not completely renovated. Vanities, sinks and faucets can be changed inexpensively. Old bathtubs should be epoxied and shower enclosures removed.

John Solaegui, Compass, 415-999-0673, john@havengroupsf.com.

A: When it comes to adding immediate value to a home, dropping in a modular ADU (accessory dwelling unit) or in-law unit instantly adds livable square footage for a fraction of the traditional costs of construction.

If the additional 500 to 800 square feet youve just added to your home only cost $300/ft, but is valued closer to $850 per square foot (or whatever your neighborhood commands in terms of price per square foot), youve done quite well on the return.

In todays pandemic marketplace, buyers are looking for more space than ever before. Whether its for transitioning to a work from home model, or having the extra space to host in-laws or homeschool, additional indoor and outdoor space is in demand. Bocce court, anyone?

For smaller projects, I place a very high return on investment on exterior paint and landscaping. Curb appeal has never mattered more in a world with Instagram and Pinterest. I also recommend replacing dating countertops and painting over dated cabinetry. A simple drawer pull from Restoration Hardware is the perfect way to get the resale value of a remodeled kitchen for a fraction of the price.

C.J. Nakagawa, Golden Gate Sothebys International Realty 415-407-2151, sf2marin@gmail.com.

Original post:
Sound Off: What remodeling projects or improvements add the most value to a home? - MSN Money

Aberdeen Police have temporarily shifted operations to a new location downtown, directly across the street from Town Hall on Poplar Street. The move will allow construction to begin on the new police facility planned on U.S. 1.

We were fully functional at the new (temporary) building late Thursday, said Aberdeen Police Chief Carl Colasacco. This move would not have come together without the men and women of the Aberdeen Police Department. They went above and beyond to get this done.

The historic building at 124 N. Poplar St. will house most of the departments primary services, under a temporary lease, including administrative staff, and its investigative and patrol divisions; however, an off-site facility was required for evidence storage. In addition, Aberdeen has coordinated with the Moore County Sheriffs Office for additional interview space if needed.

Aberdeen Police will use off-street parking in the downtown area, and Colasacco said he has spoken to neighboring business owners about the temporary building use.

The space is tight, but it will work out, he said.

As always, in an emergency dial 911. For all non-emergency calls requiring police assistance from an Aberdeen police officer, you may also dial 911. For administrative requests, call Aberdeen Police at (910) 944-9721, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Groundbreaking is expected to commence soon on the new police headquarters building at 804 N. Sandhills Blvd. Plans call for remodeling the existing 5,230 square foot police building for support use including locker and shower rooms, and a fitness room. A short enclosed walkway will connect to a new almost 13,000 square foot new building that will house all the conventional police operations, including a detention area, evidence room, interview rooms, and offices.

In February, the Aberdeen Town Board approved an agreement for a 20-year, $5.8 million loan from First Bank to pay for the expansion and renovation project.

Discussion about updating the police facility began several years ago. The current structure was built in 1992, to serve what was then a much smaller town. Almost 30 years later, the department has twice as many officers and basically no storage, no communications area, no place for a traffic enforcement office or conference room, nor a garage or evidence room. Parking is also limited.

Outgoing Deputy Chief Todd Weaver (black shirt) is flanked by, from left, Aberdeen Police Chief Carl Colasacco, State Rep. Jamie Boles, and Aberdeen Mayor Robbie Farrell. Contributed photo

Town leaders hired architect John Heckethorn to perform a needs-based assessment study in 2017. He recommended repurposing the existing police station and adding a second, larger building on an adjacent piece of property.

A modified design plan was approved last year. The projects low bid was received from Apex-based Racanelli Construction South, with a base bid of $4,899,000. Additional project costs include fixtures, equipment and furnishings that are anticipated to run $480,000; and the town also set aside $384,000 for architectural fees.

Also last week, Aberdeen Police honored outgoing Deputy Chief Todd Weaver upon his retirement. He served the town for 21 years and was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by State Rep. Jamie Boles for his 30 years total in government service.

Read the original:
Aberdeen Police Move to Temporary Headquarters | News - Southern Pines Pilot

For Sale/Rent

Take your pick between watching a movie on the retractable smart TV or gazing at the water through the windows.

Photo by BostonRep

24 Lee St. #C4, MarbleheadPrice: $619,000Size: 612 square feetBedrooms: 1Baths: 1

Care to live in a breezy harborfront home in a historical district on the North Shore? Then schedule a showing for this sweet one-bedroom condo in Marbleheads Old Town neighborhood. Over the past 10-plus years, the past and present owners have updated the one-bedroom pad with a slew of renovations, including a remodeled kitchen and all-marble bathroom, fresh coats of paint, and the installation of bamboo floors. One of the cleverest projects is less obvious: A retractable smart TV, already hooked up with a top-notch sound system, lowers from the ceiling above the dining room table at the push of a button.

The sailboat-filled views of the water through the living room windows put the proximity of the ocean into perspective, and if you sidle over to the roofed deck, you can improve the lookout even more. When wintry weather rolls in, convert the 72-square-foot terrace into a sheltered den by firing up the wood-burning fireplace inside and rolling down the plastic screen that seals off the water-facing wall.

For information, contact Elizabeth Walters, Coldwell Banker Realty, coldwellbankerhomes.com.

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

The Boston Home team has curated a list of the best home design and home remodeling professionals in Boston, including architects, builders, kitchen and bath experts, lighting designers, and more. Get the help you need with FindIt/Boston's guide to home renovation pros.

More:
On the Market: A Modern Harborside Home in Old Town Marblehead - Boston magazine

The possible departure of Leo Messi Barcelona has completely revolutionized the summer, and could leave a hole in the Bara club. If the Argentine ends up leaving, it would be a historic event in the history of the sport due to the importance of 10 within the team. In case of confirmation the news of his goodbye, the case would resemble that of the departure of Michael Jordan from the Chicago Bulls.

MJs departure from the Bulls in 1998 was a turning point for the Illinois franchise. On the 23rd he retired in 1998 in style with a performance for the story that led his team to conquer the sixth ring, after scoring 45 points in the last game of the finals against the Utah Jazz. That day will be remembered forever in the city of Chicago, but since then the Chicago Bulls have plummeted.

That was the last season the team won an NBA championship.. After the sixth ring the team was smashed to pieces. Jordan was not the only one who left the entity. Emblems such as Scottie Pippen or Dennis Rodman also changed their airs, as did Phil Jackson to whom Jerry Krause told him earlier that season that it would be his last season as head of the Bulls.

The same could happen to Barcelona if Leo Messi leaves. Today the Argentine has won a total of six Ballons dOr, the same number of titles that Michael Jordan had achieved when he left Chicago. The truth is that the incidence of the Bara crack in Bara is similar to that of 23 in the Bulls, and his goodbye left the Illinois franchise very touched.

Curiously, what is happening in the Catalan entity is the mirror of what happened 22 years ago in Chicago. With the arrival of Ronald Koeman, Barcelona undergoes a remodeling thoroughly in the template. Some of the heavyweights in the squad, such as Luis Surez, will not continue next season. This has led Messi to rethink his future and to weigh the possibility of going to Manchester City with Pep Guardiola.

Messi leaves Bara, latest news

Messi has already chosen: he only wants to play for City

Mutiny in the Bara dressing room for the Messi case

Messi fulfills his threat and does not appear for the PCR tests with his teammates

Juventus dream: bring Messi and Cristiano together

Sheikh to Messi

Guardiola travels to Barcelona to sign Messi?

Bara fires their lawyers for working for Messi

Continue reading here:
The club fears losing Leo Messi and that the same thing happens to the Chicago Bulls after Michael Jordan - Explica

Simulated view of 500 ft turbines seen from Ames Monument

A new wind project proposed for Albany County near Veduawoo has run into strong headwinds from local residents. Houston-based ConnectGen wants to put wind turbines on 26,000 acres of private and state land stretching from near the Ames Monument and Vedauwoo to an area west and south of Tie Siding.

The company says the project will generate 504 megawatts of wind power. Amanda MacDonald, ConnectGens project manager, said the exact number of wind turbines has not been determined.

ConnectGen Simulated View of 500 ft. Wind Turbines from I-80

We havent selected the turbine type that well use yet. Looking at all of the models were considering, they are between 500 feet, which is the same size as the turbines that just went up at the Roundhouse project, or potentially as tall as 675 feet, she said.

The larger turbines generate 6 MW each. Depending on the size chosen, the company will install between 84 and 151 turbines. The taller turbines generate more electricity, so fewer will be needed.

The numbers and size of the turbines upset Paul Montoya. Montoya and his wife Lynn own the Vista de Luna Bed and Breakfast near the Ames Monument. Montoya created a website, http://www.ProtectAmesMonument.org, and has been rallying neighbors to fight the project.

Montoya said 54 people attended a protest in front of the Albany County Courthouse in July. He is also pushing a petition through the website, calling on the Albany County Commissioners to review the regulations concerning wind energy, especially how they relate to setbacks.

ConnectGen Simulated View of 500 ft. Turbines from Tie Siding

Setbacks determine the distance between a project and property lines, residences, roads, and other locations. MacDonald says the current regulations require wind turbines to be built at least 5.5 times their height away from residences, measured from the tip of the blade to the ground.

Montoya said thats not enough. The regulations that were put in place by Albany County are well over 10 years old and really havent kept up with the current technologies in wind energy. What were really asking is that the regulations be looked at from a number of standpoints, but one of the primary ones are setbacks, not only from property lines rather than the residence but also setbacks from national historic monuments, and from national parks and state parks, Montoya added.

ConnectGens Amanda MacDonald disagrees. The setbacks used in Albany County are more or less identical to those used in Carbon County, Laramie County and are very much the norm for setbacks, she said.

She added that the real goal was to stop the project completely. The specific setbacks that have been put forth by this group of landowners that Mr. Montoya is a part of would effectively put setbacks over the entire project area. We would not be able to install a single turbine anywhere within the 26,000 acres project area, MacDonald said.

ConnectGens website points to a significant economic impact. The company will spend more than $500 million building the project. 113 construction jobs will be created with $35.8 million in one-time earnings. Once the project is completed, it will have 23 long-term jobs with $1.6 million in annual earnings.

Absolutely its a good project for Albany County, said Albany County Commissioner Terri Jones. As a commissioner, Im most interested in what our bottom line is, the physical bottom line, she added.

As of last week, Montoya had gathered 468 signatures on his petition calling for the Albany County Commissioners to review and amend the existing wind regulations, and he plans to call a press conference the day before the next Albany County Commissioner meeting.

The Albany County Planning and Building Department is looking into the current regulations, and will have a recommendation for the commissioners at their meeting on September 15.

Read this article:
Headwinds for New Wind Project | News | thecheyennepost.com - The Cheyenne Post

The U.S. Green Building Council, the creators of the LEED green building program, has selected outstanding projects in the affordable dwelling category for the 2020 LEED Homes Awards. Currently there are more than 555,000 residential units certified as LEED-qualified because these homes help lower utility bills for families by reducing energy and water consumption while also providinghealthier indoor environments by using materials that lower exposure to toxins and pollutants, which resultsin better air quality.

These three projects won awards in the Outstanding Affordable Project category:

Advertisement

More 2020 LEED Homes Awards winners:

Could we create an urban housing typology that does as much for its neighborhood as it does for its residents? Can we make a building that builds a sense of community around a shared notion of environmental connectivity? Those were the questions that the Community Corporationof Santa Monica and Koning Eizenberg asked as developer and architectbegan to fuse ecological and social benefits into what would become the Arroyo, a LEEDPlatinum winner. (All photos:Koning Eizenberg Architecture)

The 83,768-square-foot building is five stories tall. Itsmassing consists of two parallel bar structures, one single loaded and the other double loaded, which run alongside the open-ended courtyard.

The Arroyo's open-ended courtyard strategy creates a social hub for residents, captures prevailing ocean breezes, and provides daylight to all apartments, while also makingthe street more pedestrian friendly. The designleveragesthe real earth below the courtyard for planting large shade trees, creating aserene, shaded community space for residents while also bringing somenative California landscape to the street.

Koning Eizenberg Architectureused building elements that have social, environmental, and economic impact to create the Arroyo's visual identity. Brightly colored undersides of sunshades and bridges visually enliven the experience of the building for residents and pedestrians alike. The sunshades also reduce solar gain, thereby reducingenergy demands on cooling systems, while also providingdaylighting without glare, which reducesinterior lighting demands. The bridges serve to make the life of the building visually accessible to the neighborhood and create moments of encounter between residents and the neighborhood.

Construction of the project was financed with Affordable Housing Tax Credits, whichrequire use of healthy materials and finishes. AMERV 8 filtered mechanical system and greatly reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) help ensure healthy indoor air quality within the dwelling units.

Open-air corridors, bridges, and stairs create a visually dynamic circulation system that aims to create a fun, walkable experience for residents that also serves to makethe elevator a less attractive option and encourages an active lifestyle. The bridges flank the east and west of the courtyard and look upon the basketball half-court and courtyard where children ride bikesand residents stroll through the garden.There are 142 bicycle parking spaces on site for both resident families and visitors to the community rooms, which host neighborhood events.

Freedom Commons, in Syracuse, N.Y., is a$15 million project that is the result of collaboration between the Center for Community Alternatives and Syracuse Housing Authority. The project was developed and designed by Norstar Development USA andSustainable Comfort. (All photos: Sustainable Comfort)

The 72,989-square-foot LEED Gold development supports low-income families, formerly incarcerated residents, and those who have experienced homelessness.

Forty-three of the buildings 54 units are designated as affordable housing and provide comprehensive reentry services that address education, recovery, employment, civic restoration, and case management. The design includes a computer lab, meeting space, laundry facility, and communal dining area.

Freedom Commons provides access to transportation and uses a high-performing mechanical system. The buildingincludes LED lighting, Energy Star-qualified appliances, low-flow fixtures with the EPA's WaterSense label, and a healthy indoor environment with dedicated energy recovery ventilation, and individual mechanical system control for residents.

The building creates an urban-residential character for the neighborhood, with a strong street edge, parking pushed to the interior, and inviting stoops that enhance the pedestrian experience.

The building is constructed of durable materials including a brick base, metal panels, and fiber-cement siding.

Freedom Commons is part of aprogram that seeks to create a community based on restoration rather than retribution by serving the population with the highest risk of future incarceration. The future of this area is hopeful, as Freedom Commons took on the task of being the first restoration in an ongoing implementation of redevelopment.

This LEED Platinum project demonstrates thatquality housing can be both affordable and sustainable. Designed to encourage community-building, this low-energy, high-performance building developed by Bronx Pro Group and designed by Steven Winter Associates consists of 30 studios to four-bedroom units for low- to moderate-income families. (All photos:BronxPro Group)

The 3365 Third Avenuebuilding provides efficient heating and cooling, as well as LED lighting and low-flow plumbing fixtures that increases efficiency and helpresidents keep utility payments in check. A rooftop solar array and green roof provide functional and aesthetically pleasing places for residents.

The 46,993-square-foot project also includes a courtyard andfitness roomand supports the Bronx community at large through the Little Scholars Early Development Center, a year-round preschool in the base of the building.

3365 Third Avenue is one of more than a dozen buildings in Bronx Pro Groups portfolio that support the organizations mission to "develop quality housing that is both affordable and sustainable with an increasing focus towards community building. As part of Bronx Pros goal ofdeveloping affordable housing, 3365 Third Avenueconsists of 30 studio to four-bedroom apartments for a low- and moderate-income population thatincludesformerly homeless families.

Sustainable features include a robust and air-tight insulated concrete form envelope with fiberglass triple-pane windows,VRF(variable refrigerant flow) HVAC systemsthat provideheating and cooling to each apartment, and an in-unit energy recovery ventilator (ERV), which manages the kitchen and bathroom exhaust while also providing ducted fresh air.

High-efficacy LED lighting is installed throughout the building, along with low-flow plumbing fixtures. A rooftop solar array,as well as a green roof installed at residential floor terraces, and high-albedo roofing elsewhere are functional and aesthetically pleasing design features.

In addition, 3365 Third Avenuefosters a sense of community through its common spaces, such as the back courtyard and fitness room, which facilitate resident interaction. This projectbuilds on Bronx Pros experience with previous affordable housing projects and goes beyond them by synthesizing the multifaceted sustainability measures defined by the LEED for Homes Multifamily Midrise rating system with the low-energy, high-performance goals of the PHIUS + program. This outstanding affordable housing project not only raises the bar for buildings within Bronx Pros portfolio of projects but within the Bronx as well.

Read the original:
Sustainability and green building awardsaffordable housing | Pro Builder - Professional Builder

The Canfield Fair announced on Tuesday, July 7th that the 2020 season would be cancelled and limited to a Junior Fair only. Following the guidelines from Ohio Governor Mike Dewine, the Canfield Fair Board heartbreakingly realized it would be impossible to adequately follow social distancing and other safety requirements to protect visitors from the COVID-19 virus. Sam Boak, president and founder of Boak & Sons, was heartbroken but understanding of the decision.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (PRWEB) August 31, 2020

The Canfield Fair announced on Tuesday, July 7th that the 2020 season would be cancelled and limited to a Junior Fair only. Following the guidelines from Ohio Governor Mike Dewine, the Canfield Fair Board heartbreakingly realized it would be impossible to adequately follow social distancing and other safety requirements to protect visitors from the COVID-19 virus. Sam Boak, president and founder of Boak & Sons, was heartbroken but understanding of the decision.

Boak & Sons, Inc. is a residential and commercial exterior contracting company based in Youngstown, Ohio and serving customers from Cleveland, Ohio to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Boak & Sons has been an active participant in the Canfield Fair for decades, with a booth set up every season.

"The Canfield Fair wasn't just a sales opportunity for Boak & Sons," said Sam Boak. "It was a weekend full of laughs, hugs and handshakes with our friends, customers and partners. We fully understand the Canfield Fair Board's decision to cancel the fair because at the end of the day, safety comes first. However, it is heartbreaking to know that for the first time in so many years, we won't be participating in such a cherished tradition in our community."

The Canfield Fair would have celebrated its 174th season this year. It is a staple of the state of Ohio as the largest county fair in the state and the 3rd largest in the country. It was established in 1846 and has continued to grow into one of the most popular events in the state. The grandstand alone holds over 6,000 people, and the entire grounds covers 353 acres of land. With such a large crowd in attendance every year, the Board members had to put the safety of the community over the decision to keep the fair open.

"The fair is a focal point of this community," said Sam Boak. "While everyone is understanding of the situation, it's hard to ignore the financial impact this could have on several businesses. I'm thankful for the Board's decision to keep our community safe and my heart goes out to the other businesses who will be affected by the cancellation."

The Canfield Fair has announced its plans for their 175th season in September of 2021, with the intent to make it their biggest and best year yet. For more information about the Canfield Fair, visit http://www.canfieldfair.com. To learn more about Boak & Sons, visit http://www.boakandsons.com.

# # #

About Boak & Sons:

Boak & Sons, Inc. was founded by Sam Boak in 1974 as an insulation contractor. With the high energy costs of the 70's, Boak & Sons expanded early on into the roofing business. They offered economical roof installations through cutting edge technology and equipment, allowing customers to recoup even more in energy savings. Today, Boak & Sons is a residential and commercial contractor for roofing, insulation, sheet metal, siding, and gutters. Based in Youngstown, Ohio, the company serves customers in surrounding areas from Cleveland, Akron, and Canton to Cranberry and Pittsburgh. For more information on Boak & Sons, visit their website at: https://www.boakandsons.com/

For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/sam_boak_of_boak_sons_responds_to_cancellation_of_the_2020_canfield_fair/prweb17361029.htm

Read more here:
Sam Boak of Boak & Sons Responds to Cancellation of the 2020 Canfield Fair - Benzinga

by Alison Bonaguro 8/27/2020

Let that sink in a little. Thirty years ago today, on Aug. 27, 1990, Garth Brooks released his second studio album No Fences.

And by now, its 100 percent obvious that there was never any kind of sophomore slump for Brooks.

Quite the opposite, in fact. That album from 1990 won him the Academy of Country Musics album of the year award, and when Brooks accepted the award and thanked his team and his pickers he also thanked the fans. Most of all, the people who bought this album, man, hed said, thanks for spending your money.

I picked the album title No Fences because once you hear The Thunder Rolls into New Way to Fly, Friends in Low Places, Mr. Blue, Unanswered Prayers, Wolves, it just became clear that this record had no boundaries, and, as much as we could guess, the future was whatever the music wanted it to be. We were beginning to feel that, really, there were no fences, Brooks wrote, and wed be fools to put any up.

All you knew was, Man, theres some thing about this record that makes me pull for it. Something about it that makes me want to hear it again. I just know thats how it hit me.

Brooks also tells the story of his now-signature hit Friends in Low Places. How George Strait had passed on it, how Mark Chestnutt was about to cut it, but how Brooks had always thought of it as his song because hed been singing it at shows for years. (Ultimately, Chestnutt did record the song for his 1990 album Too Cold at Home, but never released it as a single.)

Once Brooks released the song, he recalls driving home from a recording session at 2:00 in the morning, listening to the radio, and the DJ saying, In my entire career, Ive never had so many requests for one song. This has to be the most-requested song Ive ever known.

Im yelling, Ive got my hands up in the air. We are on a ride that, Brooks admitted, we have no idea. We didnt have a real sense for what was getting ready to happen, none of us did.

The songs from No Fences were some of Brooks very biggest hits, and they still are today. Even the deep cuts have been fan favorites at his live shows since 1990.

No Fences track list:

1.The Thunder Rolls (Garth Brooks, Pat Alger)2.New Way To Fly (Brooks, Kim Williams)3.Two of a Kind, Workin on a Full House (Bobby Boyd, Warren Haynes, Dennis Robbins)4.Victim of the Game (Brooks, Mark D. Sanders)5.Friends in Low Places(DeWayne Blackwell, Earl Bud Lee)6.Wild Horses (Bill Shore, David Wills)7.Unanswered Prayers (Brooks, Alger, Larry Bastian)8.Same Old Story (Tony Arata)9.Mr. Blue (Blackwell)10.Wolves (Stephanie Davis)

Alison makes her living loving country music. She's based in Chicago, but she's always leaving her heart in Nashville.

Go here to read the rest:
It's Been Exactly 30 Years Since Garth Brooks Released No Fences - CMT.com