Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Top Reasons Why a Hybrid Kitchen Makes Perfect Design Sense

Essentially a hybrid kitchen is a design plan that combines both refacingand custom cabinetry. Refacing saves substantially on budget, allowing you to reinvest in other features and upgrades. Additional custom cabinetry or a new island creates valuable additional storage space and that visual change homeowners often want.

The new cabinetry added into a hybrid kitchen remodel will perfectly match the refaced, existing cabinet boxes.

The result is a highly personalized and transformative kitchen design.

This hybrid approach improves the aesthetics and function of a kitchen, while also increasing the property value should you decide to sell down the road.

The 2022 cost vs. value report saysthat a minor kitchen remodel will return74.7% of the investment

Make it personal

A hybrid kitchen can include any type of custom-built cabinets, a desk, or a customized display case that match the refacing cabinets for a unified space.

Our design consultants often propose creative ideas for storage solutions, addressing issues you may not have even known you had. A good example of that might be creating a designated storage space for dry goods, spices, cooking essentials, and other everyday items. All of these improvements go a long way in helping you stay organized.

How to hybrid

Hybrid kitchens are a top trend in Kitchen Magic kitchens, and most homeowners utilize a hybrid design model to one degree or another.

Designers do not see that trend slowing since the outcome is a custom solution for every customer. Even with the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, many homeowners still have enhanced storage on their wish lists.

We've outlined several of the most popular design scenarios for which a homeowner embraces a hybrid design plan:

Pass on the peninsula

Adding a custom kitchen island instead of a peninsula is more conducive to gatherings. Homeowners with older homes often bid adieu to their kitchen peninsula, as the U-shape is a configuration that tends to "trap" people into a particular prep or dining area.

Instead, allow your kitchen design team to create a kitchen island for increased workflow. A kitchen island is also a user-friendly layout for dining and social gatherings.

Storage space galore

Stock up and add a bank of cabinets, a buffet, a credenza, or a pantry. Copious storage is more critical than ever as remote work and more time at home have become permanent for many. A top request of homeowners is additional storage for dry goods, small appliances, and cooking equipment allowing them to keep stocked up and maintain a high-functioning kitchen.

An empty corner can become that creates a personalized focal point for your new kitchen design.Imagine a coffee station, device charging zone, bar area or even a display case as an empty corner becomes your 'statement' corner.

Working from home

A built-in deskoffers a welcome addition to working and learning at home.On those days you can avoid the commute and stay just as functional with an additional work-from-home zone. Reface the existing cabinets and add a custom deck that suits your home office needs.

Design details

A hybrid kitchen design allows you to claim extra space and even double your existing space with smart storage solutions, Whether you plan to add a pantry, credenza, or a mudroom with cabinets, the sky's the limit with the help of the skilled craftspeople and designers at Kitchen Magic.

Up your design game withglass-front cabinets flanked by new pantry cabinets to increase storage and still showcase your new finds.Mix and match colors and textures for a unique design. A woodgrain display cabinet or island can add flair when paired with a white kitchen for a beautiful timeless look.

When you're ready

At Kitchen Magic, our signature refacing consists of premiumNorth American lumber and solid veneers that set the tone for a quality, functional design. Our custom cabinetry is all USA Made, hand crafted in our factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

To explore how you can transform the way your kitchen looks and functions with a free in-home design consultation. It's fun, informative, and completely free! Give us a call at 866.437.6147, or click here to schedule your free design consultation with us today!

Linda FennessyPublic Relations ManagerKitchen Magic800.237.0799x 4155[emailprotected]

SOURCE Kitchen Magic, Inc.

View post:
Kitchen Magic Defines the Hybrid Kitchen - PR Newswire

Brits will face sweltering weather in July, according to Met Office forecasts. Here are four myths about heatwaves you need to be aware of to handle the heat safely

Image: Getty)

Heatwaves are becoming a norm this summer across Britain. After a scorching June, the Met Office is predicting that early to mid July will be equally hot with temperature highs of 34 degrees.

While many of us enjoy the sunshine, experts have issued warnings against common mistakes people make when it comes to handling the heat.

Luxury bathroom specialist Big Bathroom Shop and Dr Luke Pratsides, lead GP at Numan health clinic have teamed up to debunk four myths about coping with heatwaves and sun exposure.

John Lawless of Big Bathroom Shop said: "Brits often make the same mistakes when it comes to protecting against heat and sun, so we have been speaking with Dr Luke to provide some guidance on how to handle the heatwave, treat sunburn and safely enjoy the sunshine this weekend."

Image:

Taking cold showers is a simple yet effective method to keep cool and soothe your skin after sun exposure, which Dr Luke Pratsides confirms has been recommended by the NHS.

John Lawless also advises: "You may find that a lower pressure showerhead is more soothing on skin that has been exposed to the sun. A cool bath may provide more relief and you can use a sponge to target areas that are causing discomfort."

Many think that icing a sunburn is good for you, but putting ice directly on sun-exposed skin is actually warned against.

Dr Luke Pratsides explains: "You should never put ice directly on your skin as this can cause damage. You might suffer from an ice burn or frostbite."

Instead, Mr John recommends using ice wrapped in a soft hand towel and placing this on the skin, adding: "Only leave on the skin for a minute or two at a time."

Keeping your windows open to stay cool only works if it's cooler outside than inside. If you're facing the sun, it's actually better for you to keep your blinds closed to block out direct sunlight.

Mr John Lawless adds: "Upstairs rooms tend to get hotter in the summer months, keeping bedroom and bathroom windows open with blinds shut is key to keeping air circulating through the house during a heatwave."

Similar to ice, don't apply petroleum jelly to sunburns, as its oil-based. Dr Luke Pratsides advises that we should use strong moisturising lotion, after-sun lotion or aloe vera instead.

John recommends: "Store after care creams in a cool dark place in your bathroom like a vanity or a storage cabinet."

Read More

Read More

Follow this link:
Heatwave myths busted as July reaches scorching temperatures - The Mirror

OAKVILLE, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--N-Hance Canada Wood Refinishing provides an innovative, durable, and affordable kitchen cabinet refinishing service, which is in high demand with the record-breaking heights of the home improvement industry in Canada.

As the national leading wood refinishing company, N-Hance Canada continues to see advancements in growth, efficiency, and nationwide reach through continuous investment in research and development, new products and innovations, and in-demand services.

N-Hance Canada launched new products and innovations at their largest and most successful annual convention in May, in scenic Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. The President of N-Hance Canada, Mr. Ahmad El Hamad, spoke of the multi-day event as an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments and success of our franchisees, but exceedingly a chance to move forward, innovate, and discover opportunities for greater value, where previously unnoticed.

The rapid expansion of the N-Hance Canada network over the past few years speaks to the success of its innovative business model, its exceptional and driven franchise owners, and the first-rate efforts of the corporate team. The N-Hance brands mark on the home renovations and franchising industry has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazines prestigious Franchise 500 rankings for its outstanding growth and brand power.

The N-Hance brand has ensured tremendous geographic growth across Canada, servicing the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Quebec. With its swift expansion in the national capital region of Ottawa, N-Hance is growing from coast-to-coast, and offers entrepreneurs a lucrative opportunity to be part of a thriving brand in a billion-dollar industry.

About N-Hance

N-Hance Canada is part of the N-Hance family. N-Hance Wood Refinishing has more than 500 franchises across North America and has been featured in Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes and Gardens, HGTV and more. Using a proprietary refinishing technique that requires little sanding, it restores the natural beauty of wood surfaces, offering a factory-style finish at a fraction of the cost of traditional re-facing or replacement. Its powerful Lightspeed U.V. curing technology shortens the refinishing process and produces less dust, mess and odour than traditional methods, making it ideal for homes and businesses. Please visit http://www.nhancefranchise.ca to learn more about franchise opportunities.

Here is the original post:
N-Hance Canada Grows in Six Provinces and Aims to Introduce 20 Territories, with Expansion Plans in Western Canada - Business Wire

Measures in the budget will have an immediate impact this year, Taoiseach Michel Martin has pledged as he insisted the Government is correct in its strategy to wait until the autumn for further measures to ease the cost of living.

His remarks come as inflation in Ireland hit 9.6 per cent and Electric Ireland announced price increases that will kick in next month.

Fianna Fil held a half-day parliamentary party meeting focused on the budget on Friday.

Mr Martin said a budget package must be developed that does not add to inflation and create second and third rounds.

Fianna Fil, he said, wants to target measures on households with low incomes and the squeezed middle.

He said the partys TDs and Senators made about 110 budget proposals on issues such as childcare, pensions, housing and education.

At a press conference, Mr Martin promised a substantial budgetary package including income tax and expenditure measures to respond to the cost of living.

Asked whether it is sustainable to tell the public to wait until September or October for the budget given the rising energy bills and rate of inflation, Mr Martin said the Government has already brought in 2.4 billion in measures.

He said the Government is correct in its strategy as it will be a long winter and the big fear in the autumn is that Russia may cut off gas supplies to Europe with the consequential prices.

He said the budgetary strategy is to have a package that can have immediate impact once the budget is announced on people, certainly within this calendar year.

Mr Martin said: We have to work out whats the best way to alleviate the pressures on households in terms of their disposable income and a way that doesnt further exacerbate the inflationary round.

He said one key objective of Government is to marry some cost-reducing measures with climate action such as reducing transport costs.

Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said the Summer Economic Statement will be brought to Cabinet on Monday.

It will take account of the current economic circumstances and it will go beyond the package that was envisaged in the Stability Programme Update that we published in April, he said.

Mr McGrath said the package had been based on the medium-term fiscal framework adopted in last years Summer Economic Statement.

The principal reason for a change is that when it comes to public spending, for example, the rule at the time was based on about 5 per cent growth, which is linked to the trend growth rate in the economy.

And that was predicated on about 2 per cent inflation and then 3 per cent real growth.

Of course we are now in a very different space in the context of the level of inflation that were facing.

So we will be changing the parameters and the exact details of that will be available on Monday.

Asked how concerned he was at the 9.6 per cent inflation rate in June, Mr McGrath said it reflects the living reality, it reflects the prices that people have been paying in recent weeks and it is exceptionally high.

He said 10 of the 19 eurozone countries have a higher rate than Irelands but added: Thats no consolation to people who have to pay those high prices.

He said it underlines the need for the Government to respond in a very significant way and that measures to respond to the cost-of-living crisis will have to be implemented really quickly.

Mr McGrath also said: This is a level of inflation we havent seen for four decades.

The Governments response has to be commensurate with that and reflect that.

Read the original post:
Budget measures on cost of living will have 'immediate impact', says Taoiseach - The Irish Times

Signal Restoration Services, the leader in emergency response and property damage restoration in the industrial, healthcare, education, government, hospitality, multi-family, and retail industries, announced Barry Zollman has joined as executive vice president, business development. Zollman brings more than three decades of experience in disaster recovery and restoration to Signal.

This new role combines Zollmans operational and project management expertise with his passion for developing key relationships to better serve clients and the challenges they face when disaster strikes. As Executive Vice President, Zollman will lead the effort to serve and strengthen existing Signal client relationships while also leveraging his vast, respected network to bring in new opportunities to grow and expand Signals clientele. Zollman will report directly to Co-CEO Mark Davis.

We are delighted to welcome Barry to the Signal family, says Mark Davis, co-CEO, Signal. As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, we continue to prioritize bringing the most talented individuals in our industry to Signal. Barry is exactly that. He is renowned in the industry and has earned an impressive reputation as a strategic relationship builder committed to delivering professionalism, excellence, and relentless customer service to clients. That is just what we want and need as we pursue our strategy for market and international expansion.

With Signal, I found a true team and family approach to doing business, says Zollman. Collaboration and trust are important to me in my next professional home, and I am happy to say I found both in the team at Signal. Ive been fortunate in my career to have learned from and been supported by so many industry leaders. Im excited to turn my focus to the restoration market, create new relationships, and explore international opportunities that expand the companys current footprint and set Signal up for continued success for the next 50 years.

In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zollman has worked with a variety of companies across 13 countries. Most recently, he served as vice president of Logistics at Bingham Services Inc., a professional consulting company for the property insurance industry.

Zollman holds an associate of science degree in applied horticulture and horticultural business services from Vincennes University. He volunteers with the Miracle League of Frisco, a non-profit organization providing children ages 5-19 with mental and/or physical challenges the opportunity to play sports as a team member in an organized league.

Industry News & Trends Industry Training & Events Advice from the Field Insights & Updates

Link:
Signal Restoration Names Executive VP of Business Development - CleanLink

Country

United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, RevolutionaryPeople's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

Follow this link:
Montana attorney general warns of scams and fraud in flood damage restoration - Bozeman Daily Chronicle

COLLIER COUNTY

Gopher tortoises were released to a new home at the Picayune Strand State Forest.

The tortoises are threatened and protected by Florida law

And Southwest Florida is working to protect them.

After two years, gopher tortoises at the Picayune Strand State Forest have been relocated.

It was a collaborative effort between various state agencies and environmental groups.

Marisa Magrino, with Environmental Consulting Services Group said, we are doing all we can to protect them.

The primary threat to the gopher tortoise is habitat loss.

Magrino said these animals were moved from the east side of the forest due to an ongoing restoration project in the area.

The relocation ensures their survival and preservation of biodiversity in the Picayune Strand State Forest.

Mike Knight, District Biologist with Florida Forest Service said the new location is 30 acres and can house 24 gopher tortoises due to stocking density regulations.

This particular recipient site is one of the newest state-wide and is pretty unique for SWFL as well, theres not too many of them around in this area, Knight said.

Their new recipient site ensures not only the tortoises survival but also of other species.

Because the gopher tortoises are a keystone species, its burrowing activities support up to 350 or more other species of wildlife, ranging from different frogs to different insects.. even a few mammals species will make use of this tortoises burrows so having them here on-site not only helps preserve the biodiversity but, in some cases, even increase it, Knight said.

Knight said the Florida Forest Service hopes to develop other sites to save more tortoises.

Here is the original post:
SWFL gives a new home to threatened wildlife species - Wink News

Less than 300. In 2019, thats how many Carolina heelsplitters were found dispersed within 11 populations left in the Catawba, Pee Dee, Saluda, and Savannah River Basins of North and South Carolina. A low number for a freshwater mussel thats been listed as endangered since 1993. However, a team of biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Southeast Region are leading efforts to restore habitat and propagate and release captive-reared heelsplitters. Their efforts are succeeding so well that there are now over 3,000 heelsplitters in the wild, mostly in South Carolina.

For their extraordinary initiative and accomplishment in bringing the Carolina heelsplitter back from the brink of extinction, five U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists have been awarded the 2021 Southeast Recovery Champions Award. Receiving the award are Tony Brady, Morgan Wolf, Jonathan Wardell, Somerley Swarm, and Walter (Tripp) Boltin.

Members of the Carolina heelsplitter Intra-Service Recovery Initiative. Left to right: Tony Brady, Morgan Wolf, Jonathan Wardell, Somerley Swarm, and Walter "Tripp" Boltin.

The Carolina heelsplitter ranks at the top of all rarities in the Southeast.Lost from the record books since the 1800s, the species was rediscovered in 1987.But by that time, most populations had been eliminated from North Carolina and a few were still hanging on in South Carolina in geographic areas known as slate-belt stream systems. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the species as endangered in 1993 and designated critical habitat for it in 2002.

Now, 10 of the 11 remaining Carolina heelsplitter populations are in South Carolina. Tony Brady, Morgan Wolf, and Jonathan Wardell established the Orangeburg Mussel Conservation Center (OMCC) at the Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery in South Carolina by transforming an empty shed into a functioning propagation system. Mussel biologists Brady, Wardell, and Swarm were primarily responsible for propagating and growing the mussels and maintaining the system. Wolf is the national lead for the Carolina heelsplitter, overseeing all recovery actions for the species.

Juvenile Carolina heelsplitter being grown out at the Orangeburg Mussel Conservation Center (OMCC) at the Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery in South Carolina

The establishment of the OMCC was a turning point for the species. Beginning in 2016, and over the next five years, more than 5,000 mussels were produced with close to 2,000 of those being released into the wild.In 2021 alone, more than 1,000 individuals, which is five times the number of heelsplitters ever released in a year, were stocked in South Carolina streams. The Service has been working closely with a number of partners throughout South Carolina, including the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, to make that happen.

Carolina heelsplitter freshwater mussels ready for release in the wild

Restoring and reconnecting habitat for the Carolina heelsplitter has been a priority. Boltinled efforts to secure passageways for the heelsplitter and its primary fish host, the bluehead chub. He obtained funding and coordinated all endeavors to replace old culverts. Gills Creek inLancaster County is home to about one third of the remaining habitat in the current range for the Carolina heelsplitter. Now,over five miles of critical habitat for the species has been restored, thanks to Boltin, other Service employees, and Lancaster County officials.

Old, dysfunctional culverts on Gills Creek in Lancaster County, South Carolina - critical habitat for the endangered Carolina heelsplitter freshwater mussel

Over the past five years, the Services Southeast Region Aquatic Habitat Restoration Team and other Service employees from throughout the region, have worked in partnership with Lancaster County officials and engineers, completing three separate culvert replacements on Gills Creek.Heavy equipment operators removed old, dysfunctional, round culverts and replaced them with bottomless arch culverts to restore adequate stream flow in the creek.

Tripp Boltin watching as flow is restored to Gills Creek, Lancaster County, South Carolina - critical habitat for the endangered Carolina heelsplitter

Musseling the Carolina heelspitter back from the brink of extinction has taken years of planning and, true to the One Service approach, the work of many Service employees, Lancaster County, and others. The work is still ongoing. Tony Brady, Morgan Wolf, Jonathan Wardell, Somerley Swarm, and Tripp Boltinare recovery champions for leading the successful process.

Original post:
Musseling Back from Near Extinction | US Fish & Wildlife Service - US Fish and Wildlife Service

The steel structure of the 75-year-old Wahconah Park is failing and the city is planning a capital project for the historic structure.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. The city is embarking on a more than $3 million capital improvement plan for historic Wahconah Park with a restoration committee and a promise of federal funds.

The City Council voted at its June 28 meeting to establish a Wahconah Park Restoration Committee.

The nine-member committee will assess the current condition of the 75-year-old facility, solicit public input, recommend the specifics of the repairs, and make recommendations to the city on the hiring of project agents.

In April it wasannounced that grandstand seating would not be available this yearbecause the steel structure was compromised.

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath, who will serve as staff support on the panel, said the city will have a full structural report of the park's grandstand by the time the committee meets. This will guide its work.

"That will help us understand the true condition of the grandstand and what it will take to not only bring the grandstand up to a safe condition, but I think that the scope and scale of such a project would also require the grandstand to meet all current modern building codes, Massachusetts building codes," he added.

The committee is expected to issue a preliminary report to Mayor Linda Tyer within 180 days of its appointment and a final report within 270 days.

On Tuesday, the council will be asked to appoint nine members for committee.

To aid the process, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal was able to place a $3 million earmark into the $57 billion Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies funding bill for fiscal 2023.

McGrath said the $3 million is a great start but he anticipates that additional funding sources will be needed National Register-listed property. One of the functions of the restoration committee will be to work closely with Finance Director Matthew Kerwood and Tyer to secure funding.

After a structural evaluation of the facility in late 2021 that revealed concerns, the city hired a structural engineer and architect to look at it more comprehensively. Their recommendation was for the grandstand to be closed for this season.

The uses underneath the grandstand that include the bathrooms, locker rooms, maintenance room, and concessions were OK'd for use. Because of the way the facilities were constructed, they are rather disconnected from the superstructure, warranting no risk.

To supplement seating, large bleachers were brought in.

"I think although it has a little different look and feel than in previous years, I think folks really are understanding of the situation that we're in," McGrath said.

"Folks really go to Wahconah Park to see great baseball and to experience that atmosphere, so the crowds are returning and I think the Suns are pleased with where we're at, but at the same time, I think they're anxious as are we to understand what the future of Wahconah Park is. We'll work quickly but thoughtfully with this task."

After the structural report is completed, the committee will assess whether the best option is to repair or replace the grandstand. This will be done with thoughtful consideration.

"We understand that Wahconah Park is a well-loved baseball facility and there are so many that have ideas for the future," McGrath explained.

"So we want to hear them and use all of that input to make decisions for how we proceed."

This year the Pittsfield Suns are celebrating their 10-year anniversary. They are a collegiate summer baseball team that competes in the Future Collegiate Baseball League of New England. The team is owned by the Goldklang Group, which also owns the Saint Paul Saints in Minnesota and the Charleston Riverdogs in South Carolina, and moved to Wahconah Park in 2012.

Owner Jeff Goldklang has had a home in the Pittsfield area for about 40 years and when the team was created said, "We intend to honor the tradition and history of the game in Pittsfield while adding heavy doses of smiles and laughs."

In the decade before the Suns came to Pittsfield, professional and collegiate league teams including the Defenders, Black Bears, and Dukes took up residence at Wahconah Park.

See the rest here:
Pittsfield Looks into the Future of Wahconah Park - iBerkshires.com

One thing most can agree on is Burma Road, also known as Defense Highway, needs work. Now stakeholders, which include federal and local governments, need to figure out whos going to do it.

The two-lane, Navy-owned road, which runs across the western shores of Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth, serves as an access point and is home to or in proximity of many institutions, private firms and organizations in the defense and marine industries, including Raytheon, Naval Station Newport and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. It is also utilized as an entryway into Melville and a decongestant of the frequented West Main Road in Middletown.

But over time, the roads condition, utilities and infrastructure have deteriorated, and there is a clear need for a comprehensive restoration that is likely to be longterm and costly.

Some improvements need to be made on Burma Road in the very near future just to ensure that people can continue to use it, get access to the properties and be able to go to work, said Erin Donovan

Boyle, executive director of the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber is hoping to help facilitate a larger transfer of many Navy-owned assets in the area, including roads, utilities and real estate, to public entities, such as the towns of Middletown and Portsmouth, the city of Newport, the Portsmouth Water and Fire Authority, and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

There are about 250 acres of developable land along the route and adjacent to Narragansett Bay under federal government ownership. Prior to becoming Navy property, the land was owned by local municipalities. A gradual expansion of Navy operations leading up to and immediately after World War II resulted in the Navy acquiring the property. Now, as operations have scaled back, the Navy has less use for the space.

The Navy has expanded and contracted its position along Burma Road for a very long time, said Marco Camacho, Newport Board chair on the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, a non- profit organization that advocates for local autonomy. It still belongs to the federal government, and we should be proactive in preparing for a time when it would no longer be a part of Naval Station Newport. At the same time, there could be a situation where the Navy might want to expand there.

With a majority of federal funding now being earmarked for more immediately critical Naval purposes, the routes maintenance has not been prioritized, and some Navy properties have become inactive, with the Navy now having no critical-mission assets north of Greene Lane in Middletown.

The funds that go to the base have been limited and need to stay mission critical, so the long-term, necessary improvements to the road that are needed to ensure stability have not been made, Donovan-Boyle said. Its been a longtime issue and a long-term process. The pipes under the road are owned by the Navy. They are maintained, but to what degree is, what I think, the question, because theyre not heavily utilized.

Donovan-Boyle was pointing to the Aquidneck Island Infrastructure Assessment, a 2021 study that documented existing conditions in the area through surveys, interview and observations which noted the many issues and extensive need for necessary improvements along the route, such as structural and drainage upgrades, pothole elimination and painting. The analysis put forward an estimated $6.7 million to address road issues, a figure that includes maintenance through 2033.

The areas stormwater systems were also extensively studied and multiple issues were identified.

According to the study, structures were mislabeled, pipes and manholes were missing and catch basins, inlets, headwalls, outfalls, swales, manholes and pipes either did not exist or could not be found.

An estimated $33 million is needed to address water and sewer maintenance in the area, according to the analysis.

The study also points to proposed plans for private businesses or public entities to take over Navy owned assets along the route and beyond. But different entities have different stakes in the area, and with a wide, potentially intimidating scope of work, the details surrounding which stakeholders should take responsibility is complicated.

Securing adequate financing for infrastructure investment and transfer is challenging, and due to the scale of the project or transfer, often one funding source will not cover the cost, the study reads.

For example, Middletown would like to connect Defense Highway with Coddington Highway to provide another route for north and south travel through the town and relieve congestion on the main roads, according to the study. Without that connection, the town does not recognize value in owning Defense Highway, it states.

Similarly, Portsmouth recently established a redevelopment agency to acquire Tank Farms 1 and 2 from the Navy and develop them as mixed-use communities consisting of 200,000 square feet of light industrial use, 45 acres of solar farm, and workforce housing to support the marine trades industry. The town, however, is concerned with the potential environmental cleanup liabilities associated with ownership of the former tank farms and recently hired Matrix Design Group to advise it on the Navy property acquisition and redevelopment.

There is hesitancy by some of those potential buyers due to the unknown conditions of the areas infrastructure and utilities, as some sites have been identified as superfund sites, or areas in which hazardous waste has been dumped, left out in the open or otherwise improperly managed. For example, lead was found in the soil of the former Newport Naval Hospital.

There have been some challenges with environmental degradation over the years, Camacho said. These were things we didnt know back in World War II and can take a long time to remedy. Before any land is transferred over from the federal government to local government, we need to make sure that were not inheriting a risk.

The 2021 analysis also highlights the economic potential of the road should adequate restorations be made to it.

Modernizing and right-sizing the infrastructure for reuse in and around a closed or realigned base is an important investment that can attract future development opportunities, stimulate business growth and create jobs, while generating tax revenue in accordance with a larger scale plan, it states.

Theres a lot of open space there, said Camacho. If it comes back to us, its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and all stakeholders need to be included. Economic development is important, but so is quality of life.

Ultimately, the decision starts with cleaning up the hazardous sites and the will of the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Navys been a great neighbor, Camacho said. Its been a great employer.

A proposal was submitted by state Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Middletown, Jamestown) in the most recent legislative session to fund an estimated $50,000 to examine the economic significance of the route. However, the funds were not approved in the states operating budget this year.

See the rest here:
Long Path Ahead for Burma Road Restoration - Newport This Week