Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

820 Half Street, SW

Thanks to Mark Lyon for sending the update at the old Randall School soon to be Museum Place:

Renovation and redevelopment of the historic Randall School will create a vibrant arts campus comprised of a contemporary art museum with commercial and education facilities complemented by a new 12-story apartment building, surrounding a beautiful landscaped courtyard in Southwest DC.

Constructed in 1906 with significant wings added in 1927, the Randall School historically served African-American public school students in southwest Washington DC. The redevelopment features renovation of the three-connected existing historic brick school buildings and the design of a new 12-story residential courtyard building to the north of the site. The 50,000 SF renovation of the main block and wings of the historic Randall School include museum and office program. The lower level of the main museum block will serve as the communitys cultural living room, displaying local artists work and space for public art. The east wing of the museum will house contemporary art gallery space to display large pieces from the extensive Rubell Family collection. The glass box addition at the east wing will create an inviting museum entry, with bookstore and caf, and outdoor dining terrace along I Street to enrich street activity. The west wing will be designed for a creative office space or non-profit organization to augment the museum program. The concept design for the redevelopment of the historic Randall School has received unanimous approval from the Historic Preservation Review Board and from the Advisory Neighborhood Commission.

Excerpt from:
Demolition at the old Randall School, 'Museum Place' coming - PoPville

The former Organisation Todt German bakery which later became the Co-op's Total Sport store (29729484)

Dandara had previously sought to build four one-bedroom homes, two two-bedroom homes and a new retail unit on the St Peter site, which was the home of the Co-ops Total Sport store until it closed in 2015.

But the company has now confirmed it no longer plans to demolish the listed 1942 structure which previously featured a large chimney put in place to allow its three coal-fired ovens to operate.

Dandara is already building 21 one-bedroom and 44 two-bedroom homes on the footprint of a former warehouse a few metres south of the old bakery as part of approved plans.

Although initially planning to retain and restore the historic building, contractors working on behalf of the development company last year reported that it had become structurally unsound and should be demolished.

Despite this, John Ruddy, a senior engineer for the Infrastructure, Housing and Environment Department, raised questions over the reliability of the report, saying that important information was missing and that the findings painted a more positive picture than the one portrayed. Michael Stein, of MS Planning, acting on behalf of Dandara, disputed Mr Ruddys comments.

But the planning register says the application to demolish the building has been withdrawn. No reason was provided to explain why.

A statement issued by a Dandara spokesperson said: We are reinstating the old bakery rather than demolishing and rebuilding.

Originally posted here:
Occupation bakery spared demolition - Jersey Evening Post

This image shows the ductwork that will be demolished

A controlled demolition of ductwork around the main chimney will take place at the power station on December 10 at around 10am.

The ductwork removal to enable the safe demolition of the chimney structure, which will take place at a later date.

The ductwork is made of steel and is approximately eight metres in diameter and currently 30 metres from the ground.

Bosses say although the initiation and collapse may be heard outside of the boundary fence, any noise will be over very quickly.

Any dust generated will be controlled on site and road sweepers will be available although it is anticipated that they will not be required.

To protect everyone on site and in the local area an exclusion zone will be in place before, during and immediately after the blast.

The exclusion zone is well within the power station boundary fence and there will be no public access to the area or impact on the local road network.

The remaining structures, including the chimney and the four cooling towers, are scheduled for explosive demolition in 2021 and further details will be provided nearer the time.

The demolition of the site is expected to be completed in 2021.

Read more from the original source:
Further demolition work to take place at Rugeley Power Station next week - expressandstar.com

The site, near the citys bus interchange, links Park Lane and Holmeside and houses a range of retail units.

The council previously confirmed that the demolition aims to progress and encourage new uses for the site.

According to the planning application, several buildings at the site have exceeded their useful economic lifespan.

Following consultation, the councils planning department ruled that prior approval for the works was not required.

A planning report sets out the reasons for the decision: Based on the submitted information, the proposed nature, method of demolition and restoration details are considered appropriate and the works are not considered to have an unacceptable impact on any nearby properties.

It is considered that the information supplied is sufficient to ensure that the proposed demolition would be carried out safely and efficiently and that the overall site would be adequately cared for post demolition.

The proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of the method of demolition and proposed reinstatement of the land.

Therefore, it is not considered necessary to exercise control over the proposed demolition and prior approval is not consequently required.

The demolition works will include market units 6-17 and 25-30, the free standing stalls in the main courtyard and the removal of the steel/plastic pedestrian walkway at the site.

Boundary walls would be structurally supported with columns salvaged from the dismantling of the pedestrian walkway.

And when demolition work is completed, the site would be cleared of all debris and secured to prevent public access.

The project is estimated for completion in late January 2021.

According to planning documents, the works would be carried out with regard to all ecology and wildlife legislation.

However, units 31-36 and the covered market entrance off Holmeside are not included in the demolition plan.

Any plans to erect or rebuild any structure at the site in future may require a further planning application.

Read the original:
Demolition of Park Lane Market in Sunderland gets go-ahead to start - Sunderland Echo

A last-minute appeal has been filed to save an old glass factory workers home from death by wrecking ball.

The condemned structure is a small, weather-beaten, shingled home with a pink door at 18 State Street. Two weeks ago, the Sandwich Historic District Committee gave the homes new owner permission to knock it down.

Just before the 10-day waiting period was up, the HDCs decision was appealed to the Old Kings Highway Regional Historic District Commission, the Sandwich HDCs parent organization.

The appeal halted the demolitionat least for now.

James R. Wilson, administrative counsel for the regional commission, said in a telephone interview this week that the appeal would be heard in mid-December. He could not be more specific because he must coordinate with Sandwich Community Television about simulcasting the remote Zoom hearing.

The appeal must, by law, be heard within 30 days of its filing with the Sandwich town clerks office.

Richard A. Claytor, a former HDC chairman, filed the appeal with the Sandwich Town Clerks office on November 19.

In it, he cited the following reasons for the appeal:

The Sandwich HDC failed to allow for the submission of most public comment at its November 12 public hearing on the demolition permit

The HDC failed to follow its own demolition review guidelines before issuing the demo permit

The HDC failed to take into consideration that the structure is included in the Jarvesville District included in the National Register of Historic Places

The appeal asks the regional commission to reverse the local HDCs decision.

Mr. Claytor declined to discuss the appeal with The Enterprise this week. He has, however, been a vocal advocate for preserving the rapidly dwindling stock of Sandwichs historic homes.

The house is a two-family homeone of three structures originally on the sitebelieved to have been built between 1830 and 1850 for workers of the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company.

The HDC voted 3-2 in favor of demolition on November 12 after a tense meeting and a disagreement about whether emails from the public, which had been sent to the wrong addressbut had subsequently been discovered in the workplace mailbox of the HDCs administratorshould be read aloud into the record.

Chairman William R. Collins asked that the vote be delayed for two weeks. That delay would allow the emails to be sent to the correct addressand read into the recordand would allow time for the committee members to visit the house, possibly accompanied by a restoration expert.

It is better to make haste slowly and to avoid any appearance of cutting people off, Mr. Collins said at the time.

But committee vice chairman Mary Foley argued that the correct email address was published in the newspaper and on the town website, and emails sent elsewhere should not be accepted.

The building is too far gone to save, Ms. Foley added.

Despite the buildings decrepitude, however, many preservationists reportedly believe the house can be saved. But instead of sending emails expressing those views to the HDCs public comment email, they sent emails directly to the workplace mailbox of Michelle Y. Raymond, the committees administrator.

During the November 13 meeting, Ms. Raymond repeatedly offered to read the emails aloud, or forward them to the correct address, but Ms. Foley was adamant about not allowing Ms. Raymond to do so.

Go here to see the original:
Appeal Filed To Save Old Home From Demolition - CapeNews.net

ROCKLAND, Maine The City Council is considering a six-month moratorium on the demolition of buildings downtown to give the citys historic preservation committee time to evaluate which structures should be preserved.

It comes as the owner of a downtown building has proposed tearing down a majority of the structure and paving the site for parking. The council previously considered a ban on commercial parking lots in the downtown area to stop the developer, but has since postponed that measure.

City councilors will meet with property owner Crystal Darling on Dec. 7 to hear why she wants to tear the building down before giving final consideration to the demolition moratorium on Dec. 14.

If passed, it would temporarily halt the demolition of Darlings property at 279 Main St.

This wont prevent the buildings from ever being demolished but the Historic Preservation Commission would like certain buildings to be given the chance for someone to rehab before demolition, Rockland City Manager Tom Luttrell said.

Darlings property sits at a major intersection in downtown Rockland and is home to Park Street Grille, among other businesses.

The 15,000-square-foot building was constructed in the 1950s. Under Darlings proposal, the majority of the building, including the portion that houses Park Street Grille, would be torn down. In its place, a commercial parking lot would be constructed, with parking for the buildings remaining tenants and long-term leased spaces.

The portion where Franks Family Hair Care and Breakwater Design and Build Inc. currently operate would remain intact.

Since plans were submitted to the planning board earlier this fall, the city council has been scrambling to determine the best way to pump the brakes on the proposal.

Former City Councilor Valli Geiger proposed a stricter review process for parking lots within the downtown district, stating that surface lots dont mesh with the long-term vision for the city.

An outright ban on stand-alone commercial lots was ultimately added to Geigers proposal. The council has indefinitely postponed final approval of Geigers proposal.

While councilors ultimately agree that a parking lot would provide few benefits to downtown, some have voiced concern over changing the rules amid an active application for demolition.

As disgusted as I am at giving more space to vehicles, if it was my building and it was not economically viable, I would be angry if I was told I couldnt tear it down and use it as a parking lot, Councilor Ben Dorr said at an Oct. 14 council meeting.

There will be a public hearing on the demolition moratorium before the council considers it for final approval on Dec. 14.

Link:
A nearly 70-year-old downtown Rockland building could be torn down to build a parking lot - Bangor Daily News

JOLIET, IL The students at Joliet Catholic Academy came up with a terrific idea to help Joliet area restaurants during these trying times created by the coronavirus pandemic. The first week of Operation Takeout, sponsored by the school's Habitat Club was an amazing success.

Nearly 700 meals were delivered to people in the Joliet area who ordered through the JCA students who then picked up their meals and made the deliveries. The first week's restaurants were Syl's in Rockdale, the Shorewood Chicken-N-Spice and The Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet.

Operation Takeout begins its second week and this week's restaurants are: Station One Smokehouse in downtown Plainfield offering a BBQ style family dinner for Thursday; Bella Cucina at Jefferson and Raynor in Joliet for Friday offering a Tuscan chicken dinner, and The Dock at Inwood for Sunday offering breakfast pizza and burritos.

On Thursday, Dec. 10, JCA students will be delivering meals from Chefy's Kitchen on Plainfield Road in Joliet.

"Our restaurant community needs us and HOPE now more than ever ... The JCA Habitat Club is working to offer the alumni owned restaurants the opportunity to sell dinners through the JCA community. Orders will be taken through a certain time period and dinners will be picked up at the restaurant," according to Joliet Catholic Academy.

The rest is here:
JCAs Operation Takeout Has 3 More Restaurants This Week - Patch.com

I have written previously about health and safety on our farms and how we urge farmers and managers to regularly review the safety policies and procedures that they have in place, to drive down risks in the workplace. B

By making safety a part of everyday conversations we can achieve a change in culture and attitude towards health and safety.

This is the time of year when many will look to carry out general maintenance around the farm and workplace.

From discussions that I have with people, these jobs will often be carried out by themselves.

When looking at what works are required, the importance is on ensuring that tasks are planned and that the people involved have the right training and equipment needed to work safely.

Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of major injury. Avoiding work of this nature where possible is what the NFU and the Farm Safety Partnership are asking everyone to act on.

Identify what works can be carried out from the ground, for example using extendable equipment to carry out routine jobs like gutter cleaning.

Avoiding work at height by bringing in a specialist contractor if required, never being tempted to use the wrong equipment.

It is illegal to lift anyone on the forks or bucket of a telehandler.

The appropriate access equipment, elevating working platform or scaffolding is required to control risk.

As there are many pressures that people are having to cope with at the current time, Coronavirus, Brexit uncertainty and challenging weathers, it is easy to become distracted and overlook something.

The most important thing is that a safe workplace is crucial for everyone involved.

See the original post:
WORD ON THE GROUND: Importance of farm health and safety - Spalding Today

TOMS RIVER, NJ Toms River schools will welcome students back for in-person learning next week, a week earlier than originally announced, the superintendent announced Monday.

In a letter to parents, Superintendent David Healy said school officials analyzed COVID-related quarantines and district-wide staffing and decided to revise the return date to Monday, Dec. 7 instead of Dec. 14.

The area is currently listed as "high risk," which requires consideration of an all-remote learning environment, Healy said, which is why the district determined last week that going fully remote would help keep the school community safe as cases rose.

"We believe our cautious approach was the right one, placing us in a stronger position to re-implement hybrid, in-person learning," Healy said in the letter.

The superintendent warned parents of the possibility that a particular school or grade level may need to move to remote instruction due to COVID-19 cases or transmission within a building or class.

Healy also announced the formation of the TRSS Mental Health Taskforce, which will be composed of staff, district and community mental health professional, administrators and students who will gather information about what types of support are needed for students and families.

"We are happy to reopen earlier than planned, but do so with extreme care and caution," Healy said in the letter. "Rest assured we are constantly evaluating the situation and will continue to consult with local and state health officials on the ever-changing information and data related to COVID-19 to ensure the safety of nearly 17,000 individuals who attend and work for our school district."

Read the original post:
Toms River Schools To Return To In-Person Learning A Week Early - Patch.com

The Wall Street Journal's assessment of the probability of the second stimulus bill getting passedthe snowball's chance in hellis probably wrong. Legislators, even the awful McConnell, can see the next election coming and worry they will lose the 2022 midterm, again, if they don't hand out some dough. Photos of long lines at food banks in formerly prosperous places are reminiscent of the Depression. Republican voters are deeply loyal, but not entirely unaware it's their party denying them food for their children. This may be at the margin but it's a wide margin.

See the charts from the National Geographic. So-called food insecurity will rise to 50 million this year, an increase of 15 million persons, while 6.3 more children will go hungry. For the richest country in the world, this is a disgrace. The charity Feed America says the 50 million Americans going hungry is one in six and one in four of the population, almost 50% more than in 2019.

Bleeding heart liberal sentiment aside, there are wide and deep consequences of this economic development. First is the new impetus to get a second stimulus package as noted. Second is the penetrating waves of losses to manufacturers, importers and retailers of slumping consumption. We have to wait a few weeks for the official retail sales data, but so far the US shoppers spent 14% y/y less money on the 5-day discount holiday last week (including Black Friday and Cyber Monday). In-store shopping was down 37% y/y and online shopping failed to make up for it, up only 8%. Cyber Monday is the exception, with sales up 15% y/y for the "biggest day for online shopping in U.S. history" (WSJ). If we get a Christmas surge in Covid 19 cases arising from foolish socializing at Thanksgiving, the scientists' forecast of a dark winter will be right and drag the economy lower.

The Fed, of course, is watching all this, giving it a more dovish bias, especially in light of an inadequate fiscal response, of we get one at all before year-end. Timing counts, and both Fed chief Powell and incoming TreasSec Yellen know it. It's all very well to start making plans for post-inauguration initiatives, but to prevent a double-dip recession, we need action now. The next Fed meeting is Dec 10-11. Wait for itchatter about some new ideas at the Fed.

Meanwhile, it's not entirely clear the ECB is as dovish as everyone thinks, especially if the budget does get through. The next ECB policy meeting is also on Dec 10.... We can get dueling central banks or we can get no action at all. In days of yore, by which we mean the dear departed Volcker, the phone lines were hot between Washington and Frankfurt. It's hard not to imagine Powell calling Lagarde. Are they going to "coordinate"? At a guess, yes. We may never hear about it until memoirs get written, but we can make sensible deductions. We imagine both sides get their fiscal boost and the central banks stand pat. Alternatively, one gets it and the other doesn't by the Dec 10 deadline, and the one without the fiscal boost is the one that cuts rates or increases QE or otherwise signals dovishness. Or they both fail to get the fiscal help and they both get more dovish, perhaps in sync.

This is not yet on the radar, but stay tuned. The only way the euro suffers is if the US gets stimulus and the EU does not.

One of the biggest determinants of economic wellness, payrolls, is due Friday. Today we get the ADP estimate of the private sector component, expected at a gain of 420-430 million jobs vs. 365 million last month. Payrolls were a gain of 638,000 in October (from 672,000 revised in Sept), the smallest gain since the recovery started in May. It's not even close to recovering the record 20.787 million loss in April. Current payrolls forecasts are discouragingBloomberg has a mere 486,000. We will be getting more forecasts later today after the ADP results. TradingEconomics.com says the consensus forecast is 481,000 and its own forecast is 500,000.

As we feel compelled to repeat, the data is lousy because it fails to count so many unemployed and the millions working off the books, but we have to deal with what we've got. In fact, many more are no doubt working off the books, mitigating the rise in food insecurity and drop in spending mentioned above. That's a wild guess arising from local ads for gutter cleaning and yard work, so take it with a grain of salt.

Anyway, the ADP data today and the payrolls on Friday are likely going to appear low to okay, without triggering fear of that double dip recession that really is lurking around the corner. This is useful mostly in terms of failing to offer a drag on the stock market, and the stock market is our barometer of risk-on sentiment.

If the second stimulus fails again, if Trump refuses to sign the continuing resolution budget, if ADP and payrolls are seriously worse than built init's possible risk-off comes back and the dollar becomes a safe-haven again. Most analysts give this outcome a small probability, and instead expect further euro gains to be modest, with a little retracing and fiddling around sideways for a while until we get a bit more clarity.

Politics: Attorney General Barr announced the election had no sign of fraud, contradicting Trump and his crony lawyer Giuliani. This is the break in the dam, although it's too latenearly a month after the electionand tens of millions of Trumpies now doubt the voting process. Dems kind of hope that means they will stop turning out, while acknowledging it's an unpatriotic thought. A top election official in Georgia (and a Republican) called out the president and Georgia senators for failing to condemn death threats against poll workers and the secretary of state, another Republican. Partisanship has gone way too far and "it has to stop."

Separately, a new court case (with names and details redacted) was released charging somebody with trying to bribe Trump for a pardon, but no details yet. The whole subject of pardons is in the air; it's a dead cert Trump will be pardoning people left and right, including probably himself, even though Nixon himself doubted self-pardoning is legal. The NYT reports he has been exploring pardons for his children and Rudy, but there's a giant problem in doing that: he would have to name what crimes he is pardoning them from having committed. A blanket pardon won't cut the mustard, according to some legal experts. (Pretty funny, really). Bottom linemore messy stuff from Trump, some of it possibly dangerous and all of it ridiculous and pathetic. We have 49 days to the inauguration.

Equally important is the 34-days to the Georgia Senate run-off election. If the Dems gain those two seats, we can get some real action. We may have to hold our noses for some of it, but nothing like holding our noses for what Trump didMuslim ban; children in cages; dumping the Paris Accord, TPP and threatening NATO; McCain not a hero, and "my button is bigger than Kim Jong Un's button." To name just a few.

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See the article here:
The only way the euro suffers is if the US gets stimulus and the EU does not - FXStreet