Enlarge image New York Seeks $3 Billion Federal Loan for New Tappan Zee

An aerial view of the Tappan Zee bridge is seen leading from Tarrytown, New York.

An aerial view of the Tappan Zee bridge is seen leading from Tarrytown, New York. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

New York (STONY1)state has applied for a $3 billion federal loan for construction of a $5.2 billion replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge across the Hudson River, Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said.

McDonald said state officials sent a letter of interest to the Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation, which administers a program that provides credit assistance for “regionally significant” infrastructure projects.

“They’re reviewing it now,” McDonald said in an interview today after leaving a Cabinet meeting with Governor Andrew Cuomo in Albany. “The application was for $3 billion, and everything is fluid right now.”

Replacing the 56-year-old bridge, which carries 138,000 vehicles a day between Rockland and Westchester counties as part of the New York State Thruway system, is a top priority for Cuomo. In his $132.5 billion budget, the governor didn’t identify a specific funding source, though said the new bridge would be financed with public money. The 54-year-old Democrat has compared building a new Tappan Zee to the construction of the Erie Canal in the 19th century.

The three-mile-long (4.8-kilometer) bridge is estimated to cost $5.2 billion, with the price tag rising as high as $16 billion if public transportation projects are included. Loans through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which McDonald said the state applied for in December, can be used only to pay for one-third of a project’s total estimated cost under current law. If New York is applying for the full amount, that would make the value of the project $9 billion.

Legislators in Washington are currently considering whether to increase the participation limit to about 49 percent of the total cost.

“We’re following what happens in Congress very closely,” McDonald said.

Fluor Corp. (FLR), Bechtel Group Inc., Skanska AB (SKAB) and Grupo Dragados SA (DRC) are part of four teams selected to bid on the project, the state said in a Feb. 7 statement.

State officials have mostly been mum on financing plans. At today’s cabinet meeting, Cuomo said only, “We’re working on a financial plan.”

New York’s Transportation Department hired Jeffrey A. Parker & Associates to develop a funding plan, according to a December announcement. The Philadelphia-based financing consultant specializes in public infrastructure projects and will help secure a federal loan, according to the firm’s website.

Tifia loans are generally used for projects costing more than $500 million, last about 35 years and have an interest rate tied to U.S. Treasuries. As of Feb. 10, Tifia’s interest rate was 3.14 percent.

Nancy Singer, a U.S. transportation department spokeswoman, said in an e-mail she couldn’t immediately comment.

To contact the reporter on this story: Freeman Klopott in Albany, New York at fklopott@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Tannenbaum at mtannen@bloomberg.net

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New York Seeks $3 Billion Federal Loan to Construct New Tappan Zee Bridge

Beacon Roofing Supply (Nasdaq: BECN  ) reported earnings Feb. 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q1), Beacon Roofing Supply beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded significantly and GAAP earnings per share expanded significantly.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Beacon Roofing Supply recorded revenue of $489.9 million. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $475.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 21% higher than the prior-year quarter's $404.8 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.39. The 11 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.30 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.41 for Q1 were 86% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.22 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 24.0%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 7.0%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.9%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $338.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.08.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.95 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.42.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 52 members out of 74 rating the stock outperform, and 22 members rating it underperform. Among 26 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 20 give Beacon Roofing Supply a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Beacon Roofing Supply is outperform, with an average price target of $22.58.

Over the decades, small-cap stocks, like Beacon Roofing Supply have provided market-beating returns, provided they're value priced and have solid businesses. Read about a pair of companies with a lock on their markets in "Too Small to Fail: Two Small Caps the Government Won't Let Go Broke." Click here for instant access to this free report.

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Beacon Roofing Supply Outruns Estimates Again

13-02-2012 12:12 bit.ly - Subscribe! Twitter.com - Follow Us! http://www.facebook.com - Like Us! The second instalment in the RPG saga about the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, features a thoroughly engrossing, mature storyline defining new standards for thought-provoking, non-linear game narration. In addition to an epic story, the game features an original, brutal combat system that uniquely combines tactical elements with dynamic action. A new, modern game engine, responsible both for beautiful visuals and sophisticated game mechanics puts players in the most lively and believable world ever created in an RPG game. A captivating story, dynamic combat system, beautiful graphics, and everything else that made the original Witcher such a great game are now executed in a much more advanced and sophisticated way.

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The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Complex

ASPEN — Opinions were not in short supply Monday night during an Aspen City Council public hearing on the controversial development proposal involving the Little Annie's and Benton buildings on East Hyman Avenue and the potential construction of a three-story building on a nearby empty lot.

Late in the evening, council members were headed toward a motion to approve the concept behind the application by owner-developer Aspen Core Ventures LLC, with some design details to be worked out later.

The talks started in earnest around 7:30 p.m. after the council's dinner break, but had even seeped into the public comment period just after the meeting's 5 p.m. start and conversations about other ordinances.

The company is seeking concessions from the city on plans for the new mixed-use building in exchange for preserving the Little Annie's and Benton buildings, which the Aspen Historic Preservation Commission designated as historically significant in December after saying earlier that the Little Annie's building could be demolished. An initial plan last fall sought the demolition of both structures, sparking a public outcry.

Many residents and part-time residents expressed dismay over the sheer size of the third building, which would rise to 41 feet above street level, which meets current land-use guidelines, and would include two free-market residential units as well as retail and office space. Others said the city needed to adjust its land-use code to prevent the approval of such large development concepts and said it was a shame that the city was negotiating with the owner-developer amid the threat of a lawsuit.

Lindsay Smith said the process reeked of a game.

“It's a game between the developers and the citizens of this town,” she said. “There's a pattern of post-approval changes to projects that result in surprising and unexpected additions to buildings.”

She used a football analogy to make a point about the ability of citizens to protect the city from unattractive building proposals.

“We have a hole in our defense,” Smith said. “Our developers, our planners and architects know what the holes in our defense are and they use them to walk right through all of the meetings, all of your ordinances, and this really bothers me. … Our defense, unless it's citizens, doesn't ever show up until the second half of the game.”

Like others, she said the council shouldn't be afraid of fighting the developer in court. But Councilman Adam Frisch disagreed, saying, “I think we need to control our own destiny here” by working out a solution that avoids litigation.

Some council members agreed with residents who were concerned about the building's size and appearance as shown through artist's renderings. At one point during the meeting, after planner Stan Clauson and architect John Toya showed a 3-D model that examined the building's relationship to its surroundings from several different angles, Councilman Steve Skadron said, “My first comment is it looks monstrous.” Mayor Mick Ireland added, “Try humongous.”

Earlier, Nikos Hecht, managing partner of Aspen Core Ventures, spoke of his company's efforts to preserve the Little Annie's Building, restore the Benton Building and create a new building that blends in with the surrounding area.

“When we heard council and the community really wanted to keep Annie's and Benton, it personally struck a chord with me, because as a 41-year local, I remember eating at Annie's when there were horses tied out front,” Hecht said. “So, I thought if the community cared that much it was worth me caring that much.”

His group's original plans involved demolishing the two existing buildings. Now, through a negotiation with the city under the AspenModern program, the plans have been revised, but Aspen Core Ventures wants various concessions. He said the initial plans would have been much more financially lucrative.

“We really put profit not in last place, but definitely second place, or tied with first place, with this effort to preserve and restore and now make a perpetual low-priced eatery for this community,” Hecht said. He was referring to his group's plan to make the Little Annie's property deed-restricted so that it will be leased only to an affordable eatery such as the current restaurant the building houses.

The developer initially sought a waiver of affordable-housing mitigation requirements for 29 full-time employees. Under a new proposal, the number of employees who would be housed by the development has been recalculated to nine by city Community Development Department staff. The math involved in the reduction led Ireland to voice a few concerns at a Feb. 6 meeting.

Following recent negotiations with two council members and city staff, Aspen Core Ventures has agreed to provide one off-site residential unit to cover 1.75 full-time employees generated by the development and to pay a little more than $1 million as “cash in lieu” of providing other housing options for the equivalent of another 7.25 full-time employees generated by the project.

The developer previously planned a single, 7,500-square-foot, free-market penthouse for the top of the new building. That proposal has changed, and he's now seeking two units that would total 8,950 square feet of floor area: one at 6,950 square feet and another unit on the second floor at 2,000 square feet.

Commercial real estate broker Ruth Kruger was one of many who argued against the proposal. She said it didn't make sense for the city to suffer a net loss of 13 crucial downtown parking spaces with the loss of the empty lot at the corner of East Hyman Avenue and South Hunter Street for the sake of preserving the two buildings.

asalvail@aspentimes.com

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Council session dominated by comments on buildings

ASPEN — Opinions were not in short supply Monday night during an Aspen City Council public hearing on the controversial development proposal involving the Little Annie's and Benton buildings on East Hyman Avenue and the potential construction of a three-story building on a nearby empty lot.

Late in the evening, council members were headed toward a motion to approve the concept behind the application by owner-developer Aspen Core Ventures LLC, with some design details to be worked out later.

The talks started in earnest around 7:30 p.m. after the council's dinner break, but had even seeped into the public comment period just after the meeting's 5 p.m. start and conversations about other ordinances.

The company is seeking concessions from the city on plans for the new mixed-use building in exchange for preserving the Little Annie's and Benton buildings, which the Aspen Historic Preservation Commission designated as historically significant in December after saying earlier that the Little Annie's building could be demolished. An initial plan last fall sought the demolition of both structures, sparking a public outcry.

Many residents and part-time residents expressed dismay over the sheer size of the third building, which would rise to 41 feet above street level, which meets current land-use guidelines, and would include two free-market residential units as well as retail and office space. Others said the city needed to adjust its land-use code to prevent the approval of such large development concepts and said it was a shame that the city was negotiating with the owner-developer amid the threat of a lawsuit.

Lindsay Smith said the process reeked of a game.

“It's a game between the developers and the citizens of this town,” she said. “There's a pattern of post-approval changes to projects that result in surprising and unexpected additions to buildings.”

She used a football analogy to make a point about the ability of citizens to protect the city from unattractive building proposals.

“We have a hole in our defense,” Smith said. “Our developers, our planners and architects know what the holes in our defense are and they use them to walk right through all of the meetings, all of your ordinances, and this really bothers me. … Our defense, unless it's citizens, doesn't ever show up until the second half of the game.”

Like others, she said the council shouldn't be afraid of fighting the developer in court. But Councilman Adam Frisch disagreed, saying, “I think we need to control our own destiny here” by working out a solution that avoids litigation.

Some council members agreed with residents who were concerned about the building's size and appearance as shown through artist's renderings. At one point during the meeting, after planner Stan Clauson and architect John Toya showed a 3-D model that examined the building's relationship to its surroundings from several different angles, Councilman Steve Skadron said, “My first comment is it looks monstrous.” Mayor Mick Ireland added, “Try humongous.”

Earlier, Nikos Hecht, managing partner of Aspen Core Ventures, spoke of his company's efforts to preserve the Little Annie's Building, restore the Benton Building and create a new building that blends in with the surrounding area.

“When we heard council and the community really wanted to keep Annie's and Benton, it personally struck a chord with me, because as a 41-year local, I remember eating at Annie's when there were horses tied out front,” Hecht said. “So, I thought if the community cared that much it was worth me caring that much.”

His group's original plans involved demolishing the two existing buildings. Now, through a negotiation with the city under the AspenModern program, the plans have been revised, but Aspen Core Ventures wants various concessions. He said the initial plans would have been much more financially lucrative.

“We really put profit not in last place, but definitely second place, or tied with first place, with this effort to preserve and restore and now make a perpetual low-priced eatery for this community,” Hecht said. He was referring to his group's plan to make the Little Annie's property deed-restricted so that it will be leased only to an affordable eatery such as the current restaurant the building houses.

The developer initially sought a waiver of affordable-housing mitigation requirements for 29 full-time employees. Under a new proposal, the number of employees who would be housed by the development has been recalculated to nine by city Community Development Department staff. The math involved in the reduction led Ireland to voice a few concerns at a Feb. 6 meeting.

Following recent negotiations with two council members and city staff, Aspen Core Ventures has agreed to provide one off-site residential unit to cover 1.75 full-time employees generated by the development and to pay a little more than $1 million as “cash in lieu” of providing other housing options for the equivalent of another 7.25 full-time employees generated by the project.

The developer previously planned a single, 7,500-square-foot, free-market penthouse for the top of the new building. That proposal has changed, and he's now seeking two units that would total 8,950 square feet of floor area: one at 6,950 square feet and another unit on the second floor at 2,000 square feet.

Commercial real estate broker Ruth Kruger was one of many who argued against the proposal. She said it didn't make sense for the city to suffer a net loss of 13 crucial downtown parking spaces with the loss of the empty lot at the corner of East Hyman Avenue and South Hunter Street for the sake of preserving the two buildings.

asalvail@aspentimes.com

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Aspen council session dominated by comments on buildings

The future of the WWE's annual video game seems to be pretty dicey at the moment. Each installment of the former Smackdown series—they have now opted to simply call it WWE '12, WWE '13, and so on—seems to get even more criticism from fans.

The fans seem to be upset with THQ's inability to make a satisfying game and to add to the ugliness THQ's future as a whole seems to be up in the air. Personally, I enjoyed WWE '12 quite a bit, but there are always changes that can be made to improve, and THQ might have to do that if it wants to keep the WWE video game series.

1. Server Issues

Maybe one of the greatest additions to the recent WWE series of video games is that there is now a server where you can download other players' creations, whether it be a wrestler, arena, storyline, or match. In the past, if you wanted to make someone else's created character then they would have to type out all the information, post it on a website, and then the second player would have to make the character step-by-step.

This makes it easier to use a character somebody else has made. One of the most fun aspects of the WWE games is being able to take an old school WWE wrestler, a TNA wrestler, or even a comic book character and place them in the WWE world.

The problem is that the server for WWE '12 was horrible. When I tried to use the server I couldn't get a single download for probably the first 50 tries, and when it did work you could only get maybe one download before being booted back out of the server. To make matters worse, this is a feature in the game that users had to pay to use.

2. Road to Wrestlemania Mode

Let me say that I'm actually a fan of the new "Road to Wrestlemania" mode. In previous versions of the game there was one story. The player would choose a character, and no matter what character you chose that one storyline is the one that would be played. In WWE '12, there are three different stories, but there is a catch: The player no longer chooses any character. Instead, each story is designated a specific wrestler.

The first story the user has to be Sheamus, in the second story the user has to be Triple H, and in the third story the user has to be a created wrestler. The positive of this mode is that each storyline was better than previous versions of the game because it was specific to one character. The story mode didn't take a wrestler like The Undertaker and try to force him into a storyline more appropriate for someone like Rey Mysterio. The Sheamus story was great for Sheamus, the Triple H story was great for Triple H, and the created wrestler story was great for a created wrestler.

The negative of this story mode is obvious. Not everybody likes Triple H and Sheamus. In fact, most video game fans are more likely to be internet wrestling fans, and those people for the most part hate Triple H. If the WWE is going to do storylines for specific wrestlers, then it needs more than three and it needs to do a better job of selecting a good variety of characters. Perhaps have one face and one heel from the main event, two wrestlers from the mid card, and a lower card wrestler. Also, between those five characters, mix the styles so that maybe one is a brawler, one submission wrestler, one high flyer, etc. Give the fans some options while also maintaining good stories.

3. Create-A-Wrestler

As I said before, one of the most popular aspects of the WWE games is the ability to create a wrestler and enter him in to the world of the WWE. When each WWE game hits, there are tons of fans that immediately go to the CAW (Create-A-Wrestler) before they even wrestle any matches. There are many people online that take pride in the fact that they make the best CAWs.

The problem is that throughout the years there hasn't been much advancement in the options or quality of the CAWs. If WWE '13 wants to satisfy fans, then I believe the absolute easiest way to go about it is to simply make the most CAW options ever. If the Road to Wrestlemania or the Universe mode is lacking, then most fans are willing to overlook those modes if the CAW mode is better.

4. Women Wrestlers

It's no surprise that the women wrestlers aren't taken seriously in the video game, because they aren't taken seriously in the company either. The women get the shaft in every possible way. There is no storyline mode for the women, they don't make many appearances in the male storylines, and even the quality of graphics for the characters don't seem as good. Hopefully, THQ will eventually figure out that even though women aren't considered an asset by the WWE that they can be an asset to the popularity of its video game. Better, quality women characters and a storyline for them will make a lot of fans very happy.

5. Improvement to Universe Mode

Again, I enjoy the Universe mode and could have fun playing it for a long time. There are some improvements that can be made, and the key is the more options the better. Give users the ability to delete televisions shows or add their own. Let them choose how many matches are on a show. Give the users complete control over the brands, shows, belts, and wrestlers.

Sources:

WWE Games

Lee Andrew Henderson has been a fan of wrestling since the WWF in the mid-80s. Since then Lee Andrew has been a fan of WWF/WWE, WCW, ECW, TNA and ROH and followed all the news and results surrounding all of these wrestling federations. Lee Andrew Henderson can be found on Twitter @LeeAHenderson.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

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Five Improvements THQ Should Make for WWE '13

Milgard Windows & Doors is expanding its Style Line™ Series vinyl windows with the addition of two new window styles. Awning and casement window styles are now available, along with picture windows, horizontal sliders, single hung windows, radius/arch windows, and sliding glass patio doors.

Tacoma WA (PRWEB) February 14, 2012

The Style Line Series by Milgard is one of the most popular products for homeowners looking to upgrade existing windows because of its ease of installation, low maintenance, and energy efficiency. Style Line is also a favorite of builders and architects of multi-family projects because of its value and design flexibility. Whether it’s used as a one-window replacement project or specified for a large multi-family construction project, Style Line stands alone as the best valued vinyl window with the most premium features.

The Style Line Series includes a number of premium features not typically found in this category of window. Style Line Series vinyl windows and doors feature a narrower profile, making for sleek, contemporary lines and maximum glass area for better views. Style Line also comes standard with the Milgard® SunCoat® Low-E insulating glass for energy efficiency; the safety and security of our Positive Action lock; and numerous design options with grids, obscure glass and seven Premium Exterior Vinyl Finishes in addition to the standard colors white and tan.

Style Line is also covered by the industry-leading Full Lifetime Warranty that covers every properly installed window and door for as long as the homeowner owns their home–including materials and labor. This fully transferrable warranty applies to owner-occupied multi-family dwellings as well. Our Commercial warranty provides similar outstanding coverage for business applications.

Click here for more information about Style Line Series windows and doors.

Milgard Windows & Doors Celebrating 50 Years - In 2012, Milgard Windows & Doors is celebrating 50 years of quality, ease of use, durability, energy efficiency and value.

Milgard Windows & Doors, a Masco company based in Tacoma, Washington, offers a full line of vinyl, wood, fiberglass and aluminum windows and patio doors for builders, dealers and homeowners, all backed by a Full Lifetime Warranty, including parts and labor. The company has been recognized for manufacturing the nation’s highest quality vinyl windows seven times in a yearly survey sponsored by Hanley-Wood Inc., publishers of BUILDER Magazine. Milgard has approximately 3,800 dealer locations nationwide. For more information, visit milgard.com or call 1.800.MILGARD.

About Masco Corporation

Headquartered in Taylor, Michigan, Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of brand-name consumer products for the home and family. Masco is also a leading provider of services that include the installation of insulation and other building products. For more information, visit masco.com or call 313.274.7400.

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Jeremiah Noneman
Milgard Windows & Doors
253-922-2030
Email Information

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Milgard Windows & Doors Expands the Style Line™ Series Window Line with the Addition of Awning and Casement Styles

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Window Film Association (IWFA), a nonprofit group, is offering a free booklet on today's advanced window films. The booklet outlines how window film can be professionally installed to bring windows that are in good condition, up to modern standards.

"Many consumers are deciding for a variety of factors to stay in place and are looking for ways to improve the curb appeal and efficiency of their homes," said Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA. "Window film is a long-term and cost-effective solution for home improvement challenges. It can reduce energy consumption by reducing solar heat gain, and reduce the carbon footprint, while allowing you to enjoy natural light without the negative impact of harsh glare and UV exposure," he added.

The booklet can be downloaded at the IWFA website: http://www.iwfa.com/ConsumerInfo/IWFAWindowFilmBooklet.aspx. It gives consumers unbiased expertise on a less commonly known, but powerful home enhancement that adds value immediately and provides long-term return on investment through energy savings and extending the life of older windows without changing their character or architectural integrity.

Window film is rated by the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council), as are new windows and doors, so homeowners and property managers can be sure of the benefits. The new booklet helps consumers understand more about how window film delivers up to seven times the energy savings per dollar spent, as compared to installing replacement windows.

Homeowners or commercial building owners can locate IWFA member dealers on the IWFA website. Visitors can also request an energy saving analysis or learn more about how window film increases comfort, security and peace of mind.

About the International Window Film Association
The International Window Film Association (IWFA) (http://www.iwfa.com) is a unified industry body of window film dealers, distributors, and manufactures that facilitates the growth of the industry by providing unbiased research, influencing policy and promoting awareness of window film. The organization builds alliances with trade associations, utilities and government agencies to advance dealers and distributors businesses and provide value to their customers.

Jackie Volovich
Warner Communications
jackie@warnerpr.com
917-362-8088

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Window Film Can Save Energy, Reduce UV Exposure and Avoid the Cost of Full Window Replacements

(ARA) - Upgrading the kitchen is on many homeowners' "to do" list. And for good reason. A minor kitchen remodel ranks fourth on the list of the top 10 home improvement projects that deliver return on investment, according to Remodeling magazine's 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report.

But whether you're in it for the investment, or just to freshen up the space in your home where people spend the most time, a new kitchen look could be a fun, impactful improvement to your house. Some may start with a weekend project and a $40 can of paint, while others will jump into a $50,000-plus remodel. Either way, one thing is for sure - you can't go wrong with a beautiful, highly functional kitchen.

A simple refresh

If time or budget constraints limit you to changing just a few basic elements of the kitchen, focus on things that make the most impact. Even novice do-it-yourself homeowners can complete many of these items on their own:

* Paint the walls. Painting always tops the to-do list when a mini makeover is in order. It's an affordable, high-impact way to change the decor of a kitchen. If you're not changing out cabinets or countertops, be sure to select a color that complements those major elements.

* Add new accessories. Switching out the small decor details in a kitchen can make the room feel entirely new. Maybe it's replacing bar stools at the island, reupholstering pillows or a bench cushion, or even hanging a few new pieces of art or photos on the wall.

* Change the faucet. Often underestimated, the kitchen faucet has a lot of influence in the overall style of the room. Choosing a more up-to-date pull-down or pull-out faucet not only improves the look of the room, but can add significant convenience and functionality.

"Faucets in the kitchen are much more than what they used to be," says Kevin McJoynt of Danze, a manufacturer of decorative plumbing faucets and fixtures. "They play an important role in setting the decor and focal points of any kitchen."

A full remodel

Homeowners throughout the country are staying in their homes longer than they once did. Because of that, significant remodeling projects tend to rise to the top of the priority list. If you're in it for the long haul (or even to ensure you get that return on investment), a complete kitchen remodel could be for you.

When the entire room footprint is your canvas, the possibilities are exciting. While a contractor is recommended for most of these projects, make sure you're involved in exploring the options that will help you use this space as wisely as possible (yet provide beautiful decor in the process):

* Install display shelves. This hot kitchen trend is an eye-catching alternative to hanging wall cabinets. Taking down cabinets is a pretty simple task for two and hanging the shelves is even easier.

* Evaluate the flow of the workspaces. Adding more water sources to your room could improve efficiency and ease. Consider a simple, yet beautiful faucet on the island for prep, a pot filler by the stove to help while cooking, and a hard-working faucet at the main sink for clean-up.

* Mix and match your surfaces. Replacing countertops is one of the most noticeable changes to any kitchen venue. Quartz surfaces are a popular choice, providing a unique combination of quality, hygiene and a look of natural stone. Selecting a lighter color surface for the perimeter and a darker, bolder color for the island is a great way to add another design element to the room.

"With today's growing popularity in cooking and a rise in the number of at-home chefs, kitchen flow and workspace needs are critical aspects to consider when completely remodeling your kitchen," adds McJoynt. "The sink and faucet choices for each of these areas can play a big role in the functionality and enjoyment of the space."

Manufacturers such as Danze offer a wide range of faucet styles in various functional designs, according to McJoynt. So, whether you're looking to enhance a traditional decor, add sleekness to a contemporary professional-grade room, or something in between, leveraging faucets and other elements can help set the tone for the entire room.

To learn more about the beauty and variety of Danze, visit danze.com.

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Planning your new kitchen - renew or redo?

Boston, MA, February 14, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Massachusetts has one of the most stringent building codes in the US.

Here is a quick list of things to prepare and know before you start tearing up your kitchen or bathroom.

1. First off, have your licensed contractor file a building permit at your city building, or inspectional services office. Usually they meet in the mornings between 8am-10am and 3pm-4pm, but call your local office for hours of operations. They will let you know what you require for your permit.

2. You will need a drawing of your design and any alteration you will be making to your kitchen or bathroom. They may even get specific and ask you what type of appliances will be installed. Be sure to have all these items available for your contractor.

3.Your contractor will require a valid CSL or Construction Supervisors License, an HIC or Home Improvement Contractor license, and a Workers Compensation Insurance Affidavit form. (You should always ask for a Certificate of Insurance from your contractor to make sure he and his company is insured.)

4. The contractor will also have to present either a contract with your signature, and/or the permit application signed by you. This is to make sure you are authorizing the work to be performed as well as to confirm the cost of the project. The cost of the project will determine the cost of the permit. Typically $10.00 per every $1000.00 of construction. (i.e. If your kitchen remodel will cost $35,000.00, the permit cost will be $350.00.) Do not forget, this will not be the only time you are charged a fee for a permit. You will also pay for the electrical permit and the plumbing permit. Typically, the electrical and plumbing contractor add these fees to their price. Be sure to find out what those fees are. Fees vary from city to city, so you could either call your city building department ahead of time or ask your contractor to be informed.

5. Typically you can start the next day or so depending on how swift your local inspector is at writing permits. Be sure that you and your contractor abide and listen to your inspector.

If you follow these simple steps, your project will be headache free and run smoothly.

Aureli Construction is a licensed and insured company providing commercial, retail, residential and medical construction services in Massachusetts.

http://www.aureliconstruction.com

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Aureli Construction Releases Tips to Prepare for Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling