Balfour Beatty Construction was selected by Carr Properties to provide both preconstruction and construction services for the new 1700 New York Avenue, NW office building, which is located less than two blocks from the White House and directly adjacent to the world-renowned Corcoran Gallery of Art.

A 122,000-square-foot, trophy-quality office with striking views of the White House and other Washington, D.C. landmarks, the new eight-story all-glass building will be constructed such that the top three levels will cantilever to the south over the Corcoran Gallery roof. With a goal of achieving LEED Gold certification, the building will incorporate regional and recycled materials, a green roof system to collect rainwater, energy-efficient MEP systems, daylighting, and views.

In addition to its Class A office space, the 1700 New York Avenue, NW, building will include rooftop congregating areas and a fitness center. The buildings foundation will be spread footings with concrete foundation walls for the three below-grade levels and post-tensioned concrete slabs above-grade, as well as a 15-foot cantilever along the buildings north and south sides.

The cantilever design enables a column-free perimeter area, said Steve Smithgall, division president for Balfour Beatty Construction in Washington. Future tenants will have amazing, unobstructed views of the White House and the Washington Monument views rare in this city.

Balfour Beatty Construction has been working closely with Carr and SmithGroup to provide preconstruction services since June 2011. Completing in the summer of 2013, the new buildings two levels of below-grade parking and one level of below-grade office space will require underpinning of the adjacent Corcoran Gallery building. The Balfour Beatty team is carefully planning selective demolition, utility relocations, and new construction activity to ensure minimal disruption to the Corcoran Gallerys operations.

1700 New York Avenue, NW, is one of 11 projects totaling more than $1 billion in construction value on which Balfour Beatty Construction and SmithGroup have worked together.

About Balfour Beatty Construction A leader in the U.S. commercial construction industry, Balfour Beatty Construction provides general contracting, at-risk construction management, and design-build services through more than 2,400 professionals nationwide. The company has been cited as a Top 10 Green Builder by Engineering-News Record for the past two years, and as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by FORTUNE magazine for three years in a row. The company is part of London-based Balfour Beatty plc, a global leader in professional services, construction services, support services, and infrastructure investment, with more than $18 billion in annual revenues. To learn more about the company and its subsidiaryHoward S. Wrightvisit balfourbeattyus.com.

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Balfour Beatty Construction Breaks Ground on 1700 New York Avenue, NW

FALLS CHURCH, Va., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Suffolk Construction, one of the most successful, privately held building contractors in the country, announces today that its Mid-Atlantic Region was selected by INOVA Health System to build the new INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital Medical Office Building IV located in Fairfax, Virginia. Suffolk Construction Mid-Atlantic was selected based on the company's award-winning national experience in healthcare construction combined with a local team of professionals who are committed to delivering the "Build Smart" approach to healthcare construction management.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/PH12721-a) (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/PH12721LOGO-b)

INOVA Fair Oaks Medical Office Building IV is comprised of a 4-story core and shell totaling 115,000 GSF and a below grade level designed and constructed for a future radiation / oncology imaging suite with two linear accelerator (LINAC) vaults. Beyond the traditional bounds of the building floor plate, the project also includes the construction of a new campus entrance on Rugby Road; site clearing and construction of additional surface parking; installation of site lighting and traffic signals; and the necessary site improvements required around the new medical office building. The INOVA Fair Oaks Medical Office Building IV will pursue LEED Silver certification and will utilize Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology during construction.

Suffolk Construction Mid-Atlantic will join a team of industry experts including development consultant, Sittler Development Associates, LLC of Reston, Virginia; project architect, Architecture, Inc. of Reston, Virginia; civil engineer, Dewberry & Davis, LLC of Fairfax, Virginia; MEP engineer, Leach Wallace Associates, Inc. of Elkridge, Maryland; and structural engineer, Rathgeber / Goss Associates of Rockville, Maryland. INOVA Health System owns INOVA Fair Oaks Medical Office Building IV.

Suffolk Construction Mid-Atlantic is located at 3190 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. For more information about Suffolk Construction Mid-Atlantic, please call 703.286.3200 or email at contactmidatlantic@suffolkconstruction.com.

Suffolk Construction Company

Suffolk Construction is one of the most successful privately-held building contractors in the country, providing preconstruction, construction management, design-build, and general contracting services to clients in the healthcare, science and technology, education, federal government, and commercial sectors. Suffolk is based in Boston, Massachusetts and has a strong national presence with main offices throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and West Coast. Suffolk is committed to delivering its "build smart" approach to construction management on every project. The company's teams provide clients comprehensive planning services, innovative solutions and technologies, and proven processes such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) that allow Suffolk to deliver the most complex building construction projects on schedule and on budget, with minimal risk. Suffolk is a community-conscious organization dedicated to environmentally-friendly and sustainable business practices, and is committed to making a positive impact in its local communities through strong leadership, proactive involvement, and grassroots volunteering. For more information about Suffolk, visit the official website at http://www.suffolkconstruction.com.

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Suffolk Construction To Build INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital's New Medical Office Building IV

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Features such as a health club and security and concierge services may be expected at upscale condominium residences in the Washington, D.C., area, but few reach the heights of including an on-site car and driver for residents private use.

The oldest working quarry in the region is about to become one of the areas most luxurious condominium communities, known as Quarry Springs at Stoneyhurst. At 8101 River Road in Bethesda, this exclusive community of 97 homes in four buildings will rest on a 13-acre site.

While the services and amenities of the homes at Quarry Springs will be stellar, the attractions of the community itself also are part of the draw. A 50-foot, three-level waterfall will provide a dramatic focal point for the neighborhood as it splashes past a gazebo and terrace into a landscaped stream that meanders throughout the community. Hiking and biking trails will lead from the community to Cabin John Regional Park and trails and paths leading all the way to the Mall.

The grounds at Quarry Springs will include a formal lawn, perfect for a wedding, croquet or cricket, and a casual lawn for picnics. Residents will enjoy a community garden, a swimming pool with an outdoor spa, a fire pit and a grilling area with views of the waterfall and stream.

Residents will be able to gather with their friends and neighbors in the 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, which will have a health and fitness club and lounges with pool tables, pinball machines, table tennis and a large TV, as well as a business center, a library, a kitchen and a bar. A cafe and coffee shop also will be on the premises.

Homeowners will enjoy concierge services six days a week, site maintenance five days a week and a daily on-site manager. In addition to 24-hour monitoring, the community will have backup generators to protect residents from power outages.

The individual homes at Quarry Springs, each with two or three bedrooms, will have 2,200 to more than 4,000 finished square feet. Each home will have direct access into the home from a private elevator from the lobby or underground garage. The private garage for some homes can accommodate up to three cars. Each home will have a terrace, and the buildings have been designed so that most residences have a view from windows on one side straight through to the other.

Base prices for the homes range from $1,800,000 to $4,000,000. Condominium fees have yet to be determined.

Buyers can customize their homes with a choice of walnut, cherry or oak flooring in different finishes, as well as 10 styles and colors of kitchen cabinets. Each home has hardwood flooring throughout, granite counters in the kitchen, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Wolf gas range, two walk-in closets in the master suite, a gas fireplace and gas heat. The homes have ceiling heights of 10to 11 feet.

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Luxury home: Pampered lifestyle in Bethesda condo

Readmore: Local, Automotive, Motorcycle Crash in Colorado Springs, Motorcycle Crash on Cascade, Motorcycle Crash on Cheyenne, Motorcycle Death, Man Dies in Motorcycle Crash, Biker Crash Death in Colorado Springs, Man Killed while Riding Motorcycle, Rider Killed in Motorcycle Crash, Rider Dies after Hitting Retaining Wall, Rider Smacks into Retaining Wall, Motorcycle Death in Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Police

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A motorcycle rider died Sunday afternoon after losing control of his bike, crashing and being thrown into a retaining wall.

According toColorado Springs Policeofficers, the crash happened at the five points intersection in the citynear Cascade Street, Tejon Street, Ramona Avenue and Cheyenne Boulevard.

The rider lost control around12:46 p.m., and the rider was thrown from the bike, hitting the wall on the southwest curb-line.

The rider was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene.

Officers said the rider, whose name hasn't been released yet, was likely under the influence of alcohol.

No other cars or bikes were involved. Officers detoured traffic around the area until about 3 a.m. Monday.

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Motorcycle rider dies after smacking into wall

ROCKVILLE, MD--(Marketwire -05/20/12)- Deck Helmet is a company that offers its deck finishing, restructuring and repairing services in the Washington, D.C., metro area. Their Deck Resurfacing system protects decks for 10 years, eliminating rotting or cracks. The company offers customizable options for every homeowner, reduces maintenance issues and promises safety for the whole family. Furthermore, the method they have adopted is environmentally friendly and is considerably cheaper than deck replacement.

The company has received many positive reviews from its customers recently -- its technicians are skilled and professional, work in a timely fashion, and are consistently voted as the top patio repair, replacement, installation, and restoration company in the D.C. metro area. As clients say, the company has great customer service and provides an affordable alternative to deck replacement. Alison, in Bethesda, Maryland, states: "The company did a really good job with my deck. I was really impressed with their quickness and professionalism."

The Leading Consumer ratings magazine recently rated Deck Helmet number 1. The company takes pride in being a BBB member. The green method used by Deck Helmet to restructure decks increases the value of the customer's home and lengthens the life of their deck.

The company's official website, deckhelmet.com, offers an online scheduling option customers can use in order to set up an appointment with Deck Helmet professionals. Customers can receive accurate quotes from the beginning, so there are no hidden costs. Homeowners who do not know which color to pick for their deck restructuration can receive helpful advice from Deck Helmet experts around the clock.

On the website, customers can read more about pricing and the benefits of the Deck Helmet method. Satisfied customers share their reviews of the Deck Helmet services on the Testimonials page. Also, the answers to any question customers might have can be found on the FAQ page.

Lately, the ratings of the company have increased significantly thanks to the revolutionary deck restructuring method used and the high quality of the services offered.

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Deck Helmet Ratings: Introduces an Environmentally Friendly Method of Resurfacing Decks

The National Water Company (NWC) has started installing sewer lines at homes in Jeddahs north-central area and said it would finish connecting 132,000 homes to the municipal sewer system by the end of 2015 as scheduled, when the phased operation of the system is set to start. The company says it will finish installing sewer lines in 25,000 houses this year. While residents in the citys north-central area have welcomed the news they hope the projects will be completed on time, so that the current practice of calling the septic tanker to clean up the tanks could be done away with. Some residents also feel that the completion of the projects would help them financially. They feel the money saved from paying the tankers could go a long way in helping their family budgets. So far 3,000 houses in Al-Bawadi, Al-Salama and Al-Marwa districts were provided with the service, which is part of three contracts worth SR 168 million that the company had signed to provide homes in the area (north-central) with 13,000 sewer lines. This marks the beginning of the first stage that would end in 2013 with 60,000 home sewer lines installed. The company has also awarded contracts to companies which received the locations to start installing the home sewer lines projects in a number of districts including Al-Marwa district, where 4,036 lines will be installed, and Al-Safa district that will have 4,060 home sewer lines. The company said it was currently finalizing the awarding process of a contract to install 7,190 sewer lines in Al-Nuzha district and part of Al-Rabwa area. The two contracts are worth SR 52 million and SR 99 million respectively. Within the first stage, thousands of these lines will be installed in Al-Faisaliyah and Al-Rawdha districts, as well as in the remaining areas of the districts mentioned above. The total value of all project contracts within this stage is more than SR 400 million, the company said. The second phase will start by the middle of 2013 and will include 72,000 sewer lines. The third phase that will start in 2015 with the installation of about 30,000 sewer lines in districts south of the city will see 90 percent of the city covered by the service, it said. Residents find problems related to septic waste annoying. Most buildings have their own septic tanks that require regular cleaning-out by tankers. If the project (to install sewer lines connected to municipal sewer network all over Jeddah) is executed on time, it would solve huge problems for residents, said Rajab Al-Shabani, a father of six and retired Al-Faisaliyah resident. The money I pay to the tankers should be disbursed to my children instead, he added. Al-Rabwa district resident Mutaz Jastaniya, a banker, said he became an expert in negotiations as he regularly collects money from the residents of his building to pay the tanker every time the buildings septic tank needs to be emptied. I am fed up seeing sewage flooding the street. I hope the water company commits to its deadlines to end our suffering.

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Network of sewers to be connected to 132,000 city homes

20-05-2012 08:04 The beautyfull La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. The video is taken on a sunny day using Samsung HD videocamera. Gaudí devoted his last years to the project and at the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete. Sagrada Família's construction progressed slowly as it relied on private donations and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War—only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s. Construction passed the mid-point in 2010 with some of the project's greatest challenges remaining and an anticipated completion date of 2026—the centennial of Gaudí's death. The basílica has a long history of dividing the citizens of Barcelona—over the initial possibility it might compete with Barcelona's cathedral, over Gaudí's design itself, over the possibility that work after Gaudí's death disregarded his design, and the recent possibility that an underground tunnel of Spain's high-speed train could disturb its stability. Describing Sagrada Familia, art Critic Rainer Zerbst said "it is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of art" and Paul Goldberger called it 'the most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages'

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La Sagrada Familia (HD) - Barcelona - Video

BRADY TOWNSHIP, CLEARFIELD COUNTY - Salem United Methodist Church decided to build theirnew church further away fromRoute 219than where it sat for over 80 years out of a fear it would be destroyed again.

April 25, 2011 the church came off of its foundation when a log truck skidded of the road and logs slammed into the structure.

After a year of planning, the Church hired Hallstrom Construction to demolish their current church and build new.

They, along with Hallstrom, decided to build further off of the road and Tuesday afternoon they realized what a good decision that was.

"The first thing they said to me was it happened again. A car had veered off of the road and into a utility pole. It is a good thing the church is not where the old one was because the car would have landed in the fifth or sixth pew of the old church" said Chris Satterlee of Hallstrom Construction.

No one, including the 18 year old driver, was hurt in the accident, but it definitely made the workers decide never to park their cars in harms way again.

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A Dangerous Coincidence

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND There was a disagreement among members of the Port Madison Lutheran Church when it came time to start work on their first sanctuary 100 years ago.

Some in the congregation wanted to build it small. Others wanted a larger space. Eventually, proponents of the small church prevailed and staked out the corners of a modestly-sized structure.

But according to island lore, a few congregants sneaked onto the construction site on the night before the groundbreaking and moved the corner stakes out wider. When work began the next day, no one noticed the change and a more spacious church was built.

It was probably for the best.

The congregation grew to fill its new space and remained strong through a century of change.

The health of the church was evident Sunday as Pastor Lori Hoyum welcomed 98 congregants to a special worship service marking the 100-year anniversary of the chapel on Madison Avenue NE.

Also joining the celebration was Bishop John Bradosky, who visited from the newly-established North American Lutheran Church in Ohio. Port Madison Lutheran opted to join NALC earlier this year.

Bradosky said the 100th anniversary of the sanctuary was an impressive milestone for the island church.

"It's another opportunity for the congregation to rejoice," Bradosky said before the service. "Their faithfulness has spread over a century."

Minnie Sorenson O'Brien, the first baby baptized in the sanctuary, wasn't able to attend the service as planned. But congregation members say the 100-year-old Yelm resident remains "a firecracker."

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Bainbridge Island church marks 100 years

Yesterday at Maker Faire Bay Area 2012 we visited the Electric Imp booth to chat with the startup's founders and get some hands-on time with the tiny wireless computer. What is the Electric Imp? It's a module containing an ARM Cortex M3 SoC with embedded WiFi that's built into an SD card form factor. While the device looks just like and SD card, it's not pin-compatible with the standard -- the idea is to leverage a reliable and affordable connector for the Electric Imp. The module is not very useful on its own -- it only comes to life when inserted into one of several boards, which provide the Electric Imp with power and access to the real world. In turn the device gives these boards a brain and an Internet connection. Eventually the company hopes that appliance manufacturers will incorporate Electric Imp slots into products to make them network aware.

We talked with CEO Hugo Fiennes (formerly with Apple) about the past, present and future of the Electric Imp so hit the break to read more and to watch our hands-on video.

What can you do with the Electric Imp? You can control almost anything wirelessly over the Internet -- better yet, you can access each module using a simple web-based interface which combines Planner, a graphical way to interconnect the devices and Squirrel, a Java / C-like scripting language to program each Electric Imp. When you insert a module into a board or appliance, it powers up, receives a unique ID, connects via WiFi to the startup's servers and downloads / runs the program that's assigned to that specific board or appliance -- as such any Electric Imp can be used. Since there's no physical interface on the device to configure WiFi, the company's developed Blinkup, a way to enter SSID and password information on any iOS and Android smartphone and beam it to the Electric Imp's light sensor by rapidly pulsing the handset's screen on and off.

We saw a number of Electric Imp demos and appliance ideas at the booth including a simple hand-held "detonator" toggle switch with LED, seven-segment counter, water level sensor, servo-controlled gauge, RGB light, power socket, Christmas light, power monitor, toy washing machine, 16x16 LED display and receipt printer (the latter two being combined to show the avatars and tweets of anyone mentioning the Electric Imp) -- all Internet aware. The startup's servers provide simple access to web services like Twitter and even text messaging (via Twillo) -- letting developers focus on core appliance functionality rather than the intricacies of HTTP requests, WiFi APIs and network sockets.

The Electric Imp will be shipping for $25 at the "end of next month" (late June) along with three developer boards:

A mailing list is available on the company's website with an ordering system coming soon.

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Hands-on with the Electric Imp at Maker Faire (video)