A development plannned for the current site of a parking lot at Halsted Street and Bradley Place. (Credit: Ald. James Capplemans Office/Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture)

CHICAGO (CBS) A proposed retail and apartment complex in Boystown still isnt sitting well with its neighbors.

As WBBM Newsradios Lisa Fielding reports, following months of contentious meetings between community members and Ald. Alderman James Cappleman (46th), a plan to build 250 new rental apartments anchored by 46,000 square feet of retail space continues to move forward.

But many neighbors are not happy about it.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradios Lisa Fielding reports

We are still concerned with the current design and its impact to the neighborhood, including especially the value of units at the Gill Park Co-op. We are in favor of developing the parking lot, but we feel strongly that the current development is still too tall and dense, said Justin Wescott of Halsted Neighbors.

The proposed development would replace the parking lot on the corner of Halsted Street and Bradley Place in Boystown, next to the International House of Pancakes at 3760 N. Halsted St. that is popularly known as the Gayhop.

The parking lot is used by the 24-hour IHOP and the neighboring Faith Tabernacle Church, 3750 N. Halsted St.

Neither the church nor the IHOP would be affected by the construction.

Capplemans Web site displays floor plans and artists renderings for the development, which have been revised since they were first unveiled last fall.

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Retail-Apartment Development Moving Forward Near Boystown IHOP

Update: This post initially mistated the amount of retail space at the proposed store. There would be 168,200 square feet of retail on the site.

Original Post: In a meeting expected to extend late into the evening, the Prince Georges District Council on Monday heard the first public testimony on a controversial proposal to build a mixed-used development that would include housing, a hotel and the countys first Whole Foods Market.

Despite the length of the meeting, however, no decision was expected on the matter.

Members of the District Council the name the County Council takes when it considers development-related matters heard from dozens of residents who oppose the plan unveiled last year by the Cafritz family. Supporters of the proposal were also at the hearing but in smaller numbers than those who oppose the plan.

I oppose the project because I believe its going to adversely affect this neighborhood, said Karen Prestegaard, who has lived in University Park for 23 years.

But Michael Herman, the former mayor of Riverdale Park, the community where the development would be built, said the Cafritz project was an incredible opportunity for the community that would enliven the Route 1 corridor.

The proposal calls for the construction of a mixed-use development that would include 995 units of multifamily housing, a 120-room hotel, 22,000 square feet of office space and 168,200 square feet of retail on a 36-acre wooded parcel along Route 1 just north of East-West Highway. Boosters including County Executive Rushern Baker (D) -- say the plan will bring much needed retail to a county that needs to expand its tax base beyond housing. Also, the hope is that a Whole Foods will send a signal to other prominent retailers that Prince Georges is a good place to do business.

Residents in the surrounding communities have taken a different view. While many say they like the idea of having a Whole Foods Market close by, they worry the development will swamp the already crowded Route 1 corridor with more traffic. They also fear the influx of new residents will overwhelm schools and tax police and fire services. Riverdale Park and University Park councils have voted to support the proposal while College Park officials have voted to oppose it.

Mondays proceeding was an evidentiary hearing, which differs from a regular public hearing in that those who testify are sworn in and could be cross-examined by lawyers from opposing sides. Indeed, at times the councils chambers felt like a courtroom with myriad lawyers objecting to some of the testimony. It was left to a hearing examiner to sustain or overrule the challenges.

The hearing began just after 10 a.m. Late in the afternoon, council members signaled they would be willing to meet until 10 p.m. in hopes of hearing the majority of the testimony, a spokesperson said.

See the article here:
Prince George’s Whole Foods project: No decision yet

Council unveils grants to tackle vacant offices

By Eoin English

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

A new building grant and commercial rates waiver scheme has been unveiled in Cork City in a bid to tackle the problem of office vacancy.

The pilot project is targeted at the owners of protected structures and is designed to incentivise them to invest in their buildings and rent them out.

Successful applicants could get a grant of up to 15,000 for building works, and benefit from a 50% waiver in their rates in year one, with a sliding waiver scale applied for a further two years.

And if refurbishment is undertaken which requires planning permission, the owners will not have to pay development contributions.

City manager Tim Lucey said the initiative is the first of a series of measures his officials are working on in a bid to stimulate economic development in the city centre.

"There will be more. They are small steps but all with one thing in mind to try and create the right environment for jobs," he said.

Details of the 45,0000 scheme were unveiled this week.

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Council unveils grants to tackle vacant offices

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2012

COVINGTON, Ky. - Ashland Inc. (ASH) today said that its subsidiary, Hercules Incorporated, conducting business as Ashland Water Technologies, has completed the previously announced transfer of a portion of its middle market commercial business assets to Rochester Midland Corporation (RMC). The business to be transferred includes roughly 5,000 customer locations, with total annualized revenues of approximately $15 million. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Under the agreement, RMC has the right to make and sell Ashland water treatment products into the North American commercial market. Going forward, Ashland and RMC will work together to provide high-quality, innovative products and services to this market.

About Ashland Water Technologies Ashland Water Technologies is a leading global producer of papermaking chemicals and a leading specialty chemicals supplier to the pulp, paper, commercial and institutional, food and beverage, chemical processing, mining and municipal markets. Its process, utility and functional chemistries are used to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets and help ensure environmental compliance.

About Ashland Inc. In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our four commercial units - Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Consumer Markets.

- 0 -

C-ASH

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Media Relations: Gary Rhodes +1 (859) 815-3047 glrhodes@ashland.com

Investor Relations: David Neuberger +1 (859) 815-4454 daneuberger@ashland.com

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Ashland Inc. completes previously announced transfer of a portion of its North American middle market commercial ...

NEW YORK, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Stuart Dean, an international provider of renowned architectural restoration services, will highlight its full circle of interior and exterior architectural restoration solutions at the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of St. Louis 2012 Industry Expo. The company will serve as an exhibitor at the event, which is being held at the Sheraton Westport Chalet on May 10, 2012 in St. Louis, MO. The theme of this year's expo is "Cities Around the World," which will enable commercial real estate owners, executives, managers and operating personnel to learn and share with colleagues across the building ownership and commercial property management industries.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120213/NE52388LOGO)

"At Stuart Dean, we are proud to have been charged with the restoration and refinishing of a number of key facilities in the St. Louis area from the Bank of America Plaza, Metropolitan Square and One U.S. Bank Plaza to the Peabody Opera House and the St. Louis Public Library," said Mark Parrish, president and CEO of Stuart Dean. "Each of these facilities had its own unique needs, and each one relied on us to engineer a solution. At the BOMA show in St. Louis, we'll be showcasing our full circle of solutions to attendees."

Stuart Dean offers a complete range of architectural restoration services that help extend the life, increase the value, and enhance the beauty of interior and exterior architectural surfaces. The company specializes in the restoration and protection of metal, stone, wood, glass, and tile grout for buildings, retail stores, institutions, restaurants and homes.

Stuart Dean's vast experience gained during 80 years in business enables the company to provide unique solutions to costly maintenance challenges, including cost-effective restoration programs that are custom-designed by the most skilled, knowledgeable and safety-conscious technicians in the industry.

The mission of BOMA St. Louis is to represent and promote the interests of the commercial real estate industry through effective leadership, advocacy, exchange of information and professional development. Through professional and personal contacts, BOMA St. Louis shares resources and taps into the collective knowledge and experience of leaders across St. Louis' commercial real estate industry.

For more information, visit http://www.stuartdean.com.

About Stuart DeanStuart Dean is an international provider of renowned architectural restoration services, specializing in metal refinishing; stone polishing, cleaning and sealing; wood refinishing; glass restoration; innovative and sustainable grouts and flooring solutions; and curtain wall and facade restoration. Thousands of clients trust Stuart Dean to restore and preserve their buildings, retail stores, institutions and restaurants every day. Stuart Dean offers a portfolio of services to enhance the beauty and retain the value of a wide array of architectural assets. The company has been in business for over 80 years, with 22 offices in the U.S. and Canada and over 450 employees. Major markets served include Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Norfolk, Orange County, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Richmond, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.stuartdean.com.

Contact: Jeff Donaldson 412-642-7700 jeff.donaldson@elias-savion.com

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Stuart Dean to Highlight Recent Restoration Projects at Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Industry Expo ...

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -04/30/12)- A safe, efficient and reliable furnace is key to a comfortable home, but heating systems cannot afford to be neglected. Although all types of furnaces are designed to run trouble-free, regular maintenance is required to keep them functioning properly and to prevent the potential for smoke damage, fire damage and even carbon monoxide issues.

Certain technical aspects of furnace maintenance require the attention of a professional, but there are steps you can take to help ensure the health of both your furnace and your home.

Furnace Filters

Replacing the furnace filter is exceptionally easy, and is crucial for your furnace's airflow - and could prevent smoke damage, fire damage and an expensive repair job further down the line. To identify if the filter needs to be replaced, remove the filter and hold it up to a light bulb. If the bulb is clearly outlined, the filter is good, but if you can't see the bulb, the filter needs replacing. Households with pets and smokers will require more regular filter changes.

Be vigilant!

Your furnace should be professionally cleaned and serviced once a year, but you can carry out your own inspections by checking for signs of smoke damage and oil leaks, and paying attention to any odd smells or soot in the furnace room. Odd noises at the beginning of the burn cycle, such as a puff or bang, could indicate that unburned oil has pooled and could cause a fire.

Heating Vents

Heating vents are designed to circulate air, so they shouldn't be blocked by furniture. Keep them clear of dirt, dust and pet hair to help your furnace run efficiently.

Furnace Room Usage

Do not use your furnace room as a storage closet: keeping flammable materials near your furnace is not recommended. Moreover, if your furnace does not have a vent leading to the exterior of your home, your furnace room needs to hold at least 50 cubic feet of air per 1,000 BTU/h.

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Smoke Damage: Furnace Maintenance Leads to a Healthier Home

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Two catalog releases dominated the second annual Home Media Magazine Awards, which honor the best DVDs and Blu-ray Discs of 2011.

Warner Home Videos Ben-Hur: Ultimate Collectors Edition captured the top prize of Title of the Year, as well as awards for Best Catalog Title and Best Restoration. For the Blu-ray release of the 1959 film, Warner conducted an 8K scan of the original 65mm negative.

Warner collected a total of six awards, including TV DVD of the Year and Best Complete-Series TV DVD Set for Smallville: The Complete Series, and Best Animation Title on Disc for Looney Tunes Platinum Collection Vol. One.

Lucasfilms Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray set, distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, won five awards, including Blu-ray Disc of the Year, Best Extras, Best Boxed Set, Best Catalog Collection and Best Title Upgrade. The Blu-ray edition marks the first collection of all six episodes of the franchise in one set and is loaded with featurettes, deleted scenes and archive materials.

Fox won a sixth award for Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings as Best Direct-to-Video Prequel.

Winners were chosen by a panel of judges in conjunction with an online consumer vote for eligible titles submitted for consideration by studios and distributors.

Paramount Home Media Distribution collected five awards, including CBS Home Entertainments Hawaii Five-O: The First Season winning Fan-Favorite Title on Disc. The remake of the classic detective drama collected the most votes in the online consumer poll. Paramount also won Best Documentary Movie for Waiting for Superman, Best Blu-ray Disc Movie for Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Best Reality TV Show on Disc for MTV's Jersey Shore: Season Four, and Best Packaging for The Ten Commandments: Limited Edition.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment tallied three awards, taking Best 3D Disc for Tron: Legacy, Best Kidvid Disc for Winnie the Pooh and Best Direct-to-Video Sequel for Spooky Buddies.

A complete list of winners in all 40 categories, as well as winners from previous Home Media award events and information for future awards opportunities, such as the 2012 Reaper Awards, can be found at HomeMediaAwards.com.

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'Ben-Hur,' 'Star Wars' Top Winners List for 'Home Media' Awards

One of Maryland Gov. Martin OMalleys (D) most powerful cabinet secretaries is stepping down after nearly three years on the job.

Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley, the first woman to lead Marylands sprawling transportation agency, will leave her post at the end of June, according to OMalleys office.

Swaim-Staley has worked for the state for more than 25 years, including previous posts as deputy transportation secretary and overseeing operations at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport following Sept. 11, 2001.

Aides said Swaim-Staley surprised OMalley with her decision late last week. They said the timing of her departure appeared motivated in part by a desire to give the governor time to find a replacement who could lead the agency for the second half of his final term.

Swaim-Staleys tenure has revolved in large part around funding challenges created by the states near bankrupt transportation trust fund.

She was a lead surrogate for OMalleys failed attempt this year to convince the states General Assembly to apply a 6-percent sales tax to gasoline. And she drew the ire of rural and Republican lawmakers for orchestrating a series of major toll increases to fund needed maintenance and operating expenses for state bridges.

Swaim-Staley also oversaw the completion of the Intercounty Connector and the beginning of greater use of public-private partnerships, in which Maryland has begun to lease state assets to private companies. While some remain mired in legal challenges, a partnership at the Port of Baltimore has been widely credited for creating jobs and readying the port ahead of other East Coast landings for larger ships that will soon be able to pass through the Panama Canal.

Beverley guided our transportation efforts during the most difficult economic downturn this country has faced in generations, OMalley said in a statement. Despite the economic challenges, we made significant progress including the development of an award winning public-private partnership at the Port of Baltimore and the opening of the Intercounty Connector. I thank her for her years of service.

Aides said OMalley would lead a nationwide search for a replacement.

It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Maryland throughout my professional career, Swaim-Staley said in a statement. I chose to make transportation the focus of my government service because I believe it is one of those key areas of government where you can make a positive impact on the lives of citizens across the state. I thank Gov. OMalley and the citizens of Maryland for this tremendous opportunity. I also thank the thousands of employees throughout MDOT who made our collective progress possible.

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O’Malley’s transportation secretary stepping down

Kathy Sweeney investigates: The case of the missing cattle Kathy Sweeney investigates: The case of the missing cattle

Updated: Thursday, April 26 2012 11:27 PM EDT2012-04-27 03:27:11 GMT

A 36-year-old cattle buyer disappears in Williamson County. As authorities investigate, they learn about several warrants out for the man's arrest in connection with stolen cattle.

A 36-year-old cattle buyer disappears in Williamson County. As authorities investigate, they learn about several warrants out for the man's arrest in connection with stolen cattle.

The StormTeam Digital Doppler image will be updated approx. every 5 minutes. This is a screen capture of what the StormTeam is looking at. So from time to time, the image might be zoomed in on different

Updated: Monday, April 30 2012 5:07 PM EDT2012-04-30 21:07:42 GMT

Police in central Kentucky say a young child found a gun and fatally shot a younger sibling.

Police in central Kentucky say a young child found a gun and fatally shot a younger sibling.

Updated: Tuesday, May 1 2012 7:50 AM EDT2012-05-01 11:50:22 GMT

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - A southwest Missouri man has been sentenced to life in prison for his young son's death, which he originally blamed on armed intruders. Thirty-1-year-old Eddie Salazar was sentenced

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Crews work on replacement span for Eggners Ferry Bridge

30-04-2012 08:56 This is my video where I talked about what we did this weekend. And our plans for the kids room.

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Vlog #20 Remodeling the kids room, facebook, subscribe, Ambassadors - Video