Residents of a Garden City apartment building say they had to scramble to find new places to live Wednesday.

Horry County code enforcement officials deemed the building in the Cambridge Apartments complex to be unfit for occupancy Tuesday, and tenants in four of the eight units were given 24 hours to move out.

The tenants say the sudden eviction caught them off-guard.

"All we can do is look for another place to live," said tenant David Brouwer.

The Noble Company manages the property, serving as agents for the homeowners association.

Company representatives told us Thursday they gave the owners of the condo units repeated notices, starting January 22nd, that the front stairwell would need to be replaced, and that during the construction, the tenants would have to vacate for four days.

The managers say the tenants, for whatever reason, wouldn't leave.

Manager Jennifer Harmon says at one point, the contractor put up plywood over the front to try to keep the tenants out so the work could get started, but the tenants took the plywood down.

"Unfortunately the tenant in one of the units began removing those boards, and so the contractors put them back up, they took pictures again of both the before and the after, and the tenant took them down again," said Harmon.

Harmon says it got to the point The Noble Company asked Horry County Code Enforcement to step in and condemn the front of the building, to force the tenants out so the delayed work could begin.

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Apartment tenants say sudden eviction was surprise, company says they had repeated notices

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- The LaSalle hotel has been vacant for nearly 15 years but is now one step closer to reopening its doors to the public as an apartment building. The Redevelopment Commission approved an agreement to help in renovations.

The new developer, Real America, checks in weekly on the location and has a strong background in projects like this. The Redevelopment Commission approved a budget of $1.8 million to help with construction costs of the roof, windows and elevators. While it seems like a hefty investment, it's one that will help the city's future.

"It certainly would have cost the city a considerable amount of money to demolish a building and it's an historic structure," Scott Ford, Department of Community Investment said. "I think the ability to return it onto the tax rolls and introduce new residents downtown, and rehabilitate a jewel in our heritage. I certainly think it's worthwhile."

"The building has sat empty for 15 years so to have it back on the tax rolls is a big win for tax payers," Chris Fielding, Director of Business Development said. "But also to see it really become a thriving landmark in the downtown is huge for the vitality of downtown."

The former developer, Great Lakes Capital out of South Bend, had the initial winning bid but hadn't started work on the actual building in nearly a year.

The apartment building will have 67 units and parking in the lot next door between it and the Morris. There are 90 available parking spots. Construction is expected to begin in April and last 12 to 18 months.

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LaSalle Hotel one step closer to opening as apartment building

Deveraux Developments Chief Operating Officer Jamie McDougald has some clarifications to make regarding prefabricated modular units.

Submitted photo

The Strathmore -- a 24-unit condo complex in Reginas Cathedral area -- is seen. This Deveraux Developments complex earned the 2013 Regina and Region Home Builders Association Multi-Family Complex of the Year award, beating out traditional builds for the commendation.

Passionate about the work that his company does, Deveraux Developments Chief Operating Officer Jamie McDougald has some clarifications to make regarding prefabricated modular units.

Last month, the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region issued a request for proposals for a three-storey, 22-unit apartment building comprised solely of prefabricated modular units.

The tender had sparked opposition from the Prince Albert Construction Association, which notes in a letter to the health region that the criteria listed in the tender eliminates local contractors, subtrades and suppliers.

McDougald said that if the health region goes with a prefabricated module build they will get their apartment complex built faster and less expensively than with a traditional build.

Deveraux Developments has introduced more than 1,000 modular multi-family units in Regina over the last five years, he said.

In 2013, their The Strathmore complex -- a 24-unit condo in Regina -- beat out traditional builds to earn the 2013 Regina and Region Home Builders Association Multi-Family Complex of the Year award one of a handful of commendations the company has earned in recent years.

The bulk of builds are done indoors, offering a factory-controlled setting that isolates materials from the outdoor elements.

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Deveraux Developments espouses benefits of modular builds

The Prince Albert Construction Association has issued the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region a letter to express their displeasure for a recent tender.

Herald file photo

Victoria Hospital

Last month, the health region issued a tender for a three-storey, 22-unit apartment building north of Victoria Hospital, which would be comprised solely of prefabricated modular units.

The tender closed on Jan. 30, and the Prince Albert Construction Association hopes that the region does not move on any of its bidders.

The tender has eliminated all local general contractors, subtrades and suppliers in the Prince Albert region because of the criteria listed in your tender documents, a letter to the health region from the association reads.

These criteria include the specifications that only those who specialize in modular housing units, have experience in at least 1,000 units of multi-family modular construction and the proviso that the prefabricated modular units be built indoors.

The request for proposals also limits the possibility of other innovate and cost-saving solutions to be presented, the letter cautions.

The construction companies in the Prince Albert region have been heavily involved in supporting the work of the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, either through financial or in-kind support, the letter continues.

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Construction association very disappointed by health region tender

Rhythm, a seven-story 140-unit apartment development planned for the Lower East Side of Milwaukee, will begin construction around April 1, according to developer Tim Gokhman.

The building will be built at 1632-1640 N. Water St., a site formerly occupied by The Curve bar.

Gokhman and Jim Wiechmann are the developers for the project. They recently selected Catalyst Construction as the general contractor for the project. The architect is Kindness Architecture.

Financing for the project has been secured, Gokhman said.

Weve got the loan commitments, he said.

The first two floors of the building will have 120 interior parking spaces and amenities for the apartments, including a fitness center and club house with an outdoor terrace.

The apartments will be on the upper five floors. Rents will start in the low $1,200s. The apartments will be a mix of studios and one-bedroom units.

The finishes will bring a new standard of luxury to the Milwaukee apartment market, and each and every apartment will have a very generous balcony/terrace, Gokhman said.

Construction is expected to be complete in mid-2016, he said.

Rhythm will be built in one of the hottest neighborhoods in the region for apartment development. Across the street, Mandel Group is building the third phase of its North End development, which will have a 29,500-square-foot Fresh Thyme Farmers Market grocery store and 168 luxury apartments. Several other apartment projects have been built recently or are planned in the area.

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Rhythm apartment development to break ground around April 1

Princeton officials plan to tell the Christie administration how the state construction code can be improved in the wake of a fire at an AvalonBay apartment complex, the same company planning to build a development on Witherspoon Street.

Mayor Liz Lempert said at Tuesdays Princeton Council meeting that the administration is reviewing the code and seeking input from municipalities. The comment period ends March 1, she said.

She, Councilwomen Jenny Crumiller and Jo S. Butler and municipal staff will develop recommendations for the full council to consider at its meeting Feb.24 and then forward them to the state Department of Community Affairs.

Mayor Lempert has urged the administration to review the code before the DCA considers AvalonBays construction plans for a 280-unit development at the former Princeton Hospital. She has called for large multi-family buildings to have sprinklers throughout and concrete dividing walls.

An accidental fire broke out Jan.21 at an AvalonBay apartment complex in Edgewater, Bergen County. More than 500 people were left homeless by a blaze that tore through an apartment building.

Theyre still investigating exactly what happened with the fire there, and they cant be 100 percent sure that building was or was not built to code, Mayor Lempert said.

Municipal emergency management director Robert Gregory, in a response to a question from Ms. Crumiller, said he favored a change in regulations to require sprinklers in attics. He said that for most light-weight construction, there are sprinklers in egress ways and apartments.

Really what the sprinklers are for in that situation is life safety, he said.

Town engineer Robert V. Kiser, who has been monitoring the demolition, told council that the seven-story building on the site was brought down to grade level. Crews continue to work on the site.

Earlier in the meeting, Mayor Lempert briefed council on a phone conversation she had on Monday with AvalonBay Vice President Jon Vogel.

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PRINCETON: Council to recommend construction code improvements to governor

A new apartment building in Prince Albert might be comprised solely of prefabricated modular units, a health region request for proposal has revealed.

Herald file photo

The Victoria Hospital property is poised to have a three-storey, 22-unit apartment building built at its north end, with the health region anticipating an autumn, 2015, grand opening.

The Prince Albert Parkland Health Region wants construction of the three-storey, 22-unit apartment building north of Victoria Hospital to wrap up by autumn.

The building is intended to house health professionals who previously found lodging at the recently sold Pineview Terrace Lodge property, at 701 13th St. W.

Whether the building is made up of modular units will be up for debate at the board of directors Feb. 25 board meeting, vice president of operations John Piggott explained.

Were a ways from making any decision yet, Piggott added, noting that the region is interested in finding anything thats a good product and a good price and is delivered on a timely basis.

This is just basically one of the ways that were checking out whats available and what are the costs, he added.

In the days leading up to their Feb. 25 decision, Mayor Greg Dionne said that he hopes to encourage health region directors to go with a more traditional build.

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Construction controversy sparked by health region

SPOKANE, Wash. -

More than 500 homeowners have signed a petition against a new apartment construction in the Wandermere neighborhood in North Spokane near Mead. The project is proposed near the intersection of Wandermere road and Elto Avenue. Right now there is a 17 and a half acre plot of land and 4 and half acres zoned as "Low Density" meaning the 354 unit apartment building being proposed would not fit zoning requirements. Several neighbors oppose the re-zoning, so much so that the Spokane County Planning Commission rejected the re-zoning proposal last Fall. "It was not a unanimous vote." Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke says. "Even some of the people who voted yes have contacted the board of county commissioners saying, that is not how I feel about this issue."

On Tuesday the Spokane County Board of Commissioners decided to re-visit the issue and hear from homeowners. "We want it to fit in the neighborhood, but it just doesn't fit." Tim Conley said who has lived in the Wandermere neighborhood for several years. "I don't think that anyone has really considered all the ramifications of putting that many people in that small of an area." Kirt Wilkinson says. He's lived in the neighborhood for more than 13 years and also has signed the petition. Neighbors are concerned that a high increase in traffic would be imminent and that the Mead School District would not be handle the influx of potential students and families moving in.

The construction is not something the school district is opposed to but Ned Wendle the Director of Facilities and Planning for Mead schools says new development is "always a challenge." Wendle says based on apartment complexes that are already in the Wandermere neighborhood a rough estimate would be about 40-70 new students the district could see based on the construction plans. Wendle says the rapid expansion is a concern but that the district will work with the county.

Spokane County Commissioners say they will consider input from the homeowners who live in the neighborhood on whether or not the 4.4 acre parcel should be re-zoned to fit the remaining 13 acres of land on the property.

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Homeowners oppose new apartment construction

'It's not right,' says Midway McDonald's manager fired for employee's viral rampage 'It's not right,' says Midway McDonald's manager fired for employee's viral rampage

Updated: Tuesday, February 10 2015 4:59 PM EST2015-02-10 21:59:24 GMT

Brandon Robertson was fired yesterday, one day after video surfaced of one of his employees going on a profane, destructive rampage.

Updated: Tuesday, February 10 2015 5:35 PM EST2015-02-10 22:35:44 GMT

Data compiled by the Plymouth Police Department shows the bar is connected with dramatically more drinking-related police incidents than other establishments in the city.

Data compiled by the Plymouth Police Department shows the bar is connected with dramatically more drinking-related police incidents than other establishments in the city.

Updated: Friday, February 6 2015 7:32 PM EST2015-02-07 00:32:11 GMT

The story of James Robertson has reached those across the entire country by now. He's the Detroit man who walks 21 miles to and from work every day and has been doing so for 10 years.

The story of James Robertson has reached those across the entire country by now. He's the Detroit man who walks 21 miles to and from work every day and has been doing so for 10 years.

Updated: Monday, February 9 2015 9:36 AM EST2015-02-09 14:36:31 GMT

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Money drying up for Belle Plaine apartment residents displaced by broken sprinkler

MIDDLETOWN The common council has approved a tax incentive plan to allow a developer to build a six-story, 89-unit apartment building at the corner of Broad and College streets.

Massachusetts-based Hajjar Management Co. has proposed a combination of market-rate studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments with commercial space on the first floor. The new apartments will be built on the vacant portion of the MiddleOak office tower property, which Hajjar owns.

The council Tuesday night unanimously approved the incentive plan, which freezes taxes at the current level for 7 years and caps building permit fees at $142,600.

In exchange, Hajjar will rent to the city 175 parking spaces in the office tower's garage for $20 each during the construction of a new parking garage behind the Superior Court building.

Officials said the parking agreement gives the city a place for employees to park to replace the several hundred parking spaces that will be unavailable while a new garage is being built.

Councilman Gerald Daley said the city has a duty to offer incentives when a project could bring huge benefits with it.

"That's just the reality of what we have to do and it's been a key to our success in the last 20 years," Daley said. "I can't overstate how excited I am about what this is going to do for the downtown."

Several business owners and other developers in the Main Street area spoke in favor of the project because of the new customers it would bring into the central core.

Peter Harding, the developer behind the Riverview Center and Liberty Commons projects, said having available residential units is vital to the success of the city.

"It is the need that has not been met yet," Harding said. "This project is a necessity."

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Middletown Approves Tax Incentives For New Downtown Apartment Building