820 Half Street, SW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This image shows the ductwork that will be demolished

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Further demolition work to take place at Rugeley Power Station next week - expressandstar.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The project is estimated for completion in late January 2021.

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

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

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

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Demolition of Park Lane Market in Sunderland gets go-ahead to start - Sunderland Echo

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

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

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

The appeal halted the demolitionat least for now.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Appeal Filed To Save Old Home From Demolition - CapeNews.net

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Progressive House Democrats on Tuesday called on Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoTrump senior advisers dissuaded president from military strike on Iran: report Trump national security adviser vows 'professional transition' of power With Biden, a Saudi reboot MORE to condemn Israels demolition of a rural Beduin community, a move that displaced dozens of people, including children, in the Jordan Valley of the West Bank.

In a letter to the secretary, 40 House Democrats called on Pompeo to push the Israeli government to halt any further demolitions and accused Israel of creeping annexation, violating international law and a grave humanitarian issue.

Creeping annexation cannot be a policy that the U.S. government supports if we wish to see peace in the region, the letter, which was led by Rep. Mark PocanMark William PocanHouse launches new COVID-19 testing program Top contender for Biden Defense chief would be historic pick Overnight Defense: 5 US service members killed in international peacekeeping helicopter crash in Egypt | Progressives warn Biden against Defense nominee with contractor ties | Trump executive order to ban investment in Chinese military-linked companies MORE (D-Wisc.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), read.

It is imperative that in your waning two months in office human rights violations, and violations of international law, continue to be forcefully rejected by the American government. It is the only way that a peaceful, comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved.

Signatories includedCPC co-chair Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalProgressive House Democrats to host health care strategy session Progressives unveil Biden Cabinet wish list Intercept bureau chief: Pelosi should focus on Georgia special elections amid 'absurd' fighting among Democrats MORE (D-Wash.); Rep. Rashida TlaibRashida Harbi TlaibThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by UAE - US records 1 million COVID-19 cases in a week; governors crack down Pelosi faces caucus divisions in Biden era Ocasio-Cortez tweets displeasure of Manchin after he attacks 'crazy socialist agenda' MORE (D-Mich.), the first Palestinian-American woman of Congress;and Rep. Joaquin CastroJoaquin CastroDozens of progressive groups endorse Joaquin Castro for Foreign Affairs chair Castro pledges to term limit himself if elected Foreign Affairs chair Former DNC finance chairman Henry Muoz: Latinos 'need to lead ourselves' MORE (D-Texas), who is running for chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The letter is in response to Israels Nov. 3 demolition of nearly all of the structures that made up the Beduin community of Khierbet Humsah, including more than 100 tents and sheds that served as living space, cooking space,storage quarters, livestock pens, water containers and solar panels, according to human rights groups.

The demolition displaced 74 people including 41 children, the rights groups said.

The action drew further outrage from the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which said it was the largest single demolition by Israel of the last decade.

Israel has this year demolished nearly 700 hundred structures belonging to Palestinians and Beduins, nomadic Arabs that identify as Palestinian, thatofficialssay are illegally built in Area C of the West Bank, which under the Oslo Accords falls under Israeli civil and military administration. But Palestinians and human rights groups say it is nearly impossible to attain building permits that would legalize such structures and allow them to update, build or expand their homes.

The Israeli government defended its demolition of Khierbet Humsah, describing it as an enforcement activity carried out against seven tents and eight animal pens that were illegally constructed in a firing range in the Jordan Valley used by the Israel Defense Forces, the Times of Israel reported.

The letter comes ahead of Pompeos trip to Israel this week, where he is expected to visit the Israeli settlement of Psagot in the West Bank, marking the first such visit by a secretary of State to territory considered by the international community as illegally occupied by Israel.

The Trump administration in November 2019 reversed State Department policy that viewed Israeli settlements as illegal.

Pocan, in a statement, called Pompeos planned visit to Psagot unprecedented and disgraceful.

He further accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau of using the U.S. election to cover up gross human rights atrocities and of threatening a two-state solution to the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. The congressional Democratalleged the demolition amounted to a defacto annexation of Palestinian land.

Netanyhau had agreed to suspend plans for annexation in exchange for opening diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and brokered by the U.S. as the Abraham Accords.

Destroying homes and displacing 41 Palestinian children demonstrates a clear act of aggression by the state of Israel and is intentionally oppositional to securing peace or a two-state solution in the region, Pocan said in a statement. There is no excuse for the de facto annexation of Palestinian land, and America cannot remain silent in the face of these human rights abuses any longer.

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Progressive Democrats call on Pompeo to condemn Israeli demolition of Beduin village | TheHill - The Hill

ELKINS, W.Va. The process of tearing down and removing the old bleachers at Elkins Wimer Stadium has begun.

The process is expected to take around five weeks to complete, depending on the weather.

Most, if not all, of the interior of the press box that sits above the home bleachers has been removed, and crews will spend the next five weeks or so taking down the rest of the seats that are currently positioned on each side of the field.

The bleachers at Wimer Stadium were deemed unfit for games in August, just before the start of the regular season.

Due to that ruling, made by an inspector, the Tigers football team was forced to play every game away from their home stadium, and all but one game outside of Randolph County.

The announcement that the bleachers at Wimer Stadium would be torn down was made in late October.

It remains unclear at this time what direction the school and the city will go in, when it comes to the home of the Elkins football team, once the bleachers have been torn down.

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Demolition process begins for bleachers at Elkins Wimer Stadium - WBOY.com

The Historic Landmark Commission voted at itsOct. 26 meeting to again postpone discussion on the proposal to demolish a pair of homes located in AustinsAir-Conditioned Village until its November meeting.

The two houses, at 2505 and 2507 Park View Drive, are significant due to their location. TheAir-Conditioned Village was built in the early 1950s as one of several nationwide experiments in building middle-class housing with central air conditioning, something that had previously been considered an upper-class luxury.

I strongly support the demolition permits for both these homes, primarily on the basis that denying the permits is going to impose an undue burden on the homeowners and that the homes are long past their usual life and are functionally deficient, said Azim Hajjar, who lives across the street from 2507. When the original residents moved out, they left (the home) in a completely dilapidated condition.

2505 Park View Drive

Dominique Levesque, owner of 2507 and developer of 2505, submitted petitions to demolish both houses in order to build new single-family homes in their place, saying in a letter to the Historic Landmark Commission that the houses are outdated and inefficiently built.

In her letter, Levesque specifically noted issues with the houses failing foundations and costly plumbing replacements.

Tim Patrick, owner of 2505, spoke at the meeting in favor of demolishing the building, saying it is in poor condition and has been remodeled too many times to be considered a midcentury house.

So much of the house has been altered, theres not really much we can do with it, Patrick said. We do, however, want to build a new midcentury house that is brick and looks like it belongs in the neighborhood.

Preservation Austin submitted letters arguing against the demolitions.

The Air-Conditioned Village has seen too many demolitions, at a rapidly increased rate, over the past several years, Preservation Austin President Clayton Bullock wrote. Today only 15 of the original 23 homes retain integrity. Every loss brings us closer to losing any chance for a historic district to honor and protect these buildings.

After hearing from community members, the Historic Landmark Commission voted 8-1 to postpone its decision pending further discussion.

Upon reconsideration, staff believes the best alternative here would be for a postponement and seeing if we could develop plans that would incorporate these houses, undo the modifications that have been done to them, and really do justice and homage to the Air-Conditioned Village, Commissioner Terri Myers said.

This story was written by a journalism student at the University of Texas at Austin. TheAustin Monitoris working in partnership with the UT School of Journalism to teach and publish stories produced by students in the City and County Government Reporting course.

The Austin Monitors work is made possible by donations from the community. Though our reporting covers donors from time to time, we are careful to keep business and editorial efforts separate while maintaining transparency. A complete list of donors is available here, and our code of ethics is explained here.

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Two more homes from the Air-Conditioned Village slated for demolition - Austin Monitor

Bench says it is the responsibility of the State to protect the weak during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Allahabad High Court has restrained the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) from carrying out demolition in a slum area in Ghaziabad, noting that the State should have offered a place to rehabilitate the residents before their eviction and demolition of their houses.

It would also be appropriate to state that when the entire globe is facing a pandemic, it is the responsibility of the State to protect everyone, more specifically the population of weaker sections from any hardship that may aggravate their plight adversely, the court stated.

It was hearing a petition seeking directions to the GDA to not undertake any further demolition and or eviction of residents of Bhovapur Basti behind Radisson Blue Hotel, Kaushambi, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

In an order dated October 21, a Bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Siddhartha Varma, while granting time to the GDA to file a counter affidavit, directed it not to proceed with the demolition till further orders.

The court also issued directions to provide temporary shelter to the residents of Bhovapur Basti whose houses have already been demolished and see to the viability of providing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Avas Yojna. All necessary arrangements should also be made as a temporary measure by the GDA to provide essential amenities, including light and water, to the residents.

The residents should also be extended all necessary medical facilities, the court said, and listed the next date for November 18 when the GDA would have to propose a complete plan for rehabilitation of the residents.

As per the petition, the basti came into existence in 1990 and labourers from different parts of the country live there. Some are involved in rag-picking.

The counsel for the petitioners had argued that the residents could not be evicted without providing them an alternative place of residence as prescribed under the Proviso to Section 26-A of the Uttar Pradesh Planning and Development Act, 1973.

Since the residents hailed from the lower section of society and looking to the need for rehabilitation of such persons, the State Legislature under the Act of 1973 protected their right of residence under the Proviso to Section 26-A, the petitioners had said.

The petitioners also prayed that the court direct the GDA and the State to undertake the complete rehabilitation of all the residents and pay 20,000 to each of them as compensation for unlawful demolition undertaken on September 30 and October 9.

As per the petitioner, the District Administration, Ghaziabad, at the instance of Ghaziabad Development Authority was continuously making efforts to remove the residents without providing them any alternative land for their rehabilitation.

The petitioners asserted that on October 9, some of the houses were damaged as an effort was made to evict the residents.

Apprehending complete demolition of houses, the writ was filed.

A.Q. Zaidi, counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners, said that about 150 houses had already been demolished by the GDA. According to the counsel, the residents whose houses have been demolished have no roof to protect themselves and they are living in the open.

While opposing the writ, the lawyer appearing on behalf of the GDA stated that whatever action taken by the Authority was in compliance of the directions given by the High Court on September 22, 2015 in PIL 2014 of 2015. It was also further by the administration stated that the residents of Bhovapur Basti were trespassers and, therefore, the encroachment made by them should be removed.

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Allahabad HC restrains Ghaziabad Development Authority from demolition in slum area - The Hindu