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For some, a body of water or a soaring mountain range makes for a good view. For interior designer Jessica Hansen, it was simply the ability to look out into the distance that sold her on her hillside Oregon home back in 2018. The Portland fog can feel so claustrophobic, so being able to see out really helped, says Hansen, the founder of Tandem Design. Naturally, once her Vladimir Kagan sofa finally arrived (she bought the vintage piece from a seller in Florida who was kind enough to stow it in a storage unit for a year as her renovations took place), there was only one spot to put it: smack-dab in front of the extra-long window overlooking the backyard.

The U-shaped sectional is unsurprisingly the center of life in Hansens house: Its where she entertains friends and where her two sons, Walter (9) and Otis (7), curl up with a book after school. I dont know what the original upholstery is, but Ive gotten mud out of it, blood out of it, dog pee she says with a laugh.

Because the circa-1961 house is perched on a slope, it looks small and unassuming from the street, when in reality it spans 3,548 square feet. It took a few major structural updates to get the interior looking as spacious as that, though. The house was actually very dark. It had lots of rooms, she recalls. Hansen took down a wall that originally divided the living and dining spaces and extended the pitched ceiling. Where there was once just a window over the kitchen sink, there is now a series of five sliding door panels (the designer stole part of the nearby garage to give herself enough wiggle room for the indoor-outdoor feature). The arrangement allows for ultimate flexibility: Hansen can crack open just one or unfurl them all. The Faye Toogood seating on the adjacent deck features custom tie-dyed cushions, courtesy of Hansens intern, Addie.

Not sticking an island in the middle of the kitchen or uprooting the floor plan was a decision made withwhat else?the views in mind. Every way you face, youre either looking outside or youre looking into the rest of the house, Hansen points out. To maximize the cupboard layout, she had her cabinetmaker add six drawers to the corners (though you can barely tell theyre there because they blend in with the fluted paneling). There was just dead space, so I wanted to use it for the things we dont need very often. One of them is my junk drawer, says the designer. Other additions she swears by: a hidden pull-out trash can, a wine refrigerator, and tall upper cabinet doors that hide her small appliances.

Previously, one half of the massive fireplace that bisects the living and dining areas was covered in thin bricks. Hansen decided to wrap it fully in stone like the other side, but finding a match to the ones that had been unearthed more than 50 years ago proved to be a challenge. The masonry person was like, This is never going to happen; you should just pick a new material, she recalls. But in a quarry in Colorado, she discovered an option that looked similar enoughshe could pull this off. In order to make the whole thing appear authentic, Hansen took bits of stone from the original side and sprinkled them on the new wall.

The designer was met with nos once again when she began scouring her local stone yards for slabs of colorful marble, but her persistence led her to uncover a blush option for her primary bathroom vanity (the piece was a remnant from a hotel project 10 years ago). When Hansen discovered a slab of pink and green marble for her guest bathroom in the depths of another yard, the shop let her take it home for a mere $600. They were so excited to see somebody buy it, shares the designer. Despite his nerves, Hansens fabricator was able to seamlessly cut it into two solid pieces, making delicate holes for the tub and the arched shelving nook.

It took quite a few more tries to get Hansens bed right. When she first ordered the custom piece from a design firm she has long admired, it arrived smaller than expected. She had to wait for the company to sell the queen-size version to a new buyer before building her a king from scratch once more. But when that one arrived, she noticed the headboard had been damaged in shippingand the replacement part didnt align with her current bed-frame system. Thankfully, the brand swiftly solved the problem by hiring a local furniture maker to come out and tweak it. It was worth the wait, says Hansen. Its so sturdy. The dog and my kids are all on it. Its held up great.

Hansens boys have begun to tap into their own creativity, too. The designer wasnt a fan of the barn door in Walters bedroom (it came with the house), but her 9-year-old was adamant about keeping it so he could treat it like a canvas. We love stickers! she jokes. Otis prefers to apply his collection to his wall-mounted IKEA desk. Of course, what big brother is into, little brother is into, adds Hansen.

The designer introduced a part of her own youth to the home in the basement: Above the piano is a self-portrait she painted when she was 20. I had given it to my mom because I didnt think I wanted it anymore, but recently I was like, you know what, I want that back, she shares. Its all about perspective.

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Even on Gloomy Days, a U-Shaped Kitchen Promises Good Views in This Portland Home - Domino

Dodge Speed Week is in full swing, and youll find nowhere else covering this momentous event quite as extensively as us here at MC&T. Day one is in the books and yielded so much it almost feels unjust to limit it to one single recap, but here goes nothing. Dodge started their mega marketing Never Lift Campaign, last year, providing a roadmap of 24-months of muscle that anyone could access via the Dodge Garage website. After day one of Speed Week, were more than halfway through that calendar.

Head of Dodge Brand Tim Kuniskis unveils 10 different jaw dropping updates to the Dodge muscle car brand in a 20-minute video. Heres a rundown:

Direct Connection Challenger Mopar Drag PakDodge adds a rolling chassis Drag Pak Challenger to its Direct Connection catalog, listed at just under $90,000 ($89,995). A screaming deal for an engine, and all thats missing is an engine.

Dodge Challenger Body-In-WhiteIn addition to the turnkey Drag Pak Challenger, Dodge is offering up a do-it-yourself kit that starts with body-in-white Challenger that comes without a roll cage for $7,995.

Direct Connection Catalog UpdatesThe Dodge Direct Connection catalog sees multiple additions like Bolt-on supercharger kits, and TorqueFlite 8-speed transmissions.

1970 Challenger Carbon Fiber BodySpeed Finale and Dodge have partnered up to offer a full carbon fiber 1970 Challenger body. A Roadrunner and Cuda were teased as well.

Dodge Challenger Convertible

Every Dodge dealer in America can now order you aChallenger Convertible from Drop Top Customs out of Florida.

Durango Hellcat ComebackThe much sought-after Dodge Durango Hellcat makes its return for the 2023 model year, with potential for further continuation.

Color ComebackB5 Blue, Plum Crazy Purple, Sublime Green, and Destroyer Gray, will be made available for 2023 model year.

2023 Model Year Is The EndDecember of 2023 will be the final month these cars will be produced. There have been 3 million made, supplying over one billion horsepower globally.

Last Call special editionsThese wont be available to order, rather allocated to highest volume dealers. First come first serve. A final special edition will be revealed at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Horsepower TrackerStarting in October, Dodge will share exactly how to find one of the Last Call Charger and Challenger muscle cars via its tracker on Dodge Garage website, complete with weekly updates.

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Dodge Speed Week, Day One Recap - Muscle Cars and Trucks

If you find yourself outgrowing your current home, building a home addition might be a better idea than moving. Home additions are usually a good investment because they increase your square footage while raising your homes value.

People get home additions for a variety of reasons. For example, taking care of aging parents may require adding an in-law suite. Having more children may create the need for extra bedrooms and bathrooms.

Some home additions happen because the homeowner wants a bigger closet or a full size pantry, or wants an unfinished basement or garage to become usable living space. You may want to add a garage to a home without one, or turn an open carport into a closed garage.

For standard home additions, the cost can range anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000. But there are a few key factors to calculate in your home addition cost.

To calculate the overall cost of adding on to your home, youll need to consider:

Other things youll need to consider for your home addition cost are:

Adding on to your home can be costly. However, you can build out your house without breaking the bank.

Some of the least expensive home additions are:

These options allow you to use what you already have and escape the high cost of adding foundation, walls, roof, and everything else that must be done for an add on.

You can also consider adding:

With these ideas, you can still have your dream home addition and keep from emptying your pockets.

Bump-outs and full second stories can be major home addition projects. Other additions include turning an existing patio into a sun room or making attic into a living space. Here are 15 great home additions for you to consider today.

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An in-law suite is one of the most common types of home additions as people are living longer. While many people give mom or dad the spare bedroom, others want their parents to have a sense of independence for a longer period of time. An in-law suite allows you to help your parents when needed and gives them privacy when they dont need your help.

In-law suite home addition plans should focus as much as possible on accessibility. Even if your senior family members are mobile and active now, things can change rapidly due to an accident or fall. Its best if an in-law suite is a first-floor addition with few or no steps. As with all types of home additions, make sure you follow the building codes for your town and neighborhood.

Many areas of your house can work for bedroom home additions. The attic, basement or garage can all be places to consider when figuring out how to add an extra bedroom to your home. A covered patio can make a great master bedroom, especially if its existing roof is already part of the main house structure.

Most counties and cities have building codes that require a bedroom to have at least one door opening to the inside of the house and at least one window that opens outdoors. This is to provide two potential fire escape routes. If you cannot meet these requirements in your chosen space, you may need to locate the extra bedroom home additions in another place.

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Bump-outs are small home additions that literally bump out from an existing interior wall. While they may not seem big viewed from outside, these small home addition plans can make a living space feel much larger inside. They also do not add a lot to your home addition costs because they dont require foundation work or a roof. You can use this area to add windows to provide extra natural lighting.

A bump out can be used to add a closet to a bedroom or a pantry to a kitchen. A kitchen bump out may provide just the space you need to add a small caf table or dining bar. Bump outs can also make enough space for a laundry rooma valuable addition to any home.

Bay windows are a common type of bump out that add seating and lots of natural light to a living room or bedroom. If you have always dreamed of having a fireplace in your living room or bedroom, a bump out can provide enough room for a fireplace with built-in shelves on each side.

Some of the smallest home additions involve adding a new closet or pantry to an existing floor plan. This can often be accomplished within the homes original footprint by moving interior walls or building new ones. Bump outs also work well for smaller areas like walk-in closets and kitchen pantries.

Many homeowners are now turning unused spare bedrooms into giant closet rooms. This may require moving walls and creating doorways between the master bedroom and the new closet space. Todays new closet home additions include a variety of luxurious features. These dressing rooms include furniture, mirrored walls, elaborate chandeliers and specialized storage solutions for every type of clothing and accessory.

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Home addition plans that include a new bathroom (or expand a current one) can be expensive. Along with kitchens, bathroom home additions cost a lot more than other types of rooms because of the plumbing expenses. Countertops, floors and electricity costs also make bathrooms an investment.

If you have a small master bathroom, making it bigger can give you room for a soaking tub or a large vanity that has two sinks. A bigger main bathroom can be helpful for large families. You can also add a small half-bath or water closet in the small space under your stairs. An unused closet can be turned into half-bathroom, which is convenient when you are entertaining or having overnight guests.

A simple home addition may involve finishing your basement. A basement home addition is a good idea because using that space can save on home addition costs. Its less expensive to build within walls you already have instead of adding a second floor or bump out structure.

Local building codes may state that you must have a certain number of exits from the basement. If you need to add more doors or windows, expect your basement home addition costs to rapidly increase. Otherwise, finishing a basement can be an easy way to add a small apartment, game room, gym, home theater or extra bedrooms.

If you have a garage that doesnt have a second story, you may be able to add one to create the extra space your family needs. Before starting your home addition plans, check with a builder to make sure your garage foundation and structure can support the weight of a second floor. There may be extra safety precautions to take when building over a garage, such as fireproof drywall and vapor barriers between the floors.

Over a freestanding garage is a good place to add an in-law suite or teenager suite. You can also create a studio apartment with a bathroom and kitchenette and rent the space to generate a steady source of extra income. A fun playroom or bonus room can fit over most garages. You can also use it for storage instead of paying for a storage unit across town.

The space over your garage is also a good location to add a few guest bedrooms and a bathroom, if you often have overnight guests. They will enjoy a sense of privacy while still being able to stay on your property.

Popular in the south and in midcentury design, an open-sided carport or covered parking pad is one of the best home additions if your house lacks covered parking. If your home already has a carport, you can hire a home addition contractor to build solid walls and add a garage door to transform the space into an actual garage.

If you dont need covered car parking or an enclosed garage, a carport that shares the homes structure and roofline can be turned into a porch, living room, media room, playroom or extra bedroom suite. This will be considered a larger home addition project. But because it already has a foundation and roof, it will be less expensive than building a room entirely from the ground up.

While its nice to have a patio or porch, you and your family will likely get more use from a sun room or screened porch. Home addition costs are low for this kind of project because the foundation is usually already there. Your home addition contractors may only need to fill in walls between existing studs and use the current roof.

If you want a sunroom to be counted in your homes square footage, it must have heating in the wintertime and a door that opens into the house. These rooms usually include lots of windows and are a great place to socialize, dine and grow house plants.

You probably cant count a screened porch as interior square footage, but having one increases the quality of life in your home. This is especially true if you live in a hot climate and need outdoor living space that is well-ventilated and safe from insects and other pests. If you live where you get a lot of snowfall, ask your home addition contractor to make sure the structure can support the weight of heavy snow.

A dormer is a roofed structure that projects out from a homes main roof. It usually contains a window, and a roof may have multiple dormers, such as in a traditional Cape Cod home design. If you have a tall attic space, adding dormers can help increase the usable square footage in the attic. Dormers also make your house look bigger from the street.

Dormer rooms can be bedrooms, bathrooms or living areas. If your attic is tall enough to stand in, but lacks windows, this can be a way to meet building code requirements for windows in living spaces. When turning an attic into a home addition, try to keep some of the space for storage only. Even if you dont need the storage space, the next person who buys your home may appreciate it.

Bigger kitchens are more popular than ever and having one will increase your homes value. Even small kitchen home additions can make a kitchen feel much bigger and more open. If you really need additional kitchen space, you can take down an exterior wall and build a small room for dining and a pantry. Building an outdoor kitchen on a deck or patio also expands your cooking space.

Sometimes a kitchen home addition includes building an entirely new kitchen and converting the existing small kitchen into a pantry or mud room. Because of the cost of plumbing, appliances and new countertops, kitchen home additions are some of the most expensive home expansion projects you can do. A good contractor can help you keep your home addition costs within a certain budget.

A mudroom may also be called an anteroom or a vestibule, depending on where you are from. Common in rural areas and farmhouses, these rooms provide a place for family members to take off muddy shoes. Having a designated area for this helps keep the entrance of your home organized by giving kids a place for their book bags, hats and coats.

Mudrooms are simple home additions that dont require a lot of square footage. A ten-foot by ten-foot space is big enough for this purpose. A good mudroom will include hooks for hanging up clothes, a bin for wet umbrellas and often a bench for sitting while changing shoes. If you can include room for a washing machine and dryer, this is an ideal place to put them.

A deck is not counted as an actual room in the home, but it is one of the most welcome home additions. Who doesnt love a beautiful outdoor space for relaxing and socializing? Deck home additions may even be possible to do yourself without having to hire a home addition contractor. However, you should have strong DIY skills before considering taking on such a large project. This is especially true if you need a multi-level deck instead of one basic flat surface.

Decks can be made of real pressure treated wood or a variety of composite materials. You can also buy partially assembled deck kits that include all the parts that you will need. You can leave the deck open to the sunshine or build an open-sided roof structure over it. Awnings or canopies are also great for providing shade on your new deck home addition.

When it comes to calculating home addition costs, building a full second story is one of the most expensive home addition projects you can take on. Most homeowners find the expense worth it because it ends up doubling, or nearly doubling, your homes total square footage. A second story will greatly increase your homes value when its time to sell.

Before investing home addition costs into home addition plans and blueprints, hire a building inspector to make sure your homes current foundation and structure can support the weight of a second floor. If it cant, there may be things that can be done to make it stronger. If your homes foundation cant be strengthened, you may have to choose a bump-out or another way to get the square footage you want.

It may be tempting to hire home addition contractors and start immediately on building your new home addition. But there are a few things to keep in mind before you launch such a big project. A licensed professional home addition contractor will be able to give you advice on doing everything in a legal manner. But you should still learn about your local building codes and zoning ordinances for yourself. That way, you will know if anything is amiss.

Find out where you need to submit your blueprints and home addition plans. This might be a county assessors office or a city official. Dont just turn the project over to a home addition contractor and expect everything to turn out well. Show up on the job site daily and make sure the work is being done in a way that all legal requirements are met.

New home additions are one of the best options to increase the value of your home. Its also a great way to add luxury, convenience, and creativity to your house. However, home additions will take up a lot of time can be rather expensive.

Are you stuck on whether you should build up or build out for your home addition? Either way will have its benefits and challenges. If you have the space, you can add on. You have limited space but a sound structure you can build up.

The most important aspects of building an addition to your home are the preparations, plans, permits, and professionals you hire to complete the job. Youll need to consider your options carefully and what fits into your budget.

Home additions are fun because you have full control over the design and can be creative. Its also a great way to add space and value to your home. Even though they can be costly and take time, home additions are a rewarding investment.

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15 Worthwhile Home Additions That Can Increase Home Value

Families keep growing and items continue to accumulate, but square footage just doesnt budge this is why garages can be a storage savior. As you embark on your garage remodel or makeover, remember to focus on functionality above all else; this is an utilitarian space created to store things cars, tools, lawn mowers, seasonal decorations so you want to make sure your garage design is reflective of this. Research different garage ideas, including various layouts and organization solutions, so that you address all of your storage needs. If you dont need a repository for your accumulations and instead require more living space, check out garage conversion ideas and consider transforming this area into a hobby room, gym or extra bedroom. How do I organize my garage? This is a space that can easily get overwhelmed by clutter, so plan for a functional garage makeover that has a layout optimized for heavy storage. When browsing garage ideas, think simplicity one of the easiest ways to keep this area neat is by putting in shelving units and built-ins that allow you to carefully arrange your items so they're easy to find and put away. To achieve ultimate organization in your garage remodel, add cabinets along the walls, a built-in workbench for ample counter space and wall hooks for hanging brooms, shovels and other tools. Stash pricier pieces in a locked box, and use wall-mounted racks to keep bikes out of the way. When it comes to garage designs, think about your ceiling too; many manufacturers make overhead ceiling racks for seasonal and infrequently used items. What other garage designs can I implement? A dream garage doesnt have to be a storehouse there are plenty more garage design ideas to choose from. If you need more living space versus storage, you can always opt for a garage conversion and create an extra room. Garages are versatile spaces and with some smart paint selections and decor choices, it can easily become a home office, guest bedroom, playroom, home gym, music room or sewing space. If you're considering completely renovating your garage design and making it into a fully developed and habitable area, make sure you comply with local ordinances and incorporate enough ventilation, light and insulation for seasonal temperature changes. Dont feel limited by what others have already done come up with your own unique garage ideas to create a space thats all your own.

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75 Beautiful Garage Pictures & Ideas | Houzz

Sikes-Kline, Kowieski and Miscovich will face each other on Aug. 23

From Staff Reports| St. Augustine Record USA TODAY NETWORK

Three candidates will face off to become the mayor of St. Augustine since Tracy Upchurch is not running for reelection. City Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline,Noah Douglas KowieskiandTim Miscovich are vying for the position in the Aug. 23 primary.

If one candidate gets 50% of the votes plus one vote, that candidate wins. Otherwise, the top two candidates face off in the general election Nov. 8.

The Record posed the following questions to each of the candidates. Answers are presented as they were submitted,save for minor corrections to punctuation and grammar.

City of residence: City of St. Augustine

How long have you lived in St. Johns County? 38 years

Previous elected positions: Elected to serve as Commissioner in 2008, 2010, 2014and 2018.

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Paying for growth: St. Johns County sales tax vote approved for Nov. 8 ballot

Community service: Appointment by Gov. Lawton Chiles to the State of Florida Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board and San Antiguo Foundation; past president, Junior Service League; founding board member and past chairperson, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum; founding chairperson, Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program; founding board member, St. Augustine North Davis Shores Neighborhood Association; trustee, Florida National Guard Historical Foundation; board member, Cross and Sword, Floridas Official State Play; member, St. Johns County Vision Task Force; member, Urban Land Institute Reality Check First Coast; trustee, Save Our Bridge, Inc;. and past president, Citizens for the Preservation of St. Augustine.

Qualifications for office: Elected city commissioner for 13 years. Over 20 years of combined service on city boards before elected: vice chair, St. Augustine Parking and Traffic Committee; the Historic Architectural Review Board; and the Heritage Tourism & Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Designated citys representative: St. Johns County Cultural Resource Review Board; St. Johns County Intergovernmental Committee; and the St. Johns County Visitors and Convention Bureau. Current citys representative: St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization and Florida League of Cities. Awarded Home Rule Hero for the last five years by the Florida League of Cities.Training: Florida League of Cities and John Scott Daily Florida;Advanced Institute of Government for Elected Municipal Officials; the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council Training Institute; the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Certified Local Government Training Workshop program; Florida League of Cities University Summit Series for Community Redevelopment Agency Basics and Budget Best Practices; and the 2021 Active People Healthy Nations Champions Institute by Smart Growth America.

Reason for running: In my years of public service, there have been many changes the economic downturn of 2009, the 450th Commemorations, two major hurricanes, a worldwide pandemic and expanding growth surrounding the city. Navigating these times has given me a deep understanding of the issues facing the city, the grit to see our problems as they are and a proven track record of making good decisions knowing that peoples lives and livelihoods are affected. I am the most experienced candidate. My thoughtful, common-sense approach is needed. In many ways our city is at a crossroads and the actions of the mayor will have a lasting impact on our quality of life and ability to thrive. Good solutions to growth, tourism, transportationand flooding challenges go beyond the capacity of the city to address alone and require good partnerships at the local, regional, state and federal levels. My long-standing relationships with North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, FDOT, St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, local, state and federal legislators have proven invaluable for cooperation, resources and needed funding.As mayor, I am in an excellent position to be a strong advocate and ambassador for big solutions to our biggest challenges ahead.

Goals for upcoming term if elected:First, as mayor I will keep the city focused on core municipal functions including more resilient infrastructure, fiscal responsibility and public safety. St. Augustine has seen explosive growth around its edges and we all feel it. Growth puts pressure on core municipal functions like water and sewer, roadways, infrastructure, affordable housing, public safety and emergency services. Keeping capital reserves and credit ratings strong, holding the line on spending and taxes, maintaining a low crime rate, and keeping our neighborhoods safe will be high priorities for me. Recent years of increased flooding and storms require more resilient infrastructure. In the next several years the city will be spending $56M in investments to improve mobility, buy equipment, harden infrastructure, reduce flooding impacts and increase drainage across the city.Experience tells me that the sheer number of projects planned will require disciplined leadership and skillful execution.As mayor I will be committed to keeping the focus on implementing these improvements in a cost effective, efficient, and timely manner.

Second, residents want safe, stable neighborhoods and the ability to move around the city to do their daily tasks. Small businesses want safety, accessibility, and opportunities to succeed and flourish.Visitors want good hospitality and experiences that are memorable and enjoyable. Its important that the residents, small businesses and visitors needs are weighed in balance when making decisions that affect them. Residents and small businesses need to feel that they are being heard, understood and treated fairly and I will be committed to seeing that the city is focused on that as mayor.

Third, the city must be a good steward of its precious and irreplaceable historic and cultural assets and must safeguard its unique character. St. Augustine has the great honor of being the Nations Oldest City and with that honor comes responsibility. New infill development to accommodate growth and tourism can threaten our unique character. As mayor I will continue to make sure that every decision will consider the impacts on our historic assets and character.

What would you do, if anything, to help make it easier for people to find parking in St. Augustine?I will continue my work with North Florida Transportation Planning Organization and the FDOT to make parking more plentiful and easier for city residents and visitors through St. Augustines SMART City project. The FDOT has committed $7.5 million to the project that, through new technology, will connect smart traffic signals with dynamic messaging to direct drivers to best available parking. As mayor I will continue my commitment to the Park Once strategy for building satellite parking garages and using technology to connect automated shuttles, flood sensors and a smart trucking system to improve mobility and parking.

While St. Augustine is a big tourist town, there are thousands of residents in the city. What would you do to make life in the city better for its residents?To keep St. Augustine a livable city, as mayor I will keep the city focused on customer friendly core municipal service delivery and accountability, fiscal responsibility, public safety, reducing flooding and increasing drainage, and protecting the residential character of neighborhoods. This includes restarting the Neighborhood Grant Program, adding at least four new police officers, increasing the street paving budget, increasing mobility through technology, improving pedestrian and bicycle safety, adding satellite parking with shuttles, reducing neighborhood speeding, cut through traffic, and address spillover parking in the neighborhoods. Additionally, I will prioritize better solutions to the mental health, vagrancy and homeless problems.

City of residence: St. Augustine

How long have you lived in St. Johns County? 20 years

Previous elected positions: Secretary of the Republican Executive Committee, St. Johns

Community service: I believe that being a part of the community and involved is important to understanding the views and needs of those that reside there. I am an absolute advocate for children and have worked with Safe Haven of N.E. FL to advocate for victims of child abuse. This organization has been a startup that helps victims and their guardians find and utilize services to get justice and heal. There are many other community based organizations that I hope to support during my time in office to see that good work is done within the community.

Qualifications for office: I am a natural born leader with the characteristics, skills and knowledge necessary to faithfully execute the duties of mayor for the City of St Augustine. I am a fighter and will achieve my goals of seeing the city become the best it can be. I will work day in and day out to address the issues that we currently see and will create policies that will mitigate and prevent potential issues in the future.

My background in public administration, government, real estate, cyber and IT operations, intelligence, veteran affairs and military service, political activism and nonprofits have given me ample knowledge and connections to be an effective mayor. I have a proven track record of being an effective and efficient leader who will go above and beyond to ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved. When it comes to leading the city commission and mayorship, I will work tirelessly to resolve current issues and encode new policies that will boost local businesses, protect our residents and leave a clean and friendly city for our tourists.

Reason for running: I am running for St. Augustine mayor because there has been a clear lack of leadership, fiscally responsible policies, and service to the community. I know that with the experience and dedication to the community that I have demonstrated, I am the right fit to make meaningful and much needed change in the city. I believe that we need new ideas and new leadership in the city. For far too long the city and its residents have been neglected by tourist centric policies. We need to get back to taking care of our residents, fixing our infrastructure and making a plan to combat the vagrancy issue and long-term environmental factors that plague the city.

My education in international affairs, public administration, emergency management and homeland security, cyber security, intelligence and real estate have given me plenty of resources and knowledge necessary to tackle the issues of the city. My work experience in political activism, emergency management, public administration, IT services at a government agency and being a current serving veteran has given me the skills, experience and leadership experience to effectively tend to issues that have been occurring in St. Augustine.

I have been and will continue to be dedicated to helping those in the community to be able to foster a safe, clean and enjoyable environment for all residents and visitors. I am running to listen and take action. I want to ensure that every residents concerns are heard and attended to and I will dedicate my time to make sure that the city of St. Augustine is a pristine place to live and work.

Goals for upcoming term if elected: Once I am elected mayor, I will immediately begin to work on policies that will address the vagrancy issue. I want to boost our city services and police force to handle any scenario that occurs and I want to push for better wages for city employees. I will work with nonprofit organizations, the state and federal governments to gain access to programs and funding that will help remove vagrants within the city and I will also work with fellow commissioners to work on a long-term and sustainable policies that will prevent this issue from reoccurring.

I will also address the housing crisis within the city and work on creating affordable housing options for city and county employees. A major issue that has been identified is Flagler Colleges rapid expansion and dormitory additions across the city which takes away from residential opportunities. I believe that this issue needs to be addressed by the commission to ensure that the city and its residents receive compensation from the college which is responsible for bringing in the students who live in the dormitories or rented houses.

Another issue that I will tackle in my first term is the growing developments within the city. I want to make sure that every new development is a sustainable addition to the city. I will work with the commissioners and city departments to create requirements when considering new development. With our city being the oldest and most historic city in the nation, it is going to be my duty to lead the charge in preserving our rich history and culture, restoring our infrastructure and services, and fostering innovation in our city that will lead to sustainable growth and prosperity within the city.

What would you do, if anything, to help make it easier for people to find parking in St. Augustine?Parking has become a massive issue in the downtown area as tourism has increased over the past two years. My goal is to conduct studies that could recommend additional parking facilities even outside city limits and use sustainable transportation such as buses or trams to transport tourists in and out of the city. I would like to see streets around residential areas closed for tourist parking to ensure our residents have places to park their vehicles.

While St. Augustine is a big tourist town, there are thousands of residents in the city. What would you do to make life in the city better for its residents?As mayor, I will advocate for more benefits for city residents such as free parking anywhere within the city limits, access to grants that I want to establish to assist residents with much needed upgrades to areas around their property to boost curb appeal and ensure that residences and buildings are up to code. In line with the former question regarding parking within the city, I want to also establish more residential only parking and encourage tourists to take local transportation in and out of tourist areas. This will limit the number of congested streets in residential areas.

How long have you lived in St. Johns County? I have lived in St. Augustine for the last threeyears, since returning from eight years in Europe.

Previous elected positions: N/A

Community service: N/A

Qualifications for office: My qualifications for office come from my professional international business experience. Streamlining, optimizing and finding ways to work with people to achieve a common goal. No previous political experience.

Reason for running: I am running for (City of St. Augustine) City Commission to do my part to ensure that our city is the best it can possibly be for my family, neighborsand our visitors.

Goals for upcoming term if elected: I would look to work with my fellow commissioners to ensure that our great city only gets better. During this process I have been made aware of several topics (homelessness, flooding, parking, supporting local businesses and more) that are of importance to and impact our local residents, business owners as well as our visitors. To best work on these issues we need to engage in discussions with all parties to establish not only the topics of interest, but also preferred and recommended solutions and then work together to address these topics in a timely manner.

What would you do, if anything, to help make it easier for people to find parking in St. Augustine? The addition of a parking garage behind the Lightner Museum on the location of one of the existing parking lots, along with automating parking to increase the utilization rate of the existing garage will help residents and visitors alike. In addition, a plan needs to be created to support the employees of our local businesses to ensure that they have a cost effective place to park.

While St. Augustine is a big tourist town, there are thousands of residents in the city. What would you do to make life in the city better for its residents? I believe this covers two aspects, one being daily topics, i.e. waste pick upand other basic infrastructure topics, and the other being long-term items such as flood prevention. Residents deserve to have their issues and concerns addressed in a timely and effective manner. Having a system in place for these topics to be aggregated and systematically worked through will help ensure that the quality of life is not only improved but also maintained. For the longer term items, transparency and open communication are required to ensure that residents input is not only heard but also considered.

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Election 2022: St. Augustine will elect a new mayor this year - St. Augustine Record

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

Once a legend, always a legend.

Acura, Honda Motor Companys upscale brand, is known for delivering endless consumer satisfaction. For the past decade or so, the Acura ILX was the entry point for the Acura brand, and it sold well for them, selling especially well to those under 35. In doing so, it brought a lot of new buyers to the brand. For the 2023 model year, Acura is returning to its roots of Precision Crafted Performance with the all-new Acura Integra.

Welcome to Grassos Garage, the 2023 Acura Integra A-Spec, which starts with the same platform that underpins Honda Civic, just like its predecessor. The fifth generation Integra boasts a 1.5-liter turbo engine producing 200 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque. Our A-Spec came with a six-speed manual transmission with rev matching to keep shifting a breeze, while the automatic transmission option was a continuously variable transmission. What a difference maker this is for the economy class, a game-changer in fact.

Exterior and interior accouterments show nicely with a rear lift door for tons of trunk space, while granting the most rear legroom and cargo volume in its class.

A standard 10.2-inch all-digital Acura Precision Cockpit instrument cluster with available heads-up display was present on our A-Spec with the Technology package while the center protruding 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system was very easy to use. Additionally, our tester came with the ELS Studio 3D audio system, this was literally like being at a Fleetwood Mac concert using the SiriusXM radio.

Visibility for the Integra came to mind as you can tell Acura did its homework, excellent visibility for both the driver and passengers. Red interior microfiber seat inserts, sports pedals and offsetting color stitching were just a few of the additions with the A-Spec package, while comfort topped the list. Spacious interior, 12-way power seats and available ambient lighting really hit home.

In the market these days, a $30,000 vehicle is almost unheard of, especially when trying to locate an upscale offering. Acura recognized this gap, and the Integra really does a stand-up job of filling it. I cannot think of another upscale vehicle in this category that offers what the Integra has to offer. In typical Acura form, a homerun again and one that will really do wonders for consumers for years to come. Readers always ask me to identify something out of sorts, different or just something I didnt like about the vehicle, well readers, here you go, not one thing comes to mind!

Grassos Garage is here for you! Are you in the market for a new car? I would be happy to provide my honest input. All you have to do is email me: marc.grasso@bostonherald.com.

MSRP: $30,800As tested: $36,895MPG: 26 city, 36 highway, 30.1 as tested

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Grassos Garage: The Acura Integra is back! - Boston Herald

Californias Kaiser Permanente is investing $1.7 billion into expansions and construction at four of its locations in Riverside County.

They include its Riverside and Moreno Valley hospitals and its Murrieta and Wildomar medical offices, according to The Press-Enterprise.

The projects will increase accessibility to medical services and make more specialized care available closer to home, said Dr. Sammy Totah, senior vice president and area manager for Kaisers Riverside County area, in a statement.

A five-story hospital and two-story diagnostic and treatment facility are being added to Riverside Medical Center for an estimated $735.4 million.

The 95-foot hospital tower will have 152 beds, including 116 single-occupancy rooms and 36 neonatal intensive care unit rooms, bringing total bed count to 298. New emergency and surgical departments will also be added, along with eight operating rooms, 58 emergency treatment bays and a 70-foot-high, five-story parking garage.

The additions will create 330 new jobs, and are expected to be in completion the first quarter of 2027.

The Moreno Valley Medical Center will be expanded 93,000 square feet with a two-story diagnostic and treatment building, six operating rooms, a radiology room, a 27-bay post-anesthesia care unit, and a six-bed neonatal care unit.

The estimated cost is $250.2 million. Its opening is predicted in the third quarter of 2023.

In Murrieta, Kaiser is building a second, 88,900-square-foot medical office building for an estimated $124.8 million. It will include an ambulatory surgery unit with six operating rooms and a 26-bay post-anesthesia care unit; 19 provider offices, 26 exam rooms, a 14-bay chemotherapy center, and imaging services.

Completion is expected in the first quarter of 2023.

The healthcare system is also moving its Wildomar medical office to an 84,000-square-foot outpatient center that will house 61 provider offices and 79 exam rooms, and provide primary care, pediatrics, optometry, allergy, dermatology, and other specialty services.

The project is estimated to cost $116.5 million and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Kaiser will also pay $473.1 million for other upgrades at various facilities in Riverside County.

Totah says the completion dates are tentative due to supply-chain challenges in Southern California.

The Riverside project will begin in September. The others are underway.

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Kaiser Permanente adding to four locations with $1.7 billion investment - DOTmed HealthCare Business News

BI/22/01159/DOM: Rustic, Main Road. Siting of a static caravan in the rear garden to be used as ancillary accommodation.

BI/22/01905/DOM: Birdham Straight House, Main Road. Demolition of existing single storey extensions and garages. Erection of replacement single storey extensions and single garage with drive and parking spaces.

BI/22/01925/DOM: Danesacre, Lock Lane. Single storey rear/side extension, re-cladding of property, alterations and additions to fenestration, replacement porch, addition of solar panels and external landscaping works.

BO/22/01909/FUL: Wildfowlers, Shore Road. Demolition of existing dwelling, erection of replacement dwelling and associated landscaping.

BO/22/02015/TPA: Broadbridge Mill, Old Bridge Road. Reduce height by 4m and laterals by 3m (back to previous pruning points) on 1 no. Monterey Cypress tree (T12) subject to BO/89/00064/TPO.

SDNP/22/03675/HOUS: Saddlers, Church Lane. Erection of single-storey extension to the south-east corner of Saddlers and minor internal alterations. Replacement of fenestration to modern parts of the house. Demolition of the existing garage and erection of a new oak framed garage.

SDNP/22/03676/LIS: Saddlers, Church Lane. Erection of single-storey extension to the south-east corner of Saddlers and minor internal alterations. Replacement of fenestration to modern parts of the house. Demolition of the existing garage and erection of a new oak framed garage.

CC/22/01417/DOM: 5 March Square. Proposed rear conservatory.

CC/22/01807/FUL: Graylingwell Hospital, College Lane. Alteration to plot 880 approved under planning permission ref CC/21/02838/REM including relocation of dwelling and garage.

CC/22/01873/DOM: 124 Bognor Road. Proposed pitched roof and extension to existing outbuilding.

CC/22/01945/ADV: Former Graylingwell Hospital, College Lane. Erection of 2 no. pole mounted welcome signs.

CC/22/02025/TPA: 15 Broyle Close. Crown reduce back to previous pruning points/knuckles on 1 no. Norway Maple tree (T1) subject to CC/10/00171/TPO.

CC/22/02050/DOM: Pallant Court, 10 West Pallant. Internal alterations at ground floor including new floor finishes, 1st floor formation of new master bedroom suite and at 2nd floor formation of 2 bedroom suites.

CC/22/02051/LBC: Pallant Court, 10 West Pallant. Internal alterations at ground floor including new floor finishes, 1st floor formation of new master bedroom suite and at 2nd floor formation of 2 bedroom suites.

CC/22/02052/ADV: 71-72 East Street. 2 no. non-illuminated fascia signs.

CH/22/01912/DOM: The Bungalow, Main Road, Chidham. Proposed single storey side extension and alterations.

CH/22/01929/FUL: Woodlands, Drift Lane, Chidham. Replacement dwelling and associated landscaping. (Variation of conditons 2 and 4 of permission 19/02643/FUL - amended design and materials).

CH/22/02032/EIA: Land At Coxes Farm, Broad Road, Hambrook. EIA Screening Opinion for the proposed development comprising approximately 185 dwellings with associated open space, roads/cycleways and pedestrian footpaths, farm shop and work hub commercial centre with car parking, landscaping, and wildlife corridor on land at Coxes Farm Broad Road Hambrook.

D/22/01644/FUL: Land Adjacent To Rosemead, 24 Queens Avenue. Change of use from open scrubland area to fenced parking/bin and garden storage area.

D/22/01829/DOM: 10 Graydon Avenue. Proposed two-storey side and rear extensions with associated alterations.

SDNP/22/02982/FUL: Rickyard Stables, A272 Easebourne St to Heath End Lane. Change of use and conversion of former stables to office/reception area and cycle storage/electric charging for use in connection with tourism development approved under SDNP/21/06365/CND). Toilets to remain.

SDNP/22/03488/HOUS: North Mill, North Street, Midhurst. Change use and extension of outbuilding to home office and associated alterations. Replacement and relocation of gates and associated walls.

SDNP/22/03489/LIS: North Mill, North Street, Midhurst. Change use and extension of outbuilding to home office and associated alterations. Replacement and relocation of gates and associated walls.

East Wittering And Bracklesham

EWB/22/02035/FUL: Land South Of Tranjoeen, 1 The Paddock, Bracklesham Lane, Bracklesham. Proposed vehicle crossover (means of access to a highway Class B).

SDNP/22/03257/HOUS: The White House, The Green. Erection of a timber summer house.

SDNP/22/03433/HOUS: Meadow Cottage, Hawksfold Lane East. Proposed two storey side extension replacing existing single storey ground floor side extension and outbuildings.

SDNP/22/03182/HOUS: 7 Coates Castle, Coates Lane. Proposal to place solar panels on roof and 1 no. electric vehicle charging point on front elevation wall.

SDNP/22/03743/BBPN: St Marys Cottage, St Marys Drive. Notification under the Electronic Communications Code Regulation 5 for the installation of 1 no 9m pole.

HN/22/02011/DOM: Moat Lodge, Church Lane. Installation of a solar photovoltaic panel array on the south-west roof slope.

HN/22/02012/LBC: Moat Lodge, Church Lane. Installation of a solar photovoltaic panel array on the south-west roof slope.

SDNP/22/03495/HOUS: The Old Coach House, Hawkhurst Court. Erection of close board fencing above existing 11m long low stone wall to the side of house. Replacement of existing side metal gate with wood gate.

LX/22/02036/ELD: Four Houses, Guildford Road. Existing lawful development use of building as a dwellinghouse.

SDNP/22/03704/BBPN: Land at Hammer Hill to Linchmere Road. Regulation 5 notice for BT installed 2 no. fixed line broadband electronic communications apparatus.

SDNP/22/03242/HOUS: Millbrook, Milland Lane. Cladding to external facade, 1 no. window east elevation, 1 no. door to side elevation. replacement of UPVC with Oak frame to porch.

SDNP/22/03477/HOUS: 12 South Grove. Replacement rear conservatory with single storey extension. Replacement front porch.

PS/22/01645/COU: Little Springfield Farm, Plaistow Road, Ifold. Change use of paddock to garden land associated with Little Springfield Farm.

SY/22/01667/PLD: Clare Cottage, 23 Seal Road. Single storey rear extension to replace existing conservatory. Enlarge existing rear dormer.

SY/22/01731/DOM: 7 Bonnar Road. Change of loft space to habitable accommodation.

SY/22/01846/DOM: 24 Beach Road. Front single storey extension with a balcony, rear double storey extension.

SY/22/01911/PLD: Nelcroft, 33 St Itha Road. Replace existing conservatory roof with permanent structure.

SY/22/02090/DOM: 36 Fontwell Road. New garage to front of property.

SI/22/01830/DOM: Little Bower, Rotten Row. Proposed double garage - alternative design and siting to that approved under SI/20/03007/DOM (Variation of condition 4 of permission 22/00877/DOM - changes to materials).

SI/22/01930/ELD: Landseer House, 13 Cow Lane. Use of outbuilding as a separate dwellinghouse along with associated residential curtilage.

SDNP/22/03311/HOUS: Oakdene, Foxhall, Charlton. Proposed conservatory, conversion of garage to study.

SB/22/02061/EIA: Land North Of Penny Lane, Hermitage. Request for an EIA Screening Opinion in relation to proposed residential development of 85 no. dwelling units and associated hard and soft landscape scheme.

TG/22/01897/DOM: 2 Church Farm House, Church Lane. Proposed conversion of existing outbuilding to ancillary accommodation (annex) to main dwelling.

TG/22/01898/LBC: 2 Church Farm House, Church Lane. Proposed conversion of existing outbuilding to ancillary accommodation (annex) to main dwelling.

SDNP/22/03549/HOUS: Nuthatch, Upperton Road. Demolition of the existing single-storey rear extension and detached prefabricated garage. Replacement with a part two-storey and part single-storey rear extensions together with associated internal and external alterations including the reinstatement of a ground floor window on front elevation.

SDNP/22/03528/HOUS: 10 Mill Lane, Dumpford, Trotton. Proposed two storey side extension to replace single storey lean to. Alterations to existing site access for new level parking.

WI/22/01928/FUL: Pucks Cottage, Itchenor Road. Erection of a replacement dwelling and garage following the demolition of existing dwelling and garage.

WE/22/01887/COU: Manor House, Woodmancote Lane, Woodmancote. Change of use of an existing former stable to a two storey two bedroom dwelling (Variation of condition 4 from planning permission WE/04/00453/COU - To include holiday use).

WE/22/02026/DOM: Lazy Meadow, North Street. Demolition of existing garage construction of single storey side extension with conversion of roof to habitable space with dormers. Constriction of part 2 storey rear and front extension and part replacement of front boundary wall. Replacement of fascia's soffits windows and doors with all external walls rendered and new roof tiles.

WH/22/01952/DOM: Kintail Lodge, Claypit Lane. Retrospective annex to main building.

WH/22/01995/FUL: Rolls Royce Motor Cars, The Drive. Replacement of 2 no. existing car parking spaces (with electric vehicle charging) with 6 no. electric vehicle charging points and visitor car parking spaces, the erection of a canopy and associated works including landscaping.

WR/22/01851/DOM: Fernlea, Kirdford Road. Double storey rear extension to replace conservatory and partial garage conversion.

WR/22/02037/PNO: Wharf Farm, Newpound. Proposed haylage storage.

SDNP/22/03482/HOUS: Tyelands, Severals Road, Bepton. Installation of ground mounted solar panels in 2 groups of 10 panels (total of 20).

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Chichester planning applications: Here's the latest list of submissions across the district | SussexWorld - SussexWorld

Welcome to Eleven Arches, also known as the Grace Mansion. The historic trophy property was built in 1937, by notable architect Josias Joesler, as a winter residence for Louise N. Grace, the heiress of eastern shipping magnate W.R.Grace. The privately walled and gated enclave is situated on 4.38 acres, within the prestigious gated community of The Estates at Eleven Arches, a prime location in the heart of the Catalina Foothills. Eleven Arches offers endless possibilities and generous spaces for offices, corporate events, gym, art studio, wine cellar, multi-generational living and guest/staff quarters. The distinctive estate is a world unto itself, offering 15,502 square feet of living spaces, resort-like grounds, complete privacy, unrivaled city views, and majestic mountain views. Exceptionally restored to capture its history, combined with today's amenities, the estate exudes a warm and intimate feeling for everyday living, yet provides the perfect venue for grand scale entertaining. The stately south yard offers panoramic city views, an oversized pool, multiple seating areas, covered patios, a picturesque breezeway, and ample space to host over 250 guests. The area between the property wall and property line on this oversized lot has room to build, measuring an incredible 2.389 acres and fits over 70 parked cars. After a five year restoration by the current owners, the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The magnificent Tucson Landmark exemplifies Joesler's iconic late 19th and 20th Century Revival architectural style, and is famous for its residents, guests, events, architecture and location. The privately gated drive reveals the first sight of prominent elegance. A true masterpiece, built primarily of mud adobe, with 24" exterior walls. The light-filled interior spaces are graciously scaled, with a terrace access off almost every room. The main residence features interior 14" walls with integrally colored platinum grade Gypsum plaster. The formal dining room features exquisite waxed lime-marbled dust Italian plaster. The residence is an art collectors dream lined with a gallery quality hanging system and lighting. Notable property features include a 600 ft. deep steel cased private water well in addition to city water, 9,948 sqft. main residence, 5,553 sqft. detached guest quarters and a total of 10 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. Qualified for reduced property taxes through listing on the National Register of Historic Places. At a glance in the main residence, the main level features a grand entry hall, two-story foyer, formal living room, formal dining room, chef's kitchen with a dining area, butlers pantry, laundry room, and two guest powder rooms. The master bedroom wing, also on the main level, includes a media room with a full bath, office, his/hers bathrooms and closets, and a private serene terrace. The second level has two generously scaled guest bedrooms with en-suite baths, each with a private balcony displaying infinite city vistas. The dramatic staircase in the grand entry hall leads to the guest bedrooms, which can also be accessed by an elevator. Additional amenities include: HVAC zoned, Sonos sound system in the main residence, commercial grade water softener. Oversized detached 4 car garage with workshop, detached 1 car garage for guest quarters. Chef's kitchen features appliances by Viking, Fisher & Paykel, Miele and Sub-Zero. A truly inspiring lifestyle awaits, come and see for yourself. See video and documents tab for additional information, including floorplans, and video. Historical documents, restoration and notable features list available. Recent survey available upon request.

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Historical homes you can own in the Tucson area - Arizona Daily Star

The hulking Hickory Hollow Mall a full 1.1 million square feet of retail space in southeast Nashville was once the largestshopping center in Tennessee. But like dozens of malls, its been in a downward death spiral for more than a decade despite a scrappy revival effort.

Now, the mammoth complex surrounded by acres of parking is on track to join the ranks of malls making a transition into medicine.

The possibilities for service offerings in a facility of this scale are endless, said Dr.Jeff Balser, CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, at anannouncement in March that it would be moving into part of the space.

Vanderbilt is already an early adopter in the mall-to-medicine concept. The academic health system took over its first mall, One Hundred Oaks, and started seeing patients there more than a decade ago. Now, the suburban shopping complex houses 22 specialty clinics in nearly a half-million square feet. Some big-box retailers remain on the ground floor with exterior entrances. But the inside is mostly a medical facility run by Vanderbilt Health.

A total of 32 enclosed malls have moved to housing health care services, according to a national database kept by Georgia Tech urban design professorEllen Dunham-Jones. Nearly one-third of them were announced since the start of the pandemic.

The more recent additions, with some still in the planning stages, dot the U.S. map. They range from Helena, MontanasCapital Hill Mallbeing redeveloped by Benefis Health System with primary care and specialty clinics, to Alexandria, Virginia, where Inova Health System is building abillion-dollar mixed-use developmenton the Landmark Mall site, complete with a hospital and trauma center.

The lockdowns brought by COVID-19 both required and voluntary pushed many brick-and-mortar retailers who were already on the brink fully out of business. But medicines reuse of retail space is more than pandemic opportunism, according to the Harvard Business Review. Three authorssuggestthe rise of telemedicine and continued push to outpatient procedures will make malls increasingly attractive sites of care.

Plus, some dead malls like Hickory Hollow are in diverse neighborhoods that need increased access to health services. The surrounding zip codes had Nashvilleshighest rates of COVID infectionearly in the pandemic and they have some of the lowest rates of primary care visits, according to Vanderbilt.

Pre-pandemic trends, coupled with public health realities that the pandemic has made more apparent, suggest that hospitals will increasingly need to reimagine their future, the Harvard Business Review authors wrote in November.

What big-city health systems need is something that malls were designed to offer.

Malls are pretty convenient, Dunham-Jones said. Most are flush with parking spots and close to major highways and interstates.

When retiree Jennifer Johnson moved to Nashville to be closer to her grandchild, she said her family warned her dont see a doctor at Vanderbilts main campus. She had to anyway.

Its a zoo. First, you get to drive through the maze of the parking garage, which is under construction. Then, you try to find out which elevator youre going to get to, get to what floor youre going to get to, Johnson said of her experience at the medical campus.

But at One Hundred Oaks, where she was waiting for a ride after an appointment, she said you can go straight up the escalator and straight down the hall easy peasy.

Vanderbilts main site in the West End area of Nashville has been expanded two dozen timessince the first building was constructed in 1925.

Most of these hospitals are in areas where theres just no room to grow. And if you do, its so expensive, said Andrew McDonald, a former hospital administrator who leads health care consulting for LBMC. These buildings are old. Theyre antiquated. Theyre very expensive to maintain.

Malls, McDonald said, make for a nice fit, at least for big health systems. They can essentially move everything short of the ER and ICU including surgery and imaging centers and have them together under one sprawling roof.

It just creates a whole lot more efficient flow for the patient going through the health care system with whatever infirmity they may have, he said.

Suburban shopping malls also make sense because thesuburbs are aging. There are fewer young families, who first flocked to the planned neighborhoods and shopping centers that were built in the 1970s.

Those families, the adults are still in the suburbs but the kids have long since grown and fledged, and theyre pretty heavy-duty health care consumers, Dunham-Jones said.

The mall locations remain desirable, she added, just not for the same style of retail.

The Hickory Hollow Mall, where Vanderbilt is trying its second dead mall revival, remains mostly empty, which makes no sense to resident Ricky Grigsby. The area around the mall is otherwise booming.

Its been sitting there for years. Its a waste of time, he said. I mean, somebody needs to do something with it. It could be jobs for somebody.

As for Grigsby, he just retired from Vanderbilt after a career spent managing surgical instruments for busy operating rooms on the main campus. Now, hes a patient along with everyone else, looking for a more convenient place to receive care.

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Why old, suburban malls are being transformed to health care facilities - Marketplace