Council approves $1.7 million for City Hall

City Council has approved $1.7 million to for City Hall renovations.

More than $1.1 million will be used to repurpose space to create more room for additional council members called for by the citys new 10-1 representation.

The rest will be used to remodel Council Chambers and the Executive Session Conference Room.

The new 10-1 city council will take office this December.

$1.1 million approved for flood-damaged bridge

A bridge that was knocked out by the Halloween floods should soon be repaired.

Floodwaters washed out supports for the bridge over Onion Creek on River Plantation Drive.

City leaders say detours are adding at least 45 seconds to emergency calls, but neighbors say the delays may be even longer.

Families south of the bridge say they have to make a five-mile detour through construction areas and use roads not designed to handle the extra traffic.

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Council Wrap: Money approved for City Hall remodeling, flood-damaged bridge

WATERLOO | Hawkeye Community Colleges Board of Trustees Tuesday awarded contracts for two projects that came in well under estimates after multiple bids were submitted.

A $1.69 million contract was awarded to Peters Construction Corp. of Waterloo for Buchanan Hall remodeling. A $171,282 contract was awarded to Voltmer Inc. of Decorah for exterior campus site lighting.

Estimates presented to trustees last month for total project budgets were $2.63 million for the remodeling and $230,000 for the lighting. Those estimates accounted for more than the contractors bids, including such costs as contingency and architects fees. Nonetheless, both came in below the estimates.

There was a lot of interest in this project, Dan Channer of Stuxture Architects said of the Buchanan remodeling. I think the bidding climate right now is pretty active. Channer designed both projects.

The bids of all five companies that sought the Buchanan remodeling contract were within $77,000. The six companies bidding on the lighting were all within about $63,500.

Buchanan Halls work will include the replacement of the heating, ventilating and cooling system, upgrading the electrical system and fire panel, adding a sprinkler system, remodeling a break room area and some ancillary retrofits such as ceiling tile and lighting. The project will be done in three phases with a completion date of August 2015.

It follows earlier remodeling and upgrades in another part of the building called the Advanced Technology and Business Center. Trustees approved a certificate of substantial completion on that earlier project Tuesday, which starts the warranty period for the work done.

The other contract awarded Tuesday includes installing lamp pole lighting around Hawkeyes interior courtyard walkway. The improvement is intended to make the campus more inviting for evening classes and events as well as provide added security. Installation is expected to be done by July 25.

Funds for both projects will come from the facilities maintenance levy.

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Hawkeye Community College work bids come in under estimate

RHINELANDER - Courtrooms in the Oneida County Courthouse will soon have a new look.

Renovations at the courthouse started a few weeks ago.

The biggest renovation was the new hearing room for family court.

The changes are part of new courtroom guidelines from the Supreme Court.

LuAnn Brunette, the Oneida County Courthouse facilities director says the renovations will benefit everyone.

"These are things that have been identified by members of the Supreme Court, as items that are necessary to keep us safe, efficient and functional hearing rooms, going in today's world," said Brunette. "We are trying to meet all of their requirements. And in order to use the room, we have to meet the requirements."

The Supreme Court guidelines also require there be more space between the judge, attorneys and witnesses.

The new hearing room will also get more cases seen that there wasn't room for the remodeling.

"The overall benefit for the taxpayers of Oneida County is that [were] trying to do these renovations as cost-effectively as we can, using as many walls and floor blueprints as we can," said Brunette. "But while still trying to keep in mind the efficiency, security and confidentiality concerns of the offices involved."

Besides the new hearing room for family court, there will be a larger waiting area for social services, client-attorney meeting rooms and chambers for visiting judges.

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Oneida County courtrooms getting a makeover

By Vincent Andrunas, Special to the U-T 6 a.m.Jan. 26, 2014

(From left) Jim and Andie Kidrick (hes San Diego Air & Space Museum president and CEO), George and Hlne Gould (honorees and event chairs), Joan and Irwin Jacobs

The Symphony had returned, and it was time for a celebration. The San Diego Symphony completed a wildly successful tour as 2013 drew to a close. After first playing New Yorks Carnegie Hall, they embarked on their China Friendship Tour, with performances in Yentai, Shanghai and Beijing. They played to sold-out houses and were very warmly received. Accommodations and dining were said to be excellent, and members fondly recalled such tour highlights as their first dinner in China (a fabulous 17-course affair).

Meanwhile, back home at the Jacobs Music Center (the building that surrounds and contains Copley Symphony Hall), there was plenty of work going on. Extensive remodeling and facility improvement projects have now been completed, beautifying and enhancing the lobby, the backstage area and even the restrooms.

The latest accomplishment debuted Jan. 11 at the Symphonys Tour Return Celebration. The festive occasion began with cocktails in the Centers upper lobby. A large room there had long been utilized for board meetings and similar gatherings, and as a place for donors and supporters to meet during concert intermissions. But its entry was narrow and inconvenient, and the dated room hadnt been redecorated for three decades. Something had to be done.

Hlne and George Gould gave $1 million to the symphonys Centennial Campaign (chaired by Warren Kessler, with honorary chairs Joan and Irwin Jacobs), and Hlne also helped with the new design and dcor for the donor room. A double-door entry not requiring stairs was added, the recessed ceiling was redesigned and beautified, and innovative new window coverings were installed. There are now new chandeliers, carpeting and updated paint colors, and the latest video screens and audio equipment. A bar and adjacent kitchen have been added. A brass plaque identifies the new state-of-the-art space as the Hlne and George Gould Room.

During the reception, CEO Edward Gill welcomed guests and spoke of the great support and patronage San Diegans have been giving the Symphony, and the wonderful improvements that have been accomplished throughout the Music Center. The Goulds each spoke briefly before Hlne, wielding giant scissors, and cut the big red ribbon, officially opening the new room. Guests streamed in, abuzz with raves and compliments.

About 50 guests were seated for the intimate inaugural event. Dinner featured walnut butternut salad with burrata, Brandt beef short ribs with Zinfandel demi-glace, and a Valrhona extra noir chocolate tart. The rooms giant video panel continuously presented spectacular photographs from the Carnegie trip (including Irwin Jacobs 80th birthday party) and the China tour.

Maestro Jahja Ling, Symphony music director, conducted the evenings concert. Works by Respighi and Hindemith made up the first half, after which event guests revisited the new room during intermission for sweets and libations. The second half offered Beethovens familiar Violin Concerto in D Minor, played by one of the worlds most talented and celebrated violinists, Itzhak Perlman.

Now 68, the Israeli-born Perlman contracted polio at the age of 4. He struggled onto the stage on crutches, receiving his Stradivarius from Symphony Concertmaster Jeff Thayer and an immediate standing ovation from the packed house. His virtuoso performance absolutely enthralled the audience.

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Symphony hailed back home

WEST HARTFORD On Wednesday afternoon, Linda, 66, seemed cheerful and composed as she welcomed guests into her one-room apartment in the Frances Warde Towers at St. Mary Home.

But when she arrived there nearly six years ago, she had hit rock-bottom, she said, after struggling all her life with long-undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Linda asked that her last name not be used to protect her privacy.

She said she had gotten divorced, filed for bankruptcy and ended up crawling from her back door into traffic in a suicide attempt, which landed her in the psychiatric ward at the UConn Health Center for about a month. After that, her daughter and a social worker told her it would be best for her to live at the Frances Warde Towers.

The facility and its staff "saved my life," she said.

A $75,000 grant from Catholic Health East's Heritage Fund will be used to begin extensive remodeling of the apartments in Frances Warde Towers, a residential care facility with 97 residents. The towers, built in 1880, are the original building of St. Mary Home on Albany Avenue.

The apartments haven't been updated since the late 1980s, officials said. They expect to spend about $92,000 to remodel eight to 12 apartments this year.

Catholic Health East is a network of Catholic health care institutions, and its Heritage Fund helps with programs and projects at health care institutions that serve underserved and disadvantaged people.

The Frances Warde Towers also provides housing for up to 16 homeless people who are transitioning to independent living through a partnership with the Mercy Housing and Shelter Corp. in Hartford.

Maryann Loveland, director of Frances Warde Towers, said all the residents there need services, whether for physical, mental, financial or other problems.

"Usually the families realize they need a little extra care," she said.

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Remodeling Planned At Frances Warde Towers

Washington, DC (PRWEB) January 23, 2014

The Hanley Wood Media Network announced today the launch of its newly redesigned REMODELING magazine website, at http://www.remodelingmag.com. The site is now optimized for viewing on computers and tablets, and renders as a mobile site on smartphones. Additionally, the redesign provides more streamlined navigation, improved search capability, and is structured as a visual destination for high quality video and images.

Hanley Wood is investing in the resources our audiences need to succeed in the residential and commercial construction and design industry, said Peter Goldstone, CEO of Hanley Wood. This re-launch of our REMODELING website provides them with an enhanced user experience and expanded content offerings, along with access on any screen.

The new site creates new opportunities for marketers in the building products industry, including:

In addition to the redesigned REMODELING website, Hanley Wood has released its 27th annual Cost vs. Value Report, comparing construction costs with resale value for 35 of the most popular home improvement projects. The 2014 report provides increased coverage to 101 U.S. markets with an addition of 19 cities. The entire report including interactive infographics is available at http://www.costvsvalue.com and at the newly redesigned REMODELING website.

For the first time in four years, improved resale value of residential housing had more of an influence in the cost-value ratio than did construction costs, said Sal Alfano, Editorial Director of REMODELING.

In 2014, the top recouping projects were:

Under $5,000:Entry Door Replacement (96.6%); Garage Door Replacement (83.7%); Garage Door Replacement (82.9%) and Fiberglass Entry Door Replacement (70.8%)

$5,000 - $25,000:Wood Deck Addition (87.4%); Fiber-cement Siding Replacement (87.0%); Minor Kitchen Remodel (82.7%); Wood Window Replacement (79.3%); Vinyl Window Replacement (78.7%)

$25,000 - $100,000:Attic Bedroom (84.3%); Basement Remodel (77.6%); Major Kitchen Remodel (74.2%); Garage Addition (69.3%); Family Room (68.8%)

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Hanley Wood Launches Redesigned REMODELING Magazine Website

You want to spice up your room? Dont worry, we all do!

I recently took room redecorating to a whole new level by adding a new room in the basement. Its a great way to entertain friends and keep the noise level out of the main part of the house. Drywall or wood is recommended when creating new rooms in the cellar.

My family hired Kevin A. Finnerty, owner/operator of Crosscut Mills, a home remodeling and repair company in Buffalo.

Drywall keeps the moisture out if you get the moisture-resistant drywall, the same product used in bathrooms, Finnerty said. This is cheaper than wood. Wood on the other hand, although more durable, is more expensive. Drywall helps make the room look like a room.

For those of you who are looking to make a change in your room without actually building a new room, you can change things up with wall decor from any fabric store or add some flair with an area rug or a Flokati rug. A Flokati rug is a shag-style rug that comes in many shapes and colors. I picked a teal one for my room. These rugs are not large and a faux version can cost as low as $10.

If you are looking for a bigger change, head to the paint aisle at a local home improvement store. There are many colors and styles to choose from. A very popular technique called accent wall painting is a process that adds style to any room. You simply pick one wall and paint it a different color from the rest. It can be within the same color family or be an opposite color. Its your room, do whatever you want.

There is a wide variety of texture paints as well. They include sandstone, which is a very heavy paint with a sandlike texture. Brushed suede is more of a brushstroke-like texture. If you dont like any of those choices, Martha Stewart Living offers a line of textured paints, including precious metals, potters clay and light strokes.

Before you paint, no matter what you choose, its best to bring a color swatch home to check if thats the right color. You most likely will change your color choice more than once. Many stores offer a small sample of paint to buy. This is a great way to tell if the color will work before buying an entire gallon. Deep colors are popular right now, even in small rooms. I chose a very dark green coupled with a light blue sandstone.

If you love to follow the trends, Emerald Green was the most popular paint color for 2013. Pantone Universes color of the year for 2014 is Radiant Orchid.

Another way to make your room look like new is to reposition your furniture. You can also add a desk or a bookshelf or even a TV. For a slightly whimsical feel, hang some wind chimes. Again, its your room, make it say YOU.

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Time for a change: tips for redecorating a teen’s room

(PRWEB) January 23, 2014

RVM Construction Inc., in Orange County, CA is a General Contractor with over 35 years of experience and success building room additions, producing quality remodels, and whole house construction. Like colors and furniture choices, home addition shapes and sizes change in style and form over time and now is certainly the decade of the great room, both inside and out. RVM Construction works with homeowners to design and build great rooms and beautiful outdoor rooms that greatly enhance home value and quality of life. Great rooms and outdoor rooms combine cooking, dining, and living areas where the family congregates day to day and for entertaining.

Said Brent Vandermooren, RVM Construction Superintendent: The one feature that is almost a given now in additions and custom homes is the great room. I think the reason that it has risen in popularity is the flexibility it offers homeowners. More than just a place to make dinner or watch TV, a great room easily rearranges to accommodate everyone for the holidays and other occasions, and gives just about any home that open floor plan feeling so desirable nowadays. The other room that we often build in conjunction with the indoor great room is the outdoor room. These rooms can be situated in the backyard a few yards from the home or the other trend we are seeing is building the outdoor room right next to the indoor great room to create a kind of super indoor/outdoor room. There are so many options and ways to bring the outdoors in, and vice versa, for instance sliding glass doors that slide completely out of the way so that it feels like a wall is removed between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Those wanting more information about Indoor/outdoor and great room construction can call Ron Vandermooren at 714-632-9420

About RVM Construction: RVM Construction is a Southern California based General Contracting firm specializing in a complete range of all types of residential and commercial construction. Before work begins each project is thoroughly analyzed with the goal to remain on budget and on schedule. RVM proactively identifies potential problems and seeks out the most effective cost-control solutions to fit project requirements.

Clients choose RVM Construction because they value honesty, integrity, and a consistent quality of workmanship. Their proven process provides highly predictable outcomes. The RVM promise is to deliver the finest quality construction within the project budget. RVM employs the best practices available in the engineering and construction industry today.

Their emphasis on quality construction has made RVM one of the most respected construction firms in Orange County.

For more information on RVM construction and a gallery of recent residential projects, visit http://www.rvmconstruction.com.

For more information contact: Bonnie Gullickson 714-632-9420

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RVM Construction, an Orange County CA General Construction Firm, Notes Marked Interest in Great Rooms, Inside and Out

Published: Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, 9:01p.m. Updated 12 hours ago

Hampton Township School District administrators are exploring the potential for a large-scale remodeling project at the high school.

On Jan. 27, the district administrators and school board members plan to walk through the areas identified for potential remodeling and then host a special public meeting to discuss the need and feasibility for work at the high school.

We've been talking about this for the past year, Superintendent John Hoover said. There are some areas of the high school that need fixed.

Many of the areas of concern include outdated rooms, such as the technology-education area and laboratory rooms.

High school administrators also would like to separate the guidance and administrative departments, which currently share a suite of office space.

Other areas are identified for remodeling to improve security and safety, such as updating the electrical closet, which houses the building's computer equipment and servers.

Installing a closed vestibule at the main entrance also is planned.

Mary Alice Hennessey, chairwoman of the facilities committee, said many of the building issues were pointed out during the preliminary walk-through.

We were comfortable that there were things that need to be addressed, she said.

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Hampton High School remodeling possibility under review

LARAMIE Its called the trophy room, and it sits on the west side of the longtime west Laramie business, The Boardwalk.

Inside, more than 50 trophies of all shapes and sizes are mounted on the wall and displayed in cases, along with saddles, antique guns, American Indian artifacts and family heirlooms. The room is open to visitors who pass through the store.

Owner William Rob Vogel, an Albany County native, has run the family business for more than 45 years. The trophy room is his museum of memories, and it shows off his passions for hunting and history.

Some of my most fond memories of my younger life were getting out. No telephone, no cars, no nothing, he said. I have a lot of good memories.

Vogel, 63, was born in Rock River, where his father, Bud, served as mayor and ran a lumberyard and motel. His grandfather homesteaded near Arlington, where his grandmother was the postmistress.

The Vogels moved to Laramie in the 1960s and opened The Boardwalk in 1967, remodeling the original building and constructing additions as they expanded. Inside, custom woodwork adorns the rafters and doors. A back room with one wall made of logs reflects the teenage Vogels desire to live in a log cabin, his wife, Crystal, said.

Today, the Vogels sell and repair saddles and tack, repair shoes and boots and run a Western-themed gift shop.

In the trophy room, a collection of rifles dating back to the 1800s hangs on one wall. One belonged to Vogel as a child living on a Rock River ranch. His mother gave him five bullets at a time, and he had to make them count.

I couldnt just shoot them all up. There were a lot of jackrabbits around the ranch, and theyd just eat you out of house and home. I had to shoot a couple of jackrabbits, he said.

His first antelope is mounted high on the wall near the entrance. He got that one when he was 16, hunting with his grandfather.

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Wyoming man's trophy display shows passion for hunting