Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Hackensack, N.J. David Shanks longed for a bigger house. A roomy kitchen was on the list he loved to cook and had a hard time whipping up specialties for his wife and two daughters in their old narrow one.

But his No. 1 priority was a shower stall in the bathroom large enough for him to maneuver without jamming his elbows against the tiles.

Weve always had a small house, including one small bathroom that I shared with three women, said Shanks, a retired publishing executive. I really wanted a shower where I could stretch my arms and not knock my elbows every time I moved.

After the girls moved out after college graduation, Shanks and his wife, Elizabeth, were done with tuition bills and their mortgage was paid off. Its a time when many empty nesters downsize, or find their dream home, or both.

But the Shankses are one of the many couples who decided to keep the houses where they raised their children, remodeling them into their dream home. Many have features in their current houses that they dont want to give up, and they finally have the time and money to spend on such indulgences as walk-in closets, roomy master baths and cozy breakfast nooks.

Like many, the Shankses wanted to remain in their hometown Tenafly because, among other things, it provided an easy commute for David Shanks to his job in New York City.

Our ties are really in Tenafly and we were very content to stay where we were, Elizabeth Shanks said. Our friends thought we were crazy to do this at this time of our lives but we renovated and put everything into the house that we wanted.

The Shankses daughters didnt want any changes to their childhood home they didnt want their parents moving out of it, nor did they want any renovations.

They moved into their own places and we were left with this tiny kitchen and a shower that gave me bruises, Shanks said. They wanted a shrine to their childhood.

Despite the girls objections, the Shankses looked at a few homes in Tenafly before deciding to renovate the three-bedroom colonial where they had lived since 1977.

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Some boomers opt to renovate, not move

By Long Hwa-shu For Sun-Times Media January 19, 2014 4:00PM

Eight-month-old Ethan is entertained by his dad Eric while his mother Jillian (back) visits a vendor at the annual Home Building & Remodeling Expo at the Lake County Fairgrounds. | TINA JOHANSSON/FOR SUN-TIMES MEDIA

storyidforme: 60849841 tmspicid: 22031164 fileheaderid: 10435670

Updated: January 20, 2014 2:26AM

Exhibitors voiced a cacophony of optimism for a better year because of the improving economy at the two-day Home Building & Remodeling Expo at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake which ended Sunday.

They based their upbeat outlook on the number of what they called serious inquiries, leads and appointments they received. The show, in its sixth year and the largest ever, attracted more than 250 exhibitors in the construction industry, from air-conditioning and heating to solar energy and from windows and sidings to bathroom and kitchen remodeling.

The economy has been down too long and people have deferred their home improvement, said Dave Hammerl, president of Stonecrafters in Lakemoor which makes, among other stone products, counter tops.

Now that the economy is recovering, the next 3-5 years will be tremendous as homeowners start to loosen up, he added.

Theres a lot of interest in remodeling, echoed Bill Shadwell, area sales manager based in Gurnee for Sears Improvement Center, pointing out that more than 10 would-be customers had signed up for appointments on the first day of the show Saturday.

Bill Porter of ReNu Home Remodeler in Libertyville noted that foreclosure is down and construction is up for new homes.

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Signs suggest an uptick in interest for remodeling projects

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Boulder

Building construction permits over $10,000 in value that were approved in Boulder between Jan. 6 and Jan. 12, 2014. Listed below are: the case number; address; total project valuation; owner name; contractor (if applicable); and description.

PMT2013-02734 4118 Clifton Court; $432,711.28; Lyons Valley ; Markel Homes Construction Co; New detached single-family residence on Lot 76, Northfield Village. Three-story residence with unfinished basement, attached three-car garage, three bedrooms on second floor, lofts on second and third floor, main level study, three and three-quarter baths with basement rough-ins for future bath.

PMT2013-03563 1621 Norwood Ave.; $370,000; Peterson Living ; Steven Dewitt Architecture; Construction of new single-family dwelling on empty lot. Two-story with partial basement, three and a half baths, three bedrooms, kitchen, dining, living room, office and entry porch and deck. Detached garage under separate permit (PMT2013-03564).

PMT2013-03564 1621 Norwood Ave.; $28,836.92; Peterson Living ; Steven Dewitt Architecture; New detached garage with carport associated with new single-family dwelling (PMT2013-03563). Includes associated electrical.

PMT2013-04570 1107 12th St.; $1,447,530; 1107 12th ; AGR Building Inc.; 1,990 square feet addition to and remodel of 20,679 square feet for the conversion of a 66-resident boarding house to a 15-unit, multifamily dwelling unit with a common gym/workout room and study area. Each unit to have two full bathrooms. See LUR2013-00006 for supplemental information.

PMT2013-05442 903 16th St.; $170,560.28; Chris Maurer; Strong Backs and Artistic Hands; Three units plus one rooming unit, multifamily house (non-conforming) Remove interior wall finishes, replace existing wiring, plumbing, boiler. Insulate exterior walls and ceiling. No change to occupancy or use.

PMT2013-05707 2657 Fourth St.; $850,000; Moonbeam Boulder ; Treeline Homes Inc.; New single-family dwelling with finished basement. Please refer to separate permit for detached garage - PMT2013-05708.

PMT2013-05708 2657 Fourth St.; $14,338.80; Boulder Moonbeam; Treeline Homes Inc; Construction of new detached garage associated with new single family dwelling permitted under PMT2013-05707.

PMT2013-05922 5259 Pierre St.; $425,000; Donald Lieberman and Anne Trust; CDC Development/Porchfront Homes; New single-family, two-story residence with attached garage. First and second floor combine for 2,724 square feet, finished basement of 916 square feet, unfinished basement of 170 square feet, attached garage of 578 square feet, covered porch and patio of 585SF, and second floor deck of 127SF.

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Boulder building permits: Jan. 20, 2014

HAVERFORD TWP. ---Commissioners Monday approved revisions to final land development/lot consolidation plans for the Quarry Center, 116 Township Line Road, to permit an additional 3,500 square foot, single story office building.

The building is proposed at the northeast corner of the site behind Lowes, on property which was not involved in original development plans for the shopping center, approved in Oct. 2011.

Quarry Center, L.P. anticipates a medical office use, but a tenant has not yet been secured, a spokesperson said.

There were no objections from residents in attendance.

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the revisions at a meeting Jan. 9, subject to compliance with conditions outlined in a letter from the township engineer.

Based on use as a medical office building, projections call for a maximum increase of eight vehicular trips in the a.m. peak period, 12 in the the a.m. peak period, 12 in the p.m. peak period and 13 in the Saturday peak period.

Commissioners also approved in November additional modifications permitting construction of retail shops on a portion of the property originally designed as a pad for a free-standing restaurant with drive-thru window.

Due to the combined changes, the developer was asked to confirm during post-development traffic studies that trip projections for the site are still representative.

Commissioners on Monday also approved major subdivision plans for a 2.95-acre parcel on Harvard Road.

Submitted by Jeffrey Steigerwalt, the plan calls for subdividing the property, former home to McCandless Fuels, into seven lots for seven single-family homes. Continued...

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Eying new offices at the Quarry Center

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Three Midland foundations have given $3,666,000 to the City of Midland for projects including fire stations renovations, a streetscape revamp, new fire alarm systems at the senior housing complexes and a new roof on the Law Enforcement Center.

The money includes $3,016,000 from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, $500,000 from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation and $150,000 from the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation.

Dave Keenan, assistant city manager, said in response to economic challenges in recent years, the city has focused on service delivery and stabilizing its fund balance. This has left the city unable to dedicate money to some projects that now need attention. Keenan said the foundations provided very generous donations to fund these needs.

The projects include:

Public safety facility improvements: Updates to the citys three fire stations, each with various needs ranging from roof replacements and HVAC updates to remodeling outdated living quarters and locker rooms. The Law Enforcement Center needs a new roof and HVAC updates, as well as updates to the Emergency Operations Center. Foundation grants: $1,361,000.

Downtown Midland: Relocation and burying of electrical transmissions lines on Ashman Street, and improving the street and streetscape conditions on Ellsworth Street. Foundation grants: $1.25 million.

Senior housing: Upgrades to fire and panic alarm systems at Washington Woods and Riverside Place. Foundation grants: $475,000.

Municipal Service Center: Repaving and repairing the parking lots and driveways. Foundation grants: $530,000.

City Forest: Toboggan run renovation. Foundation grants: $50,000.

The Midland City Council has amended the city budget to reflect the donations and the upcoming spending related to the project. City Manager Jon Lynch said most of the work will be completed this calendar year, but some if it is significant work that may carry over into 2015.

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Foundations give city $3.7 million for repairs, upgrades

Nancy Johnson | The Gazette

The Medina school board met in a closed-door executive session Friday and Saturday to interview 10 candidates vying for two seats left vacant on the five-member board by the resignations of Karla Robinson and Susan Vlcek.

Board President Tom Cahalan and board members Doug Adamczyk and Robert Skidmore interviewed the candidates but no decision was reached. The will resume discussions Sunday.

Were looking for involved members of our community who are supportive of our schools and who have the experience to add value to the board, Cahalan said.

Four of the applicants for the two open seats were interviewed on Friday: Dennis Churgovich, David Edmonds, Ronald Ross and Todd Gerber.

Saturday the board interviewed the remaining candidates, Christopher OConnell, Doug Eastwood, William Green, Terry Bernath, Shelby Kacludis and Tracy Givelekian.

Cahalan said a teacher, a student and a community member also were involved in the interviews.

They cant vote but they were there to listen, ask questions and give feedback, Cahalan said.

State law requires the board to appoint the two replacements before Jan. 30. Cahalan said the board hopes to install the new members at the boards Jan. 27 regular meeting.

Cahalan said the appointments are especially important this year, following a year of turmoil in 2013 surrounding allegations of fiscal mismanagement involving Superintendent Randy Stepps new contract.

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No decision yet on vacant Medina school board seats

Written by Gary Simeone, oysterbay@antonnews.com Saturday, 18 January 2014 00:00

This past Monday was the first school board meeting of the new year for the Oyster Bay School District and it was back to business as Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations Christopher Van Cott outlined the district's facilities update.

It is a three part plan, said Van Cott. Were focusing on current project status, potential 2014-15 capital reserve items and long-term capital needs.

Projects that were approved by voters in May of 2012 are replacement and renovation of Oyster Bay High Schools bathrooms, masonry, lockers, outside message board, front plaza and administration building windows.

These projects were delayed approval by the State Education Department because of the priority of Superstorm Sandy projects. They are expected to be bid upon this spring with work expected to start on them in the summer.

As of now work on the lockers in the high school is primarily complete, said Van Cott.

Other projects that were voter approved last May are window replacement in the Teddy Roosevelt School, upgrades to gas service in the high school and Vernon, HVAC improvements in Teddy Roosevelt and replacement of the science wing windows in the high school.

These projects were submitted to the SED in November 2013 and are expected to be approved this spring.

Potential capital reserve items which will be voted on in May include construction and new equipment for school parking lots, windows, roofs, masonry, field house renovation, bathrooms and sidewalks.

The existing capital reserve has a term of twenty years expiring in June 2026. As of June 30, 2013 the capital reserve balance is $3,844,265 with $6.1 million committed/expended.

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Focus On Facilities

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