Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Azerbaijan has not been disclosing its military death toll. But the government said Saturday that 14 civilians were killed in Ganja, Azerbaijans second-largest city, in an overnight missile attack by Armenia.

Officials say that more than half the people of Nagorno-Karabakh have fled their homes, though the martial law currently in effect bars men of military age from leaving the territory. Those who stayed behind include women who want to be close to their husbands, sons and fathers sent to the front lines. The coronavirus is far down the list of peoples worries, even though international aid organizations warn that cramped bomb shelters are spreading infection.

Alyona Shakhramanyan, 33, and her neighbors from the fifth floor of an apartment building in Shusha, the hilltop town, moved three weeks ago into a section of their dirt-floor basement. They fashioned a door out of a sheet of corrugated plastic and taped cardboard over the openings in the concrete walls. One of the women is sick a cold, they say, that she caught because of the drafty air.

Ms. Shakhramanyans brother, who, like her husband, is at the front, has not been answering his phone. When she went outside to do laundry the previous day, she was frightened by the buzz of a drone. Rocket artillery hit the nearby Holy Savior Cathedral twice earlier this month, and the paving stones outside it were still stained with the blood of a Russian journalist critically injured in the second strike.

No one helps us here, Ms. Shakhramanyan said. We are on our own.

At the military cemetery in Stepanakert, the resting place of fighters who died in the 1990s, the authorities removed a retaining wall and dug into a hillside to make way for the new casualties. Amid the artificial-flower wreaths and simple grave sites on the freshly graded, rocky dirt, a man whose brother was gone spread his arms in grief.

These are fresh our guys, he cried, his voice trailing off. What is there to say?

Go here to read the rest:
At Front Lines of Armenia-Azerbaijan Fighting, Death and Fear Reign - The New York Times

District 47 - West TN Northern

CARROLL COUNTY, SR-22A: Bridge repair in Huntingdon over Brier Creek at LM 0.34 and over CSX Railroad at LM 3.10.Restrictions: Monday, March 9, 2020: SR 22A will be reduced to one lane traffic with a traffic signal system.

CARROLL COUNTY, SR 22: The resurfacing on SR 22 from the end of the curb and gutter in Clarksburg to Bennetts Lane will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project.

DYER, LAKE, OBION COUNTY, SR-78: The resurfacing on SR 78 from SR 103 in Dyer County, through Obion County to south of SR 79 in Lake County will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project.

DYER COUNTY, SR-3 (US-51): The repair of bridges on US 51 (SR 3) over SR 211 in Dyersburg will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project. *Speed limit has been reduced to 55 MPH.

Restrictions: Sunday, July 19, 2020: Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction with a 12 lane restriction.

DYER COUNTY, SR-3 (US 51): The resurfacing with hot in-place recycling on US 51 (SR 3) from near SR 105 in Dyer County to South Main Street in Obion County.

DYER COUNTY, SR-20 (US-412): The resurfacing on SR 20 from US 51 (SR 3) to the Crockett County line will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project.

DYER COUNTY, SR-104: The resurfacing on SR 104 from SR 182 to the SR 181 including bridge deck repair will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project.

DYER COUNTY, SR-211 (West Main Street):Monday, October 19, 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: This section of roadway will be temporary closed from MM 9.7 to MM 9.8, near downtown Newbern, for demolition of a building.

GIBSON COUNTY, SR-5:Monday, September 21, 2020, through Saturday, October 31, 2020: There will be a closure of the right southbound lane and shoulder on SR 5 (north side of Humboldt) for construction of turning lane for Tyson S.I.A. route.

HENDERSON COUNTY (New Lexington By-Pass): The grading, drainage, construction of bridges and retaining walls, signals and paving on US 412 (SR 459) from US 412 (SR 20) west of Lexington to near SR 22 south of Lexington. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway.

HENRY COUNTY, SR-54: The grading, drainage, construction of bridges, retaining wall and paving on SR 54 from near Rison Street to near Smith Road. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway. *Speed limit has been reduced to 35 MPH.

Restrictions: Monday, November 25, 2019: Bridge work on SR 54 at LM 12.02 (Bridge nearest Guthrie) is causing a 10 lane restriction. *Traffic has been shifted to Phase 3 of traffic control.

OBION COUNTY, Future I-69 (Phase 2): Grading, drainage, construction of eight bridges on future I-69 from south of US 51 (SR 3) to south of US 45W (SR 5) will cause possible lane closures throughout the project.

OBION COUNTY, Future I-69 (Phase 3): Grading, drainage, construction of bridges and paving on future I-69 from west of SR 21 to US 51 (SR 3) will cause possible lane closures throughout the project.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020: Bethlehem Road north from Clifford Rives Road to Lindenwood Road will be closed. Claude Tucker Road north from Cloys Road to Section Line Road will be closed. Detour routes are posted.

WEAKLEY COUNTY, SR-22 (US 45E): The repair of the ramp bridge on US 45E (SR 22) over SR 431 will cause the ramp to be closed. A detour to SR 431 is provided.

District 48 - West TN Middle/Southern

CROCKETT COUNTY, SR-20: The miscellaneous safety improvements on US 412 (SR 20) from near the SR 54 ramp (LM 10.40) to Old SR 20 (South Cavalier Drive) (LM 12.80) may cause possible temporary lane closures both eastbound and westbound.

HARDIN COUNTY, SR-69: The construction of a Bulb Tee bridge over Doe Creek along with grading, drainage, and paving may cause temporary lane closures on SR 69 at LM 10.06. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway.

HAYWOOD COUNTY, SR-19 (Brownsville Bypass): The construction of an I-Beam bridge along with grading, drainage, and paving may cause temporary lane closures on SR 19 (Brownsville Bypass) from east of SR 87 to west of Windrow Rd. One lane will remain. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway. Speed limit is reduced to 45 MPH within the project limits. Shaw Chapel and King Road will be closed at SR 19 and a detour put in place on August 27, 2020.

HENDERSON COUNTY, SR-20: The resurfacing with hot in-place recycling on US 412 (SR 20) from Crucifer Road to near Sea Horse Drive will cause temporary lane closures daily.

HENDERSON COUNTY, SR-20: The resurfacing with hot in-place recycling on US 412 (SR 20) from east of SR 22 to near the Chesterfield By-Pass, including bridge expansion joint repair and thin epoxy overlay will cause temporary lane closures daily.

MADISON COUNTY, SR-5: The repair of the bridges on US 45 (SR 5) over Overflow (LM 11.17), near the fairgrounds, will cause temporary lane closures. One lane will remain open at all times.

MADISON COUNTY, SR-186 (US 45 Bypass) and I-40: Interchange improvements on SR 186 (US 45) north and southbound from the I-40 ramps to Old Hickory Blvd for paving and construction of retaining walls. Widening of I-40 from just east of Exit 79 to just east of Exit 82.

Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Saturday, October 17, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Saturday, October 17, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: I-40 eastbound and westbound will have intermittent lane closure at Exit 82 to allow for installation of overhead signs and opening of phase 1 of the off ramps. (BACKUP DATE: Sunday, October 18, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)

Monday, October 19 through Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

LOOK AHEADThursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Saturday, October 24, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Saturday, October 24, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: I-40 eastbound and westbound will have intermittent lane closure at Exit 82 to allow for installation of overhead signs and opening of phase 1 of the on ramps.(BACKUP DATE: Sunday, October 25, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)

Monday, October 26 through Wednesday, October 28, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

MADISON COUNTY, SR-186: The resurfacing on U.S. 45BP (S.R. 186) from Channing Way (L.M. 4.40) to Passmore Lane Overpass (L.M. 8.18), including bridge expansion joint repair and thin epoxy overlay.

Sunday, October 18 through Friday, October 23, 7:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: Intermittent lane closures north and southbound for resurfacing on US 45BP (SR 186) from Channing Way (LM 4.40) to Passmore Lane Overpass (LM 8.18).

LOOK AHEADSunday, October 25 through Friday, October 30, 7:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: Intermittent lane closures north and southbound for resurfacing on US 45BP (SR 186) from Channing Way (LM 4.40) to Passmore Lane Overpass (LM 8.18).

MCNAIRY COUNTY, SR-57: The resurfacing with hot in place recycling on SR 57 from the Ramer City Limits (LM 12.00) to the Hardin County Line (LM 24.67), including bridge expansion joint repair will cause intermittent lane closures daily.

TDOT District 48 MAINTENANCE:Wednesday, October 14 through Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be possible lane closures at various locations in Region IV in order to repair pavement on an as needed basis.

District 48 Floating Maintenance-Asphalt Resurfacing (TDOT Floating Maintenance):Wednesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 15, 7:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be intermittent lane closures on SR 186 (45 Bypass), both north and southbound in Madison County LM 0.00-0.40 to repair damaged sections of asphalt. Weather Permitting.

REGION IV Snowplowable Markers:Wednesday, October 14 through Wednesday, October 21, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be possible lane closures I-40 (MM 27.02- MM 45.54) in Fayette, (MM 45.54- MM 67.08) in Haywood, (MM 67.08-MM 94.95) in Madison, (MM 94.95-MM-119.65) in Henderson, (MM-119.65 MM-120.24) in Carroll, (MM 120.24- MM 125.89) in Decatur, and (MM 125.89- MM 134.70) in Benton counties at various locations for replacement of pavement markers.

LOOK AHEADWednesday, October 21 through Wednesday, October 28, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be possible lane closures I-40 (MM 27.02- MM 45.54) in Fayette, (MM 45.54- MM 67.08) in Haywood, (MM 67.08-MM 94.95) in Madison, (MM 94.95-MM-119.65) in Henderson, (MM-119.65 MM-120.24) in Carroll, (MM 120.24- MM 125.89) in Decatur, and (MM 125.89- MM 134.70) in Benton counties at various locations for replacement of pavement markers.

District 49 - West TN SouthwestFAYETTE COUNTY, SR-196: The repair of bridge over Shaw Creek will cause a lane closure with temporary traffic signal near MM 7.0.

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, SR-19: The resurfacing with hot-in-place recycling on SR 19 from near Eastland Avenue to Haywood County Line will cause temporary lane closures daily.

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, SR-88: The resurfacing with full depth reclamation on SR 88 from Dee Webb Road to Key Corner Road, including bridge deck repairs will cause temporary lane closures daily.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-3: Resurfacing on SR 3 (Union Ave) from Bellevue Blvd to BB King Blvd.Wednesday, October 14 through Tuesday, October 20, 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be intermittent lane closures on SR 3 east and westbound between Bellevue Blvd and B.B. King Blvd for asphalt paving operations. One lane in each direction will remain open. Weather Permitting.

LOOK AHEAD:Wednesday, October 21 through Tuesday, October 27, 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be intermittent lane closures on SR 3 east and westbound between Bellevue Blvd and B.B. King Blvd for asphalt paving operations. One lane in each direction will remain open. Weather Permitting.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-14: Resurfacing on SR 14 from the Mississippi State Line to SR 175Thursday, October 15 through Wednesday, October 21, 5:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.: There will be temporary lane closures on SR 14 (Third Street) north and southbound for resurfacing. One lane will remain open in each direction.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-14: The grading, drainage, construction of concrete Bulb-Tee and I-beam bridges, signals and paving on SR 14 from east of Old Covington Pike to SR 385 will cause possible lane closures throughout the project. *Speed limit has been reduced to 45 MPH.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-14: Construction on SR 14 for a widening project from SR 385 to east of Kerrville Rosemark Rd. There will be possible temporary lane closures throughout the project. Access to SR-14 from McCalla Rd West will be permanently detoured to Donnell Rd. *Speed limit has been reduced to 45 MPH.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-205: The resurfacing on SR 205 from SR-14 to Armour Rd will cause temporary lane closures.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-205: The addition of turn lanes on SR 205 (Airline Rd) from Brooks River Drive to south of I-40 will have lane closures throughout the project.Thursday, October 15 through Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be intermittent lane closures on SR 205 north and southbound from Brooks River Drive (LM-15.75) to just south of I-40 (LM-16.07) to perform temporary road widening work. There will be one lane traffic with flaggers present at times. *Speed limit has been reduced to 35 MPH. Weather Permitting.

TDOT District 49 MAINTENANCE:Thursday, October 15 through Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be possible lane closures on all interstates and state routes in District 49 for routine maintenance activities on an as needed basis.

TDOT District 49 Emergency Reference Marker InstallationWednesday, October 14 through Tuesday, October 20, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be nighttime lane closures at various locations in Shelby County on I-40 westbound, MM 0.0MM 18.6; I-240 eastbound, MM 12.0MM 31.0, and I-55 southbound, MM 5.8MM 12.4. One lane will be CLOSED to install new Emergency Reference Markers. Weather Permitting.

TDOT District 49 On-Call Guardrail/Concrete Barrier Rail Repair:Wednesday, October 14 through Tuesday, October 20, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be night time lane closures at various locations on SR 3 (Shelby County), SR 385 (Shelby County), SR 14 (Shelby County), SR 15 (Shelby County), I-40 (Fayette and Shelby Counties), I-269 (Shelby and Fayette Counties),I-55 and I-240. One lane will be CLOSED to repair damaged guardrail. THP will assist with traffic control. Weather Permitting.

Thursday, October 15 through Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be daytime lane closures at various locations in Shelby County, SR 205, MM 2.32.5, Lauderdale County, SR 3, MM 10.024.0, Tipton County, SR 206, MM 2.302.37, and Tipton, SR 59, MM 20.620.65. One lane will be closed. Flagmen will be used to direct traffic where necessary. Weather Permitting.

Wednesday, October 14 through Tuesday, October 20, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be nighttime ramp closures in Shelby County at the I-55 southbound EXIT 5A off ramp to eastbound Brooks Rd and at the I-55 southbound EXIT 7 on ramp from SR 14 southbound. Weather Permitting. If weather prohibits, the closures will be on the next available night.

LOOK AHEAD:Wednesday, October 21 through Tuesday, October 27, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be nighttime ramp closures in Shelby County at the I-55 NB ON ramp from EXIT 12C (Metal Museum Drive), I-55 southbound EXIT 5A off ramp to eastbound Brooks Rd, I-55 southbound EXIT 7 on ramp from SR 14 southbound, I-240 EB ON ramp from Union Avenue, and I-240 EB ON ramp from SB Airways. Weather Permitting.

NON-TDOT/City of Memphis workSHELBY COUNTY, I-40: Memphis Cook Convention CenterMonday, October 7, 2019, 6:00 a.m. through Wednesday, October 28, 2020: On October 7, 2019 the exit ramp from I-40 eastbound (Exit 1, Front Street) was fully closed for upgrades to the Memphis Cook Convention Center. The ramp split to Riverside Dr. will remain open. Traffic will be controlled by signage and traffic barrels. Drivers should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through work zones.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at http://www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel or for West Tennessee follow https://twitter.com/NicLawrenceTDOT.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

In 2016, the Tennessee Department of Transportation lost three workers in the line of duty. All three were struck by passing motorists. Those tragedies bring the total number of TDOT lives lost to 112. We dont want to lose another member of our TDOT family. Were asking you to WORK WITH US. Click on the WORK WITH US logo to learn more.

See more here:
West Tennessee Weekly Construction October 14-21, 2020 - tn.gov

After more than a decade of efforts to secure funding for a multi-purpose, paved trail connecting Itasca State Park and the Heartland Trail, the Minnesota Legislature included $2 million in its recent bonding bill for the trail spur.

A citizens-led committee had asked for a $3.8 million appropriation to complete the first phase of the project. Hopes of receiving the request were considered slim in June, after a bonding bill failed to pass during the regular legislative session.

After announcing to committee members that $2 million was in the final bonding bill, State Sen. Paul Utke (R-Park Rapids) said the rest of the funding $1.8 million will come from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

"The DNR has said they will add the balance to get the tunnel and trail into the park completed in phase one," Utke said. "Good luck and let the project begin!"

The first phase of the project involves building a 1.75-mile trail from the Itasca State Park contact station to U.S. Hwy. 71, a tunnel under the highway with a retaining wall and a 1.96-mile trail east of the tunnel toward Emmaville, where it would connect with an existing snowmobile trail.

The committee has been actively developing a plan for the Itasca-Heartland Connection, with input from a variety of stakeholders, DNR staff, Hubbard County Land Management Department staff, two county commissioners and trail users, such as hunters, snowmobilers and bicyclists.

With everything that it happening in the country and state now, it is indeed a pleasure and honor this state trail will provide a recreational connection to Itasca State Park and the Heartland Trail for all county residents and visitors from around the world to enjoy, said Eric Haugland, chairperson of the citizen committee. We would like to thank Sen. Paul Utke for his support as well as Rep. John Persell and the Hubbard County commissioners, specifically Char Christenson and Tom Krueger who have shown special interest in the trail, and for Hubbard County Land Commissioner Chip Lohmeier for his efforts since the start on discussion of a trail.

Legislators who sponsored the Itasca-Heartland Connection bonding bill included Sen. Utke and Sen. Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) and Rep. Persell (DFL-Bemidji), Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul) and Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-North St. Paul).

In coordination with the committee, the DNR conducted preliminary engineering work to determine a trail corridor and cost estimates.

The Heartland Trail Spur, if funded, would connect bikers, hikers and snowmobilers on a 24-mile jaunt from CSAH 4 to Itasca State Park. (Map courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

Tunnel construction accounts for nearly half of the $3.8 million cost, but a handout for legislators notes this initial phase will give the park a scenic and secluded out-and-back trail for cyclists that complements the currently busy in-park trail, while also giving snowmobilers a welcomed safe route under Hwy. 71 when going to and from the park's snowmobile trails.

One of the primary reasons for the new trail is that the current bike route between Itasca and Park Rapids to Itasca, along a shoulder of U.S. Hwy. 71, is considered dangerous due to the high traffic levels and the narrow shoulders with rumble strips.

When funds are available, the second phase of trail construction will continue 13 miles east to Emmaville on county land. The third phase will go south eight miles from Emmaville on a county road right-of-way to the intersection with the Heartland Trail, where a trailhead would be constructed.

State legislators also approved $2 million in bonding for another new section of the Heartland Trail from Detroit Lakes to Frazee that has been under construction.

Excerpt from:
Itasca-Heartland Connection Trail receives $2M in bonding - Park Rapids Enterprise

An extensive renovation project at the Red Gym has enhanced several student programming spaces and improved the offices for some of the universitys key diversity initiatives.

Major elements of the nine-month project included the relocation and expansion of the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, upgrades to two student identity centers, and improvements to the offices and meeting areas of the Posse Program, the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives, and theFirst WaveSpoken Word and Hip Hop Arts Learning Community.

This project is part of our ongoing commitment to invest in spaces where students can feel at home and where they can find and build community, says Gabe Javier, associate vice chancellor for student affairs in the area of inclusion and identity.

The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, which supports LGBTQ+ students and their communities, remains on the first floor of the Red Gym but has moved to space that previously housed the Arpad L. Masley Media Room. The center, which serves 50-75 students daily, had outgrown its current space. The move roughly doubles the centers size.

Improvements include a lounge, enclosed offices for the centers four full-time staff members, a private area for students to meet with mental health professionals, and a meeting room large enough for classes. The meeting room will be available for events hosted by the dozen or so LGBTQ+ student organizations on campus.

The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center supports LGBTQ+ students and their communities. Photo: Bryce Richter

This feels like further institutional investment in the students we see every day and further recognition of the impactful work we do, says Assistant Dean Warren Scherer, center director. While the center has been on this campus for 28 years, this invites us to look ahead at the next 28 years, and that excites me.

A centerpiece of the new space will be an art instillation by Jeanette Martn, a Milwaukee-based artist and UWMadison alumna. The piece is being privately funded through a donation from the family of Paul Ginsberg, a former dean of students.

Another part of the remodeling project continues the universitys commitment to two relatively new student identity centers within the Red Gym: the Latinx Cultural Center and the APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) Student Center. The centers opened in the fall of 2018, but as startups that lacked staff or finished spaces.

The remodeling project continues the universitys commitment to two relatively new student identity centers within the Red Gym: the Latinx Cultural Center (above) and the APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) Student Center. Photo: Bryce Richter

Both centers remain on the North Mezzanine level of the Red Gyms second floor, but they now have newly remodeled, furnished space. And, as of last year, each has a designated full-time staff member.

Our identity centers provide crucial programming, resources and support for students whose needs have not otherwise been met by existing structures within our institution, says Claudia Guzmn, an assistant dean and director of the Multicultural Student Center. These spaces are designed to foster identity development and community building in an effort to enhance the Wisconsin Experience for underrepresented students of color.

Guzmn notes that both the Latinx and APIDAidentitycenters were born of student activism.

Im pleased that the university is confirming their value through the staffing allocations and the remodeling project, she says.

The APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) Student Center opened in 2018, but now has newly remodeled, furnished space. Photo: Bryce Richter

The remodeling project also includes upgrades to space on the second floor that houses the Posse Program, First Wave, and the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives. The space now has more offices, a conference room, a new computer area, a study space, and new carpet and furniture. The programs are part of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement.

Additionally, the remodeling project includes significant sound-baffling on the second floor to reduce airborne sound in the largely open area.

Read more:
Remodeling project improves student spaces at Red Gym - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Is the fast-food dining room dead? Probably not. But the pandemic could well give rise to a new generation of restaurants that ditch indoor seating altogether.

With quick-service restaurants thriving during the pandemic, thanks largely to the drive-thru, more companies are considering takeout-only units. Del Taco said last week, for instance, that it plans to test a smaller, drive-thru-only restaurant that ditches interior seats.

That comes on the heels of Burger Kings new drive-thru-focused prototype, some versions of which do not include interior seats.

Its designed for us to be able to get into real estate like conversions and other opportunities, maybe smaller parcels of land and infill scenarios that we couldnt necessarily penetrate with a standard drive-thru prototype, CEO John Cappasola said last week.

To be sure, drive-thru-only units have been in the industry for a long time. Checkers and Rallys consolidated much of the drive-thru-only fast-food concepts in the 1980s and 1990s.

More recently, drive-thru coffee concepts have taken off, led by Dutch Bros. Coffeewhich generated 15% system sales growth in the U.S. last year.

Whats more, quick-service chains have in recent years realized the benefits of their drive-thrus, as more customers started accessing them for burgers and chicken sandwiches. Chains such as Chick-fil-A and McDonalds have spent a lot of money bolstering the technology and other capabilities of their drive-thrus.

Jack in the Box largely ditched work on its interior for a remodeling program. The majority of the returns from a full remodel is coming through the drive-thru, aligning with where 70% of our business is generated, former CEO Lenny Comma said last year, according to a transcript on the financial services site Sentieo.

The pandemic has only accelerated matters, emphasizing further the importance of drive-thrus to the fast-food business. Many quick-service restaurants have returned to growth on the backs of their drive-thrus. McDonalds generated double-digit same-store sales in September even though most of its dining rooms are closed.

The aforementioned Checkers and Rallys, which was restructuring its debt going into the pandemic, has thrived since then. Our sales results are putting us in a great position, CEO Frances Allen told Restaurant Business in August. Our profit is up significantly ahead of the quarter last year.

While consumers have returned to dining out at casual diners, albeit with state restrictions on capacity, they have been much slower to return to fast-food dining rooms.

Cappasola said last week, for instance, that demand for dining rooms has been tepid, suggesting that the company will only reopen its dining rooms once that demand returns. You may be able to pick up some sales, he said. But the drag down on profitability may not be worth it.

The pandemic has already led to several takeout-focused strategies by big chains. Seattle-based coffee giant Starbucks said in June that it plans to close some 400 U.S. locations to make way for its takeout-focused Starbucks Pickup stores in urban areas.

Burger King unveiled its new prototype last month, a prototype that it began working on shortly after the pandemic began. It features a much smaller dining room, or no dining room at all, along with two or three drive-thru lanes, walk-up windows and curbside lanes. Some of the options allow for the complete removal of indoor seating.

The dining in was something that was interrupted, Rapha Abreu, global head of design for Burger King parent company Restaurant Brands International, said on the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive earlier this month. The car and the takeout was the biggest service mode.

The design is meant to give operators more flexibility on their restaurants, based on market needs and real estate availability. But it clearly demonstrates that more markets will not need a dining room in the future.

We know there are some locations where dining in isnt a big thing, Abreu said. He said the flexibility is important, enabling Burger King locations to go into more types of real estate and fit into more types of markets.

Thats a similar thought to the one Del Taco is using as it explores a smaller prototype without seating. Many restaurant executives believe that more real estate will become available as restaurants close, and theyre designing flexible prototypes to take advantage of it.

Were going to have more opportunities there that we believe will lead to additional access for us on the real estate front and for our franchisees that should lead to more growth, Cappasola said.

See the original post:
Why the fast-food dining room could be a thing of the past - Restaurant Business Online

When it comes to home remodeling, there is one company that homeowners can trust, and that is none other than A&K Remodeling & Turnkey.

This press release was orginally distributed by ReleaseWire

Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/19/2020 -- Making extensive changes to one's home is a big decision, and it is not always an easy one to take. Such jobs need to be handled by professionals that come from a company like A&K Remodeling & Turnkey. With more than 30 years of experience in the field, they are among the best general contractors who can assist with home remodeling in Cypress and Houston, Texas.

A home remodeling job can be anything. Starting from making small changes to the rooms or going for extensive changes, it can be anything. What is true of a home remodeling job is that it is a significant and long-lasting change. So the decision to bring down a part of the house to rebuild it again from scratch cannot be made whimsically. One has to put considerable thought into the matter before the hammer struck the wall. The home remodeling experts working with this company recognize their clients' sentiments, which is why before any significant decision is taken, they make it a point to ask it through. Whether it is a bathroom remodeling or giving the kitchen a makeover, the entire process is shared with the client. Ideas are taken and considered from the homeowners since it is their home that is getting remodeled.

Home remodeling in Cypress and Houston, Texas helps in value addition to the property. Whether it is adding a small room or making extensive additions just as bathroom remodeling, the expert bathroom remodeling contractor in Cypress and Houston, Texas A&K Remodeling & Turnkey will be glad to help. Even a home painting job can be beneficial for one's home. It can keep the house looking as good as new. The painting job can be carried out on the interior as well as the exterior. A&K Remodeling & Turnkey has been providing cover and interior paint services for more than 30 years.

Call 281-647-6871 for details.

About A&K Remodeling & TurnkeyWith more than 30 years of experience, A&K Remodeling & Turnkey company is one of the well-known companies offering bathroom and kitchen remodeling, room additions, home remodeling, and more.

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Tractor Supply Co. has submitted plans to Marine City to remodel a portion of the former Kmart space.(Photo: Brian Wells/Times Herald)

Tractor Supply Co,soon will start remodelingwork ona portion of the former Kmart spacein Marine City andplans to open in the city next year.

The space has been vacant since December, when the Kmart closed and ended its 40-year run.

They have already submitted their plans for buildingpermitsso I expect work to start soon,Elaine Leven, MarineCitys city manager, said in an email.It will be a welcome addition and give people in the area another source for a great mix of products.

Tractor Supply Co. public relations representative Darias Collins said in an email the Marine City Tractor Supply Co. store is slated to open in early spring 2021.

Tractor Supply Co. has submitted plans to Marine City to remodel a portion of the former Kmart space.(Photo: Brian Wells/Times Herald)

The store will provide about15 new jobs to the areawith at least half of themfull-time positions. Anyone interested in applying for a position can visit the company's website.

"Tractor Supply is committed to providing customer service that addresses the needs of the Out Here lifestyle in addition to everyday home and pet care, and the Marine City area reflects that," Collinssaid.

According to the companys submitted plans, the proposed remodel includesabout 28,709 square feet offormer Kmartinterior space, next toMarine City Auto Care.

The plans include a permanent sidewalk display area, permanent trailer and equipment display area, a fenced outdoor display area, a pet wash area and dressing room space.

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The next two closest Tractor Supply Co. locations are in Richmondand New Haven; the company also has locations in Fort Gratiot Township and Marysville.

According to the First Commercial listing for the property, the remaining former Kmart space available is 54,962 square feetwith a rate of$4.50 per square foot per year.

The listing describes Riverside Plaza as supporting the residents of Marine City and the surrounding communities. It is anchored by VG Foods and is located near the St. Clair River, just south of town.

Contact Bryce Airgoodat (810) 989-6202 or bairgood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123.

Tractor Supply Co. has submitted plans to Marine City to remodel a portion of the former Kmart space.(Photo: Brian Wells/Times Herald)

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Tractor Supply Co. plans to remodel part of former Marine City Kmart, open spring 2021 - The Times Herald

Forty names, games, teams and minutiae making news in college football, where Massachusettss season began and likely ended with a 410 loss Saturday:

MORE DASH: TheUndefeateds| Big Ten Preview| Coach of Year?

How bad was Tennessee (11) Saturday? Bad enough to lose to Kentucky by 27 points, which is its largest margin of defeat against the Wildcats since a 270 loss in 1935. Last time the Volunteers lost by more than 27 to Kentucky was the first time the teams ever met, in 1893. So you could say this was a once-a-century calamity for Big Orange, but that would actually be understating it.

This was an outcome so galling that it led one Vols fan to throw a beer bottle through a window. Said fan felt compelled to call in to a postgame radio show and report his meltdown, adding that his wife left the house over it. Honey, Tennessee football done it, the man said he told his wife. I didnt do it.

Thats questionable accountability, but the beer bottle bomber isnt alone. Head coach Jeremy Pruitt (12) also found someoneother than himselfto blame, firing defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh on Sunday. Brumbaugh was the scapegoat after all of four games at Tennessee, and no spring practice with his unit. (Tennessee fans had already started the Must Be Fired list, and Brumbaugh wasn't at the top of it.) The firing will cost the athletic program $830,000, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, though that could be mitigated if Brumbaugh gets another job.

Throwing around money is what Power 5 athletic programs do, though, and Tennessee is among the industry leaders in that area. Less than a month ago, athletic director and former coach Phillip Fulmer (13) announced a contract extension for Pruitt through 2025 that will increase his salary to $4.2 million next year. Per the release announcing the extension, Pruitt was credited with establishing a culture of toughness, a bowl appearance following a six-game winning streak and a top-10 recruiting class.

Calvin Mattheis/Pool via News Sentinel-Imagn Content Services, LLC

(According to USA Todays coaching salary database, Pruitt has not taken a pandemic-related pay cut in 2020. Many of his peers at public universities have. Given that, plus Pruitts comical inability to wear a mask correctly against Georgia, this might not be a guy who is taking the COVID-19 situation too seriously.)

At the time of the extension, Pruitts record was 1312. There is no reason to believe anyone was preparing to poach him. Today his record is 1514, with a 20 start followed by humbling losses to Georgia and the Wildcats. Butch Jones, Pruitts much-pilloried predecessor, was 1712 in his final 29 games at Tennessee. So the quick turnaround noted in the release announcing Pruitts extension has actually been a downturn to date.

Next up: Alabama. Things are fine.

The slightest glimmer of progress is over-rewarded so quickly in college football that schools often box themselves into ruinous buyouts when, stunningly, that progress turns out to be fools gold. Look around college football right now, and the landscape is rife with buyers remorse.

Syracuse (14): Yahoo Sports reported Saturday that Dino Baberss buyout is at least $17 million, which is a ton at a school that isnt raking in Big Ten or SEC-level media revenue even in the best of financial times. Baberss record at the school is 2430, just 611 since getting an enhanced contract in December 2018. His tenure at the school began with consecutive 48 seasons, then came a 103 breakthrough in 18 that earned him the new deal. It was Syracuses best season since 2001, but it was built on nonconference wins over Western Michigan, Wagner and Connecticut, plus a very weak Atlantic Coast Conference. Since then, Syracuse has regressed.

South Carolina (15): After going 94 in 2017 and beating Michigan in the Outback Bowl, Will Muschamp got a $1 million-a-year raise to $4.2 million. A year later, he got an extension through 2024 (11 days after that deal was announced, the Gamecocks lost the Belk Bowl 340 to Virginia to finish 76). Since then, South Carolina is 610 with two notable wins: upsetting Georgia last year and holding off Auburn Saturday. The nine-win season that got South Carolina administrators so excited came four seasons after Steve Spurrier competed a third straight 11-win campaign. Muschamps buyout currently stands at $13.2 million.

Nebraska (16): Last December, flush with the thrill of 48 and 57 seasons, the school extended the contract of Scott Frost through 2026. Frost was paid $5 million a year to come back to his alma mater after big success at UCF. His victories to date at Nebraska: Minnesota, Bethune-Cookman, Illinois twice, Michigan State, South Alabama, Northern Illinois, Northwestern and Maryland. His record against ranked opponents: 07. His buyout will be just north of $25 million as of Dec. 1. Since awarding that deal, athletic director Bill Moos has complained about how unfair it is that the Cornhuskers must open this season at Ohio State on Saturday. Maybe hell pay Frost another million or two for having to take on such a burden.

USC (17): After winning the Pac-12 in 2017 and finishing 113, Clay Helton received a 40% raise from then athletic director Lynn Swann to $4.5 million. Since then Helton has gone 1312, clinging to his job. Last we saw of the Trojans, they were being run out of the Holiday Bowl by Iowa, 4924.

LSU (18): Hey, if you go 150 and win the national championship, youre entitled to get paid. That said, what LSU gave Ed Orgeron is pretty amazing: at $8.9 million this season, the only coach earning more is Nick Saban. That more than doubled his previous salary. Without Joe Burrow, Joe Brady, Dave Aranda and many others, Orgeron thus far has delivered a 12 record while serving up the only wins of the season to both Mississippi State and Missouri. The one-hit wonder comparisons to Gene Chizik (19) may be premature, but Coach O hasnt done anything yet to dispel them.

Is Indiana (20) next? Well see. The Hoosiers gave coach Tom Allen a seven-year, $27.3 million deal last December after an 84 regular season, more than doubling his salary from $1.7 to $3.9 million. His overall record is 1820, and he lost ace offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer. Four weeks after his new contract was announced, Allen's Hoosiers blew a 229 lead in the final five minutes to Tennesseewhich, in turn, helped Jeremy Pruitt get paid. People helping people, the college football way.

MORE DASH: The Undefeateds | Big Ten Preview| Coach of Year?

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Forde-Yard Dash: Think Twice Before Handing Out That Contract Extension - Sports Illustrated

Dock and yard management system streamlines the complexity of dock and yard operations, it includes warehouse management systems (WMS) and transportation management systems (TMS). This management system helps to reduce the typical and expensive logistics problems which anticipating in the growth of the dock and yard management system market. Advancements in technology, increasing digitalization, and growing focus on improving the efficiency of the supply chain are accelerating the growth of the dock and yard management system market.

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Leading Players in the Dock and Yard Management System Market: 4Front Engineered Solutions, C3 Solutions, Descartes Systems Group, Epicor Software Corporation, HighJump Software, Manhattan Associates, Oracle Corporation, ProAct International Ltd, Royal 4 Systems, Zebra Technologies Corp.

The Dock and Yard Management System market analysis is intended to provide all participants and vendors with pertinent specifics about growth aspects, roadblocks, threats, and lucrative business opportunities that the market is anticipated to reveal in the coming years. This intelligence study also encompasses the revenue share, market size, market potential, and rate of consumption to draw insights pertaining to the rivalry to gain control of a large portion of the market share.

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The Dock and Yard Management System Industry is extremely competitive and consolidated because of the existence of several established companies that are adopting different marketing strategies to increase their market share. The vendors engaged in the sector are outlined based on their geographic reach, financial performance, strategic moves, and product portfolio. The vendors are gradually widening their strategic moves, along with customer interaction.

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Premiummarketinsights.comis a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.

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Dock and Yard Management System Market Trends, Size, Share, Status, Analysis and Forecast to 2027 With Leading Players 4Front Engineered Solutions, C3...

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwams College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Evan Petty, who has been one of the hottest names in the early returns to racing after the coronavirus pandemic, has verbally committed to the defending NCAA Champion Cal Golden Bears.

A senior at Ensworth High School, Petty is expected to join the Golden Bears in the fall of 2021, and was one of the top remaining recruits in the class to commit.

As a sophomore, Petty was 4th in the 200 IM and 5th in the 100 back at the Tennessee High School State Championship meet, but didnt swim at the state meet as a junior in February.

In 2019, he won 3 Southeastern Swimming LSC titles, topping the 50 yard back, 100 yard back, and 200 yard backstrokes. He was also a Winter Juniors East finalist in the 100 yard backstroke last December, swimming 48.79.

Petty celebrated his commitment, announced last Tuesday, with two more best times over the weekend at a Nashville Aquatic Club intrasquad. There he posted best times in the 50 yard free and 200 yard back.

Best Times in Yards:

* Best times swum since meets resumed this summer after coronavirus quarantines.

Cal had one of the best backstroke programs in the country last season, though they didnt get to see that come to fruition at the NCAA Championship meet, which was eventually canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Golden Bears had two swimmers rank in the top 8 nationally in the 200 back with Daniel Carr (1:37.87 4th) andHugo Gonzalez (1:39.66 8th) both achieving that. They were the only school in the country with two swimmers in the top 8.

Carr is the cherry on top of a loaded class for the Cal men, who are likely winding down their 2021 recruiting and turning their focus to the fall of 2022. Also in the class of 2021 for the Golden Bears are the 6th-ranked recruit Jack Alexy, 14th-ranked recruit Trent Frandson, Swedish star Robin Hanson, Sean Swift, Jacob Soderlund, Kai Crews, and Gabriel Jett.

That class is loaded with backstrokers, including Crews (48.1/1:46.9) and Jett (48.4/1:44.6). That follows a 2020 class that included one of the best high school backstrokers of the last decade Destin Lasco (45.9/1:40.7).

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [emailprotected].

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Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visitfitterandfaster.comto find or request a swim camp near you.

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