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The Reno Ice Rink is under construction in South Reno on Oct. 8, 2020.(Photo: Andy Barron/RGJ)

After five years, the goal is in sight.

The first phase of the Reno Ice indoor rink in south Reno is nearing completion and expected to open in early December.

Construction superintendent Brad Richter said the rink construction should be complete in late November. The ice rink will be NHL-size, 200-feet-by-85 feet. There will be a mezzanine level capable of holding a restaurant in the future.

The Jennifer M. O'NealCommunity Ice Arena rink is at 15500 Wedge Parkway near the intersection with Arrowcreek Parkway and is easy to see from the highway.

"Every day it's fun coming to work because you get to see progress being made," Richter said. "For a skater like myself, it's exciting to be on site every day."

Construction superintendent Brad Richter is shown at the Reno Ice rink in south Reno.(Photo: Provided to the RGJ)

Richter said it is a little unusual to be working on a big construction project in front of so many people driving by and that several people have stopped to ask him about the rink.

"We see three to four visitors stopping by each week asking about figure skating, hockey leagues and public skating," Richter said. "Once we started erecting the structure, we are seeing those numbers increase and so far, all the comments have been positive with some even asking where they can make a donation and for those who do not know, Reno Ice is a non-profit with a 501(3)C exemption associated. So yes, the pressure is on to deliver."

Shown is the The Reno Ice Rink under construction in South Reno on Oct. 8, 2020.(Photo: Andy Barron/RGJ)

Those interested in donating can go to renoice.org.

Reno Ice will have private lessons, public ice skating sessions, hockey leagues, broomball, curling, trade shows, tournaments, performances and figure skating.

Richter said the rink will be using a reverse osmosis system,which provides pure ice, free of bubbles, particles and cracks, and reduces the overall amount of water used in maintenance on the top sheet. It willprovidea faster skating surface due to less friction.

The Reno Ice Rink is under construction in South Reno on Oct. 8, 2020.(Photo: Andy Barron/RGJ)

The electric Zamboni ice re-surfacing machine will utilizea Level-ice system laser. It will haveautomated precision blade control to createconsistent, level ice,saving energy, water and time between skating sessions.

Richter, 49,is from Waunakee, Wisc., and he moved to Reno three years ago. He was part of the Waunakee Hockey Association where he helped build an ice rink facility. He played hockey since he was a child and playedwith the Madison Capitals of the USHL.

Reno Ice is building a year-round ice rink in south Reno.(Photo: Provided by to Jeff Frame- Frame Architecture, Inc.)

He is still playing hockey in an adult league at the South Lake Tahoe rink.

"Growing up and being exposed to hundreds of different types of rinks has provided me with the insight to help Reno Ice make the correct decisions in regard to operational features, functionality and getting the best product for their money," Richter said.

Richter looks forward to seeing youth hockey grow in Northern Nevada and said getting a hockey team here is alsoa possibility, although nothing has been decided on that.

"It will be great to see kids get out there and Reno grow a youth program from its infancy," he said.

Jim Krajewski covers high school and youth sports for the Reno Gazette Journal. Follow him on Twitter @RGJPreps. Support his work by subscribing to RGJ.com right here.

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Reno Ice rink nearing completion; construction expected to wrap up in late November - Reno Gazette Journal

MANALAPAN Representatives of an applicant that is proposing to construct a Taco Bell restaurant at the corner of Route 9 south and Taylors Mills Road are expected back before the Manalapan Zoning Board of Adjustment on Oct. 15.

Yum & Chill TB Holdings, LLC, is proposing to demolish a Shell gas and service station at the corner and to construct a Taco Bell. The applicant is represented by attorney Peter G. Licata, of the firm Sonnenblick, Parker and Selvers, Freehold Township.

Initial testimony regarding the Taco Bell was presented during the boards July 16 meeting. Testimony resumed on Aug. 20 before the application was carried once more.

Yum & Chill TB Holdings is seeking preliminary and final major site plan approval with bulk variances and use variance relief to permit the demolition of the Shell station and the construction of a 2,578-square-foot Taco Bell.

The Taco Bell is proposed to have dine-in and drive-up service. The 0.8-acre property is owned by PMG New Jersey, LLC, and is in the Office Park 3 zone. The construction of a fast food restaurant and drive-up is not permitted in the OP-3 zone, according to a legal notice published by Licata.

Access to the restaurant would be provided from one driveway on Taylors Mills Road and one driveway on Route 9 south.

During the Aug. 20 meeting, traffic consultant Jay Troutman presented information regarding the number of vehicles that could be in line at the drive-up window at any given time. He said he observed vehicles at a Taco Bell on Route 9 south in Howell for 135 minutes (noon to 2:15 p.m. on a Wednesday in July).

Troutman said that for 75 of the 135 minutes he observed the restaurant, there were between zero and three vehicles on line. For 52 minutes, there were between four and six vehicles on line. For eight minutes, there were between seven and 10 vehicles on line, he said.

Once the line reaches a certain point, people will choose other options. People will not join a line where the wait is going to be too long, he said.

Troutman said the peak times at the Taco Bell would be weekday lunch and weekday dinner. The lowest use would be on Sunday, he said.

Planner John Chadwick testified on behalf of the applicant and sought to make the case that the granting of the use variance would be a benefit to Manalapan.

He said, among other aspects of the plan, that the applicant is proposing to reduce the impervious coverage at the site from 90% to 70% (65% impervious coverage is permitted).

At present, there are two driveways at the site on Taylors Mills Road and two driveways at the site on Route 9. The applicant is proposing to close one driveway on Taylors Mills Road and one driveway on Route 9. Chadwick called that aspect of the plan an advancement of public safety.

The proposed development is a good fit for the Route 9 corridor, Chadwick said.

Jennifer Beahm, the boards planner, did not take issue with the proposed reduction in lot coverage or the closing of the driveways, but did question certain aspects of Chadwicks testimony regarding the advancement of the municipalitys zoning.

Previous testimony offered by project engineer Marc Leber, of East Point Engineering, Marlboro, indicated that left turns from the Taco Bell property to Taylors Mills Road would be prohibited.

During the Aug. 20 meeting, zoning board member Mollie Kamen said she was concerned some people would turn right out of Taco Bell onto Route 9 south, turn right into the neighboring Wendys restaurant, use an access road that connects Wendys to Taylors Mills Road and then turn left onto Taylors Mills Road where that movement is permitted.

Kamen expressed concern that people making the cut-through at Wendys after leaving Taco Bell would come into conflict with motorists waiting on the drive-up line at Wendys.

Concern was also raised that people who want to travel west on Taylors Mills Road upon leaving Taco Bell will turn right onto Route 9 south and then drive through a nearby residential area (Briar Hill Drive, Country Lane, Princeton Drive) to get back to Taylors Mills Road to turn left and head west.

Troutman said most of the vehicles entering the Taco Bell site will be pass-by traffic that will not drive through the neighborhood, but he said he reviewed the issue and estimated that during a peak hour, approximately five vehicles leaving Taco Bell would drive through the Briar Hill Drive neighborhood to return to Taylors Mills Road and head west.

When the Aug. 20 meeting was opened to public comment, many residents expressed concern about the application.

Some residents who addressed the zoning board said they live in the Briar Hill Drive neighborhood and were concerned about vehicles passing their homes; some speakers lamented the closing of the Shell service station; and some residents took issue with having a driveway on Taylors Mills Road.

Resident Salvatore Viscusi said, We have more than we need with fast food restaurants. Keep Manalapan a beautiful little town and dont turn it into a circus.

Resident Rex Lazewski said, I dont think you should change the use of the property.

Resident Karen Eastman said, We dont need two fast food restaurants (Wendys and Taco Bell) on top of each other. I do need a service station.

After the residents finished speaking, the zoning board members took a straw poll to determine where the Taco Bell application stood.

Due to various concerns with the proposed use, the indication was that the application might not receive the five yes votes it needs for the use variance to be granted. The key concern for some board members was the traffic situation at the location.

Licata, who represents the applicant, acknowledged traffic at the site is the key issue, but said the consensus of the applicants professionals is that the project as designed would improve the situation.

Licata asked for the application to be carried to determine if there is a way forward, and the board carried the application to the Oct. 15 meeting.

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Discussion about proposed Taco Bell in Manalapan expected to resume - centraljersey.com

Sports & Social construction is currently underway. The $12 million addition is expected to open in Winter 2021.

Live Casino & Hotel at Arundel Mills is converting its Center Stage performance venue into a sports-themed lounge, restaurant and pending Maryland voter approval a sports betting venue.

Sports & Social construction is currently underway. The $12 million addition is expected to open in Winter 2021.

The 212-seat Sports & Social will include more than 100 linear feet of LED screens, including a 47-foot wide main screen. Live! says every guest will be able to watch at least 10 games at once.

It will also include two main bars, VIP lounges, tiered viewing lounge chairs, casino games and other games, including mini-bowling and foosball.

Pending approval of Question 2, a referendum question on Marylands Nov. 3 ballot that, if approved by voters, would allow sports and events betting at licensed facilities, Sports & Social will also include sports betting through a partnership with FanDuel. It would include both self-service betting kiosks and retail windows.

Live! Casino owner The Cordish Companies already has Sports & Social venues at the Atlanta Braves Truist Park, the St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium, the Texas Rangers Globe Life Park and the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium.

Another one opens later this year at the new Live! Casino Pittsburgh. Another opens at Live! Casino & Hotel in Philadelphia next year.

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Live! Casino adding sports-themed lounge, restaurant and potential betting venue - WTOP

In the early 1960s, as the city embarked on various capital improvement projects, it sought ways to both activate its riverfront and generate tourist activity.

An opportunity to do both came in the form of a land donation from the Southside Business Mens Club, providing the city with over a dozen acres of riverfront property right next to the Main Street Bridge. Local architect Taylor Hardwick, who would also design the citys new library building, formed a plan for a park on the property centered around a 200-foot-wide fountain.

By March 1965, after $1.75 million in construction, what was dubbed the Dallas Thomas Park and Marina made its debut to the public. The Fountain of Friendship, as city brochures referred to it, featured colored lights and was capable of ejecting 17,000 gallons of water each minute to a height of up to 120 feet. It was engineered to reduce its stream based on wind speed to avoid splashing park visitors.

Other features included circular covered pavilions, Midcentury Modern-inspired toadstool seating, and an open grass field that paralleled the fountain basin.

The park was initially named in honor of city commissioner Dallas Thomas. His name was dropped from the park after being indicted as part of the citys mid-60s corruption scandals. Its now commonly referred to as either St. Johns River Park or Friendship Park.

The park was a hit with tourists, who came to see what the city billed as the worlds tallest fountain.

By the end of the 60s, Jacksonville Childrens Museum had popped up next to the parks pumphouse, providing another riverfront amenity for the city.

In the 1980s, the city looked to further activate the riverfront. Inspired by San Antonios Riverwalk, work began on a similar project along the Southbank, and by 1985, the Southbank Riverwalk made its debut. Friendship Fountain was also refurbished that same year.

The Riverwalk was a big hit, at least initially, but major changes were soon to come at the park.

When the city began work on replacing the original Acosta Bridge, it had to demolish the existing Diamondhead Lobster House restaurant that stood in its way. The owners of the restaurant, which was a descendant of the original Lobster House that burned down in the 60s, were offered a significant portion of St. Johns River Parks property for development of a new restaurant called Harbormasters.

The new restaurant was constructed and opened in the late 80s, effectively cutting the park surrounding Friendship Fountain in half. But the restaurants owners later defaulted on their loan, resulting in a $2.9 million loss for the city and the restaurants permanent closure in 1992. River City Brewing Company moved in a year later, but the damage to Hardwicks original vision for the park was permanent.

By the turn of the century, the water pumps that powered Friendship Fountain were showing signs of irreversible damage. A rehabilitation project in 2001 managed to keep the fountain alive, for the most part, through Jacksonvilles stint as a Super Bowl host city. But shortly thereafter, two of the fountains three water pumps stopped working permanently. With replacement parts to repair the original pumps unavailable, the fountain limped along for the rest of the decade with just one functioning pump.

In 2010, the city embarked on a $3.1 million project to replace the old pumps with new ones. The project, a collaboration between JBC Planning & Engineering, Flagg Design Studio, M.V. Cummings Engineers, TLC Engineering and Architecture, and AC General, also involved replacing the fountains electrical system, removing broken concrete in the park, and adding new seating and lighting.

The park reopened in June 2011 and has remained unchanged since.

However, big things are in store for the parks future. A $6 million renovation project will soon reimagine Friendship Fountain as a water cinema, with new pumps, lighting, and sound systems allowing for coordinated light-and-sound shows displayed onto the water rising from the fountains basin. Those renovations are expected to be completed sometime next year.

The properties surrounding the park could soon look quite different as well. MOSH is in the process of raising funds for an expansion project that would add a new entranceway and caf facing the park. And a developer is eyeing the River City Brewing Company property for redevelopment as an apartment complex, which could potentially free up land to expand the park. If everything works out as planned, Friendship Fountain could once again become an innovative riverfront focal point something that the city desperately needs.

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A Brief History of Friendship Fountain and St. Johns River Park - The Coastal

Edd Pritchard|The Repository

CANTON Another sports-related anchorhas signed on to be part of the retail district planned forHall of Fame Village powered by Johnson Controls.

Topgolf Entertainment Group plans to have a Topgolf Swing Suites be part of the retail promenade, according to an announcement by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment, the company developing the village.

It was the second major announcement from Hall of Fame Resort this week.The company also revealed that Shula's Restaurant Group will be part of the retail center.

Hall of Fame Village powered by Johnson Controls is a development that will wrap around the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The retail promenade is part of the second phase of construction. Other parts of the project estimated to cost nearly $300 million includea 180-room hotel, football-themed water park and office buildings. A third phase, also estimated at $300 million, could include residential development, along with more retail and attractions.

Adding Shula's and Topgolfis part of an effort to create a destination entertainment center with the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the focal point, said Michael Crawford, president and chief executive officer of Hall of Fame Resort.

The project is turning Canton into a preferred location for flagship brands, Crawford said in anewsrelease announcing Topgolf.

Much like our company, Topgolf is all about generating excitement and bringing sports fans together through an immersive and interactive experience, Crawford said.

Topgolf Swing Suite is one of several sports entertainment options offered by Topgolf Entertainment. Technology developed by Full SwingGolf allows guests to play golf and other simulated sports on massive television screens indoors.

Swing Suite has locationsin 28 states and four countries. Guests can play a variety of games tied to golf, including rounds simulated at some of the world's leading courses. Zombie Dodgeball is a favorite game the company has developed, and there are games tied to baseball, hockey, soccer and most important football.

Fans can play the virtual games or use the screens to watch a favorite sports teamin real time in a lounge seating setting, with hand-crafted cocktails and a full-service menu available.

Topgolf has golfing sites in suburban Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, but no Swing Suite locations.

Ron Powers, president of Topgolf Swing Suite, said the company believes it is the "perfect complement" to plans for creating asportsdestination.

We areveryproud to partner with the Hall of Fame Village andto have our virtual game technology entertainthe loyal fans visiting this prominent and exciting destination, Powers said in the release.

Hall of Fame Resort officials hope construction for the 82,000-square-foot retail promenade block will begin this year. Plans are for the structure to sit between the Constellation Center for Excellence already under construction west of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and the hotel, which will be near Fulton Drive NW.

The building will provide rooftop views of the stadium. Developers believe it will serve as an active hub in the village and a spot fans might visit before and after events.

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Topgolf will have a spot in the Hall of Fame Village retail promenade - Canton Repository

Setting term limits for the justices on the Supreme Court is a much better way to respond to the expected confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett than packing the court. Many who recommend term limits suggest that each term should last eighteen years. Justices terms would be staggered so that there would an equal number of openings during each presidential term. Such a plan would reduce the role of fortune in determining how many justices a president nominates, and the political parties would no longer be tempted to resort to all-out war every time a justice leaves the court, as their departures would be mandated and fairly distributed.

Term limits would also eliminate the incentive for presidents to pick young and relatively inexperienced judges just to try to prolong their time on the high court. And leaders from both parties could tell their voters that they have ensured that the other side will never again get a lifetime appointment, as stated in a Washington Post editorial. Steven G. Calabresi, a law professor at Northwestern, adds, In the case of early retirements or deaths, the president would nominate and the Senate would conrm a replacement to ll out the unexpired term with no possibility of reappointment.

When the founders were debating the Constitution and seeking to create an independent judiciary, they determined that lifetime appointments would be beneficial, helping to protect both judges and the Constitution from political influence that might undermine them. But many now believe that the pendulum swung too far the other way, with a high court too reflective of past political fights and thus unresponsive to contemporary realities, as Ilya Shapiro, Director of the Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies at the Cato Institute, wrote in the Atlantic.

The main shortcoming of the often-suggested implementation of term limits is that it will leave the current court in place, possibly for a decade or more, because the currently sitting justices would retain their lifetime appointments. This would leave in place a court many believe includes a justice who was appointed in an illegitimate way, who is expected to vote to undo health care rights (by demolishing Obamacare) and womens rights (by overturning Roe v. Wade), as well as play a key role in tilting the results of future elections in favor of Republicans.

For this reason, some advocate for packing the court. However, packing the court will make it difficult for the court to function smoothly. Imagine consensus building with fifteen members. If the Supreme Court would have different judges ruling on different matters, that would create a lot of tension in terms of what is assigned to which panel of justices. And the GOP may well come back in the future and pack or repack the court some more, turning its composition into even more of a political arena than it now is.

The way out of these difficulties is to make the terms limits retroactive. Such a law would immediately end the term of one liberal justice, Stephen Breyer, who was appointed in 1994, and a conservative justice, Clarence Thomas, who was appointed in 1991. This would allow President Joe Biden to appoint two liberal judges, which would still leave a conservative majority, but of the kind we have had recently, with a five to four makeup, rather than the six to three configuration that Coney Barretts confirmation is expected to cement. Chief Justice John Roberts could continue to provide glimpses of some kind of political balance by occasionally siding with the liberals.

One may argue that there is a strong norm against introducing laws that take effect retroactively. However, given the extremely unfair way the Republicans blocked the nomination of Merrick Garland and the way they are rushing through the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett, this seems merely to balance the books.

Beyond the number, there is a voice issue. The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg left the Supreme Court not merely short of one liberal vote but also deprived of a powerful justice and persona. No one has ever charged Justice Breyer with these qualities. Hence, if Biden is able to replace him, he could appoint a liberal with a strong voice, so that liberal Americans feel that at least they have been heard, even in cases in which their views still will not be heeded.

Amitai Etzioniis a University Professor and professor of international affairs at The George Washington University. His latest book,Reclaiming Patriotism, was published by the University of Virginia Press in 2019 and is available fordownload without charge.

Image: Reuters.

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Forget Court Packing: Only Term Limits Can Save The Supreme Court - The National Interest

Is this the year you finally redo the bathroom? This checklist and guide will help you plan a successful bathroom remodel that will add comfort and value to your Wisconsin home.

Whether you're just adding a new coat of paint or updating the entire design with a new vanity and tub, a bathroom remodel is an exciting home project. To avoid costly mistakes, it's important that you stay organized and on track from start to finish. Use this checklist to help you make smart choices and ensure that your bathroom renovation goes as planned.

1. Design and Plan

Once you've made the decision to remodel your bathroom, you'll need a solid idea and plan for the design. Without a clear picture of what you want your bathroom to look like when the renovation is complete, you may run into mistakes that cost you money and time. A good design plan ensures that the contractor you hire knows exactly what you want and can work within your budget and schedule to complete the remodel.

For ideas and inspiration for your new bathroom, look at home improvement magazines and online for the latest design trends. You'll also want to get swatches from your local paint store to help you finalize the color scheme. Don't forget to take functionality into consideration as well. Take the time to choose a toilet, tub, and fixtures that are both appealing and practical for your needs.

2. Build a Contractor List

Depending on what changes you're making, bathroom renovations can be complex. Don't make the mistake of thinking your bathroom remodel is a DIY project. The last thing you want is to put you and your family at risk when renos aren't done correctly. It's best to hire qualified contractors who have the expertise and skills to do the job right the first time. Make a list of the contractors your remodel will require, such as electrical, plumbing, and tiling.

When you're ready to hire, look for local contractors in your area and get recommendations from family and friends for a qualified professional. Before hiring, contact each specialized contractor on your list to compare estimates.

3. Be in the Know About Permits

You won't need a permit for smaller bathroom makeovers if you're just adding a new coat of paint or retiling the shower. For larger bathroom remodels, check to see what permits you'll need if you're making electrical, plumbing, or structural changes.

Once you know what permits are required, you'll be able to get them at your local government office. Keep in mind that as an extra safety precaution, some local government regulations require that any electrical work be independently inspected and certified.

4. Create a Budget

How much do you want to spend on your bathroom remodel? Setting a budget will help you decide all the details of your renovation and keep you from spending more than you planned.

Include these points when creating a budget:

You may also want to factor in any loss of income if you need to take a day or two off work to be at home to complete the remodel.

5. Financing Your Bathroom Reno

If you need financing for your bathroom remodel, consider going to a local bank for a loan. To be prepared for any unexpected costs, apply for financing that's 20 percent more than your estimated budget.

Is it time to update and redesign your bathroom? Call a HomeAdvisor bathroom remodeler in Wisconsin.

This Patch article is sponsored by HomeAdvisor.

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Wisconsin Homeowners: Renovation Guide To Remodeling The Bathroom - Patch.com

AdventHealthhas broken ground on an innovative health care complex that will bring much-needed medical services to Clermont and south Lake County.

Located adjacent to the intersection of State Road 50 and Citrus Tower Boulevard, the complex includes an emergency room and health park, which brings primary and specialty care, and several other services under one roof to provide a seamless experience for the patient.

Were excited about the health park concept because its a new way to deliver care, which is designed around the consumers needs. We believe this is the future of medicine, said Brad Hillmon, vice president of ambulatory services for the AdventHealth Central Florida Division. As the Clermont area continues to grow, its important that residents have access to world-class physicians and services, and were honored to bring this care closer to home.

The Clermont health park will be the second AdventHealth has opened; the first, located in Kissimmee, opened in August.

The two-story, 36,000-square-foot Clermont health park will include a range of primary and specialty care practices, including imaging, physical therapy, lab services, a sleep lab, cardiology, gastroenterology, urology/UroGYN and orthopedics.

The health park will offer same-day appointments, expanded 7 a.m.-7 p.m. hours for patient convenience, and specially trained staff providing concierge-level service. The health park will give consumers a seamless experience, with a single check-in and a single bill for all services. In addition, all forms, registration and appointment scheduling can be completed online from home, or at an on-site kiosk, for a completely paperless experience which is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These new services will meet a significant need in Clermont, which has seen a shortage of physicians in nearly every specialty, including primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, gastroenterology, oncology, obstetrics and gynecology.

The ER will be approximately 19,000 square feet, with 24 patient rooms (including two pediatric-friendly rooms); respiratory therapy; diagnostic imaging, including CT scans, X-ray and ultrasound; and a full-service laboratory. The ER will be staffed by a comprehensive clinical team including board-certified emergency physicians and emergency nurses.

We are thrilled to offer whole person care to this thriving Clermont community, said Abel Biri, president and CEO of AdventHealth Waterman, who is also overseeing the Clermont ER project. Once complete, this ER and health park will modernize and expand the same world-class care AdventHealth has been providing in Central Florida, for over 100 years.

The architect on the ER is HuntonBrady, and the contractor is Robins and Morton. Architect for the health park is Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, and the contractor is Austin Commercial.

The ER and health park are expected to open in October 2021.

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AdventHealth Breaks Ground on ER, Health Park to Serve Fast-Growing Clermont Area - Clermont Report

Alpen High Performance Products announces field test of new cost-effective, energy efficient WinSert secondary interior window inserts for commercial buildings through Memorandum of Understanding with Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.

LOUISVILLE, Colo. (PRWEB) October 08, 2020

ALPEN HIGH PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, developer of commercial and residential ultra-high performance window technology, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA, an alliance of 140 utilities and energy efficiency organizations) to field test Alpen's new cost-effective, energy efficient WinSert secondary interior window inserts for use in commercial buildings.

At a median age of almost 40 years old, buildings account for nearly 30% of U.S. energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. To develop effective, new, large scale energy saving strategies for commercial buildings, NEEA, in partnership with a group of local utilities, will field test the performance of state-of-the-art window upgrades at commercial buildings in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

"Alpen is encouraged by the work NEEA is doing to both promote the use of this new generation of secondary interior window inserts, and monitor and measure the results stemming from their installation," said Brad Begin, CEO of Alpen High Performance Products. "We feel this will provide credible feedback for the broader consumer concerning the great value and payback of these products to help address the biggest challenge and opportunity we have in the urgent climate change battlethe massive inventory of existing buildings with poor performing building shells already spilling energy unnecessarily. That's 98% of the problem in the current built environment."

Alpen is one of only five manufacturers to be selected for these commercial window upgrade tests, and was invited after publication of a DOE analysis of Alpen's thin glass technology--which is featured in its WinSert secondary interior window glazing systems. Previous third-party validation of the company's product also demonstrated more than a 50% improvement to the energy efficiency of existing windows at a fraction of the cost of a full window replacement. WinSert attaches to the interior of an existing window, resulting in improved occupant comfort, reduced noise and air leakage, and lower heating and cooling energy use. Alpen's secondary window can be installed year-round with no large tools, in as little as 20 minutes and often after business hours to avoid tenant disruption or relocation.

"We've been innovating super-insulating windows for more than thirty years, so these secondary inserts are a natural extension of all our ongoing advancements," Begin said. "NEEA's field-testing is truly a rubber meets the road' situation, and everyone here at Alpen appreciates this opportunity to demonstrate just how much money and energy building owners could save with WinSert."

About NEEA

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is an alliance of 140 Northwest utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of more than 13 million energy consumers. NEEA leverages its strong regional partnerships to effect market transformation by accelerating the adoption of energy-efficient products, services and practices. Since 1997, NEEA and its partners including Avista Utilities, Bonneville Power Administration, Chelan County PUD, Clark Public Utilities, Cowlitz PUD, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Energy Trust of Oregon, Idaho Power, NorthWestern Energy, Pacific Power, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Snohomish County Public Utilities, and Tacoma Power have saved enough energy to power more than 600,000 homes each year. Energy efficiency can offset most of our new demand for energy, saving money and keeping the Northwest a healthy and vibrant place to live.

NEEA Website

About ALPEN HIGH PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS

Alpen HPP manufactures super-insulating, thermally efficient residential and commercial windows and architectural glass utilizing nearly four decades of award-winning experience. The exceptional thermal performance of our window and glazing solutions grants the freedom to design with maximum glass across all building types and climate zones. Alpen HPP products provide a powerful combination of blocking summer heat, retaining winter warmth, eliminating harmful ultraviolet rays, reducing noise and maximizing natural daylight while providing exceptional energy savings. We have successfully coupled our thin glass window expertise with continued development of WinSert, our high performance thin glass interior window inserts, to further advance the commercial secondary window market.

Alpen HPP Website

For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/towards_a_more_sustainable_northwest_alpen_high_performance_products_developing_energy_efficient_construction_alternatives_with_an_alliance_of_140_utilities/prweb17451745.htm

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Towards a More Sustainable Northwest: ALPEN HIGH PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS Developing Energy Efficient Construction Alternatives with an Alliance of 140...

Teresa Stepzinski|Florida Times-Union

A new 75-bed hospital at the heart of a new health and wellness campus in Durbin Park is one step closer to construction.

GATE Lands, a subsidiary of GATE Petroleum Company, recently sold 45 acres within itsDurbin Park development in northern St. Johns County to Flagler Health+ at an undisclosed price. Flagler Health+ is an extension of Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine.

We are thrilled to finalize our partnership with Flagler Health+ and begin work on Phase II of our development,Drew Frick, president of GATE Lands, said in a news release.

Frick also said the medical campus "is a strong anchor for the next phase of the development" at Durbin Park,located between Interstate 95 and State Road 9B.

"And [it] perfectly aligns with our vision for Durbin Park as a distinct destination where individuals and families can live, work, shop, and be entertained, Frick said.

More: Durbin Park: What stores, restaurants are now open, coming soon

Stellar, a Jacksonville-based construction company, is the design-builder for the estimated $150 million project. The company is partnering with architectural firm Gresham Smith, also of Jacksonville,on the five-year project.The projected completion is 2025, according to Stellar.

Stellar previously completed similar projects forFlagler Health+, includingtwo Health Villages one each at Murabella and Nocatee said Richard Lovelace, senior vice president ofCommercial Services at Stellar, in anews release.

TheFlagler Health+campus at Durbin Park is intended to bringa new concept in health care and well-being to Northeast Florida. The project calls for a full suite of consumer-centric outpatient services, green space, community health offeringsand an inpatient hospital.

The new hospital is anticipated to be one of the first initiatives resulting from a proposed collaboration between UF Health and Flagler Health+, which was announced in May.

To support Phase II of its Durbin Park development, GATE recently broke ground on a $40 million master infrastructure plan.

The plan focuses onthe creation of Flagler Health Wayto serve the health campus and East Peyton Parkwaya six-lane road that will open access to approximately 500 acres of future mixed-use development.

Phase I of the development included creatingThe Pavilion at Durbin Park an 80-acre commercial development. The Pavilion is a joint venture partnership between GATE Petroleum andGatlin Development Company.

The Pavilion at Durbin Park, located atRacetrack Roadand Bartram Park Boulevard, encompasses650,000-square feet of commercial space and features a wide variety of retail stores, restaurants, and a state-of-the-art Cinemark movie theater.

Almost 40 retail stores, restaurants, and other businessesare open or have committed to locating in The Pavilion at Durbin Park. Among them are Walmart, Home Depot, Burlington,Baptist Health Primary Care,Bonchon, Firehouse Subs, andKazu Sushi.

Eden Sutherland, manager of Gate Marketing and Communications, said currently they only are announcing Flagler Health+ and Bass Pro Shops as Phase II tenants.

"COVID-19 has undoubtedly been a speedbump this year for retailers and their ability to move forward on new projects," Sutherland told the TImes-Union. "We continue to have exciting and robust conversations with residential and commercial developers and look forward to being able to share more soon."

No construction timeline has been announced for the Durbin Park store.

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Durbin Park set to expand with Flagler Health+ 75-bed hospital, wellness campus - The Florida Times-Union