Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

October 21, 2012 School traffic to be altered

STAFF REPORT Commercial-News The Commercial-News Sun Oct 21, 2012, 01:15 PM CDT

DANVILLE Through Thursday, driveway paving will occur around the east end of North Ridge. The following student arrival dismissal procedures will be temporarily enacted:

During morning arrival, North Ridge Middle School buses will drop off students on the east side (northbound lane shoulder) of Jackson Street extending from the North Ridge property south to the American Legion Post 210. Buses will be parked on Jackson Street from 8:10-8:35 a.m. Car riders may be dropped off in the morning in the normal location at the school drive. Vehicles must take the Washington Street exit near the circle drive (northbound) after drop off.

During afternoon dismissal, buses will be parked on the east side (northbound lane shoulder) of Jackson Street extending from the North Ridge property south to the American Legion from 3:15-3:35 p.m. At dismissal, car riders may be picked up in the upper lot of the American Legion Post 210. Vehicles may not park along the east side (northbound lane shoulder) of Jackson Street.

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School traffic to be altered

Demolition has begun on several buildings to make way for a new $11 million community service centerfor Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley.

The former Benhams property and all of the buildings in the 600 block of South Main are being demolished to make way for the new community service center.

Buying the buildings, tearing them down and remediating the land is expected to cost about $3.15 million, Goodwill Easter Seals officials said. A $2.2 million Clean Ohio state grant will pay about 70 percent of those per-construction costs, with Goodwill putting up $905,000 and neighboring Miami Valley Hospital contributing $47,000.

The 80,000-square-foot facility will house the 125 employees who currently work at Goodwills Kuntz Road headquarters off Stanley Avenue.

Agency officials anticipate creating 50 more jobs during the next five years at the new center. When it opens in late 2014 or early 2015, the community service center will allow Goodwill Easter Seals to expand its services to the developmentally disabled, elderly and unemployed - services that are in high demand because of the recession and aging population.

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Demolition begins to make way for Goodwill center

GARFIELD Demolition of the E.C. Electroplating building ended Monday afternoon, a little over a week after it began, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys coordinator at the scene, Neil Norrell.

Air samples were still being analyzed for possible contamination, but Norrell said he did not anticipate any problems.

So far, everything looks okay, Norrell said.

The EPA has been handling the cleanup of the former E.C. Electroplating plant, a Clark Street business where three tons of cancer-causing hexavalent chromium spilled from a tank in 1983. Initial cleanup of the spill was halted in 1985, even though only about 30 percent of the chromium was recovered. Since then, contaminated water has been coursing beneath an area of approximately 600 homes and businesses in the southwest corner of the city. Local and federal officials say drinking water has not been affected, but the contamination has infiltrated the basements of about 20 properties.

EPA officials have said that the building itself was not contaminated with hexavalent chromium, but they needed to tear it down to get at a pool of highly concentrated chromium they believe is beneath the plant. Despite the EPAs assurances, residents especially parents of students attending two nearby elementary schools had expressed concern before the demolition about its potential impact on their children.

The EPA took precautions to prevent dust from drifting off the site during demolition, which began on Oct. 12. Monitors were also set up at the schools and several other locations in the neighborhood to measure dust levels in the air, and air samples were taken every day, Norrell said.

No problems have been reported, he said.

The air monitors will remain in place while the building debris is removed from the site, Norrell said.

Email: lueddeke@northjersey.com

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Demolition of Garfield's E.C. Electroplating plant finishes

Demolition begins at Newcastle flats complex left in danger of collapse after floods

9:37am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News By Bruce Unwin, Chief Reporter (Durham)

DEMOLITION began today at a block of flats left in danger of collapse due to heavy flooding earlier this year.

A demolition crew started dismantling Spencer Court in Newburn, Newcastle, at 8am, after engineers deemed it unsafe to leave standing.

Families from the eight flats were evacuated from their homes on the complex after flash flooding last month posed serious threat to the foundations, already damaged by a culvert collapse on nearby land earlier this year.

An excavator from MGL Demolition began by removing part of the roof of the four-storey building, which was only constructed in 2006.

It is being operated in what is termed a safe and controlled demolition, which may allow some property and possessions to be recovered by exasperated residents, who have not been allowed to return to their homes, on safety grounds, for almost four weeks.

As a result the work dismantling Spencer Court may take up to two weeks to complete.

Complex developer Dunelm Homes, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, brought in the demolition crew after its insurers gave the all clear for the work to proceed.

Neither Dunelm Homes or Northumberland Estates, which owns the adjoining land under which the culvert collapsed, have accepted liability for the situation.

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Demolition begins at flat complex left in danger of collapse after floods

New, 11:10 a.m.

As we noted in Monday mornings item about the proposed demolition of the 88-year-old Thomas Building on Wood Street downtown, at this late date theres not much anyone can do to stop the wrecking ball. Despite its stature as the citys last remaining link to its high-cotton past, the Anton Korn-designed eight-story structure has no historic-designation protection. And that means the city has no choice but to grant the Charlotte-based owners the demolition permit they asked for on Friday.

Theresa ODonnell, the citys director of Sustainable Development and Construction, confirms via email: We will issue [the permit] after the normal process is followed. She expects the permit to be issued some time today or, at the latest, Wednesday. Were not yet sure when demolition will take place, but youll note in the docs below that when Dallas Demolition filed the demolition application on Friday, it also filed and received a street closure permit for the following Saturday morning.

Sources say Mike Knapek, the local attorney representing North Carolina-based HPI, called the Dallas City Attorneys Office Monday and reminded the city there was no legal roadblock to demolition. Chris Bowers, the first assistant city attorney, confirms he spoke with Knapek, but wont say about what: Were not going to discuss our conversations with Mr. Knapek. If he wants to talk about it, thats his business. Several messages were left for Knapek yesterday and this morning; yesterday we were told he was in meetings, and today hes out of the office altogether.

Bowers also says hes not going to talk about our legal analysis of the situation. He did suggest we speak with the buildings owner. And, again, several messages have been left for Michael Verruto, vice president of HPI, whose name is on the demolition permit. He too has not returned calls.

Preservation Dallas would also like to speak with Verruto. Last night we received a missive from David Preziosi, its newly installed executive director, in which he reminds that several times in recent years and as recently as this summer HPI said it wouldnt raze the Thomas Building. Clearly, he writes, HPI wasnt being honest with preservationists:

In 2004, the owners intent to demolish the building to expand the adjacent parking lot led to it being placed on Preservation Dallas Endangered List and an agreement with HPI Group of North Carolina to hold off on demolition for five years. This summer when hazardous materials abatement work began, Preservation Dallas again contacted the owner of the building and was informed that the abatement work was a requirement of the Vacant Building Ordinance. Suspecting that the demolition of the building would likely be the next step, we were nonetheless assured by the property owners representative that the building would not be demolished.

So, yes, calls are out; messages have been left. But in recent weeks, construction crews have been at the building, blasting the sides (with such force there are now massive holes in the walls) and removing asbestos in preparation for the demolition. Updates as warranted; till then, look out below

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Dallas to grant demolition permit for 88-year-old Thomas Building downtown

Destiny Homes comments on yesterday's Home Builders Confidence Report prepared by the National Association of Home Builders in partnership with Wells Fargo. Another point gained in builder confidence signals that the housing recovery is moving forward in the midst of tight credit, difficult appraisals and the limited inventory of buildable lots. Destiny Homes, a Minneapolis based home builder, is an expert at custom luxury home builds and major residential renovation projects.

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) October 17, 2012

Butch Sprenger, owner of Destiny Homes says, "increasing numbers of residents are house hunting and if they are going to build, they are taking the time to be decisive about what they want. With fewer lots on the market to select from, buyers are 'treasure hunting' to find the right lot; they are looking for a location with a great proximity to work, the wealth of Minneapolis entertainment, the arts, and shopping opportunities".

"The slight gain in builder confidence this month is an indication that, while still moving forward, the speed at which the housing recovery is proceeding is being moderated by the various constraints such as tight credit, difficult appraisals and more recently, the limited inventory of buildable lots in certain markets," NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe said in a statement. "These are the complicating factors that make it difficult for builder confidence to reach and surpass the 50-point mark, at which an equal number of builders view sales conditions as good versus poor."

Goldman Sachs analyst Joshua Pollard released a report Tuesday complementing the home builder confidence numbers, and predicted that a complex combination of factors, determined by new government mortgage policies and a tight inventory of previously-owned homes for sale, could drive as much as an aggressive 30 percent annual growth in new home sales over the next few years.

Employment for construction workers is down 70 percent since 2006 when the housing industry was at its most robust point. Jobs are returning to the sector, it's slow going as some buyers are waiting to see the results of the upcoming election. Construction employment gains are only about 1 percent off the bottom. "If middle class buyers could gain quality mortgage more readily, we would put more workers back on the job renovating and building homes," says Butch Sprenger.

"That has bearing on the ability of home building to ramp up the production of homes going forward. We're seeing firming in demand, [and] inventory of new homes available for sale is at a record low. As demand picks up, builders are really going to have to start putting up homes." says Celia Chen, senior director at Moody's Analytics.

Destiny Homes says, "fewer developed available lots are on the market,and as a custom home builder, it takes more effort to locate a lot in a great location that is ready for a new construction. Buyers need to have their financing in order to have a chance today". David Crowe, chief economist at NAHB sums up why, "The dynamic has changed. Large public builders have access to capital through their own balance sheets, rather than having to borrow. That gives them an advantage in acquiring the few developed lots."

U.S. citizens applying for mortgages to buy a home have increased, pushing up sales and home prices after a six-year sluggish market. The steady increases suggests housing is stepping out ahead of other industries, like manufacturing, to take a lead role in turning around our economy. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey just released October 11, shows just how reasonable mortgage rates are.

Contact Destiny Homes at 952-934-5706 for Minneapolis and St Paul area for distinctive residential new homes or for luxury home renovations.

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Builders Need To Start Building - Low Inventory And Increased Demand

Serene Hills is sponsoring a Fall Festival Saturday, October 27 from 12-3 p.m. to introduce the 456-acre luxury residential development known as The New Gateway to Lakeway located at Texas 71 and Serene Hills Drive. Families are encouraged to bring their children for pumpkin painting, Salt Licks BBQ, snowcones and fun activities including a raffle to win an iPad and more. Also, an outdoor kitchen will be awarded to a new home site buyer.

Serene Hills is a community designed for people and wildlife to coexist in harmony. Luxury Hill Country home sites feature the perfect blend of old and new breathtaking views of rolling hills and mature live oaks and other preserved trees that have survived the ages, along with the nearby comforts of modern medicine and urban convenience.

Three builders Bellaheim Homes, Brohn Homes and Sitterle Homes are constructing homes in La Campana, the first phase of Serene Hills with prices starting at $500,000. Distinguishing characteristics of Serene Hills include environmental considerations such as homes built into the existing topography, approximately 342 acres of preserve land with hike and bike trails, expansive lots averaging one third of an acre and only 25 percent impervious cover allowance. All homes will have side-entry garages.

Streets and utilities are in place with landscaping and signage underway.

The landmark of the development will be a monumental bell tower standing in the middle of the property and styled after the Old World Colonial Spanish missions with a contemporary flair.

The bell tower will house a replica of the 1762 San Juan De Lorena Spanish Mission Bell weighing almost 100 pounds.

With the areas housing market picking up, custom home construction for La Campana is underway with 68 of 338 lots. The community will have office and retail space, possibly including an HEB supermarket in the plan, along with medical offices, a bank, and restaurants.

For more information please call 512-284-8968 or visit Serene-Hills.com.

Serene Hills is located at 17500 W. Texas 71 (at Serene Hills Dr.), Lakeway, 78735. Directions from the intersection of RR 620 and W. Texas 71: Go 4.2 mi. west., right on Serene Hills Dr. and go 0.25 mi. to La Campana entrance.

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Serene Hills custom home sites selling quickly

Venetian Builders, Inc., strengthens old sunrooms, patio enclosures and screened enclosures that were built before the new Florida Building Code by designing custom upgrades and installing hurricane-strength bracing plates, framing members and corrosion-resistant fasteners.

Miami, Florida (PRWEB) October 19, 2012

The standards in the new building code are intended to protect consumers from the ravaging effects of hurricane winds on patio and pool enclosures. Now owners of enclosures built before the state of Florida enacted the tougher standards can obtain many of the benefits that go into new hurricane-strength patio and pool enclosures.

Homeowners save thousands of dollars with a Venetian custom code upgrade, compared with building an entirely new patio enclosure. Venetian Builders craftsmen can fortify older aluminum framing to increase wind resistance before hurricanes hit. Code-focused upgrades become especially important to owners of enclosures and sunrooms in coastal communities such as Jupiter, Stuart, West Palm Beach, Pinecrest, Hollywood and others.

Among the improvements made to screened enclosures and other existing structures are stronger gusset plates and heavier or additional bracing that combine to increase rigidity. Venetian also uses corrosion-resistant fasteners. The effect of the improvements is to increase safety by transferring the force of high winds to the base of the enclosure, away from the framing.

Venetian designs upgrades to be attractive and to blend with the character of existing enclosures. Gusset plates and braces, for example, are custom-cut to fit; they never look tacked on. This is crucial in communities where homeowners associations may review designs before installation, as in Westin.

Venetian Builders can design custom upgrades for its own structures or those built by other companies.

Chris Noe, president of Venetian Builders, called the upgrades of a patio enclosure, pool enclosure or sunroom a savvy consumer choice. Upgrades provide an investment not just in your home but also in your peace of mind, he said. As South Floridas leading installer of patio and pool enclosures and sunrooms, Venetian Builders can use its deep experience to make upgrades as efficient and inexpensive as possible, he said.

Venetian Builders offers South Florida homeowners free estimates of costs and the time needed to upgrade outdoor living structures.

For more information on patio and screened enclosure code upgrades, contact Venetian Builders, 866-596-2427.

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Venetian Builders Inc. Installs Custom Upgrades To Strengthen Sunrooms, Patio Enclosures and Screened Enclosures Built ...

Homes by Donahoo received all seven awards in the $1 Million and Up category for the BIA-Highland Lakes 2012 Parade Home Tour. The home also placed as Runner-Up for Best of Parade in the All Across the Hill Country tour showcasing 16 unique, fully-furnished and decorated custom homes in Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Horseshoe Bay, Kingsland, Granite Shoals and Burnet, starting on October 19.

Kingsland, TX (PRWEB) October 18, 2012

The stunning new custom home built by Homes by Donahoo at 1701 Legends Parkway in Kingsland, Texas, was voted Best Craftsmanship, Best Master Suite, Best Kitchen & Living, Best Interior Design, Best Outdoor Living, Best Architectural Elevation, and Best Unique Feature. Homes by Donahoo picked up the Best Craftsmanship award for the third straight year.

This years Parade Home Tour was a collaborative effort between the BIA-Highland Lakes Builders Association and the Hill Country Home Builders Association Kerrville and Fredericksburg. The Highland Lakes and the Hill Country homes were awarded separately within their own market.

Jerry and Barbara Donahoo, principals of Homes by Donahoo, have built fine custom homes throughout the Highland Lakes and Horseshoe Bay area for more than 30 years, receiving numerous awards for their attention to detail and building excellence. Among their masterpieces are five other homes in the exceptional Legends on Lake LBJ community.

The Donahoos attribute much of their reputation for quality to the fine team of subcontractors and vendors they have assembled through the years.

Their latest endeavor is a sprawling 5,000-plus-square-foot waterfront home located in the prestigious Legends on Lake LBJ community. With its luxurious pool, artists studio and separate bunk house, the home acts as a water recreation compound for a family with a variety of tastes.

The bunk house, perhaps the most fun room in the home, contains eight built-in bunk beds for the owners grandchildren, and doubles as a man cave with its big-screen TV, bar and kitchen. Also notable are its great unobstructed views of the pool and lake.

In the main house, youll find a kitchen that would make even the best chefs envious, with features that include two granite-topped islands, a Butlers pantry, a recessed ceiling with Fir cross beams and a Wolf professional range. The dining room, equally impressive, contains an attached wine snug and beverage cooler, nestled amongst the room's stunning custom cabinetry.

Acting as the focal point of the living room is a towering 20-foot Limestone rock fireplace, while off to the side, 16-foot double sliding doors lead to a sprawling outdoor patio. A large outdoor kitchen overlooks the pool and a wide stairway leads the way to a custom boat dock with three bays for boats and personal watercraft. But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this outdoor vista is the gorgeous Limestone fire pit by the water perfect for conversation and relaxing when the sun goes down.

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Custom Home Builder, Homes by Donahoo, Captures All Awards in $1 Million and Up Category in BIA-Highland Lakes 2012 ...

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Grand View Builders, the Houston-based custom homebuilding company, earned the top honor of Houstons Best Custom Home Elevation Under $400,000 for their Stewarts Forest model at the prestigious Greater Houston Builders Associations 2012 Houstons Best PRISM Awards at the Hilton Americas Houston on October 6. This is the first PRISM Award that Grand View Builders has received.

The company was also a finalist for Houstons Best Custom Home Design Under $400,000 for the same Stewarts Forest model. The Stewarts Forest community features floorplans with impressive interior features, energy saving features and distinctive exterior features.

"I am very proud of the Grand View Builders team for their innovation and dedication to proving we are one of the best residential homebuilders in Houston," Grand View Builders President Marc Jungers said. "We are very excitedto win our first PRISM award and are confident that Grand View Builders will continue to be a leader in our industry and set the standard for design and construction."

The PRISM Awards is an annual event that honors and supports companies in the Houston homebuilding industry and distinguishes excellence with awards. The Greater Houston Builders Association has been commemorating local homebuilders for more than 30 years and the PRISM award represents the highest caliber in homebuilding. The 2012 awards ceremony was held at Hilton Americas Houston and took the theme of Unveiling the Masquerade.

About Grand View Builders

Grand View Builders was established in 2009 to offer affordable homes with appealing exterior architectural style and interior beauty with a range of floor plans to match any lifestyle. Known for impeccable quality, attention to detail and unmatched dedication to every project, Grand View Builders offers their customers an opportunity to achieve the American dream owning their own home.

For more information on Grand View Builders, please contact Mary Paolantonio at 713-225-0880 or pr@gvbtx.com.

Follow Grand View Builders on Facebook and Twitter for Houston area news, information and events.

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Grand View Builders Earns Prestigious Custom Home Title at 2012 PRISM Awards