Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The Doylestown Township public water and sewer advisory committee has recommended that the township install a public sewer system to serve the 250 homes in the Pebble Ridge neighborhood. So have staff from the Bucks County Health Department.

Doylestown Township staff the township manager, assistant manager and director of operations added their names to the list of people recommending sewers on Wednesday.

And to many residents who attended a special township meeting on Wednesday, it sounded like the supervisors plan to follow those recommendations.

The supervisors did not vote on the issue Tuesday; they dont expect to vote on it for several months.

But Supervisor Chairwoman Barbara Lyons told one resident, You should plan on sewers.

Assistant Township Manager Sandra Zadell said studies have shown high levels of human fecal bacteria in the stormwater basins and creeks in the Pebble Ridge community several times over the past 14 years. She said that can come from only one place failing septic systems.

Engineers determined through visual surveys in 2008 that 15 septic systems were malfunctioning and 35 others could be malfunctioning.

We have to put our big girl pants on and do whats best for the community because thats our job, Lyons told a resident who questioned her.

Supervisor Ryan Manion said the state Department of Environmental Protection could intervene and force the township to install sewers if it doesnt take action.

Our hands are a little bit tied, Manion said.

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Doylestown Twp. supervisors consider sewers

ReBath of Albany will be offering special discounts to potential customers, who visit their exhibit at The Gazette's Baby Boomer Expo, Celebrating Life after 50 plus, which will be held Oct. 7 at the Saratoga Springs City Center. The Expo begins at noon and runs through 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Clifton Park, NY (PRWEB) October 04, 2012

Throughout his many years of remodeling bathrooms and homes, ReBath of Albany owner Frank Rafalik learned that people over the age of 50 often begin to worry about not being able to safely get in and out of their tub. It is because of his customers fears that he wants to help people feel confident and secure in their own homes.

We know that people start to worry about falling in the bathroom once they reach that 50 plus mark, Rafalik said. That is why we bring our walk-in shower display to the 50 plus expos. Walk-in showers are much safer and easier to step into and they help homeowners feel more confident about bathing on their own.

ReBath of Albany will have a walk-in shower on display for customers to see and touch. The display is made from the same DuraBath SSP acrylic that they use in customers bathrooms so people at the Expo can see what their product really looks like. Though there will be only one of their beautiful colors on display, ReBath of Albany offers so many colors and styles, the possibilities are endless.

Many people may worry that having their old tub and walls removed to have a walk-in shower installed is a huge project that they dont want to get involved in. For homeowners with this concern, ReBath of Albany is the perfect solution.

The professional installers at ReBath of Albany are able to remove an old tub and wall system and install a brand new walk-in shower in just one day. Since the installers specialize in bathroom remodeling, they know how to get the job done on budget and on time.

Knowledgeable ReBath of Albany associates will be managing the booth at the Expo and will be able to answer all customer questions. Any customers who want to set up their free in-home estimate can give their information to any ReBath of Albany staff member and receive a coupon for money off their contracted price.

Though being able to see a ReBath of Albany bathroom in person is a great reason to attend the Expo, there are other exciting booths and events to see.

The first 500 people who attend the expo will receive coupons and gifts compliments of the New York lottery. Other exciting events include: Tribute artist performances by Donny Elvis and All Paul Show and a price raffle for a Norwegian cruise for two and a 51 plasma TV.

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ReBath of Albany to Display Walk-in Shower at ‘The Gazette's Baby Boomer Expo, Celebrating Life After 50 Plus’

A Madison developer is proposing two large apartment buildings near the Kohl Center and UW-Madison, continuing a surge of residential construction in the Downtown area.

Scott Faust is proposing to demolish two smaller residential buildings to build a 12-story tower at 313-315 N. Francis St. and to demolish four more residential buildings for a five-story apartment building at 202-222 N. Bassett and 510-520 W. Dayton streets. Both projects are targeted mainly to students but also would welcome young professionals.

The market for rental units is attractive, Faust said, noting it's become harder to afford single-family homes, the city has a low vacancy rate for rental units, and employees of booming Epic Systems in Verona are demanding housing in Downtown Madison.

Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District, who represents the area, said the proposals continue "a renaissance of intense Downtown development" and have received a positive initial reception from residents.

"It's a clear sign the recession has ended in terms of Downtown Madison development, at least as it relates to rental housing," he said.

Verveer said some may bemoan the continuing loss of traditional houses Downtown, but the majority of buildings to be demolished for the projects have outlived their usefulness.

A neighborhood meeting is set for 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Double Tree Hotel, 525 W. Johnson St.

Faust said he's wanted to redevelop the properties for some time but was inhibited by height restrictions in the city's Downtown design zone. Those were eliminated earlier this year as the city readied a new Downtown Plan and zoning code and map. The proposals fit the new plan and the proposed code, which will likely be adopted this month, he said.

The 12-story building would have first-floor commercial space, 42 apartments and 91 underground bicycle stalls. The building is near public parking and probably won't have parking for cars, Faust said.

The five-story building would have 71 apartments, 58 underground parking stalls and eight surface stalls, 112 bicycle stalls and 16 moped spaces.

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Two big apartment buildings proposed near Kohl Center, UW campus

City officials approved plans for one downtown apartment building and heard two new development proposals for the downtown and campus areas Wednesday night.

The Urban Design Commission gave their final approval to The Alexander Company and architectural company Iconica for an 11-story multipurpose building at 306 W. Main St.

The development would consist of 164 condominium homes, 151 hotel rooms, as well as 92,500 square feet of commercial space.

Before construction can begin, both the Plan Commission and City Council must approve the proposal, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. The Plan Commission will consider the proposal Oct. 15.

The UDC also heard informational presentations for two proposed downtown apartment developments from property owner Scott Faust and Knothe & Bruce Architects, LLC.

The first proposed building would be a five-story multi-family apartment complex with available underground parking. The proposed structure would replace current buildings at 202 and 210 N. Bassett St. as well as 512 and 520 W. Dayton St.

The building would offer 61 parking spaces as well as underground and surface bicycle stalls.

Code requirements say one bicycle space is necessary per unit, said Knothe & Bruce Architects managing member Randy Bruce. But I think the neighborhood likes one per bedroom and we are close to approaching that.

The building would also offer 20 underground moped stalls.

The second proposed building would be a 12-story apartment building at 313 and 315 N. Frances St. with the first floor being commercial space.

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City officials approve building proposal, hear two new development proposals for downtown area

JoineryStore brings engineered oak flooring solutions to homes.

Sheffield, Yorkshire (PRWEB) October 04, 2012

Customers who wish to use this innovative flooring in their homes can visit the JoineryStore in person to see samples of the two variants. They are conveniently open from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. between Monday and Friday as well as from 8 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on Saturday. The other way to get in touch with the company is to contact them via email. They offer to send a small panel section of one or both of the oak flooring variants for a very small fee, including postage. Using these samples, the customer can confirm which option better matches the furniture and overall ambience of their home, and make the right choice. It also lets them appreciate the quality products being used by JoineryStore.

Once the customer is satisfied with the sample and has made up their mind about which option they wish to go with, the professionals at the flooring company will explain the installation process in detail. They are trained in fitting joinery products and their top-quality service will leave the customer amazed at the finish. After the installation is completed, the fitters will dispose of all waste and leave the place neat and tidy.

The JoineryStore staff are friendly and willing to answer any and all queries. The aim is to give the customer the best experience and win their loyalty. This company gets the raw materials for their engineered oak flooring from the best sources. Since it is imported by the container load, these are priced competitively and provide good value for money. Shipping of the bulky, heavy flooring is priced reasonably, but if the customer wishes, they can personally collect the flooring pieces instead of requesting a home delivery.

JoineryStore has many years of experience supplying wooden doors, stair parts, staircase cladding and flooring to residential customers. Anyone who wants to install flooring for their new home or replace existing flooring should avail of the excellent services of JoineryStore. Visitors will be thoroughly impressed and the owners will be proud of their home.

Engineered Oak Flooring JoineryStore 0114 247 4917 Email Information

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Fitting Engineered Oak Flooring

With rising pressure on healthcare providers to reduce costs and improve quality, Flad Architects is incorporating Lean tools and techniques into their designs as a solution for improving processes and performances.

Madison, WI (PRWEB) October 04, 2012

Instead of building new or upgrading existing facilities that carry over existing problems, healthcare organizations need to examine their idea of what a hospital should be. How can we increase patient safety and reduce wait times? How can we improve staff and patient travel times? How can we design it to be efficient and flexible? How can we do more with less?

Answering these questions and more, in Flad Architects white paper, titled "Incorporating Lean Principles in Healthcare Design," readers will gain knowledge from the experience of our architectural design teams as we highlight specific examples and lessons learned. Readers will learn how to apply Lean to facility design by understanding who should be involved, which Lean concepts to incorporate, when to initiate Lean activities, and what outcomes to expect. To view Flad's "Incorporating Lean Principles in Healthcare Design" in flipbook format, click on the link below or visit Flad's website under the Design Thinking section of Insights.

http://www.flad.com/eBrochures/Incorporating-Lean-Principles-into-Healthcare-Design/

About Flad Architects

Flad Architects (http://www.flad.com) specializes in the planning and design of innovative facilities for healthcare, higher education, and science and technology clients. With offices throughout the United States, Flad is a nationally recognized leader in serving the complex needs of knowledge-based organizations.

Mary Hirsch Flad Architects (608) 232-1275 Email Information

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Flad Architects Incorporating Lean Principles in Healthcare Design to Improve Outcomes

Flad Architects is working on four higher education projects to enhance students experiences and promote sustainability. By employing the tenets of sustainable architecture, each project strives to reduce the use of non-renewable resources, minimize environmental impact, and relate people with their natural environment.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 04, 2012

These projects are especially rewarding for me because they are platforms for education. They are each designed to enhance students experiences, to engage with a broader community, to uplift and inspire a whole new generation, says Stevens Williams, Principal Designer of the projects. These structures are not only efficient in their use of resources; they are emblematic of their mission and reflective of their campus contexts. These buildings are designed to have a minimal impact on the environment and an extraordinary impact on the individual.

Merritt College Center for Science and Allied Health is designed to be a safe, accessible, and inspiring environment for learning; it will be further enhanced by sustainable approaches to acoustics, lighting, indoor air quality, daylight, and views. These elements will not only improve learning outcomes, they will underscore science as a means of promoting human health.

San Francisco State University Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies conducts research and offers instruction in marine biology, oceanography, wetlands ecology, and evolutionary genetics. Situated on 35-acre former naval station, extensive renovation, selective new construction, and site restoration will meet an institutional commitment to excellence in education as well as carbon neutrality.

California State University Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Center will be the backdrop for a new educational paradigm. With welcoming public areas that introduce students to an engaging, highly interactive learning environment, and dynamic visual connections between activities, the Center for STEM Education will not only cultivate a new generation of innovators, it ushers in an exciting new era for the university.

The California Maritime Academy Dining Commons replaces an existing food service facility, while adding programs that contribute to the quality of student life and support community outreach. Bounded by a steep slope, service access, and neighboring buildings, the dining commons occupies most of the available site area. The design addresses these conditions in a manner that is both economical and aesthetically coherent, using building materials that were selected for durability, economy, and compatibility with the campus context.

Flad Architects project portfolio, titled "Enhancing, Engaging, and Inspiring Campus Community," summarizes each of these projects in detail. To view the projects in a flipbook format, click on the link below or visit Flad's website under the Design Thinking section of Insights.

http://www.flad.com/insights/files/itemFiles/ePubs/4-In-Progress/

About Flad Architects

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Flad Architects Working on Higher Education Projects to Enhance, Engage, and Inspire the Campus Community

MARTINSBURG - Mountain State University wants to tear down about half of the former Sears store at Martinsburg Mall and replace the old department store's space with two retail outlets, two restaurants and several outdoor landscape features.

"We want to divide the space into four discreet spaces within the confines of the original Sears structure," Brentz Thompson, assistant general counsel for Mountain State University Building Co., told Martinsburg Planning Commission members at their meeting Wednesday, adding that the plans would entail demolishing the existing structure.

MSUBC is the legal entity that holds the titles to MSU properties, including the mall, Thompson said.

He and Don Epley, director of leasing for the mall, presented MSUBC's request to amend the previously approved concept plan for the mall. The mall is zoned planned business.

After a public hearing, during which no one spoke, planning commission members granted the request unanimously.

Planning Commissioner Jeff Molenda raised concerns about increased car and pedestrian traffic in the area of the old Sears store with the change in the site's use.

Mike Covell, the city's engineer and planner, pointed out that if the proposed changes come to fruition, MSUBC would have to return to the planning commission with site plans for approval. He said at that time, discussions about parking, traffic and pedestrian access could be discussed.

According to documents provided by Epley, the proposed development would convert the existing 75,640-square-foot Sears store to two retail spaces totaling 30,625 square feet and 11,977 square feet of free-standing Pad A and Pad B restaurant buildings. He said that about 50 percent of the existing building would be torn down.

The retail space would abut the existing mall and the pads would be located west of the retail spaces across a landscaped area, featuring a garden, an arbor-covered walkway and other outdoor amenities.

Also in the changes to the concept plan are two outparcels and moving the mall's sign a little north of its current location along Interstate 81. The sign now is on the lot where the soon-to-be-opened Olive Garden restaurant is under construction.

Continue reading here:
Commission OKs mall plan changes

Preliminary and final site plan approval for the renovation and expansion of the existing ShopRite supermarket on Marshall Hill Road was granted to Inserra/West Milford LLC (ShopRite) by the West Milford Planning Board on Sept. 27.

PHOTO/ANN GENADER

Upgrade of the ShopRite supermarket approved by the planning board on Sept. 27 is not the only change expected in West Milford's business center. The approval includes tearing down the theater building (seen in the rear of the photo). Planning officials said McDonald's Restaurant is soon expected to be the subject of an application to the board for upgrades.

The approval is for additional retail space, construction of a new retail building in the area of the former theater, a new building facade; landscaping, lighting and improvement to the driveways and parking lot areas served by the shopping center. The application submitted to the board amended a prior site plan application approved by the planning board on Feb. 5, 2009.

The present theater building will be removed and be replaced by a slightly smaller building with available retail space. The present ShopRite building will have minor expansion in the rear with an addition in the front, explained John Wyciskala, attorney for the applicant.

Asked by AIM West Milford when Inserra will begin the construction, Wyciskala responded.

"We want to start as soon as possible," said Wyciskala. "There will be some approvals needed from the county and the Highlands Council. As soon as we have those work will get underway."

When William Hamilton, planner for Inserra, first discussed the project with the board in 2008 he estimated that it could be completed in from six to nine months. No construction time estimate was given at the latest meeting.

A necessary change in a buffer agreement with adjacent McDonald's restaurant before Inserra could expand the front part of the existing supermarket store was accomplished before the supermarket application was returned to the board agenda.

To deal with that restriction Inserra attempted to relocate the loading bay and other infrastructure. This would have necessitated closing the store during the reconstruction project and the supermarket owner did not want to do that. The way things have worked out the store will remain open during construction.

Continue reading here:
West Milford ShopRite plans get approved

NEW YORK Glenn Bridges can tell that the market for home remodeling is picking up when hes hanging cabinets or laying a floor in a customers house, a next-door neighbor is bound to knock on the door and ask if hes available for another project.

Theyll look at his handiwork and then say, we have something were interested in doing, Bridges says. Its quite uplifting.

The collapse of the housing market decimated business for contractors like Bridges, most of whom are small businesses with just a handful of employees. But many are seeing business improve as home sales slowly recover and homeowners who had put off projects during the recession are feeling better about the economy. Still, the improvement is gradual and projects arent typically as lucrative as they were back when homeowners were able borrow against a large amount of equity in their houses.

Bridges was so optimistic about the remodeling market that in February that he restarted the contracting business he was forced to shut down in 2007. When he closed, he had to lay off his three full-time workers. But at the start of 2012, things began to change.

I had people that needed work done and all in one weekend they said to me, why dont you help me ... why dont you get active again? says Bridges, owner of Eagle Ridge Contractor Services in Naples, Fla. He had spent the intervening years working on projects with other business owners.

Hes worked steadily since February, installing new kitchens and bathrooms that range from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the size of the room and the quality of the cabinets and appliances. He hired one full-time worker when he started his business again and says he may take on as many as three more if business is good enough. And hes optimistic that it will be, because hes getting more requests for bids on projects. Where I was pricing one or two (projects) a month, I might now price five or six a month. And I think Im not unusual for our market, theres more optimism.

Bridges isnt alone. Sales of previously occupied homes are up more than 9 percent this year, and spending on residential construction has risen 16 percent. People who track housing trends see signs that remodeling is on the rise and that the improvement will continue. Harvard Universitys Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity suggests that annual homeowner improvement spending could rise 12.2 percent in the first quarter of 2013, up from levels reached in the first three months of 2012.

Some of the uptick is coming from new homeowners fixing up and some is coming from people who put off work during the recession.

Even though its a down market, homeowners are always having to do certain projects roofing, siding, heating systems, says Abbe Will a research analyst with Harvards Joint Center for Housing Studies. When were moving into a recovery phase, were going to be looking to the discretionary projects, like kitchen and bath remodeling. Were expecting to see lots more of that as the housing market stabilizes.

But while the upturn is encouraging, it hasnt yet turned into the boom that some had hoped for. After rising from a low reached at the end of 2008, remodeling activity rose sharply but then fluctuated since the end of 2009, according to the National Association of Home Builders index of remodeling activity. Its improving, but not as much as we thought it had been earlier, says Steve Millman, director of economic services at the NAHB.

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Remodeling resurgence: Contractors see boost from uptick in housing market