Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Faced with budget concerns, the governor is going against lawmakers' request to proceed with building a new state office building at the site of the former Safeway store on Pioneer Avenue.

By Trevor Brown tbrown@wyomingnews.com

CHEYENNE -- Gov. Matt Mead has ordered the state to hold off on plans that could lead to a new state office building in the Capital City.

Mead said Wednesday that he directed construction officials not to spend $4.4 million, which the Legislature previously approved, to complete the design work for the proposed building.

The designs are needed before legislators would be asked to approve construction, which is expected to cost between $60 million and $80 million.

The building would go up at the site of the former Safeway grocery store on Pioneer Avenue.

Lawmakers wrote to Mead earlier this month asking that he proceed. But the governor said he is using his budget authority to indefinitely suspend action because of budget concerns.

"We are currently reviewing budget cuts that will have an impact across state government," Mead said in a statement. This is not the time to spend money on a large construction project; it is the time for fiscal restraint.

Meads decision also clouds the future for a proposed renovation of the State Capitols interior.

Officials have said the new building could first serve as a meeting place for officials and legislators to work during the renovation, which would overlap at least one session.

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Mead puts office building on hold

Wausau, Wis. - U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA's) Federal Office Building 8 (FOB 8) will soon complete its major modernization. The project includes Wausau Window and Wall Systems blast-mitigating curtainwall to enhance the faade with contemporary aesthetics and high-performance functionality, providing occupants with expansive views and plentiful access to natural light.

Upon completion, anticipated before the end of 2012, the project will seek LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Maximizing daylighting strategies, the exterior renovations entail replacing a large portion of the existing limestone faade with vast expanses of glazing. Additions and expansions include a glass entrance pavilion at the building's north side, projected window bays on the south faade, and two new atria.

Wausau custom-engineered and fabricated Blast Hazard Mitigation (BHM) Series four-sided, unitized curtainwall. "To alleviate some of the headaches often associated with customized, complex systems, our unitized systems streamline the installation process by pre-fabricating the various components into large, pre-assembled units that can be crane-lifted from the truck and quickly installed on the building," explains Kevin Robbins, Wausau's regional sales manager for the D.C. area.

In addition to the unitized wall, Wausau provided point-supported glass wing walls and atrium curtainwall systems. In total, Tidewater Glazing, Inc. installed approximately 60,000 square feet of Wausau's high-performance systems on the project.

FOB 8 occupies the entire block at 3rd and C Streets SW, in Washington, D.C. It originally housed Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) headquarters and laboratories. Designed by Boggs & Partners, the renovations will transform the property into a half-million square foot Class A office space nestled in a park-like setting. Once FOB 8's transformation is complete, the Architect of the Capitol and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will lease the space.

"Keeping and renovating the site represents the most cost-effective and sustainable alternative for the American taxpayer. It is also an interesting challenge to remake a '60s-era building into an attractive neighbor in this prominent location," said Regional Commissioner for Public Buildings Service Bart Bush at the groundbreaking ceremony on June 15, 2010.

FDA vacated the building in 2002 and interior renovation began. GSA awarded the $72.8 million contract to Turner Construction Company in January 2010. The 545,000-square-foot building is comprised of eight levels: a basement, a ground level, and six additional stories. There also is a rooftop penthouse containing mechanical equipment.

The project scope includes the renovation of the exterior of the building and its grounds, the addition of an entrance pavilion, and the installation of permanent perimeter security. The permanent security measures were developed in accordance with the Interagency Security Committee (ISC) Security Design Criteria for New Federal Office Buildings and Major Modernization Projects.

Providing a secured entrance, the newly constructed pavilion masks its apparent mass and scale with a combination of granite and glazed walls. The main building's renovated faade vertically orients the glass to provide visually consistency with the modern, Stripped Classical style of the adjacent buildings. Charles Klauder designed both of FOB 8's neighbors: The Mary Switzer Building was constructed in 1939-1940. The Wilbur J. Cohen Building was constructed in 1939 for the Social Security Administration.

Views from FOB 8's windows include many other historically and architecturally significant structures, such as the Modernist-styled Hubert H. Humphrey Building designed by Marcel Breuer in 1976 and the Beaux Art-styled U.S. Botanic Gardens' glass-enclosed conservatory designed by Bennett Parsons & Frost in 1902. For outdoor greenspace, FOB 8's tenants are just one block north from the National Mall and can see dozens of tree species lining the area's pedestrian and transit pathways.

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Wausau Modernizes D.C. Federal Office Building's Renovated Exterior, Supports LEED Goals with ...

29-05-2012 19:59 View New Cathedral Addition and complete house renovation including Andersen Woodwright windows, James Hardie siding, Azek trim boards and crowns.

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Sunroom Addition and House Renovation byTatcor.com Building

TRENTON, N.J. - The home-improvement contractor who has been in legal "hot water" for more than a year pleaded guilty on Tuesday for stealing more than $75,000 from clients.

Edward Humphrey - also known to his victims as "Fast Eddy" - stole money from clients, including a church in North Jersey and failing to perform the work for which he was paid.

Fast Eddy, 41, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft by deception.

He will be sentenced on Aug. 3. Humphrey faces a sentence between three and five years in state prison. He also is ordered to pay $188,000 in restitution.

Humphrey has previously admitted to consulting with clients between March 8 and Sept. 7, 2005, taking deposit checks and failing to perform the work.

Colorado connection

Del Benson loves living in the foothills of Fort Collins. He spent a lot of time making his Fort Collins home just right. After living there for 11 years, it was time make some repairs.

When Benson decided to participate in an energy study so his home improvements would be paid for, he ended up getting more than he bargained for. An independent contractor hired indirectly for his construction work is accused of doing a poor job, not finishing his work and having a track record of doing this repeatedly across the country. He's on probation in Florida, indicted in New Jersey and under investigation in California.

But Benson and others didn't know anything about that when "Fast Eddy" started working on the Ft. Collins home.

Benson's home repairs gone wrong

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'Fast Eddy' pleads guilty to stealing thousands

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Leading luxury destination club Inspirato has announced the release of 19 new members-only vacation residences, including the addition of 10 new multimillion-dollar, single-family homes to the clubs Signature Residences portfolio for which they are known. Beachfront properties in Laguna/Dana Point and Newport Coast, Calif., a six-bedroom Nantucket estate, and a four-acre, ocean-view home in Kapalua, Hawaii are among the new Signature Residences.

Our Signature Residences are what set Inspirato apart from other destination clubs and provide our members the extraordinary vacations they are looking for, said Brian Corbett, Founder and Chief Experience Officer for Inspirato. This release includes some of our most exceptional properties so far and they are a direct response to what our members have told us they want, which is the primary factor we consider when selecting new homes.

Inspiratos latest release also includes three new hotel partners Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto; Trump International Hotel & Tower New York; and The Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge in Telluride, Colo. Inspirato members can now also book vacations in six new destinations, including Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Laguna/Dana Point, Calif.; Squaw Valley, Calif.; San Francisco, Calif.; Kapalua, Hawaii; and Toronto, Canada.

Earlier this month, Inspirato released a new, seasonal residence at the Metropolitan London just in time for the Summer Olympic Games.

This latest expansion represents approximately $50 million in combined real estate value joining Inspiratos ever-growing vacation portfolio now totaling more than $340 million.

The clubs new Signature Residences include:

Laguna/Dana Point, Calif. This beachfront home is set on two lots in the desirable Capistrano Bay community and features floor-to-ceiling folding glass doors that open on to an oceanfront deck.

San Francisco, Calif. Inspiratos new 3,800-square-foot row house in downtown San Francisco features a backyard with a lush garden and fire pit and a private balcony with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Palace of Fine Arts.

Squaw Valley, Calif. Tucked in a grove of towering pine trees at the end of a cul-de-sac, but just a few minutes from the Resort at Squaw Creek, this residence reflects its gorgeous alpine setting in an elegant fashion.

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Inspirato Unveils New Residences in One of Its Largest Expansions to Date

MANILA, 1 November International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight titlist Manny Pacquiao floored Thai mandatory challenger Fabbrakob Rakkiatgym four times in the first round and retained his crown in just 160 seconds into their scheduled 12-round title fight at the Rizal Memorial College gym in Davao.

Referee Bruce McTavish of New Zealand halted the bout at the 2:46 mark after the Thai kissed the canvas for the fourth time, a victim of a non-stop blitz mounted by the Filipino champ before a packed crowd of nearly 3,000. A mean right cross by Pacquiao that caught Rakkiatgym while he was backing up to avoid a left started the end for the Thai fighter, who first hit the deck halfway through the round. Although he managed to beat the count, it was clear his eyes were glassy and his legs wobbled.

Sensing blood, Pacquiao, 23, went for the kill, throwing a variety of punches to the head and body of the dazed challenger who tried to cover up, in vain.

The Filipino champ landed more or less 20 punches in that barrage, his last, a right, felling the Thai for the fourth and last time. Even before the Thai, 27, hit the deck, McTavis stopped the fight.

Reyes settles for runner-up

finish in Masters

Efren Bata Reyes bowed to German Ralf Souquet, 9-4, in the finals of the 2002 World Pool Masters at the Woughton Center in Milton Keynes, England.

The Filipino ace settled for the second prize of $7,000 (364,000 pesos) while Souquet, who took a record fourth masters crown, pocketed $15,000 (780,000 pesos).

Against Souquet, Reyes was never in his element. Though he took the first rack, Reyes started missing his pot shots, allowing the German to surge ahead at 4-1. Reyes took the next rack when Souquet missed a Masse shot, but the Filipino scratched and Souquet proceeded to clinch the match.

Reyes downed Nick Van Den Berg of Holland in the quarterfinals and Fabio Petroni of Italy in the semifinals.

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Pacquiao decks Thai in 1st round

Rochester, NY (PRWEB) May 29, 2012

Is your home making you sick? Ordinary household mold can pose severe health risks for New York residents, according to EnviroTech, an environmental services company that specializes in professional mold remediation services.

"With the unusually mild winter and early onset of warm spring weather in upstate New York, weve seen a big increase in the number of mold-related telephone calls, says Steven Nardozzi, President of Operations for EnviroTech. Its important for homeowners to address a mold problem early, before it has a chance to spread and turn into a major health issue."

EnviroTech website says some common household molds can be particularly unsafe for young children, the elderly, people with allergies, or anyone with asthma or other difficulties breathing. Symptoms can include runny or stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, sneezing, and watery eyes. More severe cases of household mold can trigger asthmatic episodes or allergic reactions.

The mold removal process itself is pretty straightforward, Nardozzi explained. We dont just dry out the walls. We use Infra-Red imaging, moisture mechanics, air flow analysis, and other diagnostic tools which allow us to see deep into walls and find problems that may not be evident during a visual inspection.

EnviroTech says once the mold is removed and the source of the moisture is treated, the result is a safer, healthier living environment. Bottom line our stuffy noses are gone, says Tony, a homeowner in upstate New York who recently called EnviroTech about his mold problem. We couldnt be happier with the service we received from EnviroTech.

To learn more about EnviroTechs professional mold remediation process, visit http://www.naturallythebest.com/mold or call EnviroTech at (855) 438-3684 to schedule a free mold inspection.

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Mold Removal Expert Warns of Dangers to Public Health for Upstate New York

WOBURN, MA--(Marketwire -05/29/12)- With summer just around the corner, thoughts of remodeling that old bathroom, adding a splash of color to outdated paint and replacing drafty windows are top of mind for many homeowners. With May being National Home Improvement Month, there is no better time than the present to start planning!

But, as ambitious homeowners begin to assess their homes and immediate needs, the list of repairs and desired renovations can become daunting; from paint and fixtures to floors and bedrooms, giving your home a "makeover" can become a tiresome and costly endeavor.

College Pro Painters, the largest student-run painting company in the US and Canada, has been simplifying home beautification for over 40 years now... and they have learned a few things along the way. Here are some tips College Pro offers for planning your next home renovation:

Know the WHY. What's driving the home renovation bug in you? Are you contemplating selling your home and looking to increase value or curb appeal? Do you need to accommodate a growing family or perhaps looking to downsize after your children have "left the nest?" Or maybe your home just needs a little "push" into the modern world (time to get rid of that '70s inspired wallpaper)? If you are aware of and prioritize your home goals ahead of time, planning the "next steps" will be much easier.

Research Products and Service Providers. Once you've decided on what you're going to do, you now have to research the how. More and more, home owners are opting for a "DIY" strategy. This can be a great option for the enthusiastic homeowner, but be sure you're aware of the skill and time needed to accomplish your task; many homeowners underestimate these basic constraints and end up frustrated or exhausted.

For larger projects, such as exterior home painting, consider employing the assistance of a local, trusted contractor, such as College Pro Painters. Painting experts such as College Pro will assess the condition of your home, offer color scheme recommendations, prep all exterior surfaces and complete the job to your satisfaction. Choosing a professional home renovation company can save you time and money, but if you choose to paint your home on your own, be sure to thoroughly research paint types, equipment needed and safety.

Keep Budget in Mind. Avoid renovation "money pits" by carefully assessing your budget ahead of time. Take into account all possible additional costs, such as extra paint, tools and fixtures. If you are going to use a profession service, such as College Pro Painters, be sure to get detailed estimates on all related expenses. If you stick to your budget you will achieve your home improvement goals without "breaking the bank."

With some careful planning and a little imagination you will be sure to meet your home improvement needs. But remember, you're not alone! Professionals such as College Pro Painters and College Pro Window Cleaning are here to help; College Pro offers professional solutions for exterior home painting, deck and patio painting, shutter and door repainting, fence painting, and window cleaning, and gutters and eaves cleaning. Call today for your free estimate, 1-800-327-2468, or schedule your free estimate online at collegepro.com.

About College Pro Painters:

College Pro Painters, the premier student run exterior painting company in the United States and Canada, has been providing students and non-students alike with jobs inside the company as well as outside since they opened over 40 years ago. College Pro offers part time work while giving you the opportunity to develop skills that will prepare you for success in the long run.

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Making the Most of Home Improvement Month

28-05-2012 19:55 CONFIRMATION MESSAGE: This message will stay public for as long as the Lord directs and re-posted as He instructs! THIS IS "NOT" A RAPTURE INSPIRED MESSAGE!!!

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Church Building: Do NOT build! - Video

Alexandra Posadzki Globe and Mail Update Published Tuesday, May. 29, 2012 11:45AM EDT Last updated Tuesday, May. 29, 2012 1:50PM EDT

Police have removed what they believe to be a pipe bomb from a Brampton church after a suspicious fire broke out at the building early Tuesday morning.

Investigators are also trying to determine if the fire is linked to another blaze that destroyed three units of an under-construction townhouse complex nearby.

A blaze broke out at St. Jeromes Parish, a Roman Catholic church on Chinguacousy Road, shortly before 5 a.m.

What [police] suspect is that there was a pipe bomb or something thrown into the building, said Mariam Mesbah, a spokesperson for the city of Brampton. They think what happened was the sprinkler system went off and sort of kept it at bay.

The blaze was discovered by a maintenance worker who had arrived to clean the church.

When Bramptons firefighters arrived on scene, the fire had already been extinguished by the churchs sprinkler system.

It really was a smoke fire, said Ms. Mesbah. There was more smoke there than actual flames.

When firefighters spotted a suspicious package lying on the floor, they left the church and called police.

The explosives unit of Peel police arrived and sent a robot into the building. The robot located what police believe to be a pipe bomb, although they say it may be a fake.

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Police remove suspected pipe bomb from Brampton church