Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

By Jennifer Jiggetts The Virginian-Pilot March 28, 2012

VIRGINIA BEACH

At times it felt like a church service - nearly 30 religious leaders called on God for his blessing, guidance and strength.

At times, it felt like a protest - folks held signs that read: "This is about religious freedom!"

Either way, the message was the same.

Nearly 250 people packed the sanctuary at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Tuesday morning to support the church in a land dispute with city officials.

Church leaders say the event was intended to raise awareness about their plight.

Emmanuel Episcopal, a 170-year-old institution in Kempsville, has been fighting with city leaders over a plan that will relocate the intersection of Princess Anne and Kempsville roads.

Before renovating their parish hall and building a preschool, church leaders said, they asked city officials about 12 years ago if there were plans to work on the intersection. They said they were told no and proceeded with the $2 million school construction.

Two weeks after the church dedicated the school, the city announced plans to realign the intersection, including taking a half-acre of the church's property. When the project is finished, the six-lane road will be 70 feet from the church's preschool. Church members say that threatens students' safety and the church's long-term survival.

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Scores protest for church in Virginia Beach dispute

Soon after LP and I arrived in Boston a plot of land was bulldozed on our street in preparation for an apartment building to go up.

This section soon became a large, ugly hole that we didn't really like to walk past. But as 2011 crept by the wooden skeleton of a five-story building started to grow slowly up and out of the pit. The weather got warmer last year and surprisingly a group of protesters showed up on our street, decrying such-and-such labour practices from the property developer. This small band of bedraggled activists would brandish signs on random days over a few months, braving 30-degree plus heat to be seen. But as the old adage goes: you can't stop progress, and in the eight or so months since then, the building has still seen a steady stream of new developments.

Floors! Walls! Brick! Doors! Windows! Electricity!

LP and I digest and discuss all of the minute new details of the new building. "You notice all of those boxes sitting outside of the new apartment building today?" I find myself enquiring when she gets home from work, almost before I've asked about her day.

"Yeah, I think they're for the drywall they're putting in at the moment," LP will say, and we'll stand in silence for a little while and sort of appreciate this new development for a few moments. I'll probably stand and try and hide my confusion for a time, as I don't have any idea what drywall is.

I've come to like everything about this apartment building. I like the way that old policemen, who've obviously checked out a bit and are on some safe detail while they wait out a pension (or so I've decided), guard the construction site with a glazed, bored eye, a cup of coffee and a cigarette close at hand. I like the way that work on the building fills the air with the sounds of forklifts and power tools if I have the windows open. I've come to tolerate the way the builders stare slightly lecherously at LP as we walk past.

LP and I are moving to San Francisco in a little over a month. Her family is there, and Boston was always a graduate school and out destination for us. There are so many destination schools in America that most of the people we know in town have left now and returned to their home. So we need to find ours. We've been living the quiet life for a few months. It makes sense to be near LP's family, and we both have a number of friends nearby on the West Coast. We're getting married at the end of May, and then moving in with LP's aunt for a time and deciding whether to rent or... gulp... buy a place.

So I've come to contemplate recently this apartment building, as it nears completion, as a sort of obvious and sentimental metaphor for how long I've lived in Boston. I haven't been here long enough to watch the neighbourhood shift drastically. But, I have been here long enough for them to construct a five-story apartment building.

We came here with no roots and few possessions and little idea of the city. We leave with degrees and work experiences and new friends and the intimate knowledge of a new place. This whole structure of a life came out of an empty pit, like the building. But it's similarly substantial to us. We're not staying here, but we both readily acknowledge that if the pull of family wasn't dragging us Westwards, we could.

On Wednesday, I can go and pick up my Masters diploma from the registrar's office at Boston University. So I've got what I came here for.

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Finishing up our Boston project

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By David Forbes on 03/27/2012 01:00 PM

Many city residents first encountered the term in 2009, when Boston-based consultants Goody Clancy recommended the idea in their draft of what became Ashevilles Downtown Master Plan. Council adopted the plan later that year, and a series of committees established by the Downtown Commission went to work on implementing it. One of them, the Downtown Management Subcommittee, was charged with crafting a specific proposal for the BID. Recently, the subcommittee has begun pitching its plan to Council, civic groups and the general public, in part through a series of public meetings.

BIDs provide specified services to a designated area. In Asheville's case, the proposal calls for City Council to levy a special tax on downtown property 7 cents per $100 of property valuation to help fund the BID.

Basically it will add a layer of services above and beyond what the city provides, says downtown resident Susan Griffin, who chairs the Downtown Management Subcommittee. There's no one model for a BID: They're really based around local needs.

With an estimated budget of $700,000 to $900,000 a year, the local BID would be aiming to keep downtown clean, green and safe. To accomplish this, the nonprofit would fund 10 to 12 distinctly uniformed downtown ambassadors, who would help keep the area clean, assist visitors and generally keep an eye on things. In various presentations, Griffin has said the ambassadors would try to deter "illegal or undesirable behavior" ranging from panhandling to people lingering on the sidewalk.

They clean up, they check out if there are problem spots if a sidewalk needs power-washing, for example, Griffin explains. They're trained specifically to deal with issues like panhandling; they have contact with the police. The goal is to make this a more efficient downtown. The ambassadors, she says, could also help with things like escorting employees who leave work late at night.

In addition to the tax assessment, the city and county are each being asked to directly contribute about $150,000 per year to the BID's budget. Griffin calls this an investment; an economic-impact study her subcommittee commissioned estimates that the BID could boost property-tax revenues in the district by about 2 percent a year, and sales-tax revenue by 5 percent. The proposal would also bind city government to maintain its current level of total spending on downtown.

If approved by Council in May, the BID would get an initial three-year term, after which the city could decide whether to renew. In the meantime, however, the nonprofit would be free to spend those tax dollars however it saw fit, as long as it provided the specified services.

Asheville's Downtown Master Plan cites the example of a BID setting up security cameras and/or providing additional security patrols. Griffin says the BID would have more modest goals, though once approved and funded, the board could decide on a different approach.

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Place your BIDs: Property owners propose downtown business improvement district

A white 40s-style rectangular cottage sits on the edge of the water at the northern tip of Longboat Key, just where the land ends. The dolphin-filled blue-green Gulf of Mexico water laps peacefully under the water-facing porch of the house, and it has been this way since the Mayers family bought the property in 1936. Today, they remain one of the oldest families on Longboat Key.

Its not uncommon to see Tom Mayers throwing a cast net from the large pelican-perched dock, which has been rebuilt three times over the years there is even an award-winning photo of his father, Frank, casting a net on the same dock.

According to a 1913 map of New Pass, Lands End has, arguably, the best fishing on the west coast of Florida. Its fitting, then, that the original settler of Lands End and relative of the Mayers family, Italian-born John Saverese, was in the fishing business.

The early yearsThe year 1885 was an ideal time to begin a fishing company in Tampa because the construction of the Plant Railroad in 1884 connecting Tampa to the northern region of the U.S. allowed for a more massive fish transportation operation. Within 10 years, Saverese had employed 550 men, 15 sailing vessels, 150 small boats and a large steamer, The Mistletoe.

It was the biggest fish house in the United States, says Tom Mayers, former Longboat Key Historical Society president. Theres nothing like that today.

The 75-foot-long Mistletoe was used to bring vacationers from Tampa to Longboat Key two times per week. Due to the success of Savereses business, he acquired extensive building and real-estate holdings including what would eventually become Lands End. About 1914, Saverese built a vacation home on the edge of the water.

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Article posted: 3/27/2012 7:20 PM

Flames shoot through the roof of a house Tuesday on the 1S400 block of Sunnybrook Lane in an unincorporated area near Glen Ellyn.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Firefighters from Glen Ellyn and neighboring departments battle a house fire Tuesday on the 1S400 block of Sunnybrook Lane.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

The owners of a house on the 1S400 block of Sunnybrook Lane near Glen Ellyn get a hug during a fire on Tuesday.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Fire caused extensive damage Tuesday afternoon to a house that was being remodeled on the 1S400 block of Sunnybrook Road near Glen Ellyn, authorities said.

Glen Ellyn Lt. Craig Eldridge said firefighters responded at 12:47 p.m. for what became a three-alarm blaze that swept the attic and second floor of the house. Crews from several area departments assisted.

There was a lot of fire in that house when we got here so it was a matter of opening the house up and finding it. It wasnt a small fire when we got here, Eldridge said. Theres heavy, extensive damage to this house.

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Fire causes extensive damage to Glen Ellyn house

A free program has tested for heavy metals in Butte soils and lead and arsenic in its attics and homes at more than 1,800 properties, but still has plenty of work in front of them.

The Butte-Silver Bow Residential Metals Abatement Program, started in 1994, has sampled more than half of the qualifying properties in the area. Many of those have received contaminant-free lawns and attics all at no cost to the homeowner.

Yet, some remain unaware of what the program offers.

Butte-Silver Bow Health Department Employees Eric Hassler and Michelle Bay, along with three abatement technicians, test and remediate attics year-round.

Hassler said they have cleaned more than 160 to date that had high levels of arsenic, mercury and-or lead present.

Depending on the size of the project, Hassler said crews can be in and out in a few days to vacuum out everything that isnt bolted down. After the space has been cleaned, county crews can stuff it with insulation and reduce energy costs for the homeowner.

The attic program has recently been expanded to places like Rocker and Ramsay. If the residence is located in the Uptown area it automatically qualifies for inspection. County properties located in the Flat and out of town qualify only if significant remodeling is planned, or if there are obvious signs of ceiling cracks or other problems that could cause contaminants to enter the main living space.

Hassler said all the work is done on a first-come, first-served basis, but those planning remodels can be moved to the top of the list to prevent possible exposure. In the past, Hassler more than 80 percent of attics tested qualified for remediation.

In addition, Hassler said the county continues to push its residential metals program, in which they test for soil contaminates. Hassler and Bay said they plan to test more than 240 properties this year. In the past, about 40 percent of tested homes have enough heavy metals in the soil to qualify for remediation, said Hassler, who also said he expects that percentage to increase because of new sampling protocol.

Hassler stressed that all the work they do is free, and that the landowner is not on the hook for any future liability.

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Free remediation program continues for Butte homes

MICHIGAN CITY | Authorities on Tuesday still were investigating the discovery of a possible bomb by a Michigan City man remodeling his home.

It could wind up being a federal case depending on the outcome of the ongoing probe, said Lt. Chris Eckert, of the Porter County Sheriff's Department bomb squad.

"It depends on what the investigation reveals," Eckert said.

Just before 1 p.m. Monday, officers were called to the 700 block of Warnke Road.

Ronald Burian said he was tearing out the ceiling when he found a backpack, and inside the backpack was a device that looked like a bomb, according to Michigan City police.

The object consisted of a carbon dioxide canister with two aerosol cans duct taped to it.

A green wick also was coming out of the carbon dioxide canister, police said.

Police said a funnel containing a black powder residue was located near the device in the attic.

The bomb was carried out of the home and placed on the driveway, where the Porter County Bomb Squad retrieved it.

Eckert said whether the device is an actual bomb still is being looked into.

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Possible bomb found in Michigan City home during remodeling project

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Fugu-Inspired Pendant Lighting Fixture utilizes xenon lamp.

Amazon.com's proposed three-block high-rise office complex in Seattle's Denny Triangle could take as long as eight years to finish, a project architect revealed Tuesday night.

The blocks would be developed in phases, one block at a time, with two to four years between each phase, John Savo of NBBJ told the city's Downtown Design Review Board.

Amazon's proposed timing was among the new details that surfaced at the review board's first meeting to consider the preliminary design of the complex, at 3.3 million square feet the largest development ever proposed downtown.

The block closest to downtown between Sixth, Seventh and Westlake avenues and Virginia and Lenora streets probably would be developed first, he added.

More than 100 people crowded into the Bertha Knight Landes Room at City Hall to hear presentations from Savo and Dale Alberda, another project architect.

No Amazon official spoke.

While most attention so far has been focused on the tower of up to 37 stories that would be the centerpiece of each block, Savo and Alberda said each block also would have shorter buildings up to six stories that would be linked to the tower on that block by one or two skybridges.

On the block likely to be developed first, a small bridge would link the tower to a 40,000-square-foot auditoriumlike building seating 2,000 that Amazon plans to build along Lenora Street, Savo said.

The online retailer's current Seattle offices lack such a meeting space, he added. It would be "more like a ballroom in a hotel" than an auditorium, Savo said, and could be broken up into smaller spaces if needed.

Amazon hasn't yet decided whether it would be open for noncompany events, he added. But the 50-foot-wide courtyard between the tower and the meeting building would serve as a public passage between Sixth and Seventh avenues and a "pre-function" area for auditorium events, Alberda said.

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Amazon's architects offer some details on towers, skybridges

Dillons : 3/27/2012 What a bad idea this is. That location is out of the way for everyone on the west side of town. Guess that is a good reason to shop at Aldis and Wal Mart. -Rankan Report abuse

RE: Rankan : 3/27/2012 Because Aldi's & Walmart are on the West side?? People I know on the west side shop at 5th Street Dillons. Still, I'd prefer it stay at 30th & Plum. -Just Sayin Report abuse

Let the complaining begin : 3/27/2012 As usual... Hutch doesnt do cwell..the first comment is someone complaining.. we live in a town you can get anywehere in 5 -7 minutes...and your going to say its inconvenient??? I am excited for this new store! I have also heard their will be some new restaurants in the area...I LIKE PROGRESS! -Try smiling Report abuse

dumb decision : 3/27/2012 Constructing a new Dillons store is fine, but closing the one at 30th and Plum is the stupidest thing I heard. There is nothing wrong with that dillons! They are spending more money to make a new one than to keep the one they got. They could make more one their food than wasting money on a new building. Theres also nothing wrong with the location of the one on 30th and Plum Why not put a new Dillons on 17th and keep the one on 30th and Plum. I agree with the comment that says its out of the way for west siders in Hutch.-Rankan... My biggest disappointment is 30th and Plum getting removed. -Disappointed Customer Report abuse

WHY : 3/27/2012 Why would they do this when there is another store like 2 miles down 30th. Why dont they build in South Hutch instead! -just an idea Report abuse

Awesome! : 3/27/2012 This is exciting news!! The Dillons Marketplace in Wichita is amazing! And Rankan, Aldi's will be straight south of the new Dillons, and Wal-Mart is further east. For the west-siders, can you not go to the West 5th, East 4th, or 14th locations? -Progressive is Good! Report abuse

Sure : 3/27/2012 Why not drive even further to buy groceries, Rankan. Thanks Joe- about time. -Thinker Report abuse

Out of the way? : 3/27/2012 You do realize that this town is only 40,000, and that you can drive practically anywhere in the city limits in 10 minutes, right? Plus, isn't Aldi and Wal-Mart on the EAST side of town??? -Chris Report abuse

Agree : 3/27/2012 Northgate is the best location, I hate to see them close the 30th street store and move. I don't really care if we have a marketplace, I just want the store to remain where it is. -Bummed Report abuse

Dillons : 3/27/2012 Bad idea??? Where do you think Walmart and Aldi's are located..Does your post really make sense? -LTC Report abuse

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Dillons plans to build Marketplace store in Hutch