Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Today the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project, an initiative of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) in collaboration with Washington State utilities, named Advanced Energy Management the 2011/2012 Contractor of the Year for the state of Washington. The Tacoma-based company is known for quality installations, commitment to customer service and educating their community about the energy efficiency benefits of ductless heating and cooling systems. Over the past year the company has installed more ductless heating and cooling systems than any other contractor in Washington.

Ductless systems have played a huge role in growing our small business, accounting for a large portion of our revenue last year, said Craig Christensen, vice president and operations manager at Advanced Energy Management. These systems are a great way to improve our environment by improving the energy efficiency of your home. And because the payback on these systems is so quick from the energy savings achieved over a traditional heating system, they are a great investment for anyone looking to reduce their heating costs in these tough economic times.

A ductless heat pump is a highly efficient and easily installed primary heating and cooling system for electrically heated homes. These systems are safe, quiet and heat rooms evenly at a fraction of the cost of baseboard or wall heaters. Since 2008, the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project, in partnership with Northwest utilities, the Bonneville Power Administration and Energy Trust of Oregon, has worked with local businesses like Advanced Energy Management to install more than 14,000 ductless heating and cooling systems in the Northwest, at a savings of 49,000,000 kWh per year. That is enough electricity to power 4,400 average homes each year.

Advanced Energy Management is a great example of a Washington small business that is thriving because of energy-efficient technology, said DuWayne Dunham, customer accounts rep. team leader, Clark Public Utilities. Through their leadership in promoting and installing ductless systems, Advanced Energy Management is helping energy customers save money on their electric bills and enjoy more comfortable homes.

Each year, in collaboration with its regional utility partners, the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project selects one Contractor of the Year representing each of the four states in the region. Winning companies are qualified as Master Installers, and have completed the highest number of ductless heating and cooling system installations in their state. In addition to Tacomas Advanced Energy Management, the other Contractor of the Year winners this year include: First Call Jewel in Idaho Falls, Idaho; Formula Fabrication in Libby, Montana; and Automatic Heat Service & Installation in Eugene, Oregon.

Currently, 92 utility partners in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington are offering customer rebates on energy-efficient ductless systems, up to $1,500, often covering 30-50 percent of the cost of an installed ductless system.

Visit GoingDuctless.com to learn about available incentives, purchasing this technology and to learn more about ductless heating and cooling systems.

About the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is a non-profit organization working to maximize energy efficiency to meet our future energy needs. NEEA is supported by and works in partnership with the Bonneville Power Administration, Energy Trust of Oregon and more than 100 Northwest utilities for the benefit of more than 12 million energy consumers. NEEA uses the market power of the region to accelerate the innovation and adoption of energy-efficient products, services and practices. Since 1997, NEEA and its partners have saved enough energy to power more than 568,400 homes each year. Energy efficiency can satisfy more than half of our new demand for energy, saving money, and keeping the Northwest a healthy and vibrant place to live. For more information, visit neea.org.

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Advanced Energy Management Named 2011/2012 Contractor of the Year by the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project

Weir Building Company has built its own reputation for quality custom homes and larger-scale remodeling projects since Chris Weir founded the company 12 years ago.

He recently moved his design and management offices to 14261 Torrey Rd., Suite B, in the Lake Fenton Commercial Park. This new location offers Weir an opportunity to meet with clients in a comfortable office setting, where they can work together to refine each projects design, budget, scope of work, etc.

Its accessibility off U.S. 23 makes it a convenient location for Genesee, Livingston and North Oakland county clients.

In addition to building custom homes, Weir is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, trained in construction techniques designed to allow homeowners to remain in their homes comfortably as they age. Less than 1 percent of builders and remodelers nationwide have achieved the CAPS certification. Weir is one of only two contractors in Genesee County to hold this designation. He has also obtained the designation of Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR).

For more information about Weir Building Company, visit his companys website at http://www.weirbuild.com or call Weir at (810) 629-8400.

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Weir Building Company moves office

By Todd Wallack, Globe Staff

The auction of the Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church, originally scheduled for Thursday morning, has been postponed until summer after the church filed for federal bankruptcy protection.

The auction company, Paul E. Saperstein Co. of Holbrook, posted a note on its web site saying the auction has been continued due to bankruptcy until July 19.

The historic black church filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday to block OneUnited Bank in Boston from foreclosing on a $1.1 million loan and auctioning off the Roxbury church, as well as an adjacent small retail building and a former pastors residence in Milton.

The church hopes to keep all the properties and renegotiate its loans with OneUnited. In addition to the $1.1 million loan, it also owes OneUnited $3 million for construction of a community center, which has yet to be completed. The church has proposed repaying the bank over 30 years.

OneUnited, one of the nations largest black-owned banks, has said it is studying the bankruptcy filing. Lawyers for the church were expected to appear in US Bankruptcy Court on Thursday.

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Charles Street AME Church auction postponed until July after bankruptcy filing

NORCROSS, Ga. -- A large fire raged through a building undergoing renovations Thursday morning.

The fire was reported shortly after 5 a.m. near the Overlook Summit apartments on Chase Lane in Norcross. The original 911 call reported a brush fire; 11Alive's Julie Wolfe learned that crews are trying to determine whether the brush fire caused the building fire or vice versa.

The flames were visible from Interstate 85, according to Gwinnett Fire spokesman Tommy Rutledge.

Originally, investigators thought part of the apartment complex was on fire. They now say that the fire was limited to a nearby empty building.

When crews tried to tap a nearby fire hydrant, they discovered that it was dry; they had to use 1,000 feet of fire hose to bring water to the blaze, according to investigators.

Two nearly buildings were evacuated while crews battled the fire. The all-clear was given at around 7 a.m.

Julie Wolfe learned that the opposite side of the same building caught fire in October. That blaze burned all the way into the building's firewall. Some of the apartment complex residents have complained of flickering lights and bad wiring in their units.

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NORCROSS | Fire rips through apartment under construction

Developers broke ground on two new apartment complexes at the St. Johns Town Center in the past month.

A few miles to the west, residents started moving into the 242-unit Bennett Creek apartments in January.

A mile or so south, Cabana Club is about to open on Baymeadows Road with 252 units. And the same developers plan to break ground this summer on another 300-unit complex, called Hacienda, right across the street.

Then theres Seagrass on San Pablo Road, 396 units. And 220 Riverside with another 294.

It hasnt always been like this. Apartment complexes suffered the same downturn that single-family construction did. In the 2009-10 fiscal year, not a single building permit was issued by Jacksonville for a new apartment complex. But thats changed with complex after complex breaking ground.

I think its seems about right, said Abe Fort with Perimeter Realty, the developers of Cabana Club. Historically, it wasnt uncommon to see 1,500 units a year. In the 90s, it was almost every year.

But in 2000, it became condos, and after 2008, we had nothing. We can easily handle 1,000-2,000 new units a year.

Ed Forman, president of Watson Realty, said hes going to meet with his managers next week to discuss, among other things, the recent growth in apartments.

If you look at the last five years, building stopped, both homes and apartments, he said. Now its a supply-and-demand issue. A lot of people exited their homes due to short sales or lost their homes to foreclosures. Now they cant qualify for a mortgage.

But housing is a requirement. You cant live on the street.

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After downturn, Jacksonville apartment construction is picking up

A worker was crushed to death this morning and two others were injured after a building collapsed in Harlem, authorities said.

The construction workers were demolishing the one-story building at 604-606 West 131 Street near Broadway at 7:51 a.m. when the accident occurred, police said.

The deceased was identified as 69-year-old Juan Ruiz Sr.

His wife, Francisca Ruiz, sobbed uncontrollably at their home in the Bronx, crying out for her husband as relatives wept with her. She wasnt able to speak as family members held her shaking hands.

"He was a great person and a great father, Ruizs son, Juan Ruiz Jr., said. He was a man of his family and a man of his work. I am very sad and we are all very sad today.

The building, which is owned by Columbia University, is part of a plan on the part of the Ivy League school to expand across a section of upper Manhattan.

One shaken worker, holding a safety helmet covered in soot, said the building tumbled even before they began razing it.

I dont know what happened, said a confused Keith Henry, 54, a machine operator who was inside the building minutes before it fell. The whole thing was falling and nobody touched it.

A resident who witnessed the crash from his apartment window said it sounded like an explosion.

I saw the concrete wall just falling down on the workers, said Willy Katende, 46. Everything just crumbled. Bricks were falling. It sounded like a bomb it came down so fast.

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One construction worker dead, 2 others injured in Harlem building collapse

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

With our very mild winter coming to an end and all the exciting activities of spring like baseball season underway, it is time to think about some of the not-so-nice effects of the warmer weather as well. Termites are beginning to swarm in a big way and Arrow Exterminators urges homeowners to learn more about them in an effort to protect their homes. Estimated to cause more than $5 billion in structural damage each year, most of which is not covered by homeowners insurance, termites are very treacherous spring pests. Subterranean, drywood and Formosan termites, the most common termites in the south, become active in the spring, flourishing as soon as temperatures begin to heat up, and continuing through the summer. Given the mild winter we experienced, termite colony populations are expected to be at an all-time high this year. Once inside a home, termites can chew 24 hours a day through concrete, wood, carpeting, floors and wallpaper.

Swarms occur when termites seek to expand their territory and form new colonies. Not surprisingly, this is usually the first time a homeowner becomes aware of a potential infestation in the home, however termites are most often present in a home before they swarm. Other evidence of a termite infestation includes mud tunneling in, over and under wood structures; the darkening or blistering of wood; and/or damaged wood becoming extremely thin. In all circumstances a pest professional should be contacted immediately. Additionally, Arrow recommends that homeowners have their property inspected by a licensed professional annually to protect their families and their investment.

Once a termite infestation begins, it can quickly cause significant property damage so its imperative that homeowners get an inspection early, says Shay Runion, Arrow Pest Expert. Many homeowners believe that termites dont exist simply because they cant see them. However, the absence of typical 'swarming' signs doesnt mean there is no termite activity happening below the surface of a home.

When it comes to termite control, Arrow Exterminators hits the ball out of the park and offers these tips to help prevent a termite infestation this spring:

Arrow protects homes from termites and other pests with the STEPS Total Protection System, an industry-leading process that utilizes Integrated Pest Management. STEPS includes a full home and property evaluation to pinpoint pest control issues; identification of not only the pest, but the true cause of the problem; and treatment in the most environmentally responsible way to alleviate current issues and to help prevent future recurrences.

Consumers interested in protecting their homes from pests may obtain additional information at http://www.arrowexterminators.com. Additionally, consumers can contact Arrow for a free whole home evaluation at 1-888-462-7769.

About Arrow Exterminators

Family owned and operated since 1964, Atlanta-based Arrow Exterminators is the eighth largest pest and termite control company in the United States, ranked by revenue. Arrow boasts a modern fleet of more than 700 vehicles, more than 67 service centers and revenues exceeding $100 million. With QualityPro Certification by the National Pest Management Association, the company offers innovative and environmentally responsible services to protect homes and businesses of customers in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Visit http://www.arrowexterminators.com for more information.

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Termites Swarm in Like a Fastball This Spring

City officials are being lenient on a patio bylaw that has been put in place to allow for snow clearance.

The bylaw states before March 31, patios on city property can't be up during the night. That means they would have to be dismantled every night.

But unseasonably record-setting warm weather has every restaurant chomping for March business. Steve Monuk runs 15 restaurants in the ByWard Market and knew the warm weather was going to present a problem.

"I know they are looking into the issue and maybe even changing some dates," he said.

The city has decided to send out a letter of permission to at least one pub allowing them to open their patio without a fine. The city also said nobody has been fined for opening the patios before the fine deadline.

For some bar owners, opening a patio early is still worth the fine. The business would be so much higher than the charge.

Also, some large patios can take up to a week to put together, which makes it impossible to dismantle every night.

"Ottawa is patio-crazy. They love to get out of the winter and into the summer as quickly as possible," said Ken Goodhue, the operating partner at the Highlander Pub.

The fine can be up to $5,000 but Goodhue said the St. Patrick's Day business alone made up for that.

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Ottawa patio bylaw not being enforced

CRYSTAL LAKE The citys Planning and Zoning Commission gave its informal blessing to plans to double the size of Crystal Lake Public Library.

An architect recently drew up plans to add more than 40,000 square feet to the library through a major expansion and renovation project.

Designs call for demolishing the house at 17 McHenry Ave. and the oldest part of the existing library building to make way for additions and a two-story parking garage with 200 spaces.

The library bought the house several years ago and has been renting it out. The parking garage would be on the east side of the librarys three-acre site at 126 Paddock St.

Commission Chairman Thomas Hayden said he was impressed with the preliminary plans.

I really like it, he said at a review meeting Wednesday. I think its outstanding.

The library has been cramped for years at about 40,000 square feet and 98 parking spaces. Administrators told the commission that studies dating to 1995 have shown the library needs more space for books, computers, meeting rooms and parking.

Voters rejected an advisory referendum in 2004 to issue bonds to build a new library at a different site. At the time, many voters said they didnt want the library to be relocated. Since then, library administrators have focused on rehabbing the Paddock Street building to handle a growing number of visitors and rising circulation.

It is a challenging situation for the library, commission member Darrel Gavle said. The site doesnt lend itself easily to being expanded. I think this particular model is, if not the best, very close to what the best would be.

Other commission members raised concerns about how a bigger, more dense library would fit in with the mostly residential neighborhood. Commission member David Goss asked whether neighbors had been notified of the expansion plans.

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Crystal Lake planners back library expansion plan

California State Universitys Northridge campus has opened a new Student Recreation Center boasting a sleek, ultra-modern exterior, a 40-foot indoor rock-climbing wall, two outdoor pools and five areas with state-of-the-art athletic flooring made by Mondo, the global leader in the track and field, indoor sport and contract flooring markets. CSUNs 138,000 square foot facility opened in January and features Mondo floors for three fitness zones, an indoor track and the Multi Activity Court.

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (PRWEB) March 22, 2012

When choosing flooring for the SRC, CSUN officials evaluated several competing products and they visited recreation centers at several other colleges and universities. We looked at their flooring, asked them how they scheduled and used their facilities, and talked to them about different flooring materials, said Jason Wang, CSUN university student union associate executive director. And Mondo kept coming out on top. It really was not a difficult decision.

CSUN chose Mondo Advance flooring for the MatArena Multi Activity Court, which is used for basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer and other activities; Mondos Super X Performance running track surface for the SRCs 1/8-mile indoor track; and two Mondo products for the SRCs three fitness zonesthe Bryan Green Matador Training Zone and the Total Training Zone both feature Sport Impact flooring, and the Top Level Training Zone has Sportflex M.

--Mondo Advance is recognized as the industrys most durable and highest-performing sports flooring surface for gymnasiums and multipurpose facilities. It is long lasting, with life expectancy of more than 20 years, and it is 100 percent recyclable.

--Super X Performance has been the worlds top track for more than 30 years and was the track of eight Olympic Games through 2004. It provides maximum energy absorption and return for superior comfort and safety.

--Sport Impact is Mondos premium weight- and skate-resistant rubber flooring. It protects against heavy impact and is antibacterial and antimicrobial throughout.

--Sportflex M, Mondos indoor-outdoor multipurpose rubber flooring, withstands static and rolling loads, such as bleachers, tables and chairs. It is stain resistant and does not require any coatings or special maintenance.

The SRC serves a large student populationenrollment is nearly 36,000so Wang said durability and ease of maintenance were key features for the venues flooring, and the products have lived up to expectations. Mondo is an industry leader in the ease of maintenance, durability and performance of its flooring surfaces, he said. The Mondo flooring has been a joyits easy to clean, super easy to maintain, and its performance is really good, so the people who use it are excited about how it plays.

Wang also said that it was a cinch for the university to find Mondo surfaces that matched the schools official colors and the SRCs color palette.

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Cal State University, Northridge opens state-of-the-art Student Recreation Center with 5 areas featuring Mondo flooring