Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

15-03-2012 06:40 The Porch Company Nashville's Design

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The Porch Company Nashville's Design - Video

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Plans for several different apartment buildings are in the works for the city of West Lafayette and Purdue.

With construction season right around the corner, planned development projects are popping up all over the area.

Anybody who has driven down Chauncey Hill or out on Lindberg Road may have noticed a few housing construction projects well underway.

Right now, there are as many as seven different planned development projects in the works for the West Lafayette area. Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission Assistant Director Ryan O'Gara said the economy is the reason why we are suddenly seeing these projects pop up. He says when the recession hit, plans came to a halt.

"We had developers come in, bring us their concepts, and then they'd sort of disappear for awhile and then they'd come back and actually file to rezone the site and begin the project negotiations. So basically what we've seen is clearly that's an indication that, you know, banks are probably lending again," said O'Gara.

Most of these projects are apartment and housing buildings surrounding Purdue's campus. These projects are all in different stages of the building process. For some, construction is well underway, while others are still waiting to be approved by the area plan commission.

"What we're seeing is a host of projects that are interested in increasing densities near campus and really creating a neat, urban look," said O"Gara.

Assistant Director of Off-Campus Student Services Ashley Darnell said students are not obligated to live on-campus. he says if they choose to live off-campus, these new apartment buildings will give them more options.

"Not every student is going to find that the pro's of living on-campus are better than the pro's of living off-campus and they really have to balance those out," said Darnell.

Some of the projects are located in the Chauncey Hill area, Northwestern Avenue, Lindberg Road, and around State and Grant streets.

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Construction thrives in West Lafayette

14-03-2012 08:32 http://www.hometermitecontrol.com.au Altriset from Dupont is an Environmentally Friendly treatment for termites. Altriset Termicide stops termites eating in 2 to 4 hours. Safe to use in homes. Requires no personnel protective equipment. Call Brad from Home Termite Control for a Pest Inspection or Treatment of active termites in your home. Check the website for testimonials and more videos. This property is on the Northern Beaches of Sydney Australia overlooking Freshwater Beach near Manly

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Termite Damage Treatment Sydney Australia | Home Termite Control - Video

As counterintuitive as it may seem, if the beautiful weather has you craving for ways to spruce up your back yard and gardens, head back indoors to GardenScape 2012 for some ideas.

The show through Sunday at the Monroe County Fair and Expo Center in Henrietta featured several different outdoor living spaces from back yard kitchens, paved patios and enchanting bistros.

More than a dozen landscape companies and other organizations showed off their creative prowess interpreting this years theme Recipe for Springtime.

Theres more of a trend toward outdoor living, said Sharlene Reeves, co-chair of the GardenScape show. With gas prices the way they are, people are doing more staycations.

With its lighted twig arch and a repurposed 1925 stone sculpture as a water feature, Twin Oaks Landscape working together with Oriental Garden Supply won the Best of Show honors for best overall display.

The landscapers creatively incorporated cypress and evergreens with spring rhododendren bushes.

It just looks like it has been here a long time, Reeves said.

Monroe County Parks Department featured several wood carvings in its display, including a hand-carved life-sized recipe book with a recipe for spring that includes a little sun and a little thundershower.

Birchcrest Tree and Landscape in Webster showcases an oversized hand-carved picnic table with a custom outdoor bar that doubles as a winter storage shed to illustrate the recipe theme.

People are thinking of the outdoors as an extension of their home, said Dave Dailey, president of Birchcrest Tree and Landscape.

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GardenScape off to a busy start

LAKE OSWEGO, OR (KPTV) -

Lake Oswego firefighters were called to a restaurant that hasn't even opened yet after a small fire broke out in the basement.

It happened Wednesday at the Stickmen Brewery and Skewery on N. State Street, which is in the same building as the Lake Twin Theater.

A worker at the theater said he noticed a smoky haze at around 7:40 p.m. and eventually started searching for the source.

That's when the man told investigators that he looked through the brew pub's window and saw smoke.

About a dozen movie-goers were evacuated from the theater as a precaution when firefighters arrived at the scene.

Crews said they had a tough time getting close to the fire at first because of all the remodeling going on in the building.

Investigators believe sparks and metal slag ended up on the wooden floor earlier in the day when construction workers were still onsite, leading to the fire.

The damage is estimated at just $500 since the area is in the midst of being demolished.

Copyright 2012 KPTV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

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Crews put out fire at Lake Oswego brew pub

Montclair officials received a site plan for CentroVerde at Montclair, which is the name now bestowed on the three-building redevelopment set for the DCH property, on Thursday.

STAFF PHOTO BY GEORGE WIRT

The site plan for CentroVerde at Montclair, the new name for the DCH redevelopment project, includes three buildings with retail, commercial and office space. The development will also have a 25-foot atrium, a plaza and a courtyard.

STAFF PHOTO BY GEORGE WIRT

The street-level floor of CentroVerde's buildings will be retail space, and above that will be residential units.

The plans depict Phase 1 and 2 of what the township calls the Montclair Center Gateway, a mixed-use project with residential, retail and office space slated for the former DCH dealership site on Bloomfield Avenue, between Valley and Orange roads. The project is considered critical to the township's future, a source of new ratables and tax revenue on a four-acre slice of what's currently empty land with vacant buildings.

The site plans shows three six-story buildings, with their ground floors mainly dedicated to retail space, with storefronts adorned with fabric awnings and metal canopies. Residential units are perched above the retail-filled ground level. The plan also calls for a sprucing up of the Church Street circle.

The Montclair Center Gateway plans include a 25-foot, two-story atrium in Building 3, at the corner of Bloomfield Avenue and Orange Road, as well as a plaza that would face Bloomfield Avenue. Building 2, precisely on the old DCH dealership space at the corner of Bloomfield Avenue and Valley Road, has an open courtyard behind it.

Building 1 is past Building 2 on Valley Road, and will be built next to the Montclair Board of Education Building.

The group developing the DCH property, Montclair Acquisition Partners LLC, filed its site plans with Janice Talley, director of the Township Department of Planning and Community Development.

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Montclair developer submits site plans for 'CentroVerde,' better known as DCH site

JEFFERSON CITYMissouris elk herd is growing on two fronts, and conservation officials express optimism that the second year of restoration work will benefit from experience gained in 2011. Efforts to bring elk back to Missouri after a 150-year absence began in October 2010, when the Missouri Conservation Commission approved a restoration plan. The plan called for obtaining up to 150 wild elk from other states with established wild populations. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) quickly got the go-ahead from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to trap elk from its herd of more than 10,000. The Bluegrass State restored its elk herd between 1997 and 2002, bringing elk from Utah and other western states to populate a 16-county restoration zone. MDC construction crews began building traps and holding pens in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky in December 2010. Although hampered by heavy snowfall, they completed their work in time to start trapping elk in January 2011. This year, warm weather with little snow helped MDC make extensive modifications to holding pens. However, those same conditions hampered actual trapping, since elk had easier access to natural food and were less inclined to visit baited trap sites. In spite of this, 54 elk were captured through a combination of baited pen traps and sedative darting. We learned a lot the first year, said MDC Elk Project Manager Ron Dent. That enabled us to make better use of the opportunities we had to catch elk, and we have significantly improved handling procedures and veterinary care to keep the animals we captured healthy. Changes to this years elk-restoration work in Kentucky included enlarging the holding pens and extending them into brushy areas to provide better shelter from the elements. Other changes have substantially reduced disturbance from human activities and provided more natural, hygienic access to food and water. Provisions for moving and handling elk also have been changed to reduce stress and potential for injury. The elk are a lot more relaxed and in much better physical condition this year, thanks to all the changes we have made, said Dent. In short, we are getting better at this, and that translates into more and healthier elk. One particularly valuable innovation this year is the addition of two caretakers to watch over the Kentucky elk. Living in a camper on-site, the two not only guard against human disturbance, they provide early warnings of developing problems. One of our caretakers has an agriculture background and is very quick to pick up on it when the elks behavior is off, said Dent. That has given us the jump on several situations. Without their help, we wouldnt be where we are today with this years work. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has shared the cost and staff needs for trapping efforts and plans to begin its own restoration this year. Substantial financial support also came from private conservation groups, including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. MDC once again is working closely with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the U.S., Kentucky and Virginia departments of agriculture to ensure the health of all the captured elk. This years catch of 54 elk includes 39 cows and 15 bulls. They will be divided between Missouri and Virginia, with the majority earmarked for Missouri. Missouris share of this years captured elk will join the 36 elk already living here. The current elk herd consists of five calves born in Missouri last year and 31 of the 34 elk brought from Kentucky in 2011. One of Missouris elk that died last year was a cow that was brought to Kentucky from Utah in 1997, the first year of Kentuckys elk-restoration program. As the dominant cow, she played a key role in establishing Missouris elk herd before succumbing to old age. The other two casualties among last years transplants resulted from internal parasites and an accidental fall. Naturally, we hate to lose any of these animals, said Dent. But losses are inevitable, and we have every reason to believe that such losses will be smaller in the future as we gain experience. One of the elk now in holding pens in Kentucky is a cow that also was part of Kentuckys restoration herd. She came to Kentucky from Utah as a calf in 1999. Most of the 13 mature cows already in Missouri, along with those that will arrive this spring, are expected to be pregnant and will give birth to calves in early summer. With normal calf survival, Missouris resident elk herd could top 70 by the end of the summer. MDC personnel will attempt to find calves born in Missouri this year and fit them with radio collars. GPS collars on most of the resident herd enable MDC to track their movements. Dent said they are behaving as expected, exploring their new home but mostly staying in the vicinity of green browse fields and open woodland habitat available within the 346-square-mile elk-restoration zone in Shannon, Carter and Reynolds counties. They are using the wildlife plots we established along the elk-tour routes, said Dent. They also are using open woodlands and forested areas, where they find acorns during the fall. Hunters who took part in managed deer hunts at Peck Ranch Conservation Area (CA) in October, November and December were asked to carry GPS units so biologists could observe how elk reacted to human activity. Most of the elk movements were short-term, and they returned to the same places after hunters left, said Dent. We were surprised to find that they didnt move much at all. Mainly they just moved and stayed out of sight. We only had a few hunters who saw elk. According to Dent, the elk were more dispersed during the summer, as would be expected when cows are rearing their calves. As autumn wore on, they came together in three loosely organized groups. This is consistent with elk mating behavior, in which dominant bulls gather and guard harems of cows. These groups have tended to hold together until the present, and likely will break up again as calving season approaches. To encourage Missouris growing elk herd to remain in and around the restoration zone, MDC is working to enlarge and improve existing habitat that meets the grazing animals needs. This work includes planting patches of mixed legumes and warm- and cool-season grasses and liming and fertilizing existing green-browse plots. One large project involves several hundred acres on Current River CA. Some of these areas are old fields that formerly were pasture, hay or cropland but have grown up in brushy vegetation and invasive trees such as locust, cedar and Osage orange. Restoring these areas to a more open condition enhances habitat diversity in a way that benefits a wide range of wildlife, including elk. Dent said elk have turned into a popular attraction at Peck Ranch CA, with individuals frequenting the established elk driving tour and local businesses making plans to develop elk-viewing opportunities. Dent said hunters at Peck Ranch CA last fall reported that the possibility of seeing elk was one of the areas primary attractions. MDC plans to close the refuge area at Peck Ranch CA this spring, as it did last year. Dent said the inconvenience to turkey hunters is considered necessary to avoid disturbance of elk from Kentucky and resident elk that are calving during the spring and early summer. The portion of Peck Ranch CA outside the marked refuge fence remains open to hunting and other activities. Dent said the 12,000-acre refuge area will remain closed until mid-summer. Exact closure and reopening dates will be announced later this year. He said he expects health tests of elk trapped this year to be complete in May, after which they can be brought to Missouri. They will be released after a short holding period to allow them to acclimate to their new surroundings. MDC is exploring the possibility of using elk brought from Kentucky this year to establish a second sub-herd on property owned by The Nature Conservancy. Dent said this area is nearer the middle of the elk-restoration zone, and releasing elk there would encourage additional use of suitable habitat the area offers. He said The Nature Conservancy has put significant effort into habitat improvements on its land, making that area even more suitable for elk. It also has the advantage of not putting all Missouris elk in one basket, so to speak, said Dent.

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ELK restoration enters second year

Date: March 16th, 2012

Roys Hill restoration project set to be unveiled

A major land restoration project will be formally opened to the public this month.

Roys Hill Reserve has been beautified and transformed into a magnificent public greenspace in a joint initiative between Hastings District Council and the Hastings Landmarks Trust. Twelve local businesses and the Landcare Foundation have become sponsors of the project which has seen over 6000 native trees planted on the former landfill site, since work began in 2009.

Landmarks Trust member and Hastings Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers says Support from these local businesses and a grant from the Landcare Foundation has assisted with additional planting and irrigation, the construction of a carpark and the installation of picnic tables and information boards.

The planting and restoration of Roys Hill Reserve has created a welcome addition to the public open spaces which abound around Hastings District. A number of community organisations have already enquired about using the 10.97 hectare site for their activities.

Cynthia Bowers says Plans for the future involve further planting, the construction of a cycle track around the perimeter and the installation of a viewing platform on the top of the hill. This community restoration project has created a wonderful park where the family can take a stroll, enjoy a picnic or just sit and relax while enjoying the breathtaking views across the vineyards.

The Roys Hill Reserve is expected to become a very popular stop off point for cyclists on the Wineries Trail which takes riders around the Gimblett Gravels.

A Family Picnic Fun Day will be held at Roys Hill Reserve on Sunday March 25th from 11am till 2pm to mark the official opening. There will be a free sausage sizzle, bouncy castle, face painting and train rides for the kids, while adults will be able to enjoy the great views across the vineyards and an aerial display from the Hawkes Bay Radio Flyers.

The public is invited to the official opening of Roys Hill Reserve on State Highway 50 by Hastings Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers, at 11am on Sunday March 25th, 2012.

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Roy’s Hill restoration project set to be unveiled

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -

As Mid-State residents are beginning to make repairs to their homes that were damaged in the recent spring storms and tornados, the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee is offering a warning to homeowners.

Since the devastating storms moved through the area nearly two weeks ago, "Storm Chasers" have flocked to Tennessee. With that in mind, the better BBB is urging all homeowners to be cautious when dealing with roofers, especially companies that may knock on your door that you have never dealt with before.

Don Kennedy is a long time Nashville roofing expert. He told Nashville's News 2 to always use caution when deciding on a roofing company.

"As soon as the storm hit, we got calls from roofing contractors from Texas, Colorado and Florida. They want to come in and sub-contract from us, and give us 10%," he explained.

Kennedy added, "They are not licensed or bonded, they come in and do the work under your company name, and they are in and out. It can be good money, but the problem is we are here to take care of the customer and we are left to take care of their botched up jobs. It gives us a bad reputation."

Kennedy took Nashville's News 2 Investigates to Green Hills on Thursday where he says many storm chasers have been knocking on doors searching for business.

"They know where the storm hit. We had a guy we did work for the day after, and he says he had 11 people knock on his door wanting to do a roof inspection, because he had roof damage," he said, adding, "Door to door salesman are not what they use to be. You don't know anything about them or their reputation. Nobody knows them. They try and manipulate the customer. "

As we ride down the street, we locate four signs for a roofing company out of Kansas.

The company has a good record with the BBB.

Continued here:
BBB warns of unfamiliar, out-of-state roofing companies

Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and Boardwalk (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

SANTA CRUZ (KCBS) Heavy rain has pushed the San Lorenzo River dangerously close to the retaining wall of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, officials said Thursday.

Ten inches of rain in the Santa Cruz Mountains since Tuesday has altered the course of the San Lorenzo so that it now runs parallel to the amusement park.

KCBS Matt Bigler Reports:

River Threatens Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

City crews have been scrambling to contain overflow from the swollen river as it edges towards the concrete retaining wall that separates the park from the beach. On Wednesday, a wooden staircase to the beach was ripped apart by the water and washed into the ocean.

Amusement park employees spent the day building up piles of sand on the beach to prevent water from seeping under the Boardwalk itself and causing even more damage, said Boardwalk spokesman Mark Lipton.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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Swollen River Threatens Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk