Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency on Monday ordered extensive asbestos removal at the burned Argyle apartment building, where demolition is expected to start this week, Service-Safety Director Paul Schmelzer said.

"The news is the worst case scenario from the owners' perspective," Schmelzer said. Specialists in hazardous materials removal must undertake "full-site remediation," which is costly, he said.

The 122-year-old building, damaged by fire and the millions of gallons of water poured on it Feb. 23, has been destined for razing since last week, when structural engineers decided it was in danger of collapsing. Wall bracing was done to temporarily keep it upright.

City officials had hoped to get the site declared an emergency by the state, so the razing process could be hurried. But the EPA's asbestos concerns have slowed demolition.

Since the fire, South Main Street from Sandusky to Lincoln streets has been closed to traffic, which has affected commerce, too. Some of those barricades will come down today.

"We hope to have the building in a pile, sidewalks cleaned up and Main Street reopened on March 12, a week from now," Schmelzer said Monday.

Asbestos removal could begin as early as today, but Schmelzer said hazardous materials crews will have to get equipment there and become familiar with the site.

Asbestos cleanup and demolition can be done at the same time, he said, and demolition may begin Thursday.

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EPA orders removal of asbestos at fire-damaged Argyle building

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Building opponents lose appeal

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Future of TV is here. Samsung Electronics America Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced that its highly anticipated 2012 TVs will begin shipping this month in the U.S., beginning with the LED 6-series and higher, as well as the Plasma 6-series and higher.

The new models represent Samsungs fifth generation of Smart TV. While features vary by model, highlights of the products include:

Our goal with this years models was to truly redefine what a TV can be while providing unprecedented choice to the consumer, said Joe Stinziano, senior vice president, Home Entertainment, Samsung Electronics America. We have delivered the incredible picture quality and beautiful design that consumers have come to expect from Samsung, as well as seamless connectivity, several new ways to control the TV and exclusive services.

Samsung Smart TVs: Ultimate Connectivity, Content and Control

Samsungs 2012 TVs offer innovative features designed to make it even easier for consumers to enjoy their entertainment experiences.

Voice Control and Gesture Control are available in the LED ES7500, LED ES8000 and Plasma E8000. For example - just say web browser to get online, use voice recognition to start a search, and wave a hand to control the mouse cursor and select links. Face Recognition lets each member of the family log in to their Samsung account and automatically sign into Facebook, Twitter and more.

Also new in 2012, the Smart Touch Remote included with the LED ES7500, LED ES8000 and Plasma E8000 makes navigating content and channels effortless. The built-in touchpad makes web-surfing a pleasure, while channel and volume buttons are on the edge for easy access. The Smart Touch Remote Control also has a built-in microphone for Smart Interaction commands when the viewer is too far from the TVs built-in microphone.

For those looking for even greater flexibility and control of their Smart TV experience, Samsungs new Smart Wireless Keyboard (sold separately) features a standard-sized keyboard along with touch pad. The keyboard utilizes Bluetooth to connect to the TV and also has an IR emitter to support TV functions. The Smart Wireless Keyboard can also be used with the Galaxy Tab or other mobile devices.

Dramatically Improved Picture Quality

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Samsung Delivers the Future of Smart TV Now

Valuable advice from Economical Insurance before you go

WATERLOO, ON, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - If you are going to be away from home during March break, Economical Insurance offers some important tips to protect your property so that you have a worry-free vacation.

About The Economical Insurance Group Founded in 1871, The Economical Insurance Group is one of Canada's largest property and casualty insurers, with $1.7 billion in premiums and $4.6 billion in assets. Based in Waterloo, this Canadian-owned and operated group services the insurance needs of more than one million customers through 19 branches and service offices across the country. In 2010, Economical announced its decision to become the first federally-regulated mutual property and casualty insurance company to demutualize. Economical is currently reviewing strategic options and will submit a comprehensive demutualization strategy for mutual policyholder approval after the federal government's completion of regulatory development.

The Economical Insurance Group's member companies include: Economical Mutual Insurance Company (including Western General Farm Division), Waterloo Insurance Company, Perth Insurance Company, The Missisquoi Insurance Company, Federation Insurance Company of Canada, Family Insurance Solutions and The Mattei Companies.

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Going away for March break?

HOPKINTON, MA--(Marketwire -03/06/12)- Fore Kicks, which owns two of the largest indoor/outdoor sporting complexes in Massachusetts, has signed with Solect Energy Development, LLC, to deploy solar photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy systems in its Norfolk and Marlborough, MA, locations. The systems together total nearly 600 KW of electricity and will power close to 100% of Fore Kicks annual energy consumption.

Fore Kicks' Marlborough facility, which opened in late 2009, boasts multipurpose fields and courts, meeting and exercise rooms, as well as several outdoor, lighted artificial turf fields. A 302 KW roof-mounted system will offset the electrical costs of the 130,000-square-foot facility. The Norfolk facility has 85,000 square feet of indoor space, including multipurpose fields and courts, a 10-bay indoor driving range, and a nine-hole outdoor golf course. A 282 KW roof-mounted solar PV system will be deployed in Norfolk.

For Fore Kicks President and CEO Tom Teager, using solar to power his buildings has been in his plans from the beginning, and fits nicely into the company's ongoing green initiatives. "We always wanted to go solar, and the buildings were designed with that in mind, but it was a matter of waiting for it to make economic sense -- for the costs to come down and the panels to become more efficient," Teager said. "Solect was the perfect partner in this. They supported us through the entire process -- from the feasibility assessment to the bank approval process and so on. The personal attention and professionalism we received was great."

This is not the first green initiative for Fore Kicks; the Marlborough facility was designed and built to be highly energy efficient, and the Norfolk facility was retrofitted to meet these same goals. Each facility uses energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, and the facilities have adopted on-site recycling programs for the thousands of visitors each building receives weekly. Even the buildings' placement on their 25-acre parcels was optimized for solar via a North-South orientation.

"Fore Kicks provides a perfect case study on how building and facility owners can really embrace the concept of solar energy," said Ken Driscoll, principal at Solect. "With these two deployments, Fore Kicks will be able to rely nearly exclusively on solar for their electricity needs, including lighting their outdoor fields, golf course and parking lots for extended use during the outdoor season."

About Solect Energy Development, LLC (Solect)

Solect is a full service solar photovoltaic (PV) project developer based in Hopkinton, MA, helping customers assess, develop, and manage solar PV renewable energy systems. Solect's turnkey solutions include: feasibility assessments, financial and incentive modeling, funding options, regulatory expertise, design and engineering, installation, and on-going management and maintenance. The company currently has 7 MW (megawatts) of systems completed and under development in New England, with a primary focus on commercial, light industrial, and institutional property owners in the MetroWest and Central areas of Massachusetts. Visit http://www.solect.com for more information.

About Fore Kicks

Fore Kicks, with facilities in Norfolk and Marlborough, MA, owns two of the leading indoor/outdoor sporting complexes in New England, featuring indoor synthetic grass turf boarded and unboarded fields, indoor driving ranges, basketball & futsal courts, outdoor lighted synthetic grass fields (Marlboro), plus a lighted par 3 golf course (Norfolk). Visit Fore Kicks at http://www.forekicks.com for more information.

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Fore Kicks Chooses Solect to Broaden Green Initiatives

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Moseley Architects, a leader in higher education facility design, is proud to announce that Richard Bland College's new science and technology building, James B. McNeer Hall, was the recipient of the Louis I. Kahn Citation as the top post-secondary entry in American School & University's 2011 Architectural Portfolio. An annual competition honoring education design excellence, the portfolio showcases projects that represent the most effective learning environments. A jury of American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education members and education administrators evaluated submissions from architectural firms, schools, and universities across the country. This is the 29th year that the competition has been conducted.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120117/PH35523LOGO )

The LEED Gold facility is the first new academic building on Richard Bland's campus since the college was founded in 1960. The three-story building is home to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics classrooms and laboratories; academic computing facilities; seminar rooms; faculty and administrative offices; and faculty and student lounges.

The 2011 Jury commented that the building "helps complete the campus quad in a nice way. It's a very-well detailed buildingon the inside and outside. There is a great sense of transparency. The consistency of the interior treatments and high-quality environment provides a dignified setting."

President Dr. James McNeer, for who the facility is named, expressed his excitement with the award. "Richard Bland College is honored to be the recipient of the Louis I. Kahn citation. This state-of-the-art facility will enable our students to receive the best educational experience in their respective disciplines of biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics."

In addition to meeting the college's educational needs, Moseley Architects designed the project to include green building strategies in order to earn LEED Gold certification with the U. S. Green Building Council. Noteworthy features included a second-story garden roof and highly-reflective roof surfaces to reduce the heat island effect; efficient HVAC system designed to reduce energy use by over 34 percent; and the use of regionally-manufactured and recycled materials.

About Moseley Architects

Moseley Architects is a full service architectural, engineering, and interior design firm with six offices in the Southeast. The firm specializes in higher education facility design and offers clients extensive campus planning, programming, and design experience in a broad portfolio of collegiate projects, including academic, research, recreation, athletic, arts and student life. The firm is very focused on projects featuring high performance and sustainable design, with 36 LEED certified projects (ranging from basic to platinum certification) and 48 LEED registered projects.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Lisa Demmel 804.794.7555 ldemmel@moseleyarchitects.com

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Richard Bland College Facility Earns Louis I. Kahn Citation

Published: Monday, March 5, 2012 at 11:17 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, March 5, 2012 at 11:17 p.m.

LAKELAND | Lakeland city commissioners voted 5-1 Monday to move forward with a new downtown development that includes 21 lofts, 14 two- and three-story town homes and 5,000 square feet of retail space.

White Challis Redevelopment Co. ,of Daytona Beach, plans to develop the 53,000 square-foot parcel in the city-owned Bay Street parking lot off Kentucky Avenue. Construction on the first phase is expected to begin in 2014.

Commissioner Keith Merritt voted against the plans. He said the development will hurt parking for businesses in the area, such as the Purple Onion restaurant.

"I have lots of concerns about that impact," said Merritt, who has a law office on Kentucky Avenue near the proposed development.

About 142 parking spaces will be lost.

The vote means the city will give a parcel that has been valued at $318,000 to White Challis. Tamara Sakagawa, Lakeland Community Redevelopment Manager, said the city should recoup its investment in about six years through property taxes and revenue from the economic development created by the new residences.

The new development will be called New Southern Square.

Mitch Harvey, who owns nearby Mitchell's Coffeehouse, said no one has given him anything during his 15 years of owning a business.

"It's a concern if we are giving land away," Harvey said. "I hope it doesn't become a practice."

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Commission Approves Use of Downtown Lot for Development

San Diego ranks fourth this year in economic and retail real estate fundamentals, according to Marcus & Millichap real estate investment services.

The area is likely to strengthen as jobs grow, construction declines and rents rise.

"San Diego's retail sector will once again outperform other Southern California markets in 2012," the firm said in its 2012 national retail report.

In 2011 San Diego ranked third behind Washington, D.C., and New York. But this year those markets have slipped a few notches on weaker employment growth and been replaced by San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle. The Top 3 benefit from "strong ties to technology and tourism, solid prospects for employment and population gains, and significant improvement in space fundamentals."

The firm's National Retail Index is based on cumulative weighted-average scores covering employment, vacancy, construction and rents.

In its analysis, Marcus & Millichap said San Diego will have the second lowest retail vacancy rate nationally, 4.2 percent, trailing No. 1 San Francisco at 3.1 percent. The national rate is projected 9.2 percent.

Prospects look good this year locally for discounter and grocer expansion in blue-collar neighborhoods. Increased tourist and business travel and office users will mean higher "hospitality-related space demand," from downtown into North County.

Key statistics include:

For investors, the best prospects lie in grocery-anchored centers and corporate-backed, single-tenant assets. Facing rising demand for the best projects, the company predicts growing interest "tertiary areas" with "acceptable" demographics and lease terms.

roger.showley@utsandiego.com; (619) 293-1286; Twitter: rmshowley; Facebook: SDUTshowley

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San Diego retail vacancy 2nd lowest in U.S.

By Phoebe Unterman, NBCLosAngeles.com

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Dennis Holland still has the 1929 Ford Model A he drove to high school half a century ago.

He houses his tool collectionin a barn built that same year on a buffalo ranch in Irvine. He took it apart, brought it to his home in NewportBeach, and reassembledit in his yard.

I just like old things, Holland, 66,said.

For more, visit NBCLosAngeles.com

One such thing is the Shawnee. The 72-foot, ketch-style wooden ship, wedged between the barn andHolland's ranch-style home, is the latest in a lifetimes worth of restoration projects.

But the ships presence has alienated some of his neighbors, who say -- privately andnot for attribution-- thata lumbering boat has no place in the neighorbood.The median home price in Newport Beach is over$1 million.

The neighborstook their concerns to the city and now Holland is facing a court order requiring him to remove the ship by the end of April or face fines of up to $1,000 a day or jail time, said Newport Beach Deputy City Atty. Kyle Rowen.

We hope Mr. Holland will comply with the courts orders and move the boat to a suitable location, Rowen said.

To Holland though, the boats massive frame isnt an eyesoreit evokes memories from an almost 60-year relationship with the boat.

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100-year-old ship on lawn riles wealthy area

SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire -03/06/12)- Harmonic Inc. (NASDAQ: HLIT - News) today announced that The Home Depot Inc., the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, has deployed the Harmonic Media Application Server (MAS) asset management platform and ProXplore media and workflow management application with a XenData archive to establish highly efficient media handling and storage for Home Depot Television (HDTV). The pairing extends the efficiency of HDTV's existing Omneon MediaGrid shared storage platform by enabling visibility and coordinated management of content from ingest through archive. The resulting speed at which HDTV staff now can manage, access, and process stored content has allowed the Atlanta facility to increase its yearly production capacity greatly.

"The MAS platform and MediaGrid storage allowed us to get our operation flowing efficiently from start to finish," said Bruce Covey, manager of business TV engineering at Home Depot Television. "Now that our MediaGrid production storage system is seamlessly integrated with our tape library via ProXplore, we can take full advantage of our shift to file-based operations while achieving an economical balance of spinning-disk and tape-based storage. I couldn't imagine going back to how we were doing things before."

The HDTV facility operates a satellite headend that delivers live and on-demand communications and employee training videos, averaging 30 minutes in length, to 2,244 Home Depot stores. With HDTV's existing Harmonic media processing and storage platform, installed in 2010, editors already had the tools to start new Final Cut Pro projects, track assets, and see proxy views of ingested content. Now, using the ProXplore application, HDTV staff can also move projects from online storage on a 24TB MediaGrid storage system to offline storage on a Qualstar tape robot. A dedicated folder within each project folder automates the process of proxy creation and archiving; the editor simply drops appropriate files into the folder, and the content is processed and stored according to preset parameters.

The MAS database of project folders maintains the relationships of different files and projects, even after the assets move offline. Proxies of all edited and finished content remain available to editors, who can search for content, scrub through to find the clips they need, and flag material for restoration to online storage. If users recall an entire project folder, the MAS software compiles those assets and restores the full project folder to a specific location on the MediaGrid system. HDTV maintains about six months of content on the MediaGrid system and earlier content on 80 tapes within the mirrored XenData archive system. An external XenData drive allows staff to access content on tapes that have been taken out of the robotic library. Later this year, the facility will expand the capacity of its MediaGrid system with an upgrade to 2TB drives.

"The end-to-end solution in place at HDTV streamlines the facility's handling of numerous incoming formats and simplifies the management of this large volume of content, wherever that content is stored," said Simon Eldridge, senior product manager at Harmonic. "The dramatic gain in efficiency and productivity that HDTV has realized with ProXplore and MediaGrid demonstrates the significant value that Harmonic media processing and storage solutions bring to production operations."

About Harmonic Inc.Harmonic Inc. (NASDAQ: HLIT - News) provides infrastructure that powers the video economy. The company enables content and service providers to efficiently create, prepare, and deliver differentiated video services for television and new media platforms. More information is available at http://www.harmonicinc.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements related to the anticipated capabilities and benefits of Harmonic's Media Application Server and ProXplore products. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the possibility that one or both of the products do not meet some or all of its anticipated capabilities or provide some or all of its anticipated benefits, such as simplifying media management and archiving, substantially increasing productivity, efficient operational flow and cost economies.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, such as those more fully described in Harmonic's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Harmonic as of the date hereof, and Harmonic disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

EDITOR'S NOTE -- Product and company names used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Image Link: http://www.wallstcom.com/Harmonic/homedepot.zip

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Home Depot TV Leverages Harmonic Media Application Server (MAS) to Streamline File-Based Operations