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The COVID-19 pandemic has altered humans relationship with natural landscapes in ways that may be long-lasting. One of its most direct effects on peoples daily lives is reduced access to public parks.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issuedguidelinesurging Americans to stay at home whenever feasible, and to avoid discretionary travel and gatherings of more than 10 people. Emergency declarations and stay-at-home ordersvary from state to state, but many jurisdictions have closedstateandcounty parks, as well as smaller parks, playgrounds, beaches and other outdoor destinations.

Theres good reason for these actions, especially in places where people havespurned social distancing rules. But particularly in urban environments, parks are important to human health and well-being.

Richard leBrasseur(Photo: The Conversation / Contributed Image)

As alandscape architect, I believe thatFrederick Law Olmsted, the founder of our field, took the right approach. Olmsted served as general secretary of the United States Sanitary Commission during the Civil War, and his knowledge of contagious diseases informed his visions for his great North American urban parks, includingCentral Parkin New York,Mount Royal Parkin Montreal and BostonsEmerald Necklacepark system. In my view, closing parks and public green spaces should be a temporary, last-resort measure for disease control, and reopening closed parks should be a priority as cities emerge from shutdowns.

Making healthy places

Olmsted was born in 1822 but became a landscape architect rather late in his career, atage 43. His ideas evolved from a diverse and unique set of experiences.

From the start, Olmsted recognized the positive effect of nature, noting how urban trees provided a soothing and refreshing sanitary influence. His sanitary style of design offered more than mere decoration and ornamentation. Service must precede art was his cry.

Olmsted came of age in the mid-19th century, as the public health movement was rapidly developing in response to typhoid, cholera and typhus epidemics in European cities. As managing editor of Putnams Monthly in New York City, he regularly walked the crowded tenement streets of Lower Manhattan.

At the U.S. Sanitary Commission during the Civil War, Olmsted led efforts to improve sanitation in Union Army military camps and protect soldiers health. He initiated policies for selecting proper camp locations, installing drainage and disposing of waste, ventilating tents and preparing food, all designed to reduce disease. And in 1866 he witnessed adoption of New YorksMetropolitan Health Bill, the first city law to control unhealthy housing conditions.

Antidotes to urban stress

The insights Olmsted gained into connections between space, disease control and public health clearly influenced his landscape architectural career and the design of many urban park systems. For example, his design for the interlinked parks that forms BostonsEmerald Necklaceforeshadowed the concept of green infrastructure.

This system centered on stagnant and deteriorated marshes that had became disconnected from the tidal flow of the Charles River as Boston grew. City residents were dumping trash and sewage in the marshes, creatingfetid dumps that spread waterborne diseases. Olmsteds design reconnected these water systems to improve flow and flush out stagnant zones, while integrating a series of smaller parks along its trailways.

Olmsted also designedAmericas first bike lane, which originated in Brooklyn, New Yorks Prospect Park. Of the tree-lined boulevards in his design for Central Park, Olmsted said, Air is disinfected by sunlight and foliage. Foliage also acts mechanically topurify the air by screening it.

In all of his urban parks, Olmsted sought to immerse visitors in restorative and therapeutic natural landscapes an experience he viewed as the most profound and effective antidote to the stress and ailments of urban life.

Parks in the time of COVID-19

Today researchers are documenting many health benefits associated with being outside. Spending time in parks and green spaces clearly benefits urban dwellerspsychological, emotional and overall well-being. Itreduces stress,improves cognitive functioningand is associated withimproved overall health.

In my view, government agencies should work to make these vital services as widely available as possible, especially during stressful periods like pandemic shutdowns. Certain types of public green spaces, such as botanical gardens, arboretums and wide trails, are well suited to maintaining social distancing rules. Other types where visitors may be likely to cluster, such as beaches and playgrounds, require stricter regulation.

There are many ways to make parks accessible with appropriate levels of control. One option is stationing agents at entry points to monitor and enforce capacity controls. Park managers can use timed entries and parking area restrictions to limit social crowding, as well as temperature screening and face mask provisions.

For example, inNew Jersey, many public parks have reopened for walking, hiking, bicycling and fishing while keeping playgrounds, picnic and camping areas and restrooms closed. They also have limited parking capacity to 50% of capacity.

In Shanghai,China, the government recently reopened most parks and several major attractions, including theChenshan Botanical Gardenand thecity zoo. Entry requires successful screening and online reservations, and visits are limited to a maximum of two hours.

Technologies such as GPS tracking and biometrics can set a precedent for future green space interaction. Residents could sign up for reserved time slots and log into apps that monitor their entry and distancing behavior. Some Americans might be put off by such technocentric means, but officials should be clear that making visitation easy and safe for all is the priority.

There will be challenges, especially when peopleflout social distancing rules. But urban parks and nature offer plenty of benefits that are especially important during a pandemic. I believe that finding ways to enjoy them now in a manner safe for all will be well worth the effort.

Richard leBrasseur is an assistant professor of Landscape Architecture and director of theGreen Infrastructure Performance Lab atDalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. He wrote this for The Conversation.

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When construction on the$1 billion Virginia Tech Innovation Campus is completed, it will be a mostly walkable campus with underground parking and significant open space, according to a presentation Tuesday by the Virginia Tech Foundation and developer JBG SMITH.

The first phase of development will occur at the current location of the Regal Potomac Yard movie theatre, which is closed due to the pandemic. It is unknown if it will open again before construction begins.

The developers unveiled plans for the first phase of development, which includes the construction of a9-10 story structure will be located along E. Reed Avenue, Potomac Avenue and a campus green space. The building, as well as the other Virginia Tech buildings, willbe built to reach LEED Silver certification and the areas immediately around it will include lawns and walking paths.

There will also be a slope of less than 5%, meaning that there will be no steps or handrails on the campus.

The overall illustrative plan shows the projects contiguous an interconnected network of open spaces that stretch between Potomac Avenue and George Washington Memorial Parkway, said Simon Beer, a landscape architect with design firm OJB. All of the design of these spaces at this point are conceptual in nature, as we present them today. Our team is going to continue to work with the city with you and with each individual buildings architect as we continue the process.

The open spaces includePotomac Yard Park, a Metro plaza, a market lawn and a pedestrian plaza.Virginia Tech will take up four acres of the northern end near the Alexandria border with Arlington, and the underground parking will be available once the buildings are finished.

The development will alsosee the construction of three academic buildings dedicated to computer science research and development programs. The permanent campus is currently planned to be operational by fall 2024, and will accommodate 750 computer science masters degree students per year and more than100 doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows.

The city will undergo the approval process for the projects preliminary infrastructure plan this June, in addition to an approval for a pump station to handle sanitary sewer flows from the proposed project and other off-site properties so that construction can begin in the fall.

Images via JBG SMITH

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Open Space Featured Prominently in Plans for North Potomac Yard - ALXnow

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UPDATED: 05/22/20 2:39 p.m.

On June 9, the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Tampa is holding a public meeting to discuss the future of the Seminole Heights Baptist Church, which is arguably the most prominent structure in Seminole Heights (its steeple can be seen from I-275).

A city document says the request pertains to the demolition of property listed, Eligible for listing, or pending listing in the National Register of Historic Places (National Register) individually or as contributing in a National Register-listed historic district or property in the HPC workplan. The document also mentions a request for determination of economic hardship.

Creative Loafing Tampa Bays calls and voicemails to the listed authorized agent, former Tampa City Attorney Julia C. Mandell, have yet to be returned along with calls and messages to City of Tampa building inspector Jerry Schrenker, and Eddie Browder.

Browders LinkedIn profile says hes a project manager and landscape architect at Orlando engineering firm S&ME. S&ME submitted a plan for the church, located at 810 E. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampas Seminole Heights neighborhood, to the city.

Those plans, like many related to this demolition, can be seen by anyone via the citys Tampas Accela Citizen Access site.

City of Tampa

And for now, without comment from the engineering firm, developer and city officials or any of the newest documents, we have to speculate about the process and future of the historic structure (with a lowercase "h," by the way, not "Historic" as in on the National Register of Historic Places).

Josh Frank, Principal and Urban Designer at Wide Open Officewhich works to establish new relationships between people and their environment through landscape architecture, urban design and community developmenttold CL that these are typical documents for these kinds of proposals.

But based on the docs available,the plan for the demolition of the church could pretty well be on its way.

Frank, 31, said those plans could be for marketing and pointed out that there could be a new plan for the site that isn't online yet.

But a look at aforementioned test fit site plan, which shows a 10,860 square-foot free standing emergency room within the footprint of the church, which was founded in 1921. The plan also shows a future expansion zone (blue dotted line, ironically next to the shadow of the churchs famous steeple) in addition to a list of all the requirements for permitting on the right side of the sheet. There are square footage numbers for the parking, plus floor-to-area ratio numbers that all signify that the project is pretty close to applying for permits.

If it was purely for funsies, you wouldn't necessarily do those calculations, Frank told CL.

Sill, to many on urban development blogs like URBN Tampa Bay, it looks like there's an intent to demolish the church.

The old fire station on the Taliaferro side of the property is also in jeopardy according to the preliminary site plan.

The plan also shows a desire for a curb cut (entrance/exit) on Hillsborough Avenue, but a note on the plan says it is unlikely to be approved.

Frank agrees that the curb cut will be disapproved since Hillsborough Avenue is an Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) road thats close to the interstate.

That shows me that they know what they're doing and that maybe they've had conversations with FDOT to some degree, Frank said.

Brant Adams, Pastor of Seminole Heights Baptist told CL that, "The plan you are looking at is not official or anything that has been submitted, from preliminary discussions."

He said church members are trying discover what their rights as a property owner are.

"The Church Membership is the property owner, whom has built and removed many buildings over the decades on this property," Adams added.

CL also reached out to Atelier Architectures Vivian Salaga, who is listed as the Chair for Tampas Historic Preservation Commission.Salaga wrote that, Unfortunately, I cannot speak with you regarding this matter.

I sit on the Historic Preservation Commission and this would be considered ex parte communication and render me unable to act on this matter at the public hearing, Salaga added in an email.

CL then asked for comment from Dennis Fernandez, Manager of Tampas office for Architectural Review and Historic Preservation.

This is a developing story, and we will update this post later today.

The public meeting is set for Tuesday, June 9 at 9 a.m. inside meeting rooms 14-17 on the first floor of the Tampa Convention Center, located at 333 S. Franklin St. Social distancing measures will be in practice, and members of the public who do not wish to appear in person may submit written comments for the Architectural Review & Historic Preservation Office by mail (4900 W. Lemon St., Tampa, FL 33609) or email (beverly.jewesak@tampagov.net) no later than 24 hours before the meeting.

Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.

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There's a public meeting to discuss the demolition of the Seminole Heights Baptist Church - Creative Loafing Tampa

Is an M.Arch from a top-tier school necessary based on my interests/background? | Forum | Archinect '); }, imageUploadError: function(json, xhr) { alert(json.message); } }}); /*$(el).ckeditor(function() {}, {//removePlugins: 'elementspath,scayt,menubutton,contextmenu',removePlugins: 'liststyle,tabletools,contextmenu',//plugins:'a11yhelp,basicstyles,bidi,blockquote,button,clipboard,colorbutton,colordialog,dialogadvtab,div,enterkey,entities,filebrowser,find,flash,font,format,forms,horizontalrule,htmldataprocessor,iframe,image,indent,justify,keystrokes,link,list,maximize,newpage,pagebreak,pastefromword,pastetext,popup,preview,print,removeformat,resize,save,smiley,showblocks,showborders,sourcearea,stylescombo,table,specialchar,tab,templates,toolbar,undo,wysiwygarea,wsc,vimeo,youtube',//toolbar: [['Bold', 'Italic', 'BulletedList', 'Link', 'Image', 'Youtube', 'Vimeo' ]],plugins:'a11yhelp,basicstyles,bidi,blockquote,button,clipboard,colorbutton,colordialog,dialogadvtab,div,enterkey,entities,filebrowser,find,flash,font,format,forms,horizontalrule,htmldataprocessor,iframe,image,indent,justify,keystrokes,link,list,maximize,newpage,pagebreak,pastefromword,pastetext,popup,preview,print,removeformat,resize,save,smiley,showblocks,showborders,sourcearea,stylescombo,table,specialchar,tab,templates,toolbar,undo,wysiwygarea,wsc,archinect',toolbar: [['Bold', 'Italic', 'BulletedList','NumberedList', 'Link', 'Image']],resize_dir: 'vertical',resize_enabled: false,//disableObjectResizing: true,forcePasteAsPlainText: true,disableNativeSpellChecker: false,scayt_autoStartup: false,skin: 'v2',height: 300,linkShowAdvancedTab: false,linkShowTargetTab: false,language: 'en',customConfig : '',toolbarCanCollapse: false });*/ }function arc_editor_feature(el) { $(el).redactor({minHeight: 300,pasteBlockTags: ['ul', 'ol', 'li', 'p'],pasteInlineTags: ['strong', 'br', 'b', 'em', 'i'],imageUpload: '/redactor/upload',plugins: ['source', 'imagemanager'],buttons: ['html', 'format', 'bold', 'italic', 'underline', 'lists', 'link', 'image'],formatting: ['p'],formattingAdd: {"figcaption": {title: 'Caption',args: ['p', 'class', 'figcaption', 'toggle']},"subheading": {title: 'Subheading',args: ['h3', 'class', 'subheading', 'toggle']},"pullquote-left": {title: 'Quote Left',args: ['blockquote', 'class', 'pullquote-left', 'toggle']},"pullquote-centered": {title: 'Quote Centered',args: ['blockquote', 'class', 'pullquote-center', 'toggle']},"pullquote-right": {title: 'Quote Right',args: ['blockquote', 'class', 'pullquote-right', 'toggle']},"chat-question": {title: 'Chat Question',args: ['p', 'class', 'chat-question', 'toggle']}, "chat-answer": {title: 'Chat Answer',args: ['p', 'class', 'chat-answer', 'toggle']}, },callbacks:{ imageUpload: function(image, json) { $(image).replaceWith('

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Is an M.Arch from a top-tier school necessary based on my interests/background? - Archinect

In this Webinar, chaired by AJ Architecture editor Rob Wilson, the speakers will be asked to present and talk about a recent project, considering the key issues in terms of material and specification and comparingthis with current work.This will befollowedby discussion of howthey are looking to change the way they specify and work with suppliers and manufacturers in the future from choosing samples to on-site coordination, with questions from the audience.

Speakers will beStephanie Thum-Bonanno, associate, Delvendahl Martin Architects; Ian OBrien, founding director, Ian OBrien Studio andAndrew Macpherson, architect, Moxon Architects. They will be talking about Delvendahl Martins KH House project;Ian OBrien Studios The New Steading extension in Perthshire andMoxon Architects on their new HQ for Aberdeenshire Council in Fraserburgh, amongst other projects.

Whether you are specifying architect or a supplier providing products and services to the architecture community, this webinar will include valuable case studies and insight to help you navigate this challenging period.

AJSpecification Live is a series of events run by the AJ, providing in-depthinformation into the design and specification ofbuilding components and construction methods. The event is free to attend register today to confirm your attendance!

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Join us for AJ Specification Live Webinar - Architects Journal

Landon's Heating & AC offers updated services to Lafayette, LA businesses and residents while maintaining assistance to Youngsville and Broussard communities. Providing distinct brands like Trane, the company specializes in energy-efficient heating and cooling units designed with optimal functionality to save customers money

YOUNGSVILLE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2020 / Youngsville-based HVAC contractor, Landon's Heating & AC, announced a variety of updated services for clients located in Lafayette, LA. The company also serves the area of Broussard, LA.

Specializing in energy-efficient brands, and as a certified dealer for Trane Air Conditioning Units, Landon's Heating & AC provides professional heating and air conditioning installation, as well as maintenance and repair services. Working with a team of fully licensed and certified staff, the company brings high-quality air conditioning services of all brands to Lafayette, LA.

More information is available at https://landonsac.com.

With over 20 years of professional experience in the HVAC industry, Landon's Heating & AC is one of the leading contractors in South-Central Louisiana. Reliable and professional service is essential to ensure safety and efficiency, as well as lower the risk of costly maintenance in the future. The company aims to provide quick, efficient, and trustworthy assistance for all prominent brands of air conditioning and heating systems.

In particular, Landon's Heating & AC offers a selection of exceptional energy-efficient units, including the highly-respected Trane brand. These systems use state-of-the-art functionality to provide the most efficient heating and cooling available, all while keeping costs low. Customers looking to save money and upgrade systems, especially as the hotter summer months approach, can request a free, no-obligation quote today.

Updated services available to all Lafayette, LA, customers range from general installation and repairs to full unit purchasing and tune-ups. Whether seeking residential or business assistance, customers can contact Landon's Heating & AC for a professional estimate and diagnosis of any issue or purchasing inquiry.

The city's businesses and residents can now take advantage of all available energy-efficient units, and more. Landon's Heating & AC hopes to support the community of Lafayette by helping its customers to reduce costs and save money while keeping cool.

And knowing that emergencies can occur in the middle of the night, the company offers its services 24/7 for all customers throughout the Lafayette, Youngsville, and Broussard municipalities. Whether units break, malfunction, or simply don't operate as they once did, Landon's Heating & AC can help diagnose and fix issues when they occur. Repairs, new installation, and air balancing are all improvements that can keep homes and businesses running at their best.

A satisfied client said: "Our two-unit system was 25 years old. Landon gave me an assessment of what needed to be done. He took the time to answer my many questions. The job started at 7 am sharp Monday and was complete at 2:30 Tuesday. [Landon's team was] very courteous and professional. They used drop cloths on the floors, moved furniture, and swept the floors when the job was done. We could not be happier with the work they performed. Thanks again."

More information about the services and inventory of energy-efficient units is available at the URL address above.

Contact Info:

Name: LandonEmail: Send EmailOrganization: Landon's Heating & ACAddress: 416 South Larriviere Road, Youngsville, LA 70592, United StatesPhone: +1-337-519-2135Website: https://landonsac.com/

SOURCE: Landon's Heating & AC

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Energy Efficient AC Repair and Installation Updated for Lafayette, LA - Yahoo Finance

The warm weather season is coming fast and cooling homes and businesses will be important. Make sure that the air conditioning system is in good working order before it is needed to avoid a breakdown during the hottest days of the summer. If there is no central air conditioning or if the equipment is old and inefficient, now is the time to have new air conditioning equipment installed to be ready for the record heat forecast for this summer.

Air Conditioning for Summer

Glendora, CA residents should be thinking about getting their air conditioning equipment inspected, serviced, repaired, or replaced before the warmest month of the year catches them unprepared. Air conditioning is a must as the average temperatures for the hot months of the year go up. Warmer temperatures mean air conditioning systems must work harder to keep homes and businesses comfortable. Warmer temperatures also mean that people who have not installed air conditioning will need it now to avoid the discomfort of warmer summers. They can contact https://www.accurateelectricplumbingheatingandair.com for an appointment.

Air Conditioning Equipment Needs Periodic Service

Homeownerswith existing air conditioning equipment should contactAccurate Electric Plumbing Heating & Air to get the equipment inspected and ready for a hot summer. Air conditioners work hard and need maintenance and some repairs to keep going year after year. A small repair now can avoid a large repair or replacement in the near future. Air conditioning equipment is connectedto a home's electrical service and even plumbing lines. It is often combined with the heating system, using the same power source and ductwork.

For this reason, a contractor who offers services for electrical, plumbing, and heating, as well as air conditioning, is the best company to call. While the professionals are checking out the air conditioning system, they can also inspect the related systems to make sure everything is in good working order. Some homeowners may even sign up for a maintenance agreement with https://www.accurateelectricplumbingheatingandair.com/contact/ so that once or more times a year an expert comes to the house to check all systems and perform maintenance and repairs as needed. This might include changing over from heating to cooling in the spring and from air conditioning to heating in the fall.

A Trusted Home Service Contractor

Accurate Electric Plumbing Heating and Air is a dependable choice for all home system repair needs. They have been helping customers since 1989. Their founder, Jeff Seale started offering licensed electrical services and expanded the company as customers demanded additional services. Customers in the service area of Glendora, CA can call this one contractor for every home repair and installation requirement. This company prides itself on providing clean, courteous, reliable, and accurate service every time, for every customer.

A homeowner needs a dependable contractor to call with home emergencies involving their electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems that will come quickly and fix the problem right the first time. Hiring one contractor for everything saves a lot of time and money. Avoiding emergencies with regular service is another great idea for homeowners.

Media ContactCompany Name: Accurate Electric Plumbing Heating & AirContact Person: OwnerEmail: Send EmailPhone: (800) 947-1747Address:734 E Laurel Ave City: GlendoraState: CACountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.accurateelectricplumbingheatingandair.com

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Homeowners Should Get Their Air Conditioning Units Ready for Summer - Press Release - Digital Journal

(MENAFN - GetNews) Trusted Plumbing & Heating is continuing to earn the trust of customers in the city of Renton, WA. They are doing this by using safety precautions.

Renton, WA - Trusted Plumbing & Heating is keeping the trust of their customers within the city and surrounding area. They are continuing to provide their services while using safety precautions to stay safe amidst COVID-19.

Trusted Plumbing & Heating is a company that is located in the city of Renton, WA. They offer plumbing and heating services of all sorts. Their lists of services that they provide are pretty lengthy, but includes services such as sewer repair, pipe repair, drain unclogging, shower installation, water heater repair, toilet installation, hot water hydro-jetting, drain cleaning, heating repair, boiler installation, furnace repair, furnace replacement, heat pump installation, air conditioner installation, and much more. While providing all of these services amidst COVID-19, these plumbers in Renton WA are taking safety precautions.

With the coronavirus pandemic taking place, Trusted Plumbing & Heating is continuing to provide its services and emergency plumbing service to people within the city. While doing this, they are using safety precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and their customers. Some of the safety precautions that they are taking during these times include wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), eliminating physical contact, maintaining effective social distancing when possible, using hand sanitizer to ensure touchpoints are clean in workspaces, vehicles, and on equipment, and sanitizing shared-use devices that they are using on the job.

When continuing to work for people within Seattle, these plumbers understand that it is important to keep a safe distance with people and exercise safety techniques to keep everyone safe that they come into contact with. For example, they are eliminating the act of handshakes to prevent physical contact with people. They are wearing protective gear, such as masks and gloves, to make sure they are keeping their clients and themselves safe. Everyone needs to be using these precautions as they will help prevent the spread of the coronavirus among people. Since Trusted Plumbing & Heating provides services that are important to people daily, such as on-call emergency plumbing repairs, they need to make sure they are doing so while being safe and preventing possible risks.

About Us

Trusted Plumbing & Heating is a plumbing and heating company that is located in the city of Renton, WA. They provide an extensive list of both plumbing and heating services to help people within the city. When it comes to plumbing, they help with things such as water heaters, drains, toilets, faucets, garbage disposals, sewer lines, water lines, and much more. When it comes to their heating services, they provide services when it comes to the installation and repair of different heating and cooling systems. They strive in the restoration of people's plumbing and heating to bring it back to 100%. By calling them or filling out a form on their website, anyone can receive a free estimate, which includes a phone consultation and possibly a home visit.

Media Contact Company Name: Trusted Plumbing & Heating Contact Person: Peter Hilfsbereit Email: Send Email Phone: (206)-231-5006 Address: 1201 Monster Rd SW #350 City: Renton State: WA Country: United States Website: trustedplumbingheating.com/

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Plumbers, Trusted Plumbing & Heating, in Renton WA Continue to Earn Customers' Trust Amidst COVID 19 - MENAFN.COM

Richard Dumaresq, President of Elite Comfort Group

By Jim Kedge

BOHEMIA, NY - With everyone spending increased amounts of time in their homes right now, many people might find themselves noticing new things. What is that smell emanating from the basement? Or what is that terrible noise coming from my air conditioner? There can be a lot that goes unnoticed in the home when families are busy with work, school, and life.

Richard Dumaresq, President of Elite Comfort Group, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning company providing service all over Long Island, NY, wants to help people feel comfortable and safe in their homes. Every day we talk with concerned clients who want to take care of their homes for their families well-being, explains Richard. People want to stay comfortable as they spend more time at home. They also dont want to let the quality of their home depreciate, leaving too much to do at once when life moves back to normal.

While many people at this time are worried about their finances, Richard wants to help people take care of their homes through informed decisions and quick fixes. No one likes it when things break down in their house, states Dumaresq. Often, these untimely breakdowns come at a high price to the consumer. For many people, a sudden necessary repair on their home could add undue stress to their lives. There are ways we can avoid costly repairs by taking care of our homes right now, Richard explains.

One tip Richard has for homeowners is to change the air filters on their furnace regularly. As often as once a month, we can replace our filters, explains Richard. Its an easy and cost-efficient way to keep your ventilation systems running smoothly. Richard points out that there are multiple sizes of furnace filters, and that homeowners will have to check their current filter so they can get the correct size.

To help keep costs low, people should also consider having their furnaces and air conditioning units checked twice a year by a professional, explains Richard. HVAC service experts can find issues before they turn into problems. Emergency visits by technicians (Service Experts) often happen in the evenings or over weekends and can be very costly. Dumaresq explains that when we take care of our home heating and cooling systems with regular checks, homeowners limit the need for emergency calls.

Our company is most concerned with the comfort and safety of our clients, Richard declares. We think everyones homes should be a place they love to be with the people who matter most. Richard has many tips for those looking to take care of their health and homes, like whole home water filtration systems, which keep our water clean and free of bacteria. Generators can help during a power outage, and we can reduce the use of harsh chemicals at home in cleaning and sanitization efforts.

Wherever you find yourself at this time, there are steps you can take and people you can call to help meet your home care needs.

Special note for our readers:

Elite Comfort Group were proud to be part of the 2019 Housing Innovation Award winning team who installed the HVAC system for a home project for the United Way of Long Island, East Patchogue, NY as seenhere.

Media ContactCompany Name: Elite Comfort GroupContact Person: Richard DumaresqEmail: Send EmailPhone: (631) 319-8311City: BohemiaState: New YorkCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://elitecomfortgroup.com/

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It's Okay To Be Comfortable At Home All Year Long - Press Release - Digital Journal

Genesee County legislators, governmental leaders and law enforcement personnel are caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to sinking money into the existing County Jail on West Main Street while a $60 million new jail project remains on hold.

Members of the Public Service Committee, maintenance department heads and jail officials engaged in a 30-minute Zoom videoconferencing discussion on Monday, with everyone, at debates end, agreeing to spend only what is necessary to keep the current jail functioning at acceptable levels.

If the new jail is deferred for any length of time, relative to revenue problems, we have an existing facility that we basically have been duct-taping and bailing twine together for the last couple years with the expectation that wed have a new facility in its place, said Tim Hens, county highway superintendent who also oversees capital projects.

Hens said that $3.5 million worth of projects at the 40-year-old jail are in the can for the next five years if the county is forced to slam the brakes on the 184-bed, four-pod state-mandated new jail that was moving at full speed ahead in February just a month before the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head.

He said that replacement and/or repair of the heating/cooling system, fire protection/sprinkler system and plumbing top the list of items that need to be addressed, estimating the high priority stuff at $1.5 million.

And thats just looking at the jail, the rear portion of the building. This doesnt consider the Genesee Justice and the front end of the building, which has its own issues and problems, he said. There is easily three quarters of a million dollars that you can put on the front end of the building just from a cosmetic stonework standpoint.

Operationally, things could become much more expensive should the New York State Commission of Correction (COC) require Genesee County to start housing females at the jail, said Hens, noting that he has had talks with Sheriff William Sheron about that possibility.

The operational change to do that would be very, very costly. I dont even know how you begin to peel that off. Youd probably have to do another study. Youd have to parcel out a floor for females versus males, there would be significant capital change to adjust how the jail operates, he said.

At this time, the jail population consists of 32 men and one woman (who is being held at a neighboring county jail).

Sheron said that extensive renovations would have to be made to the interior of the jail and that programming and compliance changes would need to be implemented to accommodate the female population.

What that would entail at this point? he asked. I estimate millions of dollars to do that.

Legislator Andrew Young inquired if any word had come down from the COC or anywhere else about directing the county to house female prisoners.

Jail Superintendent William Zipfel answered that one of the reasons for a new jail is so the county could bring female inmates back into our own jurisdiction.

Theyve already taken our variance away for males and weekenders and its only a matter of time, I feel, before that will go away for females, and theyll say, Well, population is down and youll have to house them there, Zipfel said. I have every reason to believe it will happen if things continue the way they are. I dont have any reason to believe it wont.

Dialogue on putting money into the old jail continued with legislators Gary Maha and Marianne Clattenburg and Zipfel agreeing to not put good money after bad, except for maintenance that needs to be done for safety reasons and to avoid a temporary shutdown of the current jail.

Clattenburg suggested calling a special meeting of all the legislators.

If were going to put money into a jail that were not going to use much longer, I think that Legislator Stein might want to make that a Committee of the Whole discussion, she said.

Hens recommended continuing the design of the new jail to have it ready to receive some favorable bids when legislators get more clarity on their revenue stream.

Youre going to have some hungry contractors out there chomping at the bit since the private construction has basically been locked down for quite a while now and probably will be for the foreseeable future, he reasoned.

Assistant County Manager Matt Landers, who is spearheading the new jail plan, said the design of the project is complete.

Were there for a four-pod, 184-bed jail; were there with the design and ready to go, he said. Now its just a matter of when the dust settles to see thats going to be what were moving forward with. And well continue to have discussions with our regional partners.

Landers added that county officials have built a solid relationship with the state and that COC officials would understand that were at a reasonable place with the design and havent abandoned the project.

Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein said this is an instance where the county can act upon Gov. Andrew Cuomos plea to reimagine government -- and especially in regard to this incredible cost of the jail project.

If we cant move forward with talking about and demonstrating an opportunity for us to do a shared services model with the jail, were missing the boat as far as I am concerned, she said. We also need to fully understand what the new impact of social just reforms that went through this last budget that none of us have really talked about because weve all been talking about COVID and thats where our focus has been.

Deputy Highway Superintendent Paul Osborn then wrapped things up with a punch list of maintenance items at the current jail that could pop up in the coming months two boilers in the basement (estimated at $20,000 per boiler to replace), an old generator (with renting one an option should it stop working), kitchen hood system ($4,500) and replacement of copper pipe in the sewer system.

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County leaders can't escape reality that current jail on West Main Street may need costly repairs - The Batavian