Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

According to The Architectural Team's (TAT) experts, these five stories will play out through 2020 and will endure through the decade.

As we enter the new decade, our designers and clients alike see a growing emphasis on projects intended to keep neighbourhoods affordable, and an interest in both time-tested and new design solutions to address housing shortages. We also anticipate important milestones for major projects transforming urban cores, a renewed resurgence in smaller cities, and foward-thinking approaches to resilient waterfront developments.

In growing cities nationwide, the displacement of longtime residents has emerged as a majorconcern.

To keep neighborhoods affordable and accessible were working with developers, non-profits, and public officials to expand or redevelop existing affordable and workforce housing developments, adding more residential units while preserving affordability and dramatically enhancing livability.

As an example, Jay Szymanski, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP points to TAT's redevelopment of one of the country's oldest public housing communities, South Boston's The Anne M. LynchHomes at Old Colony. Work is now underway to add a further 301 apartments to the 285residences built since 2011, which replaced midcentury superblocks with a series of attractive mid-rise buildings and townhomes. In nearby Roxbury, the firms redevelopment of the 1950s-era Whittier Street Apartments created a new amenity rich, mixed-income, transit-oriented multifamily campus with 210 affordable units out of 386 total, and an emphasis on outdoor community space.

Other soon-to-open projects will serve specific populations that often struggle to find housingand support. TATs 102 unit Residences at Brighton Marine, for instance, is leasing witha dedicated focus on veterans and their families, and offers 86 affordable homes including anumber of apartments set aside for formerly homeless veterans.

Faced with a persistent shortage in housing supply across the US, architects and developers are responding with solutions that demonstrate the continued value of adaptive reuse, and the benefits of new approaches including prefabricated and modular construction.

Across the northeast, TAT is reactivating formerly vacant or underutilized structures as newhousing. In Attleboro, Massachusetts, the firm has converted a historic jewelry factory into 93 units of senior housing called Sterling Lofts, offering important rental options for the states rapidly growing over-60 population.

At Bostons Ropewalk, a previously vacant landmark rope factory will soon offer 97 rentalapartments, the sixth historic residential conversion by TAT within the Charlestown NavyYard redevelopment. In Boston's South End, 100 Shawmut maximizes the potential of its siteby adding a seven story contemporary addition to a historic warehouse, for a total of 138 new condominium units.

Integrating adaptive reuse and new construction is a great way to address housing shortages while respecting a neighborhoods character. Were able to create value for the community by preserving historic fabric and looking to the future at the same time.

Other cities are exploring highly efficient approaches to infill development, includingprefabricated construction. In Quincy, Massachusetts, TAT is transforming a parking lot into a15 story, 124 unit tower called Chestnut Place, where locally fabricated modules havedramatically increased speed to market for these much-needed homes.

With new air rights developments, hotel towers, and uniquely positioned residential properties, many urban cores are set for major transformations in 2020 as closely watched and long-awaited projects reach major milestones.

For example, one of Bostons biggest real estate stories in a generation, Fenway Center, willsoon cross a watershed moment with its first phase approaching completion and its secondphase on track to kick off this year. TATs design for this 1.3 million-square-foot air rightscomplex adds housing, commercial office space, and retail uses while decking over a majorhighway and reconnecting three neighborhoods with new green space, public art, andpedestrian and transit connections. The first phase, Bower, offers 312 apartments, 37,000ft of retail, and 12,000ft of public open space.

A hotel boom continues, too, with one of the northeast's most eagerly anticipated mixed usetowers, the Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences, designed by TAT for theprestigious international hospitality group and developer Trinity Stuart LLC. After a fall 2018groundbreaking, the 33 story high-rise is now under construction, transforming a prime corner site into a regional destination as the first Raffles property in the United States.

Design teams are also unlocking new opportunities in dense, built-up areas where large sites are hard to find. In Bostons historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, TAT's Archer Residences reimagines two six story former university buildings as a single, 172,000ft residential property topped off with a pair of contemporary penthouse additions and a sweeping landscaped roof terrace.

Identified by commercial real estate services group Commercial Caf as one of thecountrys fastest-growing Rust Belt cities, Rochester, NY is on a path towards a new era ofsuccess. One of the linchpins of this recovery is Sibley Square, the TAT-designedconversion of a 1-million-square-foot former downtown department store into housing, acommunity marketplace, and high-tech workplace environments. A major indoor market is set to open within the phased, WinnDevelopment-led project this year.

Smaller gateway cities like Worcester, MA, are on the upswing too, thanks to projectslike Courthouse Lofts, TAT's conversion of the historic Worcester County Courthouse into117 units of housing. Nearing completion, the Trinity Financial-led property also holds a first-in-the-nation museum celebrating local icon and pioneering African-American cyclist Major Taylor.

Increasingly vulnerable, flood-prone urban waterfronts remain desirable sites for newresidential and mixed use development. Forward-thinking design teams are taking a holistic approach to these projects, employing hard and soft approaches to shoreline design, strategic landscaping, and elevated public use areas. The result? Properties that can absorb storm surges while enhancing the public realm and long-term viability.

TATs recently opened Clippership Wharf, a 12 acre, 478 unit mixed use complexdeveloped by Lendlease in East Boston, has garnered national attention for this approach,which also offers residents and community members access to a harborwalk, beachfront area and floating dock with a kayak launch.

Link:
The Architectural Team unveil the five main values coming in 2020 - World Architecture News

CALGARY -- Some of Calgarys construction job sites are carrying on through the pandemic, but many have taken drastic measures to ensure safety.

"Definitely a lot more attention to cleanliness," said construction worker Eric Woodcock.

"Usually trades, were Neanderthals, basically all of us, theres a lot more hand sanitizing, more wash basins. We put in multiple sinks and have done what we can to get our hands on as much hand sanitization as possible."

Woodcock is working at a construction site building retail and condo buildings in the northeast.

He said construction can be tricky to navigate social distancing, but they want to keep their jobs.

"Anyone who knows this nature of this beast here, its impossible to do some things that far apart but anything physically possible were maintaining at least two metres at all times, the best we can obviously," said Woodcock.

The Calgary Construction Association said a new pandemic protocol document has been created to help companies deal with new safety measures to protect against COVID-19.

"The document we started creating was really the beginning of our effort to help the whole industry understand the safety as it related to COVID," said president Bill Black.

"Youre changing the engine of the train while the train is running to implement new standards."

Black said the document comes with guidelines companies big and small can take to ensure worker safety.

"Construction is an inherently dangerous business," said Black.

"We deal with safety everyday and safety is a profession within our industry. It is designed, enforced, monitored and measured on a daily basis."

Black suggests many companies have already come up with ideas and protocols to ensure physical distancing and sanitizing.

"Take meetings outdoors, dont have them in enclosed spaces where the space can be more readily utilized for distancing," said Black.

"Limit the size of meetings. In some sites workers are eating lunch in their vehicles alone rather than together, managing gathering points."

For Woodcock, he said there are fewer people on the job site.

"Were keeping our site numbers low, like the man count, but attached to everyone of these companies, theres an office full of people," said Woodcock.

"Just one site alone, it's hundreds of jobs."

As for any potential of spreading coronavirus, Woodcock said workers are taking different measures than usual.

"We come here and do our job, which is unfortunately in the world right now, unique, were in the minority there," he said.

"The main difference is when you leave site, you go home. You dont go the store, you cant go out for dinner, you go home, clean yourself the best you can and hopefully see your family."

The province says Occupational Health and Safety has conducted 165 inspections within the construction sector since March 15. None have been specific to COVID-19 related hazards.

"Recent inspections have taken an education and awareness focus to COVID-19 hazards, specifically social distancing, personal protective equipment and sanitization and cleaning practices," said spokesperson Adrienne South in a statement.

Read the original post:
Calgary construction workers plugging away through pandemic - CTV News

Property developer Elevate Property Group has submitted plans to bring a derelict site in Birminghams Jewellery Quarter back to life in its latest project in the city.

The plans for the residential development, Heaton House Lofts, will bring 14 townhouses, 42 apartments and 3,500 sq ft of commercial space to try and recreate a part of Birminghams history.

To revive the sites historical roots, Heaton House Lofts will also include the restoration of a large 3,362 sq ft four-bedroomed Georgian villa, with paved garden terrace and its own private garage.

The original Heaton House was a 19th century villa in Camden Street, which at the time was part of the middle-class suburban developments that grew up on the fringes of the city centre in Birmingham.

The development was subsequently swallowed up in the expansion of Birminghams Jewellery Quarter and by the end of the century, Heaton House had been converted to form part of a large industrial works.

In a paper providing an architectural and archaeological assessment, written by historic buildings consultant Richard Morriss, it states: The complex of buildings centred on Heaton House is a good example of the industrialisation of the middle-classsuburban fringes of Birmingham in the later 19thcentury a process particularly common in the area to the north of the town centre in what is now called the Jewellery Quarter.

The original house would have been a rather fine example of a gentlemans suburban residence of the early 19thcentury, set within its own miniature landscaped park.

Heaton House was the home of a leading Birmingham merchant, William Cotterill, and was said to be the second oldest residential property in Birmingham. The building and its outbuildings were eventually altered to fit their new roles in industry and in recent years have become disused.

Now, Elevate Property Group, which has a reputation for the sympathetic regeneration of historic buildings, has pledged to bring the site back into residential use.

Following discussions between Elevates professional advisers and Birmingham city planners, the proposals for Heaton House Lofts will be submitted for planning approval this spring.

The company is currently applying for B1 and D2 usage for the 3,500 sq ft of commercial space on Powell Street, meaning the property can be utilised for offices or a possible leisure/gym complex.

Heaton House Lofts will quickly come to be recognised as one of the premier new addresses in Birmingham, says David Hofton, sales and marketing director at Elevate Property Group.

Camden Street is located just a mile from the city centre, giving quick access to the central business district and Birminghams vibrant retail, leisure and restaurant offer.

Founded in 2011, Elevate Property Group has been responsible for some of Birminghams most interesting, and sometimes controversial, residential projects. Current high-profile developments throughout the country include Victoria Point (Ashford), Alban House (Hereford), Trent Bridge Quays (Nottingham), Liversage Street (Derby), Princes Gate (Solihull), Assay Lofts (Birmingham), Sheldon Court (Birmingham) and Cliveland Street (Birmingham).

The company currently has in excess of a million square feet of development either under construction or in the planning and legal process. It has recently secured new lines of funding and is actively seeking new development opportunities throughout the UK.

For more information on Elevates new development at Heaton House Lofts, contact sales@elevatepropertygroup.co.uk or call David Hofton on 0121 272 5729.

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Heaton House Lofts to restore Birmingham's 19th century heritage - Property Investor Today

The UK government is being urged to follow Scotlands lead and close all but essential construction sites in England and Wales.

Scotland announced a list of essential sites yesterday, bringing an immediate stop to work on the majority of the countrys construction projects.

New Civil Engineer understands that the UK government is poised to follow suit, and has been consulting industry bodies about a list of essential sites since last week.

However, the government has been reluctant to publish the list or introduce stricter controls on the construction sector thus far.

Construction groups are now urging the UK government to see sense and close non-essential construction sites.

Federation of Master Builder (FMB) chief executive Brian Berry said: It is almost impossible to follow Public Health Englands social distancing advice on many sites, and it would therefore be safer to close them".

The government has already advised that non-essential construction sites to close down, but has stopped short of defining what is essential.

However, the Scottish government is now being much more prescriptive announcing which sites should remain open and which should close.

Work on domestic housing, education institutions and office buildings are among those which must now be closed north of the border. Certain health and transport jobs are deemed essential and are allowed to stay open.

If sites can be safely completed within 5 working days they can be completed.

Road works and some energy related jobs will go forward. The Scottish government warned any projects can only continue operating if they can comply with the guidance on the safety and welfare of people.

Work on hospitals in Edinburgh and Glasgow including the Department of Clinical Neurosciences in Edinburgh and the refurbishment job on the Childrens Hospital in Glasgow will also go ahead.

Sites which need to close in Scotland

Sites that can stay open in Scotland

The Scottish Government website has the full explanation of the new regulations.

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Government urged to publish 'essential sites' list - New Civil Engineer

Wartrace aldermen were bound and determined to award the towns mowing contract to Roberts Lawn and Landscaping Service and so they did, despite the fact that the company was not the lowest bidder.

Alderwoman Patsy Gregory was even willing to visit the sins of the father upon the son, Chas Floyd, who was the low bidder.

I have a little background that I maybe shouldnt share but Im going to share it anyway, Gergory said. His (Chas Floyds) father, as far as I know, is named Travis Floyd. Im not going to say a son is always like his father, but he was brought up in this kind of environment. He (Travis) lived out close to my father. He (Travis Floyd) stole everything you could think of from my father, including gas out of the Jeep, a weed-eater, it just goes on and on. Ive heard his mother or his stepmother doesnt have much confidence in him (Chas).

Roberts Lawn and Landscaping Service is owned by Robert Dye, who was Wartrace fire chief. Dyes company held the towns lawn mowing contract for many years. Alderwoman Gregory was joined in her support of Dye by newly appointed aldermen Allan Tabit and Brian Ross.

When asked what the repercussions might be from not taking the low bid, Mayor Drake said it would show bad faith on the part of the town. Why would anybody bid? she said, if the winning bidder was already chosen before the bids were submitted.

Ross initially spoke in favor of Roberts Lawn and Landscaping Service because, he said, the company is based in Wartrace. His motivation was in promoting a business from within Wartrace rather than Shelbyville. Mayor Drake corrected that, however, pointing out that Chas Floyds business is also based in Wartrace.

Alderman Allan Tabit, alleged that Chas. Floyds bid was not acceptable. My understanding is he does not have workers compensation insurance, which tells me he has no employees, Tabit said. Mayor Drake clarified that allegation as well. He does have workmans compensation and he does have employees, she said. He was planning on doing this by himself without his employees.

Did he even come out and look at what his job would be? said alderwoman Gregory.

Yes, he did, Drake replied.

One person cannot do that job, Gregory said.

I totally agree, Tabit said.

My personal feeling is, weve got somebody we know is reliable, has the equipment, has people to do it, Tabit said in support of Roberts Lawn and Landscaping Service. I can understand giving somebody a chance but I dont think its beneficial to us to try and figure out whether he (Chas Floyd) is going to do the job and then later have to reconsider.

The board had deferred taking a vote on the contract at their March 23 meeting, questioning whether it is legal to not take the low bid. Mayor Cindy Drake contacted the towns legal counsel, Ginger Bobo Shofner, to find out. She (attorney Shofner) said she cant tell you what to do, but she did say she would highly, highly advise against bypassing the low bidder.

Four of the five aldermen, however, rejected their attorney's advice and voted to award the mowing contract to Dye. Alderwoman Sonia Miller abstained from the vote.

Originally posted here:
Local News: Wartrace mowing contract awarded to high bidder (4/3/20) - Shelbyville Times-Gazette

For continuous coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacton the industry, visit ourcoronavirus page.

As global concern over the coronavirus grows, landscaping companies should prepare for how to handle a possible outbreak in their area and urge employees who are sick to stay home.

Companies are continually updating their clients on what the coronavirus will mean for your business, plus events and policies are changing by the moment. Follow along with our rolling updates here:

BRIGHTVIEW'S HEALTH MEASURES (posted April 7): BrightView Holdings, a commercial landscaping services company in the United States, recently posted details of the companys response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

A presentation outlining the measures BrightView has taken to protect the health and safety of its team members and customers, as well as real and potential business impacts resulting from COVID-19, can be found on the companys investor website. The presentation includes landscapings designation as an essential service as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

LAURELROCK COMPANY (posted April 7): Company President Burt DeMarche has decided, while landscape companies remain an essential business in Connecticut, LaurelRock will suspend non-essential services for the next two weeks to protect their employees, clients, and community to help flatten the curve.

The LaurelRock leadership team has had a coronavirus action plan in place since March 16 to continue working on behalf of their clients safely.

We appreciate the understanding and support that we have received from our clients and other professionals in our decision to temporarily suspend non-essential services to protect the health and welfare of our greater community, clients, and our employees," DeMarche said. "We are doing our part to stop the spread of COVID-19, and we urgently request that others in our industry do the same. Please stay home and stay safe.

WALKER MOWERS (posted April 2): Walker Mowers released a video titled "Standing United Together." Click here to watch it.

LAWN LOVE: Lawn Love, an on-demand lawn care provider, conducted a survey and found 90% of its contractors are operating as they usually do while 5% have slowed down and 5% have stopped. You can read the full article here.

BRIGGS & STRATTON (posted March 31): Briggs & Stratton announced it will continue to implement preventative measures for the safety of its employees and customers. In light of the pandemic, the company is reducing manufacturing activity at several of its facilities and has shut down other plants. For more information, click here.

NCLC CANCELED (SORT OF):The National Association of Landscape Professionalsinitially canceled the National Collegiate Landscape Competition as a result of the travel and health concerns. You can read more about thatcancellation here. However, NALP has converted the competition into a virtual education opportunity to be held April 7-8 from 1-4 p.m. EST each day. You can read more about that here.

STATE-BY-STATE UPDATES: NALP will also be keeping tabs on each state's stance on whether landscaping is to be considered essential or non-essential businesses during a shutdown. Read more about that here.

CATERPILLAR: (Story posted March 26)At this time, Caterpillar is continuing to run the majority of its U.S. domestic operations and plans to continue operations in other parts of the world, as permitted by local authorities. However, due to uncertain economic conditions resulting in weaker demand, potential supply constraints and the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government actions, Caterpillar is temporarily suspending operations at certain facilities.The companywill continue to monitor the situation and may suspend operations at additional facilities as the situation warrants.

SYNGENTA: Syngenta released the following statement: "As we adapt to the unprecedented challenges posed by the quickly evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, we want to assure you that Syngenta continues to take steps to ensure we are operating safely. Syngentas priority is the health and safety of our employees, families, customers and partners. We continue to assess the situation daily and take actions in an abundance of caution to maintain business continuity while focusing on the safety and health of our customers and employees." The full statement can be viewed here.

IRRIGATION ASSOCIATION: Meanwhile, the Irrigation Association released a statement that says "understands and supports the aggressive preventive measures being taken across the globe as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic." A majority of its staff in Fairfax, Virginia, has moved to remote work as a result. You can read more from theassociation's website here.

SOME GENERAL GOOD TIPS: NALP has also established guidelines to assist business owners.These tips include complying with all federal, state and local advisories; actively urging employees who are sick to stay home; and thoroughly disinfecting personal protective equipment.

While the Centers of Disease Control assessed that for most people the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus is low, businesses should start preparing for more employee absences.

The NALP suggests cross-training personnel in the event that a key member of the team is absent for an extended period of time. Its also important to note that the Coronavirus is a reportable illness with OSHA.

Its also recommended that companies begin reviewing policies and procedures, along with preparing to alter business practices if needed.

According to the CDC, Oregon has 75 reported cases, while neighboring state Washington has reported 1,012 cases and 52 deaths.

For Ben Bowen, head landscape designer with Ross NW Watergardens in Portland, his company has already begun putting preventative measures in place.

Right now, its still business as usual for us. We had a discussion with all of our teammates, Bowen said. We made sure everyone understood the symptoms, and we told them we expect them to stay home if they have any of them.

Bowen added that at Ross NW Watergardens, employees have a pool of paid time off that they can utilize for sick, personal and vacation days.

Usually, our employees will come to work if they have a minor cold, he said. However, we made sure they know to stay home, and if they have to take off for this it wont impact their normal pool of paid time off.

Bowen noted some companies may not be able to offer the same courtesy to their employees.

For states that dont have mandated paid time off, there could be a problem, he said. There can be a little hostility toward those who are perceived to be spreading the virus.

According to Bowen, Ross NW Watergardens has already begun to be negatively impacted by the growing panic over the Coronavirus.

I just got an email from a client who was very motivated to do a backyard project with us, he explained. He loved all the ideas but told me with things being so uncertain he could not invest the money into the project at this time. In the design/build industry were seeing people worried about the economy.

Bowen said he expects the maintenance and manufacturing sectors of the industry to be affected as well, especially in areas that quarantine.

If we were to see something like what is going on in Italy, then crews could be idle for weeks, he said. Manufacturing disruptions could increase wait time for parts and equipment.

While everyone is being cautious, Bowen said that employees are staying calm in the meantime.

The tone is really that were not worried for ourselves but realize there are people in the community who are especially vulnerable. We want to protect those people by being, he said.

Bob Grover, president of Pacific Landscape Management, also in Portland, said that while the health risks are undeniable, he is more concerned about the economic impact.S

My biggest concern over the Coronavirus is the potential impact on the economy, he said. We are hearing of all the things being cancelled or postponed. The impact that the Coronoavirus has on the travel, hotel and convention industries will have ripple effects into the overall economy.

Grover added that beginning late last week, Pacific Landscape Management began researching and formulating a plan.

We want people to practice good hygiene, he said. That means washing your hands when you get to work, when you go home and throughout the day. Also, coughing or sneezing into your elbow. We told employees dont come to work if you feel sick. If you do come sick, and we feel that youre coughing, or feverish, we will send you home.

Grover said he believes that in states without mandated sick leave employees will show up to work even if they have some of the symptoms.

The good thing about Oregon is were a very progressive state and its required that all employees have sick leave, he said. So, its not as big of an issue here in Oregon as it might be in other states.

At Pacific Landscape Management some employees have scheduled travel plans that may be cancelled and others may choose to cancel trips in highly affected areas.

We told employees that they have the choice to self-select out and not go if they are not comfortable, he said. We want everybody to take their personal health into their own hands. We want to encourage people to do that and not feel like there will be any retributions.

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The industry's latest on coronavirus - Lawn & Landscape

ST. PAUL. Minn. (KTTC) Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held his State of the State address Sunday evening.

He took time to briefly thank Minnesotans and reassure them that this pandemic is temporary.

"We are truly one Minnesota, and a new day will come. The sun will shine brightly. The trees will bud and the birds will sing. Spring will arrive, and when it does we will dig out Minnesota," Governor Walz said.

Following the address, House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, shared his response.

"I think the Governor is really trying to, from the perspective of the leader of the state, and trying to inspire Minnesotans and let them know, we will get through this. And I would agree with him we certainly want to remain a united front, Republicans and Democrats and not only wanting to fight and defeat COVID-19 but also make sure that Minnesotans get back to normal as quickly as it is," Daudt said.

Daudt also urges the the governor to reconsider allowing certain professions to be able to work as long as they are social distancing.

"The one that comes to mind, and I got an email from some friends of mine who are older. And they can't take care of their yard work and now their lawn. They certainly were asking and they wrote and email to the Governor today about allowing lawn care workers to get back. And I know that golf courses could certainly be open and provide an opportunity for folks to get out and get a little bit of recreation. If we can't allow them to open we at least need to allow them to maintain the golf course," he said.

Walz's address statement served as a motivational speech to show the strength in our communities.

He said the state is working on increasing testing capabilities and building hospital capacity, as well as getting more personal protective equipment for health care workers.

"Minnesotans wont just prepare for COVID-19we will lead. The brilliant minds and hard work of Minnesotans will help lead the worlds response to this crisis. Mayo Clinic is leading a national trial to use blood from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 as a treatment for others who fall ill with the disease. Hospitals across the state, from the largest systems to the smallest, are preparing in new ways for a surge in patients. 3M workers are producing millions of protective face masks a month. Medtronic is publicly sharing the design specifications for its ventilators to spark rapid manufacturing of this critical equipment desperately needed to save lives," Walz said.

Walz thanks those who stay at home, and practicing social distancing. He emphasized that those efforts are helping slow down the spread of this virus. He also said he understands how this is ruining plans for students, churches, family gatherings, and sporting events.

Walz shared stories of how Minnesotans are coming together to help each other as they get through the pandemic.

"In North Branch, a state trooper pulled a woman over this weekend for speeding. It turns out, she was a doctor in town for work.The trooper noticed some medical masks in her bag that she had been forced to re-use due to the current shortage. Instead of handing her a ticket, the trooper handed her a stack of masks that he had been given to keep him safe, he put his neighbor first," he said.

The stay at home executive order goes into effect until April 10th at 5 pm.

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Minnesota GOP reacts to State of the State address; asks Walz to reconsider professions' ability to work - KTTC

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Coastal Lawn Care is keeping lawns cared for during the coronavirus. - WAVY.com

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Acts of generosity can come from a variety avenues: government officials, business owners, nonprofits or just a regular person helping out their neighbor.

During Michigans coronavirus shutdowns, dozens of stories have emerged that offer folks in Washtenaw County and the surrounding area hope in a time of uncertainty.

City council members thanking health care workers. Hardware stores donating personal protective equipment to hospitals. Churches offering drive-thru confessions. The list of ways people are dealing with self-isolation and social distancing grows by the day.

Here are five more things that give us hope amid coronavirus crisis in Washtenaw County.

If you have a story of a business, organization or person creatively dealing with social distancing and home isolation, or are going above and beyond to help others, please email Samuel Dodge at sdodge@mlive.com.

5 things that give us hope amid the coronavirus pandemic in Washtenaw County

5 more things that give us hope amid the coronavirus outbreak in Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor City Council Member Kathy Griswold, D-2nd Ward, poses for a portrait at a crosswalk on North Maple Road on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019 in Ann Arbor. Griswold is campaigning for better lighting at crosswalks throughout the city. (Ben Allan Smith | MLive.com)Photos by Ben Allan Smith

Ann Arbor City Council Member promoting effort to thank health care workers

City Council Member Kathy Griswold, D-2nd Ward, is helping promote a local womans effort to place signs around Ann Arbor thanking essential workers and health care providers.

Ann Arbor resident Susan Schmidt printed 250 signs last week that read Thank You Healthcare Workers! In a matter of days, the signs have quickly spread throughout Ann Arbor, planted in yards and other places, including many in the Old West Side neighborhood where Schmidt lives.

Ann Arbor woman gets amazing response to yard signs thanking health care workers

Griswold posted three different variations of Schmidts design on Facebook for people to print and post themselves. More yard signs will be available for safe distribution sometime late next week to attach the images to signs, Griswold wrote in the post.

The response Ive gotten from community members, especially health care workers, has been amazing, Schmidt said. Health care workers in particular have been really moved by the community support.

Andrew Stines unloads boxes of medical supplies that are being donated to UM Hospitals at the North Campus Research Complex on Saturday, March 21, 2020. UM Hospitals are asking for donations of medical supplies amid the coronavirus outbreak. Supplies needed include disposable face masks, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, among others.Jenna Kieser

Hardware store in Ann Arbor donated excess masks to Michigan Medicine, St. Joseph Mercy, other hospitals

Armando and Ita Reyes, the married co-owners of Carpenter Bros Hardware & Rental, 2753 Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor, realized two weeks ago that they had a stocked inventory of a valuable asset: N95 masks.

Their supply included 150 of the masks needed throughout Michigan and the country. They also had 500 latex shoe covers, 100 packages of gloves, five respirators and 18 decontamination Tyvek suits. Two weeks later, their supply is no more, as the Reyes donated it all to southeastern Michigan hospitals.

Two weeks ago, we held back on the items we were going to put out on the floor expecting that theyd be a high need for health workers, said Ita Reyes. I let my husband know about (various hospital supply drives), so we started donating our supply.

The store provided supplies to the University of Michigan Health System, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Beaumont Health and Henry Ford Allegiance in Wyandotte.

I know there are place that are actually selling (this stuff), Reyes said, but were just giving it out. U-M is literally calling stores all over, thats how big the need is. We just decided that whatever we had was needed out there.

Reyes also owns and operates Ita Yoga Studio, which is holding online classes at discounted prices during the state COVID-19 shutdown to promote social distancing. You can find the hardware store at Carpenterbroshardware.com and the studio at Itayogastudio.com.

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Local launches free food pantry on porch of River Street home in Ypsilanti

Ypsilanti community porch pantry urges residents to take freely, give cheerfully during coronavirus crisis

At a time when social distancing has limited contact between neighbors, DReal Graham is still looking to build community with a simple message: Take freely, give cheerfully.

Those are the words on a sign welcoming neighbors to visit the front porch at 315 N. River St. in Ypsilantis Depot Town, where Graham and local realtor Tyler Weston have teamed up to provide easy access to a variety of nonperishable food items and other household essentials.

The community-sponsored U-Access Community Pantry is the work of Ypsi Local, which Graham and Weston started on March 17. Since then, Graham has worked to keep items the community has deemed essential in stock.

From canned fruits and vegetables, to boxes of pasta and oatmeal, to baby wipes, diapers and even an occasional package of toilet paper, items are flying off the shelves at a time when making a trip to the grocery store might be more difficult than usual for some.

Im overjoyed when I return to the pantry and food items are off the porch, Graham said in between restocking shelves Tuesday, March 31.

Drive-thru confession at Ann Arbor Catholic church

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2250 E. Stadium Blvd. in Ann Arbor, is offering drive-thru" confessions from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 2. The sacrament will be available again from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 4.

One commenter joked that the seal of confession, or the requisite confidentiality kept by priests once a parish member tells them their sins, may be an issue now that priests and member must be six feet apart for social distancing.

To learn more about this service or to help St. Francis stay afloat during a tenuous time financially for many organizations, visit stfrancisa2.com.

Brighton nonprofit donates funds to people in crisis, PPE to medical clinics

Fund a Life, a Brighton-based nonprofit, partnered with local investment agency Executive Wealth Management to donate thousands of dollars to organizations assisting people severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

The partners donated $4,000 each to Bountiful Harvest of Brighton and The Torch & Torch 180 in Fowlerville. Both organizations will use the funding to fill food gaps for community members in need throughout Livingston County, according to a press release.

We feel that it is dire times right now and we really need to make sure all hands-on deck. Make sure we are helping everyone out and get through the crisis we are going through. said Michael Chechel, managing director at EWM, in the release.

Bountiful Harvest will work to supply meals, including delivery service to seniors, vets and more. In addition, the organization will provide school kids with a weeks worth of breakfast and lunch. Food pickup is also available at 290 E. Grand River Ave. in Brighton.

The Torch & Torch 180, located at 131 Mill St. in Fowlerville, is providing a similar service, including free food, grocery and hot meal delivery to the community.

For more information on how to support Fund a Life, Executive Wealth Management, Bountiful Harvest or The Torch & Torch 180, call 810-229-6446.

They are need of a lot of volunteers and a lot of help, anybody if you can give donations of money, food, your time, whatever you can do," said Mark Howell, leader of Fund a Life, in the release.

Howell also said in an email that his organization acquired 3,000 PPE masks which will be donated to Woodland Cancer Center, as well as Michigan Medicine hospitals in the area.

PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.

Complete coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in Michigan here.

Read more from the 5 things that give us hope series:

Ann Arbor caterer donating thousands of meals: 5 more things that give us hope amid coronavirus

350 meals delivered to families in need: 5 more things that give us hope amid coronavirus crisis

Free toilet paper with an oil change: Another 5 things that give us hope amid coronavirus crisis

5 things that give us hope amid the coronavirus pandemic in Washtenaw County

5 more things that give us hope amid the coronavirus outbreak in Washtenaw County

An extra 5 things that give us hope amid coronavirus crisis in Washtenaw County

Another 5 things that give us hope amid coronavirus crisis in Washtenaw, Livingston counties

Originally posted here:
Yard signs show appreciation for health care workers: 5 more things that give us hope amid coronavirus crisis - MLive.com

Temperatures are rising, the sun is occasionally peeking out of a bluer sky than weve seen for a while, and many of us are itching to start working on lawns that may not look so great after a long, wet winter. Before you spend a lot of money on herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers, realize that less is often more when it comes to spring lawn care.

The time to spread pre-emergent weed control is when forsythia blooms. Those bright yellow blooms are the first to emerge in early spring, and they are good indicators that the soil is beginning to warm and weeds are close to germinating.

Annual weeds such as crabgrass and goosegrass germinate in the spring. Depending on how thick your turf is and the amount of weed seeds in the soil, these weeds can outcompete with your grass and take over your lawn. If you miss the pre-emergent window and weeds start to sprout, your best bet is to apply some post-emergent herbicide to your lawn, when weeds are small.

Its not a good idea to apply nitrogen fertilizer to your lawn in the spring, so avoid applying a weed-and-feed herbicide. The best time to fertilize your lawn is in the fall. Spring feeding promotes the growth of warm-season weeds. Also, high amounts of nitrogen in spring and summer can result in increased damage from white grubs in the soil. High nitrogen levels restrict turf rooting, and that adds to the damage from grubs feeding on the turf roots.

Be aware that not all weeds are bad. We love to have pristine lawns, but the herbicides and pesticides needed to acquire those types of lawns are often detrimental to our pollinators. Dandelions are important early spring flowers for bees. If you dont like them, you can mow off the blooms before they go to seed, rather than spray them with herbicide.

For more information, call the Pulaski Co Extension office at 606-679-6361. Become a fan of Pulaski County Horticulture on Facebook, follow @hortagentbeth on Twitter and/or follow kyplants on Instagram.

Asof March 23, 2020, the Pulaski Co Extension office is closed to foot traffic. However, you can still reach all agents via phone, email, or social media. Programs and/or trainings will continue to take place electronically or with drive-through type interactions.

Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.

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Link:
Go light on the lawn care in spring - somerset-kentucky.com