Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Plans in the works for another multi-level building in East Hollywood

A developer wants to add to the growing roster of mid-rise apartment complexes sprouting in East Hollywood.

Kenneth Sauder on behalf of Wakeland Wilcox LLC has filed plans for a four-story, 62-unit building at 4904-4920 W. Santa Monica Boulevard, county records show. The building would have a substantial affordable component.

The entity acquired the property, now a 4,850-square-foot office building and adjacent parking lot, for $6.4 million in September.

The applicant is requesting special zoning considerations under Los Angeles Transit Oriented Communities initiative, which encourages the construction of affordable housing near transit stations.

The $35.4 million development to be called The Wilcox is slated for $13.4 million in No Place Like Home Funds state grant funding, awarded through L.A. County, according to Urbanize.

Some of the other East Hollywood mid-level housing developments in the works:

Read the rest here:
Developer looks to add to East Hollywoods growing multifamily stock - The Real Deal

In OctoberDecember 2019, YIT started construction of two new apartment buildings in Russia. The projects are located in Yekaterinburg and Tyumen. The total value of the projects is approximately EUR 22 million, with nearly 500 apartments to be completed. The start-ups of the apartments are booked in the order backlog of the fourth quarter of 2019.

In Yekaterinburg, YIT started the construction of a new apartment building called Vektori. The 25-storey building will feature more than 270 apartments and a parking hall with business premises and a roof-top recreational area for residents. The building is located in central Yekaterinburg, in the vicinity of diverse services and good traffic connections. The building is set to be completed in late 2021.

In Tyumen, YIT started the construction of the second phase of the Finskiy zaliv residential area. The 9-storey building is planned to have more than 200 apartments, mainly with 23 rooms. Some of the apartments are Transformer apartments, in which the residents can easily make changes to the floor plan when their needs change. In addition, the building will feature business premises and teaching facilities for 40 preschool children. The park area located near Finskiy zaliv offers excellent opportunities for various outdoor activities. The second phase is due for completion in the last quarter of 2020.

In addition, YIT acquired a new plot near the city centre of St. Petersburg at the end of 2019, with the intention of constructing an apartment building with approximately 100 apartments. The future project is located near many universities and cultural landmarks, such as the Mariinsky Theatre.

Read more:
YIT starts with two new apartment buildings in Russia - Property Magazine International

An interview with Dru McAuley, Assistant Vice President, Commercial Financing, First National on site intensification.

Across Canada, governments at all levels have jumped on the site intensification solution to housing shortages and for good reason. As the countrys population grows, it is economically and environmentally preferable to increase the housing density of existing neighbourhoods than to allow more urban sprawl.

However, even though intensification is promoted as good public policy (and Ontarios recently enacted Bill 108 further entrenches such promotion in law) it does not mean owners proposing higher density redevelopments will always find clear sailing at city hall. Indeed, many times the opposite is true.

In this article, Dru McAuley, Assistant Vice President, Commercial Financing at First National and a lending expert who has financed many different types of intensification projects over the years, provides a practical guide to those who are contemplating land use densification.

The Dollars and Sense Benefits of Intensification

McAuleys first observation is that intensification has many clear benefits. When asked to list them, he starts with a basic one: higher density projects provide more housing per hectare. In large cities like Toronto and Vancouver where the shortage of housing options is acute, this is a necessity. Additionally, when an underused urban site is redeveloped, it increases public transit use and creates what city planners call a more complete community featuring healthier patterns of human activity.

For municipalities, intensification reduces the need to build new roads and other infrastructure and brings in sought-after development charges/new property taxes from an increase in the assessment base. For these reasons, provincial governments have given municipalities planning act tools to achieve more compact neighbourhoods. In Ontario, the provinces Growth Plan requires all municipalities to accommodate a minimum of 40 percent of forecast population growth through residential intensification within their urban areas.

Beyond the social benefits, McAuley says there is a compelling economic case in favour of intensification for property owners as higher-density additions yield new sources of cash flow from otherwise underutilized or vacant properties.

The Risks

With seemingly easy, abundant opportunities for intensification present in most urban areas, its a wonder why it doesnt happen more often. A key factor is NYMBYism (Not In My Backyard), which is a general opposition to change for a variety of reasons. NIMBY protests are a common risk factor facing intensification projects.

Another challenge is parkland dedications that generally fall under Section 37 of Ontarios Planning Act. It authorizes municipalities to grant increases in height and density of development in exchange for the provision of facilities, services or matters by the property owner, which are essentially classified as community benefits and commonly referred to as parkland dedications. Toronto has used this to wrest over $300 million in community cash benefits and $212 million in payments and accrued interest from developers since the city was amalgamated in 1998. This is complicated by the fact that there is no commonly applied standard to determine the value of a Section 37 contribution. This makes the cost of the contribution difficult to calculate and can lead to lengthy and substantial project delays.

In Ontario, Bill 108 passed in June seeks to remedy this situation by declaring an upper limit on the charge that can be applied in percentage terms, prescribing a date that valuation takes place (the day before the building permit is issued) and installing a dispute resolution mechanism. Time will tell if these changes make a meaningful difference.

Drus Advice

McAuleys first recommendation to property owners is to informally ask the elected municipal representative in whose ward your project will take place if he/she will support the intensification development as envisioned. You might find the local rep will support the plan, something slightly different or indicate which type of Section 37 benefits will be required to garner support. If there is no support, then it is prudent for an investor to be aware of this from the outset. McAuley said that while gaining councillor backing is not an iron-clad guarantee that the project will make it through the approval process, it is a valuable indicator of how much friction it may encounter.

McAuleys second suggestion is to align yourself with experienced planning consultants, lawyers, architects and builders. A team approach is necessary. Navigating the municipal, provincial and conservation authority approval system takes skilled hands. This might seem obvious, but many investors attempt to go through the process with limited input. For example, a very useful exercise is to engage property tax experts early in the process who will liaise with the local tax authority or MPAC in order to have the increase in property taxes largely agreed upon prior to completion. This simple approach helps avoid tax shock when the reassessment occurs. Generally speaking, a non-fully professional team will not succeed in a site intensification project.

Recommendation three is to seek advice from a mortgage partner early, often and well before building project plans are set in stone. McAuley says First National is regularly invited by clients to run predictive analyses of potential financing strategies using different assumptions. Proactive engagements with an empowered lender like First National lead to better financing decisions, lower risks and lower costs. The benefit here is that financing surprises are avoided, or at least minimized. McAuley has often seen well planned projects fail at the final hurdle because the investors financing assumptions cannot be satisfied. When more equity or debt is required than originally envisioned, it naturally affects investment returns and even the viability of the project.

Recommendation four is to have sufficient contingency funds set aside in a financing to cover extra costs that may arise because of planning and building delays and construction inflation. Lately, First National has seen several project budgets that have had to be revised due to quickly escalating labour and material costs. Contingency amounts in budgets should be realistic. An often used 3% for both hard and soft costs would be considered too low in the current market. Instead, 5% is more realistic. A challenging construction market where booking reliable trades and other service providers is difficult complicates matters because of limited resource availability. Accordingly, investors without sufficient capital to meet cost overruns or supply shortages can get into trouble quickly.

While not a recommendation, McAuley also notes it can pay to be creative about how to achieve intensification. One First National client decided to add three storeys to an existing three-storey, 30-unit apartment building. To make the project work, the owner first approached the city for a soft approval and then worked with a builder, engineering consultants and material suppliers to find a way to construct the addition without asking existing tenants to vacate. The solution was the use of pre-fabricated materials, which reduced the construction window substantially and created much less disruption for existing tenants. There was an obvious concern that if something went wrong with the structure of the existing building during construction, the owner would suffer cash-flow shortages on the existing 30 units. This risk was partly mitigated through proper insurance, thorough investigative work, sound engineering advice and forward planning with regard to adding the necessary additional parking.

Recommendation five is to carefully consider parking. In many communities, particularly suburban centres, providing sufficient parking spaces is a pre-requisite for municipal approval of an intensification project. In the case of the project noted above, the owner had to acquire a vacant lot for surface parking across the street from the apartment building at extra cost. However, for some intensification projects, underground parking is the only acceptable solution and building it can substantially inflate construction costs beyond the point of recovery or reduce the level of density that can be achieved if the owner opts to limit parking capacity. The cost of underground parking in urban areas often a necessity adds tremendously to project costs and should be considered very early in the process. This also underscores the requirement of engaging proper consultants early a parking surprise is one to be avoided.

Overall, site intensification can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding. McAuley noted that First National recently closed a financing for a redevelopment project in north Toronto that was originally conceived six years ago. At first, the property owners proposed building a second apartment tower on a contiguous parcel of vacant land that they owned, which seemed obvious. After lengthy negotiations with city officials, the owner was instead permitted to construct a much smaller rental townhouse complex. The final goal was achieved site intensification and new, high-quality accommodation for local residents even though the preliminary plan could not be realized.

First Nationals Lending Parameters

In determining whether to fund an intensification project, First National applies straightforward thinking. The primary consideration is an obvious one: does the project make economic sense? It does when there is no equity gap. An equity gap exists when an owner asks for a loan of, say, $9 million when the cash flow after development will only support a $6 million financing. As noted above, this might seem obvious. But the importance of engaging a lending partner at the earliest stages of the development planning cannot be emphasized enough.

First National also strives to align itself with owners and developers who have a good level of experience and a proven track record. A borrower who has no high-rise experience, for example, will find limited financing available due to the lack of a track record with this type of asset.

The third consideration is deal size and type. First National typically engages in development or construction financings conventional and CMHC insured of $5 million and up but there are exceptions where smaller loans can be accommodated. The Company also focuses on financing site redevelopments, multi-residential building extensions/additions and new developments, rather than housing infills. An infill occurs when an owner redevelops a site by knocking down an existing structure and puts another building(s) or a larger structure in its place) on an under-used site within an already developed area.

In summary, it pays to recognize when you have a good case for intensification, either because you have excess land that was bought and paid for years ago (as in the case of many Toronto-area apartment sites) or because your existing property has low density. Transforming such properties into multi-unit residential developments that generate new cash flows will take skilled negotiation and committed capital, but is beneficial to you as the owner, your local municipality and the many Canadians whose need for housing is currently unmet.

Should you wish to consult First National on financing your residential intensification project, you can contact Dru McAuley atdru.mcauley@firstnational.caor any member of our Commercial Financingteam.

Read more from the original source:
Have an intensification project on the books? Read this first. - Real Estate News EXchange

SUPPLIED

Two people were injured at the apartment construction site on Thursday.

A construction worker was crushedunder a concrete slab while working on an apartment complex in Auckland, an eyewitness said.

St John said two people were injured in the accident and hospitalised on Thursday morning.

The eyewitness told Stuff workerswere lowering a slabnear the intersection ofPaora and Tautari Streets,in Orakei,when another slab already in place seeminglyfell and collapsed.

"There was stillpanickingthere and there's an ambulance there now. It was pretty rough."

READ MORE:Four workplace accidents in four days: 'Be more aware of risks', WorkSafe says

He said scaffolding at the Eastern Bays construction site might have stopped the slab causing even more damage.

SUPPLIED

The construction company says the site will be "untouched" and it will investigate, as will a subcontractor and WorkSafe.

"I only saw one person but think it might havecollapsedonto another.

"Some of the scaffolding stopped it from falling all the way down," he said shortly before 11am.

Southbase Constructionchief executive Quin Hendersonsaid a 12sq m precast concrete slab was dislodged as another slab was being moved at the Paora Apartments site.

Henderson said first aid was carried out immediately and an ambulance called as a precaution.

SUPPLIED

The Fire Service and St John were alerted after the 6x2 metre precast concrete slab fell.

He said it appeared all required health and safety measures were in place at the site but Southbase and the subcontractor involved would co-operate fully with WorkSafe.

The site and any affected area "would remain untouched" until WorkSafe arrived.

"Southbase and the subcontracting party will be conducting their own investigation."

ST JOHN/SUPPLIED

An ambulance was sent to the construction site on Thursday morning (File photo).

Henderson said Southbase's "immediate concern" was for the two workers' welfare.

They were fine and would be returning to work soon, Henderson said.

He said investigations typically took "a couple of days".

WorkSafe confirmed it was notified of the Orakei construction site incident.

"We are working to establish details of the incident and what our next steps might be," a WorkSafe spokeswoman said.

St John was called to a workplace incident on Paora Street at 9.58am, an ambulance service spokeswoman said.

One ambulance crew, a rapid response unit and a St John manager were deployed.

"We have treated and transported two patients to Auckland City Hospital. One is in a moderate condition and one is in a minor condition."

Fire and Emergency NZ was alerted to reports at 10.05am of a person trapped underneath a concrete slab but firefighters were stood down soon afterwards.

Go here to read the rest:
'Panic' after concrete slab reportedly falls on worker in Orakei construction site - Stuff.co.nz

The City of Covington has provided a year in review assessment of 2019. The second installment of this two-part series looks at infrastructure, neighborhood investment, events and activities from the past year, and parks and recreation. Part one, which focused on economic development, budget and finance, can be viewed here.

Mayor Meyer

Inside and outside of City Hall, Covington witnessed increasing momentum and tangible progress on major goals, including job creation, neighborhood investment, economic vibrancy, increased trust in financial decisions, and Covingtons reputation as a place where talented people want to be.

This was the year that we continued to write a new narrative for a city that is moving toward its best days, Mayor Joe Meyer said. Looking back on 2019, some of the accomplishments were most proud of were completely new decisions, and some built on what the City leaders before us did. Almost everything were working on involves partners outside City Hall, and for that were grateful.

But, Meyer said, much work remains.

Were not finished, he said. We know Covington is still not where it wants to be, and 2020 will see us for example further raise the quality of City services and the quality of life of our residents, seal the deal on economic development projects under way behind the scenes, and market the city more actively outside our borders.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

This photo taken by Prus Construction in late October shows the massive transformation that got under way in 2019 on the Covington riverfront, the long-awaited crown jewel phase of Riverfront Commons (provided photos).

RIVERFRONT REMAKE: After years of planning and searching for funding at City Hall, Prus Construction in September began site work on the $6.54 million crown jewel phase of Riverfront Commons. The overall 2.7-mile project will transform the riverfront in Covington, with Phase II bringing a 1,350-seat amphitheater, two concrete paths totaling 2,800 feet, a cobblestone pier for paddlers and anglers, upgraded overlooks, and a redesigned cul-de-sac at the foot of Greenup Street.

TEXAS TURNAROUND: Covington officials worked with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in 2019 to push forward a plan to reduce accidents on the Brent Spence Bridge by changing where traffic from Fourth Street merges onto northbound Interstates 71/75. The plan, nicknamed the Texas Turnaround, would give drivers more time and space to merge and dramatically reduce backups on the troubled bridge.

INVITING STREETSCAPES: A $1.37 million infrastructure project designed to attract private economic investment by improving the look and feel of downtown got under way in fall 2019. The Sixth Street and Scott Boulevard Restoration Project, with work being done by Adleta Inc. construction, includes rebuilding sidewalks, moving utilities underground, and adding ADA ramps, decorative lamp posts, decorative brick pavement, streetscape trees, and new trash cans. Meanwhile, the City began the process of hiring firms to do design work related to similar streetscape projects on Seventh Street between Madison Avenue and Washington Street and on Madison Avenue between Eighth and 11th streets.

SIDEWALK AMENITIES: Covingtons sidewalks grew more organized and useful in 2019. The City used a federal grant to buy 235 black metal trash receptacles to replace most of the existing (and crumbling) concrete on street corners downtown and in neighborhood business districts. The City also gave permission to advocacy group Ride the Cov to install bike racks in front of popular attractions. By years end, 132 racks (funded by the Devou Good Project) had been installed, with 156 additional racks awaiting approval.

New sidewalks are part of the Sixth Street and Scott Boulevard Restoration Project that got under way in 2019.

NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTMENT:

Through its Neighborhood Services and Economic Development departments, Covington made a concerted effort to invest in its neighborhoods in 2019. Among the initiatives:

LOCAL GRANTS: A dozen projects earned funding during the first two rounds of a brand-new $60,000 Neighborhood Grant Program in 2019, including things like a music and soul food festival in Eastside, sidewalk planters in Latonia, a 4th of July parade in Peaselburg, and a water fountain in George Rogers Clark Park.

ANTI-EYESORES: City Hall in 2019 wrote formal guidelines for a new effort to return to productive use an array of vacant lots and abandoned houses it had accumulated in neighborhoods over the last few decades. By years end, houses were being built or designed on some of the almost dozen properties or so the City had sold or was selling, with more deals under way.

RIPPLE EFFECT: A new public-private program called The RIPPLE Effect yielded its first winner: A neighborhood-submitted plan called the Lewisburg Thorofare Project emerged from a months long competitive process to earn $300,000 in infrastructure improvements and a focused application of City services to jump-start a neighborhood business area. By years end, the project was being implemented and proposals were being accepted for a second round.

LEAD POISONING: The City won a $1.66 million federal grant that will be used to protect children from lead-based paint in older homes. The City expects to be able to fix about 58 homes or apartments over the next three years and is accepting applications, with remediation on the first residences to begin soon.

SLOWER TRAFFIC: In response to concerns about the volume and speed of through traffic in areas tightly packed with houses and parked cars, the City hired consultants to study whether to return traffic flow on sections of Greenup Street and Scott Boulevard to two-way. At years end, a decision had not been made.

NO BUTTS: Aiming to reduce sidewalk litter, the City joined with college students, Keep Covington Beautiful, local businesses, and neighborhood advocates to install 23 cigarette stands or urns in public areas, distribute pocket ashtrays, and start a publicity campaign against cast-off cigarette butts.

MARKET GARDENS: Community groups and budding urban farmers who grow vegetables, herbs, flowers, and other plants in Covington will now be able to sell their harvest on site as well, as the Board of Commissioners voted to allow so-called community gardens to become market gardens, with restrictions.

MISCELLANEOUS:

After the City officially cut the ribbon on the redeveloped Peaselburg Park,, youths swarmed the park to play basketball and soccer and climb on playground equipment. The upgrades are part of an ongoing effort to improve the citys parks.

FUTURE OF PARKS & REC: The Parks & Recreation Division spent much of 2019 defining fun. Why? Because it was working with a consultant to write a master plan to guide how best to identify and invest in the facilities, activities, and sports that Covington families most often use. The initiative included a range of public engagement events and efforts. Its ongoing.

PARKS IMPROVEMENT: The ongoing effort to renovate neighborhood parks, a few at a time, continued in 2019 with the completion (and renaming) of the new Peaselburg Park on Howell Street, the redesign of Barb Cook Park in Latonia, and the beginning of gathering public input on changes to Goebel Park.

RIVER TRAIL: In September, the City ceremonially cut a ribbon to close the books and signify the official completion of Phases II and III of the Licking River Greenway & Trails a recreational trail system used by walkers, dog owners, bikers and hikers on the easternmost edge of Covington. As of now, the trail actually parallel trails includes about 0.75 miles of paved trail atop the levee and about 1.5 miles of a gravel nature trail that cuts through a narrow stretch of woods along the rivers edge.Including road infrastructure, the LRGT stretches 2.5 miles from its endpoints: Eastern Avenue and Levassor Place north to Randolph Park in Eastside, with a couple of access points in-between.

FACES AND NAMES: The seating of the newly elected City Commissioners last January (joining Mayor Joe Meyer were returnees Michelle Williams and Tim Downing, newcomer Shannon Smith, and out-of-retirement Denny Bowman) was just the beginning of personnel moves. Also in 2019: the hiring of Assistant City Manager Bruce Applegate, Zoning Administrator Dalton Belcher, and grant writer Meganne Robinson (a new position), and the promotion of Brian Valenti to assistant police chief (replacing the retiring Brian Steffen) and Greg Salmons to assistant fire chief (replacing the retiring Chris Kiely).

The City hired a consulting firm to study the feasibility of replacing and upgrading Engine Co. 2.

FIRE STATION: The City hired consulting firm Brandstetter Carroll Inc. to do the long-awaited fire facility study aimed at replacing and upgrading the outdated and undersized Engine Co. 2. Explained Fire Chief Mark Pierce: Company 2 as it exists today doesnt come close to meeting our needs, and whatever we recommend to the Commission will be based on hard data put together by the consultant, The various parts of the study are being staggered so the Board of Commissioners can analyze data on things like fire runs, response times, traffic patterns, the demands of future growth, space and site requirements.

CIVIC CENTER: City Hall hasnt had a permanent home in over 50 years, and the current rented space a former JC Penney Department store on Pike Street is too small and poorly designed for government operations. So a citizen task force working with a consultant hired with donated funds spent 10 months in a thoughtful, theoretical, abstract conversation of what a City Hall means for this community. Its report, released in September, said this: If and when the City one day builds a new center, it should be at a visible, accessible, and central site include space for regular community events and programming instead of being a single-purpose fortress dedicated only to government offices be a true civic commons with a place for community debate and demonstrations celebrate the Citys architectural diversity and history.

OPEN CONTAINERS: In May the City adopted a regulation that during certain festivals and special events would allow visitors to walk between establishments throughout parts of downtown with an open beer, cup of bourbon, or other alcohol. To trigger whats called an Entertainment Destination Center zone, event organizers have to apply for a Special Events Permit. The EDC zone is similar to Fourth Street Live in Louisville and Maysvilles The Landing at Limestone.

The BLINK public art festival lit up downtown Covington and brought massive crowds to the city.

MASSIVE CROWDS: Two huge festivals brought massive crowds and international attention to Covington over two weekends in October 2019. The first event, Kentuckys Edge, was an inaugural conference and festival focused on bourbon. Guests at the conference included nationally recognized distillers, experts, and authors. The second festival, BLINK, was a public art event straddling the river that used large-scale light projection to turn buildings into massive canvasses. With pedestrians walking throughout downtown to see the projection mappings and lit-up murals, not to mention attend music concerts, its four days by many accounts brought the biggest crowds in the history of the City.Organizers say from 1 million to 1.5 million people attended BLINK in Cincinnati and Covington.

RETURN OF TOUCH A TRUCK: For the second year in a row, families flocked to the parking lot in front of the Latonia Shopping Center for Touch a Truck a free show-and-tell event that lets kids (and older people) climb on, in, and around public safety and service vehicles, as well as ask questions of the employees who operate the equipment on a daily basis. It featured fire trucks, backhoe, police cruisers and a riot-response vehicle, ambulances, river rescue boats, helicopters and the like.

WELCOMING: The City of Covington and City Hall took several steps to show its commitment to inclusivity and diversity in 2019. Once again, City leaders were active participants in the NKY Pride parade that wound through Covingtons streets and in the Pridefest that followed. As a sponsor of the first-ever NKY Pride Community Awards Celebration, Covington got the mic, and a City leader used the opportunity to urge other cities in the region to follow Covingtons lead and adopt a anti-discrimination fairness ordinance. By years end, several Campbell County cities did. In November, the nations largest LGBTQ advocacy group gave Covington high marks for how its laws, policies, and services treat LGBTQ people who live and work here significantly raising the Citys score on groups Municipal Equality Index. The City also announced its strong support for a program that will make photo ID cards available to immigrants and others who need them. The decision directed all City agencies to recognize what are called MARCC ID cards as a valid form of identification for the purposes of using government services or interacting with law enforcement or other public safety agencies. The cards will soon be issued by The Esperanza Latino Center of Northern Kentucky.

READ READY COVINGTON: The Citys early childhood literacy effort celebrated its one-year anniversary by announcing some impressive numbers: 3,709 children enrolled in literacy apps, 58,395 books read by those kids, 95,418 skill-based games completed, and 1,800 books passed out. Meanwhile, awareness of Read Ready Covington grew with posters in shopfront windows, several sets of alphabet signs spread out throughout Covington as part of a big scavenger hunt, and a mural.

Excerpt from:
City of Covington 2019 year in review: Part two looks at events, infrastructure, neighborhood investment - User-generated content

Listen to this podcast using the embedded player below, or use the link to download (right-click to save) or to listen using your system's media player. On mobile devices simply click the Download this Audio File link below and your devices player will automatically play the file.

What are some must-sees on the ISE 2020 show floor? Where should you take clients out to dinner? What Amsterdam attractions should you visit? All this and more on todays episode of AV+.

The phrase pro AV doesnt do justice to all of the integration crowd, so we atCommercial Integratorwanted to create a podcast that speaks to all of those areas (and more!) under the umbrella of commercial tech integration.

The host, web editor Adam Forziati, has a background in radio and is looking forward to providing listeners with an entertaining, informative audio forum for all topics affecting the industry.

We plan to release a shorter, single-topic episode once every week or two on Fridays (just like this episode). But at the end of each month, well also drop a longer, in-depth episode of the AV podcast with features like Editors Desk, CI Monthly News Spotlight, CIs Project of the Month, and more.

We hope youll share your thoughts on Twitter using the hashtag #AVPlusPod !

Original post:
Your ISE 2020 Guide in Audio Form: What to See On & Off the Show Floor; Where to Eat; Pro Tips - Commercial Integrator

Your home is meant to be a safe place where you and your family can live happily and healthily. An intrusion can steal away that feeling of safety and have a lasting negative impact. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to increase your homes security and reduce the likelihood of a break-in.

Here are three effective home security tips and guidelines you probably never thought of:

While it pays to have high-tech security measures installed throughout the home, such as an alarm or cameras, some of the most effective methods are the least technical. In addition to using sensors and alarms, consider adding blocks or rods to prevent them from sliding open from the outside.

By securing your windows, you reduce the incidents of crimes of opportunity, especially with windows on the ground floor. Adding a simple dowel rod can prevent the window from sliding open, even if a potential intruder manages to unlock it.

While a traditional dowel rod works wonders, you can also get adjustable implements that allow you to fit the lock to different sized doors and windows. This solution is ideal for both vertical and horizontal sliding windows, as well as sliding doors. Furthermore, as these are easy to remove from the inside, they dont present a safety risk in the event of a fire.

Optimizing your home security starts outdoors. Things like motion sensor lights and yard lights that eliminate dark corners make a huge impact when preventing intruders. As break and enters tend to be a crime of opportunity, eliminating that opportunity is key.

Believe it or not, you can improve your home security with some savvy landscaping hacks. One of the most effective ways to deter criminals from breaking into your home is to plant well-kept thorny bushes under your windows. Things like roses or juniper tend to pack a nasty surprise if someone tries to climb through a window.

When landscaping, use gravel and loose stone whenever possible, as these tend to be noisy and hard to navigate while sneaking around. Avoid trees that could be used to access second-floor windows or balconies, as well as trees that block the view of the house from the road.

Most people follow a pretty standard set-up when installing security features in the home. For example, many people install the keypad next to the front or back door. From a logistical standpoint, this makes sense; its convenient for when you enter and leave the house. However, its also convenient for intruders who want to find and disable said alarm.

Place your keypads away from doors or windows where your activity could be viewed. Consider putting it further down a hallway or in the kitchen. Its also worth having another keypad in the master bedroom so that if a situation arises in the middle of the night, you can trigger the alarm.

The same theory applies when hiding your valuables. As the master bedroom tends to be the first place burglars look for valuables, place them elsewhere. Some great hiding places include in potted plants, in canisters in the pantry, or in false bottomed books and clocks.

Conversely, avoid commonly searched areas like the freezer and bathroom. If you use a safe for your belongings, invest in one thats installed into the wall or bolted down. While you should never use a portable safe for valuables, its a perfect decoy burglars are likely to grab it and go, thinking that theyve found something valuable.

The average burglary takes place in under 15 minutes from start to finish. The more complicated you can make the process, the safer your home will be.

By trying these three unusual tips, youll protect your home, belongings, and most importantly, your family.

Read more from the original source:
3 Home Security Tips and Guidelines You Never Thought Of - TechSpective

WATERTOWN Developer Michael E. Lundy has come up with a way to resolve the controversy of Watertown Golf Club members parking on city-owned land in Thompson Park.

Hes proposing an overflow parking lot that would not encroach on city parkland by creating it on his property and specifically for club members to use, said Michael A. Lumbis, the citys planning and community development director.

Mr. Lundy submitted conceptual plans to the citys Planning Department for the improvements he plans to complete at the golf course at Thompson Park.

He will make a presentation on Tuesday to get some feedback prior to his formal site plan application, Mr. Lumbis said.

If the presentation goes well, Mr. Lundy will come back at a future meeting with detailed plans to go through the site plan approval process.

According to his sketch plan, Mr. Lundy proposes a 50-space parking lot that would be near the clubhouse and along West Entrance Drive.

In a Jan. 22 letter to Mr. Lumbis, Mr. Lundy wrote about his intentions for the golf club.

He would develop just a part of the existing overflow parking lot thats on the golf course property but does not encroach on city parkland.

For months, the overflow parking area was the subject of debate between council members, while they also faced the threat of legal action from Mr. Lundy and P.J. Simao, the owner of competitor Ives Hill Country Club.

Theres no mention of the overflow parking lot on the plans or in his letter, Mr. Lumbis said.

Creating a bigger controversy, council members put up a public parking sign in June that allowed the public and club members to park there and then reversed their decision and ordered it removed a few months later.

Under these plans, Mr. Lundy indicated in his letter that he might not build a new clubhouse as he told city officials in the past. An aluminum event tent, anchored to the rock subbase with an Astro turf-type floor, that he used last golf season would remain at the same location.

According to the plans, hell remedy a series of encroachments that the city had been criticized for allowing.

He would install a leachate field instead of connecting into the citys sewer system on city property. The sewer hookup would be completed if he redoes the clubhouse.

With the current political atmosphere with the city, we have decided against tying into the city sewer, Mr. Lundy wrote.

A septic tank would be completed upon the citys review.

A building to store golf carts would be located over the pad of the original pro shop.

Plans also call for a building for an outdoor bar, restrooms and storage, and another structure at the first tee to greet golfers before they begin to play.

The citys Planning Board meets at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the third floor council chambers of City Hall, 245 Washington St.

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Lundy to present new plans for Thompson Park golf club - NNY360

RMC safety grade improves

The Regional Medical Center improved in the area patient safety, according to fall 2019 survey by a national hospital safety watchdog group.

The Leapfrog Group gave RMC a "D" in its fall 2019 survey of hospital safety across the nation. This is up from an F the hospital received in the fall of 2018.

The 2019 fall results showed the hospital performed below average in 17 out of 28 patient safety measures and above average in 11 safety measures.

This is improved from the 23 out of 28 below-average score the hospital received last year.

RMC also received an award from the S.C. Hospital Association for achieving 30 months with zero knee replacement surgical site infections and 48 months with zero central line-associated bloodstream infections in the Intensive Care Unit.

Law firm donates 250 turkeys

For the sixth consecutive year, the law firm of Lanier & Burroughs donated turkeys to those in Orangeburg who may needed a little help for Thanksgiving dinner.

Local families, churches and non-profit organizations gathered in the parking lot of the firm's office on St. Matthews Road to receive 250 frozen turkeys.

Attorney Lewis Lanier noted, Its all worth it when you see people that might need a little help to give it to them, if you can.

Attorney Shane Burroughs said, We are thankful for the continued opportunity to represent and help the people of Orangeburg, and for our ability to give back this holiday season.

Orangeburg YMCA pools, more renovated

The pools and several other areas around the Orangeburg County YMCA were renovated.

The renovations included the resurfacing of the competition pool, therapy pool and the natatorium ceiling, walls and doors.

A new dehumidification system and new rooftop HVAC systems will be installed. The facilitys sprinkler system will also be updated.

The renovations and maintenance were scheduled to be completed Jan. 31.

Sewer grant extends service to Edisto High

Orangeburg County received a $1.4 million U.S. Department of Agriculture loan and a $1.5 million USDA grant to extend sewer lines in the Orangeburg County-West Edisto Sewer System.

The project will extend sewer to Edisto High School and will mean between 80 and 100 residential customers will be able to tap into public wastewater if they so choose. Currently, the homes are on septic systems.

The county hopes to put the project out to bid in the spring of 2020 and complete it in the spring of 2021.

SCSU cyber defense recognized

South Carolina State University was designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

S.C. State says it is the first and only historically black institution in South Carolina to receive this designation.

The designation is for the university's bachelors degree in computer science with cybersecurity program and is valid through the year 2024.

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Bamberg County dedicates 3 new fire trucks

Bamberg County Fire Services dedicated the district's new trucks.

The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development provided grants and loaned the funding for the trucks, which replaced the old, unreliable equipment in Ehrhardt, Olar and Little Swamp fire substations.

Orangeburg barber school makes move to new building

Barber Tech Academy, a post-secondary master barber school located at 1650 Russell Street, celebrated its grand opening at its new location Nov. 7.

The school is located in the former Rhoad's Cleaners building across the street from the former Piggly Wiggly.

Barber Tech expanded its services into the 4,200-square-foot building in an effort to educate more students with a larger number of amenities.

The school had been located at 1521 Russell St. at the former U.S. Army recruitment office.

Grant to preserve Trinity UMC legacy

Trinity United Methodist Church received $500,000 tohelp preserve its historical structures that played a significant role during the civil rights movement.

The Historic Preservation Fund grants were provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service.

The grant will be used to restore and refurbish the windows in the sanctuary of the church, and address water intrusion problems with the churchs exterior walls, Lott stated.

Tisdale honored for service to alma mater

Claflin University honored its long-serving former president by naming a building after him: the Henry N. Tisdale Molecular Science Research Center.

The building was chosen to honor Tisdale due to his background in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

The center was constructed in 2010. It houses the Chemistry Department and a forensics science lab.

Downtown building being renovated

The three-story brick building at the corner of Amelia and Middleton streets is being renovated for potential use as office space.

The building is owned by Orangeburg Realtor Kenneth Middleton.

Middleton wants to expand his offices into the 1,350-square-foot building.

Restoration work began in late September and early October. Estimates are that it will take between three to four months for the project to be complete.

League of the Arts seeks to restore historic home

The Orangeburg League of the Arts is looking to restore the former Dukes-Harley Funeral Home on Russell Street.

The league would like to see it used for a variety of things, including an art and antique gallery, frame shop, a wedding chapel, dance studio, place for art instruction classes and event venue.

Full restoration efforts began Oct. 21

The building was destroyed by a fire about two years ago.

The group was given the building in April 2016. Since then, a new roof has been placed on it and the building has been cleaned out.

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NOVEMBER 2019 PROGRESSIONS: RMC safety grade improves | Special Sections - The Times and Democrat

A 32-year-old Lehigh County woman allegedly stole packages twice this week after they had been delivered to properties in Allentown.

Charlesetta J. Fritz, of the 1000 block of East Susquehanna Street in Salisbury Township, was arrested Thursday in the theft of a package from a porch in Allentown's 2300 block of East Woodlawn Street, city police Chief Glenn Granitz Jr. said in a news release Friday.

"Unfortunately a number of packages have been reported in Allentown over the past several months," Granitz wrote in the release.

Fritz was charged in the theft, which occurred Monday, following an investigation by Allentown police with cooperation from members of the Allentown community and Salisbury Township police, Granitz said.

Fritz is also accused in the theft of a package Wednesday in the 2300 block of East Fairmont Street in the city.

She was arraigned in the Monday incident on two counts each of theft and receiving stolen property, and in Wednesday's incident on charges of theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Fritz was released on combined, unsecured bail of $15,000 and will face a preliminary hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to send the cases toward trial in Lehigh County Court.

Fritz could not be reached for comment; a call to a possible phone number listed for her went unanswered. Court records do not list an attorney.

Allentown police asked residents who have experienced similar thefts or who may have information that may be of use to call Detective Josh Baker at 610-437-7721.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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Porch package thief nabbed, thanks to community and police cooperation, chief says - lehighvalleylive.com