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A southern Brooklyn councilmember wants more city schools to get green roofs.

Councilmember Mark Treyger, a former educator and the current chair of the councils Committee on Education, will introduce legislation Thursday calling on Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza to study the feasibility of installing a green roof on at least two schools in each of the citys 32 school districts.

According to the nonprofit Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a green roof system is an extension of an existing roof that involves high-quality waterproofing, a drainage system and cloth filter, a lightweight growing medium and plants at least.

Green roofs, also referred to as living or eco roofs, have been known to last longer than conventional roofs, cut energy costs, absorb rain water and create peaceful retreats. They also can lead to the production of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Treyger, who represents the areas of Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Gravesend and Sea Gate, called the initiative a big deal for districts like his.

As someone who represents one of the hardest hit areas after Superstorm Sandy, I believe we have an obligation to bolster resiliency on many fronts, he told theBrooklyn EagleWednesday, ahead of his bills introduction. But on the other hand, Coney Island is also a food desert, meaning we dont have great access to fresh, healthy, affordable food. Imagine being able to turn a school project into fresh food for local residents.

Read the full article

Originally posted here:
Brooklyn Lawmaker Wants More Green Roofs on City Schools - Living Architecture Monitor magazine

YOUNGSTOWN Youngstown State University STEM college has named Kalliope Zembillas of Campbell, a senior chemical engineering major with a minor in mathematics, the STEM Intern of the Year.

The honor is given to a student who has shown a high quality of work, has demonstrated initiative, has completed presentations and has impacted the company with whom they have worked.

Zembillas' internship was at Simon Roofing Research and Development Lab, starting in the spring semester of 2019. Her main responsibility was the formulating and testing of water-based roofing coatings. Other responsibilities included developing new testing methods, streamlining old ones and data collection and analysis.

"My internship experience at Simon Roofing has helped me to prepare for my future engineering career," Zembillas said in a news release. "I learned that it's normal to have questions when you're in a new professional environment, and it is not embarrassing to ask or to admit that you do not know something. That's the only way you're going to learn."

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Kalliope Zembillas named YSU STEM college's Intern of the Year - MahoningMatters.com

In 2018, the market size of Commercial Roofing Materials Market is million US$ and it will reach million US$ in 2025, growing at a CAGR of from 2018; while in China, the market size is valued at xx million US$ and will increase to xx million US$ in 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during forecast period.

In this report, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2018 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Commercial Roofing Materials .

This report studies the global market size of Commercial Roofing Materials , especially focuses on the key regions like United States, European Union, China, and other regions (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia).

Request Sample Report @ https://www.researchmoz.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2518366&source=atm

This study presents the Commercial Roofing Materials Market production, revenue, market share and growth rate for each key company, and also covers the breakdown data (production, consumption, revenue and market share) by regions, type and applications. Commercial Roofing Materials history breakdown data from 2014 to 2018, and forecast to 2025.

For top companies in United States, European Union and China, this report investigates and analyzes the production, value, price, market share and growth rate for the top manufacturers, key data from 2014 to 2018.

In global Commercial Roofing Materials market, the following companies are covered:

OMEGA EngineeringLaMotteHachExtech InstrumentsHanna InstrumentsDKK-TOA

Segment by RegionsNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndia

Segment by TypeBenchtop Chlorine MetersPortable Chlorine Meters

Segment by ApplicationIndustrial UseLaboratory UseOthers

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The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:

Chapter 1, to describe Commercial Roofing Materials product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force and market risks.

Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Commercial Roofing Materials , with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Commercial Roofing Materials in 2017 and 2018.

Chapter 3, the Commercial Roofing Materials competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.

Chapter 4, the Commercial Roofing Materials breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue and growth by regions, from 2014 to 2018.

Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue and market share for key countries in the world, from 2014 to 2018.

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Chapter 10 and 11, to segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2014 to 2018.

Chapter 12, Commercial Roofing Materials market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2018 to 2024.

Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Commercial Roofing Materials sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix and data source.

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Commercial Roofing Materials Market : In-depth Analysis to Understand the Competitive Outlook of the Global Industry with Future Estimations Bulletin...

The Report Titled on Global Metal Roofing Market Size, Status and Forecast 2019-2027 provides a basic overview of the Metal Roofing industry including:Executive Summary, Definitions, Classifications, Applications, Segment Analysis,and Market Overview; manufacturing technology; cost structures, product specifications; raw materials and so on. This Metal Roofing market report enhanced on worldwide competition by leading manufactures like (NCI Building Systems, Inc., The Interlock Group, Ideal Roofing, Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation, DECRA Roofing Systems, Inc., Saint-Gobain S.A., ATAS International, Inc., Firestone, Carlisle Companies Incorporated, Kingspan Group plc, Tegral Building Products, Hangzhou Faerle Building Materials Co., Ltd., and Fletcher Building) which providing information such asCapacity, Production, Production Value, Cost/Profit, Supply/Demand and Import/Exportand so on. There are 3 key segments covered in this Metal Roofing market report: competitor segment, product type segment, end use/application segment.

Metal Roofing MarketReport Structureat a Glance: Macroeconomic Factors & 8 Year Forecast Factors 2019-2027,Metal RoofingMarketTaxonomy, Pricing & Regulatory Factors Analysis, Value Chain Analysis,MarketDynamics (Key Drivers, Key Restraints, Recent Trends, Upcoming Opportunities).

Get Free Sample PDF (including full TOC, Tables and Figures)of Metal Roofing[emailprotected] https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/3024

Summary of Metal Roofing Market: This report includes the estimation of market size for value (million US$) and volume (K sqm). Both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the market size of Metal Roofing market, to estimate the size of various other dependent submarkets in the overall market. Key players in the market have been identified through secondary research, and their market shares have been determined through primary and secondary research. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified primary sources.

On the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume, revenue (Million USD), product price, market share and growth rate ofeach type, primarily split into-

Market Taxonomy

On the basis of metal type, the global metal roofing market is segmented into:

On the basis of construction type, the global metal roofing market is segmented into:

On the basis of end user, the global metal roofing market is segmented into:

Do You Have Any Query Or Specific Requirement? Ask to Our Industry[emailprotected] https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/talk-to-analyst/3024

Metal Roofing Market: Regional analysis includes:

Important Key Questions Answered In Metal Roofing Market Report:

What will the Metal RoofingMarket Growth Rate, Overview, and Analysis By Type of Metal Roofing in 2027?

What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are theDrivers, Challenges, and Business Risks in Metal Roofing market?

What is Dynamics, This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope and price analysis of top Manufacturers Profiles?

Who AreOpportunities, Risk and Driving Force of Metal Roofing market? Knows Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing and Downstream Buyers.

Who are the key manufacturers in space? Business Overview by Type, Applications, Gross Margin, and Metal Roofing Market Share

What are theOpportunities and Threats Faced By Manufacturers in the global Metal Roofing market?

Contact:

Mr. Raj Shah Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154 Tel: +1-206-701-6702 Email: [emailprotected]

Visit Our Blog: https://bit.ly/aman

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Metal Roofing Market Increase In Analysis & Development Activities Is More Boosting Demands - Market Reports Observer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. A 21-year-old coal miner has died while helping to make a repair at a Marshall County coal mine.

Raymond L. Starkey, of New Martinsville, a general inside laborer, was fatally injured late Monday afternoon, according to a UMW statement.He was fatally injured while helping to repair a beltline, according to state officials.

The death occurred at theMarshall County Mine owned by Murray Energy, which confirmed the fatal accident today.

We are saddened by the loss, the company stated today.

The United Mine Workers released a statement expressing desire to determine how Starkey was killed and extending sympathy to his family.

Our safety experts are on the scene, working with the UMWA Local Union 1638 Safety Committee, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, the West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training, and the company to determine exactly what happened, UMW President Cecil Roberts stated.

We will not rest until we know the circumstances of Brother Starkeys death, so that we can prevent something like this from ever happening again. I ask every mining family, indeed every American family, to lift up the Starkey family in your prayers this holiday season.

Gov. Jim Justice issued a statement of sorrow over Starkeys death.

Cathy and I are deeply saddened to learn that we lost a dedicated, hard-working West Virginia coal miner yesterday evening, Justice stated.

We ask all West Virginians to join us in praying for Raymonds family, his friends, and the entire coal mining community. This is especially devastating news to learn on Christmas Eve, but we know that West Virginians will come together during this tragedy and surround his family with love and support.

Across the country, there were 22 mining-related deaths this year prior to Starkeys, according to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

There have been three other coal mining deaths in West Virginia this year, according to MSHA.

On March 7, a 38-year-old miner with 10 years of mining experience received fatal injuries while he was working on the pad of a highwall mining machine atWhite Forest ResourcesSouth Fork Coal Co LLC HWM 61 in Greenbrier County.

The miner, Adam P. DeBoard, was crushed between a metal support post on a highwall mining machine anda push beam that was being removed as part of the normal mining cycle. It was a pinch point that DeBoard had not been trained to avoid.

On August 7, a 42-year-old preparation plant electrician with 15 years of mining experience was electrocuted when he contacted an energized connection of a 4,160 VAC electrical circuit atBlackhawk MiningsSouth Hollow Prep Plant and Loadout n Kanawha County.

The victim,Michael S. Davis, was in the plants Motor Control Center adjusting the linkage between the disconnect lever and the internal components of the 4,160 VAC panel supplying power to the plant feed belt motors.

On Sept. 17, an electrician was electrocuted when he contacted an energized conductor atBlackhawk MiningsAmerican Eagle Mine in Kanawha County.

The victim,Steven Vernon Keeney, 40, contacted a 995 VAC connector while attempting to troubleshoot the scrubber motor circuit on a continuous mining machine.

Continued here:
21-year-old West Virginia coal miner is fatally injured on job site - WV MetroNews - West Virginia MetroNews

Clare Kozlosky, 83, will get the surprise of her life when she reads about how her two grandchildren, David Teska, 18 and Molly Teska, 16 will be marching in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on New Years Day.

Kozlosky has been an active member of the Abington community all of her life. Born in Dalton, Kozlosky moved to Glenburn Terrace after she married. Its where she still lives. She was involved with Our Lady of Snows Church, on the board of the Senior Center, Clarks Summit, and worked for years at the Grove Street Elementary School.

According to Kozloskys daughter, Susan Teska, her mother and father have always been proud of their grandchildrens accomplishments.

She has been reading The Abington Journal for 50-plus years, and I want this article to be a surprise, Teska said.

Teska explained how her two children are members of The Baldwinsville Marching Band in Baldwinsville, New York, near Syracuse. The band was selected to be in this parade from around the world.

This is huge, said Teska. Its a great accomplishment for the band and the kids. Theres a band from Finland, Japan, Mexico, and only three or four from the United States. There is a total of 14 bands chosen.

The 150-member band is mostly made up of tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade students of Baker High School in the Baldwinsville Central School District. Ten seniors that graduated last year (including Teskas son) will also be traveling with the band.

Its quite a process to apply and get invited, Teska explained. Theyve actually been working at it for three or four years. Theyve had to send videos of the kids and make sure they were involved in the community. And theres a big long essay that the band director fills out with input from the kids.

Teskas son, David, is named after his grandfather who passed away several years ago because as Teska says, He had three girls and always wanted a boy. I was supposed to be David. So, we named our son after Poppy.

He is also a freshman at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, studying engineering. He was also in The Baldwinsville Marching Band for six years in high school, and he is one of the few band members who were also in the Macys Day Parade in New York City five years ago. He plays saxophone.

Molly is a junior with high honors and has actually been an orchestra girl for the past nine years playing violin. Her brother talked her into joining the band two years ago, and now she does both. Molly plays percussion in the band.

Me and my husband, Mark, are so very proud of them, and we know that nana will be, too, Teska said.

The parade airs January 1 at 11 a.m. eastern standard time. The Baldwinsville Marching Band is number 33 in the line-up.

Clare Kozlosky, 83, center, is seen with her grandchildren, Molly Teska, left, and David Teska, who will be marching in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on New Years Day.

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Grandkids in Rose Bowl Parade - The Abington Journal

You've seen movies receive visual touch-ups in special edition re-releases, but Universal is trying something new: it's updating a movie while it's still in the middle of its initial theatrical run. The media giant has informed theaters that it's giving them a new version of Cats that delivers "some improved visual effects," according to a memo Hollywood Reporter saw. Insiders talking to the publication said that director Tom Hooper wanted to alter some of the effects after rushing to get the movie ready in time for its December 16th premiere screening.

Reportedly, the updated movie is available for theaters to download today (December 22nd) from a satellite server, while those theaters that can't download it will get a hard drive by December 24th. Universal declined to comment.

The tweaks aren't likely to change the general outlook on the movie, which has been... less than favorable. Many viewers are still likely to experience the uncanny valley as they watch anthropomorphized felines dance on screen. However, the edits do ensure that what you see on screen is (probably) Hooper's definitive take on the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical without having to wait months for downloads, streams or Blu-ray discs.

The question is whether or not you'll see this happen going forward. Like game developers (who all too often release day one patches), movie studios are under pressure to release major titles before the holidays and other key moments. It may be tempting to rush out a holiday movie or summer blockbuster knowing that it can be fixed later. However, many people will only see a movie in theaters once -- a flawed special effect could sour crowds on a given title and reduce the chances they'll watch at home.

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'Cats' is getting new special effects while it's still in theaters - Yahoo News Australia

You may not realize it but some foods you eat may have been grown in soil containing toxic sewage wastes. Labeling is not required.

In 2019, about 60 percent of sewage sludge from 16,000 wastewater processing facilities in more than 160 U.S. cities has been spread on our soils farmland and gardens, as well as schoolyards and lawns.

The U.S. Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) allows this use of sewage waste, claiming it has beneficial use because it contains properties similar to fertilizercertain heavy metals, phosphorus and nitratesthat could enhance soil conditions.

The agency does not require testing for other chemicals in the sewage waste. Yet, millions of tons of sewage are processed annually and the waste can contain upward of 90,000 chemicals plus and an array of pathogens, including mixtures of lead, mercury, arsenic, thallium, PCBs, PFAS, highly complex, superbugs, mutagens, pesticides, microplastics, radioactive wastes, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, steroids, flame retardants, dioxins, and/or their combinations.

Sewage treatment plants separate the processed sewage into solids and liquids (effluent), where these pollutants and pathogens concentrate.

The toxics-containing solids are often mixed with garden waste and sold for compost or recycled as fertilizers. These are spread on soils at farms, forests or recreational sites and can run off with stormwater into surface water bodies.

Currently the U.S. recycles 587 million gallons of this toxic effluent water each day for irrigation on agricultural land.

Florida, for instance, produces an estimated 340,000 dry tons of sewage solids annually, two-thirds of which are spread on land. California, arguably with the most sewage, "reclaims" at least 13 percent of its effluent; 31 percent is used for crop irrigation.

Long term damage from spreading sewage waste on land has led to many problems. For example, a variety of cropsincluding leafy greens and soybeansused for food and animal fodder are known to have taken up sewage contaminants. The consequences? Contaminated food, loss of farmland and animals. Human illnesses and deaths have resulted from breathing the particulates.

Warning sign on Lake Merritt, a large tidal lagoon in the center of Oakland, California. (Credit: Daniel Ramirez/flickr)

The EPA is currently writing a national plan for the use of sewage effluent, which they will call "recycled," "reclaimed," and "purified."

Effluent from sewage plants that is not "recycled" or "reclaimed" travels from pipes into nearby open water bodies. This not only contaminates aquatic waters and ecosystems, but the excess nitrogen can cause algae blooms and eutrophication, stealing needed oxygen from marine plants and animals.

Just this month, the Florida Senate Committee on Community Affairs recognized this threat by passing the Clean Waterways Act, CS/SB 712, "for all the reasons algae keeps blooming and fish keep dying." The bill tightens restrictions on sewage spills and sewage solids by moving septage to sewer systems and offering local governments a 50 percent matching grant to do this. The Act also regulates and ensures future septic tanks are designed, installed, operated and maintained to prevent nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient pollution, and also ensures that sewage solids are only applied to land high enough and dry enough to prevent interaction with groundwater.

In addition to excess nutrients, some plastic sources in the marine waters come from the release of sewage effluents. Microplastics that enter the marine waters can adsorb toxics, such as PCBs. Many of the microplastics are from personal care products and fleece fibers washed out from clothing in the laundry. The plastics and pollutants are now found in fin and shellfish and these travel up the food chain for consumption by higher animals, including humans.

Sewage contamination of our oceans directly affects the health of our air, wildlife and human health. For example, the pollution of Washington State's Puget Sound, stretching about 100 miles from the Pacific Ocean to beyond the capital city of Olympia, is estimated to be 60 percent from sewage.

Some states use effluent for augmenting and "enhancing" aquifers. This means injecting effluent into potential potable water systems.

California, Ohio, and other states allow municipalities to recycle it for potable uses after additional cleansing. Some microbrew beer companies are experimenting with reusing processed effluent. Antibiotic resistant genes are disseminated through effluent reuse. The point is, cleaner is not clean and no entity can test for all the pathogens and thousands of contaminants, or even know what to test for.

Rain garden in Lancaster County, Pa. (Credit: Chesapeake Bay Program/flickr)

Lapeer, Michigan; Marinette, Wisconsin; and Arundel, Maine, have ended the practice of spreading sewage waste on land after finding that PFAS, a class of harmful chemicals, are in grazing lands and farm soils. These pollutants are turning up in drinking water and some foods across the U.S. PFAS have been linked to low infant birth weights, kidney cancer, and a range of other diseases.

The EPA's Office of Inspector General's Water Division has several times warned EPA that its regulations are not effective in controlling the discharge of hundreds of hazardous chemicals to surface waters; that the EPA is unable to assess the impact of hundreds of unregulated pollutants in land-applied "biosolids" on human health and the environment; and that the public and researchers are not receiving complete and timely information about environmental conditions affecting human health.

Safer alternatives for recycling sewage wastes exist. Some U.S. cities are using pyrolysisinternal high heat methods that destroy pathogens and destabilize bonds of toxics, then capture the excess heat for energy purposes or other uses. Australia is piloting another high heat sourceplasma arc. Remediation methods exist to lessen toxicity in soils and sediments. The EPA and states must insist municipalities investigate alternative methods for reuse of sewage wastes.

To stop poisoning soils, marine ecosystems, wildlife and our food system, governments must regulate the current practices as unsafe and promote new technologies to replace current sewage management.

Darlene Schanfald, Ph.D., has been active in environmental campaigns for more than three decades and has worked on sewage waste issues since 2000.

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Op-ed: Yes, food is grown in sewage waste. That's a problem. - Environmental Health News

AGCMO recently created a website, Build Your Future Build Missouri at https://missouri.byf.org, that provides specific entry information for construction careers 24/7, plus the organization has a very active scholarship program to help those who need financial support to be successful in construction.

The construction industry offers great career opportunities for anyone who gains satisfaction from seeing the results of their work every day, said Toenjes. Construction industry careers have many personal and financial benefits for anyone willing to build their future.

The UP Companies (UPCO) is one of the regions largest full-service MBE-certified contracting companies offering all-inclusive and convenient solutions for general contractors, owners and facilities management professionals. For almost a decade, UPCO has focused on its mission of Building UP Communities Through Innovation, Diversity, and Integrity, providing superior design and contracting services through each of its distinct business unitsPower UP, Square UP and Hustle UP. Power UP Electrical Contractors is one of the largest minority-owned, full-service electrical contractors in the St. Louis region and a leader in electrical and technology systems design, construction, installation and maintenance serving the commercial, residential, industrial and institutional marketplaces. Square UP Builders is one of the regions largest full-service carpentry contractors specializing in high-quality rough and finish carpentry and drywall services for the commercial, residential, industrial, institutional and healthcare markets. Hustle UP is a certified minority-owned business offering general labor, selective demolition, general clean up, site maintenance and final cleaning services and offers a highly diverse and extremely productive union workforce, who are fit tested, safety-trained and live up to The UP Companies name, ensuring timely and successful completion of construction projects. For more information, go to http://www.theupcompanies.com or call 314.865.3888.

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The UP Companies Teams UP with Hip Hop Recording Artist Chingy to Produce Old Construction Road Song, Music Video - Suburban Journals

Since its inception more than 20 years ago, American Dream Meadowlands has been a work in progress.

The project has outlived two developers and at least two general contractors, several lenders, the Great Recession and the rise of e-commerce, which has revolutionized the way Americans shop. First envisioned in 1996 as Meadowlands Xanadu, the concept has evolved over the last two decades to keep up with changing consumer tastes.

Under the ownership of Edmonton, Canada-based Triple Five Group, the mega mall complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is now coming to life in a transformation that many thought would never happen.

Despite the obstacles and delays, American Dream began opening in stages this fall, with a grand opening set for Spring 2020 that will make it the East Coasts largest retail, entertainment and dining attraction. The$6 billion venue will set the pace for the future of U.S. mall development mixing fashion, fun and food in a family-friendly, weather-controlled environment.

The complex, which is adjacent to MetLife Stadium,spans more than 3 million square feet encompassing more than 450 stores, more than 100 restaurants and 18 acres of entertainment space.

From its DreamWorks-branded indoor water park with the worlds largest indoor wave pool, Nickelodeon Universe theme park, NHL-size indoor ice rink, Big Snow indoor ski slope and restaurants and retailers to fit every taste, the venues final design is weighted more heavily to entertainment and restaurants than to retail, in a 55/45 split,a far cry from the 80% retail found in malls 20 years ago.

Retail store closings are hitting record highsas the industry faces massive disruption from Amazon and other e-commerce sites. To stay relevant, developers are coming up with new design concepts that merge retail with entertainment. And construction firms are having to accommodate.

The Nickelodeon Universe theme park opened in October.

Triple Five Group

We believe that except for a few exceptions, malls are dinosaurs, said Tony Armlin, vice president of development and construction for Triple Five Group, the projects developer since 2013 when original developer Mills Corp. went bankrupt while creating Meadowlands Xanadu, which broke ground in 2004.

Instead, Triple Five will build on its past successes at two other massive mall projects West Edmonton Mall and Mall of America providing venues centered on family-friendly fun and recreation, he said. The developer is planning another mega mall, American Dream Miami,near the Broward and Miami-Dade boundary line in Florida.

The focus for our properties now is a lot about the experiences that people want to share with each other and the need for those is never going to go away, he said. For example, if you want to have a skiing experience you have to physically be on the ski hill, thats not something you can experience on the Internet.

During a tour of the 11-building complex last week, workers were busy putting finishing touches on most of the spaces, although the amusement park and ski slope areas have been open since October. In spite of protective floor coverings and plain gray hoarding walls, the high-end materials underneath hinted at richly outfitted interiors.

The look is more Vegas-style luxury than suburban shopping mall, including ceramic and marble tile floors and bathrooms, custom-made railings and a massive hand-blown glass and crystal chandelier. Most of the buildings feature open floor plans that benefit from plentiful natural light streaming from ceilings as high as 138 feet made from materials like Pilkington Planar glass facades,ETFE panels and glass skylights.

The water park's 1.5-acre wave pool is the largest in the world.

Jennifer Goodman/Construction Dive

The project's six atriums will feature distinctive amenities ranging from an extensive garden,bird-filled aviaries,rabbit fields and programming stages.

American Dream has been a massive undertaking for PCL, one of the country's largest contractors, which has mobilized hundreds of employees from its offices across the U.S. since it joined the project in 2013.

PCL remained on as the only general contractor on the project after Whiting-Turner pulled out six years ago, and the amount of its construction contract is approaching $2 billion, according to Wayne Melnyk, PCL's vice president of major projects. Press reportsalso show that Skanska was the original GC for the water park.

The project has used 26,000 tons of structural steel, 120,000 cubic yards of concrete, 105 miles of piles and 367 miles of conduit. At the peak of construction more than 1,700 workers were on-site.

Triple Five Group

The Canadian firm, with U.S. headquarters in Denver, has overcome various challenges at American Dream including multiple roofing re-dos, tens of millions of dollars worth of other change orders and enough permits and inspections to operate a small city.

Even though it is the largest project ever completed by the company's Building Division in size and budget, PCLis no stranger to mega mall construction. It collaborated with Triple Five on West Edmonton Mall in Canada in the 1980s andthe Mall of America in Minnesota, which opened in 1992.

PCL makes it look easy, Armlin told Construction Dive. They have so many teams and systems in place to make it go smoothly but its actually been very complex.

To get a handle on the logistics, project managers broke down the 380-page, 314,000-item project schedule by each structure, including retail buildings, the water park, amusement park and more. From there, they divided each of these jobs by floor, each with its own critical path and separate end dates. Software from Bluebeam kept everyone on the same page.

It was a little like eating an elephant one bite at a time, said PCL General Superintendent Tim Davenport. It was nine separate $300 million projects.

Since no single sub was big enough to handle the scope of work required for the entire project, contracts for jobs like plumbing, HVAC and electricity were divided among multiple companies.Partners included four drywall subs, five concrete companies and four MEP companies. Steel was sourced early in the project from seven plants across the country and from China for a total of $200 million in fabrication cost alone. The ceramic tile installation package came in at $30 million.

Two white boards helped to track the projects 3,000-plus permits and optimize inspectors visits.

Jenn Goodman/Construction Dive

Staying on top of the projects 150-plus trade firms was critical to keeping work moving smoothly, said Branden Stephan, PCL general superintendent, and project leaders looked for ways to streamline the schedule as much as possible.

For instance, Stephan's team created an electronic master schedule to coordinate subcontractor access to the original buildings 27 loading dock slips. Instead of needing a dock master for each dock, they only had one because subs were able to schedule their own deliveries, he said.

Without having a local office in New Jersey, the PCL staff spent a lot of time building relationships with vendors and subcontractors, Davenport said, including women- and minority-owned businesses.In all, the GC oversaw more than 5 million work hours by construction trades and the project surpassed its goal of 22% minority workforce participation.

The PCL team came up with several innovative techniques to help construct the massive structures that make up American Dream. For instance, the team fabricated and assembled the steel structural elements of the amusement and water parks in an adjacent parking lot before transporting them to the site, for greater efficiency and increased safety.

The 219 modular units were made up of columns and trusses holding mechanical piping and ductwork systems and weighed an average of 30 tons and spanned 73 feet.To keep track of the units as they were assembled and inspected, each one was tagged with a QR code, according to project manager David Campbell. After verification, the units were transported to the erection site by a self-propelled modular transporter, or SPMT.

Some of the PCL team on site at American Dream

Jenn Goodman/Construction Dive

Erecting the projects massive framing required more than 18 cranes at one time, including seven tower cranes and a VPC-MAX Manitowoc 650, Davenport said. With a 144-foot-long main boom and a 233-foot-long luffing boom, the VPC Max took 76 tractor-trailer loads and five 12-hour days to set up. Crews constructed a special concrete mat on concrete piles driven into the swampy ground to keep it stabilized.

To track each crane, the team developed a site-specific overlapping procedure: Tower cranes owned the general air space and all other cranes had to request access to the airspace and maintain full radio contact during lifting operations. The team also had to get special FAA approvals due to the projects location near the Teterboro Airport, as some of the cranes entered local airspace.

Aiming for 170 venues open in time for the spring grand opening, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Forever 21 and a large-scale H&M, the last few months of buildout have been a race to the finish, with more than 40 different general contractors and their subs on site building out each retail and restaurant space,Melnyk said.

The Collection, the venue's two-floor luxury shopping zone, will feature shops from Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Moncler, Saint Laurent and an 8,000-square-foot Herms store.

Even though the location less than 20 miles outside of New York City is home to about 21 million residents, Triple Five is betting that the venue will pull in at least 50% of tourists from outside of the area to become a destination in its own. In total, the developer is aiming for about 40 million visitors a year.

Weve been very successful driving people to West Edmonton, Canada, even in the winter, so I dont think well have a problem with bringing people in to American Dream, Armlin said.

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On site: How the $6B American Dream was built - Construction Dive