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YouTube is still the single biggest source for people seeking online video content, and has been for a long time now, despite many attempts by competitors over the years to dethrone it from the top spot. This week, Google announced the service has reached a brand new milestone. It stated that over 1 billion (yep, BILLION) hours of content are viewed on YouTube every single day.

December 4, 2016

No matter how you spin it, the fact that people all over the world are spending that much time watching videos on YouTube is a huge achievement. Indeed, Google continues to expand the reach of YouTube to more devices and platforms, as it become the number one way for people to watch any kind of video content, period. Its also been turned into a real career for many people who create content for YouTube. Some creators now have millions or even tens of millions of channel subscribers. The rise of these low-budget online video content makers was the theme of this weeks new Samsung Galaxy S7 commercial that debuted during the Oscars telecast.

Even with that daily video viewing achievement, YouTube is still fighting potential competitors to its platform.

Even with that daily video viewing achievement, YouTube is still fighting potential competitors to its platform. That includes Twitch, the live streaming service owned by Google rival Amazon. While it has mainly focused on offering gaming-themed videos, it has recently added a new sub-channel for its creators to publish live and recorded clips on any subject, similar to YouTubes business model. Live streaming is also becoming more popular on social networking services like Facebook and Twitter, and those platforms could also threaten YouTubes popularity. Even paid subscription services, especially Netflix, are competing for the eyeballs of online users with more and more original, and big budget, content.

YouTube has been making new additions and improvements to meet these challenges.

Google has not been sitting on a stump while all of this has been going on. It has been making new additions and improvements to meet these challenges. In the summer of 2016, it announced that it would allow YouTube creators to live stream videosdirectlyfrom their smartphones, similar to whats available now for Facebook and Twitter. Earlier this month, Google revealed that feature was now live for any owners of a YouTube channel with more than 10,000 users, with plans to offer it for everyone else soon. Its also making some changes to its annoying unskippable ad videos for non-subscribers of YouTube Red. Its ditching the 30-second video ads in favor of more frequent 6-second ads.

Speaking of YouTube Red, the companys $9.99 a month subscription service that launched in late 2015 does offer some nice features like no video ads, offline viewing and original content. However, its current status is still something of a question mark. Google has not released any official subscription numbers for the service, but a recent, if unconfirmed, report claims that just 1.5 million subscribers have signed onto YouTube Red. Keep in mind that low number may be due to the fact that only residents in five countries can currently access the service. If Google decides to expand YouTube Red to more countries, those numbers will almost certain go much higher.

For the moment, YouTube remains the king of the huge online video kingdom, and while that may not change anytime soon, there are certainly a lot more competitors going after its vast audience than ever before. That means Google cannot rest on that 1 billion hour daily viewing milestone for very long, and more changes and additions may need to go online to keep it ahead of its rivals.

Do you still check out YouTube videos every day, and do you think any service has a hope of getting close to its current vast audience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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YouTube viewers check out over 1 billion hours of videos daily, but has it reached its peak? - Android Authority (blog)

Ravens officials have had several weeks to prepare for the crux of the offseason, the time when key decisions have to be made, the annual free agency spending spree commences and the pre-draft hype goes into overdrive.

Following an 8-8 season and their third non-playoff campaign in the past four years, team executives, coaches and scouts went back to work quickly. By now, they've planned for potential roster cuts, made contract offers to several of their own free agents, pondered outside additions and started homing in on preparations for April's draft.

Team officials have descended on Indianapolis this week for the league's annual scouting combine, a convergence of the NFL's present and future. Over 300 draft-eligible players will spend the next week working out for evaluators and being interviewed by teams and reporters.

With free agency beginning next week, agents will continue to gauge the market on their clients while teams make last-ditched attempts to keep their top free agents off the open market.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh, along with their respective staffs, have much work to do to upgrade a roster that is aging and expensive in some spots, and not nearly deep enough in others. That process will accelerate this week as the Ravens tackle the following tasks...

Newsome and his top lieutenant, Eric DeCosta, have long called the draft the "lifeblood" of the organization. This year's draft comes at a critical time for a team with myriad needs. The good news for the Ravens is those needs match up well with the perceived strengths of the draft class.

"It's one of the best defensive drafts I've seen," NFL Network's lead draft analyst Mike Mayock said on a conference call Monday. "You can get a corner in the second and third rounds. You could get an edge [rusher] in the second and third rounds. The defensive depth at edge and corner is outstanding."

The Ravens' needs are well documented. They're looking to add difference makers to their defensive backfield, improve their pass rush and front seven, fortify their offensive line and inject some playmakers to an offense that has fallen on hard times.

Armed with the 16th overall pick and six other selections in April's draft, the Ravens will get a good look this week at top running backs Leonard Fournette (LSU) and Dalvin Cook (Florida State), a deep receiving class headed by Corey Davis (Western Michigan) and Mike Williams (Clemson), pass-rush prospects Derek Barnett (Tennessee), Taco Charlton (Michigan) and Tim Williams (Alabama) and a loaded defensive back group that includes Malik Hooker (Ohio State), Sidney Jones (Washington), Teez Tabor (Florida) and Marlon Humphrey (Alabama).

The various on-field workouts and physical testing this week will factor prominently into player evaluations, but the Ravens also put a lot of weight on individual meetings and interviews they have with prospects away from Lucas Oil Stadium.

Ravens senior vice president of football administration Pat Moriarty has already exchanged contract proposals with the representatives for pending free agent fullback Kyle Juszczyk, right tackle Rick Wagner, nose tackle Brandon Williams and reserve safety/core special teamer Anthony Levine Sr.

With those players along with contributors Kamar Aiken and Lawrence Guy scheduled to hit the open market on March 9, the Ravens are running out of time to get deals done. They can still re-sign their own free agents after 4 p.m. on March 9, but that task becomes more difficult with so many teams having so much more money to spend than the Ravens.

Moriarty is expected to meet with the agents of Juszczyk, Wagner and Williams this week. It will surely take huge offers to prevent Wagner and Williams, arguably the top free agents at their respective positions, from testing their worth on the open market. However, the Ravens have prioritized both.

Technically, teams aren't allowed to contact the representatives of pending free agents until March 7 during the two-day negotiation window before the market officially opens. However, it's no secret that a flurry of meetings between teams and agents will take place in downtown Indianapolis restaurants and hotel suites this week.

The practice gives agents a better idea of the market for their clients, and who might be suitors. The Ravens historically are relatively quiet in free agency, choosing to sign and develop their own while making a few forays into the market to fill major needs.

With the salary cap again going up, and at least 20 teams projected to have more than $25 million of cap space, the Ravens won't have the luxury of being passive. They might not have the money to land some of the top-ticket items, such as Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore and New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower, but there's no reason why they can't fill a few needs with solid players.

Wide receiver Pierre Garcon, center Nick Mangold, pass rusher Jabaal Sheard, cornerback Logan Ryan and safety Tony Jefferson are all free agents who would be nice fits. The Ravens will have a better idea of the market for those players and whether they fit in it by week's end.

The Ravens have approximately $15 million of salary cap space, which is among the least in the league. That number will go down significantly when they have to tender restricted and exclusive rights free agents. The Ravens, though, know there are plenty of moves they can make to create more financial flexibility.

Tight end Dennis Pitta ($7.7 million cap number) and cornerback Lardarius Webb ($7.5 million) could be asked to take pay cuts. Tight end Benjamin Watson ($4 million), center Jeremy Zuttah ($4.6 million), strong-side linebacker Elvis Dumervil ($8.4 million) and defensive backs Kyle Arrington ($2.8 million), Shareece Wright ($5.8 million) and Kendrick Lewis ($2.3 million) are all potential cap casualties and/or play positions in which the Ravens are trying to upgrade.

The Ravens also could decide to decline wide receiver Mike Wallace's 2017 contract option, a move that would create nearly $6 million in salary cap space.

The Ravens traditionally make their offseason roster cuts in late February/early March, giving their former players enough time to prepare for free agency. If they stick to that timeline, some moves might occur this weekend during the scouting combine.

jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com

twitter.com/jeffzrebiecsun

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Ravens have four major tasks to accomplish this week at the combine - Baltimore Sun

EAST LIVERPOOL A window replacement project at Kent State-East Liverpools Purinton Hall begins today.

The project will involve the replacement of nearly 75 windows with more energy-efficient units. Work will begin with top-floor windows facing Fourth Street and move to the Broadway Street side of the building.

Campus officials ask motorists and pedestrians to use caution when near the site, a release states.

Street parking around Purinton Hall will be limited during construction. There will be no parking in the gravel lot across from Purinton Hall on Broadway until the project is completed.

Some sidewalks around the site also will be temporarily closed, but building access will be maintained. Mechanical lifts will be located on the edge of the streets and heavy equipment will likely be crossing the street to transport windows. Everyone is asked to use caution when in the area and adhere to all construction zone limits, the release reads.

The work is expected to continue through March 17, but that schedule could change due to inclement weather.

Traffic check point NEWELL The Hancock County Sheriffs Office will be conducting a traffic check point ...

EAST LIVERPOOL City Councils finance committee reviewed during its meeting Tuesday permanent appropriations ...

WELLSVILLE - After nearly two years of discussions between both Yellow Creek Township trustees and representatives ...

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Window replacement begins at Purinton Hall - The Review

Danielle Kidwell for A-1 American Services , WVEC 3:56 PM. EST February 28, 2017

Happy, smiling woman in shower. (Photo: Louis-Paul St-Onge)

How Tankless Systems are Different

A tankless water heater is different from a conventional storage tank water heater in many ways. The most obvious difference is the lack of a storage tank. Tankless heaters take up very little room and are ideal for small spaces or households that place storage at a premium. These systems provide hot water on demand. This means you save energy and money because the system kicks on once the hot water tap is opened - no more 25-50 gallon tanks of water being heated around the clock. Eliminating the storage tank means no more risk of flooding.

How Tankless Systems Work

Tankless water heaters have a surprisingly simple design and run on either gas or electric systems. When the hot water tap is opened, the gas or electric burner turns on and cold water is pumped in from the well or city pipes. It gets heated as it passes over the burner and proceeds to the open tap. This means you never run out of hot water and only the water you need is heated. If youve ever been the last person in the household to shower you can appreciate the benefit of endless hot water! The only maintenance required is an annual flushing to ensure that sediment such as lime does not build up.

The Possible Drawbacks

We would be remiss to ignore the potential downside of converting to a tankless heater. The main issue is cost. Tankless heaters cost a lot more upfront to install, however they have a much longer lifespan than traditional storage tank heaters and require less maintenance. The heating element can fail or clog, but there is no risk of tank failure. When considering the switch, think about the number of gallons per minute you might need. If your household runs multiple appliances on hot water at the same time you should calculate the approximate capacity you will need at a high-volume time.

Making the Switch

Although the initial upfront cost of installing a tankless system is more expensive than a traditional storage tank water heater, the money you save over time will justify the initial investment. A recent Energy Star study estimated that a tankless system can save a household approximately $100 per year in energy costs (https://energy.gov/energysaver/tankless-or-demand-type-water-heaters). Storage tank heaters have an average lifespan of 8-13 years, while a tankless system can easily last 20 years. A storage tank heater repair will cost an average of half the cost of a new system, meaning it would be more cost effective to replace the entire unit. These heaters are prone to corrosion and leakage. With simple annual maintenance, a tankless system will rarely need a repair. It is highly encouraged that you seek a qualified expert to conduct a free consultation and estimate. With A-1 American, you can be confident that our experts will provide an honest, complimentary assessment based on your households particular needs and conditions. We are so confident in our evaluation process, that should you decide to convert your system we will offer you $250 off of your tankless systems installation.

A1 American serves your Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We now offer financing as low as $99 per month. Call us today at 757-425-2400.

( 2017 WVEC)

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Tankless Water Heaters: Why You Should Make the Switch - 13newsnow.com

By Tim Savoy By Tim Savoy February 27

Smart home technology has become a buzzword in the real estate market.

For several years, the number of products that control elements of your home has exponentially increased. From all-in-one devices that control just about everything to products that increase efficiency and save money, many nontechnical consumers may be intimidated by these technologies.

Here are a few simple ways to get started without breaking the bank:

Find a home automation hub.Perhaps the most important piece to start your smart home journey is to decide on a home automation hub.

Home automation hubs act like personal assistants. Think of this as mission control for the variety of products you may want to use. These products are easy to install; all you need to set up a virtual personal assistant is a WiFi network and your preferred product.

[More Savoy: Heres how to use technology to your advantage if youre buying a home from afar]

These devices, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, are popping up more and more on the market, which is great for consumers, as it will continue to drive prices down and increase innovation in the technology.

For example, you might use your home assistant to play your favorite artist through the speaker, adjust the temperature to your liking, turn lights on and off, or ask for the weather. Regardless, your home automation hub is a cheap way to connect your lifestyle to your home.

Recommendations: Amazon Echo ($180) or Google Home ($130). (Jeffrey P. Bezos owns Amazon.com and The Washington Post.)

Difficulty to install: Easy

Forget old-school light bulbs.Imagine transitioning the mood lighting at home from bright lights during the day to soft in the evening, and to different colors during a party. All of these are offered from the most basic smart lighting packages.

One of the focal points to smart home technologies focuses on lighting. The most apparent visually, smart lights take advantage of longer-lasting LEDs as well as wireless technologies to turn lights on and off (though you can still use the old-fashioned light switch). Smart lights are great because you dont need to upgrade your space. These lights screw into existing fixtures and can be operated via your phone, laptop or home-automation hub.

Though expensive, most bulbs last for years, if not decades. With a range of colors in each bulb, smart lights are likely going to start popping up in many new listings as a feature that comes with the home.

Recommendations: Phillips Hue Starter Kit (3 bulbs and bridge, $175)

Difficulty to install: Easy

Heat and cool your home smarter.Most people immediately think of their thermostat first when it comes to smart home technologies. Early innovators such as Nest were first to appear on the market and in newly developed listings.

[More Savoy: Aging-in-place options most popular with baby boomers]

The premise is simple: Smart HVAC systems are actually run through the thermostat. Instead of replacing an entire HVAC system, most products slide over the existing wiring and provide cost savings and convenience to heating and cooling your home.

The perks of this technology include cost savings as smart thermostats learn your habits. Whether you prefer warmer temperatures in the morning or leave during the day for work and turn your system off, smart thermostats learn your habits. Moreover, you can access the thermostat from anywhere in the world, handy when returning from a long trip and need to heat or cool the home as you enter.

Recommendations: Nest Learning Thermostat ($250) or ecobee 7-day starter thermostat (both $250)

Difficulty to install: Moderate, non-handy owners may want to consult an electrician

Secure your home with an upgrade system. Although not a new technology, home security systems have undergone a major facelift the past couple of years. Whereas older technologies have been subscription based for in-home security systems, there are now several products that are considered plug and play for convenience.

Instead of paying a yearly subscription to a security company, modernized products are tailored to consumers who want to see first-hand what is happening while away from home.

[More Savoy: Smart-home upgrades that you can install yourself]

Most products will normally include self-install motion sensors, video cameras, door alarms and often fobs to easily disable the system. Almost all products offer tailored apps that notify you by message or phone when there is a disturbance detected.

Also, Washington offers a rebate program for homeowners and renters who install security systems into their homes. The reimbursement program is up to $500 per address when registered with the District. This is a huge incentive to someone who may want to get a discount on installing a security system.

Recommendations: Scout Home Security System ($320)

Difficulty to install: Moderate

Forget being locked out of the house.As with security camera systems, smart locks serve several purposes. First, smart locks provide great security with keyless technology. Second, smart locks are versatile in that the consumer can dictate who may enter the house even when the owner is not present.

Several of these locking options allow instant access to the house for the owner or temporary access for guests. For example, smart locks can allow a housekeeper or pet sitter access during certain days without the need of a physical key. This access then expires and the guest may no longer enter. For the consumer, this also means not getting locked out from home as you can enter with your smartphone.

While relatively cheap, most smart locks should be installed by a locksmith or handyman familiar with changing locks on a home. This may be one product left to the experts!

Recommendations: August smart lock ($230) or Schlage smart lock ($200)

Difficulty to install: Difficult (recommended to hire locksmith or general contractor)

Spending a couple hundred dollars in one or more of these categories can add so much to your home. Smart technologies should not be considered intimidating; instead, smart-home technologies accentuate living in the best ways.

Tim Savoy, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Capitol Hill, writes an occasional column about the Washington-area housing market. He can be reached at Timothy.Savoy@cbmove.com and on Twitter @SavoyRealEstate.

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Think you missed the boat on smart home technology? Here's how ... - Washington Post

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich (WOTV) At Standale Interiors, were often asked how much a typical kitchen remodeling costs. There is no such thing as a typical remodeling project we say.

A remodeling project and the people providing the service tear your house apart and put it back together in a way that makes your home better for you and how you live.

MONEY: Thats usually what folks focus on. But remodeling isnt a commodity. Its a service that produces a product. What youre buying is a service relationship.

TIME: Even though Im in the business, I didnt even realize all the time and effort required to make the project go as smoothly as possible. There are many decisions to be made. Since most folks dont do this on a regular basis, but will be living with their decisions for years to come, it just makes sense to MAKE THE TIME. The less expensive the remodeling contractor, the more time YOU will spend on decision making.

FRUSTRATION AND STRESS: Saving money comes at a cost. Thats just life. There is no free lunch Even working with an experienced remodeler, there will be some stress. Again, the less expensive and experienced the remodeler, the more stress and frustration you will encounter.

Good things typically cost more. In the end, everyone pays the same price. What varies is the proportion of money, time and frustration that goes with that price.

SOURCE: Remodeling magazine

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How do I determine the cost of a remodel? - WOTV4women.com

It's that time of the year again for fastnachts. Wochit

On Fastnacht Day, Mark D. Story, director of development for the Franklin County Library System, and Bernice Crouse, director of Franklin County Library System, took doughnuts from Doh-nuh t, a downtown Chambersburg specialty doughnut shop, to workers at the Coyle Free Library construction site as a way of thanking them for their hard work this winter to renovate the original part of the building, which once housed the town's U.S. Post Office, and add an addition to the east side of the building. When completed next November, the expansion will more than double the amount of space available at the library. Because of the mild winter this year, construction crews have been able to work almost uninterrupted almost all winter.(Photo: Markell DeLoatch, Public Opinion)Buy Photo

CHAMBERSBURG -Coyle Free Library officials took donuts to construction workers Tuesday to say thanks for their progress this winter on an expansion project that will more than double the size of the downtown library.

"It's our way of thanking the construction crew for their hard work this winter," said Mark Story, director of development for Franklin County Library System, which operates Coyle and other public libraries in the county.

He and Bernice Crouse, FCLS director,took advantage of the Pennsylvania Dutch Fastnacht Day tradition of eating doughnuts on Shrove Tuesday, or Fat Tuesday, to celebrate the progress at the library's construction site

Story and Crouse brought the crew two dozen specialty donuts from Do-Nuh t, a downtown businessthat makes its sweet treatsfresh daily using a special-recipe cake dough.

Story ordered the doughnuts with a variety of toppings --including bacon, which proved to be a favorite among the construction workers.

"We thank you for what you are doing," he said as the crew gathered around inside the historic old Chambersburg Post Office building that has been Coyle's home for 53 years.

Doughnuts from Doh-nuh t, a downtown Chambersburg specialty donut shop, set ready to be picked up and eaten by workers at the construction site of Coyle Free Library on Tuesday, Fastnacht Day.(Photo: Markell DeLoatch, Public Opinion)

A tale of two libraries, expanding

Although a 1980saddition to the historic building was torn down to make way for a new addition on the East King Street sideof the post office building, the original 1911 structureis being renovated and restored, according to Story and Crouse.

Given the age of the building and the changes in technology and lifestyles since Coyle moved into the historic building in 1964, Story said the renovation and expansion was "long overdue."

"It will be a blending of the old and the new," he said. "The original post office building will be restored to its original splendor, and the new addition will provide much needed space for expanded programs."

Construction worker Chris Mills enjoys a doughnut break on Fastnacht Day, at the Coyle Free Library renovation site Tuesday in Chambersburg. Officials with Franklin County Library System provided the doughnuts to thank the construction workers for their work renovating and expanding the library.(Photo: Markell DeLoatch, Public Opinion)

The $5.5 million renovation and expansion project at Coyle began in May 2016 and is expected to be completed this fall. Story and Crouse estimate an early November move in date.

The renovation and new construction will more than double the current library 's 12,000 square feet (including the basement) to approximately 29,000 square feet.

Meanwhile, the library moved to temporary quarters in the old Jennings auto dealership building last year, a move Crouse said has worked out well.

Construction workers choose doughnuts on Tuesday at the Coyle Free Library construction site. Mark D. Story and Bernice Crouse of the Franklin County Library System provided the doughnuts to thank the workers for the progress made this winter on the renovation and expansion project at the library.(Photo: Markell DeLoatch, Public Opinion)

Coyle library celebrates new temporary location

Chambersburg Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill has said the library expansion, with its eco-friendly features and expanded facilities,promises to be a downtown "anchor," and will make the librarya town center, focal point and gathering space for the entire community.

Story and Crouse agree.

"From a community perspective, this (project) and the work these guys are doing has been so valuable," Story said. "The library is a very important asset to the community."

Vicky Taylor, 717-881-5373

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Coyle library rewards construction workers with fastnachts - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Kenneth Fosag of Des Moines works on the Confluence on Third apartment project in downtown Des Moines on Tuesday, June 21, 2016.(Photo: Rachel Mummey/The Register)Buy Photo

Des Moines' commercial real estate industry is still basking in healthy growth, with another strong year ahead, according to a leading market survey.

Rental rates for office and retail space are increasing, while apartment and warehouse construction continues to boom, the 2017 CBRE/Hubbell Commercial Market Survey reports.

"We're firing on all cylinders," said Kyle Gamble, senior vice president and managing director at CBRE/Hubbell Commercial. "We may be closer to the plateau than we were a year ago, but I think 2017 will be a lot like 2016."

The report provides anannual measuring stick for the local real estate industry. Here's a look at three trends highlighted in the report:

The office market has been characterized by slow and steady growth, said Bill Wright, a senior vice president with CBRE Hubbell Commercial.

Much growth is being driven by owner-occupied office expansions. EMC Insurance Cos., IMT Group, Holmes Murphy, Kum & Go, Hy-Vee, KeminIndustriesand Two Rivers Bank are all building or planning office expansions.

But the metro has seen some speculative office construction. R&R Realty is buildingan 180,000-square-footoffice at Country Club Plaza in West Des Moines, and new office buildings are planned in downtown's Gray's Landing area and in Ankeny's Prairie Trail.

Employee recruitment and retention are the biggest factors driving office development, Wright said.

"Right now, it's about creating an office culturewhere their employees are excited to come to work and will want to stay, so they can retain those employees," he said.

Rental rates for office space have been steadily increasing, and landlords have begun requiring annual escalators, or yearly increases in rental rates for tenants, Wright said. Annual escalators make Des Moines-area office space more attractive to outside investors and, as aresult, have driven up the value of local office space.

"It's been a huge change for our market," he said.

MORE:Des Moines-area renters may finally be getting a break

Small retail centers and strip malls have been popping up around the metro, too. Tyler Dingel, a first vice president with CBRE/Hubbell Commercial, says there are at least 36 of such retail projects under construction or being planned.

"I don't expect all of those to be built. In fact, if 50 percent of them get built, that would be a lot of space to add to our market at one time," he said.

Much of the growth is being driven by demand for quick-serve restaurants (think Chipotle, Five Guys Burgers, Potbelly Sandwich Shop), fitness centers and experience-related retailers like golf simulators and painting studios, Dingel said.

Owners of retail space are also charging higher rents than ever seen in the metro area, he said.

The development of neighborhood retail centersisevidence that the Des Moines real estate market is in a growth cycle, Gamble said.

"Retailers are aware that the consumer is very active and confident today and that drives retail tenants to want to expand," he said.

Gamble said the sector with the most room for growth is the warehouse market.

Developers have added nearly 2 million square feet of warehouse space in the past two years, according to the report, and Gamble said there is demand for more.

"The supply has been fairly conservative and, for the most part, has been absorbed," he said.

Nearly 1 million square feet of warehouse space will be under construction in 2017, according to the report. The projects are concentrated in Ankeny and around Highway 141, near Grimes.

E-commerce is indirectly driving the demand for warehouse space, Gamble said. While Amazon and other online retailers have not opened facilities in Iowa, the growth of e-commerce affects the entire supply chain, creating demand for suppliers, distributors and third-party logistics companies, he said.

Warehouse owners are also seeing demand from less conventional users. Recreation businesses, such as gymnastic studios, trampolinecentersand batting cages, are leasing warehouse space.

Office tenants also arefindingusesfor warehouse space. Hy-Vee is leasing 130,000 square feet in Grimes to create a hip office for its technology and creative staffs.

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Des Moines real estate 'firing on all cylinders,' survey says - DesMoinesRegister.com

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has selected the site of the former Citizens Energy coke plant at 2950 Prospect St. for a new criminal justice center.(Photo: James Briggs / IndyStar)Buy Photo

Construction of Mayor Joe Hogsett's proposed criminal justice center could cost up to $575 million, according to figures released by the city.

Hogsett'scriminal justice task force on Tuesday recommended a four-building campus, includingan assessment and intervention facility, a consolidated county jail, a courts building and an office building. The campus is slated to be builtat the former Citizens Energy coke factory siteat 2950 Prospect St. on the east side.

The estimated construction price tag for Hogsett's plan ismore than $160 million higher than a similar proposal from former Mayor Greg Ballard. Ballard in 2014 called for a criminal justice center at the former General Motors stamping plant site that would have cost $408 million to build. Ballard's plan had an overall price of $1.75 billion thatincludedthe price ofinterest, maintenance and day-to-day operations.

Democrats on the City-County Council criticized Ballard's plan as unaffordable, and itdied in 2015. Joey Fox, executive director of the Marion County Republican Party, said the county will end up paying morefor a new jail because of rising interest rates.

"Once the mayor provides enough details, the taxpayers can do an honest analysis," Fox said. "There's a lack of transparency in the numbers he's providing because they're not an apples-to-apples comparison."

But Andy Mallon, corporation counsel for the city,emphasized that Hogsett's plan is still forming.

"We're at fundamentally different stages in the process," Mallon said. "We're talking about estimates. They got all the way down to bids. We anticipate, once we get this project out on the street and bid, it willbe a different project."

The latest proposal is more comprehensive than Ballard's, Mallon added. Hogsett's plan includes a 70 percent larger courthouse, including civil, criminal and juvenile courts, he said.

"They didn't have any sort of estimates for what it would cost to move the crime lab or coroner," Mallon said.

City-County Council President Maggie Lewis, a Democrat, said in a statement that the council is "continuing to examine our processes for managing our criminal justice system."

"I support the work being done by the task force and look forward to our discussions about their recommendations of how we finance and construct the new justice center," Lewis said. "There is still a lot of work to be done.This is a lengthy process, but I am confident that we will create a campus that will meet the needs of our community."

The Hogsett administration has yet to say how the county would pay for a new criminal justice center. The county is scheduled to release financing details by the end of March.

The task force estimatesa new criminal justice center would save county offices at least$35 million a year that could be used to pay for development and construction of the campus over 30 years.

Under Ballard, the county spent more than $16 million on studies and planning in an effort to move the countyjail out of Downtown. The county might reap at least some benefits from that spending. The Hogsett administration has retained HOK, an architecture and engineering firm that worked on the Ballard plan.

"HOK drafted the original (requests for proposals) for that project and gained a great deal of familiarity with project cost estimates, as well as space and other requirements of the project," the criminal justice task force said in a memo.

The construction estimate does notinclude an office building for the prosecutor or public defender, which eventuallycould be part of the campus. The price tag also excludes an estimated $74 million cost for "off-site renovation projects for other agencies," according to the memo.

Judges in the Marion County court system have yet to announce whether they would move their operations to the proposedcriminal justice center. Judges have until May 1 to decide whether they want to move from Downtown to theTwin Aireneighborhood.

Call IndyStar reporter James Briggs at (317) 444-6307. Follow him on Twitter:@JamesEBriggs.

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New Marion County jail could cost $575M - Indianapolis Star

Fresno Bee (blog)

Fresno-area office building sales and leasing hit highest volume in a decade Fresno Bee (blog) Not included in the total are government-owned and occupied office buildings which would push the total office market space to nearly 25.5 million square feet. The market has seen little new construction just a few buildings in the Palm Bluffs area ...

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Fresno-area office building sales and leasing hit highest volume in a decade - Fresno Bee (blog)