Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The North Loops makeover in the past 20 years has given new life to brick-and-timber warehouses that once housed factories, car and implement dealers and even a macaroni maker.

Now, a distinctive new office building made from wood has opened, a development that sets the North Loop apart from other urban neighborhoods around the country that have gone through such a renaissance.

Billed as the largest mass timber building in the United States, the seven-story structure called T3 shows that cities dont have to be dominated by structures of steel and concrete. Its progress has been followed by architects and developers.

We got away from wood for awhile for various reasons, and I think architects and engineers and developers have recognized the potential, and some of the new technology does make it a little bit easier to build, said Archie Landreman, regional director for nonprofit WoodWorks, which promotes wood construction of commercial buildings and advised Houston-based Hines, T3s developer.

Mass timber describes a framing style that uses smaller pieces of wood formed into large panels for floors, roofs and walls. It differs from the light-frame wood construction of many homes.

It can be easy to miss the T3 building tucked behind an upscale apartment complex and a strip club along Washington Avenue. But as soon as someone enters the space, it is hard to miss its singularity.

The building smells like wood mixed with a whiff of a new car. The lobby has all the modern furniture of other office suites, but it gives off the aura of a lodge.

T3, which stands for timber, transit, technology, recently received one of its first affirmations when Amazon.com Inc. signed on to lease office space. The company has said it eventually will employ 100 workers in Minneapolis.

Already, the building is home to a fitness studio for Bar Method Minneapolis, a fitness chain whose workouts include dance conditioning techniques. In addition, a restaurant tenant also has plans to debut a new concept at the space.

Heavy timber structures have a long history in warehouse construction, so the new T3 building is a great fit in the North Loop, said Nick Koch, an associate vice president at HGA Architects and Engineers and a chairman of neighborhood development group 2020 Partners.

While brick-and-timber buildings have become a popular choice for creative offices, noise and draftiness can be problems.

We just decided to create something that had the same authenticity and feel [of a brick-and-timber building] ... but all of the modern amenities and creature comforts of new construction, said Brent Robertson, managing director of the office-agency division for JLL, which is responsible for leasing T3.

The building offers Wi-Fi in its public spaces including the rooftop deck. In addition, T3 has fully embraced its location on the Cedar Lake Trail. It has bike rentals, bike storage and a bike repair station.

The 220,000-square-foot building was constructed with 8-foot-by-20-foot panels of engineered wood that were stacked across beams of glued, laminated timber. The panels themselves consisted of smaller strips of wood nailed together.

Concrete still is used in some areas of the building, including the entire first floor. Weathered steel wraps the outside to protect it from the elements.

Mass timber structures are significantly lighter than their steel and concrete equivalents so it takes less time to erect them. Builders needed less than three months to install the timber frame of T3. The dead load or weight of the building also ends up being lower.

As the only structural material that comes from a renewable resource, the sustainability, the aesthetic and the authenticity of the material make it a natural to be used more frequently in commercial applications, said Bob Pfefferle, director of Hines Minneapolis.

Another positive is that building with wood is believed to use less energy than building with other materials, Landreman said. The wood also naturally helps store carbon. The 3,600 cubic meters of wood that was used in the building will end up sequestering about 3,200 tons of carbon for the life of the building. Most of the wood was made of lumber from trees killed by the mountain pine beetle.

Designers and developers found a sweet spot with the T3 building with its relatively simple design and moderately tall height that easily can be replicated, said Jacob Mans, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesotas School of Architecture, who is studying Minnesota-made mass timber systems.

Theres just a lot of smart things in that building, he said. I think you will see this building type show up a lot more when you are trying to develop a lot of building footprint in a short period of time.

Wood buildings are perceived to be more vulnerable to fire but thats because many people dont understand mass timber, Mans said.

Mass timber construction might actually perform better in a fire than noncombustible materials because the wood is thick and solid and chars at a slower and more predictable rate. Wood buildings also have been shown to perform well in earthquakes.

Hines has plans to start construction later this year of a similar T3 building in Atlanta. There also have been discussions about an 80-story timber tower in Chicago.

In Minnesota and many other states, office buildings are allowed currently to have up to six floors of wood. But for many architects, the sky is the limit for the potential of wooden buildings.

Its mostly a code issue and the public accepting being in a tall wood building, Mans said.

T3 will inspire confidence for developers to keep building with wood, said Kate Simonen, an associate professor of architecture at the University of Washington.

The T3 project is already influential in that the project team has demonstrated a viable construction model, she wrote in an e-mail. The construction industry is notoriously risk-adverse. Early adopters, especially those that share information about the project success and challenges, can have a big impact on the industry.

Twitter: @nicolenorfleet

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In heart of North Loop, a new office building becomes ...

Last Updated Feb 15, 2017 11:47 PM EST

SAN FRANCISCO --San Francisco fire officials Wednesday night said a crane and concrete slab on a South of Market high-rise construction project that were unstable and considered at risk of falling have been secured, but evacuation orders for nearby buildings remain in place, CBS San Francisco reports.

Concerns about the stability of the crane and a 3,000-pound concrete slab at the top of the 35-story building under construction were raised Wednesday afternoon.

The project developer said in a statement that the 2:45 p.m. incident occurred when a system used to form concrete walls was being raised from levels 35 to 36 and had a partial hydraulic failure.

An engineer with special expertise was being flown in to help the construction crews, crane operator and fire department figure out the best way to relieve the pressure on a concrete wall.

CBSN

San Francisco Assistant Fire Chief Tom Sirogusa said some of the closed streets in San Franciscos South of Market will reopen Wednesday night after workers level the platform on the 35th floor of a luxury apartment building.

He says construction crews alerted authorities after the giant slab tilted Wednesday afternoon because a 30-ton concrete pump was sitting on top of it.

Sirogusa says officials decided to evacuate 16 office buildings and shut down several surrounding streets out of an abundance of caution.

Earlier, he said one a strut in a crane had malfunctioned.

He says the concrete pump sitting on top of the platform will be removed Thursday.

Fire officials described the incident as a failure of one of the struts supporting a crane at the buildings core, and said the tilt of the crane system caused one of the concrete walls and formwork to lean out.

During a fire department press briefing just before 6 p.m., San Francisco Fire Department spokesman Officer Jonathan Baxter said there is no danger of the concrete slab falling from the top of the high-rise project.

At this point we have been able to vet again, through our city inspectors as well as the contracting teams that we have shored the formwork that is in question, said Baxter. The crane that is in question is also secure.

Baxter insisted that media reports regarding the danger had been exaggerated.

Were seeing reports in the media that the crane is going to fall. That is false, said Baxter.

The initial tweet indicated that the building at 41 Tehama was being evacuated due to the slabs potential to fail and that people should avoid the area. The correct address of the construction site was later determined to be 33 Tehama Street.

San Francisco Department of Emergency Management officials warned people to avoid an area between several streets.

Lendlease Senior Vice President Mary Costello said the 37-story, 403-unit luxury residential tower near the Transbay Transit Center is being developed by Hines and Invesco Real Estate. LendLease is the general contractor.

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San Francisco construction site secured, but evacuation orders remain in place - CBS News

Accounting firm PwC is considering relocation of its downtown St. Louis office to Ballpark Village, real estate sources said Thursday.

PwC is currently in leased space at 800 Market Street. Sources said the accounting firm is interested in occupying the office building planned for construction at Ballpark Village next to Busch Stadium.

The St. Louis Business Journal first reported PwC's interest in Ballpark Village, adding that the firm also is considering a move to Cupples X, an office building Koman Group wants to build at Cupples Station, near Busch Stadium.

A Cardinals spokesman told the Post-Dispatch there is interest in Ballpark Village office space from a variety of potential tenants but that none of the space is leased.

Representatives of Cordish and Koman Group did not return requests for comment.

The Cardinals said in October they hoped to begin construction this year on Ballpark Village's $220 million next phase, which includes the office building and a 29-story apartment tower. The buildings could be completed in 2019.

One real estate source said a potential obstacle to a move by PwC to Ballpark Village is the status of the firm's lease at 800 Market Street, owned by St. Louis BOA Plaza LLC. PwC's lease there expires in July, said the source, adding that the landlord has balked at allowing the firm to renew its lease only until space at Ballpark Village is ready.

In December, St. Louis aldermen approved $16 million in Ballpark Village tax incentives in addition to the $49 million the city granted in 2012 as part of the project's first phase.

Another possible issue in a PwC move to Ballpark Village is the net new jobs provision of the latest amendment to the project's redevelopment agreement with the city. The provision, sought by the city, requires that Ballpark Village office jobs must not come from elsewhere in the city unless they would be lost permanently or moved out of the city absent office space at Ballpark Village.

Some aldermen have questioned the practicality of enforcing that provision.

Make it your business. Get twice-daily updates on what the St. Louis business community is talking about.

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PwC perhaps eyeing Ballpark Village office space - STLtoday.com

The No. 17 hole on the Champion course - also the last in the Bear Trap - awaits players in next week's Honda Classic at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens.(Photo: MIKE GRAHAM/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS)Buy Photo

Reigning PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker committed Wednesday to The Honda Classic, to be held Feb. 23-26 on the Champion course at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens.

Tuesday, Honda officials announced the Rickie Fowler would take part in the PGA Tour event.

Walker and Fowler are part of a strong field that also includes defending champion and world No. 7 Adam Scott, Justin Thomas (No. 8), Sergio Garcia (No. 9), Justin Rose (No. 12), and defending Masters champion Danny Willett (No. 13).

Fowler is coming off a 4th place finish at the Waste Management Open Phoenix Open.

Thomas is off to a red-hot start in 2017, having wonback-to-back PGA Tour titles last month in Hawaii.

Garcia, who was the runner-up to Scott at the 2016 Honda Classic, is coming off a wire-to-wire victory at the Dubai Desert Classicthat pushed him into the top 10 rankings.

Scott, who Tuesday called the Champion course "a bit of a brute," is in the field of this week's Genesis Open being played in Los Angeles just his second start of the year.

Also in the Honda field are a host players with local ties, including Stuart native Derek Fathauer, Stuart resident Ken Duke, Palm City resident Jim Herman and Hobe Sound's Freddie Jacobson.

Other top 25 players committed include Paul Casey (16), Branden Grace (17), Russell Knox(18), Tyrell Hatton (19) and Louis Oosthuizen (25).

The Honda Classic officials are still hopeful additional top-ranked golferswill commit. Players have until 5 p.m. Friday to do so.

For more information on the The Honda Classiccall 844-846-6328 or visit thehondaclassic.com.

Fran Massolini had a hole-in-one on Feb. 12 on the 125 yard, No. 8 hole at Evergreen Country Club in Palm City using an 8-iron. The shot was witnessed by Carol Gusack, Jane Taylor, Merlynn Johnston.

Dick Picken had a hole-in-one Feb. 12 on the 115 yard, No. 17 hole at Vero Beach Country Club using a pitching wedge.

Kenny Parker had a hole-in-one Feb. 14 on the 147 yard, No. 7 hole at Monterey Yacht & Country Club in Stuart using a 3-wood. The shot was witnessed by Tom Roehm, Tom Creagh and Jim Hensel.

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Walker, Fowler latest additions to Honda Classic field - TCPalm

For over a decade, Jittery Joes has been the only name in coffee on the University of Georgia campus, but now they are facing unexpected competitorsa Starbucks and a Caribou Coffee both operated by the university.

This local Athens brand took its place on the second floor of the Zell B. Miller Learning Center in the early 2000s and has been providing an exclusive late-night fix ever since.

But eight months ago, that changed.

In July of last year, the national brands Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels came to campus as a part of the new Science Learning Center, and they were joined in November by Starbucks.

Now, a local brand with 16 locations is competing with two of the most recognizable names in coffee.

The hometown brand

In spite of these new additions, Jittery Joes is still busy pushing on ahead. The local brand has no plans to surrender anytime soon.

In fact, it is in part thanks to Starbucks that Jittery Joes has its current location in the MLC.

Bob Googe, the owner of Jittery Joes, said the location, which Jittery Joes now occupies, was originally intended for a Starbucks.

The university and Starbucks were innow this is my understanding of courseconversation about coming on campus, Googe said. Starbucks and the university architects were not seeing eye to eye on things, and so the university asked if I would like to bid on that contract as well.

This deal was also the result of a survey, said Googe, which also returned Starbucks as a top choice. The original survey, he pointed out, did not include Jittery Joes as an option as it was still only a couple of stores.

Googe said this doesnt surprise him, and he said even today, Jittery Joes isnt an instantly recognizable brand outside of Athens.

Jittery Joes is a brand they have to learn. Were available in lots of places in Atlanta, but we only have one store, Googe said. Students dont come to UGA having grown up going to Jittery Joes, so they have to learn who we are.

Plans are already underway to open a second on-campus location in the Science Library, which Googe said will open in March of next year.

When asked if he was concerned about the size and fame of his completion, Googe said, I am not concerned, but I am paying attention.

The convenience factor

Susan Van Gigch, the associate director of retail operations for Dining Services, said theres also another group benefiting from the deal students.

We surveyed all the students, faculty and staff, and asked a wide variety of questions, Van Gigch said. Without a doubt, Starbucks was the number one requested concept.

The student body seems to agree. Both Grant and Van Gigch pointed to steadily rising revenue at Starbucks, and van Gigch said Caribou had, exceeded expectations.

The store runs on the dining services system so students can use paw points for coffee.

I have paw points and I also love [Starbucks], so it kind of goes together, said Elizabeth Qardan, a junior psychology major from Cumming.

The other side

The new shops may have been a popular choice, but not everyone is happy with how things were done.

Caribou was built into the Science Learning Center, but Starbucks replaced a long-standing dance studio that was important to many students.

Grace Ho is an executive board member for the Prelude dance ensemble, which used that studio for regular rehearsals.

Ho said they first heard about the new Starbucks when they were told they would no longer be able to reserve that space for spring of 2016.

This was especially frustrating because the studio was closed even though work hadnt even started.

Over that entire semester no construction took place, Ho said.

Van Gigch said that at that point they were still working out the final legal details with Starbucks. The project did not begin in earnest until September.

For the most part weve made it work, Ho said. I cant even imagine what other dance groups had to do...for the longest time we werent able to tell our members this is where were going to be.

Ho said that she understood that, certain decisions had to be made, and that she was glad to see more job opportunities for students, but it was still a shock.

Weve been practicing there since 2009, every fall, every spring, so we were used to the space, thats why it was kind of unfortunate at the last minute just being booted out, Ho said.

Frances Newton is the general manager for WUOG, Starbucks new neighbor, and she lamented the loss of an artistic space.

This whole space has changed a lot, it was a dance studio, which kind of blends well with us because theyre two creative elements, and now thats replaced by Starbucks, Newton said. Its not a business that breathes creativity.

Still, she says its actually been a good thing. It caused some concern at first, but now shes glad Starbucks is there since it draws in a new crowd.

Its nice having new people coming in because of [Starbucks], Newton said.

Success is in the name

Van Gigch said name recognition is one of the characteristics that makes recognizable companies successful on campus.

Its prevalent. Its everywhereits the same everywhere you go, said Max Grant, the manager for the Starbucks in the Tate Student Center. When we go through our training one thing that Starbucks hits home for us, and a big reason why I think theyre successful, is everything is the same.

According to their contracts, both Caribou and Starbucks are licensed to the university, so except for a few small fees, 8 percent for Starbucks, and 6.5 percent for Caribou, the university gets all the revenue.

This means that the university takes more than 90 percent of what students spend at both stores.

UGAs profit is less than 90 percent, since they bear the full operating costs, but the university is still pleased with how things are going with the new coffee shops.

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The battle of the brands: After years as UGA's only coffee shop, Jittery Joe's faces competition - Red and Black

Melissa Curley, For The Journal News 12:33 p.m. ET Feb. 15, 2017

This circa 1862 estate, known as Seven Oaks, is a 6,200-square foot Gothic Revival style home at 64 Ludlow Lane, Palisades.(Photo: Submitted)

Tucked away amonglofty cliffs, Palisades is known as a stealthy celebrity suburb of Manhattan, boasting boldfaced residents such as Bill Murray, Uma Thurman, Al Pacino, Trey Anastasio and Bjork, according to reports. Heres a look at five unique homes on the market right now:

This circa 1862 estate, known as Seven Oaks,"is a 6,200-square foot Gothic Revival style home on just over foursubdividable acres.The 15-room, nine-bedroom, eight-bath Victorian features expansive gardens, a large in-ground pool and two original outbuildings. Set on a hillside with a great lawn which features several old oak trees the home is defined by a steeply pitched cross gable slate roof with decorative dormers, an expansive wrap-around veranda and a three-story bay window on its east side. Interior features include oversized landings on all three levels, high ceilings, decorative moldings, 12 fireplaces, a sun porch, butlers pantry and more.

Seven Oaks at 64 Ludlow Lane, Palisades, is set on a hillside with a great lawn which features several old oak trees.(Photo: Submitted)

Why it's unique: This is the first time in 38 years this Snedens Landing estate has been for sale.

Details: 64 Ludlow Lane, Palisades. $4.8 million; South Orangetown School District;$63,913 in taxes; Listing broker: Richard Ellis of Ellis Sothebys International Realty, 914-393-0438.

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ROI: What's the return on investment for engineered hardwood?

RENO 101: See how a designer turned a wreck into a home

Cliff House at 40 Lawrence Lane, Palisades, features crisp and clean lines perched on a hill overlooking the Hudson. This two-story home is a 1960s show space.(Photo: Submitted)

Cliff House, perched on a hill overlooking the Hudson, is a two-story, 1960s show space set on 2 acres with numerous windows and doors leading outside to assorted decks and patios. Described as a "perched cinder block and frame construction," this three-bedroom, three-bath home has wood flooring throughout and also has a bluestone patio off a newly updated kitchen. Three working fireplaces and a wood stove add extra warmth in winter. Located on private lane, bordering a tranquil park that runs 12 miles along the Hudson River, there are scenic views from every room.

Cliff House at 40 Lawrence Lane, Palisades, is located on a private lane, bordering a tranquil park that runs 12 miles along the Hudson River, there are scenic views from every room.(Photo: Submitted)

Why it's unique: Mid-century modern design nestled into a woodsy setting.

Details: 40 Lawrence Lane, Palisades; $2.3 million;South Orangetown School District;$37, 969 in taxes. Listing broker: Richard Ellis of Ellis Sothebys International Realty, 914-393-0438.

The home at 4 Chipman Road, Palisades, has a bluestone patio and a separate lot adjoins the property with possible subdivision or a studio/guest cottage.(Photo: submitted)

This sophisticated circa-1920s home is situated on a picturesque property bordering Snedens Landing and the Hudson River. A custom gourmet kitchen is fully turned out with coffered wainscoting ceiling, a sommeliers wine cooler, Jerusalem tile, soapstone counters and a farmhouse sink. The open concept living space is floored throughout with rich Brazilian cherry wood. The second-floor master suite leads to private office/den. A breathtaking bluestone patio is the highlight of a private backyard that has a separate lot that adjoins the property with possible subdivision or a studio/guest cottage.

This sophisticated circa 1920s home at 4 Chipman Road, Palisades, is situated on a picturesque property bordering Snedens Landing(Photo: Submitted)

Why it's unique: This light, bright classic colonial farmhouse is upgraded with interior bells and whistles.

Details: 4 Chipman Road, Palisades; $1.6 million;South Orangetown School District; $22, 888 in taxes. Listing broker: Hamid Moghadam of Ellis Sothebys International Realty, 845-216-7670.

The historic Captain John House at 20 Washington Spring Road, Palisades, has a hidden garden and hillside gazebo with commanding river views.(Photo: Submitted)

The beguiling "Captain John House" is rife with local history.

The six-bedroom, five-bath homestead was constructed in the 1820s in Greek Revival style and features distinctive decorative balustrades on two levels of porches and stairs in the front. Additional period details include six working fireplaces, striking interior stone walls, hand-hewn beams and more. This site has past incarnations as a tavern and an inn and is located in the former boatyard/ferry district only 200 feet from the river with access to kayaking and other water sports. For backyard entertainment, a swimming pool is situated over a creek. Chill out in a hillside gazebo with commanding river views and an old sandstone stone fireplace. Or, wander the brick paths to a clandestine garden.

"Captain John House" at 20 Washington Spring Road, Palisades, is rife with local history. The six-bedroom, five-bath homestead was constructed in the 1820s in Greek Revival style.(Photo: 20washingtonspring1.jpg)

Why Its Unique: Your story is the next one in the illustrious tale of this historic property.

Details: 20 Washington Spring Road, Palisades; $3.9 million;South Orangetown School District;$51,784 in taxes. Listing broker: Richard Ellis of Ellis Sothebys International Realty, 914-393-0438.

Jesse Trenchard House at 694 Oak Tree Road, Palisades.(Photo: Submitted)

Named for the hamlets first blacksmith, the Jesse Trenchard House is one of the oldest dwellings in the Palisades historic district. This Dutch colonial was built in 1780 with additions in 1833 and 1994. It received preservation citations for historically accurate restoration of a colonial house. This 15-room listing is stocked with period details like wide plank floorboards but has contemporary comforts like updated appliances and air conditioning. An open floor plan family room offers views to a lofty deck and garden; an interior bridge connects the rest of the home to a master bedroom and bath, three-car garage and workshop. Walk to the library as its located across the street.

The Jesse Trenchard House at 694 Oak Tree Road is one of the oldest dwellings in the bucolic Palisades historic district.(Photo: Submitted)

Why Its Unique: Antique character is fused with avant garde touches in this listing.

Details: 694 Oak Tree Road, Palisades; $1.2 million;South Orangetown School District;$15,654 in taxes. Listing broker: Marjorie Galen of Ellis Sothebys International Realty, 845-598-1375.

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5 unique homes in celebrity enclave Palisades - The Journal News | LoHud.com

Businessman David Nicholson learned that its not always easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission on Wednesday, when the Rome Historic Preservation Commission voted to force him to rip out a stacked stone veneer bulkhead beneath the picture window of his tattoo shop.

It was done a little prematurely, he said during the pitch to the HPC to allow the work to remain in place at Body Canvas Tattoo, 428 Broad St.

Nicholson admitted he was not aware he had to have permission to do the work, which does not meet commission guidelines. He also said that he had not checked with the owner of the building, Carlos Naranjo, to see if the work was permitted.

I do think this is a problem, said Audrey Burton, a member of the HPC board.

Just last month the HPC approved, after considerable discussion, an awning over the patio of Moes Original Bar B Que that was constructed prior to getting approval from the HPC.

Commission Chairman Harry Wise said after the meeting that the panel had to show it was willing to make tough decisions to keep other people from doing work outside the HPC guidelines, then going in and seeking after-the-fact approval.

Back at his shop, Nicholson was trying to figure out what he was going to do.

You know what the problem is? Its what that sign says. Nicholson said, pointing to the tattoo and body piercing sign in the window of his shop. If I wasnt a tattoo shop, it would have been a totally different outcome.

The HPC also gave approval to another project that included construction that was undertaken outside the parameters of an earlier HPC Certificate of Appropriateness. Mike Schieffer was given the green light to finish construction of an upper-level bedroom to his home at 312 E. Fourth St.

Contractor Mark Long said he was not the original contractor on the project, and when he took over, thought the dormer had been included in the original approval of the work.

The panel approved the dormer because it did not dramatically change the roofline of the home and would not be visible from the street.

The HPC also refused to permit a contractor to install six vinyl windows in a home at 212 E. Ninth St. The panel was willing to allow aluminum-clad windows.

Tom Ganguzza, regional vice president of installation with Power Home Remodeling in Norcross, said aluminum-clad windows are still subject to leakage and rotting of the wooden frames, and his company could not guarantee such replacement windows.

The HPC approved replacement of windows at 202 E. Fourth Ave. and 309 E. First Ave., as long as the replacements were aluminum clad rather than vinyl.

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HPC tells tattoo shop owner to replace facade changes - Northwest Georgia News

ELLOREE -- The town of Elloree is getting a facelift of sorts as several buildings undergo exterior and interior refurbishing.

Elloree Town Council at its meeting Tuesday was updated on improvements that have been completed at the town hall as well as the refurbishing work that is scheduled at the gymnasium and the old railroad depot.

Window replacement and improvements to the faade at Elloree Town Hall have been completed, and contractor Fred Gaskins has also completed installation of new doors and two-thirds of the renovations to the interior of the town's storage building, it was reported.

Town employees will paint the interior and exterior of the storage building to minimize expense.

Council accepted Gaskins bid to make improvements at the town gymnasium. The work will include replacing 30 windows, installing safety screens outside the windows to prevent them from being broken by vandals and replacing exterior trim with fabricated wood material that will eliminate the need for repainting in the future.

The bid also includes replacing broken glass above the doors on the Hardin Street side, emergency escape bars on the interior of doors at both ends of the building and repainting the doors and the door frame on the Lexington Street side.

Mayor Stan Busch reported a large hole had been discovered at one end of the gym's roof, through which rainwater was seeping into the restroom area. Agreeing that repairs need to be made as quickly as possible to prevent further damage, council members authorized Gaskins to complete all the work at the same time.

Busch said Gaskins is also working on a quote to put new coatings on the roof of the depot and paint the buildings exterior.

Council previously approved plans submitted by architect Gary Shaw of G3S Architecture & Design for improvements to the building next to Elloree Town Hall that will be used as the town's new police department and welcome center. The plans were approved at a special meeting of council on Jan. 30. Bids for the work are due by March 22.

Also during the meeting, the police report indicated officers responded to 20 calls for service in January. These included two arrests of subjects who were wanted in other jurisdictions; and three arrests for third-degree burglary, larceny and malicious injury in relation to an attempted break-in at the Dollar General and a burglary at the Shell station. Other incidents last month included four false alarm calls, two 911 hang-up calls that were unfounded and seven requests for assistance from other agencies. The department also issued 12 uniform traffic citations.

In addition, it was reported that Officer Buist Smith responded to the gunshot call in Santee that involved a small child. Smith assisted the Santee Police Department in securing the scene for other responding officers, it was noted.

It was also reported that the police department received the third Ford Taurus it had ordered. The vehicle will be placed into service once it has been outfitted.

Town Clerk Robin Martin reported the distribution of police fines in January as follows: Total fines collected, $1,000.75; remitted to state treasurer, $527.78; retained in Victims Assistance Fund, $118.06 and revenue retained by town, $354.91, which was placed in savings.

She said the water department is continuing to work closely with Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities employees, who are in the process of installing underground gas lines in Elloree. The DPU crews are frequently causing breaks in unmapped water lines, Dantzler reported.

Whenever (DPU workers) come up with one thats not on the map, they mark it so it can be put on there, she said. "(Town water department crews) are staying right there with (DPU employees) because theyre hitting (water lines) when theyre boring and theyre also hitting (them) with the shovel.

Dantzler said the DPU workers are helping to repair the broken lines quickly.

"Theyre working real good together, she said.

The gas line installation project is expected to take a year to complete.

Elloree Town Council's next regular meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on March 13.

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Town buildings being refurbished - The Times and Democrat

Haven school board members learned during a meeting Monday night that a project to build a new wash bay for district buses has nearly doubled in price from original estimates, topping $200,000, but that savings from other projects in the district could cover the increase.

Superintendent Clark Wedel advised the board that the original estimate for the facility, which the district will build next to the transportation building near district offices to wash buses and other district vehicles, was $112,000, but the company managing the districts bond projects informed him new estimates upped the price by as much as $100,000.

We probably have enough saved to cover it, Wedel said.

The increase was due to both an increase in the size of the building and the fact the district would have to buy new high-pressure spray equipment, rather than using equipment the district already owns, Wedel said.

We were thinking the one we had could be adapted to the wash bay, but we found out it was not in good condition, he said.

A representative of Hutton Construction, the company awarded a construction manager at-risk contract to manage the $12 million bond project approved by voters in June 2015, is expected to be at the March board meeting to seek approval to take bids on the wash bay project.

I dont know exact numbers, Wedel said about other projects that came in under original estimates, which might fund the extra cost. Construction of the new gym is under budget, as were wall repair projects at the middle and high school.

Meanwhile, window replacement on the Haven Grade School gym and replacement of the districts phone system both improvements outside of the bond issue should also be ready for bid in March.

This is one that gets me excited, Wedel said of the gym windows. Well fill in some and new ones will be tinted. It will be a real upgrade to that facility.

Estimates to replace the ceiling in the gym, however, were around $70,000, which was much more than the district anticipated spending.

Were still looking at the ceiling, to see what we can do, Wedel advised the board.

The high school gymnasium, meanwhile, which accounted for more than a third of the bond issue, is nearing completion, with lines to be painted on the gym floors this week, Wedel said. Overall, bond improvements are 60 to 70 percent complete, he said.

The board also learned Monday, amid discussions about closing a district elementary school to save an estimated $175,000 to $200,000 a year, that it could save some $133,000 if it refinances an energy lease contract.

Wedel told the board about two options on the lease, originally initiated in 2008 at a cost of $3.6 million in an effort to save on district energy costs. The board could tell its finance advisor, George K. Baum, that it should proceed with refinancing when doing so would guarantee savings of at least 2.5 percent, or that the district would refinance but also pay a lump sum $340,000 to cut two years off the debt contract that currently extends to 2028.

The district could draw the lump sum amount from its capital outlay funding, which presently sits at nearly $1 million, Wedel said.

Can we get someone here to explain this? Board member Paul Caffrey asked. Its complicated and Id feel better if someone explained it.

Wedel said he would put the issue back on the boards March agenda.

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Estimates for cost of bus wash bay for Haven schools jumps 90 percent - Hutchinson News

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Call the skilled pros at ProSkill for plumbing, heating, air service, repair, install - Sonoran News