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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.

Continued here:
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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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

ANTHEM Angies List Super Service Award three years in a row. Anthem Young Professionals Leadership in Action Award in 2016. Acknowledged in Ranking Arizonas Top 10. Countless glowing Yelp reviews. An A+ rating with BBB. Only some of the accolades and recognition earned by ProSkill Plumbing, Heating & Air.

Two brothers, Cactus Shadows High grads, Tyler and Travis Ringe, founded ProSkill Plumbing in 2009. Customers for life was their goal. The recipe for success was simple: offer reasonable pricing, follow through on what they say and provide stellar service.

Starting ProSkill was a natural undertaking, given their dad was a general contractor and the Ringes grew up in the building industry. As the owners/operators of this family-run business (Tylers wife, Abby, does the books), ProSkill is the go-to plumber of not only former classmates but their parents as well. Its no wonder why the Ringes keep having to add trucks to their fleet (they started with one and are up to 17!). Customer referrals keep them busy, and they are even hiring plumbers and AC techs as they expand to meet demands.

In addition to the superior work and integrity at ProSkill, clients love the fact they typically dont pay service charges. (Calls for work on Sunday and after hours are assessed one.) Because Tyler and Travis have lived in the area so long, they often recommend fellow businesses if theres a service they cannot provide (they are customer-driven).

If you have a leak, need your AC tuned, want your RO filters changed, ProSkill can help, plus they strive to save clients cash with its Members Club. For example, pay $118/yr. per system and receive biannual AC tune-ups, heating/cooling inspection, condenser coil cleaning, condensate drain blowout/flush. Members also receive 5 percent repair discounts, no diagnostic fees, priority booking and ladder service (for those who cant use a ladder and may, perhaps, need bulbs changed) and more. See additional Members Club options at http://www.ProSkillServices.com.

The Ringes want to remind their neighbors that the need for AC will be here before they know it, so call 480-757-5722 no later than March to have a $59/unit HVAC tune before summer roars in!

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

Evacuations were lifted late Wednesday night in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood after fire officials confirmed a heavy piece of equipment on the 30th floor of a skyscraper under construction was no longer in danger of collapsing.

Firefighters in the afternoon ordered evacuations from 16 buildings while they responded to and investigated reports of an unstable structure on top of the building at 41 Tehama St.

Neighboring sites at 543, 531, 527, 505, 547, 555, and 557 Howard Street, 44 Tehama Street and 235 Second St. were also asked to evacuate as a precaution.

All the evacuations were lifted except at 41 Tehama, officials said.

A crane and pump sitting on top of the structure in question caused concerns about its stability.

"We were able to determine the crane was not affected, but the pumping station was affected," fire spokesman Jonathan Baxter said.

Crews worked for three and a half hours Wednesday night to stabilize and level out the platform to be sure the 19,000-pound pump remains in place.

Fire officials at an earlier news conference said city engineers and building construction crews had secured the structure. In addition, fire officials said there was no imminent threat to the public.

"During the process of normal construction in a high-rise building, a platform was shored up and held in place with some struts one of the struts in the northeast corner had failed, and when that failed, the platform itself leaned at a 15 degree angle," explained Assistant Fire Chief Tom Siragusa. Construction crew contacted SFFD, who ordered the evacuations based on the preliminary information. Siragusa said crews will be working to secure the unstable platform. Once the platform is stabilized, crews will be working to lower a heavy pump sitting on top of it.

"Our number one concern was the workers and public safety," he said. 'We erred on the side of caution."

Fire officials initially reported an unstable concrete slab on the 30th floor of the building, which they said weighed around 2,000 pounds.

But a statement from Hines and Invesco Real Estate, the developers for 41 Tehama, which is now being advertised as33 Tehama, said the concrete slab was not in any danger of falling:

"This afternoon, an incident occurred at the 33 Tehama site between levels 35 and 36 where an interior forming system had a partial hydraulic failure while being raised to the next level. The interior forming system and the concrete placement arm have been secured and are being evaluated by engineers to bring it back to level.

No injuries and or damage has been reported.

Please note the boom is located in the center of the top level. This is not the crane attached to the outside of the building. Previous reports that a 2,000 pound slab of concrete is in danger of falling are also false."

Hines is also listed as one of the developers of the nearby Salesforce Tower, which is being built adjacent to the Transbay Transit Center in San Francisco, andis projected to become the second tallest building on the West Coast.

According to its website, 33 Tehama is a 37-story, 403-unit luxury residential tower, also near the Transbay Transit Center site. It began construction in 2015, according to a 2015 statement from thecontractor Lend Lease.The project is designed by Arquitectonica andwill feature a fitness center, clubroom, rooftop solarium, outdoor terrace, and ground-floor retail/art space.

A permit application for the construction project, which was filed in 2015, lists the cost of the project at $106,869,000.

In January 2016, a contractor called Pacific Structures Inc. filed a permit application for a tower crane to work on new construction at 41 Tehama. The estimated cost was $100,000. The contractor for the actual construction permit is Bovis Lend Lease, Inc.

Records from the Office of Safety and Health Administration, from the U.S. Department of Labor, reveal both Bovis Lend Lease and Pacific Structureshave a history of violations.

San Francisco Fire Department Assistant Chief told reporters at a news conference that if the concrete slab fell down, there would be damage to nearby buildings. The California Highway Patrol closed down the Fremont Street offramp as a precaution. An engineering expert will be flying in from Washington to investigate the situation. Multiple agencies, including the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, San Francisco Police and CHP assisted SFFD with the high-rise emergency.

Those working at nearby buildings that were evacuated tweeted out photos from the scene. Conor Murphy, who works at the shared office space, Galvanize, tweeted: "When @galvanize gets evacuated for an issue with a nearby building, class continues in the street!"

Scott Manley tweeted out photos of crowds and law enforcement officials gathering outside on the street as news of the evacuations broke around 3:30 p.m.

"Our office was just evacuated because the 33 Tehama crane might fall," tweeted David Spinks who works at the LinkedIn building on 222 2nd St.

RAW: SF Fire Official Explains High-Rise Incident in SoMa

NBC Bay Area's Rachel Witte and Jean Elle contributed to this report.

Published at 3:07 PM PST on Feb 15, 2017 | Updated at 11:57 PM PST on Feb 15, 2017

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High-Rise Emergency: SF Construction Site Secured; Evacuations Lifted for SoMa Area - NBC Bay Area

EDMOND, Okla.

Police are searching for at least three people who earlier this month broke into an office building under construction by kicking through the drywall.

The thieves smashed in the walls and dismantled an alarm when they broke into the office building near Northwest 150th Street and Santa Fe Avenue in Edmond. They got away with hundreds of dollars in items.

"They kicked through the drywall in several spots and found where they could actually penetrate through the wall, said owner Cody Ward, with Neal McGee Homes.

Police said the men were caught in surveillance pictures Feb. 5 while most people were watching the Super Bowl. The thieves stole paint and plumbing fixtures.

"It's very frustrating to have people break into your buildings," Ward said.

Ward and the builder do not recognize the thieves and don't think they've worked on the building. Police are working to determine if they are also responsible with a tailgate theft last week.

WEBVTT T FOR AT LEASTTHREE PEOPLE WHO BROKE INTO ANOFFICE BUILDING KNOCKING OUTWALLS TO TAKE HUNDREDS OFDOLLARS IN ITEMS.JESSICA: KOCO'S JONATHAN COOPERSPOKE WITH THE BUILDER TODAY,AND IS NEAR NORTHWEST 150TH ANDSANTA FE WITH DETAILS.JONATHAN: POLICE SAY THOSETHIEVES BROKE INTO BOTH UNITS OFTHIS OFFICE BY KICKING THROUGHTHE DRY WALL.TONIGHT POLICE ARE TRYING TOFIND OUT IF THESE THIEVES ARECONNECTED TO EVEN MORE CRIMES.HOLES SMASHED IN THE WALLS ANDAN ALARM SYSTEM COMPLETELYDISMANTLED.THIS DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIEVESWHO BURGLARIZED AN OFFICE UNDERCONSTRUCTION.>> THEY KICKED THROUGH THE DRYWALL IN SEVERAL SPOTS AND FOUNDA SPOT WHERE THEY COULD ACTUALLYPENETRATE THROUGH THE WALL.JONATHAN: POLICE SAY THE MENSEEN HERE ON SURVEILLANCE PHOTOSBROKE INTO THE BUILDING NEAR NW150TH AND SANTA FE ON SUPER BOWLSUNDAY.WHILE MOST PEOPLE WERE WATCHINGTHE GAME POLICE SAY THEY WERESTEALING PAINT AND PLUMBINGFIXTURES.>> IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING TO HAVEPEOPLE BREAK INTO YOURBUILDINGS.JONATHAN: CODY WARD WORKS WITHTHE BUILDER AND SAYS THEY DON'TRECOGNIZE THE THIEVES AND DON'TTHINK IT'S ANYONE WHO'S WORKEDON THE BUILDING.POLICE MEANWHILE TELL US THEY'RETRYING TO DETERMINE IF THE SAMEMEN ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ATAILGATE THEFT NEAR DOWNTOWNJUST A WEEK BEFORE.THE BUILDER TELLS ME THEY HAVEALREADY FIXED THE DRY WALL.ALL OF THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE

Link:
Thieves kick through drywall to break into NW OKC office building - KOCO Oklahoma City