Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architectshave released their vision for the rehabilitation and redevelopment of 20 properties on a 2.5 acre parcel of land that was to be developed as part of the proposed Superblock plan in downtown Baltimores West Side.

An aerial rendering shows the proposed corner of Franklin and Park streets in Baltimores West Side. (Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects illustration)

The concept redevelopment calls for the preservation of 15 historic structures and facades on Park Avenue, Howard and Franklin streets, according to a news release. Baltimore Development Corp. hired the architecture firm last year to re-imagine development on the site that has long retarded efforts to try and breathe new life into that portion of the city.

The Murphy & Dittenhafer plan proposes a vibrant mixed-use redevelopment for the entire block that is residentially based, accommodating over 200 new residential units at upper floor levels, over 20 new retail/office/commercial locations at street level, a major new commercial designation within the tall volume lower-level substation spaces, and possibilities for multilevel structured parking at two locations internal to the block and not visible from perimeter streets, with landscaped green roof courtyards above. New mid-block pedestrian connections from Howard Street and Park Avenue are proposed as part of the transformation of this one-block section of Tyson Street from a narrow, nondescript paved roadway to a pedestrian-friendly space celebrating the alley-like culture of the block and the adaptive reuse of the dynamic substation structure.

This is how the block looks before the proposed rehabilitation. (Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects submitted photo)

The architecture firm said it expects the Baltimore Development Corp. to release a Request for Proposals from possible developers during the first half of this year.

Last June, a Baltimore City Circuit Court judge threw out a lawsuit by the projects former developer, Lexington Square Partners LLC, seeking to block the city from rebidding the project. The city entered into an agreement with Lexington Square Partners for $150 million in 2007 to redevelop the block, but the agreement had to be extended several times because the developer was unable to secure financing.

Eventually the city ended the agreement and the developer sued alleging the city breached contract and sought $57 million in damages.

An aerial rendering shows the proposed corner of Howard and Mulberry streets. (Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects illustration)

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Architects release new Baltimore West Side plan

Wasps, the artist studio company, has appointed Collective Architecture of Glasgow to turn a section of The Briggait building in the city into the Creation Centre.

The architects will lead the second phase of the redevelopment of The Briggait, a Grade A-listed complex in the city's Merchant City, which is already the Wasps HQ and studios, work and rehearsal space for artists, performers and arts companies.

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The 4 million Briggait Creation Centre will give Glasgow a "public base for dance and Scotland's first purpose built accessible space for disabled dancers", Wasps said.

It will also provide facilities for the physical performance art forms - including circus, street theatre, flying trapeze and other aerial skills.

Audrey Carlin, Wasps' executive director for corporate services, said: "This is a project of huge value to the future of the arts in Scotland.

"We are extremely pleased to have architects on board who have such a clear commitment to the project and a sense of excitement about what can be achieved.

"We are providing professional and amateur artists and performers with an amazing new centre where they can come together to work, rehearse, hold classes, plan collaborations and perform shows.

"At the same time the project will ensure that one of Glasgow's most important historic buildings is sensitively redeveloped to give it a sustainable future and to contribute further to the regeneration of the Clyde waterfront and Merchant City."

Built in several stages between 1873 and 1904, and with a 17th century stone tower, The Briggait was once the city's fish market and has Scotland's oldest surviving collection of market halls.

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Architects appointed for major new Glasgow dance and trapeze studio

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - It could be your new home. After traveling the world some shipping containers are being converted to one-bedroom apartments. The containers arrived a few days ago.

"At first we didn't know that we would get a response, didn't know what to expect, and it has been really overwhelming," said Architect Brian Stark.

The project, located at 12th and Grand Avenues, is in the heart of the revitalized section of Grand Ave.

"I was a little concerned that maybe the neighbors wouldn't accept what we were doing, but it has been wonderful," said Wesley James.

Two containers are joined to create an open floor plan, with a good sized bedroom.

"You can see the two containers where they are cut down the middle, and this will form the bedroom. Behind you is the kitchen and the closet," said Stark.

The containers were built to handle all kinds of weather, so the architects say our desert heat won't be a problem.

"We will insulate it just like we insulate your typical house... it is going to have no problem at all with cooling," he said.

Measuring about 750 square feet, the containers will rent for around $1,000 a month, and there has already been plenty of interest.

"We are certainly happy to be part of what is going on downtown; it is way bigger than us for sure," said James.

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Architects turning shipping containers into homes

New tenants coming to the redeveloped Rotunda shopping mall and apartment complex in Roland Park range from a pet store and a kebob restaurant to the Space Telescope Science Institute, which tells the famed Hubble telescope what to explore in outer space.

Last year, Hekemian & Co., owner of the Rotunda, announced that the mall would be anchored by a 17,000-square-foot MOM's Organic Market, which is scheduled to open this September, and Cobb Theaters' 35,000-square-foot CineBistro, a multiplex cinema with upscale dining. The theater is scheduled to open in spring 2016.

On Monday, April 7, Chris Bell, Hekemian senior vice president for development, announced several additional retail tenants, all chain stores, which have signed leases at the Rotunda. They include a Pet Valu store next to MOM's; a Moby Dick's House of Kabob restaurant; Massage Envy; Bella Beach, a salon and day spa; and Floyd's 99, a chain barbershop that Bell described as having "a funky vibe." He said it takes its name from Floyd the barber on the old TV series, "The Andy Griffith Show." The Floyd's 99 website calls it "the original rock 'n' roll barbershop for men and women."

Hekemian is also negotiating to bring in a fitness center that would lease 15,000 square feet of space, and a national coffee chain store, Bell said. He would not name those businesses, because no leases have been signed.

The only remaining retail tenant from before redevelopment began is a Rite Aid store, which is considering expanding within the mall, Bell said.

The redeveloped Rotunda, previously limited to retail and offices, will now also include a residential component of 379 apartments, to be called The Icon at the Rotunda, as well as a central "Town Square" plaza for the mall complex and 1,200 parking spaces about 300 surface spaces and the rest in two garages. The apartment building will have a courtyard, where Bell said residents will be able to grill out and watch TV, among other amenities. There will also be a resort-style pool, he said.

Construction of the redevelopment project as a whole is expected to be finished by the end of this year, Bell said. The first apartment tenants are expected to move in this summer. Hekemian already has an unofficial waiting list of people who have expressed interest in living there, he said.

Hekemian anticipates a mix of residential tenants, including Hopkins students, empty nesters and young professionals, and a mix of chain retail stores that gives them and north Baltimoreans in general "more choices, closer to home," Bell said.

"I think this part of Baltimore has been underserved with good retail," he said.

Rotunda as icon

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Space institute among newly named tenants at Rotunda

Vine Street in front of the Law Enforcement Center in downtown La Crosse will be closed for up to 18 months while the adjacent Lot C is converted from a parking lot into a proposed $68 million housing, retail and office development.

The parking lanes on Third, Fourth and State streets alongside the lot will be closed down as well for the project, which is being coordinated by C.D. Smith Construction of Fond du Lac for developer Weber Holdings LLC. The same company handled the three Riverside Center buildings for Logistics Health Inc. founder and CEO Don Weber, who heads Weber Holdings.

Closing off the parking lanes will make for tight quarters on Third and Fourth streets, the main north-south route through the downtown, but should be workable, said Matt Gallager, city traffic engineer. The construction company coordinated the plan with his office to make sure it was feasible, he said.

The closures wont happen until Monday at the earliest, said Cory Henschel of C.D. Smith.

Shutting off the 300 block of Vine Street will create space for construction trailers and equipment, including a crane that will go on the northeast corner of the lot, he said.

While the citys Board of Public Works on Monday approved closing the street and lanes until December 2016, it will be reopened as soon as possible to minimize the disruption, Henschel said.

Trying to make this as seamless as possible, he said.

Construction on the 2.3-acre lot is expected to begin this month, starting with the south side of the complex that will include 23,000 square feet of retail space, a cafe, an Associated Bank location with drive-thru, plus 93 market-rate housing units above the retail space.

While that section will be completed within the 18-month period, no timeline has been set for the 111,500-square-foot office building on the north side of the lot and it may not be done within this construction cycle, Henschel said.

Weber Holdings bought the 2.3-acre site from La Crosse County in late February for $1 million, after submitting plans last summer for a 255,000-square-foot complex that would add an estimated $34 million in new tax base downtown.

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Vine Street to be closed for Lot C construction

LIBERTY TWP.

Midland Retail has signed Chipotle, Supercuts and AT&T for a new 11,444-square-foot retail center planned at the corner of Liberty One Drive and Cincinnati-Dayton Road in Liberty Twp., according to the commercial real estate firm.

Construction could start this month on Liberty Connection, and the building which has room for six storefronts is set to open by the end of the year, said Brad Austing, development and brokerage executive for Midland.

The location is situated on a major transportation artery exposed to 37,000 passing cars a day, Austing said.

We view the project as well-located, adjacent to a high-performing Kroger Marketplace, at the main entrance to Lakota East High School with over 2,600 students and Childrens Hospital which is undergoing a $162 million dollar expansion, Austing said in a written statement.

The significant residential growth in Liberty Twp. is to the north, east and west of the project.

Half of the available floor space at Liberty Connection has been pre-leased, and Midland is in talks with other potential tenants, Austing said.

Midlands retail center plans were approved, subject to some conditions, at Mondays Liberty Twp. zoning commission meeting, according to the township.

Elsewhere in Liberty Twp., construction is continuing on the $350 million Liberty Center project, the mega shopping, dining, residential and office complex under construction in Liberty Twp. at the crossroads of Interstate 75, Ohio 129 and Liberty Way. The center is scheduled to open its first phase consisting of more than 1 million-square-feet spread over about 65 acres in October.

Named Liberty Center tenants include Dillards department store, dinner-and-movie theater CineBistro, Dicks Sporting Goods, AC Hotels by Marriott, Brio Tuscan Grille, Cheesecake Factory, Kona Grill, Pie & Pints, Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern and FlipSide.

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Chipotle, Supercuts among retail storefronts headed to Liberty Twp.

The vacancy rate for neigborhood and community centers improved 10 bps during Q1.

NEW YORK CITYAlthough retails recovery hasnt gathered speed as yet, it has become more consistent, Reis Inc. said Friday. Furthermore, the real estate analytics firm sees this year as, possibly, the year that improvement in market fundamentals begins to accelerate.

Underpinning this measured optimism is the broader economic recovery, with Reis chief economist, Ryan Severino, noting that 2015 could be the best year for labor market performance since the late 1990s. The quality of the jobs being created continues to improve which means higher incomes and higher income growth. Cheap energy prices should continue to be a boon for most consumers as they adjust their behavior to correspond with structurally lower oil prices in addition to structurally lower natural gas prices.

Following the trend of recent quarters, neighborhood and community center vacancy declined by just 10 basis points during the quarter to 10.1%, as did that of regional malls, which dipped to 7.9% in Q1.

Severino notes that while neither net absorption nor construction were particularly robust, demand exceeded supply by a wide enough margin to cause vacancy rates to continue falling. For neighborhood and community centers, vacancy has dipped by 10 bps in three of the past four quarters. This is hardly a resounding victory for this retail subsector, but this needs to be put in its proper contextjust a 40 basis-point annual decline in vacancy would be the best performance since 2000 during the dot.com bubble, Severino says.

In the case of the shopping mall segment, the 10-bp improvement followed a 10-bp vacancy increase during Q4 of 2014. Rents, however, have grown for malls in each of the past 16 quarters. As with malls, neighborhood and community centers saw rent growth during Q1, and as with malls, it was a relatively modest 0.5%.

Although rent growth remains weak, the fact that it even continues to grow in the face of such an elevated vacancy rate is a mildly heartening sign for the sector, according to Severino. Although Reis expects rent growth to accelerate as this year progresses, expect the acceleration to be slight due to the still-high vacancy rate.

Taken together, the data for both neighborhood and community centers and malls indicate that the recovery, while not yet accelerating, is becoming more consistent, Severino says. Quarterly rent growth is now the norm and continues to drift higher while vacancy compression, though slowing for regional malls, is also beginning to occur on a quarterly basis.

The quarterly improvement in market fundamentals should persist as the year progresses, says Severino. Inclement weather was a factor in weak consumer spending during Q1, yet as the weather becomes more temperate, a surging economy and labor market, coupled with low oil prices, should continue to support consumer spending and we expect to see an improvement in demand for retail space for the balance of the year.

In addition, Severino says, construction remained at low levels during the first quarter and is not set to change anytime soon. The combination of little supply growth and increasing demand bodes well for most retail formats in the US.

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Retails Recovery Gains Traction, Gradually

AKRON, Ohio - Restoration company employees working on an Akron man's home found various pornographic materials in plain sight, but they also found child porn, according to Akron Police.

Police report Dunston O. Eddy, 51 of Akron, was charged with pandering obscenity involving a minor.

The restoration company employees were working in Eddy's house when a section of the basement was discovered that contained various pornographic material in plain sight, the Akron Police incident report states. Also in plain sight and among the adult porn was pornographic material containing obvious juveniles as participants, police said.

A restoration company employee notified the Akron Police Department Juvenile Bureau. Sergeant Harding and Detective Cozart met the employee at the residence and were led into the basement to the porn. The material was tagged as evidence and the officers located various CDs that were also included with the evidence.

Police said Eddy admitted the items were his. Detectives alsorecovered computer drives and numerous storage devices, they said.

Eddy's bond was set at $10,000.

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PD: Child porn found by restoration employees

7 April 2015 Mother and son reunion marks special conservation milestone

One Kiwi chick flies home from Oz to return another kiwi chick to the forest

An emotional surprise Kiwi family reunion marked the return last week of a very special kiwi chick to the inland Hawkes Bay forest from where its egg was taken. The 200th kiwi chick reared by the Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust and its conservation partners was returned to the bush by Aucklander Lynda Holswich who was reunited with her own fledgling at the event.

Her son Aaron was flown home secretly from Australia to be with his mother for the release. Video of the reunion can be seen here.

The male bird, named Tanekaha (Strong Man), was incubated at Kiwi Encounter in Rotorua and reared in a predator-free area at the Cape Sanctuary south of Napier.

To mark the occasion the Trusts primary sponsor, Auckland-based Tasti Products, ran a Facebook competition asking followers with children overseas to suggest names for the bird in honour of their offshore offspring.

Ms Holswich said she involved a close colleague, with recently-diagnosed Hodgkins lymphoma, to help with the naming of the kiwi and decided on the name Tanekaha, which could also be applied to her sons.

Tasti secretly got in touch with Aaron and arranged to fly him home to be reunited with his mother at the Trusts property in the Maungataniwha Native Forest in Hawkes Bay. Ms Holswich said the reunion was emotional.

The last thing I expected was to see my son when the helicopter landed at Maungataniwha I didnt know whether to laugh, cry or run away, she said. It turned a special event into something absolutely amazing and meaningful for me. Its a day Aaron and I will remember for the rest of our lives.

Chairman of the Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust Simon Hall said there had been an obvious connection between Ms Holswich and the kiwi.

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Mother and son reunion marks special conservation milestone

By By Special to the Sentinel Monday, April 6, 2015

Who or what is Paragon Restoration & Building, Inc.? Paragon Restoration and Building, Inc. is a full service general contractor, serving the residential and small commercial markets. Within these markets we provide repair and restorative services for those who may have experienced property damage losses such as water, fire, collision or vandalism to name a few. But Paragons services do not stop there. Paragon also performs remodels and additions. Weve performed a number of residential and commercial remodels, residential additions and commercial tenant finish projects.

Describe Paragon Restoration & Building, Inc.s primary goal with changing the way society views contracting as a whole. With notable exceptions, the building community generally view themselves as tradesmen and contractors rather than service providers. Often times very talented and dedicated industry providers are more focused on the product provided than the people they provide them for. At Paragon were providing customer centric service, delivered by a team of industry professionals, with a variety of trade specific expertise. The goal is not just to build or repair property but to understand and meet the property owner and tenants needs in the manner these services are performed. What sets us apart is our commitment to understand our customers needs, concerns and dreams. At the end of the day its our customers that matter most. Just as structures are meant to enrich the human experience, so too are our shared experiences. We are here to serve our community by putting our customers and neighbours first.

What is the history of how Paragon Restoration was founded? Paragon was created out of a recognition that our community needed a service provider capable of providing fast reliable reconstruction services for those suffering from property damage. Most people facing a sudden loss have no experience or background to draw from when suddenly forced to navigate the world of property insurance claims and contractor selection. Otherwise excellent and qualified contractors dont understand how to deal with insurance adjusters, and insurance providers struggle to verify the validity of quotes provided by contractors. Its really a complicated multiparty transaction that takes a knowledgeable and professional approach to navigate. That is just what we at Paragon do. We provide the bridge of knowledge and professionalism necessary to expedite repairs for the property owners benefit while fairly treating all parties involved in the transaction.

Paragon has a sister company; Rapid Response. How do the two businesses complement each other? Paragon Restoration & Building actually grew out of Rapid Response. Rapid Response as the name implies is a rapid response team that specializes in addressing property damages as they occur, stabilizing the situation via water removal and structure drying, property board up or debris removal. Additionally Rapid Response provides specialty cleaning for carpets, rugs, upholstery, blinds and air ducts. And remediation services for mold, microbial contaminates, and radon gas. The partnership between Paragon and Rapid provides each company better insight into related services and the handoff between the two. It also means we can coordinate and team up on services in order to provide better solutions to our customers.

How or why did Paragon Restoration & Building transition from restoration to providing remodel and addition contracting services? As implied in its name, Paragon Restoration & Building has been focused on remodels and additions from conception. Its not uncommon for those experiencing a property damage loss to take advantage of the disruptive event to upgrade or remodel their home. Doing so requires a contractor proficient in distinguishing and documenting the division between repair and improvement in order to ensure proper and fair settlement with insurance providers. It also takes a contractor that can walk property owners through a design and selection process in the midst of an unplanned and time sensitive repair. The leap from these types of remodels and additions into preplanned projects is relatively small. Working with home or business owners on the creative design process can be hugely rewarding.

In 2013 Paragon expanded into the accessibility market. How do you feel you are contributing to our local community by doing so? As part of our push to increase private pay remodel services we happened to stumble into the growing demand for universal and accessible design. Baths and kitchens, the two most common rooms needing these features also happen to be the rooms most commonly addressed in remodels. In 2013 an opportunity provided itself to add an accessibility expert to our staff which has had a variety of impacts on our business. First is that we became licensed and active in providing adaptive improvements for projects funded through third party payers such as Medicaid, VA, Community Services and more. Next in order to meet the needs of this market weve become venders for several accessibility products such as walk-in tubs, curb-less showers, platform and stair lifts, ramps, grab bars, etc. More important though we became much more aware of the growing demand for these home features. With a baby boomer turning 55 every 7 seconds, changes in how we age including increased life expectancy, and a growing and by all accounts permanent shortage of elderly and rehab housing facilities, Aging-in-Place is and will be the major market focus for the foreseeable future. This means we need to be thinking about universal, accessible and adaptive design in everything we do. By focusing and developing expertise in these markets we hope to be a major provider of solutions for our neighbors in both the existing and new housing markets.

What dynamic exists between the three owners and what experience do you all bring to the table? Larry LaFrenierre, who owns Rapid Response, has over 20 years of experience working in and owning cleaning and mitigation service companies. His understanding of cleaning techniques and chemistry are amazing. Hes also spent some time in building trades in both new and repair construction services. Guy Skufca has spent the majority of his career in the construction trades and has previously owned a paint and drywall business and has operated a general contracting business that built and sold new homes. Dan Washington has a life-long passion with home building in particular but the construction trades in general. Despite which he followed an early career in accounting and business administration. Dan has worked both in banking and for home builders which helps him to bridge the professional spheres of business management, finance, and production. In addition our team includes a number of previously self-employed tradesmen with unique knowledge and skills. Drawing on our combined knowledge we are able to assess complex situations and develop needs based solutions that ensure thorough execution of projects.

Looking for help with your home? Call the HBA of Northwestern Colorado at (970) 245-0253 or visit http://www.hbanwco.com

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Paragon Restoration & Building