Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Main Street improvements, resurfacing of a stretch of the Heart of Iowa Trail and construction of a new street named after a former state senator are among the applications under consideration by the Story County Board of Supervisors for an annual tax-increment financing program.

At its Aug. 12 meeting, the board began hearing requests for financing through the 2014 Urban Renewal Area program, which is used to assist various infrastructure improvement and expansion projects, public land and trail improvements and Main Street revitalization work.

Nine communities in the county have applied this year for assistance ranging from $10,000 (for a Main Street revitalization project in Collins) to $1.2 million (for Main Street improvements in Slater).

TIF funding is a subsidy intended to finance projects whose tax revenues will eventually cover its costs.

Supervisors continued hearing the TIF requests at their Tuesday meeting and will wrap them up next week before scheduling public hearings on the recommended proposals.

On Tuesday, they heard requests from the cities of Huxley, Kelley, Maxwell and Story City.

Mark Jackson, city administrator for Story City, requested the maximum 75 percent in TIF funding to help cover the costs of a project, initially estimated to cost more than $900,000, to build a street named after former state Sen. Rich Olive, a Democrat, who also spoke to the board on Tuesday.

The street would be built in Story Citys Interstate 35 Business Park and its construction would include utility extensions.

After Supervisor Rick Sanders questioned whether it would be appropriate for the county to cover more than $675,000 of the projects costs through TIF funding, Jackson agreed to revise the funding request to at least $83,500. The projects total cost was revised to $835,000.

Huxley is asking for $16,000 to help it resurface a mile-long stretch of the Heart of Iowa Trail between U.S. Highway 69 and Trailridge Park, a project it estimates will cost about $280,000.

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Board of Supervisors hears TIF requests

When the ice and snow finally melted at the London Hunt and Country Club after the longest and coldest winter the area had suffered in decades, golf course superintendent Jayson Griffiths stood before a wasteland.

To look around today at the site of this weeks Canadian Pacific Womens Open, theres no trace of the nightmare Griffiths and his grounds crew faced just five months before hosting the worlds best female golfers. The unrelenting Ontario winter put this course and hundreds of others under dense ice and heavy snow for about three months with no relief, suffocating the grasses and killing off three of their four acres of greens. With time ticking ahead of the August arrival of the LPGA, London Hunts crew had to breathe life into the barren, desert-like greens and bring them back to their vibrant, carpet-like championship form.

Griffiths, like many golf-course superintendents in Southern Ontario, began to suspect a particularly brutal and problematic winter was ahead when October was cold with little sunshine and leaves were staying on the trees far longer than usual. Then snow walloped London, Ont., in late November. Then, while other parts of Ontario suffered a catastrophic late December ice storm, London got heavy rain and snow, which melted but froze when temperatures plummeted dramatically as the calendar turned. Thick ice covered the golf course and didnt leave until late March.

On the greens, it was carnage: No sign of life, absolutely devastating. Ask any superintendent in the northeast, and theyll tell you it was the most devastating winter weve seen in generations, said 42-year-old Griffiths, who has been working on golf courses since he was 15. The grass on our greens was a species called poa annua, which is found on older golf courses, and it doesnt like extreme temperatures or ice cover. Anything over 30 days of ice is a ticking clock.

Moving that much ice and snow from the massive greens in the dead of winter would have been nearly impossible, not to mention it would have further exposed the grass to the extreme cold.

So you bide your time and keep taking plugs of grass to check the health, said Griffiths. We knew as the clock kept ticking, the situation was really bad.

What they saw in spring was a far cry from the immaculate 7,200-yard championship course that has hosted numerous major tournaments since it was designed in 1959, including Canadian Opens for men and women. There was some damage to the fairways, but that was the least of their problems. Two-thirds of the greens suffered severely many of those with more than 90 per cent brown dead space. Only two greens had less than 10 per cent damage.

They held a town hall to discuss with the clubs members play on the greens would have to be suspended, which would mean temporary greens tacked onto fairways and late openings to the golf season. Griffiths kept a detailed blog, filled with photos, to keep club membership and the LPGAs organizers updated as they dove into their recovery plan.

Griffiths said resodding would have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars sod was nearly impossible to find, anyway, with so many North American golf courses recovering from catastrophic winterkill. So they opted to reseed with bent grass, a hardier species in times of extreme weather. Seeding would cost just a few thousand dollars but required a highly detailed plan.

They chose to seed in late April, but there were challenges to overcome. The spring was colder than usual, it was windy and there was still frost underground from the long winter, which meant the course irrigation system wasnt ready yet. So they seeded strategically, pressed the seeds underground with rollers, and covered all the greens with perforated plastic blankets spanning about 10,000 feet each to simulate the warmer temperatures Mother Nature wasnt yet providing. They crossed their fingers for just enough rain until they could get their sprinklers going.

Excerpt from:
How to turn a wasteland into verdant golfing greens

Coach Jim Harbaugh cut short the 49ers final public practice at Levis Stadium on Wednesday after divots kept coming up and players such as Stevie Johnson perilously lost footing on the 4-month-old sod.

Johnson wiped out making a cut near the north end zone, and after one more play, Harbaugh led his team off the torn-up field, which is scheduled to host Sundays nationally televised exhibition against the San Diego Chargers.

The 49ers headed to finish practice on their normal training fields behind the adjacent headquarters.

It was the 49ers third practice inside their new $1.3 billion stadium, and one of the consolations offered to the 10,000 fans was free entry into the teams on-site museum.

The field conditions had team officials concerned from the start of practice. Team president Paraag Marathe, COO Al Guido and general manager Trent Baalke huddled with heads groundskeeper Matthew Greiner as practice unfolded.

Players repeatedly tried patting back down their divots, which often came up by pass rushers and linemen.

On Tuesday, the grounds crew replaced several patches of sod, in 1-foot-by-3-foot segments, throughout the field.

Livingston-based West Coast Turf began installing the 2.5 acres of Bermuda Bandera sod on April 17. That type of grass was heralded for its ability to withstand heavy use in variable climates with the need for 50 percent less water than the average turf.

Read the rest here:
Sod story: 49ers cut short practice after Levi s Stadium grass looks hazardous

NEW YORK Astros owner Jim Crane thinks his management team and one of the games best agents will be able to bury the hatchet.

Crane talked briefly with two VIPs in front of the visiting third-base dugout on Tuesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium: Tigers Woods and Casey Close

Close, the agent to Dexter Fowler who also advised unsigned Astros draft picks Brady Aiken and Jacob Nix, is a leading figure at Excel Sports Management, which represents Woods.

Ill go up and talk to him tonight, Crane said. Well go and visit a little bit. But Im not going to be dealing with Casey Close. Thats Jeffs (general manager Jeff Luhnows) job. I know who he is, and weve talked once or twice, but Im not dealing with contracts. Thats not my job.

Close had some very strong words about Astros management leading up to this years deadline to sign draft picks, when all of Aiken (the first overall pick), Nix (fifth round) and Mac Marshall (21st round) went unsigned as questions about Aikens throwing elbow arose.

A grievance was filed by the players union over alleged impropriety by the Astros.

Im not going to stand for it, the families arent going to stand for it, and frankly, Major League Baseball shouldnt stand for it, Close told Jim Callis of MLB.com about the Astros conduct in the days leading to the July 18 deadline. Its mind-boggling to me that other clubs wouldnt be appalled.

Nix had an agreement with the team and passed his physical. But Aikens deal fell through and created the potential for penalties had the Astros signed Nix without inking Aiken. The Astros did not honor the agreement with Nix, an agreement the Chronicle was told was only verbal.

I think itll be fine. Every deal is different, and you know, unfortunately that one didnt work out, and we did the best we could, Crane said. And he did the best he could, and we couldnt get a deal. Its unfortunate for everybody.

Crane said he hoped change to MLBs draft setup would come out of this years draft.

Original post:
Astros owner Jim Crane looks to mend fences with agent

Aug. 21, 2014, midnight

AN advertisement in a newspaper window in 1969 led Frank OGrady to a life gorged in ink.

Border Mail Printing general manager Damian Balkin, Frank OGrady and Fairfaxs Bob Lockley at work. Picture: TARA GOONAN

AN advertisement in a newspaper window in 1969 led Frank OGrady to a life gorged in ink.

After finishing school at Wangaratta Technical College, Mr OGrady was due to start an apprenticeship as an electrician.

But one fateful day he walked past the Wangaratta Chronicle office and saw a sign for an apprentice printer.

Jobs were plentiful and I was thinking about being an electrician, an engineer or a train driver, Mr OGrady said.

I thought printer sounded fancy it was quite prestigious to work for a newspaper.

All the manager asked was how soon could I start, I told him Monday, and I have worked in newspapers ever since.

His passion for printing led to 40 years of service with The Border Mail.

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Frank fit to print for 40 years and more

The Wall-Mounted Standing Desk (at left) offers a simple yet elegant solution to the problem of sitting all day

We've seen lots of standing desks here at Gizmag, including cheap and cheerful cardboard efforts, expensive automatic affairs, and even one that turns any office chair into a temporary compromise. And now we have a standing desk that doubles as a piece of modern art.

The standing desk in question is the descriptively titled Wall-Mounted Standing Desk. It's comprised of a wooden spine which is permanently attached to the wall, with grooves set into it at regular intervals. These grooves are used for the two shelves which turn it into a standing desk; a small shelf is set at head height for a laptop or tablet, with a larger shelf set at chest height for keyboard, mouse, and a beverage of your choice.

The shelves can be placed in whichever groove best suits the individual user, being temporary locked in place using a carriage bolt. When the standing desk is not being used, the shelves can be removed and stored out of sight. This leaves just the spine visible as a conversation starter, that the more creative among us would be able to describe as a piece of modern art.

The wooden spine measures 24 x 3 x 2.25 inches (61 x 7.6 x 5.7 cm), with the lower shelf measuring 23.5 x 15.5 in (59.7 x 39.4 cm) and the upper shelf measuring 11.5 x 15.5 in (29.2 x 39.4 cm).

The Wall-Mounted Standing Desk is available in light or dark wood, and is priced at $245. Drywall anchors and wood screws are provided for easy installation on a range of wall materials.

Source: Gereghty Desk Co.

See the article here:
Wall-Mounted Standing Desk has the spine to stop you sitting

Smithtown, NY (PRWEB) August 20, 2014

Flawless Paving, a Long Island-based asphalt paving company, announces the addition of sealcoating to its already extensive array of services being offered to customers in the New York metropolitan area.

Flawless specializes in all aspects of construction & maintenance including parking lot paving, patching, road construction, driveways, drainage, and striping. Flawless also provides masonry including bricks, blocks, paving stones, structural and poured/finished concrete. A detailed description of all the company's services is available on its website flawlesspaving.com.

The company features a full management staff to ensure projects run smoothly from start to finish. Flawless Paving owns all of its own equipment including, trucks, machines, steamrollers and excavation equipment and employs respectable operators and laborers. Flawless doesn't rely on subcontractors and that allows the staff to stay in control of a project and demand top quality craftsmanship.

Sealcoating asphalt is extremely important to protect it against harsh winters and strong sunlight in the summertime. Sealant also protects driveways and other asphalt surfaces from oil and fuel leaks, as well as improve traction for drivers and pedestrians.

Flawless Paving only uses high quality Velvetop products, which are durable and extend the surface's lifespan. Consumers should beware of contractors who dilute sealer with water or mix it with off brand products to maximize profits. Flawless uses only Velvetop slurry mix blacktop sealer, known as the premier sealer on the market. The sealcoating is always hand applied with quality brushes to assure maximum coverage and protection.

Before sealing a parking lot or driveway, it is important to fill all cracks to prevent water from penetrating the asphalt and causing more damage to the paved area. Flawless uses all commercial grade hot application crack filling materials to best protect parking lots or driveways. After sealing is complete, Flawless Sealcoating can re-stripe all parking spaces.

Flawless Paving specializes in both residential and commercial applications, regardless of size, and is fully insured with licenses in New York, East Hampton, Southampton and the five New York City boroughs.

Flawless offers free estimates on paving and sealcoating projects. In Nassau and Queens, call (516) 781-3512 or in Suffolk dial (631) 366-3512. To learn about Flawless Paving's services, log on to the company's website.

Read more here:
Flawless Paving Adds Sealcoating to Their List of Services

DEMOLITION work to take out buildings in the heart of Maroochydore to make way for a new city centre for the Sunshine Coast started today.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said the community would begin to see the immense size of the future Maroochydore City Centre within weeks.

"I don't think people realise the enormity of this project and that it is the only greenfield CBD development in Australia," Mr Jamieson said in a statement.

The council has acquired the Horton Park Golf Course for the new city which is dependent on private investment.

"We have a blank page - 53 hectares of land to transform into a future business centre, setting the Sunshine Coast apart from other locations across Australia.

"The Maroochydore City Centre will be instrumental in building and strengthening the economic and civic base of our region.

"This massive project, which will be delivered over the next 25 years, will provide a mix of residential, commercial, retail, civic and community uses to develop a thriving and vibrant business district and city centre, complementing and enhancing Maroochydore's existing business offering.

"The master planning process has also identified entertainment, exhibition and convention facilities, community facilities and meeting spaces, parklands, walkways, recreation areas and waterways and an enhanced public transport network.

"This is one of the most exciting chapters in Sunshine Coast's history and council, and the community as a whole, are fortunate to be part of this project from the very start, to see this rise from the ground in the coming years.

Demolition work at the Dolphin Centre, which used to house the office of controversial Coast MP and former Speaker Peter Slipper, began Wednesday.

See original here:
Demolition starts to make way for new Maroochydore

WEIRTON - The Weirton Building Enforcement Agency discussed completed and pending demolitions as well as one new hearing at its regular meeting Tuesday.

Rod Rosnick, chief code official, informed agency members that two single-family dwellings on Orchard Street and Hudson Avenue should be demolished within the next month. Pulice Demolition crews are set to begin on the Orchard Street house within the week.

A single-family home on Weir Avenue belonging to Charles Straum was inspected and found to have interior and exterior violations, including high grass and weeds, gutters falling or missing, siding missing, peeling or chipping paint, collapsing floors and ceilings and exposed electrical wires amongst other issues.

Code Official John Buffo recommended to move forward with bids for asbestos abatement and demolition, and agency members voted unanimously to accept the lowest bids.

A single-family dwelling owned by Timothy and Jessica Mrock on Adams Street has been on the agenda for more than a month to be considered for demolition.

Wells Fargo appealed the decision in order to determine whether the house will be rehabilitated or demolished. Rosnick said that City Attorney Vincent Gurrera is handling the appeal, which would go to circuit court if an agreement is not reached. Agency members voted unanimously to request that Gurrera pursue the matter and take it to court if necessary.

Read more from the original source:
Demolition program detailed

APPLETON (WFRV) New home constructions is on a strong, steady course in our area. That's despite delays coming out of a cold winter and wet spring.

"All of those houses that were started late are starting to work themselves through. And hopefully, that bodes for a strong fall season as well," said Tom Rooney, Director of Sales and Marketing for Mark Winter Homes in Appleton.

In many areas, new housing starts for April through June are just below thouse for the same time last year. Builders credit pent up demand, especially in desirable school districts.

"The markets that seem to be hottest in our area are Hobart. The starts are strong there. I think it's pretty much across the board with Green Bay, Lawrence, Ledgeview, Suamico and Howard," said Paul Soletiski, Bay Lakes Builders of Green Bay.

Areas around Appleton North High School and Kimberly High School are also booming. But that's creating a shortage of building lots in some areas. Though that's helping the existing home market.

"Actually it's helping the pre-existing homes because we not seeing as much inventory as new construction, as builders really shift to building custom homes," said Rooney.

But for those who are looking to build brand new or find an existing home, builders say the time is now and time maybe limited.

"Interest rates are fabulous right now. We haven't seen a lot of great rises in pricing. And I think it's coming," Rooney said.

Local 5's Terry Kovarik has more.

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New home starts surging in NE WI/Fox Cities