Trends

2011 Forty under 40

by
Images taken from the Tribune Business Weekly, May 30, 2011
Yesterday I attended the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce’s Forty under 40 luncheon at The Gillespie Center in South Bend.  I was there as Chairman of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC).  Jennifer Laurent, MCEDC Executive Director, was one of the honorees.  I was pleased to see that Andrea Cook of The Midas Center in Plymouth was also there as an honoree.  MCEDC is working to increase our regional ties and the recognition of these two influential women from our community can only help this effort.
Tracy Graham, former Notre Dame football player and current South Bend entreprenuer, was the keynote speaker.  He gave a motivational speech on the future of South Bend, refuting some of the negative connotations left by the Newsweek article naming South Bend #8 among America’s dying cities.  The University of Notre Dame, the convergances of transportation nodes and the high speed internet access provided by the Metronet were among a few of the positives he listed.  For better or worse, regionally our fortunes are somewhat linked to those of South Bend.
 
Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County and the Tribune Business Weekly for recognizing two of Marshall County’s bright young women.  Now we need to press the honorees to continue their efforts and not rest on their laurels.  Jennifer?  Andrea?  We’re waiting!  What are you going to do next to put Marshall County in the spotlight and on the map?  Best wishes for future successes!

Outdoor Living Project II

by

We previously told you about our work on an outdoor living project here.  Indiana weather hasn’t helped us with progress this Spring.  We had to wait for the weather to warm up enough to complete the masonry on the fireplace before we could make the tie-in with the rest of the structure.  Once that happened in March, we were able to complete the framing, but then April came with nearly constant rain delays.  Since that time we have completed the roof structure, installed the shingles and the EPDM roof on the flat section.  We have completed the barrel ceiling framing.  We have also completed the perimeter retaining wall.

Next on the schedule is the electrical rough-in.  The Owners finalized the lighting layout and have made most of the fixture selections this week.  We will be running the electric in flexible plastic conduit for maximum future options.  The Owners use a computerized lighting and security system in their home.  This system will be extended to the cabana to allow remote control of the lighting and other electrical systems.

We are also about to begin the installation of masonry walls that define the room.  The walls are solid core decorative retaining wall blocks that are designed for mortarless installation with vertical installation.  The critical area will be around the kitchen area where the interior dimensions are crucial for the kitchen cabinets and appliances while the exterior dimensions are crucial to the column alignment and hurricane shutter locations.

Check back for futher updates where we’ll have additional pictures of how it all comes together.

Historic Renovations

by

We have completed many historic projects over the years.  If you are considering a historic renovation project a 20% tax credit is available as an incentive to encourage you.  The first step is to see if your proposed project qualifies.  Here are the Secretary of The Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation:

  1. A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building, its site and environment.
  2. The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved.  Ther removal of historic materials, or alterations of features and spaces that characterize a property, shall be avoided.
  3. Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use.  Changes that create a false sense of historical development shall not be undertaken.
  4. Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.
  5. Distinctive features, finishes and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved.
  6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced.  Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture and other visual qualities, and if possible, materials.
  7. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used.
  8. Significant archaeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved.
  9. New additions, exterior alterations or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property.
  10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.

Historic renovation is also one of the most green forms of construction.  Finding a new use for a historic building may well save the structure from the landfill.  Careful analysis should be conducted, though.  Old is not always historic.  Historic structures are notorious for construction cost overrun issues as well as operational costs that exceed those of new construction.  As the project is considered, it must be determined if the project is being approached altruistically or for profit.

Read more

Nestrest: And now for something completely different…

by

So how do you get into your secluded, suspended sanctuary when you place it over water?  In any case, I ran across this and thought it was interesting.  If you have the right location and a big enough tree to support it; a wicker swing that looks like a Hershey Kiss and seats 2 or more?  Cool!  This is the Nestrest.  It’s a hanging lounger.

This is a product by DEDON.  If you’re interested in one and want to see more pictures, go here.  If you understand the ostriches, let me know…