(793,241,5,2,1225350037,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"241\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-09-09 06:48 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"19\";i:1;s:2:\"26\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:44:\"A Review of Three Unique ConsensusDocs Forms\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:44:\"a_review_of_three_unique_consensusdocs_forms\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:45:\"A Review of Three Unique ConsensusDocs Forms \";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:2:\"67\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:400:\"Of the approximately 70 documents within the ConsensusDocs family of forms, there are three forms that offer a unique approach to addressing traditional business risks: the Collaborative Agreement, the Electronic Communication Protocol document and the Time and Price-Impacted Materials document.  This article provides a brief overview of how these three forms tackle business risks in a unique way.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:28:\"ConsensusDocs, forms, review\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:6678:\"<p><em>By Leonard R. Ruzicka, Jr. </em></p>\n<p>Of the approximately 70 documents within the ConsensusDocs family of forms, there are three forms that offer a unique approach to addressing traditional business risks: the Collaborative Agreement, the Electronic Communication Protocol document and the Time and Price-Impacted Materials document.&nbsp; This article provides a brief overview of how these three forms tackle business risks in a unique way. <br /><strong></strong></p>\n<p><strong>Tri-Party Collaborative Agreement Doc No. 300</strong><br />This Agreement is initially executed by the owner, design professional and contractor and/or construction manager.&nbsp; The primary purpose of the Agreement is to bring these key players together at the front end of the project to minimize the risk of delay, conflict and increased cost typically experienced by project participants in non-integrated project delivery.&nbsp; The Agreement\\\'s provisions are intended to require a fully integrated and cooperative effort of all the project participants from preliminary design through final acceptance.&nbsp; In order to make this happen, the owner, design professional and contractor each designate an authorized representative to serve as a member of the Management Group.&nbsp; The Management Group is the decision-making body for the delivery of the Project consistent with the Owner\\\'s intended project requirements including schedule and budget.&nbsp; To facilitate an integrated, collaborative design process, there are provisions in the Agreement for including key design consultants, trade contractors and suppliers under Joining Agreements at later stages of the project as necessary.&nbsp; All of the initial members must approve the addition of such consultants, trade contractors and suppliers to the team.&nbsp; The Agreement requires decisions to be made through a consensus of the Management Group.&nbsp; If consensus cannot be reached among the Management Group members, the Owner retains the right to make a determination in the best interest of the Project as a whole. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>Although this is a cost plus agreement, there are a number of provisions designed to provide some predictability of ultimate costs to the Owner and to also control costs.&nbsp; The Constructor and Trade Contractors are required to provide input to the Designer in order to create value for the project by identifying options to improve constructability and functionality and to reduce capital costs.&nbsp; The Designer and Constructor must jointly develop a preliminary estimate of the cost of construction, together with contingencies and allowances to arrive at a Design Budget.&nbsp; To clearly identify costs, the parties are required to revise and further develop the project budget with the ultimate goal of arriving at a Project Target Cost Estimate when the project design is sufficiently complete.&nbsp; There is an option to penalize or reward the Designer and Constructor if the actual project cost is more or less than the Project Target Cost Estimate. &nbsp;<br />Another means of controlling costs is to employ \\\"pull based\\\" principles so that each of the parties to the agreement are performing, at any point in time, only work necessary to advance the project as anticipated and directed by the Management Group.&nbsp; The Agreement penalizes out of sequence work by requiring any party that fails to follow the approved work sequence plan to pay the cost of any rework resulting from such failure. &nbsp;<br />The Agreement also allows the parties to select one of two forms of risk allocation.&nbsp; The first option is entitled Safe Harbor Decisions.&nbsp; If this option is selected by the parties, they agree to release each other from any liability resulting from a collaboratively reached decision that may have been based on any mistake or error in judgment by one or more of the parties.&nbsp; This safe harbor provision does not extend to acts or omissions that amount to a willful default of an obligation under this Agreement.</p>\n<p>The second option is entitled Traditional Risk Allocation.&nbsp; This option requires each party to be fully liable to the other parties for its own negligence or breaches of contact or warranty.&nbsp; However, this second option provides for a specific dollar limitation of liability for both the Designer and Contractor. &nbsp;<br />Another unique clause in this document is entitled Principles of Communications.&nbsp; This provision not only requires that the parties agree on a protocol for communications, but also specifically prohibits \\\"... offline Project-related discussions among the Project participants...\\\".&nbsp; This clause emphasizes the importance of following the communication protocol by providing that a failure to adhere to the protocol constitutes a beach of the Agreement justifying a withholding of payment and a basis for termination. &nbsp;<br /><br /><strong>Electronic Communication Protocol Addendum Doc No. 200.2</strong><br />This unique form addresses the growing trend of communicating construction related information electronically.&nbsp; This 13-page form outlines the designation of key players in the communication process and details the list of all parameters that need to be considered in setting up the protocol and assignment of responsibility.&nbsp; This form requires each party to designate an IT Administrator.&nbsp; The IT Administrators then form an IT Management Team, with each party paying for its participation in this team.&nbsp; This form requires each party to establish standards for hardware, software, document format, transmission, security, access and archiving.&nbsp; Also, the form specifically requires the parties to make an affirmative election on the categories of documents to be exchanged.&nbsp; The document also outlines that the party failing to follow the detailed protocol in the form will be responsible for the related costs. <br /><br /><strong>Time And Price-Impacted Materials Doc No. 200.1</strong><br />This form addresses the recurring issue of material shortages or wildly fluctuating prices, such as with steel.&nbsp; Essentially the parties agree to certain materials that are required for the Project that may be subject to shortages or price fluctuations.&nbsp; The parties agree on a Baseline Price for selected materials that is included in the contract fixed price.&nbsp; If prior to delivery either party puts the other party on notice and provides adequate documentation substantiating an adjustment, the Contract Price and Time is adjusted either up or down consistent with the substantiated documentation.<br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"19\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"26\";}'),(794,247,10,2,1225351575,'a:33:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"247\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-09-18 07:15 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"24\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:57:\"KAI Design & Build to Host Free Conference/Seminar on BIM\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:55:\"kai_design_build_to_host_free_conference_seminar_on_bim\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:57:\"KAI Design & Build to Host Free Conference/Seminar on BIM\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:200:\"KAI Design & Build will host a free conference/seminar on Building Information Modeling, entitled \\\"Build Before You Build,\\\" on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Anheuser-Busch Conference Center in Fenton, MO.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:19:\"BIM, KAI Conference\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:42:\"Anheuser Busch Conference Center in Fenton\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-10-28 06:15 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:19:\"2008-10-28  8:24 PM\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:13:\"8 a.m. - Noon\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:2175:\"<p>KAI Design &amp; Build will host a free conference/seminar on Building Information Modeling, entitled \\\"Build Before You Build,\\\" on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Anheuser-Busch Conference Center in Fenton, MO. A full breakfast will be provided at the event, which is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>KAI is a leader in Building Information Modeling, applying it to architectural, engineering and construction projects firm-wide. KAI is a member of the National Institute of Building Sciences\\\' (NIBS) buildingSMART Alliance<sup>TM</sup>, a national committee responsible for developing BIM standards. BIM allows contractors to build a facility virtually before it is ever constructed physically. The conference is geared toward general contractors, owners, developers and engineers who would like to learn how they can build faster, smarter and cheaper using BIM technology, without the investment of time and money required to implement the technology in-house.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The \\\"Build Before You Build\\\" seminar will address the following: <br />&bull;Competitive advantages BIM brings to general contractors.<br />&bull;Actual field examples of project schedule and cost savings through BIM.<br />&bull;Why general contractors cannot always rely on architect-supplied BIM models.<br />&bull;Customizing your level of investment to each project.<br />&bull;How an outsourced BIM model can pay for itself.</p>\n<p>KAI presenters will include keynote speaker Adam Lega, BIM coordinator; Michael Kennedy Jr., president; Donald Koppy, director of architecture; Bruce Wood, Director of SP2CM/Construction Services; and Promod Kumar, Director of MEP Engineering. Lega has authored numerous articles on BIM for such local, regional and national publications as Builder/Architect, CNR, PE Magazine and Engineering News Record. Seating at the event is limited. For more information or to make a reservation, call 314-241-8188 or email rsvp@buildbeforeyoubuild.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>For more information about KAI Design &amp; Build or the conference visit <a href=\\\"http://www.kai-db.com\\\">www.kai-db.com&nbsp;</a>&nbsp; or phone 314-241-8188. <br /><br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"24\";}'),(795,276,10,2,1225351776,'a:33:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"276\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-10-14 07:55 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"26\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"ASA-Midwest Council Immigration  Seminar\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:39:\"asa_midwest_council_immigration_seminar\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:40:\"ASA-Midwest Council Immigration  Seminar\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:251:\"The law on immigration ischanging making compliancemore difficult and the penaltiesstiffer for failing to comply. A new law takes effect January2009 in Missouri. To work onMissouri public works projects, contractors at all tiers must be in compliance.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:33:\"ASA Midwest, Immigratoin, Seminar\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:79:\"Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, LC 101 S. Hanley Road, Suite 1700 St. Louis, MO 63105\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-11-05 07:30 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:20:\"7:30 AM - 11:30 A.M.\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:2367:\"<p>The law on immigration ischanging making compliancemore difficult and the penaltiesstiffer for failing to comply. A new law takes effect January2009 in Missouri. To work onMissouri public works projects, contractors at all tiers must be in compliance.</p>\n<p>Find out if you are in compliance with Federal, Missouri andIllinois laws. Find out if it is possible to comply with all laws without violating other laws. The presenters will discuss rights, responsibilities and penalties regarding I-9 forms and the details of the various e-verify programs. The panel will discuss the conflict between the right of owners and general contractors to receive copies of the I-9 forms of the subcontractors&rsquo; employees versus the employees&rsquo; right of privacy.</p>\n<p>The presentation is designed for anyone in the construction industry in Missouri and Illinois who deals with immigration, e.g., owners of construction companies, HR personnel, office managers, subcontractors.</p>\n<p>Richard A. Stockenberg, Partner, Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman will moderate the&nbsp; presentation. Stockenberg&nbsp; serves as General Counsel to the ASA Midwest Council. Other panelists are immigration attorneys: Suzanne Brown, Law Offices of Suzanne Brown; David J. Harris, Partner, Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman. and Melanie Gurley Keeney, partner, Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan &amp; Jackstadt, PC.</p>\n<p><strong>Topics to be covered include:</strong><br /><br /><strong>I-9 Compliance</strong><br />&bull; How to comply and complete<br />the forms<br />&bull; What are penalties for<br />noncompliance?<br />&bull; Do I violate my employees&rsquo; right<br />of privacy if I give an I-9 form to<br />an owner or general contractor?<br />State Laws &ndash; Missouri/Illinois<br />&bull; How are they different?<br />&bull; What do I have to do to work on<br />public works projects in Missouri?</p>\n<p><strong>Federal Laws</strong><br />&bull; E-verify<br />&ndash; What is it?<br />&ndash; How do I do it?<br />&ndash; When do I do it?<br />&ndash; What happens if I do not comply?<br />&ndash; How are federal requirements<br />different from staterequirements?<br />&bull; How long are prison terms?<br />Policy Considerations<br />&bull; Why do we have this?<br />&bull; What needs to be done to fix<br />problems?<br />&bull; What do the election results<br />portend?</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"26\";}'),(796,276,10,2,1225351906,'a:34:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"276\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-10-14 07:55 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"25\";i:1;s:2:\"26\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"ASA-Midwest Council Immigration  Seminar\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:39:\"asa_midwest_council_immigration_seminar\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:40:\"ASA-Midwest Council Immigration  Seminar\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:251:\"The law on immigration ischanging making compliancemore difficult and the penaltiesstiffer for failing to comply. A new law takes effect January2009 in Missouri. To work onMissouri public works projects, contractors at all tiers must be in compliance.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:33:\"ASA Midwest, Immigratoin, Seminar\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:79:\"Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, LC 101 S. Hanley Road, Suite 1700 St. Louis, MO 63105\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-11-05 07:30 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:20:\"7:30 AM - 11:30 A.M.\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:2367:\"<p>The law on immigration ischanging making compliancemore difficult and the penaltiesstiffer for failing to comply. A new law takes effect January2009 in Missouri. To work onMissouri public works projects, contractors at all tiers must be in compliance.</p>\n<p>Find out if you are in compliance with Federal, Missouri andIllinois laws. Find out if it is possible to comply with all laws without violating other laws. The presenters will discuss rights, responsibilities and penalties regarding I-9 forms and the details of the various e-verify programs. The panel will discuss the conflict between the right of owners and general contractors to receive copies of the I-9 forms of the subcontractors&rsquo; employees versus the employees&rsquo; right of privacy.</p>\n<p>The presentation is designed for anyone in the construction industry in Missouri and Illinois who deals with immigration, e.g., owners of construction companies, HR personnel, office managers, subcontractors.</p>\n<p>Richard A. Stockenberg, Partner, Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman will moderate the&nbsp; presentation. Stockenberg&nbsp; serves as General Counsel to the ASA Midwest Council. Other panelists are immigration attorneys: Suzanne Brown, Law Offices of Suzanne Brown; David J. Harris, Partner, Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman. and Melanie Gurley Keeney, partner, Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan &amp; Jackstadt, PC.</p>\n<p><strong>Topics to be covered include:</strong><br /><br /><strong>I-9 Compliance</strong><br />&bull; How to comply and complete<br />the forms<br />&bull; What are penalties for<br />noncompliance?<br />&bull; Do I violate my employees&rsquo; right<br />of privacy if I give an I-9 form to<br />an owner or general contractor?<br />State Laws &ndash; Missouri/Illinois<br />&bull; How are they different?<br />&bull; What do I have to do to work on<br />public works projects in Missouri?</p>\n<p><strong>Federal Laws</strong><br />&bull; E-verify<br />&ndash; What is it?<br />&ndash; How do I do it?<br />&ndash; When do I do it?<br />&ndash; What happens if I do not comply?<br />&ndash; How are federal requirements<br />different from staterequirements?<br />&bull; How long are prison terms?<br />Policy Considerations<br />&bull; Why do we have this?<br />&bull; What needs to be done to fix<br />problems?<br />&bull; What do the election results<br />portend?</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"25\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"26\";}'),(797,280,10,2,1225351962,'a:34:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"280\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-10-17 06:27 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"25\";i:1;s:2:\"26\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:82:\"CNR Executive Summit: Risk and Rewards in the St. Louis Construction Industry 2009\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:75:\"cnr_executive_summit_risk_and_rewards_in_the_st_louis_construction_industry\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:37:\"CNR Executive Summit: Risk and Reward\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:327:\"Risk is inherent in the construction industry. In today\\\'s economic climate that risk is at an all-time high. How do the owners, contractors and the others in the industry protect themselves against the volatility of the financial markets and fuel and material price escalation? What are the rewards for those who are prepared?\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:35:\"risk, reward, CNR Summit, executive\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:27:\"Missouri Athletic Club West\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-11-05 07:30 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:19:\"2008-11-05 05:27 PM\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:17:\"7:30 AM - 9:30 AM\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:2462:\"<p>Risk is inherent in the construction\nindustry. In today\\\'s economic climate that risk is at an all-time high.\nHow do the owners, contractors and the others in the industry protect\nthemselves against the volatility of the financial markets and fuel and\nmaterial price escalation? What are the rewards for those who are\nprepared?</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"CNR Summit\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/cnr-summit.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Because of your leadership position the St. Louis construction\nindustry, we invite you to BE OUR GUEST at this special program, which\nwill kick off CNR\\\'s 40th year as the \\\"Voice for the St. Louis\nConstruction Industry.\\\"</p>\n<p><strong>Date:</strong> Wednesday, November 5th, 2008</p>\n<p><strong>Time:</strong> 7:30-9:30 a.m.</p>\n<p><strong>Location:</strong> Missouri Athletic Club, 1777 Des Peres Road</p>\n<p><strong>Format:</strong> Continental Breakfast, Panel Presentation, Q&amp;A</p>\n<h2>KICKOFF SPEAKER</h2>\n<p>Richard Ward (Principal, Zimmer Real Estate Services, St. Louis;\nformer CEO of Development Strategies and of Team Four): Overview of the\nSt.&nbsp;Louis market, its historic tendencies, demographic, political, and\nmarket forces, and prognosis for the year.</p>\n<h2>PANELISTS</h2>\n<p><strong>Len Toenjes</strong> (CEO, AGC of St. Louis) Market and political forces (transportation, minorities, etc.) affecting contractors</p>\n<p><strong>Walt Bazan</strong> (CEO Bazan Painting, national board of directors\nAmerican Subcontractors Association) Risks to subs in a down market\n(price volatility, risk assumption)</p>\n<p><strong>Mike Flavin</strong> (President, The Business Bank of St. Louis)\nFinancial roadblocks to projects, working capital issues for\nconstruction companies and developers</p>\n<p><strong>Andy Manuel </strong>(Shareholder, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, PC)\nLegal risks in developer failures, BIM, ConsensuDocs, LEED\ncertification, and material volatility. Labor issues emerging from\ntighter market.</p>\n<p><strong>Pete Mohs </strong>(Vice President, J.W. Terrill) Risk in bonding,\nelectronic building technologies, implied guarantees and health risks\nin \\\"green \\\" construction, fallout from additional focus on crane safety.</p>\n<p>Attendance is free, but registration is required. For registration or more information, email <a href=\\\"mailto:summit@stlouiscnr.com\\\">summit@stlouiscnr.com</a>, fax to St. Louis CNR at 314.241.0241, or call Tom Finan at 314.584.4717.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"25\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"26\";}'),(798,303,4,2,1225385194,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-10-30 06:43 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"26\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"AIA Architecture Billings Index Falls Over Six Points\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:53:\"aia_architecture_billings_index_falls_over_six_points\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:50:\"Architecture Billings Index Falls Over  Six Points\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:677:\"Following three consecutive months of signs of greater stability in design activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell precipitously, dropping more than six points.  As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the September ABI rating was 41.4, down sharply from the 47.6 mark in August (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The inquiries for new projects score was 51.0.  This is also the first time in 2008 that the institutional sector has fallen below the 50 mark.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:33:\"AIA, architectural billings index\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2282:\"<p>Following three consecutive months of signs of greater stability in design activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell precipitously, dropping more than six points.&nbsp; As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the September ABI rating was 41.4, down sharply from the 47.6 mark in August (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The inquiries for new projects score was 51.0.&nbsp; This is also the first time in 2008 that the institutional sector has fallen below the 50 mark. <br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"With all of the anxiety and uncertainty in the credit market, the conditions are likely to get worse before they get better,\\\" said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. \\\"Many architects are reporting that clients are delaying or canceling projects as a result of problems with project financing.\\\"<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Key September ABI highlights:</strong><br />Regional averages: Midwest (45.2), West (45.0), Northeast (44.2), South (44.1)&nbsp; <br />Sector index breakdown: mixed practice (45.9), institutional (45.6), commercial / industrial (42.1), multi-family residential (40.3)<br />Project inquiries index: 51.0 <br /><strong><br />About the AIA Architecture Billings Index</strong>:<br />The Architecture Billings Index is derived from a monthly \\\"Work-on-the-Boards\\\" survey and produced by the AIA Economics&nbsp; Market Research Group. Based on a comparison of data compiled since the survey\\\'s inception in 1995 with figures from the Department of Commerce on Construction Put in Place, the findings amount to a leading economic indicator that provides an approximately nine to twelve month glimpse into the future of nonresidential construction activity. The diffusion indexes contained in the full report are derived from a monthly survey sent to a panel of AIA member-owned firms. Participants are asked whether their billings increased, decreased, or stayed the same in the month that just ended. According to the proportion of respondents choosing each option, a score is generated, which represents an index value for each month.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"26\";}'),(799,280,10,2,1225385240,'a:34:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"280\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-10-17 06:27 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"25\";i:1;s:2:\"26\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:82:\"CNR Executive Summit: Risk and Rewards in the St. Louis Construction Industry 2009\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:75:\"cnr_executive_summit_risk_and_rewards_in_the_st_louis_construction_industry\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:37:\"CNR Executive Summit: Risk and Reward\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:327:\"Risk is inherent in the construction industry. In today\\\'s economic climate that risk is at an all-time high. How do the owners, contractors and the others in the industry protect themselves against the volatility of the financial markets and fuel and material price escalation? What are the rewards for those who are prepared?\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:35:\"risk, reward, CNR Summit, executive\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:27:\"Missouri Athletic Club West\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-11-05 07:30 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:17:\"7:30 AM - 9:30 AM\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:2462:\"<p>Risk is inherent in the construction\nindustry. In today\\\'s economic climate that risk is at an all-time high.\nHow do the owners, contractors and the others in the industry protect\nthemselves against the volatility of the financial markets and fuel and\nmaterial price escalation? What are the rewards for those who are\nprepared?</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"CNR Summit\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/cnr-summit.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Because of your leadership position the St. Louis construction\nindustry, we invite you to BE OUR GUEST at this special program, which\nwill kick off CNR\\\'s 40th year as the \\\"Voice for the St. Louis\nConstruction Industry.\\\"</p>\n<p><strong>Date:</strong> Wednesday, November 5th, 2008</p>\n<p><strong>Time:</strong> 7:30-9:30 a.m.</p>\n<p><strong>Location:</strong> Missouri Athletic Club, 1777 Des Peres Road</p>\n<p><strong>Format:</strong> Continental Breakfast, Panel Presentation, Q&amp;A</p>\n<h2>KICKOFF SPEAKER</h2>\n<p>Richard Ward (Principal, Zimmer Real Estate Services, St. Louis;\nformer CEO of Development Strategies and of Team Four): Overview of the\nSt.&nbsp;Louis market, its historic tendencies, demographic, political, and\nmarket forces, and prognosis for the year.</p>\n<h2>PANELISTS</h2>\n<p><strong>Len Toenjes</strong> (CEO, AGC of St. Louis) Market and political forces (transportation, minorities, etc.) affecting contractors</p>\n<p><strong>Walt Bazan</strong> (CEO Bazan Painting, national board of directors\nAmerican Subcontractors Association) Risks to subs in a down market\n(price volatility, risk assumption)</p>\n<p><strong>Mike Flavin</strong> (President, The Business Bank of St. Louis)\nFinancial roadblocks to projects, working capital issues for\nconstruction companies and developers</p>\n<p><strong>Andy Manuel </strong>(Shareholder, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, PC)\nLegal risks in developer failures, BIM, ConsensuDocs, LEED\ncertification, and material volatility. Labor issues emerging from\ntighter market.</p>\n<p><strong>Pete Mohs </strong>(Vice President, J.W. Terrill) Risk in bonding,\nelectronic building technologies, implied guarantees and health risks\nin \\\"green \\\" construction, fallout from additional focus on crane safety.</p>\n<p>Attendance is free, but registration is required. For registration or more information, email <a href=\\\"mailto:summit@stlouiscnr.com\\\">summit@stlouiscnr.com</a>, fax to St. Louis CNR at 314.241.0241, or call Tom Finan at 314.584.4717.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"25\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"26\";}'),(800,301,2,2,1225386165,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"301\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-10-29 08:22 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"26\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:64:\"Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 Starts Three-Way Conversation\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:53:\"plumbers_and_pipefitters_start_three_way_conversation\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:64:\"Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 Starts Three-Way Conversation\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:161:\"Plumbers and Pipefitters  Local 562 recently held a program that union leaders hope will begin a continuing dialogue with contractors and buyers of construction.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:69:\"Tripartite, Plumbers and Pipefitters, owners, contractors, conference\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1624:\"<p>Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 recently held a program that union leaders hope will begin a continuing dialogue with contractors and buyers of construction. On Oct. 14 the union, in cooperation with the St. Council of Construction Consumers,&nbsp; the Mechanical Contractors Association of Eastern Missouri, and the Plumbing Industry Council, held the inaugural \\\"Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 Tripartite Conference\\\". <br /><br />\\\"Basically for years we\\\'ve worked for the owners but never had a relationship with them.,\\\" John O\\\'Mara, assistant business manager of Local 562 said.&nbsp; \\\"So we\\\'ve tried to open the door where we could have a back-and-forth about what the owners are looking for from our members.\\\"<br /><img alt=\\\"Local 562\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"212\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Local-562.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /><br />O\\\'Mara said the St. Louis program mirrors a tripartite conference that was held at the national level by the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters. <br /><br />The program covered presentations on training, welding certification, drug testing, manpower needs and other issues, followed by roundtable discussions&nbsp; during&nbsp; which owners and contractors presented specific issues to the union representatives. <br /><br />Approximately 70 people attended the presentation.&nbsp; Major construction consumer firms&nbsp; attending included Ameren, Anheuser-Busch, BJC,&nbsp; The City of St. Louis and St. Louis&nbsp; Airport Authority, Covidien, Northstar,&nbsp; Prairie State, SSM,&nbsp; and Washington U. School of Medicine.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:35:\"/images/uploads/pipefitters-562.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"26\";}'),(801,299,2,2,1225404316,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"299\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-10-28 08:12 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"26\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"Student Charrette on Arch Grounds, Riverfront Planned\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"student_charrette_on_arch_grounds_riverfront_planned\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"Student Charette on Arch Grounds, Riverfront Planned\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:255:\"Forty-eight students of various design and construction disciplines from five Midwestern universities will be gathering at the Mansion House complex in downtown St. Louis  Nov. 6 - 9 to participate in a unique Downtown/Riverfront Student Design Charrette.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"Arch, charette, riverfront, St. Louis\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:7511:\"<p>Forty-eight students of various design and construction disciplines from five Midwestern universities will be gathering at the Mansion House complex in downtown St. Louis&nbsp; Nov. 6 - 9 to participate in a unique Downtown/Riverfront Student Design Charrette. The collaborative initiative is aimed at exploring new possibilities for improving the functioning, connections and vitality of the area of downtown St. Louis anchored by the central riverfront, Gateway Arch and arch grounds, Memorial Drive and sections of Interstate 70. <br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Arch\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/arch.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />The event will be held in a currently unoccupied three-story commercial space that is part of the Mansion House complex at 300 North Fourth Street, directly across from the Arch grounds. \\\"The venue, which is being donated for this initiative, is ideal as its east facing windows provide expansive, unobstructed views of the Arch grounds. The venue overlooks the network of roads that currently serves as a barrier between those grounds and the rest of downtown,\\\" said Michelle Swatek, Executive Director of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). <br /><br />AIA St. Louis and the Transportation Engineering Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (TEAMS) are the lead organizers for the charrette, and participants include the schools of art &amp; architecture from Washington University, Drury University and the University of Illinois-Urbana; the Department of Civil Engineering at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo. <br /><br />The participating students of transportation engineering, art, landscape and architecture from these schools have spent the past several weeks reviewing advance information about the study area, compiled by Patricia Heyda, Architecture faculty member at Washington University. They will convene in St. Louis on Nov. 6, at which time they will be assigned to one of seven teams. The project gets underway that evening at Washington University with a keynote address by Alex Krieger, professor of Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University Graduate School of Design. On Friday, Nov. 7, the teams will gain additional perspective about the area and this project through various speakers, a host of presentations and panel discussions at Mansion House, while also touring the project site. They will then engage in an intense design planning period from 8 a.m. Saturday until 1 a.m. on Sunday, and again on Sunday morning from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. <br /><br />The charrette will conclude Sunday afternoon with a final open-to-the-public session from noon until 4 p.m., during which students will present the various design concepts that emerge as a result of the process. <br /><br />Fred Powers, principal with Powers Bowersox Associates and a past president of AIA St. Louis Chapter, initiated the project and is serving as the charrette coordinator. \\\"The collaborative nature of the charrette technique and the intensity involved should yield some imaginative suggestions,\\\" he notes. \\\"I also think the charrette represents a unique learning experience for multidisciplinary students and universities to collaborate and engage in current and important civic issues for our region. Getting the input of young people makes sense as the decisions being made today will impact their generation, much as the original plans for the Arch grounds conceived decades ago have impacted so many since then.\\\" <br /><br />The overall goal of the charrette is to create design concepts that will enhance the riverfront and arch grounds, better encompass downtown and transform the area into a world-class destination for visitors and area residents. The specific design objectives for the charrette are:</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li>To preserve and protect the Gateway Arch as one of the world\\\'s greatest monuments. </li>\n<li>To view the Riverfront, the Arch grounds and the area extending west across Memorial Drive as one integrated project area. </li>\n<li>To maximize the use and impact of St. Louis\\\' two greatest physical assets - the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi River - for the long-term benefit and enjoyment of the area residents and tourists. </li>\n<li>To incorporate attractions and amenities that will make the area a year round activity center. </li>\n<li>To maximize pedestrian connections to, and within, the overall site. </li>\n</ul>\n<p><br />Organizers realize the project will be a challenging one for the students. \\\"There have been many attempts over the past several years to beautify and connect the Gateway Arch and Riverfront areas. There are many complex engineering issues due to the close proximity of several downtown roadways, including the convergence of several major interstates, that traverses through the study area. Finding a delicate balance for all will be challenging,\\\" notes Michael Trueblood, president of TEAMS. \\\"The complex engineering issues range from pedestrian-vehicle issues to retaining walls and drainage issues to significant infrastructure requirements such as tunneling and bridging. Developing a concept that transcends all of these issues can be done, but it will take cooperation from a number of disciplines.\\\"<br /><br />Other area experts who will be lending their time to this initiative and providing background information as speakers on Friday morning include: Robert Moore, arch grounds historian; Don Roe, Acting Planning Director, City of St. Louis; Gregory Horn of the Missouri Department of Transportation; Jasen Brown of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Harry Richman, AIA Emeritus, who will share with the students his stories about opening the Arch competition drawing submittals, which ultimately led to the 1947 selection of the design by Eero Saarinen, then a student of architecture at Washington University. &nbsp;<br /><br />Friday evening\\\'s panel lineup includes: Eric Mumford, Associate Professor, College of Architecture/Graduate School of Architecture &amp; Urban Design at Washington University; Peter Sortino, Director, Danforth Foundation; Tom Bradley, Superintendent of the Arch grounds, and George Nikolajevich, FAIA, principal with Cannon Design. <br /><br />\\\"This experience will bring together artists, engineers and architects in interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative ideas around an iconic yet dynamic part of the city of Saint Louis,\\\" notes Bruce Lindsey, AIA, <br />Dean of the College of Architecture at Washington University. \\\"The students\\\' ideas will contribute to the on-going dialogue about this important part of the city and contribute towards their development as future professionals and citizens. Students are a renewable energy source.\\\" <br /><br />The charrette is being made possible thanks to the generous support of the Washington University School of Architecture; AIA St. Louis Chapter\\\'s Scholarship Committee; the Gertrude and William A Bernoundy Foundation; Peckham, Guyton, Albers, and Viets, Inc.; Cannon Design, HDR, Jacobs, Mackey Mitchell Associates; Powers Bowersox Associates; TEAMS and Value St. Louis Associates, owner of the Mansion House, which is providing the space at no charge. <br /><br />To learn more about the upcoming Downtown/Riverfront Student Design Charrette, contact Michelle Swatek at the AIA St. Louis Chapter, 314-621-3484. <br />.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:24:\"/images/uploads/arch.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"26\";}'),(802,299,2,2,1225404426,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"299\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-10-28 08:12 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"26\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"Student Charrette on Arch Grounds, Riverfront Planned\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"student_charrette_on_arch_grounds_riverfront_planned\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:53:\"Student Charrette on Arch Grounds, Riverfront Planned\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:255:\"Forty-eight students of various design and construction disciplines from five Midwestern universities will be gathering at the Mansion House complex in downtown St. Louis  Nov. 6 - 9 to participate in a unique Downtown/Riverfront Student Design Charrette.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"Arch, charette, riverfront, St. Louis\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:7511:\"<p>Forty-eight students of various design and construction disciplines from five Midwestern universities will be gathering at the Mansion House complex in downtown St. Louis&nbsp; Nov. 6 - 9 to participate in a unique Downtown/Riverfront Student Design Charrette. The collaborative initiative is aimed at exploring new possibilities for improving the functioning, connections and vitality of the area of downtown St. Louis anchored by the central riverfront, Gateway Arch and arch grounds, Memorial Drive and sections of Interstate 70. <br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Arch\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/arch.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />The event will be held in a currently unoccupied three-story commercial space that is part of the Mansion House complex at 300 North Fourth Street, directly across from the Arch grounds. \\\"The venue, which is being donated for this initiative, is ideal as its east facing windows provide expansive, unobstructed views of the Arch grounds. The venue overlooks the network of roads that currently serves as a barrier between those grounds and the rest of downtown,\\\" said Michelle Swatek, Executive Director of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). <br /><br />AIA St. Louis and the Transportation Engineering Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (TEAMS) are the lead organizers for the charrette, and participants include the schools of art &amp; architecture from Washington University, Drury University and the University of Illinois-Urbana; the Department of Civil Engineering at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo. <br /><br />The participating students of transportation engineering, art, landscape and architecture from these schools have spent the past several weeks reviewing advance information about the study area, compiled by Patricia Heyda, Architecture faculty member at Washington University. They will convene in St. Louis on Nov. 6, at which time they will be assigned to one of seven teams. The project gets underway that evening at Washington University with a keynote address by Alex Krieger, professor of Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University Graduate School of Design. On Friday, Nov. 7, the teams will gain additional perspective about the area and this project through various speakers, a host of presentations and panel discussions at Mansion House, while also touring the project site. They will then engage in an intense design planning period from 8 a.m. Saturday until 1 a.m. on Sunday, and again on Sunday morning from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. <br /><br />The charrette will conclude Sunday afternoon with a final open-to-the-public session from noon until 4 p.m., during which students will present the various design concepts that emerge as a result of the process. <br /><br />Fred Powers, principal with Powers Bowersox Associates and a past president of AIA St. Louis Chapter, initiated the project and is serving as the charrette coordinator. \\\"The collaborative nature of the charrette technique and the intensity involved should yield some imaginative suggestions,\\\" he notes. \\\"I also think the charrette represents a unique learning experience for multidisciplinary students and universities to collaborate and engage in current and important civic issues for our region. Getting the input of young people makes sense as the decisions being made today will impact their generation, much as the original plans for the Arch grounds conceived decades ago have impacted so many since then.\\\" <br /><br />The overall goal of the charrette is to create design concepts that will enhance the riverfront and arch grounds, better encompass downtown and transform the area into a world-class destination for visitors and area residents. The specific design objectives for the charrette are:</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li>To preserve and protect the Gateway Arch as one of the world\\\'s greatest monuments. </li>\n<li>To view the Riverfront, the Arch grounds and the area extending west across Memorial Drive as one integrated project area. </li>\n<li>To maximize the use and impact of St. Louis\\\' two greatest physical assets - the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi River - for the long-term benefit and enjoyment of the area residents and tourists. </li>\n<li>To incorporate attractions and amenities that will make the area a year round activity center. </li>\n<li>To maximize pedestrian connections to, and within, the overall site. </li>\n</ul>\n<p><br />Organizers realize the project will be a challenging one for the students. \\\"There have been many attempts over the past several years to beautify and connect the Gateway Arch and Riverfront areas. There are many complex engineering issues due to the close proximity of several downtown roadways, including the convergence of several major interstates, that traverses through the study area. Finding a delicate balance for all will be challenging,\\\" notes Michael Trueblood, president of TEAMS. \\\"The complex engineering issues range from pedestrian-vehicle issues to retaining walls and drainage issues to significant infrastructure requirements such as tunneling and bridging. Developing a concept that transcends all of these issues can be done, but it will take cooperation from a number of disciplines.\\\"<br /><br />Other area experts who will be lending their time to this initiative and providing background information as speakers on Friday morning include: Robert Moore, arch grounds historian; Don Roe, Acting Planning Director, City of St. Louis; Gregory Horn of the Missouri Department of Transportation; Jasen Brown of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Harry Richman, AIA Emeritus, who will share with the students his stories about opening the Arch competition drawing submittals, which ultimately led to the 1947 selection of the design by Eero Saarinen, then a student of architecture at Washington University. &nbsp;<br /><br />Friday evening\\\'s panel lineup includes: Eric Mumford, Associate Professor, College of Architecture/Graduate School of Architecture &amp; Urban Design at Washington University; Peter Sortino, Director, Danforth Foundation; Tom Bradley, Superintendent of the Arch grounds, and George Nikolajevich, FAIA, principal with Cannon Design. <br /><br />\\\"This experience will bring together artists, engineers and architects in interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative ideas around an iconic yet dynamic part of the city of Saint Louis,\\\" notes Bruce Lindsey, AIA, <br />Dean of the College of Architecture at Washington University. \\\"The students\\\' ideas will contribute to the on-going dialogue about this important part of the city and contribute towards their development as future professionals and citizens. Students are a renewable energy source.\\\" <br /><br />The charrette is being made possible thanks to the generous support of the Washington University School of Architecture; AIA St. Louis Chapter\\\'s Scholarship Committee; the Gertrude and William A Bernoundy Foundation; Peckham, Guyton, Albers, and Viets, Inc.; Cannon Design, HDR, Jacobs, Mackey Mitchell Associates; Powers Bowersox Associates; TEAMS and Value St. Louis Associates, owner of the Mansion House, which is providing the space at no charge. <br /><br />To learn more about the upcoming Downtown/Riverfront Student Design Charrette, contact Michelle Swatek at the AIA St. Louis Chapter, 314-621-3484. <br />.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:24:\"/images/uploads/arch.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"26\";}'),(803,304,4,2,1226131022,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-07 08:47 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:50:\"Association Predicts Cement Use  Drop Through 2010\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:49:\"association_predicts_cement_use_drop_through_2010\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:49:\"Association Predicts Cement Use Drop Through 2010\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:313:\"The weak economy and tight credit conditions, coupled with severe job losses and the resulting decline in state government revenues, will translate into significant weakness for the construction industry through 2010, leading the Portland Cement Association (PCA) to again adjust its cement consumption forecast.\n\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:22:\"PCA, cement, forecaset\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2506:\"<p>The weak economy and tight credit conditions, coupled with severe job losses and the resulting decline in state government revenues, will translate into significant weakness for the construction industry through 2010, leading the Portland Cement Association (PCA) to again adjust its cement consumption forecast.<br /><br />The latest PCA forecast of cement, concrete, and construction predicts a 12.8 percent decline in cement consumption in 2008, followed by 11.9 percent and 2.1 percent declines in 2009 and 2010, respectively.<br /><br />The PCA report cites the continued drop in residential starts and the erosion of the strong fundamentals supporting nonresidential construction as major factors leading to reduced cement consumption. The weak economy also has affected the public construction sector.</p>\n<p>\\\"Several economic factors are negatively influencing the construction industry,\\\" Edward Sullivan, PCA chief economist said. \\\"High energy prices, the sub-prime crisis, the melt-down of our financial markets, inflation, job losses and tight lending standards are combining to create weak economic conditions and the emergence of huge state deficits. Public construction<br />accounts for nearly half of all the total cement consumption in the U.S., and states in poor fiscal condition will need to cut back on this spending.\\\"<br /><br />PCA expects cement consumption in residential to decline 31.7 percent in 2008 and 16.9 percent in 2009, but a rebound of the market in the second<br />half of 2010 will lead to a 12.1 percent increase in consumption in that year. Consumption in the nonresidential sector is expected to decline 22.2 percent in 2009 and the public sector will see 6.6 percent declines in 2009 and 2010.<br /><br />\\\"The nonresidential construction market typically takes 18 months from the onset of better economic conditions to rebound,\\\" Sullivan said. \\\"With weak consumer spending, this sector will be especially hit hard in retail construction.\\\" <br /><br />PCA predicts a recovery to begin in 2011 with a 10.3 percent increase compared to 2010 consumption and a return to near-record consumption levels<br />by 2013.<br /><br />Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.cement.org\\\">www.cement.org.</a></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(804,305,4,2,1226132416,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-07 09:15 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:54:\"Mortgage Defaults Lead to Higher Rental Housing Demand\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:54:\"mortgage_defaults_lead_to_higher_rental_housing_demand\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:54:\"Mortgage Defaults Lead to Higher Rental Housing Demand\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:227:\"A steady but slowing multi-family industry was among the findings of RubinBrown\\\'s 2008 Apartment Statistical Analysis. The report compiles data from 224 apartment projects in 26 states, representing operating results for 2007.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:27:\"RubinBrown, rental, housing\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3571:\"<p>A steady but slowing multi-family industry was among the findings of RubinBrown\\\'s 2008 Apartment Statistical Analysis. The report compiles data from 224 apartment projects in 26 states, representing operating results for 2007. <br />&nbsp;<br />Decreasing employment and stagnant vacancy rates were two of the main reasons cited for this trend, with vacancy rates remaining close to 10 percent for most of 2007. In addition, about 800,000 fewer households were added last year than in 2006. However, a slowing economy may mean that more homeowners will become renters. <br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"We anticipate that there will be a large number of foreclosures in 2008 and perhaps into 2009,\\\" said Brian Keller, CPA, partner-in-charge, Real Estate Services Group, RubinBrown. \\\"As a result, there will be greater demand for rental housing, some of which will be satisfied by apartments but some of which will be met by vacant single-family properties being funneled into the rental housing pool.\\\" <br />&nbsp;<br />Keller says the apartment industry will find itself in a beneficial situation demographically in the near future, as children born in the \\\'80s and early \\\'90s, as well as immigrants, become householders. Of the more than 7 million householders under the age of 25, 75 percent are renters. <br />&nbsp;<br />A decrease in new equity investment commitments has caused a negative impact on the housing credit market; however, new legislation by Congress is expected to alleviate some of that impact. <br />&nbsp;<br />Keller notes that the rising cost of oil continues to directly and indirectly impact the apartment industry, increasing operating costs and decreasing operating income. The price of crude oil has risen nearly 500 percent over the past five years, leaving consumers with less money to allocate to rent or mortgage payments.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />Keller also highlights several trends in the housing market, including decreases in multifamily construction as the condominium market falls and the rise in green and sustainable building. As national voluntary standards are being developed for green buildings, many state and local governments have created incentives and initiatives for participation. <br />&nbsp;<br />In St. Louis, the multifamily housing market began to slow at the end of 2007, with dropping occupancy rates and low rent increases. Residential redevelopment continues in the city; however, there may not be sufficient demand to keep up with it. <br />&nbsp;<br />Overall, the industry is expected to benefit from slower construction of single-family homes and increased difficulties in lending. As the economy slows, demand for the affordable housing industry will increase, as it offers quality housing at a reasonable price. <br />&nbsp;<br />The complete 2008 Apartment Statistical Analysis is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.rubinbrown.com/content/view/1204/101/\\\">www.rubinbrown.com/content/view/1204/101/</a>. <br />&nbsp;<br />RubinBrown is one of the Midwest\\\'s largest accounting and business consulting firms, with more than 320 team members working from offices in St. Louis and Kansas City. Founded in 1952, the firm\\\'s award-winning team members hold leadership roles in both national and local accounting organizations and have worked to establish best practices in accounting within specific industry segments. RubinBrown is an associated member of Baker Tilly International, a network of 138 independent firms in 104 countries. For more information, visit www.rubinbrown.com. <br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(805,306,4,2,1226167158,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-08 06:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:51:\"AGC Says Jobs Report Underscores Need for  Stimulus\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"agc_says_jobs_report_underscores_need_for_stimulus\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:51:\"AGC Says Jobs Report Underscores Need for  Stimulus\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:430:\"\\\"Today\\\'s unemployment report--grim reading on all counts--is especially bad for construction and shows the urgency of enacting infrastructure spending as part of a stimulus bill,\\\" Ken Simonson, chief\neconomist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), said Friday, Nov. 7 following a Bureau of Labor Statistics report that showed the unemployment rate for construction workers jumped to 10.8 percent last month.\n\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:14:\"Infrastructure\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2400:\"<p>\\\"Today\\\'s unemployment report--grim reading on all counts--is especially bad for construction and shows the urgency of enacting infrastructure spending as part of a stimulus bill,\\\" Ken Simonson, Chief<br />Economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), said Friday, Nov. 7 following a Bureau of Labor Statistics report that showed the unemployment rate for construction workers jumped to 10.8 percent last month.<br /><br />\\\"Construction had--by far--the highest unemployment rate of any industry and the largest increase, up from 6.1 percent a year ago,\\\" Simonson noted. \\\"The industry accounted for nearly half of the million-plus jobs lost throughout the economy in the past 12 months.<br /><br />\\\"Many of those losses have been in heavy and civil engineering construction--highways and other public works,\\\" Simonson observed. \\\"Those workers could quickly be re-employed if the states had enough money to award contracts for projects they have ready to go. Contrary to some assertions, this money would quickly make its way into the economy, supporting equipment and materials manufacturing and services jobs as well as construction. State officials say they have thousands of projects ready to award without long delays.<br /><br />\\\"AGC urges Congress to act this month on a stimulus package that includes funding for highway, bridge and other infrastructure work,\\\" Simonson stated. \\\"In addition, the new Administration and Congress should give a high priority to renewing long-term highway, airport, water and wastewater funding bills next year.</p>\n<p>While Barack Obama has said that infrastrucure improvements will be a cornerstone of&nbsp; his&nbsp; information, local construction leaders are taking that news with caution. The $60 billion Obama proposed, over the next decade nationwide would need a significant contribution from\nstate and local investors in order to have much impact, Len\nToenjes, president of Associated General Contractors of St. Louis told the <em>St.Louis Post-Dispatch</em>. \\\"I\\\'d hate to see people oversimplify this and think that a check is\ngoing to show up from the beltway and we\\\'re going to have all these new\nprojects going,\\\" he said.<br /> <br /> One example of the challenges was the defeat of the local proposition\nthat could have built a new MetroLink line into western St. Louis\nCounty, Toenjes said.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(806,307,4,2,1226167823,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-08 07:05 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"OSHA Raises the Flag  for BSI\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:28:\"osha_raises_the_flag_for_bsi\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:28:\"OSHA Raises the Flag for BSI\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:236:\"OSHA officials held a special flag-raising ceremony at the  headquarters of BSI Constructors Nov. 6, recognizing the firm as the  first Missouri construction firm to be approved to self-police safety on all of its construction projects.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:9:\"BSI, OSHA\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:920:\"<p>OSHA officials held a special flag-raising ceremony at the&nbsp; headquarters of BSI Constructors Nov. 6, recognizing the firm as the&nbsp; first Missouri construction firm to be approved to self-police safety on all of its construction projects.</p>\n<p>BSI Constructors, Inc. earned OSHA\\\'s highly-selective Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Mobile Workforce Demonstration for Construction designation.&nbsp; It eliminates the need for repetitive OSHA inspections on BSI projects, allowing the federal safety agency to focus resources on more problem sites.</p>\n<p>BSI is not only the first Missouri firm to earn the VPP designation for all its projects, but the first in OSHA\\\'s Region 7, which includes Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.</p>\n<p>To earn the distinction, contractors must demonstrate exemplary risk management programs and commit to rigorous self policing of safety on their job sites.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(807,308,4,2,1226168015,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-08 07:11 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:49:\"Guarantee Electrical Completes Four Ladue Schools\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:49:\"guarantee_electrical_completes_four_ladue_schools\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:48:\"Gurantee Electrical Completes Four Ladue Schools\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:143:\" St. Louis-based Guarantee Electrical has completed electrical work on kitchen remodels at four elementary schools in the Ladue School District\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:34:\"Gurantee Electrical, Ladue Schools\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1282:\"<p>&nbsp;St. Louis-based Guarantee Electrical has completed electrical work on kitchen remodels at four elementary schools in the Ladue School District. Guarantee also is providing electrical construction for the addition of a library and new classrooms at Conway, Reed, Old Bonhomme and Spoede elementary schools, scheduled to be complete in December 2008.<br />&nbsp;<br />The new construction includes a 7,000-square-foot library addition at Spoede to replace the school\\\'s current library; a 7,000-square-foot addition at Conway; an 11,000-square-foot addition at Old Bonhomme; and a new elevator at Reed. The existing library at Spoede is being renovated into four classrooms.<br />&nbsp;<br />The project includes high-end lighting fixtures and electrical roll-up shades for the new classrooms and library to reduce glare and provide more uniformed lighting.&nbsp; Guarantee is replacing electrical wiring, circuitry and systems; adding new light fixtures; revising existing circuitry and installing new electrical feeds for the planned additions and renovations. Guarantee also is installing voice/data and low-voltage systems on the project.<br />&nbsp;<br />The general contractor on the project is S.M. Wilson. The architect is Christner Inc. and the engineer is KJWW.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(808,309,4,2,1226169081,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-08 07:21 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:48:\"McGrath Builds Science Center Life Science Lab  \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:46:\"mcgrath_builds_science_center_life_science_lab\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:48:\"McGrath Builds Science Center Life Science Lab  \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:180:\"McGrath & Associates, Inc. a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction manager, recently completed the new $1.3 million Life Science Lab at the St. Louis Science Center.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:23:\"McGrath, Science Center\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1962:\"<p>McGrath &amp; Associates, Inc. a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction manager, recently completed the new $1.3 million Life Science Lab at the St. Louis Science Center.</p>\n<p>The 4,700 square-foot-lab boasts several workbenches where visitors can conduct experiments using scientific tools. The majority of funding for the project came from a federal grant. The lab is the first major new exhibit since the James S. McDonnell Planetarium underwent an overhaul in 2001.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Science Center Life Science Lab\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"233\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Science-Center_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />\\\"Our new Life Science Lab launches a new approach to engaging, fun, hands-on learning for children and families,\\\" said Science Center President &amp; CEO Doug King. \\\"There is nothing static about this gallery. It is an authentic science experience that lets the individual make his or her own discoveries and grow an appreciation for life sciences that will be critical to our future.\\\" The Life Science Lab includes an atrium entrance, activity benches, a lab classroom and a staff workroom. In the interactive atrium entrance, visitors of all ages will receive an introduction<br />to various life science concepts and skills as well as the chance to view and use constantly changing collection items, biological specimens and science tools.</p>\n<p>\\\"We were thrilled to have a chance to work on such an exciting and visible project,\\\" said Kevin Story, director of Business Development &amp; Marketing for McGrath &amp; Associates. \\\"This<br />project, working within a functioning public facility, presented its own unique set of challenges. It is gratifying to see the final result, especially when you watch families as they learn and enjoy<br />the new space.\\\"</p>\n<p>McGrath &amp; Associates served as the Construction Manager while HKW Architects, Inc. performed architectural duties.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(809,310,4,2,1226170690,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-08 07:40 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"B2B Credit Report Raises Flags\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:30:\"b2b_credit_report_raises_flags\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:37:\"B2B Credit  Report Lien Raises  Flags\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:214:\"Increased lien filings are  just one aspect of a generally dismal business-to-business credit situation, according to the National Association of Credit Management\\\'s (NACM) most recent Credit Managers Index (CMI).\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:24:\"credit managers, liens, \";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:5256:\"<p>Increased lien filings are&nbsp; just one aspect of a generally dismal business-to-business credit situation, according to the <a href=\\\"http://www.nacm.org\\\" title=\\\"National Association of Credit Management\\\">National Association of Credit Management\\\'s </a>(NACM) most recent Credit Managers Index (CMI).</p>\n<p>The CMI data has been collected and tabulated monthly since February 2002. The Index, published since January 2003, is based on a survey of about 800 trade credit managers during the last 10 days of the month, with about equal&nbsp; representation between manufacturing and service sectors. The survey asks respondents to comment on whether they are seeing improvement, deterioration or no change for various favorable or unfavorable factors. There is representation from all states, except some of the less populated such as Vermont and Idaho. The complete report can be found at <a href=\\\"http://web.nacm.org/cmi/cmi.asp\\\" title=\\\"CMI Report PDF\\\">http://web.nacm.org/cmi/cmi.asp</a></p>\n<p>\\\"The seasonally adjusted Credit Manager\\\'s Index (CMI) for October revealed an increasing sense of doom among the participants, mirroring conditions in the rest of the economy,\\\" said Daniel North, chief economist for credit insurer Euler Hermes ACI, who analyzes the data and prepares the CMI report for the National Association of Credit Management. The combined index fell 2.6% to a record low of 44.8%. Eight of the 10 components fell, nine are now below the 50 level, indicating economic contraction, and eight set record lows.</p>\n<p>\\\"The misery was spread all around but manufacturing fared the worst, losing 4.2%, while services fell 0.9%,\\\" said North. Both manufacturing and services were below 50% for the second consecutive month. \\\"The &lsquo;accounts placed for collection\\\' component was below 40% in both manufacturing and service sectors, suggesting that customers are trying their best to drag out terms in an effort to get credit in any form they can, because apparently banks aren\\\'t giving any,\\\" said North.<br /><br />\\\"Certainly the economy is in dismal shape after the effects of high energy prices and the housing market bubble burst have been dragging on for some time. Now the increasing number of job losses, shrinking GDP, negative real retail sales and a host of other indicators confirm that the recession has arrived. Perhaps most troubling though is the disruption in the financial markets which has severely curtailed the availability of credit. As a result, which credit managers are so clearly telling us, not only is the economy bad, but the credit situation is making it even worse,\\\" said North.<br /><br />The seasonally adjusted manufacturing sector index fell 4.2% to a record low of 43.7%, North reported. Nine components fell, all 10 are below the 50% level and six set record lows. Weak collections, slow payment and tight credit bode poorly for the coming months as were reflected in comments from CMI survey participants:<br /><br />&nbsp;\\\"Tight, tight money and now a new worry is the customer\\\'s bank.\\\" - Steel works<br />\\\"The number of final demand letters has increased, indicating probable future deterioration in receivables.\\\" - Motor vehicle parts<br />&nbsp;\\\"Reviewing credit limits and deciding to lower quite a few as a precautionary measure.\\\" - Fabricated rubber<br />&nbsp;\\\"Our market condition is continuing to decline. Our sales continue to shrink.\\\" - Telephone equipment<br />&nbsp;\\\"Projecting slow growth\\\" - Glass works<br /><br />The seasonally adjusted service sector index fell 0.9% to 45.9%. Six components fell, eight are below 50% and five set record lows. \\\"The climate in the service sector is decidedly more irritable than in manufacturing,\\\" said North. \\\"The manufacturing sector seems more focused on weak demand, but service sector credit managers are more concerned about getting their money back.\\\"<br /><br />&nbsp;Construction materials: \\\"We are filing more liens than we have ever done.\\\"<br />&nbsp;Electronic parts: \\\"I fully expect bankruptcies and delinquencies to increase through 2009.\\\"<br />&nbsp;Seafood: \\\"Our customers are seriously challenged by the current economic environment. Threatened credit cut-offs and actual credit cut-offsare at an all time high.\\\" <br />&nbsp;Farm supplies: \\\"Increase in the number of customers that are sending smaller weekly payments on account instead of paying invoices in full.\\\"<br />&nbsp;Metals service center: \\\"We are beginning to see effects of economic downturn, i.e., slower payments, more unauthorized deductions, increased request for extended terms, request for price adjustment...\\\"<br /><br />\\\"It\\\'s not surprising then, in this environment, to see that one industry in particular is doing well-legal services,\\\" said North. Said one respondent, \\\"I expect this to be our best year in 25 years for new business and net revenue.\\\"<br /><br />\\\"On a seasonally adjusted basis over the past 12 months, the combined index has fallen 9.0%, with most of the decline coming in the most recent two months,\\\" said North. Services fell 8.7% and manufacturing fell 9.3%. Bankruptcies led the way in all three indexes, dropping 16.2% in services and 19.4% in manufacturing.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(810,311,2,2,1226520786,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:05 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:228:\"A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.\n\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"CNR, Summit, Risk  and Rewar\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3951:\"<p>A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.<br /><br />Mike Flavin, president of The Business Bank of St. Louis, hit the topic that has everyone concerned: the recession. Flavin, who said the recession will either be long or deep, hoped for a \\\"short, deep\\\" recession instead of a long, shallow one.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"CNR Summiit Panel \\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"284\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/panel-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Flavin laid the blame for the recession on the popping of a credit bubble, and said a series of irresponsible decisions by mortgage originators, bankers, investment bankers, insurance companies, and credit raters came together to create the bubble and the current credit crunch.<br /></p>\n<h4>The CNR Summit Panel.&nbsp; Front Row (L to R): Len Toenjes, AGC of ST. Louis; Richard WaRD, Zimmer REal Estate; Walt BazAn, Bazan Painting. Back ROW, Tom Finan, St. Louis CNR; Steve Gillen, J.W.Terrill; Andy Manuel, Greensfelder, Hemker, and Gale; Mike Flavin, The business Bank of St. Louis. <br /></h4>\n<p>Richard Ward, vice president - development management, Zimmer Real Estate Services, predicted slow growth in the coming years. He said the St. Louis economy mirrors the national economy. For the long run - measured in decades, not years - that means, \\\"slow, but steady growth\\\" for the metro region as a whole, he said. Within the region, however, he predicted \\\"a dramatic redistribution of jobs and population to Illinois,\\\" driven by the relative abundance of easily developed land in the Metro East area as compared to the western parts of the region.<br /><br />Ward raised two caution flags on his modest growth outlook: floods and gridlock.<br /><br />\\\"We are paying insufficient attention to flood plain management ... [such that] we are creating the potential for the biggest disaster to ever hit the United States,\\\" he said.<br /><br />And Metrolink, he said, \\\"is critical to the region\\\'s future.\\\" St. Louis County voters\\\' rejection of additional funding for Metrolink was a bad sign for the region\\\'s willingness to move forward.<br /><br />Len Toenjes, president of the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, picked up on the transportation theme. Called the Metrolink vote, Missouri\\\'s unwillingness to pay for a Mississippi River Bridge, and a shortage of federal funding \\\"symptoms of a bigger disease\\\" that threatens the continued viability of metropolitan St. Louis. \\\"We need to improve the transportation system to remain competitive so we don\\\'t get all the hubs going north or south of us,\\\" he said.<br /><br />Without new funding, he said, transportation projects in Missouri will be cut in half in 2009 or 2010. He urged everyone to get behind a new effort by the RCGA and the Regional Business Council to do something about transportation.<br /><br />Walt Bazan, Bazan Painting and the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, talked about significant risks facing subcontractors. Moving up the list of subcontractor concerns is worry about getting paid. \\\"We now have to find out how projects are financed and underwritten to see if there is enough cash,\\\" he said. \\\"Banks are no longer accepting real estate as down payment on loans from developers,\\\" he explained.<br /><br />Andy Manuel, shareholder, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, PC) talked about new risks and old: liability issues for contractors and designers in green building and BIM, and getting paid. \\\"Going forward, we\\\'ll see a lot of disputes where one party cannot pay,\\\" and that is where mechanics\\\' liens are important<br /><br />Steve Gillen, from J.W. Terrill, described why the insurance market is hardening and told the audience that they can expect their premiums <br /></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:32:\"/images/uploads/summit-panel.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(811,311,2,2,1226521093,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"311\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:05 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:41:\"cnr_executive_summit_2009_a_year_of_risks\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:228:\"A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.\n\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"CNR, Summit, Risk  and Rewar\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3938:\"<p>A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.<br /><br />Mike Flavin, president of The Business Bank of St. Louis, hit the topic that has everyone concerned: the recession. Flavin, who said the recession will either be long or deep, hoped for a \\\"short, deep\\\" recession instead of a long, shallow one.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"CNR Summiit Panel \\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"284\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/panel-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Flavin laid the blame for the recession on the popping of a credit bubble, and said a series of irresponsible decisions by mortgage originators, bankers, investment bankers, insurance companies, and credit raters came together to create the bubble and the current credit crunch.</p>\n<h4>The CNR Summit Panel.&nbsp; Front Row (L to R): Len Toenjes, AGC of ST. Louis; Richard WaRD, Zimmer REal Estate; Walt BazAn, Bazan Painting. Back ROW, Tom Finan, St. Louis CNR; Steve Gillen, J.W.Terrill; Andy Manuel, Greensfelder, Hemker, and Gale; Mike Flavin, The business Bank of St. Louis. <br /></h4>\n<p>Richard Ward, vice president - development management, Zimmer Real Estate Services, predicted slow growth in the coming years. He said the St. Louis economy mirrors the national economy. For the long run - measured in decades, not years - that means, \\\"slow, but steady growth\\\" for the metro region as a whole, he said. Within the region, however, he predicted \\\"a dramatic redistribution of jobs and population to Illinois,\\\" driven by the relative abundance of easily developed land in the Metro East area as compared to the western parts of the region.<br /><br />Ward raised two caution flags on his modest growth outlook: floods and gridlock.<br /><br />\\\"We are paying insufficient attention to flood plain management ... [such that] we are creating the potential for the biggest disaster to ever hit the United States,\\\" he said.<br /><br />And Metrolink, he said, \\\"is critical to the region\\\'s future.\\\" St. Louis County voters\\\' rejection of additional funding for Metrolink was a bad sign for the region\\\'s willingness to move forward.<br /><br />Len Toenjes, president of the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, picked up on the transportation theme. Called the Metrolink vote, Missouri\\\'s unwillingness to pay for a Mississippi River Bridge, and a shortage of federal funding \\\"symptoms of a bigger disease\\\" that threatens the continued viability of metropolitan St. Louis. \\\"We need to improve the transportation system to remain competitive so we don\\\'t get all the hubs going north or south of us,\\\" he said.<br /><br />Without new funding, he said, transportation projects in Missouri will be cut in half in 2009 or 2010. He urged everyone to get behind a new effort by the RCGA and the Regional Business Council to do something about transportation.<br /><br />Walt Bazan, Bazan Painting and the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, talked about significant risks facing subcontractors. Moving up the list of subcontractor concerns is worry about getting paid. \\\"We now have to find out how projects are financed and underwritten to see if there is enough cash,\\\" he said. \\\"Banks are no longer accepting real estate as down payment on loans from developers,\\\" he explained.<br /><br />Andy Manuel, shareholder, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, PC) talked about new risks and old: liability issues for contractors and designers in green building and BIM, and getting paid. \\\"Going forward, we\\\'ll see a lot of disputes where one party cannot pay,\\\" and that is where mechanics\\\' liens are important<br /><br />Steve Gillen, from J.W. Terrill, described why the insurance market is hardening and told the audience that they can expect their premiums</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:32:\"/images/uploads/summit-panel.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(812,307,4,2,1226521122,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"307\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-08 07:05 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"OSHA Raises the Flag  for BSI\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:28:\"osha_raises_the_flag_for_bsi\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:28:\"OSHA Raises the Flag for BSI\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:236:\"OSHA officials held a special flag-raising ceremony at the  headquarters of BSI Constructors Nov. 6, recognizing the firm as the  first Missouri construction firm to be approved to self-police safety on all of its construction projects.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:9:\"BSI, OSHA\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:920:\"<p>OSHA officials held a special flag-raising ceremony at the&nbsp; headquarters of BSI Constructors Nov. 6, recognizing the firm as the&nbsp; first Missouri construction firm to be approved to self-police safety on all of its construction projects.</p>\n<p>BSI Constructors, Inc. earned OSHA\\\'s highly-selective Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Mobile Workforce Demonstration for Construction designation.&nbsp; It eliminates the need for repetitive OSHA inspections on BSI projects, allowing the federal safety agency to focus resources on more problem sites.</p>\n<p>BSI is not only the first Missouri firm to earn the VPP designation for all its projects, but the first in OSHA\\\'s Region 7, which includes Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.</p>\n<p>To earn the distinction, contractors must demonstrate exemplary risk management programs and commit to rigorous self policing of safety on their job sites.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(813,306,4,2,1226521152,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"306\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-08 06:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:51:\"AGC Says Jobs Report Underscores Need for  Stimulus\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"agc_says_jobs_report_underscores_need_for_stimulus\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:51:\"AGC Says Jobs Report Underscores Need for  Stimulus\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:430:\"\\\"Today\\\'s unemployment report--grim reading on all counts--is especially bad for construction and shows the urgency of enacting infrastructure spending as part of a stimulus bill,\\\" Ken Simonson, chief\neconomist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), said Friday, Nov. 7 following a Bureau of Labor Statistics report that showed the unemployment rate for construction workers jumped to 10.8 percent last month.\n\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:14:\"Infrastructure\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2400:\"<p>\\\"Today\\\'s unemployment report--grim reading on all counts--is especially bad for construction and shows the urgency of enacting infrastructure spending as part of a stimulus bill,\\\" Ken Simonson, Chief<br />Economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), said Friday, Nov. 7 following a Bureau of Labor Statistics report that showed the unemployment rate for construction workers jumped to 10.8 percent last month.<br /><br />\\\"Construction had--by far--the highest unemployment rate of any industry and the largest increase, up from 6.1 percent a year ago,\\\" Simonson noted. \\\"The industry accounted for nearly half of the million-plus jobs lost throughout the economy in the past 12 months.<br /><br />\\\"Many of those losses have been in heavy and civil engineering construction--highways and other public works,\\\" Simonson observed. \\\"Those workers could quickly be re-employed if the states had enough money to award contracts for projects they have ready to go. Contrary to some assertions, this money would quickly make its way into the economy, supporting equipment and materials manufacturing and services jobs as well as construction. State officials say they have thousands of projects ready to award without long delays.<br /><br />\\\"AGC urges Congress to act this month on a stimulus package that includes funding for highway, bridge and other infrastructure work,\\\" Simonson stated. \\\"In addition, the new Administration and Congress should give a high priority to renewing long-term highway, airport, water and wastewater funding bills next year.</p>\n<p>While Barack Obama has said that infrastrucure improvements will be a cornerstone of&nbsp; his&nbsp; information, local construction leaders are taking that news with caution. The $60 billion Obama proposed, over the next decade nationwide would need a significant contribution from\nstate and local investors in order to have much impact, Len\nToenjes, president of Associated General Contractors of St. Louis told the <em>St.Louis Post-Dispatch</em>. \\\"I\\\'d hate to see people oversimplify this and think that a check is\ngoing to show up from the beltway and we\\\'re going to have all these new\nprojects going,\\\" he said.<br /> <br /> One example of the challenges was the defeat of the local proposition\nthat could have built a new MetroLink line into western St. Louis\nCounty, Toenjes said.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(814,305,4,2,1226521173,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"305\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-07 09:15 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:54:\"Mortgage Defaults Lead to Higher Rental Housing Demand\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:54:\"mortgage_defaults_lead_to_higher_rental_housing_demand\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:54:\"Mortgage Defaults Lead to Higher Rental Housing Demand\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:227:\"A steady but slowing multi-family industry was among the findings of RubinBrown\\\'s 2008 Apartment Statistical Analysis. The report compiles data from 224 apartment projects in 26 states, representing operating results for 2007.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:27:\"RubinBrown, rental, housing\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3571:\"<p>A steady but slowing multi-family industry was among the findings of RubinBrown\\\'s 2008 Apartment Statistical Analysis. The report compiles data from 224 apartment projects in 26 states, representing operating results for 2007. <br />&nbsp;<br />Decreasing employment and stagnant vacancy rates were two of the main reasons cited for this trend, with vacancy rates remaining close to 10 percent for most of 2007. In addition, about 800,000 fewer households were added last year than in 2006. However, a slowing economy may mean that more homeowners will become renters. <br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"We anticipate that there will be a large number of foreclosures in 2008 and perhaps into 2009,\\\" said Brian Keller, CPA, partner-in-charge, Real Estate Services Group, RubinBrown. \\\"As a result, there will be greater demand for rental housing, some of which will be satisfied by apartments but some of which will be met by vacant single-family properties being funneled into the rental housing pool.\\\" <br />&nbsp;<br />Keller says the apartment industry will find itself in a beneficial situation demographically in the near future, as children born in the \\\'80s and early \\\'90s, as well as immigrants, become householders. Of the more than 7 million householders under the age of 25, 75 percent are renters. <br />&nbsp;<br />A decrease in new equity investment commitments has caused a negative impact on the housing credit market; however, new legislation by Congress is expected to alleviate some of that impact. <br />&nbsp;<br />Keller notes that the rising cost of oil continues to directly and indirectly impact the apartment industry, increasing operating costs and decreasing operating income. The price of crude oil has risen nearly 500 percent over the past five years, leaving consumers with less money to allocate to rent or mortgage payments.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />Keller also highlights several trends in the housing market, including decreases in multifamily construction as the condominium market falls and the rise in green and sustainable building. As national voluntary standards are being developed for green buildings, many state and local governments have created incentives and initiatives for participation. <br />&nbsp;<br />In St. Louis, the multifamily housing market began to slow at the end of 2007, with dropping occupancy rates and low rent increases. Residential redevelopment continues in the city; however, there may not be sufficient demand to keep up with it. <br />&nbsp;<br />Overall, the industry is expected to benefit from slower construction of single-family homes and increased difficulties in lending. As the economy slows, demand for the affordable housing industry will increase, as it offers quality housing at a reasonable price. <br />&nbsp;<br />The complete 2008 Apartment Statistical Analysis is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.rubinbrown.com/content/view/1204/101/\\\">www.rubinbrown.com/content/view/1204/101/</a>. <br />&nbsp;<br />RubinBrown is one of the Midwest\\\'s largest accounting and business consulting firms, with more than 320 team members working from offices in St. Louis and Kansas City. Founded in 1952, the firm\\\'s award-winning team members hold leadership roles in both national and local accounting organizations and have worked to establish best practices in accounting within specific industry segments. RubinBrown is an associated member of Baker Tilly International, a network of 138 independent firms in 104 countries. For more information, visit www.rubinbrown.com. <br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(815,310,4,2,1226521195,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"310\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-08 07:40 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"B2B Credit Report Raises Flags\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:30:\"b2b_credit_report_raises_flags\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:37:\"B2B Credit  Report Lien Raises  Flags\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:214:\"Increased lien filings are  just one aspect of a generally dismal business-to-business credit situation, according to the National Association of Credit Management\\\'s (NACM) most recent Credit Managers Index (CMI).\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:24:\"credit managers, liens, \";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:5250:\"<p>Increased lien filings are&nbsp; just one aspect of a generally dismal business-to-business credit situation, according to the <a href=\\\"http://www.nacm.org\\\" title=\\\"National Association of Credit Management\\\">National Association of Credit Management\\\'s </a>(NACM) most recent Credit Managers Index (CMI).</p>\n<p>The CMI data has been collected and tabulated monthly since February 2002. The Index, published since January 2003, is based on a survey of about 800 trade credit managers during the last 10 days of the month, with about equal&nbsp; representation between manufacturing and service sectors. The survey asks respondents to comment on whether they are seeing improvement, deterioration or no change for various favorable or unfavorable factors. There is representation from all states, except some of the less populated such as Vermont and Idaho. The complete report can be found at <a href=\\\"http://web.nacm.org/cmi/cmi.asp\\\" title=\\\"CMI Report PDF\\\">http://web.nacm.org/cmi/cmi.asp</a></p>\n<p>\\\"The seasonally adjusted Credit Manager\\\'s Index (CMI) for October revealed an increasing sense of doom among the participants, mirroring conditions in the rest of the economy,\\\" said Daniel North, chief economist for credit insurer Euler Hermes ACI, who analyzes the data and prepares the CMI report for the National Association of Credit Management. The combined index fell 2.6% to a record low of 44.8%. Eight of the 10 components fell, nine are now below the 50 level, indicating economic contraction, and eight set record lows.</p>\n<p>\\\"The misery was spread all around but manufacturing fared the worst, losing 4.2%, while services fell 0.9%,\\\" said North. Both manufacturing and services were below 50% for the second consecutive month. \\\"The &lsquo;accounts placed for collection\\\' component was below 40% in both manufacturing and service sectors, suggesting that customers are trying their best to drag out terms in an effort to get credit in any form they can, because apparently banks aren\\\'t giving any,\\\" said North.<br /><br />\\\"Certainly the economy is in dismal shape after the effects of high energy prices and the housing market bubble burst have been dragging on for some time. Now the increasing number of job losses, shrinking GDP, negative real retail sales and a host of other indicators confirm that the recession has arrived. Perhaps most troubling though is the disruption in the financial markets which has severely curtailed the availability of credit. As a result, which credit managers are so clearly telling us, not only is the economy bad, but the credit situation is making it even worse,\\\" said North.<br /><br />The seasonally adjusted manufacturing sector index fell 4.2% to a record low of 43.7%, North reported. Nine components fell, all 10 are below the 50% level and six set record lows. Weak collections, slow payment and tight credit bode poorly for the coming months as were reflected in comments from CMI survey participants:<br /><br />&nbsp;\\\"Tight, tight money and now a new worry is the customer\\\'s bank.\\\" - Steel works<br />\\\"The number of final demand letters has increased, indicating probable future deterioration in receivables.\\\" - Motor vehicle parts<br />&nbsp;\\\"Reviewing credit limits and deciding to lower quite a few as a precautionary measure.\\\" - Fabricated rubber<br />&nbsp;\\\"Our market condition is continuing to decline. Our sales continue to shrink.\\\" - Telephone equipment<br />&nbsp;\\\"Projecting slow growth\\\" - Glass works<br /><br />The seasonally adjusted service sector index fell 0.9% to 45.9%. Six components fell, eight are below 50% and five set record lows. \\\"The climate in the service sector is decidedly more irritable than in manufacturing,\\\" said North. \\\"The manufacturing sector seems more focused on weak demand, but service sector credit managers are more concerned about getting their money back.\\\"<br /><br />&nbsp;Construction materials: \\\"We are filing more liens than we have ever done.\\\"<br />&nbsp;Electronic parts: \\\"I fully expect bankruptcies and delinquencies to increase through 2009.\\\"<br />&nbsp;Seafood: \\\"Our customers are seriously challenged by the current economic environment. Threatened credit cut-offs and actual credit cut-offsare at an all time high.\\\" <br />&nbsp;Farm supplies: \\\"Increase in the number of customers that are sending smaller weekly payments on account instead of paying invoices in full.\\\"<br />&nbsp;Metals service center: \\\"We are beginning to see effects of economic downturn, i.e., slower payments, more unauthorized deductions, increased request for extended terms, request for price adjustment...\\\"<br /><br />\\\"It\\\'s not surprising then, in this environment, to see that one industry in particular is doing well-legal services,\\\" said North. Said one respondent, \\\"I expect this to be our best year in 25 years for new business and net revenue.\\\"<br /><br />\\\"On a seasonally adjusted basis over the past 12 months, the combined index has fallen 9.0%, with most of the decline coming in the most recent two months,\\\" said North. Services fell 8.7% and manufacturing fell 9.3%. Bankruptcies led the way in all three indexes, dropping 16.2% in services and 19.4% in manufacturing.<br /><br /><br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(816,312,5,2,1226521709,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:25 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"12\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:21:\"Ramp Up or Stay Put? \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:19:\"ramp_up_or_stay_put\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:20:\"Ramp Up or Stay Put?\";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:1:\"7\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:419:\"It doesn\\\'t matter if I\\\'m in New York, Atlanta, Dallas or good ol\\\' St. Louis, I hear contractors regularly say: \\\"I just want to keep the business I have.\\\" This is so common a mentality I can only assume it has been passed down through the generations. Well, there\\\'s a bit of a problem with this line of thinking, times have changed. Business and opportunity has transitioned to a highly competitive, global animal.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:25:\"sales, marketing, ramp up\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:4796:\"<p><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />&nbsp;It doesn\\\'t matter if I\\\'m in New York, Atlanta, Dallas or good ol\\\' St. Louis, I hear contractors regularly say: \\\"I just want to keep the business I have.\\\" This is so common a mentality I can only assume it has been passed down through the generations. Well, there\\\'s a bit of a problem with this line of thinking, times have changed. Business and opportunity has transitioned to a highly competitive, global animal. Advancements in technology can make a system or building technique obsolete in a short period of time, rendering a provider dated.&nbsp; By sitting tight you run the risk of moving backwards. In an economy that is getting more intense everyday, you cannot afford to rest on your laurels. This position can result in disaster in a relatively short period of time. Several contractors in markets I serve have gone down with this ship.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The second common action is the abrupt, quick ramp up.&nbsp; This often occurs when a contractor begins to realize he is in a bit of trouble if he or she doesn\\\'t pull in a bunch of work. This kind of crisis sales effort is easily seen by the customer and erodes any trust factor that may exist.&nbsp; Currently many project owners and managers are fearful of hiring contractors that will be gone either after the job is finished, or worse, in the middle of the project. Sudden pushing to get business serves as a red flag to a potential customer that all your ducks are not in a row.</p>\n<p>Both of these mentalities have put a lot of good contractors in a bind. They\\\'re scrambling to get their footing and some are in danger of losing everything. Tight times separate the good sales disciplines from the poor. Quick fixes usually just delay the inevitable. What\\\'s the proper way of correcting this? What\\\'s a healthy view of business development? How do you shift from a poor sales dynamic to strong? All great questions deserving an answer.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>First of all, get educated. Do you understand the basics of selling? Start with branding. Do you know what is important about having a brand? Can your customers lock into your brand? Do you have a brand. Secondly, how have you gone to market? Have you analyzed and qualified your marketplace? What is your approach to that market? Lastly, how are you going to present yourself and your firm to the customer base? Do you have a network generating opportunity for you?</p>\n<p>You may be thinking that I\\\'m simply raising a bunch of questions, you\\\'re right! Only you can answer these in relation to your business. The biggest problem in regards to these questions is that most contractors have asked themselves very few of them. When I run into a contractor that has, they usually have a very healthy business and may be feeling a bit of a pinch but in reality are still going strong. I know contractors that are having record years in the midst of a very competitive marketplace.&nbsp; Stepping back and honestly evaluating where you stand in these areas can help begin to solve the issue. The good news is that contractors which haven\\\'t given these points enough attention can begin seeing results fairly soon after beginning to get them right. Many are realizing the importance of these business dimensions where in the past they were written off as excess or unnecessary.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>There are fundamental elements that will make these efforts successful. One of the first will be dispelling with old mentalities that subscribe to the excuse machine that justifies poor performance. Any of these ring a bell; \\\"It\\\'s always low bid.\\\", \\\"My competitor will just hit them with change orders.\\\", or \\\"The economy is just too tough.\\\"? These are the common statements from the excuse mill. Good, strong and aggressive owners as well as sales personnel go after the business. They make no excuses while striving to win more and lose less opportunities.&nbsp; They seek out innovative methods of customer contact and appreciation. They have staffs that are in sync with the corporate brand and sales effort. They manage the back side of the business to facilitate and reinforce the sales effort. They treat the customer base as honored guests as opposed to meal tickets.&nbsp; Let me ask you honestly, of the thought processes described;&nbsp; stay put, quick ramp up or healthy sales practices, which do you really perform?</p>\n<p>Seriously, be hard on yourself here. The only method I know to increase a businesses profitability or market share is to work \\\"on\\\" your business. If you were honest with yourself, either you need to begin instituting change or you\\\'re having a great year! <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"12\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(817,313,2,2,1226522776,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:36 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"Wash U Starts Energy and Biomedical Engineering Building\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:56:\"wash_u_starts_energy_and_biomedical_engineering_building\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:56:\"Wash U Starts Energy and Biomedical Engineering Building\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:154:\"RMJM are the architects for the new building, designed to relate to the rich tradition of historically-based design on the University’s Danforth Campus.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:6:\"WUSL, \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:6327:\"<p>Washington University in St. Louis (WUSL) recently broke ground on a 150,875-square-foot building for its School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science. <br /><br />Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton has announced that the new building will be named the Stephen F. &amp;&nbsp; Camilla T. Brauer Hall in honor of the donors. \\\"Steve and Kimmy Brauer are two of St. Louis\\\' and America\\\'s most distinguished citizens,\\\" Wrighton said. \\\"They have been steadfast friends of Washington University for many years, and through their leadership, generosity and service, they have left an indelible imprint both on the University and the School of Engineering. We will be honored to have the Brauer name associated with the University and the school in such a prominent way. I think this is a most fitting way for the University to recognize all they have done.\\\"</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Wash U Engineering Building\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"170\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/wash-u-engineering.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"300\\\" />When Brauer Hall is completed in 2010, it will serve as home for the School of Engineering\\\'s Department of Energy, Environmental &amp; Chemical Engineering (EECE), provide space for the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy &amp; Sustainability (I-CARES) and provide expanded facilities for the University\\\'s highly successful Department of Biomedical Engineering.</p>\n<p>\\\"We recognized that to be successful in attracting leading, research-active faculty and superb students to the School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science, people who can help us realize our vision to establish Washington University as a hub for environmental and energy research, education, innovation and action, we must have the physical facilities supportive of and commensurate with this ambition,\\\" said Salvatore P. Sutera, Ph.D., senior professor of biomedical engineering and interim dean of the School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science. <br />Brauer Hall will connect on all levels with Uncas A. Whitaker Hall, home of the Department of Biomedical Engineering .&nbsp; RMJM Hillier\\\'s design embraces the Collegiate Gothic style characteristic of the Danforth campus while incorporating the subtle variations in period and expression originally introduced by the 19th century campus designers Cope and Stewardson in association with the Olmstead Brothers.<br />&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\\\"The vision for Brauer Hall reflects an understanding of the school\\\'s history and future,\\\" said Peter Schubert, RMJM Hillier\\\'s Design Director. \\\"Our proposal seeks to bring to life an ongoing master plan based on Cope &amp; Stewardson\\\'s historic campus designs. While the exterior facades will reflect the beloved and historically important traditional languages of the original campus vision, the interior will reflect the pressures and considerations of modern lab design.\\\"</p>\n<p>Two thirds of the space in Brauer Hall will be dedicated to research laboratories designed to maximize flexibility across the wide range of aquatics, aerosols, synthetic chemistry and biomedical research activities that will be housed within the structure. A plug-and play casework system, which includes moveable base cabinets, removable tables, and ceiling-mounted service panels improves ability to accommodate a range of bench-top and floor-mounted equipment while reducing the cost of future renovations as research priorities change. In addition to instructional laboratories, classrooms and specialized teaching areas, several conference rooms, faculty offices and numerous student work spaces, Brauer Hall will house office suites for the Dean of the School of Engineering and for the EECE department and its chairman.</p>\n<p>An innovative feature of the new facility will be a 85-seat distance-learning classroom available for use by all academic departments and schools. Energy, Environmental &amp; Chemical Engineering Department Chair Professor Pratim Biswas said this classroom will be invaluable for communicating with EECE\\\'s research partners throughout the world, including the 25 member universities of Washington University\\\'s McDonnell Academy of Global Energy and Environment Partnership (MAGEEP).</p>\n<p>\\\"We are extremely&nbsp; proud of our successful collaboration with Washington University to achieve a design that is a successful blend of historical context and the most advanced thinking in design for research, teaching and sustainability,\\\" said RMJM\\\'s Design Studio Director Steven K. Gifford. \\\"Our team has been fascinated by the challenge and has enjoyed integrating the highest levels of contemporary design into this historic campus. In this building, the School of Engineering will be able create the future while still celebrating their rich past.\\\"</p>\n<p>All of the University\\\'s recent construction projects have been built with environmental sustainability in mind, and this building also is being designed as a green structure according to LEED specifications for a gold rating. LEED, the acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a nationally accepted rating system for the design, construction and operation of buildings that use its specifications for achieving environmental sustainability.</p>\n<p>Some of the sustainable design features of Brauer Hallinclude:<br />Thermally efficient exterior envelope reduces heat gain and heat loss<br />High albedo roof to reduce the heat-island effect<br />Energy savings in excess of 30% through high efficiency air-handling systems that incorporate air-to-air recovery<br />Reduced water consumption by 30% through use of low-flow fixtures including waterless urinals<br />Storm water recycling for use in irrigation<br />At least 35% of all materials will be either recycled, regional, rapidly renewable or certified wood<br />Low-emitting materials for adhesives and interior floor and wall finishes<br />Recycling/salvaging at least 75% of non-hazardous construction waste <br /><br />RMJM are the architects for the new building, combining&nbsp; the firm\\\'s experience in historic preservation and plug-and-play labs to create a building designed to relate to the rich tradition of design on the WUSL Danforth Campus.The project is being constructed by Clayco Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri. Completion is ex</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(818,313,2,2,1226522899,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"313\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:36 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"Wash U Starts Energy and Biomedical Engineering Building\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:56:\"wash_u_starts_energy_and_biomedical_engineering_building\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:56:\"Wash U Starts Energy and Biomedical Engineering Building\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:154:\"RMJM are the architects for the new building, designed to relate to the rich tradition of historically-based design on the University’s Danforth Campus.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:6:\"WUSL, \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:6327:\"<p>Washington University in St. Louis (WUSL) recently broke ground on a 150,875-square-foot building for its School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science. <br /><br />Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton has announced that the new building will be named the Stephen F. &amp;&nbsp; Camilla T. Brauer Hall in honor of the donors. \\\"Steve and Kimmy Brauer are two of St. Louis\\\' and America\\\'s most distinguished citizens,\\\" Wrighton said. \\\"They have been steadfast friends of Washington University for many years, and through their leadership, generosity and service, they have left an indelible imprint both on the University and the School of Engineering. We will be honored to have the Brauer name associated with the University and the school in such a prominent way. I think this is a most fitting way for the University to recognize all they have done.\\\"</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Wash U Engineering Building\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"170\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/wash-u-engineering.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"300\\\" />When Brauer Hall is completed in 2010, it will serve as home for the School of Engineering\\\'s Department of Energy, Environmental &amp; Chemical Engineering (EECE), provide space for the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy &amp; Sustainability (I-CARES) and provide expanded facilities for the University\\\'s highly successful Department of Biomedical Engineering.</p>\n<p>\\\"We recognized that to be successful in attracting leading, research-active faculty and superb students to the School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science, people who can help us realize our vision to establish Washington University as a hub for environmental and energy research, education, innovation and action, we must have the physical facilities supportive of and commensurate with this ambition,\\\" said Salvatore P. Sutera, Ph.D., senior professor of biomedical engineering and interim dean of the School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science. <br />Brauer Hall will connect on all levels with Uncas A. Whitaker Hall, home of the Department of Biomedical Engineering .&nbsp; RMJM Hillier\\\'s design embraces the Collegiate Gothic style characteristic of the Danforth campus while incorporating the subtle variations in period and expression originally introduced by the 19th century campus designers Cope and Stewardson in association with the Olmstead Brothers.<br />&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\\\"The vision for Brauer Hall reflects an understanding of the school\\\'s history and future,\\\" said Peter Schubert, RMJM Hillier\\\'s Design Director. \\\"Our proposal seeks to bring to life an ongoing master plan based on Cope &amp; Stewardson\\\'s historic campus designs. While the exterior facades will reflect the beloved and historically important traditional languages of the original campus vision, the interior will reflect the pressures and considerations of modern lab design.\\\"</p>\n<p>Two thirds of the space in Brauer Hall will be dedicated to research laboratories designed to maximize flexibility across the wide range of aquatics, aerosols, synthetic chemistry and biomedical research activities that will be housed within the structure. A plug-and play casework system, which includes moveable base cabinets, removable tables, and ceiling-mounted service panels improves ability to accommodate a range of bench-top and floor-mounted equipment while reducing the cost of future renovations as research priorities change. In addition to instructional laboratories, classrooms and specialized teaching areas, several conference rooms, faculty offices and numerous student work spaces, Brauer Hall will house office suites for the Dean of the School of Engineering and for the EECE department and its chairman.</p>\n<p>An innovative feature of the new facility will be a 85-seat distance-learning classroom available for use by all academic departments and schools. Energy, Environmental &amp; Chemical Engineering Department Chair Professor Pratim Biswas said this classroom will be invaluable for communicating with EECE\\\'s research partners throughout the world, including the 25 member universities of Washington University\\\'s McDonnell Academy of Global Energy and Environment Partnership (MAGEEP).</p>\n<p>\\\"We are extremely&nbsp; proud of our successful collaboration with Washington University to achieve a design that is a successful blend of historical context and the most advanced thinking in design for research, teaching and sustainability,\\\" said RMJM\\\'s Design Studio Director Steven K. Gifford. \\\"Our team has been fascinated by the challenge and has enjoyed integrating the highest levels of contemporary design into this historic campus. In this building, the School of Engineering will be able create the future while still celebrating their rich past.\\\"</p>\n<p>All of the University\\\'s recent construction projects have been built with environmental sustainability in mind, and this building also is being designed as a green structure according to LEED specifications for a gold rating. LEED, the acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a nationally accepted rating system for the design, construction and operation of buildings that use its specifications for achieving environmental sustainability.</p>\n<p>Some of the sustainable design features of Brauer Hallinclude:<br />Thermally efficient exterior envelope reduces heat gain and heat loss<br />High albedo roof to reduce the heat-island effect<br />Energy savings in excess of 30% through high efficiency air-handling systems that incorporate air-to-air recovery<br />Reduced water consumption by 30% through use of low-flow fixtures including waterless urinals<br />Storm water recycling for use in irrigation<br />At least 35% of all materials will be either recycled, regional, rapidly renewable or certified wood<br />Low-emitting materials for adhesives and interior floor and wall finishes<br />Recycling/salvaging at least 75% of non-hazardous construction waste <br /><br />RMJM are the architects for the new building, combining&nbsp; the firm\\\'s experience in historic preservation and plug-and-play labs to create a building designed to relate to the rich tradition of design on the WUSL Danforth Campus.The project is being constructed by Clayco Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri. Completion is ex</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(819,311,2,2,1226522931,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"311\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:05 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:41:\"cnr_executive_summit_2009_a_year_of_risks\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:228:\"A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.\n\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"CNR, Summit, Risk  and Rewar\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3938:\"<p>A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.<br /><br />Mike Flavin, president of The Business Bank of St. Louis, hit the topic that has everyone concerned: the recession. Flavin, who said the recession will either be long or deep, hoped for a \\\"short, deep\\\" recession instead of a long, shallow one.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"CNR Summiit Panel \\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"284\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/panel-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Flavin laid the blame for the recession on the popping of a credit bubble, and said a series of irresponsible decisions by mortgage originators, bankers, investment bankers, insurance companies, and credit raters came together to create the bubble and the current credit crunch.</p>\n<h4>The CNR Summit Panel.&nbsp; Front Row (L to R): Len Toenjes, AGC of ST. Louis; Richard WaRD, Zimmer REal Estate; Walt BazAn, Bazan Painting. Back ROW, Tom Finan, St. Louis CNR; Steve Gillen, J.W.Terrill; Andy Manuel, Greensfelder, Hemker, and Gale; Mike Flavin, The business Bank of St. Louis. <br /></h4>\n<p>Richard Ward, vice president - development management, Zimmer Real Estate Services, predicted slow growth in the coming years. He said the St. Louis economy mirrors the national economy. For the long run - measured in decades, not years - that means, \\\"slow, but steady growth\\\" for the metro region as a whole, he said. Within the region, however, he predicted \\\"a dramatic redistribution of jobs and population to Illinois,\\\" driven by the relative abundance of easily developed land in the Metro East area as compared to the western parts of the region.<br /><br />Ward raised two caution flags on his modest growth outlook: floods and gridlock.<br /><br />\\\"We are paying insufficient attention to flood plain management ... [such that] we are creating the potential for the biggest disaster to ever hit the United States,\\\" he said.<br /><br />And Metrolink, he said, \\\"is critical to the region\\\'s future.\\\" St. Louis County voters\\\' rejection of additional funding for Metrolink was a bad sign for the region\\\'s willingness to move forward.<br /><br />Len Toenjes, president of the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, picked up on the transportation theme. Called the Metrolink vote, Missouri\\\'s unwillingness to pay for a Mississippi River Bridge, and a shortage of federal funding \\\"symptoms of a bigger disease\\\" that threatens the continued viability of metropolitan St. Louis. \\\"We need to improve the transportation system to remain competitive so we don\\\'t get all the hubs going north or south of us,\\\" he said.<br /><br />Without new funding, he said, transportation projects in Missouri will be cut in half in 2009 or 2010. He urged everyone to get behind a new effort by the RCGA and the Regional Business Council to do something about transportation.<br /><br />Walt Bazan, Bazan Painting and the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, talked about significant risks facing subcontractors. Moving up the list of subcontractor concerns is worry about getting paid. \\\"We now have to find out how projects are financed and underwritten to see if there is enough cash,\\\" he said. \\\"Banks are no longer accepting real estate as down payment on loans from developers,\\\" he explained.<br /><br />Andy Manuel, shareholder, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, PC) talked about new risks and old: liability issues for contractors and designers in green building and BIM, and getting paid. \\\"Going forward, we\\\'ll see a lot of disputes where one party cannot pay,\\\" and that is where mechanics\\\' liens are important<br /><br />Steve Gillen, from J.W. Terrill, described why the insurance market is hardening and told the audience that they can expect their premiums</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:32:\"/images/uploads/summit-panel.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(820,313,2,2,1226522956,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"313\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:36 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"Wash U Starts Energy and Biomedical Engineering Building\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:56:\"wash_u_starts_energy_and_biomedical_engineering_building\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:56:\"Wash U Starts Energy and Biomedical Engineering Building\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:154:\"RMJM are the architects for the new building, designed to relate to the rich tradition of historically-based design on the University’s Danforth Campus.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:6:\"WUSL, \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:6327:\"<p>Washington University in St. Louis (WUSL) recently broke ground on a 150,875-square-foot building for its School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science. <br /><br />Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton has announced that the new building will be named the Stephen F. &amp;&nbsp; Camilla T. Brauer Hall in honor of the donors. \\\"Steve and Kimmy Brauer are two of St. Louis\\\' and America\\\'s most distinguished citizens,\\\" Wrighton said. \\\"They have been steadfast friends of Washington University for many years, and through their leadership, generosity and service, they have left an indelible imprint both on the University and the School of Engineering. We will be honored to have the Brauer name associated with the University and the school in such a prominent way. I think this is a most fitting way for the University to recognize all they have done.\\\"</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Wash U Engineering Building\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"170\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/wash-u-engineering.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"300\\\" />When Brauer Hall is completed in 2010, it will serve as home for the School of Engineering\\\'s Department of Energy, Environmental &amp; Chemical Engineering (EECE), provide space for the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy &amp; Sustainability (I-CARES) and provide expanded facilities for the University\\\'s highly successful Department of Biomedical Engineering.</p>\n<p>\\\"We recognized that to be successful in attracting leading, research-active faculty and superb students to the School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science, people who can help us realize our vision to establish Washington University as a hub for environmental and energy research, education, innovation and action, we must have the physical facilities supportive of and commensurate with this ambition,\\\" said Salvatore P. Sutera, Ph.D., senior professor of biomedical engineering and interim dean of the School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science. <br />Brauer Hall will connect on all levels with Uncas A. Whitaker Hall, home of the Department of Biomedical Engineering .&nbsp; RMJM Hillier\\\'s design embraces the Collegiate Gothic style characteristic of the Danforth campus while incorporating the subtle variations in period and expression originally introduced by the 19th century campus designers Cope and Stewardson in association with the Olmstead Brothers.<br />&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\\\"The vision for Brauer Hall reflects an understanding of the school\\\'s history and future,\\\" said Peter Schubert, RMJM Hillier\\\'s Design Director. \\\"Our proposal seeks to bring to life an ongoing master plan based on Cope &amp; Stewardson\\\'s historic campus designs. While the exterior facades will reflect the beloved and historically important traditional languages of the original campus vision, the interior will reflect the pressures and considerations of modern lab design.\\\"</p>\n<p>Two thirds of the space in Brauer Hall will be dedicated to research laboratories designed to maximize flexibility across the wide range of aquatics, aerosols, synthetic chemistry and biomedical research activities that will be housed within the structure. A plug-and play casework system, which includes moveable base cabinets, removable tables, and ceiling-mounted service panels improves ability to accommodate a range of bench-top and floor-mounted equipment while reducing the cost of future renovations as research priorities change. In addition to instructional laboratories, classrooms and specialized teaching areas, several conference rooms, faculty offices and numerous student work spaces, Brauer Hall will house office suites for the Dean of the School of Engineering and for the EECE department and its chairman.</p>\n<p>An innovative feature of the new facility will be a 85-seat distance-learning classroom available for use by all academic departments and schools. Energy, Environmental &amp; Chemical Engineering Department Chair Professor Pratim Biswas said this classroom will be invaluable for communicating with EECE\\\'s research partners throughout the world, including the 25 member universities of Washington University\\\'s McDonnell Academy of Global Energy and Environment Partnership (MAGEEP).</p>\n<p>\\\"We are extremely&nbsp; proud of our successful collaboration with Washington University to achieve a design that is a successful blend of historical context and the most advanced thinking in design for research, teaching and sustainability,\\\" said RMJM\\\'s Design Studio Director Steven K. Gifford. \\\"Our team has been fascinated by the challenge and has enjoyed integrating the highest levels of contemporary design into this historic campus. In this building, the School of Engineering will be able create the future while still celebrating their rich past.\\\"</p>\n<p>All of the University\\\'s recent construction projects have been built with environmental sustainability in mind, and this building also is being designed as a green structure according to LEED specifications for a gold rating. LEED, the acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a nationally accepted rating system for the design, construction and operation of buildings that use its specifications for achieving environmental sustainability.</p>\n<p>Some of the sustainable design features of Brauer Hallinclude:<br />Thermally efficient exterior envelope reduces heat gain and heat loss<br />High albedo roof to reduce the heat-island effect<br />Energy savings in excess of 30% through high efficiency air-handling systems that incorporate air-to-air recovery<br />Reduced water consumption by 30% through use of low-flow fixtures including waterless urinals<br />Storm water recycling for use in irrigation<br />At least 35% of all materials will be either recycled, regional, rapidly renewable or certified wood<br />Low-emitting materials for adhesives and interior floor and wall finishes<br />Recycling/salvaging at least 75% of non-hazardous construction waste <br /><br />RMJM are the architects for the new building, combining&nbsp; the firm\\\'s experience in historic preservation and plug-and-play labs to create a building designed to relate to the rich tradition of design on the WUSL Danforth Campus.The project is being constructed by Clayco Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri. Completion is ex</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(821,311,2,2,1226522982,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"311\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:05 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:41:\"cnr_executive_summit_2009_a_year_of_risks\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:228:\"A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.\n\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"CNR, Summit, Risk  and Rewar\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3938:\"<p>A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.<br /><br />Mike Flavin, president of The Business Bank of St. Louis, hit the topic that has everyone concerned: the recession. Flavin, who said the recession will either be long or deep, hoped for a \\\"short, deep\\\" recession instead of a long, shallow one.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"CNR Summiit Panel \\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"284\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/panel-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Flavin laid the blame for the recession on the popping of a credit bubble, and said a series of irresponsible decisions by mortgage originators, bankers, investment bankers, insurance companies, and credit raters came together to create the bubble and the current credit crunch.</p>\n<h4>The CNR Summit Panel.&nbsp; Front Row (L to R): Len Toenjes, AGC of ST. Louis; Richard WaRD, Zimmer REal Estate; Walt BazAn, Bazan Painting. Back ROW, Tom Finan, St. Louis CNR; Steve Gillen, J.W.Terrill; Andy Manuel, Greensfelder, Hemker, and Gale; Mike Flavin, The business Bank of St. Louis. <br /></h4>\n<p>Richard Ward, vice president - development management, Zimmer Real Estate Services, predicted slow growth in the coming years. He said the St. Louis economy mirrors the national economy. For the long run - measured in decades, not years - that means, \\\"slow, but steady growth\\\" for the metro region as a whole, he said. Within the region, however, he predicted \\\"a dramatic redistribution of jobs and population to Illinois,\\\" driven by the relative abundance of easily developed land in the Metro East area as compared to the western parts of the region.<br /><br />Ward raised two caution flags on his modest growth outlook: floods and gridlock.<br /><br />\\\"We are paying insufficient attention to flood plain management ... [such that] we are creating the potential for the biggest disaster to ever hit the United States,\\\" he said.<br /><br />And Metrolink, he said, \\\"is critical to the region\\\'s future.\\\" St. Louis County voters\\\' rejection of additional funding for Metrolink was a bad sign for the region\\\'s willingness to move forward.<br /><br />Len Toenjes, president of the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, picked up on the transportation theme. Called the Metrolink vote, Missouri\\\'s unwillingness to pay for a Mississippi River Bridge, and a shortage of federal funding \\\"symptoms of a bigger disease\\\" that threatens the continued viability of metropolitan St. Louis. \\\"We need to improve the transportation system to remain competitive so we don\\\'t get all the hubs going north or south of us,\\\" he said.<br /><br />Without new funding, he said, transportation projects in Missouri will be cut in half in 2009 or 2010. He urged everyone to get behind a new effort by the RCGA and the Regional Business Council to do something about transportation.<br /><br />Walt Bazan, Bazan Painting and the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, talked about significant risks facing subcontractors. Moving up the list of subcontractor concerns is worry about getting paid. \\\"We now have to find out how projects are financed and underwritten to see if there is enough cash,\\\" he said. \\\"Banks are no longer accepting real estate as down payment on loans from developers,\\\" he explained.<br /><br />Andy Manuel, shareholder, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, PC) talked about new risks and old: liability issues for contractors and designers in green building and BIM, and getting paid. \\\"Going forward, we\\\'ll see a lot of disputes where one party cannot pay,\\\" and that is where mechanics\\\' liens are important<br /><br />Steve Gillen, from J.W. Terrill, described why the insurance market is hardening and told the audience that they can expect their premiums</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:32:\"/images/uploads/summit-panel.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(822,310,4,2,1226523082,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"310\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-08 07:40 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"B2B Credit Raises Lien Flags\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:30:\"b2b_credit_report_raises_flags\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:35:\"B2B Credit  Report Raise Lien Flags\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:214:\"Increased lien filings are  just one aspect of a generally dismal business-to-business credit situation, according to the National Association of Credit Management\\\'s (NACM) most recent Credit Managers Index (CMI).\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:24:\"credit managers, liens, \";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:5244:\"<p>Increased lien filings are&nbsp; just one aspect of a generally dismal business-to-business credit situation, according to the <a href=\\\"http://www.nacm.org\\\" title=\\\"National Association of Credit Management\\\">National Association of Credit Management\\\'s </a>(NACM) most recent Credit Managers Index (CMI).</p>\n<p>The CMI data has been collected and tabulated monthly since February 2002. The Index, published since January 2003, is based on a survey of about 800 trade credit managers during the last 10 days of the month, with about equal&nbsp; representation between manufacturing and service sectors. The survey asks respondents to comment on whether they are seeing improvement, deterioration or no change for various favorable or unfavorable factors. There is representation from all states, except some of the less populated such as Vermont and Idaho. The complete report can be found at <a href=\\\"http://web.nacm.org/cmi/cmi.asp\\\" title=\\\"CMI Report PDF\\\">http://web.nacm.org/cmi/cmi.asp</a></p>\n<p>\\\"The seasonally adjusted Credit Manager\\\'s Index (CMI) for October revealed an increasing sense of doom among the participants, mirroring conditions in the rest of the economy,\\\" said Daniel North, chief economist for credit insurer Euler Hermes ACI, who analyzes the data and prepares the CMI report for the National Association of Credit Management. The combined index fell 2.6% to a record low of 44.8%. Eight of the 10 components fell, nine are now below the 50 level, indicating economic contraction, and eight set record lows.</p>\n<p>\\\"The misery was spread all around but manufacturing fared the worst, losing 4.2%, while services fell 0.9%,\\\" said North. Both manufacturing and services were below 50% for the second consecutive month. \\\"The &lsquo;accounts placed for collection\\\' component was below 40% in both manufacturing and service sectors, suggesting that customers are trying their best to drag out terms in an effort to get credit in any form they can, because apparently banks aren\\\'t giving any,\\\" said North.<br /><br />\\\"Certainly the economy is in dismal shape after the effects of high energy prices and the housing market bubble burst have been dragging on for some time. Now the increasing number of job losses, shrinking GDP, negative real retail sales and a host of other indicators confirm that the recession has arrived. Perhaps most troubling though is the disruption in the financial markets which has severely curtailed the availability of credit. As a result, which credit managers are so clearly telling us, not only is the economy bad, but the credit situation is making it even worse,\\\" said North.<br /><br />The seasonally adjusted manufacturing sector index fell 4.2% to a record low of 43.7%, North reported. Nine components fell, all 10 are below the 50% level and six set record lows. Weak collections, slow payment and tight credit bode poorly for the coming months as were reflected in comments from CMI survey participants:<br /><br />&nbsp;\\\"Tight, tight money and now a new worry is the customer\\\'s bank.\\\" - Steel works<br />\\\"The number of final demand letters has increased, indicating probable future deterioration in receivables.\\\" - Motor vehicle parts<br />&nbsp;\\\"Reviewing credit limits and deciding to lower quite a few as a precautionary measure.\\\" - Fabricated rubber<br />&nbsp;\\\"Our market condition is continuing to decline. Our sales continue to shrink.\\\" - Telephone equipment<br />&nbsp;\\\"Projecting slow growth\\\" - Glass works<br /><br />The seasonally adjusted service sector index fell 0.9% to 45.9%. Six components fell, eight are below 50% and five set record lows. \\\"The climate in the service sector is decidedly more irritable than in manufacturing,\\\" said North. \\\"The manufacturing sector seems more focused on weak demand, but service sector credit managers are more concerned about getting their money back.\\\"<br /><br />&nbsp;Construction materials: \\\"We are filing more liens than we have ever done.\\\"<br />&nbsp;Electronic parts: \\\"I fully expect bankruptcies and delinquencies to increase through 2009.\\\"<br />&nbsp;Seafood: \\\"Our customers are seriously challenged by the current economic environment. Threatened credit cut-offs and actual credit cut-offsare at an all time high.\\\" <br />&nbsp;Farm supplies: \\\"Increase in the number of customers that are sending smaller weekly payments on account instead of paying invoices in full.\\\"<br />&nbsp;Metals service center: \\\"We are beginning to see effects of economic downturn, i.e., slower payments, more unauthorized deductions, increased request for extended terms, request for price adjustment...\\\"<br /><br />\\\"It\\\'s not surprising then, in this environment, to see that one industry in particular is doing well-legal services,\\\" said North. Said one respondent, \\\"I expect this to be our best year in 25 years for new business and net revenue.\\\"<br /><br />\\\"On a seasonally adjusted basis over the past 12 months, the combined index has fallen 9.0%, with most of the decline coming in the most recent two months,\\\" said North. Services fell 8.7% and manufacturing fell 9.3%. Bankruptcies led the way in all three indexes, dropping 16.2% in services and 19.4% in manufacturing.<br /><br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(823,311,2,2,1226523210,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"311\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:50 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:41:\"cnr_executive_summit_2009_a_year_of_risks\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:228:\"A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.\n\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"CNR, Summit, Risk  and Rewar\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3938:\"<p>A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.<br /><br />Mike Flavin, president of The Business Bank of St. Louis, hit the topic that has everyone concerned: the recession. Flavin, who said the recession will either be long or deep, hoped for a \\\"short, deep\\\" recession instead of a long, shallow one.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"CNR Summiit Panel \\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"284\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/panel-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Flavin laid the blame for the recession on the popping of a credit bubble, and said a series of irresponsible decisions by mortgage originators, bankers, investment bankers, insurance companies, and credit raters came together to create the bubble and the current credit crunch.</p>\n<h4>The CNR Summit Panel.&nbsp; Front Row (L to R): Len Toenjes, AGC of ST. Louis; Richard WaRD, Zimmer REal Estate; Walt BazAn, Bazan Painting. Back ROW, Tom Finan, St. Louis CNR; Steve Gillen, J.W.Terrill; Andy Manuel, Greensfelder, Hemker, and Gale; Mike Flavin, The business Bank of St. Louis. <br /></h4>\n<p>Richard Ward, vice president - development management, Zimmer Real Estate Services, predicted slow growth in the coming years. He said the St. Louis economy mirrors the national economy. For the long run - measured in decades, not years - that means, \\\"slow, but steady growth\\\" for the metro region as a whole, he said. Within the region, however, he predicted \\\"a dramatic redistribution of jobs and population to Illinois,\\\" driven by the relative abundance of easily developed land in the Metro East area as compared to the western parts of the region.<br /><br />Ward raised two caution flags on his modest growth outlook: floods and gridlock.<br /><br />\\\"We are paying insufficient attention to flood plain management ... [such that] we are creating the potential for the biggest disaster to ever hit the United States,\\\" he said.<br /><br />And Metrolink, he said, \\\"is critical to the region\\\'s future.\\\" St. Louis County voters\\\' rejection of additional funding for Metrolink was a bad sign for the region\\\'s willingness to move forward.<br /><br />Len Toenjes, president of the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, picked up on the transportation theme. Called the Metrolink vote, Missouri\\\'s unwillingness to pay for a Mississippi River Bridge, and a shortage of federal funding \\\"symptoms of a bigger disease\\\" that threatens the continued viability of metropolitan St. Louis. \\\"We need to improve the transportation system to remain competitive so we don\\\'t get all the hubs going north or south of us,\\\" he said.<br /><br />Without new funding, he said, transportation projects in Missouri will be cut in half in 2009 or 2010. He urged everyone to get behind a new effort by the RCGA and the Regional Business Council to do something about transportation.<br /><br />Walt Bazan, Bazan Painting and the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, talked about significant risks facing subcontractors. Moving up the list of subcontractor concerns is worry about getting paid. \\\"We now have to find out how projects are financed and underwritten to see if there is enough cash,\\\" he said. \\\"Banks are no longer accepting real estate as down payment on loans from developers,\\\" he explained.<br /><br />Andy Manuel, shareholder, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, PC) talked about new risks and old: liability issues for contractors and designers in green building and BIM, and getting paid. \\\"Going forward, we\\\'ll see a lot of disputes where one party cannot pay,\\\" and that is where mechanics\\\' liens are important<br /><br />Steve Gillen, from J.W. Terrill, described why the insurance market is hardening and told the audience that they can expect their premiums</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:32:\"/images/uploads/summit-panel.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(824,314,10,2,1226524325,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:55 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"Best Practices at the Construction Professionals Exposition \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"Best Practices at the Construction Professionals Exposition \";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:60:\"Best Practices at the Construction Professionals Exposition \";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:231:\"A forum on \\\"best practices\\\" to face the current construction downturn will be featured at the AGC of St. Louis Construction Professionals Exposition Nov. 18 in the Versailles Room of the Sheraton Westport Hotel from 2– 6:p.m.  \";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:29:\"Professional, Exposition, AGC\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:23:\"Sheraton Westport Hotel\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-11-18  8:55 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:7:\"6 p.m. \";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:1192:\"<p><br /><br />A forum on \\\"best practices\\\" to face the current construction downturn will be featured at the AGC of St. Louis Construction Professionals Exposition Nov. 18 in the Versailles Room of the Sheraton Westport Hotel from 2&ndash; 6:p.m.&nbsp; The $30 per person registration includes open bar and hors d\\\'oeuvres.</p>\n<p>Keynote Speaker and Moderator will be Scott B. Winstead, FMI Corporation Panelists will include&nbsp; Mark S. Carlie, Stone Carlie &amp; Company, L.L.C.; Jules Kemmling, Zurich Surety/Fidelity &amp; Deposit Company of Maryland; and Leonard R. Ruzicka, Jr., Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP.</p>\n<p>The&nbsp; panel discussion will include:</p>\n<p>What lies ahead - a glance at future market projections<br />Best practices--why some win regardless of changes in the economy<br />Applying KPI&rsquo;s and developing score-cards<br />Keys for success</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The&nbsp; event was created to give contractors, specialty contractors and suppliers a single point resource to find, meet and build relationships with the people who can build their businesses. It will include exhibits from a number of professional firms.&nbsp; Click here for full details.</p>\";}'),(825,314,10,2,1226525067,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"314\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:55 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:59:\"Best Practices at the Construction Professionals Exposition\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:59:\"best_practices_at_the_construction_professionals_exposition\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:60:\"Best Practices at the Construction Professionals Exposition \";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:231:\"A forum on \\\"best practices\\\" to face the current construction downturn will be featured at the AGC of St. Louis Construction Professionals Exposition Nov. 18 in the Versailles Room of the Sheraton Westport Hotel from 2– 6:p.m.  \";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:29:\"Professional, Exposition, AGC\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:23:\"Sheraton Westport Hotel\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-11-18 08:55 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:7:\"6 p.m. \";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:1252:\"<p><br /><br />A forum on \\\"best practices\\\" to face the current construction downturn will be featured at the AGC of St. Louis Construction Professionals Exposition Nov. 18 in the Versailles Room of the Sheraton Westport Hotel from 2&ndash; 6:p.m.&nbsp; The $30 per person registration includes open bar and hors d\\\'oeuvres.</p>\n<p>Keynote Speaker and Moderator will be Scott B. Winstead, FMI Corporation Panelists will include&nbsp; Mark S. Carlie, Stone Carlie &amp; Company, L.L.C.; Jules Kemmling, Zurich Surety/Fidelity &amp; Deposit Company of Maryland; and Leonard R. Ruzicka, Jr., Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP.</p>\n<p>The&nbsp; panel discussion will include:</p>\n<p>What lies ahead - a glance at future market projections<br />Best practices--why some win regardless of changes in the economy<br />Applying KPI&rsquo;s and developing score-cards<br />Keys for success</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The&nbsp; event was created to give contractors, specialty contractors and suppliers a single point resource to find, meet and build relationships with the people who can build their businesses. It will include exhibits from a number of professional firms.&nbsp; <a href=\\\"http://www.stlouiscnr.com/blogfiles/cpe.pdf\\\">Click here for full details</a>.</p>\";}'),(826,314,10,2,1226525607,'a:33:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"314\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:55 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:59:\"Best Practices at the Construction Professionals Exposition\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:59:\"best_practices_at_the_construction_professionals_exposition\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:60:\"Best Practices at the Construction Professionals Exposition \";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:231:\"A forum on \\\"best practices\\\" to face the current construction downturn will be featured at the AGC of St. Louis Construction Professionals Exposition Nov. 18 in the Versailles Room of the Sheraton Westport Hotel from 2– 6:p.m.  \";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:29:\"Professional, Exposition, AGC\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:23:\"Sheraton Westport Hotel\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-11-18 08:55 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:7:\"6 p.m. \";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:1227:\"<p><br /><br />A forum on \\\"best practices\\\" to face the current construction downturn will be featured at the AGC of St. Louis Construction Professionals Exposition Nov. 18 in the Versailles Room of the Sheraton Westport Hotel from 2&ndash; 6:p.m.&nbsp; The $30 per person registration includes open bar and hors d\\\'oeuvres.</p>\n<p>Keynote Speaker and Moderator will be Scott B. Winstead, FMI Corporation Panelists will include&nbsp; Mark S. Carlie, Stone Carlie &amp; Company, L.L.C.; Jules Kemmling, Zurich Surety/Fidelity &amp; Deposit Company of Maryland; and Leonard R. Ruzicka, Jr., Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP.</p>\n<p>The&nbsp; panel discussion will include:</p>\n<p>What lies ahead - a glance at future market projections<br />Best practices--why some win regardless of changes in the economy<br />Applying KPI&rsquo;s and developing score-cards<br />Keys for success</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The&nbsp; event was created to give contractors, specialty contractors and suppliers a single point resource to find, meet and build relationships with the people who can build their businesses. It will include exhibits from a number of professional firms.&nbsp; <a href=\\\"/blogfiles/cpe.pdf\\\">Click here for full details</a>.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(827,312,5,2,1226525695,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"312\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:25 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"12\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Ramp Up or Stay Put?\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:19:\"ramp_up_or_stay_put\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:20:\"Ramp Up or Stay Put?\";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:1:\"7\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:419:\"It doesn\\\'t matter if I\\\'m in New York, Atlanta, Dallas or good ol\\\' St. Louis, I hear contractors regularly say: \\\"I just want to keep the business I have.\\\" This is so common a mentality I can only assume it has been passed down through the generations. Well, there\\\'s a bit of a problem with this line of thinking, times have changed. Business and opportunity has transitioned to a highly competitive, global animal.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:25:\"sales, marketing, ramp up\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:4706:\"<p>It doesn\\\'t matter if I\\\'m in New York, Atlanta, Dallas or good ol\\\' St. Louis, I hear contractors regularly say: \\\"I just want to keep the business I have.\\\" This is so common a mentality I can only assume it has been passed down through the generations. Well, there\\\'s a bit of a problem with this line of thinking, times have changed. Business and opportunity has transitioned to a highly competitive, global animal.</p>\n<p>Advancements in technology can make a system or building technique obsolete in a short period of time, rendering a provider dated.&nbsp; By sitting tight you run the risk of moving backwards. In an economy that is getting more intense everyday, you cannot afford to rest on your laurels. This position can result in disaster in a relatively short period of time. Several contractors in markets I serve have gone down with this ship.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The second common action is the abrupt, quick ramp up.&nbsp; This often occurs when a contractor begins to realize he is in a bit of trouble if he or she doesn\\\'t pull in a bunch of work. This kind of crisis sales effort is easily seen by the customer and erodes any trust factor that may exist.&nbsp; Currently many project owners and managers are fearful of hiring contractors that will be gone either after the job is finished, or worse, in the middle of the project. Sudden pushing to get business serves as a red flag to a potential customer that all your ducks are not in a row.</p>\n<p>Both of these mentalities have put a lot of good contractors in a bind. They\\\'re scrambling to get their footing and some are in danger of losing everything. Tight times separate the good sales disciplines from the poor. Quick fixes usually just delay the inevitable. What\\\'s the proper way of correcting this? What\\\'s a healthy view of business development? How do you shift from a poor sales dynamic to strong? All great questions deserving an answer.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>First of all, get educated. Do you understand the basics of selling? Start with branding. Do you know what is important about having a brand? Can your customers lock into your brand? Do you have a brand. Secondly, how have you gone to market? Have you analyzed and qualified your marketplace? What is your approach to that market? Lastly, how are you going to present yourself and your firm to the customer base? Do you have a network generating opportunity for you?</p>\n<p>You may be thinking that I\\\'m simply raising a bunch of questions, you\\\'re right! Only you can answer these in relation to your business. The biggest problem in regards to these questions is that most contractors have asked themselves very few of them. When I run into a contractor that has, they usually have a very healthy business and may be feeling a bit of a pinch but in reality are still going strong. I know contractors that are having record years in the midst of a very competitive marketplace.&nbsp; Stepping back and honestly evaluating where you stand in these areas can help begin to solve the issue. The good news is that contractors which haven\\\'t given these points enough attention can begin seeing results fairly soon after beginning to get them right. Many are realizing the importance of these business dimensions where in the past they were written off as excess or unnecessary.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>There are fundamental elements that will make these efforts successful. One of the first will be dispelling with old mentalities that subscribe to the excuse machine that justifies poor performance. Any of these ring a bell; \\\"It\\\'s always low bid.\\\", \\\"My competitor will just hit them with change orders.\\\", or \\\"The economy is just too tough.\\\"? These are the common statements from the excuse mill. Good, strong and aggressive owners as well as sales personnel go after the business. They make no excuses while striving to win more and lose less opportunities.&nbsp; They seek out innovative methods of customer contact and appreciation. They have staffs that are in sync with the corporate brand and sales effort. They manage the back side of the business to facilitate and reinforce the sales effort. They treat the customer base as honored guests as opposed to meal tickets.&nbsp; Let me ask you honestly, of the thought processes described;&nbsp; stay put, quick ramp up or healthy sales practices, which do you really perform?</p>\n<p>Seriously, be hard on yourself here. The only method I know to increase a businesses profitability or market share is to work \\\"on\\\" your business. If you were honest with yourself, either you need to begin instituting change or you\\\'re having a great year! <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"12\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(828,313,2,2,1226526125,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"313\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:36 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"Wash U Starts Energy and Biomedical Engineering Building\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:56:\"wash_u_starts_energy_and_biomedical_engineering_building\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:56:\"Wash U Starts Energy and Biomedical Engineering Building\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:147:\"Washington University in St. Louis (WUSL) recently broke ground on a 150,875-square-foot building for its School of Engineering & Applied Science. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:6:\"WUSL, \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:6327:\"<p>Washington University in St. Louis (WUSL) recently broke ground on a 150,875-square-foot building for its School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science. <br /><br />Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton has announced that the new building will be named the Stephen F. &amp;&nbsp; Camilla T. Brauer Hall in honor of the donors. \\\"Steve and Kimmy Brauer are two of St. Louis\\\' and America\\\'s most distinguished citizens,\\\" Wrighton said. \\\"They have been steadfast friends of Washington University for many years, and through their leadership, generosity and service, they have left an indelible imprint both on the University and the School of Engineering. We will be honored to have the Brauer name associated with the University and the school in such a prominent way. I think this is a most fitting way for the University to recognize all they have done.\\\"</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Wash U Engineering Building\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"170\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/wash-u-engineering.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"300\\\" />When Brauer Hall is completed in 2010, it will serve as home for the School of Engineering\\\'s Department of Energy, Environmental &amp; Chemical Engineering (EECE), provide space for the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy &amp; Sustainability (I-CARES) and provide expanded facilities for the University\\\'s highly successful Department of Biomedical Engineering.</p>\n<p>\\\"We recognized that to be successful in attracting leading, research-active faculty and superb students to the School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science, people who can help us realize our vision to establish Washington University as a hub for environmental and energy research, education, innovation and action, we must have the physical facilities supportive of and commensurate with this ambition,\\\" said Salvatore P. Sutera, Ph.D., senior professor of biomedical engineering and interim dean of the School of Engineering &amp; Applied Science. <br />Brauer Hall will connect on all levels with Uncas A. Whitaker Hall, home of the Department of Biomedical Engineering .&nbsp; RMJM Hillier\\\'s design embraces the Collegiate Gothic style characteristic of the Danforth campus while incorporating the subtle variations in period and expression originally introduced by the 19th century campus designers Cope and Stewardson in association with the Olmstead Brothers.<br />&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\\\"The vision for Brauer Hall reflects an understanding of the school\\\'s history and future,\\\" said Peter Schubert, RMJM Hillier\\\'s Design Director. \\\"Our proposal seeks to bring to life an ongoing master plan based on Cope &amp; Stewardson\\\'s historic campus designs. While the exterior facades will reflect the beloved and historically important traditional languages of the original campus vision, the interior will reflect the pressures and considerations of modern lab design.\\\"</p>\n<p>Two thirds of the space in Brauer Hall will be dedicated to research laboratories designed to maximize flexibility across the wide range of aquatics, aerosols, synthetic chemistry and biomedical research activities that will be housed within the structure. A plug-and play casework system, which includes moveable base cabinets, removable tables, and ceiling-mounted service panels improves ability to accommodate a range of bench-top and floor-mounted equipment while reducing the cost of future renovations as research priorities change. In addition to instructional laboratories, classrooms and specialized teaching areas, several conference rooms, faculty offices and numerous student work spaces, Brauer Hall will house office suites for the Dean of the School of Engineering and for the EECE department and its chairman.</p>\n<p>An innovative feature of the new facility will be a 85-seat distance-learning classroom available for use by all academic departments and schools. Energy, Environmental &amp; Chemical Engineering Department Chair Professor Pratim Biswas said this classroom will be invaluable for communicating with EECE\\\'s research partners throughout the world, including the 25 member universities of Washington University\\\'s McDonnell Academy of Global Energy and Environment Partnership (MAGEEP).</p>\n<p>\\\"We are extremely&nbsp; proud of our successful collaboration with Washington University to achieve a design that is a successful blend of historical context and the most advanced thinking in design for research, teaching and sustainability,\\\" said RMJM\\\'s Design Studio Director Steven K. Gifford. \\\"Our team has been fascinated by the challenge and has enjoyed integrating the highest levels of contemporary design into this historic campus. In this building, the School of Engineering will be able create the future while still celebrating their rich past.\\\"</p>\n<p>All of the University\\\'s recent construction projects have been built with environmental sustainability in mind, and this building also is being designed as a green structure according to LEED specifications for a gold rating. LEED, the acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a nationally accepted rating system for the design, construction and operation of buildings that use its specifications for achieving environmental sustainability.</p>\n<p>Some of the sustainable design features of Brauer Hallinclude:<br />Thermally efficient exterior envelope reduces heat gain and heat loss<br />High albedo roof to reduce the heat-island effect<br />Energy savings in excess of 30% through high efficiency air-handling systems that incorporate air-to-air recovery<br />Reduced water consumption by 30% through use of low-flow fixtures including waterless urinals<br />Storm water recycling for use in irrigation<br />At least 35% of all materials will be either recycled, regional, rapidly renewable or certified wood<br />Low-emitting materials for adhesives and interior floor and wall finishes<br />Recycling/salvaging at least 75% of non-hazardous construction waste <br /><br />RMJM are the architects for the new building, combining&nbsp; the firm\\\'s experience in historic preservation and plug-and-play labs to create a building designed to relate to the rich tradition of design on the WUSL Danforth Campus.The project is being constructed by Clayco Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri. Completion is ex</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(829,314,10,2,1226526216,'a:33:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"314\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:55 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:59:\"Best Practices at the Construction Professionals Exposition\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:59:\"best_practices_at_the_construction_professionals_exposition\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:60:\"Best Practices at the Construction Professionals Exposition \";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:231:\"A forum on \\\"best practices\\\" to face the current construction downturn will be featured at the AGC of St. Louis Construction Professionals Exposition Nov. 18 in the Versailles Room of the Sheraton Westport Hotel from 2– 6:p.m.  \";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:29:\"Professional, Exposition, AGC\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:23:\"Sheraton Westport Hotel\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-11-18 08:55 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:7:\"6 p.m. \";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:1216:\"<p>A forum on \\\"best practices\\\" to face the current construction downturn will be featured at the AGC of St. Louis Construction Professionals Exposition Nov. 18 in the Versailles Room of the Sheraton Westport Hotel from 2&ndash; 6 p.m.&nbsp; The $30 per person registration includes open bar and hors d\\\'oeuvres.</p>\n<p>Keynote Speaker and Moderator will be Scott B. Winstead, FMI Corporation Panelists will include&nbsp; Mark S. Carlie, Stone Carlie &amp; Company, L.L.C.; Jules Kemmling, Zurich Surety/Fidelity &amp; Deposit Company of Maryland; and Leonard R. Ruzicka, Jr., Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP.</p>\n<p>The&nbsp; panel discussion will include:</p>\n<p>What lies ahead - a glance at future market projections<br />Best practices - why some win regardless of changes in the economy<br />Applying KPI&rsquo;s and developing score-cards<br />Keys for success</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The&nbsp; event was created to give contractors, specialty contractors and suppliers a single point resource to find, meet and build relationships with the people who can build their businesses. It will include exhibits from a number of professional firms.&nbsp; <a href=\\\"/blogfiles/cpe.pdf\\\">Click here for full details</a>.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(830,314,10,2,1226536728,'a:33:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"314\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:55 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:59:\"Best Practices at the Construction Professionals Exposition\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:59:\"best_practices_at_the_construction_professionals_exposition\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:60:\"Best Practices at the Construction Professionals Exposition \";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:231:\"A forum on \\\"best practices\\\" to face the current construction downturn will be featured at the AGC of St. Louis Construction Professionals Exposition Nov. 18 in the Versailles Room of the Sheraton Westport Hotel from 2– 6:p.m.  \";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:29:\"Professional, Exposition, AGC\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:23:\"Sheraton Westport Hotel\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-11-18 08:55 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:9:\"2-6 p.m. \";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:1216:\"<p>A forum on \\\"best practices\\\" to face the current construction downturn will be featured at the AGC of St. Louis Construction Professionals Exposition Nov. 18 in the Versailles Room of the Sheraton Westport Hotel from 2&ndash; 6 p.m.&nbsp; The $30 per person registration includes open bar and hors d\\\'oeuvres.</p>\n<p>Keynote Speaker and Moderator will be Scott B. Winstead, FMI Corporation Panelists will include&nbsp; Mark S. Carlie, Stone Carlie &amp; Company, L.L.C.; Jules Kemmling, Zurich Surety/Fidelity &amp; Deposit Company of Maryland; and Leonard R. Ruzicka, Jr., Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP.</p>\n<p>The&nbsp; panel discussion will include:</p>\n<p>What lies ahead - a glance at future market projections<br />Best practices - why some win regardless of changes in the economy<br />Applying KPI&rsquo;s and developing score-cards<br />Keys for success</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The&nbsp; event was created to give contractors, specialty contractors and suppliers a single point resource to find, meet and build relationships with the people who can build their businesses. It will include exhibits from a number of professional firms.&nbsp; <a href=\\\"/blogfiles/cpe.pdf\\\">Click here for full details</a>.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(831,311,2,2,1226702885,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"311\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:50 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"27\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:41:\"cnr_executive_summit_2009_a_year_of_risks\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:228:\"A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.\n\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"CNR, Summit, Risk  and Rewar\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3948:\"<p>A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.<br /><br />Mike Flavin, president of The Business Bank of St. Louis, hit the topic that has everyone concerned: the recession. Flavin, who said the recession will either be long or deep, hoped for a \\\"short, deep\\\" recession instead of a long, shallow one.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"CNR Summiit Panel \\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"284\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/panel-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Flavin laid the blame for the recession on the popping of a credit bubble, and said a series of irresponsible decisions by mortgage originators, bankers, investment bankers, insurance companies, and credit raters came together to create the bubble and the current credit crunch.</p>\n<h4>The CNR Summit Panel.&nbsp; Front Row (L to R): Len Toenjes, AGC of ST. Louis; Richard WaRD, Zimmer REal Estate; Walt BazAn, Bazan Painting. Back ROW, Tom Finan, St. Louis CNR; Steve Gillen, J.W.Terrill; Andy Manuel, Greensfelder, Hemker, and Gale; Mike Flavin, The business Bank of St. Louis. <br /></h4>\n<p>Richard Ward, vice president - development management, Zimmer Real Estate Services, predicted slow growth in the coming years. He said the St. Louis economy mirrors the national economy. For the long run - measured in decades, not years - that means, \\\"slow, but steady growth\\\" for the metro region as a whole, he said. Within the region, however, he predicted \\\"a dramatic redistribution of jobs and population to Illinois,\\\" driven by the relative abundance of easily developed land in the Metro East area as compared to the western parts of the region.<br /><br />Ward raised two caution flags on his modest growth outlook: floods and gridlock.<br /><br />\\\"We are paying insufficient attention to flood plain management ... [such that] we are creating the potential for the biggest disaster to ever hit the United States,\\\" he said.<br /><br />And Metrolink, he said, \\\"is critical to the region\\\'s future.\\\" St. Louis County voters\\\' rejection of additional funding for Metrolink was a bad sign for the region\\\'s willingness to move forward.<br /><br />Len Toenjes, president of the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, picked up on the transportation theme. Called the Metrolink vote, Missouri\\\'s unwillingness to pay for a Mississippi River Bridge, and a shortage of federal funding \\\"symptoms of a bigger disease\\\" that threatens the continued viability of metropolitan St. Louis. \\\"We need to improve the transportation system to remain competitive so we don\\\'t get all the hubs going north or south of us,\\\" he said.<br /><br />Without new funding, he said, transportation projects in Missouri will be cut in half in 2009 or 2010. He urged everyone to get behind a new effort by the RCGA and the Regional Business Council to do something about transportation.<br /><br />Walt Bazan, Bazan Painting and the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, talked about significant risks facing subcontractors. Moving up the list of subcontractor concerns is worry about getting paid. \\\"We now have to find out how projects are financed and underwritten to see if there is enough cash,\\\" he said. \\\"Banks are no longer accepting real estate as down payment on loans from developers,\\\" he explained.<br /><br />Andy Manuel, shareholder, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, PC) talked about new risks and old: liability issues for contractors and designers in green building and BIM, and getting paid. \\\"Going forward, we\\\'ll see a lot of disputes where one party cannot pay,\\\" and that is where mechanics\\\' liens are important<br /><br />Steve Gillen, from J.W. Terrill, described why the insurance market is hardening and told the audience that they can expect their premiums to go up.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:32:\"/images/uploads/summit-panel.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"27\";}'),(832,315,4,2,1226725668,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-14 06:05 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Hilliker Announces New Transactions\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"hilliker_announces_new_transactions\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:35:\"Hilliker Announces New Transactions\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:66:\"Hilliker Corporation announced the following recent transactions. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:22:\"Hiliker,  transactions\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1999:\"<p>Hilliker Corporation announced&nbsp; the following recent transations:</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Will Aschinger of Hilliker Corporation represented both parties in the sale of the 40,392 sq.ft. retail land site located at 1500 S. Kirkwood Road in Kirkwood to Sunset Square, LLC from Redcrest, LLC.<br /><br /><br />Will Aschinger of Hilliker Corporation represented H &amp; A Restoration &amp; Development LLC in the purchase of the 18,400 sq.ft. office/warehouse building located at 3100 Gravois in the City of St. Louis from Lochhead Manufacturing Company represented by Ted Greenbergh of CB Richard Ellis.<br /><br /><br />Scott Martin and Brian O\\\'Connell represented Grizzly Investments LLC in leasing the 10,300 sq.ft. office/warehouse space located at 815 Sun Park Drive in Fenton to BNS South County LLC represented by Patricia McKelvey of McKelvey Properties.<br /><br /><br />Dan Johnson of Hilliker Corporation represented Hunt Investments LLC in leasing the 7,500 sq.ft. office/warehouse space located at 108-112 Trade Center Drive in St. Peters to Anga Supply Company represented by Century 21 Premier Lifestyle.<br /><br /><br />Jake Shepley of Hilliker Corporation represented Balter Redevelopment Corporation in leasing the 5,332 sq.ft. of office/warehouse space located at 1309 S. Broadway in the City of St. Louis to Flame Resistant Garments, Inc. represented by Colliers Turley Martin Tucker.<br /><br /><br />Jim Newman of Hilliker Corporation represented M &amp; M Enterprises in the sale of the 75,837 sq.ft. office/warehouse building located at 3693 Forest Park Avenue in the City of St. Louis to Spring Street Lofts, LLC represented by Patrick McKay of Hilliker Corporation.<br /><br /><br />Jake Shepley of Hilliker Corporation represented Radiant Products Company in the sale of the 150,000 sq.ft. light manufacturing building located at 3433 Tree Court Industrial Blvd. in Kirkwood to Seiler Industrial Building, Inc. represented by Peter Newton of Hilliker Corporation.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";}'),(833,316,4,2,1227287971,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-21 06:10 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"5\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:55:\"DOORWAYS Receives National Award for Affordable Housing\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:55:\"doorways_receives_national_award_for_affordable_housing\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:55:\"DOORWAYS Receives National Award for Affordable Housing\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:335:\"DOORWAYS Supportive Housing Facility (DSHF), a St. Louis-based non-profit organization, has received a third-place award for Supportive Housing in the 13th annual MetLife Foundation Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing. DSHF received the award and a $20,000 grant today at the 2008 Enterprise Community Conference in Baltimore.\n\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:26:\"DOORWAYS, Metlife, housing\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3953:\"<p>DOORWAYS Supportive Housing Facility (DSHF), a St. Louis-based non-profit organization, has received a third-place award for Supportive Housing in the 13th annual MetLife Foundation Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing. DSHF received the award and a $20,000 grant at the 2008 Enterprise Community Conference in Baltimore.<br />&nbsp;<br />The Supportive Housing category award recognizes DSHF for their long-standing compassionate and effective response to HIV/AIDS in the Missouri and Kansas region. DSHF is the only interfaith organization in the St. Louis region devoted to the provision of safe, affordable housing that provides supportive services to people living with the disease. The property is a fully accessible three-story building with 36 private rooms with baths, 24-hour supervision and a nursing station, a dining room, a commercial kitchen, recreational areas and administrative offices. All of the residents are formerly homeless singles living with HIV/AIDS and earn less than 30 percent of the area median income.<br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"The DOORWAYS Supportive Housing Facility was developed in response to a critical need for housing-based solutions to the HIV/AIDS epidemic,\\\" said Patricia Magnuson, senior director for supportive housing for Enterprise. \\\"For supportive services to take effect in troubled populations, a comfortable, safe place is necessary for people to call home. Through their &lsquo;low-demand\\\' and &lsquo;harm reduction\\\' models of service, DSHF has had remarkable success in helping the majority of their residents regain their health and transition to independent living.\\\"<br />&nbsp;<br />DOORWAYS\\\' substantial rehab of the former Bernard Care Center (originally the Methodist Home for Orphans), has brought healthy living design principles to this historic building. An extensive negative air-pressure ventilation system was installed to move exhaust from residential and certain treatment rooms out through the roof to decrease the impact of airborne infections. Other environmentally responsive principles were adopted on the grounds with an expansive green space, a formal garden and landscaping that improves water conservation and reduces maintenance costs.&nbsp; The property has easy access to public transportation and is in easy walking distance to commercial, retail and healthcare services.<br />&nbsp;<br />DOORWAYS has worked for over 20 years on developing housing solutions for some of the most vulnerable individuals and families in its community, a comprehensive continuum of housing options designed to meet the varied needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. This includes more than $1.7 million annually in scattered-site rent, mortgage, and utility assistance, 99 subsidized units in the city of St. Louis, and a 36-unit SRO property. Since its founding in 1988, DOORWAYS has served more than 5,600 households and currently assists approximately 570 adults and more than 300 children each month.<br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"Affordable, well-maintained housing is a vital component of livable communities,\\\" said MetLife Foundation president and CEO Sibyl Jacobson.&nbsp; \\\"We are pleased to join Enterprise in recognizing DOORWAYS, which is meeting the needs of low-income individuals and families and strengthening its community.\\\"<br />&nbsp;<br />In total, six MetLife Foundation Awards ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 were presented.&nbsp; Enterprise and MetLife Foundation launched the program in 1996 to recognize and share the important work being done by community-based organizations across the country to provide affordable housing for the nation\\\'s most vulnerable people.<br />&nbsp;<br />MetLife and MetLife Foundation have supported Enterprise\\\'s neighborhood revitalization activities with grants and loans of almost $39 million. For more information about the Foundation, visit <a href=\\\"http://www.metlife.org\\\">www.metlife.org</a>.<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"5\";}'),(834,317,10,2,1227289033,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-21 06:23 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"SEAKM Sponsors Highway 40/I-64 Update\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:37:\"seakm_sponsors_highway_40_i_64_update\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:37:\"SEAKM Sponsors Highway 40/I-64 Update\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:159:\"The Structural Engineers Association of Kansas and Missouri (SEAKM) will sponsor a program on progress on the Highway 40/I-64 project on Dec. 2 from 7:30-9:15.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:29:\"MoDOT, SEAKM, Highway 40/I-64\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:38:\"The Engineers Club, 4359 Lindell Blvd.\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-12-02  7:30 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:12:\"7:30-9:15 AM\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:972:\"<p>The Structural Engineers Association of Kansas and Missouri (SEAKM) will sponsor a program on progress on the Highway 40/I-64 project on Dec. 2 from 7:30-9:15.</p>\n<p>This presentation will focus on design and construction aspects of the project, including the use of design/build, quality oversight process, workforce diversity and how MoDOT &amp; Gateway<br />Constructors worked with residents and businesses to keep the public informed.</p>\n<p>The speaker is Lesley Hoffarth of MoDOT. Hoffarth is leading MoDOT\\\'s team overseeing the $500 Million Project. She has worked for MoDOT for 20 years in several divisions including Maintenance and Traffic, Bridge Design, Roadway Design, Construction and Project Management.</p>\n<p>Cost of the program is $15, payable at the door by cash or check. RSVP by email to Kurt Krispin at the Engineers Club at <a href=\\\"mailto:kurt.krispin@engineersclub.net\\\">kurt.krispin@engineersclub.net</a><br />or call at (314) 533-9333</p>\";}'),(835,318,4,2,1227289802,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-21 06:45 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:54:\"ABC Reports Construction Input Prices Drop in October \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:53:\"abc_reports_construction_input_prices_drop_in_october\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:54:\"ABC Reports Construction Input Prices Drop in October \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:155:\"The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)  found  a glimmer of hope  for the construction industry in October\\\'s drop in  construction material prices.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:41:\"Construction Input Prices, ABC, materials\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3234:\"<p>The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)&nbsp; found&nbsp; a glimmer of hope&nbsp; for the construction industry in October\\\'s drop in&nbsp; construction material prices.</p>\n<p>Construction input prices fell 2.8 percent in October - the largest one-month decrease since July 1986 - according to the November 18 producer price index (PPI) report by the U.S. Labor Department. Despite the dramatic decline, construction input prices remain 10 percent higher than October of last year (see graph below). <br /><br />Prices for fabricated structural metal products dropped by 0.6 percent in October, but are still 15.1 percent higher than one year ago. Plumbing fixtures and fittings prices dropped slightly in October by 0.1 percent, however they are up a relatively modest 4.1 percent from October 2007.&nbsp; Nonferrous wire and cable prices dropped 7.7 percent - the largest monthly decline since 1949. The decrease brings the year-over-year change down 5.4 percent from October 2007.&nbsp; Prices for fabricated ferrous wire products increased 2 percent in October following a slight decrease in price the month prior. Still, prices are up an astonishing 30.55 percent from a year ago. Softwood lumber prices decreased 7.4 percent from September, the largest monthly decrease since November 2004, and are now down 8.8 percent from last October. In contrast, asphalt felts and coatings prices continue to increase, rising 5.7 percent from last month and up 60.2 percent from a year ago. <br /><br />Crude energy prices dropped significantly, down 24.9 percent in October, with crude petroleum down 26 percent and natural gas down 29.1 percent. Gasoline prices dropped 24.9 percent on a monthly basis.&nbsp; Finished energy good prices fell 12.8 percent from the previous month. Overall, prices for finished goods decreased 2.8 percent, making it the third consecutive monthly decrease.</p>\n<p>\\\"Even as the broader economy continues to deteriorate, and is increasingly frustrating development and construction efforts, the seeds of the next recovery are being sown,\\\" said Associated Builders and Contractors\\\' (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu. \\\"With construction materials prices generally in retreat, developers will find it easier to make their pro formas work.&nbsp; However, in the near term, this may make little difference to contractors and others in the construction supply chain since the credit crunch continues with little sign of abatement,\\\" said Basu. \\\"Even though certain materials costs are declining, developers are finding that the revenue stream for new construction, such as new tenants, is weak,\\\" added Basu. \\\"Therefore, revenue projections related to prospective development remain muted. \\\"One of the big winners in declining materials prices is the federal government,\\\" said Basu. \\\"The next stimulus package will likely possess a significant infrastructure component, and with lower materials prices, the federal government will be able to purchase more infrastructure per dollar. This would appear to be an advantageous moment for the nation to begin to build its 21st century infrastructure, since such investment would address both short- and long-term economic considerations.\\\"&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(836,318,4,2,1227289908,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"318\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-21 06:45 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"ABC Reports Construction Input Prices Drop in October\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:53:\"abc_reports_construction_input_prices_drop_in_october\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:54:\"ABC Reports Construction Input Prices Drop in October \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:155:\"The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)  found  a glimmer of hope  for the construction industry in October\\\'s drop in  construction material prices.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:41:\"Construction Input Prices, ABC, materials\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3248:\"<p>The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)&nbsp; found&nbsp; a glimmer of hope&nbsp; for the construction industry in October\\\'s drop in&nbsp; construction material prices.</p>\n<p>Construction input prices fell 2.8 percent in October - the largest one-month decrease since July 1986 - according to the November 18 producer price index (PPI) report by the U.S. Labor Department. Despite the dramatic decline, construction input prices remain 10 percent higher than October of last year (see graph below). <br /><br />Prices for fabricated structural metal products dropped by 0.6 percent in October, but are still 15.1 percent higher than one year ago. Plumbing fixtures and fittings prices dropped slightly in October by 0.1 percent, however they are up a relatively modest 4.1 percent from October 2007.&nbsp; Nonferrous wire and cable prices dropped 7.7 percent - the largest monthly decline since 1949. The decrease brings the year-over-year change down 5.4 percent from October 2007.&nbsp; Prices for fabricated ferrous wire products increased 2 percent in October following a slight decrease in price the month prior. Still, prices are up an astonishing 30.55 percent from a year ago. Softwood lumber prices decreased 7.4 percent from September, the largest monthly decrease since November 2004, and are now down 8.8 percent from last October. In contrast, asphalt felts and coatings prices continue to increase, rising 5.7 percent from last month and up 60.2 percent from a year ago. <br /><br />Crude energy prices dropped significantly, down 24.9 percent in October, with crude petroleum down 26 percent and natural gas down 29.1 percent. Gasoline prices dropped 24.9 percent on a monthly basis.&nbsp; Finished energy good prices fell 12.8 percent from the previous month. Overall, prices for finished goods decreased 2.8 percent, making it the third consecutive monthly decrease.</p>\n<p>\\\"Even as the broader economy continues to deteriorate, and is increasingly frustrating development and construction efforts, the seeds of the next recovery are being sown,\\\" said Associated Builders and Contractors\\\' (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu. \\\"With construction materials prices generally in retreat, developers will find it easier to make their pro formas work.&nbsp; However, in the near term, this may make little difference to contractors and others in the construction supply chain since the credit crunch continues with little sign of abatement,\\\" said Basu.</p>\n<p>\\\"Even though certain materials costs are declining, developers are finding that the revenue stream for new construction, such as new tenants, is weak,\\\" added Basu. \\\"Therefore, revenue projections related to prospective development remain muted.</p>\n<p>\\\"One of the big winners in declining materials prices is the federal government,\\\" said Basu. \\\"The next stimulus package will likely possess a significant infrastructure component, and with lower materials prices, the federal government will be able to purchase more infrastructure per dollar. This would appear to be an advantageous moment for the nation to begin to build its 21st century infrastructure, since such investment would address both short- and long-term economic considerations.\\\"&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(837,319,2,2,1227719915,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:12 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:62:\" MC Industrial Logs Millionth  Manhour at Holcim Cement Plant \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:59:\"mc_industrial_logs_millionth_manhour_at_holcim_cement_plant\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:60:\"MC Industrial Logs Millionth  Manhour at Holcim Cement Plant\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:141:\"Ninety ironworkers, cement masons and millwrights traveled from 16 states, working around the clock to help complete 13 silos in just 72 days\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:22:\"MC Industrial,  Holcim\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3136:\"<p>While battling a labor shortage created by the largest expansion in U.S. industrial construction in decades, <a href=\\\"http://www.mc-industrial.com\\\">MC Industrial</a>&nbsp; earlier this month completed its one millionth self-performed manhour in the construction of the new Holcim (US) Ste. Genevieve cement plant in Bloomsdale, Mo.<br /><br />MC Industrial, a McCarthy company that serves the industrial construction market nationwide, is general contractor for the silos, conveyors and tunnel portions of the $900 million greenfield site project.<br /><br />\\\"Besides the sheer challenge of managing 500 or more workers at peak at any one time, we have faced the very real challenge of obtaining and maintaining a workforce on this project,\\\" explained Will Chipley, project director for MC Industrial.<br /><br />The 13 silos completed earlier this year, in particular, posed major labor challenges, as the project competed for workers with other industrial mega-projects under construction in the Midwest at the same time.&nbsp; Since local unions were tapped out, the call went out to other states for tradesmen and women interested in traveling to Bloomsdale for work.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />Although the majority of \\\"travelers\\\" are now back in their home states, a total of 90 contributed to the 700,000 manhours required to build the cement plant\\\'s silos.&nbsp; These ironworkers, cement masons and millwrights were recruited from 16 states, some as far away as New Mexico, Florida and Michigan.<br /><br /><strong>Labor shortage reported</strong><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Almost two-thirds of industrial contractors nationwide have experienced labor shortages, according to a new study reported in the November issue of Midwest Construction.&nbsp; \\\"The study said that demand is particularly strong for ironworkers,\\\" says Chipley, \\\"which we have definitely found to be the case.\\\"&nbsp;&nbsp; This summer and fall, ironworkers in particular were in short supply due to several large power plants currently under construction in the Midwest, he explains.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Once MC Industrial assembled its large crew, it took careful planning to manage worker safety, as well as to keep everyone productive. \\\"For two and one-half months, the project was running 24/7, with 13 silos constructed in just 72 days,\\\" says Chipley.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />In addition to the 13 raw meal, clinker and cement silos, MC Industrial has completed a limestone reclaim tunnel, will soon wrap up work on two 60-foot diameter, 155-foot tall harbor silos which will hold the finished cement for barge loading, and by June 2009, will complete material handling conveyors from the clinker silos to the cement mills.<br /><br />When the plant comes on line in late summer 2009, the new Holcim facility will be capable of producing up to four million metric tons of cement annually&nbsp; Holcim (US) Inc. is one of the largest suppliers of Portland and blended cements and related mineral components in the United States.<br /><br />&nbsp;<a href=\\\"http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/38977.html\\\"></a></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(838,320,2,2,1227720929,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:21 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:76:\"Construction Expert Denounces the NTSB\\\'s Report on t I-35W Bridge Collapse \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:73:\"construction_expert_denounces_the_ntsbs_report_on_t_i_35w_bridge_collapse\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:75:\"Construction Expert Denounces the NTSB\\\'s Report on t I-35W Bridge Collapse\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:329:\"=An NTSB report over a year in the making cites faulty gusset plates as the cause of the 2007 Minnesota bridge collapse. But Barry B. LePatner says the report contains a glaring sin of omission: It ignores key problems inherent in our nation\\\'s infrastructure oversight system that continue to put the public in danger every day.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"I-35, bridge,infrastructure, LePatner\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:8748:\"<p>It\\\'s been more than a year since the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. And now, the final report put forward by the National Transportation Safety Board has concluded from its investigation: (1) the steel gusset plates originally designed in the mid-1960s to reinforce the bridge\\\'s joints were half an inch too thin; (2) the probable causes for the collapse were additional modifications to the original design, which added substantial weight to the bridge, and the weight added by construction materials placed on the bridge by a contractor just prior to the collapse. That\\\'s it. And if you\\\'re thinking Surely, there was more to the collapse than that, construction expert Barry B. LePatner says you are right.</p>\n<p>And by ignoring the other (extremely critical) factors, LePatner says, the NTSB is perpetuating a problem that puts millions of Americans in danger every day. \\\"The NTSB is severely neglecting its duty to protect Americans,\\\" says LePatner, coauthor of <em>Structural&nbsp; Foundation Failures&nbsp;</em> and author of <em>Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets: How to Fix America\\\'s Trillion-Dollar Construction Industry </em><a href=\\\"http://www.brokenbuildings.com\\\">http://www.brokenbuildings.com.</a></p>\n<p>\\\"By placing the sole blame for the bridge collapse on the gusset plates and the added weight factor, the Board has ignored the inefficiency and irresponsibility among the government agencies responsible for the bridge, which also contributed to the disaster.\\\" At the heart of many of these problems is the Minnesota Department of Transportation, which (and here\\\'s a scary thought!) has long been considered one of the better state transportation departments in the country. Basically, LePatner&nbsp; said,&nbsp; MnDOT failed to protect the public from a preventable disaster that was long in the making. And the problems faced by MnDOT are far from isolated.</p>\n<p>DOTs everywhere are struggling to keep the highways and byways that connect this nation in working order. We must put these struggles in perspective: There are 12,000 bridges in our country whose designs are similar to the I-35W Bridge. Furthermore, according to statistics from a 2007 U.S. Department of Transportation/Research and Innovative Technology Administration report, there are over 72,000 bridges that are labeled \\\"structurally deficient\\\" and over 81,000 bridges identified as \\\"functionally obsolete.\\\" Every one of these bridges needs detailed inspections to ensure their safety. One important factor contributing to the poor state of America\\\'s infrastructure is the seeming irresponsibility and inefficiency exhibited by those who have been elected or appointed to government positions that supposedly exist to ensure the safety of the public.</p>\n<p>To illustrate, LePatner has identified several red flags that should have warned MnDOT and other officials that the I-35W bridge was in trouble, but instead were ignored, misunderstood, or simply not acted upon in time:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>The I-35W bridge was first rated as \\\"structurally deficient\\\" in 1990. Despite annual reports describing a continuing section loss and build up of corrosion at key places, as well as the attention of a number of consultants who recommended substantial remedial action be taken, at no time between 1990 and its collapse in 2007 was the I-35W bridge\\\'s condition ever raised above its \\\"poor\\\" rating. <br /></li>\n<li>Photographs exist of gusset plates \\\"bowing and arcing\\\" as early as 2003, but the photos, taken by MnDOT consultants, were apparently dropped into a file folder and forgotten. MnDOT inspecting engineers did not deem these red flags to be serious enough to command attention. <br /></li>\n<li>In 1996 a bridge on I-90 outside of Cleveland with a structure similar to the I-35W bridge collapsed as a result of improper gusset plate design. But although a) Federal officials investigated this serious failure, b) an official report from outside engineers was filed indicating that the gusset plates did indeed contribute to the bridge\\\'s collapse, and c) Civil Engineering magazine published an article in 1997 detailing the Ohio bridge collapse, officials at MnDOT denied ever having heard of the Ohio bridge failure and said they were unaware of any prior problems with gusset plate design.</li>\n<li>Discussions concerning the need to add redundancy to the I-35W bridge had been underway years earlier-but action was never taken. And, in fact, MnDOT instead scheduled redecking work that overloaded sections of the bridge, and, according to the NTSB, contributed to the eventual failure of the gusset plates. </li>\n</ul>\n<p>\\\"Of course, none of this is meant to imply that Minnesota is the only state experiencing serious problems with its infrastructure,\\\"&nbsp; LePatner said. \\\"The Colorado Department of Transportation has acknowledged that the cost to replace or rehabilitate 125 state bridges rated in poor condition in the state is $1.4 billion. Yet, bridge repair funding, a critical element in reducing the number of bridges that are considered structurally deficient, has been reduced from $32 million in 2007 to $18 million for 2009.</p>\n<p>\\\"Or consider a story out of Georgia in which reports identifying several bridges as hazardous were thrown away,\\\" he added. \\\"Why? Because the official in charge said handling the problem would have required too much paperwork and involved too many people. Stories like this one are clear indications that Minnesota isn\\\'t the only state that has had its political head in the sand regarding its infrastructure problems.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"Clearly, solving our infrastructure crisis will require more than a few patches here and there, LePatner&nbsp; stated. In 2005 the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimated that the cost of making the upgrades, repairs, and expansions needed on the U.S. bridge system will be $9.4 billion/year for twenty years. The report also said the U.S. road system required $92 billion/year for maintenance and $125.6 billion/year for improvements-an updated report from the ASCE next year will likely reflect an even larger cost for these repairs. And even if our cash-strapped government could come up with the money and ensure that it\\\'s properly applied, there\\\'s little indication that builders could get it done at that price.\\\"</p>\n<p>The construction industry itself, LePatner said, has been rife with problems for quite some time now, wasting an estimated $120 billion each year. Those problems, he sid,&nbsp; have easily flooded over into public projects, the prime example being the Big Dig and its billions of dollars in cost overruns. \\\"We must begin taking steps, right now, to shore up America\\\'s infrastructure, asserts LePatner. Not to do so is to invite more death and destruction. Every engineer in the field of bridge design can testify that the corrosive effects of inadequate maintenance of our bridges and tunnels will only get worse-they are not self-healing. And while the problem is far too massive and widespread to repair overnight, we can take steps now to start chipping away at it.</p>\n<p>\\\"We must do everything in our power to end the downward spiral of our nation\\\'s infrastructure,\\\" says LePatner. \\\"As the incoming Obama Administration prepares to tackle America\\\'s ailing economy, it should make repairing the nation\\\'s infrastructure an important part of those plans. Doing so will not only help prevent future catastrophes; it will actually contribute to our nation\\\'s prosperity. \\\"Every $1 billion in infrastructure spending is estimated to create 47,000 new jobs, a critical factor at a time when our unemployment rate is at a 14-year high,\\\" he adds. \\\"By taking the steps necessary to tackle our infrastructure problem now, we have an opportunity to improve our economy with the great ROI of a better, safer infrastructure system that will lead to a stronger nation.\\\"&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Barry B. LePatner is the founder of the New York City-based law firm LePatner&nbsp; Associates LLP. For three decades, he has been prominent as an advisor on business and legal issues affecting the real estate, design, and construction industries. He is head of the law firm that has grown to become widely recognized as one of the nation\\\'s leading advisors to corporate and institutional clients, real estate owners, and design professionals. Mr. LePatner is widely recognized as a thought leader in the construction industry. His new book, Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets: How to Fix America\\\'s Trillion-Dollar Construction Industry (The University of Chicago Press), which was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal, has created a national debate among owners, designers, and other key stakeholders.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(839,320,2,2,1227721037,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"320\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:21 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:73:\"Construction Expert Denounces the NTSB\\\'s Report on I-35W Bridge Collapse\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:71:\"construction_expert_denounces_the_ntsbs_report_on_i_35w_bridge_collapse\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:74:\"Construction Expert Denounces the NTSB\\\'s Report on  I-35W Bridge Collapse\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:329:\"=An NTSB report over a year in the making cites faulty gusset plates as the cause of the 2007 Minnesota bridge collapse. But Barry B. LePatner says the report contains a glaring sin of omission: It ignores key problems inherent in our nation\\\'s infrastructure oversight system that continue to put the public in danger every day.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"I-35, bridge,infrastructure, LePatner\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:8748:\"<p>It\\\'s been more than a year since the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. And now, the final report put forward by the National Transportation Safety Board has concluded from its investigation: (1) the steel gusset plates originally designed in the mid-1960s to reinforce the bridge\\\'s joints were half an inch too thin; (2) the probable causes for the collapse were additional modifications to the original design, which added substantial weight to the bridge, and the weight added by construction materials placed on the bridge by a contractor just prior to the collapse. That\\\'s it. And if you\\\'re thinking Surely, there was more to the collapse than that, construction expert Barry B. LePatner says you are right.</p>\n<p>And by ignoring the other (extremely critical) factors, LePatner says, the NTSB is perpetuating a problem that puts millions of Americans in danger every day. \\\"The NTSB is severely neglecting its duty to protect Americans,\\\" says LePatner, coauthor of <em>Structural&nbsp; Foundation Failures&nbsp;</em> and author of <em>Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets: How to Fix America\\\'s Trillion-Dollar Construction Industry </em><a href=\\\"http://www.brokenbuildings.com\\\">http://www.brokenbuildings.com.</a></p>\n<p>\\\"By placing the sole blame for the bridge collapse on the gusset plates and the added weight factor, the Board has ignored the inefficiency and irresponsibility among the government agencies responsible for the bridge, which also contributed to the disaster.\\\" At the heart of many of these problems is the Minnesota Department of Transportation, which (and here\\\'s a scary thought!) has long been considered one of the better state transportation departments in the country. Basically, LePatner&nbsp; said,&nbsp; MnDOT failed to protect the public from a preventable disaster that was long in the making. And the problems faced by MnDOT are far from isolated.</p>\n<p>DOTs everywhere are struggling to keep the highways and byways that connect this nation in working order. We must put these struggles in perspective: There are 12,000 bridges in our country whose designs are similar to the I-35W Bridge. Furthermore, according to statistics from a 2007 U.S. Department of Transportation/Research and Innovative Technology Administration report, there are over 72,000 bridges that are labeled \\\"structurally deficient\\\" and over 81,000 bridges identified as \\\"functionally obsolete.\\\" Every one of these bridges needs detailed inspections to ensure their safety. One important factor contributing to the poor state of America\\\'s infrastructure is the seeming irresponsibility and inefficiency exhibited by those who have been elected or appointed to government positions that supposedly exist to ensure the safety of the public.</p>\n<p>To illustrate, LePatner has identified several red flags that should have warned MnDOT and other officials that the I-35W bridge was in trouble, but instead were ignored, misunderstood, or simply not acted upon in time:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>The I-35W bridge was first rated as \\\"structurally deficient\\\" in 1990. Despite annual reports describing a continuing section loss and build up of corrosion at key places, as well as the attention of a number of consultants who recommended substantial remedial action be taken, at no time between 1990 and its collapse in 2007 was the I-35W bridge\\\'s condition ever raised above its \\\"poor\\\" rating. <br /></li>\n<li>Photographs exist of gusset plates \\\"bowing and arcing\\\" as early as 2003, but the photos, taken by MnDOT consultants, were apparently dropped into a file folder and forgotten. MnDOT inspecting engineers did not deem these red flags to be serious enough to command attention. <br /></li>\n<li>In 1996 a bridge on I-90 outside of Cleveland with a structure similar to the I-35W bridge collapsed as a result of improper gusset plate design. But although a) Federal officials investigated this serious failure, b) an official report from outside engineers was filed indicating that the gusset plates did indeed contribute to the bridge\\\'s collapse, and c) Civil Engineering magazine published an article in 1997 detailing the Ohio bridge collapse, officials at MnDOT denied ever having heard of the Ohio bridge failure and said they were unaware of any prior problems with gusset plate design.</li>\n<li>Discussions concerning the need to add redundancy to the I-35W bridge had been underway years earlier-but action was never taken. And, in fact, MnDOT instead scheduled redecking work that overloaded sections of the bridge, and, according to the NTSB, contributed to the eventual failure of the gusset plates. </li>\n</ul>\n<p>\\\"Of course, none of this is meant to imply that Minnesota is the only state experiencing serious problems with its infrastructure,\\\"&nbsp; LePatner said. \\\"The Colorado Department of Transportation has acknowledged that the cost to replace or rehabilitate 125 state bridges rated in poor condition in the state is $1.4 billion. Yet, bridge repair funding, a critical element in reducing the number of bridges that are considered structurally deficient, has been reduced from $32 million in 2007 to $18 million for 2009.</p>\n<p>\\\"Or consider a story out of Georgia in which reports identifying several bridges as hazardous were thrown away,\\\" he added. \\\"Why? Because the official in charge said handling the problem would have required too much paperwork and involved too many people. Stories like this one are clear indications that Minnesota isn\\\'t the only state that has had its political head in the sand regarding its infrastructure problems.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"Clearly, solving our infrastructure crisis will require more than a few patches here and there, LePatner&nbsp; stated. In 2005 the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimated that the cost of making the upgrades, repairs, and expansions needed on the U.S. bridge system will be $9.4 billion/year for twenty years. The report also said the U.S. road system required $92 billion/year for maintenance and $125.6 billion/year for improvements-an updated report from the ASCE next year will likely reflect an even larger cost for these repairs. And even if our cash-strapped government could come up with the money and ensure that it\\\'s properly applied, there\\\'s little indication that builders could get it done at that price.\\\"</p>\n<p>The construction industry itself, LePatner said, has been rife with problems for quite some time now, wasting an estimated $120 billion each year. Those problems, he sid,&nbsp; have easily flooded over into public projects, the prime example being the Big Dig and its billions of dollars in cost overruns. \\\"We must begin taking steps, right now, to shore up America\\\'s infrastructure, asserts LePatner. Not to do so is to invite more death and destruction. Every engineer in the field of bridge design can testify that the corrosive effects of inadequate maintenance of our bridges and tunnels will only get worse-they are not self-healing. And while the problem is far too massive and widespread to repair overnight, we can take steps now to start chipping away at it.</p>\n<p>\\\"We must do everything in our power to end the downward spiral of our nation\\\'s infrastructure,\\\" says LePatner. \\\"As the incoming Obama Administration prepares to tackle America\\\'s ailing economy, it should make repairing the nation\\\'s infrastructure an important part of those plans. Doing so will not only help prevent future catastrophes; it will actually contribute to our nation\\\'s prosperity. \\\"Every $1 billion in infrastructure spending is estimated to create 47,000 new jobs, a critical factor at a time when our unemployment rate is at a 14-year high,\\\" he adds. \\\"By taking the steps necessary to tackle our infrastructure problem now, we have an opportunity to improve our economy with the great ROI of a better, safer infrastructure system that will lead to a stronger nation.\\\"&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Barry B. LePatner is the founder of the New York City-based law firm LePatner&nbsp; Associates LLP. For three decades, he has been prominent as an advisor on business and legal issues affecting the real estate, design, and construction industries. He is head of the law firm that has grown to become widely recognized as one of the nation\\\'s leading advisors to corporate and institutional clients, real estate owners, and design professionals. Mr. LePatner is widely recognized as a thought leader in the construction industry. His new book, Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets: How to Fix America\\\'s Trillion-Dollar Construction Industry (The University of Chicago Press), which was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal, has created a national debate among owners, designers, and other key stakeholders.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(840,321,4,2,1227721342,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:38 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Ralph Korte Retires  After 50 Years\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:34:\"ralph_korte_retires_after_50_years\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:34:\"Ralph Korte Retires After 50 Years\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:283:\"Ralph Korte, who founded The Korte Company in 1958, with little more than a truck and a saw, has announced his retirement from the company. The formal announcement came during the company\\\'s 50th anniversary celebration, when Ralph Korte took the stage at The Pageant concert venue. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:20:\"Ralph Korte, retires\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1562:\"<p>Ralph Korte, who founded <a href=\\\"http://www.korteco.com\\\">The Korte Company</a> in 1958, with little more than a truck and a saw, has announced his retirement from the company. The formal announcement came during the company\\\'s 50th anniversary celebration, when Ralph Korte took the stage at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri.<br />&nbsp;<br />In his address, Ralph noted the company\\\'s humble beginnings and the many people who helped shape the company along the way. During his fifty years at The Korte Company, Ralph\\\'s values and passion for building have had a resounding influence on not only the company\\\'s employees and clients, but the industry as a whole.<br />&nbsp;<br />A pioneer in design-build and tilt-up construction, Ralph\\\'s innovative approach has placed The Korte Company at the top of Engineering New Record\\\'s Top Contractor list, a nationally recognized designation. More importantly, it\\\'s given the company tremendous respect throughout the industry as a leading design-build contractor, which has had a definitive impact on the company\\\'s growth.<br />&nbsp;<br />Today, The Korte Company manages, on average, an excess of $330 million in annual construction volume and has finished more than 1,600 buildings that dot the cities and towns in 39 states across the nation. Todd Korte, President and CEO of The Korte Company added, \\\"As a company, we\\\'ve witnessed extraordinary changes in our industry, but through it all, we\\\'ve maintained the principles and values Ralph put in place when he founded the company.<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(841,322,4,2,1227721617,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:44 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"Guarantee Electrical completes work on Lange-Stegmann\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:53:\"guarantee_electrical_completes_work_on_lange_stegmann\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:53:\"Guarantee Electrical completes work on Lange-Stegmann\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:161:\"Guarantee Electrical has completed electrical construction on Agrotain International\\\'s St. Louis Urea Center, the nation\\\'s largest inland urea import terminal.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:26:\"Guarantee, Agrotrain, Urea\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1603:\"<p><a href=\\\"http://www.geco.com\\\">Guarantee Electrical</a> has completed electrical construction on Agrotain International\\\'s St. Louis Urea Center, the nation\\\'s largest inland urea import terminal.<br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"This was a fast-track, heavy industrial project,\\\" said Craig Schild, Guarantee senior project manager.&nbsp; \\\"We had up to 30 electricians and multiple foremen on this project, which helped us stay ahead of the curve at all times.\\\"<br />&nbsp;<br />As electrical contractor, Guarantee provided design, construction and electrical services on the $14 million urea processing plant located in downtown St. Louis. Electrical work began in March 2008 and was completed in September 2008.<br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"A surging demand for Agrotain\\\'s fertilizers prompted construction of this new urea plant,\\\" said Mike Stegmann, president of Lange-Stegmann, Agrotain\\\'s parent company. The St. Louis Urea Center added storage space for 63,000 tons of fertilizer and increased product handling capacity to one million tons of imported urea a year.<br />&nbsp;<br />The St. Louis Urea Center is the only facility in the world producing Agrotain\\\'s patented stabilized nitrogen product, using raw materials from as far away as Egypt. As one of the base elements of fertilizer, urea has agricultural, home and commercial lawn, and golf course applications. The company previously contracted with third-party facilities for the proprietary manufacturing of its specialty fertilizer. With this facility, Agrotain now has that capability in-house, within yards of the unloading port on the river.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(842,323,2,2,1227723161,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"women_industry_volunteers_complete_women_build_habitat_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:117:\"Women volunteers from area construction organizations complete Women Build House for Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"women,  Women Build, Habitat\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1779:\"<p>A volunteer construction crew of local women picked up hammers, paint brushes, screwdrivers and more to advance the construction of a new Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis home as part of Habitat\\\'s Women Build program, underwritten by Lowe\\\'s. <br /><br />The volunteers, including embers of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Missouri Women In Trades (MOWIT) are helping Pandora Crosby complete her new home on Sheridan Avenue in St. Louis. Crosby plans to close on her home on December 15 and move in the following Saturday. The home is one of 27 Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis houses underway in the Jeff-Vander-Lou Neighborhood.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Habitat Women Build\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Beth Barton (left) and Melissa Keevil of MOWIT install Hardieplank siding on a Habitat for Humanity St. Louis house as Women Build volunteers. The women of Women Build expanded their commitment from one home to two when no other volunteers came forward to build the second house.</h4>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><br />Crosby, a Blumeyer public housing resident since 1991, has to put in 450 hours of \\\"sweat equity\\\" and put down percent of the home\\\'s cost to purchase the home from Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis. Part of her mortgage debt will include a $40,000 loan that she will not have to pay back if she maintains ownership and residence in the house for 10 years.</p>\n<p><br />Lowe\\\'s contributed $50,000 to help Habitat for Humanity St. Louis pay for the construction of the home.</p>\n<p><br />The Women Build volunteers undertook construction of a neighboring house when no other volunteers stepped forward to work on it.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:39:\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(843,323,2,2,1227723231,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"323\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"women_industry_volunteers_complete_women_build_habitat_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:118:\"Women volunteers from area construction organizations complete Women Build House for Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"women,  Women Build, Habitat\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1779:\"<p>A volunteer construction crew of local women picked up hammers, paint brushes, screwdrivers and more to advance the construction of a new Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis home as part of Habitat\\\'s Women Build program, underwritten by Lowe\\\'s. <br /><br />The volunteers, including embers of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Missouri Women In Trades (MOWIT) are helping Pandora Crosby complete her new home on Sheridan Avenue in St. Louis. Crosby plans to close on her home on December 15 and move in the following Saturday. The home is one of 27 Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis houses underway in the Jeff-Vander-Lou Neighborhood.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Habitat Women Build\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Beth Barton (left) and Melissa Keevil of MOWIT install Hardieplank siding on a Habitat for Humanity St. Louis house as Women Build volunteers. The women of Women Build expanded their commitment from one home to two when no other volunteers came forward to build the second house.</h4>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><br />Crosby, a Blumeyer public housing resident since 1991, has to put in 450 hours of \\\"sweat equity\\\" and put down percent of the home\\\'s cost to purchase the home from Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis. Part of her mortgage debt will include a $40,000 loan that she will not have to pay back if she maintains ownership and residence in the house for 10 years.</p>\n<p><br />Lowe\\\'s contributed $50,000 to help Habitat for Humanity St. Louis pay for the construction of the home.</p>\n<p><br />The Women Build volunteers undertook construction of a neighboring house when no other volunteers stepped forward to work on it.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:39:\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(844,324,4,2,1227735703,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 10:33 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"Women in Trades on the Calendar for 2009\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"women_in_trades_on_the_calendar_for_2009\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:40:\"Women in Trades on the Calendar for 2009\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:121:\"Next year looking kind  of lackluster? Brighten it up your office  a Missouri Women in Trades 2009 Tradeswomen Calendar. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:23:\"Women, trades, calendar\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1037:\"<p>Next year looking kind&nbsp; of lackluster? Brighten up your office with a<a href=\\\"http://www.mowit.org/tradeswomencalendar.org\\\"> Missouri Women in Trades 2009 Tradeswomen Calendar.</a> <br /><br />The calendars, which support efforts to promote women working in the trades and which feature photography of women craftspersons at work, are published by the Missouri Women in Trades (MOWIT). The Calendars are on sale now at the website link listed above. Calendars are $10 plus $4 shipping &amp; handling. MOWIT accepts cash, check or credit card.&nbsp; <br /><br />Calendar sponsors are Tarlton Corporation, Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, Colt Safety, Volk Construction, Zonta Club of St. Louis, National Association of Women In Construction St. Louis Chapter, Missouri Department of Transportation and Raineri Construction.&nbsp; <br /><br />For more information, or if you would like to become a 2010 Sponsor, contact Teresa Willis (p) 314.680.1973, (e) <a href=\\\"mailto:teresa@mowit.org\\\">teresa@mowit.org</a>.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(845,324,4,2,1227735901,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"324\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 10:33 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"28\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"Women in Trades on the Calendar for 2009\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"women_in_trades_on_the_calendar_for_2009\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:40:\"Women in Trades on the Calendar for 2009\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:121:\"Next year looking kind  of lackluster? Brighten it up your office  a Missouri Women in Trades 2009 Tradeswomen Calendar. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:23:\"Women, trades, calendar\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1037:\"<p>Next year looking kind&nbsp; of lackluster? Brighten up your office with a<a href=\\\"http://www.mowit.org/tradeswomencalendar.org\\\"> Missouri Women in Trades 2009 Tradeswomen Calendar.</a> <br /><br />The calendars, which support efforts to promote women working in the trades and which feature photography of women craftspersons at work, are published by the Missouri Women in Trades (MOWIT). The Calendars are on sale now at the website link listed above. Calendars are $10 plus $4 shipping &amp; handling. MOWIT accepts cash, check or credit card.&nbsp; <br /><br />Calendar sponsors are Tarlton Corporation, Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, Colt Safety, Volk Construction, Zonta Club of St. Louis, National Association of Women In Construction St. Louis Chapter, Missouri Department of Transportation and Raineri Construction.&nbsp; <br /><br />For more information, or if you would like to become a 2010 Sponsor, contact Teresa Willis (p) 314.680.1973, (e) <a href=\\\"mailto:teresa@mowit.org\\\">teresa@mowit.org</a>.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"28\";}'),(846,323,2,2,1227735926,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"323\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"28\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"women_industry_volunteers_complete_women_build_habitat_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:118:\"Women volunteers from area construction organizations complete Women Build House for Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"women,  Women Build, Habitat\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1779:\"<p>A volunteer construction crew of local women picked up hammers, paint brushes, screwdrivers and more to advance the construction of a new Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis home as part of Habitat\\\'s Women Build program, underwritten by Lowe\\\'s. <br /><br />The volunteers, including embers of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Missouri Women In Trades (MOWIT) are helping Pandora Crosby complete her new home on Sheridan Avenue in St. Louis. Crosby plans to close on her home on December 15 and move in the following Saturday. The home is one of 27 Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis houses underway in the Jeff-Vander-Lou Neighborhood.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Habitat Women Build\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Beth Barton (left) and Melissa Keevil of MOWIT install Hardieplank siding on a Habitat for Humanity St. Louis house as Women Build volunteers. The women of Women Build expanded their commitment from one home to two when no other volunteers came forward to build the second house.</h4>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><br />Crosby, a Blumeyer public housing resident since 1991, has to put in 450 hours of \\\"sweat equity\\\" and put down percent of the home\\\'s cost to purchase the home from Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis. Part of her mortgage debt will include a $40,000 loan that she will not have to pay back if she maintains ownership and residence in the house for 10 years.</p>\n<p><br />Lowe\\\'s contributed $50,000 to help Habitat for Humanity St. Louis pay for the construction of the home.</p>\n<p><br />The Women Build volunteers undertook construction of a neighboring house when no other volunteers stepped forward to work on it.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:39:\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"28\";}'),(847,323,2,2,1227735945,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"323\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"28\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"women_industry_volunteers_complete_women_build_habitat_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:118:\"Women volunteers from area construction organizations complete Women Build House for Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"women,  Women Build, Habitat\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1779:\"<p>A volunteer construction crew of local women picked up hammers, paint brushes, screwdrivers and more to advance the construction of a new Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis home as part of Habitat\\\'s Women Build program, underwritten by Lowe\\\'s. <br /><br />The volunteers, including embers of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Missouri Women In Trades (MOWIT) are helping Pandora Crosby complete her new home on Sheridan Avenue in St. Louis. Crosby plans to close on her home on December 15 and move in the following Saturday. The home is one of 27 Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis houses underway in the Jeff-Vander-Lou Neighborhood.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Habitat Women Build\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Beth Barton (left) and Melissa Keevil of MOWIT install Hardieplank siding on a Habitat for Humanity St. Louis house as Women Build volunteers. The women of Women Build expanded their commitment from one home to two when no other volunteers came forward to build the second house.</h4>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><br />Crosby, a Blumeyer public housing resident since 1991, has to put in 450 hours of \\\"sweat equity\\\" and put down percent of the home\\\'s cost to purchase the home from Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis. Part of her mortgage debt will include a $40,000 loan that she will not have to pay back if she maintains ownership and residence in the house for 10 years.</p>\n<p><br />Lowe\\\'s contributed $50,000 to help Habitat for Humanity St. Louis pay for the construction of the home.</p>\n<p><br />The Women Build volunteers undertook construction of a neighboring house when no other volunteers stepped forward to work on it.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:39:\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"28\";}'),(848,322,4,2,1227735969,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"322\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:44 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"28\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"Guarantee Electrical completes work on Lange-Stegmann\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:53:\"guarantee_electrical_completes_work_on_lange_stegmann\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:53:\"Guarantee Electrical completes work on Lange-Stegmann\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:161:\"Guarantee Electrical has completed electrical construction on Agrotain International\\\'s St. Louis Urea Center, the nation\\\'s largest inland urea import terminal.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:26:\"Guarantee, Agrotrain, Urea\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1603:\"<p><a href=\\\"http://www.geco.com\\\">Guarantee Electrical</a> has completed electrical construction on Agrotain International\\\'s St. Louis Urea Center, the nation\\\'s largest inland urea import terminal.<br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"This was a fast-track, heavy industrial project,\\\" said Craig Schild, Guarantee senior project manager.&nbsp; \\\"We had up to 30 electricians and multiple foremen on this project, which helped us stay ahead of the curve at all times.\\\"<br />&nbsp;<br />As electrical contractor, Guarantee provided design, construction and electrical services on the $14 million urea processing plant located in downtown St. Louis. Electrical work began in March 2008 and was completed in September 2008.<br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"A surging demand for Agrotain\\\'s fertilizers prompted construction of this new urea plant,\\\" said Mike Stegmann, president of Lange-Stegmann, Agrotain\\\'s parent company. The St. Louis Urea Center added storage space for 63,000 tons of fertilizer and increased product handling capacity to one million tons of imported urea a year.<br />&nbsp;<br />The St. Louis Urea Center is the only facility in the world producing Agrotain\\\'s patented stabilized nitrogen product, using raw materials from as far away as Egypt. As one of the base elements of fertilizer, urea has agricultural, home and commercial lawn, and golf course applications. The company previously contracted with third-party facilities for the proprietary manufacturing of its specialty fertilizer. With this facility, Agrotain now has that capability in-house, within yards of the unloading port on the river.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"28\";}'),(849,321,4,2,1227735993,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"321\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:38 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"28\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Ralph Korte Retires  After 50 Years\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:34:\"ralph_korte_retires_after_50_years\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:34:\"Ralph Korte Retires After 50 Years\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:283:\"Ralph Korte, who founded The Korte Company in 1958, with little more than a truck and a saw, has announced his retirement from the company. The formal announcement came during the company\\\'s 50th anniversary celebration, when Ralph Korte took the stage at The Pageant concert venue. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:20:\"Ralph Korte, retires\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1562:\"<p>Ralph Korte, who founded <a href=\\\"http://www.korteco.com\\\">The Korte Company</a> in 1958, with little more than a truck and a saw, has announced his retirement from the company. The formal announcement came during the company\\\'s 50th anniversary celebration, when Ralph Korte took the stage at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri.<br />&nbsp;<br />In his address, Ralph noted the company\\\'s humble beginnings and the many people who helped shape the company along the way. During his fifty years at The Korte Company, Ralph\\\'s values and passion for building have had a resounding influence on not only the company\\\'s employees and clients, but the industry as a whole.<br />&nbsp;<br />A pioneer in design-build and tilt-up construction, Ralph\\\'s innovative approach has placed The Korte Company at the top of Engineering New Record\\\'s Top Contractor list, a nationally recognized designation. More importantly, it\\\'s given the company tremendous respect throughout the industry as a leading design-build contractor, which has had a definitive impact on the company\\\'s growth.<br />&nbsp;<br />Today, The Korte Company manages, on average, an excess of $330 million in annual construction volume and has finished more than 1,600 buildings that dot the cities and towns in 39 states across the nation. Todd Korte, President and CEO of The Korte Company added, \\\"As a company, we\\\'ve witnessed extraordinary changes in our industry, but through it all, we\\\'ve maintained the principles and values Ralph put in place when he founded the company.<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"28\";}'),(850,320,2,2,1227736018,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"320\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:21 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"28\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:73:\"Construction Expert Denounces the NTSB\\\'s Report on I-35W Bridge Collapse\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:71:\"construction_expert_denounces_the_ntsbs_report_on_i_35w_bridge_collapse\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:74:\"Construction Expert Denounces the NTSB\\\'s Report on  I-35W Bridge Collapse\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:329:\"=An NTSB report over a year in the making cites faulty gusset plates as the cause of the 2007 Minnesota bridge collapse. But Barry B. LePatner says the report contains a glaring sin of omission: It ignores key problems inherent in our nation\\\'s infrastructure oversight system that continue to put the public in danger every day.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"I-35, bridge,infrastructure, LePatner\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:8748:\"<p>It\\\'s been more than a year since the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. And now, the final report put forward by the National Transportation Safety Board has concluded from its investigation: (1) the steel gusset plates originally designed in the mid-1960s to reinforce the bridge\\\'s joints were half an inch too thin; (2) the probable causes for the collapse were additional modifications to the original design, which added substantial weight to the bridge, and the weight added by construction materials placed on the bridge by a contractor just prior to the collapse. That\\\'s it. And if you\\\'re thinking Surely, there was more to the collapse than that, construction expert Barry B. LePatner says you are right.</p>\n<p>And by ignoring the other (extremely critical) factors, LePatner says, the NTSB is perpetuating a problem that puts millions of Americans in danger every day. \\\"The NTSB is severely neglecting its duty to protect Americans,\\\" says LePatner, coauthor of <em>Structural&nbsp; Foundation Failures&nbsp;</em> and author of <em>Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets: How to Fix America\\\'s Trillion-Dollar Construction Industry </em><a href=\\\"http://www.brokenbuildings.com\\\">http://www.brokenbuildings.com.</a></p>\n<p>\\\"By placing the sole blame for the bridge collapse on the gusset plates and the added weight factor, the Board has ignored the inefficiency and irresponsibility among the government agencies responsible for the bridge, which also contributed to the disaster.\\\" At the heart of many of these problems is the Minnesota Department of Transportation, which (and here\\\'s a scary thought!) has long been considered one of the better state transportation departments in the country. Basically, LePatner&nbsp; said,&nbsp; MnDOT failed to protect the public from a preventable disaster that was long in the making. And the problems faced by MnDOT are far from isolated.</p>\n<p>DOTs everywhere are struggling to keep the highways and byways that connect this nation in working order. We must put these struggles in perspective: There are 12,000 bridges in our country whose designs are similar to the I-35W Bridge. Furthermore, according to statistics from a 2007 U.S. Department of Transportation/Research and Innovative Technology Administration report, there are over 72,000 bridges that are labeled \\\"structurally deficient\\\" and over 81,000 bridges identified as \\\"functionally obsolete.\\\" Every one of these bridges needs detailed inspections to ensure their safety. One important factor contributing to the poor state of America\\\'s infrastructure is the seeming irresponsibility and inefficiency exhibited by those who have been elected or appointed to government positions that supposedly exist to ensure the safety of the public.</p>\n<p>To illustrate, LePatner has identified several red flags that should have warned MnDOT and other officials that the I-35W bridge was in trouble, but instead were ignored, misunderstood, or simply not acted upon in time:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>The I-35W bridge was first rated as \\\"structurally deficient\\\" in 1990. Despite annual reports describing a continuing section loss and build up of corrosion at key places, as well as the attention of a number of consultants who recommended substantial remedial action be taken, at no time between 1990 and its collapse in 2007 was the I-35W bridge\\\'s condition ever raised above its \\\"poor\\\" rating. <br /></li>\n<li>Photographs exist of gusset plates \\\"bowing and arcing\\\" as early as 2003, but the photos, taken by MnDOT consultants, were apparently dropped into a file folder and forgotten. MnDOT inspecting engineers did not deem these red flags to be serious enough to command attention. <br /></li>\n<li>In 1996 a bridge on I-90 outside of Cleveland with a structure similar to the I-35W bridge collapsed as a result of improper gusset plate design. But although a) Federal officials investigated this serious failure, b) an official report from outside engineers was filed indicating that the gusset plates did indeed contribute to the bridge\\\'s collapse, and c) Civil Engineering magazine published an article in 1997 detailing the Ohio bridge collapse, officials at MnDOT denied ever having heard of the Ohio bridge failure and said they were unaware of any prior problems with gusset plate design.</li>\n<li>Discussions concerning the need to add redundancy to the I-35W bridge had been underway years earlier-but action was never taken. And, in fact, MnDOT instead scheduled redecking work that overloaded sections of the bridge, and, according to the NTSB, contributed to the eventual failure of the gusset plates. </li>\n</ul>\n<p>\\\"Of course, none of this is meant to imply that Minnesota is the only state experiencing serious problems with its infrastructure,\\\"&nbsp; LePatner said. \\\"The Colorado Department of Transportation has acknowledged that the cost to replace or rehabilitate 125 state bridges rated in poor condition in the state is $1.4 billion. Yet, bridge repair funding, a critical element in reducing the number of bridges that are considered structurally deficient, has been reduced from $32 million in 2007 to $18 million for 2009.</p>\n<p>\\\"Or consider a story out of Georgia in which reports identifying several bridges as hazardous were thrown away,\\\" he added. \\\"Why? Because the official in charge said handling the problem would have required too much paperwork and involved too many people. Stories like this one are clear indications that Minnesota isn\\\'t the only state that has had its political head in the sand regarding its infrastructure problems.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"Clearly, solving our infrastructure crisis will require more than a few patches here and there, LePatner&nbsp; stated. In 2005 the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimated that the cost of making the upgrades, repairs, and expansions needed on the U.S. bridge system will be $9.4 billion/year for twenty years. The report also said the U.S. road system required $92 billion/year for maintenance and $125.6 billion/year for improvements-an updated report from the ASCE next year will likely reflect an even larger cost for these repairs. And even if our cash-strapped government could come up with the money and ensure that it\\\'s properly applied, there\\\'s little indication that builders could get it done at that price.\\\"</p>\n<p>The construction industry itself, LePatner said, has been rife with problems for quite some time now, wasting an estimated $120 billion each year. Those problems, he sid,&nbsp; have easily flooded over into public projects, the prime example being the Big Dig and its billions of dollars in cost overruns. \\\"We must begin taking steps, right now, to shore up America\\\'s infrastructure, asserts LePatner. Not to do so is to invite more death and destruction. Every engineer in the field of bridge design can testify that the corrosive effects of inadequate maintenance of our bridges and tunnels will only get worse-they are not self-healing. And while the problem is far too massive and widespread to repair overnight, we can take steps now to start chipping away at it.</p>\n<p>\\\"We must do everything in our power to end the downward spiral of our nation\\\'s infrastructure,\\\" says LePatner. \\\"As the incoming Obama Administration prepares to tackle America\\\'s ailing economy, it should make repairing the nation\\\'s infrastructure an important part of those plans. Doing so will not only help prevent future catastrophes; it will actually contribute to our nation\\\'s prosperity. \\\"Every $1 billion in infrastructure spending is estimated to create 47,000 new jobs, a critical factor at a time when our unemployment rate is at a 14-year high,\\\" he adds. \\\"By taking the steps necessary to tackle our infrastructure problem now, we have an opportunity to improve our economy with the great ROI of a better, safer infrastructure system that will lead to a stronger nation.\\\"&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Barry B. LePatner is the founder of the New York City-based law firm LePatner&nbsp; Associates LLP. For three decades, he has been prominent as an advisor on business and legal issues affecting the real estate, design, and construction industries. He is head of the law firm that has grown to become widely recognized as one of the nation\\\'s leading advisors to corporate and institutional clients, real estate owners, and design professionals. Mr. LePatner is widely recognized as a thought leader in the construction industry. His new book, Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets: How to Fix America\\\'s Trillion-Dollar Construction Industry (The University of Chicago Press), which was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal, has created a national debate among owners, designers, and other key stakeholders.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"28\";}'),(851,319,2,2,1227736043,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"319\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:12 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"28\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"MC Industrial Logs Millionth  Manhour at Holcim Cement Plant\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:59:\"mc_industrial_logs_millionth_manhour_at_holcim_cement_plant\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:60:\"MC Industrial Logs Millionth  Manhour at Holcim Cement Plant\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:141:\"Ninety ironworkers, cement masons and millwrights traveled from 16 states, working around the clock to help complete 13 silos in just 72 days\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:22:\"MC Industrial,  Holcim\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3136:\"<p>While battling a labor shortage created by the largest expansion in U.S. industrial construction in decades, <a href=\\\"http://www.mc-industrial.com\\\">MC Industrial</a>&nbsp; earlier this month completed its one millionth self-performed manhour in the construction of the new Holcim (US) Ste. Genevieve cement plant in Bloomsdale, Mo.<br /><br />MC Industrial, a McCarthy company that serves the industrial construction market nationwide, is general contractor for the silos, conveyors and tunnel portions of the $900 million greenfield site project.<br /><br />\\\"Besides the sheer challenge of managing 500 or more workers at peak at any one time, we have faced the very real challenge of obtaining and maintaining a workforce on this project,\\\" explained Will Chipley, project director for MC Industrial.<br /><br />The 13 silos completed earlier this year, in particular, posed major labor challenges, as the project competed for workers with other industrial mega-projects under construction in the Midwest at the same time.&nbsp; Since local unions were tapped out, the call went out to other states for tradesmen and women interested in traveling to Bloomsdale for work.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />Although the majority of \\\"travelers\\\" are now back in their home states, a total of 90 contributed to the 700,000 manhours required to build the cement plant\\\'s silos.&nbsp; These ironworkers, cement masons and millwrights were recruited from 16 states, some as far away as New Mexico, Florida and Michigan.<br /><br /><strong>Labor shortage reported</strong><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Almost two-thirds of industrial contractors nationwide have experienced labor shortages, according to a new study reported in the November issue of Midwest Construction.&nbsp; \\\"The study said that demand is particularly strong for ironworkers,\\\" says Chipley, \\\"which we have definitely found to be the case.\\\"&nbsp;&nbsp; This summer and fall, ironworkers in particular were in short supply due to several large power plants currently under construction in the Midwest, he explains.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Once MC Industrial assembled its large crew, it took careful planning to manage worker safety, as well as to keep everyone productive. \\\"For two and one-half months, the project was running 24/7, with 13 silos constructed in just 72 days,\\\" says Chipley.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />In addition to the 13 raw meal, clinker and cement silos, MC Industrial has completed a limestone reclaim tunnel, will soon wrap up work on two 60-foot diameter, 155-foot tall harbor silos which will hold the finished cement for barge loading, and by June 2009, will complete material handling conveyors from the clinker silos to the cement mills.<br /><br />When the plant comes on line in late summer 2009, the new Holcim facility will be capable of producing up to four million metric tons of cement annually&nbsp; Holcim (US) Inc. is one of the largest suppliers of Portland and blended cements and related mineral components in the United States.<br /><br />&nbsp;<a href=\\\"http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/38977.html\\\"></a></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"28\";}'),(852,317,10,2,1227736065,'a:33:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"317\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-21 06:23 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"28\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:37:\"SEAKM Sponsors Highway 40/I-64 Update\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:37:\"seakm_sponsors_highway_40_i_64_update\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:37:\"SEAKM Sponsors Highway 40/I-64 Update\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:159:\"The Structural Engineers Association of Kansas and Missouri (SEAKM) will sponsor a program on progress on the Highway 40/I-64 project on Dec. 2 from 7:30-9:15.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:29:\"MoDOT, SEAKM, Highway 40/I-64\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:38:\"The Engineers Club, 4359 Lindell Blvd.\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-12-02 07:30 AM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:12:\"7:30-9:15 AM\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:972:\"<p>The Structural Engineers Association of Kansas and Missouri (SEAKM) will sponsor a program on progress on the Highway 40/I-64 project on Dec. 2 from 7:30-9:15.</p>\n<p>This presentation will focus on design and construction aspects of the project, including the use of design/build, quality oversight process, workforce diversity and how MoDOT &amp; Gateway<br />Constructors worked with residents and businesses to keep the public informed.</p>\n<p>The speaker is Lesley Hoffarth of MoDOT. Hoffarth is leading MoDOT\\\'s team overseeing the $500 Million Project. She has worked for MoDOT for 20 years in several divisions including Maintenance and Traffic, Bridge Design, Roadway Design, Construction and Project Management.</p>\n<p>Cost of the program is $15, payable at the door by cash or check. RSVP by email to Kurt Krispin at the Engineers Club at <a href=\\\"mailto:kurt.krispin@engineersclub.net\\\">kurt.krispin@engineersclub.net</a><br />or call at (314) 533-9333</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"28\";}'),(853,178,5,2,1227736600,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"178\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-07-16 05:56 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"9\";i:1;s:2:\"28\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:36:\"Declare Your Independence From Chaos\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:36:\"declare_your_independence_from_chaos\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:36:\"Declare Your Independence from Chaos\";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:200:\"It\\\'s easy to get caught up in the speed of our hectic lifestyles both at home and at work.  If you\\\'re finding that stress and chaos is becoming the norm, it\\\'s time to transform the storm into calm.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:24:\"relax, stress, lifestyle\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:5530:\"<p><em>By Michelle LaBrosse, PMP&reg;, Chief Cheetah, Cheetah Learning</em></p>\n<p>It\\\'s easy to get caught up in the speed of our hectic lifestyles both at home and at work.&nbsp; If you\\\'re finding that stress and chaos is becoming the norm, it\\\'s time to transform the storm into calm.<br />Here are a few tips that I use to manage my stress and keep projects flowing in all aspects of my life.</p>\n<p><strong>1) Identify where the stress is coming from.&nbsp; &nbsp;</strong><br />If you find yourself regularly saying, \\\"I\\\'m stressed,\\\" but not doing anything to change your environment or behavior, you may be running at full speed without thinking about where the stress is coming from.&nbsp; For example, are you saying, \\\"yes\\\" to everything and overloading your calendar?&nbsp; Are you working long hours without a break and feeling cheated because there is no personal time?&nbsp; Are you part of the sandwich generation caring for both your own children and your parents at the same time?&nbsp; Before you develop a plan, you need to pinpoint your key stressors.</p>\n<p><strong>2) Build a support team.</strong><br />Many times, we get stressed because we\\\'ve taken everything onto our own shoulders without asking for help and tapping into our support network.&nbsp; If you think of stress management as a project, your support team is the team helping you manage this project.&nbsp; When you look at the areas where you\\\'ve identified your stress as coming from, this will help you pinpoint who are the people you need on your support team.&nbsp; They are probably already there for you, but you\\\'re not asking them for help.&nbsp; If your biggest stress is coming from work, think of a colleague, mentor or advocate who can talk you through it and help you come up with new strategies for approaching the challenge.</p>\n<p><strong>3) Catch your ZZZZ\\\'s.</strong><br />While getting very little sleep may have been a badge of honor in college (or even in some companies), don\\\'t buy into this myth.&nbsp; Sleep deprivation reduces your concentration and overall effectiveness.&nbsp; It\\\'s difficult to come up with a sound solution or keep your cool on three hours of sleep.&nbsp; Try to go to sleep at the same time every night as much as possible.&nbsp; Let your brain cool down before you go to bed and separate from challenging work a few hours before you go to sleep.&nbsp; Also cut back on caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and sugar, which affect some people\\\'s sleeping patterns.</p>\n<p><strong>4) Find joy in exercise.</strong><br />If you hate the gym, you\\\'re never going to go there.&nbsp; So, knowing that exercise is one of the great stress-busters, you need to find joy in exercise for yourself.&nbsp; Maybe it\\\'s as simple as taking a walk down a favorite street or road.&nbsp; You may get the yoga itch and fall in love with those stretches and poses.&nbsp; Whatever works for you, give your brain a boost, and take a break from both the computer and whatever is weighing heavily on your mind with a frequent exercise break that becomes a routine you cherish.</p>\n<p><strong>5) De-stress your environment.</strong><br />Do you have the right balance of quiet time for concentration and interaction with key team-members or family members?&nbsp; Make sure your furniture (especially at work) is designed to support you and properly adjusted.&nbsp; Are you working in the right light, so you are not straining your eyes?&nbsp; Look at your environment and see what relaxes and comforts you and what causes you additional stress.</p>\n<p><strong>6) Break for relaxation.</strong><br />You know that person that you admire because s/he is always at ease and seems like a Zen master?&nbsp; If you ask that person, how s/he does it, you\\\'ll usually unearth a couple of golden nuggets tucked away.&nbsp; I\\\'ve always used deep-breathing techniques to relax me - especially when I\\\'m getting ready for an important meeting.&nbsp; Meditation and imagery work well too.&nbsp; It\\\'s amazing how just five minutes of closing your eyes and going to your favorite beach or location will completely take you away and bring you back refreshed.&nbsp; In our classes, we incorporate breathing techniques, yoga stretches and relaxing music.&nbsp; Our students always tell us what a difference this made for them as they were studying and preparing for the PMP exam.</p>\n<p><strong>7) Make Fun a Part of your Life.</strong><br />What is really fun for you, and more importantly, when was the last time you had fun?&nbsp; If fun is relegated to a handful of times a year, you need to make a commitment to enjoying yourself more and making that part of your Stress Management Plan.</p>\n<p><strong>8)&nbsp; Design your Stress-Less Management Plan.</strong><br />Use the seven tips above to develop your Stress-Less Management Plan.&nbsp; These tips will help you get your ideas formulated and pinpoint what you need to work on to lower your stress level, increase your relaxation time and most importantly - have more fun with the people you love.<br />Now, put your computer to sleep for five minutes and visualize yourself in your favorite spot drinking a bottle of water and smiling.&nbsp; May your visions bring you peace, prosperity and the ability to create a stress-free space no matter where you are!<em><br /></em></p>\n<p><em>Michelle LaBrosse is the founder and Chief Cheetah of <a href=\\\"http://www.cheetahlearning.com\\\">Cheetah Learning</a> and author of Cheetah Negotiations and Cheetah Project Management.</em></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"28\";}'),(854,320,2,2,1228033248,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"320\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:21 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"28\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:73:\"Construction Expert Denounces the NTSB\\\'s Report on I-35W Bridge Collapse\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:71:\"construction_expert_denounces_the_ntsbs_report_on_i_35w_bridge_collapse\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:74:\"Construction Expert Denounces the NTSB\\\'s Report on  I-35W Bridge Collapse\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:328:\"An NTSB report over a year in the making cites faulty gusset plates as the cause of the 2007 Minnesota bridge collapse. But Barry B. LePatner says the report contains a glaring sin of omission: It ignores key problems inherent in our nation\\\'s infrastructure oversight system that continue to put the public in danger every day.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"I-35, bridge,infrastructure, LePatner\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:8748:\"<p>It\\\'s been more than a year since the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. And now, the final report put forward by the National Transportation Safety Board has concluded from its investigation: (1) the steel gusset plates originally designed in the mid-1960s to reinforce the bridge\\\'s joints were half an inch too thin; (2) the probable causes for the collapse were additional modifications to the original design, which added substantial weight to the bridge, and the weight added by construction materials placed on the bridge by a contractor just prior to the collapse. That\\\'s it. And if you\\\'re thinking Surely, there was more to the collapse than that, construction expert Barry B. LePatner says you are right.</p>\n<p>And by ignoring the other (extremely critical) factors, LePatner says, the NTSB is perpetuating a problem that puts millions of Americans in danger every day. \\\"The NTSB is severely neglecting its duty to protect Americans,\\\" says LePatner, coauthor of <em>Structural&nbsp; Foundation Failures&nbsp;</em> and author of <em>Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets: How to Fix America\\\'s Trillion-Dollar Construction Industry </em><a href=\\\"http://www.brokenbuildings.com\\\">http://www.brokenbuildings.com.</a></p>\n<p>\\\"By placing the sole blame for the bridge collapse on the gusset plates and the added weight factor, the Board has ignored the inefficiency and irresponsibility among the government agencies responsible for the bridge, which also contributed to the disaster.\\\" At the heart of many of these problems is the Minnesota Department of Transportation, which (and here\\\'s a scary thought!) has long been considered one of the better state transportation departments in the country. Basically, LePatner&nbsp; said,&nbsp; MnDOT failed to protect the public from a preventable disaster that was long in the making. And the problems faced by MnDOT are far from isolated.</p>\n<p>DOTs everywhere are struggling to keep the highways and byways that connect this nation in working order. We must put these struggles in perspective: There are 12,000 bridges in our country whose designs are similar to the I-35W Bridge. Furthermore, according to statistics from a 2007 U.S. Department of Transportation/Research and Innovative Technology Administration report, there are over 72,000 bridges that are labeled \\\"structurally deficient\\\" and over 81,000 bridges identified as \\\"functionally obsolete.\\\" Every one of these bridges needs detailed inspections to ensure their safety. One important factor contributing to the poor state of America\\\'s infrastructure is the seeming irresponsibility and inefficiency exhibited by those who have been elected or appointed to government positions that supposedly exist to ensure the safety of the public.</p>\n<p>To illustrate, LePatner has identified several red flags that should have warned MnDOT and other officials that the I-35W bridge was in trouble, but instead were ignored, misunderstood, or simply not acted upon in time:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>The I-35W bridge was first rated as \\\"structurally deficient\\\" in 1990. Despite annual reports describing a continuing section loss and build up of corrosion at key places, as well as the attention of a number of consultants who recommended substantial remedial action be taken, at no time between 1990 and its collapse in 2007 was the I-35W bridge\\\'s condition ever raised above its \\\"poor\\\" rating. <br /></li>\n<li>Photographs exist of gusset plates \\\"bowing and arcing\\\" as early as 2003, but the photos, taken by MnDOT consultants, were apparently dropped into a file folder and forgotten. MnDOT inspecting engineers did not deem these red flags to be serious enough to command attention. <br /></li>\n<li>In 1996 a bridge on I-90 outside of Cleveland with a structure similar to the I-35W bridge collapsed as a result of improper gusset plate design. But although a) Federal officials investigated this serious failure, b) an official report from outside engineers was filed indicating that the gusset plates did indeed contribute to the bridge\\\'s collapse, and c) Civil Engineering magazine published an article in 1997 detailing the Ohio bridge collapse, officials at MnDOT denied ever having heard of the Ohio bridge failure and said they were unaware of any prior problems with gusset plate design.</li>\n<li>Discussions concerning the need to add redundancy to the I-35W bridge had been underway years earlier-but action was never taken. And, in fact, MnDOT instead scheduled redecking work that overloaded sections of the bridge, and, according to the NTSB, contributed to the eventual failure of the gusset plates. </li>\n</ul>\n<p>\\\"Of course, none of this is meant to imply that Minnesota is the only state experiencing serious problems with its infrastructure,\\\"&nbsp; LePatner said. \\\"The Colorado Department of Transportation has acknowledged that the cost to replace or rehabilitate 125 state bridges rated in poor condition in the state is $1.4 billion. Yet, bridge repair funding, a critical element in reducing the number of bridges that are considered structurally deficient, has been reduced from $32 million in 2007 to $18 million for 2009.</p>\n<p>\\\"Or consider a story out of Georgia in which reports identifying several bridges as hazardous were thrown away,\\\" he added. \\\"Why? Because the official in charge said handling the problem would have required too much paperwork and involved too many people. Stories like this one are clear indications that Minnesota isn\\\'t the only state that has had its political head in the sand regarding its infrastructure problems.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"Clearly, solving our infrastructure crisis will require more than a few patches here and there, LePatner&nbsp; stated. In 2005 the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimated that the cost of making the upgrades, repairs, and expansions needed on the U.S. bridge system will be $9.4 billion/year for twenty years. The report also said the U.S. road system required $92 billion/year for maintenance and $125.6 billion/year for improvements-an updated report from the ASCE next year will likely reflect an even larger cost for these repairs. And even if our cash-strapped government could come up with the money and ensure that it\\\'s properly applied, there\\\'s little indication that builders could get it done at that price.\\\"</p>\n<p>The construction industry itself, LePatner said, has been rife with problems for quite some time now, wasting an estimated $120 billion each year. Those problems, he sid,&nbsp; have easily flooded over into public projects, the prime example being the Big Dig and its billions of dollars in cost overruns. \\\"We must begin taking steps, right now, to shore up America\\\'s infrastructure, asserts LePatner. Not to do so is to invite more death and destruction. Every engineer in the field of bridge design can testify that the corrosive effects of inadequate maintenance of our bridges and tunnels will only get worse-they are not self-healing. And while the problem is far too massive and widespread to repair overnight, we can take steps now to start chipping away at it.</p>\n<p>\\\"We must do everything in our power to end the downward spiral of our nation\\\'s infrastructure,\\\" says LePatner. \\\"As the incoming Obama Administration prepares to tackle America\\\'s ailing economy, it should make repairing the nation\\\'s infrastructure an important part of those plans. Doing so will not only help prevent future catastrophes; it will actually contribute to our nation\\\'s prosperity. \\\"Every $1 billion in infrastructure spending is estimated to create 47,000 new jobs, a critical factor at a time when our unemployment rate is at a 14-year high,\\\" he adds. \\\"By taking the steps necessary to tackle our infrastructure problem now, we have an opportunity to improve our economy with the great ROI of a better, safer infrastructure system that will lead to a stronger nation.\\\"&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Barry B. LePatner is the founder of the New York City-based law firm LePatner&nbsp; Associates LLP. For three decades, he has been prominent as an advisor on business and legal issues affecting the real estate, design, and construction industries. He is head of the law firm that has grown to become widely recognized as one of the nation\\\'s leading advisors to corporate and institutional clients, real estate owners, and design professionals. Mr. LePatner is widely recognized as a thought leader in the construction industry. His new book, Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets: How to Fix America\\\'s Trillion-Dollar Construction Industry (The University of Chicago Press), which was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal, has created a national debate among owners, designers, and other key stakeholders.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"28\";}'),(855,323,2,2,1228034145,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"323\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"women_industry_volunteers_complete_women_build_habitat_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:118:\"Women volunteers from area construction organizations complete Women Build House for Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"women,  Women Build, Habitat\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1779:\"<p>A volunteer construction crew of local women picked up hammers, paint brushes, screwdrivers and more to advance the construction of a new Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis home as part of Habitat\\\'s Women Build program, underwritten by Lowe\\\'s. <br /><br />The volunteers, including embers of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Missouri Women In Trades (MOWIT) are helping Pandora Crosby complete her new home on Sheridan Avenue in St. Louis. Crosby plans to close on her home on December 15 and move in the following Saturday. The home is one of 27 Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis houses underway in the Jeff-Vander-Lou Neighborhood.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Habitat Women Build\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Beth Barton (left) and Melissa Keevil of MOWIT install Hardieplank siding on a Habitat for Humanity St. Louis house as Women Build volunteers. The women of Women Build expanded their commitment from one home to two when no other volunteers came forward to build the second house.</h4>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><br />Crosby, a Blumeyer public housing resident since 1991, has to put in 450 hours of \\\"sweat equity\\\" and put down percent of the home\\\'s cost to purchase the home from Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis. Part of her mortgage debt will include a $40,000 loan that she will not have to pay back if she maintains ownership and residence in the house for 10 years.</p>\n<p><br />Lowe\\\'s contributed $50,000 to help Habitat for Humanity St. Louis pay for the construction of the home.</p>\n<p><br />The Women Build volunteers undertook construction of a neighboring house when no other volunteers stepped forward to work on it.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:39:\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(856,311,2,2,1228034187,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"311\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-12 09:50 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:41:\"cnr_executive_summit_2009_a_year_of_risks\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:43:\"CNR Executive Summit: 2009, A Year of Risks\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:228:\"A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.\n\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"CNR, Summit, Risk  and Rewar\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3948:\"<p>A panel of business leaders had some sobering news for the construction industry at the CNR Executive Summit on risks and rewards in the construction industry in 2009. Risks more than rewards dominate the horizon for next year.<br /><br />Mike Flavin, president of The Business Bank of St. Louis, hit the topic that has everyone concerned: the recession. Flavin, who said the recession will either be long or deep, hoped for a \\\"short, deep\\\" recession instead of a long, shallow one.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"CNR Summiit Panel \\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"284\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/panel-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Flavin laid the blame for the recession on the popping of a credit bubble, and said a series of irresponsible decisions by mortgage originators, bankers, investment bankers, insurance companies, and credit raters came together to create the bubble and the current credit crunch.</p>\n<h4>The CNR Summit Panel.&nbsp; Front Row (L to R): Len Toenjes, AGC of ST. Louis; Richard WaRD, Zimmer REal Estate; Walt BazAn, Bazan Painting. Back ROW, Tom Finan, St. Louis CNR; Steve Gillen, J.W.Terrill; Andy Manuel, Greensfelder, Hemker, and Gale; Mike Flavin, The business Bank of St. Louis. <br /></h4>\n<p>Richard Ward, vice president - development management, Zimmer Real Estate Services, predicted slow growth in the coming years. He said the St. Louis economy mirrors the national economy. For the long run - measured in decades, not years - that means, \\\"slow, but steady growth\\\" for the metro region as a whole, he said. Within the region, however, he predicted \\\"a dramatic redistribution of jobs and population to Illinois,\\\" driven by the relative abundance of easily developed land in the Metro East area as compared to the western parts of the region.<br /><br />Ward raised two caution flags on his modest growth outlook: floods and gridlock.<br /><br />\\\"We are paying insufficient attention to flood plain management ... [such that] we are creating the potential for the biggest disaster to ever hit the United States,\\\" he said.<br /><br />And Metrolink, he said, \\\"is critical to the region\\\'s future.\\\" St. Louis County voters\\\' rejection of additional funding for Metrolink was a bad sign for the region\\\'s willingness to move forward.<br /><br />Len Toenjes, president of the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, picked up on the transportation theme. Called the Metrolink vote, Missouri\\\'s unwillingness to pay for a Mississippi River Bridge, and a shortage of federal funding \\\"symptoms of a bigger disease\\\" that threatens the continued viability of metropolitan St. Louis. \\\"We need to improve the transportation system to remain competitive so we don\\\'t get all the hubs going north or south of us,\\\" he said.<br /><br />Without new funding, he said, transportation projects in Missouri will be cut in half in 2009 or 2010. He urged everyone to get behind a new effort by the RCGA and the Regional Business Council to do something about transportation.<br /><br />Walt Bazan, Bazan Painting and the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, talked about significant risks facing subcontractors. Moving up the list of subcontractor concerns is worry about getting paid. \\\"We now have to find out how projects are financed and underwritten to see if there is enough cash,\\\" he said. \\\"Banks are no longer accepting real estate as down payment on loans from developers,\\\" he explained.<br /><br />Andy Manuel, shareholder, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, PC) talked about new risks and old: liability issues for contractors and designers in green building and BIM, and getting paid. \\\"Going forward, we\\\'ll see a lot of disputes where one party cannot pay,\\\" and that is where mechanics\\\' liens are important<br /><br />Steve Gillen, from J.W. Terrill, described why the insurance market is hardening and told the audience that they can expect their premiums to go up.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:32:\"/images/uploads/summit-panel.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(857,325,10,2,1228035347,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-29 09:49 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:49:\"  Lambert Offers Free Project Scheduling Seminar \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:46:\"lambert_offers_free_project_scheduling_seminar\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:48:\"  Lambert Offers Free Project Scheduling Seminar\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:111:\"Lambert’s DBE Program Office is holding a free seminar on project scheduling Dec. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:33:\"Lambert, project scheduling,  dbe\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:56:\"Harris Stowe State University library, 3025 Laclede Ave.\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-11-10  6:00 PM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:18:\"6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:876:\"<p>Lambert&rsquo;s DBE Program Office is holding a free seminar on project scheduling Dec. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.&nbsp; The program, featuring Marvin Woods, of Project Controls Group, Inc., will be held in the library at Harris Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave. holds seminar on Project Scheduling <br /><br />&nbsp;<br />Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) lProgram Office is offering the free seminars to business owners and the general public. The seminars are part of an annual series promoting the growth and development of small and emerging businesses, and assisting businesses in participating in St. Louis City sponsored projects.&nbsp;&nbsp; Those interested in getting more information or registering for the seminars should contact Joshriel Ross 314-551-5000 or e-mail: dbeprogramoffice@lambert-stl.org.</p>\";}'),(858,325,10,2,1228035455,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"325\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-29 09:49 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:46:\"Lambert Offers Free Project Scheduling Seminar\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:46:\"lambert_offers_free_project_scheduling_seminar\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:48:\"  Lambert Offers Free Project Scheduling Seminar\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:111:\"Lambert’s DBE Program Office is holding a free seminar on project scheduling Dec. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:33:\"Lambert, project scheduling,  dbe\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:56:\"Harris Stowe State University library, 3025 Laclede Ave.\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-12-10 06:00 PM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:18:\"6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:876:\"<p>Lambert&rsquo;s DBE Program Office is holding a free seminar on project scheduling Dec. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.&nbsp; The program, featuring Marvin Woods, of Project Controls Group, Inc., will be held in the library at Harris Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave. holds seminar on Project Scheduling <br /><br />&nbsp;<br />Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) lProgram Office is offering the free seminars to business owners and the general public. The seminars are part of an annual series promoting the growth and development of small and emerging businesses, and assisting businesses in participating in St. Louis City sponsored projects.&nbsp;&nbsp; Those interested in getting more information or registering for the seminars should contact Joshriel Ross 314-551-5000 or e-mail: dbeprogramoffice@lambert-stl.org.</p>\";}'),(859,326,4,2,1228120634,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-30 09:35 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"Duke Realty Corporation Completes Lakeside Crossing  \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:51:\"duke_realty_corporation_completes_lakeside_crossing\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:52:\"Duke Realty Corporation Completes Lakeside Crossing \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:219:\"Duke Realty Corporation (Duke) announced that the remaining 8.5 acre parcel of land in its Lakeside Crossing Business Park will be the site of another new 116,000-square foot, built-to-suit office building for Monsanto.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:34:\"Duke, Monsanto,  Lakeside Crossing\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2779:\"<p>Duke Realty Corporation (Duke) announced that the remaining 8.5 acre\nparcel of land in its Lakeside Crossing Business Park will be the site\nof another new 116,000-square foot, built-to-suit office building for\nMonsanto. With the development of this land, the 100 acres that Duke\nacquired produced 14 building projects over the past eight years.<br />&nbsp;<br />Located\nin the West Port submarket of St. Louis, Lakeside Crossing Business\nPark sits on land that previously was a neglected area of the city with\nolder businesses and industrial properties. Duke has invested more than\n$55 million and developed 916,551 square feet of new Class A office,\nservice center, and warehouse space in Lakeside Crossing Business Park,\nattracting several notable tenants, including State Farm Mutual\nAutomobile Insurance, Johnson Controls, Shaughnessy, KPLR-Channel ll,\nTALX, and Parents as Teachers. <br />&nbsp;<br />This past summer, Monsanto\nmoved into Lakeside Crossing Office One, a 127,778-square foot\nbuilding, leaving one undeveloped site open. Monsanto subsequently\nasked Duke to develop another building for them on the remaining parcel\nin the park, which is adjacent to Lakeside Crossing Office One. The new\nbuilding, Lakeside Crossing Two, will be a sister building to the one\npresently occupied by Monsanto. &nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We are very pleased that we\nhave been able to provide a real estate solution for such a dynamic\ncompany as Monsanto and bring Lakeside Crossing Business Park to\ncompletion,&rdquo; said Toby Martin, Senior Vice President of Duke&rsquo;s St.\nLouis operations. &ldquo;Monsanto, like many other companies, was attracted\nby the accessibility of the park, as well as the nearby amenities in\nthis vital submarket.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We are delighted that Monsanto will\nbe expanding its space in Maryland Heights and we look forward to\nworking&nbsp; with them and Duke to complete this new facility as\nexpeditiously as possible,&rdquo; said City of Maryland Heights Mayor Mike\nMoeller. &ldquo;When the City selected Duke eight years ago to redevelop the\narea known as the South Heights, we were confident that they would\ndevelop a first-rate business park. Lakeside Crossing is now a very\nsuccessful development and, with the announcement of this new building,\nwill soon have nearly one million square feet of quality commercial\nspace and more than 2,500 quality jobs. I can think of no better\nexample of a successful public-private partnership in the State of\nMissouri.&rdquo;<br />Ground will be broken on Lakeside Crossing Two the first\nweek of November, and the building is expected to be completed and\noccupied by December 2009. Whitaker Varley, Duke&rsquo;s Vice President of\nLeasing, represented Duke Realty Corporation.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";}'),(860,327,4,2,1228297323,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-02 10:23 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"LEED 2009 Passes USGBC Ballot \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"leed_2009_passes_usgbc_ballot\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:27:\"LEED 2009 Passes USGBC Ball\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:262:\" LEED 2009, the long-awaited update to the internationally recognized LEED green building certification program, has passed member ballot, and will be\nintroduced in 2009 as the next major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for  commercial buildings. \n\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:33:\"LEED, USGBC, environmental, green\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3154:\"<p>&nbsp;<br />LEED 2009, the long-awaited update to the internationally recognized LEED green building certification program, has passed member ballot, and will be <br />introduced in 2009 as the next major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for&nbsp; commercial buildings.&nbsp;&nbsp; It includes a series of major technical advancements focused on <br />improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing other environmental <br />and human health outcomes.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />LEED 2009 will also incorporate highly anticipated regional credits, extra points that have been identified as priorities within a project\\\'s given environmental zone.&nbsp; LEED has also undergone a <br />scientifically grounded re-weighting of credits, changing allocation of points among LEED&nbsp; credits to reflect climate change and energy efficiency as urgent priorities.&nbsp; This will be one of the most significant changes to the rating system, and will increase the importance of green building as a means of contributing immediate and measurable solutions toward energy <br />independence, climate change mitigation, and other global priorities. <br />&nbsp;<br />LEED 2009 incorporates eight years worth of market and user feedback in the form of precedent-setting Credit Interpretation Rulings, which will ensure clarity for project teams. <br />Coupled with a credit alignment structure designed to create a more elegant and harmonized rating system, LEED 2009 will reset the bar for the certification of high-performance green <br />buildings. <br />&nbsp;<br />Process innovation in how new technical advancements are incorporated into LEED will also be introduced alongside LEED 2009, including a \\\"pilot process\\\" for individual credits that will allow <br />major new technical developments to be flexibly trialed, evaluated, and incorporated into LEED.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"The conclusion of the balloting process marks the culmination of tireless work done by representatives from all corners of the building industry,\\\" said Brendan Owens, vice president, <br />LEED technical development, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).&nbsp; \\\"We have the deepest gratitude for our volunteer leaders, and for their bold steps towards resetting the bar for green building <br />leadership and challenges the industry to move faster and reach further.\\\" <br />&nbsp;<br />The first public comment period for LEED 2009 opened in May 2008, followed by a second in late August. USGBC had received nearly 7,000 comments from members and stakeholders at <br />the conclusion of the second public comment period on Sept. 2.&nbsp; The final step is the consensus development process for LEED 2009 was to be balloted for a pass/fail vote among <br />USGBC\\\'s 18,000 member organizations. LEED 2009 successfully passed member ballot on Nov. 14. Detailed information about specific proposed technical changes to the rating <br />system can be found in the background documents that accompany the public comment forms on USGBC\\\'s Web site<a href=\\\"http://www.usgbc.org\\\"> www.ugbc.org</a>.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(861,328,2,2,1228297481,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-02 10:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:57:\"Porous Paving  Smackdown:  Vendors Take It Into the Alley\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:54:\"porous_paving_smackdown_vendors_take_it_into_the_alley\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:57:\"Porous Paving  Smackdown:  Vendors Take It Into the Alley\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:57:\"Porous Paving  Smackdown:  Vendors Take It Into the Alley\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:55:\"porous, paving, alley, St. Louis, Pace, Byrne and Jones\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3110:\"<p>Can the right pavement improve water quality and cut down on the amount of storm water running to sewage treatment plants? The Board of Public Service of the City of St. Louis is trying to find out.<br /><br />The Board of Public Service (BPS) has initiated a process to test three paving systems for how well they reduce storm water runoff and improve the quality of runoff, and for how costly or difficult they are to install. The project involves paving three alleys in south St. Louis, one with porous asphalt, one with pervious concrete, and one with pervious paving blocks. The first alley up was Cardinal Alley in a neighborhood near the St. Louis University Medical School.<br /><br />Byrne and Jones Construction Company recently installed a porous asphalt mix at Cardinal Alley on top of a roadbed prepared by Gateway Contractors Inc. Pace Construction Company supplied the mix. In a recent test, a tanker truck sprayed 4400 gallons of water onto the asphalt surface and there was no runoff &ndash; all the water disappeared through the asphalt surface.<br /><br />Andy LaPlante, quality control manager for Pace Construction, said the pavement on Cardinal Alley is an &ldquo;open graded friction course,&rdquo; or OGFC. It has 42 percent voids to allow water to run through to the crushed rock base, compared to four percent voids in a traditional asphalt mix, he said. &ldquo;The difference is in the oil,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We use a polymer-modified oil to make the mix durable,&rdquo; he said. Pace Construction&rsquo;s mix includes three percent recycled shingles. &ldquo;The fiberglass in the shingles increases the strength of the bonds holding the rock together,&rdquo; LaPlante said.<br /><br />Byrne and Jones Construction installed two sections of pavement. One section got a six-inch thick layer of asphalt, the other section got a four-inch layer, &ldquo;so we can see how each holds up,&rdquo; LaPlante said.<br /><br />Michael Woodling, president of Gateway Contractors, noted that the road base for this experimental alley is thicker than the typical road base. &ldquo;Normally a base is 12 inches maximum,&rdquo; he said, while the base of Cardinal Alley is 24 inches deep. The reason is that Cardinal Alley&rsquo;s base serves a purpose that a typical base does not. &ldquo;The smaller base is just for stabilization,&rdquo; Woodling said. &ldquo;This base is for stabilization and water retention,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Gateway Contractors began its work by tearing up the old alley. They sent the old bricks to a recycler to be crushed and used as warning track material on baseball fields. After excavating the roadway, they installed a geotechnical fabric to keep dirt from filtering up into the rock and filling voids that are supposed to catch water. The base consists of about 40 percent voids, Woodling said. Two-inch thick clean rock forms the bulk of the base. The laying bed, however, consists of two-inch diameter crushed concrete. From the base to the asphalt, the builders of Cardinal Alley looked for every opportunity to use recycled materials.<br /></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";}'),(862,328,2,2,1228297501,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"328\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-02 10:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:57:\"Porous Paving  Smackdown:  Vendors Take It Into the Alley\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:54:\"porous_paving_smackdown_vendors_take_it_into_the_alley\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:57:\"Porous Paving  Smackdown:  Vendors Take It Into the Alley\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:57:\"Porous Paving  Smackdown:  Vendors Take It Into the Alley\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:55:\"porous, paving, alley, St. Louis, Pace, Byrne and Jones\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3104:\"<p>Can the right pavement improve water quality and cut down on the amount of storm water running to sewage treatment plants? The Board of Public Service of the City of St. Louis is trying to find out.<br /><br />The Board of Public Service (BPS) has initiated a process to test three paving systems for how well they reduce storm water runoff and improve the quality of runoff, and for how costly or difficult they are to install. The project involves paving three alleys in south St. Louis, one with porous asphalt, one with pervious concrete, and one with pervious paving blocks. The first alley up was Cardinal Alley in a neighborhood near the St. Louis University Medical School.<br /><br />Byrne and Jones Construction Company recently installed a porous asphalt mix at Cardinal Alley on top of a roadbed prepared by Gateway Contractors Inc. Pace Construction Company supplied the mix. In a recent test, a tanker truck sprayed 4400 gallons of water onto the asphalt surface and there was no runoff &ndash; all the water disappeared through the asphalt surface.<br /><br />Andy LaPlante, quality control manager for Pace Construction, said the pavement on Cardinal Alley is an &ldquo;open graded friction course,&rdquo; or OGFC. It has 42 percent voids to allow water to run through to the crushed rock base, compared to four percent voids in a traditional asphalt mix, he said. &ldquo;The difference is in the oil,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We use a polymer-modified oil to make the mix durable,&rdquo; he said. Pace Construction&rsquo;s mix includes three percent recycled shingles. &ldquo;The fiberglass in the shingles increases the strength of the bonds holding the rock together,&rdquo; LaPlante said.<br /><br />Byrne and Jones Construction installed two sections of pavement. One section got a six-inch thick layer of asphalt, the other section got a four-inch layer, &ldquo;so we can see how each holds up,&rdquo; LaPlante said.<br /><br />Michael Woodling, president of Gateway Contractors, noted that the road base for this experimental alley is thicker than the typical road base. &ldquo;Normally a base is 12 inches maximum,&rdquo; he said, while the base of Cardinal Alley is 24 inches deep. The reason is that Cardinal Alley&rsquo;s base serves a purpose that a typical base does not. &ldquo;The smaller base is just for stabilization,&rdquo; Woodling said. &ldquo;This base is for stabilization and water retention,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Gateway Contractors began its work by tearing up the old alley. They sent the old bricks to a recycler to be crushed and used as warning track material on baseball fields. After excavating the roadway, they installed a geotechnical fabric to keep dirt from filtering up into the rock and filling voids that are supposed to catch water. The base consists of about 40 percent voids, Woodling said. Two-inch thick clean rock forms the bulk of the base. The laying bed, however, consists of two-inch diameter crushed concrete. From the base to the asphalt, the builders of Cardinal Alley looked for every opportunity to use recycled materials.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(863,329,5,2,1228382362,'a:25:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-03 10:12 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"11\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"Putting St. Louis on the Map \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"putting_st_louis_on_the_map\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:29:\"Putting St. Louis on the Map \";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:310:\"With GPS, Google Maps and cell phone navigators everywhere how often do you see an actual map these days - red-and-blue-state U.S. maps aside? Within a recent two-week period I had the opportunity to look at more maps of our area than I\\\'d seen in a long time, and the picture that they painted wasn\\\'t pretty.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:60:\"maps, St. Louis, Richard Ward, Colin Gordon, Mapping Decline\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:4812:\"<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>With GPS, Google Maps and cell phone navigators everywhere how often do you see an actual map these days - red-and-blue-state U.S. maps aside?</p>\n<p>Within a recent two-week period I had the opportunity to look at more maps of our area than I\\\'d seen in a long time, and the picture that they painted wasn\\\'t pretty.</p>\n<p>Richard Ward, Vice President - development management for Zimmer Real Estate Services, delivered the keynote address for our Nov. 5 CNR Executive Summit. His presentation, \\\"St. Louis Region:&nbsp; Investments in Progress\\\" was complemented by charts and maps.<br />Ward\\\'s maps showed clearly that the rivers and Ozark hills that ring our area have dictated our growth patterns. He pointed out the ways that the rivers have served as funnels to force growth to the east and the west.</p>\n<p>Richard called the rapid development of the area\\\'s flood plains a major disaster waiting to happen. He questioned the collective wisdom that has resulted in such decisions as voting against funding mass transit toward the development corridor to the west and the reduction in size of the eight-lane Illinois/Missouri bridge - which provides access to the area\\\'s largest parcel of developable land - to four lanes. Based on Ward\\\'s presentation, political, racial and other considerations have been used to redraw the St. Louis development map - and not in a good way.</p>\n<p>A week after the summit at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, I heard Dr. Colin Gordon present the themes from his new book Mapping Decline: St. Louis and the Fate of American City.&nbsp; Gordon is a professor of history at the University of Iowa.</p>\n<p>His latest book includes a series of maps that trace a story that those of us with deep roots here know all too well: political division, insider deals and racial segregation.&nbsp; The maps&nbsp; show how, beginning almost a century ago, St. Louis governmental agencies and developers systematically sought to limit where African Americans could live by denying financing and through restrictive covenants and zoning. <br />St. Louis was one of four cities in the United States to create blatantly racial zoning laws in 1916. When the Supreme Court struck down the zoning, the real estate community went door-to-door to promote restrictive covenants. They skewed real estate evaluations to create financial impediments to integration.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Tom Finan With Map\\\" class=\\\"image-right\\\" height=\\\"504\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/tom-map.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" width=\\\"244\\\" />According to Gordon, every suburban St. Louis subdivision prior to 1948 had a restrictive deed covenant associated with it. As the restrictive covenants expired, suburban developments incorporated and used zoning to enforce segregation, resulting in the St. Louis area becoming what Gordon termed \\\"one of the most over-governed areas in the country.\\\"</p>\n<p>Later laws designed to promote improvement in housing standards were exploited to promote the vested interests of commercial projects.&nbsp; One of Gordon\\\'s maps shows a bizarrely gerrymandered line zig-zagging around poor neighborhoods.&nbsp; It was drawn to create an enterprise zone near Lambert Airport.</p>\n<p>Looking at the maps presented by Richard Ward and Colin Gordon, you get a disturbing picture of how, in seeking to protect interests of one group over another, we drew a roadmap to economic and social decline.</p>\n<p>&bull; &bull; &bull; &bull;<br />As economic times tighten, partnerships have started to emerge to help us weather the tough times. Some of these partnerships would have been unheard of just a few years ago.</p>\n<p>I spoke with Pat Kellett, Business Manager of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 about&nbsp; an overture that his union sponsored. Kellett hopes that the effort will begin a continuing dialogue with contractors and buyers of construction. On Oct. 14 the union, in cooperation with the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Eastern Missouri and the Plumbing Industry Council, held the inaugural \\\"Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 Tripartite Conference\\\".</p>\n<p>The full-day program included presentations on training, welding certification, manpower needs, safety and substance abuse. It concluded with roundtable discussions among union representatives, contractors and owners.</p>\n<p>\\\"We\\\'re looking for a better relationship with the direct consumer of our members\\\' services,\\\" Kellett told me. \\\"I think we accomplished that. The feedback we had was that roundtable discussion was pretty blunt with each other.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"We must give them a safe, educated, drug-free product. There are things that the consumer can teach us that we don\\\'t know,\\\" Kellett said.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"11\";}'),(864,329,5,2,1228382470,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"329\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-03 10:12 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"11\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Putting St. Louis on the Map\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"putting_st_louis_on_the_map\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:29:\"Putting St. Louis on the Map \";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:310:\"With GPS, Google Maps and cell phone navigators everywhere how often do you see an actual map these days - red-and-blue-state U.S. maps aside? Within a recent two-week period I had the opportunity to look at more maps of our area than I\\\'d seen in a long time, and the picture that they painted wasn\\\'t pretty.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:60:\"maps, St. Louis, Richard Ward, Colin Gordon, Mapping Decline\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:4812:\"<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>With GPS, Google Maps and cell phone navigators everywhere how often do you see an actual map these days - red-and-blue-state U.S. maps aside?</p>\n<p>Within a recent two-week period I had the opportunity to look at more maps of our area than I\\\'d seen in a long time, and the picture that they painted wasn\\\'t pretty.</p>\n<p>Richard Ward, Vice President - development management for Zimmer Real Estate Services, delivered the keynote address for our Nov. 5 CNR Executive Summit. His presentation, \\\"St. Louis Region:&nbsp; Investments in Progress\\\" was complemented by charts and maps.<br />Ward\\\'s maps showed clearly that the rivers and Ozark hills that ring our area have dictated our growth patterns. He pointed out the ways that the rivers have served as funnels to force growth to the east and the west.</p>\n<p>Richard called the rapid development of the area\\\'s flood plains a major disaster waiting to happen. He questioned the collective wisdom that has resulted in such decisions as voting against funding mass transit toward the development corridor to the west and the reduction in size of the eight-lane Illinois/Missouri bridge - which provides access to the area\\\'s largest parcel of developable land - to four lanes. Based on Ward\\\'s presentation, political, racial and other considerations have been used to redraw the St. Louis development map - and not in a good way.</p>\n<p>A week after the summit at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, I heard Dr. Colin Gordon present the themes from his new book Mapping Decline: St. Louis and the Fate of American City.&nbsp; Gordon is a professor of history at the University of Iowa.</p>\n<p>His latest book includes a series of maps that trace a story that those of us with deep roots here know all too well: political division, insider deals and racial segregation.&nbsp; The maps&nbsp; show how, beginning almost a century ago, St. Louis governmental agencies and developers systematically sought to limit where African Americans could live by denying financing and through restrictive covenants and zoning. <br />St. Louis was one of four cities in the United States to create blatantly racial zoning laws in 1916. When the Supreme Court struck down the zoning, the real estate community went door-to-door to promote restrictive covenants. They skewed real estate evaluations to create financial impediments to integration.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Tom Finan With Map\\\" class=\\\"image-right\\\" height=\\\"504\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/tom-map.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" width=\\\"244\\\" />According to Gordon, every suburban St. Louis subdivision prior to 1948 had a restrictive deed covenant associated with it. As the restrictive covenants expired, suburban developments incorporated and used zoning to enforce segregation, resulting in the St. Louis area becoming what Gordon termed \\\"one of the most over-governed areas in the country.\\\"</p>\n<p>Later laws designed to promote improvement in housing standards were exploited to promote the vested interests of commercial projects.&nbsp; One of Gordon\\\'s maps shows a bizarrely gerrymandered line zig-zagging around poor neighborhoods.&nbsp; It was drawn to create an enterprise zone near Lambert Airport.</p>\n<p>Looking at the maps presented by Richard Ward and Colin Gordon, you get a disturbing picture of how, in seeking to protect interests of one group over another, we drew a roadmap to economic and social decline.</p>\n<p>&bull; &bull; &bull; &bull;<br />As economic times tighten, partnerships have started to emerge to help us weather the tough times. Some of these partnerships would have been unheard of just a few years ago.</p>\n<p>I spoke with Pat Kellett, Business Manager of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 about&nbsp; an overture that his union sponsored. Kellett hopes that the effort will begin a continuing dialogue with contractors and buyers of construction. On Oct. 14 the union, in cooperation with the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Eastern Missouri and the Plumbing Industry Council, held the inaugural \\\"Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 Tripartite Conference\\\".</p>\n<p>The full-day program included presentations on training, welding certification, manpower needs, safety and substance abuse. It concluded with roundtable discussions among union representatives, contractors and owners.</p>\n<p>\\\"We\\\'re looking for a better relationship with the direct consumer of our members\\\' services,\\\" Kellett told me. \\\"I think we accomplished that. The feedback we had was that roundtable discussion was pretty blunt with each other.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"We must give them a safe, educated, drug-free product. There are things that the consumer can teach us that we don\\\'t know,\\\" Kellett said.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"11\";}'),(865,329,5,2,1228382493,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"329\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-03 10:12 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"11\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Putting St. Louis on the Map\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"putting_st_louis_on_the_map\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:29:\"Putting St. Louis on the Map \";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:310:\"With GPS, Google Maps and cell phone navigators everywhere how often do you see an actual map these days - red-and-blue-state U.S. maps aside? Within a recent two-week period I had the opportunity to look at more maps of our area than I\\\'d seen in a long time, and the picture that they painted wasn\\\'t pretty.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:60:\"maps, St. Louis, Richard Ward, Colin Gordon, Mapping Decline\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:4812:\"<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>With GPS, Google Maps and cell phone navigators everywhere how often do you see an actual map these days - red-and-blue-state U.S. maps aside?</p>\n<p>Within a recent two-week period I had the opportunity to look at more maps of our area than I\\\'d seen in a long time, and the picture that they painted wasn\\\'t pretty.</p>\n<p>Richard Ward, Vice President - development management for Zimmer Real Estate Services, delivered the keynote address for our Nov. 5 CNR Executive Summit. His presentation, \\\"St. Louis Region:&nbsp; Investments in Progress\\\" was complemented by charts and maps.<br />Ward\\\'s maps showed clearly that the rivers and Ozark hills that ring our area have dictated our growth patterns. He pointed out the ways that the rivers have served as funnels to force growth to the east and the west.</p>\n<p>Richard called the rapid development of the area\\\'s flood plains a major disaster waiting to happen. He questioned the collective wisdom that has resulted in such decisions as voting against funding mass transit toward the development corridor to the west and the reduction in size of the eight-lane Illinois/Missouri bridge - which provides access to the area\\\'s largest parcel of developable land - to four lanes. Based on Ward\\\'s presentation, political, racial and other considerations have been used to redraw the St. Louis development map - and not in a good way.</p>\n<p>A week after the summit at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, I heard Dr. Colin Gordon present the themes from his new book Mapping Decline: St. Louis and the Fate of American City.&nbsp; Gordon is a professor of history at the University of Iowa.</p>\n<p>His latest book includes a series of maps that trace a story that those of us with deep roots here know all too well: political division, insider deals and racial segregation.&nbsp; The maps&nbsp; show how, beginning almost a century ago, St. Louis governmental agencies and developers systematically sought to limit where African Americans could live by denying financing and through restrictive covenants and zoning. <br />St. Louis was one of four cities in the United States to create blatantly racial zoning laws in 1916. When the Supreme Court struck down the zoning, the real estate community went door-to-door to promote restrictive covenants. They skewed real estate evaluations to create financial impediments to integration.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Tom Finan With Map\\\" class=\\\"image-right\\\" height=\\\"504\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/tom-map.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" width=\\\"244\\\" />According to Gordon, every suburban St. Louis subdivision prior to 1948 had a restrictive deed covenant associated with it. As the restrictive covenants expired, suburban developments incorporated and used zoning to enforce segregation, resulting in the St. Louis area becoming what Gordon termed \\\"one of the most over-governed areas in the country.\\\"</p>\n<p>Later laws designed to promote improvement in housing standards were exploited to promote the vested interests of commercial projects.&nbsp; One of Gordon\\\'s maps shows a bizarrely gerrymandered line zig-zagging around poor neighborhoods.&nbsp; It was drawn to create an enterprise zone near Lambert Airport.</p>\n<p>Looking at the maps presented by Richard Ward and Colin Gordon, you get a disturbing picture of how, in seeking to protect interests of one group over another, we drew a roadmap to economic and social decline.</p>\n<p>&bull; &bull; &bull; &bull;<br />As economic times tighten, partnerships have started to emerge to help us weather the tough times. Some of these partnerships would have been unheard of just a few years ago.</p>\n<p>I spoke with Pat Kellett, Business Manager of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 about&nbsp; an overture that his union sponsored. Kellett hopes that the effort will begin a continuing dialogue with contractors and buyers of construction. On Oct. 14 the union, in cooperation with the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Eastern Missouri and the Plumbing Industry Council, held the inaugural \\\"Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 Tripartite Conference\\\".</p>\n<p>The full-day program included presentations on training, welding certification, manpower needs, safety and substance abuse. It concluded with roundtable discussions among union representatives, contractors and owners.</p>\n<p>\\\"We\\\'re looking for a better relationship with the direct consumer of our members\\\' services,\\\" Kellett told me. \\\"I think we accomplished that. The feedback we had was that roundtable discussion was pretty blunt with each other.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"We must give them a safe, educated, drug-free product. There are things that the consumer can teach us that we don\\\'t know,\\\" Kellett said.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"11\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(866,328,2,2,1228382511,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"328\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-02 10:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:57:\"Porous Paving  Smackdown:  Vendors Take It Into the Alley\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:54:\"porous_paving_smackdown_vendors_take_it_into_the_alley\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:57:\"Porous Paving  Smackdown:  Vendors Take It Into the Alley\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:57:\"Porous Paving  Smackdown:  Vendors Take It Into the Alley\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:55:\"porous, paving, alley, St. Louis, Pace, Byrne and Jones\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3104:\"<p>Can the right pavement improve water quality and cut down on the amount of storm water running to sewage treatment plants? The Board of Public Service of the City of St. Louis is trying to find out.<br /><br />The Board of Public Service (BPS) has initiated a process to test three paving systems for how well they reduce storm water runoff and improve the quality of runoff, and for how costly or difficult they are to install. The project involves paving three alleys in south St. Louis, one with porous asphalt, one with pervious concrete, and one with pervious paving blocks. The first alley up was Cardinal Alley in a neighborhood near the St. Louis University Medical School.<br /><br />Byrne and Jones Construction Company recently installed a porous asphalt mix at Cardinal Alley on top of a roadbed prepared by Gateway Contractors Inc. Pace Construction Company supplied the mix. In a recent test, a tanker truck sprayed 4400 gallons of water onto the asphalt surface and there was no runoff &ndash; all the water disappeared through the asphalt surface.<br /><br />Andy LaPlante, quality control manager for Pace Construction, said the pavement on Cardinal Alley is an &ldquo;open graded friction course,&rdquo; or OGFC. It has 42 percent voids to allow water to run through to the crushed rock base, compared to four percent voids in a traditional asphalt mix, he said. &ldquo;The difference is in the oil,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We use a polymer-modified oil to make the mix durable,&rdquo; he said. Pace Construction&rsquo;s mix includes three percent recycled shingles. &ldquo;The fiberglass in the shingles increases the strength of the bonds holding the rock together,&rdquo; LaPlante said.<br /><br />Byrne and Jones Construction installed two sections of pavement. One section got a six-inch thick layer of asphalt, the other section got a four-inch layer, &ldquo;so we can see how each holds up,&rdquo; LaPlante said.<br /><br />Michael Woodling, president of Gateway Contractors, noted that the road base for this experimental alley is thicker than the typical road base. &ldquo;Normally a base is 12 inches maximum,&rdquo; he said, while the base of Cardinal Alley is 24 inches deep. The reason is that Cardinal Alley&rsquo;s base serves a purpose that a typical base does not. &ldquo;The smaller base is just for stabilization,&rdquo; Woodling said. &ldquo;This base is for stabilization and water retention,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Gateway Contractors began its work by tearing up the old alley. They sent the old bricks to a recycler to be crushed and used as warning track material on baseball fields. After excavating the roadway, they installed a geotechnical fabric to keep dirt from filtering up into the rock and filling voids that are supposed to catch water. The base consists of about 40 percent voids, Woodling said. Two-inch thick clean rock forms the bulk of the base. The laying bed, however, consists of two-inch diameter crushed concrete. From the base to the asphalt, the builders of Cardinal Alley looked for every opportunity to use recycled materials.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(867,328,2,2,1228382603,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"328\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-02 10:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:57:\"Porous Paving  Smackdown:  Vendors Take It Into the Alley\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:54:\"porous_paving_smackdown_vendors_take_it_into_the_alley\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:57:\"Porous Paving  Smackdown:  Vendors Take It Into the Alley\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:198:\"Can the right pavement improve water quality and cut down on the amount of storm water running to sewage treatment plants? The Board of Public Service of the City of St. Louis is trying to find out.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:55:\"porous, paving, alley, St. Louis, Pace, Byrne and Jones\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3104:\"<p>Can the right pavement improve water quality and cut down on the amount of storm water running to sewage treatment plants? The Board of Public Service of the City of St. Louis is trying to find out.<br /><br />The Board of Public Service (BPS) has initiated a process to test three paving systems for how well they reduce storm water runoff and improve the quality of runoff, and for how costly or difficult they are to install. The project involves paving three alleys in south St. Louis, one with porous asphalt, one with pervious concrete, and one with pervious paving blocks. The first alley up was Cardinal Alley in a neighborhood near the St. Louis University Medical School.<br /><br />Byrne and Jones Construction Company recently installed a porous asphalt mix at Cardinal Alley on top of a roadbed prepared by Gateway Contractors Inc. Pace Construction Company supplied the mix. In a recent test, a tanker truck sprayed 4400 gallons of water onto the asphalt surface and there was no runoff &ndash; all the water disappeared through the asphalt surface.<br /><br />Andy LaPlante, quality control manager for Pace Construction, said the pavement on Cardinal Alley is an &ldquo;open graded friction course,&rdquo; or OGFC. It has 42 percent voids to allow water to run through to the crushed rock base, compared to four percent voids in a traditional asphalt mix, he said. &ldquo;The difference is in the oil,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We use a polymer-modified oil to make the mix durable,&rdquo; he said. Pace Construction&rsquo;s mix includes three percent recycled shingles. &ldquo;The fiberglass in the shingles increases the strength of the bonds holding the rock together,&rdquo; LaPlante said.<br /><br />Byrne and Jones Construction installed two sections of pavement. One section got a six-inch thick layer of asphalt, the other section got a four-inch layer, &ldquo;so we can see how each holds up,&rdquo; LaPlante said.<br /><br />Michael Woodling, president of Gateway Contractors, noted that the road base for this experimental alley is thicker than the typical road base. &ldquo;Normally a base is 12 inches maximum,&rdquo; he said, while the base of Cardinal Alley is 24 inches deep. The reason is that Cardinal Alley&rsquo;s base serves a purpose that a typical base does not. &ldquo;The smaller base is just for stabilization,&rdquo; Woodling said. &ldquo;This base is for stabilization and water retention,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Gateway Contractors began its work by tearing up the old alley. They sent the old bricks to a recycler to be crushed and used as warning track material on baseball fields. After excavating the roadway, they installed a geotechnical fabric to keep dirt from filtering up into the rock and filling voids that are supposed to catch water. The base consists of about 40 percent voids, Woodling said. Two-inch thick clean rock forms the bulk of the base. The laying bed, however, consists of two-inch diameter crushed concrete. From the base to the asphalt, the builders of Cardinal Alley looked for every opportunity to use recycled materials.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(868,325,10,2,1228382660,'a:33:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"10\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"325\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-29 09:49 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"10\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:46:\"Lambert Offers Free Project Scheduling Seminar\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:46:\"lambert_offers_free_project_scheduling_seminar\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_58\";s:48:\"  Lambert Offers Free Project Scheduling Seminar\";s:11:\"field_ft_58\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_62\";s:111:\"Lambert’s DBE Program Office is holding a free seminar on project scheduling Dec. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.\";s:11:\"field_ft_62\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_59\";s:33:\"Lambert, project scheduling,  dbe\";s:11:\"field_ft_59\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_63\";s:56:\"Harris Stowe State University library, 3025 Laclede Ave.\";s:11:\"field_ft_63\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_57\";s:19:\"2008-12-10 06:00 PM\";s:15:\"field_offset_57\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_56\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_56\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_55\";s:18:\"6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m\";s:11:\"field_ft_55\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_60\";s:876:\"<p>Lambert&rsquo;s DBE Program Office is holding a free seminar on project scheduling Dec. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.&nbsp; The program, featuring Marvin Woods, of Project Controls Group, Inc., will be held in the library at Harris Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave. holds seminar on Project Scheduling <br /><br />&nbsp;<br />Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) lProgram Office is offering the free seminars to business owners and the general public. The seminars are part of an annual series promoting the growth and development of small and emerging businesses, and assisting businesses in participating in St. Louis City sponsored projects.&nbsp;&nbsp; Those interested in getting more information or registering for the seminars should contact Joshriel Ross 314-551-5000 or e-mail: dbeprogramoffice@lambert-stl.org.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(869,327,4,2,1228382692,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"327\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-02 10:23 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"LEED 2009 Passes USGBC Ballot\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"leed_2009_passes_usgbc_ballot\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:27:\"LEED 2009 Passes USGBC Ball\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:262:\" LEED 2009, the long-awaited update to the internationally recognized LEED green building certification program, has passed member ballot, and will be\nintroduced in 2009 as the next major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for  commercial buildings. \n\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:33:\"LEED, USGBC, environmental, green\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3154:\"<p>&nbsp;<br />LEED 2009, the long-awaited update to the internationally recognized LEED green building certification program, has passed member ballot, and will be <br />introduced in 2009 as the next major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for&nbsp; commercial buildings.&nbsp;&nbsp; It includes a series of major technical advancements focused on <br />improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing other environmental <br />and human health outcomes.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />LEED 2009 will also incorporate highly anticipated regional credits, extra points that have been identified as priorities within a project\\\'s given environmental zone.&nbsp; LEED has also undergone a <br />scientifically grounded re-weighting of credits, changing allocation of points among LEED&nbsp; credits to reflect climate change and energy efficiency as urgent priorities.&nbsp; This will be one of the most significant changes to the rating system, and will increase the importance of green building as a means of contributing immediate and measurable solutions toward energy <br />independence, climate change mitigation, and other global priorities. <br />&nbsp;<br />LEED 2009 incorporates eight years worth of market and user feedback in the form of precedent-setting Credit Interpretation Rulings, which will ensure clarity for project teams. <br />Coupled with a credit alignment structure designed to create a more elegant and harmonized rating system, LEED 2009 will reset the bar for the certification of high-performance green <br />buildings. <br />&nbsp;<br />Process innovation in how new technical advancements are incorporated into LEED will also be introduced alongside LEED 2009, including a \\\"pilot process\\\" for individual credits that will allow <br />major new technical developments to be flexibly trialed, evaluated, and incorporated into LEED.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"The conclusion of the balloting process marks the culmination of tireless work done by representatives from all corners of the building industry,\\\" said Brendan Owens, vice president, <br />LEED technical development, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).&nbsp; \\\"We have the deepest gratitude for our volunteer leaders, and for their bold steps towards resetting the bar for green building <br />leadership and challenges the industry to move faster and reach further.\\\" <br />&nbsp;<br />The first public comment period for LEED 2009 opened in May 2008, followed by a second in late August. USGBC had received nearly 7,000 comments from members and stakeholders at <br />the conclusion of the second public comment period on Sept. 2.&nbsp; The final step is the consensus development process for LEED 2009 was to be balloted for a pass/fail vote among <br />USGBC\\\'s 18,000 member organizations. LEED 2009 successfully passed member ballot on Nov. 14. Detailed information about specific proposed technical changes to the rating <br />system can be found in the background documents that accompany the public comment forms on USGBC\\\'s Web site<a href=\\\"http://www.usgbc.org\\\"> www.ugbc.org</a>.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(870,329,5,2,1228382749,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"5\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"329\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-03 10:12 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"11\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"5\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:28:\"Putting St. Louis on the Map\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"putting_st_louis_on_the_map\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_20\";s:29:\"Putting St. Louis on the Map \";s:11:\"field_ft_20\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_25\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_45\";s:310:\"With GPS, Google Maps and cell phone navigators everywhere how often do you see an actual map these days - red-and-blue-state U.S. maps aside? Within a recent two-week period I had the opportunity to look at more maps of our area than I\\\'d seen in a long time, and the picture that they painted wasn\\\'t pretty.\";s:11:\"field_ft_45\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_22\";s:60:\"maps, St. Louis, Richard Ward, Colin Gordon, Mapping Decline\";s:11:\"field_ft_22\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_23\";s:4804:\"<p>&nbsp;With GPS, Google Maps and cell phone navigators everywhere how often do you see an actual map these days - red-and-blue-state U.S. maps aside?</p>\n<p>Within a recent two-week period I had the opportunity to look at more maps of our area than I\\\'d seen in a long time, and the picture that they painted wasn\\\'t pretty.</p>\n<p>Richard Ward, Vice President - development management for Zimmer Real Estate Services, delivered the keynote address for our Nov. 5 CNR Executive Summit. His presentation, \\\"St. Louis Region:&nbsp; Investments in Progress\\\" was complemented by charts and maps.<br />Ward\\\'s maps showed clearly that the rivers and Ozark hills that ring our area have dictated our growth patterns. He pointed out the ways that the rivers have served as funnels to force growth to the east and the west.</p>\n<p>Richard called the rapid development of the area\\\'s flood plains a major disaster waiting to happen. He questioned the collective wisdom that has resulted in such decisions as voting against funding mass transit toward the development corridor to the west and the reduction in size of the eight-lane Illinois/Missouri bridge - which provides access to the area\\\'s largest parcel of developable land - to four lanes. Based on Ward\\\'s presentation, political, racial and other considerations have been used to redraw the St. Louis development map - and not in a good way.</p>\n<p>A week after the summit at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, I heard Dr. Colin Gordon present the themes from his new book Mapping Decline: St. Louis and the Fate of American City.&nbsp; Gordon is a professor of history at the University of Iowa.</p>\n<p>His latest book includes a series of maps that trace a story that those of us with deep roots here know all too well: political division, insider deals and racial segregation.&nbsp; The maps&nbsp; show how, beginning almost a century ago, St. Louis governmental agencies and developers systematically sought to limit where African Americans could live by denying financing and through restrictive covenants and zoning. <br />St. Louis was one of four cities in the United States to create blatantly racial zoning laws in 1916. When the Supreme Court struck down the zoning, the real estate community went door-to-door to promote restrictive covenants. They skewed real estate evaluations to create financial impediments to integration.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Tom Finan With Map\\\" class=\\\"image-right\\\" height=\\\"504\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/tom-map.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" width=\\\"244\\\" />According to Gordon, every suburban St. Louis subdivision prior to 1948 had a restrictive deed covenant associated with it. As the restrictive covenants expired, suburban developments incorporated and used zoning to enforce segregation, resulting in the St. Louis area becoming what Gordon termed \\\"one of the most over-governed areas in the country.\\\"</p>\n<p>Later laws designed to promote improvement in housing standards were exploited to promote the vested interests of commercial projects.&nbsp; One of Gordon\\\'s maps shows a bizarrely gerrymandered line zig-zagging around poor neighborhoods.&nbsp; It was drawn to create an enterprise zone near Lambert Airport.</p>\n<p>Looking at the maps presented by Richard Ward and Colin Gordon, you get a disturbing picture of how, in seeking to protect interests of one group over another, we drew a roadmap to economic and social decline.</p>\n<p>&bull; &bull; &bull; &bull;<br />As economic times tighten, partnerships have started to emerge to help us weather the tough times. Some of these partnerships would have been unheard of just a few years ago.</p>\n<p>I spoke with Pat Kellett, Business Manager of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 about&nbsp; an overture that his union sponsored. Kellett hopes that the effort will begin a continuing dialogue with contractors and buyers of construction. On Oct. 14 the union, in cooperation with the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Eastern Missouri and the Plumbing Industry Council, held the inaugural \\\"Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 Tripartite Conference\\\".</p>\n<p>The full-day program included presentations on training, welding certification, manpower needs, safety and substance abuse. It concluded with roundtable discussions among union representatives, contractors and owners.</p>\n<p>\\\"We\\\'re looking for a better relationship with the direct consumer of our members\\\' services,\\\" Kellett told me. \\\"I think we accomplished that. The feedback we had was that roundtable discussion was pretty blunt with each other.\\\"</p>\n<p>\\\"We must give them a safe, educated, drug-free product. There are things that the consumer can teach us that we don\\\'t know,\\\" Kellett said.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"11\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(871,326,4,2,1228382820,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"326\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-30 09:35 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:51:\"Duke Realty Corporation Completes Lakeside Crossing\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:51:\"duke_realty_corporation_completes_lakeside_crossing\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:52:\"Duke Realty Corporation Completes Lakeside Crossing \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:219:\"Duke Realty Corporation (Duke) announced that the remaining 8.5 acre parcel of land in its Lakeside Crossing Business Park will be the site of another new 116,000-square foot, built-to-suit office building for Monsanto.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:34:\"Duke, Monsanto,  Lakeside Crossing\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2779:\"<p>Duke Realty Corporation (Duke) announced that the remaining 8.5 acre\nparcel of land in its Lakeside Crossing Business Park will be the site\nof another new 116,000-square foot, built-to-suit office building for\nMonsanto. With the development of this land, the 100 acres that Duke\nacquired produced 14 building projects over the past eight years.<br />&nbsp;<br />Located\nin the West Port submarket of St. Louis, Lakeside Crossing Business\nPark sits on land that previously was a neglected area of the city with\nolder businesses and industrial properties. Duke has invested more than\n$55 million and developed 916,551 square feet of new Class A office,\nservice center, and warehouse space in Lakeside Crossing Business Park,\nattracting several notable tenants, including State Farm Mutual\nAutomobile Insurance, Johnson Controls, Shaughnessy, KPLR-Channel ll,\nTALX, and Parents as Teachers. <br />&nbsp;<br />This past summer, Monsanto\nmoved into Lakeside Crossing Office One, a 127,778-square foot\nbuilding, leaving one undeveloped site open. Monsanto subsequently\nasked Duke to develop another building for them on the remaining parcel\nin the park, which is adjacent to Lakeside Crossing Office One. The new\nbuilding, Lakeside Crossing Two, will be a sister building to the one\npresently occupied by Monsanto. &nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We are very pleased that we\nhave been able to provide a real estate solution for such a dynamic\ncompany as Monsanto and bring Lakeside Crossing Business Park to\ncompletion,&rdquo; said Toby Martin, Senior Vice President of Duke&rsquo;s St.\nLouis operations. &ldquo;Monsanto, like many other companies, was attracted\nby the accessibility of the park, as well as the nearby amenities in\nthis vital submarket.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We are delighted that Monsanto will\nbe expanding its space in Maryland Heights and we look forward to\nworking&nbsp; with them and Duke to complete this new facility as\nexpeditiously as possible,&rdquo; said City of Maryland Heights Mayor Mike\nMoeller. &ldquo;When the City selected Duke eight years ago to redevelop the\narea known as the South Heights, we were confident that they would\ndevelop a first-rate business park. Lakeside Crossing is now a very\nsuccessful development and, with the announcement of this new building,\nwill soon have nearly one million square feet of quality commercial\nspace and more than 2,500 quality jobs. I can think of no better\nexample of a successful public-private partnership in the State of\nMissouri.&rdquo;<br />Ground will be broken on Lakeside Crossing Two the first\nweek of November, and the building is expected to be completed and\noccupied by December 2009. Whitaker Varley, Duke&rsquo;s Vice President of\nLeasing, represented Duke Realty Corporation.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(872,330,4,2,1228410211,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-04 05:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"ABC Releases 2009 Building Forecast\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"abc_releases_2009_building_forecast\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:35:\"ABC Releases 2009 Building Forecast\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:281:\"The  Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)  released its2009 economic forecast for the commercial and industrial construction industry on Dec. 3. \\\"While\nthe industry experienced a mixed bag in 2008, do not expect the same story in 2009,\\\" saidABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"ABC, Forecast, 2009\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:4894:\"<p>The&nbsp; Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)&nbsp; released its2009 economic forecast for the commercial and industrial construction industry on Dec. 3. \\\"While<br />the industry experienced a mixed bag in 2008, do not expect the same story in 2009,\\\" saidABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.</p>\n<p>\\\"For more than a year, economists have been discussing how weak the overall economyhas been. The ongoing credit crunch began in earnest in August 2007 and the U.S.<br />economy shrank during last year\\\'s fourth quarter,\\\" said Basu. \\\"Because commercialconstruction typically lags the overall economy by one to two years, the weakness that<br />has pummeled other segments of the nation\\\'s economy has not been as apparent incommercial construction performance.</p>\n<p>\\\"However, that is about to change in 2009,\\\" added Basu. \\\"One of the most telling signsthat we will see a downturn in commercial and industrial construction activity is thedramatic fall of the Architecture Billings Index (ABI), produced by the AmericanInstitute of Architects. In October, the ABI rating reached a historic low not seen since<br />the rating system was established in 1995.</p>\n<p>\\\"While nonresidential construction employment was down 4.7 percent on a year-overyearbasis in October, this level of job loss pales in comparison to what is likely to<br />emerge over the next twelve months,\\\" added Basu.</p>\n<p>\\\"ABC expects that the reversal in industry fortunes will be increasingly manifested in the2009 and 2010 data. It is worth noting that producer prices also will begin to decline<br />more forcefully in the months ahead due to the deflation in key commodities, includingcopper, steel and oil. However, this will help accelerate the sector\\\'s eventual recovery.\\\"<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"ABC CHART\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"513\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/abc-chart.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"550\\\" /></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><strong>The 2009 Outlook</strong></p>\n<p><strong>Commercial building</strong>, such as retail and restaurants, will be off between 10 percent and20 percent next year in dollar terms compared to 2008.<br />Lodging will be negatively impacted by both a general decline in new constructionactivity and a reduction in personal and professional travel. This segment has been one of<br />the leading engines of construction starts, but value put in place may decline 20 percentor more next year.<br /><strong></strong></p>\n<p><strong>Office construction</strong> will be off between 15 percent and 25 percent in 2009 due toongoing difficulties in the financing environment, as well as waves of job losses in key<br />office segments, such as financial services.Manufacturing will see a sharp decline after registering massive gains during the past<br />several years. With domestic and global demand for manufactured products now falling<br />decisively, expenditures on manufacturing-related buildings will fall in the neighborhood<br />of 25 percent to 35 percent next year, with declines likely to persist into 2010.</p>\n<p><strong>Institutional construction</strong>, such as hospitals, prisons and schools, will also soften due to<br />a combination of state and local fiscal duress and the ongoing turbulence in the municipal<br />bond and similarly situated financial markets. As a result, institutional building<br />construction will slip more than 5 percent next year in terms of dollars expended.</p>\n<p><strong>Power construction </strong>investment, especially in the alternative energy-related segment,<br />will continue to trend higher even as electricity utility construction declines (down 30<br />percent in 2009) in the face of financing difficulties and retreating energy prices.<br />Alternative energy investment will receive a boost from the incoming administration,<br />which has committed to supporting segments such as wind, solar and biofuels.</p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> As 2009 looks to be a challenging year for the commercial and industrial<br />construction industry, the next federal stimulus package being discussed in Washington,<br />D.C., which will likely include a significant infrastructure component, may emerge as a<br />countervailing force. While it will take some time to implement such a program, an<br />infrastructure-based stimulus package may address both issues of short-term economic<br />weakness and longer-term competitive needs. Moreover, investment in infrastructure<br />represents a way for the federal government to take advantage of now declining<br />construction input prices, allowing it to purchase more infrastructure for each dollar<br />spent.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(873,331,2,2,1228426745,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-04 10:14 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:15:\"No Quick Fixes \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:14:\"no_quick_fixes\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:14:\"No Quick Fixes\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:250:\"It will be a long recession for commercial development and real estate. That\\\'s the prognosis that Michael Horst, senior vice president, Urban Land Institute (ULI), delivered at the ULI\\\'s annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate presentation Wednesday.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:33:\"ULI, Urban Land Institute, trends\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2998:\"<p><img alt=\\\"Dowward Sign\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/downward-sign.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<p><br /><br />It will be a long recession for commercial development and real estate. That\\\'s the prognosis that Michael Horst, senior vice president, Urban Land Institute (ULI), delivered at the ULI\\\'s annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate presentation Wednesday.<br /><br />\\\"This is the worst period for commercial real estate probably since way before 1991-92,\\\" Horst told a lunch-time audience at the Moto Museum near Grand Center. And it will go on awhile. A slow recovery will not start to take hold until 2011, he said. Befoe then, \\\"We\\\'re going to see a dramatic drop in values and a sharp increase in delinquencies and foreclosures,\\\" he said.<br /><br />Prospects are particularly dim for secondary cities, such as St. Louis, Horst said, but even in gloomy times, there are some bright spots. \\\"Watch for the return to the urban core to continue,\\\" he said. \\\"Infill is the big thing and we\\\'re entering a new vertical wave in development.\\\"<br /><br />Bob Clark, chairman of Clayco, agreed with the ULI\\\"s assessment. \\\"I think we\\\'re at the beginning of what is going to be a very bad cycle,\\\" he said. \\\"Anything requiring financing will be negatively affected. I think it will be a very, very bad construction market here in the next couple of years.\\\"<br /><br />A panel discussion at the ULI seminar was geared to focus on opportunities that remaining. <br /><br /><strong>Mary Campbell, senior vice president of Bank of America</strong>, said her bank is still financing deals, they just have to be smaller, with a larger equity investment, and the bank is charging more to finance them. Tax credits, however, no longer work as well as a tool for raising the equity, and for one simple reason: tax credit investors have disappeared.<br /><strong><br />Jack Sheradano, senior vice president at Gershman Mortgage</strong>, said deals for subsidized rental housing are going strong, all because developers have rediscovered the magic formula expressed in two simple words: \\\"think HUD,\\\" he said. People who used to go elsewhere for financing are now going back to HUD and \\\"going back to contractors to see if they can build it for just a little bit less,\\\" he said. <br /><strong><br />Amos Harris, president of Brady Capital, said he remains bullish on downtown</strong>. \\\"A year ago we had a thousand condos for sale downtown. Now there are 100. Why? Because they were all converted to rental and they rented,\\\" he said. \\\"There is room for more high-end rental downtown,\\\" he added, and the growing number of downtown residents is generating more interest in opening retail downtown. Even layoffs could be good for downtown, he said. \\\"There are people getting laid-off who want to try going out on their own, so we\\\'re seeing an uptick in short leases in office suite units in class B buildings,\\\" he said.<br /><br /></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:33:\"/images/uploads/downward-sign.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(874,331,2,2,1228426851,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"331\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-04 10:14 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"No Quick Fixes\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:14:\"no_quick_fixes\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:14:\"No Quick Fixes\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:258:\"It will be a long recession for commercial development and real estate. That\\\'s the prognosis that Michael Horst, senior vice president, Urban Land Institute (ULI), delivered at the ULI\\\'s annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate presentation Wednesday, Dec. 3.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:33:\"ULI, Urban Land Institute, trends\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3000:\"<p><img alt=\\\"Dowward Sign\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/downward-sign.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<p><br /><br />It will be a long recession for commercial development and real estate. That\\\'s the prognosis that Michael Horst, senior vice president, Urban Land Institute (ULI), delivered at the ULI\\\'s annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate presentation Wednesday, Dec. 3.<br /><br />\\\"This is the worst period for commercial real estate probably since way before 1991-92,\\\" Horst told a lunch-time audience at the Moto Museum near Grand Center. And it will go on awhile. A slow recovery will not start to take hold until 2011, he said. Befoe then, \\\"We\\\'re going to see a dramatic drop in values and a sharp increase in delinquencies and foreclosures,\\\" he said.<br /><br />Prospects are particularly dim for secondary cities, such as St. Louis, Horst said, but even in gloomy times, there are some bright spots. \\\"Watch for the return to the urban core to continue,\\\" he said. \\\"Infill is the big thing and we\\\'re entering a new vertical wave in development.\\\"<br /><br />Bob Clark, chairman of Clayco, agreed with the ULI\\\"s assessment. \\\"I think we\\\'re at the beginning of what is going to be a very bad cycle,\\\" he said. \\\"Anything requiring financing will be negatively affected. I think it will be a very, very bad construction market here in the next couple of years.\\\"<br /><br />A panel discussion at the ULI seminar was geared to focus on opportunities that remaining. <br /><br /><strong>Mary Campbell, senior vice president of Bank of America</strong>, said her bank is still financing deals, they just have to be smaller, with a larger equity investment, and the bank is charging more to finance them. Tax credits, however, no longer work as well as a tool for raising the equity, and for one simple reason: tax credit investors have disappeared.<br /><strong><br />Jack Sheradano, senior vice president at Gershman Mortgage</strong>, said deals for subsidized rental housing are going strong, all because developers have rediscovered the magic formula expressed in two simple words: \\\"think HUD,\\\" he said. People who used to go elsewhere for financing are now going back to HUD and \\\"going back to contractors to see if they can build it for just a little bit less,\\\" he said. <br /><strong><br />Amos Harris, president of Brady Capital, said he remains bullish on downtown</strong>. \\\"A year ago we had a thousand condos for sale downtown. Now there are 100. Why? Because they were all converted to rental and they rented,\\\" he said. \\\"There is room for more high-end rental downtown,\\\" he added, and the growing number of downtown residents is generating more interest in opening retail downtown. Even layoffs could be good for downtown, he said. \\\"There are people getting laid-off who want to try going out on their own, so we\\\'re seeing an uptick in short leases in office suite units in class B buildings,\\\" he said.<br /></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:33:\"/images/uploads/downward-sign.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(875,323,2,2,1228427034,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"323\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-11-26 06:47 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:60:\"women_industry_volunteers_complete_women_build_habitat_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:60:\"Women Industry Volunteers Complete Women Build Habitat House\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:118:\"Women volunteers from area construction organizations complete Women Build House for Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:28:\"women,  Women Build, Habitat\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1779:\"<p>A volunteer construction crew of local women picked up hammers, paint brushes, screwdrivers and more to advance the construction of a new Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis home as part of Habitat\\\'s Women Build program, underwritten by Lowe\\\'s. <br /><br />The volunteers, including embers of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Missouri Women In Trades (MOWIT) are helping Pandora Crosby complete her new home on Sheridan Avenue in St. Louis. Crosby plans to close on her home on December 15 and move in the following Saturday. The home is one of 27 Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis houses underway in the Jeff-Vander-Lou Neighborhood.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Habitat Women Build\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<h4>Beth Barton (left) and Melissa Keevil of MOWIT install Hardieplank siding on a Habitat for Humanity St. Louis house as Women Build volunteers. The women of Women Build expanded their commitment from one home to two when no other volunteers came forward to build the second house.</h4>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><br />Crosby, a Blumeyer public housing resident since 1991, has to put in 450 hours of \\\"sweat equity\\\" and put down percent of the home\\\'s cost to purchase the home from Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis. Part of her mortgage debt will include a $40,000 loan that she will not have to pay back if she maintains ownership and residence in the house for 10 years.</p>\n<p><br />Lowe\\\'s contributed $50,000 to help Habitat for Humanity St. Louis pay for the construction of the home.</p>\n<p><br />The Women Build volunteers undertook construction of a neighboring house when no other volunteers stepped forward to work on it.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:39:\"/images/uploads/habitat-women-build.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(896,335,11,2,1228772990,'a:21:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-08 10:43 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"30\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Granger Contracting\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:19:\"granger_contracting\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:19:\"Granger Contracting\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:195:\"<p><a href=\\\"http://www.grangercci.com/job.htm\\\"><img alt=\\\"Granger Ad\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Granger-Ad.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"30\";}'),(1076,402,2,2,1232707345,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-01-22 11:27 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"36\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"St. Louis County Shovel-Ready for Stimulus\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:41:\"st_louis_county_shovel_ready_for_stimulus\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:42:\"St. Louis County Shovel-Ready for Stimulus\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:372:\"St. Louis County has submitted a package that asks for funding for 95 projects totaling $1.8 billion, David Leezer, vice president of the  Economic Development Collaborative and interim vice president for business development of the St. Louis County Economic Council told members of the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association (ASA) at their January meeting. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:31:\"St. Louis County, stimulus, ASA\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1469:\"<p>St. Louis County has submitted a package that asks for funding for 95 projects totaling $1.8 billion, David Leezer, vice president of the&nbsp; Economic Development Collaborative and interim vice president for business development of the St. Louis County Economic Council told members of the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association (ASA) at their January meeting.</p>\n<p>Leezer said that the Obama transition team asked for submission of the first round of shovel-ready projects in December and requested two more submissions in January and February, with a goal of being underway with work with 120 days of the inauguration. The 199-page St. Louis submission asks for funding for an extension of Highway 141 from Page to I-64, schools, and municipal centers among other projects.</p>\n<p>\\\"They told us they wanted the submission in electronic form and that if we submitted it on paper we could expect to have it recycled,\\\" Leezer said. \\\"We had to send it from servers outside of the county offices because of the sheer size of it.\\\"</p>\n<p>Leezer said that other bright spots in an otherwise dim County construction picture include various projects for Edward Jones, Covidien, and the North Park Development near UMSL and Pinnacle\\\'s River City casino project in Lemay.</p>\n<p>To download a copy of the St. Louis County\\\'s stimulus project submisison, go to <a href=\\\"http://www.stlouisco.com/index.cfm?ViewMe=12235\\\">this link</a>.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"36\";}'),(898,334,11,2,1228773188,'a:22:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"334\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-06 05:54 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"30\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Indox Green Services\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:20:\"indox_green_services\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:20:\"Indox Green Services\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:377:\"<p><a href=\\\"http://www.grangercci.com/job.htm\\\"><img alt=\\\"Granger Ad\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Granger-Ad.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\n<p><a href=\\\"http://www.indoxservices.com/green\\\"><img class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Indox Green Ad.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"30\";}'),(899,334,11,2,1228773318,'a:22:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"334\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-06 05:54 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"30\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Opportunities & Services\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:20:\"indox_green_services\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:24:\"Opportunities & Services\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:377:\"<p><a href=\\\"http://www.grangercci.com/job.htm\\\"><img alt=\\\"Granger Ad\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Granger-Ad.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\n<p><a href=\\\"http://www.indoxservices.com/green\\\"><img class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Indox Green Ad.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"30\";}'),(900,334,11,2,1228859354,'a:22:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"334\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-06 05:54 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"30\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Opportunities & Services\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:20:\"indox_green_services\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:24:\"Opportunities & Services\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:568:\"<p><a href=\\\"http://www.shieldsystems.com\\\"><img alt=\\\"Shield Systems\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/shield.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\n<p><a href=\\\"http://www.grangercci.com/job.htm\\\"><img alt=\\\"Granger Ad\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Granger-Ad.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\n<p><a href=\\\"http://www.indoxservices.com/green\\\"><img class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Indox Green Ad.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"30\";}'),(901,334,11,2,1228864354,'a:22:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"334\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-06 05:54 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"30\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:24:\"Opportunities & Services\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:20:\"indox_green_services\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:24:\"Opportunities & Services\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:570:\"<p><a href=\\\"http://www.shieldsystems.com\\\"><img alt=\\\"Shield Systems\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/shield_1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\n<p><a href=\\\"http://www.grangercci.com/job.htm\\\"><img alt=\\\"Granger Ad\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Granger-Ad.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\n<p><a href=\\\"http://www.indoxservices.com/green\\\"><img class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Indox Green Ad.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"30\";}'),(877,332,2,2,1228526710,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"332\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-01 01:11 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"st_louis_derailed_in_nationwide_mass_transit_surge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:221:\"The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide, but St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile  with the failure of Proposition M. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:34:\"Metro, Proposition M, mass transit\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4667:\"<p>The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide, but St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile&nbsp; with the failure of Proposition M.</p>\n<p>Voters across the country have again signaled their support for transportation-related investment, the&nbsp; The Center for Transportation Excellence ,a non-partisan research group based in Washington, D.C., reported.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Voters approved more than $75 billion in funding for transportation. There were 32 measures on ballots from Rhode Island to Hawaii and 14 states in between. More than 70% of measures were approved in favor of transportation, demonstrating the willingness of voters to invest in expanding choice, improving performance, and increasing competitiveness. The projects still face financing problems posed by devestated bond markets. But transportation association executives and consultatnts indicated that recent pain-at-the-pump has moved the will of voters&nbsp; in most parts of the country solidly behind mass transit issues.<br /><img alt=\\\"Metro train\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"206\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/449.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"275\\\" />Since 2000, approximately 70% of all transportation measures have been approved, a rate double that of ballot measures generally.&nbsp; Of 23 approved measures, 14 increased sales taxes, 4 provided funding through property taxes and 3 authorized bonds. One measure, a one-eighth cent sales tax increase in Santa Clara Valley, California is still too close to call. In total, yesterday voters approved more than $75 billion in new investment for transportation.&nbsp; The continued success of transportation ballot measures is especially noteworthy this year considering the on-going economic challenges facing the nation. <br /><br />Included in the&nbsp; approved measures were :</p>\n<p>Kansas: $130,000/year for five years to establish a Jonesboro transit agency.<br /><br />California: $10 billion for San Francisco-Los Angeles high-speed rail; $40 billion over 30 years for Los Angeles County projects, $45 million/year for Sonoma-Marin rail projects.<br /><br />Colorado: $38 million of bonds for bus rapid-transit system in Aspen<br /><br />Hawaii: Start of a $3.7-billion, 20-mile light-rail line in Honolulu.<br /><br />Kansas: Three sales taxes for streets and public transit in city of Lawrence.<br /><br />New Mexico: $19 million/year in tax rev-enue, half for New Mexico Rail Runner Express.<br /><br />Rhode Island: $87.2 million of bonds for transportation, including $7.2 million for transit.</p>\n<p>Washingtokn: $17.8 billion over 20 years for transit, including 34 new miles of light rail.<br /><br />Wisconsin: 1% sales tax for $130 million/year to pay for various services, including transit.</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.cfte.org.\\\">http://www.cfte.org.</a>&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Following\nthe failure of Proposition M,&nbsp; Metro will have to cut service\nand increase fares in the spring. If St. Louis Metro\\\'s Prop. M had passed. it would have increased the sales tax rate in St.\nLouis County by half a cent, and triggered a quarter-cent increase in\nSt. Louis city, which together would have generated about $80 million a\nyear for the agency. Half of that money would have been for operating\nfunds, while the other half would have been set aside for future\nexpansions of MetroLink.<br /> <br /> Facing an operating deficit of $50 million next year, the most likely course of action, based on staff recommendations, is:</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Fare increases to take effect Jan. 1, 2009;</li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li>&nbsp; A major cutback in service in April 2009;</li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> More fare increases to take effect in July 2010.</li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times New Roman;\\\">The\ntransit agency is looking at eliminating all bus service that goes\nbeyond Interstate-270 and cutting a handful of low-use bus routes\nwithin that area, too. The favored plan also includes ending the\nlunchtime ride-free zone downtown for MetroLink and special service\nduring sports events. However, an earlier idea of ending MetroLink\nservice at 8 p.m. is no longer under consideration.</span></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at http://www.cfte.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(878,332,2,2,1228526765,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"332\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-01 01:11 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"st_louis_derailed_in_nationwide_mass_transit_surge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:221:\"The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile  with the failure of Proposition M. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:34:\"Metro, Proposition M, mass transit\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4667:\"<p>The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile&nbsp; with the failure of Proposition M.</p>\n<p>Voters across the country have again signaled their support for transportation-related investment, the&nbsp; The Center for Transportation Excellence ,a non-partisan research group based in Washington, D.C., reported.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Voters approved more than $75 billion in funding for transportation. There were 32 measures on ballots from Rhode Island to Hawaii and 14 states in between. More than 70% of measures were approved in favor of transportation, demonstrating the willingness of voters to invest in expanding choice, improving performance, and increasing competitiveness. The projects still face financing problems posed by devestated bond markets. But transportation association executives and consultatnts indicated that recent pain-at-the-pump has moved the will of voters&nbsp; in most parts of the country solidly behind mass transit issues.<br /><img alt=\\\"Metro train\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"206\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/449.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"275\\\" />Since 2000, approximately 70% of all transportation measures have been approved, a rate double that of ballot measures generally.&nbsp; Of 23 approved measures, 14 increased sales taxes, 4 provided funding through property taxes and 3 authorized bonds. One measure, a one-eighth cent sales tax increase in Santa Clara Valley, California is still too close to call. In total, yesterday voters approved more than $75 billion in new investment for transportation.&nbsp; The continued success of transportation ballot measures is especially noteworthy this year considering the on-going economic challenges facing the nation. <br /><br />Included in the&nbsp; approved measures were :</p>\n<p>Kansas: $130,000/year for five years to establish a Jonesboro transit agency.<br /><br />California: $10 billion for San Francisco-Los Angeles high-speed rail; $40 billion over 30 years for Los Angeles County projects, $45 million/year for Sonoma-Marin rail projects.<br /><br />Colorado: $38 million of bonds for bus rapid-transit system in Aspen<br /><br />Hawaii: Start of a $3.7-billion, 20-mile light-rail line in Honolulu.<br /><br />Kansas: Three sales taxes for streets and public transit in city of Lawrence.<br /><br />New Mexico: $19 million/year in tax rev-enue, half for New Mexico Rail Runner Express.<br /><br />Rhode Island: $87.2 million of bonds for transportation, including $7.2 million for transit.</p>\n<p>Washingtokn: $17.8 billion over 20 years for transit, including 34 new miles of light rail.<br /><br />Wisconsin: 1% sales tax for $130 million/year to pay for various services, including transit.</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.cfte.org.\\\">http://www.cfte.org.</a>&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Following\nthe failure of Proposition M,&nbsp; Metro will have to cut service\nand increase fares in the spring. If St. Louis Metro\\\'s Prop. M had passed. it would have increased the sales tax rate in St.\nLouis County by half a cent, and triggered a quarter-cent increase in\nSt. Louis city, which together would have generated about $80 million a\nyear for the agency. Half of that money would have been for operating\nfunds, while the other half would have been set aside for future\nexpansions of MetroLink.<br /> <br /> Facing an operating deficit of $50 million next year, the most likely course of action, based on staff recommendations, is:</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Fare increases to take effect Jan. 1, 2009;</li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li>&nbsp; A major cutback in service in April 2009;</li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> More fare increases to take effect in July 2010.</li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times New Roman;\\\">The\ntransit agency is looking at eliminating all bus service that goes\nbeyond Interstate-270 and cutting a handful of low-use bus routes\nwithin that area, too. The favored plan also includes ending the\nlunchtime ride-free zone downtown for MetroLink and special service\nduring sports events. However, an earlier idea of ending MetroLink\nservice at 8 p.m. is no longer under consideration.</span></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at http://www.cfte.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(879,332,2,2,1228526840,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"332\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-01 01:11 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"st_louis_derailed_in_nationwide_mass_transit_surge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:221:\"The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile  with the failure of Proposition M. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:34:\"Metro, Proposition M, mass transit\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4682:\"<p>The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile&nbsp; with the failure of Proposition M.</p>\n<p>Voters across the country have again signaled their support for transportation-related investment, the&nbsp; The Center for Transportation Excellence ,a non-partisan research group based in Washington, D.C., reported.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Voters approved more than $75 billion in funding for transportation. There were 32 measures on ballots from Rhode Island to Hawaii and 14 states in between. More than 70% of measures were approved in favor of transportation, demonstrating the willingness of voters to invest in expanding choice, improving performance, and increasing competitiveness. The projects still face financing problems posed by devestated bond markets. But transportation association executives and consultatnts indicated that recent pain-at-the-pump has moved the will of voters&nbsp; in most parts of the country solidly behind mass transit issues.<br /><img alt=\\\"Metro train\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"206\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/449.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"275\\\" /></p>\n<p>Since 2000, approximately 70% of all transportation measures have been approved, a rate double that of ballot measures generally.&nbsp; Of 23 approved measures, 14 increased sales taxes, four provided funding through property taxes and three authorized bonds. One measure, a one-eighth cent sales tax increase in Santa Clara Valley, California is still too close to call. In total, yesterday voters approved more than $75 billion in new investment for transportation.&nbsp; The continued success of transportation ballot measures is especially noteworthy this year considering the on-going economic challenges facing the nation. <br /><br />Included in the&nbsp; approved measures were :</p>\n<p>Kansas: $130,000/year for five years to establish a Jonesboro transit agency.<br /><br />California: $10 billion for San Francisco-Los Angeles high-speed rail; $40 billion over 30 years for Los Angeles County projects, $45 million/year for Sonoma-Marin rail projects.<br /><br />Colorado: $38 million of bonds for bus rapid-transit system in Aspen<br /><br />Hawaii: Start of a $3.7-billion, 20-mile light-rail line in Honolulu.<br /><br />Kansas: Three sales taxes for streets and public transit in city of Lawrence.<br /><br />New Mexico: $19 million/year in tax rev-enue, half for New Mexico Rail Runner Express.<br /><br />Rhode Island: $87.2 million of bonds for transportation, including $7.2 million for transit.</p>\n<p>Washingtokn: $17.8 billion over 20 years for transit, including 34 new miles of light rail.<br /><br />Wisconsin: 1% sales tax for $130 million/year to pay for various services, including transit.</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.cfte.org.\\\">http://www.cfte.org.</a>&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Following\nthe failure of Proposition M,&nbsp; Metro will have to cut service\nand increase fares in the spring. If St. Louis Metro\\\'s Prop. M had passed. it would have increased the sales tax rate in St.\nLouis County by half a cent, and triggered a quarter-cent increase in\nSt. Louis city, which together would have generated about $80 million a\nyear for the agency. Half of that money would have been for operating\nfunds, while the other half would have been set aside for future\nexpansions of MetroLink.<br /> <br /> Facing an operating deficit of $50 million next year, the most likely course of action, based on staff recommendations, is:</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Fare increases to take effect Jan. 1, 2009;</li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li>&nbsp; A major cutback in service in April 2009;</li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> More fare increases to take effect in July 2010.</li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times New Roman;\\\">The\ntransit agency is looking at eliminating all bus service that goes\nbeyond Interstate-270 and cutting a handful of low-use bus routes\nwithin that area, too. The favored plan also includes ending the\nlunchtime ride-free zone downtown for MetroLink and special service\nduring sports events. However, an earlier idea of ending MetroLink\nservice at 8 p.m. is no longer under consideration.</span></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at http://www.cfte.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(880,332,2,2,1228526885,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"332\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-01 01:11 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"st_louis_derailed_in_nationwide_mass_transit_surge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:221:\"The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile  with the failure of Proposition M. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:34:\"Metro, Proposition M, mass transit\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4682:\"<p>The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile&nbsp; with the failure of Proposition M.</p>\n<p>Voters across the country have again signaled their support for transportation-related investment, the&nbsp; The Center for Transportation Excellence ,a non-partisan research group based in Washington, D.C., reported.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Voters approved more than $75 billion in funding for transportation. There were 32 measures on ballots from Rhode Island to Hawaii and 14 states in between. More than 70% of measures were approved in favor of transportation, demonstrating the willingness of voters to invest in expanding choice, improving performance, and increasing competitiveness. The projects still face financing problems posed by devestated bond markets. But transportation association executives and consultatnts indicated that recent pain-at-the-pump has moved the will of voters&nbsp; in most parts of the country solidly behind mass transit issues.<br /><img alt=\\\"Metro train\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"206\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/449.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"275\\\" /></p>\n<p>Since 2000, approximately 70% of all transportation measures have been approved, a rate double that of ballot measures generally.&nbsp; Of 23 approved measures, 14 increased sales taxes, four provided funding through property taxes and three authorized bonds. One measure, a one-eighth cent sales tax increase in Santa Clara Valley, California is still too close to call. In total, yesterday voters approved more than $75 billion in new investment for transportation.&nbsp; The continued success of transportation ballot measures is especially noteworthy this year considering the on-going economic challenges facing the nation. <br /><br />Included in the&nbsp; approved measures were :</p>\n<p>Kansas: $130,000/year for five years to establish a Jonesboro transit agency.<br /><br />California: $10 billion for San Francisco-Los Angeles high-speed rail; $40 billion over 30 years for Los Angeles County projects, $45 million/year for Sonoma-Marin rail projects.<br /><br />Colorado: $38 million of bonds for bus rapid-transit system in Aspen<br /><br />Hawaii: Start of a $3.7-billion, 20-mile light-rail line in Honolulu.<br /><br />Kansas: Three sales taxes for streets and public transit in city of Lawrence.<br /><br />New Mexico: $19 million/year in tax rev-enue, half for New Mexico Rail Runner Express.<br /><br />Rhode Island: $87.2 million of bonds for transportation, including $7.2 million for transit.</p>\n<p>Washingtokn: $17.8 billion over 20 years for transit, including 34 new miles of light rail.<br /><br />Wisconsin: 1% sales tax for $130 million/year to pay for various services, including transit.</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.cfte.org.\\\">http://www.cfte.org.</a>&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Following\nthe failure of Proposition M,&nbsp; Metro will have to cut service\nand increase fares in the spring. If St. Louis Metro\\\'s Prop. M had passed. it would have increased the sales tax rate in St.\nLouis County by half a cent, and triggered a quarter-cent increase in\nSt. Louis city, which together would have generated about $80 million a\nyear for the agency. Half of that money would have been for operating\nfunds, while the other half would have been set aside for future\nexpansions of MetroLink.<br /> <br /> Facing an operating deficit of $50 million next year, the most likely course of action, based on staff recommendations, is:</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Fare increases to take effect Jan. 1, 2009;</li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li>&nbsp; A major cutback in service in April 2009;</li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> More fare increases to take effect in July 2010.</li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times New Roman;\\\">The\ntransit agency is looking at eliminating all bus service that goes\nbeyond Interstate-270 and cutting a handful of low-use bus routes\nwithin that area, too. The favored plan also includes ending the\nlunchtime ride-free zone downtown for MetroLink and special service\nduring sports events. However, an earlier idea of ending MetroLink\nservice at 8 p.m. is no longer under consideration.</span></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at http://www.cfte.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(881,332,2,2,1228526937,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"332\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-01 01:11 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"st_louis_derailed_in_nationwide_mass_transit_surge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:221:\"The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile  with the failure of Proposition M. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:34:\"Metro, Proposition M, mass transit\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4682:\"<p>The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile&nbsp; with the failure of Proposition M.</p>\n<p>Voters across the country have again signaled their support for transportation-related investment, the&nbsp; The Center for Transportation Excellence ,a non-partisan research group based in Washington, D.C., reported.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Voters approved more than $75 billion in funding for transportation. There were 32 measures on ballots from Rhode Island to Hawaii and 14 states in between. More than 70% of measures were approved in favor of transportation, demonstrating the willingness of voters to invest in expanding choice, improving performance, and increasing competitiveness. The projects still face financing problems posed by devestated bond markets. But transportation association executives and consultatnts indicated that recent pain-at-the-pump has moved the will of voters&nbsp; in most parts of the country solidly behind mass transit issues.<br /><img alt=\\\"Metro train\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"206\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/449.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"275\\\" /></p>\n<p>Since 2000, approximately 70% of all transportation measures have been approved, a rate double that of ballot measures generally.&nbsp; Of 23 approved measures, 14 increased sales taxes, four provided funding through property taxes and three authorized bonds. One measure, a one-eighth cent sales tax increase in Santa Clara Valley, California is still too close to call. In total, yesterday voters approved more than $75 billion in new investment for transportation.&nbsp; The continued success of transportation ballot measures is especially noteworthy this year considering the on-going economic challenges facing the nation. <br /><br />Included in the&nbsp; approved measures were :</p>\n<p>Kansas: $130,000/year for five years to establish a Jonesboro transit agency.<br /><br />California: $10 billion for San Francisco-Los Angeles high-speed rail; $40 billion over 30 years for Los Angeles County projects, $45 million/year for Sonoma-Marin rail projects.<br /><br />Colorado: $38 million of bonds for bus rapid-transit system in Aspen<br /><br />Hawaii: Start of a $3.7-billion, 20-mile light-rail line in Honolulu.<br /><br />Kansas: Three sales taxes for streets and public transit in city of Lawrence.<br /><br />New Mexico: $19 million/year in tax rev-enue, half for New Mexico Rail Runner Express.<br /><br />Rhode Island: $87.2 million of bonds for transportation, including $7.2 million for transit.</p>\n<p>Washingtokn: $17.8 billion over 20 years for transit, including 34 new miles of light rail.<br /><br />Wisconsin: 1% sales tax for $130 million/year to pay for various services, including transit.</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.cfte.org.\\\">http://www.cfte.org.</a>&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Following\nthe failure of Proposition M,&nbsp; Metro will have to cut service\nand increase fares in the spring. If St. Louis Metro\\\'s Prop. M had passed. it would have increased the sales tax rate in St.\nLouis County by half a cent, and triggered a quarter-cent increase in\nSt. Louis city, which together would have generated about $80 million a\nyear for the agency. Half of that money would have been for operating\nfunds, while the other half would have been set aside for future\nexpansions of MetroLink.<br /> <br /> Facing an operating deficit of $50 million next year, the most likely course of action, based on staff recommendations, is:</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> Fare increases to take effect Jan. 1, 2009;</li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li>&nbsp; A major cutback in service in April 2009;</li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n<li> More fare increases to take effect in July 2010.</li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times New Roman;\\\">The\ntransit agency is looking at eliminating all bus service that goes\nbeyond Interstate-270 and cutting a handful of low-use bus routes\nwithin that area, too. The favored plan also includes ending the\nlunchtime ride-free zone downtown for MetroLink and special service\nduring sports events. However, an earlier idea of ending MetroLink\nservice at 8 p.m. is no longer under consideration.</span></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at http://www.cfte.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(882,332,2,2,1228527207,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"332\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-01 01:11 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"st_louis_derailed_in_nationwide_mass_transit_surge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:221:\"The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile  with the failure of Proposition M. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:34:\"Metro, Proposition M, mass transit\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4399:\"<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile&nbsp; with the failure of Proposition M.</p>\n<p>Voters across the country have again signaled their support for transportation-related investment, the&nbsp; The Center for Transportation Excellence ,a non-partisan research group based in Washington, D.C., reported.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Voters approved more than $75 billion in funding for transportation. There were 32 measures on ballots from Rhode Island to Hawaii and 14 states in between. More than 70% of measures were approved in favor of transportation, demonstrating the willingness of voters to invest in expanding choice, improving performance, and increasing competitiveness. The projects still face financing problems posed by devestated bond markets. But transportation association executives and consultatnts indicated that recent pain-at-the-pump has moved the will of voters&nbsp; in most parts of the country solidly behind mass transit issues.<br /><img alt=\\\"Metro train\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"206\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/449.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"275\\\" /></p>\n<p>Since 2000, approximately 70% of all transportation measures have been approved, a rate double that of ballot measures generally.&nbsp; Of 23 approved measures, 14 increased sales taxes, four provided funding through property taxes and three authorized bonds. One measure, a one-eighth cent sales tax increase in Santa Clara Valley, California is still too close to call. In total, yesterday voters approved more than $75 billion in new investment for transportation.&nbsp; The continued success of transportation ballot measures is especially noteworthy this year considering the on-going economic challenges facing the nation. <br /><br />Included in the&nbsp; approved measures were :</p>\n<p>Kansas: $130,000/year for five years to establish a Jonesboro transit agency.<br /><br />California: $10 billion for San Francisco-Los Angeles high-speed rail; $40 billion over 30 years for Los Angeles County projects, $45 million/year for Sonoma-Marin rail projects.<br /><br />Colorado: $38 million of bonds for bus rapid-transit system in Aspen<br /><br />Hawaii: Start of a $3.7-billion, 20-mile light-rail line in Honolulu.<br /><br />Kansas: Three sales taxes for streets and public transit in city of Lawrence.<br /><br />New Mexico: $19 million/year in tax revenue, half for New Mexico Rail Runner Express.<br /><br />Rhode Island: $87.2 million of bonds for transportation, including $7.2 million for transit.</p>\n<p>Washingtokn: $17.8 billion over 20 years for transit, including 34 new miles of light rail.<br /><br />Wisconsin: 1% sales tax for $130 million/year to pay for various services, including transit.</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.cfte.org.\\\">http://www.cfte.org.</a>&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Following\nthe failure of Proposition M,&nbsp; Metro will have to cut service\nand increase fares in the spring. If St. Louis Metro\\\'s Prop. M had passed. it would have increased the sales tax rate in St.\nLouis County by half a cent, and triggered a quarter-cent increase in\nSt. Louis city, which together would have generated about $80 million a\nyear for the agency. Half of that money would have been for operating\nfunds, while the other half would have been set aside for future\nexpansions of MetroLink.<br /> <br /> Facing an operating deficit of $50 million next year, the most likely course of action, based on staff recommendations, is:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fare increases to take effect Jan. 1, 2009;</li>\n<li>A major cutback in service in April 2009;More fare increases to take effect in July 2010.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>The transit agency is looking at elimianting bus service beyond I-270 and cutting&nbsp; some low-use bus routes, as well as eliminating lunch-time free zones downtown for Metrolink and sporting events. Elminating Metrolink service after 8 p.m., which had been considered, is now off the table.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(883,332,2,2,1228527283,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"332\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-01 01:11 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"st_louis_derailed_in_nationwide_mass_transit_surge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:221:\"The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile  with the failure of Proposition M. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:34:\"Metro, Proposition M, mass transit\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4413:\"<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile&nbsp; with the failure of Proposition M.</p>\n<p>Voters across the country have again signaled their support for transportation-related investment, the&nbsp; The Center for Transportation Excellence ,a non-partisan research group based in Washington, D.C., reported.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Voters approved more than $75 billion in funding for transportation. There were 32 measures on ballots from Rhode Island to Hawaii and 14 states in between. More than 70% of measures were approved in favor of transportation, demonstrating the willingness of voters to invest in expanding choice, improving performance, and increasing competitiveness. The projects still face financing problems posed by devestated bond markets. But transportation association executives and consultatnts indicated that recent pain-at-the-pump has moved the will of voters&nbsp; in most parts of the country solidly behind mass transit issues.<br /><img alt=\\\"Metro train\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"206\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/449.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"275\\\" /></p>\n<p>Since 2000, approximately 70% of all transportation measures have been approved, a rate double that of ballot measures generally.&nbsp; Of 23 approved measures, 14 increased sales taxes, four provided funding through property taxes and three authorized bonds. One measure, a one-eighth cent sales tax increase in Santa Clara Valley, California is still too close to call. In total, yesterday voters approved more than $75 billion in new investment for transportation.&nbsp; The continued success of transportation ballot measures is especially noteworthy this year considering the on-going economic challenges facing the nation. <br /><br />Included in the&nbsp; approved measures were :</p>\n<p>Kansas: $130,000/year for five years to establish a Jonesboro transit agency.<br /><br />California: $10 billion for San Francisco-Los Angeles high-speed rail; $40 billion over 30 years for Los Angeles County projects, $45 million/year for Sonoma-Marin rail projects.<br /><br />Colorado: $38 million of bonds for bus rapid-transit system in Aspen<br /><br />Hawaii: Start of a $3.7-billion, 20-mile light-rail line in Honolulu.<br /><br />Kansas: Three sales taxes for streets and public transit in city of Lawrence.<br /><br />New Mexico: $19 million/year in tax revenue, half for New Mexico Rail Runner Express.<br /><br />Rhode Island: $87.2 million of bonds for transportation, including $7.2 million for transit.</p>\n<p>Washingtokn: $17.8 billion over 20 years for transit, including 34 new miles of light rail.<br /><br />Wisconsin: 1% sales tax for $130 million/year to pay for various services, including transit.</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.cfte.org.\\\">http://www.cfte.org.</a>&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Following\nthe failure of Proposition M,&nbsp; Metro will have to cut service\nand increase fares in the spring. If St. Louis Metro\\\'s Prop. M had passed. it would have increased the sales tax rate in St.\nLouis County by half a cent, and triggered a quarter-cent increase in\nSt. Louis city, which together would have generated about $80 million a\nyear for the agency. Half of that money would have been for operating\nfunds, while the other half would have been set aside for future\nexpansions of MetroLink.<br /> <br /> Facing an operating deficit of $50 million next year, the most likely course of action, based on staff recommendations, is:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fare increases to take effect Jan. 1, 2009;</li>\n<li>a major cutback in service in April 2009;</li>\n<li>and more fare increases to take effect in July 2010.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>The transit agency is looking at elimianting bus service beyond I-270 and cutting&nbsp; some low-use bus routes, as well as eliminating lunch-time free zones downtown for Metrolink and sporting events. Elminating Metrolink service after 8 p.m., which had been considered, is now off the table.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(884,332,2,2,1228527319,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"332\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-01 01:11 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"st_louis_derailed_in_nationwide_mass_transit_surge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:221:\"The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile  with the failure of Proposition M. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:34:\"Metro, Proposition M, mass transit\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4385:\"<p>The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile&nbsp; with the failure of Proposition M.</p>\n<p>Voters across the country have again signaled their support for transportation-related investment, the&nbsp; The Center for Transportation Excellence ,a non-partisan research group based in Washington, D.C., reported.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Voters approved more than $75 billion in funding for transportation. There were 32 measures on ballots from Rhode Island to Hawaii and 14 states in between. More than 70% of measures were approved in favor of transportation, demonstrating the willingness of voters to invest in expanding choice, improving performance, and increasing competitiveness. The projects still face financing problems posed by devestated bond markets. But transportation association executives and consultatnts indicated that recent pain-at-the-pump has moved the will of voters&nbsp; in most parts of the country solidly behind mass transit issues.<br /><img alt=\\\"Metro train\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"206\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/449.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"275\\\" /></p>\n<p>Since 2000, approximately 70% of all transportation measures have been approved, a rate double that of ballot measures generally.&nbsp; Of 23 approved measures, 14 increased sales taxes, four provided funding through property taxes and three authorized bonds. One measure, a one-eighth cent sales tax increase in Santa Clara Valley, California is still too close to call. In total, yesterday voters approved more than $75 billion in new investment for transportation.&nbsp; The continued success of transportation ballot measures is especially noteworthy this year considering the on-going economic challenges facing the nation. <br /><br />Included in the&nbsp; approved measures were :</p>\n<p>Kansas: $130,000/year for five years to establish a Jonesboro transit agency.<br /><br />California: $10 billion for San Francisco-Los Angeles high-speed rail; $40 billion over 30 years for Los Angeles County projects, $45 million/year for Sonoma-Marin rail projects.<br /><br />Colorado: $38 million of bonds for bus rapid-transit system in Aspen<br /><br />Hawaii: Start of a $3.7-billion, 20-mile light-rail line in Honolulu.<br /><br />Kansas: Three sales taxes for streets and public transit in city of Lawrence.<br /><br />New Mexico: $19 million/year in tax revenue, half for New Mexico Rail Runner Express.<br /><br />Rhode Island: $87.2 million of bonds for transportation, including $7.2 million for transit.</p>\n<p>Washingtokn: $17.8 billion over 20 years for transit, including 34 new miles of light rail.<br /><br />Wisconsin: 1% sales tax for $130 million/year to pay for various services, including transit.</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.cfte.org.\\\">http://www.cfte.org.</a>&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Following\nthe failure of Proposition M,&nbsp; Metro will have to cut service\nand increase fares in the spring. If St. Louis Metro\\\'s Prop. M had passed. it would have increased the sales tax rate in St.\nLouis County by half a cent, and triggered a quarter-cent increase in\nSt. Louis city, which together would have generated about $80 million a\nyear for the agency. Half of that money would have been for operating\nfunds, while the other half would have been set aside for future\nexpansions of MetroLink.<br /> <br /> Facing an operating deficit of $50 million next year, the most likely course of action, based on staff recommendations, is:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fare increases to take effect Jan. 1, 2009;</li>\n<li>a major cutback in service in April 2009;</li>\n<li>and more fare increases to take effect in July 2010.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>The transit agency is looking at elimianting bus service beyond I-270 and cutting&nbsp; some low-use bus routes, as well as eliminating lunch-time free zones downtown for Metrolink and sporting events. Elminating Metrolink service after 8 p.m., which had been considered, is now off the table.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(885,332,2,2,1228527611,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"332\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-01 01:11 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"st_louis_derailed_in_nationwide_mass_transit_surge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:221:\"The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile  with the failure of Proposition M. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:34:\"Metro, Proposition M, mass transit\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4387:\"<p>The mass transit train left the station nationwide on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile&nbsp; with the failure of Proposition M.</p>\n<p>Voters across the country have again signaled their support for transportation-related investment, the&nbsp; The Center for Transportation Excellence ,a non-partisan research group based in Washington, D.C., reported.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Voters approved more than $75 billion in funding for transportation. There were 32 measures on ballots from Rhode Island to Hawaii and 14 states in between. More than 70% of measures were approved in favor of transportation, demonstrating the willingness of voters to invest in expanding choice, improving performance, and increasing competitiveness. The projects still face financing problems posed by devestated bond markets. But transportation association executives and consultatnts indicated that recent pain-at-the-pump has moved the will of voters&nbsp; in most parts of the country solidly behind mass transit issues.<br /><img alt=\\\"Metro train\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"206\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/449.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"275\\\" /></p>\n<p>Since 2000, approximately 70% of all transportation measures have been approved, a rate double that of ballot measures generally.&nbsp; Of 23 approved measures, 14 increased sales taxes, four provided funding through property taxes and three authorized bonds. One measure, a one-eighth cent sales tax increase in Santa Clara Valley, California is still too close to call. In total, yesterday voters approved more than $75 billion in new investment for transportation.&nbsp; The continued success of transportation ballot measures is especially noteworthy this year considering the on-going economic challenges facing the nation. <br /><br />Included in the&nbsp; approved measures were :</p>\n<p>Arkansas: $130,000/year for five years to establish a Jonesboro transit agency.<br /><br />California: $10 billion for San Francisco-Los Angeles high-speed rail; $40 billion over 30 years for Los Angeles County projects, $45 million/year for Sonoma-Marin rail projects.<br /><br />Colorado: $38 million of bonds for bus rapid-transit system in Aspen<br /><br />Hawaii: Start of a $3.7-billion, 20-mile light-rail line in Honolulu.<br /><br />Kansas: Three sales taxes for streets and public transit in city of Lawrence.<br /><br />New Mexico: $19 million/year in tax revenue, half for New Mexico Rail Runner Express.<br /><br />Rhode Island: $87.2 million of bonds for transportation, including $7.2 million for transit.</p>\n<p>Washingtokn: $17.8 billion over 20 years for transit, including 34 new miles of light rail.<br /><br />Wisconsin: 1% sales tax for $130 million/year to pay for various services, including transit.</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.cfte.org.\\\">http://www.cfte.org.</a>&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Following\nthe failure of Proposition M,&nbsp; Metro will have to cut service\nand increase fares in the spring. If St. Louis Metro\\\'s Prop. M had passed. it would have increased the sales tax rate in St.\nLouis County by half a cent, and triggered a quarter-cent increase in\nSt. Louis city, which together would have generated about $80 million a\nyear for the agency. Half of that money would have been for operating\nfunds, while the other half would have been set aside for future\nexpansions of MetroLink.<br /> <br /> Facing an operating deficit of $50 million next year, the most likely course of action, based on staff recommendations, is:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fare increases to take effect Jan. 1, 2009;</li>\n<li>a major cutback in service in April 2009;</li>\n<li>and more fare increases to take effect in July 2010.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>The transit agency is looking at elimianting bus service beyond I-270 and cutting&nbsp; some low-use bus routes, as well as eliminating lunch-time free zones downtown for Metrolink and sporting events. Elminating Metrolink service after 8 p.m., which had been considered, is now off the table.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(886,333,11,1,1228553195,'a:21:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-05 09:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"1\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Granger Contracting\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:19:\"granger_contracting\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:62:\"Best in class professional? Desire uncapped earning potential?\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_65\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_65\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:107:\"<p>Granger Contracting is GROWING and HIRING! Click here to learn more about a career with us in sales!</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:20:\"<p>Test content.</p>\";}'),(887,333,11,1,1228560227,'a:24:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"333\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-05 09:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"24\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"1\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Granger Contracting\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:19:\"granger_contracting\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:62:\"Best in class professional? Desire uncapped earning potential?\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_65\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_65\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:107:\"<p>Granger Contracting is GROWING and HIRING! Click here to learn more about a career with us in sales!</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:20:\"<p>Test content.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"24\";}'),(888,333,11,1,1228561689,'a:24:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"333\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-05 09:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"24\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"1\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Granger Contracting\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:19:\"granger_contracting\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:62:\"Best in class professional? Desire uncapped earning potential?\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_65\";s:23:\"http://www.gennaria.com\";s:11:\"field_ft_65\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:107:\"<p>Granger Contracting is GROWING and HIRING! Click here to learn more about a career with us in sales!</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:20:\"<p>Test content.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"24\";}'),(889,333,11,1,1228561927,'a:24:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"333\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-05 09:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"24\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"1\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Granger Contracting\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:19:\"granger_contracting\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:62:\"Best in class professional? Desire uncapped earning potential?\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_65\";s:16:\"www.gennaria.com\";s:11:\"field_ft_65\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:107:\"<p>Granger Contracting is GROWING and HIRING! Click here to learn more about a career with us in sales!</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:20:\"<p>Test content.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"24\";}'),(890,333,11,1,1228562226,'a:22:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"333\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-05 09:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"1\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Granger Contracting\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:19:\"granger_contracting\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:62:\"Best in class professional? Desire uncapped earning potential?\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:107:\"<p>Granger Contracting is GROWING and HIRING! Click here to learn more about a career with us in sales!</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:20:\"<p>Test content.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(891,333,11,1,1228562329,'a:22:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"333\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-05 09:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"1\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Granger Contracting\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:19:\"granger_contracting\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:62:\"Best in class professional? Desire uncapped earning potential?\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:167:\"<p>Granger Contracting is GROWING and HIRING! <a href=\\\"/advertisement/article/granger_contracting/\\\">Click here to learn more about a career with us in sales!</a></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:20:\"<p>Test content.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(892,333,11,2,1228563408,'a:22:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"333\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-05 09:42 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"1\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:19:\"Granger Contracting\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:19:\"granger_contracting\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:62:\"Best in class professional? Desire uncapped earning potential?\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:167:\"<p>Granger Contracting is GROWING and HIRING! <a href=\\\"/advertisement/article/granger_contracting/\\\">Click here to learn more about a career with us in sales!</a></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:3312:\"<p></p>\n<table border=\\\"0\\\" cellpadding=\\\"0\\\" cellspacing=\\\"0\\\" width=\\\"600\\\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\\\"style2\\\">Award winning national general contractor provides excellent  opportunity for a <strong>proven healthcare (or  other markets) construction business development professional</strong> to lead our established &amp; stable company into this new direction.\nWe are located in the St. Louis, MO suburb of Chesterfield and prefer\nthe position be based here (relocation assistance provided), but we are\nopen to a home-office arrangement for the right candidate.</p>\n<p class=\\\"style2\\\">&nbsp;<img alt=\\\"Granger Ad\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"118\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/granger.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\\\"style3\\\">Job  Responsibilities:</p>\n<ul class=\\\"style2\\\" type=\\\"disc\\\">\n<li>Identify\nand generate&nbsp;profitable net new revenue by qualifying new customers in\nthe healthcare construction or other markets</li>\n<li>Establish, build, and       maintain customer relationships resulting in&nbsp;continuous revenue       growth </li>\n<li>Provide\nsuperior account management service &amp; leadership by collaborating\nwith teams within organization&nbsp;in support of&nbsp;client&nbsp;needs - both\nexternal and internal </li>\n<li>Prepare sales activity reports,       maintain accurate sales forecast, and other documentation</li>\n<li>Identifies and attends trade &amp;       client events networking events to promote business</li>\n<li>Oversee\nentire sales cycle including prospecting,&nbsp;evaluating, developing,\nproposing, negotiating, and closing sales then ensuring client\nsatisfaction and retention through implementation&nbsp;and A/R collections\nwhen necessary</li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\\\"style3\\\">Knowledge,  Skills and Abilities:</p>\n<ul class=\\\"style2\\\" type=\\\"disc\\\">\n<li>Active and loyal client       list within the healthcare construction market or other markets</li>\n<li>At\nleast&nbsp;5-10 years of demonstrated achievement in&nbsp;business to&nbsp;business\nsales, ideally for a contractor or&nbsp;vendor-supplier that has serviced\nthe healthcare construction market or other markets</li>\n<li>Strong\nprofessional selling, relationship building, negotiation and closing\ncapability with demonstrated results with multi-million dollar volume</li>\n<li>A\nproven track record of identifying qualified prospects and building\nlong-term relationships within the healthcare construction market or\nother markets</li>\n<li>Motivated self-starter that       works well independently and effectively with teams </li>\n<li>Bachelor Degree in marketing,       business, construction or related field </li>\n<li>Advanced organizational and       communication skills</li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\\\"style2\\\">&nbsp;</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\\\"style2\\\">This\nposition offers uncapped earning potential &amp; full benefits which\ninclude: excellent work environment, comprehensive health benefits,\nescalating vacation plan and 401K with employer contribution.</p>\n<p class=\\\"style2\\\">Check out our website at <a href=\\\"http://www.grangercci.com/\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\">www.grangercci.com</a>.&nbsp; If interested, please submit your resume to <a href=\\\"mailto:officehrmanager@grangercci.com\\\">officehrmanager@grangercci.com</a>.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(893,327,4,2,1228565105,'a:27:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"327\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-02 10:23 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:29:\"LEED 2009 Passes USGBC Ballot\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"leed_2009_passes_usgbc_ballot\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:29:\"LEED 2009 Passes USGBC Ballot\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:262:\" LEED 2009, the long-awaited update to the internationally recognized LEED green building certification program, has passed member ballot, and will be\nintroduced in 2009 as the next major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for  commercial buildings. \n\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:33:\"LEED, USGBC, environmental, green\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3154:\"<p>&nbsp;<br />LEED 2009, the long-awaited update to the internationally recognized LEED green building certification program, has passed member ballot, and will be <br />introduced in 2009 as the next major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for&nbsp; commercial buildings.&nbsp;&nbsp; It includes a series of major technical advancements focused on <br />improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing other environmental <br />and human health outcomes.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />LEED 2009 will also incorporate highly anticipated regional credits, extra points that have been identified as priorities within a project\\\'s given environmental zone.&nbsp; LEED has also undergone a <br />scientifically grounded re-weighting of credits, changing allocation of points among LEED&nbsp; credits to reflect climate change and energy efficiency as urgent priorities.&nbsp; This will be one of the most significant changes to the rating system, and will increase the importance of green building as a means of contributing immediate and measurable solutions toward energy <br />independence, climate change mitigation, and other global priorities. <br />&nbsp;<br />LEED 2009 incorporates eight years worth of market and user feedback in the form of precedent-setting Credit Interpretation Rulings, which will ensure clarity for project teams. <br />Coupled with a credit alignment structure designed to create a more elegant and harmonized rating system, LEED 2009 will reset the bar for the certification of high-performance green <br />buildings. <br />&nbsp;<br />Process innovation in how new technical advancements are incorporated into LEED will also be introduced alongside LEED 2009, including a \\\"pilot process\\\" for individual credits that will allow <br />major new technical developments to be flexibly trialed, evaluated, and incorporated into LEED.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"The conclusion of the balloting process marks the culmination of tireless work done by representatives from all corners of the building industry,\\\" said Brendan Owens, vice president, <br />LEED technical development, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).&nbsp; \\\"We have the deepest gratitude for our volunteer leaders, and for their bold steps towards resetting the bar for green building <br />leadership and challenges the industry to move faster and reach further.\\\" <br />&nbsp;<br />The first public comment period for LEED 2009 opened in May 2008, followed by a second in late August. USGBC had received nearly 7,000 comments from members and stakeholders at <br />the conclusion of the second public comment period on Sept. 2.&nbsp; The final step is the consensus development process for LEED 2009 was to be balloted for a pass/fail vote among <br />USGBC\\\'s 18,000 member organizations. LEED 2009 successfully passed member ballot on Nov. 14. Detailed information about specific proposed technical changes to the rating <br />system can be found in the background documents that accompany the public comment forms on USGBC\\\'s Web site<a href=\\\"http://www.usgbc.org\\\"> www.ugbc.org</a>.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(894,334,11,2,1228625856,'a:22:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:2:\"11\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-06 05:54 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"30\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:2:\"11\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Indox Green Services\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:20:\"indox_green_services\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_64\";s:20:\"Indox Green Services\";s:11:\"field_ft_64\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_66\";s:181:\"<p><a href=\\\"http://www.indoxservices.com/green\\\"><img class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"155\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Indox Green Ad.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"155\\\" /></a></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_67\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"30\";}'),(895,332,2,2,1228772052,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"332\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-01 01:11 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";i:1;s:2:\"29\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"st_louis_derailed_in_nationwide_mass_transit_surge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"St. Louis Derailed in Nationwide Mass Transit  Surge\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:210:\"The mass transit train left the station on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile  with the failure of Proposition M. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:34:\"Metro, Proposition M, mass transit\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4376:\"<p>The mass transit train left the station on Nov. 4 with the passage of billions of dollars in mass transit issues nationwide. But St. Louis was left standing at the turnstile&nbsp; with the failure of Proposition M.</p>\n<p>Voters across the country have again signaled their support for transportation-related investment, the&nbsp; The Center for Transportation Excellence ,a non-partisan research group based in Washington, D.C., reported.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Voters approved more than $75 billion in funding for transportation. There were 32 measures on ballots from Rhode Island to Hawaii and 14 states in between. More than 70% of measures were approved in favor of transportation, demonstrating the willingness of voters to invest in expanding choice, improving performance, and increasing competitiveness. The projects still face financing problems posed by devestated bond markets. But transportation association executives and consultatnts indicated that recent pain-at-the-pump has moved the will of voters&nbsp; in most parts of the country solidly behind mass transit issues.<br /><img alt=\\\"Metro train\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"206\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/449.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"275\\\" /></p>\n<p>Since 2000, approximately 70% of all transportation measures have been approved, a rate double that of ballot measures generally.&nbsp; Of 23 approved measures, 14 increased sales taxes, four provided funding through property taxes and three authorized bonds. One measure, a one-eighth cent sales tax increase in Santa Clara Valley, California is still too close to call. In total, yesterday voters approved more than $75 billion in new investment for transportation.&nbsp; The continued success of transportation ballot measures is especially noteworthy this year considering the on-going economic challenges facing the nation. <br /><br />Included in the&nbsp; approved measures were :</p>\n<p>Arkansas: $130,000/year for five years to establish a Jonesboro transit agency.<br /><br />California: $10 billion for San Francisco-Los Angeles high-speed rail; $40 billion over 30 years for Los Angeles County projects, $45 million/year for Sonoma-Marin rail projects.<br /><br />Colorado: $38 million of bonds for bus rapid-transit system in Aspen<br /><br />Hawaii: Start of a $3.7-billion, 20-mile light-rail line in Honolulu.<br /><br />Kansas: Three sales taxes for streets and public transit in city of Lawrence.<br /><br />New Mexico: $19 million/year in tax revenue, half for New Mexico Rail Runner Express.<br /><br />Rhode Island: $87.2 million of bonds for transportation, including $7.2 million for transit.</p>\n<p>Washingtokn: $17.8 billion over 20 years for transit, including 34 new miles of light rail.<br /><br />Wisconsin: 1% sales tax for $130 million/year to pay for various services, including transit.</p>\n<p>A complete list of 2008 ballot initiatives is available at <a href=\\\"http://www.cfte.org.\\\">http://www.cfte.org.</a>&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Following\nthe failure of Proposition M,&nbsp; Metro will have to cut service\nand increase fares in the spring. If St. Louis Metro\\\'s Prop. M had passed. it would have increased the sales tax rate in St.\nLouis County by half a cent, and triggered a quarter-cent increase in\nSt. Louis city, which together would have generated about $80 million a\nyear for the agency. Half of that money would have been for operating\nfunds, while the other half would have been set aside for future\nexpansions of MetroLink.<br /> <br /> Facing an operating deficit of $50 million next year, the most likely course of action, based on staff recommendations, is:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fare increases to take effect Jan. 1, 2009;</li>\n<li>a major cutback in service in April 2009;</li>\n<li>and more fare increases to take effect in July 2010.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>The transit agency is looking at elimianting bus service beyond I-270 and cutting&nbsp; some low-use bus routes, as well as eliminating lunch-time free zones downtown for Metrolink and sporting events. Elminating Metrolink service after 8 p.m., which had been considered, is now off the table.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<ul class=\\\"unIndentedList\\\">\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"29\";}'),(1093,409,2,2,1233303779,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"409\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2009-01-29 09:10 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"37\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:20:\"Where\\\'s the Growth?\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:17:\"wheres_the_growth\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:20:\"Where\\\'s the Growth?\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:275:\"The title of a panel presentation: “2009-2012: Where Is the Growth?â€ was enough to raise eyebrows on its own. But the presenters challenged the audience to take risks in new markets,  and in some cases to turn down work in order to stay true to sound business practices. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:31:\"Growth, Electrical Board, panel\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3860:\"<p>The title of a panel presentation: &ldquo;2009-2012: Where Is the Growth?&rdquo; was enough to raise eyebrows on its own. But the presenters challenged the audience to take risks in new markets, and in some cases to turn down work in order to stay true to sound business practices. <br /><br />Those attending the triennial Electrical Board of Missouri and Illinois&nbsp; economic forecast panel, held this year on Jan. 22 at Ameren UE headquarters, heard a decidedly different story from that presented by panelists three years ago.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Where\\\'s the Growth? \\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/wheres-the-growth.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />New markets and ways of doing business offer a path of out of the current downturn, a the panelists told St. Louis construction management executives. But there are even more pitfalls than usual in a market filled with inexperienced competitors, bad credit, and a desire to find work at any price, they were told. <br /><br />Thomas A. Garrett, assistant vice president, of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis quoted from the December edition of the Fed&rsquo;s &ldquo;Burgundy Book&rdquo;:<br /><br />&ldquo;Economic activity in the St. Louis zone remains weak,&rdquo; Garret said.&nbsp; &ldquo;Retail activity has been down across the board, and retailers are mostly pessimistic about the near future. Declines in manufacturing and services have continued, as firms in many sectors report plans to reduce employment and/or output. Residential real estate remains weak, although commercial real estate markets have been more stable. Bank lending has fallen as lenders report tighter standards. The agricultural sector remains a bright spot, with generally higher yields and good crop conditions.&rdquo;<br /><br />Garret told those in attendance that the revised St. Louis employment numbers for the current period may reveal a worse employment situation. On the national level, he said, flattening home prices, rising equity prices, better credit conditions, and low energy prices all suggest a rebound in mid-2009 followed by above-trend growth in 2010.<br /><br />Jim Lucy, chief editor of Electrical Wholesaling&nbsp; magazine suggested that the educational and sustainability markets are two bright spots in an another wise grim picture. Demographics are the driver behind the continuing growth in education, particularly in K-12, Lucy said. <br /><br />A variety of factors &ndash; from energy costs, to social consciousness, to incentives offered by utilities &ndash; point in the direction of opportunities in the green/sustainability market, Lucy said. <br /><br />Tom Finan, publisher of St. Louis CNR and director of business development for Paradowski Creative, also touched on the growth opportunities in the sustainability market, as well as the Obama stimulus programs, and the education market. But he urged those in the audience to pay more attention than ever to working within their strengths and to not succumbing to working with companies whose poor business practices and relationships would make them a no-go during good times. He urged them to research potential projects and customers and encouraged them to confirm customers&rsquo; ability to pay. <br /><br />&ldquo;There is no good business with bad people,&rdquo; Finan said.<br /><br />He told the audience that by identifying areas within the growth niches that align with their companies capabilities,&nbsp; and by marketing through the recession, they would come out of the downturn stronger and faster. <br /><br />Other speakers on the panel were George Biderman account manager &ndash; St. Louis for McGraw Hill Construction/Dodge, who presented the McGraw Hill forecast, and Richard Mark of Ameren, who shared Ameren&rsquo;s green power initiatives. <br /><br /></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:37:\"/images/uploads/wheres-the-growth.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"37\";}'),(904,337,2,2,1228929984,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-10 06:15 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:31:\"Seeing You Through Tough Times \";s:9:\"url_title\";s:30:\"seeing_you_through_tough_times\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:30:\"Seeing You Through Tough Times\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:321:\"The collapse of Demand Electric, Inc., showcases one type of service that lawyers and accountants provide in the construction industry – help cleaning up the mess when a company blows up -– but lawyers and accountants can also help forestall business failures and even help to grow businesses in tough economic times.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"lawyers, accountants \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:13553:\"<p>The collapse of Demand Electric, Inc., showcases one type of service that lawyers and accountants provide in the construction industry &ndash; help cleaning up the mess when a company blows up -&ndash; but lawyers and accountants can also help forestall business failures and even help to grow businesses in tough economic times.<br /><br />Dennis Daugherty, formerly a project manager at Guarantee Electrical Company, founded Demand Electric in August 2003, near the peak of the boom. He reported revenues of $22 million in 2007, earning Demand Electric sixty-ninth place in Midwest Construction&rsquo;s August 2008 list of the largest specialty contractors in the Midwest. Even as the list appeared, however, the company was in the final stages of collapse.<br /><br />Two dozen plus court filings outline the final stages of the demise of Demand Electric. On April 21, 2008, Demand Electric filed a mechanic&rsquo;s lien against JFK Construction, Forever 21 stores, and Chesterfield Mall. That probably was not the only job to go bad, however, for soon Demand Electric was buried underneath claims from its suppliers and vendors.<br /><br />Access Courier filed suit against Demand Electric for breach of contract on July 2. Two weeks later, the Demand Electric&rsquo;s landlord sued for possession of the property. In August, City Lighting Products filed a suit on account and Graybar Electric filed a mechanic&rsquo;s lien against Demand Electric, Duke Construction, and 625 Building LLC.<br /><br />The pace of claims picked up in September. IBEW Local 1 and NECA-St. Louis filed suit in federal court against Demand Electric, The Business Bank of St. Louis, and Providence Counseling, for contributions Demand Electric owed to electrical industry trust funds. French-Gerleman Electric filed a mechanic&rsquo;s lien; Graybar and Colorado Electric Supply each sued Demand for breach of contract.<br /><br />The avalanche of claims picked up strength in October with more mechanic&rsquo;s liens filings against the company, now from Liebert, Western Extralite, Rexel Electric Supply, and multiple liens from Butler Supply Co. and Warren Sign Co. On top of that, an eviction order was served on the Demand on October 6. Butler Supply and Western Extralite followed their mechanic&rsquo;s liens with breach of contract suits in November.<br /><br />Lawyers clearly had been busy, while behind the scenes accountants toiled to get all the numbers right for all the liens and other claims.<br /><br />&ldquo;Going forward, we&rsquo;re going to see a lot more disputes where one party cannot pay,&rdquo; said Andrew Manuel, shareholder, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, PC, and that is where mechanics&rsquo; liens, and properly documenting costs covered by liens, are important.<br /><br />Manuel said he is seeing legal work in the construction industry unfold in two ways. &ldquo;The first thing we&rsquo;re seeing is more mechanic&rsquo;s liens and bond claims and the type of payment dispute where money has stopped flowing. That is something going on right now,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The other area we&rsquo;re seeing is suspension or termination of projects. Those raise issues of how to suspend or terminate a contract. We&rsquo;re seeing questions about that up and down the whole business chain. And then with those, we are seeing issues around bankruptcy and reorganization and pension fund liabilities,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Walt Bazan, from Bazan Painting and the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, said worries about getting paid have rapidly moved up the list of subcontractor concerns. &ldquo;We now have to find out how projects are financed and underwritten to see if there is enough cash,&rdquo; he said, and that means getting the right in a contract to look at the developer&rsquo;s financial information.<br /><br />&ldquo;I&rsquo;m making sure my clients are more aggressive on protecting themselves on payment issues,&rdquo; said Len Ruzicka, a partner in Stinson Morrison Hecker, who represents large general contractors. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m making sure they have the right to suspend work for nonpayment, the right to terminate a contract for nonpayment, and the right for a financial audit of the owner at any time on job, so if they get a change order they can say &lsquo;show me the money.&rsquo; I also encourage them to have negotiations up front with the owner on cost escalations on certain items,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br /><strong>Raising Your Game</strong><br /><br />&ldquo;A good lawyer can help a party be more competitive, no doubt,&rdquo; Manuel said. &ldquo;We do some of our best work up front in helping clients get projects and understand the roles and risks so they can manage them and go forward,&rdquo; he said. Greensfelder clients, he said, &ldquo;are getting pretty creative on how to pursue contracts. We&rsquo;re seeing more joint ventures, more teaming, and more collaborative contracts.&rdquo;<br /><br />Bill Wilbrand, a partner in Brown Smith Wallace LLC, said a good accountant can help a company be more competitive, too.<br /><br />&ldquo;If everyone is in sync, if everyone in the company knows its objectives, its vision, and its goals, this is just a bump in the road, an opportunity for weeding out the opposition,&rdquo; Wilbrand said. &ldquo;If the company knows its goals, we can put the proper management tools in place to measure progress towards those goals. That will help a company come out dramatically better, stronger, and probably more profitable when things do change,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Wilbrand said one of the biggest areas in which he sees contractor clients needing help from the outside now is in rightsizing their companies. &ldquo;They need to know what is the break even point, what are their goals, what are the company&rsquo;s sweet spots, what should they be targeting, and what are the critical success factors and key indicators they need to manage,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Dave Winkler, director of the business intelligence group at BSW, called the firm&rsquo;s methodology &ldquo;balanced scorecarding.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;It allows you to align the activities of the organization with the goals of the organization,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You want to get everyone on task,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We put the tools in place that help an organization measure how well employee activities align with objectives,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br /><strong>Cutting Wages</strong><br /><br />Productivity always is important, but right now, cutting costs is critical to a lot of companies, said John Wunderlich, head of the consulting group at BSW, and the only way to make meaningful cuts is to cut payroll costs, he said. The dilemma for contractors is how to do that while retaining key people for when things turn better. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re talking to a lot of companies about dropping back to four-day work weeks with employees taking a commensurate drop in pay, or in some cases asking for volunteers to go part time,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re also helping companies look at suspending the employer match to 401k plans. When times are this tough, you have to be getting to wages,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Gerry Richardson, an attorney with Evans &amp; Dixon, L.L.C., who specializes in employment and labor law, said, &ldquo;many companies are facing difficult decisions about reductions in force and closing certain businesses.&rdquo; Discrimination laws and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act add layer of complexity to what are already difficult decisions.<br /><br />WARN, which applies to layoffs of at least 100 employees or a plant closing that affects at least 50 workers, is one of the issues in the plant occupation of a building components manufacturer in Chicago. In general, a company that fails to give the required notice &ldquo;is liable for wages equivalent to 60 days of work,&rdquo; Richardson said. The exception, he said, is if a company that thought it had financing suddenly and unexpectedly lost it&rsquo;s financing and had no money to operate. Republic Windows and Doors put 250 people out of work when it closed its factory on December 5 after giving the workers only three days notice.&nbsp; The workers immediately occupied the factory to keep the finished products from being shipped out to customers until they received the vacation pay they said was owed them and the severance pay they said was due them under WARN. <br /><br />&ldquo;If doing a reduction in force (as opposed to a layoff, where you expect to call people back in less than six months) an employer needs to take a systematic approach to how layoffs are done to avoid claims of discrimination from older workers, or claims based on gender or race,&rdquo; Richardson said. &ldquo;Ideally, you try and keep the best employees and let go of the weak ones, but if you don&rsquo;t have documentation in the form of say performance appraisals that prove your determination of who is best, you will have a hard time defending against claims of discrimination if women or workers over 40 or another protected class tended to be laid-off more than other people,&rdquo; he explained.<br /><br />&ldquo;To avoid liability, employers want to use criteria that means they are not picking by protected class. A lawyer can help select criteria and do an analysis to see how it would work &ndash; how it affects people in protected classes. If there is a disproportionate result, you have to reevaluate that selection criteria,&rdquo; he said. <br /><br />There are other hoops, too, but the important point is to &ldquo;exercise caution on the front end,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If you end up in court, remember that almost everyone in the jury pool has lost a job at some point. So if there is any doubt, their sympathy goes with the employee,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br /><strong>Looking for Work</strong><br /><br />Some contractors are actively seeking new markets so they can avoid laying off employees. &ldquo;Our proactive clients are aggressively pursuing projects outside of Missouri and Illinois,&rdquo; said Manuel.<br /><br />&ldquo;I see a move to more work in the public sector,&rdquo; Ruzicka said. &ldquo;There is a lot of public work out there, Obama has announced there is going to be even more, and there is a general sense that the way we will move out of this recession is more public work,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />In federal work, however, &ldquo;the bidding structure is much different,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Most often there is no opportunity to negotiate; you can&rsquo;t even take exception to the bid package,&rdquo; he said. He helps guide clients through the differences in bidding structures, prevailing wage requirements, bonding requirements, &ldquo;and more importantly,&rdquo; he said, new ethics requirements.<br /><br />&ldquo;Regulations passed a year ago, and regulations just approved, are very much more demanding in terms of documentation. Any contractor or subcontractor who is getting over $5 million has to demonstrate that he has an ethics program in place and has to document certain things,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve done three presentation in the last month to six weeks on ethics compliance,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Just last month, another four regulations were published with more requirements. The underlying requirements are the same, it is the reporting that has become the issue and there are some pretty sophisticated contractors out there who don&rsquo;t know about it,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Ruzicka said he thinks the new reporting requirements started because of problems in Iraq, &ldquo;because of that there has been a lot,&rdquo; and although they may seem a burden, he said he thinks they will end up being good for contractors.<br /><strong><br />Change Is Coming</strong><br /><br />A potent emerging issue is the Employee Free Choice Act, which Richardson said is very likely to pass Congress next year. This year it passed the House, but the Senate held it up. Richardson does not think the new Senate will do the same. &ldquo;If you went to a bookie to get odds on the Employee Free Choice Act passing, he would tell you it is a poor bet to bet against it,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />The Employee Free Choice Act would make it much easier for private sector employees to join unions, he said. In the version that passed the House, &ldquo;all it would take would be for a union to have signed authorization cards from 50 percent of a recognized group of employees, then the employer would have to negotiate and if they didn&rsquo;t reach agreement within 120 days, the law would require interest arbitration to set the terms of the first contract.&rdquo; <br /><br />Currently a union has to have at least 1/3 of the employees sign cards and then it can get an election. There is a minimum of 42 days between a union request and when an election occurs, which gives the employer six weeks to get its message out, he said. If a union does win an election, currently there is no time limit for reaching agreement on a first contract. &ldquo;It could take 5 years as long as everyone is bargaining in good faith, or they may never reach an agreement,&rdquo; said Richardson.<br /><br />If either provision of the Employee Free Choice Act passes, unionization by signed authorization cards instead of election or interest arbitration after 120 days, &ldquo;it would radically change labor relations,&rdquo; Richardson said. <br /></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";}'),(905,337,2,2,1228991574,'a:30:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"337\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-10 06:15 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:2:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";i:1;s:2:\"30\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"Seeing You Through Tough Times\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:30:\"seeing_you_through_tough_times\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:30:\"Seeing You Through Tough Times\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:321:\"The collapse of Demand Electric, Inc., showcases one type of service that lawyers and accountants provide in the construction industry – help cleaning up the mess when a company blows up -– but lawyers and accountants can also help forestall business failures and even help to grow businesses in tough economic times.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"lawyers, accountants \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:13694:\"<p><img alt=\\\"Tough Times\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/tough-times.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<p>The collapse of Demand Electric, Inc., showcases one type of service that lawyers and accountants provide in the construction industry &ndash; help cleaning up the mess when a company blows up -&ndash; but lawyers and accountants can also help forestall business failures and even help to grow businesses in tough economic times.<br /><br />Dennis Daugherty, formerly a project manager at Guarantee Electrical Company, founded Demand Electric in August 2003, near the peak of the boom. He reported revenues of $22 million in 2007, earning Demand Electric sixty-ninth place in Midwest Construction&rsquo;s August 2008 list of the largest specialty contractors in the Midwest. Even as the list appeared, however, the company was in the final stages of collapse.<br /><br />Two dozen plus court filings outline the final stages of the demise of Demand Electric. On April 21, 2008, Demand Electric filed a mechanic&rsquo;s lien against JFK Construction, Forever 21 stores, and Chesterfield Mall. That probably was not the only job to go bad, however, for soon Demand Electric was buried underneath claims from its suppliers and vendors.<br /><br />Access Courier filed suit against Demand Electric for breach of contract on July 2. Two weeks later, the Demand Electric&rsquo;s landlord sued for possession of the property. In August, City Lighting Products filed a suit on account and Graybar Electric filed a mechanic&rsquo;s lien against Demand Electric, Duke Construction, and 625 Building LLC.<br /><br />The pace of claims picked up in September. IBEW Local 1 and NECA-St. Louis filed suit in federal court against Demand Electric, The Business Bank of St. Louis, and Providence Counseling, for contributions Demand Electric owed to electrical industry trust funds. French-Gerleman Electric filed a mechanic&rsquo;s lien; Graybar and Colorado Electric Supply each sued Demand for breach of contract.<br /><br />The avalanche of claims picked up strength in October with more mechanic&rsquo;s liens filings against the company, now from Liebert, Western Extralite, Rexel Electric Supply, and multiple liens from Butler Supply Co. and Warren Sign Co. On top of that, an eviction order was served on the Demand on October 6. Butler Supply and Western Extralite followed their mechanic&rsquo;s liens with breach of contract suits in November.<br /><br />Lawyers clearly had been busy, while behind the scenes accountants toiled to get all the numbers right for all the liens and other claims.<br /><br />&ldquo;Going forward, we&rsquo;re going to see a lot more disputes where one party cannot pay,&rdquo; said Andrew Manuel, shareholder, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, PC, and that is where mechanics&rsquo; liens, and properly documenting costs covered by liens, are important.<br /><br />Manuel said he is seeing legal work in the construction industry unfold in two ways. &ldquo;The first thing we&rsquo;re seeing is more mechanic&rsquo;s liens and bond claims and the type of payment dispute where money has stopped flowing. That is something going on right now,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The other area we&rsquo;re seeing is suspension or termination of projects. Those raise issues of how to suspend or terminate a contract. We&rsquo;re seeing questions about that up and down the whole business chain. And then with those, we are seeing issues around bankruptcy and reorganization and pension fund liabilities,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Walt Bazan, from Bazan Painting and the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, said worries about getting paid have rapidly moved up the list of subcontractor concerns. &ldquo;We now have to find out how projects are financed and underwritten to see if there is enough cash,&rdquo; he said, and that means getting the right in a contract to look at the developer&rsquo;s financial information.<br /><br />&ldquo;I&rsquo;m making sure my clients are more aggressive on protecting themselves on payment issues,&rdquo; said Len Ruzicka, a partner in Stinson Morrison Hecker, who represents large general contractors. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m making sure they have the right to suspend work for nonpayment, the right to terminate a contract for nonpayment, and the right for a financial audit of the owner at any time on job, so if they get a change order they can say &lsquo;show me the money.&rsquo; I also encourage them to have negotiations up front with the owner on cost escalations on certain items,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br /><strong>Raising Your Game</strong><br /><br />&ldquo;A good lawyer can help a party be more competitive, no doubt,&rdquo; Manuel said. &ldquo;We do some of our best work up front in helping clients get projects and understand the roles and risks so they can manage them and go forward,&rdquo; he said. Greensfelder clients, he said, &ldquo;are getting pretty creative on how to pursue contracts. We&rsquo;re seeing more joint ventures, more teaming, and more collaborative contracts.&rdquo;<br /><br />Bill Wilbrand, a partner in Brown Smith Wallace LLC, said a good accountant can help a company be more competitive, too.<br /><br />&ldquo;If everyone is in sync, if everyone in the company knows its objectives, its vision, and its goals, this is just a bump in the road, an opportunity for weeding out the opposition,&rdquo; Wilbrand said. &ldquo;If the company knows its goals, we can put the proper management tools in place to measure progress towards those goals. That will help a company come out dramatically better, stronger, and probably more profitable when things do change,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Wilbrand said one of the biggest areas in which he sees contractor clients needing help from the outside now is in rightsizing their companies. &ldquo;They need to know what is the break even point, what are their goals, what are the company&rsquo;s sweet spots, what should they be targeting, and what are the critical success factors and key indicators they need to manage,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Dave Winkler, director of the business intelligence group at BSW, called the firm&rsquo;s methodology &ldquo;balanced scorecarding.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;It allows you to align the activities of the organization with the goals of the organization,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You want to get everyone on task,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We put the tools in place that help an organization measure how well employee activities align with objectives,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br /><strong>Cutting Wages</strong><br /><br />Productivity always is important, but right now, cutting costs is critical to a lot of companies, said John Wunderlich, head of the consulting group at BSW, and the only way to make meaningful cuts is to cut payroll costs, he said. The dilemma for contractors is how to do that while retaining key people for when things turn better. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re talking to a lot of companies about dropping back to four-day work weeks with employees taking a commensurate drop in pay, or in some cases asking for volunteers to go part time,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re also helping companies look at suspending the employer match to 401k plans. When times are this tough, you have to be getting to wages,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Gerry Richardson, an attorney with Evans &amp; Dixon, L.L.C., who specializes in employment and labor law, said, &ldquo;many companies are facing difficult decisions about reductions in force and closing certain businesses.&rdquo; Discrimination laws and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act add layer of complexity to what are already difficult decisions.<br /><br />WARN, which applies to layoffs of at least 100 employees or a plant closing that affects at least 50 workers, is one of the issues in the plant occupation of a building components manufacturer in Chicago. In general, a company that fails to give the required notice &ldquo;is liable for wages equivalent to 60 days of work,&rdquo; Richardson said. The exception, he said, is if a company that thought it had financing suddenly and unexpectedly lost it&rsquo;s financing and had no money to operate. Republic Windows and Doors put 250 people out of work when it closed its factory on December 5 after giving the workers only three days notice.&nbsp; The workers immediately occupied the factory to keep the finished products from being shipped out to customers until they received the vacation pay they said was owed them and the severance pay they said was due them under WARN. <br /><br />&ldquo;If doing a reduction in force (as opposed to a layoff, where you expect to call people back in less than six months) an employer needs to take a systematic approach to how layoffs are done to avoid claims of discrimination from older workers, or claims based on gender or race,&rdquo; Richardson said. &ldquo;Ideally, you try and keep the best employees and let go of the weak ones, but if you don&rsquo;t have documentation in the form of say performance appraisals that prove your determination of who is best, you will have a hard time defending against claims of discrimination if women or workers over 40 or another protected class tended to be laid-off more than other people,&rdquo; he explained.<br /><br />&ldquo;To avoid liability, employers want to use criteria that means they are not picking by protected class. A lawyer can help select criteria and do an analysis to see how it would work &ndash; how it affects people in protected classes. If there is a disproportionate result, you have to reevaluate that selection criteria,&rdquo; he said. <br /><br />There are other hoops, too, but the important point is to &ldquo;exercise caution on the front end,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If you end up in court, remember that almost everyone in the jury pool has lost a job at some point. So if there is any doubt, their sympathy goes with the employee,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br /><strong>Looking for Work</strong><br /><br />Some contractors are actively seeking new markets so they can avoid laying off employees. &ldquo;Our proactive clients are aggressively pursuing projects outside of Missouri and Illinois,&rdquo; said Manuel.<br /><br />&ldquo;I see a move to more work in the public sector,&rdquo; Ruzicka said. &ldquo;There is a lot of public work out there, Obama has announced there is going to be even more, and there is a general sense that the way we will move out of this recession is more public work,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />In federal work, however, &ldquo;the bidding structure is much different,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Most often there is no opportunity to negotiate; you can&rsquo;t even take exception to the bid package,&rdquo; he said. He helps guide clients through the differences in bidding structures, prevailing wage requirements, bonding requirements, &ldquo;and more importantly,&rdquo; he said, new ethics requirements.<br /><br />&ldquo;Regulations passed a year ago, and regulations just approved, are very much more demanding in terms of documentation. Any contractor or subcontractor who is getting over $5 million has to demonstrate that he has an ethics program in place and has to document certain things,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve done three presentation in the last month to six weeks on ethics compliance,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Just last month, another four regulations were published with more requirements. The underlying requirements are the same, it is the reporting that has become the issue and there are some pretty sophisticated contractors out there who don&rsquo;t know about it,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />Ruzicka said he thinks the new reporting requirements started because of problems in Iraq, &ldquo;because of that there has been a lot,&rdquo; and although they may seem a burden, he said he thinks they will end up being good for contractors.<br /><strong><br />Change Is Coming</strong><br /><br />A potent emerging issue is the Employee Free Choice Act, which Richardson said is very likely to pass Congress next year. This year it passed the House, but the Senate held it up. Richardson does not think the new Senate will do the same. &ldquo;If you went to a bookie to get odds on the Employee Free Choice Act passing, he would tell you it is a poor bet to bet against it,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />The Employee Free Choice Act would make it much easier for private sector employees to join unions, he said. In the version that passed the House, &ldquo;all it would take would be for a union to have signed authorization cards from 50 percent of a recognized group of employees, then the employer would have to negotiate and if they didn&rsquo;t reach agreement within 120 days, the law would require interest arbitration to set the terms of the first contract.&rdquo; <br /><br />Currently a union has to have at least 1/3 of the employees sign cards and then it can get an election. There is a minimum of 42 days between a union request and when an election occurs, which gives the employer six weeks to get its message out, he said. If a union does win an election, currently there is no time limit for reaching agreement on a first contract. &ldquo;It could take 5 years as long as everyone is bargaining in good faith, or they may never reach an agreement,&rdquo; said Richardson.<br /><br />If either provision of the Employee Free Choice Act passes, unionization by signed authorization cards instead of election or interest arbitration after 120 days, &ldquo;it would radically change labor relations,&rdquo; Richardson said.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/tough-times.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";s:10:\"category_1\";s:2:\"30\";}'),(906,331,2,2,1228991592,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"331\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-12-04 10:14 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:14:\"No Quick Fixes\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:14:\"no_quick_fixes\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:14:\"No Quick Fixes\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:258:\"It will be a long recession for commercial development and real estate. That\\\'s the prognosis that Michael Horst, senior vice president, Urban Land Institute (ULI), delivered at the ULI\\\'s annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate presentation Wednesday, Dec. 3.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:33:\"ULI, Urban Land Institute, trends\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2994:\"<p><img alt=\\\"Dowward Sign\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/downward-sign.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" /></p>\n<p><br /><br />It will be a long recession for commercial development and real estate. That\\\'s the prognosis that Michael Horst, senior vice president, Urban Land Institute (ULI), delivered at the ULI\\\'s annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate presentation Wednesday, Dec. 3.<br /><br />\\\"This is the worst period for commercial real estate probably since way before 1991-92,\\\" Horst told a lunch-time audience at the Moto Museum near Grand Center. And it will go on awhile. A slow recovery will not start to take hold until 2011, he said. Befoe then, \\\"We\\\'re going to see a dramatic drop in values and a sharp increase in delinquencies and foreclosures,\\\" he said.<br /><br />Prospects are particularly dim for secondary cities, such as St. Louis, Horst said, but even in gloomy times, there are some bright spots. \\\"Watch for the return to the urban core to continue,\\\" he said. \\\"Infill is the big thing and we\\\'re entering a new vertical wave in development.\\\"<br /><br />Bob Clark, chairman of Clayco, agreed with the ULI\\\"s assessment. \\\"I think we\\\'re at the beginning of what is going to be a very bad cycle,\\\" he said. \\\"Anything requiring financing will be negatively affected. I think it will be a very, very bad construction market here in the next couple of years.\\\"<br /><br />A panel discussion at the ULI seminar was geared to focus on opportunities that remaining. <br /><br /><strong>Mary Campbell, senior vice president of Bank of America</strong>, said her bank is still financing deals, they just have to be smaller, with a larger equity investment, and the bank is charging more to finance them. Tax credits, however, no longer work as well as a tool for raising the equity, and for one simple reason: tax credit investors have disappeared.<br /><strong><br />Jack Sheradano, senior vice president at Gershman Mortgage</strong>, said deals for subsidized rental housing are going strong, all because developers have rediscovered the magic formula expressed in two simple words: \\\"think HUD,\\\" he said. People who used to go elsewhere for financing are now going back to HUD and \\\"going back to contractors to see if they can build it for just a little bit less,\\\" he said. <br /><strong><br />Amos Harris, president of Brady Capital, said he remains bullish on downtown</strong>. \\\"A year ago we had a thousand condos for sale downtown. Now there are 100. Why? Because they were all converted to rental and they rented,\\\" he said. \\\"There is room for more high-end rental downtown,\\\" he added, and the growing number of downtown residents is generating more interest in opening retail downtown. Even layoffs could be good for downtown, he said. \\\"There are people getting laid-off who want to try going out on their own, so we\\\'re seeing an uptick in short leases in office suite units in class B buildings,\\\" he said.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:33:\"/images/uploads/downward-sign.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),