News

Jill Blashack Strahan and Joani Nielson of Copper Leaf Properties, LLC, are in discussions with the Alexandria Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to redevelop the Old Broadway Property in downtown Alexandria. The project represents a three-way public/private collaborative effort among Copper Leaf Properties, HRA and ORB Management Corporation to create the first mixed use development in this area for decades.

The proposed multi-level, multi-use structure includes retail and public/private office space on the first floor and residential units on the second floor. The development will create efficiencies for several public agencies, including HRA and Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission (AAEDC), through use of shared office space and common areas. Other goals include addressing the need for additional workforce housing and attracting/retaining private business and retail tenants downtown. The plans also provide outdoor spaces and amenities for public use.

ORB Management Corporation along with HRA Director Jeff Hess and AAEDC Director Jason Murray, recently presented conceptual plans and financial pro forma information to the HRA and AAEDC Board members for review. The goal is to move forward so that physical construction can run concurrently with the planned Broadway Street improvement project in 2014.

“We are excited about the strategic vision for this vacant property and having it converted to a meaningful use that benefits the community,” noted Joani Nielson of Copper Leaf Properties. “This collaboration among private businesses and the HRA offers a unique means of creating a space that contributes to the vitality and growth of the downtown area.

” HRA Director Jeff Hess added, “This project reflects a trend for multi-purpose, mixed-use development that we’ve seen succeed in other metropolitan areas in recent years. It will be a valuable addition to downtown and will complement the Broadway redevelopment plan.”

The Cook County Community YMCA project – a collaboration between the City of Grand Marais, Cook County, ISD 166 and the Duluth YMCA – began 10 years ago as a dream to build a Community Center in Grand Marais.  As the project moves into the final stages of construction, all are excited for the facility to open its doors later this winter. 

On Friday, September 20, 2013, the Itasca County Family YMCA Advisory Committee named ORB Management as their Owner’s Representative for the planning, design and construction process of an expansion and renovation of their existing facility in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

This project is a unique collaboration of the YMCA, ElderCircle, the City of Grand Rapids and Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital. It will include an Active Living Center, clinic space, Adult Day Stay area and improvements to key YMCA program spaces. The Advisory Committee’s goal is to have the $4 – 5 million project up and running by fall of 2014.

Betsy McBride, Executive Director, on behalf of the Advisory Committee, stated that ORB was selected because the company has: 1) an outstanding track record advising on other YMCA projects; 2) the leadership skills and ability to align multiple stakeholder groups with common, unified goals; 3) shared values with the YMCA; and 4) demonstrated care for people and safety over care for just a project.

Tom Wacholz, ORB’s President, will facilitate and lead the project planning, design and construction processes with the Construction Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the YMCA, City of Grand Rapids, ElderCircle and the community at large. According to Wacholz, “Qualifications bring opportunities. It’s the intangibles that create trusted partnerships and lasting relationships. Equipped with our passion for excellence and the YMCA mission, we are excited to help the Itasca Y and the Grand Rapids community expand their mission through this facility investment.”

Dream it. Do it. is a collaborative grassroots effort between manufacturers all around Minnesota that want to tell the world about why they love their industry.

With 1 out of every 7 Minnesota jobs tied to manufacturing, we will be attending the Grand View Conference at Arrowwood Lodge on Wednesday, April 10 to show our appreciation for the industry which has proved to be invaluable to Minnesota’s economic stability and continued growth.

Click here to learn more about Dream It. Do It.

If you’re building a new home or any type of establishment, you know that you’ll need to do a few plumbing installations. As with so many areas of construction and renovation, there are certain stages that are required to be completed prior to moving on. With so many different things that need to be completed and so many steps along the way that must be completed correctly in order to get to the end result that you want – it’s important to work with a professional contractor who’s experienced in this type of work to ensure that everything is completed (and done correctly) the first time around! There are many different types of plumbing systems that can be used in construction or renovations of homes or other buildings; each system has its own benefits and drawbacks depending on the situation and what the client wants to accomplish with the installation/renovation project at hand. A septic service that can perform septic tank installation and other septic tank services may also be needed during the construction and renovation.

During the underground rough-in phase, a plumber locates all the supply and waste connections from the building system to public utilities, and establishes where these systems will enter or leave the building. The plumber also installs all piping between the various fixtures and the water supply lines in the walls as well as under floors and other concealed areas of the building structure itself if necessary for the type of plumbing system being installed and/or renovated during the construction project in question.

As we briefly mentioned above, the rough-in plumbing stage can be part of the groundwork stage. But this isn’t always the case. At this stage, you’ll need to install all of your drains and vent pipes as well as the water lines. You’ll also need to install your toilets and their related parts as well during this stage of the process since these aren’t installed until later in the process once the foundation has been poured and completed properly at the construction site you’re working on at the time.

Of course you’ll also need to install the sinks too at this stage of the process so that they’re ready for the rest of the items to be installed once the walls and floors are complete in the construction process that’s taking place at that particular time. This is very important to keep in mind when you’re thinking about hiring a contractor for this type of job because you don’t want to hire someone who isn’t experienced enough to handle these types of projects for you when they’re not a part of the foundation stage of your project to begin with. If you are having plumbing issues or need professional plumbing installation services, the details are here, view it now.

Regardless of how well a plumbing system is installed, it must be maintained and periodically repaired. Service and maintenance can even be regarded as the fourth phase of plumbing projects. Proper maintenance can help to prevent future problems from occurring in your residential or commercial property which can save you a lot of money in the long run on repairs or even replacement of your systems altogether if they aren’t properly maintained on a regular basis by a qualified professional like this residential plumber in Five Forks, SC.