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Portland, Oregon’s Urban Growth Boundary: Smart growth or a stranglehold…
Lucy Wallwork Construction & Building MaterialsWhen it is not being sent up for its bike karaoke and ironic mustaches, Portland, Oregon, is being held up as the city that threw out the rule book for conventional city growth patterns in the U.S. It is distinctly more walkable, bike-able and compact than other cities in the country and has become the poster child of "smart growth" in the U.S. Some of that is down to a not particularly glamorous land use policy introduced in the 1970s that essentially drew a circle around the city to stop sprawl in its tracks, and to reflect development back toward the downtown area.
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The future of interior design is wellness
Lloyd Princeton Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesIt’s that time again when members of the home décor media roll out their lists of interior design trends for the coming year. While some clients are interested in acquiring the latest look for their home, many of these so-called trends are really just fashion changes or fads that have little impact on how and what professionals actually design. The trend you need to be paying attention is wellness. It’s going to be a game-changer. Clients may not need you any longer to purchase products or pick out paint colors, but they do value your ability to make their homes safer, more comfortable and more functional.
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Remodeling market sending mixed signals as 2019 begins
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsWill 2019 be another banner year for remodeling and renovation, or will firms begin to experience a softening in demand? As the new year gets underway, the answer seems to be that it depends on which part of the market you are looking at. Early indicators point to ongoing demand but a decrease in the size and value of projects. Results from the just-released Q1 2019 Houzz Renovation Barometer show "a mixed degree of caution about market conditions among contractors, architects and designers," states Houzz principal economist Nino Sitchinava.
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Washington state’s Paine Field gears up for its next stage
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveNext month, Paine Field, north of Seattle in Snohomish County, Washington, will enter an exciting new phase in its life with the beginning of scheduled passenger services. As the first flights approach, the new terminal building has reached the final stages of construction and looks set to be one of the most attractive facilities for passengers in the country. Flights begin operating out of Paine Field on Feb. 11 when Alaska Airlines commences service to Las Vegas, followed the next day by Los Angeles and San Jose.
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Alphabet subsidiary Makani is developing a wind-generating kite
Scott E. Rupp Waste Management & Environmental"Go fly a kite" may soon have real-world positive outcomes rather than the derogatory statement it has been for years. If Google parent company Alphabet has its way, kites might be the future of the sustainable energy effort as one of its subsidiaries, Makani, is developing a concept known as an "energy kite." The kite looks more like a biplane with dual wings and a number of turbines that resemble propellers. The current version of the kite could generate up to 600 kilowatts of energy, which could power 300 homes.
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How the ‘pest of the year’ affects facility managers
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsThe Terminix International Company, one of the largest pest control companies in the world, operating in 47 U.S. states and 22 countries around the world, recently published the results of its second annual study/report that takes a "look back at the pest trends of the last year." For the two years of the report’s existence, the company has said bed bugs are the “Pest of the Year.” The rationality for the decision is based on a truly 21st century metric — online search results.
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Negotiating commercial leases: Get a document review
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate. Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, here are two money-saving tips.
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Rights, safety and why you should carry on the road
Connie Ulman Recreation & LeisurePreparing for and getting my concealed carry weapon (CCW) license has been an exciting and empowering experience. I encourage all my fellow travelers to take a pistol safety course, or at least some kind of self-defense class. Hopefully, as you follow my journey, you will understand the importance of why you should conceal carry.
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Will the single-family home market find relief in 2019?
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsHousing starts and sales of existing homes rose for the second month in a row in November, thanks to demand for multifamily properties. The single-family market, though, remained more or less flat, stymied by high prices and the rise in mortgage rates, and is on track for negative annual growth this year. Yet, already there are signs that prices are softening in some areas, and it’s possible mortgage rates will recede if the economy begins to slow down next year, as expected. Will that be enough to put the single-family market back in the black?
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Global CO2 emissions on the rise again after brief drop
Scott E. Rupp Waste Management & EnvironmentalGlobal fossil fuel emissions appear to be rising again, for a second year in a row, because of growing energy use. These are the findings of new estimates from the Global Carbon Project, an initiative led by Stanford University scientist Rob Jackson. The Global Carbon Project's report, "Global Energy Growth Is Outpacing De-carbonization," appeared Dec. 5 in the peer-reviewed Environmental Research Letters, with additional data published in Earth System Science Data.
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