Commercial Construction Robust

Link to November 9 Great Falls Tribune article.

Excerpt:
Rattray cited construction starts this year for such big projects as the $17 million Great Falls Orthopedic Center, which will be across the sky bridge from Benefis East; a $4.3 million addition to McLaughlin Research Institute and the rapid-turnaround, $2.4 million rebuilding of the Prospector Restaurant and Casino after last year's fire.

In addition, developer Brad Talcott expects to start construction any day on the $8 million Staybridge Suites upscale hotel on the West Side.

Full list of projects is here.

Council maps commercial site

Link to October 21 Warren Times Observer article.

Excerpt:
With the no one from the public to comment, the public hearing for a proposed zoning map amendment went rather quickly.

Prior to the start of the Warren City Council meeting Monday evening, a public hearing was held for the proposed zoning map amendment which will allowed for the construction of the hotel and convention center.

During the public hearing, city planner David Hildebrand said the re-zoning of three parcels at the foot of Liberty Street from industrial to commercial was to "better serve the future use of the properties."

‘A Way Of Life’

Link to October 21 Warren Times Observer article.

Excerpt:
Diane Scarcella of Warren was recently awarded the Community Service Award by the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry.

Nominated by friend Linda Hackett, Scarcella is described as embodying the attributes of selflessness, humility, tolerance and respect. In her nomination letter to the WCCBI, Hackett cites Scarcella's seemingly endless amount of community service as her qualifications for the award.

St. Gerard Church building may be moved to Georgia

Link to October 18 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt:
Officials of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo expressed optimism about the unusual plan, which they call “preservation by relocation.” They say moving the grand church, which was built in 1911, will allow it to be used as intended and prevent it from falling into disrepair.

Dismantling and shipping the 2,000-pound Indiana limestone blocks from the exterior, altars, doors, interior columns, pews, windows and steel beams would cost $3 million, estimated the Rev. David M. Dye, administrator of Mary Our Queen parish in Norcross, about 20 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta.

‘Beyond Business As Usual

Link to October 17 Jamestown Post-Journal article.

Excerpt:
Daily operations at the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center continue unaffected by the recent staff changes at the top of the organization.

''It's beyond business as usual,'' said Patricia Smith, who became the center's associate interim director in mid-September.

Responsible for day-to-day operations, Smith said it is an exciting time for the center. Still seeing many visitors to the center's new museum, Smith said the center is also preparing for the Christmas shopping season and for first-of-a-kind educational and outreach programs.

Link to October 13 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt:
Drivers on the Kensington Expressway in Cheektowaga have found themselves in the dark, literally, as they travel eastbound between Harlem and Pine Ridge roads.

Small Machesney Park business feeling crunch of down economy

Link to October 10 Rockford Register Star article.

Excerpt:
Skermont, owner of Pug Dog’s Diner, 7828 N. Second St., where those canine pictures grace the walls, said sales are down 40 percent at the hot dog restaurant. Skermont said he has experienced firsthand the ill effects of the troubled economy and the recent shift in consumer spending habits. The diner, which specializes in hot dogs and ice cream, marks its fifth year in business this month.

“I would like to open up a second location on East State Street, but I can’t go to the bank and ask for a quarter of million dollars when I am struggling to support this one,” he said. “That would be a lot of hot dogs.”