Design & Construction
New Jewish center fuses design & tradition
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- Category: Design & Construction
- Published on Friday, 12 April 2013 01:00
- Written by Suzie Ridgway
In 2005, Rabbi Shmulik Greenberg and his growing Chabad Jewish community moved into an empty warehouse space in the Orchards neighborhood. At that time, the small group occupied only one suite, but it was at least larger than their living room.
Fast forward to today, and it’s clear that the Chabad community has grown significantly. The group is now teaming up with award-winning architect Webster Wilson to redesign and open a 9,000-square-foot facility, known as the Chabad Jewish Center of Clark County.
The expansion infuses bold, modern woodwork throughout the building, while still holding true to ancient Jewish traditions. Wilson said that Greenberg wanted something modern, inspiring and upbeat, without being old-fashioned – that’s why he believes he was chosen for the project.
“The challenge for me was how to turn a warehouse into something of beauty and contemplation associated with a synagogue,” said Wilson.
Located at 9604 NE 126th Ave., much of the building’s structure was kept intact and redesigned or repurposed.
CRC Update: A troubled bridge over waters
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- Category: Design & Construction
- Published on Friday, 08 February 2013 01:00
- Written by Jodie Gilmore
According to Nancy Boyd, Washington project director for Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project, the bridge design phase is now complete, and they are in the permitting/preconstruction phase – which includes finalizing funding. The final phase is construction itself.
“Other highway locations, or other drastically different designs,” said Boyd, are not really being considered. “We already have federal confirmation about how to move forward. This project is the culmination of regional planning and solving highest priority problems.”
The federal confirmation Boyd spoke of is the official “federal record of decision” reached in December 2011. This was the culmination, she said, of seven years of brainstorming, evaluating many different ideas and alternatives, and a lot of public involvement.
Modular construction growing in popularity
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- Category: Design & Construction
- Published on Friday, 05 October 2012 01:00
- Written by Courtney Sherwood
When the CEO of Oregon-based Elite Care decided to expand into Clark County, he had big goals and a tight timeline.
Jason Hess wanted the residential care community to meet LEED Platinum environmental standards, and he also wanted to finish construction in just five months. But with traditional construction techniques, he estimated it could take a full year or more to build the 48 apartment suites he envisioned at 2400 N.E. 112th Avenue in Vancouver.
Stormwater regulations stalling development
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- Category: Design & Construction
- Published on Friday, 07 December 2012 01:00
- Written by Jodie Gilmore
While progress on resolving the county’s stormwater regulation issues is clogged by lengthy appeal processes, several economic development opportunities have gone down the drain, according to Jamie Howsley, land use attorney with Jordan Ramis PC.
Howsley said that he recently spoke with a multi-family home builder based out of Clackamas County who was evaluating a potential project in Clark County.
“They didn’t want to deal with the uncertainty, and have decided to do their project in Oregon instead,” said Howsley. “That’s housing, infrastructure and jobs that we could have had here.”
Similarly, Howsley said, two businesses who were considering locating in unincorporated Clark County told him that the stormwater issue pushed them to locate elsewhere.
The “uncertainty” stems from two pending court cases, as well as a new stormwater permit due to go into effect next August.
In September, the Washington State Court of Appeals upheld the Pollution Control Hearings Board’s decision, striking down the County’s amended stormwater permit. The county and Building Industry Association (BIA) have filed a petition for review of this decision at the Washington State Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court decides to take the case, the review will address three issues:
Rail project spurs development at Port
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- Category: Design & Construction
- Published on Friday, 17 August 2012 01:00
- Written by Scott Johnson
With the Pacific Northwest region striving to enhance economic growth, the Port of Vancouver is in year seven of a twelve-year effort to expand port rail capacity and efficiency. The West Vancouver Freight Access Project, now fully in construction mode, is already producing jobs and an increase in economic activity.
