Champion Environmental Services, Inc.

Demolition work resumes in Sheffield, IL

2011-03-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

Asbestos is a nocuous substance that requires a skilled methodology to prevent detrimental consequences to people and the surrounding environment. Few would recognize that many of the places people work, live, attend school, or shop are often occupying space that contain some form of asbestos.

I have yet to have a week go by on a non-related business outing where I have not been able to visually spot some form of suspect material. Be it the floor tile and window caulk of my parish school, tranite panels on a number of industrial buildings throughout Chicago, or the roof flashing on nearly every older home in my neighborhood.

To a certain degree, albeit a controversial statement - which I fully acknowledge, in most cases, ignorance in bliss during these routine encounters; left undisturbed and in good condition, many of these casual contacts with asbestos proves not harmful to person nor environment.

The pendulum swings to a differing level when our demolition crews are wrecking a building and uncover hidden asbestos. Such was the case recently during demolition in downstate Sheffield Illinois at the former Sheffield school.

Competently trained CESI personnel identified transite when breeching a wall. None of the asbestos material was broken thereby restricting the release of any asbestos.

While another company was hired to perform asbestos abatement prior to our demolition and an environmental consultant previously surveyed the entire building, the transite went unnoticed. This is not uncommon as evidenced by recent – similar situations at the Kenosha Inn and Renaissance Shell projects.

Once again, further proof that Champion Environmental Services fully adheres to our motto that “the safety of our workers and those around us will guide the decision making process.”

The Rambler visa via S. Johnson

2011-03-10T09:01:00.000-08:00

Work at the former Kenosha Inn is finally back up and running after our workers discovered non-abated asbestos. The “hot” material has been properly abated allowing demolition to advance.

The façade removal at the Renaissance Shell continues to move along successfully – this is another project hampered by unknown asbestos discovered during the project. It is essential that demolition firms ensure that their work force is properly trained in asbestos awareness so as not to danger workers, the immediate public, and environment. While these situations are frustrating to owners, the best practices of any reliable company should have an established proactive “safety always” mentality.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is preparing to mobilize for a City of Monona project; a commercial property and residential structure will be demolished. The two structures have been properly abated of all environmental hazards and we are awaiting utility disconnects and final demolition permits to be issued.

The seasonal nature of our work is apparent for this time of year. Bid opportunities are starting to gain momentum. An encouraging note is the uptick in private work. We are sitting on over 2 million square feet of private bid prospects with optimistic words from the owners only to recognize the tiring mantra repeated over the last three years – “ check back in another 30 days. . .management is trying to determine the best course of action. . .any day now we should have the go ahead….” Ad nauseum.

Certainly, the key decision makers are tasking away at a strategy to maximize the allocation of every penny. Even when a project warrants the ability to be performed pro bono, clients’ synaptic nerves begin toying with the notion that they are sitting on a literal gold mine. The revelry reaches a hypnotic pulse when you actually have the ability to buy the job.

Lost in translation is the owners’ ability to recognize the special circumstances surrounding such rare opportunities in the current market. The fluctuation of key commodity pricing is a compelling area few understand – how well can one forecast where diesel prices will go? Steel, copper, and other precious metal pricing is often contingent on what we can promise to our buyer within an allotted time to maximize return. What we get for structured steel is not necessarily what another contractor would garner due to our long standing relationships. Timing is everything – an offer to perform demolition for free, given a variety of factors, can easily turn into a million dollar bill when a prospective client becomes gluttonous in the merriment of fictitious fortunes.

My good friend Mark Anthony over at Demolition News continues to record and report the nauseous bid spreads that continue to defile our industry in the US. Over the years, I have warned municipalities and private entities about “promises” that certain demolition contractors will make in order to win a job – for clarification, these were in general terms regarding specific projects, I never “called out” a company by name. With satisfaction, I relay news on a project we were in line to bid in Wilkes-Barre, PA on behalf of a developer. Following months of providing extensive due diligence information on our company and the assurance that our bid would be welcomed along with a short list of three other approved companies, I was told that a local firm negotiated to do the job for free.

I warned my contact about the “rip and run” mentality in these situations; rip and run is where a company guts a building of all the scrap metal and then leaves the site in ruin. Mark Anthony reported on this specific item last month titled, “Developer fined after contractor vanishes… Contractor leaves developer in lurch after stripping site of steel and copper”. A link to Mark’s entry with the story can be found here: http://www.demolitionnews.com/page/7/

I was unaware that there were many closeted fans of Immanuel Kant who take his theory of perception on a literal a priori proposition.

West Lawn - Phase II Milwaukee, WI

2010-12-09T06:57:00.000-08:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was awarded the hazardous material abatement, building demolition, and site clearance for Phase II at the Westlawn Housing Development in Milwaukee, WI.

The project involves 29 multiunit buildings. The initial phase will be dedicated to the abatement of asbestos containing floor tile/mastic, fittings on fiberglass insulation, transite panels, window caulk, paper duct wrap, and sink undercoating.

After the apartments are properly abated and receive final air clearances, the demolition crew will proceed with wrecking the units. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. anticipates a recycling rate of nearly 97%.

This effort is part of a larger initiative by The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). According to a press release by WHEDA on December 3, 2010, the project will evolve into “ . . .the North End - Phase 2 development to construct two, five-story apartment buildings totaling 155 units of rental housing. The program requires the property to set aside 20% of its units for low and moderate income residents. Specifically, 31 apartment units in North End - Phase 2 will be set aside for households at or below 60% of Milwaukee's County Median Income”.

Phase I of Westlawn was recently completed by Champion Environmental Services, Inc.

Milwaukee Smokestack

2010-12-07T13:19:00.000-08:00

This morning, in an unforgiveable subzero wind chill, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. mobilized to start the controlled dismantlement of 186’ smokestack. The proximity of key buildings, nearby rail lines, and above ground industrial service pipes dictated that we rig a robotic Brokk to a crane and work our way down in a top to bottom fashion.

Aggressive winter wind proved frustrating for the crane operator, yet, in time, we were able to sequence an approach that clipped the pace to an appropriate tempo.

The succession of pictures is the raising of the Brokk into place and subsequent production within a half hour. If the winds cooperate, the stack will be down in five working days.

Winter Forecast

2010-11-30T11:28:00.000-08:00

A faint optimism stirs within the US demolition industry while an implosive European debt situation keeps the flow of cash in check.

My dim sanguinity emanates from an unusual trend of tighter bid spreads on large private and public bid opportunities. Many firms over the past year left incalculable sums of money on the table in a desperate effort to keep machine moving.

In the cyclical trade tide of everyone waiting to get paid, the following has been a constant factor: demolition contractor fronts hundreds of thousand of dollars to get a job(s) started – subcontractor(s) dutifully perform work – client(s) sits on money owed to demolition contractor – company cannot pay subcontractor(s) - multiple entities enter into threats of liens, collections, and lawyer involvement as weekly payroll difficulties ensue.

When proposals on a million or multimillion job reflect a tight group of companies within $150,000 to $225,000 range and one guy sits at a margin 45% to 75% below the next low number. . .the winner here is essentially absorbed in an act of self inflected attrition.

The unlearned inculcation eventually reaches a critical point; the hemorrhaging of cash is unstoppable.

Incredibly, the few who stood their ground are the few left standing. Equitable competitors are staying tight on the numbers while the low-ball apparitions are starting to fade.

Nonetheless, the overall confidence within one industry contradicts unresolved European debt. The Dow Jones flitters over and under the 11,000 mark (The NIKEI around 10,000 and FTSE has a 200 point ebb/flow) over the last five days like a listless distance swimmer desperate to keep their head above water - the conservation of energy versus the necessary power to move forward is an enigma. These unknown factors dictate that essential-available reserves are kept in check for the foreseeable future.

The collective PIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Spain) have worked through Greek liabilities and as of late, the former Celtic Tiger has been revealed to be a kitten that casted a large shadow. Little ink has been vested on financial predictions concerning Portugal and Spain.

“. . . it was the epoch of incredulity . . .”

Former Kenosha Inn

2010-11-30T09:46:00.001-08:00

For Chicago-area vacationers who make their weekly pilgrimage to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, the former Kenosha Inn is an unassuming site that many have passed coming off of I94 for the scenic trek down Highway 50.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc., has been retained by a private client to demolish the structure in preparation for future development. CESI facilitated a schedule to allow the local fire department and SWAT team to conduct training exercises at the property prior to equipment mobilization.

The project should achieve a recycling rate of 98%.

Remnants In Wonder Lake

2010-10-25T14:00:00.001-07:00

The final vestiges of the Wonder Lake water tower can be viewed below; this morning, a crew dismantled the bottom of the structure support and removed eight concrete footings. Tomorrow’s work will involve loading out the steel scrap, site restoration and sealing the fire hydrant.

UPR – Another Job

2010-10-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Once again, Union Pacific Rail Road has reached out to Champion Environmental Services Inc. to facilitate the removal of transite wall paneling on the outside of a diesel shop in Melrose Park, IL. An additional quantity of interior transite will be removed totaling 18,000 square feet of transite abatement.

ACM window caulk and associated glazing will also be removed.

Smokestack Demolition – Milwaukee

2010-10-20T14:17:00.001-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has been retained by a private client to facilitate the asbestos abatement and demolition of a182 foot smokestack in Milwaukee, WI.

Given the placement of a powerhouse which abuts the structure, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will employ the use of specialized equipment throughout the project.

A crane will hoist a “Brokk” to the top of the stack; this machine will then be securely attached to the side of the tower. The remote controlled robotic Brokk will slowly dismantle the smokestack one section at a time. An operator on the ground will direct the movement of the Brokk from a safe distance.

Care will be taken to scaffold nearby structures as an assurance that no damage occurs during the demolition process.

Few companies can offer this expert service on highly technical projects.

A Google Earth image of the smokestack appears below.

Progress At Wonder Lake Water Tower

2010-10-16T20:08:00.000-07:00

Significant progress has been made on the deconstruction of the Wonder Lake water tower. Mobilization began on Wednesday, October 13. Prior to being on site, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. conducted a job specific safety assessment to ensure the protection of our workers as well as the neighboring properties.

Constant communication is relayed via radio communication between the laborers performing the torch work, the crane operator, and field superintendent. Daily toolbox meetings are conducted in order to determine what portions of the tower will be dismantled, review safety protocol, and discuss progress.

The local fire department visited the job site to inspect our operations; an additional random safety audit was conducted by our insurance carrier on the second day of work – both entities were fully confident with our approach to this project.

The field team assembled for this project has extensive experience. Each day ends with a debriefing of what went well, each team members responsibility going forward, and a review of what work will take place the next day.

What Demolition Wrought – The Other Side

2010-10-07T09:52:00.000-07:00

Photo by Corey Hengen

Often, only one side of demolition is acknowledged in the process; frequently, that element focuses on taking components away from the local landscape. The central aspect of much of our work signals the beginning of something new, enhanced, and greatly improved.

There is a strong current of nationwide activism that advocates alternatives to demolition. Such campaigners readily cite environmental factors in an effort to postpone or deny knocking buildings down. Never realized in these debates is the fact that the environmental quality through these initiatives is greatly improved.

I can confidently decree that our company does more to improve the environment and health of people on any given day than most of these activists could accrue in a lifetime.

Our results are measureable and can be quantified; Champion Environmental Services, Inc. mitigates harmful lead, removes asbestos/PCB’s/mercury/Freon/ and ensures the extensive recycling of materials as opposed to the simple encumbrance of landfill dumping.

When Champion Environmental Services, Inc. demobilizes from a job site, we leave knowing that a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment for generations to come is accessible.

The Following article appeared yesterday in the “Daily Reporter”. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is the asbestos abatement and demolition contractor for the Westlawn Project in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Our endeavor will provide a desirable resolution to a weathered problem. The redevelopment will eventually provide clean, safe, affordable housing to low-income families, the elderly, and those with special needs.

I want to acknowledge that the article was written by Marie Rohde; the photograph was taken by Corey Hengen, and future rendering of the site is from the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee.

Welcome to the neighborhood: Westlawn ready for remake (UPDATE)
Published: October 6, 2010
By Marie Rohde

The city of Milwaukee is ready to tear down the largest public housing project in the state and replace it with a neighborhood.

“When you drive by Westlawn, there’s no mistaking that it’s a housing project,” said Paul Williams, a spokesman for the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee. “We want to change that.”
The Westlawn housing complex, a series of barracks-style buildings, is on 75 acres bordered by 60th and 64th streets, Silver Spring Drive and the Lincoln Creek.

The redevelopment is intended to break down the boundaries that isolate the complex from the rest of the community. The new Westlawn will be a mixture of privately owned homes and housing for seniors, the disabled and the poor.

Homes that will sell at market rates will be built around the perimeter of the complex. Carolyn Esswein, adjunct assistant professor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Department of Urban Planning who is familiar with the plans, said those homes are attractive because they will be on 35- to 40-foot-wide lots while the average city lot is 25 feet.

“That’s been done elsewhere and the homes have sold quickly,” she said. “But it could be a matter of timing, and the economy right now could have an impact. There are a lot of people who want to buy vacant lots in the city, but they can’t get over the hurdles of financing.”

The market rate homes, according to city plans, will not be built until at least 2012.

Westlawn’s isolation was like that of other public housing built in the 1950s, and the redevelopment reflects changing attitudes toward public housing across the country, Esswein said.

The new Westlawn, for instance, would have streets connecting the complex to the rest of neighborhood.

“Right now, Westlawn is cut off from the rest of the neighborhood,” Esswein said. “When they connect the streets to the rest of the neighborhood and people can walk in and out, the residents will feel like part of the larger community.”

The plans also call for a small pharmacy and 12,500 square feet of commercial development for North 60th Street and West Silver Spring Drive. That was a response to requests from residents and another effort to connect the complex to the broader community, Williams said.

Residents who live in the east half of the complex have been moved to temporary housing, and demolition of those buildings has begun, Williams said. Those residents will be offered units in the new development, he said.

Construction on the eastern half, estimated at $101 million, is expected to begin in March and be completed in 2012.

The housing authority’s nonprofit partner, Friends of Housing, an organization involved in the senior housing portion of the development, will share part of that cost, Williams said. The project also got $7.4 million in tax credits to provide incentive for the development of affordable housing for low-income residents.
The second phase of the redevelopment will be built after 2012 and be about the same size and cost.

Williams said there is a need for low-income housing in the city. The waiting list for Westlawn has been closed for six months and has some 3,000 applicants awaiting
housing assignments.

Nancy Frank, a UWM urban planning associate professor, said the renovation of other housing projects has been controversial, such as with Chicago’s infamous Cabrini Green complex, where a mixed-use development replaced a traditional housing project.
“The question is whether they will provide fewer housing units for the poor,” Frank said.

The housing in the first phase will include one building with 94 single-bedroom units set aside for seniors and the disabled, Williams said. Another 160 town houses for families will be built there, he said.

Jim Bartos, executive director of the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, said the remake will help the housing complex better mesh with the surrounding area.

“I think it’s going to be transformative for the whole neighborhood,” he said. “It’s going to be a stimulus for other development.”

Rendering by the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee

Lake Zurich, IL

2010-10-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was recently awarded a project on behalf of the Village of Lake Zurich.

The old police station will be demolished. Additional work includes the removal of petroleum contaminated soil. The recycling goal for this initiative is 90% of clean material being reclaimed.

UPR Project

2010-10-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is prequalified by Union Pacific Railroad to perform asbestos abatement and demolition services across the United States. Only a handful of contractors can claim such competence – even fewer can boast of such a privileged partnership as we share with UPR.

Mobilization will begin in two weeks to abate a Chicago diesel test facility at North Pulaski and West Kinzie. The project involves the removal transite panels throughout the facility. The challenge for this project will be for our workers to maneuver aerial lifts around existing railroad tracks to gain clean access to the transit.

Emerging Projects and Closeouts

2010-10-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is concluding interior demolition and asbestos abatement work at the Passavant Senior Housing complex in Milwaukee, WI.

Work at the US Postal processing building at Ohare is coming to an end. We performed extensive interior and exterior demolition to prep the facility for a new automated sorting system.

Mobilization for the demolition of the former Sheffield School in Sheffield, Illinois should begin next week. We are awaiting final air clearance on the asbestos abatement work.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was retained by a private-global client to perform asbestos abatement and building demolition at an international manufacturing plant in Beloit, Wisconsin. The company makes “ . . protein (enzyme) products [for use in] industrial applications . . .ranging from grain processing to cleaning and textiles to biofuels and biosafety”.

Wonder Lake, IL

2010-09-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc has been retained by the Village of Wonder Lake, Illinois to remove an aged water tower. The structure is located in a dense region of the neighborhood; as a result, we will not “drop” the tower.

The elevated water tower will be carefully dismantled. All portions of the structure will then be methodically deconstructed on the ground for recycling.

Only our most highly skilled operators, laborers, site safety supervisors, and other associated field personnel will be mobilized for this project. Extreme care must be taken to ensure insure the protection of our workers and the surrounding community.

The effort has a very tight schedule calling for one week of on-site work.

Fire Sale 2010 Part II

2010-09-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

The insanity continues - bid results just into our office. The scope here is an extensive amount of ACM pipe and associated fittings. While 85% of the abatement is readily exposed, some selective demolition is involved to reach part of the chases. An additional quantity of ACM floor mastic rounds the project.

Despite the public nature of these bid results, I still feel it is of little value to debase a competitor by naming each company here.

$77,550
$71,100
$63,550
$58,850
$43,820
$36,641

The numbers, particularly the low bid at $36,641, reflects troubled insensibility that has polluted our industry.

An Overdue Update

2010-09-20T12:44:00.001-07:00

As of late, it has become increasing more difficult to diligently keep people informed of all that is taking place at Champion Environmental Services, Inc.

The high season for asbestos abatement at schools and universities is starting to slow. None-the-less, there are several substantial demolition jobs that we are getting ready to facilitate.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was just awarded work on behalf of the Chicago Housing Authority to perform demolition and asbestos abatement at the Le Claire Court housing complex.

Demolition and asbestos abatement at the West Lawn Housing Authority in the City of Milwaukee just kicked off. Additional work is being performed throughout Milwaukee in an attempt to rid the community of blighted homes that have succumbed to economic misfortune. We are also helping to resolve buildings damaged by recent flooding in Milwaukee.

Mobilization will begin this week to demolish a city owned apartment complex in Wisconsin.

The Illinois EPA is in the process of approving our contaminated asbestos soil cleanup at the former Trinity Nursing School in Moline, Illinois. Analytical samples are being processed and we are expecting approval to move forward with demolition this week.

Champion received final air clearance for asbestos work completed at Chicago State University; the successful project finished ahead of schedule.

The Spirit of the Beast

2010-08-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

Headline just read from the AP “Recovery in danger as firms, homebuyers cut back”. The operative work here, “recovery” is beyond inappropriate, and at best, belies significant intellect regarding the current economic malaise.

Who is feeling any sense of recovery?

Real estate offices peddling distressed properties to opportunistic buyers.

Case in point, a new home in my neighborhood that was built and sold in 2007 for $1.4 million slid into foreclosure several months ago. Out of curiosity, I hawked the estate tracking down the details to find it to market only last week for $594,000.

I spoke directly to the listing agent who stated that there were 6 legitimate standing offers before the house even hit the MLS. Now, I rarely believe a single word any real estate agent tells me (other than mine who has been a trusted advisor for over 10 years) but I was able to confirm that there were in fact more than 6 offers.

This niche industry has its own written prophecy to be recognized on an eventual upside; this market will go away one day, but what about right now?

One of the few points in the AP article I agreed with state that “ . . .new home sales fell 12.4 percent in July from a month earlier to a seasonally adjusted annual sales pace of 276,600. That was the slowest pace on records dating back to 1963. Collectively, the past three months have been the worst on record for new home sales.

The weak sales mean fewer jobs in the construction industry, which normally powers economic recoveries. Each new home built creates, on average, the equivalent of three jobs for a year and generates about $90,000 in taxes, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

The two reports are likely to stoke fears that the economy is on the verge of slipping back into a recession.” (emphasis mine)

As I stated in My August 13, 2010 post entitled Forecasting In An Era Of Information Immediacy, in part, the immediate 24/365 news cycle alone will not provide an accurate platform to hedge the market. One must empirically derive signs and signifiers to calculate business positions.

My neighborhood reflects and confirms much of the data from the news wires.

Where new home construction was so abundant - in a fully mature northwest suburb just outside of Chicago - you could not look in any direction in any quadrant without seeing orange fencing, now, only custom, contracted projects appear.

Public servant positions have been eliminated and hiring frozen. The community chest is an empty box. Nearly every million and multi-million property is either for sale, in foreclosure, or tepidly holding out. A heavy surplus of existing homes go unsold and rentable apartments are in short supply as those who would once rent and save to purchase are now just staying put. Retail space is full with few empty spaces, but foot traffic is minimal. Several large office suite complexes are entirely empty – thankfully, they are well maintained as the only indication that all is not well is huge empty parking lots behind the buildings. A large townhouse project started 7 months ago has only one sold unit, the infrastructure of streets/sewers/lights await.

Something Wicked This Way Comes. And laughter will not save us.

Champion Awarded FAA Contract

2010-08-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has been awarded a project by the Federal Aviation Administration to perform asbestos abatement at two Wisconsin airports.

Champion has extensive experience with governmental entities having executed contracts with the Department of Energy, Veterans Administration, and General Services Administration.

Small Project In Pewaukee, Wisconsin

2010-08-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will begin mobilizing a small crew at the former Lakeview Lanes bowling alley in Pewaukee, WI.

The 15,000 square foot building is being demolished on behalf of the neighboring parish. The church will use the land to expand facilities. Champion will finish operations in about one week.

Fire Sale 2010

2010-08-13T09:45:00.001-07:00

I have often voiced my frustration over companies who are bidding work at below cost. Ill qualified firms who are awarded basement priced contracts in turn cut corners, provide inferior quality/customer service, and at times, illegally dispose of demolition debris – or worse, illegally dispose hazardous materials.

Both public and private entities have little incentive to care when they gawk at the bottom line. Economic ambiguity allows clients to “take advantage” – the advantage often translates into an ethical (cafeteria style) mode of operation as they choose what to be concerned about.

Below is a news item that was placed on my desk by a coworker. I wish those quoted in the article could be more forthright concerning the circumstances. The truth would be a powerful morality pageant or perhaps akin to the musings of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm – an ominous lesson for those clients who forsake professionals in favor industry bastardization.

Essentially, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was retained to demolish a building which was environmentally abated by another company. Prior to mobilization, the EPA alerted our company that soil had become contaminated with asbestos. What initially started out as a few skid steer loads of material quickly materialized into a massive undertaking which has yet to be fully resolved.

The article uses the phrase “unauthorized work” to characterize the essence of the hindrance. I would characterize the situation as one of deliberate deception

Keep in mind, at one time, the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale actually designated “idiot” as a definable unit attributable to people.

Again, this article is by Dustin Lemmon of the “Quad- City Times”.

Demolition nears for Moline building

Once the last of the asbestos is removed from Moline’s old nursing school dormitory, it shouldn’t be long before the building is brought down.

But exactly when the asbestos removal will be complete is up to the weather.
Maggie Carson, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which has been overseeing the asbestos cleanup, said the contractor is scheduled to resume work Monday, but rain could delay the work that is left at the seven-story building on 6th Street, south of 5th Avenue.

Joe Slavens, president of Northwest Bank and Trust, which is responsible for the demolition, said some contaminated soil has to be removed and then the EPA will conduct a soil test to determine if the land meets its standards.

“The problem has been rain in terms of delaying activity,” Slavens said. “You have to have a certain number of dry days. When it rains, you have to wait until it dries.”

Slavens said the bank already has contracted a company for the demolition work and will be ready to go as soon as the EPA agrees the work can proceed.

“The bank has been ready to write checks to the contractor for a month,” he said. “I know people in the neighborhood have been disappointed it hasn’t come down.”
The bank will need a demolition permit from the city, but that is expected to come quickly.

“It will be very quick,” Moline City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher said of securing the permit. “It’s ready to go. We can’t do anything until the EPA releases the building.”

The asbestos removal has been a lengthy process. Slavens said the building already passed an air sample test, which is the usual standard for the EPA’s asbestos testing, but there was some unauthorized work done at the site previously that required the soil tests and a higher standard.

Steinbrecher said the ground needs to be cleared so once the building is brought down, either with a wrecking ball or other construction equipment, the rubble can be left on the bluff.

“If the EPA will clear the building of asbestos, the rubble can be crushed and left on the site with top soil coverage,” he said.

Once the site is cleared, the city will take ownership of the property and seek a developer for a housing development with 80 residential units, Steinbrecher said, adding the homes will not be built on the area where the rubble is left.
Carson would not give an estimate for how much longer the asbestos cleanup will take.

Dustin Lemmon of the “Quad- City Times”

Forecasting In An Era Of Information Immediacy

2010-08-13T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Premise

Research, at one time, was an art. In the most pure form, I would point to the work of Professor James Murray, a key architect of the OED (Oxford English Dictionary).

Technology has eroded our ability to critically render appropriate solutions to complex problems.

The base reality of technological deficiency can be traced to the passive nature of discerning information that is spat out in an instant. A key phrase search of “financial forecasting” on Google will yield 6,340,000 results in 0.18 seconds. The only difficulty is to page through endless entries paring for relevance in the content that is sought.

Passivity is the operative word for context – the effort in relying on Internet based research thwarts cognitive exertion while simultaneously influencing/reinforcing the notion of instant gratification. Such fulfillment in turn indurates one’s ability to discern signs and signifiers which will lead to an answer.

I dare anyone to accurately predict local housing outlook in terms of sales, starts, and foreclosures purely based on information derived from a computer. Certainly, the quantity of results will provide a host of analytical statistics and figures allowing you to pound away at lucid metrics. Speed and sheer magnitude of information will provide a false sense of certainty.

The Nexus

Now, I must digress. Yesterday, I received a phone call from a friend who owns a company that provides waste reduction solutions and recycling ideas for contractors and businesses. They are based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but have clients across the US. The call focused on recommitting our decision to share business leads and just catch up.

I shared how our business was holding up and in turn requested the same from my friend who tepidly revealed that positive cash flow was becoming an issue. This lead to an in-depth debriefing of specific markets she was attempting to pierce along with an ebb/flow charting of trends.

William Chester Minor

Direct sourcing (as defined by me and not in reference to a micro economic trend) provides an active basis to construe value and implication. To accurately recognize local housing trends would require, at a minimum, the following commitment:

1. Drive through the neighborhood in question taking note of for sale signage, construction activity [both public and private], general business activity of restaurants, retail, and food stores, number of people engaged in leisure, service station prices, public works visibility – in other words, a rather scrupulous empirical exercise.

2. Read the local newspaper(s).

3. Call and go into the local banks and speak to the mortgage lenders about rates/activity.

4. Call and go into the local real estate office and inquire about local listings and foreclosure activity.

5. Visit the town hall and get latest village news.

6. Get six months of crime reporting from local police.

Techno-snobs will scoff and state that all of the above could be accomplished from the office employing a few clicks of the mouse.

Herein lies the nub; the physicality of engaging the task requires that an individual contemplate and cerebrally absorb such undertaking. Active intellectual ownership forces one to infer parallels and make connections. An endeavor of such activity necessitates planning, relegating hierarchal importance, and reflective contemplation.

When will demolition and environmental activity pick up? Where do you think one should look for the solution? Go ahead – think! I guarantee our answers will differ.

I will look to the mining industry.

2010 - Is It Over Yet?

2010-08-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

Mark Anthony of “Demolition News” has become an invaluable resource concerning an exhaustive number of issues related to the demolition and environmental industry. His insights span the European landscape then pierce across the Atlantic with empirical precession.

While I have yet to meet Mark Anthony in person, our evolving friendship echoes an epistolary tradition visa via the advantages of technology, namely, the Internet.

A recent article by Anthony entitled, “Comment – How do we keep outsiders out…?” addresses the problematic atmosphere of unqualified contractors creeping into public and private bid opportunities. I have spoken ad nauseam of the safety caveat owners create when they hire incompetent outfits; the greater concern is my inability to clarify why such companies have not collapsed under the current economic mass.

As I stated to Anthony in a recent letter, in part, inept firms are “ . . . invading bid opportunities like rabid roaches”.

The very basic root of economic tenets guiding the winners/losers of a recession has been infected by distemper.

Here is a link to the article written by Mark Anthony.

http://www.demolitionnews.com/2010/07/29/comment-how-do-we-keep-outsiders-out/

Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee

2010-08-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has been awarded the Westlawn hazardous materials abatement and building demolition project in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The extensive project will involve the demolition and asbestos abatement of 149 separate multifamily housing units.

The full extent of the project is best illustrated by the photograph below which outlines the boundaries of the initiative.

Chicago State University

2010-08-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will begin mobilizing Friday, August 6, 2010 to begin an emergency asbestos abatement job related to roof damages at the School of Education.

The project will involve full ceiling demolition on the third and fourth floors followed by the removal of asbestos fireproofing on the exposed beams. Approximately 42,000 square feet of ACM will be removed. After the beams are recoated with non-ACM fireproofing, Champion will begin the removal of asbestos 9”X9” floor tile and contaminated black mastic.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will facilitate all work at Chicago State University in 20 working days.

Update

2010-07-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

While my presence has been absent from diligently updating this company blog our company has been engaged in variety of environmental and demolition projects making the summer months rather busy.

We are finalizing asbestos work at the following Illinois schools which include projects at:

Woodstock Schools - Olson Elem/Clay Academy
Macomb School District - 3 schools
Morton High School, Morton, IL
Brookwood School, Glenwood, IL
Batavia High School – Emergency Job
Grayslake Middle School, Grayslake, IL
NSSEO- North Suburban Special Ed, Mt Prospect, IL

Interior demolition work is winding down at Thornridge High School in Doltan, Bloom Trail High School in Chicago Heights, and Phase One of the Elgin Community College initiative.

In Wisconsin, asbestos abatement continues at the Wisconsin Avenue properties in preparation of demolition. Ongoing projects continue at Lapham Park, Marquette University, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Human Ecology.

A crew is mobilizing today in Pewaukee, Wisconsin to begin demolition of the former Lakeview Lanes bowling alley.

Century City Update

2010-06-01T11:14:00.001-07:00

The building separation at Century City is complete. Our selective cut, while an extremely complicated undertaking, proved rather successful. Extensive site work which included concrete slab removal – up to 8 feet thick in some areas – continues. Note the third picture below, the size of the concrete block in relation to the dump truck, this illustrates the magnitude of concrete we have encountered during removal.

State of the State Part II

2010-05-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

Back on March 1, 2010, I solicited several assumptions regarding how local and global economic forces were influencing our bottom line. An AP report out of New York released just moments ago suggests that my key assertions were correct.

On March 1 I stated, “Market indicators remain in an unnerving pattern; one of the more intimidating trends I noted was a triumvirate blend of a strong dollar, positive gold movement, paired with creeping oil – I dare someone to place this scenario into sane context”.

The AP today: “The euro is falling again and continues to hover near a four-year low. It has become a key indicator for confidence in Europe's economy. The euro fell to $1.2318, a day after hitting $1.2146 . . . Crude oil fell $2.73 to $67.14 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.”

Gold remains at $1,191.80 an ounce despite loosing approximately 1% over two days.

I further stated on March 1 that “While January housing sales posted an increase, numbers also indicated a slight uptick in housing starts yet more bubbles await us. Significant commercial lending is coming due and as a result, many speculate more bank failures. Additionally, consumer spending remains tepid, no significant positive impact coming out of job creation, and European dept reflected in the so called “PIGS” - Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain, point to the potential for another significant economic slide.” My added emphasis is vital given such an accurate prognosis; as the AP notes today: “. . .the [Labor] department said new claims for unemployment benefits rose by 25,000 to 471,000, their largest amount in three months. . . Greek workers again took to the streets protesting recently approved budget cuts that were necessary for the country to receive a bailout. Greece was able to repay debt that came due Wednesday only because it had access to a rescue package from the European Union and International Monetary Fund. . . in afternoon trading, Britain's FTSE 100 fell 2.6, Germany's DAX index dropped 2.8 percent, and France's CAC-40 plummeted 3.9 percent.”

Certainly I take no pride in being correct on these assumptions as global – economically driven factors reach directly into the fissure of our cavernous lint- filled pockets. So where do we sit in the state of the state?

I encourage you to visit Mark Anthony over at “Demolition News” and read his posting, Comment – Is demolition perpetuating the recession…? Here is the link:

www.demolitionnews.com/2010/05/20/comment-is-demolition-perpetuating-the-recession
My apologies as I cannot get the link to set so you must copy/paste.

Tower Automotive-Century City Pictures

2010-05-20T07:05:00.001-07:00

Brief Update

2010-05-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

It was my intention to update this Blog on a regular basis yet circumstances borne of late have dictated that I focus my energy on a project which will have a significant impact on the greater Milwaukee market in the coming months - more information to follow as prudence allows in the timing of such a news release.

Otherwise, a brief news article from the “The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus” from our work at the former Trinity Nursing School in Moline, Illinois. Following cleanup, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will demolish the associated structures.

Debris removal begun at nurses dormitory in Moline

MOLINE-- Contractors from Champion Environmental have begun removing debris piles and two inches of top soil from the former nurses dormitory in One Moline Place.

The dirt and debris has to be removed because it contains asbestos. Moline city administrator Lew Steinbrecher said the next step, before demolition of the building, will be testing the upper floors for residual asbestos.

"Depending on the results, a decision will be made about demolition," he said. "We are approaching the time when hopefully a date will be set relatively soon for demolition of the building."

One Moline Place is a residential development between 4th and 8th streets and 5th and 11th avenues first announced in 2002. While Phase I was partially developed, Phase II-- where the dormitory sits -- and Phase III never were started.

The property is owned by Mike Shamsie, but through an agreement with Northwest Bank and Trust and the city, he will give Moline the Phase II and III land after demolition is complete. A new developer plans to take over Phase I and complete the development.

Mr. Steinbrecher said an environmental consultant is coordinating the clean-up with Champion Environmental, Mr. Shamsie and the Illinois EPA.

By Dawn Neuses, dneuses@qconline.com

Century City Video

2010-04-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

Tower Automotive-Century City

2010-04-19T14:40:00.001-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is kicking off the redevelopment of Milwaukee’s shuttered Tower Automotive property as part of the city's $34.6 million plan to redevelop an 84-acre portion of the site. Most of the area is being transformed into a business park; Spanish train manufacturer Talgo is the first tenet to lease a portion of the development.

Century City will be the new venue for U.S. high-speed passenger rail manufacturing and assembly creating 125 direct jobs in Wisconsin and about 450 indirect jobs through vendors throughout the Midwest.

In January, Governor Doyle announced Wisconsin will receive $823 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to build high-speed rail service to connect its centers of commerce. Wisconsin is receiving $810 million to build high-speed passenger rail service between Milwaukee and Madison, $12 million to improve service between Chicago and Milwaukee, and $1 million to make final determinations on a route between Wisconsin and the Twin Cities – the next step toward connecting Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison with the Twin Cities.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is proud to support this important economic initiative. Some pictures of our demolition work are below.

What Demolition Wrought-Another Tale

2010-03-03T07:45:00.000-08:00

I firmly believe that it is essential to highlight the outcomes of our efforts to dismiss the fallacy that demolition is singular destruction. The Fact is that our environmental and demolition work not only betters the environment, but creates economic opportunity. While many would bemoan the closing and subsequent demolition the car dealership in Wauwatosa, the new Dave & Busters will generate additional jobs, enhance the local tax base, and provide a quality venue for residents.

80% of the demolition debris from the former dealership was recycled; additionally, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. removed two buried underground fuel storage tanks. I can definitively state that our company does more for the environment on any given day than most self-proclaimed eco-friendly people achieve in a lifetime.

Below is an article that appeared in the “Biz Times Real Estate Weekly”.

Dave and Busters opens in Wauwatosa

Dallas-based Dave & Busters, a national chain of restaurant and entertainment centers, this week opened its first Wisconsin location at 2201 N. Mayfair Road in Wauwatosa.

The 35,000-square-foot Dave & Busters building was built on a site formerly occupied by a Ewald Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealership.
The Wauwatosa Dave & Busters location has nearly 200 games ( including classic skill and arcade games plus simulators and billiards), 24 flat screen televisions and a high definition projector screen, a full bar, restaurant and two private conference rooms.

“Dave & Buster’s is a totally new concept in the greater Milwaukee area where guests can eat, drink and play under one roof,” said Wauwatosa restaurant general manger Esther Gomez.

On average, Dave & Buster’s stores get half a million guests each year. Most visitors are adults 21 years of age and older.

“People in Wisconsin love to go out and have fun,” said Wauwatosa Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meg McKenna. “We have been asking for a place like this for a long time. Dave & Buster’s will be a great addition to the community.”

School of Human Ecology

2010-03-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is getting ready to submit notification for work at the University of Wisconsin School of Human Ecology.

The scope of work involves multifaceted tasks including building demolition, asbestos abatement, selective/interior demolition, and historic salvage.

A small two story brick building approximately 4,264 square feet will be demolished. An additional three story brick building measuring 24,000 square feet will also be wrecked; various historic portions of this structure will be dismantled and preserved.

The School of Human Ecology is a five story building encompassing 76,000 square feet. All five floors will be gutted from floor to ceiling. We will also be responsible for removing/recycling the hydraulic oils from the elevators prior to demolition of the elevator.

This project should begin in the week of March 15, 2010.

What Demolition Wrought

2010-03-01T10:47:00.000-08:00

A newswire release today from Marquette University announces the groundbreaking for the new School of Engineering facility. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was proud to have initiated this project providing building demolition services. Below is the press release from the university.

(Media-Newswire.com) - Marquette University will break ground for a new engineering facility, called the Discovery Learning Complex, Friday, March 5.

“With a history that spans more than a century, Marquette’s College of Engineering continues to educate engineers with the highest level of technical skill,” said Rev. Robert A. Wild, S.J., president of Marquette University. “Today we demand even more of our engineers. This new facility will foster the development of the skills we need in the 21st century – innovative thinking, creative problem solving of real world issues, and experience in team dynamics.”

The building will feature an innovative Discovery Learning Laboratory and a two-story engineering materials and structural testing laboratory, as well as other new teaching and research laboratories, common areas for students and office space. The five-story, 115,000 square foot building is being constructed on the south side of Wisconsin Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets. Demolition of several university-owned buildings on the site has been completed, with materials recycled. The new $35 million building is the first phase of a $100 million, 250,000 square foot facility.

The Discovery Learning Complex, being designed and built by Opus North Corporation, is expected to be ready for occupancy by August 2011.

“The time is now to innovate. This facility, a gift to the Milwaukee community, will focus on building an enhanced workforce for Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the United States -- graduates who know and understand engineering innovation and how to quickly embed the appropriate innovation in products the marketplace desires,” said OPUS Dean of Engineering Stan Jaskolski. “Our students and faculty will work with local industries and businesses in the development and design of innovative, real-world products, processes and services. In addition, this showcase facility will inspire elementary, middle and high school students to consider engineering careers as they participate in hands-on, exciting projects and innovative discoveries.”

Jaskolski said the university has raised $70 million in cash and long-term pledges and is aggressively fundraising for an additional $50 million in cash so the entire DLC can be completed as soon as possible.

The groundbreaking ceremony on March 5 will begin at 11 a.m. in parking lot N, in the 500 block of North 16th Street, just south of the construction site. Speakers will include Marquette President Robert A. Wild; OPUS Dean of Engineering Stan Jaskolski; Cara Brigman, a student in biomedical engineering; and Kathy Scherbarth, an alumna who serves on the college’s 41-member National Advisory Council, which is meeting that day.

Mary Pat Pfeil
Senior Director of University Communication

( 414 ) 288-4719 ( office )

The State of the State

2010-03-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

February proved to be far busier than what is reflected in postings here. The bid calendar was experiencing so much activity that it was not possible to meet the needs of all the RFP’s. I am hesitant to forecast that a strong first quarter will carry into the second quarter, but I remain cautiously optimistic.

Market indicators remain in an unnerving pattern; one of the more intimidating trends I noted was a triumvirate blend of a strong dollar, positive gold movement, paired with creeping oil – I dare someone to place this scenario into sane context.

While January housing sales posted an increase, numbers also indicated a slight uptick in housing starts yet more bubbles await us. Significant commercial lending is coming due and as a result, many speculate more bank failures. Additionally, consumer spending remains tepid, no significant positive impact coming out of job creation, and European dept reflected in the so called “PIGS” - Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain, point to the potential for another significant economic slide.

Amidst the present state of falling in and out of economic consciousness, many have asked, how does this translate into the types of demolition/environmental work that are coming into our office?

Despondently, public bid work continues to outpace private-negotiated opportunities by a significant margin. Only 18% of all work we have bid so far in the first quarter could be characterized as private. To further indurate the situation is that the folks who are facilitating private deals are no longer entertaining one or two trusted companies to bid a job, we are often battling five to seven competitors for a “nice” deal.

Healthy margins are becoming more and more difficult to achieve yet we remain committed to aggressive positioning. Geographically, a national job order contract with a Fortune 500 company is creating environmental abatement opportunities across the United States. Positioning our company on these abatement jobs will allow demolition opportunities occur – operations are poised to meet these new prospects. We continue to aggressively market our “green” approach to demolition and have advanced new contacts visa via references.

Becher Court Apartment Milwaukee, WI

2010-02-10T08:27:00.000-08:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has been retained by the Milwaukee Housing Authority to facilitate the environmental remediation and demolition of the multistory Becher Court Apartments located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The project will be broken into two distinct phases.

In the first stage, all asbestos containing material will be properly removed. Additionally, CESI will facilitate the removal of all PCB ballast and mercury. After the environmental abatement, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will defer final sampling/air clearances to the environmental consultant; the consultant acts as a third party quality control monitor – they confirm that we addressed all environmental issues pursuant to DNR, EPA, and OHSA guidelines.

Another environmental challenge also exists in contaminated soil that has been identified on the site. Approximately sixty tons of petroleum dirt will need to be excavated and properly disposed.

The building demolition poses some unique challenges given the height of the structure in relation to nearby – occupied structures. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has developed a strategic approach which will ensure the safety of our workers and those in proximity of the site. Our unique approach to demolition will allow us to achieve a nearly 90% recycling rate on this project.

Below is a picture of the Becher Court Apartments

Marquette University Work Rounding Down

2010-02-09T11:51:00.000-08:00

Published in the “Daily Reporter” on 2/08/2010, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is finishing up demolition work at Marquette University

Video of Demolition At Marquette University

2010-02-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

This video comes to us from John Krejci of the “Daily Reporter”.

Palatine, Illinois Asbestos Project

2010-01-29T08:07:00.000-08:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is preparing to mobilize in Palatine, Illinois for an asbestos abatement project at several shuttered commercial properties. Through a process known as Polarized Light Microscopy, lab tests revealed a variety of building materials that needed to be removed. The abatement and proper disposal will include floor tile, mastics, mirror glue, column fire proofing, and boiler stack insulation. The project is scheduled for completion by March of 2010.

Accelator Site Clearance and Demolition

2010-01-27T07:54:00.000-08:00

A private, Fortune 50 client has retained Champion Environmental Services, Inc. to demolish and clear the site of an Accelator. An Accelator receives a source of raw water and through an aeration process, treats the water to a more manageable concentration. Accelators are an integral part of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment processes.

All effluents, launderers, agitators, impellers/rotors/hood-ties, associated rails and framing along with the concrete base will be removed. This project will employ a combination of selective demolition performed by skilled laborers along with the mobilization of heavy equipment.

Strong First Quarter for Environmental Work

2010-01-27T07:32:00.000-08:00

Champion was recently awarded several environmental projects in Illinois and Wisconsin. A shuttered hospital in DeKalb, Illinois will be given a clean bill of health after we remove extensive quantities of asbestos containing material. The parcel, developed in the late 60’s, reflects typical building practices which were considered prudent: The hallways and patient rooms contain contaminated floor tile and mastic throughout; carpeted office areas are held down by ACM mastic; patches of ductwork insulation throughout the second floor is “hot” and will need to be properly abated. Nearly 200,000 square feet of hospital will soon be under containment in preparation of this project.

On behalf of the Milwaukee Housing Authority, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will be providing asbestos abatement and hazardous material removal services at an 11 story residence tower in preparation of demolition activities. ACM materials is just a portion of this contract as we are also responsible for removal of asbestos PCB bulbs/ballasts as well as mercury switches.

As part of a Job Order Contract agreement with nationwide retail chain JC Penney, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will be abating ACM floor tile and mastic from a store in Peoria, Illinois.

Huff Hall, University of Illinois

2010-01-14T10:14:00.000-08:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will begin work this month in Champaign, Illinois for the University of Illinois. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will be responsible for performing extensive-selective demolition; the project will enable the university to proceed with a planned expansion of Huff Hall.

Home to the “Fighting Illini” gymnastics, wrestling, and volleyball programs, Huff Hall was originally constructed in 1924 and served a variety of functions over the years.

Our efforts will surround roof, ceiling, masonry, sr partitions, and concrete risers along with associated supporting steel, ramps, pads, and stairs.

Glendale, Wisconsin Storage Tank Removal

2010-01-14T10:13:00.000-08:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. mobilized a crew this morning in Glendale, Wisconsin to remove an above ground storage tank at a research and development water treatment facility.

The process will involve a combination of laborers employing the use of cutting torches along with a 315 CAT and shear attachment. The tank will be selectively deconstructed and cut into manageable sections for recycling.

It’s Cold Outside – Yet Work Continues

2010-01-05T13:35:00.001-08:00

Just In From The Field

Winter Weather and Demolition

2009-12-18T08:02:00.000-08:00

Our office has been receiving phone inquires over the past few weeks with regard to performing demolition during the winter months. The main question is, “do you guys work throughout the winter”? The follow up question is a simple “how”?

The first question is easy to respond to, yes; we embody a 365 – 24/7 mode of operation. That being said, there is extensive criteria that allows Champion Environmental Services, Inc. to maintain an industrious pace during wintery conditions. What follows is a cursory overview of how Champion Environmental Services, Inc. functions in unfavorable environs.

While most operations surrounding construction tend to slow during cold the weather months, advances in technology and safe guideline practices – tempered with experience, allows Champion Environmental Services, Inc. to perform demolition despite low temperatures and adverse conditions.

In general, working outside in cold temperatures equates with slow work and more frequent breaks. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. hedges against this assumption through proactive strategic planning that is job/site specific. Our workforce of operators, laborers, project managers, and filed superintendents are fitted with the finest cold weather construction gear which is comprised of warm, breathable materials that is conducive to safe, productive work. Additionally, project managers and field superintendents continually monitor weather and site conditions to determine a sensible approach to the task at hand.

So “how” do we get demolition done with snow on the ground or in icy conditions?

It is imperative that all the workers survey the site prior to starting operations to identify potential road blocks/challenges which may inhibit work or create hazardous situations. Attention to detail, however small or insignificant in appearance, must be noted. A laborer picking bricks who is unaware of a small patch of ice could easily loose his/her footing while sorting/stacking piles and slip. A fall on the sidewalk outside your house is bad enough, but falling on a construction site with debris scattered or while carrying heavy equipment could be serious, or worse, potentially deadly.

As I have noted before, a clean-operable site which utilizes a material segregation plan affords greater efficiency. A winter environment dictates that we sometimes, albeit briefly, use machines to move snow so that pathways are clear to get trucks in/out and keep areas open to separate recyclable items.

Dust suppression during demolition is a delicate issue to address. Freezing temperatures means freezing water; an encrusted citadel would preclude safe operations on any level. Experienced machine operators must be selective while razing a structure. A careful approach can mitigate dust – snowfall can be a beneficial, added deterrent to particulate disbursement.

Ultimately, weather does not determine our ability function, safety drives the decision making process.

Forecasting 2010

2009-12-03T07:26:00.000-08:00

At this point, I would regard 2009 as tepid at best. Industrial/retail vacancies are at an all time high, new home start-ups barely at a pulse, the hotel industry remains cautious, and available credit, what little there is, drips into the market.

On average, I speak with 40-50 real estate professionals daily - everyone from lenders to developers, commercial agents, and general contractors; the once hopeful anticipation of a decent 2009 has given way to macro indignation. There appears to be symptomatic depression in every conversation with anyone who carries a vested interest in the real estate market.

I have been attempting to forecast 2010 for several months. Indicators initially displayed some recovery in the second quarter; however, over the past two weeks, I am beginning to sense that 2010 may be worse than 2009.

The CMI reported by the National Association of Credit Management report released November 2 for October 2009 suggests that a 50.1 index breeches the natural stance of 50 thereby indicating a positive move toward growth.

It is my contention real estate is a critical pathway to overall economic recovery and without the credit market loosening cash/liquidity, we are looking toward a disastrous 2010.

Key factors to watch in forecasting 2010:

1. Manufacturing output
2. Oil, strength of dollar, gold
3. The REAL numbers behind jobless claims/unemployment
4. Holiday retail season [albeit, a rather short indicator]
5. Geopolitical issues

There is an incredible amount of existing cash on the sidelines which will require the appropriate credit to get projects off the ground. I can say this with a great deal of certainty as we have been engaged in “budgeting” dozens of projects. We have walked several parcels averaging 800,000 square feet where owners/developers are attempting to get a read on overall project costs. The vision reflected in these meetings shows investors in the ebb and flow of the next wave.

My conclusion: The pool of potential growth will quickly evaporate without a tsunami of credit. Let it rain.

More From Marquette University

2009-12-03T06:31:00.000-08:00

The “Daily News” seems to have keen interest in our efforts on behalf of Marquette University as their photographer John Krejci was out again yesterday documenting the work in progress.

We appreciate the coverage by the “Daily News”.

Marquette University

2009-12-02T06:40:00.000-08:00

Another photograph from our work at Marquette University published in the “Daily Reporter”. Photo credit goes to John Krejci.

Marquette University

2009-11-30T06:55:00.000-08:00

A photograph from our work at Marquette University published in the “Daily Reporter”.

Just In From The Field – Marquette University

2009-11-17T06:24:00.000-08:00

Demolition began yesterday for Marquette University’s new engineering school; below is a picture sent in from our Field Superintendent.

Hide House Lofts development underway : The Bay View Compass

2009-11-09T08:23:00.001-08:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. received local news coverage in the “Bay View Compass” newspaper concerning our progress at the Hide House demolition project. The article highlights our recycling efforts which have exceeded a 90% threshold before work is complete.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is regarded as an industry pioneer with regard to demolition recycling; our innovative practices predate the Green Building Council efforts to promote Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design know commonly as LEED certification. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has facilitated a range of LEED projects over the years and is currently involved in several initiatives throughout Wisconsin.

A link to the “Bay View Compass” article is below.

Hide House Lofts development underway : The Bay View Compass

Posted using ShareThis

Gateway Community Hospital Asbestos Abatement

2009-11-02T11:01:00.000-08:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is set to begin asbestos abatement at the abandoned Gateway Community Hospital in East St. Louis. The St. Clair County Board officially approved the contracts in a meeting Monday, October 26, 2009.

The following article concerning the job was published in the “Belleville News-Democrat”. The article was written by MIKE FITZGERALD.

Long tagged as an eyesore, abandoned hospital to be torn down
BY MIKE FITZGERALD - News-Democrat

BELLEVILLE -- The abandoned Gateway Community Hospital, long tagged as one of the worst eyesores in East St. Louis, is set to come down soon and possibly be replaced with a park, thanks to a vote Monday night by the St. Clair County Board.

The County Board approved two contracts worth nearly $623,000 with contractors to tear out and dispose of asbestos from the condemned building at 1509 Martin Luther King Drive and then demolish it and cart away the rubble.

"It'll be a great improvement for the city of East St. Louis," St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern said.

Champion Environmental Services Inc., of Gilberts, won a county contract for $317,500 to remove and dump the building's asbestos, the contract shows.

Ahrens Contracting Inc., of St. Louis, won a contract worth $305,335 to raze the building, according to the contract.

Since its closure 20 years ago, the abandoned hospital has stood as one of this city's biggest and worst eyesores -- a magnet for rats, vandals and complaints, especially from parishioners at St. Joseph Catholic Church next door.

In March, the County Board agreed to pay a flat fee of $55,000 to SCI Engineering Inc., of St. Charles, Mo., to oversee the hiring of contractors to search for and remove asbestos from the building, and to tear down the structure.

Since autumn 2000, the old hospital had been condemned after East St. Louis city inspectors designated it unsafe.

Contact reporter Mike Fitzgerald at mfitzgerald@bnd.com or 239-2533.

Champion’s Contribution to New State of Wisconsin Demolition Recycling Program

2009-10-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced the implementation of mandatory recycling on all state construction and demolition projects. The initiative will officially begin January 1, 2010.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc., a pioneer of waste reduction in building demolition, took part in several state project studies dating back to 2007; our demolition efforts were monitored and documented by WasteCap Resource Solutions.

Findings were reported back to Governor Jim Doyle, the Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of State Facilities (DSF) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Champion provided WasteCap Resource Solutions onsite empirical accreditation along with open interviews of key project managers/field superintendents who clarified the implementation strategies of our best practices for demolition recycling.

Champion’s innovative approach to material recycling help guide recommendations presented to the Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of State Facilities (DSF) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The press release about the program is below.

Interagency cooperation leads to recycling on State of Wisconsin projects
News Release Published: October 19, 2009 by the Central Office
Contact(s): Ann Coakley, DNR Waste and Materials Management Program Director, (608) 261-8449

Recycling required on state construction projects over
$5 million and state demolition projects as of Jan. 1, 2010

MADISON – Wisconsin should see less construction and demolition (C&D) debris in its landfills come the first of the year. A unique partnership among two state agencies and a nonprofit organization has shown that C&D projects throughout Wisconsin can successfully recycle. Based on these results, the Division of State Facilities will be requiring C&D waste to be recycled rather than put in landfills. This will apply to State of Wisconsin construction projects over $5 million and demolition projects advertised for bid after January 1, 2010. The efforts will reduce waste disposal costs, conserve landfill space and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The encouraging results come from a pilot project in which the nonprofit WasteCap Resource Solutions (formerly WasteCap Wisconsin) worked with the Department of Administration Division of State Facilities (DSF) under a contract with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The goal of the project, which began in 2007, was to develop methods, standards and trained staff to result in successful, measured C&D debris recycling on state projects.

Nationally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates more than 170 million tons of C&D debris are generated each year. In Wisconsin, C&D debris—much of which is recyclable—represents a huge proportion of the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream. A 2002 DNR study found that C&D debris made up nearly 30 percent of the MSW stream, with five of the top 10 largest single components of the MSW being materials found in C&D debris, including untreated wood and shingles as the first and third largest components, respectively.

In recent years, the state of Wisconsin annually approved about $400 million to $500 million for construction, making state projects one of the largest sources of C&D debris generated in Wisconsin.

“We recognized this was a significant effort, not only because of the potential to reuse and recycle C&D debris from state projects,” said Jenna Kunde, executive director of WasteCap. “We knew if we could give contractors experience with C&D reuse and recycling and make it a part of the way they do business with the state; it would have the potential to allow them to implement successful C&D recycling on projects throughout Wisconsin and beyond. It’s a result we’re already seeing realized.”

The inspiration for the project came from Gov. Jim Doyle’s 2005 Conserve Wisconsin Agenda, in which he committed to following green building standards for state buildings and set a 50 percent recycling goal for all state projects. In response, the DSF developed a Sustainable Facilities Policy and Guidelines, including C&D debris management guidelines.

At the same time, the DNR contracted with WasteCap, a nonprofit organization that provides waste reduction and recycling assistance for the benefit of business and the environment, to work with the DSF on the implementation of C&D debris recycling on state projects.

“By any measure, this effort has been a success,” said Dave Haley, State Chief Architect and Deputy Director of the Bureau of Architecture and Engineering for the Department of Administration. “Every pilot project exceeded the 50 percent goal and many of the contractors that recycled on these projects are now recycling on other projects where they are not required to recycle. These projects have an average 84.8 percent recycling rate and have diverted 41,771 tons of material to date—the equivalent of removing 1,500 cars from the road for one year.”
Here are the results:

•UW Madison Biochemistry Phase II (Demolition and Construction)
Recycling rate: 99.12 percent
Tons diverted to date: 25,592
•UW Parkside New Residence Hall Construction
Recycling rate: 60 percent
Tons diverted: 334
•UW Stevens Point – Balwin Hall Renovation
Recycling rate: 90.65 percent
Tons diverted: 231
•UW Superior-Rothwell Student Center Replacement (Demolition and Construction)
Recycling rate: 95.75 percent
Tons diverted to date: 1,339
•UW Whitewater Hyland Hall, Demolition Phase
Recycling rate: 97.65 percent
Tons diverted: 13,694
•UW Whitewater Hyland Hall, Construction Phase
Recycling rate: 65.65 percent
Tons diverted: 581

“We are very pleased with the example this project has set,” said Ann Coakley, director of the DNR Waste and Materials Management Program. “The work the DSF and WasteCap have done, with input from DNR staff, has laid the groundwork for the development of robust C&D recycling markets in Wisconsin and trained some of the state’s biggest contractors in recycling best management practices. This project has helped make Wisconsin a national leader in C&D recycling.”

Additional Resources (both links exit DNR): Governor Doyle’s Conserve Wisconsin agenda and Division 1 Construction Waste Management specifications

Demolition Video

2009-10-19T08:32:00.000-07:00

The video below is an adaptation from raw video posted last week.

Marquette University Demolition

2009-10-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc., in partnership with Opus North, will perform the demolition of four apartment buildings on behalf of Marquette University as part of the new $100 million College of Engineering.

The article below can be found at http://www.globest.com/news/1516_1516/milwaukee/181596-1.html

The author of the article is Katie Hinderer.

"Board Approves $100M Engineering School"

MILWAUKEE-The Marquette University Board of Trustess approved the first phase of the $100 million College of Engineering facility Opus North Corp. has been chosen as the Design-Builder, while Opus Architects & Engineers will serve as the architect of record. Hamel Green & Abramson helped Opus design the project.
Phase one of the project will be the construction of a 100,000-square-foot, five-story building. Four university-owned buildings will be demolished to make way for the new laboratory-focused facility. The building is being constructed using the teaching and research house concept, according to Opus officials. It will have labs, classrooms and student work areas designed to enhance the collaboration between fellow students and staff.

“The facility is organized about a central spine, showcasing dynamic laboratories, and providing collaborative spaces to gather and foster a creative community,” says Terry Helland, director of design architecture for Opus A&E. “The exterior architecture speaks to the lab planning module and the engineering logic of assembly while the repetitive monumental elements and rhythm echo the collegiate gothic architectural vocabulary found elsewhere on campus.”

Marquette University Architect, Thomas Ganey, says “the university expects to break ground for the new building in spring 2010 with initial occupancy planned for August 2011.” The facility will be located on the southwest corner of W. Wisconsin Avenue and N. 16th Street.
Later phases will include a 150,000-square-foot building, which will house classrooms, offices and more labs.

Opus North is a major builder at Marquette. The company is also currently constructing the new Marquette University Law School, set to open during the summer of 2010, and the Joseph and Vera Zilber Hall, a 128,000-square-foot student services and administration buildings, poised to open in November.

Demolition Video

2009-10-15T07:28:00.000-07:00

Video of our team dropping an elevator shaft on an emergency response job; this initiative is part of an extensive demolition and asbestos abatement project. The work is being facilitated on behalf of a private client and is scheduled to finish late November.

Demolition Photo Update

2009-10-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from ongoing demolition projects in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Bid undercutting reaches ridiculous proportions…Another Example

2009-10-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

As was reported by Mark Anthony of “Demolition News” back on August 24, 2009, in an article entitled “Bid Undercutting Reaches Ridiculous Proportions,” [link here: http://www.demolitionnews.com/2009/08/24/bid-undercutting-reaches-riduculous-proportions/#comment-1746] Mr. Anthony highlighted the current atmosphere of excessive low bidding on demolition projects across the United States.

I have expressed in previous postings my own theory regarding the current economic climate and lack of aggressive bidding we have witnessed; companies are desperate to solidify any work, even at the expense of losing money. A quick victory for these companies does little to strengthen long term growth and hampers the probability of surviving into the new fiscal year.

Here is a bid tabulation just faxed to our office. The project entailed the asbestos abatement of a former powerhouse in downstate Illinois. The second bid package was for the demolition of the powerhouse. Overall, a moderate size job for both abatement and demolition. Below are the bid results - I have not included the names of any company despite the public nature of this information.

Asbestos Abatement
$279,483
$531,000
$622,000
$745,000
$794,000
$928,700
$2,715,438

Building Demolition
$59,700
$73,900
$118,000
$126,800
$151,764
$163,436
$202,202
$209,436
$224,000

In each bid package, disregard the high and low bids; the disparity is still abysmal. Certainly, these are not the worst results we have encountered.

What I see reflected in the numbers is an economy that exists in the hallo of a coma; vital signs are apparent, cerebral comprehension, departed.

Champion To Direct Another LEED Project

2009-10-12T07:59:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. in partnership with the Madison Environmental Group, will facilitate a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification project for the City Row initiative in Madison, Wisconsin.

Prior to the demolition of 11 multiunit residences, Madison Environmental will oversee the deconstruction of the properties. Materials identified for reuse include: hot water heaters, boilers, decorative trim, hardwood flooring, pine/oak doors, decorative handrails, and miscellaneous door hardware/light fixtures.

The project will include the proper removal of all site hazardous waste. Fluorescent lighting with mercury and PCB bulbs and ballast will be properly disposed. All refrigerants will be recovered per Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 488.

The demolition recycling efforts will include concrete, brick, block, asphalt, metals and clean wood. The project is scheduled to begin the first week of November. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is confident that we will help the client achieve 95% recycling rate through our innovative practices.

Just In From The Field

2009-10-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

A project manager just relayed some photos from a job site out of state for a private client.

Former Trinity School Nursing Dormitory

2009-10-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was awarded the demolition of the former Trinity School Nursing Dormitory located in Moline, Illinois. Phase one of the project, asbestos abatement, is scheduled to start next week and should be completed by late November. Following the proper removal of all ACM, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will mobilize equipment to begin demolition. Wrecking is scheduled 95 days and will be contingent on favorable/safe conditions during the winter months to complete the project on time.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. performs demolition year-round and retains extensive experience to navigate challenging conditions. We will be guided by one principle as we facilitate our projects over the winter months which is reflected in our company motto; “The safety of our workers and those around us will drive the decision making process.”

Cinemark Theater Evanston, Illinois

2009-10-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

At 1:30 a.m, Wednesday, October 6, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will mobilize a team at the Cinemark Theater in Evanston, Illinois to begin removing a portion of the raised concrete flooring.

The selective demolition of the floor will help prepare the theater for the conversion to an IMAX experience. In order to accommodate the new viewing experience, the floor elevation needs to be altered. Our scope includes removal of the existing concrete ramp and raised floor. Grinding may be required to properly take out the leading edge of the slab.

Our workers will protect the surrounding area with a plastic enclosure and the area will be misted with water along with the use of negative air machines to keep the dust at a minimum.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is not only experienced at full building demolition as we have a division of estimators and laborers who are fully indoctrinated with the essential skill set for selective deconstruction projects.

Just In From The Field

2009-10-06T08:10:00.001-07:00

A project manager just relayed some photos from a job site out of state for a private client. More to come as pictures are dispatched into the office.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. Update – Economic Outlook

2009-10-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Despite the continued economic impediment that exists in the real estate and construction related industries, we are still experiencing a high volume of solicitation for proposals involving demolition and environmental services.

Based on comparative metrics in relation to last year at this time, the degree of opportunity is up 18%. While the quantity remains elevated, the magnitude of projects taking place is on a smaller scale. Rather than full building demolition, many projects seem to center on interior renovations and build-outs. One could surmise that this is a reflection of cyclical construction patterns easing workloads as we turn into fall in anticipation of winter. However, the majority of retail, office, hospital, university, and multi-residential projects over the past four months have centered on minor to mid-size interior demolition projects.

Some Broad Conclusions.

Lenders are still reluctant to finance speculative or large projects. Convalescing older structures with minor aesthetic improvements in the $50,000 to $200,000 range of project cost seem to be experiencing little resistance to financing.

Another observation we have noted is that key decision makers are extremely reticent with regard to initiating the start of a project. We have a healthy backlog of verbal commitments sans executed contracts; the developers and owners (in my estimation) are attempting to determine short and long term market outlook.

One guiding principal employed is the American Institute of Architects Architecture Billings Index (ABI). The index serves as an economic indicator of nonresidential construction. The ABI is one factor of influence.

Daily economic reports which cover everything from jobless claims, to commodity price fluctuation, housing starts, manufacturing output, and the general bipolar nature of the Dow and Nasdaq activity rounds another sphere of persuasion.

The anticipation of the Chicago Olympics, in my opinion, induced a collective inhale of possibility and exhaled shared disillusionment. Partisan politics aside, the opportunity that would have been created for contractors had Chicago been awarded the Olympic bid is extraordinary.

I personally know several investors who literally would have digested blocks real estate, everything from vacant lots, to multi-residential parcels, to distressed industrial buildings; the geographic realm not only included Chicago, but Indiana, Wisconsin, and Detroit, Michigan as well. The infusion of capital, which has been sitting on the sidelines, will remain vaulted.

The complexity is truly exhaustive. The author James Joyce wrote, “A man of genius makes no mistakes; his errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery”. Those who operate under such a premise in today’s climate stand to ascertain little.

Asbestos Abatement at U of I

2009-10-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has initiated an asbestos abatement job at the University of Illinois. The scope of work includes the gross removal of floor tile, mastic, pipe and pipe fittings. Quantities of ACM consist of 10,120 linear feet of pipe and fittings in addition to 38,290 square feet of floor tile and mastic.

The job should be completed by November.

Video Experimentation

2009-09-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

Here is the first draft of a video I am working on as part of our promotional material.

The Misconception of What Demolition Wrought

2009-09-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

All too often, opposition surrounds impending demolition projects. Resistance will manifest itself in many forms. There are those who argue against demolition projects citing environmental factors. Others contend the historical significance of a building outweighs the “wanton destruction”. The spectrum of contention is rather exhaustive.

A polemical position against demolition practices has only three avenues of appeal: logical, ethical, and emotional. The emotional outlet (by far, the most employed) makes for great newsworthy headlines, spirited municipal meetings, and can help marshal quick support – often, a thoughtless process with regard to the totality of the project at hand.

When logic is applied to such scenarios, people begin to realize that demolition marks a new horizon of opportunity and economic growth. Such is the case at the Shoppes at Fox River in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

In partnership with Opus North, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was retained to abatement and demolish a 561,000 square foot distribution center at 1200 W. Sunset Drive. This morning on GlobeSt.com, an article was published highlighting the new development of the 58 acre suburban infill location.

The Shoppes at Fox River is the embodiment of what demolition creates, progress.

The article from GlobeSt.com appears below with link: http://www.globest.com/news/1505_1505/chicago/181278-1.html

___________________________________________________

Opus North Opens $62M Shoppes at Fox River
By Cari Brokamp

WAUKESHA, WI-Opus North Corp., of Chicago, has opened the first phase of its $62 million The Shoppes at Fox River retail development at 1200 W. Sunset Dr. The first phase of 250,000 square feet opened at about 90% leased, with a second phase of construction planned to begin in spring and deliver another 250,000 square feet of space by summer 2011. Two of the development's anchor tenants, a 132,000-square-foot Target and a 60,000-square-foot Pick 'n Save grocery store, have already opened, and another eight stores are scheduled to open later this fall.

"It's a great first-tier suburban infill location," John Meyers, VP of retail development for Opus, tells GlobeSt.com. "Waukesha is a great suburban community, and this is a portion of town that didn't have a retail shopping area and we're able to take advantage of that. For retailers, from a strategic standpoint with where their other stores were located, this was a great infill location for them without a lot of retail immediately around it, so there was a market void and they were available to take advantage of it."

Other retailers scheduled to open within phase one this fall include a 14,000-square-foot CVS Pharamacy on a 1.9-acre outlot, a 5,000-square-foot Chili's restaurant on a 1.3-acre outlot, Buffalo Wild Wings, Subway, GNC, Verizon, GameStop and Noodles & Company. Openings scheduled for spring include a 13,500-square-foot PETCO, as well as a Maurice's and Famous Footwear. Asking lease rates at the development range from $13 to $35 per square foot net, depending on location.

There's very few uncommitted spaces at this point and in today's marketplace, that's phenomenal," Meyers says. "The site itself was well-positioned and had some momentum going in, so we focused on the first phase of the development, which was still feasible to do. Even in a difficult time, we continued to get national tenants and hang onto that momentum as long as we held onto the boundaries of what the market could support."

Work on the 54-acre property began in summer 2008, after Opus acquired it for more than $11 million, demolished the 561,000-square-foot distribution center once located there and changed the land's zoning. About 18 acres remain available remain available for development and Meyers said Opus is considered build-to-suit opportunities or selling pad sites for retailers interested in locating within the development. Michael Fitzgerald and Dan Rosenfeld of Mid-America Real Estate-Wisconsin are marketing space within the development.

When completed, Opus says the retail development will be the largest in Waukesha and the sixth largest in the Milwaukee area. Designed by Minneapolis-based KKE Architects, the project is located in the southwest suburban Milwaukee submarket. "The Waukesha marketplace has remained very viable and held up very well there," Meyers says.

Tragedy Averted – Local Demolition Contractor “Lucky”

2009-09-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, a local contractor dropped the roof of a building on a demolition worker. Thankfully, the 45 year old survived the ordeal. The article below was published in the “Sun Times”. Video provided by ABC 7 News Chicago.

"Demolition Worker Rescued After Northwest Suburban Building Collapse"
September 22, 2009
STNGWire

A Chicago demolition worker escaped with only minor injuries after being trapped for nearly an hour when a roof collapsed during a scheduled demolition Tuesday afternoon of a Menard's store in northwest suburban Hoffman Estates.

Police and fire personnel responded to a partial building collapse in the 2300 block of West Higgins Road at 3:55 p.m., according to Arlington Heights police Sgt. Greg Poulos, who said the incident happened during a scheduled demolition of a Menard’s store.

A demolition worker became trapped under a roof, which collapsed during the demolition. Crews were immediately able to make contact with the man, who was trapped in a three-foot high pocket under the collapsed roof, Poulos said.
Crews provided the 45-year-old Chicago man with a radio to communicate with emergency personnel and also cut a hole in the roof to check his air quality. Crews then stabilized a portion of the roof and cut out an area to allow for the man to climb out of the space, Poulos said.

The man was rescued about 4:50 p.m. and was taken to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, where he was treated and released within an hour, Poulos said. He suffered only minor injuries.
Poulos described the worker as "the luckiest man alive," due to the three-foot high pocket, which prevented major injuries.

Members of the Hoffman Estates Code Enforcement and investigators from OSHA arrived at the scene and the remaining portion of the partially collapsed wall was safely demolished.

Link to video - http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=7027441 [Due to embedded code, I could only copy the link]

Follow Champion Environmental Services, Inc. Demolition Live

2009-09-18T09:55:00.001-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is in the process of implementing live video feed coverage from our demolition projects utilizing construction webcams. The system has several invaluable advantages to both clients and Champion management:

1. Clients can view the progress of demolition work from their office thereby decreasing onsite visits.
2. Archival documentation of projects can be facilitated for both clients and CESI.
3. Live video stream into the CESI office on all staff, management, and project manager computers.
4. Unbiased accountability for what is actually taking place.

Given the expansive geographic foot-print of our job sites we often work will developers who maintain offices hundreds of miles away from the project, this system will leverage greater control, accountability, and client access in these cases.

The cable for the system was installed in our Gilberts, Illinois office yesterday. The installation of software and office server upgrades will take place over the next few weeks. It is our intention to have public and client access up by mid-Fall.

As soon as the system is running, I will post a link and instructions for access here on the Blog.

Work At Hide House Ready To Begin

2009-09-18T09:21:00.001-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is finalizing paper work and utility cuts in preparation for the asbestos abatement and demolition of the Hide House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Hide House is a 200,000-square-foot complex that started out as a metal stove and bed factory in 1898; over the years, several additions were added to adapt to the needs of various industrial tenants. The last major construction occurred in the mid-1940s when J. Greenebaum Tanning Co. built the Hide House addition on the north end of the complex.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will be responsible for the ACM removal of wrapped pipe insulation and floor tile/mastic. Only a portion of the sprawling complex, some 60,000 square feet of building will be demolished in what will be the first phase in a redevelopment effort of the property.

Our commitment to environmental initiatives will be readily apparent on this project as we are looking to achieve minimum recycling rate of 80%.

Work will begin in two weeks. Check back in for pictures and update on this project.

[Photo credits to Google Earth]

Underground Storage Tank Removal

2009-09-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

Last week, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. facilitated the removal of four petroleum filled underground storage tanks. Essential precautions must be taken so as not to compromise the containers and create further environmental hazards.

Following appropriate local and state notifications, the remaining fuel is safely drawn from each tank and properly disposed. An environmental study concluded that significant soil impacts surrounded the buried tanks. Careful excavation around the UST must ensure that contaminated soil and clean aggregate do not mix. Nitrogen is pumped into the tank to mitigate potential hazardous situations; the nitrogen helps purge the tank of potentially explosive vapors.

After the tanks are removed, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will begin soil remediation efforts which will be overseen by an environmental consultant; the consultant will be responsible for testing any remaining dirt to ensure significant plumes of contamination no longer exists.

University of Wisconsin, La Crosse Demolition Video

2009-08-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. just completed the initial environmental remediation of three dormitories at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. Wilder, Trowbridge, and Baird Hall are now prepped for demolition as all associated asbestos containing material has been properly removed and disposed.

The new 185,000 square foot academic building is seeking LEED Silver Certification from the Green Building Council. As a result, our efforts will be focused on reclaiming aggregate in an effort to eliminate more than 75% of associated demolition debris from reaching local landfills.

Here is some video footage from our project at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse involving the final segment of the demolition at Trowbridge Hall.

This video is provided with the help of the following You Tube subscriber: http://www.youtube.com/user/ableidinamy21

Demolitionnews.com A Fine Resource For Industry Updates

2009-08-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

I encourage you to visit a fine demolition news site facilitated by Mark Anthony of Epsom, England. The link to the page is at www.demolitionnews.com.

The focus of Demolition News is to “ . . .bring demolition contractors, visitors, readers and subscribers the very latest in demolition developments from across Europe and the world. Although we work in close conjunction with many of the demolition trade bodies across the world, we have no specific affiliation with any of them, meaning we can deliver up-to-the-minute industry news, views, videos and comment, regardless of a company’s membership status”.

The postings are informative and enjoy solid commentary from those who visit the site.

Demolition, The “Green” Guide

2009-08-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

The demolition industry has been dedicated to green initiatives long before the Green Building Council and like-minded organizations evolved. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is regarded as an industry pioneer with regard to our approach in recycling products out of our demolition projects.

Our commitment to recycling has translated into being awarded the “Big Diverter” by WasteCap Wisconsin for the highest recycling rate on a demolition project. This project involved the demolition of a 440,000 square foot building which yielded a recycling rate of a little over 97% by volume and 99% weight; 39,144 tons of debris was diverted from landfills through our efforts. Champion Environmental Services,Inc. is very proud of these results and continually works to improve such baseline efficiencies.

Key factors to successful recycling include project planning, on site project management, and an experienced team of operators and laborers who understand the scope of work.

The videos at the end of this entry illustrate the proper segregation of material during demolition; on site material management must involve continual spot review by project managers who will make appropriate adjustments to the implementation plan. One of the consistent remarks we get from people who view our demolition projects is that they cannot believe how “clean” we keep our sites during demolition.

Our approach to Recycling:

Each job is unique - there is no one stop/blanket approach; each individual project has inherent advantages and disadvantages - which are mostly contingent on two key factors: geography, essentially where the job site is located and amount of clean recyclable material that is available.

Geographic local is very important as we find large metropolitan areas such as the Chicago, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland markets offer many local vendors who support and provide end use places for raw material, whereas the further we mobilize into isolated areas – the issue is one of cost – for us to load and transport say wood beams to our Racine Wisconsin yard from job in Minnesota for resale versus the opportunity to work with someone near our job site who deals in antique woods and has use is a factor will influence recycling success.

Isolated locations can be cost prohibitive when labor costs and transportation are factored in. Areas which provide close supportive reclamation opportunities are favorable circumstances for increasing target objectives. The good news is we are seeing vendors evolve, grow, and expand their markets to provide sound resources for items such as clean drywall or the strong move toward roofing shingles operations - such opportunities directly impact our success and creates greater probability to achieve sound results. Another factor is how much clean material - free of asbestos, lead, or other hazards - is available to recycle.

Older building/homes and especially industrial sites often contain a host of environmental hazards which must be addressed. This is something we take into consideration on any initial site visit/during client consultation and upon review of the environmental consultants’ survey.

The nature of that clean recyclable product and size of the structure is also a relevant point of assertion: the more concrete, steel, antique brick in a large structure the greater opportunity for positive reults. One specific example I would cite involves concrete; for our company to mobilize a concrete crusher and provide clean fill from concrete slabs and foundation for use on new construction following demolition is more cost-effective when numbers reach 2,000 tons of available material to work with. Our fleet of crushers and screens allows us the flexibility to create any sized aggregate to meet the standards for new construction infill.

Bottom Line of advantages and disadvantages:

The bottom line in terms of how feasible it is to recycle and reuse material is not only contingent on some of the factors I just outlined but driven by what the clients’ needs are and how cost effective the choices before us translate. While the majority of people who choose our company to provide demolition services like our focused green initiatives, we will from time to time get a client who wants the project facilitated inane manner – in other words, they want the building gone and don’t care how we do it or where the material winds up. We try to guide clients who operate under this premise that we can provide a more cost-effective solution through reuse and recycling while providing options.

The project also must make fiscal sense – we are a business and must operate within certain margins – that being said – our innovative practices 90% of the time inhibit the potential financial downside from being a factor. Because we offer 24/7 response for emergency demolition situations – given a certain set of circumstances can often mean just getting a building down in favor of creating a safe environment - these cases often result in a different mindset – alleviate the immediate danger, then assess what you have.

Key Factors To Our Success:

There are many factors which contribute to our success which includes the development of relationships with vendors who provide reuse opportunities; we have a a database that is geographically broken down to maximize/capitalize on such prospects.

We are continually seeking new vendor relationships and connect with them early on even if no job in currently taking place in that area. A proactive approach allows for seamless execution when an opportunity presents itself.

Innovation – we are always seeking news ways to enhance what we do; by maintaining an eye on industry innovations and supportive industry advances allows Champion to refine and improve our commitment to being stewards of the environment in a business that is usually viewed as anything but friendly to the environment.

I hope you enjoy these videos. Credit for the video goes to the following person on You Tube who posted these in April of 2008 - http://www.youtube.com/user/jdrews3

Bio-Chem Univeristy of Wisconsin, Madison

2009-08-24T13:02:00.001-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is finishing up work at the Bio-Chem building at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Today, CESI sawcut and removed a precast concrete slab 11 stories above ground. The edifice housed the mechanical room for the building.

The critical phase was performed under strict safety standards and completed without incident.

The picture below was taken from the job site this morning.

Lattof Chevrolet Demolition Arlington Heights, Illinois

2009-08-24T09:44:00.000-07:00

The following is a link to an article by Deborah Donovan run in the “Daily Herald” on 8/21/09 concerning the demolition of the former Lattof Chevrolet in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Pictures by Mark Black accompany the story.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=315216

Why Competence Matters Part II

2009-08-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

Let me preface my remarks so as not to be misunderstood: the referenced event below is tragic and our company is saddened by the loss of brother in the demolition industry. These remarks place no blame or opinion of fault with regard to the situation as much as highlighting awareness to the imminent dangers associated with demolition work.

A tragic case in Chicago reiterates a posting earlier this month with regard to worker safety and the overall competence of a demolition company.

On Tuesday, August 11, a 35-year-old demolition worker was killed when the front-end loader he was driving fell seven stories at a site on the Near South Side. The man was in a Bobcat that fell seven stories; the victim was pinned in and fire crews had to extricate him from the machine. The employee was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital at 10:08 a.m.

The companies at the project site were seasoned contrators and well versed in worker safety while demonstrating high competence with similar projects. If a highly regarded company can experience such misfortune that results in the loss of life, it only hardens my argument that expertise far outweighs low bid proposals in choosing a demolition company.

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the family, friends, and coworkers of the victim.

Demolition Photo Update

2009-08-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

True Teamwork

The following is a pictorial representation of several projects underway throughout Wisconsin.

Why Competence Matters

2009-08-03T13:28:00.000-07:00

The demolition industry is often viewed as a “simple” business enterprise where men and machinery haphazardly wreck buildings and move on. In reality, demolition work is far more cerebral; a competent demolition company must employ people who demonstrate strong credentials in architecture, physics, environmental sciences, and mathematics.

Given the current economic difficulties, business entities are seeking value in any deal which requires tapping into cash reserves. When a demolition company is chosen for a project based on low bid proposal rather than factoring in overall aptitude and experience, the results can be catastrophic.

The news out of Cankiri, Turkey points to one recent case. If you have not viewed the AP released video, please cut/paste the link below to YouTube. Neither deaths nor injuries resulted from this demolition mishap.

This project was allegedly slated for a controlled implosion. One empirical observation based on the video points to the gapping/gutted lower portion of the building. It appears as though the company removed key load bearing elements, many that would have been essential for placing explosives. Implosions rely on proper placement and sequencing of blasts. Additionally, the video lacks evidence of multiple detonations which would lead me to conclude that this building was literally standing on one support element. The workers on site who performed the initial gut were most likely in imminent danger throughout the process.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is a proven leader in the demolition industry; our governing motto is “The safety of our works and those around us will drive the decision making process.”

Green Bay, Wisconsin Wal-Mart

2009-07-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will begin work next week in Green Bay, Wisconsin as part of project that involves an intensive gut and remodel of a Wal-Mart. We will be providing some exterior site demolition work to improve the store approach aesthetics. Simultaneously, a crew of skilled laborers will facilitate a complete interior teardown.

While Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is regarded for our seamless approach to full building demolition, we retain a capable group of highly trained workers who perform selective demolition. Workers who perform such tasks must have a keen eye which is attentive to detail; the effort is to effectively remove material based on the scope of work while preserving items which are to remain in tact. Proper planning, project management, and scope sequence are pivotal factors for positive outcomes

Demolition Work In Arcadia, WI Covered By Winona, MN Newspaper

2009-07-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. received some news coverage in Winona, Minnesota concerning our work in Arcadia, Wisconsin. The article was published in the “Winona Dailey News” with the article by Dustin Kass dustin.kass@lee.net.
Photograph by Melissa Carlo, also of the “Winona Dailey News”.

Demolition of two Arcadia landmarks to improve traffic, pedestrian safety

ARCADIA, Wis. — A crowd of curious onlookers spread across the Cleveland Street sidewalk Thursday. Many aimed cameras or camera phones at the Massuere building across the street, where an excavator ripped out another section of bricks from the back wall, sending them crashing into the growing pile of rubble below. They wanted to see history fall.

“I’ve looked at it all my life,” said 92-year-old Mark Fernholz, gesturing at the demolition process from his power chair before falling silent for a few moments.

“I want to see the roof come down, and then I’m going home,” he said, smiling.

Demolition crews focused their efforts on two of Arcadia’s oldest buildings — the Massuere building and an adjacent building that was the longtime home of Maloney’s Baloney. The demolition will clear the way for a project next summer to realign the intersection of Hwy. 95 and County Road J, a much-needed change that will improve downtown safety, said Mayor John Kimmel. Many in the crowd echoed the potential benefits, but they said Arcadia will have a different look and feel without two of its landmarks.

The two-story Massuere building was likely built in 1875 as a store for The W.P Massuere Co., historians said. The large structure allowed the company to stock and sell everything from farm machinery, livestock and hardware to food and clothing items.

“The store bought everything the farmer raised and sold everything the farmer needed to buy,” according to a newspaper article from the time. The store was such a hub that many employees were required to speak English, Polish and German to better help their customers.

“It was like the Walmart of Arcadia,” Randy Kube, president of the Arcadia Historical Society, said in April.

The store probably closed in the 1930s, local historians said, but the building continued to house a variety of businesses and tenants — most recently, an insurance company, a gym for Gold’n Plump employees and apartments.

The building next door also has a rich history. Martin Maloney bought a local meat market in 1912 and renamed it Maloney’s Meat Market. The name was changed to Maloney’s Baloney after World War II, and the meat-processing business occupied the building until December, when it closed its doors in anticipation of the demolition.

The business’ departure is the only downside of the more than $1.1 million project, since it had been a “staple of our community,” Kimmel said. But he said he had no regrets about demolishing two buildings to improve traffic and pedestrian safety and make downtown Arcadia more inviting. “That’s a good trade-off in my mind.”

Out of State Emergency Response

2009-07-30T10:49:00.001-07:00

Last week, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. mobilized a team with heavy equipment to address an emergency out of state. The circumstances required CESI to assemble our top veteran operators and project managers off of other job sites. Due to the sensitive nature of the situation, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is maintaining a reserved approach with regard to press releases per the wishes of the client.

What we can state is that the operation requires highly skilled professionals who can navigate and implement a prudent strategic approach in a dangerous situation. The current status is that major problem areas have been stabilized but will require our presence seven days a week for the next four months.

As the conditions become more favorable for the client, and with their authorization, we will be making statements to the press and updating more definitive information here.

Stimulus Package

2009-07-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

Lately, there has been a great deal of discussion among our peers concerning the impact of stimulus monies released by the Federal Government; the question, has the infusion of capital resulted in a more robust construction outlook? Partisan politics aside, depending upon who you are speaking to and what industry he or she represents, responses are varied.

From the perspective of demolition and environmental remediation companies, here are the current observations. Most of the money is being allocated to local municipalities that are employing the funds to address the blight of foreclosed or abandoned homes. Given the public nature of such bids and the need for townships to get the best return on money invested, the jobs are going cheap and attracting large groups of contractors to bid the work.

For example, yesterday, bid results were posted for small demolition project on behalf of a public school in Illinois. The 40,000 square foot building attracted 23 contractors, one from out of the state. The bid range from low to high covered a $275,000.00 spread. Excessive low bidding is not a healthy reflection of what prices a robust economy would normally command; disproportionate low bidding has become the norm. Exasperating the problem is the types of companies that are submitting proposals.

As we monitor the situation, public bids are attracting many companies who express little credibility as a demolition contractor. Everything from landscape companies to remodeling firms and local residents who may possess a piece or two of equipment are bidding demolition work. The diversity of those who tender proposals reflects that business owners are attempting to diversify and/or make use of available equipment/personnel in order to keep business going. The downside is that local entities who fail to scrutinize the capabilities of contractors are placing unqualified workers in dangerous situations.

Deep, sustainable relationships with private entities have allowed Champion Environmental Services, Inc. to continue a robust workload this summer.

But what of construction and other constituents related to real estate, how has the stimulus influenced their business?
The commercial side of real estate has witnessed fewer deals and higher vacancy rates. Mostly, deals are happening in the form of sale lease backs with few developers able to secure funding for new projects as the credit markets are still unyielding. As Chris Lydon, SVP, who leads Grubb's Chicago Industrial Group, tells GlobeSt.com, “"The capital markets are having such an impact on our industry in that developers are not building spec projects because of the capital markets and credit issues," Lydon says. It's so hard to get deals done these days, which makes spec development pretty much nonexistent at this point and unlikely for the entire year. It's all going to be build-to-suit projects that you're going to see from a construction standpoint."
Link to the referenced article: http://www.globest.com/news/1461_1461/chicago/180078-1.html

The greatest impact of stimulus appears to be in the areas of road work and general infrastructure improvements. Ageing bridge, sewer system, and roadway projects reflect important improvements while providing work to many. The only downside that we have observed is that given the specialized nature of the work, fewer companies are competing for more of the money; if a company looses out on one bid, there are literally hundreds of other opportunities.

The bottom line; stock market and commodity volatility continues, jobless claims ticked up, housing starts are down, and foreclosures continue.

North Riverside Mall Asbestos Abatement

2009-07-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is in the process of abating a former Firestone Tire Center at the North Riverside Mall in North Riverside, Illinois. The project involves the removal of asbestos containing material (ACM) located in showroom area in the form of drywall; additional ACM drywall from hallways and offices will also be properly removed.

As this project is a Cook County initiative, Champion Environmental Services,Inc. shall utilize local union laborers with current Illinois accreditation, medical surveillance and training while providing an onsite safety supervisor with necessary training for competent person status as required by OSHA.

Update of Activities by Champion Environmental Services, Inc.

2009-07-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

The slow update of information here is reflective of a brisk season that is stretching our allocated resources in both people and machinery.

We are attempting to ensure that our bid for Public Building Commission of Chicago is complete in meeting all the appropriate WBE/MBE/VBE/BEPD goals. The aggressive target participation on the Michael Reese demolition and asbestos removal project is to ensure that local entities benefit financially while creating a level playing field for diverse involvement on what will be a historic undertaking for the City of Chicago.

In other news, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is receiving local press coverage of our efforts on the University of Wisconsin La Crosse initiative.

Photo of demolition activities thanks to coverage by the La Crosse Tribune; the picture is attributed to Peter Thomson of the La Cross Tribune.

Here is a link to the article and photograph: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2009/07/03/news/01destruction.txt#READ_COMMENT

Ottawa, Illinois Asbestos Job Finished

2009-06-24T09:13:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc., Project Manager Ralph Nordyke reports that the asbestos abatement of a shuttered bank in Ottawa, Illinois has been successfully closed out on time and without incident.

The project, taking little more than a week, included the removal of contaminated floor tile, mastic underlay, and transite. Champion Environmental Services, Inc., follows all applicable Illinois EPA rules for asbestos abatement delegated through the authority of the USEPA which enforces the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). NESHAP regulates asbestos during demolition, renovation, and disposal.

The ACM removal was performed in preparation for demolition; the cleared land will be used to build a new Ottawa health care facility.

Arcadia, Wisconsin

2009-06-12T08:35:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will be mobilizing in Arcadia, Wisconsin to provide demolition, asbestos abatement, and site/soil remediation services for several buildings located on East Main and South Washington streets.

Additional work scope involves the salvage of antique brick, site clearing and restoration.

Michael Reese Hospital Demolition and Asbestos Abatement

2009-06-10T18:33:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has been chosen as one of the qualifying contractors to bid on the Michael Reese Hospital demolition and asbestos abatement project that is being facilitated by the Public Building Commission of Chicago.

Michael Reese Hospital is comprised of 28 structures spanning over 1.6 million square feet with buildings dating back to 1907. This vast-complicated project will involve demolition and asbestos abatement of most of the buildings, associated parking structures and tunnels.

Given the scale of the project, the PBC was responsible for vetting over 26 companies through an intensive RFQ process. Due to the complexity reflected in the scope of work, the PBC split the project into three distinct bid packages; of the few qualified firms to provide proposals, Champion Environmental Services, Inc., was one of the companies found competent enough to bid all three packages. [Only two qualified contractors will be allowed to bid the entire project]

Champion Environmental Services, Inc., is proud to be an integral facet in Chicago’s quest for the 2016 Olympics. We will certainly keep everyone up to date as this historic Chicago project evolves.

Planning a Project for 2009?

2009-06-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is poised to support your next strategic initiative in 2009. As an industry leader recognized for superior service, safety, unsurpassed experience, and client centered attentiveness, CESI is the reliable choice.

Services Offered:
Building Demolition
Asbestos/Lead Abatement
Mold Abatement
Industrial Dismantling
Emergency Response
Site/Soil Remediation
Structure Removal
Salvage
Concrete Crushing

Since 1992, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has completed over 5,500 assignments representing total revenues in excess of $575 million.

For more information, visit us on our website at http://www.champenv.com/ or contact Terrence O’Rourke at 847-844-1695.

Trowbridge Hall – UW La Crosse

2009-06-10T08:03:00.000-07:00

In preparation for building demolition at the University of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has completed initial interior preparation at Trowbridge Hall.

We are now engaged in intensive asbestos abatement of Trowbridge Hall. The site supervisor during abatement is Ziggy Bryndal; as a seasoned manager, Ziggy will ensure that all work is performed in accordance with the Department of Natural Resources under N.E.S.H.A.P [National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants] standards set by the United States E.P.A. Here is a link to the WDNR website which outlines Wisconsin asbestos regulations: http://dnr.wi.gov/air/compenf/asbestos/asbes3b.htm

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - LA CROSSE CAMPUS DEMOLITION

2009-06-04T13:04:00.000-07:00

On Monday, June 1, 2009, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. initiated the mobilization of labor and equipment for the demolition of three buildings at the University of La Crosse campus. Baird Hall, Trowbridge Hall, and Wilder Hall will be razed in preparation for the construction of new academic buildings.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is preparing to facilitate the water and sewer disconnects while laborers are performing interior demolition and salvage operations.

Check back for updates and pictures of the project as we move forward.

Update On Champion Environmental Services, Inc.

2009-06-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

Briefly, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has been contracted to provide demolition services for a multiunit residence in Madison, Wisconsin deemed uninhabitable due to a recent fire.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has been pushing out a heavy amount of proposals while attempting to solidify proper scheduling for our summer school asbestos abatement work. Please check back soon for a more detailed update on projects in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Minnesota.

Progress At 515 East Touhy Des Plaines, Illinois

2009-05-21T13:02:00.001-07:00

The demolition at 515 East Touhy in Des Plaines, Illinois is proceeding on schedule. The 137,400 square foot building situated on 6.14 acres is being demolished to make way for a new manufacturing facility. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is looking to achieve a recycling rate of 97% for the client.

CESI designed approach on this project was to maximize the use of exterior walls to further inhibit dust from disturbing nearby businesses and the high traffic count on Touhy Avenue. The photographs below demonstrate the importance of proper segregation of demolition materials to maximize recycling.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. Comments on Job Contract Revoked

2009-05-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was awarded a demolition contract in 2008 to demolish the Wisconsin Memorial Hospital. After submitting the low bid, Governor Jim Doyle officially cancelled the contract seeking input on the possibility of adaptive reuse for the property. Local and legislative movement pressured the state to reexamine the prospect of renovation versus demolition.

Last week, news writer Paul Snyder of the Daily Reporter contacted CESI seeking a statement on having the contract pulled. I spoke with Mr. Synder at length as to how commonly this occurs in the demolition industry. The scenario is often as such: A building sits idle becoming an attractive nuisance thereby forcing a municipality to secure funding to remediate and demolish the building; when the reality settles in of impeding loss, groups often react to save such properties.

Recent activity at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago (The Public Building Commission is seeking “Request for Qualifications” for demolition of the hospital) or the Michigan Central Train Depot in Detroit (the mayor sought an emergency demolition order) illustrate two high profile cases of local efforts to block demolition efforts.

The ire over demolition emanates from several sources. Sometimes preservation groups want to save what may be deemed a historical entity and at other times local tax payers are not happy about the cost of razing coming from their pockets.

The position for Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is that while it is disappointing to loose a job, we garner little from challenging opponents; the reality is that when a situation is out of our hands we choose to move forward and seek other opportunities.

I would like to thank Mr. Synder for an accurate portrayal of our position in this matter.
The two articles written by Mr. Synder appear below.

Hospital revival costs demo contractor a job
-->Published: May 15, 2009
PaulSyder
paul.snyder@dailyreporter.com

A late-inning rally to save Wisconsin Memorial Hospital in Madison left Champion Environmental Services Inc. with a state demolition contract but nothing to tear down.
“It’s a little disappointing, sure, because it’s a nice job,” said Terry O’Rourke, vice president of the Gilberts, Ill.-based contractor. “But it’s the state’s decision. It’s out of our hands. We’re fortunate in that we’ve got other projects, because this might have been a make-or-break job for another company.”

Champion last year submitted the low bid to demolish the 89-year-old hospital on the Mendota Mental Health Institute campus. The Wisconsin Historical Society in 2007 recommended demolition as the most cost-effective solution for the vacant building, and the state Building Commission in January 2008 approved spending $541,000 to take the structure down.
Champion’s $198,000 bid came in far below the initial estimate and the contract was finalized, although the state never gave the contractor a green light.
Oregon-based Gorman & Co. Inc. last summer proposed saving the building — at no cost to taxpayers — and leasing it to Catholic Charities of Madison for drug and alcohol treatment.
Gorman’s plan would use an estimated $3.4 million in tax credits for affordable housing and historic preservation.

But the state Department of Health Services last year was unsure if Gorman & Co. would be able to get the promised tax credits, said spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis.
“We were concerned about rehab costs and believed the costs were overstated,” she said. “We were worried about who would pay overruns if those came about, and also the fact that (the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority) actually stipulates it won’t provide tax breaks if a building is used as transitional housing.”
Gary Gorman, president and CEO of Gorman & Co., said any concerns about cost overruns reflect a “fundamental misunderstanding” of his proposal.
“We would not propose they sell us the building,” he said. “But we would set up a long-term lease. The risk and reward associated with the project would be completely in the private sector.”

Gorman said he is still uncertain about how much it would cost to renovate the hospital.
“It’s still a very preliminary conversation,” he said. “The fundamental question is: Does the state want to save the building or not? And right now, it’s saying it does.”
Gov. Jim Doyle last week officially cancelled demolition and directed DHS to review the possibility of saving the building.

Marquis said if renovation cannot be done without costing taxpayers, the state likely will rebid the demolition contract.
“The cost to taxpayers has been a big factor since the beginning, and the first determination was that demolishing the building seems to be the most cost-effective solution,” she said. “We always try to be very responsible stewards for the state.”
But that does not mean Champion will return with its $198,000 bid, O’Rourke said.
“I don’t know whether we would try again,” he said. “It would mean a reassessment if and when that happens and looking at what other work is out there and what other work we’re doing. You’ve always got to be out looking for the next job.”
Related Story: Change of heart common in demo business

Change of heart common in demo business
-->Published: May 15, 2009
Paul Snyderpaul.snyder@dailyreporter.com
Wisconsin’s decision to review a redevelopment project for the Wisconsin Memorial Hospital more than a year after agreeing to demolish the building is just one instance of a common occurrence.

“This kind of thing happens every year,” said Terry O’Rourke, vice president of Gilberts, Ill.-based Champion Environmental Services Inc. “Someone decides to tear a building down, it gets voted on, and you go to a contract.“Then someone from the community gets upset about it. You have to be ready for it.”

But O’Rourke said Champion will not fret about Wisconsin’s decision to cancel the company’s planned $198,000 hospital demolition. The company has other work to complete, he said.
Other companies, meanwhile, are still on the hunt for whatever they can get.
De Pere-based Badgerland Demolition & Earthwork Inc. will bid on the hospital demolition again if the state chooses to rebid, said Dave Williquette, the company’s president.
“We’re not going to work to a point of not turning a profit, but the fact is it’s work,” he said. “It makes sense to go after it again.”

Badgerland submitted a bid of $323,000 for the work last year, and even with the knowledge it lost by $125,000, Williquette said, Badgerland will not change the bid.

“Things could change,” he said. “Maybe the low bidder doesn’t try again. Everything you hear about the tough market applies 100 percent to demolition contractors, too, and we’ve seen this situation before. You put in the low bid on a project, and then the owner just lets it sit there.

Related Story: Hospital revival costs demo contractor a job
“It’s frustrating, but you’ve got to wait for the phone to ring.”

Wisconsin Dealership Demolition

2009-05-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc., is making final preparations for the demolition of a former auto dealership in Wisconsin. The project scope includes full removal of slabs on grade and foundations; all of the parking area including sidewalks and curbs/improvements will be removed. There are several underground tanks that CESI will be responsible for removing as well. As part of our recycling initiatives, all concrete, brick and block will be crushed onsite to a WDOT 304 at 1.24 inches and under with fines for reuse by the developer on the new construction which will follow demolition.

Below is an ariel photo of the job site.

Welcome Melissa Fuller – New Hire

2009-04-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. would like to announce the hiring of Melissa Fuller. With a strong background in sales and marketing, Ms. Fuller will be responsible for new business development in all the geographic areas that we currently serve; an emphasis will be placed on entering new markets while facilitating growth and relationships with new clients.

We are confident that this new addition to our company will translate into growth and increase our baseline efficiencies.

Educational Facilities Asbestos Abatement

2009-04-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is currently mobilized on site at two educational facilities, Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, Wisconsin and at the Ninth Grade Center in Waukegan, Illinois performing asbestos abatement.

CESI is an industry leader having assisted colleges, high schools, elementary institutions, and child care facilitates throughout the country in an effort to create a safer environment by ridding these buildings of environmental hazards. Handling everything from mold, lead, asbestos, to Brownfield’s and underground storage tanks, Champion is proud to address these needs in order to alleviate potential exposure to harmful materials.

Empress Casino, Joliet, IL

2009-04-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

In response to the fire that occurred at the Empress Casino in Joliet, Illinois, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was hired to provide quick assistance in facilitating the clean up of smoke damaged portions of the building.

CESI is poised to provide immediate - efficient response to emergency situations that require urgent attention. Upon notification from the client, a team and proper equipment was assembled and on the road within thirty minutes. Working from the late afternoon through early morning, CESI was able to accomplish full decontamination of the effected area in less than a 24 hour period of time.

CESI is availed 24/7 by contacting XXX-XXX-XXXX for emergency response to dangerous situations involving environmental or demolition services.

Building Material Reuse Association

2009-04-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. participated in a panel discussion concerning our successful approach to recycling and reuse on our demolition projects at the Building Material Reuse Association national conference held at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

The discussion, facilitated by Terrence O’Rourke, entailed a company overview, Champion’s approach to recycling, the bottom line of advantages and disadvantages, what the company is able to recycle, reuse, and salvage; the presentation concluded with a summation of key factors to overall success.

The presentation was well received by conference participants and generated a host of inquires by attendees following the discussion.