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.”
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Rambler visa via S. Johnson
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.
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.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
West Lawn - Phase II Milwaukee, WI
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Milwaukee Smokestack
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.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Winter Forecast
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 . . .”
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
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%.
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%.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Remnants In Wonder Lake
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.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
UPR – Another Job
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.
ACM window caulk and associated glazing will also be removed.
Smokestack Demolition – Milwaukee
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.
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.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Progress At Wonder Lake Water Tower
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.
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.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
What Demolition Wrought – The Other Side
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
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Lake Zurich, IL
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.
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.
Friday, October 1, 2010
UPR Project
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.
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
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”.
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”.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wonder Lake, IL
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.
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.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Fire Sale 2010 Part II
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.
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
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 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.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Spirit of the Beast
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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