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#ThirstyThursday – Welcoming Fall

Fall colours will be hitting Toronto soon, and you know what that means! Crisp air, football, pumpkins, Halloween costumes, mouth-watering Thanksgiving dinners, a ridiculous amount of leaf raking and refreshing beer to top the week off!

The Rostie Group Waterfront Work Community would like to invite you to attend our “Welcoming Fall -Thirsty Thursday” event featuring beer from the Amsterdam Brewery in our new and improved Sales Hub!

Thirsty Thursday is totally FREE and you will get a chance to connect with everyone from the business centre and Waterfront Work Community.

Don’t get the Summer blues, keep calm and Welcome Fall with us!

thirsty

#RostieTalks – Michael Koenig, Partner at Davis Martindale

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This week on #RostieTalks we feature Michael Koenig, Partner at Davis Martindale, with questions beings presented by Hannah Tough, Rostie Group’s Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator. They talk about Davis Martindale’s operations and why they are more than just your average accounting firm! 

Watch this video and tweet @rostiegroup!

Thank you for coming out and answering a few questions Mr. Koenig!

Quick Facts about Green Retrofitting

Contributor: Mahtot GebresselassieICL Project Management Solutions

Green retrofits are becoming more popular than new green construction. They are a less risky investment because there is no cost to build the main components of the building. Green retrofits are also more efficient in that they use minimal to no new natural resources to construct the components of the building.

green-retrofit-graphic

Weather Beacon at Canada Life, at 330 University Avenue, Toronto. The green upgrade from incandescent light to LED (light emitting diode) is to reduce energy consumption.  Click here for photo credit:  LeftRight 

This article explores quick facts that will help you better acquaint yourself with green retrofitting. We recommend that you review the table below to appreciate fully the benefits of green retrofitting by understanding buildings, their consumption of resources, and their effects on humans and their surroundings.

 Table

Click here for source.

What are some of the green aspects of buildings? Physical building components, design of the buildings, systems of operation, and interior spaces.

What are some specific examples of green-ness? Proximity to transit infrastructure; building materials that have good insulation and low emission of harmful substances; alternative energy sources; double plumbing to use rain water or grey water; roof gardens; and interior garden walls.   Architects' Office

Retrofitted interior of Adamson Associates Architects Toronto Office, 401 Wellington Street East. LEED EB: O& M certified. Click here for photo credit.

What is green retrofitting? Remodeling or upgrading partially or fully occupied building interiors and exteriors with green elements and systems without interrupting the daily routines of the occupants. Green retrofitting can be done piecemeal, i.e. small-size green update at a time. However, comprehensive retrofits, though more expensive initially, are more effective over the long term as the coordination of green elements and systems results in their increased combined benefits.

What are the benefits of green retrofitting? Lower cost of operating buildings; improved quality of spaces, for example, through natural lighting; gain in floor area (in some instances) due to the replacement of bulky mechanical equipment and building materials with thin variety; improved corporate image in social responsibility; tax credits and government incentives; lessened impact on infrastructure; efficient use of natural resources; and lessened ecological impact.

Are new buildings greener than retrofitted? No. In fact, using existing buildings is more resource-efficient than new green construction; it doesn’t use new resources for the building components and the construction process. In addition, green retrofits are a safer investment than new green construction as there is no cost for the construction of the main components of buildings.

First Canadian Place                                               Before retrofitting                        After retrofitting

First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5X 1A9, Retrofitted building, LEED-EB: O&M. The marble cladding was replaced with green cladding. Click here for photo credit. LeftRight 

What are the disadvantages/challenges of green retrofitting? The initial cost of green retrofitting or building a new green building maybe high; there is an uncertainty factor in terms of what you might encounter inside an existing building (inside walls, roofs); there is no guarantee that building retrofits increase property value; industry professionals are not very well versed in greet retrofitting; the benefit of retrofitted buildings is in reducing operating costs once the relatively expensive retrofitting is done; developers need proof and there doesn’t seem to be a data a lot of data to support the benefits of green retrofits/construction; and potential liability issues could arise in a case of green retrofits not saving on operating costs.

Can retrofitted buildings Certified? There is a specific certification system, LEED EB: O&M, which means LEED for Existing Buildings: Operation and Maintenance.

McMichael

McMichael Canadian Art Centre, 10365 Islington Ave, Kleinburg, Ontario. LEED EB: O&M certified. Click here for photo credit.

 

This article was published originally on ICL Project Management Solutions blog.” 

Sources      

http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom

UnitedStates/Local%20Assets/Documents/us_re_Dollars_Sense_Retrofits_190608_.pdf

http://www.westerninvestor.com/index.php/news/55-features/918-deep-green-retrofits

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/realestate/commercial/02deutsche.html?_r=0

https://www.esbnyc.com/documents/sustainability/uli_building_retro_fits.pdf

http://www.dcnonl.com/article/id48227/–expansion-of-ldquogreenrdquo-retrofits-expected

http://www.cagbc.org/leed/projectprofile_EN.aspx

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/greenbuilding/basics.htm

http://greenliving.about.com/od/architecturedesign/tp/green_buildings.htm

http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/faqs.htm#1

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1208381/iconic-canada-life-weather-beacon-goes-green                        

Construction Updates for the Waterfront Area and Southcore

Waterfront-Toronto

Waterfront Toronto was kind enough to update us about the  following construction advisories and road restrictions in the area and we would like to pass them on to you.

Construction News

Rees Street Intersection Re-Opening
The Rees Street intersection will re-open the morning of Tuesday, July 22.  Crews will continue working east of Rees Street to Lower Simcoe, pouring concrete for the new road base in preparation of the asphalt paving in the next two weeks.

New Roadway Construction
A traffic shift was implemented late last week which moved westbound Queens Quay traffic onto the new TTC right-of way from the Ellis-Don/RBC driveway, through the York intersection, and to the 207 Queens Quay west drive way. This traffic shift allows crews this week to begin excavations for both the north side (new roadway), and the southside curb lane (landscape and Martin Goodman Trail work), east of York Street.

Weekend Work: July 19/20
There will be crews working at several locations this weekend:

  • Rees Street to Lower Simcoe: Final details for intersection re-opening and continued sub-base and road preparations to Lower Simcoe.
  • Spadina Loop area: Overhead cabling work TTC crews.
  • Westin Hotel: Crews will be power washing and cleaning the granite pavers along the front promenade at the Westin Hotel this Saturday.

For information, please contact Robert Pasut, Eastern Construction at (416) 505-3073.

Ongoing Construction Updates

TTC Track Installation: Crews will continue final track work in the following areas:

  • Spadina to Yo Yo Ma Lane: Crews will continue with excavations and begin to prepare and form the sub-base for concrete and the installation of the remaining streetcar rails.
  • 85 Harbour Street to the Bay Street Portal: Crews have completed the final concrete pour and set of rails in this area. New TTC tracks now run from the Bay Street Portal through to 390 Queens Quay.
  • Shoppers Drug Mart to Peter Slip Bridge: This week, a small section of the TTC corridor has been exposed for TTC crews to install the rail lubricator pads.

Spadina Loop Reconstruction: TTC Overhead Cabling crews will continue their work to install the grid of cables in this area. Crews may work overnight shifts due to traffic constraints in the area.

Granite Installation and Parking Laybys:

  • Bay to York (southside): Last week, crews reached the area by the Scotiabank, and will continue to excavate for the new sub-drains, conduits, and silva cells in the service road. This work began at the southwest corner of Bay Street, and crews will continue to move west to the service entrance of 33 Harbour Square. The service entrance will remain fully operational during this phase of construction work.
  • York and Queens Quay: This week, crews will continue with the excavations at the northwest corner of York and Queens Quay. Work in this area includes the sub-base preparations, installation of tree trenches for two new/additional trees, and the electrical conduits for the new Astral Information pillar.  Crews will also begin to excavate the north and southside curb lanes. The northside work will start east of York Street to the York Ramp Parkette entrance where new catch basins will be installed. The southside curb excavations will start at the southeast corner of York, and the 77/99 Queens Quay condominiums, east to the 55/65 Harbour Square driveway entrance. Old street lights & poles will be removed and replaced with temporary poles on new permanent foundations. A pedestrian diversion path will be created around this southside work zone using the south curb lane. Access to all businesses will be maintained along this area.
  • 208 & 218 Queens Quay Driveway:  Crews have completed the granite installation of this driveway. This week, crews will continue to pour the concrete road base, followed by asphalt and road restorations between York Street and Lower Simcoe. The driveway will re-open once the road surface is paved.
  • Lower Simcoe to Rees Parkette:
    • Northeast corner of Lower Simcoe/Queens Quay: Last week, crews completed 100% of the granite paver installation on the northern portion of the sidewalk area, adjacent the Grill 4 U business. This included the placement of the ADA – Accessibility tiles at the sidewalk/curb interface. The area has now been fully reopened to the public.
    • Northwest corner of Lower Simcoe/Queens Quay: Crews will continue with the excavations for two traffic signal pole footings at this corner of the intersection.
    • 228/230 Queens Quay: The paver work continues at the Rees Street Parkette, where crews will continue with the infill of the second layby with granite pavers. This week, crews are expected to complete the installation of granite pavers in this area, and up to the property line of 250 Queens Quay.
  • Rees Street Parking Lot: Crews have completed the pour of concrete for the removable tree trench covers, and placed the planting soil in the tree trenches. Last week, crews also began to lay the new granite pavers in this area. This work will continue, and is expected to be completed in the next two weeks.
  • HTO Park East: Crews have completed the installation of granite pavers in this area from the Rees WaveDeck west to the EMS/Fire Station driveway. This area will be re-opened to the public once the final landscape details are completed this week.
  • West of Lower Spadina: Crews will continue with roadway excavations, layout, and sub-base preparations, and pour the concrete base structures. Some noise should be expected with these activities. The installation of granite pavers is scheduled to begin this week.

New Roadway Construction Underway: Crews continue rebuilding the new roadway on Queens Quay.

  • Bay Street to York Street: Roadway construction (service laneway) will continue on the southside.
  • York Street/Queens Quay: A traffic shift last week, moved westbound Queens Quay traffic onto the new TTC right-of way in this area. This week, crews will begin to excavate both north and southside curb lanes east of York Street.
  • York Street to Lower Simcoe: The concrete base slab between York and Simcoe will continue to be formed and poured, followed by new asphalt paving.
  • Lower Simcoe to Rees: Crews will continue with the concrete base road preparation which includes the form and pour of the concrete base slab in this area, in advance of the asphalt resurfacing.

Telecommunications Work:  Distinct Technical Cable Services crews (sub-contractor for Rogers, Cogeco, and Allstream) will continue work at the 350 Queens Quay/Beer Store and various other locations along the Queens Quay. All work will be performed behind jersey barriers/fast fence with no impacts to pedestrians or traffic.

For more information, please click here to read the complete notice or visit the project webpage – www.waterfrontoronto.ca/constructingqq: