"Cash for Caulking" - Newest stimulus legislation

Is this new stimulus legislation that is in the works a good program or a bust like the "Cash for Clunkers"?

The full story won't be told until more details come out. Currently the Associated Builders and Contractors is opposed to it being passed because in it's current state, the work must be completed by Union works. Stay tuned for more details and once the bill goes through the Senate.

http://enr.ecnext.com/coms2/article_powo100512CashforCaulk

- Design is what you make it.

Real Estate Development during trying Economic Times

Somerville, MA was presented with the All American City Award (AAC) in 2009. In 2010, the construction of the Assembly Square area will begin. This project will improve roadways, bring a new T station to Somerville, residential units, commercial office space, additional retail space, a new movie theatre, and most importantly 500 new jobs. Congratulations to the Somerville leaders for getting this task started in such difficult economic times. Perhaps Mayor Menino of Boston can follow Somerville's lead with the even more substantial project planned for the waterfront near the Boston Aquarium. To read more about both projects please go to:

http://www.thesomervillenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=3854
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/03/28/shadow_on_the_greenway/

- Design is what you make it.

Green Design: What does it mean to you?

Gone are the days where people associate green design with images of people in Birkenstocks chained to trees. Yes the movement has come a long way and I've been meeting with more and more clients that are interested in finding ways to save on their energy bills for the long-term future. Green also doesn't JUST mean energy saving. It's a lifestyle. Incorporating more and more of the surrounding environment into a design to create a work experience that is more enjoyable saves employers over the course of the year through more productivity and less sick days. Here is an article from GreenSource that incorporates a great example of making the built environment more than just a box on a site.
http://greensource.construction.com/features/solutions/2010/may/1005_faculty_of_law_building.asp

- Design is what you make it.

Reality Sets in for Homeowners

Well the reality of the housing market is impacting the reasons behind the recent escalation of home improvement projects being performed. According to the WSJ (http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/109389/the-new-rules-of-remodeling) many home owners recognize the hard truth, the days of quick renovation to trade up for the bigger house next door are over. This is not necessarily a bad thing, what many homeowners are doing instead, they're building additions to accommodate the space they need and/or renovating the current space in their home to better suit their living lifestyles. This is a huge win for the design and construction world. It also acts as baby steps for the economy to recover. Once the housing market can become strong again, the economy typically gets into full swing. So keep those renovation projects going, enlarge your home with an addition, and purchase more home improvement materials so we can get back to being the prosperous nation we've so grown accustom to being.

- Design is what you make it.