CoStar Retail Statistics: Minneapolis Retail Market Mid-Year 2017
Click on the image to read the full CoStar Retail Statistics report.
Snelling Ave. at I-94 Will See New Development in 2018
St. Paul, MN – July 21, 2017 – Gaughan Companies, Commercial Real Estate Developer and General Contractor, closed on the purchase of 304-308 Snelling Avenue in St. Paul on July 12, 2017. The final decision for the purpose of the new development is still being considered. Gaughan Companies is eager to develop in the city of St. Paul again.
Just off of I-94, the property is within walking distance of the Minnesota United FC Stadium and the Snelling Avenue Metro Transit Green Line. In addition to a new Whole Foods, this ideal neighborhood is also conveniently located near several major universities, including Concordia University, Hamline University, Macalester College, University of St. Thomas and St. Catherine University. Over 42,000 vehicles pass by this corner every day.
The current building was constructed in 1913, and the property has been owned by the same person for nearly 40 years. Gaughan Companies is looking forward to the opportunity to redevelop this site and build a new facility for the community.
For more information, visit www.gaughancompanies.com.
Art and Science Academy Ground Breaking Ceremony
We are honored to be chosen as the General Contractor for the Art and Science Academy’s new middle school in Isanti. It was our pleasure to host a ground breaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of this incredible project.
School Director Carlo Galeazzi, Isanti Mayor George Wimmer, the school Board of Directors, including Chairwoman of the Board Susan Mackert, Economic Development Director Sean Sullivan, teachers, staff, and many others gathered at the construction site to celebrate. We are thankful for the opportunity to build this facility and work with all of these great people.
For more information, visit the Gaughan Construction Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/gaughanconstruction/videos/781124825427689/
Tech Talk: Spring Cleaning Kitchen Appliances
Spring is finally here! Here are a few reminders that might be helpful in your spring cleaning.
- Pull out the refrigerator, clean up the back, and vacuum under to remove any dust and food particles that have accumulated.
- If you have an older fridge, be careful around any uncovered coils in the back or beneath!
- For the stove, pull it out, clean behind it, underneath and on the sides. I suggest using a kitchen cleaner, like 409 or Lysol Antibacterial, to remove any grease that has fallen down the sides.
- Check all electric and/or gas connections for the stove and oven.
We know spring cleaning isn’t always fun, but I hope these tips help the process go a little smoother!
Prepare the Construction Site for Severe Weather
In Minnesota, summer is a coveted season, and in the construction industry, it is the busiest season. There aren’t too many months out of the year when building can be done outside. In order to maximize the benefits of this season, general contractors need to prepare their construction sites for the chance of severe weather because while the weather can be perfect for construction, it can also be dangerous.
Late spring and summer severe weather in Minnesota includes torrential rains, flooding, hail, wind storms and tornados. These can all slow down construction and drastically increase the cost of a project if major damage and delays happen.
For wind storms and tornados, discuss with the project engineer where structure bracing can be done. Confirm that all loose materials and tools are properly secured or stored away. Airborne machinery can cause damage to more than just a construction site.
For rain and flooding, install temporary or permanent drainage systems where necessary. If a storm is approaching, check that these systems are free of debris. To also prepare for hail, temporary roofing or material coverings should be put into place until the permanent roof and building openings are all secured.
As every good general contractor knows, always check for severe weather alerts and have emergency plans put into place before the project begins.
-Jeff Bock
Gaughan Tech Talk: Air Conditioner Care
Now that warm weather is approaching, it’ll soon be time to turn on the air conditioner. Here are a few tips on air conditioner care so you can keep your A/C in top working condition.
- Replace the pleated air filter every 3 months.
- Remove any sticks, leaves, grass, etc. from the condenser unit located outside. Debris on the outside of the unit will drastically affect performance. (I recommend an annual cleaning by an HVAC technician.)
- To clean the outside of the unit, use a little car polish on the box; that will shine it up. On the inside of the unit, a water hose and coil cleaner are used to clean the condenser coil.
- Do not cover the condenser with a cover or tarp in the off season. This will hold in moisture.
- Indoors, check the evaporator drain line to make sure it isn’t plugged. This removes condensation from the air handler, and it must be kept clear.
- It is a good idea to change the thermostat batteries at the start of every cooling season.
These are just a few things you can do to help your air conditioner run efficiently this season.
Robust Economy Ripe for Development
While many people are hesitant when faced with a change, real estate developers welcome change and are always up for a challenge; it comes with the territory. At a development site, people can generally only see that a building is worn down and beyond use, but they don’t want to let go of what once was.
An artistic, visionary developer can see beyond what may currently be there. They recognize the potential in a worn down building, if it can be repurposed instead of demolished. But sometimes, a building is just beyond repair. It is a developer’s job to discover a greater purpose for the site that far exceeds the community benefits of what was once there.
Developers face many challenges and are frequently stereotyped, but they are willing to take high risks to promote community growth and reward. The right developer will select a site design that is not only right on the inside but focuses attention to the exterior. Opposition to developers are often concerned about what the appearance of the building will be. Most developers don’t understand this, but this is the approach that Gaughan Companies takes.
A recent article in the Star Tribune looks into the increase in development in the Twin Cities. Contact one of our development or brokerage experts at Gaughan Companies, and let them put their proven skills and expertise to work for you on your next project.
-Patrick Gaughan
Prepare for Summer with these Spring Cleaning Tips
It’s that special time of year in Minnesota when the sun starts to shine a little brighter, a little longer and a little warmer. Spring is here! While everyone is enjoying the weather, many are also anxious to get their home ready for summer. While spring cleaning the inside of your house is good, spring cleaning the outside is equally as important.
On the outside of your house, remove all of your holiday decorations and lights as the weather permits. One of the best components of an association is the feel of a close and well-kept community. If it applies, a good outdoor spring cleaning might include washing all exterior windows to get rid of any dirt on the outside and cleaning cobwebs off of light fixtures. Lastly, to prepare for the coming summer weather and activities, clean up the grill, wipe off all outdoor furniture, and prep the garden by tilling.
With summer around the corner, people are more likely to entertain inside, too. Now is a great time to scrub all walls and baseboards to give each room a fresh feel. Replace water and air vent filters in order to get rid of what has built up over the last year. In the same way, it’s important to clean out all faucets and showerheads of rust and calcium deposits with a water and vinegar solution. Also, remove lint from the dryer vent inside and outside. This is one good prevention against residential fires. Most importantly, test all of your smoke alarms.
For more tips on what to clean, how to clean, and what products to use, check out this article from the Today show and this article from the DIY Network.
-Sarah Crawford
Artist’s Dream Comes True in Uptown
In November of 2016, Gaughan Construction began work on a new glass blowing studio in Minneapolis for Legacy Glassworks. A few short months later, in January, the studio was ready for a grand opening.
Josh Wilken-Simon, owner of Legacy Glassworks, chose Gaughan Construction to build the new studio because our project manager was the only contractor out of the ones that bid on the project who understood the complexity of the studio’s HVAC needs. Without knowing that Gaughan would win the bid, he drove up to Duluth to examine the system in the first studio.
Wilken-Simon began his studio in Duluth originally because of the artistic community. He spent six years there to confirm that only selling glass from the studio or from artists he knew personally would be fruitful. Wilken-Simon became interested in glass blowing in high school and hopes to be able to teach young artists this craft. Minneapolis was chosen as the location for the second studio in an effort to expand their clientele and share the art of local glass blowers with a greater audience.
