Developers Telephone Seminars

Drafting The Flawless Easement BenefitsThe increase in litigation over the location, priority and scope of easements is due in part to the lack of thought, time and effort during the drafting and preparation of easement documents. In some cases future problems and uses cannot be anticipated. However, most conflicts and other problems can be prevented by anticipating the necessary scope of the easement and giving attention to  more...

Fair Housing Act Design and Construction Requirements BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide an overview of the design and construction requirements of the Fair Housing Act. We will focus on specific building types that are required to comply, safe harbors and practical application of the design and construction requirements. The presenters have worked with residential builders across the country providing plan and construction reviews. In  more...

Current Issues in Wetland Delineation BenefitsMany project proponents lack the familiarity with Clean Water Act Section 404 regulations and wetland resources needed to develop comprehensive permit applications and build sufficient time for regulatory compliance into project schedules. Similarly many project opponents who grasp the regulatory process are adept at identifying inconsistencies in the implementation of the delineation  more...

Essential Concepts In Construction Contracting BenefitsThis live audio conference is designed to educate persons responsible for construction contracting about project delivery systems, basic concepts and contract terms, and the allocation and avoidance of risk in construction contracts. Pitfalls for the unwary will be addressed, especially when using standard form agreements and informal contracting on small projects. This program is  more...

What You Need to Know About Section 404 Permits BenefitsAny proposed project involving wetlands or other waters of the United States is likely to require some type of permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As the federal agency responsible for regulating impacts to wetlands, the Corps' regulations and the permit process can represent a significant part of a project's development. The identification of wetlands or other waters on a  more...

Cell Tower Zoning: Overview and Current Issues BenefitsThis live audio conference will describe the major elements and issues under the 1996 Federal cell tower zoning statute, including the FCC's 2009 shot clock rule setting 90/150 day deadlines to act on zoning applications, the pending FCC Notice of Inquiry on cell tower zoning, the major federal zoning cases involving cellular towers and practice pointers on how municipalities can  more...

Construction Documentation: Preparing Effective Job Records BenefitsAlthough the term 'papering the file' is often associated with increased documentation efforts in preparation for litigation after a job has gone bad, it shouldn't be. Effective communication and accurate recordation of those communications can keep the parties - and the project - on course and out of litigation. Should an irreconcilable dispute nevertheless arise, thorough project  more...

What's that Smell? Sewer System Overflow Prevention and Management BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide a systematic overview of the technical, management and regulatory issues regarding collection system overflows, both dry weather and wet weather as well as both combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and separate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Information will be provided to help you understand and analyze overflow problems and provide guidance in  more...

What's that Smell? Sewer System Overflow Prevention and Management BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide a systematic overview of the technical, management and regulatory issues regarding collection system overflows, both dry weather and wet weather as well as both combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and separate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Information will be provided to help you understand and analyze overflow problems and provide guidance in  more...

Insurance Coverage Disputes and Construction Defects BenefitsThis live audio conference has been prepared by two nationally recognized experts in construction law and insurance coverage. You will gain knowledge and insight based on practical experience of handling both the construction and insurance components of construction defect claims of all sizes, and implicating all types of insurance coverage, both first and third-party. Receive updates on  more...

Insurance Coverage Disputes and Construction Defects BenefitsThis live audio conference has been prepared by two nationally recognized experts in construction law and insurance coverage. You will gain knowledge and insight based on practical experience of handling both the construction and insurance components of construction defect claims of all sizes, and implicating all types of insurance coverage, both first and third-party. Receive updates on  more...

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Scope Creep on Construction Projects BenefitsProject success can be measured by delivering the required product on time, on budget and at client's expectation. For many construction projects in today's competitive marketplace, completing on time and on budget is challenging. Scope creep is a term used in the construction industry to define the inevitable tendency of projects to expand beyond their original intent and is often  more...

Strategies for Successful Mixed Use Development ...ill sets and collaborations between design professionals, developers, leasing agents, tenants, municipal planners, land use attorneys, local government and communities. This live audio conference will evaluate some of the new challenges and opportunities available for mixed use design from site selection to plan approvals and operations. We'll discuss selected topics from a 360-degree  more...

Wood Use: Original and Cutting Edge BenefitsFurniture, structure, skin, art - all have been made of wood since hominids had opposable thumbs. In America, wood is the default material for our houses. Wood is literally alive in our landscape and is a living material when used to make something, with enormous variability in its appearance, characteristics, and uses. Beyond physical properties, the emotional power that wood possesses in  more...

Economic Development Financing Update Benefits'In the space of two days I had evolved two plans, wholly distinct, both of which were equally feasible. The point I am trying to bring out is that one does not plan and then try to make circumstances fit those plans. One tries to make plans fit the circumstances.' - General George S. Patton, Jr., War as I Knew It, page 116 (1947) Those localities that have not planned for the current  more...

Collaborative Delivery Method Fundamentals BenefitsMany owners looking to maximize the value they receive for their capital dollars are looking to more collaborative project delivery approaches to deliver their capital construction projects. This live audio conference will help those responsible for evaluating and selecting the most appropriate project delivery method. This will begin with an understanding of the basic fundamental project  more...

Water Audits and Nonrevenue Water Reduction Methodologies BenefitsThere are many recent issues affecting the importance of uniform, accurate and effective water utility auditing. The largest urban growth areas of the United States are in the southwestern portion of the country, including Phoenix, Las Vegas and southern California. Water resources available to the areas are fully allocated and becoming more expensive to obtain and deliver. In addition,  more...

Section 199 Deduction for Qualified Construction Activities Income ...tion and its applicability to contractors and real estate developers, including developers, general contractors, subcontractors and trade contractors. Learning Objectives: - You will be able to review the domestic production deduction. - You will be able to discuss the eligibility requirements for construction companies. - You will be able to identify the type of income that qualifies for the  more...

NEPA: Understanding the Basics BenefitsSince 1970, the National Environmental Policy Act has been the cornerstone for environmental protection in the United States. To implement NEPA, federal agencies must prepare environmental impact statements or environmental assessments to study the impacts of their proposed actions. Unfortunately, some federal agencies, their consultants and affected citizens do not fully understand the  more...

Roles of HOAs in Foreclosures and Short Sales BenefitsThis live audio conference will address relevant legal issues and practical considerations related to the current housing market and increased rate of foreclosures and short sales. Discussion will include perspectives and tactics for protecting community associations' liens and collecting delinquent assessments from owners in foreclosure and short sale transactions. Refresh and garner an  more...

GSA Leasing: Understanding The SFO Process, Negotiating The Lease and Dealing With The Government As The Tenant BenefitsThe federal government is the country's biggest 'tenant' by far, if not in the world. In both strong and not-so-strong economic times, the federal government is always in the market for new or replacement space ranging from state of the art office space to simple warehousing requirements. When the commercial real estate market is in the doldrums, the federal government is always still  more...

The New ADA Design Standards: When, Where and How? BenefitsOn September 15, 2010, the Department of Justice adopted new design standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the 2004 ADA and ABA guidelines. This live audio conference will provide you with an overview of the new rules, highlights of the major changes, and the potential implications for your business and clients. Presenters include two of the past chairs of the U.S.  more...

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP): Developing a SWPPP and the New EPA Storm Water Rules ...n system. This change in direction will require industry, developers, states and local governments to take steps to reduce runoff, including development of a SWPPP or MS4 program and incorporation of best management practices. This live audio conference will inform you about regulatory compliance with NPDES storm water discharge regulations and provide information for development of an  more...

Exit Strategies for Section 42 Affordable Housing Tax Credit Properties BenefitsThe affordable housing tax credit program was created in 1986 to encourage the private sector to develop and own affordable rental properties throughout the United States. Tax credit properties completing their initial 15-year tax credit compliance periods face several business, legal, tax and accounting issues that must be addressed before a property can be successfully repositioned.  more...

Basic Principles of Construction Insurance BenefitsThis live audio conference will offer an overview of basic insurance coverage used for construction projects. The presenter is an experienced construction and insurance coverage attorney who will discuss how to secure appropriate insurance coverage at a project's inception and what to do when claims arise during construction or after project completion. Builder's risk, CGL and other common  more...

Potholes: Causes, Maintenance and Pitfalls BenefitsRoads are built to provide a safe and comfortable ride for road users. To fill this function, a pavement surface must be smooth, thus free of breaches such as potholes. Potholes are circular holes in asphalt pavement extending through an entire pavement layer. In certain conditions, they develop in a matter of hours. If potholes are not fixed immediately after they appear, a safety risk  more...

Rain Water Harvesting ...developers, utility officials, engineers, architects, sustainability experts, data center managers, environmental scientists, facility mangers, property managers, water utility officials and consultants in understanding the important factors in considering, planning, assessing and implementing rainwater harvesting projects. You will understand the key variables needed to assess the viability  more...

Understanding Warranties and Guarantees in the Standard AIA Contract BenefitsUnderstanding the interplay between warranties and call-back periods and the limitations on each is critical to both successful negotiation of a construction contract and the successful completion of a construction project. This live audio conference will help you understand the issues concerning warranties and call-back periods, including the legal limitations on them, which will in turn  more...

Commercial Lease Negotiations and Due Diligence BenefitsIn this informative live audio conference, our speaker will take the key lease provisions and go back to the basics with respect to commercial leases. This live audio conference is ideal for beginners and experts alike, since each provision will start at the simplest level and go to the most sophisticated level. You will learn about the critical due diligence issues and developments that  more...

Extensive Green Roof Design BenefitsThe market for green roofs in North America has grown dramatically in the last 10 years. Green roofs, while still only a tiny fraction of the overall roofing and landscaping market have become increasingly important in the green building marketplace. As with many young markets there are common misconceptions, and like many other green building techniques there is a lot of hype surrounding  more...

Wetlands Challenges and Use of Mitigation Bank Credits ...ty and construction timing risk to companies, real estate developers, oil and gas companies and other parties constructing buildings, roads, pipelines, oil and gas exploration and production activities, among many others. Failure to understand and manage these issues had resulted in fines, litigation, and extensive delays in construction. Planning ahead, identifying wetlands, and developing a  more...

Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits: Using Tax Incentives to Develop and Invest in Historic Properties BenefitsThe federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC) has grown into a key financing tool for economic development, historic preservation, and neighborhood revitalization. Combined in many areas with available state historic rehabilitation tax credits, HTCs have been used to rehabilitate historic city centers, theatres, warehouses and other historic buildings across the country. This live  more...

Understanding LEED for Sustainable Building BenefitsMystified by the new LEED certification process? Concerned about whether you need a new approach for your next LEED project? Confused about the requirements for maintaining your existing AP status? This live audio conference provides the answers! By attending you will understand how the project certification and professional accreditation requirements have changed with the release of  more...

ALTA Policy, Endorsements and Transaction Strategies With Title Insurance BenefitsThis live audio conference will examine the changing role of title insurance in real estate transactions and review policy forms, with an emphasis on the 2006 ALTA Policy. Using the commitment for title insurance, this program will discuss how you can avoid title pitfalls and coverage gaps, expedite a pre-closing response to coverage requests, and ultimately enhance coverage. Critical  more...

Problems and Risks Associated With Green Construction BenefitsThe public hears many benefits of pursuing environmental building, aka green or sustainable design and construction, as this emerging market segment continues to expand. Diverse owner/developer groups are embracing these modern technologies, design elements and operational models. However, when packaged together, green design strategies and systems can present unique new challenges in risk  more...

AIA Document D503(TM) - 2011: Guide for Sustainable Projects BenefitsThe movement toward a sustainable built environment is rapidly evolving, significantly impacting the way buildings are planned, designed, constructed and used. Different and potentially competing forces, such as owners' goals, code requirements, and basic liability considerations, can impact the sustainable objective targeted for a project and the sustainable measures needed to achieve the  more...

Form-Based Zoning: An Alternative to Traditional Ordinances BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide a basic understanding of form-based codes: how they are different, how they can be applied and how they can help implement more sustainable communities. Lessons learned and steps toward beginning the process will provide you with a clear path toward a successful form-based code. Legal and practical considerations associated with adopting form-based  more...

Documentation and Proof of Construction Delay BenefitsTime truly is money, especially in construction. Consequently, being able to determine and document delay is a crucial skill. This live audio conference will focus on the key terms, important contract provisions and the most successful approaches to the determination of delay. It will include a discussion of the importance of the critical path, the importance of the contemporaneous  more...

How to Revitalize an Impoverished Neighborhood: Thirty Years of Successful Green Urbanism BenefitsDr. Gilderbloom will teach people how to turn around neighborhoods without removing the poor, and to create a 'shared revitalization' that is a great place to live, work, and play using new urbanism and green planning purposes. He will teach to recycle buildings that embraces historic preservation and green planning principles. He will teach traffic calming techniques of how to turn  more...

Getting Burned by Boilerplate: The Pitfalls of Using Outdated Standard Real Estate Contract Provisions BenefitsProblems can arise when boilerplate contract provisions are not modified over time to account for evolutions in applicable law that have occurred since the provisions were first conceived. This live audio conference explores some of those problems and offers practical advice on ways to improve provisions on arbitration, integration, attorneys' fees, choice of law, oral modifications,  more...

Alternative and Controversial Land Use Regulations Benefits(Problem) Sometimes, we ask that zoning do more than it was intended to do, as when we force on zoning the job of business regulation. Whether a convicted felon should ever run a massage parlor or not is simply not a subject for zoning. Sometimes, local governments don't live up to the expectations and the needs of their sovereigns - the federal and state governments. When that happens,  more...

Reading and Understanding Soil Reports BenefitsJust because you have hired a consultant to provide a soils report does not necessarily mean it will be put to good use. Many of the terms and even the recommendations given in soils reports could use some explanation. This live audio conference will help you understand what type of soils report you may need, the technical terms found within the soils report, what is really the important  more...

Current Issues in Billboard Leases BenefitsBillboards are an interesting and limited aspect of real property law. They are generally despised by environmentalists and conservationists. They offer nothing to the aesthetic value of our highways. They are often heavily regulated and limited by the various levels of government with jurisdiction over the motor vehicle right-of-ways. They are also a valuable source of revenue to property  more...

But It's Only Our Opinion:The Legal Opinion In Commercial Transactions BenefitsA client is about to borrow $10,000,000 for acquisition of a new project and a copy of the bank's loan commitment and its 'standard form' of borrower's counsel legal opinion letter have just been received. Even for those who have dealt with such third-party legal opinions in the past, it's important to make sure everyone understands the applicable standards and the diligence expectations  more...

Bikeway Design Principles, Planning, and Best Practices BenefitsBicycling is gaining popularity in the United States as a recreational activity and a utilitarian mode of transportation. By expanding their bikeway networks, cities throughout the US have increased bicycle ridership and broadened the transportation options available in their community. However, significant barriers to bicycling keep many could-be riders off of their bikes. Additionally,  more...

Effective Quality Control and Quality Assurance BenefitsDelivering quality in building design and construction faces two major challenges. The first is that buildings are becoming ever more complex and less resilient against normal use. HVAC, Controls, and Lighting systems in even simple buildings can be quite challenging and innovative. Building enclosure technology is rapidly changing with new ideas such as rainscreen walls and air barriers.  more...

Commercial Ground Leases: A Conceptual Framework BenefitsProblem - We are all aware of the difficulties of today's real estate marketplace: a surfeit of properties on the market, depressed prices, fewer buyers and limited financing. One strategy property owners are pursuing to get properties back into use is ground leasing. It enables users to get onto a property without the capital outlay of a purchase, and it creates cash flow for the owner.  more...

Solar Photovoltaics: How Do You Get This Stuff On Your Roof Anyway? BenefitsAttend our live audio conference and get your questions and answers about installing photovoltaics! We will discuss advantages and disadvantages to off grid installations, how modules and batteries are wired, how to ready a structure for PV and some of the do's and don'ts. Rebates, tax credits and other incentives will also be covered. Lessons learned and fire code changes will be  more...

How to Design Parking Lots That Work ...erence will be of great benefit to architects, engineers, developers and contractors. You will learn how to acquire a potential property, how to design and maintain surface parking lots. We will not only devote time to surface features, such as pavements, drainage and striping, but will also discuss the importance of paying attention to soil preparation and pavement foundation. Learning  more...

Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives for Residential Builders and Commercial Building Owners BenefitsThere are a number of energy incentives available for builders and owners of residential and commercial real estate. These federal tax incentives are available for projects ranging from relatively simple building upgrades to the implementation of new electrical systems. The types of tax incentives available to taxpayers include tax deductions, tax credits, and payments of cash grants in  more...

Legal Implications of Doing Business on the Internet BenefitsThe Internet is the modern day Wild Wild West. Digital pirates, copyright trolls, cybersquatters, website hijackers, hackers, and scammers are only a few of the nasty breed of outlaws that prowl the Internet. Online threats from unscrupulous competitors, Internet activists, and disenchanted employees may be even more damaging to a business. Legal claims such as false advertising, unfair  more...

Waiver of Subrogation Clauses and Provisions in Construction Contracts BenefitsThis live audio conference will aid in understanding which parties to a contract have truly minimized the risk of lawsuits and claims that could arise among the parties. It will address if the intended risk allocation sought by the waiver of subrogation clause has been achieved. Further, this live audio conference seeks to educate participants in a better understanding of other key  more...

Shop Drawings and Other Construction Submittals: Legal and Architectural Perspectives BenefitsThere is perhaps no aspect of construction which is more misunderstood and more fraught with the potential for confusion, than the shop drawing submittal process. When the process breaks down, the result can be deficient work, economic loss and even disastrous collapse. This live audio conference will help you understand your responsibility and risks in the shop drawings submittal process,  more...

Planning for Renewable Incentives in 2011 and Beyond ... requirement. In addition, the program will focus on what developers may face after 2011 and the lapse of the grant. What is the future of tax incentives for renewables in light of the controversy in Washington over budget cuts? Finally, the program will focus on the best strategies for monetizing tax benefits going forward. The sunset of section 1603 will place increased emphasis on optimizing  more...

Commercial Real Estate Financing: Current Trends & Opportunities BenefitsGet an in-depth look at the current trends and emerging opportunities in today's ever-changing real estate finance market. Experienced experts will discuss the current trends in the workout negotiations of troubled assets including bank loans and CMBS (conduit) loans including who the key players are and what possible outcomes exist from negotiations. Borrowers will learn how others are  more...

Commercial Tenant Notifications: Priorities and Pitfalls BenefitsTenant notifications are a necessary aspect of all commercial leases and are being increasingly scrutinized by courts and legislative assemblies across the country. Indeed, a failure to correctly notify a tenant can jeopardize the landlord's right to collect amounts due and owing under the lease, prolong the right to evict a defaulting tenant and even expose an innocent landlord to civil  more...

Pervious Pavement Alternatives ...tating cities in a sustainable manner. However designers, developers and municipal officials are reluctant to use porous pavements until numerous questions about their practicality and feasibility are answered. This audio conference conveys the scientific results and on-the-ground experiences that answer those questions. We will review performance results and important provisions for pavement  more...

Architect and Engineer Liability in California BenefitsThis audio conference will provide a general understanding of the legal risk facing a design professional in California. The program will discuss important contractual obligations, concerns relating to negligence claims, and statutory obligations every design professional should be aware of. The audio conference will cover key contractual language and insurance issues, negligence standards  more...

De-Mystifying The Excel(R) Real Estate Pro-Forma BenefitsWith an installed user base in the hundreds of millions worldwide, Microsoft Excel is the primary tool of choice for spreadsheet-based analysis. This is the case in real estate development and investment, yet many practitioners are still not very familiar with how projection models are built or work. This audio conference breaks down the real estate pro-forma into its essential components,  more...

AIA Contracts: The Owner-General Contractor Agreement ...widely used and accepted in the industry. Some owners and developers use the AIA forms without any changes and many others have developed their own standard set of revisions to the forms. However they are used, an understanding of the AIA forms and how they allocate risk is essential for anyone negotiating, drafting, interpreting, arbitrating or litigating construction contracts based on the  more...

Construction Lien and Bond Claims in Texas BenefitsAnalyzing construction payment disputes in Texas can be a complex process. Learn strategies for tackling lien and bond issues for private and public projects. Owners will learn how to protect property from unperfected liens - and what steps to take if they do arise. Contractors, subcontractors and suppliers will learn how to efficiently collect payment for work performed or materials  more...

Microsoft Project Best Practices: What's New on the Desktop BenefitsOver the past two decades, Microsoft Project has evolved into the industry leading desktop project management tool. With each new release, Microsoft Project provides new and enhanced features designed to assist with managing construction projects and in a manner that allows more time for managing projects and less time working Microsoft Project. Over the past few years, the Microsoft  more...

Hot Topics in Retail Leasing BenefitsThe more aggressive regulation of retail tenants at a time of 'great economic pressure' on retail sales is very dangerous and expensive. The retail and mall business plan is under attack and the retail complex owners are consolidating and stripping retail profits via lease regulation, hidden charges and profit centers for what were 'pass through services'. Many retail tenants are unable to  more...

Structuring Renewable Energy Projects in Challenging Conditions BenefitsThis in-depth course will provide you with the practical tools and analytic techniques to see your project successfully -- and profitably -- financed. Instruction will be example-driven using structures and project documentation derived from renewable projects. You will briefly review the key concepts of project finance, analyze how risk allocation determines the structure of most project  more...

Construction Substitutions: Current Issues and Complexities BenefitsSubstitution requests on construction projects have been around since the first contractor had to competitively bid for the work. In today's market, winning a contract for the provision of construction products has become even more competitive. This audio conference will help you understand the steps in the process and what the important considerations are in reviewing a substitution  more...

Best Practices for Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Small to Medium Size Dams BenefitsDams provide many benefits, such as water supply, flood control and recreation. Like all infrastructure systems, dams require upkeep. Without the proper inspection, maintenance and repair the benefits provided by a dam can be diminished; or in the worst case a dam can fail, resulting in loss of life and/or property damage. With proper maintenance and repair dams can function well and  more...

Commercial Site Development: A Case Study BenefitsThis audio conference presents an overview of commercial site development from both a new and renovation approach. It will address issues of site assessment, budget, jurisdictional research and other aspects for development. You will receive a step-by-step guide and checklist for commercial site development for both new and existing projects. This audio conference will assist in  more...

LEED Credits That Don't Break the Bank! BenefitsLEED project teams often fail to harvest the incentives and rebates that are commonly available to high-performing buildings. Furthermore, teams rarely plan ahead and build the incentive opportunities into their design and construction strategies to ensure that all available dollars are captured. This results in projects going over budget, designers having to choose sub-par systems as a  more...

Keys to Understanding Land Records BenefitsThis teleconference will provide you with the practical information to better understand the process of researching and evaluating land records in connection with the transfer of ownership and real estate financing. This teleconference will identify real property interests and sources of land information, explain how property interests are created and transferred, and discuss title search  more...

Owner Construction Risk: How a Controlled Insurance Program Can Protect Your Assets BenefitsOwners and contractors have been subject to increased litigation arising from risks created by construction operations. However, due to changes in the insurance market, contractors are increasingly challenged to secure insurance coverage to meet owner insurance requirements. As a result, many owners have turned to incepting an owner-controlled insurance program or relying on a  more...

Implied Obligations in Construction Contracts BenefitsWhen parties enter into construction or design contracts there may be numerous implied obligations that arise under law or in equity. These implied obligations should be carefully considered by owners, design professionals and contractors. These implied obligations apply to most construction and design contracts unless a specific contractual provision is provided in the contract that  more...

Avoiding Legal Pitfalls on Construction Projects: The Three Ds (Dollars, Delay and Defects) BenefitsConstruction projects are notoriously fecund areas for legal disputes, most of which can be categorized according to the Three Ds: dollars, delay and defects. Is it inevitable that all construction projects will at some point be labeled troubled, or is it possible to avoid the chronic and recurring bugbears? This audio conference will help you anticipate and maybe even avoid the classic  more...

Commercial Landlord Tenant Law in California BenefitsToday's leasing environment in California is extremely challenging. Unemployment remains at its highest level in recent history, credit is tight and many commercial properties are under water. Nobody is sure what the future holds and this keeps a lot of people on the sidelines. This audio conference is geared to help you understand the current market dynamics, what kind of deals are  more...

Anatomy of a Natural Resources Damage Claim BenefitsNatural resources damage claims are an integral part of the environmental clean up and restoration process. Federal, state and tribal natural resource trustees have stepped-up their activities with respect to the natural resources damage assessments process and in their efforts to recover for alleged damages. Trustees are forging forward with assessment activities, involving themselves in  more...

2010 Florida Condominium and Homeowner Association Law Legal Update BenefitsThe 2010 Florida legislative session was very active in the number of bills introduced concerning community associations. As a result, a myriad of significant changes were made to chapters 718, 719, 720, 721 and 617 of the Florida Statutes. Attend this teleconference and you will not only learn about the changes but will understand some of the intended and unintended consequences resulting  more...

LEED Documentation and Recordkeeping Requirements BenefitsAn important step in achieving LEED certification for a project is both an understanding of the need for and implementing a plan of recordkeeping and documentation that makes filling out the submittal templates easy to perform. This audio conference will help you understand not only what recordkeeping and documentation is required, but how to compile it and what is needed to be submitted  more...

Boundary Law Issues BenefitsThis teleconference is an overview of conceptual boundary issues without reference to any particular jurisdiction. Topics include survey issues, legal theories used to establish boundaries and a discussion of a sample agreement. The teleconference will provide you with some general concepts to allow review of the issues specific to your area with greater economy. Learning Objectives - You  more...

Brownfield Redevelopment and LEED in 2010: What Happens When You Mix Green and Brown? ...rty is no longer stigmatized by experienced investors and developers because of our mature position on the learning curve. Green buildings can also yield an increase to net operating income and enhance real estate market value. During this audio conference, we will examine a brownfield site in New England with potential for renewable energy applications and evaluate how the site could attract  more...

EPA Requirements for Underground Storage Tanks: Recent Changes and Cleaning Up Contamination ...developers, businesses and individuals encounter the opportunity to purchase land that has been previously contaminated by underground storage tanks. Many of these prospective purchasers are not aware of or do not understand the responsibilities and liabilities that can be associated with such a purchase. Even worse, most businesses and individuals underestimate the amount of time and expense  more...

Metal Building Design for Changed Occupancy or Loading BenefitsIn today's economy, many building owners are electing to update their current location or existing structure instead of purchasing new facilities. Metal buildings are very common due to their efficiencies and lower up-front construction costs as they are designed to meet exact project requirements. Changes in the project requirements that increase loading or moving building components can  more...

Roadway Rights of Way: Understanding the Legal and Practical Issues BenefitsThis teleconference will provide comprehensive and useful information about rights of way, easements and issues related to their creation, use and liability. If you are a land surveyor responsible for determining property boundaries, an engineer involved in highway and roadway design, a governmental official affected by route location and selection, or an attorney involved in real estate  more...

Understanding the Legal Concepts of Adverse Possession of Real Property in New York State BenefitsAdverse possession is a recognized legal doctrine in the state of New York that enables a party, through litigation, to acquire title or ownership to real property belonging to someone else, and to thereby extinguish the record owner's rights in and to that property. While the New York courts have historically disfavored settling property disputes in this manner and thus the courts have  more...

Surety Bonds and Contract Provisions BenefitsWhile there are many general rules of suretyship, a performance bond is a tri-partite agreement among owner (oblige), contractor (principal) and surety (obligor). The surety acts as the guarantor of the contractor's performance. The rights, duties and obligations of the parties will be determined by the rules of contract interpretation. Key areas of potential dispute focus on the surety's  more...

Public/Private Partnerships: Major Infrastructure and Other Development Projects ...e needs. At the same time, P3s provide an opportunity for developers and contractors to weather this economic crisis. The expectations and hopes are high on all sides, and the risks, political and financial, are even higher. This teleconference will assist you in understanding how the P3 model works and provide you with tools for evaluating the viability of a proposed P3. Learning Objectives -  more...

Land Use Law Update BenefitsIn today's world, land use laws are pervasive and they must be addressed as part of nearly every undertaking. Knowing your rights and obligations - and securing necessary approvals in a timely manner - are critical steps to the ultimate success of any development or activity. A review of several key land use issues relating to federal land use laws, alternative energy and the ever-evolving  more...

Construction Joint Ventures: Benefits and Pitfalls BenefitsConstruction joint ventures, properly conceived and implemented, enhance the marketing opportunities and organizational assets of the individual joint venturers thereby enabling the joint venture to obtain and successfully complete larger more complex projects than those the joint venturers could undertake individually. Construction joint ventures are excellent vehicles for combining  more...

Land Development Right Transfer Issues and Complexities ...are compensated for voluntarily conserving their land and developers are able to achieve more profitable levels of development despite contributing to off-site preservation. As a market driven tool that requires coordination of various stakeholders, TDR can seem intimidating. This teleconference will give you the fundamentals of TDR, including a solid understanding of TDR components and an  more...

Agreements of Sale and Due Diligence in Commercial Real Estate Transactions BenefitsThe experienced attorney can help purchasers and sellers avoid needless aggravation and expense. Both parties to a land transaction have incentive to avoid protracted legal disputes. By negotiating and drafting effective agreements of sale and assisting clients with the performance of essential due diligence, attorneys can allocate the risks associated with land transactions and save their  more...

Managing Construction Costs BenefitsRising construction costs are a fact of life. Budget overruns are frequent occurrences. When costs rise, someone pays - how can you avoid being the one who pays? A savvy construction business person can take many steps along the way to apportion the risks of construction in a way to ensure that his or her company avoids getting stuck with the bill for escalating costs. Some of the most  more...

Ohio Prompt Payment Act Update BenefitsThe Prompt Payment Act contains some often misunderstood or overlooked requirements that are critical to protecting project profitability. Cash flow is the lifeblood for most companies, but particularly contractors. Many contractors, subcontractors, specialty trades and suppliers are forced to finance the construction of a project as a result of delayed payment from their contracting  more...

Emerging Trends in Metal Roofing BenefitsThis teleconference will provide information on the current state of the metal roofing industry as well as the trends for the future. Metal roofing is the fastest growing residential roof product, and its share of the commercial roofing market continues to grow. It is becoming a product of choice for architects, designers and facility managers looking for a durable and energy efficient  more...

Implementing An Indoor Air Quality/Construction Hygiene Plan BenefitsIn the past, organizations developed management plans to help reduce damage to building materials during construction. Following the appearance of mold and water intrusion as a significant threat to construction projects, construction hygiene plans began to emerge in the early 2000s. Today, sustainability plays a key role in most new construction and large-scale renovations projects. To  more...

Utilizing Data in Microsoft Access ...een the skills of the information worker and professional developers. It's a database platform that allows information workers to extend the power of Excel into database applications. Nonprofessional developers can create their own tables, queries, forms and reports to automate their processes. They can even write their own macros and VBA code to implement custom behaviors. Microsoft Access can  more...

Real Estate and Land Valuation in Depressed Markets BenefitsThis teleconference will guide professionals depending upon reliable estimates of market value to identify viable and reliable market data using methods available in the market but not commonly applied during active real estate markets. The teleconference will explain underlying valuation theory for these alternative applications using relevant information during the current real estate  more...

Obtaining Surety Bonds for Construction Projects BenefitsThe current heightened risk environment caused by increasing contractor failures have raised concerns in the surety markets, however underwriting standards have not materially changed. What has changed is that sureties are more closely scrutinizing contractors' balance sheets and underwriting information to meet these standards and this trend will remain until the construction industry  more...

California Wetlands: New Issues and Regulations Affecting Land Use Planning BenefitsWetlands have gained a special stature due to their significance to land use planning and development in California. Impacts to wetlands invite the involvement of a myriad of federal, state and local agencies, and their accompanying regulations. Permit processing is complex and time consuming, and many policies are inconsistent. Failure to understand these layered regulations can lead  more...

Current Issues in Subcontracts and Teaming Agreements BenefitsSubcontracts and teaming agreements are common in business and take many forms. When the customer is the Federal Government however, companies often try to squeeze these relationships into their standard purchase orders and performance work statements. Particularly with heightened scrutiny by all federal agencies over the entry into contracts and the performance of those contracts, by all  more...

Landlord and Tenant Law: Commercial Tenant Bankruptcy Considerations BenefitsIn today's uncertain economic climate, commercial tenants may find themselves with diminishing cash flows and limited resources to satisfy their obligations to their landlords, leaving both grappling with tough decisions, including whether to renegotiate the existing lease, terminate the lease or exercise other remedies upon default. This teleconference will explore the rights, remedies  more...

Perpetual Pavement Design and Sustainability BenefitsEnvironmental sustainability in road construction is becoming increasingly important as the public demands more sustainable practices and economic considerations make sustainable solutions more attractive. Asphalt pavements are widely recognized as being sustainable because they can be recycled easily and effectively, but an even more sustainable practice is to ensure the long life of a  more...

Sale Leaseback Transactions Today: Monetizing Real Estate Assets BenefitsA troubled economy and a chilly borrowing environment require a re-thinking of how capital and debt are used in your business. Monetizing real estate assets by sale-leaseback transactions may free up needed capital to invest in your business, particularly if the real estate is undervalued. This teleconference will help you understand when and where sale-leaseback transactions on real  more...

Sustainable Design and LEED Specification Requirements BenefitsThe project specifications are part of a legal contract that describe the quality of materials, the quality of workmanship and the administrative processes required for the contractor to deliver a building that meets the owners requirements. One of these requirements may be LEED certification. This teleconference will give you an understanding of the importance of the Division 1  more...

Illinois Accessibility Codes BenefitsIn order to address the needs of constituents with disabilities throughout the state, Illinois developed their own accessibility code. This is required to be enforced by all municipalities. While there are a number of applicable accessibility codes that may need to be addressed, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the International  more...

Planning and Zoning Techniques for Open Space Preservation BenefitsOpen space generates intense interest and support among citizens and elected officials as a key to making our communities livable and sustainable. Actually implementing a successful open space strategy is complex. Open space planning and implementation must take into account the regional context, community vision and ultimate function of the open space areas. The costs and means of  more...

New Jersey s Rehabilitation Subcode BenefitsNew Jersey's Rehabilitation Subcode helps bridge the gap between modern day building codes and what can be done practically. The state of New Jersey will enforce different standards with little regard for grandfathering while also allowing older historical construction the ability to have some flexibility to allow realistic construction limitation to be accommodated. This teleconference  more...

Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: Application to Condominiums and Single-Family Homes ...le-family home sales from slipping away. Many condominium developers and home builders who are subject to the federal Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act do not understand how to comply, or perhaps worse, they think they're in compliance when they're not. These developers do not understand either how to draft unit purchase agreements to comply with the completed home exemption or when  more...

Understanding, Preventing and Addressing Well Performance Issues BenefitsThe demand for reliable clean water continues to grow across the country and one of the most common sources is ground water. The most important component in a ground water based supply system is the wells used to extract water from underground aquifers. Maintaining the long-term performance of wells requires an understanding of the factors that effect well performance. Problems with well  more...

Land Banking, Off-Balance-Sheet Financing and Joint Ventures in Residential Development BenefitsLand banking, off-balance-sheet financing and joint ventures have become an even more important means for the home-building industry to mitigate the risk of land ownership, control capital requirements, and avoid the negative impact of carrying acquisition assets and liabilities on balance sheets. This teleconference is intended to provide those involved with the residential real estate  more...

Building Information Modeling: Planning, Design and Legal Considerations BenefitsWhether you are an owner, a designer or a builder, you need information about building information modeling. The good news is that there is lots of information out there; the bad news is that much of it is not useful. No one knows everything about BIM but we can start by talking about authoritative sources for BIM information, then sprinkle in some basic BIM concepts. Information will be  more...

ASTM Standard on Vapor Intrusion BenefitsConcerns over vapor intrusion and its impact on communities and industries have increased exponentially over the past several years. Faced with these issues, scientists and regulators have faced substantial challenges due to the absence of uniform and reliable standards, and the lack of clear guidance has complicated planning, development, remediation and ultimately, litigation regarding  more...

Condition Assessments and Structural Evaluation of Existing Buildings BenefitsCondition assessment and structural evaluation of existing buildings is not a course that is taught in most engineering colleges. However, this is a task that many engineers are asked to do by their clients and not all of them have had the experience to take on this seemingly simple task but which has several pitfalls. The client's reasons for requesting this service could be due to  more...

Developing Storm Water Utilities and Impact Fee Programs BenefitsLocal governments are facing growing challenges to manage storm water runoff due to aging infrastructure, ever-increasing capital needs and unfunded federal mandates to manage water quality. Storm water programs that are supported primarily by the general fund must compete annually with other programs and funding is often unreliable and insufficient. Due to the recent recession, tax  more...

Common Principles for Successful Design-Build Projects BenefitsYou will learn how design-build project delivery systems differ from the traditional design-bid-build system, how to evaluate whether design-build may be advantageous for your particular situation and project, how to structure a design-build approach to maximize the probability of a successful project in either the private or the public sector and how to select an appropriate contract  more...

Design Professionals' Exposure for Design Errors and Omissions BenefitsToday, design professionals are being asked to take on greater risk and liability than ever before. For the individual responsible for identifying and evaluating risk for design professionals on a project-by-project basis, complex issues concerning measure of damages, insurance and other potential sources of risk must be understood and examined on every project. This teleconference will  more...

EPA's Rules on Compensatory Mitigation for Impact on Wetlands, Streams and Other Waters ... the new approach to compensatory mitigation - a must for developers, consultants and attorneys in the field. Learning Objectives - You will be able to explain the purpose of compensatory mitigation. - You will be able to describe the new compensatory mitigation rule. - You will be able to discuss practical impacts of the final rule. - You will be able to identify emerging trends. Engineers,  more...

Introduction to California Subdivision Law BenefitsSubdividing land into marketable lots is a complex, time-consuming process in California. This teleconference takes you through the process step-by-step, introducing you to the basic legal principles and variety of players in this essential aspect of development law. Experienced practitioners provide practical tips on avoiding common pitfalls in the subdivision process. Learn how the  more...

Not in My Backyard (NIMBY): Overcoming Development Resistance BenefitsNot long ago, few places ever said no' to new real estate development. Then came environmental movements, smart growth, anti-sprawl and people who said 'not in my backyard.' Because a politician who annoys enough people will be voted out of office, public officials started listening to them - and the process of deciding who gets to build what, where, was politicized. Today, land use  more...

Development Challenges for Small Commercial Sites BenefitsDevelopment constraints are present in all building construction projects, with small site commercial development presenting unique challenges in regards to matching the existing character of the area, conformity with local zoning, land use and environmental regulations, and if all approvals and permitting are ultimately obtained, construction-related challenges and end-user occupancy  more...

Screening Commercial Tenants: Priorities and Pitfalls BenefitsIn this economic environment many commercial landlords are experiencing increasingly high default and vacancy rates while the value of their assets is, in many jurisdictions, plummeting. The Congressional Oversight Panel recently released its Commercial Real Estate Losses and the Risk to Financial Stability report confirming many industry experts' fears of a looming commercial real estate  more...

Common Clauses and Pitfalls of Homeowners Insurance BenefitsHomeowners' insurance is routinely purchased but rarely examined by the homeowner at that time. Buyers simply assume that in exchange for their monthly premiums they are guaranteed the insurer's protection. But when calamity strikes, these homeowners may be surprised to learn that their policies contain provisions that work to reduce or even eliminate that protection. We will offer our  more...

Forums for Resolving Construction Disputes BenefitsWhen the parties to a construction contract are unable to resolve a change order request, the decision to pursue the matter beyond the administrative remedies defined in the contract can turn out to be a worthwhile investment or throwing good money after bad. Often the difference is related to the forum that has been chosen to resolve the dispute. As a result, contractors and owners, and  more...

Conflicts With Additional Insured Coverage BenefitsStandard form contracts and purchase orders often require contract counterparties to add one another as additional insureds to general liability, property and other insurance policies. Relying upon another parties' insurance coverage can offer important benefits to the additional insured, whose own insurance coverage may not be implicated in the event of a claim. At the same time, relying  more...

Low-Impact Development Maintenance and Upkeep Techniques BenefitsThroughout the country new storm water regulations are requiring the control of runoff peak flow rates, runoff volume and water quality. To meet these requirements, engineers and planners are implementing low impact development concepts into their site development plans. This results in the use of many complex storm water BMPs such as bioinfiltration systems, infiltration basins,  more...

LEED Tax Incentives and Credits for Green Buildings BenefitsLEED is a certification program for green buildings. Key elements of the program are water conservation, energy conservation and a reduction in waste going to landfill. Federal, state and local jurisdictions are looking for ways to incentivize improved performance in these key areas. The President is working with Congress to pass comprehensive legislation to protect our nation from the  more...

Easement Valuations: Common Pitfalls and Principles BenefitsMany state and local governments are acquiring a variety of preservation easements for a broad variety of reasons and it is important that property owners understand the proper method of valuing these easements to insure they are receiving just compensation. Further, condemnors are increasingly recharacterizing temporary construction easements as noneasements to avoid paying compensation.  more...

New Developments in Greywater Irrigation Systems ...er-drafting and sheer population increase, pressure is on developers and builders to conserve water in new developments. The focus for such conservation is on the landscape, which currently uses about half of all urban water. This teleconference will teach you what greywater really is, all the environmental and financial benefits of reusing it, how to legally capture and irrigate with it, and  more...

Current Issues Facing Real Estate Lenders: Managing Through the Tidal Wave of Distressed Properties BenefitsThis is a unique time in the cycle of real estate financing. The economy is at risk in a way not experienced since the Great Depression. Credit markets are frozen and financial institutions are under severe distress. Real estate assets are suffering from deflation in value and illiquidity. Tenant distress, soon followed by landlord challenges, will create further deep disruptions. It is  more...

Leasing Public Infrastructure BenefitsFinancing of public infrastructure assets has been popular in Europe and Latin America but is a relatively new phenomenon in the United States. During the first part of this decade, the financing of public infrastructure through public/private partnership concession and lease agreements became increasingly popular. Although these transactions have slowed during the recent financial crisis,  more...

Air Rights in Development: Current Trends and Legal Concerns ...leconference will provide practitioners representing both developers and lenders an overview of challenges and opportunities presented by this ownership structure. Common law concepts and traditional zoning, subdivision, and building code provisions do not always work in an air rights project, and a real estate lawyer that is not familiar with the disconnects in these areas can create expensive  more...

Building Code Compliance Specifications BenefitsBuilding codes place responsibility for designing a building project in accordance with the appropriate adopted codes and standards in the location of the project while building officials are charged with reviewing the plans and specifications for compliance. Many design professionals do not understand how much information to include in their project specifications as it relates to code  more...

Workout Strategies for Troubled Condominium Projects ...oject in today's uncertain times. Attorneys, real estate developers, lenders, borrowers, mortgage companies, mezzanine lenders, financial institutions, loan servicers, investment banks, private equity companies and other investors, real estate professionals, condominium associations and their board members, unit owners, management and leasing agents, brokers, CFOs, accountants and others who  more...

Avoiding the Risk of Subcontractor Default ... general contractor, other subcontractors, and owners and developers. This teleconference will provide best practice procedures for prequalifying subcontractors and managing subcontractor default risk. It will also provide guidance for steps to take in the event a default occurs. Instituting a formal prequalification process and being prepared to take action in the event of a default will  more...

Best Practices in Technical Writing and User-Centered Documentation BenefitsThe bad news is that most technical writers don't have time to document everything; the good news is that most users don't have time to read everything. This teleconference puts these two facts together and shows how to focus on documenting only the things that real users need to know. You will learn how to make the most of the limited time you can devote to documentation while making that  more...

Letters of Intent Fundamentals BenefitsLetters of intent are a popular and useful vehicle to further negotiations in complex business transactions. However, letters of intent can be traps for the unwary, binding parties to obligations to which they may never have intended to be bound. This teleconference will explore the benefits and risks of letters of intent and how best to protect parties from unintended consequences. This  more...

The Construction Bidding Process BenefitsThe federal construction bidding process is complex. This teleconference will review the complicated federal construction bidding process, including sealed bidding procedures and negotiated procurements. The teleconference will also review practical substantive issues which commonly arise in preparing a bid or proposal for federal construction work, such as proprietary specifications,  more...

New Developments in Greywater Irrigation Systems ...er-drafting and sheer population increase, pressure is on developers and builders to conserve water in new developments. The focus for such conservation is on the landscape, which currently uses about half of all urban water. This teleconference will teach you what greywater really is, all the environmental and financial benefits of reusing it, how to legally capture and irrigate with it, and  more...

Easement Valuations: Common Pitfalls and Principles BenefitsMany state and local governments are acquiring a variety of preservation easements for a broad variety of reasons and it is important that property owners understand the proper method of valuing these easements to insure they are receiving just compensation. Further, condemnors are increasingly recharacterizing temporary construction easements as noneasements to avoid paying compensation.  more...

Community Association Legal Issues - Charting the Course Through Rough Seas BenefitsWith the current state of the economy, managing Community Associations presents new and complex issues to the board of directors and the management companies. The value of and the ability to sell real property in a common interest community are significantly affected by the appropriate and effective management of the Association. Implementing a budgeting process and establishing collection  more...

Pervious Concrete - The Pavement That Drinks! ...n control and storm water management. Property owners and developers can also reduce fees and enhance the bottom line by using pervious concrete, which commonly provides 20 or more years of service with little or no maintenance. You will learn about the latest mix designs, freeze and thaw resistance, environmental benefits, storm water management planning and placement techniques. This  more...

Construction Release Due Diligence BenefitsIt's not the release you see that will hurt you. It's the release you don't see. The release embedded in the fine print of the standard form contracts you sign. The release that's not called a release. It's called a lien waiver, or a pay application, or acceptance of final payment, or a change order, or waiver of subrogation. The document you sign without recognizing how it may impact your  more...

Collection Issues for Condominium and Homeowners' Association: Legal Tips, Concepts and Current Trends in Assessment Collection BenefitsThis teleconference will address relevant legal issues and practical considerations related to the collection of assessments for condominium and homeowner associations. Given current economic trends, the suppressed housing market and rising rates of foreclosures and bankruptcies, homeowners' associations are now inundated with delinquencies and legal issues in degrees not previously  more...

Design Tips for Retention and Detention Ponds BenefitsYou will learn design tips for both dry and wet stormwater management ponds. You will understand the relationship between variables in hydrologic and hydraulic runoff models and their impact on pond design. You will learn about the impact of USEPA Phase II stormwater regulation. Learning Objectives - You will be able to identify maintenance issues. - You will be able to explain weir and  more...

Pros and Cons of Cost-Plus vs. Fixed Price Contracts BenefitsLump sum and cost-plus contracts for construction projects offer different protections and incentives for both owners and contractors. With today's economic pressures, it is important that project participants know the factors to consider in choosing between these pricing approaches and to understand the advantages and disadvantages to each. The current economic situation has imposed  more...

CERCLA Liability Update BenefitsConventional wisdom (and EPA policy) has provided that any person shipping hazardous materials to a disposal facility will end up being jointly and severally liable, with all other entities shipping materials to the facility, for any costs of cleaning up contamination at the facility. Likewise, conventional wisdom and EPA policy have informed up that manufacturers or producers who deal  more...

Commercial Leases: A Discussion of Legal, Negotiating and Drafting Considerations BenefitsBy attending this teleconference, you will learn the types of expenses commercial tenants should expect to incur and how to appropriately attempt to limit such expenses. By limiting expenses, you'll go a long way toward protecting the tenants you represent against unforeseen leasing costs. Such expenses include the cost of improving the premises, operating cost pass-throughs, real estate  more...

Subleasing Issues In A Down and Recovering Market BenefitsBrokers and property owners agree: The subprime mortgage meltdown has finally reached the office market, bringing with it a flood of subleases as the economy continues its downward trend, and even as it recovers. It is time to dust off the practices and procedures lessons first learned in 1991 and 1992 when the savings and loan industry collapsed, and then again in 2000 and 2001 when the  more...

Emerging Trends in Infrastructure Finance - The Stimulus and Beyond BenefitsOur nation's competitiveness has long relied on an efficient, effective and affordable infrastructure network. Over time, both private and public sector investors have played roles in developing our infrastructure. Unfortunately, as the era of government-led and government-financed infrastructure comes to an end because of diminishing resources, alternatives must be explored. Governments  more...

Green Leases: Sustainable Alternatives to Traditional Agreements BenefitsA steadily increasing number of tenants, along with state pension funds and other institutional partners of commercial landlords, and state and local legislators are combining forces to press commercial landlords into moving forward with green buildings and the greening of existing buildings. The LEED movement for green building leases started with encouraging energy efficiency and then  more...

Design Tips for Rain Gardens: Storm Water and Runoff Control BenefitsRain gardens have been used to beautify landscapes while improving runoff quality since their inception in Prince George's County, Maryland, in the early 1990's. Research has shown that their cousin, bioretention, does a very good job of reducing pollutant loads, reducing runoff volumes and increasing infiltration, spurring regulators to look favorably on these practices. What these  more...

Asphalt vs. Concrete: Selection and Design Considerations BenefitsToday, asphalt and concrete receive equal consideration by engineers. Improvements in pavement technology have largely eliminated the ruts that once plagued asphalt and cracks that spoiled concrete. Choosing a material is a matter of economics that considers life span, maintenance requirements, and road closure time. Learn the pros and cons of choosing each material; design considerations  more...

Construction Recordkeeping and Documentation Requirements for Government Contracts BenefitsWhile a systematic records retention policy is a hallmark of every successful business, it is also a mandatory condition of contracting with the federal government. Federal laws and regulations require federal contractors, including construction contractors, to maintain certain records related to the contract for a specific number of years. Consequently, federal contractors are well  more...

Integrated Project Delivery Principles and Building Information Modeling BenefitsMany in the facilities community, including designers, builders and owners, need a hand understanding IPD and BIM. What does it all mean? Who benefits and how? Some that have heard about IPD and BIM may be wondering how to either ask for it in their projects or implement these principles in their firms. There are some basic concepts in IPD and BIM that can be used in every project large or  more...

Understanding LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance BenefitsThe U.S. Green Building Councils' LEED for Existing Buildings Operations Maintenance program goal is obtaining higher performance in buildings that have already been constructed and are currently in operation. LEED EBO M emphasizes maximizing operational service and efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. The system addresses whole-building energy and water use, indoor comfort  more...

Float Ownership Issues in Construction Project Management BenefitsFloat is a measure of schedule flexibility. It can be used to avoid creating disputes about delays or misused to exacerbate them. We will discuss the relationships between schedules, float and delays, and examine techniques which may be used to manipulate them and to minimize manipulation. This teleconference will also review the effect of contract provisions and the development of case  more...

Current Tax Implications of Repositioning Real Estate ... a declining real estate market, more building owners and developers are concerned about the tax consequences associated with foreclosures, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, short sales and debt restructuring. Often, the tax consequences associated with these transactions can be difficult to determine. This teleconference will help you advise your clients on the income tax effects of restructuring  more...

Contractor Selection BenefitsIn today's difficult financial times when construction is considered, it is vital to have the best construction team members available. While design professionals, lenders and other professionals are important for a successful project, in these 'watch the bottom line' times, the contractor you place in charge of the work is the most important person on the project. This teleconference will  more...

Construction Contract Bid Errors BenefitsThe pressures on contractors to obtain work have never been greater. The competition for contracts, often coupled with precarious financial health, leaves very little margin for error - yet bid mistakes are on the increase with adverse consequences for owners, contractors and subcontractors. This teleconference analyzes the legal consequences of bid errors and how to avoid them. Those who  more...

A Road Map to Greening Our Residential Buildings: National Green Building Standards Review BenefitsIn this teleconference, you will uncover the hidden opportunities across our largest environmental problem areas in residential buildings. We will uncover how we are missing substantial ways to save energy, water and money, and discuss the new national green building standards that will affect you and your industry. You'll be exposed to new data and connections you've never seen before and  more...

Access Management Design and Development BenefitsAccess management is a critical element of every private and public roadway or site development project. As a transportation engineer and/or planner, understanding the basics of access design and access development is crucial in delivering a successful project to your client. Driveway access to a site can have positive or negative consequences on the amount of potential business a retail  more...

Affordable Housing: Finance and Development, How to Maximize the Available Resources ...nment stimulus concepts and programs may prove helpful to developers of affordable housing. This teleconference is designed for those involved in all aspects of the production and operation of affordable housing and will discuss, in both general and specific terms, current topics affecting affordable housing throughout the country. Recent trends in the housing market will be discussed and the  more...

Traffic Management for Construction Work Zones: Unique Challenges and Solutions BenefitsThe hazards encountered at construction zones vary by project and by project phases. To address these hazards, certain program elements must be completed before work begins, while additional elements must be addressed on-site and on an on-going basis. Many contractors who are required to prepare and implement traffic control plans often do not understand how to process the approval and  more...

Current Trends in Carbon Credits and Markets BenefitsThe world of greenhouse gas regulation is increasingly complex. International, national, state and regional greenhouse gas reduction programs typically include carbon offsets or allowances as one of the tools to achieve compliance. This teleconference will help those who are involved with and responsible for climate change programs and compliance to understand the nature, use and value of  more...

Automated Meter Reading and Advanced Metering Infrastructure: A Guide for Municipal Water and Energy Utilities BenefitsCan you make a sound business case for AMR/AMI? What does it take to have a successful advanced metering system project? Advanced metering systems are evolving to meet municipal needs for efficient customer service, infrastructure management and conservation. But, acquiring and successfully integrating automatic meter reading/advanced metering infrastructure presents unique challenges to  more...

Who Should Bear the Risk? Top 10 Things Developers Need to Know About Loan Documents ...fitsWith the tightening in the commercial lending market, developers are under increased pressure to provide lenders with projects that present no more than a responsible risk. After an equity requirement, loan documentation is the primary vehicle for allocating risk between the parties. This teleconference will help you understand lenders' requirements and the variety of loan documentation  more...

Managing Post-Construction Claims BenefitsClaims that arise after project completion can ruin a previously successful job. Such claims arise from a host of problems, such as physical failures, unpaid lower tier contractors, undiscovered defects of design and construction, and personal injuries. Taking steps to avoid such claims is prudent but companies also need strategies to deal with claims that inevitably arise. This  more...

Building Green Without Losing Green: Managing Risk in Sustainable Design and Construction Contracts BenefitsRising energy costs, government mandates and market forces are combining to produce a surge of interest in sustainable development. The introduction of new green practices and processes requires a fresh review of old design and construction template agreements. In this teleconference, you will learn to identify areas of contractual risk in the green development context. You will also learn  more...

FEMA's Critical Flood Plain Regulation BenefitsFEMA's National Flood Insurance Program plays a very important role in protecting communities and their residents and businesses from the disaster caused by flooding. It publicizes the areas of greatest flood risk, restricts construction with high flood risk, and provides insurance for the flood losses that are excluded from most homeowners and general business policies. These activities  more...

Clean Air Act Update BenefitsU.S. businesses are facing unprecedented uncertainty as to future requirements under the Clean Air Act and an array of new programs addressing stationary and mobile emission sources. The Obama Administration and Congress are poised to usher in a new era of greenhouse gas and energy regulation. At the same time, the Obama EPA is confronting a bewildering array of court-ordered regulatory  more...

Measuring Inefficiency on a Construction Project BenefitsEfficiency is often the key to profitability. Conversely, inefficiency boosts costs, busts budgets and kills profits. Given the consequences, understanding and managing the efficiency of construction is important to everyone on the project - from the contractors, subcontractors and suppliers that experience inefficiency to the owners and design consultants whose actions can lead to  more...

Legal Construction Issues in Connection With Office Condominiums BenefitsWhat you don't know could hurt you - stay updated on issues concerning office condominiums. Join us for this innovative teleconference and get up to speed on the construction of condominiums. Get a handle on complicated issues surrounding the construction of a condominium association. Avoid problems down the road by protecting yourself and your company - find out exactly what the critical  more...

Lighting Design and Control for Commercial Buildings: Increase Sales, Increase Productivity and Save Energy BenefitsWhatever your business is, the proper illumination can provide paybacks that far exceed the energy saved. Studies have confirmed findings. This topic will be presented in a fast paced teleconference with many real life examples. System efficiencies, impact on other architectural systems and integrated controls will all be discussed. We will discuss daylighting, a 100 year old feature that  more...

Multifamily Project Finance and Development ...tinues to be a challenge, even for well-capitalized owner/developers with good track records and performing or well conceived new projects. The looming 'refinance crisis' for multifamily projects financed with CMBS and with soon-to-expire construction loans will only add to the challenges. This teleconference will explore a variety of debt and equity programs, including some new and  more...

Practical Transportation Design and Solutions: Concepts and Implementation BenefitsDue to the increasing age of our nation's transportation infrastructure, in conjunction with the increasing demand for travel, the need for ongoing road preservation, safety and mobility projects has continually increased. However, the long term availability of funds for such improvements continues to diminish. Typical planning and design approaches may prioritize projects at the planning  more...

Collective Bargaining and Construction Labor Contracts BenefitsThe construction industry is rife with contractors who sign collective bargaining agreements and later find out that the agreements do not accurately represent the verbal understandings they had reached with the union. Many of these contractors soon learn they are bound to the collective bargaining agreements for longer periods of time than expected and that the agreements cover all  more...

Common Annexation Issues in Development BenefitsAnnexation is a process for the adjustment of government boundaries. Annexation can have a significant impact on the owners of the real property to be annexed, on the annexing government agency and on those who own property in the immediate area. This teleconference will discuss the pros and cons of annexation and how it is used to control development. You will gain useful information  more...

Construction Payment Remedies: Using the Right Tools BenefitsThe recession has made nonpayment and late payment critical concerns to many in the construction industry. The unique nature of the industry and the special remedies available to those in it make payment disputes matters of much interest to all involved in the construction process. The recession has only made resolution of these disputes more challenging. This teleconference will cover  more...

Principles Of Erosion And Sediment Control BenefitsThis teleconference will provide you an overview of the soil erosion processes and control. Specific attention will be paid to basic processes and on how to use an understanding of those basics to analyze control structures, practices and procedures, especially for new applications and failed installations. Emphasis will be placed on water erosion, but will also cover other topics from the  more...

Nanotech Materials for Sustainable Buildings BenefitsA nanotech revolution is underway in building materials and technologies. In fact, you won't achieve truly green, sustainable buildings without some of the products emerging from this revolution. Many nanotech products are already here and you can use them with confidence. This 90-minute, nontechnical teleconference will give an overview of how nanotech is changing the full spectrum of  more...

When HOA's and the IRS Compete for Lien Property: Lien Priorities, Perfections and Foreclosure Rights BenefitsIn lien law, timing is everything - or is it? If an HOA's statutory lien is perfected by recording its CC R's, then an HOA lien should have priority over a subsequently recorded IRS income tax lien; but does it? When the IRS records an income tax lien, lien priority determinations under state law may be complicated by governed federal laws. This teleconference will discuss HOA lien  more...

Low Quality Asphalt: How to Avoid Problems Down the Road BenefitsLow quality asphalt is a facility owner's or manager's nightmare. How to turn it into a high quality asset can be a difficult question. That's what this teleconference is about. Reconstruction of asphalt pavements, whether a roadway, commercial parking lot or large distribution center, can be time consuming and very expensive. Costs associated with loss of use can easily exceed costs of  more...

Ground Failures and Other Groundwater-Related Property Damage BenefitsOne ground failure can destroy your professional reputation or decimate your life savings. A ground failure doesn't have to make the national news to be a catastrophic loss to a property owner. Ground failure mechanisms come in many forms - landslides, sinkholes, soil expansion, bedrock heave, soil collapse, erosion - all of which typically include water as a major contributing factor.  more...

Slope Stabilization: Best Practices and Challenges BenefitsThis teleconference will address the types of slope stabilization failures and techniques used to avoid failures by the application of best practices. There are well-established engineering principles for the design and maintenance of stable slopes. This teleconference summarizes practices to overcome challenges to enhance slope stability. Many engineers are faced with challenges to  more...

Recent Updates to the EPA's Brownfields Program BenefitsThis teleconference will provide you with an update on the current status of the Federal Brownfields Program. You will learn about benefits you can obtain under the Federal Brownfields Program, the status of the program and some of the risks to brownfields development resulting from a recent Supreme Court case and environmental risks associated with vapor intrusion. Learning Objectives -  more...

Zoning Variances: Nonconforming Uses and Structures BenefitsThis teleconference will be useful in determining how to devise and apply nonconforming development and land use regulations, how to review evidence documenting nonconforming development and uses, and how to determine whether a nonconforming development or use has been terminated, abandoned or modified. Learning Objectives - You will be able to report and document a nonconforming use. -  more...

Infill Development Fundamentals BenefitsOver the past decade, a variety of forces have operated to create a trend toward more infill development and less development of greenfields or agricultural land. But infill development poses a unique set of challenges compared to more traditional development on vacant land. This teleconference will summarize the principal differences between infill development and greenfield development,  more...

Retaining Wall and Slope Design Considerations BenefitsLow cost sites ideal for development are becoming scarce as growth continues to increase in high density population centers. As a result, sites considered less ideal (small sites, sites with limited right-of-way, and/or sites with excessive topographic relief, etc.) are becoming more attractive. As a result, the design and construction of retaining walls and slopes are becoming more  more...

Revitalizing Vacant Commercial Properties BenefitsWith the tremendous turmoil in the commercial real estate market, there will plenty of potential opportunities for owner-users and investors to purchase vacant properties at pennies on the dollar. The question is how? The ability to acquire these properties and bring them back to a viable place to do business or to investment status will require a plan and know how. This teleconference  more...

Health Care Facility Design and Development BenefitsDeveloping or expanding a health care facility is particularly challenging in the modern economic and regulatory environment. Health care administrators are looking for project delivery models that ensure excellence in planning and delivery. Incorporating thought leadership in design, operational efficiency and sustainability, as well as efficient project delivery are important  more...

Maintain and Gain Downtown Businesses in a Tough Economy: Key Retention and Recruitment Concepts BenefitsIt is possible to pursue new growth and attend to those who have already invested in your community. In fact, we believe that it should be a goal of every economic development or downtown to have a balanced 'maintaining and gaining' approach to economic growth. This teleconference will illuminate a number strategies and tactics to consider as you pursue this goal. Learning Objectives -  more...

ConsensusDOCS Contract Fundamentals BenefitsIn the fall of 2007, the Associated General Contractors of American and the Construction Owners of America folded their AGC contract documents program into a new organization and issued a new series of contracts called the ConsensusDOCS. These forms, some revised and some entirely new, were issued at nearly the same time as the American Institute of Architects' 2007 revision of the AIA  more...

Building Preservation: Preventive Measures to Combat Deterioration BenefitsDo you have an old or historic building and just don't know where to begin with condition assessment and repairs or renovations? This information-packed teleconference will cover the nuts and bolts of repair and maintenance of historic, landmarked and old building exteriors. We will help you understand why certain buildings are considered historic and how to preserve their valued  more...

Green Building: LEED Water Efficiency Credits BenefitsFew things are more important in determining the long term sustainability of any habitat than the availability of water in sufficient quantity and quality. Through the ages civilizations have always sought to locate next to reliable sources of fresh water. In contemporary times the availability of water has become a major design driver and, in some cases, a limiting factor in development.  more...

Damage to Adjacent Property and Structures BenefitsConstruction projects present many risks, including the risk of damage to adjacent structures and real property. For example, subsidence caused by improper or ineffective excavation and shoring may cause foundations to crack and other resultant damage. Soil and groundwater can be contaminated from construction materials used by trade contractors. This teleconference focuses on best  more...

Building Performance Benchmarking Strategies BenefitsGovernmental entities and private corporations in the United States and worldwide, face an enormous challenge to improve the performance of the built environment. The CO2 and energy reduction targets that are being discussed in pending legislation will require huge investments in the existing building stock over the next 25 years, whereas the performance targets for new buildings will far  more...

Climate Change and Federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rules BenefitsOn October 30, 2009, EPA published the Greenhouse Gasa Reporting Rule, which required approximately 10,000 facilities in a broad range of industrial and manufacturing sectors to begin monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. The rule is intended to inform EPA policy decisions, including possible new source performance standards for GHGs under the Clean Air Act. This  more...

Current Issues in Riparian and Littoral Rights BenefitsBy attending this teleconference you will hear valuable information from leading experts on a variety of important topics regarding riparian and littoral rights. Speakers will focus on the current issues that surround technical determination, historical antecedents, national and state by state treatment, and potential impact of Stop The Beach Renourishment upon riparian and littoral  more...

A Comprehensive Approach to Building Excellent ADA Facilities within the Public Right-of-Way BenefitsMany state and local entities have found full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act within the public right-of-way to be a difficult goal to achieve. This teleconference will provide proven techniques that will increase the chances of fully completing the ADA facilities the first time without costly mistakes or retrofits. This practical approach coordinates the survey,  more...

Stormwater Management for TMDLs BenefitsTotal Maximum Daily Loads are increasingly identifying stormwater as a significant or even major source of loading to impaired waters. Stormwater loading is difficult to identify and quantify even when regulated stormwater dischargers exist in the system. Often, TMDLs that include stormwater loading allocations give target reductions in loading, but give little guidance as to how to obtain  more...

Green Building Design Basics BenefitsGreen buildings are structures that more efficiently use valuable resources such as energy, water, materials and land compared to buildings constructed to basic building codes. Green buildings are better for the environment and provide healthy, comfortable and productive indoor spaces. This teleconference will give you an introduction into incorporating green building design in your  more...

Fast-Track Construction: Opportunities and Challenges Management BenefitsMore and more construction projects are being done with at least some fast-tracking where construction starts before the design is complete. At the same time, there are industry trends that are dramatically changing the way projects are designed and built. Understanding the challenges and inherent risks of fast-track construction and these trends can help owners, architects, engineers and  more...

A Guide to Hybrid Coding BenefitsMany communities across the country are showing new interest in using zoning regulation to better realize a desired building form. Zoning codes have always contained the basic bulk relationships that create the three-dimensional building envelope, such as minimum lot area, lot coverage restrictions, required setbacks and maximum height, but additional design-oriented elements to better  more...

Understanding Design and Construction Defects BenefitsA construction defect occurs whenever finished or partially completed construction fails to perform as required by applicable contract documents or accepted standards. It is the bridge whose cables flex and snap, the concrete that is under-strength or structurally deficient, the roof that leaks, the adhesives that do not bond and the paint that peels, to name only a few examples.  more...

All About Insulating Concrete Forms BenefitsInsulating concrete forms are a valuable new construction system that is poorly understood by many. ICFs provide high energy-efficiency, high-comfort, low-sound attenuation and disaster-resistant exterior walls for a wide range of buildings up to15 stories. They are widely used in high-LEED projects based mostly on their energy efficiency and indoor air quality properties. However, many  more...

Understanding the Development Approval Process Benefits'Understanding the Development Approval Process' is a coherent and concise program that will lead you through the essential steps that need to be taken in preparing for and completing the approval process for the development of land with county and municipal authorities, permitting authorities, surrounding property owners and other interest groups. The teleconference will explain the pre  more...

Restrictive Covenants: Common Disclosures, Restrictions and Land Use Issues ...nants have long been a part of that landscape as property developers and owners have sought long-term protection for a variety of interests, including commercial territories, community character and architectural style. Over the last forty years, however, restrictive covenants have become increasingly complex as condominium and common interest communities have grown in popularity to more  more...

Understanding the Bridging Project Delivery Method BenefitsMany project owners who have elected to employ the Bridging method or their owner's design consultant (sometimes referred to as the bridging architect, design architect or lead architect) fail to fully understand or follow the details of what really makes bridging work for the project owner. A common misunderstanding that almost always leads to less-than-good results is using traditional  more...

Decentralized Wastewater Solutions ...rowth becomes a challenge for communities, regulators and developers. As part of the sustainable development movement, decentralized wastewater technology is providing many creative and eco-friendly alternatives for sub-division planning and smart growth development. The economics of open space developments versus the cookie-cutter-maximize-the-number-of-lots development approach is being  more...

A Primer on Land Surveys BenefitsThe land survey is a critical part of real estate practice. All parties involved need to be knowledgeable of the survey process so a proper survey can be assured instead of assumed. With this knowledge, a thoroughly researched, accurate and clear representation of the property can be achieved. Minor discrepancies can be resolved without the devastating effects that oftentimes result.  more...

Concrete Structural Repair Methods BenefitsInterested in learning more or in refreshing your knowledge about the nuts and bolts of concrete? Besides being the most popular and versatile building construction material, concrete can also be the most complicated to work with. As such, anyone involved in the construction process should have a working knowledge of concrete material issues. This teleconference is a comprehensive overview  more...

Managing Construction Projects BenefitsUnderstanding and then executing the complex process of construction management can be daunting, especially during the initiation phase of a capital project. Getting your arms around a complex project and then delivering on the benefits is a challenging, yet rewarding, endeavor. This teleconference will introduce the process-based procedures utilized to manage construction projects. We  more...

Mixed-Mode Building Design Basics BenefitsThe 2030 Challenge exhorts building professionals to reduce energy consumption in newly-designed or retrofitted buildings by 50 percent immediately to support a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The US Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program estimates that heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems in buildings account for 40 to 60 percent of the energy used in  more...

Common Field Issues With Wood Building Structures BenefitsThere are a number of common field conditions observed in wood building construction that affect the strength and serviceability of these structures. Performance characteristics affected by these conditions include deflections, damaged finishes, decay, deterioration, weakened connections and resistance to wind and seismic loading. Wood structure building codes and materials are evolving  more...

Conservation Easement Tax Incentives BenefitsIn the current challenging economic conditions, capital remains difficult for individuals and businesses to obtain to meet their working capital and business expansion needs. However, many businesses are unaware that they may already be holding valuable tax assets that can be utilized to generate positive cash-positive and provide significant tax benefits. This teleconference will help  more...

Current Issues in Development Impact Fees BenefitsDevelopment impact fees, mitigation fees, connection charges and similar exactions imposed as conditions of approval for development activity continue to multiply and play an increasingly dominant role in the development approval process. Public agencies, from cities to regional air quality regulators to local sanitation districts, increasingly depend upon fee-type revenues not only to  more...

Basics of Reverse Osmosis for Brackish Groundwater Treatment nMany professionals in membrane desalination design, operation and maintenance are faced with the difficult task of keeping current on the rapidly changing technology. Reverse osmosis membrane products change as the suppliers introduce new models. How and when to best apply these products and what features and benefits they offer must be analyzed before optimum performance can be realized.  more...

Storm Water Best Management Practice (BMP) Inspection and Maintenance BenefitsAvoid costly permit violations and problems meeting storm water discharge benchmark criteria with proper inspection and maintenance of BMPs. Storm water best management practices require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure long-term proper function. Inspections are the most effective way to detect and avoid potential problems before they become a liability. This teleconference  more...

Terminating a Construction Contract: Legal Issues and Considerations BenefitsAn unstable economy causes owners and contractors to increasingly consider the last resort of terminating their construction contracts. It is important to fully appreciate and understand the law governing termination in order to avoid causing even more economic damage. This teleconference will provide the basic concepts of termination and will provide some examples of the right and wrong  more...

Collection Techniques for Landlords BenefitsFor many commercial landlords, consistent receipt of rent and other tenant charges is the key to their business. However, as a result of the recent economic downturn, fewer commercial tenants are making these payments on time and in full. Most leases specifically outline collection techniques and security mechanisms (such as security deposits and guaranties), but landlords are finding that  more...

Practical and Legal Aspects of Real Estate Auctions ...n today's uncertain real estate economy, many real estate developers, investors and fiduciaries are holding surplus inventory with poor turnover performance and a grim outlook on return on investment. The carrying costs to maintain the property during a lengthy conventional brokerage sale weaken the asset's physical properties and investment potential. Real estate auctions have been a viable  more...

Design Codes and Standards for Noise Control nAcoustics strongly affects the human response to our environment and yet noise rises to the top of any list of user complaints in buildings. Complaints relate to poor hearing conditions, annoyance from neighbors, inadequate privacy, noisy mechanical equipment and a plethora of other issues. This teleconference will provide you with information on how to use building design to control sound and  more...

Navigating the Troubled Construction Project: Recognizing, Analyzing and Handling the Risks nThe current economic downturn has given rise to a massive increase in the number of troubled construction projects. Whether trouble arises from the withdraw or lack of funding or a failure in performance of the contractors, subcontractors and suppliers to perform, the reality is that each project represents unique challenges that must be met head on. This teleconference presents the issues  more...

Understanding the Language of Mold Assessment Reports nLaymen and professionals who do not deal with mold assessment reports on a regular basis are likely to struggle with understanding the language presented in a mold assessment report. They may be prone to accepting the written word of the consultant at face value, without question. This would be a mistake for anyone. For others it could be considered negligent and result in liability. Far too many  more...

Understanding Legal Issues with Construction Subcontracts nThis teleconference will provide you with information and knowledge on legal and contractual issues affecting subcontracts that are commonly encountered, such as changes and extras, pricing, termination, dispute resolution, risk allocation, pay to be paid provisions and other common clauses. The information obtained through this will assist you in fully comprehending the risk you are assuming in  more...

AIA Document A312 Payment Bond Forms nMany owners require contractors to obtain payment and performance bonds using the American Institute of Architect's A312 bond forms, but those bond forms require contractors, owners and sureties to contend with a number of challenges - the most recent of which is the surety industry's refusal to issue such bonds without modification because of the so-called 45-Day Rule. This teleconference is  more...

Demand-Side Water Conservation Initiatives nMany water utilities are having to prepare conservation, drought preparedness and diverse water supply plans to meet existing and future water demands. Internal and external factors are causing water shortages, rate impacts, conflicts among neighboring water users, and both real and perceived unreliable water supplies. These circumstances are impacting businesses, homeowners, and the health and  more...

Making It Through the Land Entitlement Process nWith a multilayered regulatory framework and a myriad of reviewing agencies and stakeholders, the land entitlement process is often bewildering. The rules, processes and players vary widely by jurisdiction but there are common keys to success. Get an insider's perspective on differentiating the various regulatory processes, understanding and addressing stakeholder concerns, getting staff on your  more...

Water Well Rehabilitation - Technical Considerations and Economic Advantages nThe decline of global economic conditions has discouraged high-volume water well owners, including municipalities, water companies, industrial entities and other large well owners, from incurring the cost of installing new wells. However, the decline of the economy has not reduced the requirement of water purveyors and other well owners to provide a safe and dependable supply of high-quality  more...

2009 Updates to the International Residential Codes nSignificant changes to the 2009 International Residential Code lie ahead for many in the construction industry. Some of the changes will be controversial as jurisdictions will have to choose whether or not to adopt the new codes, such as residential fire code provisions, as system manufacturers and installers work to keep up with the mandates. Some professionals view the changes as unnecessary,  more...

Management and Protection of Wetland Buffers nBuffers are upland or riparian areas that separate wetlands or other aquatic resources from upland areas, which are often found in developed or agricultural states. They are very critical to the ecological integrity of the wetlands and typically consist of native plant communities that reflect the local landscape and ecology. They perform a variety of habitat functions for wildlife and other  more...

More Affordable and Sustainable Communities: The Role of Good Design for Workforce Housing ...n of new housing developments which meet the needs of the developers, neighbors and future residents. To avoid lengthy and contentious public review procedures, these methods have proven to help expedite the design and public review process, saving time and money for developers, and resulting in developments that better meet the needs of the residents. n nLearning Objectives n- You will be  more...

Community Benefit Agreements ... a CBA can be a win-win solution for community groups and developers. The community receives assurances about job benefits, affordable housing, environmental impacts and other issues related to the development and to the community's needs. The project developer, in return, gets community support for permit approvals and subsidies, as well as a release of claims. This teleconference will help  more...

Writing Construction Specifications: Formats and Practices nAfter a facility's design is complete and construction products have been selected, construction specifications must be prepared that are clear, correct, complete and concise. Specifications also need to conform to recognized standards for formats in order to be expediently produced and used. This teleconference is an overview of current construction specification formats and writing practices,  more...

Utilizing Congestion Pricing to Reduce Traffic Congestion and Generate Infrastructure Revenue nMany states and metropolitan areas are faced with increasing traffic congestion along with inadequate sources of transportation revenue to address transportation investment needs. After completing this teleconference, you will improve your understanding of the ability of congestion pricing to address both congestion reduction and revenue generation objectives. You will be able to describe some of  more...

Construction Delays Caused by Permitting nConstruction delays caused by delays in obtaining permits can result in significant costs to all parties involved in a project. It is essential for you to know how to avoid permitting delays and how to address them when they arise. This teleconference will address how to use contract language to minimize and allocate the risks associated with permitting delays. In addition, it will address  more...

Differing Site Conditions nThe advent of and increasing use of 3-D building information modeling is taking much of the guess work out of a variety of different types of construction. For example, through BIM, the structural steel, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, fire sprinkler and communications subtrades can all determine whether the new and existing utilities, beams, piping and conduits are going to run into each other or  more...

Real Estate Market Studies: Critical Decision Tool or Superfluous Information? nMost significant real estate projects are required to pass the market study hurdle during due diligence. What factors impact the applicability, reliability and timeliness of these market studies? This teleconference will help real estate professionals identify the best providers of market studies, formulate a scope of work to suit the needs of the assignment, assist the consultant without  more...

Floodproofing Fundamentals: Design Methods to Reduce Flood Damages nProblem: Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, more than 80 percent of the natural disaster losses in the United States are caused by flooding. Over the past 10 years, the National Weather Service estimates that flood losses have averaged more than $4 billion a year nationwide. Various government and insurance groups  more...

Key Provisions of Two New EJCDC Contract Documents nThe EJCDC documents are widely used in the construction industry for design and construction of public and private infrastructure projects, including bridge, highway and other transportation projects, water and wastewater treatment facilities, utilities, processing facilities, pipelines, landfills, and other engineer-designed facilities. This teleconference will provide a focused discussion of  more...

Mitigating the Impact of Construction Projects: Hurdles to Project Success nAll construction projects have impacts on their surroundings, including neighbors, businesses, communities and the physical environment. These impacts frequently are the center of controversy surrounding a project and can lead to unnecessary delays, lost productivity, added project costs and bad public relations. This teleconference will provide you with practical strategies for identifying and  more...

Roundabouts: Planning, Design Principles and Current Practices nAlthough roundabouts have proven safety and operational benefits, proper planning and engineering design is essential for roundabouts to function correctly. This brief, yet practical, teleconference is your opportunity to better understand modern roundabouts and their installation, learn specific design skills and current practices, and apply roundabout design principles to projects in your  more...

Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Guidance Under the New Administration - Rapanos or Oberstar? nThe federal regulatory landscape affecting development in and around waters of the United States was significantly altered by the Rapanos decision. Indeed, that landscape continues to shift as the Army Corps and the courts respond in new ways to a perceived loss of jurisdiction. This teleconference will help you understand the ever-changing jurisdictional landscape and navigate a course to  more...

Maximizing Innovation and Design Process Credits for LEED. Certification nThis teleconference will help you understand how to gain credits for advanced green building practices, including both system technologies and design innovations, which may qualify under the Innovation and Design Process section. The IDP section and qualifications policy has been reworked under the 2009 revisions to the LEED® program. n nThe information in this teleconference is important to  more...

Current Trends in Transit-Oriented Development nAs the United States faces the most severe economic recession since the Great Depression, one sector of real estate - transit-oriented development - is situated to protect investors from the economic downturn and deliver attractive long-term profits. TOD provides a new investment opportunity for both the public and private sectors as our cities are faced with the challenges of rapid price  more...

The Fundamentals of Leasing Provisions and Covenants nIn today's economy it's more important than ever for real estate attorneys and practitioners to be clever in understanding the legal and financial implications of lease terms and covenants. This teleconference will delve into the essential terms of the commercial lease and focus particularly on the clauses that often draw the most attention during negotiations: common area maintenance, key tenant  more...

Challenges and Contractual Issues With Sub-Subcontractors nA subcontractor in today's construction industry faces unique challenges and concerns - from dealing with a bid process that can lock in a bidding subcontractor without any written agreement, to subcontractor form contracts that are written largely, if not entirely, in favor of the general contractor. In addition to concerns in bidding and contract formation, a subcontractor must constantly  more...

Reclamation and Rehabilitation of Vacant Properties nDistressed real estate is easy to find in this market. To come out of the recession, just waiting for the economic cycle to change for the better may not be enough. Coming out of the recession will require new techniques. The sprawl model is dying and not just because of swings in energy prices. Consumers increasingly enjoy urban settings and lifestyles. This is driven by demographics and  more...

Sustainable Development and Land Use: The Future is Here and it is Green nBuilding green was for years entirely voluntary. The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® program and other high performance building rating systems are not legislated by any governmental entity and they are not designed to be mandatory. But thanks to an explosion of state legislation and local ordinances across the country, green building methods and requirements have now been given the force of  more...

Capital Improvements for Condominium and Homeowners' Associations nThe common elements of all forms of community associations are in a never ending cycle of deterioration. It is the fiduciary responsibility of the association's board of directors to protect and maintain the community. It is not optional to address the physical condition of the community in a well-considered manner. This teleconference will help you develop strategies. The board itself needs to  more...

Effective Job Cost Reports in Construction Project Management nIn today's fast-paced and complex construction environment, construction industry professionals require immediate access to timely and accurate information. One of the most important management tools available to project teams is the job cost report. Properly designed and used, the JCR can be a powerful document that provides an up-to-date snapshot of the project status that also highlights  more...

Aging Building Management: Best Practices in Development Long-Term Capital Plans nUp to 30% of the average organization's annual capital outlay is spent on facilities and related infrastructure. How can an organization ensure it is most effectively leveraging this investment to support operations today and meet the needs of the future? n nOptimally managing capital assets requires detailed information about the condition of an organization's facilities and major building  more...

AIA and ConsensusDOCS Contract Documents: Comparison and Contrast nHardly a business day goes by in the construction industry when the parties involved in the construction contracting process encounter standard form contract documents. Two of the principal sources of such standard form construction contract documents have both recently issued the 2007 editions of their respective families of contract forms. The long established family of documents published by  more...