The next time you pass a church, look up and take a closer look at its steeple. There is a reasonably good chance it’s a cell phone tower. Churches have been loading wireless antennas on their steeples, bell towers, and spires, and also on rooftop crosses, trees, and billboard signs on the property. In some
Are school libraries becoming outdated and old-fashioned? Image source: Wikimedia Commons Schools are bound by their physical space. Sometimes they can expand but, more often than not, they are forced to contract. Expanding can be very difficult even in the best of times. After all, most schools are firmly ensconced in a community and there
Dutra Cerro Graden is proud to announce that once again, we are partnering with School Services of California to present workshops that provide important information on asset management for California school districts in April 2015. The workshops are designed for districts that have surplus property or a need for additional property. Topics covered include: Assessment–First
In the lead up to a commercial sale, buyers may find environmental problems that make them think twice about the property. Asbestos, lead-based paint, soil contaminants, and underground storage tanks are issues that crop up. But one nasty problem that is sometimes found lurking in buildings can cause expensive problems. We’re talking about mold.
As budgets get tighter, and competition for dollars becomes fiercer, nonprofits often opt to move in together and share common areas, conference rooms, break rooms and even office equipment. As we have previously written, many organizations find a home in a nonprofit center. A cash-strapped nonprofit can work in a shared first-class facility for a
Around the county, a unique commercial building niche has emerged in cities where space is at a premium and ground-up construction is hard to do. Developers have taken unused, unprofitable parking garages and turned them into office buildings and condos. For example: In Greenwich Village, developers are turning two parking garages into condos. For one
In some schools, traditional computer labs are going obsolete or being repurposed. Image source: Flickr CC user woodley waterworks Once upon a time, the school computer lab was the ‘it’ place to be at school. Kids were privileged to enter a magical room filled with bubble-shaped computer screens and tall terminal towers, and a new
In January 2015, New Haven Unified School District closed escrow on the sale of the former school site, Cabello Elementary School, giving the District a much needed infusion of significant funds to help overcome prolonged state budget cuts. For over three (3) years Dutra Cerro Graden (DCG) worked with the New Haven Unified School District (“the
Open office plans like this one aren’t for every company. However, many other companies have used open floor plans to creative innovative, pleasing office space. Image source: Flickr CC user Rum Bucolic Sam Not too long ago, the open office plan was thought to be the answer to the confining, unnatural cubicle office that employees
Dutra Cerro Graden has hired six new team members to support continued, steady growth of new clients and projects. Over the past six months, DCG has welcomed Angelic (Angie) Williams, Lauren Jennings, Vanessa Kruze, Robert Lopez, Chris Gocke and Eric Ottinger to it’s growing family. As a Project Managers, Angie, Lauren, and Eric perform the
In the rarified air of high-dollar fundraising, major foundations, hospitals, and universities regularly announce eye-popping, multi-million dollar gifts from wealthy donors. The big non-profit hospitals and UCLAs of the world can spin a few of these major gifts into a new teaching wing or medical complex, with the donor’s name prominently displayed on a
