Construction Update April 2021

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Under Wraps

April | 2021

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During the month of April, equipment was dropped off at the construction site for the next phase of construction. We received and began installation of our fence wrap. The parking garage drawings were reviewed and edits made. The City approved the re-submitted AB Building parking garage drawings, and they are awaiting pick up by the General Contractor. Reviewed construction site property maintenance plans, and selected the best fit option and company. We had site visits from interested parties with the Developer, and we continue to receive multiple inquiries about the residential and commercial opportunities in 29 Palms at City Center West Orange. Lastly, our design department re-connected with vendors and manufacturers as COVID restrictions loosen.

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Equipment Drop-off

Equipment was dropped off on-site for the next phase of construction. This equipment will be used to complete the remaining building foundations. All parking garage foundations were completed during February 2021.

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Fence Wrap Installation

Starting mid April, we installed 13 fence wrap panels. Each panel markets a different aspect of the project: 29 Palms residences, retail, restaurants, office space and amenities. The CCWO construction site fence-line is now visible from all main entrances and exits off Bluford Avenue and S.R. 50 / Colonial Drive into Ocoee Town Center. This portion of the roadway sees quite a lot of traffic due to the Racetrack gas station, Waffle House, and Oasis apartments. It is also used as a cut-through from S.R. 50 to Bluford Avenue. While the wrap was being installed, many cars and pedestrians slowed down to read our signs. Fence repair is required to complete the wrap installation, so we are working with the contractor to get it done. The remaining 19 panels are expected to be completed in May after the fence repairs.

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AB Parking Garage Drawing

The AB building parking garage permit was submitted and has been approved by the City of Ocoee. It is currently awaiting pick-up by ourGeneral Contractor. The CJ parking garage drawings will be re-submitted to the City of Ocoee the first week of May for approval.

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Construction Site Maintenance Plans

Multiple tours of all parcels with property maintenance companies transpired during the first quarter of 2021 to establish what each parcel and portion of parcels needed to have maintained. Each parcel brings its own unique terrain creating a need for a variety of equipment to be used: growth removal by hand or chemicals; traditional mower, bush hog; and specialized machinery to handle the slope on one parcel. Some require weekly and bi-weekly maintenance, others monthly and quarterly maintenance. The completion of the last phase of construction added the two properties into the maintenance plan which is why we needed to create a new maintenance plan and review our pricing options.

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After 16 months of canceled design and building materials trade-shows, two large shows are returning to Orlando that our design department will be attending: Coverings, which will include the National Wood Flooring Association's show for the first time, and The Southeast Builders Conference. Both shows require following local COVID guidelines.

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Design Team + Vendors

It will be interesting to see the effect of COVID on design trends, product availability, and color ways at these shows. Prior to the pandemic, bright colors, mixed metals, and 3D print techniques were on the forefront of design.

From discussions with vendors in April, our design team found out they decided to:

• Postpone the release of certain products
• Change the intended color ways into more calm, nature-inspired colors
• Include creative design techniques
• Use designs and materials focused on promoting health and anti-viral properties

A few common set-backs our vendors are experiencing:

• Lack of inventory in the United States
• High steel and lumber costs
• Quadrupled shipping fees over the past year
• Difficulty traveling for business and conducting sales
• Transfer of manufacturing activities to other countries
• Unpredictable/unreliable delivery of product

The reasons for these set-backs are:

• Rising tariffs (began prior to COVID)
• The effects of COVID on staff (shortage)
• Business and manufacturing plant closures
• Home improvement projects during lockdown
• Residential construction boom in some States.

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We'll touch more on this in our next newsletter!

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