Huntsville Business Journal’s Post

🌟 At METCO Engineering Inc. , we're not just embracing the future; we're creating it. 🌟 🚀 Harnessing the power of AI, we're driving innovation like never before: 🔹 AI Expertise: Our team excels in Large Language Models, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning. 🔹 Energy Savings: We blend robust computer science with a passion for energy savings, tackling tough engineering challenges in the energy sector. 🔹 Cutting-Edge Solutions: From optimizing Solar PV systems to maximizing energy efficiency, our AI-driven solutions make a real impact. 🌱 Join us in creating a greener planet where renewable energy and intelligent systems work together for a sustainable future. Which area excites you the most about the future of AI and energy? 1️⃣ AI Expertise 2️⃣ Energy Savings 3️⃣ Cutting-Edge Solutions Let us know in the comments! 👇 Explore more with us at METCO Engineering Inc. 👉 Read about Transforming Product-Based Companies Through AI: https://lnkd.in/gCGv6bep 👉 Read about Transforming Service-Based Companies Through AI: https://lnkd.in/gPhSvw57 👉 Read about Unlocking the Power of AI for Bidding Projects in Texas: https://lnkd.in/g-nbaQcf #AI #MachineLearning #Bidding #ProjectManagement #TexasBusiness #Innovation

Mr GOODENOUGH (Moore—Second Deputy Speaker) (10:32): I refer to the government's recently announced Thriving Suburbs Program and Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program and nominate a very worthy project in my electorate: Neil Hawkins Park, a regional recreation park within the City of Joondalup. It is a popular recreational area for local residents living in Joondalup's CBD, as well as being a gathering point for the wider northern suburbs community, as it forms part of the greater Yellagonga Regional Park. Located adjacent to Lake Joondalup, it is widely used by cyclists, runners and families for recreation and picnics. Neil Hawkins Park was first developed approximately 30 years ago, and the park infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life. The City of Joondalup is currently investigating options to renew and redevelop the park to cater for future community needs. There are plans for a new destination play space, featuring all-abilities play equipment and shade sails. This will be complemented by other recreational amenities, including accessible barbecues, picnic shelters, bench seating and drinking fountains—together with a universal-access footpath network with educational and wayfinding signage, lighting and CCTV; additional tree planting; landscaping; and artwork. In addition, the city is investigating the feasibility of building a cafe or restaurant within the site to further enhance the activation of this regional recreation park. The estimated total cost of the project is $14 million. It is anticipated that the development of a business case will commence in August, followed by design, community consultation and procurement, with construction scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026-27. The city seeks federal funding support under the Thriving Suburbs Program and the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program, which are designed to fund planning and investment in our cities and suburbs to ensure more people have access to important community infrastructure. This project has significant merit. In February, the Prime Minister declared that Moore is now a key seat following the change in political dynamics. Moore matters even more now. Accordingly, we extend an invitation to the minister for infrastructure to visit Neil Hawkins Park and favourably consider federal support for the redevelopment proposal by the City of Joondalup.

Did you know that a Soft & Safe Vibrant Playground will increase a Property Value? 📈💰 Some Developers might think 🤔 "why do we need a Wet Pour Rubber Crumb installed in our projects?" 🥎🏀⚽️ 🏡 Playground installations can significantly enhance a property's value by contributing to various aspects that are highly valued in real estate. Here are several ways in which a well-designed playground can positively impact property value:📈 📌 Increased Attractiveness for Families: A playground installation makes a property more attractive to families looking for a safe and enjoyable space for their children to play. 📌Enhanced Curb Appeal. 📌Community and Social Engagement. 📌Improved Lifestyle Quality. 📌Market Differentiation. 📌Positive Impact on Property Appraisal. 📌Increased Property Utilisation. 📌Health and Wellness Focus. 📌Long-Term Investment. 📌Positive Reviews

As we celebrate Park and Recreation Month with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), it's an excellent time to recognize our local parks' profound economic impact on communities. Parks and recreational spaces are often viewed as areas for leisure and outdoor activities, but their contributions to local economies are substantial and multifaceted. Local parks stimulate economic growth in various ways. Firstly, they increase property values. Homes and businesses near well-maintained parks are more desirable, leading to higher real estate values and increased tax revenues for municipalities. Studies have shown that proximity to parks can boost property values by as much as 20%. This not only benefits homeowners but also strengthens the financial foundation of the entire community. Moreover, parks attract tourists and visitors, which fuels local businesses. Whether it’s a family picnic, a weekend soccer tournament, or a seasonal festival, parks draw people from both near and far. This influx of visitors spends money at local restaurants, shops, and hotels, creating a ripple effect that supports jobs and stimulates the local economy. Investing in parks is an investment in the community's future. They provide a space for social interaction, physical activity, and environmental education, all of which contribute to a more vibrant, connected, and economically stable community. As we celebrate Park and Recreation Month, let’s take a moment to appreciate not just the beauty and recreational opportunities our parks offer, but also their significant economic contributions that help build stronger, more prosperous communities for all. #mmcité #mmcitéstreetfurniture #mmcitédesign #streetfurniture #streetscape #outdoorfurniture #design #publicspace #publicrealm #landscapedesign #landscapearchitecture #landarch #outdoordesign #urbandesign #urbanfurniture #urbanelements #urbanism #urbanisme #urbanist #urbanplanning #urbanlife #architectural #architecture #citylife #city #park #urban #whereyoubelong #nrpa

Is a park still a park if it’s paved? Local residents are pushing back against a plan to uproot green space in Peterborough, Ont., for 16 pickleball courts and parking. What’s left may only be a park by name xxxxx The proposed plan would add more than a dozen pickleball courts and a huge parking lot at a cost of $4.4 million, paving over the two baseball diamonds and four tennis courts (on which you can also play pickleball). I live close to the park, but not so close that a chorus of 16 simultaneous pickleball games played here would drift in my windows. But it’s a sound I can easily imagine — a loud and constant pop pop pop. The plan has sparked fierce backlash that extends beyond the chambers of city council. Neighbourhood residents are mad, feeling “outrage” even, one person told the Peterborough Examiner. Alongside the emotions are objections rooted in noise, a lack of consultation and the environmental concerns of replacing vegetation with pavement. The benefits of green spaces are many, including their natural cooling effect: the greenery absorbs the sun’s energy and releases it as vapor, whereas surfaces like black asphalt absorb even greater amounts of that sunlight and release it as heat. Green spaces also act as a sponge to help prevent flooding — like the “Great Flood” that hit Peterborough exactly 20 years ago — whereas hard surfaces displace that water. Definitions may be dry, but I am a word person, and how do we agree on a solution if we can’t even agree on what exactly we’re talking about? The majority of dictionaries define the noun “park” as an area of land that is largely green or in a natural state, and used for recreation. But what’s proposed for Bonnerworth appears to be a rec centre with good landscaping. The sports facilities are open air — yes — but they’re hardscaped spaces prescribed for a specific activity, contributing little to the local ecology, drainage or any of the benefits that natural landscapes provide. The plan proposes to plant trees — just as the city did in the parking lot of the community housing complex next to the park — but clearly planting trees does not a park make. So what does? According to the city’s 2019 assessment of parks and open spaces, there are five categories of parkland, only two of which mention natural features — regional and community parks, with Bonnerworth falling into the latter category — while the others focus on playgrounds and recreational facilities. This sort of categorization is not unique to Peterborough; similar designations are made across municipalities. The breadth of these categories suggests a sort of compatibility: by replacing one kind of park with another park, one would think the community is reaping similar benefits. But, in essence, we have reduced the idea of a park to any space where people can be active, with little in the definition left for the environment. https://lnkd.in/gpZ8cPTA

Coney Island, once famed for its vibrant amusement parks and beachside leisure activities, is in the midst of a pivotal transformation towards becoming a more residential neighborhood. This transformation, rooted in plans first proposed by urban planner Robert Moses in the 1950s, has seen a resurgence in recent years with the construction of numerous large-scale apartment developments along Surf Avenue. These projects aim to inject new life into the area by providing affordable housing options in a city grappling with a housing crisis. Despite the potential benefits, the transformation has sparked fears of gentrification among longtime residents concerned about being priced out of their community. Significant to this redevelopment effort is the construction of several affordable housing projects intended to support a population where 24% live below the poverty line, higher than Brooklyn's overall rate. The latest of these projects, a 12-story tower at 1709 Surf Avenue, exemplifies the shift towards residential use, offering 430 units of affordable housing. This move towards residential development is also marked by the inclusion of market-rate housing and amenities that aim to make Coney Island a more attractive place to live year-round, countering its seasonal appeal. The transformation has been facilitated by changes in zoning laws, including a 19-block rezoning in 2009 that expanded the housing zone westward and allowed for taller developments. Despite these changes, efforts to maintain Coney Island's identity as a "people's playground" continue, with proposals like a new $3 billion casino by Thor Equities, highlighting the ongoing tension between new development and preserving the area's historic and recreational value. As Coney Island evolves, it stands at a crossroads between its past as an amusement destination and its future as a residential community. While the developments offer hope for economic revitalization and more housing opportunities, the challenge lies in ensuring that this transformation benefits all residents, preserving the unique character and inclusivity that have long defined Coney Island. #ConeyIslandRenaissance #UrbanRenewal #AffordableLiving #CulturalPreservation #CommunityConcerns #NewYorkUrbanism https://lnkd.in/e69_scsp

🌟 **Building More Than Structures: We Build Communities** 🌟 In the world of construction, our work goes far beyond erecting buildings. It’s about laying the foundation for vibrant communities and thriving industries. By fulfilling projects with integrity, quality, and an acute eye for detail, we don’t just meet the terms of a contract—we help dreamers turn their visions into reality, providing invaluable services to the community through our completed projects. Take, for instance, our recent project with Warriors Gym in Vernal, Utah. We built a state-of-the-art steel-framed building that more than doubled their capacity. This transformation didn’t stop at the physical structure; it enhanced the functionality of their classrooms, expanded their gym equipment capacity, and turned the environment from closed-off to open and inviting. Moreover, we ensured top-notch airflow for optimal circulation, creating a healthier and more pleasant space for everyone working out. We tripled the number of parking spaces, making the gym more accessible to the community. In the end, we didn’t just build a gym—we created a space that hundreds of people visit each week, contributing to the local economy and beautifying the surrounding area. At George T. Weldon Construction, LLC, we are committed to building communities and enhancing services one construction project at a time. We take pride in knowing that our work helps bring dreams to life and supports the growth and well-being of our community. Here’s to building a brighter future together! 🛠️🏢🌆 #Construction #CommunityBuilding #QualityConstruction #DreamBuilders #LocalEconomy #CommunityGrowth #WarriorsGym #BuildingDream #GeorgeTWeldonConstruction

The Main Street Visioning process is looking to transform Main Street between US-41 and School Avenue into a more welcoming, safe, connected, lively, and attractive hub of commerce and activity by evaluating all aspects of the right-of-way, including but not limited to travel lanes, parking, sidewalks, and landscaping. The project will evaluate how Main Street looks, feels, and functions to develop a vision that supports and reflects the community’s needs and values. Click the link to take the survey. https://loom.ly/EmRNsy4

Pocket Parks ++ [city public green spaces] Pocket parks play a crucial role in improving the well-being of urban environments, providing accessible outdoor spaces that foster social connections, promote physical health, and enhance the overall quality of life in cities. Their human-scaled design resonates with individuals, creating inviting spaces that encourage interaction with both nature and the community. Pocket parks are particularly significant for the human scale of urban environments. Their small size makes them approachable and accessible, allowing individuals to feel a sense of ownership and belonging. The intimate setting of a pocket park contrasts with larger, sprawling parks and creates a feeling of safety and comfort. Because of their size, pocket parks foster a personal connection to the space. People can easily interact with their surroundings, whether through tending to community gardens or chatting with neighbors.

Why Choose a Themed Metal Playground for your property? ✨Unique aesthetic appeal : Themed metal playgrounds feature custom designs and artistic elements that add character and charm to the park, making it stand out and attract more visitors. ✨Storytelling opportunities: A themed playground provides a narrative backdrop for play, allowing children to invent stories and scenarios as they interact with the themed structures, fostering imaginative play and social interaction. ✨Community pride: A creatively themed metal playground reflects the identity and values of the community, instilling a sense of pride and ownership among residents who contribute to its design and upkeep. ✨Increased visitor engagement: Themed playgrounds often draw more visitors, including families and tourists, who are attracted by the novelty and excitement of the themed environment, boosting park attendance and community engagement. ✨Potential for customization: Themed metal playgrounds offer opportunities for customization to suit the preferences and interests of the community, allowing for the incorporation of local landmarks, cultural symbols, or popular themes that resonate with residents.