LATEST NEWS

Chicago will be the site of NAESA International's 39th Annual Workshop on August 9-11. The theme of the three-day event is "Feeling the Fire" and will focus on the evolution of fire-service operations. Other code-related topics will also be discussed. Charles Hillstrom is serving as host for the workshop. For more information, contact NAESA at phone: (360) 292-4968, fax: (360) 292-4973, e-mail: dotty@naesai.org or website: www.naesai.org.

According to the Peninsula Daily News, Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles, Washington, will have four new elevators installed in the hospital by September. In addition, two existing elevators will be enhanced with emergency power, a fire system and other modern amenities. The main elevators were installed in 1952. The design of the new elevators is expected to be finalized in March, and two bids one for manufacturing and another for mechanical, electrical and carpentry work will be awarded in April. During the summer construction phase two elevators will be closed at a time for six weeks.

The jury of the Emporis Skyscraper Award announced Aqua, an 81-story residential tower and hotel in Chicago, as the winner of the 2009 Skyscraper of the Year. The award has been given annually for 10 years to a building at least 100 meters tall Aqua reaches nearly 250 meters. There are also second- and third-place awards. For 2009, the winners were selected from 305 eligible buildings worldwide. The Aqua was noted for its shape, technical achievement in construction and green design. The developer, Magellan Development Group, LLC, has applied for the project’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. A presentation ceremony will be held in Chicago later this year.