Read and learn everything about it here. The attorneys who successfully negotiated a $1.1 billion settlement in the fatal collapse of a beachside Florida condominium complex a year ago have been awarded more than $70 million in fees for their work. Meanwhile, the expansive facility that was built on the ground that had housed the ABLA Homes has been the subject of debate since some people are skeptical that city officials will keep their word and bring back thousands of low-income units to the area. Furthermore, according to a joint announcement made by the two companies on Monday, the Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co (7267.T) and the South Korean battery supplier LG Energy Solution Ltd (373220.KS) plan to construct a new lithium-ion battery plant for electric vehicles in the United States at a cost of $4.4 billion. Moreover, a new appearance is coming to Mayfield very soon. The American Legion building, the courthouse, and the jail have all been given to a contractor who will be responsible for their demolition.
Lawyers in the tragic Florida condo collapse were awarded $70M+
Original Source: Lawyers awarded $70M+ fees in deadly Florida condo collapse
A judge awarded lawyers who won a $1.1 billion settlement in the catastrophic collapse of a Florida apartment complex $70 million in fees on Monday.
The figure was less than the $100 million 17 law firms had demanded, but there were no promises they would be compensated in the days after the Champlain Towers South building crumbled on June 24, 2021, killing 98 people.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman said surviving family members and others who just lost units and property got more money than is common in such massive class-action cases. The lawsuit was settled in a year.
That’s impressive. It’s unprecedented, “Hanzman remarked.” “It’s not a meager recovery.” In essence, they’re made whole, which never happens. ” Hanzman said the case “could’ve been a disaster.”
“It may have gone awry,” the judge added. Had things not gone smoothly, they (attorneys) would have gotten nothing.
Still, the judge said $100 million in legal expenses was excessive. He emphasized that lawyers weren’t promised a dollar when they took the Champlain Towers case, and their quick settlement reduced the hours involved.
Some survivors questioned the increased payment as excessively generous considering the extent of the disaster, notwithstanding the amazing result.
“No one should profit from 98 deaths,” said Marin Langerfeld, who lost his sister and her husband.
“This is the hardest thing in our family’s history,” said Kevin Spiegel, whose wife died. This will always be with us.
The settlement money comes from 37 sources, including insurance companies, engineering firms, and a luxury apartment project whose development next door may have harmed Champlain Towers South. Each side denies misconduct.
A millionaire developer from Dubai bought the beachfront plot for $120 million, contributing to the settlement. It is unknown what will rise on the site.
Hanzman and a second judge have heard wrongful-death cases for the previous five weeks. Michael Goldberg, the court-appointed receiver, said cheques should be distributed by mid-September. Those who lost just property will receive full assessed value, with taxes and other charges waived.
One of the plaintiffs’ senior lawyers, Harley Tropin, said $100 million was the absolute ceiling for attorney fees and the group was happy with the award.
It was an honor to represent the victims. No victory lap, Tropin remarked. First, the victims. “Good.”
Champlain Towers South had a history of maintenance concerns and questioned construction and inspections in the 1980s. Sea level rise caused by climate change could cause saltwater intrusion harm.
A final cause verdict may take years. NIST oversees the investigation.
Chicago Fire’s $80 million training center and headquarters could be built this winter
Original Source: Chicago Fire Could Start Construction On $80 Million Near West Side Training Facility, Headquarters This Winter
Chicago Fire officials intend to commence work this winter on an $80 million practice and training center on the site of a former public housing project. The proposal will be presented to a crucial City Council committee in September.
The soccer club began developing the complex in January on 26 acres of Chicago Housing Authority-managed land encompassed by Roosevelt Road, Ashland Avenue, 14th Street, and Loomis Street.
The big project was halted last year because people said nearby youngsters and schools would lose access to public space. The negotiations with Chicago Public Schools, which owns Hanson Park, fell through.
The modified concept puts the facility on the former ABLA Homes site on Taylor Street, one of the city’s oldest public housing projects. Most of the buildings were removed by 2007, and the housing authority promised to rehabilitate the property with more than 2,400 affordable and mixed-use homes.
Most of the housing was never completed, and the decision to set aside space for a private sports franchise has angered community residents and housing advocates, who say officials are reneging on pledges to offer affordable flats to the region.
On Thursday, fire executives and municipal officials proposed bringing 222 mixed-use housing units back to the site as part of Roosevelt Square’s third phase. Eighty of those flats would be for ex-HUD residents.
City officials said profits from leasing the land to the firefighters may be re-invested in outdated ABLA buildings and facilities. East of the intended soccer stadium, the Brooks Housing and Loomis Court components of the previous ABLA Homes project still house residents.
Ann McKenzie, a housing authority development executive, said, “That doesn’t imply we’re done.” “We’re also developing a community.” “We’re pleased about Chicago Fire joining us.”
McKenzie said the soccer squad will boost the neighborhood.
She remarked, “We’re pleased about the Chicago Fire joining us.”
In a busy corridor between public housing, a leisure facility, the medical area, and UIC, the Fire’s performance center would have 5.5 soccer fields and a huge building for locker rooms, training, and team offices. Three of the fields would be artificial turf, officials said. For winter, officials will construct an inflatable bubble over one field.
The first level would feature locker rooms, training facilities, and video rooms; the second story would have executive offices, a cafeteria, and meeting space. 150 parking spaces are planned.
Soldier Field would host fire games.
While the club won’t play games there, management says they’re dedicated to public use. ABLA Homes may arrange a youth mentoring program, an after-school training academy, and 10 internships. Executives said the team proposed a pedestrian greenway between Loomis Street and Ashland Avenue.
Paul Cadwell, a fire executive, said the agreement will contain community investment requirements. The team is still working with the Chicago Housing Authority to lease the land. Cadwell claimed the proposal has no public incentives.
Since Morningstar founder Joe Mansueto bought the Fire in 2019, they’ve moved to Soldier Field and The Loop. its Bridgeview training center.
Mary Baggett, ABLA’s local advisory council president, commended the fire’s youth activities and said the idea is “far overdue” for ABLA Homes.
Baggett: “Working with the Chicago Fire will be a terrific opportunity.” “They’ll rebuild our community during this period.”
Bob O’Neil, a resident, said he hopes plans include as many trees as feasible, maintain local variety, and connect to the adjacent university.
Others weren’t as excited.
Karen Morton, of New Garden Missionary Baptist Church on S. Ashland Ave., said municipal authorities haven’t released enough information about the project. She’s concerned about church parking.
The renovation won’t affect church parking or the alley, according to city authorities.
Morton called it “invasive.”
Cadwell said the unsuccessful Belmont Cragin project encouraged the team to seek a more community-friendly location.
“It was best to move away from [the Belmont Cragin] concept because we were going to impact the students,” Cadwell said. “We want to be in an area and facility where we’re an asset, not a liability.”
Residents asked the housing authority how they expect to build the promised houses if the soccer complex is allowed. McKenzie said the housing authority was considering Roosevelt Square’s next phase.
McKenzie: “We can go near” housing authority land.
“There are chances to transfer housing to other regions and distribute density to other opportunity sites,” said city planner Brian Hacker.
The project will go before the zoning board in September before the City Council votes. If permitted, fire team leaders hope to start construction this winter or spring and finish in 2024.
Cadwell: “That’s an aggressive timeframe.” We’re still on schedule.
Honda and LG Energy will build a $4.4 billion EV battery factory
Original Source: Honda Motor, LG Energy to build $4.4 bln U.S. EV battery plant
As the U.S. introduces harsher regulations and tightens tax credit eligibility, battery producers want to increase production in the country.
Two people briefed on the topic confirmed Honda is considering Ohio, where its primary U.S. production is based.
The firms plan to produce 40 GWh annually for Honda and Acura EV cars in North America.
The couple will form a joint venture before building the plant, with construction beginning in 2023 and mass production by 2025.
Governor Mike DeWine is working with Honda and LG to build a battery plant in Ohio. Sources say the location might be announced in a few weeks.
The U.S. government promotes battery and EV manufacturing.
President Biden signed a $430 billion climate, health care, and tax bill last month, removing tax benefits for electric automobiles made outside North America.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm claimed the administration is bringing “back domestic battery manufacturing to provide Americans with good-paying jobs.”
California will require all new cars sold in the state by 2035 to be electric or plug-in hybrids.
They claimed that with strong local EV production and timely battery supply, the two companies are “in the ideal position to tackle the rapidly increasing North American EV market.”
LG Energy Solution develops lithium-ion battery materials and next-generation batteries and supplies EV batteries. It has joint ventures with General Motors (GM.N), Hyundai Motor Co. (005380.KS), and Stellantis (STLA.MI).
Panasonic Energy Co., a unit of Panasonic Holdings Corp. (6752.T) and a major Tesla supplier, chose Kansas for a $4 billion battery factory in July.
Honda plans to launch 30 EV models globally and produce 2 million EVs annually by 2030.
Mayfield courthouse, jail, and American Legion building demolished
Original Source: Contractor chosen for demolition of courthouse, jail and American Legion building in Mayfield
Soon, Mayfield will look different. A contractor has been appointed to demolish the courthouse, jail, and American Legion building.
The buildings will be demolished after an EF4 tornado in December.
The Graves County Fiscal Court approved Monday to hire Youngblood Excavating and Contracting for demolition.
Youngblood’s $558,700 bid was the lowest of the four.
Their responsibilities include cleaning up critical structures in Mayfield and clearing tornado-damaged roads.
Graves County Judge Executive Jesse Perry says things are looking up.
Perry: “It takes a lot of time, paperwork, and red tape, but this is a significant step forward for us.”
The company, Youngblood Excavating and Contracting, agrees.
“If we can finish this project on time, pay our employees, and speed up the reconstruction of Mayfield and Graves County, that’s a win,” said Youngblood Excavating and Contracting President Brad Youngblood.
Youngblood Excavating and Contracting is a local company, and Codell Construction President Jim Codell said it’s crucial to retain revenues in Graves County.
“Gives someone country ownership,” Codell stated. “It’s good to keep taxpayer money local and employ locals.” It’s a must. “
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay for the destruction, so city and county funds won’t be needed.
Perry said there’s a lot of positive emotion surrounding the destruction.
“It’s fantastic to announce today that we’ll be demolishing the facilities,” stated Perry.
When will a new courthouse be built? He stated that plans are in the early stages, so he can’t share anything yet.
The dismantling will take two months, Codell added.
Summary of today’s construction news
In today’s construction news, on Monday, a judge decided to pay the attorneys who secured a $1.1 billion settlement related to the disastrous collapse of an apartment complex in Florida $70 million in fees for their work.
In addition, officials from the Chicago Fire Department plan to start construction on an $80 million practice and training center this winter. The center will be built on the site of a former public housing project. In September, the proposition will be brought before an essential City Council committee for consideration.
Additionally, battery manufacturers have expressed interest in expanding their operations within the United States despite the country’s plans to impose stricter restrictions and more stringent requirements for receiving tax credits. The companies intend to create 40 gigawatt hours of electricity annually in North America for use in Honda and Acura electric vehicles.
Over and above that, the demolition of the courthouse, jail, and American Legion building has been contracted out. After an EF4 tornado hits in December, the buildings will be pulled down. On Monday, the Graves County Fiscal Court decided to contract with Youngblood Excavating and Contracting to carry out the demolition work.
