Latest news with #RichardSaunders
Fast Company
6 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
How the world's busiest airports are future-proofing themselves without missing a beat
The clock has just struck midnight, and about 60 people are bustling around an empty taxiway at Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport (DFW). Architects, contractors, engineers, ground crew—everyone has gathered for an unprecedented event. After years of planning and months of meticulous scheduling, six massive buildings are about to be wheeled into place near Terminal C. Yes, wheeled. DFW is the fourth-busiest airport in the world, and it's currently undergoing a $9 billion project that includes an expansion of Terminals A and C, as well as a new Terminal F. To build out the airport without closing any gates or disrupting the flight schedule, HOK, the lead architecture firm behind the project, turned to an increasingly popular method of building: modular construction. Modular construction has long been a solution for schools and apartment complexes, but airports in cities such as Dallas; Los Angeles; Portland, Oregon; and Atlanta are now embracing it as a solution to quickly expand their square footage as a tourism boom pushes airports to their limit. 'Airports have high operational cost, and that is what modular construction offsets,' says Richard Saunders, engineering practice leader for HOK's Atlanta studio. He estimates that the operational impacts are roughly cut in half. The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Huge city centre Wilko store sat empty for years to undergo major transformation into ‘state-of-the-art attraction'
The new development could bring a sense of community back to the high street STORE RESTORED Huge city centre Wilko store sat empty for years to undergo major transformation into 'state-of-the-art attraction' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR renovation is set to revive an empty Wilko store in a busy town centre. The Bristol-based site has been empty since the chain closed down in October 2023. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Wilko closed down in October 2023, leaving hundreds of empty stores Credit: Getty 2 Bristol's empty Wilko store is set for an exciting development this summer Credit: Google A new development project could see the 25,000 square foot derelict building on Union Street be put to good use. The vast space has been let to The Climbing Hangar, with the company planning to turn it into a state-of-the-art indoor climbing facility, complete with bouldering facilities, coaching, and a social space for events. In an announcement on their website, the company wrote: "Climbers in Briz have a lot to get excited about" as they expands into their 11th location. They added: "We're on a mission to inspire bolder living through indoor climbing and that means everyone gets in on the action whether they're a first-timer, or a life-longer." They've promised "hundreds of epic climbs" spread over 10 unique climbing grades, plus a 50 degree Kilter board and a 40 degree Tension Board. It gives climbers a range of options suitable for beginners to experts, with more than 300 climbs available in the 26,000 square foot climbing gym. In addition to all of the climbing equipment, the space will also feature a fully equipped strength training gym. Whether you're getting stuck in, or just want to sit back and relax, the space will also boast a cafe, and a calendar of events for the local community. The exciting new development is scheduled to open towards the end of summer. Commercial property consultancy firm Hartnell Taylor Cook arranged the deal on behalf of landlord AEW. Why are so many shops going bust? Richard Saunders, a partner at the firm, told Bristol Live: "We are delighted to have secured The Climbing Hangar for this significant city centre site." "This deal reflects the ongoing shift in large retail spaces towards experience-led occupiers and The Climbing Hangar will be a fantastic addition to Bristol, bringing fresh energy and activity to the area." The company first launched in 2011 in a Liverpool warehouse but has since expanded across the UK, including in Edinburgh, London and Southampton. Eager climbers can sign up early to get exclusive discounts on their monthly membership and the chance to win a free one year membership. With a passion for making the sport accessible, the company offer unlimited climbing for a monthly fee - with no signing on fees, no minimum term contract, and a cancel any time guarantee. With all of their existing stores boasting nearly 5 stars, Bristolians have lots to look forward to. One review for their Plymouth site reads: "I've been coming here for 12 months now and I can't recommend it enough! Climbs to suit all abilities." Another 5 star reviewer at their London branch said: "Incredibly friendly staff, very great vibes and everything is well kept and taken care of." Others praised the social element of the sport, with a range of community-focused events held in the spaces. One said: "Always a great place to hang out with friends and have a good time." The development promises an exciting addition to Bristol's town centre, as high streets up and down the country struggle to survive. Changing consumer habits post-Covid, as well as increased costs, have seen businesses shutting up shop as high streets are left derelict and empty.
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Clear direction for Shotover wastewater plant, says ORC
The Shotover wastewater treatment plant. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery A clear indication had been given to what needs to be done to the Shotover wastewater plant, the Otago Regional Council says, after the Environment Court released its decision. The regional council said in a statement it welcomed yesterday's decision from the court, which approved an application for an Enforcement Order over the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant. In January, the regional council sought an enforcement order from the Environment Court to address current compliance issues at Queenstown Lakes District Council's Shotover treatment plant, which followed the issuing of two abatement notices and 10 infringement notices. 'The decision paves the way to begin a plan of action so QLDC is able meet its consent obligations and achieve compliance against the Court's Orders,' council chief executive Richard Saunders said in a statement. The order gave a clear indication of what was required to operate, remedy and upgrade the wastewater plant, he said. The court said the treatment plant upgrades currently being undertaken, being the installation of a new Modified Ludzak-Ettinger (MLE) plant, clarifier and supporting infrastructure so that the new MLE plant and clarifier are operational, and resource consent RM2008.238 by the end of the year. The respondent must construct a calamity pond for treated wastewater at the treatment plant and to have the calamity pond available for use by the end of 2027. The Enforcement Orders cover off operations and management manual, staff training, sampling and monitoring, repairs and improvements to the wastewater plant, upgrades to the plant and a new Disposal Field solution; the latter requiring a consent application be made for a new disposal system by May 2026, which must be implemented by December 2030.
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Queenstown Lakes District Council must fix issues with Shotover wastewater plant
Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant in Queenstown. Photo: Supplied / Queenstown Lakes District Council The Environment Court has ruled the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) must fix issues with its troubled Shotover wastewater treatment plant. In January, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) sought an enforcement order from the Environment Court to address current compliance issues at the treatment plant. Mediation was the next step in deliberations, and the court released its decision on Monday. It came after two abatement notices and 10 infringement notices were issued since early 2024, many over the discharge of treated wastewater to land on the Shotover Delta . Otago Regional Council chief executive Richard Saunders said the court's enforcement orders would help mitigate adverse environmental effects caused by the plant, and paved the way "to begin a plan of action so QLDC is able to meet its consent obligations and achieve compliance against the court's orders". "The decision and enforcement orders give a clear indication of what's required to operate, remedy and upgrade the wastewater plant, while maintaining transparency with ongoing monitoring of these processes." The decision outlined seven pages of separate enforcement orders, including upgrades, contingency measures, timeframes and milestones to be met. They included an operations and management manual, staff training, sampling and monitoring, repairs and improvements to the wastewater plant, upgrades to the plant and a new disposal field solution. The latter required a consent application be made for a new disposal system by May 2026, which must be implemented by December 2030. Saunders said the regional council had taken several steps since problems arose with the plant's operations, dating back to 2021. He said the council would continue to closely monitor the treatment plant site and undertake its regulatory role. The Environment Court's decision is separate to QLDC making an emergency/retrospective consent application in early May for earlier works at the Shotover site. The emergency works enacted by the district council were to bypass the problematic (soak) disposal field and to discharge treated wastewater directly into the Shotover River. The council was still assessing the application, with a date for public notification yet to be set. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Environment Court Decision Following ORC Application For Enforcement Order
Following an application for an Enforcement Order over the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Environment Court released its decision yesterday. The application for the Enforcement Order has been approved by the Environment Court. ORC's Chief Executive Richard Saunders welcomed delivery of the decision and Enforcement Orders, ultimately to 'avoid, remedy and/or mitigate adverse environmental effects' caused by operation of the QLDC-owned Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant. 'The decision paves the way to begin a plan of action so QLDC is able meet its consent obligations and achieve compliance against the Court's Orders,' he says. On 23 January ORC sought an Enforcement Order from the Environment Court to address current compliance issues at QLDC's Shotover treatment plant, which followed the issuing of two abatement notices and 10 infringement notices. (*note below). Environment Court mediation was the next step in deliberations and the Court released its decision yesterday. Mr Saunders highlighted ORC had taken several steps since problems arose with the plant's operations, dating back to 2021. 'The decision and enforcement orders give a clear indication of what's required to operate, remedy and upgrade the wastewater plant, while maintaining transparency with ongoing monitoring of these processes,' Mr Saunders says. The decision outlines 7 pages of seperate enforcement orders, in an Annexure, including upgrades, contingency measures, timeframes and milestones to be met. The Enforment Orders cover off Operations and Management Manual, staff Training, Sampling and Monitoring, Repairs and Improvements to the wastewater plant, Upgrades to the plant and a new Disposal Field solution; the latter requiring a consent application be made for a new disposal system by May 2026, which must be implemented by December 2030. The Environement Court decision also noted parties can apply for further Enforcement Orders, if required. The Decision is now on ORC's website. Mr Saunders noted that the ORC continues to closely monitor the Shotover treatment plant site and continues to undertake its regulatory role. Information on the Shotover treatment plant is available on Council's website: Consent application for discharge Mr Saunders highlighted yesterday's Environment Court's decision is separate to QLDC making an emergency/retrospective consent application for earlier works at the Shotover site. In early-May QLDC made an emergency works application to the ORC, including QLDC having requested public notification; an option available to all applicants under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). The QLDC application is for retrospective consent for its emergency works at Shotover River wastewater treatment plant. The emergency works enacted by QLDC were to bypass the problematic (soak) disposal field and to discharge treated wastewater directly into the Shotover river. ORC is still assessing the application and further updates including a date for notification will be provided on the ORC website *Background Two abatement notices are in place and 10 infringements have been issued since the start of 2024. Five of these infringement notices have been issued this year (2025) relating to issues that happened on site towards the end of 2024. All the (5) new notices that have been issued, relate to the alleged discharge of contaminants (namely treated wastewater) to land on the Shotover Delta in circumstances which may result in contaminant (or any other contaminant entering water; namely groundwater), the Shotover River and/or Kawarau River.
