Industry News

Telecom Real Estate Services (TRES) of Los Angeles will invest $30 million to convert a 368,000-sf former A&P distribution center to a telecommunications switching station, or telecom hotel. According to TRES, the single-story structure has several advantages: generators can be placed outside the building, freeing roof space for cooling and other uses; and fiber-optic cables can be run through the ground to users rather than through the riser space encountered in multi-story buildings.

FleetBoston Financial Corp.'s primary data center and Upstate Division headquarters at Kiernan Plaza will undergo a $25 million "technology facelift." In addition to new computer hardware and software, the main and backup electrical supplies and HVAC systems will be improved. Fleet currently employs 450 people at the site, and plans to add an additional 100 technology workers.

ISIS Papyrus, based in Vienna, Austria, is planning to consolidate its Dallas-area offices in a $6 million North American headquarters and training center near Dallas in Southlake. The new building is slated to begin construction in June; completion is anticipated in late 2000 or early 2001. The company provides business document software solutions.

APPA is in the process of putting together a manual for: "Grounds Staffing and Maintenance Guidelines."

Subject Areas that are have already been chosen to be covered in the manual are:

OSHA proposes new ergonomics standards. Under this new proposal about 1/3 of the general industry worksites will be affected and over 27 million employees covered. The proposal currently identifies several elements for a full implementation of an ergonomics program: