Kraig Koelsch

December 17, 2021

Old is now new again as 7-Eleven opened the doors to its latest convenience store located at the corner of Southern Boulevard and Olive Avenue in West Palm Beach, Florida with a spirited grand opening on December 16. But this isn’t your ordinary store as the building itself once housed a very popular area bank. The First Federal Savings and Loan building with its metal finishes and ample windows was admired as a “modernistic commercial” design with art deco flair when it opened near downtown West Palm Beach in 1959. The building has a large tower-like rotunda at one corner with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. It’s a conspicuous element to anyone driving to or from Palm Beach on Southern Blvd.

But in the past couple of decades, the building just over the bridge from well-heeled Palm Beach has worn down. Long emptied of its banking vestiges, the property has been too big, too small or just too unusual for any business to stay there long. But that’s where Cuhaci Peterson stepped in, leading production architecture efforts, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems as well as providing permitting services. Given the age of the structure, it provided plenty of opportunities for our team to solve problems, many of which were hidden.

Things you might not regularly consider when doing a new build, like making something new look old and having to deal with the local historical building society.

“The whole building from the interior had to be retrofitted, it had to be demolished and the basement had to be closed off as it didn’t meet any kind of fire code,” said CP Project Architect Wade Arnold. “We had to match the existing windows. The windows were diamond-plated metal and we tried to carry that theme around the exterior,” he added. The city granted several waivers so that 7-Eleven could more efficiently use the property, including reconfiguring the gas pumps so there will be three islands with two pumps each, allowing for 24-hour operation of the store, and a tax abatement designed to encourage the historic restoration.

This isn’t your typical program work, not by a long shot, but old becomes new and new becomes old and most importantly, our partners at 7-Eleven get a great new building they can showcase in their ever-growing portfolio. We are very excited to have been part of such a unique project and wish our most sincere congratulations to our friends at 7-Eleven on such a special milestone.

December 17, 2020

As the year 2020 reaches its end, so do many items in the Florida Building Code. The 2020 Florida Building Code 7th Edition goes into effect on January 1, 2021. Any project submitted to a jurisdiction on this date (Jan. 1, 2021) will have to conform to the new 2020 code. In our second installment of a blog series aimed at examining these code changes, we’ll take a look at noteworthy changes in fuel gas code. These changes are important as we look to address project scope and identify additional costs for our business and potentially, our customers.

Here are some key changes to take note of:

• The 2020 Code added two articles relating to the use of CSST (corrugated stainless-steel tubing) for gas piping.
• CSST comes in two forms: a non-arc-resistant jacket (yellow) and an arc-resistant jacket (black). The arc resistance relates to the absorption of arcing energy from a lightning strike or other power surge. These surges could cause pinhole leaks in the gas piping resulting in explosions.
• The-non-arc-resistant type requires a systematic grounding bonding system described in the code. The arc-resistant type does not require the extra grounding bonding. Our drawing specification notes require that the gas piping material to be schedule 40 steel.

So why does this even matter? A substitution may arise where a contractor wishes to use CSST. If this happens, only accept the arc-resistant CSST. The following link provides a very good explanation of the differences between the two.

• Schedule 10 pipe is now acceptable for steel pipe. Schedule 10 pipe has a thinner wall and is less expensive than schedule 40. This may be a value engineering item to consider.
• Factory-built chimneys passing through insulated assemblies (such as an attic space) now require an insulation shield. This will be added cost to a project.

If you’d like to see the changes on the state website, you can do so by clicking here. In future installments of this series, we’ll take a look at changes to Florida building code in mechanical, and energy conservation.

December 1, 2020

As the year 2020 reaches its end, so do many items in the Florida Building Code. The 2020 Florida Building Code 7^th Edition goes into effect on January 1, 2021. Any project submitted to a jurisdiction on this date (Jan. 1, 2021) will have to conform to the new 2020 code. In our first installment of a blog series aimed at examining these code changes, we’ll take a look at noteworthy changes in plumbing code. These changes are important as we look to address project scope and identify additional costs for our business and potentially, our customers.

Here are seven changes to take note of:

• An ASSE 1071 temperature mixing valve is required when hot and cold water are routed to an emergency eye wash. This will affect our dental clients and some of our medical office clients.
• Water heater drain pans are not limited to galvanized metal material. The new code allows for aluminum and plastic (but not under gas fired heaters).  This could provide cost savings to our clients.
• All brass piping and fittings have been deleted in their entirety for any application from the 2020 code.
• Press fit joints are now an acceptable pipe joining method for copper tubing, CPVC plastic pipe and PEX plastic. This could offer installation savings.
• Polyethylene (PE) pipe and polypropylene (PP) pipe are acceptable sanitary pipe materials. This could offer material and installation savings.
• This is a big one! When connecting new sanitary piping into existing sanitary piping in buildings, the existing sanitary system and the existing sewage (outside) system “shall be internally examined to verify that the piping is sloping in the correct direction, is not broken, is not obstructed and is sized for the drainage load of the new plumbing drainage system to be installed.” This will be an added expense to projects!
• A food waste disposer can no longer discharge to grease waste. This may cause clients to add an extra working sink to their facilities – an added expense.

If you’d like to see the changes on the state website, you can do so by clicking here. In future installments of this series, we’ll take a look at changes to Florida building code in mechanical, fuel, gas and energy conservation.

July 29, 2020

More good news for businesses wanting to move projects forward in Orange County. On July 28  the Orange County Division of Building Safety unanimously approved amendments allowing companies to defer paying impact fees and exempt the payment of transportation impact fees for change-of-use permits up to $100,000. The incentive program starts August 3 and is set to end July 30, 2021. For Cuhaci Peterson, this means existing and potential clients can not only retain funds until the end of construction, but also help boost the construction industry, which as been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are excited to see this move by Orange County,” said Jeff Suchan, Chief Development Officer. “It shows their commitment to help bolster the local economy. Our hope is that developers will take advantage of this incentive and move projects forward quicker, which will then create more job opportunities,” he noted.

The deferment will apply to all types of impact fees, including those related to fire services, transportation, schools, parks, and law enforcement. Instead of being collected when a building permit is issued, fees will now be due either at the time a development’s first building receives pre-power or the first certificate of occupancy is issued, whichever comes first. With the $100,000 cap on the exemption, any amount above that will still have to be paid.

Keith Brown, Director of Permitting Services at Cuhaci Peterson, said his team is ready to guide clients every step of the way. “The Permitting team is here to help with all permitting needs, like project due diligence, permit application completion, electronic submittals, tracking from beginning to end, and all coordination with design & construction teams toward successful project completion,” he explained. “We are here to participate and contribute where necessary throughout this process as Orange County gives back to the community.”

This latest incentive program comes weeks after county commissioners voted to supplement permit fees up to $10 million during a six-month period. That initiative began July 13 and will end either January 15, 2021, or when the funds are exhausted. Overall, these deferments from Orange County are a win-win across the board.

“This incentive to delay the payment of impact fees along with the previously approved waiving of permitting fees will continue to be a great benefit to development,” Suchan exclaimed. “Cuhaci Peterson is ready and willing to help with the process of getting projects through the Permitting process to take advantage of these incentives.”

July 9, 2020

To support new construction and stimulate the economy, the Orange County Division of Building Safety recently passed an economic plan that will supplement permit fees up to $10 million during a six-month period. This means applicants can get their building permitting fees waived (up to $100,000) while ensuring all construction meets required approvals and inspections.

At Cuhaci Peterson, the measure creates a win-win situation for our existing and potential clients. Keith Brown, CP Director of Permitting Services, said, “After reviewing the published guidelines, we are hopeful that several of the firm’s clients can use this as an opportunity to keep projects moving and possible use the savings they see from this Orange County measure to invest back into other projects and stimulate not only their business but the local economy.”

Here are the details of the new incentive program, which are paid from Orange County’s Division of Building Safety’s reserve funding:

• Regardless of the total construction value of the project, the amount of the fee supplement cannot be more than $100,000
• For the program, a project is defined as the construction of one or more structures that require a building permit on one or more contiguous parcels of land by one or more entities
• The offsets will begin July 13, 20202, and will continue until the $10 million has been awarded, the date of January 15, 2021, or whichever comes first
• A request for an extension to an unexpired building permit issued under the program must be in writing and directed to the Building Official
• If the extension is granted, it will require payment of the applicable permit fee that was originally offset
• If a building permit used under this program expires without final inspections being completed and certificate of occupancy or completion being issued, a replacement permit will be subject to payment of the total applicable building permit fee.

We are here to help get your project started and serve as your guide in the permitting process.

April 15, 2020

With recent events of COVID-19, the United States has seen massive slow downs or halts of work in the industries of architecture, engineering, and construction. Statewide mandated quarantines and self-isolation have forced the hand of the industry. Though some – like grocery, gasoline, pharmacy, automotive service, and other related chains – continue to function to service America’s needs. Thankfully, some of those retailers happen to be on the list of Cuhaci Peterson’s clients. These areas include design, permitting, and construction administration.

Organizational and process related standards & regulations still allow all jurisdictions to remain open and functioning per normal. Doors have been closed to the public, but staff have been put on either rotational shifts or are working from home. These changes put delays on review times, how packages are submitted, and interaction with review and/or intake employees. Despite the COVID-19 spread and mandated quarantines, there has been an upside to ensuring permit submissions are fluid.

A large percentage of jurisdictions have adopted electronic and/or email submissions for plan review. FTP sites have been created and email servers are being utilized in cities and towns that have not used them before. This allows our Permitting department to truly practice social distancing and not put employees in harm’s way by coming in contact with the general public. Thanks to these changes and quick adjustments, C&P is able to maintain Out to Permit (OTP) dates to meet the needs of each client and obtain permits to keep projects on schedule once this virus spread subsides.

Cuhaci Peterson remains optimistic despite this pandemic and continues to push each and every employee to perform to a high standard to meet client’s needs. Sustaining a safe and healthy workforce is the priority. With this, architectural & engineering design maintains its quality, permit due diligence, submissions are completed on time, and construction administration continues to push for successful schedule deadlines and closeout. This is what C&P stands behind.

January 22, 2020

Already in 2020, we’ve seen two organizations changing their brand identities with similar goals of broadening their representation of the industry. Just last week, the Grocery Manufacturing Association became the Consumer Brands Association, and now it’s the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) turn.

FMI is now officially FMI – The Food Industry Association. According to the trade organization, the move supports a more interconnected supply chain, with retail as the heart of the food industry. FMI recently expanded its membership to facilitate this evolving view.

“Over the last two years, we’ve inspired a recommitment, a renewal of vows among the FMI membership,” said Joe Sheridan, president and COO of Keasbey, N.J.-based Wakefern Food Corp., and chairman of the FMI board of directors. “We’ve even changed who can be a member in the association as a logical step in a direction we’ve been traveling for years, offering greater parity between retailers and their product supplier partner members at the board of directors level.”

January 20, 2020

Via (CNN) — In “Vacation,” National Lampoon’s 1980s classic, Chevy Chase jokes, “I’m so hungry. I could eat a sandwich from a gas station.”

But the convenience stores and gas stations that dot America’s retail landscape have worked to improve their dinners-to-go and coffee. Today, chains like Sheetz, Wawa and Kwik Trip offer meal kits, salads, keto snacks, Kombucha and espressos. That overhaul is driving convenience stores’ rise, unexpected survivors in an industry suffering mass store closings and shoppers shifting online. While delivery from Amazon has redefined what convenience means for many Americans, the 24-hour, 3,230-average-square-foot convenience store still fills a niche for time-strapped customers searching for a bite to eat and a fill up at the pump.

“It has absolutely been a hidden gem,” said Jeff Williams, senior vice president of retail services at Nielsen. “They are demanding that consumers view them as a destination for food.”

Convenience stores have reinvented their businesses to adjust to the changing ways Americans eat. Snacking is becoming consumers’ preferred meal of choice, and Americans are cooking fewer of their dinners at home as they eat out or order in from their couch. To keep up, chains are hiring executives from restaurants and expanding their snack choices and prepared food in kitchens on site. Consumers, especially Millennials, are not always willing to go to a quick-service restaurant, a fast-food joint or walk around a 40,000-square-foot grocery store, analysts say. Instead, they’ll often head to a convenience store, where the average amount of time customers spend inside the store is less than four minutes.

“People simply don’t have the time to sit down a whole meal at night like they used to,” said Carl Rick, leadership development specialist at Kwik Trip, which is building around 40 stores a year and just opened its 700th. “The more places there are where people can duck in, be out in three minutes with milk, eggs, maybe a sandwich, something to drink—those places are doing very well.”