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Decks and More, a metro Atlanta-based remodeling company, has won two national Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards from NARI, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.  Decks and More received the honors in the Residential Landscape Design/Outdoor Living Under $100 category for a home in Johns Creek/North Fulton and in the Green Residential Exteriors category for a home in Buckhead.

The National CotY awards are NARI’s premier awards for the remodeling industry.  The annual accolades recognize excellence in remodeling across 48 categories.  NARI members throughout the nation submit their best work for consideration by a panel of expert judges.  Over the years, Decks and More has been honored for outstanding work at the local, regional and national level by NARI, the North American Deck and Railing Association and other professional organizations. 

“It’s always rewarding to win a CotY Award, since the entries are judged by a panel of remodeling peers,” said Frank Pologruto, president of Decks and More.  “As always, the competition was extremely tough, since remodelers from across the country submitted their best work.  Decks and More is truly honored and grateful to receive these awards.  I’d like to thank our clients, design team, creative carpenters, Southeastern Underdeck team, painters and our amazing electricians.  These projects were total team efforts and I am honored and blessed to work with these professionals every day.”

National CotY Winner for Residential Landscape Design/Outdoor Living Under $100,000, Johns Creek, Ga.

“For this busy family who loves to entertain, we replaced an outdated and non-descript deck with a beautiful two-level outdoor entertainment area,” said Pologruto.  The home features a professionally landscaped backyard with a pool, outdoor kitchen and flagstone patio, but the dated, existing deck hampered the flow from the house to the yard and detracted from the lovely landscape.  The homeowners wanted two levels of attractive and functional outdoor living spaces, but they wanted their view preserved.  We worked with partner Southeastern Underdeck on the project.  It took a strong team effort, creativity and innovation to design and install the components in a way that did not block the view.  First, a pressure-treated engineered beam was installed to support the new wooden deck with its Chippendale handrails, custom corbels and diagonal decking.  Below, Southeastern Underdeck installed an under-deck system made of custom aluminum panels to protect the homeowners from weather on the ground level.  To complete the project, we added stacked stonework at the steps, LED lighting and a two-color paint scheme for the deck and rails.  The lower level features a clear span design with only four columns supporting the upper deck.  This creative engineering maintained the clear view of the landscape.”

National CotY Winner for Green Residential Exteriors, Atlanta, GA (Buckhead neighborhood)

“The couple who lives in this Buckhead home had the house custom-built and the grounds professionally landscaped, but for some reason, the back deck was too small and didn’t span the home.  It almost looked like it was added as an afterthought,” said Pologruto.  “The homeowners asked my team and me to design a low-maintenance deck to provide easy access to the backyard with a wide, sweeping view.  To avoid installing railings across the entire back of the deck, we designed a grand, 28-foot-wide staircase that gently descends to a landing before reaching the ground.  The deck features gray birch composite decking placed at a diagonal with a picture frame border and open, fortress iron handrails.  Additional green solutions include LED lighting and PVC white trim at the perimeter of the deck.  Where the old deck made you feel cramped and confined, this new outdoor deck and grand staircase are gracious and open.  They are a perfect match for the beautiful home and meticulous landscape.”

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Zoo Atlanta in Grant Park will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 16 but with protocols and procedures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.

According to a press release, a new timed ticketing system will be in place to control capacity and limit the number of guests who are inside Zoo Atlanta at any given time. Tickets may only be purchased online now at zooatlanta.org.

Zoo Atlanta will open at 10 a.m. on May 16; beginning Sunday, May 17, Zoo hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There will also be no cash transactions and paper maps will transition to all-digital maps guests may view on mobile devices.

 During this first phase of the Zoo’s reopening, all buildings (restrooms excepted), indoor venues and indoor experiences are temporarily closed, as are amenities such as Splash Fountain, rides and play areas. Food and gifts will be sold from outdoor kiosks.

At all locations where feasible, Zoo Atlanta will promote a one-way experience that reinforces social distancing guidelines. Pathway guides will be on hand to assist guests and encourage social distancing.

All Zoo Atlanta team members will wear masks and visitors are strongly encouraged to, but are not required to, wear masks. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the Zoo for guest convenience. Zoo teams will also frequently clean and disinfect touchpoints and restrooms using a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved disinfectant.

For more on the phased reopening and guest guidelines, visit the Zoo’s Know Before You Visit page.

 “We are pleased to welcome our Members and guests back to the outdoor experiences and connections to wildlife that can only be found at Zoo Atlanta. As important as this is to us, it was essential that we not reopen the Zoo until we could do so confidently, with the safety of our visitors, team members and the animals in our care as the number one priority,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “Many weeks of planning have gone into our reopening, and everything we have done or will do is being done with this in mind.”

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With the state allowing businesses and restaurants to start reopening amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the Old Fourth Ward Business Association (O4WBA) has been busy creating a re-opening strategy for its members, which includes a “pledge to public health.”

According to O4WBA executive director Emma Tinsley, the organization’s aim is to clarify the state’s mandated safety requirements while enabling businesses in the community to collectively commit to additional public safety measures.

Tinsley said the three-tiered public health pledge is based on feedback from more than 30 local business owners, along with best practices across the country. She said Matt Ruppert, owner of Noni’s Deli and founder of O4WBA, took the reigns and encouraged the business association to come up with a plan.

“Business are getting nervous and excited to reopen, but there hasn’t been a lot of guidance,” Tinsley said. “We wanted to set some objectives and offer guidance and additional safety measures for the community when the businesses do reopen.”

As of this week, 20 businesses had signed the pledge so far, Tinsley said.

The three-tiered plan follows CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines – wearing masks, stringent cleaning, social distancing –  but also goes further with additional suggestions depending on the type of business and occupancy. Some of those additional measures include temperature testing, installing alarms to remind staff when to clean, and contact tracing of customers.

Businesses that take the pledge will receive a certificate to hang up that includes a scannable QR code that will allow customers to see the implemented safety measures.

TInsley said businesses taking part will also be able to share resources such as buying personal protection equipment suppliers, access to a group business forum for active discussion, and group bulk ordering.

She said the organization was not planning to tell member businesses when they could reopen. “The business should open when they are ready and feel comfortable. Every business is different.”

Tinsley said that no Old Fourth businesses had permanently closed during the pandemic thanks to the various federal and local loan program, but more capital resources would be needed in the future to ensure that small businesses survive not only in O4W but around the country.

For more, visit o4wba.com.

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Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she won’t be rushed into reopening city hall “just because everyone else is opening” during her weekly COVID-19 briefing with the Atlanta City Council this morning.

“I will do what is in the best interest of the public and those who work at city hall,” Bottoms said. “I am mindful of those employees with underlying health issues or who live with someone who does.”

She said the city hall staff has been successful in transitioning to working remotely, and discussions are ongoing about getting city boards and commissions back to regular virtual meetings.

It’s been two months since Bottoms closed city hall and issued a stay-at-home order, which has now been mostly superseded by Gov. Brian Kemp’s orders that the state begin reopening businesses and restaurants.

Bottoms said the number of COVID-19 cases was still increasing. As of May 13, the part of Atlanta within Fulton County had 1,677 COVID-19 diagnoses, up from 1,510 on May 8.

Just after the mayor’s update, the Georgia Department of Health released new statistics showing the number of new statewide cases is now at 35,858 and the death toll at1,527. There have been 16 more deaths statewide in the last 24 hours.

“I remain concerned that pulling back from our aggressive action to shelter-in-place and keep businesses closed will send us in the wrong direction,” Bottoms said.

Bottoms said her advisory committee on reopening the city had its final meeting on May 13 and recommendations would be forthcoming.

In other COVID-19 related updates, Bottoms said the city had received $88.4 million from the federal CARES Act, while Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport had received a separate $338 million grant. Bottoms said residents, businesses, nonprofits and public organizations would be prioritized in the allocating of funds. She said one consideration is helping residents struggling to pay rent. She encouraged residents to visit ATLSTRONG.org if they need financial assistance.

Bottoms noted that overall crime in the city is down 26 percent, but the complaints and concerns about street racing continue. She said in her conversation with other mayors, this phenomenon is happening around the country and some are considering designating a space for street racing. She encouraged residents to call 911 and said the Atlanta Police Department was taking steps to insure the streets are safe.

Bottoms said usage of the Atlanta BeltLine had decreased 6 percent last week, which comes after a three week increase. The mayor said she also intends to reissue an executive order that allows restaurants to sell alcohol to go on May 18.

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