The planned closing of a shipbuilding facility in Avondale, La., in 2013, will affect many local businesses in the Greater New Orleans area, including Avondale Self Storage.

Defense contractor and Louisiana's largest employer Northrop Grumman announced in July 2010 it would close the shipbuilding plant two miles away from the self-storage facility. The closure will result in 5,000 job losses and, consequently, a significant blow to the area's economic base and perhaps population. Avondale Self Storage is two miles away from the plant.

Avondale Self Storage owner David Loeb started investigating opening the facility three years ago. With much vacant land in the area and the Huey P. Long Bridge expansion, he saw promise for plenty of traffic and growth. The stable workforce at the  Avondale shipyard weighted heavily in his decision to pursue the venture. Now, with the impending plant closure, Loeb's facility faces an uncertain future. He told the Daily Comet he plans to attract business through value-added services, such as laptop stations connected to free wireless Internet, copying services and shipping and office supplies.

Loeb attached his name to a letter sent this month to President Obama, asking him to intervene and perhaps save the facility. This same group of small-business people met with U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, at a U.S. Highway 90 truck stop in May to share their concerns. Richmond shared with the Daily Comet the federal government is investing $1.5 million to conduct a site study of the closing plant and to search for potential new tenants.

Avondale Self Storage is located directly on U.S. Route 90, a currently well-traveled highway. The town itself is on the West Bank of the Mississippi River and is southwest of New Orleans.

Hundreds of self-storage facilities throughout California are serving as GREENspot DROPoff e-waste recycling locations, and now these facilities will donate $1 to Kure It Cancer Research for every television, computer, monitor, laptop or flat screen they receive. Kure It has already received $2,000 from GREENspot participants.

Californians who wish to responsibly recycle their e-waste at any GREENspot location can simply write KI in the charity box on their donation form, and $1 per qualified item will go to Kure It and be used for research studies into the makeup of kidney and other orphan cancers.

We want Californians to know that when they choose to recycle their electronics, theyre not only diverting waste from landfills, but also supporting great organizations like Kure It, said GREENspot President Mike Wachtel.

GREENspot DROPoff is completely free. By working with storage facilities, the organization has simplified the act of cleaning the home or office of e-waste.

We appreciate GREENspots commitment to making our world a better place, both by protecting the earth and supporting Kure Its mission to find new treatments for cancer patients, said Kure It Director Karen Jones.

Kure It is a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise money for research specialists conducting innovative projects to better treat and ultimately cure kidney and other cancers.  Founded by Barry Hoeven after his diagnosis with kidney cancer, Kure It currently supports research being done at Cedars-Sinai and City of Hope.

A raid at a self-storage facility in New Market, Md., uncovered a cache of synthetic drugs being sold as bath salts and herbal potpourri on the streets.

Earlier this month, federal agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized two barrels of white powder and packages of synthetic marijuana at New Market Mini Storage. Marketed as bath salts with names like Zombie World and Dark Night Sampler, the synthetic drug acts as a stimulant when inhaled, producing an effect similar to cocaine.

Unregulated by the U.S. government, the synthetic drugs are available on the Internet. Although labeled as bath salts, the ingredients are not the common ones found in traditional bath-salt products. The chemicals used in bath salts have been banned in several states, but are still available via the Web.

The person renting the storage unit has not been arrested, but a search warrant filed with a U.S. district court shows the investigation spans the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas.

By Missy Henriksen

Self-storage operators generally invest a great deal of time and money in protecting their units from obvious threats such as fire, flooding, theft and vandalism. But a threat that may be less evident is that posed by pests. Self-storage can be especially susceptible to pest infestations, and the damage caused can be extensive and costly. Fortunately, there are simple steps operators and customers can take to protect their units and the items inside from damage.

Examining the Risks

Self-storage facilities face a unique set of circumstances that can make them especially attractive to pests. For one, unlike homes and businesses, storage units can go long periods of time without being checked by their renter or the facility owner, allowing an infestation to grow without disturbance.

By their nature, pests are experts at stowing away in items and infesting new locations. The fact that storage facilities house a lot of stuff and new items are always being brought in makes them particularly susceptible. A few pests that find their way into a stored box can quickly reproduce and lead to a major problem in a short time. Once a pest has found its way into one storage unit, it needs only a tiny entry point to get into nearby units, too. Many insects can fit through an opening as thin as a credit card, and mice can squeeze through holes as small as a nickel.

Of course, one of the main reasons self-storage units are at risk for pest infestation is because operators usually have little control over whats brought into the units. Be aware of items that are attractive to pests, such as food, live plants and even bags or boxes of paper goods.

Specific Threats for Self-Storage

Certain types of pests are more likely to infest self-storage units and should be given special consideration.

Rodents and mice are a leading concern in this type of environment because theyre great stowaways, reproduce quickly and can fit through extremely tiny openings. In fact, a female house mouseone of the most common rodent invaderscan give birth to up to a dozen babies every three weeks.

Once inside a unit, rodents can cause severe damage in a short amount of time. These pests will eat and gnaw at just about anything including cardboard, furniture, bedding, wiring and even decaying material. In addition, one mouse produces between 40 and 100 fecal droppings per day, which can accumulate quickly and become a health concern.

Cockroaches are also great stowaways, especially in cardboard boxes. They can squeeze through cracks as thin as a quarter, and they reproduce quickly. Cockroaches are extremely hardy, making it easy for them to survive for long stretches. In fact, they can live for a month without food.

Cockroaches also spread disease and can contaminate the items they touch or travel across. They are reported to spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, six types of parasitic worms and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. They pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage, and then carry these onto other items. Studies suggest that cockroach droppings and skins can trigger asthma and allergies, especially in children, so infested items that are returned from storage to homes could pose a risk.

Gypsy moths are another potential issue for self-storage. In nature, they live in hardwood trees like oaks, maples and elms. Homes, businesses and even storage facilities near these trees tend to see the most infestations, because gypsy moths will often lay their egg masses near or directly on buildings. When the eggs hatch in the summer months, the larvae (caterpillars) find their way indoors, where they can be a major nuisance because of their tendency to leave debris from their feeding on everything they crawl over.

The bed bug is another pest that can be devastating for self-storage units. This pest was all but eradicated until the late 1990s, when it began to make an astounding resurgence worldwide. Today, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reports that one in five Americans has had a bed bug infestation or knows someone who has encountered bed bugs at home or at a hotel.

Bed bugs prefer to live in close contact with humans, as they feed on their blood at night. However, bed bugs are also excellent hitchhikers, so if a customer brings an infested item, such as a mattress, bedding, furniture or clothing, into a storage unit, this pest can easily spread into adjacent units as it searches for food. Bed bugs can live for more than a year without a blood meal and can survive in temperatures from nearly freezing to 122 degrees, making storage units a great breeding ground.

Preventing Infestations

Despite the unique risks faced by storage operators, there are ways to protect your units and prevent pest infestations. First, work with a licensed professional to develop a comprehensive prevention plan. Next, implement these pest-proofing tips from the NPMA:

• Ensure all units have a water- and air-tight seal. Some pests can squeeze through cracks as thin as a credit card, so sealing cracks and holes on the outside of units can reduce entry points. Use silicone caulk to seal around utilities and pipes, filling in any holes.
• Keep shrubbery, bushes and other landscaping trimmed and away from storage units.
• Eliminate areas of moisture in and around units, as moisture attracts pests. Ensure gutters and downspouts are properly functioning and flow away from units. Reduce areas where water may collect and stand near units after a heavy rainfall. If the property has any water features such as ponds or birdbaths, install a drip system to keep water from becoming stagnant.
• Store garbage in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly.
• Partner with a licensed pest professional who has experience in commercial facilities to routinely inspect and treat the property. Routine inspection will help ensure pest problems are caught before they become major issues for you and your customers.

Missy Henriksen is the vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), a non-profit organization with more than 7, 000 members. NPMA was established in 1933 to support the pest-management industrys commitment to the protection of public health, food and property. For more information on pests and pest-related topics or to find a pest professional, visit www.pestworld.org

Pest-Proofing Tips to Share With Customers

• Store items in plastic, sealed containers rather than cardboard boxes to prevent pests like rodents from nesting inside.
• Clean all items you plan on storing prior to packing. Remove any residue from clothing and furniture, and do not leave crumbs or food remnants inside kitchen appliances.
• Wash items like clothing and linens at a hot temperature before storing to eliminate pests or pest eggs.
• Dont store perishable food items or live plants inside storage units, as these items attract pests.
• Before placing items into your unit, thoroughly inspect them to ensure pests are not hiding in any boxes or items.
• Store boxes on a raised pallet to prevent smaller pests from finding refuge underneath.
• Regularly clean of your storage and check for signs of pests.
• If you notice signs of an infestation, contact the facility manager immediately and work with him to eliminate the invasion promptly.

By Mark James

If youre faced with replacing the old, metal roof on your self-storage facility, this article may save you time, trouble and money. Plus, it might show you how to get that new roof to pay for itself.

When faced with having to install a new self-storage roof, most facility owners naturally think of roof replacementjust remove that old roof and install a new one in its place. Well, theres a simpler way of getting the job done.

Have you thought about retrofitting that old roof? Retrofit metal roofing has been touted for years as a viable and affordable alternative to roof replacement, one that will provide you with years of trouble-free service. Before we get into an explanation of this option, lets answer this question: If your old metal roof failed, why would you put another metal roof on your building?

Roofing technology has made great advancements over the past several decades. If your existing metal roof is 20 to 40 years old, it probably has an inferior coating or paint when compared to todays high-performance alternatives. It might have a galvanized substrate coating or paint system that chalked, faded and peeled within its service life of about 20 years.

Todays coatings and paint systems are under warranty for up to 35 years or more. In fact, the Galvalume coatings introduced about 30 years ago are showing no signs of degradation. In a recent scientific study, experts claimed these metal roofs could have a service life of 60-plus years.

How Its Done

Lets talk about retrofitting your roof with a new, structurally correct, high-performance metal roof. Very simply, were going to leave your old roof in place, leaving your tenants goods undisrupted, and install a new metal roof right on top of your old one. But to do this project the right way and achieve the real benefits, there are some things to consider.

Meeting building codes. New roofs are subject to the requirements of your local building codes. Your metal-roof manufacturer knows about these conditions and can design a roof to meet all wind- and gravity-load requirements.

Air space. When retrofitting, theres an air space created between the old and new roof that proposes the opportunity to install insulation for energy efficiency, and possibly turn one of your buildings into a climate-controlled structure. Regardless, adding insulation to your retrofit makes you eligible for a federal tax deduction of up to $1,500.

Also in this air space, a dynamic convective ventilation system can be employed. This system is called above-sheathing ventilation (ASV). Basically, it takes the heated air beneath the new metal roof and ventilates it through the ridge of the building. The benefit is the roof becomes a radiant barrier that reduces heat transfer through its assembly by as much as 45 percent. This system can be integrated with new insulation as well.

Cool roofs. Another fairly new advancement in the metal-roofing industry is what we call cool roofs. This is actually a paint system that has reflective properties and essentially resists the radiant heat of the sun. Its factory-applied to the metal and available in a multitude of colors. Case studies and research have indicated a reduction in heat transfer through the roof by an average of 17 percent, with a reduction in energy consumption by as much as 40 percent.

Solar panels. Depending on your location and local incentives, you may want to consider installing renewable solar photovoltaics (electricity) on your new metal roof. Most of the systems available have reduced in price in the past few years to the point where theyre much more affordable. Solar panels are capable of supplying you with all or most of the electricity needed to run your facility, and you might even be able to sell what you dont use back to the your electric supplier.

Now for the real benefits: There are major federal tax credits available through IRS Tax Code Section 179D for installing these systems on your existing building. The credits include a 30 percent dollar-for-dollar tax credit (not a deduction), plus accelerated depreciation of 50 percent in the first year and the balance over the following five years. On top of all of this, there may be state and local tax breaks, grants, funding and other incentives available.

Save Money

When you retrofit a new metal roof over any existing roof, youre adding additional weight to the building. Technically, this could be a concern to the structural integrity of the existing roofs support structure because it was certainly not designed to bear this additional weight. The good news is there are sub-framing systems available that have the ability to strengthen your existing roof system, thus compensating for the added weight of the new metal roof and sub-framing.

There are several ways of getting your new metal roof to pay for itself by employing todays integrated retrofit roofing technologies. Consider your options and ask the industrys leading roofing companies what they have to offer before your next roof-replacement project.

Mark James is vice president of sales and marketing for Roof Hugger Inc. Based in Odessa, Fla., the company is a provider of retrofit sub-purlins for existing metal roof profiles to allow re-roofing with new metal panels  For more information, call 800.771.1711; visit www.roofhugger.com .

Andrew Donaldson, a partner in U.K. self-storage operator BiG Storage and the founder of self-storage fit-out company Active Supply and Design (CDM) Ltd., recently purchased and donated two fiberglass rhinoceroses to the Chester Zoo in Chester, England, United Kingdom.

The contribution complements the ongoing Rhino Mania art project, an initiative of the local Chester Renaissance organization. The project is designed to line the streets of Chester with decorative rhinos to beautify the city, call attention to the zoo, and promote environmental and animal awareness. The pair of rhinos can be seen from the A41 highway on the approach to the zoos main entrance.

Chester Zoo has more than 7,000 animals and 400 different species, and draws an average of 1.4 million visitors a year. Chester is located in the west central part of the country, about 27 miles south of Liverpool and 41 miles southwest of Manchester.

BiG Storage has six locations in west central England, including a facility in Chester.

Do It Yourself Storage in Sand City, Calif., a lender-owned property, was recently sold to a developer for $1.89 million. The facility contains 21,897 rentable square feet in 190 storage units and two uncovered vehicle-storage spaces. Built in 1977, the 1.15-acre property includes eight single-story buildings and a rental office. One block away is a satellite location comprising two single-story buildings.

According to LoopNet, the facility was 75.9 percent physically occupied and 74.3 percent economically occupied as of Aug. 31, 2010. Its original list price was $2.15 million.

Do It Yourself Storage is next to Monterey Bay along Highway 1. Sand City is two miles northeast of Monterey, Pebble Beach and Carmel, Calif.

The self-storage facility was represented in the sale by brokers of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services. Christopher Secreto and Joel Deis of the companys Seattle office along with Josh Cohen of the Long Beach, Calif., office had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the seller, a financial institution. These brokers also secured and represented the buyer. John Rodiles, also of the Long Beach office, assisted in closing the transaction.

Founded in 1971, Marcus & Millichap specializes in commercial real estate investment services. The company closed 4,302 transactions in 2010 and has more than 1,200 investment professionals in offices nationwide.