Gear Up For Winter Construction

It is very important as a Minnesota General Contractor to understand the impacts winter construction can have on a project. Such as making sure you have all your under ground sewer, water, power, phone, data, cable TV, installed before the ground starts to freeze. This will save your construction project time and money.

There are many other ways to save on winter construction costs. These costs can include frost ripping, temporary heat, temporary enclosures, ground thaw etc.

As a General Contractor for the last 20 plus years APPRO Development has built thru many winters and can help you avoid costly winter construction charges. Call us today at APPRO Development if you plan to build or add on this fall or winter.

South Metro Miracle League Field Groundbreaking Ceremony scheduled for Sunday, September 12th at King Park in Lakeville, Minnesota.

The South Metro Miracle League will start its fall league with a groundbreaking ceremony for its new facility. The mission of the South Metro Miracle League is to provide opportunities for children ages 3-19 with disabilities, to play Miracle League Baseball, regardless of ability. The new facility will be located between two existing fields at King Park, 18350 Dodd Blvd in Lakeville.

The day’s activities include:

11 a.m. – noon Kids activities, games, and giveaways

11:30 a.m. Ground breaking

Noon First Pitch!

Many organizations and corporations have donated time and money to this great cause and we at APPRO Development have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work closely with the South Metro Miracle League in the role of General Contractor, Construction Manager, and Architect. We are very excited to be apart of this great project and look forward to the enjoyment that this facility will bring to so many.

Private and corporate sponsorships are still needed to make the South Metro Miracle League a reality. For more information please visit http://www.lakevillebaseball.org/ and click on the Miracle League.

The Importance of Lien Waivers

As an experienced General Contractor in Minnesota, APPRO Development takes the necessary measures to protect their clients. One way a general contractor, such as APPRO Development, can protect the property owner of a construction project, is to collect lien waivers from the subcontractors and/or suppliers they hire on the project.

What is a Lien Waiver?

A lien waiver (also known as a Mechanic’s Lien Waiver) is a document that a general contractor, subcontractor or supplier signs upon receiving payment which waives their right to file a lien against the property.

When does a Lien get filed?

A general contractor, subcontractor or supplier can file a lien within a certain amount of time after their work has been completed and payment hasn’t been received. The timeframe varies depending on the laws of each state. In Minnesota, the general contractor, subcontractor or supplier must record a lien within 120 days after the last day of work was done or materials were supplied on the project. For more information on Mechanic’s Liens in Minnesota see “A Guide to Mechanic’s Liens in Minnesota” by Mulligan & Bjornnes PLLP.

Why are Lien Waivers Important?

Lien waivers are an important way of protecting the property owner from having a claim filed against the property. If a lien is filed the property owner does not own a clear title. This can become a problem if the property owner is working on permanent financing for the project. Also, some cities will not issue a Certificate of Occupancy on the project until you can prove that you have satisfied any liens that may have been filed. If liens on a property become an issue a contractor can take legal action and force the sale of the property to make sure they get paid.

As a result, APPRO Development collects lien waivers from each of their subcontractors and suppliers on each project to protect their client. APPRO Development has over 23 years of commercial building experience. Therefore, if you are looking for an experienced General Contractor in MN to help design & build your commercial project, please feel free to contact APPRO Development.

Cool Places to Visit in Minnesota!

Minnesota – Cool Places to Visit!

As the Minnesota State Fair opens their doors this week, we are reminded that the summer season is quickly coming to an end. Many folks are squeezing in one more trip, or having some fun before the brisk winds of fall start to blow – ushering in the cooler season.

If you are new to Minnesota or are a long time resident looking for something new to do around town, here is a list of our Top Ten Cool Places to Visit in Minnesota:

1. Take a trip to Duluth, MN – On your way up, be sure to stop at Tobies in Hinckley which is about half way between the Twin Cities and Duluth, for a famous Caramel Roll and a cup of Joe. Once in Duluth, be sure to try skipping some rocks along the shores of Lake Superior. Stop by the Glensheen Mansion, take a trolley ride to the shops around town or rent a 2-4 person bicycle to tour around Canal Park. Grab an ice-cream cone from Bridgeman’s on the Lakewalk located next to the Fitger’s Courtyard, overlooking Lake Superior.

2. You could head further north and explore the North Shore – Head north along Hwy 61. Stop at Gooseberry Falls to go hiking or visit Split Rock Lighthouse (which just celebrated its 100th year anniversary). Stop in Tofte and spend a night at the Bluefin Bay. Then, head on up to Lutsen and take a ride on the Alpine Slide.

3. Visit Lanesboro, MN – rent a bike, stay at one of the many B&B’s around town, and maybe even plant a smooch on your honey (it is said to be one of the most romantic towns in the our great state!)

4. Get back to nature at its best by camping in the Boundary Waters – Start at Ely, MN and be sure to visit the International Wolf Center and then grab a camping pack, a large bag of yummy GORP (a high energy mix of granola, raisins, peanuts – & M&M’s) and grab a canoe – then, get hiking, get portaging, hug a tree, hug a bear, but for heaven’s sake, leave the iPods and Blackberrys at home!

5. Pack your bags and head to the Brainerd Nisswa Lakes Area. Go fishing or if you prefer, maybe just tell a fish story. When in Nisswa, you can partake in some good old fashioned turtle racing or try for that hole in one on any one of the abundant area golf courses.

6. Visit the Iron Range, MN – Climb aboard a mining truck, trace your roots at the Genealogy Center, tour an underground mine at the incredible Soudan Mine, or try an exciting ATV adventure and view the northern landscape in a whole new way!

7. Calling all Shop-a-holics – We really should be called the Land of 10,000 Shops!! Visit the Mall of America, Grand Avenue Shops in St. Paul, MN, check out 50th and France, find bargains at the Outlet Shops at Albertville or Medford, or stop to check out the shops in our own backyard by visiting the Pink Door Boutique, or check out Turnstyle Consignment store for something a little different.

8. Stick around the Twin Cities, MN, and be a tourist – visit Museums, history center, restaurants, lakes, Renaissance Festival, golf, Minnesota Zoo, Valley Fair, water park, and many, many more places to have some summer fun!

9. And, speaking of “sticking” around – see how many things you can find “on a stick” at the great Minnesota get-together…the Minnesota State Fair which is running from Thursday, August 26 – Monday, September 3, 2010.

10. And, last but certainly not least, our all time favorite place – is our home – Lakeville, Minnesota. Enjoy picking up some flowers and veggies at our local Farmer’s Market, play some Frisbee in one of our many parks, take a cruise on one of our lakes. You could explore a night on the town by taking in a show at the Lakeville Arts Center or visit the upcoming Lakeville Arts Festival. If you want to learn more about the history of our town, you could visit the Visit Lakeville Website for lots of interesting information.

There you have it – our suggestions for fun places to visit around the Land of 10,000 Lakes! We are certain there are many, many more exciting and fascinating locations – but, really – home is always the best place to come back to and for us that is Lakeville, Minnesota!

We have found over the years that Lakeville is a great place to own a business, build a building or lease or buy a great new space – which, by the way, is exactly what we have been doing and helping others to do for more than 23 years! At APPRO Development and CERRON Commercial Properties, we love where we work and what we do! Give us a call – we would love to share more about what makes the Southern Twin Cities, Minnesota a great place to work and play!