While there are always shifts and trends in the commercial property market, they usually happen gradually. Many predict that the retail and commercial real estate markets are on the verge of their most disruptive transitions in recent memory. Questions still linger as to which direction these retail conversions, shopping center makeovers, and office conversions will take.

The ascent of e-commerce shopping and shifts in consumer shopping habits were occurring for more than a decade. The pandemic forced rapid widespread acceptance of online shopping for millions who may have otherwise taken years to adapt, if at all. It is too early to tell if these unnatural shifts in habits will continue in the long run.

Subsequently, the boom in e-commerce led to a near immediate demand for last mile distribution centers. Big box retailers with large spaces, empty stores, and vacant parking lots were an easy match to fill the need. Some converted to mini-distribution centers almost overnight.

The conversion of retail shopping centers had begun long before the pandemic. The descent of former powerhouse retailers such as Sears and JC Penney signaled a decline in brick-and-mortar retail and prompted industry speculation about other uses for these large spaces. Indoor shopping malls also waned and were joined into the conversation.

The requirements for last-mile distribution centers are much in line with those of retail stores. The proximity to population centers, transportation corridors, and large open spaces make them compatible conversions.

Some indoor shopping mall spaces are being converted into high-end, creative office spaces. The open floorplan of tech work environments and the rise of co-work offices have opened the door for many of these types of conversions.

Vacant office spaces are also being converted into co-workspaces to meet the demands of shifting work habits. With many office jobs shifting to remote or hybrid roles, the demand for individual office space is expected to decline dramatically. Shared workspaces and short-term office rentals may be viable solutions for underutilized office buildings.

The demand for medical offices is also on the rise. Depending on the practice and on-site services provided, these are conversions that can work well for strip malls, shopping centers, and office buildings.

One of the reasons for the wide range of medical facility conversions is that the category covers a variety of business types. Medical specialists, dental offices, lab services, physical therapy, urgent care centers, and even veterinary care are the types of businesses that have taken up occupancy in converted spaces.

While these are the typical conversions taking place in retail and office spaces, other transformations are also reshaping the commercial landscape. Concert venues, childcare centers, food halls, and experiential retail have all moved into converted spaces.

Historic architecture has found new life as multifamily and mixed-use properties. Developers have also seen that blending residential with retail has proven to be very successful, finding cross-over compatibility, especially with high-end, open-air environments.

Besides their proximity to large population centers, retail spaces have other characteristics that make them suitable for conversion. They generally have ample parking and the buildings are structurally capable of conversion, which makes them efficient to transform to other uses.

Converting an unused space to a business that benefits the community will generally garner public support. Repurposing is also environmentally friendly. Construction costs and build time are significantly lower for conversions versus starting from the ground up.

As the commercial landscape shifts, retail, office, and other commercial spaces will need to consider these types of solutions for maintaining occupancy into the future.

Source: Omnia Pacific Construction, a division of CAM Property Services, is a construction company that specializes in revitalizing retail and commercial centers throughout Southern California.

In recent years, the popularity of electric bikes and electric scooters has grown exponentially, with more and more people opting for these convenient and eco-friendly modes of transportation. And it’s easy to see why — they offer a range of benefits, from reduced emissions to decreased travel time and increased affordability. As a result, they’re quickly becoming the transportation mode of choice for city dwellers and urban commuters, cementing them as a staple of modern life.

There is a catch, however. As with many lithium-ion battery products, e-bikes run the risk of catching fire or even exploding. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received reports of at least 208 micro-mobility fire or overheating incidents between January 2021 and November 2022.

So it’s clear that there’s some risk involved — a direct consequence of which is the recent rise in insurance costs for multifamily property owners. This has led to the outright ban of electronic bikes and scooters by many landlords, who would rather avoid the potential risk altogether.

But what if there’s a way to ensure your building can offer this vital amenity to would-be renters and residents for safely storing and charging their e-bikes without the worry of fires? Enter CAM Property Services. Our Property Pros can help protect your multifamily property and its residents from lithium-ion battery fires in one of two ways:

• We can retrofit your property to better defend against fires
• Or we can design a custom e-bike/e-scooter storage facility to house them safely

Let’s take a closer look at each service:

Retrofitting Your Property

Fire safety begins with ensuring that your building has the ability to prevent the spread of fires. This is where CAM’s construction company, Omnia Pacific, comes in. Retrofitting comes in two forms: encapsulating existing space and upgrading existing fire systems.

Omnia Pacific can encapsulate an existing bike storage area with cinder block, install e-charging hookups for e-bikes and e-scooters, and retrofit all fire suppression systems to ensure the building is fully compliant with all fire safety codes and regulations.

We offer a range of fire suppression systems, including fire sprinklers and fire alarms, which can be installed to ensure that your building is equipped to handle any potential fire outbreaks. This includes fire-resistant features such as doors, walls, and windows, which can significantly slow down the spread of fire. Our goal is to protect your property and residents while providing an important amenity in today’s modern world.

Building a Safe Storage Space

Omnia Pacific can create custom-built e-bike storage areas that prioritize safety and security. Our expert team utilizes fire-resistant materials such as concrete, steel, and brick, to ensure that your e-bike storage area is well-equipped to handle any potential fire outbreak. We also install top-of-the-line fire suppression systems, including fire sprinklers and smoke detectors, to provide an added layer of protection for your property.

In addition to using fire-resistant materials and fire suppression systems, our team pays close attention to ventilation and space when designing e-bike storage areas. Proper ventilation is critical in preventing the accumulation of combustible materials that can contribute to the spread of fire. Our team ensures that there is adequate space within the e-bike storage area to prevent clutter and maintain a safe environment. With CAM and Omnia Pacific, you can advertise and trust that your e-bike storage area is not only a secure and convenient amenity but also designed with safety as a top priority.

To learn more about how CAM can help, call (800) 576-3050 today.

Navigating the clean-up process after wildfires and mudslides

The wildfires in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena — compounded by devastating mudslides — have left property owners and managers facing a challenging recovery. As outlined by Los Angeles County, the clean-up process is divided into two distinct phases:

Phase 1 involves hazardous debris removal, which property owners do not need to sign up for. However, your property must pass an EPA inspection before moving to Phase 2.

Phase 2 involves the removal of remaining fire debris. Property owners can opt for  government-sponsored clean-up programs or hire a private contractor — such as CAM Property Services — for more specialized assistance.

As a trusted partner in Southern California, CAM Property Services is fully equipped to manage fire debris removal. We can provide our clients with:

• License and insurance. Do business with a contractor that is licensed by the state of California and can safeguard you against further liabilities.
• Expertise in regulatory compliance: We navigate complex regulations to ensure your property meets all required standards.
• Tailored clean-up plans: Every property is unique, and we offer customized solutions for the fastest, most efficient recovery.
• Personalized service: We take the time to understand your needs, offering hands-on support throughout the process.

For a smooth, compliant clean-up, contact the Property Pros today.

Recalibrating Property Management for Environment, Health, and Safety with CAM Property Services

Weathering the COVID-19 storm with an EHS Specialist

Amidst the uncertainties that surround the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, an opportunity presents itself as a solution for future growth – recalibrating existing business models to ensure environmental, health, and safety (EHS) concerns have a seat in the decision-making process.

Rather than relying on business-as-usual solutions, real estate leaders are now looking to environmentalists, sociologists, and futurists for answers.

• Will the demand for space increase post COVID-19?
• Will people have a fear of riding elevators?
• Do you have the resources to keep up with the ever-evolving EHS arena?

As evident in the financial crisis of 2008, while some assets survive through adaptation, others fade. Acting quickly, decisively, and consistently will not only determine the fate of the players but also the industry after it eventually reinvents itself.

The smartest players are now thinking about how their respective industries will change and are altering their strategy accordingly. Here is how EHS should be a part of your new normal strategy:

• Technical Know-How: Understand the technicalities of science-based solutions
• Industry Expertise: Evaluate the bigger picture to identify maximum impact solutions
• Tactical Revenue Strategies: Optimize business functionality

Moreover, this goes beyond adapting. Implementing preventative measures will be bold steps to deepening your relationship with employees, customers, investors, and other stakeholders.

Here at CAM Property Services, we know what you do next matters. We have been focused on how we can adapt our diverse array of property management services, EHS subject matter expertise, and technology – to best support our existing and new clients in moving forward successfully.

Our holistic approach, CONFIDENCE+, is designed to maximize operations engagement, with an eye toward your bottom line, at a time when it is most imperative.

By focusing on the latest and safest EHS guidelines, applying the fundamentals of cleaning and evaluating assets from a social science perspective, we utilize our broad service capabilities, providing strategies that focus on increasing revenue and productivity while mitigating risk.

Be assured that the CAM Property Services team is here to support your business during these challenging times. If you want to ensure your property is a sanitized space and implement EHS within your business, please reach out to us so that we can help you pave the path forward to the next normal.

About The Author: Pranav Heryani is an EHS & Sustainability Specialist. Among the next generation of environmental professionals, his projects have encompassed both local and international efforts toward green initiatives with practical sustainability for the commercial sector.

As customers re-enter public buildings in greater numbers, we need to ensure that they are comfortable in urban spaces and allowed to move about safely. Innovative solutions are crucial to support the well-being of customers.

Our responsibility to property managers is to ensure their assets are pandemic resilient while simultaneously delivering positive impacts on business operations, thus factoring in Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) in decision-making. Our cost-effective strategies are focused on increasing revenue, improving productivity and mitigating risk at a time when it has never been more imperative.

Businesses across California are getting back into shape, proactive landlords and property managers are creating designated safe shopping zones while working collaboratively with us at CAM Property Services. We are constantly updating our service offerings with the latest and safest technologies.

It was not long ago that hardly anyone gave a second thought entering the bustling lobby of a large building or stepping on an escalator. Today, our world has changed, and the way businesses and consumers interact with commercial spaces has been altered. Building owners are making public safety a top concern, establishing safeguards for people to move through buildings with confidence.

For example, escalators are indispensable to today’s urban lifestyle, commonly found in places such as shopping centers, theaters, sports arenas, transit stations, and airports. They are used and touched daily by scores of customers to prevent accidental falls. Unfortunately, worn and gouged rubber escalator handrails can host bacteria and viruses, thus posing a direct threat to human health. It has become common that escalator riders are using handrails progressively less, which has posed increased risks and liabilities.

“If you don’t think the handrail is clean, you don’t want to hold it. Not holding the escalator handrail, however, is not a great option as it increases the risk of injury from loss of balance” says Hanna Inget, head of new services and solutions at KONE, an escalator and elevator provider.

People aren’t the only passengers on escalators. Handrails are often an express lane for germs due to constant contact with unclean hands. Researchers have found traces of blood, mucus, urine, and feces on handrails, not to mention harmful bacteria and viruses. Cleaning escalator handrails has been an ineffective and time-consuming process, until now.

CAM Property Services has added an innovative new escalator handrail disinfection technology to their facility services. It renews and disinfects escalator handrails, providing increased safety and peace of mind for customers who typically hold handrails for balance. The process requires no additional power source, no escalator downtime, and can expertly clean and condition the dirtiest of escalator handrails.

The handrail cleaning system is a non-motorized, safe and simple system to remove dirt, bacteria, and 99.9% of pathogens from moving handrails. A patented cleaning formula is applied to microfiber pads, proven effective in independent studies, attached to molded pad holders on a mobile dolly system, which cleans the moving handrails from “bead to bead” without interrupting operations.

The cleaning and conditioning solutions are biodegradable and have been developed over years.

A mix of silicones helps restore and even protect the rubberized handrail material, extending its useful lifespan. The engineered design uses the power of the escalator to facilitate the cleaning action as it restores and disinfects one rail at a time.

As we ease out of lockdown and re-enter public urban buildings, such as shopping centers, we need to feel comfortable in populated settings. From disinfecting handrails to people flow planning, innovative solutions will not only support well-being but allow your property to adapt and thrive in this new era where EHS is at the forefront.

At CAM Property Services we continue to find new ways to support our clients and their customers. Our suite of anti-virus property management services includes electrostatic fogging, aerial drone inspections, customized plexiglass barriers, and visual cues.

CAM Property Services is adapting holistic and analytical approaches to facility management and cleaning standards. Combining our diverse array of property management services, EHS subject matter expertise and observational methodologies, we are able to yield highly targeted science-based solutions for any asset class with the industry’s best services.

About The Author: Pranav Heryani is an EHS & Sustainability Specialist. Among the next generation of environmental professionals, his projects have encompassed both local and international efforts toward green initiatives with practical sustainability for the commercial sector.

Stormwater runoff is precipitation that flows across land, permeates into soil, merges into bodies of water, or evaporates back into the atmosphere. However, in urban environments, rainfall flows quickly across hard surfaces laden with pollutants. These contaminants are swept into waterways via drains and streams.

Improperly managed stormwater runoff can cause several problems for businesses, including property damage and regulatory violations.

Flooding: As stormwater flows over impermeable surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, large volumes of water can collect or flow rapidly, often causing property damage. Stormwater can also contribute to natural disasters by instantly raising water levels leading to severe flooding.

Water Pollution: Pollutants such as leaked automotive fluids, industrial waste, agricultural fertilizers, trash, animal waste, and refuse get picked up by urban stormwater flow and find their way, untreated, into local streams.

Stream Bank Erosion: As stormwater flows at unnaturally high speeds and volumes, it can cause severe degradation of shore banks. Rising waters can encroach on waterside property boundaries, destroy aquatic ecosystems, and create additional pollution from eroded sediment.

Human Health: Contaminants introduced to the natural water supply through stormwater runoff can adversely affect drinking water and the access to recreational water activities.

REGULATION & COMPLIANCE

As a result of the immense impact that stormwater runoff can have, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). This is a permit program, created in 1972 by the Clean Water Act (CWA), to address pollution by regulating sources that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States.

Under the CWA, Phase 2 of this program was established in 2003. It identified stormwater as a contributor to water pollution and mandated NPDES permits for land between 1 to 5 acres in size.

Most stormwater is conveyed through a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and discharged into local water bodies. While generally owned by a state, local, or public entity, an MS4 is a system of drains, pipes, and ditches used to collect and transport stormwater. This water flow is typically discharged, untreated, into federally owned waters.

MS4 operators are required to get permits and develop Stormwater Control Measures (SCM), to limit the damaging effects of surface runoff. Failure to comply with the regulations results in a Notice of Violation (NOV).

An NOV informs the property owner or manager regarding a failed assessment, including a detailed observation of the property, non-compliance issues, assessed fines, and penalties. An inspection is typically conducted by local city or government official alerted through an unscheduled property check, distressed phone call from a stakeholder, or general observation. Unfamiliarity with environmental compliance laws is not an excuse for non-compliance.

Compliance with stormwater regulations is also strictly monitored during permitted construction projects. Sometimes violations are discovered after construction, requiring costly modifications. Common violations include:

• Failure of permit coverage
• Failure to include Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP)
• Failure to implement SCM with essential maintenance and repair
• Failure to conduct or document inspections
• Illegal dumping or discharge
• Inadequate erosion controls

Violation notices typically include a one-time fine along with daily penalties for each subsequent day of non-compliance while the issue is remedied, sometimes reaching tens of thousands of dollars. The frequency and severity of these violations depend on the degree of impact to the environment along with the harm or potential harm to human health.

These situations can often be avoided with an annual inspection, costing as little as $100, and less costly preventative remediation.

ASSESSING STORMWATER ON YOUR PROPERTY

It is important to understand how stormwater is generated within and flows on your property. Here are the steps used by professionals to evaluate water generation, flow, and volume on a property.

Draw boundaries of the property. If not readily available, look up property tax assessment papers or deeds for basic property maps. Draw buildings and other features on the property. Be sure to designate:

• Impermeable areas and hard surfaces that prevent stormwater from soaking into the ground
• Lawn and landscaped areas
• Natural vegetation
• Water features (i.e., streams, wetlands, ponds, swimming pools)

Assess and map stormwater flow, identifying the directional flow of runoff on the property and any problems it may cause. Common issues include ponding or large puddles, damp basements, and soil erosion. Map the following:

• Roof downspouts
• Stormwater flow paths (using arrows for direction)
• Areas of ponding
• Ditches or gullies from soil erosion

Some of these common stormwater control measures may exist or be incorporated into a property:

• Retention or detention ponds
• Constructed wetlands
• Grass swales
• Sand filters
• Level spreaders
• Underground systems (popular in metropolitan cities due to the scarcity of space)

Drainage structures include:

• Inlet/Concrete flume
• Catch basin/Drop inlet
• Permeable pavement
• Curb inlets
• Trench drains (popular for retail assets)
• Culvert
• Headwall
• Flared-end section
• Dock drains

SITE-SPECIFIC OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M)

O&M plans are usually developed as part of a construction or remediation plan and filed with local municipality authorities. These consist of maintenance schedules, inspection requirements, maintenance easements, and descriptions of maintenance activities.

CONCLUSION

The most efficient ways to avoid NOVs and costly fines are to know your O&M agreement, consult with stormwater management professionals, communicate with regulatory bodies, set up maintenance programs, and schedule annual inspections.

Stormwater maintenance programs can also safeguard and extend the life of your investment while keeping long-term repair costs down. Be proud that you are making an impact on protecting the local environment and watershed.

About The Author: Pranav Heryani is an EHS & Sustainability Specialist. Among the next generation of environmental professionals, his projects have encompassed both local and international efforts toward green initiatives with practical sustainability for the commercial sector.

In many cases, the way in which office spaces are used is going to change. The timeframe for workers returning to office buildings remains fluid and ultimately comes down to individual company decisions. In general, the schedule to return to offices en masse is likely to mirror the overall reopening of the statewide economy. The behavioral changes influenced by COVID-19 also remain uncertain. However, it is clear that health and safety concerns will take center stage at the workplace.

Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) experts have begun re-examining the modern office workspace in the light of the pandemic and changing views on shared workspaces.

Returning To The Office Is Inevitable For Many Workers

Prior to the pandemic, offices were considered essential to raising productivity, fostering culture, and attracting talent. Securing prime office real estate was competitive in metropolitan cities. In recent years, many of those workplaces focused on collaborative, group environments. Office space requirements per employee witnessed a 20% decline. The upward trend in efficiencies was due to open floor plans with break-out rooms and other common amenities. Leaders in the technology and banking industries configured spaces to provide 65-70 sq. ft. per employee – a stark contrast from the recommended 100-120 sq. ft. per employee used by the architectural community for decades.

Did we squeeze in too many people too quickly? Based on a survey conducted by McKinsey, 80 percent of respondents confirmed they enjoyed working from home, while 41% believed they were more productive.

The COVID-19 outbreak has informed leaders that a good percentage of staff can work from home and deliver efficient results. This has raised questions regarding whether there is a need to maintain offices as before. It may also be suggested that businesses enlist new strategies to make offices more humane, productive, and safe.

EHS professionals say there are indications of what the future of office spaces should look like.

Enhanced Cleaning, Disinfection, and Elimination Measures

Employees will rightfully be expecting enhanced cleaning programs as they return to work. Frequent and effective disinfecting of public areas, such as receptions, pantries, dining areas, cafés, copy rooms, wellness rooms, and high-touch surfaces will have to be considered. An after-hours cleaning program, that attacks common areas with antimicrobial treatments to prevent germs and bacteria from circulating through touch, air, and water, is also fundamental.

Ease Office Congestion

Retrofit – Workstation enclosures and space delineation has become essential. It is important to understand how collaborative spaces need to meet current safety norms. Workstations should be set up with appropriate distance between them, while rules regarding the use of common area furniture will address maintaining proper social distances. Hygienic products for employees, such as hand sanitizers, antibacterial soaps, gloves, masks, and disinfectant wipes will become standard office supplies.

Reconfigure – It is crucial to ensure social and physical distancing by introducing new elements to the office. The introduction of plexiglass, panels, dividers, and wall enclosures will be key to re-purposing interior and exterior space for maximum occupancy. Traditionally, construction materials and fabrics were never considered amenities, however, post-pandemic they will have a spotlight. Offices built with construction materials that are antimicrobial, such as metallic and some laminate surfaces, as well as treated fabrics that can withstand strong cleaning treatments, will become more commonplace.

Re-invent – Other workplace amenities aided by technology will take on a prominent role. The inclusion of touchless dispensers, faucets, trash receptacles, paper towels, smart thermostats, and motion sensors will not only help reduce physical touch but prove to be cost saving at an imperative time. Think adaptability instead of permanence. Fluid instead of fixed.

Hospital Grade Elements

Eliminating pathogens being passed through droplets, physical proximity, and airborne transmissions will need to be targeted in design. The inclusion of quarantine rooms, oxygen supplies, and mask stations in office spaces have now reached beyond the realm of sci-fi and into reality.

HVAC Considerations

Airflow, air quality, and filtration will be held to a higher standard. Office buildings may require major re-engineering to avoid virus exposure. Floor or zone based segmentation of the air distribution system will be the norm in future building designs. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are likely to become a standard feature. Air changes per hour may have to be increased to ensure higher levels of air purity.

Investing in Physical Safety

Having undergone a long period of restricted movement, the behavior of employees will change, and they will require more physical and mental space, not to mention personal safety.

Despite these changes, we will always need workspaces that foster collaboration, innovation, creativity, and a sense of belonging. There will always be a desire for amenities like artfully designed meeting spaces, eating areas, or physical activity centers like gyms.

The experts at CAM Property Services are here to assist you in making your workspace pandemic resilient. While every organization varies with regard to privacy policies and shared spaces, returning to work will clearly be changed in many ways. Our clients have access to a wide variety of property management services and solutions informed by our in-house EHS subject matter expertise to address their evolving needs.

About The Author: Pranav Heryani is an EHS & Sustainability Specialist. Among the next generation of environmental professionals, his projects have encompassed both local and international efforts toward green initiatives with practical sustainability for the commercial sector.