The Latest

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  Adaptive reuse breathes new life into abandoned schools

  Repurposed school buildings are home to a variety of groups, including artisans, local governments and restaurants. But funding and getting public buy-in for these projects isn’t always easy.

  Development

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  7 mixed-use projects to watch in 2025

  Large-scale developments, spanning commercial, multifamily and retail units and worth billions, are underway across the country as the new year begins.

  Development

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  RTO has mixed results for employee morale, survey shows

  Many organizations aren’t sure about the effects that return-to-office policies have had on recruitment and retention, consulting group Pearl Meyer says.

  Operations

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  Deep Dive

  6 facilities management trends set to define 2025

  Facilities managers are leveraging data to optimize operations and meet changing occupier needs while anticipating federal policy shifts and growing data center demand.

  Technology

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  Biden orders Energy, Defense departments to lease sites for AI data centers, clean energy generation

  The executive order calls for using “categorical exclusions” to rapidly site data centers and power generation.

  Sustainability

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  Existing data centers hold value potential, despite obsolescence concerns: JLL

  Power supply and infrastructure give existing data centers certain advantages over new construction, the firm states in its 2025 data center outlook. 

  Operations

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  JPMorgan RTO and headquarters plans highlight financial services firms’ prioritization of the office

  With many firms pushing for more stringent office attendance, the bank’s plans underscore a growing focus on employee experience and the role of operations in workplace efficiency.

  Operations

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  Q&A

  NY mandates contractor registration for publicly funded projects

  The project owner has a responsibility to verify the registration status of all contractors and subcontractors before they begin their work, consultant Kathleen Bloss said.

  Compliance

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  Treasury finalizes guidance for IRA’s tech neutral, clean electricity tax credits

  They’re “the most important clean energy tax credits ever enacted,” said Brad Townsend, vice president of policy and outreach at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. 

  Sustainability

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  Deep Dive

  C-PACE financing can make energy efficiency upgrades more affordable – if it’s available

  Interest rates as low as 7% make C-PACE attractive for building improvement projects, some experts say. But conditions for accessing it vary widely by state.

  Sustainability

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  Microgrids can boost electricity reliability, decarbonization, Colorado road map says

  Prompted by recent wildfire-related power outages, the report suggests steps for boosting microgrid adoption in the state.

  Development

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  Biden signs legislation that includes provisions targeting inefficient federal office space utilization

  The new law requires space occupancy standards that can draw federal employees back to the office, while other reforms aim to cut waste, consolidate space and boost federal building security.

  Operations

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  2025 commercial real estate outlooks show both optimism and caution

  While leasing velocity and tenant prospects are expected to improve in 2025, lagging office attendance is expected to impact landlords, according to outlooks by Avison Young and Colliers.

  Development

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  Microsoft plans to pour $80B into cloud data centers

  The tech giant will funnel more than half of the investments into U.S.-based facilities, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said.

  Technology

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  Flexible office space set to rise in 2025: Cushman & Wakefield

  Coworking spaces and other flex spaces enable companies to provide location and schedule flexibility for employees, and are top of mind amid efforts to reimagine cities, the firm says.

  Operations

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  Energy Trust of Oregon awards CLEAResult 5-year building efficiency contract

  The latest phase of the program outlines initiatives to guide the design of energy-efficient renovations and new construction projects, the organizations said.

  Sustainability

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  Sodexo plans nearly 100 tech-forward campus convenience stores

  Its “Food Hive” locations incorporate cashless payment systems and modular designs, offering flexible retail solutions with products from local businesses, Sodexo said.

  Development

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  Constellation NewEnergy, GSA ink $840M deal for emissions-free power to federal facilities

  The procurement agreement will involve supplying over 1 million megawatt hours of electricity annually over the course of a 10-year contract, the U.S. General Services Administration said.

  Sustainability

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  Office occupiers eye workplace experience improvement strategies to boost office attendance: CBRE

  While most companies pointed to a lack of mandated policies or enforcement as a barrier to increasing in-office attendance, “more is needed than just policies,” according to a report.

  Operations

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  This water filtration system reduces plastic waste in Chicago hotel

  The L7 Chicago by Lotte hotel fitted each guest room sink with a water filtration system to meet guest demand for wellness-focused and sustainable offerings.

  Sustainability

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  12 predictions for how facilities management will evolve in 2025

  Modular data centers, AI-driven building management systems, energy optimization, hybrid work adaptations and a continued demand for skilled workers are some of what industry participants expect in the new year.

  Technology

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  Skilled trades labor shortages persist. Here’s how some are responding.

  Amid a growing labor shortage, businesses and educators are rethinking how to attract and train the next generation of tradespeople.

  Labor

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  Walmart to miss 2025, 2030 emissions reduction targets

  The retail giant said it will miss its goals to reduce operational emissions because of challenges with energy policy and infrastructure, as well as technology availability.

  Sustainability

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  Trane Technologies agrees to acquire BrainBox AI

  The acquisition builds on a prior collaboration between both companies as Trane works to bolster its building management and emissions reduction capabilities. 

  Corporate/Finance

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  Caddis Cloud Solutions, Mission Critical Group partner on data center power solutions

  The partnership will streamline design and deployment while reducing equipment lead times and improving energy efficiency, Mission Critical Group’s CEO said.

  Technology

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