Drew Ballensky

Drew Ballensky is general manager of Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.’s central U.S. facility in Iowa and company spokesman for Duro-Last’s cool roofing, sustainability and architectural education programs. He is past-president of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association and chairman of CFFA’s Vinyl Roofing Division. Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. Drew has over 29 years experience in business and industry in various engineering and managerial capacities. He has worked in the U.S. and Canadian operations for a major international manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings, was a financial analyst with a major athletic apparel manufacturer and was an owner of a general contracting company.

Follow Drew Ballensky:

Posted on March 04, 2013 by Drew Ballensky

Iconic Sahara Hotel on Las Vegas’ Strip undergoing $415 million makeover

The former Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas is undergoing a $415 million renovation and will be reborn as the SLS Las Vegas hotel and casino. The basic structure of the building will remain intact, but all ties to the Sahara will be removed. A spokesperson for SLS Las Vegas says the property will be...

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Drew Ballensky

$1.6 billion mixed-use San Francisco waterfront project lands first major tenant

A $1.6 billion mixed-use project being developed by the San Francisco Giants landed its first tenant, Anchor Brewing Co. The brewery will occupy 212,000 sf of an existing warehouse building that will be renovated. It is part of the 27-acre Mission Rock development along the waterfront that could...

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Drew Ballensky

RFP issued for U.S. Capitol Dome restoration, but funding not yet approved

The U.S. Capitol Dome needs extensive restoration work. An RFP has been issued for a contractor to paint and repair the Dome's cast iron structure, abate existing lead, rehabilitate the Dome's interstitial space, and install Dome tour route lighting and rotunda lighting, among other tasks. It could...

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Drew Ballensky

Thomas Edison’s former factory in New Jersey slated for $230 million mixed-use redevelopment

Prism Capital Partners will break ground this spring on a $230 million redevelopment project in West Orange, N.J. The Edison Village project will transform Thomas Edison’s former factory complex into a multifamily building with 331 apartment unitsranging from 590 to 1,500 sf, retail space, and a...

Posted on February 05, 2013 by Drew Ballensky

Three buildings in Chicago’s Loop get $26 million renovation for GSA office space

Three buildings in the Chicago Loop Retail Historic District have been renovated into modern, energy-efficient federal office space for the U.S. General Services Administration. The $26 million project built by Mortenson Construction encompassed nearly a half-block of the Loop. Much of the work...

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Drew Ballensky

Univ. of Virginia’s $50 million Jefferson-designed rotunda restoration underway

The University of Virginia's rotunda, designed by Thomas Jefferson, is undergoing a $50.6 million renovation to repair and restore the historic dome and exterior. The seven iron tension rings, some dating to Jefferson's era, that keep the dome from spreading outward were corroding, and the...

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Drew Ballensky

Three new insulation materials could be powerful solutions on commercial retrofits

Three innovative insulation materials could soon be used for commercial building retrofits in the U.S., as costs of these products fall and revamped local building codes allow their use, says a senior analyst with Lux Research. These technologies promise to boost thermal performance dramatically...

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Drew Ballensky

CyArk’s 3D laser scanning technology used for historic preservation, renovation

Technology from nonprofit CyArk has helped preserve the deteriorating basilica roof at Mission San Juan Bautista in California. The 3D scanning technology allows crews to map fragile structures more precisely than they've ever been, creating virtual 3D models accurate down to millimeters. With each...

Posted on January 07, 2013 by Drew Ballensky

Landmark New York City library to get $300 million renovation

New York City’s landmark Fifth Avenue public library announced plans for a $300 million renovation. Opened in 1854, the grand Beaux Art structure contains a much loved wood-paneled main reading room that will remain intact but will be fireproofed. The plan, nevertheless, has generated some...

Posted on January 02, 2013 by Drew Ballensky

Shuttered Pyramid arena in Memphis to be renovated for Bass Pro Shops

The vacant Pyramid arena in downtown Memphis will be transformed into a Bass Pro Shop. Instead of a 210-room hotel on three floors around The Pyramid's interior, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris is considering building 60 to 80 "cabins" inside the building. Building a hotel became too expensive...