Boat Owners Turn to Self-Storage Steel and Metal Buildings

Whether it's in the ocean or on a lake, every summer millions of boating enthusiasts take to the water for as long as daylight is available. Unfortunately, with the number of recreational boats increasing, boat storage has become an issue.

Many cities and towns have passed ordinances saying that bulky vehicles like boats must be hidden behind a 7-foot fence so that they're not visible in driveways or streets. However, a mandate like that leaves boat owners in a lurch. And with more people looking into the purchase of boats, the problem of storage will only get worse.

Because of this, a growing number of boat owners are looking to self-storage steel and metal buildings (http://www.GoSteelGo.com) to keep their boats safe, sound and out of the way.

"If your facility is on the way to the lake, you've got a great opportunity with boat storage," said Dean Brown, president of American Steel Buildings. "Boat owners can't store at home. Docks are convenient, but they're pricy and there's limited space. A steel or metal building for boat storage could be the best of both worlds."

According to Brown, boat storage isn't too different from regular self storage, and may even be easier in some cases. A nice boat can cost around $50,000 or more, so boat owners are going to be willing to pay well and on time for good storage and peace of mind.

"You can even offer little extras for the boat owners," Brown said. "Give them easy hook-up, where all they have to do is call ahead and you'll bring the boat out for them. Make sure you have security cameras in the facility and a guard on premises. That will help your customers feel like they're getting more than their money's worth."

A boat storage (http://www.GoSteelGo.com) facility can also offer protection from the elements, which boat owners would be unable to get at home with just a tarp to protect their investment. Although some clients might hesitate to lose the chance at an easy-access spot at the docks, Brown suggests offering 24-hour access to your storage facility so they won't feel any inconvenience.

"Recreational boating is a big deal," said Brown. "And as long as it continues, people will need a place to store their boats when they're not using them. That's a niche we can fill."

For more information about boat storage steel and metal buildings, visit American Steel Buildings online at GoSteelGo.com (http://www.GoSteelGo.com).

About American Steel

American Steel Buildings designs and distributes quality pre-engineered commercial steel buildings, including mini-storage/self-storage buildings, offices, shops, retail businesses, warehouses, churches and agricultural buildings.

American Steel planted its roots in the heart of America in the 1980s. American Steel offers service and quality products to a growing customer base that now spans the entire United States.

Since its buildings include construction drawings, most smaller buildings can be erected with basic construction knowledge. However, American Steel also offers erection labor services, and all buildings are designed to be compliant with local codes.

Steel Buildings: Safer During a Storm?

When mother nature strikes no structure is truly stable, but there are some that can protect more than others.

The Aramark building in Jonesboro was hit by a tornado on Tuesday. That building is a steel building and even with the damage the frame is still standing. The building's owner said that is all because of the choice in frame.

"If you ever have a choice in a tornado whether to go to a mason building or to go to a steel building always go to a steel building. A steel building still stands because it moves," said Bob Harrison.

There are other commercial buildings throughout Region 8 with steel and aluminum beams. Most steel frame buildings are commercial, but that could be changing.

"For years we've been trying to perfect the method of building houses out of steel frames," said Jerry Myers.

Myers said the galvanized steel frames can be used in residential and light commercial buildings.

Meterologists tell K8 News these type of buildings could be safer because the frame is screwed into the foundation instead of nailed into it.

"It is put together with bolts and nuts. The actual wall frame is put together with rivets," said Myers.

There aren't any of the steel framed homes currently up in Region 8, but they have been used in other parts of the country.

In addition to steel being a good source of stability, another way to have protection during a storm is to build a reinforced concrete building.

The new Tamales restaurant in Paragould is being built with eco-panels that are 13 inches wide.

The panels have two and a half inches of foam on either side and eight inches of concrete reinforced with rebar.

"If there's a bomb or a tornado, this is the building to be in. It's not coming down," said Tom Wilkins.

Wilkins said this also helps control the energy costs for the building owner.

Former junkyard may house offices, stores

Once a junkyard and one of Rutland's biggest eyesores, the fenced-in lot at 246 West St. could become a $1 million business incubator.

The two business partners working on the project said the redevelopment of that site is part of a plan that eventually could add up to 125,000 square feet of commercial and office space where fledgling enterprises can grow. When fully developed, the project would cost $10 million to $12 million, they said.

Ernest Smalley, who owns the former junkyard, said he has spent the six years he's owned the property cleaning out more than 50 years of junk.

Now just an empty dirt lot enclosed by a fence, the former junkyard borders a building and property that Smalley owns to the east. Smalley also owns two buildings and vacant land a stone's throw away on the other side of Forest Street, which he also plans to develop into retail and incubator space.

In all, Smalley said he owns about 7 acres near the end of Forest Street that he wants to develop into business incubator space.

Smalley and business partner Chris Fucci said Monday they have the financing they need to start the project, and they are waiting for potential tenants to come forward.

From his experience developing similar incubator spaces in New Hampshire, Fucci said he doesn't expect to wait long.

"The market in Rutland is looking for something like this," Fucci said. "Someone can come in here with the need for office, warehouse and work-floor space and find it all."

Smalley, an engineer and contractor, has come up with a plan that calls for moving a 4,000-square-foot steel building at the south end of his building at 232 West St. onto a foundation in the former junkyard.

A brick façade would cover the steel-framed building, which would sit parallel with the brick building at 232 West St. — a location already home to six incubator spaces. Five of those incubator spaces are occupied.

Smalley and Fucci said there is room for up to three additional incubator spaces in the relocated steel building.

In the future, they hope to develop incubator space in the two buildings on Forest Street that stand empty now, the pair said. There are 16,000 square feet of useable space between those two buildings. In addition, there is room to build new structures on the 7-acre parcel.

In addition to the project's business potential, Fucci said the plan would help enhance Rutland's image by turning a former eyesore into a thriving development located on the edge of the city's downtown.

"This is an important entryway into the city," Fucci said. "In terms of what this project could bring economically and aesthetically, the implications are phenomenal.

"The city's always looking for opportunities for companies to relocate here and close to downtown. This project would give those businesses a place to set up shop."

Smalley said he is working with the Rutland Redevelopment Authority to apply for a state planning grant and he is preparing to apply for local permits. Because the project is less than 10 acres, it would not require Act 250 review in the city.

Alderman still has concerns about metal building

Ward Five Alderman D.W. Maxwell says he believes the numbers regarding a project to relocate the Brookhaven Police Department to the old Mississippi Highway Patrol building do not adequately reflect another viable option for building a new facility. At this week's meeting, the board of aldermen voted unanimously for the relocation.

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However, Maxwell contends research on the possibility of constructing a metal or conventional building was not sufficiently researched.

"I see nothing wrong with metal and conventional buildings," said Maxwell. "We might have done all this research and come back to this same conclusion, but I feel it just wasn't well explored."

Massengill defended the data he presented at Tuesday's meeting.

"We had an architect and a local builder provide the data," said Massengill. "What we're trying to do is provide the police department with the best possible facility at the best cost for our taxpayers. The board voted unanimously, and made the decision based on sound data."

The board voted to renovate the old MHP building on Highway 51 - with Maxwell arguing against it - as Massengill's research showed landslide numbers in favor of renovation over building.

After the money allotted by the budget and the grant for police station renovation, the city would only need around $50,000. Constructing a new building, however, could leave the city still needing around a quarter of a million dollars, according to Massengill's totals.

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