Elevator industry locating national training facility in Warwick

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 12/18/18

When asked about sales, commercial Realtor Donald Morash Jr. likes to say, “I like hamburger, but once in a while I get steak.” Recently, he closed on one of the bigger sales of his career, so …

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Elevator industry locating national training facility in Warwick

Posted

When asked about sales, commercial Realtor Donald Morash Jr. likes to say, “I like hamburger, but once in a while I get steak.” Recently, he closed on one of the bigger sales of his career, so maybe steak and lobster are in order.

Sale of the 96,000-square-foot H.T. Wall building at 555 Jefferson Boulevard for $5.6 million is not only a benefit to Morash but also Warwick that will gain the home training offices and facilities of the National Elevator Industry Educational Program. The building dates from the 1970s when it was the home of LL Vaughn, a woodworking company.

If all goes as planned, a first-class training facility, drawing people from across the country, will be operational by this time next year, said John O’Donnell, program director for National Elevator. He said the program, supported by funding from the elevator industry, trains about 98.5 percent of elevator instructors nationwide. O’Donnell said 1,000 people complete the two-week program annually that adheres to national standards.

Neither Rhode Island – or for that matter Warwick – are foreign to O’Donnell or the program. He said for the past 20 to 25 years the program has operated out of rental space, usually hotels. He named the Radisson, Sheraton and Crowne. The Jefferson Boulevard site, he said, would have labs, classrooms and offices in addition to storage space for training equipment, giving the program “a professional face.”

Training is not limited to elevators, O’Donnell explains. The program certifies instructors for the maintenance and repair of people movers, escalators and dumbwaiters. O’Donnell points out that safety tops the list of industry concerns, which he said has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation designation of elevators as the safest form of transportation in the country. But few things are fail-safe and, as a precaution, O’Donnell said, the program includes rescue training.

The industry founded the educational program in 1968 with the creation of a trust fund. The fund is funded by industry companies, many of them competitors, to arrive at a uniform high level of training.

Why Warwick?

Location with easy access to Routes 95 and 295 and proximity to Boston and Green Airport all played into the decision. Also, offices in nearby Massachusetts and having based prior training programs out of Warwick played into the decision. It was finding the right building that brought everything together.

Morash, of Abbott Properties, knew of a couple of commercial buildings that initially seemed to fit what National Elevator was looking for. One was 10,000 square feet and the other 2,000 square feet larger.

“Then they said they would really like to see something bigger,” said Morash.

The H.T. Wall building at 555 Jefferson Boulevard had been on the market, but it wasn’t being actively marketed. In fact, the owners had arranged to rent about 40,000 square feet for the storage of boats and cars. Nonetheless, with nothing else comparable for sale in the area, Morash opened communication between Harold Wall and National Elevator. Over the next month and a half the deal and the sale came together.

Unlike residential real estate with a wide selection of homes and locations, Morash points out that many commercial properties are unique. Buyers, he said, need to define their primary objective, whether it is lots of parking, easy access to its markets and vendors or a variety of other factors. Then, he said, it is a matter of determining how best the property can be modified to meet the rest of the desired factors.

Overall, commercial real estate is seeing an “uptick,” although prices aren’t what they were prior to the crash in 2008. He said “prices are firming up.” He is not seeing many out-of-state buyers but rather expansion from within the state. Warwick remains attractive, he said, because of the airport and highway access.

“It’s where people want to be. It is a safe and clean location that is superb for business,” he said.

Comments

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  • richardcorrente

    Dear Readers,

    Don't let Don Morash fool you. He is one of the most successful commercial Realtors in the country. Yeah, he can afford steak anytime he wants it.

    He was the guiding force in bringing this mega-taxpayer to Warwick. That will bring jobs and a ton of tax revenue to our City which will reduce the tax needs on the rest of us. When you see him, (he's hard to miss) tell him, "Thanks Don!".

    I will too.

    Merry Christmas Don Morash, old friend.

    Merry Christmas everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Wednesday, December 19, 2018 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    the elevator bidness? eyes donut know. dat industry is plagued wit ups and downs

    Wednesday, December 19, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Justanidiot,

    One question: Does your personal elevator make it to the...well never mind.

    Merry Christmas old and dear friend.

    Rick

    Thursday, December 20, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Dear Mayor Feckless,

    I wonder if you are intelligent enough to tell us how "he will reduce the tax needs on the rest of us". Since the documents indicate that all Warwick tax payers will be facing the maximum tax increase allowable by law, for at least the next 5 years. Not withstanding, soliciting the general assembly for a supplemental tax increase. I's love to hear your BS on this one.

    Also Rick, which one of the seven dwarfs were you? Dopey or Sleepy?

    Thursday, December 20, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Readers,

    TheCaptain, AKA Rob Cote wants me to explain how adding a new business with a huge number of employees will benefit the City of Warwick. The article above talks about "1,000 people completing a two-week program ANNUALLY" in the facility. Maybe Cote doesn't know how that would bring revenue into Warwick through its' restaurants, gas stations, stores, hotels, and services but I'm sure we all do. It should also bring in some jobs, new residents, and new homebuyers and the tax revenue of each. Cote might not know the value of all that because, well, he's Rob Cote.

    'Nuff said?

    Merry Christmas everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Friday, December 21, 2018 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Corrente is correct, I screwed up.

    I failed to realize that every person that takes the training program will either buy a home or open a business in Warwick.

    I didnt realize that none of the participants are transients that are required to take these class for their employment pre-requisites.

    Just like when I had to take numerous classes to to obtain my licenses to inspect high rise buildings. These classes were in NY, MA, NH, CT, etc. Strange though how I did not automatically move to these locations each time I completed the training program.

    I must have missed something.

    Mayor Dumbness gets dumber and dumber as each day goes by. Can you even imagine that anyone would purchase a mortgage through the tax delinquent, home foreclosure, mortgage defaulter?

    I got a headache now.

    Friday, December 21, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Rob Cote of 74 Janet Court, Warwick R.I.,

    Telling the public to avoid doing mortgage business with me for the reasons you stated are slanderous lies.

    I sued my lender in federal court because they broke R.I. law AND I WON! Got that Cote? I WON! You know I did. I showed you the court documents. My lender was court-ordered to pay the taxes that came out in my name and they DID. In fact, they even paid them late so Warwick received MORE tax dollars. As far as the settlement, I can't legally speak about that much, other than to say the debt and the ownership of the real estate were "settled". Both sides agreed on the "settlement". But the important thing is; the City of Warwick didn't loose a dime. Got that Cote? Not a dime.

    The three statements that you made that I won't poke holes in is when you said:

    "Corrente is right. I screwed up."

    "I must have missed something." and

    "I got a headache now."

    Readers,

    In June of 2012, Rob Cote announced in The Warwick Beacon ("Cote says he's leaving RI; drops the role of citizens' advocate") that he was leaving Warwick. I, for one, will help him pack. For now, he is still living at 74 Janet Circle. Hopefully, Cote will finally keep his word on this one, even though it's six years late.

    Merry Christmas everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Saturday, December 22, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Rob Cote of 74 Janet Court, Warwick R.I.,

    Telling the public to avoid doing mortgage business with me for the reasons you stated are slanderous lies.

    I sued my lender in federal court because they broke R.I. law AND I WON! Got that Cote? I WON! You know I did. I showed you the court documents. My lender was court-ordered to pay the taxes that came out in my name and they DID. In fact, they even paid them late so Warwick received MORE tax dollars. As far as the settlement, I can't legally speak about that much, other than to say the debt and the ownership of the real estate were "settled". Both sides agreed on the "settlement". But the important thing is; the City of Warwick didn't loose a dime. Got that Cote? Not a dime.

    The three statements that you made that I won't poke holes in is when you said:

    "Corrente is right. I screwed up."

    "I must have missed something." and

    "I got a headache now."

    Readers,

    In June of 2012, Rob Cote announced in The Warwick Beacon ("Cote says he's leaving RI; drops the role of citizens' advocate") that he was leaving Warwick. I, for one, will help him pack. For now, he is still living at 74 Janet Circle. Hopefully, Cote will finally keep his word on this one, even though it's six years late.

    Merry Christmas everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Saturday, December 22, 2018 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    How do you claim to win a lawsuit and still get evicted? Same way you get smashed in an election, twice, and still call yourself "mayor".... wow

    Sunday, December 23, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear WwkVoter,

    I'll type this slowly so you can keep up.

    I sued my lender in Federal Court because they broke R.I. law. That took courage. (You might not understand that because you don't have enough courage to even state your real name). I won. Got that? I won! My lender was court-ordered to negotiate a settlement with me in good faith. They didn't, and tried to evict me from the property so they "could negotiate in good faith." They tried six times and failed each time but the stress was too much for my attorney George Babcock, who represented me and over 1,000 other plaintiffs and he tragically committed suicide. The attorney for my lender took the opportunity to try evicting me again, sent the court date to Babcock knowing he was dead and I found out about the seventh eviction attempt only after I was found guilty by default. Those are the facts and you can call it anything you want but the Warwick taxpayers never lost a dime. My lender was court-ordered to pay all taxes and they did. They also paid them late so Warwick got even more tax money. I was court-ordered to pay a "use-and-occupancy" fee and I paid it to court-appointed magistrate Attorney Merrill Sherman on time each month for years. Cote has seen all the court docs. You can get a copy from him and stick it anywhere you want. I can make a suggestion if you like.

    As far as me calling myself "mayor", I have never once done that. I call myself "The Taxpayers Mayor" . I consider myself a servant of the 80,000 taxpayers that are paying the tab that I believe you are on the other end of.

    You're a fake person, telling fake news, from fake sources, using a fake name.

    Merry Christmas everyone

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Monday, December 24, 2018 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    courageous peeple dont hast to stand up an boost about der courage. it is recognised when it trully occurs

    Wednesday, December 26, 2018 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    WwkVoter, if it weren't for lies, the two-time election reject would have nothing to say.

    We know that his entire previous comment is full of falsehoods.

    As you rightly point out, no one gets evicted after winning a court case.

    He even writes, "I was found guilty by default."

    That means a court ruled against him, or in other words, he lost the court case.

    He also claims -- in complete contradiction to his statement that he "won" -- that a settlement was reached in the case.

    According to the city tax assessor website, there have been three parties -- none of them the two-time election reject or his lender -- listed as paying taxes on the property since 2014.

    The city also shows that there have been six parties listed as owners of the property since 2012: http://gis.vgsi.com/warwickri/Parcel.aspx?Pid=34709

    Now, let's review this delusional statement by the two-time election reject: "[T]he debt and the ownership of the real estate were 'settled.'"

    Six owners in six years is not "settled" ownership. And the newest person paying taxes on the property, William Masopust, is also the principal of the LLC that is paying the sewer and water fees on the property.

    On top of that, as I'm sure you recall, the two-time election reject relocated to a new residence earlier this year.

    None of this happens when someone "wins" a court case.

    No one is courageous for failing to pay their mortgage and taxes.

    And no one can claim the city received more tax money because of delinquent payments on tax bills that the two-time election reject was legally required to make.

    No matter how he tries to deceive honest, taxpaying voters, the two-time election reject will continue to fail, due to his own pathetic and disgraceful behavior.

    Wednesday, December 26, 2018 Report this