Compass Properties – COVID 19 Updates

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, Compass Properties is focused on the health and safety of our colleagues, our clients, our tenants and our neighbors.  We are monitoring ongoing developments and following recommendations from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services,  the World Health Organization (WHO)  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA).  We will provide updates  here as appropriate.  

May 26

Open for Business!

Effective today, all of our properties in Wisconsin (except those in the City of Milwaukee) are open for business.    Here is the latest updates from Compass Properties Vice President Todd Greenwald on the reopening of the buildings:

1. HVAC systems will run 24/7 starting May 26th through Monday, June 1st. This provides a high volume of air exchanges that normally wouldn’t occur.
2. We have completed significant HVAC Preventative Maintenance over the past weeks and have additional Preventative Maintenance planned.  We will use the highest MERV rating possible when completing filter changes. We will also increase outside air intake minimums where possible.
3. Tenants, please let us know if you want any additional one-time janitorial services for your leased spaces as soon as possible. We currently have a 3 – 5 day lead time after approval is received for these services.
4. We encourage everyone to wear face masks while in common areas of the building and while interacting with any Compass Properties team member. Our team members will be wearing face masks while working in the buildings.
5. A reminder that Social Distancing is strongly recommended while in common areas of the buildings.
6. Drinking fountains in high traffic areas will temporarily be covered and not available for use for the next 30-45 days. Other drinking fountains will be disinfected at least once during the middle of every day.
7. Our signage packages are expected to arrive this Friday and will be installed as soon as they are received.
8. A reminder that we have 16-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer available for purchase. Please contact our office if you would like any for your office.
9. Elevators may be challenging for social distancing. We will leave stairwell doors open where possible and ask that Tenants communicate with their teams for guidelines to keep social distancing in place.
10. Common area, conference rooms and fitness rooms will remain closed at least until June 19, 2020.
11. We ask tenants to advise us of their re-opening and re-entry plans and how we might be able to assist.
12. IMPORTANT:  Report any positive COVID-19 that occurs in your leased space to us as soon as possible.
13. Most of our buildings will be open for the same hours as pre-COVID shutdown. The exception is Washington Square (Wausau) which has a very minor change – now open Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
14. We’ve rearranged some furniture inn the common areas to improve social distancing.
15. Our team members continue to be available to assist however we can. Please let us know what we can do to assist!

We will continue to modify building operations to provide the safest and cleanest office environment we can.   Please share your input, insights, and suggestions on what we’re doing, or what we may want to consider to best meet your expectations. Please continue to stay safe and healthy and look for ways to support each other and our communities. We can’t wait to give you a wave, an “air high five” or a “Hello!” shout from 6 feet away the next time we see you!

May 18

Preparing Your Workplace for Re-Entry After COVID-19

As Wisconsin businesses prepare for a return to the workplace, Compass Properties Vice President Todd Greenwald provides an update on how the company’s plans to help tenants get back to work safely and adapt to the evolving regulatory requirements.

May 11

REOPENING BEST PRACTICES & SAFETY GUIDELINES

Wisconsin Economic Development  Corporation has created a series of “best practices and safety guidelines” for industry specific businesses including restaurants, retailers, nail and hair salons, agriculture and more.  The documents are designed to “help you get back to business.”   Click here to review.    

May 4

COID-19 UPDATE —  Todd Greenwald, Compass Properties Vice President

As developments regarding the State and Federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic evolve, , we have remained diligent in our approach to proactive Property Management services.  Here’s an outline of our most recent plans and activities specific to our day to day operations:

• We have started to finalize plans that will be put into place prior to buildings re-opening for normal business. While this does not outline a full and complete list, the following steps will be taken before buildings re-open:
• Janitorial services will thoroughly clean and disinfect all common areas as a specialty project. This will include high levels of detail to all areas and be done using EPA approved chemicals that are proven to kill COVID-19.
• We recently completed a full building wide water system flushing at each property. This was done to remove any possible stagnant water in the system, remove any pathogens and provide proper maintenance to these systems. This project included full building water system flushing.
• We have ordered additional signage to remind those in the building to observe proper social distancing.
• Compass Properties team members will routinely be spraying disinfectant at all building common areas entrances using high volume sprayers.
• Our team members will be available when buildings re-open to focus specifically on needs within Leased spaces.
• We will begin to communicate with our contractors and vendors and ask for a written health and safety plan from each. We will also implement new check in/check out procedures for our contractors and vendors. Any future work that can be scheduled outside of normal building hours will be a priority.
• We have started to source items that are in high demand and low market supply. This mainly includes hand sanitizer and disinfectant. We are hopeful that a recent order will allow us to provide one bottle of EPA approved disinfectant to each tenant so that you can use this when needed on business furniture, fixtures, appliances and other areas.
• We are working with our janitorial teams to develop new specifications, schedules and cleaning chemicals. This will be an ever-evolving project, but we believe it is best to make modifications to services to continue to ensure safe and clean building environments.

We ask that tenants communicate with us to advise us of their re-opening and re-entry plans and how we might be able to assist. Much of this relies on the State’s orders but we want to be as proactive in possible with plans to re-open and our available building services. We also ask tenants to report any positive COVID-19 case is reported in your leased premises.

Lastly, we remind that those who can support local businesses, retailers and restaurants during this critical time.  Please stay safe and healthy and look for ways to support each other and our communities!

April 27

New Safer-at-Home order allows businesses to reopen with curbside, drop-off services

Any Wisconsin business that can safely provide curbside drop-off services will be able to do so under updated COVID-19-related business restrictions announced today by  Gov. Tony Evers. The new order goes into effect on Wednesday and also allows those that rent boats, golf carts, kayaks and ATVs to reopen. Click here for more.

April 20

COID-19 UPDATE —  Todd Greenwald, Compass Properties Vice President

April 13

Virtual Tip Jars Created in Wausau, Stevens Point & Marshfield

Virtual tip jars have been created for the Wausau, Stevens Point and Marshfield areas to help laid off  bar, restaurant and small business employees cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown.  These are open-source, community-driven websites that allow friends, neighbors and customers to support  service workers with a tip to their Venmo or PayPal accounts.  More info here.  

Restaurant Week!

To support restaurants in the region during the ‘Safer at Home’ period, the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce has organized a Restaurant Week to be held from Monday, April 13 to Sunday, April 19. The week will give residents the opportunity to rally around these local small businesses and participate in an online contest, while enjoying amazing meals. More info here.

April 6

COVID-19 UPDATE —  Todd Greenwald, Compass Properties Vice President

As the focus on the global coronavirus has moved from Europe to the United States, protecting the health and safety of our employees, tenants and community members remains our top priority.  In response to evolving guidelines and recommendations, we’ve been forced to make numerous changes to our procedures to support tenants who continue to operate in our buildings and those who will be returning soon. We appreciate the kind and supportive emails we’ve been received;  our team is fueled by your kind words of thanks!

Our Property Management teams have worked directly with our janitorial teams to:

• Modify cleaning routines and schedules to ensure the cleanest environments possible.
• Routine use of disinfectants in all high traffic common areas with special attention to touch points.

We have also implemented additional services that should be of benefit to your employees.

• Changing HVAC air filters, testing mechanical equipment for efficiency, performing exterior maintenance and implementing other measures to ensure our buildings operate at peak efficiency levels both now and in the future.
• Auditing the chemicals and equipment used to ensure that they are the most effective in preventing the spread of germs.
• Regular and routine inspections of tenant spaces that are temporarily closed.
• Secured additional hand sanitizer and disinfectant chemicals.

We encourage those that can to support local businesses and restaurants. We have many retail and restaurant tenants that remain open and continue to provide amazing food options for pick up or delivery! We are proud of our property management/maintenance team members who continue to sere and make a positive difference during these extremely difficult times.

Please stay safe and take care of yourself, your family and your loved ones,

April 1

The 7 C’s for Managing in the Time of Coronavirus

Good article from the Harvard Business School  on the seven distinct capabilities that leaders show during times of crisis, including Calm, Confidence, Communication and Collaboration.  Read more hear.

March 30

Keep It Up Wisconsin

March 23

COVID-19 UPDATE —  Todd Greenwald, Compass Properties Vice President

Governor Tony Evers announced plans yesterday for an order that will close all essential businesses.  More info will be issued today and its our understanding that non-essential businesses will be required to close effective tomorrow, March 23rd. Compass Properties understands the significant impact this has for our tenants and the operations of our buildings. We will continue to do whatever possible to ensure the safety of everyone in and around our properties. This new order will have an impact on our services, but we are putting plans into action to limit those impacts as much as possible. The following changes will be implemented at the end of normal building hours today:

1. Normal cleaning services will continue in common areas and tenant space through Friday, March 27th.
2. Cleaning services provided by Compass Properties inside tenant spaces will cease and be suspended entirely after cleaning services are completed on Friday, March 27th.
3. Cleaning services in common areas will be done weekly on Monday’s and Wednesday’s and Friday’s (as available through our janitorial contractors).
4. Building entries will be closed (locked) at the end of normal building hours today (Monday, March 23rd). Access to buildings will be provided as they always have when buildings are closed and tenants will continue to have 24/7 access through issues keys and/or key fobs. We believe this is a very important security measure.
5. Buildings will operate using “after normal building hours” services and schedules. HVAC, lighting and other building functions will be impacted.
6. Tenants who have their own dedicated entries (not accessed from building common areas) can implement their own open/closed schedules and determine how the Safer At Home order will impact their business.
7. Our team will begin to communicate with tenants who deliver essential services so proper building access is provided and coordinated.
8. Our Property Management and Maintenance teams will have reduced availability and reduced hours while the Safer At Home order remains in place. All non-emergency Work Orders and in-suite work will be suspended. Our teams will continue to check on vacant spaces and spaces that are temporarily closed.
9. USPS, UPS, FedEx and other delivery services will NOT have access to the buildings during the Safer At Home order. We strongly encourage your business to communicate with these services as soon as possible to put a plan into action.

Our entire Compass Properties team remains available via email or phone for any questions or needs.  We understand there are several tenants who deliver essential services and we will continue to do what we can to support them as we also comply with the State’s mandates.  We sincerely appreciate the support we’ve received during these challenging times and will continue to remain committed to minimizing any impacts.

March 22

COVID-19 UPDATE —  Todd Greenwald, Compass Properties Vice President

Compass Properties continues to manage new developments resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. Most of our properties remain open, with closures only impacting business that are required to comply with State orders.  Our dedicated Property Management team has put in endless hours to handle new situations in addition to the ongoing day-to-day work that is needed to keep things running. We couldn’t be prouder or more thankful for all their above and beyond efforts!

• If you become aware of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a building (employee, visitor or guest), please contact our office via phone or email so that we can respond appropriately.
• We continue to hear of more and more businesses closing temporarily to combat the spread of COVID-19. If you choose to close your office please ensure that you contact USPS and reroute, or hold, all mail. Additionally, post a notice on your front entry door explaining that your office is temporarily closed. Please make sure that you contact our office (via email) so we can check on your leased Premises on a regular basis.
• We encourage you to support local businesses and eateries whenever possible. These businesses rely on community support to remain open and available now and in the future.
• Our corporate offices are considered closed with team members working remotely Email communication is the suggested way to reach anyone in any of our offices.   If you’re not sure who to contact, please use  info@compassproperties.com.
• Our Property Management team continues to be available for essential services. We are making modifications on how we physically respond to work orders. We will make common sense decisions on work order requests and have been advised to only enter occupied tenant space if there is an immediate life safety or property emergency. We have started to receive notices of reduced services from our Contracted service providers and vendors. This may have a short-term impact on our operations.

All of us at Compass Properties sincerely appreciate your trust and patience as we navigate through this unprecedented period of our lives.

 

March 21

Need Work Right Now? These Wisconsin Firms Are Hiring

While jobs across the world are being lost due to the coronavirus,  the state’s grocery and convenience store chains are beefing up their workforces.  Roundy’s announced plans to hire 2,500 people  in all positions and for all shifts at its 106 stores which, like grocery stores everywhere, have been inundated by shoppers during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Kwik Trip said it is still hiring 2,000 people even though a job fair on Wednesday was canceled. And Walmart, which announced Thursday it was hiring 150,000 people nationally, said Friday those hires include 4,200 open positions in Wisconsin in response to increased demand due to the pandemic.  Click here for more info.

March 20

World Health Organization Q&A on Coronaviruses (COVID-19)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring and responding to the Coronavirus outbreak and continually updating its FAQ’s on how it spreads and how it is affecting people worldwide. Click here for more info.

Some TSL & CitySquare Businesses Remain Open During COVID-19 Outbreak

From working remotely to no contact curbside pickup, businesses in our CitySquare and Third Street Lifestyle buildings are finding ways to serve their customers during the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak.  Click here for more info.

March 19

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The federal government has now passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”) to help employees and businesses facing challenges related to the coronavirus. The bill was passed with a bipartisan vote of 363 to 40 in the House of Representatives and with a 90 to 8 vote in the Senate.  More info from the law firm of Quarles & Brady here.  

Wausau Eateries Providing Take Out, Delivery

To help support our local eateries through this difficult times, The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce has assembled a list of businesses that offer take-out or delivery. Please call in advance to place your order and confirm delivery or take-out details. If you have a restaurant to add, please contact Brian Otten at 715-848-5947.

March 18

Limited Compass Properties Office Hours

Please be advised that Compass Properties has reduced staff hours for our team members that work from our corporate offices at least through March 29 to reduce contact and help combat the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. We will continue to work closely with our third-party cleaning staff on extra measures, including frequent sanitation to keep common areas clean and disinfected.  We will continue to provide 24/7 emergency service for all essential services and our on-site Property Management teams are on-site during normal building hours. To expedite your request, please email or call your local Compass Properties office.  Info can be found on our Contact page.

CitySquare Fitness Centers & Kitchen Areas Closed

We have made the decision to temporarily close the City Square fitness center and kitchen located on the 1st floor to help prevent workplace exposures to COVID-19.  These temporary closures are effective immediately through at least April 6, 2020. Additional updates will be provided if that date is changed.

We know many of you want to stay active and maintain your fitness routines at this time and we appreciate your understanding of this new policy which has been put in place for the health and safety of everyone at the building.

March 17

Third Street Lifestyle Center Shops & Restaurants closed for in-store shopping and dining.

In accordance with the emergency order issued by Governor Evers and the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, our Third Street Center Shops and Restaurants will be closed until further notice for in-store shopping and dining. Please support the restaurants and eateries that remain open for curbside pickup or delivery services. We encourage you to visit their individual websites and social media pages for specific plans and schedules.  Check back to this page for updated info as it become available.

Esser Place Fitness Center Closed

The health and safety of our tenants is always our top priority, which is why we made the decision to temporarily close the Esser Place fitness center until at least April 6, 2020.  We put this policy in place to help prevent exposure to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus and for the health and safety of everyone in the building.  Additional updates will be provided if that date is changed.

 

Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. We can do this!