Jacobs Selected to Design, Build NM Water Plant Project
Jacobs announced that it was selected by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to design and build the San Juan Lateral Water Treatment Plant in northwest New Mexico. The $267 million plant is the largest and most important component of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project.
Before the project’s initiation, more than 40 percent of the Navajo Nation households relied on hauling water to meet their daily needs and, to this day, the Navajo Nation estimates that more than a third of Navajo Nation households rely on hauling water to meet their daily needs. When completed, the project will provide water supplies to approximately 250,000 people in 43 Navajo chapters.
see WATER page 3
Aerospace Hub Construction Starts
By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
Described as being on the cutting edge of innovation for industrial development, the Colorado Aerospace Business Center (CABC) will serve as a hub for aerospace companies of all sizes and stages of growth.
CABC is positioned adjacent to the Colorado Springs Airport on a 31-acre site.
“The aerospace industry plays a pivotal role in the economy for the state of Colorado,” said Brady Welsh, AZ Opportunity Fund principal. “Colorado Springs is a key market for innovative companies of all sizes that require modern facilities for research and development, manufacturing, office space and outdoor storage.
“The current industrial market fundamentals in Colorado Springs are very favorable for new construction. A combination of very limited new inventory in the pipeline, coupled with increasing rental rates, should bode well for new devel-
opment projects in the area.”
AZ Opportunity Fund celebrated the groundbreaking of the CABC in August 2024, marking the start of the first phase of the more than $75 million project.
“CABC has been incredibly well received in the Colorado Springs community,” Welsh said. “We were thrilled to have over 60 people attend our launch party. The attendees ranged from economic development and city officials to real estate professionals in the area.
“So far, we’ve invested over two years into making this project come to fruition. The land was originally located in El Paso County, and we collaborated with the seller to complete the annexation of the land into the city of Colorado Springs.”
Organizers plan to build out the entire subdivision in three to four phases.
Photo by Brady Welsh. Site prep continues at the future site of the Colorado Aerospace Business Center.
Jacobs photo
The future site of the San Juan Lateral Water Treatment Plant lies in northwest New Mexico.
Career Day Introduces Students to Construction World
Electrical contracting company Rosendin and 80 construction-related companies collaborated to introduce more than 4,000 students from 120 schools across Arizona to potential construction careers on Nov. 7-8, 2024.
Industry professionals showcased new technologies and tools in Phoenix at the 2024 AZ Construction Career Days (AZCCD), presented by the Association for Construction Career Development.
At Rosendin’s booth, students participated in hands-on construction activities like bending conduit pipes, using computer modeling and testing virtual reality, giving them insight into STEM careers under the guidance of industry professionals. Students also explored other aspects of working in construction, like driving forklifts and handling power tools, while learning about potential career opportunities.
Rosendin Emeritus CEO Mike Greenawalt and Aimee Olmedo, the company’s outreach director, received the Visionary Leadership Award during the VIP reception, recognizing their volunteer work for Arizona Construction Career Days.
Also present at the VIP reception were guest speakers Maj. Gen. Kerry Muehlenbeck and Grand Canyon University (GCU) President Brian Mueller. Mueller partnered with Greenawalt to create GCU’s PreApprenticeship program. The one-semester curriculum prepares students to begin a career as an electrician.
“Seeing thousands of students at this event really shows the strength of the construction community and the positive impact it has on the lives of our youth,” Greenawalt said. “These students got more than a fun-filled day out in the field; they entered a whole new world of opportunity.”
Phoenix is second in the nation for active construction projects, with 37,000 new jobs expected in Arizona by 2031. Events like AZCCD attract young people into the construction industry, strengthening the workforce pipeline for construction companies that support regional growth.
“The construction industry continues to face a shortage of skilled workers. A goal of the annual AZCCD event is to highlight emerging local training opportunities,” AZCCD President Rose Ann Canizales said. “We want students to
get excited about all the opportunities out there, and by bringing together construction companies from around Arizona and nationwide, we can do that.”
“We want students to recognize that technology is advancing rapidly and construction career roles are changing,” Olmedo said. “Electrical work supports modern-day automation, control systems, renewable energy sources, power distribution, and so much more. We encourage students interested in learning about technology advancements to consider a career within the construction industry, where innovations such as virtual reality and 360 cameras are already in use.”
For more than 20 years, AZCCD has promoted career opportunities in the construction industry, connecting 40,000 Arizona students to companies and training opportunities. Rosendin participates in and sponsors the event each year to challenge stereotypes of construction jobs and to inspire students to consider a career in industry.
(All photos courtesy of Rosendin.)
CDOT Kicks Off Interstate 25 Interchange Project in Pueblo
The Colorado Department of Transportation, in partnership with SEMA Construction of Centennial, Colo., began construction of the new Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 50B interchange on Nov. 18, 2024.
The $114 million project is in Pueblo on I-25 from mile point 99.7 to MP 101.4 and on U.S. 50 from MP 315.9 to MP 316.6.
Work consists of building five new bridge structures, retaining walls and noise walls, roadway and ramp reconstruction, embankment, safety improvements, drainage and erosion control along the 5 mi. of impacted roadway.
When complete, the new interchange will be located just north of
the existing location and operate as a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) to increase safety and mobility for drivers.
“The new I-25/U.S. 50B interchange is a priority for CDOT because the current interchange poses safety concerns with many trucks on the interstate hitting the low clearance bridge or getting stuck on the interchange itself. The new diverging diamond interchange will help improve traffic flow on this important freight corridor and increase safety and mobility for all road users,” CDOT Region 2 Transportation Director Shane Ferguson said.
Colorado Department of Transportation photo A rendering of the section of Interstate 25 impacted by the interchange project.
When driving a DDI, motorists proceed through a traffic signal upon entering the interchange and follow their lane to the opposite side of the roadway. Left-turn movements are eliminated with a
DDI, which minimizes T-bone-type crashes.
Construction activity will take place adjacent to the roadway to minimize the impacts on I-25 and U.S. 50 traffic during the first year of construction. Work will be performed in phases and working times will vary, but motorists can generally expect construction between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Lane closures, shoulder closures, reduced speeds in the work zone, delays and detours are expected throughout the project.
The project is expected to be completed in early summer 2027.
Minimal traffic impacts are anticipated during the initial construction phase in November and December.
Arizona Construction Career Day participants met on Nov. 7-8, 2024, in Phoenix.
Students learn how to bend a conduit at the Rosendin booth at Arizona Construction Career Day.
Students discover construction innovation through virtual reality.
A student measures a conduit.
Yampa Valley Airport Project Begins for Two New Hangars
Business Aviation Group and Wiens Real Estate Ventures Broke ground in September on a $15 million hangar project at the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) near Steamboat Springs, Colo., Business Airport International reported.
The project will serve surging business aviation demand. Private jet operations have grown more than 75 percent since 2019. The new hangars will be the first since 2006.
Business Aviation Group of Centennial, Colo., is the lead developer and won the initial RFP process to develop the hangars, while Wiens Real Estate Ventures of Broomfield, Colo., is the co-developer and capital partner. Tally Ho Construction of Rifle, Colo., is the general contractor, according to the publication.
The 57,680-sq.- ft. hangar campus will be in an area known for skiing and outdoor recreational activities. It is an access hub to the northern Colorado mountains and offers a complement of business aviation and commercial activity, the publication reported.
The development has been in the planning, design and permitting phase for 18 months. Completion is set for the fall of 2025 with leasing and/or reservations for hangar space starting in December/January, the publication reported.
“We are thrilled to be under way with the Yampa Valley executive hangar project. It is a much-needed and anticipated amenity to the airport and community,” Iver Retrum, the CEO and partner of Business Aviation Group, told the publication.
“The area continues to grow, and this development will give owners the flexibility they are looking for and bring business opportunities to the airport.” Airport Director Kevin Booth told Business Airport International.
The development will include two 28,800-plus-sq.ft. base/transient hangars with 28-ft. and 20-ft. doors. The hangar development will serve the northern Colorado region, the Yampa Valley as well as Colorado’s new ski resort, Stagecoach Mountain Ranch, a $200 million, 6,600-acre private ski mountain and ranch development by Discovery Land Co., according to Business Airport International.
Plans Call for Plant to Serve More Than 200,000 Customers
Jacobs will design and build the San Juan Lateral Water Treatment Plant to initially treat up to 18.8 million gallons of water per day, with the ability to double the plant’s capacity. At full build-out, the plant will be able to serve more than 200,000 people.
The project also includes the commissioning of the San Juan Lateral distribution system and operations and maintenance.
“Critical to improving the living conditions for Navajo communities, in addition to basic drinking water, this plant will provide water for commercial and retail businesses, health care, schools and other facilities,” Vice President Design-Build and Operations Management and Facilities Services Greg Fischer said. “Our approach provides the Bureau of Reclamation a more efficient way of delivering critical infrastructure necessary to supply clean, reliable, long-term water for this community.”
When complete, the water supply project will divert 37,761 acre-feet of water annually from the San Juan River Basin through two Jacobs-delivered water treatment plants. Once treated according to Safe Drinking
Water Act standards, the water will be conveyed and delivered through nearly 300 miles of pipeline, 19 pumping plants and several storage tanks.
“We are extremely pleased to award this contract to Jacobs, who we have a longstanding relationship with, having completed the award-winning Cutter Lateral Water Treatment Plant in 2020. Their consistent quality of work, reliability, dedication and proactive approach make them an invaluable partner,” said Reclamation’s Four Corners Construction Office Construction Engineer/Manager Bart Deming. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration and delivering safe, reliable drinking water together for the Navajo people.”
The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, funded in part by the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides safe drinking water to Navajo communities in Gallup, N.M., and Window Rock, Ariz. The project is 70 percent complete, with initial water deliveries expected in late 2028 and final completion anticipated by the end of 2029.
WATER from page 1
First Phase of CABC Slated for June 2025 Completion
from page
“This timing will be based on market demand and absorption of each phase,” Welsh said. “Phase I is an 85,000-sq.ft. spec industrial building, Phase II is scheduled to be approximately 120,000-sq.-ft. and future industrial buildings will range from 15,000-sq.ft. to 60,000-sq.ft. We also own 4.6 acres for a retail development, and we will bring that online as the residential neighborhoods in the area continue to get built out.”
Welsh said meeting the specialized infrastructure needs of high-tech and government contracting companes is a smart move.
“With proper planning now, we are hoping to increase the speed that we can accommodate the unique needs of hightech companies. In addition, many of the steps that we are taking are only incremental cost increases at this time that would likely be cost prohibitive after the core and shell is complete.
“We are expecting the core and shell of Phase 1 to be finished by June 2025. Depending on when we execute leases, we could even have tenants operational by late summer 2025.”
Civil teams continue prepping the site, with crews moving into utility infrastructure. Workers plan to pour the building slab and tilting walls in November.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the conceptualized project take shape,” Welsh said. “I’m proud all of our pre-planning is paying off, truly allowing our team to hit the ground running as we hit each project milestone.”
ARCO/Murray serves as the design-build firm.
Charlie McLean, ARCO/Murray’s director of business development, said right now the project is focused on completing earthwork to get the site pad-ready, ensuring a stable foundation for the building. This includes final grading, compacting soil and preparing for the tilt wall construction. Initial grading has already wrapped up, along with soil conditioning and utility trenching.
Crews have reached building pad acceptance and have begun excavating building foundations. These efforts prepare workers to take the building vertical in the coming months. Key tasks remaining include erecting the tilt wall structure; erecting the steel structure; and completing mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure, including the 3,000-amp service and Level 2 charging stations.
“Final dock equipment installation and HVAC testing are also scheduled to ensure the facility is ready for occupancy,” McClean said. “In addition, we are preparing the building to meet the stringent utility and load requirements necessary to support the unique needs of aerospace and government contracting companies, which could include SCIF [Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility] spaces, specialized needs for power, security, connectivity and operational efficiency.”
Current earthwork is extending into future phases to properly balance the site and start to prepare additional pads. Excavation also is focused on utility trenching for the water main and electrical infrastructure. These operations were critical to ensure the facility meets future tenant needs without requiring significant retrofitting.
McLean said approximately 80,000 cu. yds. of dirt are
being moved, mainly for grading, foundation preparation and trenching operations.
“That’s like filling 24 Olympic-sized swimming pools or stacking 9,600 dump trucks worth of soil,” he said. “It’s safe to say, we’re giving the earth a major makeover; however, the grading design of the project extends to all phases, to ensure the project is properly balanced and doesn’t require any import or export of dirt.”
Key equipment includes heavy excavators, trenchers for utility lines and concrete pumps for the tilt walls. Cranes are employed to position wall panels, and specialized machinery is used to condition soil moisture to maintain site stability.
Chief materials include concrete for the tilt wall panels, steel columns and beams for structural support and essential ventilation systems. Electrical infrastructure, including highcapacity wiring for the 3,000-amp service and charging stations, also is crucial to meet tenant demands.
Colorado’s weather has required careful planning, particularly during soil conditioning and tilt-wall construction phases. Snow, wind and moisture can impact progress, so scheduling has remained flexible to ensure timelines are met. Each phase of the project will be specifically timed to reduce the effects of the elements.
McLean said during the construction of the shell building, the tilt wall installation will likely be the most time-consuming aspect, because of its complexity and dependency on precise weather conditions. Aligning multiple construction phases to avoid disruptions also has required detailed planning.
see AEROSPACE page 7
Photo by Brady Welsh.
A John Deere 5050 tractor makes the earth move.
Photo by Brady Welsh.
A Hitachi Zaxis 50 LC excavator works on site.
Photo by Brady Welsh.
A flat section displays the effects of initial prep work.
Photo by Brady Welsh.
A John Deere 245GLC midi excavator digs a trench.
Photo by Heather McKeen
A Cat excavator leaves a pile of dirt in its wake.
Photo by Heather McKeen
A John Deere excavator gets dirty.
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Project Boosts Colorado Springs as Aerospace Center
In addition, the project includes plans for fiber redundancy to meet the high connectivity demands of aerospace tenants.
“We are also exploring options for rooftop antenna installations to enhance communication capabilities for future tenants. Additionally, the building is being reinforced to support future solar panel installations, ensuring the facility is prepared for sustainable energy solutions as tenant needs evolve.”
Kimley Horn is providing land planning and a wide range
of engineering services, while Cushman & Wakefield I Colorado Springs Commercial is the exclusive leasing brokerage for the project.
According to Heather McKeen, Cushman & Wakefield director, “CABC is an exciting project, because of the forward-thinking detail not only in its design, but also in its functionality. The project has been meticulously designed with the tenant of today and tomorrow in mind. Everything from the site’s location to the integration of green energy capabilities, including electric vehicle charging stations and structural reinforcements to make the building solar ready, has been intentional ensuring this project will be highly functional for years to come.
“CABC is delivering attractive industrial buildings that have the amenities that tenants need and can’t find anywhere else in the market. CABC will be the launch point for the city’s industrial aerospace industry.”
McKeen said the location is ideal for an aerospace business center.
“The aerospace industry is booming in Colorado Springs,” she said. “This great city is home to the Air Force Academy, Peterson Airforce Base, Schriever Airforce Base, Cheyenne Mountain/NORAD, Space Command, Fort Carson and dozens of defense contractors. We are the country’s second-largest space economy, with one of the nation’s highest-educated workforces.
“The ownership group, AZ Opportunity Fund LLC, has been laser-focused on the success of this project and has moved with lightning speed to get construction moving. The
groundbreaking ceremony was quite literal in the sense that as soon as shovels touched dirt, excavation and groundwork got started.”
She added, “The CABC project’s specialized infrastructure is the first of its kind in Colorado Springs. The ownership group is dedicated to providing a high-quality building that beats any other on the market. More than that, because CABC is developed with infrastructure in mind, on such a large scale we are able to deliver build-to-suit options in Phases 2 through 4. This is just the beginning.” CEG
Photo by Heather McKeen
John Deere 245GLC midi excavators play a key role in early site work.
Photo by Heather McKeen
The future home of the Colorado Aerospace Business Center.
AEROSPACE from page 6
