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CONSTRUCTION
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The Industry’s Newspaper www.constructionnews.net
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(210) 308-5800
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Volume 15
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Number 12
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DECEMBER 2016
Out with the old
Cool rules!
Trey Celaya, Josiah Vance (standing), Sean Dalle and Nicole Kornegay sit in front of the new project “whiteboard.”
Team R U Kool is cool indeed! Pictured, L-R: Brenda, Phillip and Raul
orget the ubiquitous project whiteboard. Throw the regular ongoing, hours-long meetings with project stakeholders out the window. Leave the sour taste behind of owner’s, project superintendents, project managers and subcontractors that’s left when everybody was not on the same page during the project duration. When Sean Dalle, a seasoned Austin construction professional, broke out into his new venture, Datum Commercial Contracting LLC in July, he had definite ideas on how to improve the efficiency, workflow, cost and end-user satisfaction of construction projects. “The industry has become archaic and inefficient and is not making use of
the latest technology to improve,” Dalle says. With Nicole Kornegay and Van Trahern, the team set out to change that reality. Fortunately for Datum, Sean’s brother, Trey Celaya, is an IT wizard. As IT consultant/system designer for the new firm, Trey listened to what Sean wanted and proceeded to build and equip the burgeoning company with a custom system that not only eliminates mistakes and miscommunications, but allows for superior transparency between all team members and clients. Always, one comprehensive startup meeting, including all parties tenants, property managers, architects, continued on Page 17
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t’s the perfect name for an HVAC company, but R U Kool? owner Raul Espinoza says the initials also reflect his and his wife’s, Umeisela, initials. Espinoza started the company in 2014 in Buda and he has three to four employees for the company that handles both residential and commercial projects. “What got me started was my first job working in the AC business with my aunt’s ex-husband,” he says. “They had me picking up trash and being a gopher, but I wanted to learn the work. I always stayed a step ahead. The motivation for thriving for more is what inspired me to go beyond my expectations.” That motivation led him to start his own company.
“The training and experience I received made me want to do better for myself,” he says. Espinoza, who grew up in Austin, says he was fairly new in the job force after high school when he started working for another uncle, before leaving to learn the HVAC business. Now, he has more than 10 years of experience and has been doing sub-contract work for more than seven years. “I started in residential and when it got cold, I started doing commercial jobs,” he says. He’s worked on Pronto Insurance remodels and multi-family new builds, among others. continued on Page 17
Surf’s up in Austin!
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he first public surf park constructed in the U.S. and the largest surf park in the world opened recently in Austin to rave reviews. White Construction Company (WCC) was the GC on NLand Surf Park, owned by Austin Park LLC., according to Dominic Padilla, LEED AP, relationship development manager. Located east of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on a 160-acre lot at 4836 E. Hwy. 71, the water park was created by surfer Doug Coors, descendant of brewing company founder Adolph Coors. The park has 11 different surfing areas, ranging from beginner to professional, and waves that vary in size from 1- to 6-ft.-tall. The surfing lagoon covers an area the size of nine football fields. NLand Surf Park also includes a Surf Shop; Blue Prairie restaurant; a smoothie bar; and the NLand Training Center, a state-of-the-art surf school.
The surfing lagoon at NLand Surf Park covers an area the size of nine football fields.
Senior project manager was Seth Ackland; project superintendent was Wayne Gilley and superintendent was Brady Bowers. Engineer on the project was Spanish engineering firm Wavegarden. Primary construction materials used on the project were concrete and steel, Padilla says. Challenges included dealing with a rainy year. “This project was constructed during one of the wettest years in Austin history,” Padilla says. Collaboration between many people and companies also made the project unique. “Many engineers and consultants from Austin, as well as from Europe, had to work very closely to coordinate all of the engineering,” he said. Construction cost-consulting and continued on Page 17