Issue 04/Summer 2017
A publication of Goodwyn Mills Cawood
Building Communities Turning Tragedy into Triumph
Making a Splash in Wilcox County
Finley Center Opens for SEC Baseball Tournament
Mitigation Banking 101
GMC MANIFESTO We believe in community, collaboration and using the power of creativity and hard work to make a difference - in our hearts, homes, city, nation and world. We believe in hope, progress, beauty, and big ideas. We believe that people like us, need us. We are not just an engineering firm. We are not just architects. We are artists, designers, thinkers, doers, makers, and storytellers dedicated to doing great work, for good. We partner with passionate and likeminded individuals, businesses, organizations, and causes that have aggressive hopes and goals for tomorrow and beyond. Dreaming big is the only way to make big dreams come true, and we know that our solutions can only be as great as the people we serve. Communities are built by people, not companies. And it is that foundational concept that drives how we approach every project, big or small. Because it’s the passion and drive of individuals that feeds the growth and development of what’s next. Together, we will be smart. We will be relevant. We will be meaningful. We will be kind, supportive, enthusiastic and – at the very least – the very best we can be. We are – and will continue to be – a collaborative organization driven by the power of building better, happier, healthier, thriving communities. And we are committed to working with folks who share our vision for realizing their full potential, because we know that great engineering and architecture helps make communities better, for everyone.
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ON THE COVER An outreach and recovery meeting after an EF5 tornado struck Hackleburg, Alabama on April 27, 2011 (Photo: FEMA/Christopher Mardorf)
CONTENTS Schema is a quarterly publication of Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) designed to keep clients, business partners, employees and others informed on company news and to provide insight on industry trends and issues. Don’t miss an issue! Subscribe at www.gmcnetwork.com
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Photo: FEMA/Christopher Mardorf
REBUILDILNG HACKLEBURG
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FINLEY CENTER OPENS FOR SEC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT
10 MAKING A SPLASH IN WILCOX COUNTY
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MITIGATION BANKING 101
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MERIT HEALTH MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING OPENS
8 THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER
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17
PROJECT UPDATES
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June
23-27
THE UP & COMING: CONFERENCES & EVENTS
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AROUND THE NETWORK
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REBUILDING HACKLEBURG Turning Tragedy into Triumph
Prior to April 27, 2011, there were some 30 businesses operating in the small northwest Alabama town of Hackleburg. At the end of that fateful day, only two remained – the result of a catastrophic EF5 tornado that also took 18 lives and obliterated a third of the town’s 600 homes. An estimated 60-plus tornadoes were sighted across north Alabama that day, but it was the “Hackleburg Tornado” that wreaked the most havoc. In the process, the tornado destroyed those things vital to a small town, including the only doctor’s office and pharmacy, three of five churches, police department, and elementary and high schools. The fire department and city hall were also severely damaged. While appearing to be a knockout blow, the tornado’s destruction and the rebuilding that followed instead became testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It has been more than six years since the disastrous event, and while remnants of damage may linger, the small town is thriving once again due to the ingenuity of a collaborative group of public and private entities.
A Comeback Story
Photo: FEMA/Christopher Mardorf
In the weeks that followed, the town’s Recovery Committee analyzed the disaster’s impacts and identified projects that would best facilitate Hackleburg’s reconstruction, subsequently inviting the public to share their ideas about essential recovery needs. The process was designed and executed in a holistic way that incorporated community-wide awareness and involvement, as well as advice from local, regional and state officials familiar with the community. While his 40 years of experience boasts an impressive portfolio of projects, GMC Executive Vice President Burt Hankins says he’s proudest of his work in Hackleburg. Hankins was instrumental in obtaining a $5 million grant – with no required local match – to construct a new sanitary sewer collection and treatment system; securing $1 million for street resurfacing and repair; and helping the town acquire about $8 million Summer 2017 5
in additional grant funding. The GMC team also designed the rebuilds of the city’s fire station, city hall, senior center and several auxiliary buildings. In the process, Hankins’ prior working relationship with the town and the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments proved essential. “My association with Hackleburg goes back a long way, and we’ve worked closely with NACOLG in the past in applying for Community Development Block Grants,” Hankins said. As such, GMC had “boots on the ground” just two days after the event, meeting with committees, Hackleburg’s mayor and Keith Jones, NACOLG president, to begin the initial planning. NACOLG’s Jones said GMC’s knowledge of the town was key to expediting the work and getting grants secured quickly. “They knew all of the elected officials, and they were educated on what was there before the storm,” he said. The initial dilemma was that Hackleburg had no centralized sewer system, and was unable to provide local matching funds. “This is where NACOLG gets a lot of credit – we had to configure the projects and the funding so that we could eliminate the need for a match,” Hankins said. “For example, the CDBG money’s purpose is to serve those with low and moderate incomes, so we modified the area to be served by the sewer system to comply with that requirement.” Through a collaborative effort, GMC applied for U.S. Economic Development Administration and Alabama CDBG funding for both a low-pressure sanitary sewer collection system and wastewater treatment facility. “GMC prepared the preliminary engineering reports and helped my office put together a proposal that was 80 percent EDA grant and 20 percent CDBG,” Jones said. “So it was essentially a 100 percent grant to bring a sewer system to the town.” 6 SCHEMA
Left page: Wrangler facility following the tornado; community members and recovery specialists at outreach and recovery meetings (FEMA/Christopher Mardorf)
Marilyn Smith, government services director at NACOLG, said securing the funding solely through grants was crucial to the success of the overall rebuild effort. “The town would never have been able to afford the sewer system by themselves,” Smith said. “This was an opportunity to provide a sewer system where none had existed before.” Meanwhile, GMC also worked to secure state CDBG grants to restore other critical buildings, including the rehabilitation of the senior center, city hall and the recreation center, as well as a farmer’s market. GMC architects also designed a new fire station. “The real vindication was that the sewer system was installed and operational in time for the high school’s first home football game in fall 2015,” Hankins added. “It was a pivotal moment, and served
Ultimately, a package of incentives offered by the State of Alabama, spearheaded by former Gov. Robert Bentley, convinced Wrangler to stay. GMC also played a critical role in the process, applying for and securing a Site Preparation Grant through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Moreover, GMC worked with the Alabama Department of Transportation to secure funding for the four-laning of U.S. Hwy. 43 from Hackleburg to the Wrangler facility, and for improving entrances to the site.
Looking Ahead
Right page: Hackleburg’s new fire station and city hall. A mural painted on the side of Hackleburg Market.
to symbolically bring the town back to life.” Of all the concerns in the weeks following the tornado, looming largest was that the town might lose its biggest employer – a Wrangler jeans facility on the outskirts of town. Initial reports were that the owner would abandon the facility, which had been decimated by the storm. NACOLG’s Jones said keeping Wrangler in Hackleburg was a big priority. “We met with the officials of the town and county to weigh our options. We talked about rebuilding the facility, and were actively involved in looking at the needs and the infrastructure, and finding temporary locations to keep the people employed.”
The successes of GMC and its collaborative work with government officials played a crucial role in giving the community a fighting chance, despite Mother Nature’s best efforts to the contrary. Today, the Town of Hackleburg is once again a thriving community. While not all residents have returned, many have. Hankins credits much of the endeavor’s success to GMC’s broad capabilities, which enabled it to nurture projects from conception to completion – characteristic of many of the projects it tackles. “While a lot of engineering firms do what we do, many don’t have such a multi-disciplined organization,” Hankins said. “If we were just an engineering firm, then I couldn’t have done the city hall or police station. We have architects who we pull into a project to help us work on those types of things. We also have a group of environmental guys who do environmental assessments, geotechnical experts to perform site evaluations, etc.”“We have almost every discipline that we need, in-house, under one roof. It might not be the same roof – they might be in Montgomery, Huntsville, Nashville, or other locations – but we can call upon that expertise when and where we need it.” Summer 2017 7
Finley Center opens for SEC Baseball Tournament’s first-ever FanFest
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he City of Hoover debuted its new 155,000-square-foot indoor events center for the 2017 Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament on May 23-28. The tournament featured the first-ever SEC FanFest at the newly-constructed Finley Center adjacent to the Hoover Metropolitan Complex where the baseball games were played. Avid fans of all ages filled the events center for FanFest where they could enjoy live entertainment, grab a drink or bite to eat at the sports bar or food court and participate in a multitude of games and activities, including billiard tables, virtual reality simulators, air hockey tables, skeeball, inflatables, nine-hole miniature golf, Lego construction zone, photo booths, table tennis, a zip line and more. The indoor facility is the first phase of the $76 million 8 SCHEMA
Hoover Sports & Events Complex, designed by GMC, with Brasfield & Gorrie as the construction manager. Finley Center features 11 regulation-size basketball courts, 16 regulation-size volleyball courts, a future climbing attraction, walking track, locker rooms, food court, convenience store, performance center and flexible meeting rooms. Designed to serve multiple uses, the event center can accommodate a variety of functions and sporting activities, including trade shows for 300 booths, banquet seating for 2,400 and theatrestyle seating for 5,000. Drop-down netting also provides the option to divide the space within the center allowing multiple activities to take place simultaneously. The new sports facility was recently cited by Youth1. com as the major reason for Hoover being ranked among “The 15 best travel destinations for youth sports.� Hoover was in good company, making the list alongside
destinations such as Atlanta; Cocoa Beach, Florida.; Orlando and Los Angeles. “This project will be a major economic driver for the city and will provide new opportunities for the community for years to come,” Yann Cowart, GMC Sports Vice President, said. “GMC is proud to be a part of this momentous project, which highlights our firm’s growing emphasis and leadership in sports-related design.” Construction is underway on the outdoor portion of the complex, which will feature five NCAA regulation-size soccer/football/lacrosse fields, five NCAA regulation-size baseball/softball fields, designed to accommodate up to 16 tennis courts with pro shop, two-mile walking track, playground, splash pad and a large event lawn. The existing RV park will be expanded from 149 to 172 spaces with full hook-ups, and additional parking will provide approximately 5,000 spaces on-site. This second phase of construction is slated for completion in early 2018.
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New
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Participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning death by 88 percent. - Water Safety USA
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Last summer, the U.S. swim team blew the competition out of the water at the 2016 Rio Olympics, winning 33 total medals, 16 of them gold. Australia came in second place with a total medal count of just 10. Team USA has dominated the Olympic pool for decades, and currently owns more than a third of all Olympic swimming medals ever awarded. So how is it drowning remains the second leading cause of death for children 14 years and younger, and the fifth leading cause for all ages in the U.S.? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings, non-boating related, annually in the United States from 2005 to 2014 – that’s approximately 10 per day. While several factors influence drowning risk, inability to swim consistently tops the list. According to Water Safety USA, participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning death by 88 percent; however, many people are unable to learn because they lack access to swimming lessons or a facility to provide lessons. Local leaders and residents of Wilcox County, Alabama, decided to overcome this obstacle in their community. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture allocated $4.9 million to support projects that would protect public safety and health, improve water and wastewater infrastructure and create expanded economic opportunities in rural Alabama. The Wilcox County Board of Education was awarded a $683,500 community facilities
loan and a $50,000 community facilities grant to renovate the Wilcox Central High School natatorium, providing children and adults from the community a place to learn how to swim. “We are extremely excited about the natatorium project,” Wilcox County Schools Superintendent Andre Saulsberry said. “We have a chance to provide swimming lessons for rural students and citizens throughout Wilcox County, whereas their only alternatives have been unsafe ponds and creeks where many of them attempt to learn to swim.” GMC served as the architect and Johns and Kirksey, Inc., was the general contractor for the pool facility renovation, which began in July of 2016. In addition to renovating and recoating the existing pool, the project entailed new pool equipment and boilers, a new roof, installation of roll-up ventilation doors and renovation of the adjacent locker rooms, corridor, office and storage space. A handicap-accessible restroom and a chairlift into the pool were also added, making it accessible for elderly or handicap users. Hundreds from the community came out to celebrate the re-opening of the natatorium on March 8, 2017, with swim lessons beginning shortly thereafter. Lessons are also being offered throughout the summer for ages ranging from 6 to 70-plus, with senior citizens’ classes in the early morning, children and students in the late morning and afternoon and adults in the evening. According to Dr. Saulsberry, the new facility will also enable them to host swim competitions at Wilcox Central High School. “All of these opportunities will hopefully lead to better physical fitness for all.” Summer 2017 11
Mitigation Banking 101 The impact of commercial and industrial development on wetlands and streams and whether this development and protection of the environment can coexist is a major topic of discussion right now. Mitigation banking provides an opportunity to offset some of the negative impacts development may have on the environment; however, the process remains a mystery to many. GMC Environmental is well-versed in mitigation banking and is answering a few questions to help shed some light on the process.
Q. What is mitigation banking? A. L et’s say a company plans to build a new
manufacturing plant, but construction of the facility is going to impact existing wetlands. The company can make up for the environmental impacts that will be caused in advance by purchasing “credits” from a mitigation banker. Mitigation bankers are people or entities that restore, enhance and preserve wetlands, streams or other natural resources as a means of generating credits that can then be sold to developers, like a company building a manufacturing plant, to offset the adverse impact on the environment.
Q. H ow does the process work? A. T he mitigation banker owns or purchases a tract
of degraded wetlands or streams to restore. This property is the prospective bank site. Before the site can be permitted and approved for credit sales, an Interagency Review Team (IRT) made up of federal and state regulatory agencies has to
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approve the mitigation banker’s plans to restore, maintain and monitor the bank, in addition to approving the number of credits available for sale for that specific site.
Q. W ho is responsible for actual restoration of the site?
A. T he mitigation banker assumes all responsibility
for not only the permitting and design process, including construction, but also for monitoring and maintaining the site long term. That’s why it’s important for the banker to have extensive experience with all facets of ecological restoration. Over the years, GMC Environmental has built a team capable of handling every aspect of the mitigation banking process, including initial site evaluation, coordination with regulatory agencies, wetland and stream design, construction and construction oversight, agency site visits, credit release activities, and longterm bank monitoring and credit sales. Having
an all-encompassing group of environmental engineers, ecologists, biologists, chemists, geologists and survey specialists allows us to tackle these projects from every angle. To date, we have consulted in the successful approval of eight mitigation banks throughout the Southeast and currently have several bank sites in various stages of the interagency review process. We have also evaluated bank sites throughout the region, including in Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee and South Carolina.
Q. W hat are the benefits of mitigation banking?
A. O ne of the main benefits for the developer is the elimination of risk and responsibility. Once the developer purchases the required credits, all liability is legally transferred to the banker.
Mitigation banking also saves time and money. Purchasing credits typically costs less than "doing your own� mitigation in the long run, especially if investment in additional land is required for mitigation and the cost of the additional permitting process is added to the construction cost. Wetland and/or stream restoration also requires expertise and equipment the developer may not have. GMC Environmental has designed more than 135,000 linear feet of streams and constructed more than 40,200 linear feet, which has given us an
in-depth understanding of these types of projects and what each will entail. In addition, developers are able to cut their permitting times in half by purchasing mitigation credits as opposed to handling compensatory mitigation themselves. Last, but certainly not least, mitigation banking protects and restores vital natural resources. Wetlands help protect and enhance water quality, provide habitats for fish and wildlife, regulate floodwaters and maintain surface water flow during dry periods. The process provides an opportunity for development to continue, while offsetting some of the negative impacts on the environment. There are currently hundreds, if not thousands, of wetland and stream mitigation banks operated throughout the country. The growing popularity of this mitigation method further demonstrates mitigation banking as a cost effective means of restoring natural resources, reducing delays in permitting, eliminating the temporary loss of natural resources during development and assuring the long-term maintenance of these vital natural areas. For more information about mitigation banking, contact Jof Mehaffey at jof.mehaffey@gmcnetwork.com. Be on the lookout for featured mitigation projects GMC has worked on in upcoming issues!
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Merit Health
MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING
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erit Health Madison recently cut the ribbon on its new medical office building in Canton, Mississippi. The 35,000-square-foot healthcare facility, designed by GMC, includes primary care, obstetrics/gynecology and orthopedics, among other medical specialties. Located next to Merit Health’s existing 67-bed hospital, the building features an outpatient physical rehabilitation clinic to provide patients occupational health and speech pathology therapy services. With the extensive population growth, residential development and economic surge in Madison County over the past five years, providing a new location for the addition of medical specialties and physician practices will enhance access to quality healthcare for those living and working in the area. The new medical facility joins Merit Health's extensive network of 12 in-state hospitals and will allow patients in north Madison County to visit their physician in Canton, rather than traveling to Jackson. Capital Growth Medvest is the developer for the project, and Brasfield & Gorrie served as the general contractor.
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Go wild at the zoo. One of the Magic City’s most popular attractions is about to be even more popular. The Birmingham Zoo’s new Arrival Experience, featuring an entry plaza and green space park area, opens to visitors for the first time this summer. Development is also underway on an Asian Passage exhibit, which will house endangered species, such as the Sumatran orangutans, Komodo dragon, Malayan tiger and more.
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Revel in Southern Culture
In its fifth year, GMC is partnering with Southern Makers to design a unique event space underneath the viaduct at Birmingham’s Historic Sloss Furnaces for a two-day event that brings together hand3 picked southern talent to one lively place. On Aug. 12 + 13, come eat, drink, shop, listen and learn from more than 100 of the South’s finest. 4
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Explore nature. The Graham Creek Nature Preserve in Foley, Alabama, encompasses nearly 500 acres of natural habitats, biking and hiking trails, disc golf course, kayak launch and an interpretive center featuring indigenous wildlife and plant life exhibits.
Visit a museum. The Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, Alabama, honors those who fought and sacrificed for justice, equality and human rights through state-of-theart exhibits. The adjacent Civil Rights Memorial created by Vietnam Veterans Memorial designer Maya Lin features a black granite fountain wall inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech” and pays homage to those who died during the struggle.
Catch a game. More than 7,000 fans fill the seats at Fluor Field, home of the Greenville Drive minor league baseball team. Recent enhancements at the ballpark added new amenities and seating opportunities, including the addition of 100 seats above the iconic Green Monster, enhancing the in-stadium experience.
Hit the trails. Ranked one of the “50 Best Bike Trails in America,” the Chief Ladiga Trail stretches 33 miles from the Alabama-Georgia line to Michael Tucker Park in Anniston, Alabama. The trail was Alabama’s premiere rails-to-trails project and is the second-largest, nonmotorized paved trail in the country.
Stimulate your brain. The WonderWorks indoor amusement park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, features more than 100 interactive exhibits to challenge the mind and spark the imagination. Explore the six WonderZones, including Natural Disasters, Physical Challenge, Light & Sound, Space Discovery, Imagination Lab and Far Out Gallery, plus the an indoor ropes challenge, 6D extreme motion ride theater and laser tag.
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Celebrate history. Inspired by some of America’s most historic places, the American Village comprises more than 20 buildings on 183 acres in Montevallo, Alabama. The National Veterans Shrine, inspired by Philadelphia’s Carpenters Hall; Washington Hall, replicating Mount Vernon; a full-sized replica of the White House Oval Office; Colonial Chapel, modeled after Bruton Parish Church; and a replica of Concord Bridge are among the campus attractions, all designed to bring American history and civics to life.
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Project Updates A snapshot of projects recently completed and those currently underway. COMPLETED: [1] DeKalb Utility District Water System Improvements | DeKalb County, Tennessee Construction was recently completed on the water system improvements project in DeKalb County, Tennessee. This project, initiated in 2012, consisted of the design, construction management and inspection of four separate contracts with a construction cost totaling more than $13.8 million. Contracts included a 3 MGD water treatment plant, raw water intake, more than 52,000 linear feet of 6-inch and 8-inch diameter water lines and approximately 20,000 linear feet of 18-inch diameter raw and finished water transmission lines. GMC was instrumental in helping the client obtain funding for the project from three agencies, including the State Revolving Fund Loan, Rural Development and the Appalachian Regional Council. All four contracts were completed and closed out on time and within budget.
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION: [2] Athens High School | Athens, Alabama Construction is underway on a new 280,000-square-foot high school for Athens City Schools (ACS). The two-story building will accommodate up to 1,250 students and help alleviate crowding in parts of the school system. An array of learning environments, including typical and tiered classrooms, informal and flexible spaces and specialized educational spaces, such as computer and engineering labs, media center, consumer science and shop, support the school’s STEM curriculum and meet the needs of the 21st-century student. The two-story grand lobby features a full wall of glass and overlooks the exterior courtyard encompassing a visual art garden and shade structures for outdoor classes. The design includes an 850-seat auditorium, music facilities, administrative areas and spaces for specialized programs, such as JROTC and theater. Two full-size gymnasiums, one practice and an arena-style competition gym, a weight room and related athletic support facilities will accommodate ACS’ numerous athletic programs. An ICC-500 storm shelter capable of withstanding 250 mph winds with capacity to hold the entire student body is also incorporated in the design. The high school is slated to open for the 2018-19 school year and will be adjacent to the ACS central office, also designed by GMC.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: [3] ARJWS Water Treatment Facility AOP Upgrade | Anderson, South Carolina Anderson Regional Joint Water System (ARJWS) has experienced taste and odor issues with its drinking water caused by organic compounds associated with algal blooms, 2-Methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin, in addition to problems with iron and manganese. GMC conducted a study to investigate treatment alternatives to meet the long-term needs of the 48 MGD water treatment plant and to address emerging contaminant issues. The formulaic approach resulted in a treatment strategy that holistically addressed taste and odor, color and emerging contaminants. Ultimately, an advanced oxidation process (AOP) utilizing ozone + peroxide treatment was found to be the most viable option. The addition of AOP to AJRWS’ treatment process will allow for economical and efficient removal of taste and odor-causing compounds while continuing to meet existing water treatment standards. GMC teamed up with Brasfield & Gorrie as the construction manager at risk to deliver these process improvements. Construction of the required structural components began in January 2017, paving the way for ARJWS to treat the seasonal taste and odor issues by spring 2018.
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[3]
The Up & Coming June
4-5 June
7-10 June
10-13 June
10-14 June
13-14 June
16-18 June
18-21 June
23-27 July
CONFERENCES & EVENTS
Tennessee Association of Utility Districts Annual Meeting & Conference Chattanooga, Tennessee
Georgia School Board Association Summer Conference Savannah, Georgia
Tennessee Municipal League Annual Conference Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Georgia A4LE, Inc. (formerly CEFPI) Summer Conference Callaway Gardens, Georgia
SAME Savannah Industry Day Savannah, Georgia
Alabama Association of School Boards Summer Conference Orange Beach, Alabama
School Superintendents of Alabama Summer Conference Orange Beach, Alabama
Georgia Municipal Association Annual Conference Savannah, Georgia
July
16-19 July - Aug
30–1 Aug
12–13 Sept
Georgia Association of Water Professionals Annual Conference Savannah, Georgia
AIA Tennessee Conference Memphis, Tennessee
Southern Makers Birmingham, Alabama
Labor Day
4 Sept
10-12 Sept
18-20 Sept
20-22 Sept
27-29
National Association of State Aviation Officials Annual Convention Point Clear, Alabama
Alabama Water and Pollution Control Association Conference Orange Beach, Alabama
Georgia Economic Developers Association Annual Conference Savannah, Georgia
Tennessee Engineers’ Conference Nashville, Tennessee
Independence Day
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Around the Network A Day to Give Back In keeping with GMC’s mission of Building Communities, the Birmingham Architecture department wanted to dedicate a day to giving back to their community. The team chose to gain hands-on experience by working on a Habitat for Humanity house in Crestwood, Alabama, that would help fulfill a local family’s dream of owning a home. They kicked off the day cleaning the job site and staging for the work to follow. Once the site was ready, they tackled the first build task of framing the main porch beams and temporary columns. They spent the remainder of the time setting the roof trusses, and after hours of hard work, all but three of the trusses were set. “It was a very gratifying experience and was great for team building and morale,” said Architecture Vice President Gary Owen. “We plan to continue department outreach events like this that allow us to give back to the community and work together outside of the office.”
Bridging the Gap The GMC Mobile team recently partnered with our clients at Belforest Water System on a community project to benefit the City of Daphne and Daphne East Elementary School. This project was conceived and pursued by the Belforest Water System Board of Directors and consisted of the design and construction of a pedestrian bridge across an existing drainage ditch that lies between Daphne East Elementary and the City of Daphne’s Al Trione Sports Complex. Prior to construction of this bridge, students often had to be transported by bus from the elementary school to the sports complex because of stormwater runoff in the ditch. Providing pedestrian access to the complex, which features baseball, softball and soccer fields, creates many new opportunities for Daphne East’s physical education program and other extracurricular activities for students. Belforest Water System donated all of the materials and provided the construction equipment, while GMC engineers and survey staff donated time to design the bridge, and even helped BWS personnel construct the bridge over a weekend in April. “Knowing the positive impact this project will have on the students and faculty at Daphne East, and the community as a whole, is extremely rewarding. We’re grateful to Belforest Water System for coming up with this concept and allowing GMC to play a part in making the project happen,” said GMC project manager Corley Lauderdale, PE.
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WhistleStop in the Rocket City GMC showed up in full force for the 2017 WhistleStop Weekend at the historic Depot in Downtown Huntsville. Two teams from the Huntsville office, HOT GMC and Good Meat Cooks, competed in several of the barbecue competitions, including the Wing Thing, Shade Tree BBQ, People’s Choice BBQ and Chili Cook-off. Transportation designer Adam Clinard took home third place in the People's Choice Awards for chili and eighth place in the Rocket City Open Chili Championship. GMC sponsored this year’s WhistleStop Weekend, which benefits the EarlyWorks Children's Museum and supports educational programs for children in the community.
A Show of Hands On May 6, 2017, the GMC Greenville team was among the more than 5,000 volunteers working on 106 community projects as part of the United Way of Greenville’s Hands on Greenville (HOG) Day. GMC was paired with Upstate International, a non-profit organization that empowers people and businesses of all nations to thrive by connecting them through programs, events and initiatives that foster the dynamic exchange of international cultures and ideas. Upstate International’s three part-time employees work out of a house originally built in 1945, which requires a significant amount of maintenance. GMC’s employees, spouses, friends and children worked together to spruce up the house, building shelves, installing new floors, deep cleaning inside and out, sanding and priming the exterior, trimming shrubs, planting a new herb and vegetable garden and more.
Digging In Nashville Architecture got their hands dirty volunteering with The Nashville Food Project and Cul2vate Nashville. The team spent the morning gleaning and harvesting crops, including kale, lettuce and tomatoes in Cul2vate’s urban garden at Ellington Agricultural Center. The organization focuses on food as a “tool for building up communities” and supports this mission by growing produce in their urban gardens and sharing resources with those wanting to grow their own food; cooking healthy, hot meals in their kitchens using recovered, donated and garden-grown food; and sharing meals and produce with people in need from their food trucks. Through these efforts, The Nashville Food Project provides more than 3,000 healthy, made-fromscratch meals to those in need throughout their community.
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