CLT Q1 2013

Restoring Washington

Construction Science

After decades of service, many federal office buildings across the nation’s capital are due for an upgrade—a major renovation to bring them into a 21st century of efficiency and sustainability

With its recent construction of the MAXLAB and the Carbon Fiber Technology Facility, ORNL is poised to advance research in construction through the commercialization of low-cost carbon fiber materials

Turner Construction

oak ridge labs

Future Miners rio tinto

Rio Tinto is the leading miner of Rhenium which is used to harden steel and is sought by the aerospace industry to build space vehicles

CONSTRUCTION LEADERS TODAY T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R C A P TA I N S O F I N D U S T R Y

www.constructionleaderstoday.com

Inspiration in Overalls Gordon Bruner

At age 40, Bruner founded VMC Facilities with only $1,500 and an old pick-up truck. Today, the business has blossomed beyond his wildest dreams.

November/December 2012 $24.95 USD $26.30 CAN

CONSTRUCTION LEADERS TODAY T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R C A P TA I N S O F I N D U S T R Y www.constructionleaderstoday.com

The Aftermath of Sandy akf group

AKF Group LLC (AKF) is a full-service consulting engineering firm serving public and private sector clients across the United States and around the world.

in this issue THE MAGAZINE FOR CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY

CONSTRUCTION LEADERS

in every issue

33

04 Staff Editorial 06 Guest Editorial 08 Industry News

TODAY

09 Calendar

Editor-in-Chief Todd Weaver Editor Diana Doyle Executive Editor Jonathan Mack Assistant Editor Joseph Orange

10 The Hot List

Northeast 16 AKF Group AKF Group LLC (AKF) is a full-service consulting engineering firm serving public and private sector clients across the United States and around the world.

20 Delaware State Housing Authority

Creative Director Maria J. Owens Art Director Kris Apodaca Contributing Designer Susan Park Lee Advertising Design Allie Allen Production Assistant Keishia Lovell

The Delaware State Housing Authority is unique among state housing bodies. This recent project has made DSHA the envy of many municipalities.

Editorial Director Kate Darling Staff Writers Drew Grossman, Kevin D. Porter Copy Editor Mariya I. Bouraima Content Directors Sophia Hartwick, Michael Shields, Brandon McBride, Jill Patel, Quenshell Williams, Juan Stewart

21 Demar Plumbing

There isn’t much that Demar Plumbing Corp. doesn’t do.

Vendor Relations Steve Peters Advertising Sales Support Yvonne Chen Advertising Sales Tim Leming, Moe Kazemi Publisher Steve Reed Reprints/Circulation Anne Brewer

oZ WORLD MEDIA, LLC 1100 H Street NW, Suite M Washington D.C. 20005 www.constructionleaderstoday.com Construction Leaders Today is an international quarterly B2B trade journal that services the construction industry in custom build, geothermal, green building, heavy, residential, commercial, civil engineering and specialty trade sectors. CLT has a readership of 200,000 C-Level executives within the construction industry.

We do not accept subscription requests from the general public, however an abbreviated version is available on our website.

108

24 Island Foundations 26 Limbach 27 MJ Mechanical 28 Paramount Builders 30 RAAD Construction 31 Stanmar Construction 33 Lechase Construction 35 Turner Construction (DC) 38 Turner Construction (NJ) 39 Zahler Construction

midwest 42 A.J. Veneklasen Inc.

In the scenic resort town of Harbor Springs, Michigan, builder and general contractor A.J. Veneklasen, Inc. constructed an award-winning facility that pleased both the owner and community.

45 Belfor Restoration As the country’s leader in property restoration and repair, Belfor brings the most extensive network of resources to the rescue when you suffer property damage at your home or business.

46 CPM Planning CPM, Inc. was founded in 1980 by Jerry Williams, P.E. in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Williams recent plans have competitors in awe.

on the cover

Gordon Bruner of VMC Facilities

2 Construction Leaders Today

48 50 52 55 56 57 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67

CSM Group Dream Design International FCL Builders Hagerman Group Mike Koenig Construction Northland Buildings W. Gohman Construction Kirco Manix Construction HDC Development J. Bowers Construction JAQ Corporation Lamar Construction Latoria Brothers Skillman Construction

south 70 Goodwyn Mills and Caywood

Goodwyn Mills and Cawood has offered its expertise in many subject areas of construction, and by fall of next year, it will have helped build a new elementary school for Auburn, Alabama.

74 Apex Construction

Formed in 2010, APEX has grown beyond expectations, and continues to be a front running mid-sized general construction firm.

75 D.E. Murphy

It’s been a few years since Florida-based D.E. Murphy Constructors, Inc. completed construction of the Florida Seminole Veterans Center in Okeechobee, but the unique, star-shaped structure remains a noteworthy symbol of the pride of America’s Indian veterans and their sacrifice for the country.

76 Drymalla Construction 78 E&I Unlimited 79 HGR Construction 80 History Maker Homes 81 Hi-Tide Sales 83 Homes By Vanderbuilt 85 Jenkins Essex 88 New Horizon Construction 89 Oak Ridge National Laboratoy 90 RG Williams Construction 91 Rockrose Group 92 Shaub Construction 93 Story Construction 94 Strasser Construction 95 Teqton Construction 96 Carothers Construction 98 Wallace Companies 99 Wittenberg, Delony and Davidson 100 PM Realty Group

west 102 Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto’s Kennecott Utah Copper has been producing copper, gold and silver since 1903 and molybdenum since 1930.

106 Nitty-Graycor

Founded in 1865 in London’s East End, the Salvation Army has grown into an international movement, providing basic human needs for people all over the world.

107 Spur Construction

Spur Construction is a general contracting and project management firm that specializes in commercial and industrial construction.

108 Kassel and Associates 109 Eddinger Services 111 American Technologies Inc. 112 ADC Corporations

Jan/Feb/March 2013 3

editorial

Work Starts on San Fran's Tallest Building

After years of debate and delays, con- were slowed by financial and design issues. struction officially started this week on the The design has gone through many alteraTransbay Transit Tower complex, an elabo- tions in recent years. rate mixed-use project which will include San Francisco's tallest building.

"The Transbay Transit Tower and neighboring Transbay Transit Center are powerful inBased in the heart of the city at First and dividual buildings designed with a common Mission streets, the project is the city's larg- civic purpose--to create the 21st century est redevelopment effort in decades. gateway to San Francisco and a state-of-theart place marker on its skyline," Fred Clarke, The centerpiece of the project is a senior principal of Pelli Clarke Pelli Archi1,070-foot-tall (326-meter), 60-story office tects, said at groundbreaking ceremonies tower, designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Archi- this week. tects, the creators of Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the World Financial Center Boston Properties and Hines are developin New York and many other iconic projects ing the tower. The city sold the developers around the world. The current tallest build- the land for the tower for $190 million to ing in the city is the iconic Transamerica help finance the transit center.

Pyramid, which is 853 feet.

Transbay, San Francisco

"We wanted something visible at urban scale but almost Zen-like in its simplicity... the idea is to further lengthen and slim the profile and also create something more

The tower will connect to the Transbay Transit Center, which will link 11 different regional transportation systems, creating San Francisco's version of New York's Grand Central Station. The roof of the transit center will be covered with a 5.4-acre park and deep "light columns" that will bring natural light into the complex.

The glass-walled tower will be topped with a 150-foot-tall "transparent crown" that will be lit at night.

"We wanted something visible at urban scale but almost Zen-like in its simplicity... city" the idea is to further lengthen and slim the profile and also create something more Fred Clarke distinctly emblematic of the city," architect Fred Clarke told reporters last September.

distinctly emblematic of the

transbay architect

Mr. Clarke's firm won the commission for the project six years ago, but the developers

4 Construction Leaders Today

editorial

Americans Buying More Second Homes

Inspiration in Overalls Entrepreneur Gordon Bruner channels his passion for construction into a passion for people

Vacation home sales in the United States increased 10.1 percent in 2012, as Americans rekindled their love of second homes.

The number of vacation homes sold in 2012 jumped to 553,000 from 502,000 in 2011, according to data released today by the National Association of Realtors.

"We had a strong stock market recovery, which helps more people in the prime ages for buying vacation homes," NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said. "Attractively priced recreational property is also a big draw." Of all home transactions in 2012, 11 percent were vacation homes, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors.

Seventy-eight percent of all second-home buyers said it was a good time to buy, compared with 68 percent of primary residence buyers, according to a NAR survey.

"This suggests that second-home buyers tend to be a step ahead of general buyers in sensing a market recovery." Yun said.

The typical vacation-home buyer was 47 years old, had a median household income of $92,100 and purchased a property that was a median distance of 435 miles from their primary residence, the NAR survey found. Thirty-four percent of vacation homes were within 100 miles of their primary residence and 46 percent were more than 500 miles away, according to NAR. The typical buyer plans to own their recreational property for a median of 10 years.

The NAR study also found that the number of investment-home sales declined 2.1 percent to 1.21 million from 1.23 million in 2011, but those sales had been typically under a million during the market downturn. Investment homes were 24 percent of all transactions in 2012, a decrease from 27 percent reported in 2011. In both vacation and investment home transactions, all-cash purchases remain common. In 2012, half of investment buyers paid cash as did 46 percent of vacation-home buyers, according NAR.

Lawrence Yun NAR economist "We had a strong stock market recovery, which helps more people in the prime ages for buying vacation homes Attractively priced recreational property is also a big draw."

6 Construction Leaders Today

W

hen Entrepreneur Gordon Bruner reflects on the rapid success of his maintenance and disaster recovery business, four words quickly come to mind: “It’s been a blur.” At age 40, Bruner founded VMC Facilities with only $1,500 and an old pickup truck. Today, the business has blossomed beyond his wildest dreams.

Bruner started out in business as a franchisee of a popular pizza chain. After selling his interest in the company, and a short stint as owner of a soft drink vending operation, he and a friend ventured into part-time building maintenance and Bruner formed VMC Facilities in 1998. After winning a few restaurant contracts, work became brisk as one restaurant job led to another. “In the restaurant business everybody knows everybody,” said Bruner. He spent the next ten years on the road working. Fast forward to the present, VMC Facilities has become an industry leader in restaurant repair and renovation.

“Never in a million years did I figure I would have such a great life,” said Bruner, who has always been involved in some type of construction throughout his career—sometimes simply, “just helping folks out.” At age 54, the restoration and repair guru is living the American dream. He spends his days leading his company, being the face of public relations, and staying in touch with customers. It’s a role that he enjoys. “I get to own my life. I’ve got great people working for me. I get to live my life and focus on what is important to me.”

Those great people include a dedicated workforce of over 70 professionals in a blended team of skilled subcontractors and office staff. The firm performs disaster recovery, remodel and restoration services, along with equipment installs and building modifications in nearly every state east of the Mississippi.

One of VMC’s crowning achievements is the 2010 restoration of Joe’s Crab Shack in Nashville, Tenn. After the Cumberland River overflowed its banks, the restaurant became flooded with five feet of water. The interior of the structure had to been stripped to the studs by Cotton, a mold remediation company. Then VMC went in with a crew of 34 working around the clock and was able to get the restaurant back in operation in time for a major local event known as the CMA

by Kevin Porter

Music Festival. “We completely rebuilt that restaurant in 21 days,” Bruner said. “They wanted to reopen in time for the festival which is a huge opportunity for folks in Nashville.”

But for Bruner, it isn’t all about the money. He recently launched a free iPhone and Android phone app called “Minutes to Save Thousands” which helps businesses better maintain their structures in order to minimize maintenance and repair costs. Being that he is in the business of maintenance and repair, one might ask: Why do that? “I’m a blessed and very fortunate person,” said Bruner. “It’s just another way to give back. For me to be a true partner with my customers I have to try to take care of them. They mean so much to me. I have their best interests at heart. We’re always going to do the right thing, no matter what it takes.”

Gordon Bruner’s efforts to give back don’t stop there. In March 2013, the entrepreneur launched a web-based motivational program entitled “50 Days, Driven to Succeed” which teaches 50 key fundamentals of success, as well as 50 specific traits of successful people. The fundamentals are delivered daily to participants via email and allow them to “listen and learn from a blue-collar guy that has had his ups and downs, and taken notes along the way.” The program was designed to be very cost-effective, combining years of observations and education into an easy-to-digest package for under $50. The program is available at www.hurryitup.com, and Gordon is offering a 50% discount to readers of ‘Construction Leaders Today,’ simply use coupon code FRIENDSOFG when signing up. And by now, Bruner’s clients and associates are very familiar with his motivational catch phrase, “Hurry it up!”

Bruner explained, “There’s no reason to wait until tomorrow when you can start a better future today.”

Despite the success of VMC Facilities, Gordon Bruner is constantly setting new goals for the firm and is expanding the business into the retail sector. But perhaps his most important goal is to leave a legacy. “We stand behind our work,” said Bruner. “You have to have character—that’s what sets us apart.

When I’m gone from the world, I want people to think of me and smile and say ‘he was one of the good guys and he made a difference.’”

industry news

industry news

US Construction Up

Industry Events

1.2% in February

tion was up 0.4 percent while public construction rose 0.9 percent.

Construction spending is expected to keep growing this year, fueled by more homebuilding and broader improvement in the economy.

Construction spending rose 1.2 percent overall in February compared to January, when construction had dropped 2.1 percent, the Commerce Department reported Monday.

Spending rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $885.1 billion, which was 7.9 percent higher than a year ago.

The advance was led by a 2.2 percent rise in private residential construction, which climbed to an annual rate of $303.4 billion, the best showing since November 2008. Private nonresidential construc-

For all of 2012, construction spending increased 9.8 percent, marking the first annual gain after five straight years of declines. Construction spending is still well below healthy levels. But it is slowly coming back, led by a recovery in housing that looks to be strengthening this year.

Steady hiring and nearly record-low mortgage rates have encouraged more Americans to buy homes. More people are also moving out on their own after living with friends and relatives in the recession. That’s driving a big gain in apartment construction and also pushing up rents.

Read more: http://business.time.com/2013/04/01/ us-construction-up-1-2-percent-in-february-2/#ixzz2PKsCx7PT

Hotel Occupancy Rate Jumps in Abu Dhabi Hotels in Abu Dhabi reported an 18.3 percent increase in occupancy rates in February compared to a year earlier, the largest gains in the region, according to new data from STR Global.

The U.A.E. capital, which is growing as both a business and tourist destination, also showed a 24.2 percent jump in revenue per available room to $143.41, STR reports. The occupancy rate hit 76.4 percent for the month.

"The emirate's upper midscale, midscale and economy segments collectively saw the highest ADR growth [in the Middle East/Africa region] in both February and year-end 2012 data," STR Global managing director Elizabeth Winkle said in the report. In total, the region's occupancy rate increased 6.4 percent to 66.4 percent. The average daily rate increased 2.9 percent to US$176.55 and the region showed a 9.5 percent increase in RevPAR to $117.24. reprinted from World Property Channel

Rail network in London is Europe's largest construction project LONDON - Greg Reichmann used to mine coal for Xstrata in Australia's Queensland state. Now he's a tunneler under Mayfair, the most expensive place in the world to rent office space and home to London's hedge-fund district.

Reichmann, 32, is one of several hundred former miners drafted in by Crossrail Ltd. to build a rail network connecting Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport, with the West End entertainment district and offices in the City of London and Canary Wharf. At an estimated $23 billion, it's Europe's largest construction project.

"It differs from mining because you're installing an asset rather than removing it," said Reichmann, a Crossrail assistant project manager, fighting to be heard over the roar of a conveyor belt carrying tons of mud, clay and earth away from a tunnel face 82 feet below the city's Hyde Park. "It's a lot cleaner than coal mining."

The 73-mile railroad will carry as many as 48 trains an hour, with each train carrying as many as 1,500 passengers, and will boost London's rail capacity by 10 percent when it opens in 2018. Each platform is 250 meters long, more than twice the length of Wembley Stadium's soccer field. Crossrail, a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London, created a specialist academy to train more than 2,000 underground workers, and recruiting miners who previously worked as far afield as Niger and South Africa.

"The reality is that with tunneling on this size and scale, the resources are not here at the moment," said Andrew Wolstenholme, chief executive officer of Crossrail. The project always envisaged training its own subsurface workers, said the former officer in the British Army's Royal Engineers and Programme Director for Heathrow's fifth terminal construction.

ENR Global construction summit June 6-7 New York, NY designbuildexpo.com The ENR Global Construction Summit brings together industry professionals from major construction markets around the world to explore growth opportunities and investigate solutions to the most pressing challenges on the international playing field. bauma 2013 April 15-21st Munich, Germany bauma.de/en/ 30th international trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment. remodeling show October 16-18 Chicago, IL theremodelingshow.com The Remodeling Show is the only annual remodeling event for building professionals that brings together the entire remodeling industry for three days. Learn how to grow your remodeling business through construction education, remodeling classes and exhibit hall activities. Don’t miss your once-a-year opportunity to learn about new building products and build connections within the remodeling community.

The Remodeling Show is sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), NAHB Remodelers and Remodeling Magazine. metalcon October 11-13 Atlanta, GA metalcon.com METALCON International is the single resource for anything you've ever wanted to know about using metal in construction. It's a tradeshow that educates professionals on how to integrate metal into traditional and sustainable construction.

ENR Best projects of 2013 Awards June 6-7 New York, NY enr.construction.com/BestProjects/global/2013/ Entries will compete in 20 specialized categories, ranging from airports to education.

An independent jury of industry leaders in design and construction will judge the projects using five criteria through a global perspective, including safety, innovation and teamwork. building industry show October 25 Pasadena, CA buildingindustryshow.com BIS is a Building Industry Trade Show specifically for Building Industry Professionals of the Southern California region. It is the Official Tradeshow of the Building Industry Association of Southern California.

Targeting serious decision makers throughout Southern California, Arizona and Nevada, the BIS Show reaches 6 local BIA/SC Chapters and 12 different councils. BIS provides over 400 exhibitors the opportunity to deal directly with builders, subcontractors, purchasing agents and suppliers — all in one convenient place. reinvention Conference October 17-19 Chicago IL reinventionconf.com As we emerge from the darkest days of the recession, most architects feel lucky to still have a firm to call their own. Whether you have clients in hand or continue to pursue prospects, it’s essential that you understand how your practice can best deliver on its promise. There can be no one-size-fits all approach these days. Each new client requires a different strategy to engage, service, and satisfy. And now more than ever, they all insist upon a higher level of attention and a stronger emphasis on value. Added to the mix is the silent partner everyone must address with every project: Mother Earth.

As well as transporting fliers to Heathrow from London's Canary Wharf financial district in about 40 minutes, a journey that takes about an hour, according to Transport for London, the project will add to the value of real estate here, according to a study by property consultant GVA Grimley commissioned by Crossrail.

8 Construction Leaders Today

reprinted from Bloomberg

Jan/Feb/March 2013 9

the HOTLIST Products, concepts and inspiration for your next project Have something for The Hot List? Email submissions@ozworldmedia.com.

2

the hot list

Australian Hardwood Floors

theownerbuildernetwork.com.au/building-materials/australian-hardwood-floors/?nggpage=2

There is something very appealing about a timber floor. The warmth and feel underfoot is unique. And, of course, the dust and dust mites have a hard time hiding – important if there are any allergies or asthma in the family. Here you’ll find a selection of the major Australian hardwoods, complete with a guide to pricing. There are various grades of flooring for each species. The prices shown here are for select, narrow boards which are typically about 85mm (3.7 inches) wide. Board widths up to 180mm

staff pick!

shiatsu hydromassage Omega shower by Jacuzzi en.jacuzzi.eu/bath/showers/omega/omega/

1

Minimalist yet liveable, the shower cubicle sweeps upwards with ergonomic linearity for a total volume of 100 x 120 x 221 cm, comfortable yet carefree. On the inside, the harmonious lines outlined by the seat accommodate the body in its sinuous curves creating a gentle cocoon effect. At the same time, the steam generator allows you to obtain the best performances of a steam bath, along with the vertical hydromassage functions, the hand shower and the raindrop fixed shower head and the caressing waterfall. For a total immersion in the Morphosis® bath concept, Jacuzzi® has also developed a sanitaryware line, ideal to create a living dimension to be experienced in its entirety. Beyond the concept of the classic bathroom, the “beauty-wellness” space created around Ωmega, in harmony with the contemporary home habitat style, has all the characteristics required to become the new living experience. Simply allow yourself the pleasure to live the exclusive Ωmega experience to the full and pamper yourself to wellness and vitality in a downpour of sensorial emotions

10 Construction Leaders Today

Nylon Wall P Wall matsysdesign.com

3

P_Wall was commissioned by the SFMOMA Architecture and Design Curator Henry Urbach for the exhibition Sensate: Bodies and Design. The wall, part of a series started with P_Wall , is an evolution of the earlier work exploring the self-organization of material under force.

Using nylon fabric and wooden dowels as form-work, the weight of the liquid plaster slurry causes the fabric to sag, expand, and wrinkle.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 11

4

the hot list

recycled building materials archdaily.com/tag/recycled-materials/

6

In today’s world “going green” has become a top priority in our society, and sustainable buildings and design are at the forefront of this green revolution. While many designers are focusing on passive and active energy systems, the reuse of recycled materials is beginning to stand out as an innovative, highly effective, and artistic expression of sustainable design. Reusing materials from existing on site and nearby site elements such as trees, structures, and paving is becoming a trend in the built environment, however more unorthodox materials such as soda cans and tires are being discovered as recyclable building materials. Materials and projects featured after the break.

Pallet Walls

More palletecture — pallets repurposed as building material unconsumption.tumblr.com/post/6982571355/more-palletecturepallets-repurposed-as-building

Wood reclaimed from cargo container pallets is used on the walls, floor, and ceiling of a new addition to Hogue Hall, Central Washington University’s engineering and technology building. LMN Architects of Seattle designed the project — the renovation and expansion of the outdated building constructed in 1970 — to LEED platinum standards. (via Daily Record)

5

Hybrid Excavator caterpillar.com

Caterpillar Inc. unveiled the first model in its new line of hybrid excavators, the Cat 336E H, at its Mossville Industrial Design Center on Oct. 16 at a special trade press event, “The Next Generation is Here.” The new 336E H will be sold and serviced exclusively through the global Cat dealer network following the machine’s official launch at bauma 2013 in Munich, Germany. The order board for the Cat 336E H opens in Feb. 2013, with factory shipments beginning in March 2013

12 Construction Leaders Today

Jan/Feb/March 2013 13

northeast

16 20 21 24 26 27 28 30 31 33 35 38 39

akf group delaware housing authority demar plumbing island foundations limbach mj mechanical paramount builders raad construction stanmar construction lechase construction turner construction (DC) turner construction (NJ) zahler construction

Commercial | northeast

The Formula For Success AKF PROVIDES DISASTER RECOVERY EXPERTISE IN THE AFTERMATH OF hurricane SANDY

Story by Kevin D. Porter Photos courtesy of AKF Group

16 Construction Leaders Today

Jan/Feb/March 2013 17

northeast | construction

Serving new York CitY for over 20 YearS

akf group

the formula for success

by Staff Writer

A

KF Group LLC (AKF) is a full-service consulting engineering firm serving public and private sector clients across the United States and around the world. The firm provides a broad range of engineering services including HVAC, Electrical, Fire/Life Safety, Plumbing & Sanitary Engineering, Central Utilities, Site Utilities and Critical Systems Design. In addition, as projects have become more complex and technically demanding, the firm has created an unparalleled series of Specialty Services, including Commissioning, Testing, Technology, Lighting, Sustainability, Energy Management, BMS, Code Consulting and Special Inspections. This very broad range of services has allowed the firm to become a single source provider to its clients throughout the life cycle of their buildings - from initial infrastructure installation to ongoing operations and maintenance. The benefits to clients were nowhere more evident than during the aftermath of the recent storm when AKF's disaster recovery services were so critical to facilities in the hardest hit areas of Manhattan.

As Superstorm Sandy was wreaking havoc across the tri-State area on October 29th and 30th, AKF's professionals were on the job dealing with the damage and, in the days and weeks that followed, they've been helping clients recover and get back to full operations. From 23rd St. to Wall St. and from the East River to the Hudson River, their disaster recovery expertise has provided welcome relief to many of New York's most prominent buildings.

One example of their extraordinary efforts involved the IAC Building, located at 550 West 18th Street on the corner of Eleventh Avenue in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The 10-story, Frank Gehry-designed building, with its sculpted glass facade, was completed in 2007 and serves as the world headquarters for the media and Internet empire.

At the height of the storm, water from the Hudson River overflowed its banks, flooding the basement and the building lobby and knocking out power to the entire building. Although the emergency generator was located on the 10th floor of the building, the fuel tanks were compromised so there was no way to get fuel to the generator.

AKF, which had previously provided engineering services for the second floor renovations, was on site daily from November 1st, coordinating with ConEd and working on the following disaster recovery items:

1.

ConEd Service (Main Electrical Switchgear) 2.

Distribution panels, lighting, receptacles (General Power) 3.

Fuel Oil Pumps and Tank, Emergency Diesel Generator System 4.

Domestic Water Pumps 5.

Heating and Ventilation 6.

Fire Alarm System 7.

Fire Pumps 8. Elevators 9.

Garage and First Floor Ventilation • The main building electrical switchgear was a complete loss. AKF worked with the building operations staff and Structure Tone in identifying the building electrical systems that required repowering. The Owner rented two (2) generators and temporary fuel oil tanks for immediate use.

AKF worked closely with the electrical contractor and developed plans to intercept the existing building electrical wiring, for connection to the temporary generators. They also provided an N+1 solution that will allow 2 of the 3 backup generators to take up the load if one should fail.

• Within a few days, power to the building distribution panels and lighting from the Ground floor to the roof were restored. This allowed other systems to be tested and energized (i.e. Building Automation System, Fire Alarm Panels, etc.)

18 Construction Leaders Today

C&C Technology Group has established itself as one of the leading manufacturers' representatives for the Telecommunications industry.

Our Manufacturer’s include: Legrand:Ortronics, Berk-Tek, Orion, Tappan Wire & Cable, Legrand:Cablofil, Fluke Networks, Sony, Legrand:Wiremold, Server Technology, and CADDY.

• The existing 5,000-gallon fuel oil tank supplying fuel to the building's 800kW emergency generator was cleaned, remounted and filled. A replacement fuel oil pump skid was purchased, and the building’s emergency generator was re-commissioned and used to serve the building’s data center, an elevator, and other miscellaneous mechanical loads.

• The building’s 800kW emergency generator, which provides power to all required life safety systems, was returned to standby mode.

All fire alarm, emergency lighting, etc. are functional and backed up by the existing system.

• AKF worked with Structure Tone in locating replacement components for the building's domestic water system. New motors were installed and wired to the temporary generators. The water system was restored in a few days, providing water to all lavatories, the cooling towers, and boiler plant.

• With temporary power and water to the boiler plant, IAC's building engineers were able to provide heat to the building prior to and during the Nor’easter. Heating and ventilation for all occupied spaces on the 2nd floor to the roof was restored.

• The fire alarm and fire life safety systems including sprinklers, standpipes, smoke detectors were checked and determined to be in good working order.

• The Fire Alarm Command Station and associated equipment located on the Ground Floor was not damaged by the storm. The system was tested by the fire alarm vendor and witnessed by AKF.

Campbell and daweS ltd. eleCtriCal ContraCtorS

CAMPBELL

AND

84-48 129th Street DAWES LTD.

kew gardenS , ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

new York 11415 (718) 441-6300

84-48 129th Street Kew Gardens,New York 11415 (718) 441-6300

C&C Technology Group 1 Paragon Drive, Suite 150A Montvale, NJ 07645 www.CC-Techgroup.com info@cc-techgroup.com 1-800-313-4175

FAX NO.(718) 441-7090

• AKF worked with Structure Tone and the mechanical subcontractors in locating new fire pumps. The fire pump, jockey pump and associated controllers were replaced and tested within days of the storm. Hydraulic calculations were performed, using the installed fire pump capacity and they satisfy the system demand. The system was tested and witnessed by AKF. • Two elevators have been inspected, tested and powered by the temporary generators to provide service to all floors of the building. All required safeties have been replaced and are operating per design.

• AKF worked with Structure Tone to restore HVAC services to the lobby and cellar levels.

AKF provided field support and consulting services for ten days straight, leading up to the approval by the NYC DOB to change the building’s status to a “Green Sticker”, which allowed re-occupancy on Monday, November 12, 2012 with no restrictions.

IAC's 700 employees, who were re-deployed to other IAC facilities or other remote locations, were delighted to return to the building after the ordeal.

AKF’s Commissioning Group was brought on board to oversee the testing and commissioning of all generators, life safety systems, and electrical services. The group remains on site daily, providing 24x7 coverage of the temporary generators and temporary electrical distribution equipment.

AKF’s Analysis and Testing Group was brought on board to oversee and test all mechanical systems, including the replacement fire pumps and domestic water system.

AKF Engineering was asked to provide additional engineering services to relocate the damaged electrical services from the cellar to a new location within the building.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 19

northeast |Construction

MHDC is a private, non-profit corporation that was organized in 1977 to provide decent, safe, and

sanitary

housing

for

very low to moderate income households in Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware. MHDC has a long history in affordable housing development that has benefited

hundreds

of

low

income citizens of Delaware.

www.milfordhousing.com 977 East Masten Circle Milford, DE 19963 Tel (302) 422-8255

delaware state housing authority Despite challenges, dsha keeps bustling infrastructure projects under control.

by Kevin D. Porter

T

he Delaware State Housing Authority is unique among state housing bodies. The housing authority of The First State, not only serves as Delaware’s State’s Housing Finance Agency, but it also serves as the Public Housing Authority and acts as the Community Development and Planning Agency.

As the Public Housing Authority, the DSHA receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to build, own and operate public housing in two of Delaware’s three counties.

The DSHA has set up a program to help finance the acquisition, new construction or substantial rehabilitation of apartment complexes which are available to low-income individuals and families.

20 Construction Leaders Today

The program is called the Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue Bond Program (MFMRB) and is funded through the issuance of tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds.

In order to apply, borrowers must meet a certain set of requirements. For business partner opportunities, the program allows both corporate and private investors to receive a fair return on their investment in affordable housing. The program offers a credit to individuals, as well as limited partnerships, who own rental housing for lowincome families.

Working low-income families are eligible to reside in Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue Bond Program sites if they receive an income that does not exceed 60 percent of the median, 40

percent in some cases, based on family size and county location.

Bond financing requests are considered individually on a case-by-case basis and tax exempt issues are limited by the size of the state’s allocation of tax exempt bond authority.

Projects will be considered on a priority basis based on if they are located in developable areas, they serve the impoverished, the projects are at risk of conversion from subsidized rental housing, it is an existing rental development in need of substantial rehabilitation or if it is a new construction project that will serve the special needs of certain populations.

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demar plumbing

A Long History of Dedication

by Kevin D. Porter

T

here isn’t much that Demar Plumbing Corp. doesn’t do. For nearly 30 years the firm has diligently served the greater New York City area, and with its 24-hour services, the catastrophes that always seem to crop up in the wee hours and at the most inconvenient of times, are always covered.

Established in 1972 by company founder Nick Demarinis , the family-owned firm—currently presided over by President Alessandro Demarinis—continues to thrive in competitive and bustling New York City.

Demar’s team of professionals includes licensed and insured master plumbers who are at the ready 365 days a year to remedy nearly every trouble imaginable including issues with residential plumbing, clogged drains and sewer cleaning, water heater start-up and repair, boiler installation, repair and inspection, and industrial and commercial renovations. Aside from its customary plumbing services, the firm offers expertise for new construction and rehabilitation, renovation, and development in the way of plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and fire suppression.

Not only does Demar offer convenient services, toward helping to inform patrons about the dangers of but its internal operations are a well-oiled machine. In “backflow” and how to prevent it. Backflow occurs when order to improve even more upon its efficiency, the firm contaminated water from a property reverses its direcrecently upgraded its information technology backbone tion and flows back into the public water supply, posing for smoother record keeping, accounting, and internal major health risks. The firm offers a pictorial, paired processes—translating to a more efficiently run company. with frequently asked questions, in order to educate Demar’s customer service and dedicated work ethic city residents and businesses about how to prevent the have won the firm many highly-visible and much-sought- hazard and how to become in compliance with the New after projects in New York City. A couple prominent York State Department of Health and the New York City projects include involvement in the conversion of a Department of Environmental Protection. former Salvation Army building into luxury apartments Demar Plumbing Corporation has transformed at 18 Gramercy Park South, and 250 West street’s from the “mom-and-pop” operation that opened in dramatic transformation from a former warehouse Little Italy almost 30 years ago, into a multi-million into a luxury condominium completed with general corporation with its hand on the pulse of one of the contractor, New Line Structures. The luxury condos are most significant cities in the world. The firm has forged becoming a landmark in the swanky lower Manhattan relationships and a reputation that are leaving a positive neighborhood of Tribeca. lasting impression upon both the business community Not only does Demar work for the best interests and the construction world. of its clients, but it looks out for the community as well. For the education and welfare of businesses and residents, Demar has dedicated a portion of its website Jan/Feb/March 2013 21

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VENDRICK CONSTRUCTION INC.

A SMALL FOUNDATION SUPPORTING BIG

by Joel Cornell

With high annual growth and a backlog of work standing at a worth of about $22 million, one would think VendRick Construction, Inc. would be a massive corporate construction firm with countless bustling employees. On the contrary, the relatively small staff that VendRick Construction, Inc. began with in 1993 has remained the stable foundation of their success to this day.

“Our real specialty lies in our ability to properly manage and utilize our short list of highly trained and experienced employees and subcontractors who we rely on like family to make sure that our clients budget, scheduling and aesthetic needs are met every step of the way,” said company president Frank Vendemia.

Vendemia began in the industry after receiving his degree in civil engineering. In his senior year in college, he worked with Derrick “Rick” Dickson, who managed his own construction company. Right out of high school, Dickson entered into a local carpentry apprenticeship program. He worked with a local commercial contracting company for nearly two decades before starting his own business. It was this company that Vendemia worked for before he wanted to

GROWTH

start his own business as well. Vendemia and Dickson decided to partner up instead, and see how that suited them and their goals. Should any problems arise, they would go their separate ways. To this day, Vendemia and Dickson have been doing what they love and have kept their business and their passion going strong.

“For the most part,” Vendemia said, “we tend to handle public works projects such as large multifamily complexes, school renovations and medical facilities. We don’t always take on the most attractive or visible projects; that’s not our aim. We want to work on projects that fit our forte. Whether we’re working on a public bid project for a school renovation or a design/ build project for an apartment complex, we’re able to provide the ultimate service to our clients by keeping our management teams small and project-oriented, while relying on a family of experienced employees and specialized subcontractors and specialists who are the absolute best at what they do.”

Located in Brookfield, Ohio close to the Pennsylvania border, VendRick Construction, Inc. operates locally in a 60 mile radius. Despite

the fact that VendRick’s annual revenues have grown by millions of dollars every year, they focus on building projects locally. They can utilize their knowledge of the area, its nuances and its residents to give their clients the highest quality building program.

“We do as much of the work ourselves as we can manage,” Vendemia said, “but once we’re outside our internal capacity to perform efficiently, we reach out to our roster of quality subcontractors to work with people we know and trust to get the job done right and on time.”

VendRick Construction, Inc.’s philosophy promises the continued involvement of at least one company principal on each and every project, as well as the commitment to quality construction by the entire building group working as a single team.

Both Rick and Frank attribute the company’s success to their faith, family, and friends. By focusing on building proper relationships and teams as much as they concentrate on the buildings themselves, VendRick Construction, Inc. is able to maintain a history of quality projects done on time, every time. ALT

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island foundations

Providing the foundation for the new New York Police Academy Building

by Drew Grossman

M

ichael Bloomberg is the 108th mayor of New York City and even though his legacy is still being created, many New York police officers will remember Bloomberg as the mayor that broke ground on a much needed new police academy. A team of construction companies including Island Foundations Corporation, Turner Construction and STV Construction Management are currently in the process of building the new 35-acre police training complex in Queens.

The joint venture of Turner Construction and STV Construction Management are serving as construction manager and Island Foundations is providing all of the superstructure concrete. The new facility is replacing New York’s antiquated academy, which opened nearly half a century ago in Gramercy Park in Manhattan. Aside from the old academy, various police training facilities were scattered throughout the city, causing for long commutes and ineffecient training. The new complex in Queens will consolidate all of those facilities.

A new police academy has been on the to-do list of New York City mayors for more than 20 years. In 1989, in his last year in office, Mayor Edward Koch proposed construction of a new academy for the Police Department. Three years later, Mayor David Dinkins unveiled a model for the new academy, but the project hit a roadblock in 1995 when Mayor Rudy Giuliani cut financing for the project. In his third term in office, Mayor Bloomberg broke ground on the academy and the first phase is likely to be completed in 2013.

“This is a project that has started and stalled through three previous city administrations and now it is getting built,” Bloomberg said in a press release.

“The new academy will vastly improve the officer training that goes into making 24 Construction Leaders Today

the NYPD the world’s greatest and most advanced police department, by providing a state-of-the-art facility that can serve the department’s 21st-century needs.”

The first phase of construction includes an eight-story academic building, a physical training facility and a central utility plant with chillers and boilers for the entire campus. The physical training facilities are constructed like actual streetscapes in order to simulate the kinds of conditions officers face out in the field.

The next phase will include a firing range, driver-training area and a ‘tactical training village.” When completed the project is expected to qualify for the LEED Innovation Credit for Health because of the many fitness amenities throughout the campus. There is a running track and walking routes through the campus’s landscaped gardens.

Other sustainable features like rainwater harvesting and reuse on the site, and a biofiltration system for stormwater runoff, will help to keep operating costs down. The complex will also feature energy-efficient lighting, green roofs and a high-performance building envelope with solar shading and daylight harvesting.

The city’s previous police training facilities were dated and lacking modern resources, the new complex will be an example of what is possible with highlevel design, construction and appropriate funding. The academy will be able to accommodate approximately 2,000 recruits, but will also serve as a training facility for civilians, active duty officers and visiting police officers.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 25

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construction | northeast

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limbach new england

Charles A. Bacon: Getting Workers Home Safely

C

harlie Bacon knows about workplace hazards. His grandfather lost eight fingers to metal shears on his first day on a new job.

His father saw a coworker die after falling into a batch plant.

Charlie himself saw a coworker crushed by a falling elevator counterweight on a high-rise project.

But after hiring Indianapolis-based safety consultant JMJ Associates, he recognized that accidents were not inevitable if the entire team adopts the concept of zero incidents and injuries.

He took this concept to Pittsburgh-based mechanical contractor Limbach Facility Services when he was named CEO in 2004.

“We can’t babysit every worker all the time,” Bacon notes. “You have to make the workers understand that you want them to stay safe and return home to their families at the end of their shift.”

To achieve this, Bacon has used some unusual methods. Once, to underline the idea that managers are responsible for worker safety, the managers’ spouses were invited to safety training to demonstrate that workers’ lives depend on their decisions.

Now, workers write letters to their families to say goodbye in case they are killed on the job. “It is amazing to see macho guys break down in tears over the letter. This makes it clear to them that their safety affects their loved ones, too,” he says.

26 Construction Leaders Today

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by Gary J. Tulacz reprinted from Limbach News

Bacon also requires an analysis of every incident and near-miss. These reports are circulated throughout the company for review.

“The lawyers warned these reports would be subject to discovery in case of a lawsuit, but the lessons learned help us improve working conditions,” he says.

The program is working: Injury claims are down substantially over the past eight years.

Also, Limbach was named the 2012 Grand Champion in Workers’ Comp Risk Management by National Underwriters’ Property & Casualty magazine. Limbach’s New England Branch opened in 1960. Operating out of Woburn Massachusetts, they serve the Greater Boston area, in addition to regions throughout New England Bacon's crusade has spread beyond Limbach. He is a founding member of the Incident and Injury-Free CEO’s Forum, where CEOs of contractors such as Skanska USA, Gilbane and Jacobs discuss safety issues.

“I have learned a lot from my fellow CEOs. I just hope more people join the crusade to ensure their people come home safely every night,” he says.

The goto guys for commerical HVAC in Western NY by Staff Writer

M

J Mechanical Services was founded in 1977. Since then MJ Mechanical has been one of the leading commercial and industrial mechanical contractors in Western New York (WNY) with offices in Tonawanda (a suburb of Buffalo), Rochester and Olean, NY. They are dedicated and highly trained heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors. Over the past 30 years, MJ Mechanical has grown to become Western New York’s leader as a single source contractor by expanding the following departments: Service, Controls, Balancing (NEBB certified), Installation, Fabrication, Boiler Retubing and Refractory. They have maintained that status by exceeding the expectations of our customers. In 1998, MJ Mechanical joined Comfort Systems USA, an organization of leading specialty contractors across the country. This partnership with their sister companies of Comfort Systems USA enables them to diversify their expertise and manpower for any given situation or location. Their commitment to quality, innovation, and safety will ensure that all of your HVAC or process needs are met. If you are looking for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor for your industrial or commercial needs, MJ Mechanical is the preferred contractor of choice. They also specialize in duct and specialty metals fabrication and process piping.

MJ Mechanical has a staff of over 175 dedicated and highly trained professionals who offer knowledge in the fields of design build process, value engineering, estimating, and preventative maintenance. They service the WNY area including

Buffalo, Rochester, Olean New York, and parts of North Eastern Pennsylvania.

Their experience is extensive, from projects for small renovations to complex mechanical systems. placement and service assistance. As a full service HVAC contractor we offer design/build, installation, repair, replacement and service assistance. They have in-house sheet metal fabrication, mechanical and duct system installation, control, automation and piping capabilities.

They have performed work for a variety of markets, including industrial, education, healthcare, medical/research, retail, historic preservation, and residential.

Repeat business with an expanding client list is strong testimony to MJ Mechanical’s focus on exceeding all of our client’s requests.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 27

northeast | general contracting

general contracting | northeast

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paramount builders

The Girl Scouts teamup with Paramount Builders

by Drew Grossman

T

he Girl Scouts are changing, says the leadership of the more than 100-year-old movement for young girls. Today’s girl is more interested in the big city than the great outdoors, Susan Thompson, a regional CEO of the movement, said in an October 2012 article in The Charleston Gazette.

To accommodate this shift, the Girls Scouts of Black Diamond are acquiring a new 28,500-square-foot facility to serve as council headquarters. The Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council serves nearly 20,000 girls each year in 61 counties in West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia and Maryland. The council has 13 regional offices for the convenience of volunteers and Girl Scout members.

The new headquarters is in Charleston, W.V., a location that allows easy access from troops all over the Black Diamond jurisdiction. Its home in Charleston gives visiting troops access to civic learning experiences at the state capital, as well as visual arts, performing arts and sciences at the nearby Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences.

Paramount Builders, Inc. is building the headquarters along with a design/build team that includes ZMM Architects, architect Marie McCauley, engineer Mary Jo Cleland and interior designer Jill Watkins. Paramount is a locally owned and operated contractor in the Charleston suburb of Saint Albans, W.V.. The firm specializes in commercial, design/build, construction management, consulting and residential construction. Paramount is known for their attention to every detail, making sure that each client comes away with a positive experience.

Construction of the Girl Scout headquarters consists of a renovation and addition that will reconstruct the front portion of the building. The new hotel-like facility is nicknamed the Girl Zone and will offer more comfortable accommodations than traditional more rustic Girl Scout camps. The quarters 28 Construction Leaders Today

for visiting troops will consist of two bedrooms, each with six bunks, showers, bathrooms and sinks. There will be no need for visiting girls to spare their vanity while staying at the Black Diamond Council Headquarters.

The great room is located in the back of the building and will have two kitchens in order to accommodate multiple troops visiting at the same time.

However, the outdoor experience will not be lost on visitors to the new facility.

There will be an outdoor education area with a campfire and there are even plans to put in a climbing wall for the more adventurous girl scouts.

Aside from housing visiting troops, the headquarters will also serve as a resource center with offices for 27 to 28 staff members, volunteer services and a store to buy Girl Scout merchandise.

The Girl Scouts have been in operation since March 1912 and educate with a commitment to providing girls the tools the need to be successful leaders now and throughout their lives. The new Black Diamond Council Headquarters, built by Paramount Builders, Inc., is a testament to taking that tradition of excellence into the next 100 years.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 29

northeast | general contracting

construction | northeast

general contracting | northeast

FINE LINE INTERIORS Fine Line Interiors is proud to be working the Steve Tisch project. Fine Line Interiors privately held sub-contracting firm specializ in delivering the best in acoustic ceilings a wall panel solutions. In the industry for years, Fine Line is committed to partneri with their clients, helping them successfu

stanmar construction RAAD CONSTRUCTION

I

restores New York City’s first municipal airport

by Travis Andrews

n the Easternmost part of Brooklyn sits a long-forgotten airstrip called the The difficulties did not lie simply in recreating many of the historic aspects, Floyd Bennett Field Terminal. What many people don’t know is that, at one though things like the murals and the doors were not exactly easy to find: no one time, this was targeted to be the main airport in the city of New York. Built was walking into the local Home Depot and finding these things. Instead, the well before JFK, it was the very first airport the city ever had, and for the past challenges were two-fold: how one recreates a historically accurate building while two years it sat vacant and decaying. adhering to new construction guidelines such as the Americans with Disabilities RAAD, LLC, won the contract to help restore the historic building and did just Act and how to perform the demolition of the aforementioned additions without that. The history of the terminal is storied and brings with it a wealth of change to destroying any of the original aspects. the building, which was to be restored to its 1930 glory. Unfortunately, a few things “We have to maintain the same size spaces,” Poppe said. “Some of the areas, happened along the way, aside from the regular decay of a building over time that heading up the stairs, aren’t ADA accessible. That’s why we had to install an elevator. made this proposition more difficult than it could have been.

If it wasn’t a historic project, we would have built the elevator outdoors.”

The biggest historical moment that took the building in a different direction was Instead, he and his team cut through the floors to install an elevator while the takeover of the terminal by the NAVY in 1941. It went from the first municipal remaining careful to maintain the façade at the top, around the newly created airport in New York to a NAVY base during World War II. The site remained as elevator shaft. It wasn’t easy, but it was doable and more people will get to view such ever since, until a couple of years ago when it was simply abandon and left the airport-turned-museum for it. to crumble.

The demotion was a story in and of itself: going through and trying to “mainThe NAVY didn’t have much use for many of the airport’s more aesthetically tain the historical fabric and cultural importance of the building” meant making pleasing features, such as its giant murals and beautifully intricate trim along the choices as to what was historic and what was important. And often, there wasn’t a ceilings. The building was instead repurposed to be more utilitarian, and much of road map lighting the way. But, armed with hundreds of pages of documentation the art was painted over while new walls were built over the existing structures. on what made the building history, RAAD was able to replicate the old building.

“I think the biggest culprit was when the NAVY took over, then over the years “It was a very challenging job,” Poppe said. it’s just renovation after renovation, so there’s layers and layers of paint. All the But it was also one of the most rewarding jobs he’s ever completed. Aside historic painting, they had transportation murals all around the rotunda areas, from the fact that he restored the original airport for New York City, he got an they were painted over in white paint,” said RAAD CEO Harry Poppe. “We found inside glimpse into a world most don’t get to experience first-hand: how things historical moldings behind a wall, and we restored it.” were actually crafted and built nearly 100 years ago. The construction world has The wall had been built over the art, though no one seems to know exactly certainly, along with everything else, experienced myriad changes along the way. what. What is known is that way back when, one could walk into the main lobby So seeing the original way it was built was an experience Poppe is excited to have and view a gigantic mural of a steam ship, a locomotive and a stage coach. This, had: a reward for a job well done.

The thing that struck him the most was the delicacy and beauty of craftsmanlike everything else, was painted over when the NAVY took control, but RAAD hired an artist to restore the mural. ship that went into the building of the terminal, something he said isn’t particularly The project, which was a historical restoration, stabilization project,” included” common in today’s world. “You can look back and appreciate it. The craftsmanship. the restoration of historic features with the paint and plaster. We had to upgrade The amount of effort: these people actually took pride in their work. You don’t see the MAP systems. We replicated the historic doors. We installed a new three-stop that much today,” he said. elevator,” Poppe said.

30 Construction Leaders Today

head of the class

W

by Kevin Porter

hen Stanmar, Inc. first opened its doors 100 years ago the firm focused primarily on the manufacture of building materials and custom wood trusses. By the 1950’s it had evolved into the construction of prefab vacation homes and years later transitioned into builds for the YMCA. Today, the firm is a leader in the construction of athletic and recreational facilities for colleges and universities across the nation – universities like Tufts in Medford, Mass. Stanmar scored big with its recent construction of the institution’s Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center.

The University’s existing sports facilities were comprised of three buildings: the Gantcher Center built in the 1900s, the Cousens Gymnasium constructed between the ‘90s and 2000s and the Ames Fitness Center – erected in the 1940s.

However the three structures lacked a unifying main entrance – in fact the existing entry was through a basement door. One of the main objectives of the University was to create a significant entrance and a cohesive feel among the three facilities.

“To have a sense of arrival was important,” said Stanmar, Inc. President Mark Snider. “There were three generations of buildings that had no relationship to each other. Also Tufts needed a significant place for recreation. They needed team locker rooms, seminar rooms and a large amount of office spaces. So it’s never quite simple. They had a lot of needs to be addressed.” Stanmar decided that the best solution would be to design and construct a new building that would be situated in front of Ames and would provide a new entry as well as connect the other facilities.

Teamed with architects RGO Partnership located in Newton, Mass. and Boston-based DiMella Shaffer, Stanmar Inc. conducted the first design and construction meetings for the proposed 42,000 sq.ft. facility in 2010. In April 2011 construction crews broke ground.

During the construction process, Stanmar never dropped the ball while juggling several details in order to bring together an efficient, fully-equipped facility. “There were many details to pull together,” Snider said. One important consideration was the fact that the new building faced south. While that provided

a great source of sunlight, it also saturated the fitness room. So Stanmar developed a special solar shading device to provide maximum comfort and convenience for users. Other significant details involved custom casing to showcase University trophies as well as convenient elevator access. But one of the most significant efficiencies created was the conversion of an unused second level in the Gantcher Center. Stanmar connected the linear, vacant space to the new building, creating an “office bank” which solved the University’s shortage of office space.

Construction was completed in August 2012. The new $16 million facility, known as the Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center, is a modern and cohesive redesign of the sports complex. The center’s harmonic blend of brick, glass and copper exteriors creates a dialogue between the existing structures while a new outdoor plaza leads the way toward the University’s main campus. The entrance to the new facility establishes a sense of place and is complete with a lobby that leads to a new fitness center, men’s and women’s varsity team rooms, a sports medicine facility, as well as Athletic Department offices and classrooms.

Several sustainable concepts were incorporated into the construction of the new center including LED lighting, solar shading, heat recovery, high-performance glazing and natural day lighting. Snider also pointed out that the site itself was developed on an existing lot in order to keep the landscape as natural as possible.

Response from the student body has been positive. “The sophomores, juniors and seniors are overwhelmed by it,” said Snider. “They compare it to what they had. It has become a wonderful destination which before never existed.” He is especially proud of the savings that Stanmar provided for the University. “They had a $21 million budget. Our final price came in at $16 million.” A savings that was accomplished by retooling existing spaces to make the facility and overall construction process more efficient. “We’re very respectful of the budget. We put efficiencies in so that they don’t lose anything of quality but also so that they don’t have waste. We are very good listeners to each customer. This is our specialty.”

Jan/Feb/March 2013 31

northeast | general contracting

general contracting | northeast

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start his own business as well. Vendemia and Dickson decided to partner up instead, and see how that suited them and their goals. Should any problems arise, they would go their separate ways. To this day, Vendemia and Dickson have been doing what they love and have kept their business and their passion going strong.

“For the most part,” Vendemia said, “we tend to handle public works projects such as large multifamily complexes, school renovations and medical facilities. We don’t always take on the most attractive or visible projects; that’s not our aim. We want to work on projects that fit our forte. Whether we’re working on a public bid project for a school renovation or a design/ build project for an apartment complex, we’re able to provide the ultimate service to our clients by keeping our management teams small and project-oriented, while relying on a family of experienced employees and specialized subcontractors and specialists who are the absolute best at what they do.”

Located in Brookfield, Ohio close to the Pennsylvania border, VendRick Construction, Inc. operates locally in a 60 mile radius. Despite

the fact that VendRick’s annual revenues have grown by millions of dollars every year, they focus on building projects locally. They can utilize their knowledge of the area, its nuances and its residents to give their clients the highest quality building program.

“We do as much of the work ourselves as we can manage,” Vendemia said, “but once we’re outside our internal capacity to perform efficiently, we reach out to our roster of quality subcontractors to work with people we know and trust to get the job done right and on time.”

VendRick Construction, Inc.’s philosophy promises the continued involvement of at least one company principal on each and every project, as well as the commitment to quality construction by the entire building group working as a single team.

Both Rick and Frank attribute the company’s success to their faith, family, and friends. By focusing on building proper relationships and teams as much as they concentrate on the buildings themselves, VendRick Construction, Inc. is able to maintain a history of quality projects done on time, every time. ALT

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32 Construction Leaders Today

lechase construction

60 Years Old and Still Leading The Pack

by Staff Writer

A self-described modernist in theory and style, founder and owner Seth Howe draws inspiration from everything around him and is sensitive to how his clients will experience and move through their spaces.

VENDRICK CONSTRUCTION INC.

A SMALL FOUNDATION SUPPORTING BIG

by Joel Cornell

With high annual growth and a backlog of work standing at a worth of about $22 million, one would think VendRick Construction, Inc. would be a massive corporate construction firm with countless bustling employees. On the contrary, the relatively small staff that VendRick Construction, Inc. began with in 1993 has remained the stable foundation of their success to this day.

“Our real specialty lies in our ability to properly manage and utilize our short list of highly trained and experienced employees and subcontractors who we rely on like family to make sure that our clients budget, scheduling and aesthetic needs are met every step of the way,” said company president Frank Vendemia.

Vendemia began in the industry after receiving his degree in civil engineering. In his senior year in college, he worked with Derrick “Rick” Dickson, who managed his own construction company. Right out of high school, Dickson entered into a local carpentry apprenticeship program. He worked with a local commercial contracting company for nearly two decades before starting his own business. It was this company that Vendemia worked for before he wanted to

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Since Raymond F. LeChase founded LeChase Construction in 1944, the LeChase name has been synonymous with building construction.

In 1981, Raymond “Wayne” LeChase succeeded his father as President and Chief Executive Officer. This change in leadership renewed motivation company-wide, provided a fresh management style and attracted extremely qualified construction people.

Capitalizing on this wealth of new talent, LeChase opened up management of the company to a team of partners in the late 1990’s, and in 2002, appointed William H. Goodrich as President and Chief Operating Officer. Bill’s passion for excellence is keenly focused on maintaining the company’s core philosophies.

In 2007, Wayne became Chairman and Managing Partner, and appointed Bill as President and Chief Executive Officer.

LeChase Construction is a full–service construction management and general construction firm with extensive experience in a wide range of industries. They pride ourselves on ensuring that our corporate culture, which is based on safety, quality and integrity, is evident from their office staff through to each jobsite.

They are a highly diversified construction management and general construction firm and have experience managing projects in many industry segments. In addition, They remain active and engaged in our industry and belong to many associations and peer groups such as Fails Management Institute (FMI) and American Contractors Insurance Group (ACIG).

As a forward–moving company, LeChase aligns itself with customers who are looking for partnerships and long–term relationships. As evidence that they are “doing it right the first time,” they have an impressive amount of repeat business alongside a growing client list.

One recent project that showcases LeChase's unique abilities is the SUNY College at Brockport SERC facility. The SUNY College at Brockport in conjunction with Lechase Construction broke ground on a $40 million multiuse facility on its campus.

The Special Events Recreational Center will be used for academics, concerts, recreational and sporting events, commencements and community activities, officials said. LeChase Construction Services will build the initial 138,000-square-foot portion of the facility, which will grow to 158,000 square feet when completed by late summer 2012, school officials said. The building will include seating for 5,500, a six-lane indoor track, fitness center, multipurpose room and a throwing cage for shot put and discus.SERC will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified silver building standards, Brockport officials said.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 33

northeast | general contracting

Millco Woodworking is a family owned and operated full service custom cabinetry and millwork shop located in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York.

AWI Premium Grade Certified & FSC Certified www.millcowoodworking.com

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general contracting | northeast

tela stretch systems has invested, researched, and trained the industry’s sharpest estimators, responsible project managers, and experienced installers in the world. our goal is to provide you with an efficient, hassle free installation experience.

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“What we’ve done is we’ve shown the world the world,” said EarthCam CEO Brian Cury. “We’ve been developing camera technology solutions for our clients that allow them to instantly view real time video of everything from their own job sites, like we did with the Heart of Doha for Turner Construction,to the Panama Canal, the Guggenheim Museum and more locations, both private and public, all over the world.”

From portable trailer-based cameras and solar wireless units to high resolution documentation cameras panning private and public sites alike, EarthCam is the premier provider for any client’s monitoring or camera needs. Featured frequently on CNN and other news networks, cable and local alike, EarthCam incorporates a wide range of additional services, giving their clients unique levels of control and integration.

“We work closely with our clients to give them a complete end to end solution,” Cury said. “We consult with them daily, we address their concerns and find out exactly what they are seeking to accomplish. Then, based on their

needs, we can outfit their projects with any of our more than 300 different camera technology solutions in order to let the client succeed. We incorporate our software as a service, allowing the client to log in from anywhere they can access the Internet in order to view archives, manipulate their cameras and many more features.”

In addition to government agencies, corporations, municipalities and others across the world, EarthCam has been working with Turner Construction for over a decade. EarthCam has provided vital camera technology for Turner Construction’s documentation and promotion efforts on some of their most significant projects. Yankee Stadium, Hearst Tower, Madison Square Garden, the World Trade Center and subsequent clean up efforts; all of these prominent projects and many more across the world make up just a fraction of the total sum of EarthCam’s global efforts.

by Joel Cornell

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www.oneontablock.com 34 Construction Leaders Today

turner construction (DC) Restoring Washington DC's Government Buildings

A

fter decades of service, many federal office buildings across the nation’s capital are due for an upgrade—a major renovation to bring them into a 21st century of efficiency and sustainability.

Originally built in 1961, Federal Office Building 8 (FOB 8) located in the southwest section of Washington, DC was one such facility.

Turner Construction Company and architect Boggs & Partners led efforts to modernize the outdated facility.

“Our scope of work was to take a completed structure, remove a significant portion of the façade and the roof, and replace it with more modern materials,” said Turner Executive Project Manager Darien Grant. Grant is a 23-year veteran at Turner whose project credits include the recent completion of

by Kevin Porter

DC’s Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. Changes to the facade and roof of FOB 8 were initiated by the General Services Administration (GSA)—the owners of the facility—in order to improve upon the structure’s natural lighting, functionality and overall aesthetics. Planners are aiming for a LEED Gold certification.

LEED standards can have very strict specifications, especially when it comes to material procurement. “The LEED restrictions make it so that materials have to be sourced within 500 miles,” Grant said. Steel used in the project also had to be extracted, melted and fabricated within 500 miles of the site.

In addition to stringent LEED standards, government regulations added to the many considerations made throughout the project. Tom Sawyer, the onJan/Feb/March 2013 35

northeast | general contracting

general contracting | northeast

Institutional Commercial Residential Liturgical

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Contact us today for all of your stone industry needs: 7953 Angleton Court, Lorton,Virginia 22079 P:571.642.2672 | F:571.642.2678 | info@rugostone.com | www.rugostone.com

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Anderson & Associates Focused on Service, Focused on you.

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36 Construction Leaders Today

SURVEYING 3D SCANNING SERVICES TRANSPORTATION GEOSPATIAL (GIS)

Meyer Consulting Engineers Corporation Structural Engineers•Quality Control Managers•Construction Inspectors

Meyer Consulting Engineers Corporation is a professional organization specializing in structural engineering, quality control management, construction materials testing & inspection, and related professional services for the construction industry.

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451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 600, Rockville, MD 20850 Phone: 301.738.5690 | Fax: 301.738.5695 www.mcecorp.com

site senior project manager said, “There was a list of countries that we could buy from.” Tight security policies also governed the work site. “We had an internal badging system to make sure everybody who was there was supposed to be.”

The District, notoriously congested with heavy motor and pedestrian traffic—like most major cities—can be a tricky place for a bustling worksite.

Located on C Street in southwest, FOB 8 was a site with a small footprint. “It’s a relatively tight sight,” said Sawyer. “When doing the site package, sidewalks, and public space areas we had to get permits from the city to close sidewalks, etc.” Turner also utilized debris netting to provide an added layer of protection for pedestrians. In order to mitigate impacts to traffic, material deliveries were coordinated and staged.

The renovation included a complete interior gut of the facility which also involved an abatement that was contracted out by GSA. The structure also received substantial security upgrades to improve safety. Amid tricky site logistics and other construction challenges, meeting the client’s expectations was always the highest priority. Grant said, “I think the big picture challenges were servicing the client, as they continued to work with and service their future tenants, to make sure that we could incorporate the additional work they wanted within

the calendar period. We were able to incorporate a lot of extra work for the tenants.” That work involved the completion of specific requests that tailored spaces to suit each tenant’s needs. “All of this was possible because of GSA. They worked extremely hard to make sure that they streamlined processes and procedures. Their mantra has been all about coordination. All of our success is inextricably linked.”

Regarding the project’s LEED Gold objective, there were several sustainable concepts implemented that put the facility well within reach, including a roof that is both green and reflective, a storm water irrigation system, and advanced insulation techniques that maximize efficiency, to name a few. “The building design started out to seek LEED Silver, and early on in the process GSA decided to go for LEED Gold,” said Grant. “Turner is the number one LEED Building contractor in the county.”

Being number one with its client is also a top priority for Turner— a goal that is reached by “understanding their needs and making sure we are being responsive,” Grant said.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 37

northeast | general contracting

206 McGaw Drive | Edison, NJ 08837 Main Office: 732.509.1100 Fax: 732.509.1090

general contracting | northeast

FULL LINE

Forest Electric specializes in commercial, industrial, maintenance and telecommunication construction. We offer preconstruction/value engineering, design build and an in house department of 3D BIM design/coordination that is second to none.

Our skill, experience, purchasing power, and access to technical and financial resources enable us to complete your project in a timely manner with cost competitive performance. Owned by EMCOR, the largest U.S. specialty contractor, Forest New Jersey has a nationwide network of sister companies experienced in working together, linking our strengths to meet our customers’ needs and to provide integrated project delivery.

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Fiber Cement Siding • Vinyl Siding • Aluminum Siding • Wood Siding • Replacement Windows • Roofing • Gutters • Doors PO Box 680 Olney | MD 20830 301.774.0194 | www.chsiding.com

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c.h. siding and exteriors The C.H. Siding & Exteriors Company, Inc. is located in Maryland and has been in business for 20+ years for residential and commercial buildings. We operate in Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, and Ohio regions, doing projects with nationa home builders. Our major services include; Siding, Roofing, Gutter, Windows & Door

turner construction (nj) Building Princeton University's Medical Center

W

hen it came to building a new hospital, the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro in Plainsboro, N.J. looked to their most trusted advisers. They wanted input from the people with the best understanding of the healthcare needs of the facility so they solicited advice from their doctors, nurses, caregivers and most importantly, their patients.

The hospital hired Turner Construction Co. to serve as the general contractor for the project and construct a more than 630,000-square-foot health care facility. The owners replaced the existing hospital after determining that it would be more cost-effective and serve the community better in the long term to build a new facility instead of trying to renovate and expand the hospital’s existing campus.

Turner was tasked with demolition of the old hospital and utility relocation to the new site, which began in April 2008. A year later, the firm started on foundation excavation, ground stabilization and erosion work.

The new hospital is located on a 160-acre health campus that also includes an attached medical office building, education center, skilled nursing facility and a 32-acre public park.

There are 237 single-patient rooms that are specially designed to prevent the spread of infections, reduce falls and improve communications. Each room has dedicated ventilation, temperature controls and room-service dining.

Natural light plays a significant role both in the aesthetic design and the sustainable features of the hospital. The main visitor entrance is a light-filled atrium and both public corridors and patient rooms also take full advantage of natural light and views of the surrounding landscape.

For the new University Medical Center, Turner Construction built a 38 Construction Leaders Today

by Drew Grossman

22,000-square-foot emergency department that includes specialty areas for pediatric, behavioral health, cardiac catheterization and vascular laboratories.

The hospital has a curved design, which creates an interesting look as well as a unique structural grid. In order to make each of the patient’s rooms the same width, the grid lines that form the rooms radiate out from a central point.

“There are virtually no 90-degree angles in the structural grid,” says Turner Project Executive Greg Ryan in a feature story for newyork.construction.com.

The seven-story hospital is a steel-framed building made with concrete and gypsum drywall. The north wall is clad in masonry with punch windows and highlighted with architectural metal panels. For the south face of the curved portion of the building, Turner Construction installed an aluminum and glass curtain wall.

Even though the building is designed to meet LEED certification, the owners are not going after the green-building classification. But, the hospital is still extremely energy efficient. Turner constructed exterior screens that attach to the facade in order to regulate sunlight and reduce the amount of energy that is required to heat and cool the facility.

The hospital also features a chilled-water thermal-energy storage system and environmental controls for lighting and temperature to reduce electricity usage.

The facility generates its own electricity and steam through an onsite cogeneration power plant, which is expected to reduce energy usage by 35 percent.

The project covers the needs of a growing hospital and is designed and built using sustainable practices. For Turner Construction, The University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro is a testament to the high level of work that the construction firm is capable of.

zahler construction The Dynamic Duo

W

by Staff Writer

illiam Zahler founded Zahler Construction & Development on the tradition of honest workmanship and integrity started by his grandfather three generations ago. He began his own general contracting and construction management company in Richmond, Virginia at the age of 22, and was at the forefront of that city’s explosive growth in the 1990’s. William was a Division Manager for Struever Rouse Homes and a Senior Vice President for Artery Homes.

He approaches every project from “both sides of the blueprint,” with experience managing site selection, development financing, design, and on-site construction management. William is a Board Member of the Home Builders Association of Maryland, The Certified Master Builders and Remodelers Council (former President), and is the Founding CoChair of the Maryland Residential Green Building Council. He holds a BSBA in Business Administration with a concentration in Real Estate and Construction Management from the University of Denver. William received his MBA in Real Estate and Urban Land Development from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Gina Zahler brings almost two decades of experience in marketing, sales, operations, and contract management to Zahler Construction &

Development. She spent 15 years in Residential Apartment Community Management, and was a buyer and client manager for award winning interior design firm Patrick Sutton Associates in Baltimore, Maryland.

She specializes in assisting our clients with design selections for their projects. Gina is a member of Certified Interior Decorators International, and offers our clients the latest innovations in materials, green building methods, and home design concepts.

Whether it is maintaining the natural beauty of existing neighborhoods or developing the next generation of communities, we manage the construction process on paper and on site. Zahler Construction and Development brings a broad knowledge of products, a high level of craftsmanship, and a commitment to sustainable practices to every project.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 39

northeast | general contracting

midwest 42 45 46 48 50 52 55 56 57 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67

40 Construction Leaders Today

a.j. veneklasen, inc. belfor restoration carver county / cpm planning csm group dream design international fcl builders hagerman group mike koenig construction northland buildings w. gohman construction kirco manix construction hdc development company j. bowers construction jaq corporation lamar construction latoria brothers skillman construction

healthcare | midwest

a boat haven like no other Navigated by a father-and-son team, a.j.Veneklasen, Inc. is sailing full speed ahead

by Kevin Porter

ABOVE: Located in Tinley Park, Ill., the Alpha Med Center is a state-of-the-art 55,000 sq.ft. medical office complex completed by PDC Midwest, Inc. in 2011. The prairie-style facility offers cancer diagnosis, a treatment plan and actual treatment all under one roof.

42 Construction Leaders Today

Jan/Feb/March 2013 43

midwest | healthcare

O P E N I N G T O Y O U R S TA N DA R D S

GRIPS Inc. has been providing quality mechanical service and installation to the West Michigan business community since its inception in April of 1992. Our vision is to provide a broad range of professional mechanical services. These services include, installation of new HVAC systems, customer support through mechanical maintenance programs tailored to accommodate each customer’s specific needs, and HVAC and process mechanical services 24 hrs 7 days a week 365 days a year.

Providing customized industrial, commercial, fire rated, aviation and specialty door solutions for over 40 years.

doorengineering.com 400 West Cherry St. • PO Box 5 • Kasota, MN 56050 • (800) 959-1352

3620 Busch Drive SW • Grandville, Michigan 49418 • (616) 532-8887

Door Engineering allows immense design flexibility by offering both customized and pre-engineered door system options, along with a variety of aesthetically pleasing fabrication and finishing alternatives. For over 40 years, Door Engineering’s’ door systems have been built for long-lasting durability, low maintenance, speed and safety.

a.j. Veneklasen, Inc. Sailing full speed ahead

I

44 Construction Leaders Today

The worldwide leader in disaster recovery and property restoration

by Kevin Porter

n the scenic resort town of Harbor Springs, Michigan, builder and general contractor A.J. Veneklasen, Inc. constructed an award-winning facility that pleased both the owner and community.

Established in 1975, the Michigan-based construction firm’s founder Alan J. Veneklasen is still very much involved in its day-to-day planning and management. However, it is second-generation President Chris Veneklasen who is at the helm, charting the company’s long-range course. A path that included the recent completion of a new Sales Center for long-time client, Walstrom Marine.

A.J. Veneklasen has a long-standing business relationship with Walstrom Marine—a family-owned and operated business headquartered in Harbor Springs that operates as a full-service marina and yacht and boat retailer. The firm’s Harbor Springs facilities service clients with 193 boat slips and 140,000 sq.ft. of inside boat storage, while a service center has a 75 ton Marine travel lift to haul large vessels for repair. “We have done work for them for well over a decade, with most of the work being boat storage buildings,” said Chris Veneklasen. “This project was certainly the most significant in our long history with them.”

That project is an elegant Sales Center completed in February 2012 after extensive renovations. In June 2011, the construction firm began work to convert the existing structure which had been used for boat service and storage.

A.J. stripped the building down to its steel skeleton and concrete floors. “We demolished everything on the building except the steel skeleton and re-built it from there,” Veneklasen said. But even the remaining steel and concrete were refinished to achieve a better finished product, he said.

Converting an existing structure has it challenges. “You try to plan for the unforeseen, but typically there is always something that causes you to re-think your plan,” said Veneklasen. “We had to work hard to make sure all dimensions matched our plan, that utilities were exactly where we expected them to be

belfor restoration

and that the existing steel structure—which had no existing plans—could be modified the way we desired.” Amid those challenges, there was still a major construction consideration that the firm had to take into account. “The biggest considerations involved aesthetics. We had to take an old metal building and make it into a beautiful boat showroom and sales office to support the storage and sales of multimillion dollar vessels. It had to be functional and beautiful…so there was a unique coexistence between the nautically styled, wood-clad offices and the open, more industrial type sales floor.”

That coexistence was achieved both inside and out, an accomplishment that was not lost on the local Chamber of Commerce who conferred the structure with the Area Beatification and Architectural Excellence Award. “Harbor Springs is a great town with wonderful architecture,” Veneklasen said. “The folks at Walstrom were keenly aware that this building needed to match the aesthetics of the area and complement and improve upon them. Being a part of that is a real honor.” The new structure is also equipped with several sustainable concepts including advanced insulation techniques, natural lighting that minimizes the need for electricity, and a 25’ fan located in the showroom area to circulate air during hot summer months.

Walstrom Marine was more than pleased with the finished product—a result that A.J. Veneklasen intends to achieve with every client. “Our motto is to ‘exceed expectations,’” said Veneklasen. “We strive for that through our exceptional customer service and our commitment to quality. We are customer-focused, but we know that the quality of the finished product is paramount—because five, 10 or 20 years from now, a customer will have long forgotten about the paperwork, the schedule, or the process—but they will always be able to appreciate the quality of their facility.”

A

s the country’s leader in property restoration and repair, BELFOR USA brings the most extensive network of resources to the rescue when you suffer property damage at your home or business.

Regardless of the cause or extent of damage, one call will mobilize knowledgeable response teams and equipment from their many locations around the country. They remain ready to respond immediately - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - to quickly secure your property and begin emergency services that stabilize and minimize damage.

Restoring property damage is their core competency and their passion.

Having focused on this challenging and unique area of expertise for over 35 years, BELFOR is your Single Source to restore your home, your facility and all forms of personal or mission-critical contents. From emergency response, through structural drying and decontamination, through final rebuild – BELFOR is your Single Source for Restoration Solutions. And they do it seamlessly and cost-effectively, focused on business continuity and getting your life back to normal – fast!

BELFOR USA stands ready around the clock with more than 3800 employees in over 80 offices across the country. With full-service locations coast to coast, they can reach most incident sites in very short notice to evaluate and initiate action to stabilize the situation. Their RED ALERT® priority response program goes a step further by providing you with assistance even before damage occurs. Through more in-depth pre-planning efforts and services such as Stand-By Alert (when serious weather conditions are imminent), a much more effective emergency response can be realized. RED ALERT® customers save more assets through immediate mitigation, best utilize critical timelines

by Staff Writer

and minimize disruption to their operations to the greatest degree. Inquire to see how you qualify and if Red Alert is an additional step you would like to take in your preparedness efforts.

Because every loss event is different, BELFOR treats each case individually. Whether a large or small incident, residential or commercial, you always receive a tailor-made response and recovery recommendations based on careful analysis of the damage; as extensive as necessary…but as simple as possible.

In all that they do, we remain keenly aware of our responsibility towards our clients, employees and the environment. BELFOR is an approved contractor for most major insurance companies.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 45

midwest | general contracting

general contracting | midwest

LANDSCAPING

carver county soil & water conservation

S

imply based on its name, the Burandt Lake Rain Gardens in Carver County, Minn. sound like something centered solely on aesthetics and beauty. But this recent project completed by the Carver County Soil and Water Conservation District performs a function that is vital to the survival of one of the area’s main waterways.

The rain gardens help to filter storm water runoff and are part of an implementation plan to reduce the deterioration of Burandt Lake.

In order to determine how to place the gardens, the Carver County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) completed a storm water retrofit assessment. This resulted in the placement of seven curb-cut rain gardens that were constructed in 2011 in a residential neighborhood within the R003 sub watershed catchment. A key factor in choosing the locations was their proximity to existing catch basins and drainage areas which would increase their effectiveness.

Without the rain gardens the existing curb and gutter systems would

by Staff Writer

drain untreated runoff into Burandt Lake.

The R003 catchment area is comprised of low-density residential housing and a townhome complex. Before installation of the rain gardens the 88-acre area spanning 182 parcels of land had total suspended solids (TSS) that reached over 18,000 lbs. a year. The SWCD is hoping to significantly reduce that number. The Carver County Soil and Water Conservation District also has other projects in the pipeline for the R003 catchment that are intended to decrease pollutant loads, decrease peak discharges and increase community awareness.

With concern for the community and the surrounding environment, the Carver County Soil and Water Conservation District continues to take actions that protect and preserve its lands and waterways. In existence since 1946, the SWCD is among ninety other SWCDs within the state of Minnesota that work tirelessly to preserve the state’s natural resources for the generations to come.

Lafayette Excavating Inc 411 8th St Lafayette, MN 56054 (507) 228-8902

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estes GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, INC.

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construction planning & management inc.

One of the best builders in Indiana

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PM, Inc. was founded in 1980 by Jerry Williams, P.E. in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Williams serves as the Corporate President.

For more than 25 years, CPM has been a successfully growing construction company in the Midwest, with the best in Construction Management and General Construction Services.

CPM, Inc. has consistently been recognized as one of the top 25 General Contractors in the Indianapolis area by the IBJ (Indianapolis Business Journal) weekly newspaper.

Their commitment to quality and efficiency, combined with a professional staff of Estimators, Project Managers, Superintendents and Administrative staff, has ensured the quality and service integrity our clients expect.

CPM has built an outstanding reputation in the construction industry for building quality projects on schedule and within budget.

Whether the success of your next construction project is driven by critical timing issues, the need for careful "hands on" attention to every detail or meticulous project management, CPM Construction Planning and Management, Inc. is committed to provide the highest quality, cost efficiency and personalized service from the earliest stages to the final detail of your project.

Public bid projects in a variety of markets shaped the beginning

46 Construction Leaders Today

by Staff Writer

of CPM and helped them hone our skills to understand quality requirements and the value of competitive pricing in each market.

This launched our focus on value pricing to serve the auto dealership, commercial, healthcare, multi-family, religious, restaurant, retail and senior living markets.

The CPM teams of in-house and expert professional resources all believe in the same kind of quality and workmanship the company was founded on more than 25 years ago. They strive to provide service with integrity, managing our clients' projects with efficiency and economy.

CUSTOM COMMERCIAL STOREFRONTS WINDOWS AND FRAMING 24 HOUR SERVICE & REPAIR BULLET RESISTANT GLAZING SKYLIGHTS CURTAIN WALLS 2601 N. SHERMAN DRIVE | INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46218 P: 317.622.7205 | F: 317.426.5110 WWW.BMGGLASS.COM | BMGGLASSLLC@GMAIL.COM

Jan/Feb/March 2013 47

midwest | general contracting

general contracting | midwest

Quality Excavators

Residential Garage Door Operators · Commercial Garage Door Operators · Rolling Garage Doors High Speed Doors · Dock Levelers When in comes to overhead doors, Overhead Door Company of Battle Creek & Jackson is a leader in its industry. Our sales, service, and installation staff are trained with the knowledge to give you a quality experience. We offer much more than just overhead doors, we have high speed doors, dock levelers, and accordion doors. Thanks to innovative technology and product features, our environment conservation initiative is reducing waste and your energy costs.

Battle Creek Office 240 28th St. N Springfield, MI 49037 Toll Free: 800-962-3141 Local: 269-962-3141

Jackson Office

444 East Prospect Jackson, MI 49203 Toll Free: 800-247-7196 Local: 517-784-3328

Visit Us At: www.ohdbc.com

Septic Tank Service Landscaping Excavation & Wrecking Business Services Concrete Contractor (269) 763-3709 | 6547 W Butterfield Hwy | 49021-9467 Bellevue, MI

csm group A tale of two cities

by Kevin Porter

Whether cities across America are experiencing the best or worst of times, one safety, has become a bit of an expert on the property. There isn’t much that he thing is certain: now more than ever city living is on the rise as transit-oriented doesn’t know about the apartments, especially when it comes to custom millwork. and mixed-use development becomes a prevailing standard.

“Every unit but two has different millwork,” said Roy. “All the cabinet doors are According to U.S. Census data, between July 2011 and April 2012 twenty-seven fluted. All the panels on the appliances are wood. It’s really neat.” High-end wooden of 51 of the country’s largest cities surpassed their suburbs in population growth finishes include African Cherry Makore and European cerused Oak. Such wooden as an increasing number of Americans opt for a more convenient lifestyle closer finishes are repeated throughout the apartment. “Everything matches to a tee.” to mass transit, everyday necessities and entertainment. In the state of Michigan, Roy pointed out that 11 different natural stones were utilized across the five the team of CSM Group and Catalyst Development Company are adding to that units including quartz, granite, travertine and Carrera marble and each is appointed momentum with two new mixed-use offerings. with an elegant fireplace. Nearly every door, except for the entry, is over 9 ft.

Michigan-based CSM Group is a leading construction management firm Three units are adorned with custom etched aluminum doors throughout while that specializes in occupied healthcare facilities. The company has expanded its others have sliding doors that separate the kitchen from other spaces. Unit sizes construction management services to include the education, food and beverage, can range from 2,390 sq.ft. to 3,351 sq.ft. and commercial sectors. Its recent partnership with Catalyst Development ComBut the structure could not be considered mixed-use if it weren’t for imporpany has produced two stunning mixed-use, sister properties: Greenleaf Trust in tant tenants like: Greenleaf Trust – after which the building is named, a law firm Birmingham and Corporation Hall located in Kalamazoo. located on the third floor and popular Italian restaurant, Zazio’s – which includes At the southwest intersection of Woodward Ave. and Maple Rd. in downtown an interactive exhibition kitchen where chefs prepare a four-course dinner.

Birmingham stands Greenleaf Trust, an upscale five-story new construction that Greenleaf Trust-Birmingham offers the complete experience and convenience houses the spirit of today’s mixed-use dwellings by combining residential, res- of a trendy downtown. taurant and retail. The building’s high-end apartments received finishing touches Since the finishing touches were completed, Roy is still digesting his team’s in September 2012. Five elegant condos priced at about $1 million apiece were accomplishment. “Imagine building five, million-dollar homes at one time – in carved out of the new 62,309 sq.ft. structure. CSM Group Project Manager one year,” he said. Roy speculates about who may rent one of the luxurious units Brian Roy was involved with the project from start to finish. Roy, who has been and has not ruled out a famous sports figure or other high-profile individual. The in the construction industry since the 90s and spent the past 16 years at CSM uber upscale atmosphere of the area offers endless possibilities. “It’s fantasy land.

Group, is impressed with the finished product. “The views are incredible,” he It’s something else.” said. “Each unit has a terrace. You can stand out there and see all the way down Meanwhile, a little over two hours away in the city of Kalamazoo, another to the Detroit skyline.” mixed-used building by CSM and Catalyst was completed in November 2012. The Roy, whose daily responsibilities include value engineering, scheduling and 33,000 sq.ft. structure known as Corporation Hall had once housed Kalamazoo’s 48 Construction Leaders Today

first City Hall. The near 150-year-old building finished its final stages of a rehabilitation that gave the structure new life. Renovations began in August 2011.

Originally built in 1867, Corporation Hall once headquartered Kalamazoo’s local police and fire departments which were situated within its first floor. During its lifetime the hall also housed the city’s first public library, the Kalamazoo Board of Education and the Ladies Library Association. Maintaining that historic integrity was of utmost importance during the rehab, however CSM could not salvage as much of the original structure as they had hoped.

“When we got into it and started doing some of the demo work we discovered that, through the years, there had been cutting of floor joists,” said CSM Group Project Manager Mike Bryant. “It came down to an issue of safety.

The damage that had been done to the building over the years made the floor system unstable.” Bryant removed and replaced the damaged joists. Although both the East and West facades of the structure were also replaced, the original exterior North and South walls were preserved in the new construction in order to maintain the character of the building.

During the rehab there were logistical restrictions to manage. “Everything had to be staged and brought in from the back of the building,” Bryant said.

“Logistically it was very tight.” CSM also had to share space behind the building with the city who was working on a water/sewer project. The firm also had the challenge of drilling 18, 400-ft. wells through the structure’s basement floor in order to support a new geothermal heat pump system.

The completed edifice offers luxury apartment living on its second and third floors, while retail suites occupy the ground level. The rehabilitated structure incorporates a number of sustainable concepts such as the use of

reclaimed and FSC certified wood, low flow faucet fixtures, energy efficient lighting, natural lighting, a green roof, high efficiency mechanics and radiant heat floors in both retail and apartment spaces. Perhaps one of Corporation Hall’s most impressive ‘green’ features is an energy control system that provides a read-out of geothermal energy savings – one that is displayed to the public at the street level.

Both the Birmingham and Kalamazoo mixed-use buildings by CSM and Catalyst are just the latest installments in the ever-evolving narrative of modern mixed-use development.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 49

midwest | general contracting

general contracting | midwest

Professional answers for all of your electrical needs

Muth Electric, Inc. was formed in 1970 and has grown from a two employee company to one with ten locations across South Dakota, Nebraska and North Dakota. We now employ over 380 employees making manpower available to you all year.

Muth Electric has been an active partner on design/ build teams for customers in all types of work. We offer a 2 year warranty on all design/ build projects.

Muth Electric also provides 24 hour emergency service available 365 days a year in all of our locations.

CORPORATE (605) 996-3983 MITCHELL, SD (605) 996-7300 SIOUX FALLS, SD (605) 338-6586 RAPID CITY, SD (605) 341-3554 WATERTOWN, SD (605) 882-2680 BROOKINGS, SD (605) 692-0800 HURON, SD (605) 352-8579 ABERDEEN, SD (605) 226-8424 OMAHA, NE (402) 551-7780 WILLISTON, ND (701) 577-7300

WWW.MUTHELECTRIC.COM

dream design international

Multi-disciplined experts

by Staff Writer

Dream Design International, Inc. is a multi-disciplinary, civil engineering firm that believes in utilizing a comprehensive design approach.

Integrating design, planning, engineering, finance and development review services, their team will work with you to generate a high quality final product.

Their goal is to provide quality professional engineering services while contributing to the communities where we work and live. They strive to enhance the health and welfare of citizens by designing for a better world through safe and economical practices.

Dream Design International, Inc. combines creativity, cutting edge technology, and forward thinking solutions to design for a better world. Their professional team combines engineering, planning, land development, property management, and finance to create safer and more sustainable projects.

Their landscape architectural team works with clients to create lasting projects with integrated civil and urban design practices. The landscape architectural approach is founded in analysis, programmatic directives, existing conditions, and solutions evolving out of the creative design process. Each site is designed and solved individually.

50 Construction Leaders Today

At Dream Design International, Inc. they provide construction administration services for all of our client’s projects. They are on site during all phases of construction to ensure that the project is constructed according to the design plans and specifications, keeping the client’s goals in mind. They work collectively with owners, municipalities, and contractors, maintaining quality control through communication and documentation.

The quality control methods purposed, at the design phase, are to establish a set of plans where the error factor is reduced, stakeholders are in agreement with the design, and the project goals are fulfilled.

Gage Brothers Concrete Products is an employee owned company and is known as an innovative precast concrete manufacturer. Precast is a high quality solution that works year-round with both tight construction schedules and budgets. With increased design and installation speed, precast is the solution for your next project!

Rapid Fire Protection is a full service fire protection contractor based out of Rapid City, South Dakota. We have locations throughout Wyoming, in Bismarck, North Dakota and in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have been very fortunate to have worked for Dream Design and Hani Shafai on many projects.

They are very competent and a pleasure to deal with.

Rapid Fire Protection is a contractor specializing

For over 40 years, Muth Electric, Inc. has completed all types of commercial and industrial electrical work in South Dakota and all the surrounding states. Muth Electric, Inc. is recognized as a safety conscious Design/Build leader in the electrical contracting industry. Our years of valuable experience will also assist you in developing a budget to assure the affordability of your project.

Utilizing our network of locations, we can offer a cost efficient solution to meet your project budget as well as your completion date. You are assured of achieving the greatest value in your project and it will be

performed in a safe manner.

Muth Electric is so confident of its materials and workmanship that we provide that a 2 year warranty is offered on all design build work as well as all service work performed.

The Muth Electric team firmly believes that your successful project is the true measure of our success.

in the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems. We have installed hundreds of systems in health care, commercial, industrial, educational and residential facilities. In addition we engineer, install, inspect and service FM-200, high expansion foam, AFFF and CO2 systems.

We are currently working in South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Utah and Montana. We will travel anywhere for the right project.

Rapid Fire Protection Inc. 1805 Samco Road | Rapid City, SD. 57702 605-348-2342 | www.RapidFireInc.com Jan/Feb/March 2013 51

midwest | general contracting

general contracting | midwest

IMPERIAL CONSTRUCTION As one drives through the Chicago land area, you need not travel very far before coming upon numerous warehouses, office structures, multi story properties, and other buildings which Imperial Construction Associates, Inc. has been a part of. Since the inception of the company in 1991, Imperial Construction has worked with many general contractors such as Walsh, Novak, FCL, Kajima, Opus, O’Neil, Turner, and Power as well as steel fabricators such as Aetna Engineering Works, Arlington Structural Steel, Suburban Iron Works, Kingery Steel Fabricators, and Midwestern Steel Fabricators.

Imperial Construction is ready with fully trained union labor to erect pre-cast panels as well as structural steel. Our employees have received OSHA training, man lift operation training, are certified welders, and are constantly updated with new training mandates as they become necessary. Imperial Construction works with an outside safety consultant to conduct periodic job site safety inspections in order to provide the best labor and safest working conditions.

fcl builders

by Kevin Porter

FCL Builders delivers for the Pinstripes restaurant chain

N

ow and then everyone needs a night out—a time to kick-back and seize the moment with good food, good friends and entertainment.

Pinstripes is a dining and entertainment venue that offers both. Its newest restaurant in Oakbrook Oak Brook, Ill. built by FCL Builders is a one-stop-shop for good food and family fun.

Illinois-based FCL Builders is a top design/build firm with over 35 years in the construction industry that spans an array of markets including commercial, retail, sports, healthcare, hospitality, government and public facilities, office and corporate, as well as industrial and manufacturing. To date, The firm has more than 4.5 million sq.ft. of projects recently completed or currently under construction.

Pinstripes is one of its recent completions FCL began construction on the Oak Brook restaurant in May 2012 and delivered the completed facility in November. Located at the Oakbrook Center Mall, the new restaurant is a 66,000 sq.ft., two-story complex that features a unique bistro with authentic Italian-American cuisine. The two stories mirror each other, each with their own bar, dining area, bowling and bocce, and outdoor space. The upstairs dining area can also be converted to an event space for private parties. Downstairs, a large wine cellar separates the dining area from the bar. The outdoor space is designed to remain open year around, providing heat lamps, fire pits, and large umbrellas to shelter patrons from Midwest winters.

The venue also offers a relaxed social atmosphere, along with live music on Fridays and Saturdays to help usher in the weekend. The new location is equipped with its signature entertainment which includes 16 bowling lanes and 10 bocce courts—six indoor and four outdoor.

The client driven schedule called for the venue to be fully operational within six months of breaking ground without causing disruption to the day-to-day operations of the shopping center or nearby corporate offices. FCL Builders rose to the challenge working closely with the Architect (RDL Architects), the subcontractors, mall property owners and the city by coordinating delivery of materials and construction schedules, parking restrictions and pedestrian safety.

The project was completed ahead of schedule.

The Pinstripes in Oak Brook marks FCL Builders’ fourth successfully completed location for the popular restaurant chain. The first build by FCL was in Northbrook, Ill. completed in 2007, the second was in South Barrington, Ill. delivered in September 2008. FCL was also asked to build #3 in Edina, Minn.

Buoyed by a set of core values that include owner involvement on every project, in-depth project planning, teaming with the right partners, honest, constructive communication and exceeding performance expectations, FCL Builders is positioned for continued success with each and every project.

MJTJ Contractors is one of the Chicago-land area’s premiere concrete construction companies. We provide prompt service with the utmost attention to detail and safety.

We focus mainly on concrete work including: • • • • • •

As one drives through the Chicago land area, you need not travel very far before coming upon numerous warehouses, office structures, multi story properties, and other buildings which Imperial Construction Associates, Inc. has been a part of. Since the inception of the company in 1991, Imperial Construction has worked with many general contractors such as Walsh, Novak, FCL, Kajima, Opus, O’Neil, Turner, and Power as well as steel fabricators such as Aetna Engineering Works, Arlington Structural Steel, Suburban Iron Works, Kingery Steel Fabricators, and Midwestern Steel Fabricators.

Imperial Construction is ready with fully trained union labor to erect pre-cast panels as well as structural steel. Our employees have received OSHA training, man lift operation training, are certified welders, and are constantly updated with new training mandates as they become necessary. Imperial Construction works with an outside safety consultant to conduct periodic job site safety inspections in order to provide the best labor and safest working conditions.

AISC ADVANCED CERTIFIED STEEL ERECTOR

Family owned and operated with multiple generations of experience.

We do jobs of any size.

www.MJTJContractors.com

PTE

PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGIES EQUIPMENT

WE SPECIALIZE IN : • Underground Tank Removal • Installation • Upgrades and Repair • Aboveground Tank Installation • Petroleum Equipment Sales & Service • General Contracting • Fuel Management Systems • Automatic Tank Gauging • Leak Detection • Environmental Consulting

IMPERIAL CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATES, INC. 23810 COUNTY FARM ROAD JOLIET, IL 60431 P: 815/729-3122

52 Construction Leaders Today

Trench Foundations Frame Foundations Concrete Paving Sidewalks Driveways FF/FL Floors

CONTACT PTE AT (708) 579-9189 FOR YOUR ANNUAL INSPECTION. Jan/Feb/March 2013 53

midwest | general contracting

general contracting | midwest

Havel An EMCOR Company

BRIGHTER, MORE DURABLE FLOORS Artlow Applied Protective Coatings help your floors withstand heavy traffic abrasion, grease, oil, or chemical spills.

se The Most Innovative Te We U chno logies Availab le To Help M ss! ake Your Job A Huge Succe

170 S GARY AVENUE CAROL STREAM, IL 60188

1-800-5-ARTLOW (527-8569)

artlow.com

Ryan Incorporated Central congratulates FCL Builders on a job well done at the Illinois Transport project in Wilmington, IL. We are proud to have been part of a great team!

Ryan Incorporated Central is a �h genera�on family‐ owned site prepara�on contractor capable of safely performing earthwork projects of any size. We provide rst rate equipment and supervision, and look at every project as an opportunity to build a strong, las�ng rela�onship.

Expert Solutions For Today’s Facility Environments

Please visit us at www.ryancentral.com

Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Installation and Service Big Company Resources, Small Company Values.

Call: 260-487-7900 www.havelbros.com

Specialty Coatings • Joint Sealants • Slab Stabilization • Chemical Stripping • Shot Blasting • Quartz Flooring • Epoxy Overlayment • Cement Topping • Concrete Polishing • Chemical Hardeners • Stained Concrete

WE’RE READY TO ROLL FROM

COAST TO COAST.

Proud to partner with FCL Builders

Sullivan Roofing, Inc.

SullivanRoofing.com • 847.908.1000

IL License #104-011830

54 Construction Leaders Today

Temperature Control Energy Services PHVAC Electrical Security Card Access and CCTV

hagerman group

by Kevin Porter

Hagerman Group builds hospital and relationship with Parkview Health

F

ounded in 1908 by William Hagerman and Frederick Buesching, The Hagerman Group is a construction manager and general contractor led by the third and fourth generations of the two families. Together, they have continued to advance the firm’s reputation for high-quality construction.

Hagerman provides construction services in an array of sectors including commercial/retail, energy, industrial, higher education and healthcare. The Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City, Ind. is one of the firm’s recent builds in the healthcare sector.

The relationship between The Hagerman Group and Parkview Health is decades old. Hagerman constructed the existing Parkview Whitley Hospital in the 1950s, so the firm was the likely choice when the time came for the hospital to build a new facility.

In September 2009, crews broke ground on the three-level, 98,000 sq.ft. development and completed construction in August 2011. The state-of-the-art, $41.5 million facility has done away with the institutional feel one might expect from a hospital and instead opted for a vibe inspired by nature. Fireplaces and high ceilings throughout create a relaxed, healing atmosphere. The hospital is equipped with 30 private inpatient rooms with full bathrooms, a sleep disorders laboratory, obstetric care area, radiology rooms, operating rooms, as well as trauma bays. At the terrace level are staff offices, equipment and mechanical rooms, along with a cafeteria. Structurally, the facility is composed of a structural steel frame with concrete foundations and concrete on metal deck, while its facade is composed of brick and stone.

With its completion of the Parkview Whitley Hospital in Columbia City, Ind., The Hagerman Group has delivered yet another high-quality facility to its longtime client – further bolstering the relationship between two institutions that have provided decades of service to the state of Indiana and will continue to do so in the years to come.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 55

midwest | general contracting

general contracting | midwest

MWI Components offers more color options for your metal building components than anyone else in the industry. With over 100 colors available in steel, almost 30 different aluminum colors and 50 plus powder coat colors the combinations are endless. This will allow you and your customers to create beautiful and unique buildings using our Cupolas, Ridg-Vents®, Soffit, Trim, Arcadian Sliding Doors, Dutch Doors, Bale Doors and Stall Systems.

110 S Business Park Dr P.O. Box 700188 Oostburg, WI 53070 920 - 564 - 3341 oostburgconcrete.com

■ Complete concrete & masonry services for over 65 years.

■ Footings & poured concrete foundations ■ Concrete flatwork ■ Brick/stone veneer & fireplaces ■ Conveyor rental

mike koenig construction bidding to win

B

by Kevin Porter

idding below the client’s budget expectations is always a good thing – especially when you walk away with the construction contract. Mike Koenig Construction Co. recently did just that.

Located in Sheboygan, Wis., Mike Koenig Construction Co. is a full-service general contractor whose construction services include construction management and budgeting and estimation, in conjunction with its ability to self-perform concrete, masonry, steel frame, carpentry and cabinetry work. With its recent construction of the Plymouth Utilities Operations Center, Plymouth, Wis., the firm has delivered another quality, low-cost facility to its client.

The Plymouth City Council funded construction of the utility operations center, along with other utilities projects, through the issuance of $6.92 million in bonds. When Plymouth Utilities solicited bids for construction of the new center they received several from prospective general contractors. Each of the eight bids it received came in significantly below the $6.5 million cost projected by the project’s architect, Sheboygan-based Bray Associates. However Mike Koenig Construction Co. was the lowest bidder. The firm was awarded the contract in April 2011 at a value of just over $5.05 million.

Construction of the edifice began in May 2011 and was completed in April 2012. The new 50,000 sq.ft. structure houses office and warehouse facilities from three other locations belonging to the utility – creating one centralized location. The facility also contains a training center and is equipped with security video systems both inside and outside the structure.

Several sustainable concepts were incorporated into the design and

56 Construction Leaders Today

construction of the new operations center including geothermal heating and cooling systems along with LED and fluorescent high-performance lighting.

With a philosophy that puts its clients first, Mike Koenig Construction is a general contractor that keeps an eye on the bottom line while providing the best services possible. As the firm states on its website: “Mike Koenig Construction strives for the complete satisfaction of our customers. We will provide our expertise for everything from budgeting a project to the final stages of completion.”

Specializing in Products for the Post Frame Industry

MWI Components is committed to making investments in our infrastructure that will create jobs, promote American innovation, and increase our nation's economic competitiveness. Our goal is to keep jobs in the Midwest to support the regional economy and help our customers to compete, grow, and hire.

MWI Components manufacturing facility is centrally located in the Midwest and we service customers in the post frame building industry with quality products throughout the United States.

KEEPING JOBS IN THE INDUSTRIAL MIDWEST

1015 32nd Ave West • Spencer, Iowa 51301 ph: 800-360-6467 • FAX: 800-361-3452 www.mwicomponents.com

northland buildings

A

s the saying goes, “Communication is key.” But according to one executive, that may be only half of the equation. “Communication is not what you say, it’s what gets understood,” said Northland Buildings Chief Executive Officer Pete Marsnik. “That’s true with customers, sales managers and suppliers.” Establishing a good understanding is one of the primary principles that have helped Marsnik to turn his company around.

Established in 1994, Northland Buildings quickly proved itself to be a leading post-frame construction company in the Midwest. The firm designs and builds custom commercial, agricultural, equestrian and specialty structures throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and The Dakotas.

However, after the 2008 recession all but decimated the construction industry, Northland Buildings was in need of a new strategy and direction.

Pete Marsnik was brought on as a consultant to help develop a strategic plan for the company. The Minnesota native established a new roadmap and by the end of his assignment he was asked to be interim General Manager. Shortly thereafter, Marsnik was offered an opportunity to run the company. Northland Buildings has since returned to profitability in 2011 and netted a profit in 2012.

“The doors are open and the lights are on,” Marsnik said.

The lights are on indeed. One of the firm’s recent builds for Dutch Creek Farms was completed in summer 2012. The contract came through an existing relationship with the client—a link that Northland Sales Representative Steve Schwebke maintained throughout the years. Early on in the relationship in 2005, client Dick Gerhardt wanted the firm to repair an all-steel structure—a type of edifice that didn’t fall within Northland’s scope. Nevertheless, Schwebke gave Gerhardt advice on how to procure materials and how to go about completing the project even though Northland would not be executing it. Schwebke said, “Dick was surprised by this, that I would be so upfront with him, even if it meant going with another contractor. He never forgot that.” When the time came for the client to build other structures, “he didn’t shop around,” said Schwebke. He went directly back to Northland.

building for the long haul by Kevin Porter Schwebke’s candor with clients is a company standard. “I’m zero-pressuresales which is consistent with all Northland reps. We don’t have to put pressure on people to buy a building,” he said. The firm does a high volume of business from its quality service and referrals. When Schwebke first joined Northland in 1995, he knew little about post-frame construction—but quickly learned the ropes. “I had some very good people above me that were strong mentors,” he said. “They took me under their wing.” Now he is one of the firm’s top salespeople and possesses a solid understanding of clients’ specific building needs. As a result, the firm’s most recent project for Dutch Creek Farms is just one of seven structures that Northland Buildings has constructed on the client’s sprawling Fairmont, Minnesota crop and cattle farm since 2007.

The project, which involved the design/build of a hay shed dubbed “Building #7” for easier identification, was built with the client’s long-range needs in mind. Construction began in October 2012 and was completed in roughly one week. Today the primary use of the 36 ft. wide by 25 ft. long structure is to grind hay which is transferred to “feed bunks” to nurture the farm’s livestock. However, down the road, it is capable of being used for a different purpose. “Just because they’re grinding hay in it today, doesn’t mean they’ll be grinding it in 10 years,” said Schwebke. For that reason, Northland ensures that its structures can take on multiple functions throughout their lifecycle, greatly reducing the need for clients to endure the expense and inefficiency of building an entirely new edifice. “When you’re laying out these farms you have to help the client to have a vision for the future. You have to watch out for their long-term needs. I’m trying to fulfill the needs of the customer with a building they’re proud of. People talk. Customers talk to their neighbors.

What I hear consistently is that Northland gives customers the most building for their money—hands down.”

That positive buzz coincides with the company’s motto: “Quality buildings at a fair price.” Marsnik said, “When you buy a Northland building we’re going to do our best to get you the highest quality materials that we can to do the task. We’ll engineer it and won’t cut corners so that you have a structure that Jan/Feb/March 2013 57

midwest | general contracting

general contracting | midwest

OPTIMUM RESULTS Why is it that insurance premiums for some construction companies are notably lower than their competitors? It’s not a conspiracy. It’s what happens naturally when you enlist safety & health consultants like Optimum Results.

Optimum possesses the ability to deliver simple solutions that increase productivity, enrich subcontractor protocols, and allow $60M projects like the Harvest Bible Chapel in Elgin, IL to be successfully completed with no significant incidents whatsoever. The Results? Lower exposure to litigation and increased profitability

riedy construction the right stuff

A

58 Construction Leaders Today

Results achieved through: Project Pre-Planning Site Specific Safety Plans • Project Staffing for Safety • Sub-Contractor Pre-Qualification and Management • Workforce Training • Online Training Portal for Total Project Control • Hazard Assessment and Inspection • Incident and Regulatory Inspection Response • Soft Tissue Injury Prevention • Industrial Hygiene Services • Human Resources Services • •

Call Us Today!

(888) 70-SAFETY

by Kevin Porter

t age 22, Mark Riedy had finished his studies at a vocational college and completed training to be an electrician. He was ready to start his own business as an electrical contractor – or so he thought.

By 1982 the business had gone belly-up. Although the company was well-conceived, poor management combined with an unpaid invoice on a major project forced the company into bankruptcy. Nevertheless, Mark Riedy started over again and within a few years he was back in the saddle. A selfproclaimed “nerd for construction” he had started a new general construction company called ProjectOne in 1989. Riedy ran the firm for 10 years before he was recruited by Leopardo Companies, Inc. and sold ProjectOne to go work for them. With his second business now behind him and a career with a big name in construction before him, Riedy was quickly becoming a proven commodity.

But, as the cliché goes, he went from being a big fish in a little pond to a little fish in a big pond. And although Riedy advanced to Senior Project Manager at Leopardo, an entrepreneurial fire still burned within. Once again, he ventured out on his own and in 2003 formed Riedy Construction Inc. – a successful Illinois-based general contractor and construction management firm that provides an array of commercial and residential construction services.

Within its first year the firm landed a major contract to complete site work for Harvest Bible Chapel, Elgin, Ill. Recently Riedy was contracted to complete construction for another Harvest Bible Chapel property in Naperville.

The Naperville property is a converted four-story office building of approximately 100,000 sq.ft. “It’s a three-phased, $2 million venture to renovate the entire facility,” said Riedy Construction Inc. President Mark Riedy. As design/ builder, the firm is managing all three phases of the project.

Phase-one involved the construction of a Student Center. Work began August 2012 and was completed the following November. “They wanted an open feel that resembled some of the coffee shops and facilities that you see today,” Riedy said. The firm created an industrial, lounge like atmosphere.

Beginning in January 2013, phase-two will include the construction of a Multipurpose Room/Café complete with a full-service kitchen located just outside the church sanctuary. Phase-three will center on a Children’s Play Area equipped with a tree house, gazebo, boat dock and a playhouse.

Although the project is in its early stages, there have been a few challenges along the way. “The design phase was challenging in that you have a committee with multiple ministries providing feedback,” said Riedy. “It took patience to make sure we incorporated all the features they wanted into the facility. Both the Harvest Bible team and Riedy patiently and diligently supported each

Through effective pre-planning, training, and hazard identification, Optimum Results enhances production processes to produce safe results.

OptimumResultsUSA.com

other in meeting those needs and in coming up with a great design that was within budget and that met the needs of the church.”

Thus far, the results have been well-received by the client. “The church is so excited to finally be delivering the space. It’s been really exciting for them, as well as us, to finally see this come to fruition.”

Throughout Mark Riedy’s journey to success, he has always demonstrated tenacity and determination. Central to his resolve is a desire to serve the client. “It’s a relentless pursuit of client satisfaction, the ultimate driving force of our success,” he said. “First and foremost is putting the needs of the client first. We like to create a seamless business approach that exceeds our clients’ expectations. We always make it right.”

There could not be a better example of the firm “making it right” as in the case with one of its clients, Raging Waves Waterpark, Yorkville, Ill. The owner had originally hired a unionized, out-of-state specialist to complete construction of the park’s pools and slides. However, during construction, the union began to pressure the owner to release other workers from the project – wanting to take over 100 percent of the construction tasks. The owner would not acquiesce based on the fact that he didn’t feel the union had sufficient experience. The union walked away from the unfinished project.

After running into problems with site work, the owner contracted Riedy Construction and Mark Riedy and team took over. Despite some union naysayers who said Riedy would never get the project completed, and with the help of union workers who crossed the picket line, the waterpark was finished one-and-a-half years later.

The dedication that Riedy Construction has demonstrated with its clients over the years was reciprocated by its own employees. During the 2009 economic downturn, like many companies across the U.S., Riedy faced tightened credit markets and a drop in consumer spending. That, along with its own financial obligations, spelled a recipe for disaster. But the firm dug in its heels. Riedy associates like Senior Superintendent Chris Pradel and Administrator Roseanne Markowski remained dedicated in their service to the company. “They were willing to stick with Riedy through hard times and sometimes went without pay to see us through those difficult times,” Riedy said.

In the midst of that dark period, Mark Riedy examined the firm and retooled its operations. “It was the best thing that happened to Riedy,” he said. “It forced us to really know who we are and how to succeed in tough times. Now we’re reaping the benefits.”

SAFETY. PRODUCTIVITY. PROFITABILITY.SM

T&N C O N S T R U C T I O N

We look forward to working with you again in the future.

Yo u r p l u m b i n g s o l u t i o n .

Commercial • Residential • Industrial

ZILCH PLUMBING

5425 COCHISE DRIVE M A P L E PA R K , I L . 6 0 1 5 1 (630) 430-9834

18913 RAVEN HILLS DRIVE• MARENGO, IL 60152 • (847) 456-6220

Proud to be working with Riedy Construction.

JAN/FEB/MARCH 2013 59

midwest | general contracting

general contracting | midwest

THE CONSTRUCTION EXPERTS

INSTALLATION

Your expert partner in natural athletic field construction

INTERIOR CONTRACTING

We specialize in all aspects of construction.

FINANCING ERGONOMICS PROJECT MANAGEMENT INTERIOR DESIGN

LL DRYWA

MOVE MANAGEMENT RECYCLED FURNITURE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS

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w. gohman construction The Patriotic Builder

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by Kevin Porter

merica’s military deserve a comfortable and accommodating home for themselves and their families as they serve and sacrifice for the protection and well-being of the country. With its recent construction at Fort McCoy Military Base, Fort McCoy, Wis., W. Gohman Construction Company is helping to fulfill that commitment.

W. Gohman Construction Company is a full-service general contractor that provides construction management and design/build services for commercial, industrial and institutional facilities. In operation for more than 60 years, the Minnesota-based firm is currently run by third-generation President Michael Gohman.

In July 2012 the firm was awarded a $923,000 contract to construct two military Family housing units at the Fort McCoy Military Base. The firm had already built eight housing units at the base and the new contract would raise that number to a total of 10. Each unit would be equipped with four bedrooms, a kitchen, laundry, family room and a two-car garage. The construction contract also called for the completion of infrastructure work including streets, water and sewer, and landscaping.

Construction on the new units began in July 2012 and was completed in December 2012. The project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which is said to have accounted for the construction of more than half of the base’s existing military housing.

Not only has W. Gohman completed construction for America’s military, the firm has also completed projects to help beautify communities across the United States. Some of those projects include community skate parks, public libraries, civic centers, construction for state universities, and recreational construction for the Boy Scouts of America.

Gohman is guided by a philosophy that puts the client and community first.

As stated on the company website: “Throughout our history, our philosophy and attitude has been to constantly adjust to meet our clients' needs through personal involvement and teamwork. The goal is to provide our clients with environments that work for them, not only physically but also within the clients' budget.”

ROOFIN

SIDING

1001 Laurence Ave, Suite D | Jackson, MI 49202 | www.sbdci.net | (517) 789-9609

kirco manix construction

G

FRAMIN

Customer satisfaction drives sales

F

RY

MASON

STIN BIRDD JU CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTING

SERVING WISCONSIN

Proud to work with W. Golhman Construction.

PO BOX 27 • WEST SALEM WI 54669 EMAIL BIRDDPROPERTIES@AOL.COM

(608) 790-8898

60 Construction Leaders Today

(866) 712-8873

ew companies that existed in the 1930s are still in operation today.

Severe economic cycles, changing consumer trends, and the evolution of technology and ways of doing business have whittled down the field of competitors, leaving few which have stood the test of time.

But one company has: Kirco Manix.

Kirco Manix is the combination of two construction firms whose origins date back to 1929. The firm is the construction arm of the Kirco family of companies and offers services in eight construction markets that range from office, industrial, municipal, and religious, to residential, retail, healthcare and even automotive dealerships.

The firm operates without the use of salespeople, a surprising principle in a business world where a sales force is oftentimes key to reaching customers and to expanding into new markets. However the superior work ethic and quality service of Kirco Manix speak for themselves through satisfied customers whose referrals prove far more effective than any sales force. As company President Douglas W. Manix states on the firm’s website, “We want to make a raving fan out of you, our customer.” He goes on to write, “Our past clients are our best salespeople, and our workload reflects that fact. Most of our projects are secured through referrals or repeat business.”

But Kirco Manix knows that the secret to such customer satisfaction is its people. Teams of professionals that include registered architects, engineers, designers and MBAs who carry out the firm’s design/build, construction management, and general contracting services. The company’s in-house architecture and interior design arm, Kirco Manix, Associates offers preliminary design/layout, civil/landscape design, architectural/structural drawings, interior design, and renderings.

Structures by Kirco Manix are innovative, award-winning facilities that

by Kevin Porter receive industry attention and praise. The company recently made history with its 2010 design/build for Rayconnect Inc., an independent company dedicated to the design, engineering, marketing, and sales of quick connectors and fluid products. Rayconnect’s 80,000 sq.ft., state-of-the-art manufacturing facility designed, developed, and constructed by Kirco Manix was awarded LEED Gold certification in 2010—the first such designation for a manufacturing facility in Michigan state history.

During construction of the facility, Kirco Manix obtained 40 percent of materials from regional sources and another 30 percent from recycled content.

Ultimately, the firm diverted 75 percent of construction waste to recycling plants. The structure’s energy efficient lighting, recycled content, and other sustainable concepts resulted in a 35 percent reduction in energy use and a reduced water demand of 40 percent.

With an accumulation of more than $3 billion in construction experience, Kirco Manix serves its clientele from a wealth of knowledge and expertise that spans more than 80 years. The construction giant is poised for continued success in the decades to come.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 61

midwest | general contracting

general contracting | midwest

Call FRSTeam first! 866.374.3778

KLEIN LANDSCAPING We are very excited to partner up with HDC development into western north Dakota area. As they are a major contractor for multiable projects.

We are staff to help them with custom design/build landscaping plans for there projects. We will do the complete landscaping installation service also.

Klein landscaping and nursery inc . saint cloud mn /phone 3202551832

KLEIN LANDSCAPING & NURSERY, INC

When you’re planning a building project, whether you invest a few thousand dollars or multi-millions, every aspect of the construction has to be managed properly or your costs will dramatically increase due to wasted time or materials. HDC’s unmatched experience allows them to help you make the most of your investment through marketing and design considerations, development coordination and efficient construction management. Their systematic approach to commercial, office complex and multi-family housing construction keeps every phase moving at top efficiency…saving you money. HDC Development Companies has a 35 year history of success, and they’d welcome helping you.

At HDC Development Companies, LLC they specialize in construction management and general contracting of commercial and multi-family housing. Since 1970, over 4,000 housing units and numerous other commercial projects have been successfully developed under our direction. It’s this vast experience that allows them to help provide their clients with expertise in development, market analysis, architect and site selection, construction supervision and so much more.

Although their roots are in Minnesota, HDC Development serves clients throughout the Upper Midwest. In the past year, they have packaged and completed over $60,000,000 worth of projects utilizing our strong management team and our reliable network of contractors.

62 Construction Leaders Today

frsteam.com

www.kleinlandscaping.com St Cloud, MN (320) 255-1832 • Williston, ND (701) 651-6217

4,000 reasons to trust hdc with your next project

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Proudly servicing: Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Pittsburgh

We specialize in design built landscaping with complete installation services.

hdc development company here are over 4,000 reasons why HDC Development Companies is the best choice to construct or manage your commercial project. But the most important are - Efficiency, Reliability, and Trust.

Specializing in the restoration of clothing and textiles damaged by smoke, fire, water and mold.

• Nationwide coverage • Fair and honest pricing • Same-day emergency response • Professional damage assessment • Prompt, detailed documentation • Next-day emergency order • Itemized inventory • Service available 24/7/365

The 1st Name in Fabric Restoration

j bowers construction

by Staff Writer

What’s made HDC Development successful is their eagerness to provide their clients with knowledge and expertise in the construction field. Each individual project they create is customized and targeted to the needs and desires of your community. Their experienced management team, highly qualified and knowledgeable job superintendents and office personnel assist you with your project from start to finish, including on-going support after the project is completed and operating to help ensure its success.

making miracles from disasters

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n 1959, lifelong friends Dale Wenum and Jim Bowers pooled their resources to form the Wenum-Bowers Construction Company in Akron, Ohio. They ran the business from their homes, accepting any and all jobs they could find, from repairing storm doors to installing roofs. In the mid-60's, however, when it became apparent that the business could not support two families, Jim Bowers bought out his partner and changed the company's name to J. Bowers Construction.

From those humble beginnings, J. Bowers Construction, Inc. grew steadily.

Its focus has changed over the year, evolving from a general construction company to one specializing in disaster restoration. Today, under the direction of President Sean Bowers, J. Bowers Construction, Inc. - still family-owned and operated - is Northeast Ohio's leading disaster restoration firm. and has proudly served its clients for over 45 years.

J. Bowers Construction, Inc. was built on the twin principles of honesty and quality workmanship. These are still the guiding factor in how they do business today. Their goal is to provide clients with extraordinary service and value. From the first inspection of the disaster site to the finishing touches of the restoration work, J. Bowers Construction, Inc. strives to meet each client's individual needs - and bring their home or building back to working order as quickly as possible.

J. Bowers Construction, Inc. has won the respect of countless clients residential, industrial, municipal and commercial - for its highly professional staff, quick response, and expertise in disaster restoration. They offer full service residential, commercial and institutional restoration, specializing in

by Staff Writer

storm, fireand water damage reconstruction. They offer 24-hour emergency service for restoring power, heat and water; securing of building from the elements and trespassing.

J. Bowers also has a complete cleaning service, specializing in odor removal and neutralization from smoke and water damage. Complete contents cleaning (including "pack-out" and storage), furniture restoration, electronics, and appliance restoration. They also offer demolition services to aid fire departments to clear damaged structures which present a hazard from structural failure and cleaning debris to aid in the extinguishing of fire.

J. Bowers prides themselves in the use of their own in-house staff and equipment (63 in-house staff, 48 vehicles, and a fully equipped emergency service vehicles). When it comes to disaster restoration, J. Bowers is a firm you can trust.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 63

midwest | general contracting

jaq corp

A-1 ROOFING A-1 Roofing Co. is a third-generation commercial, multi- tenant building, and industrial roofing company established in 1910. We commonly employ 50 to 90 roofers and sheet metal workers depending on the time of the year.

Repairs and maintenance contracts for buildings are a specialty of ours. Energy efficient white roofs and green roofs are available for green applications.

A-1 Roofing Co. is an approved applicator of the Carlisle, Johns Manville, GAF, Sika Sarnafil, Firestone, Soprema, Henry, Siplast, Duralast, Mulehide, and Durapax roofing systems. We offer EPDM, TPO, PVC, modified bitumen, coal tar and asphalt roofs from all major manufacturers with guarantees up to 30 years.

A-1 Roofing Co. also has its own sheet metal shop. We have the ability to fabricate and install gutters, counter flashings, copings and all other roof-related sheet metal.

We also install standing seam metal roofing systems.

the rythm of construction

T

general contracting | midwest

Blackhawk Ice Arena

Armour Branch School Rosemont Metra Station

Northwestern University Pioneer Park in Arlington Heights

SChOOLS COuNt ON A-1 ROOFiNg COMPANY PubLiC ENtitiES COuNt ON A-1 ROOFiNg COmPANY Count on A-1 Roofing CompAny FOR LONg-tERM SYStEM PERFORMANCE FOR ENviRONmENtALLY RESPONSibLE SOLutiONS! Count on A-1 Roofing for Quality Workmanship SinceOnly 1910, A-1 provided a wide range of quality roof systems and services. thehas Finest Roofing Systems • EPDM • Waterproofing systems Since 1910, A-1 has provided a wide range of quality roof systems and services.

Safety equipment, employee training and safety incentive programs keep our people safe and insurance costs under control.

Safety equipment, employee training and safety incentive programs keep our people safe and insurance costs under control.

In an effort to be a more efficient, greener company, A-1 Roofing has been a leader in digitized plan review and paperless estimating In an effort to be a more efficient, greener technology. company, A-1 Roofing has been a leader in digitized plan review and paperless estimating technology.

• TPO • EPDM • PVC • TPO • Asphalt BUR • PVC • Coal Tar BUR • Asphalt BUR • Modified Bitumen • Coal Tar BUR • Vegetative Roof Systems • Modified Bitumen

- fluid applied above and below grade • Waterproofing systems waterproofing - fluid applied above and below grade waterproofing

• Air Barrier Systems

• Architectural Sheet Metal • Air Barrier Systems • Standing Seam Roofs • Architectural Sheet Metal • Standing Seam Roofs

• Vegetative Roof Systems

Dependable Service Since 1910 EvenDependable though a manufacturer’s warranty may still be in force, roof systems Service Since 1910 are always susceptible to severe weathering, expansion, contraction and other Even though a manufacturer’s warranty may still be in force, roof systems abuse. A-1 Roofing provides the following services to protect your investment are always susceptible to severe weathering, expansion, contraction and other and extend the life of your roof system. abuse. A-1 Roofing provides the following services to protect your investment • Roof evaluations • Scheduled inspections and and extend the life of your roof system. maintenance programs • Roof repair and replacement • Roof evaluations • Scheduled inspections and maintenance programs • Roof repair and replacement

100 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE 100 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

1425 Chase Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 Ph 847-952-3600 | Fax 847-952-3606 | www.a1roofing.com 1425 Chase Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Ph 847-952-3600 | Fax 847-952-3606 | www.a1roofing.com

1910-2010 1910-2010

by Staff Writer

he philosophy of JAQ Architecture, simply stated, is “j”azz and “a”rchitecture on cue to redefine the status “q”uo.

They analyze the rhythm structure of a song to determine the physical structure we’re designing. They allow the music’s timbre (tonal quality) to suggest color, and we explore the song’s texture to inspire the tactile texture of our buildings’ surfaces. Jazz is organized as an intro (beginning), interlude (transition), and coda (end). So the main themes of their projects are improvised above, below, and around the intro, interlude, and coda composition of a jazz piece. Although they typically use the traditional african-american art form of jazz as our design tool, they feel that music is a beautifully diverse and universal language. This fact has allowed them to work with an array of clients whose individual tastes in music helps them develop an architectural aesthetic unique to them. Whether jazz, r&b, rock & roll, or even a waltz, the literal and phenomenal connection is the music that inspires everyone to move.

With over twenty years of experience, JAQ International’s John Gay has delved into a variety of impressive projects ranging from assembly and commercial, to residential and transportation. As the founder and lead innovator behind the JAQ brand, John has created a singular approach to architectural design that has since won praise from the industry and been aggressively sought after by the community.

John earned his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois, Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan, and completed the Masters at the Technical University of Vienna. Since graduating, John has taught at Archeworks, the University of Illinois, and Columbia College Chicago.

64 Construction Leaders Today

Oliver McCracken Middle School

As a creative innovator and manager John’s approach to architecture embraces and encourages diversity by seeking opportunities to create teams for mega projects. As an educator John founded the University of Illinois’ annual Noma’s Symposium. He also employs students of color as interns by taking them out of the classroom during the summer and introducing them to the real world of practice.

By utilizing the sound of jazz to shape the nature of space John has honed a design philosophy at JAQ that is as unique as it is dynamic. The JAQ philosophy morphs physical space based on an immersive analysis of the rhythm, harmony, texture, and timbre of the quintessential African-American art form known as jazz. The process begins by vibing with the clients, discovering their programmatic needs, and working with them to manifest those desires on a harmonic architectural scale. The end result is a structure that boldly fuses the soul of music with the art of design.

Mechanical Construction, Maintenance, and Service, HVAC, Process Piping, Fabrication, Design/Build Engineering P.O. Box 462 • Laurens, South Carolina 29360 • (864) 681-4247

COMMERCIAL GLAZIERS 210 E ROOSEVELT AVE • ZEELAND, MI. 49464 PHONE (616) 395-8555 • FAX (616) 772-2266

THOMAS MECHANICAL Thomas Mechanical, a fully licensed and capable mechanical contractor experienced in the industrial, commercial and institutional markets, has been in business for nine years under the guidance of owner Martin Lowry. Martin and staff bring over 40 years of exp erience in the mechanical contracting industry. Most recently Thomas Mechanical performed design build construction of the expansion of the Gestamp plant and a new 170,000 sq. ft. plant (Gonvauto) with Lamar Construction in Union, SC that included all HVAC, Plumbing, and Utilities. Each project was completed safely, successfully and on time; culminating in a positive experience with Lamar and perspective owners.

lamar construction

West Michigan's Best and Brightest

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ompany founder Peter Lamar began building houses in and around Holland, Michigan in 1938. His son Russell assumed ownership in 1945 and eventually expanded the company into non-residential construction with the renovation of a local church that had suffered severe fire damage. Following the success of that project, Lamar Construction went on to build dozens of churches throughout the lakeshore.

By the late 1950s Lamar Construction had begun assembling a portfolio of industrial, manufacturing, and municipal project experience.

After nearly 40 years at the helm, Russell Lamar retired in 1982, handing the wheel to his three sons, Bob, Carl, and Don. With a fully equipped steel erection division, a facility maintenance team, and scores of employees, Lamar Construction continued its growth throughout the 1980s and’90s. By the time Bob Lamar took sole ownership of the firm in 1995, Lamar Construction Company was breaking ground throughout the state of Michigan.

In 1997, managers and long time employees Carl Blauwkamp and George Holmes took on partial ownership. In 2001, Bob Lamar retired from his position as CEO, leaving Blauwkamp and Holmes at the reigns of a company with a staff of over 100 employees and beginning to perform work outside of Michigan.

Eager to maintain Lamar Construction’s forward momentum, CEO Blauwkamp and Executive Vice President Holmes aggressively invested in both human and material resources in order to further expand the company’s reach and scope of service. Lamar Construction Company now has over 160 skilled employees and is performing work across the country. Lamar Construction

by Staff Writer

Company is a Michigan-based national firm providing a broad range of commercial construction services. We are dedicated to building lasting partnerships with our clients by delivering the highest level of service and quality.

When it comes to safety, Lamar has achieved a high level of safety consciousness and is proud of its achievement in accident prevention. Theirproactive approach to safety is designed in a way that eliminates hazards before they are created whenever possible. Lamar's management’s commitment to the Safety Program has allowed for the growth of the department to a total of 5 full-time safety professionals. This growth enables the department to ensure that safety planning begins in the estimating stages of each project and continues through the completion of the project.

When it comes to construction, one size does not fit all. By leveraging their experience in design/build, general contracting, and construction management they are able to custom fit a solution that best suits your project. This means considering not just obvious budgetary and scheduling concerns, but also the unique nature of your operation, your team, and your way of doing business.

In addition to construction delivery as a prime contractor, Lamar Construction Company provides AISC Quality-Certified steel and precast concrete erection; pre-engineered metal building erection; comprehensive development and preconstruction services; facility maintenance services; and a variety of general trades, including custom finish carpentry.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 65

midwest | general contracting

general contracting | midwest

D .W. N e l s o N enterprises, Inc.

Founded by David and Will Nelson.

D.W. Nelson enterprises, Inc. has specialized in excavating and Demolition since 1988.

Congratulation to latoria Bros.

Construction Corp. on your continued success. D.W. Nelson is proud of our successful business relation and values the ongoing opportunity to do work with latoria Bros. Construction Corp.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR - CONSTRUCTION MANAGER

Landscape Design • Landscape Construction • Commercial Landscape Maintenance • Retail/Wholesale Landscape Supplies • Snow Removal P. O . B O x 8 7 4 9 8 C a r O l S t r e a m , I l 6 0 1 8 8

(P) 630-221-9638(F) 630-221-9639

210 E 113th Ave • Crown Point IN 46307

MOORE TROSPER CONSTRUCTION CO. 4224 KELLER ROAD • HOLT, MI 48842 PH 517.694.6310 • FAX 517.694.1173 INFO@MOORETROSPER.COM A Native American Owned Company

CALL TODAY: 219-662-9911

latoria brothers construction

skillman corp

OVER 50 YEARS OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

the best project administration and construction management services

L

atoria Bros. Construction Corp. consists of Contractors, Managers, Design/Builders of Industrial Real Estate Properties, who are dedicated to the pursuit of building our customer's investment with services that meet or exceed expectations. Founded in 1945, their mission is to provide their clients with top-quality, innovative and practical services that will offer a one-stop-shop investment approach. Latoria Bros. Construction Corp. is committed to the pursuit of total customer satisfaction, they are not only building your facility they are also building upon our quality reputation in the construction industry. As part of their customer's team, they will work to develop a construction project that fulfills the client needs within the budget limits the client sets from up to date design through turn key construction.

Latoria Bros. believes that this "team work" policy helps build the trust which is crucial for the success of any project. Latoria Bros. Construction Corp. will be happy to investigate any construction / real estate ideas clients wish to make to their investment. They always provide their client swith top-quality, innovative and practical services that will offer a one-stop-shop investment approach saving the project time, money and worry. Latoria Bros.

Construction Corp. is committed to the pursuit of total customer satisfaction,

66 Construction Leaders Today

by Staff Writer

they are not only building your facility they are also building upon our quality reputation in the construction industry.

As part of our customer's team, they will work to develop a construction project that fulfills the client needs within the monetary limits the client sets.

It is their belief that this "team work" policy helps build the trust which is crucual for the success of any project. Giving the client active participation, illustrates their belief that our system will save the project time, money and avoid unnecessary worry.

A

by Staff Writer

successful building project really begins long before the first shovel of dirt is turned. Along the way, each small success that is achieved – from bringing the community on board, to securing the most competitive bids possible, to anticipating problems before they happen – adds up to one big success at the end. As a construction manager who has no ties to other service providers, Skillman is the partner who can ensure those success stories during each stage of the construction process Two recent projects of note ar the Portage Lakefront Park and the Firekeepers Hotel and Casino. The Portage project is an award winning LEED Gold Project features a dynamic Visitors Pavilion with concessions, restrooms, gallery, and classroom with breathtaking views of the park and Lake Michigan.

Visitors to the new Portage Lakefront Park and Riverwalk can now enjoy 60 acres of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, including interpretive trails, a fishing pier, riverwalk, and observation structures. Construction incorporated a low-impact design, restoration of native plant life, breakwater repair along Lake Michigan, 900 feet of riverwalk, a 90-foot fishing pier along Burns Waterway, and infrastructure improvements including access roads, parking, and utility extensions.

The FireKeepers Hotel and Casino is a 238,000 square foot facility located on a 78-acre site southeast of Battle Creek. Construction included a 2078 space parking structure and offsite infrastructure improvements.

The hotel consists of more than 220 rooms, including a number of suites, a pool and fitness area, full-service restaurant, and a 2,000-seat concert hall.

This concert hall was designed with flexibility in mind, so that when it is not being used as a concert venue, the space can be arranged as a banquet hall or configured to accomodate corporate meetings, conferences, and other events.

Skillman has registered architects and building specialists on-hand who can evaluate a client's current facilities and identify any existing issues, as well as help them anticipate future concerns. The better clients understand their facilities, the better they can plan for their futures.

With over 40 years of experience in a variety of markets, the Skillman Way has become a tested, trusted project delivery method. Offering customers the simplicity of a single contract from design to construction, they will work side by side with clients to guide their project from start to finish and ensure its success.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 67

south | general contracting

SOUTH skillman corp

68 Construction Leaders Today

above: portage riverwalk

below: firekeepers casino

70 goodwyn mills and caywood 74 apex construction 75 d.e. murphy 76 drymalla construction 78 e&I unlimited 79 hgr construction 80 history maker homes 81 hi-tide Sales 83 homes by vanderbuilt 85 jenkins essex 88 new horizon construction 89 oak ridge national laboratory 90 rg williams construction 91 rockrose group 92 shaub construction 93 story construction 94 strasser construction 95 teqton construction 96 carothers construction 98 wallace companies 99 wittenberg, delony and davidson 100 pm realty group

healthcare | south

lending a hand to help education goodwyn mills and caywood helps auburn elementary

by Christy Hayek

70 Construction Leaders Today

Jan/Feb/March 2013 71

healthcare | south

THE MELL GROUP, LLC was founded in 1993 to specialize in planning and furnishing libraries – Public, University and K-12. In this capacity we work closely with architects and General Contractors.

We have also developed an expertise with architectural specialties such as modular, moveable glass walls, raised access flooring, fixed lecture seating and sound masking.

goodwyn mills and caywood Defining a New School

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by Christy Hayek

oodwyn Mills and Cawood has offered its expertise in many subject areas of construction, and by fall of next year, it will have helped build a new elementary school for Auburn, Alabama.

Known for their expertise, the company is able to integrate solutions to provide top-notch service for their clientele. From experience in engineering to outside landscaping: Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood can successfully boast about covering all aspects of the design and build process.

The firm was called upon for this exact expertise, performing it all, when the township decided to start moving forward with plans for a new school. Due to ever increasing influx of students, the firm saw this challenge and pumped out some solutions. With the firm's oldest experiences being with educational systems, this challenge was a no brainer for the team at Goodywn, Mills and Cawood, also adding that they had completed building a new cafeteria for Auburn High in 2009. Since its opening, the firm has designed and planned around 40 K-12 school systems and 30 colleges and universities.

Expressing architectural design through educational facilities makes the job exciting for the team at Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood. The teamwork and dedication to enhancing the educational setting has honored the team with many award winning designs and a legacy for educational institutions. Designing the space efficiently gives more to an educational

72 Construction Leaders Today

project mission, it creates a place that students can call home for years to come.

Enhancing the capabilities of an elementary school, the firm has designed the classrooms to give students a leg up in learning and accomplishing their goals.

Designed to be around 72,000 square feet, the building will be able to hold 450 students and is scheduled to open August of 2013. It will only serve grades 3-5, dividing up elementary school years between the schools in the district.

Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood will leave Pick Elementary school in state-of-the-art condition, with technological capabilities in each classroom and stable security. Adorned with major entryways for heavy traffic, the school's design will be durable enough to handle 3rd graders. Following the schools color themes, the inside will brightly awaken the students, livening up the school and making it easily identifiable for the children. The material palette on the outside will consist of brick, concrete masonry and precast aluminum storefront.

Giving it a sophisticated, yet modern, edge; the new "Pick Elementary School" will be the addition needed to sustain the ever growing town of Auburn, Alabama. Flow and function is essential to the design and Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood resolved that issue through their award winning designs, flawless teamwork and unending effort offered.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 73

south | general contracting

general contracting | south

COMMERCIAL GLASS SUBCONTRACTORS Dedicated to meeting your project goals every time!

High Quality • On-Time • On-Budget

• • • •

Estimators & Project Managers offering you decades of experience Professional Installers, certified in Kawneer and EFCO systems Performing jobs ranging from $3000 to $3 million Servicing the Southern U.S.

Storefront & Curtainwall Glass Specialists!

Putting the Best on Top We manufacture cold formed steel roof trusses.

As an authorized fabricator of Alpine TrusSteel, pre-engineered steel trusses, we partner with some of the premier light gauge steel truss installers in the southeast. We’re proud to work with D.E. Murphy Constructors, we congratulate them on their success.

Phone: (334) 358-1335 • Fax (334) 358-1336 www.judsontruss.com

CONTACT US FOR A PROMPT, CUSTOM QUOTE!

205.595.8112

Judson Truss Company, Inc.

cholcomb@sunbeltglassllc.com Sunbelt

Glass Llc

202 Challenge Ave. • Prattville, AL36067

Located in Birmingham, Alabama

apex construction

d.e. murphy

exceeding expectations

stars and stripes

F

by Staff Writer

ormed in 2010, APEX has grown beyond expectations, and continues to be a front running mid-sized general construction firm. APEX has experience in several industries including healthcare, historical site rehabilitation, municipal, industrial and retail. APEX offers with confidence the highest quality of construction services in the Southeast.

The employees who comprise APEX combine experience from large contracting firms to provide the most comprehensive, professional, full-service construction available today. Lasting relationships with trade professionals, equipment suppliers, and manufacturers paired with minimal overhead costs give APEX the unique ability to offer the highest quality construction at the most competitive price.

The mission at Apex is to provide a high quality of service and expertise while making each project a personal priority. They measure themselves by the overall success of each project. Clients that demand excellence are satisfied with the level of work APEX provides.

APEX is an experienced right of way clearing, right of way maintenance, and civil construction company. Whether you have tree and brush removal needs for pipeline, power line, or transportation right-of-ways APEX can deliver the project safely, cost effectively, and in a timely manner. APEX’s experienced team can also handle all aspects of civil construction including complete utility/compressor station work, storage tank facilities, all types of concrete placement needs, and erosion control implementation.

APEX’s commitment to safety is at the center of theircore values. Apex is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy work environment for its employees, associates, clients, and the public. Apex assigns a safety coordinator to each 74 Construction Leaders Today

project and a specific safety plan is built around the unique requirements relative to our role. From the corporate staff to the field supervisors, the goal is to deliver incident-free projects and environmentally conscious work with a quality that meets or exceeds our client’s expectations. APEX will happily take a project from the beginning to its fullest potential, or depending on the client’s needs, will step in at any point to perform any phase of any trade.

APEX’s team’s experience comes from working on large-scale projects with some of the highest volume companies in the South. Scheduling demands and a high quality of craftsmanship are persistently met by APEX’s project managers and superintendents. By being a part of the entire process, they are able to ensure that their expertise is consistent throughout each project.

Apex specializes in commercial healthcare projects as well as historical site rehabilitation, municipal, industrial and retail. Their clients are continually satisfied with the APEX level of professionalism in any construction task.

Relationships with professionals from all aspects of the construction industry allows APEX to comprise a team of highly qualified architects and engineers, who are prepared to meet the clients’ specifications to create a quality plan for construction. The design-build process provides a stress free environment for the owner, while APEX handles every aspect from design to completion.

From the conception of an idea to the final brick, they employ only the best and most experienced in the business to ensure that your project is up to the APEX standard.

I

by Kevin Porter

t’s been a few years since Florida-based D.E. Murphy Constructors, Inc. completed construction of the Florida Seminole Veterans Center in Okeechobee, but the unique, star-shaped structure remains a noteworthy symbol of the pride of America’s Indian veterans and their sacrifice for the country.

Located on the Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation, the 24, 321 sq.ft. building acts as a multi-purpose facility which provides a place for Seminole veterans to congregate and to host Tribal gatherings and council meetings. Recently the dramatic structure made headlines again when it hosted a ceremony to restore the legacy of a fallen Seminole veteran.

The veteran honored was U.S. Army soldier Charlie Steel Gopher.

Gopher served during the Vietnam War and suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), however his condition went untreated. After multiple desertions, which the Army had originally kept under wraps and instead repeatedly sent Gopher back to the front lines, Gopher received an “other-than-honorable-discharge” in 1974. This designation ultimately prevented his family from receiving U.S. Army benefits and sullied Gopher’s history as a highly decorated hero.

After years of concerted efforts by representatives of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and members of Gopher’s family to upgrade his discharge status and restore his burial benefits, the VA granted Gopher’s appeal in July 2012.

On Nov. 1, 2012 a ceremony honoring the late veteran was held at the Florida Seminole Veterans Center. Military officials presented Gopher’s family members with medals that the war hero had earned during

his military service in Vietnam as well as with the military benefits owed him.

Occasions like this fulfill the true purpose of the Florida Seminole Veterans Center and honor the quality and meaningful construction of D. E. Murphy Constructors, Inc.

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general contracting | south

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16226 WAVERLY DR. HOUSTON, TX 77032

drymalla construction texas school excellence

D

rymalla Construction Company, Ltd has been in the General Contracting business since 1946. The quality of work and close association with the major architects and school districts of the area has resulted in a considerable contribution to the growth of this thriving Gulf Coast Area.

Drymalla Construction Company, Ltd., has a permanent work force of some 200 full time employees enabling us to complete 35% of our work with our own people.

A recently completed project by Drymalla is the Shadow Oak Elementary School. The new Shadow Oaks Elementary School is a strikingly modern, two-story building designed for students in Prekindergarten through 5th grade. The building is composed of brick and Texas limestone with a geometric plan, angled metal roofs, exterior tile and curtain wall glazing. It contains 39 regular classrooms and additional resource, special education and fine arts classrooms for a total building capacity of 744 students The new building is located on its existing parcel of SBISD property located at 1335 Shadowdale in the Shadow Oaks neighborhood. Separate parking for staff, visitors and buses are provided. Playground areas, a soccer field, walk/run track and a covered play area will be provided. The site's major trees will be saved.

The school's two-story building plan includes six classroom pods. Prekindergarten is located in a renovated classroom building. All classrooms are designed and set up for computer and ACTIVBoard use. The library and media center are located along the main corridor from the lobby and near the administration’s offices at the main entrance. The cafeteria has two serving lines and a stage. The building has two music rooms and one art room. These rooms, as well as a gym, kitchen and cafeteria are located on the building's 76 Construction Leaders Today

MAXIMIZE YOUR EXPOSURE

by Staff Writer

Drywall Acoustical & Drywall Suspended Ceilings Demolition Carpentry Painting Framing: Metal & Wood Renovations/Remodel Interior Build-outs/Finishes Retail Build-outs Shopping Center Exterior Remodel/ Renovation Occupied Interior Space

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1230 Hahlo Street | Houston, Texas 77020

Largest Paver & Modular Wall Contractor in S.E. Texas Houston Based Since 1999

MODER N CUSTOM HOMES

STUDIOHOWE

south end separate from classrooms.

Two buildings were preserved and seamlessly incorporated into the new building design. The gym was transformed into a new cafeteria. The northside classroom building, with three special education classrooms and the Multisensory Lab, was renovated to house Prekindergarten and a few other functions. A student-centered science laboratory is also included.

The Shadow Oak Elementary School is one of Spring Branch ISD’s most recent replacement schools. Last summer, staff and students moved to a nearby transition campus while Shadow Oaks was rebuilt on its original site. This replacement school required that a recently constructed classroom building and gymnasium at opposite ends of the campus remain and be incorporated into the new school. In order to preserve the massive oak trees, minimize site disturbance, reuse the two existing buildings and improve traffic flow for parents and buses, it made sense to place the new school back in a similar location to the original. The two existing buildings are repurposed, re-clad and comprehensively integrated into the new design, seamlessly blending old and new.

By using a long, linear building shape that flows north-south, the school's footprint is in a similar location to the old building and allows important trees to be saved. In addition, classrooms will be oriented northeast or northwest where possible to take advantage of northern light. North natural light reduces heat gain and allows for indirect light to come through the windows.

An updated Spark Park with brand-new equipment will occupy the same location. The bus drop-off will be on Westview and the parent drop-off will be reconfigured to improve street traffic along Shadowdale.

IN . 2 ED ol UR , V AT 11 FE ng 20 ri Sp

ARCHITECTURE LEADERS TODAY T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R C A P TA I N S O F INDUSTRY www.architectureleaderstoday.com

A self-described modernist in theory and style, founder and owner Seth Howe draws inspiration from everything around him and is sensitive to how his clients will experience and move through their spaces.

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T H E M AG A Z INE www.architectur eleaderstoday.c

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WWW.PROMODULAR.COM (713) 467-4660

VENDRICK CONSTRUCTION INC.

A SMALL FOUNDATION SUPPORTING BIG

by Joel Cornell

With high annual growth and a backlog of work standing at a worth of about $22 million, one would think VendRick Construction, Inc. would be a massive corporate construction firm with countless bustling employees. On the contrary, the relatively small staff that VendRick Construction, Inc. began with in 1993 has remained the stable foundation of their success to this day.

“Our real specialty lies in our ability to properly manage and utilize our short list of highly trained and experienced employees and subcontractors who we rely on like family to make sure that our clients budget, scheduling and aesthetic needs are met every step of the way,” said company president Frank Vendemia.

Vendemia began in the industry after receiving his degree in civil engineering. In his senior year in college, he worked with Derrick “Rick” Dickson, who managed his own construction company. Right out of high school, Dickson entered into a local carpentry apprenticeship program. He worked with a local commercial contracting company for nearly two decades before starting his own business. It was this company that Vendemia worked for before he wanted to

GROWTH

start his own business as well. Vendemia and Dickson decided to partner up instead, and see how that suited them and their goals. Should any problems arise, they would go their separate ways. To this day, Vendemia and Dickson have been doing what they love and have kept their business and their passion going strong.

“For the most part,” Vendemia said, “we tend to handle public works projects such as large multifamily complexes, school renovations and medical facilities. We don’t always take on the most attractive or visible projects; that’s not our aim. We want to work on projects that fit our forte. Whether we’re working on a public bid project for a school renovation or a design/ build project for an apartment complex, we’re able to provide the ultimate service to our clients by keeping our management teams small and project-oriented, while relying on a family of experienced employees and specialized subcontractors and specialists who are the absolute best at what they do.”

Located in Brookfield, Ohio close to the Pennsylvania border, VendRick Construction, Inc. operates locally in a 60 mile radius. Despite

the fact that VendRick’s annual revenues have grown by millions of dollars every year, they focus on building projects locally. They can utilize their knowledge of the area, its nuances and its residents to give their clients the highest quality building program.

“We do as much of the work ourselves as we can manage,” Vendemia said, “but once we’re outside our internal capacity to perform efficiently, we reach out to our roster of quality subcontractors to work with people we know and trust to get the job done right and on time.”

VendRick Construction, Inc.’s philosophy promises the continued involvement of at least one company principal on each and every project, as well as the commitment to quality construction by the entire building group working as a single team.

Both Rick and Frank attribute the company’s success to their faith, family, and friends. By focusing on building proper relationships and teams as much as they concentrate on the buildings themselves, VendRick Construction, Inc. is able to maintain a history of quality projects done on time, every time. ALT

Vendrick.indd 1 4/28/2011 7:43:37 PM

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Jan/Feb/March 2013 77

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COMMERCIAL HVAC CONTRACTOR

LICENSED IN THE STATES OF FLORIDA, TEXAS, AND GEORGIA We specialize in the installation of new HVAC systems for all kinds of commercial projects, including office building spaces, churches, retail projects, medical facilities, and more. If your project or task requires just sheet metal ductwork to be custom made, we can facilitate that as well.

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Electrical & Instrumentation Unlimited "power"ful contractor

E

lectrical & Instrumentation Unlimited is a full service, open shop contractor. Since its inception in 1980, EIU has provided the finest in technical and contracting services to a wide variety of clients in both domestic and international markets. The services offered

by EIU are as broad as the clients requirements. Qualified personnel have given EIU experience that has enabled us to expand our range of services.

The oil and gas industry of today demands quality and performance from all contractors involved.

In the electrical and instrumentation field; EIU leads in every aspect. From superior quality and performance, to an outstanding safety record, EIU takes pride in its reputation as one of the industry's superior contractors.

Their proven performance has been accomplished across our broad range of expertise, including petrochemicals , gas transmission, refning, paper mills, mining, pharmaceuticals and offshore drilling EIU is right for you in many aspects. EIU's accomplishments in all areas of the industrial sector has contributed to our vast knowledge and verstility in the industry. The experience of our staff enables us to effectively meet any challenges that occur in this unique market sector. The success of their project teams is a direct result of experience gained from many specialized projects throughout the United States and over seas.

These services are just a highlight of the electrical services which EIU provides. Instrumentation calibration, installation, commissioning, and start-up assistance for both electronic and pneumatic applications round

78 Construction Leaders Today

by Staff Writer

out their list of services. After installation, EIU can provide the proper maintenance and support to ensure the reliability of your systems. Safety, quality, and pride. These are more than just stated terms at EIU; they are goals that we achieve each and every day.

hgr construction doing a "publix" good

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by Drew Grossman

ood is a big deal in the south. Southern culture is all about the cuisine and if you talk to people in the south about where they like to shop for food, you will hear the same answer again and again. Publix Supermarkets, a foundation of communities all across the southeastern United States. Publix was founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins in Winter Haven, Fla. and has since grown to become the largest and fastest-growing employee-owned supermarket chain in the U.S. The Fortune 500 company has stores in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama.

Publix is well-known in the southeast for the company’s commitment to community involvement and its support of the people that shop in all of its stores, but Publix is more than just a feel-good operation. A lot of the success of Publix Supermarkets can be attributed to the high-quality experience that is consistent at each and every one of the chain’s more than 1,000 stores.

Store #009 in Saint Petersburg, Fla. was struggling to keep up with the experience that customers associate with Publix Supermarkets, so a replacement store was needed to serve that community. HGR Construction out of Winter Park, Fla. was brought in to serve as general managers on construction of a new store to replace #009. Located on 34th Street and 17th Avenue North in Saint Petersburg, the project consisted of a new 54,171 square foot Publix with a canopy and a few necessary updates to the site.

HGR Construction is a fully licensed, insured and bondable commercial general contractor and they have worked with Publix in the past, so they are familiar with the Publix brand. There are more than 750 Publix Supermarkets in Florida, making it a fruitful business for HGR to have a relationship with.

Like Publix, the people at HGR pride themselves on tailoring their service to fit the needs of their customers. The firm is constantly re-evaluating and adapting their methods of delivery, sectors of involvement and business

goals in order to better serve their client’s needs in today’s ever-changing construction environment. Although HGR is based in central Florida, in Winter Park, the firm has projects across the entire southeast, including South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama.

HGR undertakes a wide variety of projects that range from pre-engineered metal buildings, to warehouses, tilt wall structures, structural steel and masonry construction. The firm also has a LEED Accredited Professional on staff to help with developing buildings to be LEED certified by the USGBC. The Publix project in Saint Petersburg has been very well received and many people in the community are excited about the new building. Publix promoted the grand opening of the store on Facebook and the event received streams of comments from shoppers praising the company and praising the new building.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 79

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WOODMONT CABINETRY With over 59 years building American cabinetry, Woodmont Cabinetry is committed to building long-term relationships to provide innovative solutions. Woodmont manufactures designer kitchen and bathroom cabinetry styles and finishes that are market-driven and environmentally friendly for builders direct and national distribution. Our line contains 53 Door Styles, 16 Standard Colors, 10 Designer Paints, 4 Glazes, and over 2,100 SKU’s. We are proud of the continued strategic partnership with our very first customer, History Maker Homes.

history maker homes

hi-tide boat lifts

building your history

A rising tide

H

by Kevin Porter

istory often happens on the world stage and is documented in record books. But sometimes the most important history is the legacy you create in your own little corner of the world – with your own family and friends. And while the world may not know your name, your neighbors do. It’s the concept behind the philosophy that drives a Texas homebuilder that’s been in business for more than 60 years – History Maker Homes.

“The biggest historical moment in a family’s life is purchasing a home,” said Rich Rodriguez, vice president of operations at History Maker Homes.

“Each family can make their own history by purchasing a home.” History Maker is helping homebuyers do just that.

Founded in 1949, History Maker Homes is a family-owned and operated homebuilder that serves the northern Texas market. In the Lone Star State where everything is bigger – and bigger is better – the firm prides itself on a mantra that its customers are sure to appreciate: “More home, less money.”

History Maker is able to accomplish this through several features that make its homes stand out from the competition. Among those, as the firm’s President Nelson Mitchell indicates on the company website, are: space, choice and value. A prime example of this is Big Bear Creek Meadows, a subdivision comprised of customizable traditional and colonial-style open-concept homes.

Originally completed by History Maker in 2009, the community represents the company’s signature line. In 2010, the subdivision underwent a 220home expansion across nearly 60-acres that was completed in Sept. 2012.

Big Bear Creek Meadows embodies the features that distinguish History Maker from other home brands. Regarding space, homes are available in a broad range of sizes to suit homebuyers’ living needs – from the smallest at 1,287 sq.ft. up to the largest at 4,007 sq.ft. There are also sizes in between at 1,856 sq.ft., which is a one-story, to a 2,600 two-story plan. As far as choice,

80 Construction Leaders Today

no matter what the budget, History Maker allows its clients to customize their homes to fit their individual styles and tastes. The firm brings unique value to each home through the use of sustainable concepts like radiant barrier decking. “It’s part of our engineering package that we put in all our homes,” Rodriguez said. Another sustainable feature involves the use of advanced framing techniques. “It has to do with where the structural members are situated within the house which allows you to achieve maximum strength.”

Another factor that adds distinction to the Big Bear Creek Meadows community is its dynamic layout. “The land and street designs are not just a straight grid,” said Rodriguez. He also noted the subdivision’s proximity to major arteries of transportation.

Despite the many attributes of Big Bear Creek Meadows, Rodriguez is mindful of the competition and makes sure that the History Maker brand remains a cut above. “There’s always competition,” Rodriguez said. “Buyers have a choice about where they’re going to spend their money. There are other competitors nearby, but it’s a challenge that we meet. You have to put your best foot forward.” The firm’s efforts have been successful. At the time of our interview, Big Bear Creek Meadows was 95 percent sold-out. Ninetyeight percent of History Maker’s customers recommend them to friends and family. “We’re an ethical, quality-driven company. Our owners always tell us, ‘don’t put anything out there that you wouldn’t own or live in yourself.’”

by Kevin Porter

A

s the saying goes, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Whatever the tide, on all products, electronic controls produced in-house—enabling the use of when it comes to quality boat lifts, one firm is setting the high- higher quality components at a lower price point, and driver shafts that are water mark. mounted atop their structures—increasing boater awareness and safety. Wood That company is Hi-Tide Boat Lifts, a leading manufacturer of boat said, “We specifically design our products so that our driver shaft is visible. lifts and marine accessories serving residential customers throughout the state Our engineering margin of safety is higher than most of our competitors.” of Florida. The firm is headed up by second-generation company President Hi-Tide’s latest creation is the “LPL,” or Launchpad Lift, which fits inside Craig Wood. Wood got an early start in marine construction working in the of a typical 10-ft. boat slip and is designed to support a boat using only a family business with his father, Donald Wood, who founded the company floating lift. Floating tanks go under the hull and act as a floating support in 1979 primarily performing sea wall construction. That focus eventually structure which requires no pilings or additional support. To date, the firm’s expanded to boat lifts after a supplier could not fulfill its obligations. Soon traditional lifts can hoist up to 60 tons. However, Hi-Tide is working on a the firm began to increase its customer base. unit that is able to lift 90 tons and is likely to be the first in the industry In the early ‘90s, Craig Wood re-launched the business, putting to use the to do so, according to Wood. “We’ll go as high as you need. We’ll custom experience and expertise he gained from years of working directly with the design anything,” he said. customer. He learned to anticipate their needs. “I developed my knowledge In February 2013, Wood attended the Atlantic City Boat Show where Hiof how boat lift customers react, what their needs are, and what works and Tide showcased some of its innovations and lent support to its local dealers. what doesn’t,” Wood said.

“We have the best network of dealers than any other manufacturer out there,” That knowledge translated into robust customer service. “We have the best said Wood. “When our products come to our dealers, they’re ready to go.” customer service than other boat lift companies out there,” said Wood. With The firm’s product sales have been solid. Hi-Tide had a profitable 2012 and a dedicated team of 40 employees, the nimble firm is able to respond quickly expects 2013 to be even better, Wood said. It all speaks to a high-quality to the needs of its clientele. Wood’s staff handles sales, warranty, customer product and a satisfied customer. “We want to be part of your better boatfollow-up, and manufactures its own equipment at the company factory in ing experience. We want it to be the best boating experience that you have.

Ft. Pierce, Fla. With the ability to fabricate its own products, Hi-Tide is able We have an ‘A-list’ of customers. They’re happy and we’re proud of that.” to offer innovative, high-quality equipment at a price point lower than its competitors. “We were the first boat lift manufacturer to utilize aluminum as the main structural component. Most people were using galvanized steel, which isn’t rust resistant. Their work is usually a spin-off of ours.”

The firm boasts an impressive list of innovations including totally enclosed gear boxes custom designed specifically for boat lifts, stainless-steel motors Jan/Feb/March 2013 81

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Best Wishes to hi-tide sales, iNC. for your CoNtiNued suCCess Fortune rope & Metal Co. are distributers oF stainless steel and Galvanized Cable and ManuFaCturers oF CustoM Cable asseMblies

We are proud to have been WorkinG With hi-tide sales, inC. For More than 15 years and look ForWard to Many years oF suCCessFul GroWth betWeen our CoMpanies 1.800.416.6595 • www.fortunerope.com

Bristol, ri • Bensenville, il • Jacksonville, fl

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Our Electra-Gear line of Boat Hoist Duty motors provide customized features that are needed to support the Boast Hoist industry. Features include: Stainless Steel Frame, base, capacitor case and conduit box cover, 15 Minute Duty Cycle, Drain Holes located at 6:00 position, TENV enclosure, Aluminum Endbells Capacitor case located at 12:00 and 115/230 Volt - 1/15 S.F. www.leeson.com

Electra-Gear offers a unique, aluminum gear reducer line, which is the most extensive of its kind in North America. Electra-Gear’s aluminum products are a light weight, yet durable alternative to today’s cast iron and stainless steel models, and are available off-the-shelf or customized to your exact specifications. The design provides features in a robust, aluminum, single-pierce housing. www.grovegear.com

Combining first class electric motors and speed reducers into the best packaged solution available.

82 Construction Leaders Today

homes by vanderbuilt going green saves green

I

by Kevin Porter

f you think a modular home is a home of lesser quality than one that is site-built, you would be mistaken – especially when it comes to Homes by Vanderbuilt.

Homes by Vanderbuilt is a general contractor that specializes in modular home construction and serves the Carolinas as well as the state of Virginia. In business since 1984, the firm has established itself as a leader in the modular housing industry. The design and construction of its modular homes often exceeds site building requirements. The recent unveiling of the Vanderbuilt’s Xtreme Green Series takes modular housing to the next level while creating more energy-efficient, cost-saving homes.

There’s nothing cookie-cutter about Homes By Vanderbuilt. The builder allows potential homebuyers to choose from more than 120 modular floor plans, each with its own distinct style and configuration. Sizes range from the modest Washington rancher at a little over 1,600 sq.ft., up to the stately 3,000 sq.ft., four-bed, two-and-a half-bath Imperial model. Pitched roofs, dormers and porches add to the style and individuality of each home. Homes can also be customized with additions and garages.

But just as important as style is construction. Vanderbuilt’s modular homes meet and often exceed building codes. A typical Vanderbuilt home is constructed using 2”x6” exterior walls containing R-19 insulation as compared to some site-built homes which are made of 2”x4” exterior walls with only R-13 insulation to fill wall cavities. On average, Vanderbuilt uses 20 percent more lumber than site-built homes.

When it comes to safety, modular homes stand strong. In a study conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) modular homes outperformed conventionally framed homes, sustaining only minimal structural damage.

With its Xtreme Green line, Homes by Vanderbuilt ramps-up green sus-

tainability in modular homes. Xtreme Green homes help reduce energy consumption with the utilization of R-24.5, R-32.5 and R-38.5 exterior wall insulation – creating a thick barrier against air exchange. Double-glazed, double-hung windows, tankless water heaters and dual flush toilets add to the overall efficiency of the home. These sustainable concepts all add-up to lower energy costs for homeowners, which makes ‘going green’ one of the most effective methods to ‘save green.’

With the Vanderbuilt stamp, a modular home is sure to be a solid, cost-effective investment. The Xtreme Green line offers homebuyers an opportunity not only to save on energy consumption and cost, but the chance to reside in a home that reduces harmful chemical emissions and ultimately contributes to a healthier environment for both the owner, the surrounding community and the larger world ecology.

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Since opening our doors in 1955, Lee Builder Mart has been proud to provide quality building materials to builders and individuals for the construction of some of the finest homes in our area. We know our community, and the people in it.

Many of our employees were born and grew up here in Lee County.

Whether you are building a new home, remodelling your current home, or making home improvements, we are sure you’ll not only find the right products, but the experts to answer any questions you might have at Lee Builder Mart.

1000 N Horner Blvd | Sanford, NC 27330 | (919) 775-5555 | www.LeeBuilderMart.com

84 Construction Leaders Today

jenkins essex construction play ball!

S

by Christy Hayek

erving Central Kentucky since 1904, Jenkins Essex is a one stop provider in all things construction. Heavily rooted in the area, the professional team is constantly depended on in the community to help build and grow Central Kentucky. Boasting 200 years of service gives Jenkins Essex the edge needed to pursue opportunities and provide strength to their clientele. The subcontractors employed by Jenkins Essex are constantly growing, improving and positively aligning as a team; building more superior products while maintaining a cost friendly approach.

Holding a diverse resume of clientele, from commercial to recreational, the firm believes in honoring their word of trust and honesty to maintain the highest level of satisfaction in Central Kentucky. From a functional standpoint, the team works as a partner with clients to secure an attractive, functional, economical project. A recently completed work entailed building a new sports park in the town of Elizabethtown. Acquiring on-site superintendents equipped with modern technology, Jenkins Essex ensured that the objectives of the sports park were met. Experience and construction capability guaranteed the success of this project.

The 150 acre Elizabethtown Sports Park has 12 baseball and softball diamonds, 10 natural turf soccer and football fields, 2 full-size synthetic turf fields and a diamond for physically disabled athletes. The sports park also includes powerful lighting, six concession buildings, pavilions to house meeting spaces and locker rooms, four playgrounds, Wi-Fi access so events can be viewed live anywhere. With the idea that it will bolster tourism in Elizabethtown, many youth tournaments are scheduled to play here bringing a variety of people and competitors to the quaint town. With families spending around 7 billion dollars traveling for youth sports competition, the Sports Park in Elizabethtown is nothing short to please, which will enable a stimulation to the local economy as well.

Mimicking the success of other Sports Parks, Jenkins Essex took on the challenge with their full support staff, which helped them evade any issues that arose. The firm gathered ideas from surrounding parks to create the most efficient and up to date design. This includes the paved walking and running trail that rings the Elizabethtown park and the Wi-Fi equipment that will enable tournament directors to broadcast and update games and post video, audio and data to the Internet in real time.

However, the small town charm has not completely disappeared from the park, the enthusiasm shared by the locals has enhanced the pride felt throughout Elizabethtown. Jenkins Essex viewed this project vital to the community and built upon that to strengthen the town.

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ALL PURPOSE ERECTORS Since 1984 All Purpose Erectors Inc. of Lebanon Ill. Has completed a full spectrum of sports lighting projects for customers who require the skill and professionalism that we at All Purpose Erectors take very serious.We are proud to have the Elizabethtown Ky. Sports complex added to our long list of satisfied customers. If you are looking for assistance in design and installation of your next Sports Lighting project you have come to the right place.

general contracting | south

All Purpose Erectors , INC.

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S Jenkins Essex Construction!

Best of luck on all of your future projects.

We are proud to have worked with you on the Elizabethtown Sports Park!

S P O R T S L I G H T I N G I N S TA L L AT I O N

KORKAT KorKat was founded on the elements of honest work, community, family and the mindset that there is always room to grow. Shane Lanier started in this industry in 1993, naming KORKAT after his daughters Korin and Katie.

This company was built from the ground up with Shane’s years of experience at the forefront of playground manufacturing and installation. Shane started with SII working as an assembly and installation personnel for Discovery Zone Playgrounds. He began learning auto cad after hours, sparing his personal time to increase the efficiency of the assembly department. This extra work paid off when Shane accepted a position in the CAD department designing playgrounds. After this, his opportunities expanded even further with his designing of water slides, custom playgrounds and eventually to the outdoor division of SII designing parts for Playland. Shane’s passion, hard work and extra time put into this industry is what created KorKat as it is known today.

B&B Fire Protection, Inc. DESIGN & INSTALLATION OF AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Alliza Sports Turf is a multi-faceted sports field construction company located in Bowling Green, Ky. The firm has constructed multiple sport complexes throughout Kentucky and Tennessee since 1996. Our staff is adept at design, construction, and maintenance of high quality sports fields. We strive to provide the safest, most durable Alliza symbols and rule lines to print PMS 356 (green).

Words “Alliza”, “Sod Farms and “Sports Turf” to print Black.

Reproduce this playing surface using theInc.”latest laser technology available. logo sheet on enamel coated (glossy) stock.

Alliza Sports Turf constructed 10 natural turf soccer fields at the Elizabethtown Sports Park. The scope of work included irrigation, drainage, grade work, and turf establishment.

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S p o r t s

1112 STARLIFTER DRIVE LEBANON, IL. 62254 | (618) 537-7777

OFFICE (502) 491-1274 | FAX (502) 572-6168 320 PRODUCTION COURT | JEFFERSONTOWN, KY 40299

1.888.356.7528 | 770.214.9322 | www.korkat.com 86 Construction Leaders Today

Playground & site amenities

Over 30 years of servicing Kentucky

GLASGOW 180 Beaver Trail South Glasgow, KY 42141 (270) 678-4731

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We can help you with any park or playground need

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12889 Woodburn Allen Springs Rd. Alvaton, KY. 42122 • (270) S842-0473 p o r t s T u r f S o d

Helping Our Customers is Child’s Play!

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ELIZABETHTOWN 4250 Leitchfield Road Cecilia, KY 42724 (270) 765-4141

WWW. K NI GH T SMECH A NI CA L. CO M Jan/Feb/March 2013 87

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general contracting | south

oak ridge national laboratory Building the future

TM

TOGETHER, WE BUILD WHAT MATTERS. The people of CEMEX have shown great pride, a passion for success, and the commitment to deliver on promises.

Working together as a team, with our customers and partners, has built CEMEX into the leading company in America for cement, aggregates, ready-mix and concrete products. And it’s because of your dedication and hard work that our future is build on such a solid foundation.

Thank you New Horizon Builders, for all your contributions. www.cemexusa.com

new horizon construction Both Ends of the Spectrum

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by Kevin Porter

stablished in 1990, New Horizon Builders Inc. is a general contractor that builds commercial and residential projects involving new construction, renovations, tenant improvements as well as demolition.

The firm’s construction projects run the gamut from fast food carryouts to luxury homes. From popular restaurant chains like Church’s Chicken, Papa John’s Pizza and Popeye’s Chicken and Biscuits, to office buildings and warehouses, to luxury residential builds, New Horizon Builders has a presence in just about every corner of the construction market.

Fast food restaurants make up a major portion of the firm’s business. Church’s Chicken is a well-known fast food franchise that got its start in San Antonio, Tx. in 1952. The first restaurant was located in downtown San Antonio right across the street from the Alamo. Today, the popular chain continues to extend its presence and legacy with the construction of one of its newest locations in El Paso completed by New Horizon Builders in February 2012.

New Horizon Builders boasts an impressive portfolio of residential homes.

However, in order to maintain a high level of quality, the firm builds a limited number of custom homes each year. The company works with a team of top architects, designers, artists, and luxury specialists to tailor each home to the specific requests of the client in order to achieve their dream home.

The firm’s homes are composed of high-end materials and include features like two-story foyers, coffered ceilings, winding wrought iron stair railings and stone kitchen countertops, to name a few. Each of its custom homes is complete with its own distinct charm and individuality that make it uniquely suited to each homeowner.

NHB is a member of Home of Texas. In the 30 years since Home of Texas (HOME) and its affiliate Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC) have been in operation they have warranted approximately three million homeowners throughout the nation. HOME of Texas members are reviewed

88 Construction Leaders Today

annually for financial stability, customer satisfaction and technical competence and must meet specified construction standards in order to have their homes warranted.

Although the services of New Horizon Builders cover a broad range, the firm has not diluted its level of quality. It takes special care to ensure that each project is completed to the highest standards possible, as evidenced by a statement on its website: “The company is dedicated to creating the finest product for our clients, who expect uncompromising quality in design and construction.”

the science of construction

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by Kevin Porter

f you’ve ever held the notion that research is conducted by scientists who exist in isolation, tediously poring over data, you might be only partially correct. While scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn. certainly take their research seriously, they exist among a community of nearly 5,000 researchers – like a colony of worker ants laboring toward the common goal of feeding humankind’s incessant appetite for knowledge and innovation.

With its recent construction of the MAXLAB and the Carbon Fiber Technology Facility (CFTF) , Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is poised to advance research in energy savings and consumption as well as in the development and commercialization of low-cost carbon fiber technology.

Founded in 1943, Oak Ridge National Laboratory focuses its research efforts in energy, life sciences, neutron sciences and advanced materials – all the while launching new studies in areas like national security and high-performance computing. ORNL is situated in a complex containing 16 other multipurpose labs and is managed by UT-Battelle, a limited liability partnership between the University of Tennessee and the Battelle Memorial Institute formed in 2000. Its primary purpose was to establish a not-for-profit company to manage and operate ORNL for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and to deliver DOE’s research mission.

Recently UT-Battelle performed a modernization of ORNL facilities which included the construction of two new labs. “UT-Battelle made infrastructure changes to create a very modern campus with several brand new buildings,” said Martin Keller, a microbiologist and associate lab director for the Energy and Environmental Sciences Directorate who has been with ORNL for nearly seven years. “ORNL is now one of the most modern labs in the complex.”

One of those brand new facilities is MAXLAB, short for the Maximum Energy Efficiency Research Lab. Its purpose is to accelerate research on energy savings in residential homes and buildings, building equipment, building envelopes and building controls to help advance the study of energy consumption. Johney Green is director of Energy and Transportation Science at MAXLAB. In his 18-year tenure at ORNL he has seen the gradual advancement of technology, and through his research, hopes to speed-up the process. “We want to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies to move toward a carbon neutral building,” Green said. “We have a longstanding building research program through the Building Technologies Research and Integration facility. MAXLAB is a facility to expand upon that.”

The construction of MAXLAB was completed via a $20 million award from DOE. To make the most efficient use of those funds, project planners allocated $5 million for investment into existing research facilities while the remaining $15 million was devoted to construction of the new lab. In order to determine how the general contractor would be chosen, planners used a “best value” approach to identify technical qualifications. With a general contractor on board, the decision was made to reduce the number of offices in the new facility in order to maximize research space. “We had to find the right balance between research needs and staffing,” said Green. The planned “open office” design would encourage collaboration and information sharing among the facility’s 70 researchers.

Key to the functionality of the lab would be its flexible research platforms.

At 5,000 sq.ft. each, the platforms would allow researchers to model and simulate one and two-story buildings in order to study energy consumption, HVAC, building envelope and roofing technologies, and air penetration issues. Solutions would be applicable to all climates throughout the U.S. After nearly 15 months of construction, the 20,000 sq.ft. facility was completed in June 2012 and scientists took occupancy later in September.

However, construction of MAXLAB was not all smooth sailing. In Aug 2011, Hurricane Irene complicated the process after floods caused damage to the inventory of the project’s window supplier. Nevertheless crews were able to finish ahead of schedule, Green said.

Consistent with MAXLAB’s mission to accelerate research in energy savings and consumption are the sustainable concepts incorporated into its construction that led to a LEED Gold certification. Among those are the usage of 200 percent recycled content, day lighting, exterior solar shades, low flow fixtures to reduce water consumption by 40 percent, low emitting paints and woods, HVAC controls as well as air quality management.

Located just five miles off the ORNL campus is the laboratory’s other recently constructed edifice, the Carbon Fiber Technology Facility (CFTF) headed-up by CFTF Director Lee McGetrick. “The purpose of the lab is to prove the scalability of research that the lab has been involved in for over a decade and to prove that carbon fibers can be made at a lower cost using

advanced manufacturing processes that are not available on the market today,” McGetrick said. “The endgame is the commercialization of low cost carbon fiber to replace steel. To date the widespread use of carbon fiber composites in many industrial applications has been cost prohibitive.”

Although the CFTF is new construction, tailor-made for its specific functions, the custom-designed carbon fiber production process is housed in a leased facility. “The building shell, utilities and services are all part of a lease agreement between UT-Battelle and the landlord for the building,” said McGetrick. Construction broke ground in March 2011, contracts for design and fabrication of interior equipment were awarded, and eight short months later in Nov. 2011 the 42,000 sq.ft. facility was occupied. The new structure included floor loading accommodations for heavy equipment as well as power.

Research at the newly completed CFTF is not an open-ended experiment.

There is a timeline by which researchers hope to reach certain goals in their study and development of carbon fiber technology. “Over the next three to five years we have a few projects planned to commercialize those technologies. It involves making carbon fiber from lower cost precursor material,” said McGetrick, who forecasts usage of the new facility in this capacity to be for the next five to 10 years. “We do see an end point at which all this research has been proven. We sized it [the facility] with the five to 10-year mission in mind.” That being said, McGetrick admits that things don’t always go according to plan. “It’s hard to predict when you’re going to make that big discovery or breakthrough.” Still, the journey of discovery is an exciting ride that McGetrick appreciates. “Having the opportunity to be a part of a project that truly has the potential to impact our economy and create a large number of jobs is just a really great feeling.” A similar sentiment is shared by Associate Lab Director Martin Keller who anticipates the impact of ORNL’s work in the years to come. “The research will enable our children to have the same opportunities that we have. And we can make this country a little bit better.”

Demolition Nuclear Decommissioning Safe

866-699-5515

AmericanDND.com

Compliant Efficient Cost Effective

SAFETY is Job #1 — Demolition — Dismantling — Wrecking — Environmental Remediation — Hazardous Waste Clean-Up — Complete Decommissioning Services

Jan/Feb/March 2013 89

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general contracting | south

Johnston Homes Inc. An exceptional home is simply a frame for an exceptional lifestyle!

We are a full-service contractor, providing quality service to residential, industrial, and commercial clients in Georgia and surrounding states.

From remodeling to new construction, our licensed contractors and expert technicians are dedicated to working with you to implement a solution that meets your needs. Our four year journeymanship program puts our contractors through vigorous training to ensure the highest quality work, and the ability to handle the toughest electrical contracts.

Preventative Maintenance and Repair

Cable and Tel-E-Data Equipment Connections

Fire Alarm Systems

Design Build Professionals

Commercial Wiring

Total Turn Key Projects

Industrial Wiring

24 Hour Emergency Sevices

www.amarillocustomhomes.com Boyd Johnston 806-678-0598

www.ccelectricalcontracting.com Proud to work with RG Williams Construction.

Member of Independent Electrical Contractors

rg williams construction

rockrose group (amarillo)

From Eyesore To Eye-catching

exceptional homes

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by Kevin Porter

he Hoyt Coe Building on the campus of Northern Georgia Technical College (NGTC) was in dire need of renovation. Through the years the outdated 1950’s structure had become a patchwork of makeshift and temporary fixes. But after a near four-year renovation, the newly constructed facility is nothing short of a total transformation.

That transformation was delivered by RGWilliams Construction. With over 50 years in the industry, RG Williams offers clients its vast experience in commercial and retail construction. The Georgia-based firm is licensed in 13 states and provides a plethora of services including new construction, expansions, interior/exterior remodels, value engineering, conceptual estimating and scheduling.

RG Williams won the contract for the Hoyt Coe Classroom Renovation Project in the winter of 2010. Construction began in February 2011 with a scope of work that included the replacement of exterior doors and windows, the addition of a pitched roof, the addition of a passenger elevator, new interior partitions and building systems, as well as new exterior hardscapes and landscaping.

The newly completed facility is nearly 30,000 sq.ft. and hosts 10 new general education classrooms and a Student Success Center – critical aspects of the renovation due to increased enrollment at the college which had caused a shortage of classroom spaces. Many existing programs like Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Emergency Medical Services, Massage Therapy and Automotive Photography have been relocated to other buildings on the college’s campus.

Several sustainable concepts were exercised throughout construction of the new building which led to its LEED certification. A major point of pride for RGWilliams was the firm’s use of regional materials – materials that are extracted, harvested, manufactured or recovered within 500 miles of the

90 Construction Leaders Today

project site, according to the USGBC. RGWilliams met this standard with 58 percent of materials used falling within the stipulated radius. The firm also reused as much of the structure’s existing materials as possible and recycled 85 percent of its construction waste. The completed facility achieved LEED Silver status, a first for RGWilliams.

by Staff Writer

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ockrose Group is a family owned company in Amarillo, Texas. high profile lots commonly seen in the Olsen park area to the landscapes Since 1993 Rockrose has successfully developed 5 neighborhoods boulevards of Bivins, the mini-parks and tree lined streets of Wolflin to the with more than 2,000 units complete and thousands more under popular private cul-de-sac clusters found in Sleepy Hollow. All of these feaconstruction and planned. Their master planned communities tures culminate to a Majestic 50 foot clock tower located within an Oldham include prime retail sites. circle style roundabout parkway.

While Amarillo's economy was closely tied to agriculture and the energy The Colonies is comprised of a total of 1,200 future home sites with a 40-acre industry through much of the city's early history, it has continually become school site for two future schools located within the center of the neighborhood. more diverse as the city has grown. The arrival of new industry helped The concept of the Colonies was years in the making. Many neighborhoods shelter Amarillo from the effects of the boom-and-bust cycles endemic to were studied throughout the country to determine what works and what the farming, ranching, and oil and gas businesses. doesn't. One of the unique qualities of The Colonies is its focus on being Copper refining, fiberglass production, meat packing, and many other "pedestrian friendly". Unlike many post World War II neighborhoods The types of manufacturing have driven much of the city's growth in recent years. Colonies is designed for people not cars. This can be seen in the narrower streets and additional walkways and green spaces.

In addition, Amarillo has become home to a number of central office and customer service operations employing hundreds of people in white collar One of the most important considerations for any neighborhood plan is the jobs. As a regional medical center, Amarillo health care institutions have land use plan. Careful planning has gone in to considering how the overall grown to employ some 8,000 people. neighborhood plan will flow and function once complete. All of the streets Amarillo is becoming recognized as Rotor City, USA, a center for the very within The Colonies follow logical patterns and don't meander just for the latest in aviation technology, and is home to Bell Helicopter Textron's sake of meandering. Ultimately The Colonies will provide neighborhood Assembly Center where the V-22 Osprey, UH-1Y, AH-1Z, and US101 are services and shops that will be accessible from within the neighborhood. built or remanufactured. Amarillo enters the new millennium following a These services will be an integral part of the community and will be archifull decade of solid expansion and diversification, and is well positioned to tecturally controlled for continuity. Predominately The Colonies features lead the region in continued growth. standard single family detached uses however mixed-use development is also The Colonies of Amarillo is a beautiful neighborhood that takes you back proposed for this neighborhood. Multi-family dwellings located above retail to a time when a home was more than a house, it was part of a community. shops are a common feature in many metropolitan areas and is a part of the This grand neighborhood includes a unique system of beautifully landscaped overall plan for the Colonies. The aging baby boomer population tends to parkways that lead to a majestic clock tower. This community is their dream want to down size and have reduced yard maintenance once they become and they would like to share it with you. "empty nesters". Garden Homes have been strategically incorporated into The Colonies is a master planned traditional neighborhood development the plan to allow for this growing need. rich with architectural diversity and a unique system of parks. European influences can be seen in many of the homes throughout the neighborhood mixed with features from Amarillo's favorite neighborhoods. From the

Jan/Feb/March 2013 91

south | general contracting

general contracting | south

We are proud to be a part of the Story Construction team, and we congratulate them on their continued success!

thomasgroup

Hollow Metal • Finish Hardware • Wood Doors • Specialty Items

Contractors’ source for commercial hollow metal doors, frames, wood doors, and architectural finish hardware since 1979.

Roy R. Manning, III

Architectural Specialties Since 1955

We are committed to quick, on time, accurate delivery throughout the Southeast or across the country for small to midsize jobs.

We stock more quality products and hollow metal to quickly supply your needs.

Manning Materials Inc. TOILET PARTITIONS - LOCKERS - RESTROOM ACCESSORIES - HARDWARE Telephone: 615-248-1001 Fax: 615-254-7835 www.manningmaterialsinc.com

509 Ligon Dr. P.O. Box 40302 Nashville, TN 37204

3684 North Peachtree Rd | P.O Box 80467 | Atlanta, GA 30341 p 770.451.4818. | f 770. 454. 8244

www.thomasgroupdoors.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO SHAUB CONSTRUCTION from all of us at Manning Materials!

shaub construction raising the roof

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by Kevin Porter

in Roof is laid-back, let-your-hair-down kind of restaurant where restaurant chain feels is a major driving force behind its success. patrons are made to feel at home. Known to its regulars as “The It’s no surprise that Tin Roof and Shaub Construction partnered more than Roof,” the restaurant features an eclectic mix of American fare with once to add to the chain’s successful line of restaurants. Similar to Tin Roof, a healthy side of free live entertainment. For the construction of two the construction firm embraces a philosophy that puts its customers first: of the chain’s recently completed locations in Franklin, Tenn. and Columbia, “Our ability to cater to each owner’s needs, while delivering high quality S.C. it chose Shaub Construction Company, Inc. to raise “The Roof.” results on-time and in-budget, has been our work ethic since we b Shaub Construction is a Tennessee-based, customer-focused general contractor that serves the southeast U.S. with a range of commercial construction services that include retail, restaurant, healthcare and office buildings.

Founded in 1967 by Clarence Shaub, the firm was a family-owned operation for more than 30 years before it changed hands in 2003. Today the firm is run by partners Jay Brassfield, Bic Parma and Brandon Fleming who have advanced its solid reputation for performance and integrity.

The most recent additions to the Tin Roof chain completed by Shaub, the Franklin, Tenn. location at 3,500 sq.ft. and the establishment in Columbia, S.C. at 5,300 sq.ft., embody the spirit that makes Tin Roof restaurants so popular.

Patrons enjoy delicious meals that the restaurant is quick to remind you are made from scratch and prepared by chefs. “We have chefs in the kitchen. This ain’t no bar food,” its menus read. The relaxed atmosphere is complete with a hodgepodge of vintage Americana decor that conjures a certain familiarity which makes one feel immediately at home. Both locations have stages to accommodate performances by some of the music industry’s top names.

Surprisingly, all performances are free for Tin Roof patrons – something the

92 Construction Leaders Today

story construction pf chang's

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by Christy Hayek

t all begins with a thought. Enriching the experience of remodeling, Story Construction have dedicated their work to unique construction solutions.

Responsive to the functional needs of their clients, the company remains creative within innovation and aesthetics. The harmonious balance between light, space and function is what makes their buildings stand out and set the example for years to come. There is no cutting corners when it comes to the quality of the construction, even trickling down to applying sustainable practices during the beginning phases. By starting with thoughtful research-based designs, all forms of ideas are taken and implemented to provide the best functional construction to meet the clients' needs. Focusing on aesthetic appeal, the company is expressive with communication and is able to easily translate that into any unconventional design required. Their buildings also remain to have an environmental appeal, remaining responsible and focused on sustainability.

Their portfolio ranges from Government buildings to Industrial use, their high standard in construction provides healthy places to work, live and learn. The team at Story Construction has the capacity to handle large scale projects, focusing on the client's goals and using their experience to proceed.

Comfort and reliability are two large key factors that Story plays on, and had lead to the successful completion of many of their projects.

In 2011, Story took their positive reputation and applied it when they received the green light to remodel the P.F. Chang's in Irvine, California. Because the design was evolutionary for the franchise, Story focused on ensuring the

smooth transition between all of the construction phases up until the completion of the restaurant. Allowing customers to have the dine in experience only felt in P.F. Chang's, the firm demonstrated its talent and obligation in this endeavor.

Holding true to the standards of their best business practices, their take on P.F. Chang's construction overlapped with their stricter codes of construction.

By ensuring a successful construction of the franchise, Story has been able to help P.F. Chang's grow and add to the community. The project totaled around $1.5 million dollars and occupies around 7,000 square feet of existing space. The concept for the P.F. Chang's is the new route that the franchise wants to head towards with design, including a remodeled kitchen, dining and patio area. The P.F. Chang's in Irvine is an upgrade for the franchise, setting the stage for a new wave of design and construction to follow throughout the country.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 93

south | general contracting

general contracting | south

AAA Custom Fabrication in Ormond Beach, FL offers custom steel fabrication services for commercial and residential projects. We also accept new contraction and remodeling projects. We have been in business since 2000 and have been in the industry for 23 years.

Geotechnical Engineering Civil Engineering Environmental Engineering Structural Engineering Geotechnical Drilling

Materials Laboratory Construction Material Testing Special Inspections Land Surveying Land Planning

Serving the Carolinas Charlotte, NC- HQ

Call us for a free estimate!

ORNAMENTAL • CUSTOM SHUTTERS • RAILINGS FIRE EXIT STAIRS • SPIRAL STAIRS • DUMPSTER GATES

strasser construction family first

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by Christy Hayek

successful construction company focuses on many things, one being honesty with clients. Bringing straightforwardness to the table, Strasser Construction has been in operation since 1956, the business has evolved to incorporate the needs of their customers and the duty to their reputation. Located in Ormond Beach, Florida, they have been servicing the community for over 52 years and have grown to expand to Tennessee, North Carolina and Colorado; where the focus is giving customers an exclusive retreat. Offering their experience with developing and site work, they handle an assortment of projects from renovations, commercial buildings and even residential custom homes.

The family owned business has hailed a lot of media attention and praise, being from humble beginnings, the Strasser firm has focused on developing the community and is always welcomed as a pleasure to work with.

Enhancing their surroundings while remaining open to suggestions and to their client's needs is what has allowed this company to grow into fruition.

Their enduring leadership, ideal combination of teamwork, responsiveness and innovation delivers reliability on every project. Strasser has been a consistent and reliable for many years, and will remain to flourish for many generations to come.

The company was recently hired to remodel a Nissan Dealership located in Deland, Florida. Entrusted with a project of this caliber, Strasser serviced the community by contributing their hard work and dedication into the project. Revamping the complete inside and renovating the office spaces

94 Construction Leaders Today

Columbia, SC

www.summit-companies.com | 704.504.1717

teqton construction revitalizing industrial flooring

located inside, the main goal was to make the dealership more aesthetic, while appealing to its innovative convenience for employees and customers.

Allowing customers to buy with confidence, the renovation leaves room for a larger showroom and servicing room.

Enticing customers to keep returning for their world renowned service, they now get to enjoy the spacious benefits of a newly remodeled dealership. Modernizing the building adds to the benefit of running a convenient and innovative car dealership. DeLand Nissan is services customers in DeLand, Orange City, Lake Helen, Deltona and Central Florida regions.

Strasser Construction has once again centered itself around the development of the community, while catering to the demands of a densely successful dealership. The ability to collaborate successfully with the dealership has led to the enhancement of both businesses. With the already impressive resume that Strasser exhibits, remodeling of the dealership only solidifies the well-intentioned philosophies of the company: keeping the customer happy and thinking outside of the box to help grow the community. The wonderful experience that customers encounter at the dealership can be attributed to the hard work, service and teamwork from the family at Strasser Construction.

Put us to the test!

Raleigh, NC

WELDING • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • STRUCTURAL

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hen it comes to floor solutions, Teqton is the one stop shop.

Teqton Inc, with headquarters located in Georgia, brings over 35 years of experience in demanding European industrial settings to the US market. They provide low-maintenance, high-tolerance, and fast installation to quality concrete flooring. using high sustainable design characteristics, these floor slabs are perfect for industrial settings and is guaranteed to withstand an extreme work environment.

Teqton also provides maintenance to the floors, allowing their three step system to prevent soiling and enhance durability of the floors. Creating their own solution called TeqClean, all old dirt and soil is removed and the solution is then carried out to completely proof the floors from previous and future damage. Teqton understands the wear and tear that can occur in the industrial line of work, and the team has taken it upon themselves to ensure companies have one less thing to worry about - their flooring.

When it comes to industrial buildings, durability and resistance mean everything. Teqton's eclectic choice of concrete floors and surfaces ensures that the needs of each client are met. Many of these floors boast remedies such as, dust resistance, chemical resistance, and withstanding heavy loads. Depending on the client's line of work, the team at Teqton will pick the ideal base for any industrial building.

Teqton also offers what is called Teqfiber, a unique fiber that is reinforced and created for each individual project. This gives lots of room for clients to remain confident that the floors underneath their warehouse will not collapse, crack or scratch. These solutions, including the Teqfiber comes with a 5 year warranty and a promise of rapid installation.

Many of Teqton's previous clients include, big box retailing, printing, food and beverage, and machining warehouses. Their 35 years of experience in this industry is what makes them the leaders in their field. They walk the client through every step of the process, and ensure the quality of

by Christy Hayek the product from start to finish. These damage and chemical resistant floors are the perfect solution for industrial companies looking for reliability. The floors are also EPA friendly, meeting LEED certification requirements and classifying them as environmentally sustainable.

As a proud team member at Nexan Cable Plant in Goose Creek, SC, SUMMIT was hired by the Teqton/AGP team to provide materials testing on the Teqbase Roller Compacted Concrete and topping for the Nexan Cable Plant.

Testing included Nuclear Density measurements, consistency of the RCC product for moisture and aggregate gradations, compressive strength testing of the RCC cylindrical specimens and drilled cores, Floor Flatness testing.

SUMMIT is a locally owned and operated consulting firm with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh, NC, and Columbia, SC, SUMMIT provides a comprehensive list of services that includes Geotechnical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Land Surveying, Construction Materials Testing, Special Inspections and a state of the art Materials Laboratory. SUMMIT currently employs a staff of more than 60 employees including Professional Engineers, Special Inspectors, Project Managers, Field Technicians, Surveyors, laboratory personnel and administration. SUMMIT maintains a fully accredited and certified AMRL, CCRL, NCDOT and AASHTO laboratory.

Being the leaders on surfacing large industrial floors, Teqton is able to achieve accuracy in delivery and non-corrosive flooring to clients who need it most. Installing throughout the U.S. and Europe, they are readily available for design consultations throughout any project phase and will provide the flooring strength needed. Teqton's quality control serve offers a fast, economical construction method for heavy-duty jobs.

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south | general contracting

general contracting | south

carothers construction construction for country

by Kevin Porter

A

ccording to the non-profit organization Iraq and Afghanistan Vet- 150,000 sq.ft. clinical addition to the existing hospital building. The addition erans of America (IAVA), between 2002 and 2011 some 711,986 included an ambulatory outpatient surgery area, primary care, specialty care, American military personnel utilized VA health care. As wars and women’s health, oncology, urology, pulmonary, dermatology, eye, audiolconflicts abroad come to a head or draw to a close, America’s men ogy/speech pathology and patient education classrooms. The improvement and women in uniform – as well as those who have previously served – deserve project also included a blind rehab clinic and training program as well as the the very best in medical care. With its recent construction of the Extended Extended Care facility.

Care facility at the VA Medical Center, Biloxi, Miss., Carothers Construction The scope of work for the Extended Care facility involved the construction of is helping to provide just that. a two-story, 105,000 sq.ft. concrete structure that would provide 96 inpatient Founded in 1956 by Earl Carothers, Carothers Construction is a respected beds. Site work also included surface parking, the relocation of underground general contractor serving Mississippi and surrounding states and offers ser- utilities and the construction of new utility systems, the construction of roadvices that include design/build, construction management and private markets. ways and parking lots, along with landscaping and irrigation.

Through the years the firm was passed to Earl’s son, Arnold, and later to thirdThe Extended Care facility is a concrete-framed structure on auger cast pilgeneration President Sean Carothers in 1981 – who furthered the company’s ing has an exterior brick facade with three cast stone friezes surrounding the success throughout the continental United States. In 2007, Ben Logan assumed building, as well as cast stone window sills and lintels. The 96 residents of the leadership of the firm. Today, Carothers’ current market focus includes health- facility live in eight 12-bed “houses.” Each house is equipped with dining and care, commercial, correctional, educational and military opportunities. Over kitchen facilities, food preparation and service, recreation, and living areas. the years, the firm has established itself as a reliable federal contractor and Each house is decorated using its own color and theme to make it more easily provides a number of services for various branches of government. In January identifiable to residents. Houses are connected by community spaces such as 2009, Carothers won a $35 million contract to build an extended care facility beauty and barbershops, a chapel, exam rooms and a multipurpose room. The facility provides nursing home care, along with home and community care, on the campus of the Biloxi VA Medical Center. hospice care, dementia care, homemaker/home health aides, and adult day care.

The Extended Care facility was part of a larger development plan that later In November 2012, for its delivery of the Extended Care facility, Carothers had to be fast-tracked. In June 2004 the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care Construction received the Merit Award for excellence in construction from System (GCVHCS), which includes the Biloxi VA Medical Center and the the Mississippi Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (MABC).

Gulfport VA Medical center, planned to combine the two locations as well Such awards are not surprising given the philosophy by which the firm operates: as make expansions and improvements which included the extended care “Carothers embraces and mandates its principles on all projects. A united team of Owner, Architect, Contractor and Engineer, all dedicated to the common facility. However, following the 2005 devastation and destruction to the Gulf purpose of a successful project, is essential in today's construction environment.

Coast region wrought by hurricane Katrina those plans had to be accelerated. Carothers’ management personnel have evolved within a business developThe Gulfport VA Medical Center had been destroyed and all of its services ment program that stresses both teamwork and unity, and emphasizes client were assumed by the medical center in Biloxi. Expansion and improvements satisfaction as our primary goal.” to the Biloxi location were badly needed in order to accommodate the influx of residents. In 2009, the GCVHCS initiated a $310 million project to carry out replacement and improvement plans. The project included a four-story, 96 Construction Leaders Today

Jan/Feb/March 2013 97

south | general contracting

general contracting | south

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wallace companies Leading Through construction

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edicated to professionalism and expertise, Larry Wallace founded L. Wallace Construction with the intention of being a leader in the industry. With over 20 years of development, the company has played an intricate role in developing affordable mixed-use projects that enhance the communities. Inciting growth, the company has expanded to many different projects in the Oklahoma City area. Combining ideas that far outweigh construction struggles, the company is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the company while guiding clients throughout the process.

Understanding the goals of the client is the first step to a successful finished project, knowing the first steps of the project are just as important as the last. They stand beside their clients from the decision making process through the last inspections, guaranteeing a strong portfolio and repeat list of clientele. The firm has developed effective management systems for staffing, scheduling, cost budget control, and reporting functions during the construction phase that are proven administrative tools and essential for the delivery of complex projects. With a strong team, there is no project the firm cannot handle and no project being too grand or miniscule. Pledged to quality, their quality assurance program is what inspires the team to handle each project with care; juggling many at once without overlooking the finer details.

Practicality at work, the construction company completed two University housing buildings for Oklahoma City University and Southwestern Christian University. Ensuring the buildings are sustainable for college students, they have promoted growth within the community, allowing for more students to attend and be housed on/near the campuses.

18 months of careful planning went into the Oklahoma City University's newest Methodist Hall. Spanning six floors, the apartments offer up to three bedrooms of choice, with private bathrooms and all amenities 98 Construction Leaders Today

by Christy Hayek included. Alongside it is a 12,000 square foot courtyard adjacent to a 6,000 square foot terrace. Replenishing the feel of college-styled living, there is a high tech laundry facility and a new 20-seat movie theatre for students to enjoy. The 118-unit building comes fully furnished and ready for generation after generation to move in and comfortably enjoy college living.

Also leasing off a section of land for new housing, The Southwestern Christian University recently collaborated with the team at L. Wallace Companies to offer students programmable space. The facility serves the needs of the school, encompassing 8,000 square feet of conference/classroom space on the first floor and 16,000 square feet of suite-style student housing above. This expansion of the school was made possible by the diligent work of the Wallace team throughout every stage of the design and build process.

Coordinating all the construction needs is what made these University spaces possible, and placing credit where it is due, L. Wallace Construction has exceeded it capabilities and has provided ultimate service in construction. These buildings have made a positive contribution to the ever growing schools.

wittenberg, delony and davidson campus kings

I

f two-time All-American running back Darren McFadden decides to return to Oak Grove High School for his 10-year high school reunion, the Oakland Raider will be meeting his fellow members of the class of 2005 at the new Maumelle High School. Oak Grove High, which opened in North Little Rock, Ark. in 1967, closed down after the 2010-2011 school year. The school has been relocated at the brand new Maumelle High School in nearby Maumelle, Ark. Although Oak Grove High’s mascot, the hornet, made the transition to Maumelle, the new high school decided to shed the Oak Grove green and white for Maumelle’s scarlet and black.

For the 320,000 square foot campus at Maumelle High, Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson, Inc. designed the performing arts auditorium. The auditorium will be used by the entire Pulaski County Special School District for a variety of events. It was important to make the space flexible so that it can accommodate the needs of the schools in the county as well as organizations in the community.

Because of the varied uses for the auditorium, the seating area is designed with a crossover aisle that gives the audience immediate access to the frontmost space to accommodate more intimate performances. For larger events, there is midhouse cross aisle that offers further accessibility and a place for visual recording equipment.

The theater also features a fly loft with a loading gallery, enabling the crew to “fly” stage components like curtains, lights and scenery. Flying quickly and quietly hoists objects off of the stage to be stored in upper backstage air space, out of the view of the audience.

Maumelle High School has approximately 350 students enrolled in the high school, but the auditorium is designed to seat 1,200 people. The intention is enhance the arts curriculum for the whole district and give instructors the facilities they need to adequately teach students and inspire them to engage in arts programs.

by Drew Grossman According to a popular study by the Education Department, high school students who take music lessons and join theater groups do better in math, reading, history, geography and citizenship. The study tracked more than 25,000 students for more than 10 years and found a correlation between involvement in the arts and higher test scores.

Maumelle High offers many avenues for students who are interested in the arts, including concert band and jazz band, a cappella groups, barbershop quartet, beautyshop quartet, competitive speech, drama and stagecraft. Many students first develop a passion for the arts in high school, so the idea was to give the students the facilities to pursue these interests.

With the new auditorium designed by Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson, Inc., the students in Pulaski County Special School District have an arts center where they can flourish, both as actors and as students.

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West

PM realty group

PM REALTY GROUP DEVELOPS 1400 HI LINE IN DALLAS TX by Staff Writer

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M Realty Group (PMRG), a national, full-service commercial real estate firm, announces the groundbreaking of 1400 Hi Line, a 23-story mixed-use project in Dallas, Texas. Demolition of the existing structures is complete, paving the way for the 340,000 square foot multi-family and retail project.

PMRG will develop the high-rise project, which is jointly owned by PMRG and Washington, DC-based National Electrical Benefit Fund. 1400 Hi Line will offer 314 multi-family rental units and approximately 27,000 square feet of retail for a grand total of 340,000 square feet. Strategically located in the burgeoning Design District of Downtown Dallas, 1400 Hi Line will offer superior views of Downtown, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, the Trinity River and the Trinity Strand Trail. The Design District is a thriving and eclectic community that offers residents over 370 shops and art/design showrooms, some of Dallas’ best restaurants and convienent access to Uptown, The Arts District, the American Airlines Center, Dart and Downtown as well as Dallas’s newest soon-to-be completed five-acre recreational park (The Park).

1400 Hi Line was designed for the “renter by choice." The generously-sized units will include the highest level of finishes, such as floor-to-ceiling glass, granite countertops, wood floors, and outstanding views of the Dallas skyline.

All residents will enjoy convenient in-building parking as well as restaurants and service retail on the ground floor. The project will also feature a nearly one acre rooftop park that will include a distinct relaxation and reading area nestled among grass lawns, trees and a fountain.

"Residents of 1400 Hi Line are going to love the rooftop park, outstanding views of Dallas and terrific access to the Katy and Strand Trails,” said PMRG’s Senior Development Officer Bryant Nail. “The mature Design Center neighborhood, with its oak lined streets, will provide a residential feel in the heart of the city.”

“We are excited to be partnering with the National Electric Benefit Fund (NEBF) on this project,” said PMRG’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Wm. Roger Gregory. “They are a great partner with a long history of investing in standout projects such as 1400 Hi Line.”

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rio tinto nitty graycor construction spur construction kassel and associates eddinger services american technologies inc. adc corporation

west | education

helping aeroSPACE FRom the earth Rio Tinto’s Kennecott Utah Copper facility helps the aerospace industry by recovering Rhenuim to create superalloys

by Drew Grossman

previous: Jacobsen Construction delivered a 125,000 sq. ft. building that provides new state-of-the-art classrooms, labs and offices for the four departments that will now be housed in the building.

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west | general education

rio tinto helping aerospace from the earth

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io Tinto’s Kennecott Utah Copper has been producing copper, gold and silver since 1903 and molybdenum since 1930. Molybdenum is a chemical element that is often used in the production of types of steel alloys, including high strength alloys and superalloys. The element is a by-product of KUC’s copper production and is used in metal alloys like steel, to enhance toughness, high temperature strength and corrosion resistance. Kennecott is currently constructing a new Molybdenum Autoclave Process Facility located in Magna, Utah.

The 25-acre site will feature eight separate buildings and have its own power generation and heat recovery systems. In addition to processing the raw materials, the MAP facility will also have storage and packaging facilities, as well as a loading dock to ship processed material directly from the site. The MAP facility will produce a variety of chemical-grade products including molybdenum oxide, ammonium dimolybdate, autoclaved molybdenum concentrate and catalyst-grade ammonium perrhenate.

“The chemical-grade is very high quality,” said Ian Billingsley, general manager at Kennecott Utah Copper. “It’s going to be 99.99 percent pure molybdenum oxide and it’s going to be used in chemical applications, such as catalysts, pigments and corrosion inhibitors.”

Higher-grade molybdenum is in demand as an additive to strengthen steel and as a catalyst in removing sulfur from diesel fuel.

One of the largest structures on the site is the autoclave, which is where wet material that remains after copper, silver and gold has been extracted, is dried and roasted at 400 degrees fahrenheit and pressed under 400 pounds per square inch of pressure. Heat from the autoclave process is recovered to be reused in the crystallizers, which convert the raw molybdenum into a usable form.

“At the MAP facility we have a heat recovery system that captures heat from the autoclave and that heat is used downstream in our crystallization process, so that is about 30 percent of our thermal load,” Billingsley said.

The facility will use six custom-made crystallizers, each one 56 feet long and 19 feet wide, made by Jacobs Engineering.

104 Construction Leaders Today

by Drew Grossman The new facility will also recover rhenium, which is a by-product of molybdenum and copper ores extraction and refinement. Rhenium is used to harden steel and is sought by the aerospace industry to upgrade blades in jet turbines, allowing them to run more efficiently at higher speeds. Nickelbased superalloys of rhenium are used in the combustion chambers, turbine blades and exhaust nozzles of jet engines. It is among the most expensive metals due to the relatively low availability compared to the high demand for the product.

“This project is a continuation of a lot of things that we’re committed to,” said Kyle Bennett of Kennecott Utah Copper. “We like to try to find positive output for economic prosperity, social well-being and safety as well. For a lot of the contractors that come and work on site, we require them to come in and work with our leadership when it comes to safety.”

Kennecott’s safety program called Zero Harm, resulted in an injury-frequency rate of 0.61 at the half-year mark, compared to 1.14 for the same period in 2011 it is a dramatic reduction in on-site injuries. According to Bennett, the employees and contractors also reached a milestone of 5 million hours worked without a lost-time injury in the first half of 2012, which is significant due to the heightened construction activity across the property.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 105

education | west

nitti-graycor construction

spur construction

helping the salvation army

the complete package

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ounded in 1865 in London’s East End, the Salvation Army has grown into an international movement, providing basic human needs for people all over the world. The objectives of the Salvation Army include advancing education and bringing people relief from poverty. Recently, it became clear that the Southwest Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters in Phoenix would require some renovations to its facilities in order to maintain the high level of charitable service that is associated with the Salvation Army.

The divisional headquarters is located on Herberger Campus, which serves two primary functions for the people of Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Nevada. The campus is the social-services center for the Phoenix-based operation, featuring a homeless shelter, domestic abuse facility, senior housing, Christmas Angel Program and Church. The Phoenix location serves approximately 150,000 people each year through a variety of community outreach programs and services. The second function is that Herberger is the home of the Southwest Divisional Headquarters of the Salvation Army and its corporate staff.

The Salvation Army hired Nitti-Graycor, a division of Graycor Construction, to expand and renovate the Southwest Division. The project included demolition of the existing headquarters and the new construction of a 40,000 square foot office facility for the Salvation Army. There is also a 30,000 square foot social-services building and a family shelter that has the capacity to accommodate about 50 families with short-term housing.

The project was divided into two phases with this being the first phase, completed in the first quarter of 2012, and an additional six-acre build-out coming during the second phase of the project.

106 Construction Leaders Today

by Drew Grossman

The new construction will benefit the Salvation Army and the many people in the community that they serve. New construction and redevelopment of the land will allow the movement to operate more efficiently and at a lower cost per year. Nitti-Graycor removed aging buildings, improved usage of space and installed updated utilities that will help promote efficiency. The upgrades are estimated to save the Southwest Division as much as $1 million per year out of their operating and maintenance budgets.

Nitti-Graycor worked with the Southwest Division, and their 90 employees, to keep the campus operational while construction was underway. Jones Lang LaSalle was the project manager and Deutsch Architecture Group was the designer and created the master plan for the project. Deutsch designed a state-of-the-art 40,000 square foot facility for the Southwest Division as a part of the two-year campus master plan that the firm was working on for Herberger Campus.

“You don’t have to look far to find someone whose life has been touched

by The Salvation Army,” says the Southwest Division’s website. “The family who got help with their rent, preventing them from becoming homeless.

The firefighter who enjoyed a hot meal while on duty at a disaster. The child who woke up on Christmas morning to find presents under the tree for the first time.”

Now with their new updated facilities, the Southwest Division can continue to help and serve their community.

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pur Construction is a general contracting and project management firm that specializes in commercial and industrial construction. Led

by LEED accredited Owner and General Manager Chad Willox, the firm specializes in: general new construction, renovation, medical facilities, hospitality, restaurant, multi-residential, remote and complex logistics, historical restoration, and joint venture developments. With its 2012 construction for Fairmont Hotels, the firm had added yet another quality build to its portfolio.

Spur Construction measures its success not only by revenue, but by the highest level of integrity. When they operate as project managers, they maintain an open-book policy, where saving are always passed on to their clients. Spur Construction is continually seeking new information on the economic influences and considerations of any geographic area, allowing them to set realistic costs and schedules. Spur Construction is also committed to ensuring all subcontractors that are hired maintain the same level of integrity.

At Spur Construction, they pride themselves on being a creative and solution oriented company. With a can do attitude, they have made the impossible happen for their clients. They are acutely aware that commercial clients love to stand out from the crowd, but need to meet the demands of a balanced budget. With that in mind, their experience lends itself to coming up with more cost effective approaches, as they endeavour to capture the philosophy of reduce, reuse and recycle. Spur Construction has considerable experience in sustainable building techniques and green energy, which they have found to greatly reduce usually high operating costs of commercial buildings.

Simply stated - they are passionate about what we do. The team at Spur Construction is continually seeking to streamline our system, and find bet-

by Kevin Porter

ter products. Working closely with sub-contractors, suppliers, engineers, architects and procurement firms, they are able to be open-minded and continually look to bring better to the table.

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts are a worldwide line of high-end luxury hotels located in sought-after locations around the globe. The hotel has numerous high-profile destinations that include: The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, The Fairmont Empress, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Pacific Rim, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport and the Fairmont Waterfront.

Spur Construction is a firm that is well-equipped to manage today’s modern, cutting-edge construction. Its experience in sustainable building techniques and green energy has enabled it to considerably lessen the operating costs of commercial facilities. As a member of the Canada Green Building Council, the firm operates by a philosophy of reduce, reuse and recycle – reduce waste from each project, reuse solid materials and recycle what cannot be used.

It all works in conjunction with the firm’s three core beliefs which are: integrity, creativity and adaptability. Spur believes that integrity is the foundation of its business operations, while its creativity allows it to come up with a design and construction plan tailored to fit each of its clients. Finally, adaptability is what allows Spur to constantly procure better materials, streamline its systems and maintain an open mind in its continued service to clients.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 107

west | general contracting

general contracting | west

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kassel and associates supporting the community

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ncouraging youth and old alike to read, the King County Library System organized the construction of a new library in the small town of Duvall, Washington. This library system was established in 1942 to provide library services to people in rural areas that did not have easy access to city libraries. From there, it has extended into 48 branches and service centers, providing a collection of more than 4.1 million items. This new library encompasses 8,000 square feet of space, garnering a building that will last for many generations to come.

Headed by Kassel and Associates in Redmond, Washington; the challenge was to create a library that would not only have enough material for the town of Duvall, but would encourage and hold the interest of the people. Constructing and designing a structurally sound library took the effort and hard work from the whole team at Kassel to ensure this. Enlisting the help of Johnston Architects, the Duvall Library was completed in August of 2012 and has since received positive reclaim from the citizens of Duvall.

Kassel and Associates is known for their work within the community, modernizing buildings that fit the “small town” charm. Overseeing the entire project, the team ensured the smooth transition between each period of construction. Their philosophy is to uphold a strong work ethic while maintaining a different perspective that not only helps clients, but develops the community. The dedication given to their work is honorable and necessary for the satisfaction of the client, especially when the project is intended for public use.

The library is a two-story structure with service areas on the ground floor and mechanical systems on the upper. The interior is lined with active programming elements, congruently flowing with the window

108 Construction Leaders Today

by Christy Hayek

design. Visually connecting the town outside with the library, viewers and pedestrians can easily see what the library has to offer without stepping foot inside. With a wood paneled building frame, the design highlights the natural topography of the town. Along with that, the modern traces of a technologically advanced library can be seen accentuating the entrance.

The library has received ”silver” in the LEED certification process, allowing the townspeople to be proud of their new humble library and still reap the benefits in energy efficiency.

Coined a “fun space for all ages”, the King County Library Service enacted the right decision when allowing the team at Kassel and Associates to spearhead the project. Now, the town can be proud of a new library that is helping spark the imagination and curiosity of the citizens of Duvall. Kassel and Associates can only grow from this project, incentivizing their resume and proving that they can provide and complete successful projects for the community to enjoy.

eddinger Services Decadence and Wine in Northern California

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ddinger Services has been providing quality building projects since 1968, encompassing a full range of services to fit the needs of all their clientele. Honored with many community awards, many locals feel confident about working with the family owned business knowing that they are in good hands. Positivity and diligence go hand in hand with the way this family business is run, ensuring a smooth construction from start to finish. The commitment to the community and to their client's is a rarity in today's modern society. A customer can gain a friend and an outstanding project through working with Eddinger.

Also committed to green practices, this small-town company thinks big when it comes to protecting the environment and providing stability for the future. The firm was recently honored with the first “Green Building” award under the City of Healdsburg’s Green Building Ordinance. The firm tries to incorporate this new age style of thinking in the projects that are headed in their town. From schools to custom home construction, they have built a solid foundation of success. Founder Jerry Eddinger is still heavily involved within the community: he has been active in local government, serving as Healdsburg’s Mayor for 1975 and 1976, and has been a member of the Healdsburg Planning Commission since 1996.

Designing a room to please the crowds while serving them alcohol is not an easy feat, Eddinger was put to the test when asked to reconstruct the Downtown Tasting Room in Healdsburg, California. Eddinger kept the vintage look of a winery in the Downtown Tasting Room while adding vibrancy with the lighting. tiling the ceiling and adding detailed pieces along the walls and flooring. Built in one of California's wine capitals, it encompasses the true beauty of wine design throughout the building. Mak-

by Christy Hayek

ing visitors feel comfortable and cozy in the warm color palette, the custom light fixtures add the perfect touch for an enhanced wine tasting experience.

Customers can become easily immersed in conversation and wine in their trip to this Tasting Room.

Wine becomes art as Eddinger Services ornamented the new design, converting a gift shop into a sumptuous and comfortable tasting room with new hardwood floors, a restored (original) metal ceiling, custom cabinetry and wall finishes, and a small kitchen in the back room. Enamoring the walls with earthy tiles that are timeless, Eddinger did not omit one detail in the room; leaving guests satisfied and entertained.

Eddinger should remain to be an inspiration to even the largest of general contracting firms. Their ability to maintain strong clientele connections and remain true to their hometown is what sets them apart. Many contracting companies should strive to emulate the formula Eddinger uses, which allows clients to feel comfortable enough to keep coming back for more; including trusting the firm with sensitive projects. Remaining apart of the community while contributing to its growth makes Eddinger different yet defined when it comes to general construction. The firm demonstrated that successfully throughout the Downtown Tasting Room project, which has opened many doors for the company since its completion.

Jan/Feb/March 2013 109

west | general contracting

general contracting | west

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VENDRICK CONSTRUCTION INC.

A SMALL FOUNDATION SUPPORTING BIG

by Joel Cornell

With high annual growth and a backlog of work standing at a worth of about $22 million, one would think VendRick Construction, Inc. would be a massive corporate construction firm with countless bustling employees. On the contrary, the relatively small staff that VendRick Construction, Inc. began with in 1993 has remained the stable foundation of their success to this day.

“Our real specialty lies in our ability to properly manage and utilize our short list of highly trained and experienced employees and subcontractors who we rely on like family to make sure that our clients budget, scheduling and aesthetic needs are met every step of the way,” said company president Frank Vendemia.

Vendemia began in the industry after receiving his degree in civil engineering. In his senior year in college, he worked with Derrick “Rick” Dickson, who managed his own construction company. Right out of high school, Dickson entered into a local carpentry apprenticeship program. He worked with a local commercial contracting company for nearly two decades before starting his own business. It was this company that Vendemia worked for before he wanted to

GROWTH

start his own business as well. Vendemia and Dickson decided to partner up instead, and see how that suited them and their goals. Should any problems arise, they would go their separate ways. To this day, Vendemia and Dickson have been doing what they love and have kept their business and their passion going strong.

“For the most part,” Vendemia said, “we tend to handle public works projects such as large multifamily complexes, school renovations and medical facilities. We don’t always take on the most attractive or visible projects; that’s not our aim. We want to work on projects that fit our forte. Whether we’re working on a public bid project for a school renovation or a design/ build project for an apartment complex, we’re able to provide the ultimate service to our clients by keeping our management teams small and project-oriented, while relying on a family of experienced employees and specialized subcontractors and specialists who are the absolute best at what they do.”

Located in Brookfield, Ohio close to the Pennsylvania border, VendRick Construction, Inc. operates locally in a 60 mile radius. Despite

the fact that VendRick’s annual revenues have grown by millions of dollars every year, they focus on building projects locally. They can utilize their knowledge of the area, its nuances and its residents to give their clients the highest quality building program.

“We do as much of the work ourselves as we can manage,” Vendemia said, “but once we’re outside our internal capacity to perform efficiently, we reach out to our roster of quality subcontractors to work with people we know and trust to get the job done right and on time.”

VendRick Construction, Inc.’s philosophy promises the continued involvement of at least one company principal on each and every project, as well as the commitment to quality construction by the entire building group working as a single team.

Both Rick and Frank attribute the company’s success to their faith, family, and friends. By focusing on building proper relationships and teams as much as they concentrate on the buildings themselves, VendRick Construction, Inc. is able to maintain a history of quality projects done on time, every time. ALT

Vendrick.indd 1 4/28/2011 7:43:37 PM

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110 Construction Leaders Today

american technologies inc. disaster recovery

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by Kevin Porter

rom humble beginnings with only three employees when it started in 1989 to a workforce that now exceeds 700 within its 15 locations across the U.S., American Technologies, Inc. (ATI) is quickly becoming a household name in restoration, environmental remediation and reconstruction services.

The California-based firm offers a wide range of services to handle minor issues like water leaks in private residences, to major challenges that require environmental remediation, demolition and complete reconstruction. Its list of services include: 24-hour emergency response to water, fire and smoke damage, biohazard clean-up, mold remediation, lead and asbestos removal, contents cleaning and restoration as well as full reconstruction. This extensive list is accomplished through the company’s two divisions: Environmental and Restoration/Reconstruction services.

From debris removal following a major windstorm to asbestos abatement and reconstruction of an entire apartment complex, ATI has tackled it all.

Helping both commercial and residential customers since 1989, they are now proud to be a national leader in restoration, remediation and reconstruction services. Their overriding goal: to minimize disruptions while completing work efficiently and thoroughly.

We offer a unique, turnkey approach – including full-service from start to finish, and constant communication with a project manager throughout the process. Our IICRC-certified technicians are trained to handle a full range of restoration challenges and are accustomed to working in sensitive environments. We constantly update equipment inventories with the latest

technology in drying, air scrubbing and moisture detection.

Under the direction of Owner and President Gary Moore, the company has continued to grow and expand its geographic service area to reach more customers including residential and commercial properties, city and county municipalities, financial institutions, healthcare institutions as well as industrial properties and government agencies. The firm intends to continue its growth by opening new branch locations and investing in the most up-to-date technologies.

ATI is always at the ready to respond to any emergency. Before Hurricane Sandy struck the northeastern coast of the United States in November 2012, the firm had a Catastrophe Response Team in position to provide services for hurricane victims – a prime example of ATI’s preparedness and the high-level of service that the firm is equipped to deliver to its customers.

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west | general contracting

THE TRUSTED NAME IN

COATINGS AND TILE At All Source Coatings, our team of professionals can help you put the finishing touches on your construction project.

Using top-of-the-line finishes, we’ll make sure your building will outshine and outlast your expectations.

We’re proud to work with ADC Corp, Corp, and we congratulate them on their continued success.

All Source Coatings Inc. 9275 Trade Pl. Suite H San Diego, CA 92126

info@allsourceco.com Ph: 858-586-0903 Fx: 858-586-0303

ADC corp high quality at a low cost

by Staff Writer

David Hamilton and Alfonzo Nicolson started ADC Corp in 2009 after their previous company, Solton Enterprises shut dow. David Hamilton was in the Navy in 1985 for 4 years and undestands goverment contracts - both owners have 20+ years’ experience. The company works as a GC for Educational, Institutional, Civil, and Industrial projects. They work directly with owners and developers to help them realize significant savings in labor and material costs by using their own customized performance methods. The biggest benefit to their methods is the comprehensive flexibility at economical prices.

Their in house staff provides specialized architectural & construction that shapes the schedule, work sequence and the supplies necessary for GC projects and renovations.

The first project ever completed by ADC Corp – was in 2009 at the Nestor medical Center in Chula Vista; the$ 1.1 million, 15k sqft project was funded by the ARRA. They’re currently managing JOC contracts at San Diego State UniversityThey've been working on the campus for about 14 years- before as Solton, and now as ADC- The university’s Facilities Mgmt Dept calls on ADC corp specifically for any and all work $600k or under- from minor repairs to major ground up construction. They’ve done the tennis courts, the stadium, the International Student Center, the- Ticket office, and more. They typically do projects up to $600k- and for the past 3 years have also been tasked to do all maintenance for San Diego Stat’s House of the President.

They have a new business venture with an 8A contractor in Anaheim for federal work; ADC corp teamed up with PCC Converting buildings from

112 Construction Leaders Today

steam heating to hydronic heating for PCC Inc- at MCRD San Diego (Marine Core base, as well as changing pneumatic controls to DDC controls, they’re latest job is placing thermal solar panels on 3 barracks). This project will take 6 years to complete.

Over the next 5 years they are going to take the company further into federal contacting- they work with a second office in Waldorf, MD, and once they gain the 8a status they are currently pursuing, they will work with MD office on east coast projects.