People
Promotions and New Hires
New Faces at Balfour Beatty
In January, Balfour Beatty Construction’s Florida division appointed new business development directors: Bonny Block the federal business unit and John Page for the hospitality business unit.
Awards and Honors
Hirschbrunner Honored
Dennis C. Hirschbrunner of Columbus, Ohio, was honored by the Nebraska Section of the American Water Works Association for his long service to the water works industry. Mr. Hirschbrunner retired in 2010 as executive vice president and national director of marketing for HDR Inc.
Transitions
HDR Expands, Rebrands
In early January, HDR Inc. acquired HydroQual Inc., a firm specializing in water resource management. The firm will conduct business as HDR|HydroQual.
And HDR Design-Build Inc. has changed its name to HDR Constructors Inc. to reflect the firm’s broader capabilities and procurement options.
Opus Land Transfer
A 74-acre parcel of land in Minneapolis, the site of the old Powers department store, was sold by Opus Northwest to Opus RPLand LLC, an entity created specifically for this sale. This was another step in Opus’s efforts to reinvent itself in the wake of the real estate crash.
Mortenson Expands
In late January, Mortenson opened its first office in Canada. The new office, in Mississauga, Ontario, will support the Minnesota-based company’s growing work there.
Industry News
McLaughlin Presents at AHR Expo
Mike McLaughlin, preconstruction leader with Southland Industries, spoke at the AHR Expo in Las Vegas on January 31. The forum, The Contractor’s Link to ASHRAE, was sponsored by the association’s task group, HVAC Contractors and Design Build Firms.
Kinsley Elected President of WDBC
In January, Pete Kinsley, vice president of the water division at the Haskell Company, was elected president of the Water Design-Build Council. He brings decades of experience in water projects and alternative project delivery methods to the position and promises to continue the work of the Council.
Conover Named Chair of CMAA Board
Late last year, Dave Conover, HDR’s Water Business Group Construction Services director, was named chairman of the board of directors of the Construction Management Association of America.
Projects
New Contracts
Balfour Beatty’s Florida Hospital Project
Balfour Beatty Construction, as part of an integrated team with HKS Architects and TLC Engineering, was selected to provide design-build services for Martin Memorial Health Systems’ new hospital in the Tradition development of Port St. Lucie, Fla. The team has worked together before and will use the advantages of the design-build/IPD approach to deliver the new facility as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
Murray Morgan Bridge Contract Awarded
In early January, Hardesty & Hanover and PCL Civil Constructors won the design-build contract for extensive rehabilitation of the Murray Morgan Bridge in Tacoma, Wash.
Damming the Costs
Black & Veatch was able to answer some questions raised by dam experts and provide Charlottesville with estimates for both the cost and feasibility of expanding the Lower Ragged Mountain Dam. Phased construction of a concrete dam, upgrading and increasing the level of water in the reservoir, would be slightly more expensive than a new earthen dam, but reduce chances of interrupting water flow.
Schuff Steel and Wind Towers
Schuff Steel Company, a subsidiary of Schuff International Inc., is moving ahead with its plans to build a manufacturing plant for a new design of wind tower in Ottawa, Kan. Demand for the new tower is expected to develop in early 2012, giving the company time to perfect the tower design, gather orders and get the plant up and running.
Fort Bragg Medical Center
Late last year, The Korte Company was awarded the contract for the Fort Bragg Troop & Family Medical Clinic project. Scheduled for completion in the summer of 2012, the clinic will provide a full range of medical services for soldiers and their families.
New Stormwater Controls for New Orleans
In late April, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hurricane Protection Office awarded a joint venture of Brasfield & Gorrie, CDM and Yates construction a $675 million contract to build canal closures and pump stations in New Orleans. The new pump stations and flood gate systems will pump stormwater out of New Orleans into Lake Pontchartrain during extreme weather conditions.
A New Home for the Skeeters
The team of Barton Malow and Linbeck landed the preferred design-build contractor designation from Sugar Land, Texas, for construction of StarTex Power Field, the new home of the Sugar Land Skeeters. The $30-million ballpark is expected t be ready for opening day in April 2012.
Under Construction
New Facility in Texas
In late December, Hill & Wilkinson broke ground for a new manufacturing facility in Wylie, Texas. The fast-track design-build project is scheduled for completion in June.
UMCP Expansion
Nearing the end of a major fundraising cycle, the University of Maryland in College Park has selected a design-build team consisting of Forrester Construction, Barnes Vance Architects Inc. and Gibson Builders for the campus’s new events center. The center will include both public spaces and, separately, residence areas.
PCL Constructors to Build Healthcare Campus
A team that includes PCL Constructors Canada Inc. has signed a contract to design, build, finance and maintain the new West 5th campus for St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Construction began in January and is expected to be complete by the summer of 2014.
Fort Campbell Medical Center Expands
The Korte Co. is working on a $4 million addition to the medical center at Fort Campbell, Ky. The design-build project, scheduled for completion this summer, will add 11,000 square feet to the existing center.
Back to School
Renovating the historic Bastrop High School in Louisiana has been a learning experience for the design-build team and the project owners. Six weeks into the project, representatives of all parties did a walk-through to see the scope and progress so far. Project developer Woodward Interests of New Orleans and its associated company, Woodward Design Build, along with Architecture Plus and Breck Construction, all have experience with restoring historic buildings.
Alachua Research Center
In early January, The Haskell Co. completed the design of a $5.5 million construction education and research center and expects to complete construction this fall. The 31,000-square-foot Alachua, Fla., National Center for Construction Education and Research will feature a modern design and is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification.
Army Medical Center Team Chosen
A joint venture including Southland Industries, Balfour Beatty and McCarthy is designing and installing the sustainable HVAC and plumbing systems and remote central utility plant for the new Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, Texas.
Community Center in Santa Ana
A team including McCarthy Building Companies and TAYLOR is working in partnership with St. Joseph Health Systems, Latino Health Access and other partners to donate services for a new health and wellness community center here, in one of the poorest areas of California.
Completed Projects
Frank Sarris Library Opens in June
The new Frank Sarris Public Library in Canonsburg, Penn., designed and built by Astorino, is set to open on Monday, June 13. The newly constructed, two-story building was completed in 10 months at a cost of approximately $5.5 million with nearly zero change orders. Designed with the goal of LEED Silver certification, the library's design consiered sustainable measures such as connunity connectivity, water efficiency, use of recycled materials, energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Awards and Honors
Library Design Wins Award
Earlier this year, HGA Architects and Engineers won a national design award for the Ramsey County Library in Maplewood, Minn. The Library Administration and Management Association International Interior Design Association recognized the 31,000-square-foot library for design excellence and creativity.