WASHINGTON — The National Capital Region chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the recipients of the chapter’s first annual Awards of Excellence on Aug. 7, which included two high-profile design-build projects. The award recognizes innovation and achievement in “green” building.
HOK Sport and HOK DC received the “Large Project of the Year” award for the design-build Nationals Park. This is significant in that a sporting venue was completely outside the parameters of previous LEED® certified buildings.
“A green ballpark had never been documented before,” which meant that the design team had the freedom to be creative, while working within the site and project’s constraints, said Susan Klumpp, HOK project manager.
The ballpark is on a brownfield redevelopment site, which means that the soil had to be treated and replaced. Located on the bank of the Anacostia River, which is undergoing a major clean-up effort, debris and pollution washed into the river had to be minimized, if not completely eliminated.
Every aspect of the ballpark contributed to its environmentally friendly award and LEED Silver rating achievements. These efforts included immense public transportation options for stadium patrons, including a bike valet service on game days. High-efficiency field lighting conserves energy, while water conserving plumbing fixtures with air-cooled chillers save an estimated 6 million gallons of water per year. Fans have access to recycling bins, and more than 20 percent of construction materials were recycled. Finally, a 6,300-square-foot green roof collects rainwater and minimizes roof heat gain.
The Pentagon Library and Conference Center was the other big winner as the “Federal Project of the Year.” The project was a 2007 Design-Build Project Award winner. Built by design-builder Coakley & Williams Construction Inc., it was designed to provide a modern facility to house the Army’s library and accommodate meetings and conferences. It contains 14 conference rooms, catering facilities and an atrium area.
In addition, Clark Construction received the “Legacy Award of the Year” for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Maryland, the first LEED Platinum-level office building in the world.
St. Anthony Rises Again
The new St. Anthony Falls Bridge (I-35W) project continues ahead of schedule, in Minneapolis. On July 5 construction crews installed the last of the 60 pre-cast segments for the northbound span of the bridge. The following week they finished installing the southbound span’s pre-cast segments.
The crew then closed the final gap on the northbound span July 16 by pouring concrete into forms built between the cantilevers extending from both sides of the river. (It took seven concrete trucks, loaded with eight cubic yards of concrete each, to fill the form.)
The main span was completed July 24, with concrete pours continuing on the rest of the bridge in the last week of the month. Construction was halted on Aug. 1 in observance of the anniversary of the old bridge’s collapse.
By the first week of August, some 300 days after work began, the bridge was 90 percent complete and is on track to open by mid-October, some two months ahead of its originally scheduled opening. Finishing work such as installing signs, installing and testing lighting, grinding and painting the deck, installing guard rails, completing on- and off-ramps, landscaping, painting the bridge and clean-up will continue until it opens.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation continued its community outreach initiative, keeping local residents informed of the construction progress and warning of road closures and noise and light disruptions.
Using a variety of communication methods, from a Web site and Web camera to project staff attending farmers’ markets, block parties and other public events to provide information, this initiative has kept the community involved and informed.
The previous I-35W bridge, built in 1967, collapsed and fell into the Mississippi River on Aug. 1, 2007, killing 13 and injuring hundreds.
Conference & Expo Registration Open
It’s time to register for the 2008 Design-Build Conference & Expo. Act now and get the best rates of the year for your conference experience at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas — from the pre-conference events Nov. 2 until the final conference session Nov. 5.
The first-ever DBIA Golf Tournament kicks off activities Nov. 2. As the conference gets into full swing Nov. 3, top names headline conference events. Don Shula, the “winningest” coach in NFL history will address leadership in business. Anthony A. Marnell II, CEO and chairman of the board of Marnell Corrao Associates Inc., will offer his expertise as one of the most influential figures in modern casino design and construction, and Norbert W. Young, president of McGraw-Hill Construction, will provide his views as part of the leading source of information and industry analysis for design and construction professionals.
But that’s not all. On Nov. 3, the Evening of Entertainment and Celebration, which includes presentation of DBIA’s coveted project and individual awards, will also feature Rich Little, comedian and man of more than 200 voices.
With the tight schedule, top-names fill the bill from the first pre-conference session Nov. 2 until 2 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Sign up on or before Sept. 26, 2008, and save at least $100 on registration. Hotel accommodations are on a first-come first-served basis. The hotel cut-off is Oct. 1. Please visit www.designbuildexpo.com to register for everything from the golf tournament to hotel accommodations and the entire conference. You don’t want to miss a thing.
Submit Your DBIA Transportation Conference Proposals
Don’t wait another minute. Submit your presentation abstract for consideration at the 2009 Design-Build in Transportation Conference, April 1-3 in Baltimore. DBIA is looking for cutting-edge and innovative session proposals featuring seasoned and experienced presenters and/or panelists. The submission deadline is Sept. 29, 2008. Case studies of small projects ($100 million or less) are strongly encouraged.
DBIA will consider presentation proposals on virtually every transportation topic, including:
- Air Transportation
- Railway Transportation
- Maritime Transport/Coastal Ports
- Pipeline Projects
- Vehicle Traffic (Highways/Roads/Bridges)
- Mass Transit
Planning, design, construction, contractual performance and other transportation infrastructure issues are really hot this year. Among some of the most sought presentations addressing delivery issues are:
- Choosing the Right Procurement Methodology
- Contracting Approaches and Contract Structures
- Team Risk Allocation
- The Surety Environment
- Innovative Technologies/Solutions
- Design-Build vs. Other Alternatives: Key Decision-Making Factors in Choosing Design-Build
- Engaging Owners to Ask the Right Questions and Make the Best Project Delivery Choice
- Transitioning from Design-Build to Design-Build-Operate (or Design-Bid-Build to Design-Build)
- Key Elements for Design-Build Teaming
- Developing Well-Written Performance Requirements
- Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly Defining for Optimal Results
Presentations that include an owner representative will receive special consideration.
To submit a presentation abstract and for complete information, please visit www.designbuildtransportation.com/call.cfm. Become a part of the Design-Build in Transportation Conference today.