First ARRA Project in Utah Wraps Up Ahead of Schedule

Multiple Concrete Enterprises completes $800,000 I-215 concrete rehabilitation project six weeks ahead of schedule, the first ARRA funded project in Utah to be completed.

Ogden, Utah-based Multiple Concrete Enterprises Inc. wrapped up work on an $800,000 concrete rehabilitation project on I-215 in Salt Lake City on May 12, more than six weeks ahead of its June 30 deadline, according to Jim McGee, general manager.

The project was the first highway project awarded and completed in Utah under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The project’s purpose was twofold: put people to work, as well as rehabilitate a 20-year-old stretch of concrete pavement along the I-215 belt route near ‘Knutsen’s Corner’ in the Midvale/Cottonwood Heights area of Salt Lake County.

The project consists of a new innovative technique of coring the spalls versus saw cutting, which eliminates the need to reestablish the joints. Some of the longitudinal joints over the years had separated and were doweled together using a cross stitching method. The concrete was then profile ground flat to improve the ride and noise associated with old transverse grooved pavements. Joints were resealed after grinding to mitigate water and incompressible from entering the existing joints. The final touch was grooved-in paint striping.

McGee says the concrete maintenance is expected to extend the life of this concrete pavement for another 15 to 20 years.

Kier Celebrates Ribbon Cutting on Road Home’s Palmer Court

Ogden, Utah-based Kier Construction celebrated a ribbon-cutting June 2 on the Road Home’s new Palmer Court project in Salt Lake City, a 201-unit facility that will provide housing for people in transition without homes or a permanent place to stay.

Kier Construction of Ogden, Utah recently completed Road Home’s Palmer Court project in Salt Lake City, a former hotel that was renovated into a 201-unit facility to aid homeless people.

The renovation project has a construction cost of nearly $12 million and required less than 11 months to complete. The 163,000-sq-ft facility was designed pro-bono by Salt Lake-based VCBO Architecture. The 1960’s-era hotel required extensive renovation and asbestos abatement. It consists of three wings with studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. All units include a full bath and kitchen. The development also features 11 ADA units.

Outdoor recreational aspects were also a key design aspect. The project features two basketball courts, a children’s playground, covered bicycle racks, permanent barbeque grills, a gazebo, and grass play areas. Other key features include administrative spaces for the around-the-clock staff, 250 parking stalls, a daycare center, six large laundry rooms throughout the project, library spaces, exercise rooms, party rooms and a clubhouse.

of three wings with studio, one-bed, and two-bedroom apartments. All units include a full bath and kitchen. The development also features eleven ADA units. It was important to design in excellent security, with two control points, keycard access, perimeter fencing, and aggressive landscaping that functions in concert with security goals. In addition, a physical division separates the single men’s units from the family and women’s housing units.

Eckman & Mitchell Break Ground on McGillis School

Eckman & Mitchell Construction of Salt Lake City broke ground June 2 on The McGillis School, a 59,000-sq-ft addition to accommodate the rapid expansion and growth of the Salt Lake City school.

Government officials, including Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and State Senator Ross Romero, were on hand for the event, along with faculty, students and their families.

Students from McGillis School celebrated a groundbreaking June 2 on a 59,000-sq-ft expansion of their school.

The project consists of expanding the middle school to accommodate two classes per grade, along with adding a kindergarten to their elementary education program for the start of 2010 school year. Currently 263 students attend grades 1-8; in 2010 the school will have two classes each in kindergarten through eighth grades with projected enrollment of 314 students.

The expansion will be built with green-building standards in mind, and will house 12 additional classrooms that will enable the school to enrich its principle-oriented curriculum by adding programs such as after-school care; additional arts, music and theatre courses; athletics with a new gymnasium and locker rooms; and a multi-media library. “I am proud that the facility reflects the school values,” says Glenn Anderson, GA Architects, LLC of Salt Lake. “By designing the building to LEED standards, we are ‘repairing the world,’ and the students get to participate.”

Eckman & Mitchell CEO Gary Eckman says construction will be completed by August 2010.

Indian Creek Bridge Getting Makeover

Two deteriorated bridges that span Indian Creek in Caldwell, Idaho are getting makeovers that will extend the life of the adjacent roads and improve the structural integrity.

Braun-Jensen of Payette, Idaho is the contractor on the bridge replacement project. The first project is the 21st Avenue Bridge that serves as a route between I-84 and The College of Idaho. The contractor is building two more lanes to make a four-lane bridge, which will improve traveling conditions. The second bridge replacement is beneath 11th Avenue and Arthur Street. Removing the existing bridge and building the new concrete bridge will be done in two phases. Due to the alignment with the creek and intersection on the 11th Avenue bridge, they will close the intersection and offer a detour while they install the new steel structure. Efforts are being made to reduce noise by limiting work hours to daytime, in addition to using equipment mufflers, intake silencers and engine enclosures. The $2.3 million project is scheduled to be completed in November.

Mulvaney Medical Building Will Aim for LEED Gold

The $6.5 million Mulvaney Medical Office Building in Boise is completed and ready for tenants. General contractor ESI of Boise teamed up with design firm CSHQA of Boise for the 70,000-sq-ft, 3-story project.

The second floor is highlighted by a 24,000-sq-ft patio with a green garden grid and walkway. The project was built with a steel structure and precast concrete. It has an aluminum curtain wall and stone with EIFS on the entryway. The interior is finished with carpet and paint with an acoustical ceiling. Owned by Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, it is one of the first office buildings in Boise to enter the LEED certification process. Although the project was started with the intent to build to LEED Silver standards, the project team has accumulated enough to certify as LEED Gold.

Excelsior Academy Project Underway

The Excelsior Academy Charter School, a K-8 school owned by Excelsior Development LLC of Lehi, Utah is being constructed in Tooele, Utah by Peck Ormsby Construction Co. of Lehi. Designed by VCBO Architecture of Salt Lake City, the $6 million project is two stories and 53,000 sq ft., and will include 30 classrooms, a media center, cafeteria and auditorium.

The exterior is a wood frame with a masonry block gymnasium. The exterior finish is block wainscot with EIFS. “The project is moving fast and furious,” says Bruce Capell of Peck Ormsby. The project is set to wrap up in time for the beginning of the 2009 school season in mid-August.

ITD Begins Moscow Projects

M.L. Albright and Sons Inc. of Lewiston, Idaho was awarded a $1.9 million contract to complete a project that begins at the intersection of Main and A Street and continues north over a half mile to Rodeo Drive intersection in Moscow.

The scope includes a new traffic light installation, catch basins and sidewalks, installation of a 12-in water line, and a three-in overlay of ‘Superpave’ hot mix asphalt pavement.

ITD also awarded Motley & Motley Inc. of Pullman, Wash. a $1.6 million contract for the widening of Highway 8 to 40 ft and putting in a 12-ft center turn lane between Veatch Street and White Place. The firm will also install a main storm sewer trunk line and lateral lines, manholes, curbs and gutters and a sidewalk. This project is slated for completion in September.

Kelly Benson Senior Apartments Project Slated to Begin

After two years of economic setbacks, construction is set to begin on the Kelly Benson Senior Apartments in West Valley City, which is owned by the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City. Kier Construction of Ogden is the contractor on the project, along with architect ASWN Plus of Salt Lake City. The $4.7 million project is two levels consisting of 55,228 sq ft and 60 total single dwelling living units.

The exterior will consist of brick veneer and Hardy board siding and stucco. The interior will have standard drywall, paint, carpet and tile finishes.

This apartment complex is aimed at helping senior citizens with transitional housing and will accommodate up to 70 people.

“Due to the fact that this has been in the works since April 2007 and has undergone many economic challenges, it is nice to finally get started on the project,” says Bob Mogensen, senior estimator for Kier. “Despite some concerns from the community, the finished project will be an asset to the community and the county.”

The project will conclude in March 2010.

Sampson Renovating War Memorial Stadium

War Memorial Stadium at the University of Wyoming in Laramie is undergoing a $21 million renovation

Sampson Construction of Cheyenne. Wyo., has been contracted for the $21 million War Memorial Stadium renovation project at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. Designed by Malone Belton Abel PC of Sheridan, Wyo., the project will consist of a 35,000-sq-ft addition, including 14 new suite skyboxes and club seating with space for 640 people.

The interior will incorporate high quality finishes, including glass tile, state-of-the-art audio/visual systems and premium theatrical seating. The exterior will include motorized operable stadium windows and a composite metal panel system. The project will also include three new stair towers, an elevator tower and a new visitor’s center.

“The biggest challenge is building 100 ft in the air on top of the existing stadium,” says Thad Lienemann of Sampson Construction. The project is set for completion in July 2010.