Alpine School District's Newest Project

In this day and age of tight budget dollars, it's not easy to achieve a tax savings. However, for the citizens of Alpine School District, the completion of the design and construction of the Orem High School Field House was able to do that and much, much more.

Completion of the Orem High School Field House was celebrated two months ahead of schedule.

Designed by MHTN Architects, Salt Lake City, the facility seats 2000 students and provides state-of-the-art athletic facilities to Orem High students.

The site-based design committee, comprised of faculty, district administrators, parents, students and community leaders had a significant role in developing the vision of this project. "The committee has truly helped to make this project a reflection of the community's emphasis on students and the creation of quality environments which foster life learning experiences. MHTN is very proud to have been a part of that effort," said Dennis Cecchini, MTHN design architect.

Hughes General Contractors, North Salt Lake, was selected as the construction manager/general contractor for the facility during the early stages of design. Working closely with the Alpine School District and MHTN Architects, along with a team of dedicated subcontractors, the project was not only completed two months early but also came in more that 10 percent below the original budget. To the Orem High Tigers, this meant having league play in a facility they did not expect until April.

There are two phases left of the bond funding which totals $110,000,000. Bond allocation was divided into four different phases. The upcoming Phase C will total $48,500,000 in construction projects including projects for 24 different facilities, concluding sometime next year. The last phase of the bond will extend further than one year and will be prioritized according to growth within the district.

"We know where the growth is expected to happen and where the needs are projected," said Smith. "The savings and accelerated construction schedule for this project is attributed to a great collaboration of the contractor, architects, School Board, school officials and community input."

Dan Pratt, vice president of Hughes General Contractors, explained a unique finding that led to the expedited schedule. "When we were selected as the construction managers for the new field house, we noticed that the projected construction period showed the building completion after the end of basketball season. We thought it would be a great benefit for everyone if we could speed up construction to allow the basketball teams to compete in their new facility an entire year ahead of schedule." Pratt said everyone from the district's staff to the architect and subcontractors jumped on board with the idea to make it happen.

Furst Completes Hansen Motor Company Dealership

Furst Construction, Salt Lake City, has completed the new 31,000-sq.-ft. Hansen Motor Company auto dealership complex, located at 1175 S. Commerce Way in Brigham City.

Byron Hansen, president of Hansen Motor Company, worked closely with Furst Construction and architect John Wilhite to design-build the complex, which includes showroom and office areas, an expanded parts department, a Hertz renal counter and a full-service maintenance area complete with an automatic car wash, quick-lube service and two dozen service bays with capabilities for larger recreational vehicles.

The new dealership has more than doubled the size of Hansen's current facilities, and accordingly, it envisions tremendous growth in sales and service. Hansen will either sell or lease his old facilities in Brigham City.

Construction began the first of July, and special efforts by Furst Project Manager Dean Jarman and Superintendent Kenny Thompson were instrumental in meeting a fast-track construction schedule. "The project came in ahead of schedule and under budget," said Jarman. "Working with the Hansen organization was a positive experience - they provided seamless cooperation and were a pleasure to work with."

A 25-year project in the making, Hansen met his share of challenges in realizing the new facility, from property acquisition to traffic access. After researching several dealerships and their construction experiences, Hansen said, "We chose Furst because of overwhelming recommendations from our peers in the industry, and we experienced the same professionalism and expertise that everyone assured."

In other news, Furst Construction has been contracted to build the new 1,750-sq.-ft. Subway sandwich shop in Herriman, Utah. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 16, 2003.

Furst worked closely with developer RKT LP, franchise Erick Thompson and architect John Wilhite, all of Sandy, Utah, to coordinate the design-build project. The facility will resemble Subway's existing stand-alone restaurants and will include a drive-through window and kitchen and dining areas. Construction began in March and is scheduled to be complete in June.

Furst has also been contracted to build the new 38,000-sq.-ft. Jordan River Apartments, a three-acre senior rental housing development in West Jordan.

The new development will include five two-story buildings with 48 residential units and a clubhouse with administration and community areas, including a kitchen and exercise room.
Construction began in March and is scheduled to be complete in October.

Furst Construction worked closely with Garrison Development Company out of Kansas and Wallace Architects of Missouri to coordinate the fast-track, design-build projects, two and a half years in the making.

Funding for the project was provided through Key Bank, N.A., the Olene Walker Housing Trust Fund, the County of Salt Lake, Washington Mutual and ESIC/American Express Centurion Bank.

Garrison Development Company is an eight-year-old multi-family housing developer in the five-state area of Kansas, Missouri, Colorado Nebraska and Utah. Its affiliate, Garrison Management Company, will provide management and leasing services for the apartments.

Spectrum+Bennion Changes Name to Spectrum Engineers

To reflect its singularity of purpose, Salt Lake City, Utah-based Spectrum Engineers (formerly Spectrum+Bennion) is pleased to announce its consolidated name and continued commitment to excellence in engineering. The name Spectrum Engineers reflects the full integration of the firm's professional services and indicates the unified goal of the firm: client satisfaction.

According to Stewart E. "Skip" Green, P.E., CEO of Spectrum Engineers, "Spectrum+Bennion was always viewed as a transitional name to be used until the integration of the two firms was complete. Now that the integration framework of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, technology, lighting, theatre and acoustical disciplines has been implemented, this is the time to demonstrate this unified purpose with our name."

When asked about the new name, Neil H. Spencer, P.E., vice president of Spectrum Engineers responded, "The change from Spectrum+Bennion to Spectrum Engineers demonstrates our continued commitment to integrate mechanical, electrical and other engineering services within one firm."

Spectrum+Bennion was formed when Spectrum Professional Services joined with Bennion Associates, Engineers. The recent addition of Fred Nash & Associates solidified the firm's position as Utah's largest mechanical and electrical engineering consulting firm.

Spectrum Engineers is focused on client-centric, integrated engineering services that provide real-world facility solutions. The multidisciplinary Spectrum Engineers has established offices in Salt Lake City and Logan, Utah.

R&O Construction, Ogden, Utah, will complete a major renovation on Jeremiah's Restaurant in Ogden, Utah.

The project included the addition of several new features to the facility: a rustic lobby with rock fireplace and mantel of carved wood; a completely renovated kitchen with the addition of new equipment, and banquet rooms themed the "Den," "Back Porch," "Mountain Room" and the "River Room." The addition of seasonal seating allows for spectacular views of the Wasatch Mountains, and new landscaping greatly expands the ambience of the restaurant.

Some special touches include murals depicting area attractions painted by Terry Johnson and wood flooring from Great Salt Lake trestles. The architect on the project was Tom Jensen of Architectural Nexus.
The restaurant opened for business April 16

Layton Construction Receives National Safety Award

Layton Construction, Sandy, Utah, received the national EFCO Safety Award for its concrete construction safety and excellence at the Huntsman Cancer Institute Hospital at an awards presentation April 9. EFCO Corporation, Des Moines, Iowa, designs concrete forming systems and services major construction companies worldwide.

Construction of the 275,000-sq.-ft. Huntsman Cancer Hospital was started by Layton Construction in October 2001 and will be completed in the spring of 2004. The new hospital is adjacent and will be connected to the existing Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Three concrete towers housing eight elevators and three stairwells, and two sheer walls that rise up to 130 ft. were constructed by Layton using EFCO concrete forming systems. "With 14,000 cu.-yds. of concrete to place behind gang forms, we needed something safe and simple and EFCO was the answer," said Jef Johnson, Layton project manager.

Layton Construction's safety measures recognized by EFCO include over 100,000 man-hours worked with a single recordable incident. Other proactive safety measures include mandatory six-foot fall protection, pre-shift task training, job hazard analyses and hazard recognition correction.

The EFCO Award was presented to the Layton Construction team by Markus Schlegel, EFCO territory manager. Also participating in the presentation was Jeff Hartman, EFCO district manager.

GSA Awards Multiple Contracts to Big-D

The General Services Administration has awarded Big-D Construction, Salt Lake City, three separate Multiple Award Indefinite Quantity contracts. The projects are categorized in three zones and encompass eight states in the Intermountain West.

Each contract is for five years with a potential of up to $65 million per year for each of the three zones. Big-D recently completed the seismic upgrade and remodel of the GSA's Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building in downtown Salt Lake.

In other news, Big-D Construction has been awarded a contract to expand and remodel the 39-bed Ashley Valley Medical Center in Vernal. The project will include an intensive care unit, PCAU/pre-op, emergency department, radiology and imaging services and LDR/post-partum/nursery areas. The project will also require relocation of a city street and subsequent relocation of the facility's helipad. Construction will begin the end of May with completion expected in June 2005.