PC Construction Company Blog

CELEBRATING A NEW FUTURE FOR SHELBURNE MUSEUM

May 17, 2012

Today marked a key moment for Shelburne Museum in Vermont. Joined by PC Construction and Ann Beha Architects, the museum celebrated the beginning of construction for their new 17,000 square foot Center for Art and Education. The new facility, which is expected to achieve LEED accreditation, will provide year-round public access to the museum’s collections for the first time in the Museum’s 65-year history. It will house galleries, display space, a modern classroom, and a 130-seat lecture and performance auditorium. The community will benefit from the expanded public programs, improved year-round access, lectures, classes, symposia, and film presented by the museum in the new facility.

With construction expected to be in full swing throughout the Museum’s 2012 operating season, many measures are being taken to ensure the most pleasant experience for patrons. Construction barriers were installed using green fabric to help camouflage the construction scene. Six viewing windows were incorporated in the perimeter of the fence for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the construction activities. In addition, temporary shuttle roads bypass the construction project and the wheels of all construction equipment leaving the site will be washed before exiting onto Route 7.

Continue Reading →

GROUND BROKEN ON $39 MILLION HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATIONS PROJECT

May 9, 2012

Students, parents, community members, and faculty celebrated the official ground breaking ceremony for the South Portland High School Additions and Renovations projecton Monday afternoon. Mayor Patti Smith and Board of Education Chair Tap Fitzgerald were among the leaders helping kick off the celebration. High school students Gaby Ferrell and Morrigan Turner also spoke about their excitement for the future of the school and the new and improved features this construction project will create.

PC Construction was selected by South Portland High School to construct the nearly 300,000 square feet of additions and renovations. We will provide construction services throughout multiple phases and conclude work on this project in December of 2014. The project team, including South Portland School Officials, Harriman Associates, and PC Construction, share a passion for this project and bettering the facilities available to students, faculty, and staff. Included in the renovation and additions are a gym, weight room, tennis courts, athletic fields, auditorium, cafeteria, and classroom space.

Ground broken on $39 million high school renovations project

Harriman Associates, PC Construction, and students from area schools break ground on the $39 million South Portland High School Additions and Renovations project

Lola Aiken, widow of former Vermont Governor and Senator George D. Aiken, prepares to cut the ceremonial ribbon

Matt Beam, the originator of the building's Eco-Machine, says a few words

Governor Peter Shumlin addresses the crowd

THE GREENING OF AIKEN

May 2, 2012

Last Friday, The University of Vermont celebrated the official ribbon cutting for the renovated George D. Aiken Center which houses the University’s Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources. The building opened its doors to students in January of this year. Continue Reading →

DISCOVERY SIGHTING AT DC PROJECT

April 17, 2012

SPECIAL PROJECTS IRENE RELIEF

April 16, 2012

In the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, PC jumped in with a $100,000 underwriting of the Phish Benefit Concert in Essex, Vermont, which allowed all $1.2 million raised to go directly to the flood recovery efforts. And we were also there to help our clients rebuild and get their businesses running again. Just one of many of these efforts was at the Rochester School in Vermont where we helped them recover from the devastating damage left behind.

Students, faculty, and staff were distraught to learn of the hit their school had taken, with up to four feet of standing water remaining after the storm. PC’s Special Projects Group, working with the Vermont School Board Insurance Trust, was able to make the needed repairs to the auditorium stage and seating, the art studio, and common and classroom spaces to help get those areas of the school open again. Repairs were completed in the early part of January, and as the video shows, the students couldn’t be happier.

Construction Progress Celebrated for New Manufacturing Facility

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS CELEBRATED FOR NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY

April 13, 2012

WHAT’S NEW IN SPECIAL PROJECTS?

April 11, 2012

PC’s Special Projects Group has had an exciting first quarter. We now have a dedicated focus on the Northeastern United States with seamless coordination between our offices in South Burlington, Vermont and Portland, Maine. We have also added dedicated business development capability to support the wide range of project types the Special Projects Group undertakes in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. And we just finished renovating and improving our office space on San Remo Drive in South Burlington!

We have several great projects underway across the Northeast. Among them are:

A new ticket booth for the Mahaney Center for the Arts at Middlebury College in Vermont. This $170,000 project includes unusual high-end finish work and fine detail. Everything except the flooring is being self-performed by PC Construction’s crews. Completion is scheduled for mid-May.
A 16,000 square foot fit-up of new retail space for L.L. Bean in Danbury, Connecticut. This $1.1 million project is planned for opening to the public in the fall.
Miscellaneous building work associated with the Weidmann Electrical Technologies expansion in Lyndonville, Vermont as well as a $415,000 installation of a new LAM process line directly for the owner at the WET facility. This work will be completed in the fall.

Projects slated to begin this year include a rubber dam bladder repair at the Bolton Falls Hydroelectric Facility in Vermont and a multi-phase upgrade of hydroelectric infrastructure for the Mt. Equiniox Foundation in Manchester, Vermont.

Check out more about our Special Projects group: http://www.pcconstruction.com/construction-services-special-projects.php.

WORK ZONE!

March 7, 2012

Fletcher Allen Health Care Baird 4 Med/Surg floor

Project Superintendent Alan Lewis talks with a care provider just outside the construction zone on Fletcher Allen Health Care’s Baird 4 Med/Surg floor. The project is moving forward on schedule with great interaction between the clinical care team and PC’s TEAM HEALTH CARE.

PROJECT UPDATE: NORTHEAST WWTP IMPROVEMENTS

January 31, 2012

In May 2010, we were the low bidder on the Northeast WWTP Improvements project in Hickory, North Carolina for the City of Hickory Public Utilities Department. The Notice to Proceed followed in mid-July with construction beginning in August as a result of permitting issues. The project consists of modifications to an existing 6 MGD facility originally built in 1948. The primary scope is to provide a new process train switching from Aeration Basins to Oxidation Ditches, with the addition of a new Influent Pump Station, Grit Removal Structure, Oxidation Ditches, Secondary Clarifier, and SCADA System as well as renovations to the Disinfection Systems, Secondary Clarifiers, Odor Control, and Dewatering Facilities. In addition to the mechanical process construction, a new Laboratory Building is being built.

With no available space on the main 14-acre site for storage or stockpiling, a bridge was constructed across Falling Creek to an adjacent property to allow for material and stockpile storage. This city-owned property has been invaluable to the project. Concrete placement is complete and process piping and equipment are nearing completion for the first phase of the project. The end of the first phase will be highlighted by a night and day operation of nine tie-ins redirecting all incoming flow from the existing process train to the new process train.

Project completion is scheduled for June 2012, six months ahead of the contractual date.

Northeast WWTP

THE PC WAY: CLIENT SATISFACTION

January 25, 2012

At PC Construction, our core values are pretty simple. We, the employee owners of PC, are committed to:

Excellence in all we do
DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL VALUE TO
OUR CUSTOMERS AND SHAREHOLDERS
Personal and professional growth
Uncompromised integrity
Zero Accidents—No Excuses

Each of these values is important to the company in a different way. Delivering exceptional value to our customers allows us to form successful relationships which translate to positive experiences, a greater chance for successful projects, and a foot in the door for future work with clients. A satisfied client spreads the word about a job well done and a construction partner that is second to none. Continue Reading →

GASIFICATION SYSTEM KEY TO COLBY COLLEGE CENTRAL HEATING PLANT EXPANSION

January 3, 2012

The University of Vermont George D. Aiken Center Addition and Renovation Project

UVM PROJECT AWARDED GREEN CONSTRUCTION AWARD

December 7, 2011

Last night I was proud to stand up with my team and accept the AGC/Vermont Best Builders Award in the Green Construction Renovation category for our work on The University of Vermont George D. Aiken Center Addition and Renovation project. I truly enjoyed working with a client so dedicated to sustainability on the largest higher educational campus in the State of Vermont, and the results of the team’s combined efforts certainly show. Continue Reading →

PROJECT UPDATE: CONCORD HOSPITAL SURGICAL CENTER RENOVATION

November 18, 2011

PC Construction began work on the Concord Hospital Surgical Center Renovation project this summer. The $8.6 million project consists of three phases. The first phase includes additions with two new inpatient operating rooms, two new outpatient operating rooms, and a loading dock. The second phase involves the renovation of their entire post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and Pre/Post Operation area including two additional operating rooms. The third and final phase is a small renovation for staff support and a waiting area. The total project duration is 18 months.

The most challenging aspect of this project involves replacing the existing loading dock with a new three-story dock in the exact same location without compromising its 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week operation. Some of this was handled with the construction of a temporary dock and daily coordination with construction equipment and hospital supplies coming and going. In addition, the expansion is constructed adjacent to their existing operating rooms so much of the work has to occur during second shift hours to minimize disruption to procedures.

This is a very exciting and challenging project. Close coordination and constant communication with the great staff at Concord Hospital helped get the project off to a successful start.

Concord Hospital Surgical Center Renovation

MAKING WISHES POSSIBLE

November 17, 2011

A couple of months ago, I received a call from two old friends who do volunteer work with the Make-A Wish Foundation of Vermont. They asked for my assistance to install a large therapeutic whirlpool tub in a house in Burlington, Vermont, so that a developmentally-disabled little girl could bathe while receiving greater therapeutic benefit. With the enthusiastic support of PC Construction and our company president, this project got underway last week. Required work includes a complete rebuild of the bathroom, including wall and tile flooring work, new structural beams and column supports, and plumbing and electrical work.

PC has been fortunate to be joined by the team of Avonda Air Systems, Bates & Murray, Dubois & King, and Vermont Gas, who are all donating labor and material for this project. Bob Avonda, Albie Bourne, and Tim Dall, in particular, deserve a huge “thank you” for stepping up and taking on this project despite their current workload. Neil Durda, Office Engineer with PC Construction’s Special Projects team has been invaluable in helping get this project off the ground. In addition, TFM Construction is providing carpentry work at reduced labor rates.

It was great to see all of us pull together to get this project done for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and, most importantly, for the family whose lives will be greatly enhanced by the outcome.

Installing drywall during the renovation of a bathroom involving the installation of a large therapeutic whirlpool tub

Brattleboro Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade

PROJECT UPDATE: BRATTLEBORO WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY UPGRADE

November 15, 2011

In September 2010, PC Construction was the low bidder on the Brattleboro Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade project located along the Connecticut River in Brattleboro, Vermont. The team received the Notice to Proceed on this $22 million project in December 2010 and construction began in April 2011. The main components of the project include a new headworks building, primary clarifiers, pump gallery, thermophilic digester tank, sanitary pump station, and plant water pump station. The project also includes modification work to the existing secondary clarifiers, dewatering building, digester complex, control building, chlorine building and contact channels, and selector building with a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) system. Continue Reading →

PC CONSTRUCTION AWARDED DBIA PROJECT EXCELLENCE AWARD

October 25, 2011

At the Design Build Institute of America National Conference in Orlando, Florida, PC Construction employee owners Mike Angeli and Mike Franzoni accepted a prestigious 2011 Design-Build Excellence Award for the $109 million H.L. Mooney WRF Expansion and Upgrade Stage 2, Phase 1 project in Virginia.

To be considered for a National Design-Build Award, projects must demonstrate successful application of design-build best practices as defined by the DBIA Design-Build Manual of Practice. These include early integration of key team members during the proposal process via a proposal charrette or other collaborative outreach efforts and close coordination between design and construction team members from the design development stage through field construction.

The conference opening keynote speaker was the legendary NASA Apollo 13 Commander, Captain James Lovell. Captain Lovell regaled in stories of the ill-fated mission and spoke on how teamwork, collaboration, and ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking all combined to turn an impossible situation into success. Applying these same techniques and skills are crucial to the success of design-build projects.

PC Construction awarded DBIA Project Excellence Award

BEFORE AND AFTER: TROPICAL STORM IRENE

October 14, 2011

PROJECT UPDATE: CANAL WATER TREATMENT PLANT

October 5, 2011

The Canal Water Treatment Plant has undergone a number of upgrades over the years, but none included work on the Raw Water Intakes or High Service distributions portions of the plant. PC Construction began work on a new Raw Water Pump Station and the complete renovation of High Service Pump Station #1 in August 2010.

Many of the existing buildings on the plant date back to the early 1900s. High Service Pump Room #1 was built in 1909 and the outside appearance of the building remains just as it was then. Keeping the original appearance of the site buildings was a top priority for the City of Columbia—a challenge considering one existing structure requires renovation and four entirely new structures will be constructed. The team has worked hard to maintain the original historic appearance of the buildings and the result flows nicely with the existing plant structures.

A few of the unique challenges the team faced revolved around what are usually ordinary procedures. One was to construct a cofferdam in the canal that supplies raw water to the plant. Since the canal had been carved out of granite in the late 1800s, accommodations had to be made to the typical cofferdam. With the help of a consulting engineer and a local marine contractor, the team devised a double walled cofferdam that could sit on top of the granite since it could not be penetrated. The space between the two walls was filled with sand, giving the dam the weight required to hold back the water in the canal. The solution proved to be successful, the work is complete, and the cofferdam has been removed.

Another challenge was to create a reliable bypass pumping system that would allow the city to pump the necessary water to their customers while the team completed a very complex distribution piping replacement within the plant. It was also required that the system discharge at 155 psi, adding a layer of difficulty to this portion of the project. The team came up with a plan that would use electric pumps in place of diesel to increase the reliability and cost effectiveness of the system while producing the pressure needed in the system. The bypass system is currently providing water to the city’s distribution lines, allowing for continued progress on the plant piping.

Completion is expected in February 2012, about six months ahead of schedule.

Canal Water Treatment Plant

CLARKSON UNIVERSITY STUDENT CENTER TEAM RECOGNIZED WITH 2011 BUILDING TEAM AWARD

July 13, 2011

PC CONSTRUCTION BREAKS GROUND FOR MÖLNLYCKE HEALTH CARE MANUFACTURING FACILITY

June 27, 2011

PORTLAND SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS HONORS PC PROJECT FOR ENDURING EXCELLENCE

June 22, 2011

On June 16 the Portland Society of Architects honored the Portland Museum of Art, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, and PC Construction Company with a 25 Year Award for Architectural Design Excellence for the Payson Wing project. In accepting the award on behalf of the Portland Museum of Art, Director Mark Bessire noted the enduring quality of the landmark building’s design and construction, noting “the building’s relatively small maintenance budget speaks to the high quality workmanship when it was built.”

Paul Stevens, Portland Society of Architects President, noted the tremendous leadership of Superintendent George Smith while recognizing PC Construction for its role in the project. Architect Henry Cobb gave attendees a retrospective look back to the project’s origins and his vision for the building that led to a cultural revival of an entire city. Now 84 years old, Cobb summed it up best in an interview with the Maine Sunday Telegram when he stated, “The building, if I may say so, is very well detailed and very well built.”

Portland Museum of Art’s website speaks to the project’s history:

In 1976, Maine native Charles Shipman Payson promised the Museum his collection of 17 works by Winslow Homer. Recognizing the Museum’s physical limitations, he also gave $8 million toward the building of an addition to be designed by Henry Nichols Cobb of I. M. Pei & Partners. Construction began on the Charles Shipman Payson Building in 1981, and within two years the $8.2 million facility was opened to the public.”

We were pleased to be the construction partner on this historic project nearly 30 years ago and to be invited back in 2000 to complete the LDM Sweat Gallery and McLellan House Renovations for the Portland Museum of Art.

Facade of the Portland Museum of Art (Photo by Craig Becker)

FIRST 58,000-POUND CAGE SET IN PLACE AT BLUE PLAINS ADVANCED WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

June 14, 2011

PC Construction began installation of the first sections of the slurry wall for the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Contract 1C project in Washington, DC. The slurry wall in this application is used as a cut-off wall between the plant site and the Potomac River to prevent any possible contaminants leaving the site and entering the Potomac River, which boarders the west and south side of the Denitrification Tank. This slurry wall has reinforced-concrete walls which are excavated by a special clam shell bucket mounted to a crane to a minimum depth of 57 feet. The walls are 24 feet long by 3 feet wide. Excluding the four corners there are 70 straight wall panels required to complete this structure.

The slurry walls are constructed by starting with a set of guide walls that are 4 feet deep and 1.6 feet thick. The guide walls are constructed on the ground surface to outline the desired slurry wall and guide the excavation. As the excavation progresses downward, the trench is kept full of slurry to prevent it from collapsing. The outward pressure from the hydraulic head pressure of the slurry and the difference in gravity between the slurry and the surrounding groundwater, keep the trench in place during excavation.

After the desired depth is reached a process called de-sanding is performed, whereby the slurry is cleaned in order to place concrete. Once the de-sanding process is complete a 57 foot tall, 58,000-pound reinforced cage with tie-back trumpets is lowered into the hole followed by 170 cubic yards of tremie concrete. As the concrete is placed in the trench, the slurry is displaced back into holding tanks and ready for the next panel.

In order to meet the tight schedule demands for this project, PC Construction workers and the slurry wall subcontractor are working around the clock in shifts.

First 58,000-pound cage set in place at Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY HELD FOR $208 MILLION DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT

May 23, 2011

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 17 at the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Washington, D.C. for the $208 million Main Process Train project recently awarded to the PC/CDM joint venture team.

George Hawkins, General Manager of DC WATER, led the events that were attended by a host of local dignitaries including the Mayor of Washington, D.C., the Honorable Vincent C. Gray. Hawkins highlighted that DC WATER is the largest consumer of electricity in the District. The Cambi process, a primary component of the project, will produce combined heat and power capable of generating 13 MW of electricity estimated at $10 million in annual savings. Electricity consumption will be cut by a third when the process is complete. The electricity generated is enough to power 8,000 homes.

Another benefit of the project outlined by Hawkins includes a 50% reduction in solids produced. This will provide an annual savings of over $10 million in trucking costs. Additionally, the plant’s carbon footprint will be greatly reduced as will the amount of total nitrogen released into the Chesapeake Bay.

The Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant is the world’s largest facility of its kind processing an average of 370 million gallons of wastewater a day. This volume, as described by Hawkins, is sufficient to fill the entire Washington Nationals stadium!

All of us at PC Construction are looking forward to this exciting new project. Stay tuned to the blog for updates along the way!

Groundbreaking Ceremony held for $208 Million Design-Build Project

*On June 1, 2011, we formally changed our company name from Pizzagalli Construction Company to PC Construction Company. Click here to learn more.

MILESTONES REACHED AT VIRGINIA BEACH TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT

May 13, 2011

The project team for the Atlantic WWTP Expansion Phase 1 Contract C project in Virginia Beach, Virginia, put into operation the first of four Secondary Clarifiers on April 25. The second clarifier followed into service two weeks later. This work was part of a $5.7 million change order to rehab the plant’s four existing Secondary Clarifiers. Each clarifier is 160 feet in diameter with Siemens clarifier equipment and Warmister fiberglass weirs, baffles, and troughs.

In addition to this milestone, the $3.8 million change order to rehab their existing primary clarifiers was completed on April 21. The work was completed in time for the owner to take on the additional flow from their four other preliminary treatment plants.

Enlarge 1 Comment

DESIGN-BUILD THE LOGICAL CHOICE FOR DC WATER’S UNIQUE PROJECT

May 10, 2011

SACO CENTRAL FIRE STATION DEDICATED

May 5, 2011

LENDING A HELPING HAND

May 2, 2011

Team members at the Yellow River WRF project in Georgia recently pulled together to help Rick, the plant’s electrician. While battling an illness, it became difficult for Rick to leave his home for medical appointments and just to enjoy the outdoors. Recognizing this challenge, the group pulled together and spent two weekends designing and constructing a ramp at his house. Rick is now able to use the new ramp to leave his home independently, providing some welcome relief during difficult times.

We are proud of Jose Salaz, a PC Construction equipment operator, who joined others in an effort to give Rick a little help in a time of need.

Rick's volunteers pose with him on his new ramp

This blog was published with Rick’s approval.

BRATTLEBORO OFFICIALS BREAK GROUND ON WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY UPGRADE

April 20, 2011

Tuesday, April 19, marked the official start of Brattleboro’s upgrade construction project at the town’s wastewater treatment facility in Vermont. PC Construction was pleased to join officials and project designers for a groundbreaking ceremony held yesterday.

The $22 million project includes a new headwork’s building, two primary clarifiers, MBBR System, an energy recovery system, and state-of-the art heating and cooling system for the four treatment buildings, as well as technology upgrades to allow the production of unregulated Class-A biosolids as part of the solids treatment process. The project also includes upgrades to the existing secondary clarifiers, sludge dewatering system, chlorine facility, control building, and various yard piping and site pump stations.

Upon completion, the upgrades will allow the treatment plant to run smoother and more efficiently. In addition, the biogas created during digestion will be used to produce heat and power for the facility.

The project is scheduled for completion in August 2012.

Brattleboro Officials Break Ground on Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade

Brattleboro town officials, design professionals from Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, and PC Construction team members celebrate the groundbreaking for the $22 million WWTF Upgrade project

PROJECT UPDATE: PERCY D. MILLER WATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE

April 11, 2011

The nearly $20 million project is the first major renovation and expansion to occur at this plant, which was originally commissioned in 1953. The project’s main components include a high-service pumping station, chemical facility, dewatering building, gravity thickener as well as two 1.5 million gallon pre-stressed concrete storage tanks, maintenance storage buildings, a settled residuals pumping station, and a recycled water pumping station. PC has also taken on upgrades to the existing 58-year-old plant, which involves new pumps and screens at the raw water pumping station as well as electrical and instrumentation upgrades. Continue Reading →

Colby College Central Heating Plant Expansion Project

Colby College Central Heating Plant Expansion

THE FIRST TRUE SPOONFUL!

March 31, 2011

SUSTAINABLE EFFORTS IN PROGRESS AT UVM

March 25, 2011

One of the projects my team is currently constructing is the $7.1 million renovation and expansion to the George D. Aiken Center at The University of Vermont. The work includes the renovation of 37,000 square feet of the existing three-story building and construction of a new 2,300 square foot solarium.

Originally constructed in the 1980s, the building is considered by the University as outdated and inefficient. While most institutions will wait much longer before incorporating such major renovations, the George D. Aiken Center houses the Rubenstein School of Natural Resources, the school’s environmental program. Given the inefficiencies of the building and the substantial increase in environmental studies, this project comes at an especially fitting time.

UVM is seeking to obtain a LEED Platinum status for the renovation of the building which will feature a green roof, natural lighting and ventilation, building materials selected for their recycled and regional content, and components made from rapidly renewable materials. Both the renovated building and solarium will feature millwork harvested from UVM’s own research forest in Jericho, Vermont. The University will oversee the drying and milling of the wood, which is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and supply it to PC’s millwork subcontractor. In addition, an Eco-Machine designed by a graduate of the Rubenstein School, will be incorporated into the new solarium as a natural wastewater treatment system.

Upon completion in October 2011, the building is expected to use less than one-third the energy it used prior to renovation.

Work in progress at the UVM George D. Aiken Center with completion of this LEED renovation later this year

PROJECT UPDATE: SACO FIRE STATION

March 1, 2011

Construction continues on the 23,000 square foot Saco Central Fire Station project located in Saco, Maine. The $6 million project is a design-build collaboration with Port City Architecture of Portland, Maine. The new fire station is a two-story structure with apparatus bay, administration areas, and living quarters. It is designed to LEED Silver standards with an advanced hybrid geothermal heating system that may ultimately allow the project to achieve LEED Gold certification.

The geothermal heating system features ten 500-foot wells that deliver 55-degree water to two heat exchangers and onto an Addison heating/cooling unit. The building also has a backup system made up of two natural gas-fired Elite boilers and a rooftop solar hot water system. An 800 horsepower generator provides backup electrical capacity as well.

The centerpiece of the new fire station is the 8,900 square foot clear-span 5-bay apparatus bay with three zones of under slab radiant heat. Support areas include a three-story training tower and a supply room that can double as a manhole rescue training area. Adjacent to the garage is the administrative office wing and command center. Living quarters are located on the second floor and include nine bedrooms, fitness room, day room, dining room, kitchen, and four bathrooms. A 180-foot tower and communications building is located behind the main building next to a detention pond and will serve as a coldwater rescue training area.

PC Construction’s team of Project Manager Mark Donovan and Project Superintendent Grit Richards laid out an aggressive and detailed schedule to ensure the building’s attractive red brick and block masonry structure was completed and weather-tight before winter hit, which proved to be critical given the ferocity and frequency of storms in January alone. Inside the well-insulated building finish crews have been working in shirtsleeves while the building is heated with one unit heater.

The project is on schedule with substantial completion planned for early April. The Saco Fire Department plans to move into their new home in time for dedication ceremonies scheduled for April 30, 2011.

Saco Fire Station Project in Saco, Maine

TD BANK CALL CENTER ACHIEVES LEED PLATINUM STATUS

February 23, 2011

PC Construction’s renovation of a 60,000 square foot former department store into a world-class call center for TD Bank has achieved LEED Platinum status from the Green Building Certification Institute. This adds to PC Construction’s growing list of LEED projects ranging from Certified to Platinum. Continue Reading →

Atlantic WWTP Expansion Phase 1 Contract C Project

Fletcher Allen Health Care Radiation Oncology Project

PC CONSTRUCTION RECOGNIZES SAFETY PROJECTS OF THE YEAR

February 22, 2011

YELLOW RIVER WRF ADOPTS FACILITY LOGO

February 17, 2011

2007, early during the design phase of this $250 million project, Tyler Richards, Deputy Director for Gwinnett County, Georgia Department of Water Resources mentioned that the project should come up with a logo that uniquely represented the project and the team assembled to upgrade the facility. Kristin Wilson, a Field Office Manager for PC Construction, liked that idea. She and a friend who had previously worked together at a graphics design company came up with some ideas and presented them to the entire project team. Everyone was really thrilled with the effort and quickly chose a design that has graced all project correspondence since then. But that wasn’t the end of the story. As the design process for the plant continued, the architect for the project had an idea – why not include this logo on the exterior of each building? So the logo was incorporated into the exterior design of all plant facilities buildings.

For us at PC Construction, that logo serves as a reminder of the incredible work we have put in place on this project. And once we complete construction and move on to our next project, Kristin will have left her stamp behind for many years to come.

PC Construction Field Office Manager Kristin Wilson poses in front of one of the many plant facilities buildings that boast the Yellow River logo

The logo chosen to represent the Yellow River WRF project

FAHC GREENROOF RECOGNIZED WITH VERMONT PUBLIC SPACE AWARD

February 1, 2011

UOSA TUNNEL SUCCESS

January 27, 2011

Over the years, PC Construction has completed a number of successful projects for the Upper Occoquan Sewer Authority (UOSA) in Centreville, Virginia. PC crews are currently in the midst of a $12 million project to upgrade the Chlorine Contact Basins, Primary Clarifiers, and the Activated Carbon Odor Control System. This upgrade project began last August and is scheduled for completion in August 2012.

Most people may look at the below picture and question what it is. Those who have participated in tunnel work would instantly recognize this as the front end of a TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine). And from this perspective, one would know that the TBM has reached the end of its journey. The PC Construction team successfully completed the boring operation for a 66-inch diameter hole over 300 feet in length. Through planning and teamwork, the TBM exited at the arrival point at the correct line and grade. As one of the higher-risk activities on this project, the tunneling portion has been a focus of the early construction activities. The TBM was utilized to bore a hole for a 66-inch casing pipe which will, in turn, serve as the containment pipe for a 48-inch carrier pipe under a roadway embankment. While the photo may not elicit much reaction, it is a very exciting moment to see the arrival of the machine at the other end of a tunnel!

The PC Construction team at the Upper Occoquan Sewer Authority project watch with great anticipation as the Tunnel Boring Machine exits the rock at the correct line and grade after a 300-feet journey

CVPH MEDICAL CENTER LOBBY RECOGNIZED WITH NATIONAL DESIGN AWARD

January 21, 2011

FLETCHER ALLEN HEALTH CARE RADIATION ONCOLOGY PROJECT ACHIEVES LEED GOLD CERTIFICATION

January 17, 2011

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized green building certification system that provides a framework for implementing sustainable and “green” design, construction, equipment, and maintenance solutions. Continue Reading →

PROJECT UPDATE: HOPEWELL WATER TREATMENT PLANT

December 22, 2010

CONSTRUCTION IN FULL SWING ON BIOINFORMATICS EXPANSION

December 21, 2010

The biomass project mentioned in my last blog post is not the only PC Construction job under construction at The Jackson Laboratory. Project Manager Brian Holmes, Project Superintendent Dave Provencher, and their team are constructing a three-story 3,000 square foot addition to Building One, Unit Five and renovating 5,000 square feet within the facility. The $1 million project is for the Bioinformatics program, an emerging research field that uses computers as a tool to study biology.

The project’s location is as high-profile as one can imagine as it sits on the street side of the Jackson Lab campus along the entrance road to Acadia National Park. The site is also immediately adjacent to the Research Director’s offices and functioning labs conducting research. Dave Provencher is working closely with The Jackson Laboratory Facilities to keep the research and operations as routine as possible during the construction. The number one priority is upfront communication.

I got to witness that communication in action yesterday as I sat in on the bi-weekly project meeting between Brian, Dave, Office Engineer Derek Lapointe and The Jackson Laboratory Project Manager Deb O’Donnell and Facilities Engineer Brian Henigan. Dave outlined upcoming activities using a two-week look-ahead schedule ensuring proper coordination could be made with The Jackson Laboratory Operations. Derek gave an update to all RFI’s and Submittals while Brian led the meeting through to resolution of field issues encountered.

It was reassuring to watch these construction pros in action. The owner welcomed the sequencing suggestions and engineering solutions the team offered. All in all, a very positive meeting and an important project for both PC Construction and The Jackson Laboratory.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT

December 20, 2010

What a whirlwind! First accepting the AGC of Vermont Best Builders Award and then flying to Orlando to accept Honorable Mention in Power Engineering Magazine’s 2010 Projects of the Year Awards. It is, of course, a pleasure to accept an award from our home state and be recognized for our efforts in green construction, but it was truly a distinct honor to be recognized by Power Engineering in this international competition and elite award program.

The PurposeEnergy Digester project was first named by Power Engineering Magazine as one of only three finalists in the world in the Best Renewable/Sustainable Projects category – and the only finalist from the United States. During the POWER-GEN International Conference, we had the opportunity to learn more about the other finalists – the $350 million Tekeze Hydropower Project generating 300MW in Ethiopia and the Canoe Creek Hydroelectric Project in Canada – and share the story of our unique PurposeEnergy project. By the end of the awards banquet, the Ethiopian project had taken the first place award and we were happily holding our Honorable Mention.

It was quite an experience. Many of the most influential power projects, and the people behind them, were represented. The other categories included Nuclear (2 finalists), Coal (3 finalists), and Natural Gas (3 finalists). All of these projects were very large, multi-year efforts that simply dwarfed ours by every measurement. Our award has generated quite a buzz, though, and congratulatory e-mails have come from all over to a wide range of people at PC Construction. Internally, our congratulations and thanks go to Senior Project Manager Chet Laymen and Project Superintendent Jody Atkins who built this internationally acclaimed, multi-award winning project.

PC Construction Recognized for Renewable Energy Project

Senior Project Manager Chet Layman accepts PC Construction's Project of the Year Honorable Mention at the POWER-GEN International Conference

PurposeEnergy DIGESTER PROJECT SNAGS NEW GREEN CONSTRUCTION AWARD

December 17, 2010

All of us at PC Construction understand the uniqueness associated with the recently constructed PurposeEnergy Digester project. The innovative qualities of this project provide numerous renewable energy benefits to New England’s largest craft brewery, Magic Hat Brewery. And last week, I was proud to see this project be recognized for outstanding quality of work and effort by the AGC of Vermont with a 2010 Best Builders Award in the New Green Construction category.

The major components of the project included a Flow Equalization System, Mechanical Building to house the process equipment and piping, a patented Anaerobic Digester designed for brewery waste, and a Cogeneration System. This new digester allows PurposeEnergy, Inc. to use the organic waste streams produced by Magic Hat Brewery to generate biogas. The biogas is then utilized by the brewery’s steam boilers and/or PurposeEnergy’s cogeneration plant.

The brewery’s three waste streams; spent grain, high strength wastewater, and low strength wastewater (gray water), were previously disposed of through off-site trucking and surcharges at a local municipal waste treatment facility. Now these waste by-products are diverted to the anaerobic digester at the PurposeEnergy biogas facility. PurposeEnergy’s patented Biphase Orbicular Biodigester^TM (which we affectionately call BOB), specifically designed for brewery by-products, enables the conversion of high solids content brewery waste into carbon neutral, renewable biogas. Additionally, this system is designed to utilize the waste heat from the generator’s exhaust, coolant, and engine oil to heat the digester and preheat the water used in the brewing process.

This is an incredible project, one I was proud to be involved with. I’d especially like to recognize the PC Construction team for this recognition: Senior Project Manager Chet Layman and Project Superintendent Jody Atkins, as well as their crew – Kevin Brodeur, Nathan Cameron, Brian Chaffee, Wayne Combs, Shane Gray, Paul Lincolnhunt, Gary Morin, Jeff Reynolds, Justin Reynolds, Cody Smith, Arnie Brown, Larry Dopp, Peter Sweeney, and Stacy Tomko.

PC Construction's AGC Best Builders Award

Andrew Martin, Jody Atkins, Chet Layman, and Jeff Garner accept the AGC of Vermont Best Builders Award for PC Construction's work on the PurposeEnergy Digester project

ATLANTIC TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION COMMEMORATED IN VIDEO

December 15, 2010

Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) recently released a video highlighting the expansion to their Atlantic Treatment Plant in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Take a look and see what our team has been up to and how our combined efforts really are making a difference in the health and well-being of our society! http://www.hrsd.com/atlanticplant.htm

Through a very close relationship with the owner, HRSD, and the design engineer, HDR, PC Construction is nearly complete with this $150 million construction project. This is one of many projects that PC Construction has completed for HRSD, a very progressive and forward-thinking municipality.

When asked what made the project so successful, the team unanimously agrees that it was constant communication between PC Construction, the plant staff, and HDR engineers. Through open and honest dialogue, proper preparation, and contingency plans, the numerous plant shutdowns and bypasses were all completed successfully.

One of the unique features of the Atlantic Treatment Plant is the extensive odor control system. One can imagine the importance of containing foul odors at a beach town where tourism accounts for a great deal of revenue. A pleasant trip to the beach might not be if such measures were not implemented.

Like every project, whether small or large, success depends on the full commitment of all stakeholders. It is clear that all parties brought their “A” game over the past 3½ years, allowing this project to be completed on time, within budget, and in a safe manner.

RIBBON CUT ON NEW BUILDINGS AT SUGARBUSH RESORT

December 14, 2010

Myself and other members of the PC Construction team joined the staff at Summit Ventures to celebrate the grand opening of the new Sugarbush Ski School this past Friday. The new Ski School is also known as the Schoolhouse and Farmhouse. Continue Reading →

PROJECT UPDATE: SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION ACHIEVED FOR $108 MILLION PROJECT

November 30, 2010

On September 30, PC Construction achieved substantial completion on the $108 million H.L. Mooney Water Reclamation Facility Expansion and Upgrade Phase 2, Stage 1 project in Woodbridge, Virginia. In achieving this contractual milestone, Prince William County Service Authority (PWCSA) was able to request from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) a Certificate to Operate ahead of the imposed December deadline.

This design build project with Camp Dresser & McKee included the upgrade in plant capacity from 18 to 24 MGD, while also reducing the amount of total nitrogen being discharged in accordance with the Chesapeake Bay Initiative.

The increased treatment capacity of the plant was made possible with the addition of a new 95-foot Primary Clarifier, four new Pass Aeration Basins, three 125-foot Secondary Clarifiers a new 95-foot Secondary Clarifier, a new RAS Pump Station, 14 new Denitrification Filters, two covered 85-foot Gravity Thickeners, a new Thickened Sludge Pump Station, and a new SCADA Control System, in addition to upgrades and modifications to existing structures and systems.

Since reaching substantial completion, PC Construction has been awarded a $4 million change order to replace the Odor Control System, modify the Primary Clarifier Influent Distribution Box, and perform site work modifications. We are pleased to continue providing construction services for PWCSA!

H.L. Mooney Water Reclamation Facility Expansion and Upgrade Phase 2, Stage 1 project

PC Construction has reached substantial completion for the $108 million H.L. Mooney Water Reclamation Facility Expansion and Upgrade Phase 2, Stage 1 project

PC CONSTRUCTION AND THE JACKSON LABORATORY BREAK GROUND ON RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT

November 24, 2010

Monday was a typical November day on the coast of Downeast Maine where preparations are under way for the coming winter. Change was in the air as lobstermen continued the process of bringing up their traps before foul winter weather really hit. Change was also in the air at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor as a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the beginning of a renewable energy project that will reduce heating and electricity costs at the century old non-profit laboratory dedicated to genetic research. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

THE CHALLENGES OF A TIGHT SITE

November 15, 2010

ACTIVATION PLANNING SERVICES FOR PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL HOME

November 12, 2010

The Martin’s Point Veranda Clinic is ready to receive their first patients on Monday, November 15. PC Construction’s Team Health Care spent part of last week helping the Martin’s Point team prepare for every possibility that could occur on opening day. Senior Project Manager Garret Bertolini and Project Superintendent Tim Street were there to help with the fire alarm and power outage tests, Senior Project Engineer Jarred Ballard was on hand to provide construction assistance with zero turnaround time, and I was able to help the clinical leadership teams at Martin’s Point organize their operational plans to better anticipate and problem-solve potential patient and work flow issues. The goal was to practice a variety of scenarios and ultimately enact the ideal patient encounter for opening day.

Throughout the course of the exercise, we identified some issues to address before opening day as well as areas to monitor over the first few weeks of operation. Certain open issues, such as permanent way-finding systems and waiting room configurations are best solved after hearing suggestions by patients and answering their questions.

Through the activation planning process, our team learned how the physical space of a clinic can help meet the goals of the practice. For example, the Patient-Centered Medical Home is a practice in which a team of specialized health professionals is coordinated by a personal physician and works collaboratively to provide high levels of patient education and care coordination to improve the health and wellness of the entire patient population. We now better understand the needs for patient consult space, accessible educational areas, and collaborative space for the care providers because we participated in this exercise.

It was great to have the whole PC construction team on site to take part in activation planning and to see the Clinic from the patient and the provider’s perspectives. The provider’s participation ensures we keep the ultimate client – the patient – in mind with every new health care project.

MARTIN’S POINT HEALTH CARE COMMEMORATES OPENING OF VERANDA PRIMARY CARE CLINIC

November 5, 2010

Staff and leadership at Martin’s Point Health Care cut the ribbon on their new state-of-the-art health care facility after many years of planning. The new facility overlooks Casco Bay in Portland, Maine. Family practice, internal medicine, cardiology, and surgery clinics as well as laboratory, pharmacy, and radiology are housed in the three-story, 43,000 square foot facility. Also included are 216 covered parking spaces for patients and staff.

Throughout the dedication ceremony, credit was give to PC Construction and the PC team’s customer service. President and CEO of Martin’s Point Health Care, David Howes, MD singled out Project Superintendent Tim Street as a man worthy of eternal gratitude from the staff and future patients of the clinic. “…Tim never failed to take the time to answer my questions: Why is this like this? Why is this outlet there? And he did it with patience and a sense of humor. He was on site all the time and always ready to help. Thank you, Tim”.

This was a real testament to the customer service our team provided every day during the course of the project which started in October of 2008 with preconstruction. We broke ground in May of 2009.

The success of the project can be credited to several factors:

An early involvement by PC Construction, working close with SMRT Architects, to develop a design that met budget, was constructible, and fit the campus extremely well.
Efficient buyout that yielded an exceptional group of qualified subcontractors.
A well-developed construction plan that was closely followed by and communicated to the owner on a weekly basis to minimize impacts to a very busy campus.
And most importantly, a close working relationship between PC Construction’s onsite team and the Martin’s Point community, lead by Director of Support Services Ann Tucker. Countless hours were spent working directly with Martin’s Point user groups to coordinate every aspect of their space from outlet and phone locations in relation to their furniture to locating shelves, scales, medical equipment, and a host of other items. The end result was a group who moved into a space they were already well familiar with no surprises.

This was one of the best planned and executed projects I have been involved with in my over 24 years in construction. The project yielded substantial owner savings and was completed ahead of original schedule despite many changes. I am very proud of the project and my team that made it happen.

Martin's Point Health Care Ribbon Cutting

The Martin's Point Health Care staff and leadership joined together for the ribbon cutting for this new 43,000 square foot facility constructed by PC Construction