Construction & Building

NEWS - Construction & Building

May 2, 2013 – Choate Construction has been selected for the construction of One West Victory, a 124,000-SF, $18 million residential mixed-use development in Savannah.

Developed by Jamestown Properties, One West Victory will feature 114 student-focused apartment homes striving for LEED certification, accompanying four-level parking deck, and the renovation of two late-19th century historic buildings, formerly of the Savannah Ice Company. These buildings will be transformed into a thriving restaurant with a rooftop space and a residential amenity building including a fitness center, leasing office, study hall, and student lounge.

“Choate is excited about being a part of a development that will drastically enhance the Historic Savannah area,” says Ben Bunyard, division manager of Choate Savannah. “As a local contractor, we are proud to build quality projects such as One West Victory for our hometown.”

Architects include HKS, Inc. on the apartments, Tim Haahs on the parking deck, and Gunn, Meyerhoff, Shay on the historic renovation of the Savannah Ice buildings. OnSite Civil Group is performing the civil engineering.

Construction is expected to begin late May and complete by Summer 2014.

ABOUT CHOATE CONSTRUCTION
As one of the largest general contractors in the southeast, Choate Construction Company considers its reputation to be its number one asset with its future success founded upon the strength of its customer relationships. Choate Construction excels in both base and interior construction with office locations in Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Savannah. Choate strives to lead the industry in financially viable, functional solutions and continually invests in the tools to do so, promoting advances in Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, LEED® Rating system and Risk Mitigation. Go to www.choateco.com for more information.

NEWS - Construction & Building

March 29, 2013 – GBT Realty Corporation, a national real estate development corporation based in Brentwood, Tenn., has closed on the purchase of approximately 20 acres along Pooler Parkway in Pooler, Ga. for the development of the Village on Pooler Parkway. The development will consist of more than 143,000 total square feet when completed in the first quarter of 2014.

The project will be anchored by T.J.Maxx, Ross Dress for Less, Michael’s and PetSmart, all of which have executed leases to be a part of the center. In addition, leases have been signed with Rack Room Shoes, Moe's Southwest, Jersey Mikes and Palm Beach Tan.

"We are pleased to bring a great national tenant lineup to this north Savannah regional market area," stated Fraser Schaufele, VP of Leasing for GBT. "We are currently working with other tenant prospects to occupy the remaining in-line space, and will be announcing additional retailers very soon."

The development also has building pads for free standing buildings and outparcels. Panera Bread has a lease to locate in a freestanding building with a drive thru. This will be one of the first locations in the market for Panera's new freestanding prototypes.

In addition, Jalapeños and Aspen Dental have also executed leases to be on building pads within the center. "Based on signed leases to date and current negotiations, it is very possible that we could be 100 percent leased before the center is completed," says Schaufele.

GBT has more than 25 years of major development experience and has been very active in recent years with over $300mm of new development throughout 19 states over the last 40 months. "We are glad to be developing back in this region," stated Jeff Pape, Sr. VP of the Shopping Center Division. "Hilton Head Village in Bluffton S.C. was our last development in the area.  We expect this project to be the first of many quality developments that GBT brings out of the ground in 2013."

GBT recently completed the ±238,800 square foot Target anchored shopping center, The Shoppes of Madison in Madison, Ala. and McPherson Place, located in Laredo, Texas along with three new Academy Sports and Outdoors stores in two states.

As one of Georgia’s fastest growing cities and in conjunction of the Savannah port expansion, Pooler is poised to become a major hub for commerce and traffic flow in the coastal region. Residential growth continues to climb as more than 10,000 new homes are planned for the area. 

Pooler is strategically located at the intersection of two major highways, Interstate 95 and U.S. Why. 80; Interstate 16 is one exit south. The city is minutes away from historic downtown Savannah, the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (the largest regional airport in coastal Georgia with over 1.5 million passengers per year), and the Port of Savannah (the second largest container port on the east coast and fourth largest in the country, serving close to 21,000 companies throughout the U.S.).

Pooler’s access to port, airport, and rail lines has lured many international companies and national organizations to the city, including Gulfstream, JCB, Mitsubishi Power Systems and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

The development team partnering with GBT on the Village on Pooler Parkway includes general contractor Stewart Perry, MJM Architects as the project architect, and engineering services provided by Wolverton & Associates.

About GBT Realty Corporation
George B. Tomlin, a Nashville-based real estate executive, formed GBT in 1987. Based just outside of Nashville in Brentwood, Tenn., GBT develops throughout the country. Over the past few years, GBT has been involved with the development, construction, leasing and management of more than 20 million square feet of retail development, including grocery-anchored shopping centers, neighborhood centers, single tenant buildings and regional power centers. GBT’s many years of experience with local, regional and national tenants includes such names as Publix, Harris Teeter, Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, Best Buy, Dollar General, Ross Dress for Less, Kohl’s, Bed Bath and Beyond, Marshalls, PetSmart and Old Navy, to name a few. GBT provides a wide array of services, such as site identification, project analysis, contract negotiation, acquisition management, construction and development management, capital markets, property disposition, leasing and property management. The GBT team carefully manages the entire development process, from inception to completion. For more information visit http://www.gbtrealty.com.

NEWS - Construction & Building

March 11, 2013 – Trident Sustainability Group has announced a new LEED Gold certification – Harmony Greene Townhome Apartments in Pooler.

The Harmony Greene Townhome Apartments achieved LEED for Homes Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, and is the first project in Pooler to achieve LEED certification. Trident Sustainability Group served as the LEED consultant for the project.

The 50-unit affordable housing project provides a showcase in sustainability. A community-wide geothermal heating and cooling system combined with efficient lighting and insulation provides extremely low utility bills. Water-efficient plumbing fixtures cut water use 40 percent and low-VOC paints and finishes help occupants enjoy high indoor air quality. All stormwater is managed on-site, and tree preservation and native landscaping surround the project, while a large community garden gives residents an opportunity to grow their own food.

"This project showcase’s both Parallel Housing and The Woda Group commitment to sustainability,” said Tommy Linstroth, principal of Trident Sustainability Group. "Earning LEED Gold in affordable housing makes quite a statement, and installing a community-wide geothermal loop shows the developers are willing to put their money where their mouth is.”

Harmony Greene was developed by Parallel Housing and The Woda Group. The architect for the project was Pimsler Hoss and the general contractor was Woda Construction.

Trident Sustainability Group is a full-service sustainability and green building consulting firm that focuses on providing triple bottom line solutions to a diverse range of clients both locally and nationwide. Trident provides hands on guidance on green building design and construction and offers extensive development-based expertise to help clients achieve LEED certification for their projects, and has helped certify more than 50 buildings. For more infomration, visit www.tridentsustainability.com

NEWS - Construction & Building

March 6, 2013 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Savannah District has broken ground on Phase II of its two-phase, $100 million addition and alteration project to enhance patient services at Winn Army Community Hospital, Fort Stewart. For both phases, LEO A. DALY is providing planning, programming, architectural, engineering and interior design services, and McCarthy Building Companies is the general contractor.

The Winn Army Community Hospital, first constructed in 1983, provides medical care for approximately 40,000 beneficiaries. With a forecast population increase of nearly 15,000 active duty and active duty family members due to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and Grow the Army (GTA) initiatives, the new additions and alterations provided by this project will result in meeting the current and anticipated future demands for medical services and treatment at Fort Stewart.

Phase II of the project includes a two-story, 43,600-sq.ft. addition to the hospital, as well as 55,000 square feet of renovations. The addition will house a new emergency department and relocate service offices for quality management, industrial hygiene, information systems and medical supplies. Additionally, a new dining area with an exterior courtyard will be built adjacent to the existing kitchen. The kitchen, along with a new serving area, will be fully renovated. The vacated hospital space will be renovated to support family medicine, internal medicine, pathology, pharmacy, security, nutritional care and legal offices. Completion of Phase II is anticipated in 2016.

Phase I, already under construction, includes a new two-story, 65,000-sq.ft. medical clinic addition that will house physical and occupational therapy, orthopedic services and behavioral health services. This phase includes an upgrade and addition to the hospital’s central utility plant. Completion of Phase I is anticipated in 2014.

The project design and construction team of LEO A DALY, USACE-Savannah District, Health Facilities Planning Agency (HFPA), U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM), Health Affairs Property Portfolio Management Division (HA PPMD), USACE Medical Facilities Center of Expertise (MX) and McCarthy Building Companies is managing a highly complex, 50-step project phasing process that allows the hospital to remain operational while the addition is under construction. The relocation of several existing departments into the addition will free up space for the hospital’s renovations to occur without disrupting patient care.

The hospital will boast sustainable features such as vegetative and highly reflective roofs, recycled materials and storm water reduction systems that reduce the buildings’ energy use and impact on the environment. The new addition is designed to achieve LEED Silver certification.

All elements of the design are intended to enhance the patient’s healing experience. A series of landscaped courtyards will provide patients with a space for relaxation, meditation and occupational therapy for activities like gardening and exercising. A new central atrium will take in natural lighting from the clerestory windows above and through the north-facing glass wall for the main interior walkway. Also, a water feature will extend from the upper floor to the entry level, providing the calming sound of running water and giving patients a point of reference within the facility.

NEWS - Construction & Building

Feb. 27, 2013 – The City of Savannah is now accepting applications for the 2013 Contractor’s College, which runs from Wednesday, April 3-Wednesday, May 2, 6-8 p.m.

All classes will be held at the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center. Presented by the City of Savannah’s Entrepreneurial Center (M/WBE Program) and Turner School of Construction Management, this program is open to construction related, minority- and women-owned businesses in operation for at least one year. Deadline to register is Friday, March 15.

Established in 2006, the City of Savannah’s Contractor’s College is an extensive, educational initiative with current curriculum addressing various topics in the construction industry. Participants will improve their technical, administrative and managerial skills, to help build their businesses and develop new, strategic partnerships.

For more information on how to apply, please contact Gayle Delaney at 912-652-3582 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NEWS - Construction & Building

Feb. 6, 2013 – TJ Baggett, COO of Stage Front Presentation Systems and chapter president of Coastal Georgia National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), was honored with the Executive Spotlight Award by the NAWIC National Board of Directors.  The awards ceremony took place at the 2012 Annual Meeting and Education Conference in Denver, Colorado Sept. 1, 2012.

The Executive Spotlight Award recognizes individuals or chapters who are deserving of recognition for special achievements.  Yasmine Branden, National President-Elect, focused her attention on membership outreach.  The Coastal Georgia NAWIC Chapter stood out with an overwhelming increase in membership during 2012.  Several Coastal Georgia NAWIC Chapter members were contacted and all agreed it was Baggett ’s efforts to highlight the association and the local NAWIC chapter in the construction community that doubled the chapter’s membership last year.

Baggett ’s dedication and hard work as membership committee chair and now chapter president have helped to make Coastal Georgia NAWIC an organization that is becoming known for enhancing the success of women in the construction industry through execution of the core values: Believe in ourselves, persevere with the strength of our convictions, and dare to move into new horizons. Baggett works diligently on increasing membership with a sustainable growth pattern, increasing the community visibility and acceptance of NAWIC, and partnering with other organizations that have synergistic missions and values.

NEWS - Construction & Building

Annual survey and analysis of 11 million monthly users reveals top-rated U.S. professionals

Jan. 28, 2013 – Allison Ramsey Architects, Inc. of Beaufort, SC, has been awarded  Best Of Houzz  2013 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design. The architecture and urban design firm was chosen by the more than 11 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.

The Houzz  Best Of Houzz  award for 2013 is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction award winners are based on homeowner members who rated their experience working with remodeling professionals in 12 categories ranging from architects, and interior designers to contractors and other residential remodeling professionals. Design award winners  work was the most popular among the community of 11 million monthly users, also known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 124 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app.

“We understand how to temper the demand for quality design within the given economic realities,” said Cooter Ramsey. “We understand the need to add value through creating a great sense-of-place that will enhance marketability and ultimately the bottom line.”

“Houzz provides homeowners with an in-depth, 360-degree view of building, remodeling and design professionals through images of their work, reviews and an opportunity to interact with them directly in the Houzz community,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community. “We’re delighted to recognize Allison Ramsey Architects among our  ‘Best Of’ professionals for design as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like Allison Ramsey, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

About Allison Ramsey Architects
Allison Ramsey Architects strive to provide good, quality customer service to all our clients. We try to provide the services that our client s value and we pride ourselves in our ability to listen. We find that it is as enjoyable to help a client design their own dream home as it is to design a good model that will attract a buyer for a builder or a developer. The firm is guided at all times by our core principles, and in following these principles we are allowed to serve each client in a new and exciting way, and although we believe strongly in our design abilities, we strive to not let our egos get in the way.

About Houzz
Houzz (www.houzz.com) is a leading online platform for home remodeling, providing inspiration, information,  advice and support for homeowners and home improvement professionals through its website and mobile applications. Houzz features the largest residential design database in the world, articles written by design experts, product recommendations, a vibrant community powered by social tools, and information on more than 1.5 million remodeling and design professionals worldwide who can help turn ideas into reality.

NEWS - Construction & Building

Balfour Beatty Construction honored with Liberty Mutual’s top safety award

Jan. 23, 2013 – Liberty Mutual Insurance recently honored Balfour Beatty Construction with a Gold Safety Award for an outstanding safety record achieved on the military base of Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield. A Gold Award is the insurance carrier’s most coveted safety benchmark and is awarded to less than one percent of its clients.

From Jan. 27, 2011-Nov. 1, 2012, Balfour Beatty Construction recorded 348,913 man hours with a DART (Days Away/Restricted or Transfer) rate of 0.0. A DART rate reflects the number of recordable injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time employees that result in days away from work, restricted work activity, and/or job transfer.

To win gold, a company must have achieved a very high level of performance, demonstrating well-developed occupational health and safety management systems and culture, outstanding management of risk, and very low levels of error, harm, and loss. Specifically, a project must have recorded a minimum of 200,000 man hours with a DART rate at least 80 percent better than the industry average.

“Receiving this award is a true highlight for this near decade-long project and a tribute to the hard work and dedication our employees have shown in creating and maintaining a safe work environment,” said Jim Taylor, Division President of Balfour Beatty Construction’s Military Housing group.

This is the fourth Gold Safety Award Balfour Beatty Construction’s Military Housing division has received to date. Liberty Mutual has also recognized project teams for safety excellence on the bases of Fort Bliss, Fort Carson, and Naval Station Mayport.

This time period marked the final phase of new construction on Balfour Beatty Construction’s nine-year, multi-phased development and renovation project at Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield. The project included 1,999 single and multifamily homes in duplex and quadraplex configurations as well as amenities such as sports courts, playgrounds, community centers, swimming pools, and walking trails.

Since 2002, Balfour Beatty Construction has responded to the privatized housing needs of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, delivering nearly 13,000 new military housing units on 35 bases across the country.

Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield is the largest Army post in the Eastern United States.