Medical Building Expansion Leads Construction Projects

Mitchell Pavilion gets makeover; also, San Antonio’s University Hospital puts $770-million expansion and renovation in motion.

Hurricane Ike Damage Facilitates Expansion to Performance Center

Taking what could have been a catastrophic setback at the facility and turning it into an opportunity, leaders of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands opted to expand the performance center after Hurricane Ike caused more than $3-million damage to the center on Sept. 13.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, devastated by Hurricane Ike in September, expanded its performance space during a renovation by Fretz Construction. It re-opened for the start of the 20th season.

The facility prematurely ended its 2008 performing season when the pavilion’s Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric roof and support structure over the seating area were demolished.

Other damage included impact to the stage wall and roof panels, event tent, lawn concession stand and erosion on the sloping lawn for outdoor seating. The performing arts venue could not be used for public gatherings until the roof system and its steel structure were repaired.

The pavilion’s management and board of directors chose to rebuild and renovate the venue. The board approved a $9.5-million renovation and expansion project to repair the damage and make improvements, including the construction of approximately 2,000 new, reserved seats behind the old uncovered seating area. Also within the project’s scope was expanding the canopy structure to cover all 6,387 seats.

“We go back with the leadership of the facility some 20 years,” Fred Grona, vice president of Fretz Construction, told Texas Construction. This is the fourth time we’ve worked on the facility,”

When the Pavilion opened in 1990 – designed by New York-based Horst Berger – the venue had a seating capacity of 2,600, plus 7,400 on the lawn area. Fretz Construction of Houston was hired to expand the facility’s seating in 1995 to 13,500 and added concessions and restrooms. Fretz further expanded the seating to 16,000 in 2001 and added a dressing room facility and lawn plaza and enlarged the sloping lawn.

The center’s board of directors approved the expansion in late November, with one big challenge – the facility needed to be complete in time for the May 1 opening performance featuring The Dave Matthews Band.

The biggest challenge Fretz faced was the extremely compressed time frame: an 18-month project was squeezed to five months of major reconstruction and expansion.

“If we couldn’t get it done by May 1, the facility was going to have to lay off 22 people and cancel its 2009 season,” Grona says. “They wanted to double the size of the fabric system where all reserved seating area is covered under tent. We took the lead though it wasn’t a true design-build project.”

Designers met with Fretz representatives to create the game plan for the construction, Grona says.

Construction began on Dec. 1, with a seven-day a week schedule. Later, construction crews began working 24 hours a day.

The project included the demolition of all existing concrete from the uncovered reserve and the building of a tower crane to move construction materials. The crane was 310-ft long, had a lifting range of 246 ft and could lift as much as 16,000 lbs.

More than 75 tons of steel were added and reinforced in the facility.

Lack of space and parking to stage and implement the renovations was also a challenge, Grona says. The diamond-shaped theater on a hill made getting concrete and steel in a great undertaking.

Additionally, getting the tensile fabric can take about a year, Grona says. St. Gobain of New Hampshire manufactured the fabric used in the canopy, which is a combination of Fiberglass and Teflon fibers woven together—a fabric similar to that which lines the space shuttle cargo bay and space suits worn by astronauts. The fabric was patterned and fabricated into pieces in Sri Lanka by Skyspan. It includes eight main panels and five triangular panels.

“The tensile fabric system is the trademark of the pavilion. Maintaining that same look was important to the owner,” Grona said. “

Overall improvements to the facility included the addition of 6,500 covered seats; additional safety enhancements over the previous roof; raising the stage house for a better site line; complete replacement of the lighting system--including upgraded emergency lighting; new way-finding signage in and outside of the facility; a new lawn sound system; new fan system for better air circulation under the roof; improved ADA and facility access; and upgraded lawn drainage.

Walter P Moore of Houston was structural engineer for the project.

Balfour Beatty, Walton Lead $334 Million Fort Riley Hospital Project

The Kansas City District of the Army Corps of Engineers selected the joint venture team of Dallas-based Balfour Beatty Construction and Walton Construction of Kansas City to provide preconstruction services for the $334-million replacement hospital at Fort Riley, Kan., with an option for construction services anticipated to be awarded in September.

The new facility will replace the existing 50-year-old Irwin Army Community Hospital.

The project includes a 263,000-sq-ft hospital, 289,000-sq-ft clinic, central energy plant, ambulance garage and supporting facilities. The fast-track project is scheduled to begin in the fall and complete by spring 2012.

Designed by architects Leo A Daly of Dallas and RLF of Winter Park, Fla., the project will be designed and built to LEED-silver specifications and will utilize Building Information Modeling.

The project will follow the early-contractor-involvement delivery method, which, like the construction manager-at-risk method, requires close collaboration among the contractor, design team and owner.

University Hospital Plans $770 Million Expansion, Renovation

University Health System selected Broaddus-Muñoz LLC, composed of Broaddus & Associates of Austin and Kell Muñoz Architects of San Antonio, as project manager for its $770-million University Hospital expansion and renovation.

It is the hospital’s first major expansion since 1981. The project will expand the existing UHS campus in South Texas Medical Center, San Antonio, to a 2-million-sq-ft area, 713-bed facility. A new trauma tower with an expanded emergency center and surgical capacity will be built beneath new inpatient rooms. The development will include a central-utility plant and parking facilities as well.

University Hospital serves as the lead level I trauma center for a 22-county area of South Texas. The 604-bed acute care hospital serves as the primary teaching facility for the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The new expansion is part of a $900-million capital improvement program. The Broaddus-Muñoz program management team is led by James Broaddus, P.E. and Henry Muñoz III, with Robert Moroz, AIA, LEED AP as the project executive.

International Design Team Selected for 1.4 Million-Sq-Ft Iraqi Hospital

An international design team has been selected to create an Iraqi Hospital. The team includes Oklahoma City-based Rees Associates, Inc., OMMA Healthcare, LLC of Rollinsville, Colo., and Medical Equipment Solutions International of Carrollton.

This team will be strongly supported by OMMA’s Middle East division, OMMA Projects-Middle East, and the Iraqi construction firm of Qimmat Al Nidhal Construction. The Governorate of Baghdad selected the team based on initial design concepts.

Iraqi Hospital, Al Nahrein Hospital, previously Al Rasheed Military Hospital, is planned to be a 1,000-bed acute care hospital encompassing over 1.4 million sq ft located in Baghdad, Iraq.

In partnership with OMMA Healthcare, acting as the developmental entity, REES was able to plan, program and design a highly efficient and functional U.S. standard hospital that simultaneously addresses the immediate healthcare needs of the working class people of Baghdad while allowing for future growth.

Cadence McShane Completes DHL Facility, Gets Hilton Contract

Houston-based Cadence McShane Construction Co. recently completed a new 185,820-sq-ft build-to-suit distribution property for DHL Global Forwarding and was awarded a contract to build the new Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Houston.

The recently completed 185,820-sq-ft build-to-suit distribution property for DHL Global Forwarding in Houston built by Cadence McShane and developed by AMB Property of Dallas.

The DHL construction assignment was completed on behalf of developer AMB Property Corp. of Dallas. The facility, known as AMB IAH Logistics Center II, is located within the Houston Intercontinental Trade Center in Humble.

The facility provides access to the future master-planned international air cargo terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The facility was built with exterior tiltwall panels and features a two-story office component, a 30,000-sq-ft mezzanine, a 32-ftclear height, 45 exterior docks and three drive-in doors. The facility’s concrete floor slab was constructed to accommodate the use of oversized and heavy equipment.

Cadence McShane also completed all sitework and landscaping at the 21-acre site. Seeberger+Associates LP of Houston provided architectural services.

The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Houston contract was awarded by the Mathis Group, Inc. of Sugar Land acting as owner’s representative, and Houston-based Wedge Real Estate Holdings, the property owners.

The project is located in Houston’s Central Business District. Construction should begin by early next year with an expected completion of approximately 16 months.

The project is expected to be 12 stories, and include 242 guest rooms, various meeting rooms and board rooms; a fitness facility, business center, lobby, bar, restaurant and parking in a garage across the street. The hotel is adjacent to the existing Wedge International Tower in Downtown Houston.

32-Story Four Seasons Residences Austin Tops Out

San Antonio-based Lyda Swinerton Builders topped out the Four Seasons Residences Austin adjacent to Four Seasons Hotel Austin on the shore of Lady Bird Lake. The 435,000-sq-ft 32-story high rise will have 148 luxury condominiums. Amenities on the 32nd floor include a pool and sundeck with panoramic views of the city as well as a fitness center, party room and catering kitchen, resident library and terraces.

An underground tunnel will connect the tower to the Four Seasons hotel providing residents with housekeeping, in-residence dining and other services. The project will include approximately 10,000 sq feet of ground floor retail.

The design architect for the project is Michael Graves of New York; the owner is Atlanta-based Post Properties Inc. and the developer is Austin-based Ardent Residential LP The production architect is BOKA Powell of Dallas and the project manager is Urban Building LLC of Scottsdale, Ariz.

UTA Selects Hunt Construction Group for Special Events Center

Dallas-based Hunt Construction Group was selected to lead construction of a 191,000-sq-ft special events center at the University of Texas at Arlington. The $56-million center will function as a multipurpose venue for year-round public events including basketball, concerts, theater and more.

The facility will contain 6,600 seats, six suites, two practice courts, concessions, hospitality areas, alumni center, locker rooms, media center, study halls, administrative and athletic and emergency operations space.

Completion is scheduled for fall 2011.

Dallas Mixed-Use Park Lane Project Reaches Completion

Park Lane, a mixed-use development in Dallas, recently reached completion. The project, built by Cadence McShane and designed by Gromatzky Dupree & Associates, includes three residential structures.

Cadence McShane Construction of Dallas recently completed the 810,355-sq-ft mixed-use construction assignment at the Park Lane complex in Dallas featuring residential, retail and parking components. The project is a development of Houston-based PM Realty Group.

The project consisted of three luxury residential buildings known as The Heights at Park Lane including The Tower, a 20-story high-rise; and The Flats, a 15-story mid-rise; and The Lofts, a three-story low-rise residence. The two towers utilized cast-in-place concrete, while The Lofts incorporated wood-frame construction over an elevated concrete deck.

The trio of buildings feature three-tone stucco exteriors, glass window wall elements and expansive window lines. The residential segments encompass 580,000 sq feet, featuring 325 units, as well as two swimming pools, a lounge and an outdoor fire pit.

Additional components of the assignment included 45,000 sq feet of retail and 220,310 sq feet of integrated garage space offering over 500 parking stalls. The Heights at Park Lane offers immediate access to Dallas’ light rail mass transit system. Harvest Partners’ 3,000,000-sq-ft Park Lane development, is a pedestrian-friendly, urban mixed-use development that includes retail, dining, grocery, residential, entertainment and a luxury hotel venue near NorthPark Center in Dallas’ mid-town neighborhood.

Gromatzky Dupree & Associates of Dallas provided the architectural services.

First Colony Church of Christ Opens New 24,000-SF Worship Center

Houston-based Turner Partners Architecture LP and general contractor Fretz Construction of Houston completed construction of the First Colony Church of Christ in Sugar Land.

The recently completed First Colony Church of Christ in Sugar Land. The worship center was built by Fretz Construction and designed by Turner Partners Architecture. (Photo: Aker/Zvonkovic Photography.)

The project encompasses a new 24,000-sq-ft worship center facility that seats 1,200 persons. It is linked to the existing campus through an expansive gathering hall. A 145-ft-tall bell tower integrated into the new structure reaches skyward and serves as a sign on U.S. 59. To improve flow and circulation within, the new facilities were made accessible to existing ones including multi-purpose, choir rehearsal, education, fellowship, and recreation spaces.

The design employs the latest technology with video projection and sound systems for contemporary worship services.

Travis County Hires Broaddus & Assoc. for Campus Master Plan

Travis County Commissioners Court selected Austin-based Broaddus & Associates to prepare a strategic needs analysis and facilities master plan of its downtown/central campus facilities.

The firm’s campus and urban planning division is joined by the national courts planning consultant Ricci Greene Associates of New York and a consortium of nine other local and state-wide technical consulting experts, including Dallas-based Wiginton Hooker Jeffrey.

Travis County’s downtown campus is a 12-sq-block area. The historic Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse serves as its epicenter. The planning process will be organized to achieve consensus among officials and community representatives on shared goals and objectives through a cohesive, phased implementation plan that will include realistic construction estimates. The plan also includes a comprehensive study of the county’s data center needs.

The awarded work includes a visioning process, assessment of current facilities/operations, a strategic growth plan, and facility requirements. The facilities master-planning process involves initiation and outreach, physical analysis, conceptual planning alternatives, plus master plan development. a comprehensive statement of long-term operational, programmatic and space needs. This is aimed at establishing a strategic facilities master plan to develop necessary facilities for the civil/criminal justice system and overall governmental activities now and in county’s the future.

Speed Fab-Crete Completes Six & Mango Equipment Outlet

Six & Mango Equipment Outlet recently opened in Grand Prairie. The facility was built by Speed Fab-Crete and designed by Callahan & Freeman Architects .

SIX & Mango Co., which specializes in sales, service and rental of construction equipment, opened a new 17,000-sq-ft retail outlet in Grand Prairie. Fort Worth-based Speed Fab-Crete built the facility using its precast concrete wall system.

The new facility includes an equipment showroom, product display area, parts department, sales and administrative offices, service work bays and a mezzanine for pallet storage of products.

Designed by Fort Worth-based Callahan & Freeman Architects, the facility will replace SIX & Mango’s west Dallas building. The company is a factory dealer for small to medium sized construction equipment, ranging from tractor loader-backhoes to electric tools including Kubota, Mustang, Gehl, Ingersoll-Rand, Bosch, Stihl, Superior, MMD, JLG and Farrow Systems.

Austin Spec Technology Center Complete, Available for Occupancy

Austin-based McShane Development Company completed the 54,865-sq-ft Tuscany Technology Center 4 office/flex facility. The design/build team of Cadence McShane Construction and TAG International recently completed this single or multi-tenant speculative office/flex facility that is situated on US 290 and Tuscany Way within the Tuscany Center at Walnut Creek Business Park in Austin.

The center has been designed as a multi-functional environment accommodating tenants from 5,500 sq ft to 54,865 sq feet. The facility features a 24-ft clear height, 40-ft by 40-ft typical bay spacing, four exterior truck docks and two drive-in doors.

The property offers expandable 1,000 AMP electrical service and an ESFR sprinkler system.