Heery International Acquires Dallas-Based Charter Builders

The Atlanta-based firm, with offices in Houston and Dallas, expands its Texas presence with the acquisition of Dallas-based Charter Builders.

Heery Announces Major Texas Acquisition

Heery International Inc., with corporate headquarers in Atlanta, recently announced the company's latest expansion through acquisition. Heery has acquired Dallas-based Charter Builders, specialists in construction management-at-risk services to the Texas K-12 school market. In October 2004, Heery acquired the four offices of HLM Design in Orlando, Philadelphia, Iowa City and Denver, followed in January 2005 by the acquisition of JCM Group, a Southern California-based construction program management group and JCM Facilities Planning & Management, a specialist in interior space planning and move management.

"Texas is an important part of Heery's long-term growth," said Heery president and CEO Jim Moynihan. "Texas's growing population has increased the state's need for educational, medical and governmental facilities, along with demands for expanded infrastructure. Heery possesses a strong track record in delivering these types of facilities."

Heery's offices in Houston and Dallas have provided professional program management services to K-12 school systems such as the Houston ISD, Dallas ISD and DeSoto ISD. Heery continues to provide design services such as the University of Texas at Austin for the Daryl K Royal Memorial Stadium expansion.

Charter Builders was founded in 1971 and has been twice named the AIA Dallas' Contractor of the Year, most recently in 2004. The 115-person firm specializes in CM-at-risk for public and private owners, with a primary emphasis on educational facilities.

Austin Commercial, Con-Real Joint Venture for TCC Downtown Campus

Tarrant County College recently finalized a contract with Dallas-based Austin Commercial Inc., partnering with Con-Real Inc. of Arlington, in a joint venture as construction-manager-at-risk for construction of its downtown campus to open in fall 2008.

"The role of CMR is vital in the overall construction process," said John Dawson, director of TCC facilities planning. "The CM-at-risk oversees the full range of construction activities from pre-construction to building completion. This also includes construction coordination and schedule. Now that Austin Commercial/Con-Real has been selected, the construction process enters the implementation phase."

Con-Real is a Tarrant County-based firm and the largest African American-owned construction and real estate firm in Texas.

Bailey Selected for Renovation to State Archives

Houston-based Bailey Architects has been selected as the architect for the renovation and addition to the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building in Austin. Located just east of the Texas State Capitol, the building houses a massive collection of Texas historical data as well as resources for genealogy research.

The library facility currently provides 86,000 sq. ft. of programmable usable space containing four separate libraries, storage of archives and offices. Since the building's opening in 1961, no substantial improvements have been made.

The project will include upgrades to the four-story library building and adjoining seven-story archive-storage building for present technological demands while providing flexibility for future technologies. Another goal of the project will be to address upgrades of all disciplines including HVAC systems, interior finishes, accessibility, roofing and elevators -while the building remins occupied and operational during construction. An addition is planned to add new space adjoining the facility for the purposes of relocating as many of the 15,600 cu. ft. of records currently stored off-site.

Chemical Lime to Expand New Braunfels Plant

Chemical Lime Co., based in Fort Worth, recently announced its intent to expand operations at its New Braunfels plant. The company expects to invest at least $30 million over the next two years to install a state-of-the-art kiln that will increase production capacity. The capital expenditure also includes upgrading some of the plant's existing equipment with new air emissions controls.

Chemical Lime plans to invest in the best-available control technology for the new kiln, allowing for increased lime production with minimized air emissions. The advanced technology will cost more to install and to operate than current industry standard technology, and it will meet or exceed required levels of control. Existing facilities will be retrofitted to improve environmental performance. Construction of the improvements and expansion is expected to take approximately one year after a permit is issued. Pending receipt of permit, the improvements should be complete and operational in early 2008.