Volume 5 Issue 12
December 2023
PROJECT UPDATE WINTER CONSTRUCTION
Planning and Adapting for Cold Conditions By Peter Todd, Tim Wittkopp, & Kevin McDonald Fiduciary Real Estate Development’s construction projects are often categorized by the season in which they take place and winter construction comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. In regions like Wisconsin and Illinois, winter construction can be characterized by colder temperatures, potential snowfall, and other weather-related factors. It also may involve modifications to construction schedules, the use of specialized materials, and the implementation of construction techniques that are suitable for colder weather. Trade contractors and construction teams need to plan and adapt their strategies to address the unique challenges posed by winter conditions, ensuring the project progresses efficiently and meets quality and safety standards. Below are some of the techniques and strategies that we consider when starting work in the cold weather months: Site Preparation: Clearing the site of snow and ice before starting any work and to allow for fire truck access. Excavation: Protecting excavated areas from refreezing by covering or insulating them. Foundation Work: Considering using different concrete mixes to allow for proper curing of concrete despite colder temperatures. We also use insulating blankets or other methods to protect freshly poured concrete from freezing. Utility Installation: Rushing to install utilities before the ground freezes, such as water, storm, and sewer lines, so we can still backfill and reach soil compaction requirements. Landscaping: Similar to utility installation, rushing to install as much landscape as possible in the fall before the plants go dormant. Safety Measures: Prioritizing the safety of workers by providing appropriate cold-weather gear and training. Implementing additional safety measures, such as anti-slip materials on walkways and equipment. Project Scheduling: Planning the construction schedule with winter weather in mind, allowing for potential delays. Breaking down the project into phases and prioritizing critical path activities that must be completed despite winter conditions. Temporary Heat: Providing temporary heat during winter construction is crucial for maintaining optimal working conditions and ensuring the proper curing of materials like concrete and drywall. Common methods include gas heaters, electric heaters, and ground-thawing equipment. Asphalt Plant Shutdowns: The off-season for paving is generally around the end of November to April. We need to make sure we have enough roads and parking lots in for access and building turnovers through the winter. Site Grading: Although we can still move dirt in the winter, compaction can only be obtained when the soil is not frozen and has the proper moisture content. Proper compaction is needed to place enough soil to allow for the installation of utilities, foundations, and roads. All of this can be challenging through the winter months. Successful winter construction activities involve a combination of proper planning, the use of suitable materials and equipment, and a focus on worker safety in challenging weather conditions. If you see one of our FRED construction workers outside in January, please give them a warm hug because they are probably cold!
Foundation blanketing at The 85
Generator and fuel for temporary heat at High Bluff at Creekwood Crossing
Landscaping wall at Seasons at Franklin
SPECIAL FEATURE FRED’S CHARITABLE FOOTPRINT “Why” Do We Do What We Do at FRED? By Brett Miller, President & CEO We passionately care about our residents, our communities, and our FRED family. As part of the FRED Way, we take great pride in how we care for our FRED team and our FRED communities. It is equally important that the FRED family supports the larger communities that we are a part of through charitable giving, both in our time and treasure. This year, FRED’s charitable efforts have supported organizations such as the Lions Club, the Hunger Task Force, Habitat for Humanity, the Brewers Community Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America, the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, United Way, and others. We also initiated a volunteer day program, where each year our FRED teammates can choose a charitable organization and a workday to volunteer their time to that organization. Finally, we encourage each of our FRED community teams to participate in local charitable activities that support the communities we are in. I have been amazed at the number of local charities our teams have supported over the years. As we enter 2024, I encourage you to stay active or become active in the many FRED charitable initiatives. Thank you for “Living the Difference!”
ANDY LIKWARZ, Liberty Square In October, I had the privilege of being a chaperone for my granddaughter’s First Grade class field trip to Busy Barns Adventure Farm in Fort Atkinson. We saw cows, pigs, goats, and kittens. The day prior, they received a load of
SHERRY COENS, Liberty Square For his 8th grade field trip to Chicago, I volunteered at a fundraiser for my son, Joel, who
hay. Unbeknownst to them, there were four kittens inside whom they gave to one of the other nursing barn cats and she accepted them!
attends St. Dennis Catholic School. There were 30 teenagers and five moms who assisted with this event. We made 750 pizzas and completed them in a record time of four hours, the fastest time in 14 years of this event!
See our smiles on the cover!
Sending a BIG THANK YOU out to everyone who volunteered with Habitat this year! So far, we’ve provided 28 volunteers and almost 200 hours (and we’re not done yet)!
GOOD NEWS ARIA GRZYNKOWICZ, Seasons at Orchard Hills I married my high school sweetheart on August 25th! We got married in the same church my parents got married in and our reception was held at the same venue our high school prom was at. It was such a surreal day!
RACHEL WAGABAZA, Corporate My son, Asiah, graduated from UWEC in December of 2022. He majored in musical theater with a minor in guitar. He had his first post-graduation paid acting gig in October and played the role of "The Wiz" in The Wiz at Overture Center in Madison, Wisconsin. This was an amazing show filled with local and national talent and most shows were sold out!
CASSANDRA URBAN, Seasons at Franklin My daughter, Lola, performed with the Greendale High School band in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They were one of six bands in the United States selected to participate. They spent the week exploring, trying new foods, and enjoying New York City around the holidays.
COLIN WELCH, Creekwood My wife and I just adopted another dog to add to our family. His name is Parker and he's a five-year-old Greyhound who just retired after a long and successful racing career in Australia. He's loving life in the United States with his new sisters, Sniper (Greyhound) and Lucy (Cat).
Good News? WE WANT TO HEAR IT! Scan the QR Code to submit your good news for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter!
What Makes Them Shine By Shauna Tisdall, Director of Property Management Seasons at Franklin started as a one-person show, with just a Property Manager, and now has welcomed two rockstar part-time leasing agents.
PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT
Cassandra is one of the most empathetic people we have ever encountered - her care for people resonates with every prospect she takes on a tour. Brianna's attention to detail, perfect email etiquette, and exemplary followup have also been an enormous asset to our team. Their efforts have resulted in a higher-than-normal closing ratio and all 5-star Google reviews (16 already). We also brought on our experienced Maintenance Supervisor, Ken Posto, who formerly worked at Seasons at Orchard Hills and, prior to that, Drexel Ridge. The highlight of our lease-up so far was our Grand Opening Party, which included amazing catered food and a visit from the Franklin Mayor and fellow constituents. We enjoyed an evening of live music and watched our new and future residents mingle and form new connections. We are busy planning our holiday party and cannot wait to see what next year brings us as we finish our lease up and construction!
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
EMMA SWENSON Leasing Professional The Junction I had the incredible opportunity to visit Disney World (FL) in both May and October, and each trip was a unique adventure. In May, I got to explore different resorts and the parks in a new light with my best friend for over a week for our birthdays. Then in October, the magic of Halloween transformed the park into a spooktacular wonderland, allowing me to experience a whole different side of Disney with my mom. These trips were a testament to the ever-changing and ever-enchanting world of Disney and I cherished every moment of exploration. I am looking forward to many more new experiences with Disney and the ever-growing changes, with a Disneyland trip hopefully in the cards for 2024.
SPOTLIGHT! October Winner
Welcome to the Team October 17, 2023 - November 15, 2023
KRISTIN JANOWSKI
MARGARET GEE
DRAKE POLLEY
Kristin is dynamic, attentive, empathetic, knowledgeable,
JOEL BURSETH
DAVID ELLEFSON
MAUREL GAUGHAN
JENNA WELTY
Manager of Organizational Development | Corporate
and overall top-notch! She wears a ton of different hats and has been taking on so much to help FRED employees and FRED new programs succeed. The work that she is doing to develop and bring on a Corporate Intern, assist with a new
Assistant Property Manager The Woodlands Maintenance Tech II Stone Point Maintenance Tech II Manchester Oaks
Groundskeeper Ridge View
Leasing Professional Seasons at Mount Pleasant Leasing Professional Creekwood
Maintenance Apprentice Program, roll out DISC training to corporate employees all while continuing to work with managers and new hires on their training checklists is remarkable. FRED is a stronger organization with Kristin and kudos to her!
Nominated By: Julie White
CLICK HERE
to nominate your teamate for a spotlight!
FRED ANNIVERSARIES! October 2023 / November 2023 / December 2023
Congratulations to... John Newer - 5 Years
Maintenance Tech | Riverwood
Paul Schmitter - 5 Years
Director of Development | Corporate
James Pettke - 5 Years Maintenance Supervisor | 1505
Tony DeRosa - 5 Years
Vice President of Development | Corporate
Ryan Schultz - 5 Years
Executive Vice President | Corporate
FRED TEAM ON THE MOVE KATI BISHOP
Property Manager Seasons at North Aurora Welcome Back
Jerard Hlavac - 5 Years Groundskeeper | Arbor Lakes
Kathy Stark - 5 Years
Leasing Professional | The Junction
Kellie Pettke - 5 Years
Assistant Property Manager | The Junction
Jill Shotola - 5 Years
Assistant Property Manager | Manchester Oaks
Allen Parnell - 30 Years
Maintenance Supervisor | High Bluff Townhomes
Scan the QR Code to see more team news on our FRED Facebook page! facebook.com/thefredway
COVER PHOTO: 2023 FRED Habitat for Humanity Volunteering
789 N WATER STREET SUITE 500 | MILWAUKEE, WI 53202 | 414-226-4535 | FRED-INC.COM