High-Profile: October 2023

October 2023

1

October 2023 Focus:

Corporate and Interiors

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SMRT Architects and Engineers’ office in Portland, Maine recently earned a WELL designation. / Photo by Ben Ganscos / Full story page 18

INDUSTRY EXPERT ARTICLES:

16

Jenna Meyers

18

Jeana Stewart

35

Eliza Baron

39

Girard R. Visconti

39

James Barron

41

42

Brian Leborgne Bill Constantopoulos

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

O&G Builds: Building Pathways to Careers in Construction MJ Daly Receives Top Workplace Award for 2023 Skanska Completes School Renovation Projects Schiavo Enterprises Granted Approval for 236,000sf Multifamily Development Amazon Fulfillment Center in Connecticut Acquired for $122M Erland Partners with Lighthouse School on New Breakwater House PROCON Breaks Ground on Easterseals NH Military and Veterans Campus

P.O. Box 7, Pembroke, MA 02359 Change Service Requested

Raffles Boston Opens in Boston’s Back Bay

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October 2023

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Helping to Build Boston for Over 35 Years. www.high-profile.com

• HVAC

October 2023

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October 2023

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Featuring:

On the Cover:

A D VE R TI SE R S I N D EX ABC MA .................................................... 16 Alpine Environmental ...............................30 Amenta Emma........................................... 10 American Energy Management Connecticut Temperature Controls ......... 11 American Plumbing & Heating ................. 2

SMRT Architects and Engineers’ Portland Office Earns WELL Designation

18

Schiavo Enterprises Granted Approval for 236,000sf Multifamily Development

14

Raffles Boston Opens in Boston’s Back Bay

28 Arden Building Companies .....................24 Barnes Building Management ................22

Sections: Publisher’s Message… ......................... 6 Up-Front… ............................................ 7 Corporate and Interiors… ................. 16 Trends and Hot Topics ........... 23,35,36 J.E.D.I…. ..............................................26 Retail and Hospitality… .....................28 Mixed-Use… ......................................29 Multi-Residential… .............................30 Education… ........................................32 Connecticut… .....................................34 Northern New England… .................37 Restoration and Renovation… ...........38 Trends and Hot Topics ............ 39,41,42 Organizations and Events…..............40 Philanthropy… ....................................43 Awards… ............................................44 People…..............................................45 Calendar… .........................................47

Copley Wolff Design Group ...................28 DECCO ..................................................... 19 Dietz & Co.................................................32 e2 engineers ............................................. 10 Energy Electrical Contractors.................. 21 O&G Builds: Building Pathways to Careers in Construction

Daly Receives Top 35 MJ Workplace Award for 2023

44 Erland Construction, Inc. ........................... 6

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE: www.High-Profile.com/subscribe

Genest ......................................................... 3 Gray, Gray & Gray .................................. 12 Hampshire Fire Protection .......................26 IBEW 103 .................................................33 J&M Brown ...............................................22 Jewett Construction .................................... 7 Kaydon ......................................................23 Landry/French .......................................... 18

PUBLISHER:

Construction Law Group

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Representing:

EDITOR:

Owners, Developers, General Contractors, Construction Managers, Architects, Engineers, Sub-Contractors and Suppliers

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Dealing With All Phases of the Construction Process Including: • Construction Consulting

• Contract Formation and Review

• Delay Claims, Extra Work Claims

CONSULTING EDITORS: Girard R. Visconti CO-CHAIR

• Change Orders, Mid Contract Disputes • Mediation, Arbitration, Litigation • Mechanic Liens

• Construction Documentation Including

Contracts, General Conditions and Requirements, etc.

• Bond Claims • Surety Litigation • Insolvency Issues • Environmental and Siting Issues • Real Estate Law

David M. Campbell CO-CHAIR

Attorneys:

Joseph P. Carnevale IV Larissa B. DeLisi Christopher J. Fragomeni Douglas A. Giron Edward D. Pare Michael P. Robinson Jeremy B. Savage Jonathan N. Savage Dean J. Wagner

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Marr Scaffolding ........................................ 7 Maugel DeStefano Architects ................... 6 Metro Walls .............................................37 NEMCA.....................................................32

Ralph Barnes and Marion Barnes

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ART DIRECTOR:

Plumbers Local 12/Greater Boston PCA .......48

Yvonne Lauzière, Stark Creative ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Mark Kelly FOUNDERS: Michael and Kathy Barnes

Send news releases, advertising queries, articles, announcements, and calendar listings, to: editor@high-profile.com.

P.O. Box 7, Pembroke, MA 02359 (781) 294-4530

Savage Law ................................................ 4 Silver Tiger Consulting ............................. 16 SLChasse ...................................................29 Sprinkler Fitters 550 ................................. 13 STEM Solutions, LLC .................................30 Tecta America ........................................... 12 Topaz Engineering ...................................27 United Illuminating ..................................... 5

October 2023

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October 2023

6

Publisher’s Message

Anastasia Barnes

Anastasia Barnes moderated the HPMG event panel, which included l r Marci Griffith Loeber, Amanda Strong, and athleen Mac eil.

Autumn is in full swing; the rain has ushered out the summer weather with a fervor that can’t help but remind us that the only constant is change, a theme that was also front and center at HighProfile Media Group’s (HPMG) first-ever panel discussion, Trends Impacting Commercial Real Estate, on Sept. 20.

Held at the newly-opened Winthrop Center in Boston, panelists Kathleen MacNeil, principal at MP Boston; Marci Griffith Loeber, managing principal at Griffith Properties; and Amanda Strong, director of asset management at MIT Investment Management Company (MITIMCo) discussed the recent trends and challenges facing commercial real estate today, and shared their predictions for the future of the industry. Be sure to check out Mike Hoban’s article on page 40 for all the details. It was so great to get to connect with all who attended! Stay tuned for news of other HPMG events

coming up!

The focus of this month’s issue is Corporate and Interiors. More than ever, companies are putting a priority on creating healthy and engaging spaces to enhance occupants’ comfort and encourage employees to return to the office. The result is innovative projects that demonstrate the positive impact our environments can have on our wellbeing, happiness, and productivity. In our cover story, Jeana Stewart outlines all of the features of SMRT Architects and Engineers’ Portland office that contributed to it earning a WELL designation, and how maintaining a focus on employee health can create a feeling of belonging and encourage collaboration and connectedness among employees.

Read her article on page 18.

In our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) section, read about Jones Architecture’s new DEI Council,

and their initiatives that are providing a guidepost for the firm’s activities both internally and with clients and the community. Turn to page 26 to learn more.

Another issue highlight is Eliza Baron’s article, entitled O&G Builds: Building Pathways to Careers in Construction. Eliza outlines O&G Industries, Inc.’s unique program that is allowing high school students to

earn credits while exploring careers in construction. The program has received recognition for its “transformative approach to education that has the power to shape the next generation of skilled workers in the construction industry and beyond.” Read the article on page 35.

On Oct. 11, I’ll be attending the Massachusetts Building Congress’ event, Dorchester Bay City Presentation.

According to the MBC, “the 6.5 millionsquare-foot Dorchester Bay City project has been meticulously planned not only to elevate the local community but also to protect it from the impacts of climate change.” I’m excited to find out more about this transformative project, and to connect with colleagues and friends!

November’s issue of High-Profile will have a focus on Life Sciences. Be sure to share the news of your projects, and your challenges and insights on this ever-evolving sector. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 20. w

Enjoy the read, During an O&G Builds session at Beman Middle School (formally Woodrow Willson Middle School), students toured their future school in virtual reality.

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October 2023

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Up-Front STEM Solutions Chosen for Watertown HS Building

The new Watertown High School design / Rendering courtesy of Ai3

Wakefield, MA – Brait Builders, the general contractor building the new Watertown High School, recently chose

STEM Solutions LLC as its school fit-out partner for the project. Ai3 designed the new building. STEM will be providing

and installing wood casework as well as plastic laminate and epoxy countertops throughout the school. STEM Solutions is

based in Wakefield and is a provider of educational and lab casework, equipment, and countertops.

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October 2023

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GREEN

HP’s Annual Green Supplement • Are you a firm that uses sustainable design methodologies in your work?

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This popular issue is sent out as a pull-out supplement with our December 2023 edition!

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High-Profile: Up-Front

October 2023

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PROCON Breaks Ground on Easterseals NH Military and Veterans Campus Franklin, NH – Joined by veterans, military members, families, Governor Chris Sununu, PROCON’s design-build team and dignitaries from around the state, Easterseals NH recently broke ground for its new Center of Excellence, designed to offer a wide variety of support services in one location. The Military and Veterans Campus in Franklin will be operational in just over one year, and planning is underway to move into a second phase designed to expand the list of available supports and programs for veterans and their families.

“With the groundbreaking of the Military and Veterans Campus, New Hampshire is setting the gold standard for care to our veteran community like never before,” said Sununu. “With the health and wellness of America’s heroes as the vision behind this campus, we have taken a 21st century approach to at long last build a campus with all-encompassing supports and services in one central location.”

Easterseals NH was awarded $23 million from the State of New Hampshire through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SFRF) to develop the campus and its programs.

Governor Chris Sununu

“We stand here energized by the broad support we have received, and we are mission ready,” said Maureen Beauregard, president and CEO of Easterseals NH. “It is truly humbling to see the strong and invested support from the veteran and military community. Your voices and your input have helped us shape the vision and design of this campus. Thank you for both your service to our country and to this project. “ The first-of-its-kind center of excellence for veterans, military members, and their families will include affordable housing, a hub of services, retreat center, and therapeutic recreation opportunities.

PROCON has announced its partnership with Easterseals NH to design and build the campus.

“Our family has long supported veterans and military in our community,” said John Stebbins, PROCON CEO. “We have hired many team members who have served and continue to serve

The PR C

esign Build team ith Maureen Beauregard of Easterseals

our country. We are honored to partner with Easterseals NH to design and build Easterseals NH Military and Veterans Campus in Franklin. Our entire team and veterans are excited to be able to give back to other veterans and the military by designing the best possible facility to support their needs.”

Additional funds will be raised to complete the retreat center, build the multipurpose therapeutic recreation building, military-themed playground, makerspace, and outdoor performance stage. Easterseals NH is collaborating with stakeholders, partners, the State of New Hampshire, and the public on the project. This has included seeking feedback from the community process, such as creating a Campus Taskforce; attending local and regional site visits of high-quality military and veteran programs; conducting interviews and outreach with state officials, nonprofits, and other providers; and creating, distributing, and analyzing surveys sent to providers and members of the military and veteran community.

Easterseals

and Go ernor Chris Sununu

Military and Veterans Campus groundbrea ing

John Stebbins

The first phase of the project, construction of the affordable housing for veterans, hub of services for veteran service providers, and portions of the retreat center, begins in October. The completion of the first phase of the project is projected for early 2025.

Rendering of Easterseals

Military and Veterans Campus

accessible atrium entry

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High-Profile: Up-Front

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October 2023

Erland Partners with Lighthouse School on New Breakwater House Chelmsford, MA – Lighthouse School has selected Erland Construction and TBA Architects to construct a new 23,000sf school building, designated the Breakwater House, on its growing campus in Chelmsford. Lighthouse is a 56-year-old not-for-profit institution providing bioeducational, vocational, and therapeutic services and treatment in a nurturing environment for students with special needs.

“The new building will allow us to make the needed improvements in facilities, curriculum, and programs to keep Lighthouse School on the cutting edge of special education,” said Dr. Scott Bartis, chief executive officer of Lighthouse School. “We are thrilled to

Rendering of classroom

continue to meet the needs of our current and future students and excited to partner with Erland Construction as together we

Brea

build the foundation of our future.”

Breakwater House, which will be built next to the school’s existing 50,000sf facility on Wellman Avenue, will accommodate curriculum and educational services currently being held in a leased space across town. The scope of work includes an indoor play space, library, art room, nurse and teaching offices, and additional classrooms to continue promoting total life development. Erland will also construct a parking lot in addition to the covered spaces the new building provides.

“This project underscores Lighthouse’s commitment to its students, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” said Ben McConchie, academic group manager, Erland. “We look forward to building re-

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ater ouse rendering

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ater ouse entry ay

lationships with the school’s faculty, staff, students, families, and board members and becoming part of their exceptional community.”

Breakwater House aims to bring all students and faculty together at a single

location while allowing for future program expansion. Representatives of Erland say that, as with any project, it is committed to safety and minimal disruption to the school’s ongoing education and treatment services for the duration of the work.

High-Profile: Up-Front

October 2023

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Amazon Fulfillment Center in Connecticut Acquired for $122M Windsor, CT – Winstanley Enterprises LLC announced it has acquired 200 Old Iron Ore Road in Windsor. The property was acquired for $122.3 million from German Investor Deka Immobilien Investment GmbH and is leased to Amazon on a long-term basis. It was part of the open-ended real estate fund Deka-ImmobilienGlobal.

The 1,071,000sf, state-of-the-art fulfillment center, completed in 2014, is situated on an expansive 89.5 +/- acre site on Day Hill Road and has access to I-91 via Exit 38 (Poquonock). The building offers 32 foot clear heights and 50 foot x 50 foot column spacing, ideal for its use.

“This was an opportunity to add a large first-class warehouse building at an attractive and convenient location,” said Adam Winstanley, principal of Winstanley Enterprises. “We feel strongly about the long-term viability of warehouse and distribution properties, and because of that have continued to grow our portfolio in this sector.”

This deal marks a substantial acquisition

by Winstanley Enterprises; Winstanley currently owns and operates close to 10 million sq. ft. of warehouse space in New England and provides one-stop leasing to a wide range of warehouse and distribution users.

With a long-term lease with Amazon, the fulfillment center will continue to operate as-is.

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High-Profile: Up-Front

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October 2023

Boston Design Center Completes Mechanical System Additions for Lab Conversion

Boston Design Center

Originally office and retail spaces, 1719 Dry Dock Avenue will be used to accommodate the growing demand for lab space, particularly in Boston.

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“We take pride in contributing to projects that push boundaries and reshape spaces for the future. This achievement underlines our commitment to delivering excellence on behalf of our clients,” said John Guarracino, principal and COO at JM Electrical.

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High-Profile: Up-Front

October 2023

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High-Profile: Feature Story

October 2023

Schiavo Enterprises Granted Approval for 236,000sf Multifamily Development

Post Road - City Centre Rendering courtesy of The Architectural Team Warwick, RI – Schiavo Enterprises of Dedham, Mass. announced it was recently granted approval for its new multifamily development at Warwick City Centre.

The development will consist of 236,000sf spread out over two 4-story buildings on 6.5 acres of land. The 214 market-rate units will be broken down into 130 one-bedroom units, 76 two-bedroom units, and 8 three-bedroom units. The two L-shaped buildings will have a central courtyard with a pool and patio area for outdoor entertainment. Additionally, a 6,500sf tenant clubhouse with lounge and exercise facilities will be provided for tenants.

The site is located across from T.F. Green International Airport and is walkable to the MBTA/Amtrak which services Boston and Providence. The property is also located next to the on/off ramp of I-95 and I-295 interstates. Warwick is the third largest city in the state of Rhode Island with a population of 82,823. It is located approximately 12 miles from Providence and 63 miles from Boston.

“We view the multifamily buildings planned at City Centre as a catalyst for more major investments in this market. The size of this development will build confidence among other developers and help invigorate this major corridor. In addition, the demand for office space has significantly declined due to the workfrom-home culture, and we feel new housing located within walking distance of rail, air, and highway will have a competitive advantage to attract young professionals to Warwick,” said Robert Schiavo, principal at Schiavo Enterprises.

“The development will provide additional ongoing revenue to local businesses in the immediate area and the 6.5-acre parking lot will be converted to include hundreds of trees, shrubs and plantings that will immediately change the curb appeal on the street.”

www.high-profile.com

October 2023

High-Profile: Feature Story

15

Aerial map of Post Road – City Centre

TIMELINE: On June 9, 2022, the Planning Board voted to

approve the master plan of the development, and recommend city council approval of Schiavo’s application to rezone the 6.5-acre site alongside the on-ramp to the airport connector from Post Road from its current gateway to Intermodal zone. The board also favored the plan to build two 4-story 100+ unit apartment buildings on the property. Schiavo says the zone change plays a role in the viability of the development, especially in these inflationary times. This incentive allows for a developer to apply for a delayed schedule in setting the appraised value of the property for city taxes for 15 years provided the project is valued at $5 million or more.

On August 17, 2022, the City of Warwick granted

the project a zone change into an Intermodal zone. The property could then be appraised at its undeveloped value for five years. On the sixth year, 90% of the assessed value would be exempted for the basis of taxes. That percentage would drop by 10% each year until the 15th year when taxes would be based on the full assessed valuation.

On August 4, 2023, the City of Warwick approved

the development as final with all state and local authorities having signed off. Schiavo stated his next step is to close on the property in October. The project is to commence by the first quarter of 2024 and be completed within 24-30 months.

Renderings courtesy of The Architectural Team

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October 2023

16

Focus: Corporate and Interiors Workplace Decisions: Should We Stay or Should We Go?

By Jenna Meyers There are many factors that prompt a company to begin thinking about whether they should stay in their current space or move. Chief among them is an impending lease expiration; significant changes in staff size; the need to cut costs; or a merger, acquisition, or consolidation.

A common misconception is that it is less costly to renegotiate and renew a lease that includes an allowance for renovations.

This is not always the case when you consider the disruption to workflow that an ambitious construction project can impose on an existing, occupied workspace, along with higher costs when there is no swing space to accommodate staff while their area is under construction. This scenario would necessitate construction phasing, thus prolonging the project schedule and potentially requiring certain tasks to be

performed at night or on a weekend, which means greater labor costs. Even if there is swing space in your building or another building, there would be associated rental costs. However, if renovations are limited to simple cosmetic improvements like new carpet and paint, then disruption is minor and short-lived, and staying may be the best option if a company’s current space will meet their needs for the length of a new lease.

Companies considering lease renewal versus a move should strongly consider working with an architect that will test fit their basic program to available space in feasible buildings, including their own. For new and/or small companies anticipating a stable head count, this traditional approach may suffice. But for larger and more established organizations or those with dynamic marketing goals and corresponding growth trajectories, detailed programming at the outset is to their ultimate advantage. Why? Because an accurate, comprehensive program is at the core of every successful facilities decision, particularly when it comes to one that has such critical first- and longterm ramifications associated with cost, productivity, and overall satisfaction.

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Boston Trust Walden decided to mo e from the rd to the th oor at ne Beacon Street, allo ing them to remain undisturbed in their current space until the new space was completed.

Photo by Warren Patterson Photography

In partnership with clients whose circumstances have led them to the “stay or go” point, that process involves conducting an in-depth programming exercise that incorporates a range of data, from operational information, spatial interrelationships and adjacencies, and current and projected head counts, to space usage and types, furniture, hybrid work scenarios, and goals surrounding brand, functionality, productivity, company culture, sustainability, and workplace environment, among others. Once the program and vision have been completed, the resulting information can be applied with high confidence to test fits.

We often collaborate closely with brokers and tenant representatives to evaluate the pros and cons of each location and assist with the final building selection.

A case in point is Boston Trust Walden (BTW), an independent, employee-owned investment management firm. BTW decided to move after realizing that their

current location could not accommodate growth. Reevaluating their space usage helped crystalize their objectives, which were to achieve a contemporary, functional space that facilitates individual and collaborative work, accommodates future growth, and manifests their core values. Opting to stay at One Beacon Street, the firm moved to the 34th floor. As an outcome of conscientious programming and collaboration, their new office space, which was expanded by 50%, features a design based on equitable access to natural light, sustainability, and transparency, reflecting key company principles.

With many such examples in our project experience, we can attest that workplace decisions built on a foundation that combines factual data and aspirational criteria are always the most successful.

Jenna Meyers, A, , LEE AP is a senior interior designer and partner with Margulies Perruzzi.

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October 2023

High-Profile Focus: Corporate and Interiors

17

Lexington Christian Academy Completes Library, Cafe Renovation Lexington, MA – ReyCon announced it has completed work on the renovation of the cafeteria and library at Lexington Christian Academy (LCA) in Lexington, in partnership with CSL Consulting and Annum Architects.

LCA engaged the ReyCon team to help modernize the library and cafe layout into a more open and collaborative area for students. The strategy and vision involved changes to the service line, kitchen and egress into the library from the back of the dining area in an effort to provide better flow throughout the cafe. ReyCon removed a dividing wall separating the two spaces and installed a new museum-grade display case over 30 feet long for students’ artwork to be displayed, which serves as the focal point of the newly renovated space. Reycon also provided new finishes including a brand-new cafeteria floor, new carpeting, paint, lighting, ceiling grid, a wraparound laptop bar and three new custom pocket doors separating the space.

“We are really proud of how this project came together and was completed in a short period of time,” said ReyCon president, Michael Reynolds. “LCA is one of the most exceptional and innovative prep schools in Massachusetts, and we were excited to have helped contribute to its continued development.”

Lexington Christian Academy library and cafe

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High-Profile Focus: Corporate and Interiors

18

October 2023

SMRT Architects and Engineers’ Portland Office Earns WELL Designation space, including gallery walls showcasing completed projects and ample pin-up and dry erase surfaces and screens, fosters collaboration and allows visitors to “see how the bread is made.” Low VOC interior finish materials and furnishings contribute to healthy indoor air quality.

By Jeana Stewart The sunshine flows in through oversized windows with views taking in Mount Washington, Back Cove, and the Portland peninsula; the sunsets are spectacular.

Light filtering window treatments on a daylight sensor automatically lower to banish glare to prevent eye strain.

Abundant natural light is just one of over 100 features under the 10 concepts of the WELL Building Standard. SMRT Architects and Engineers’ Portland office physical design, along with company-wide policies, achieve over 60 of those to claim WELL Certified Silver and recognition as a workplace promoting human health and well-being.

The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based system, grounded in medical research, for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health, through the ten concepts of air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, and

SMRT Architects and Engineers’ Portland office Photos by Ben Ganscos

mind. Grounded in more than 7,000 peer reviewed studies and citations, The International WELL Building Institute applies the science of physical and social environments to positively impact people’s health, well-being, and performance.

Most people spend more than 90% of their time indoors. Ongoing research is continually identifying ways in which the built environment impacts people, which in turn impacts work performance and a company’s bottom line.

A 2022 peer reviewed study, focusing on office environments utilizing pre- and

post-occupancy survey data, revealed several statistically important benefits to occupants of WELL certified buildings, including workplace satisfaction which jumped from 42% to 70%, accompanied by a 10% improvement in perceived mental health, while well-being scores increased 26%, with a 2% increase in perceived physical health; and median productivity scores jumped 10 points.

Attain the UNIMAGINABLE When many say it can’t be done, we prove them wrong.

At SMRT Architects and Engineers, we’re committed to well-being, supporting design for healthier employees, clients, and communities. We embrace the WELL Building Standard, believing meaningful space inspires meaningful work.

The design of our Portland office is inspired by the past life of the centuryold building as the former home of the JJ Nissen Baking Company. We celebrated this industrial history by exposing the existing brick walls, steel structure, and wood ceiling deck. We offer a rich variety of settings for employee work, from open workspace with clear sightlines and proximity to teammates, to convenient, adjacent collaborative spaces, techenabled meeting rooms of varying sizes, and private rooms for quiet focus.

Furnishings, including lounge seating and adjustable height workstations, offer our staff the ability to change postures throughout the day, promoting flexibility and movement within the office. The

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Beyond promoting movement, physical comfort, and on-demand employee privacy, our workspace supports social gathering. Our daylight-filled kitchen has ample space for preparing healthy foods while encouraging people to come together – or feel comfortable sitting alone.

The kitchen is tech-enabled, providing access to educational materials promoting healthy eating habits. Our office sits in a vibrant, walkable neighborhood with additional eateries, giving employees the opportunity to take a break. Trails and parks are nearby, and we have bike storage and showers enabling alternative commuting or midday exercise.

In today’s hybrid work environment, proactively addressing WELL principles creates a strong lure for employees to return to the office, supporting mentorship, collaboration, belonging, and investments in physical locations. While SMRT enjoys a hybrid work policy, leaving decisions about how employees best execute their work to them, our WELL certified Portland office is humming each day with high on-site attendance.

As part of our WELL Building certification, SMRT provides tours of our workplace to help educate building owners and tenants about the benefits of WELL design principles. Tours can be arranged through: acomorschi@smrtinc. com.

Jeana Stewart, NCIDQ, LEED AP, WELL AP is associate principal, director of workplace practice at SMRT Architects and Engineers.

October 2023

High-Profile Focus: Corporate and Interiors

19

Margulies Perruzzi Completes Phase One of New HQ for Boston Scores Boston – Margulies Perruzzi (MP) announced it has completed the first of two phases of work at 150 Byron Street in East Boston for Boston Scores.

Margulies Perruzzi provided design services for renovations to an existing 39,320sf building to create a space to be shared by Boston Scores and the Salesian Boys and Girls Club of East Boston. The second phase will include a new 2,025sf building along with several state-of-theart soccer fields, a playground, and an outdoor classroom. A ribbon cutting for Phase 1 was held on July 30, and the full project will be completed in the spring of 2024.

Boston Scores is a nonprofit that partners with Boston Public Schools to provide urban youth in grades K-12 with after-school soccer and enrichment programs. Helping urban youth build essential life skills and character through soccer and team-based enrichment programs, Boston Scores plans to augment its traditional programs with new community-based programs that will serve more youth and enhance coach training. The new headquarters will allow it to more than double the number of youths served while enhancing the quality of the services offered.

Margulies Perruzzi carved out 2,850sf for Boston Scores on the third floor of

Boston Scores

Renderings courtesy of Margulies Perruzzi

the 3-story building which features a shared open office and six private offices for staff plus a dedicated area for youth programs and coach training in a large conference room. Margulies Perruzzi added a bathroom and kitchenette within the office suite and an elevator to provide inclusive access to all three floors in the building. Large interior windows were installed overlooking the existing gym.

The Salesian Boys and Girls Club will continue to occupy the first two floors and a portion of the third floor.

“For several years, Margulies Perruzzi has been involved with Boston Scores as a participant in their annual Scores Cup soccer tournament at Gillette Stadium. It allows companies like ours to extend our

team building outside the office while also supporting a great cause,” said Dan Perruzzi, AIA, LEED AP, principal and senior partner at Margulies Perruzzi.

Site work included renovating the existing parking lot with 40 spaces, updating site stormwater capacity, and installing a newly constructed soccer mini-pitch. With protected play spaces ideal for pick-up games, skills development, and informal play, the East Boston mini-pitch will include lighting to allow for play to continue into the evening.

The mini-pitch renovations were funded through gifts and donations from the family of Mark and Sarah Williamson, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major

League Soccer Players Foundation, and Musco Lighting. The mini-pitch is the first program space created through the Boston Scores $15 million investment in the Salesian Heights project.

The next phase of the project includes the construction of a new 3.1-acre multi-field soccer complex, playground, community garden, outdoor classroom, shaded sitting areas, field house, renovated classrooms, meeting spaces, and parking.

The project team also included Argus Construction and Masse Construction, construction; Nitsch Engineering, civil engineer; Wozny Barbar, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineer; H+O Structural Engineers, structural engineer; and Warner Larson, landscape architect.

Soccer field

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October 2023

J&M Brown Completes Electrical Construction of One Congress in Boston Boston – J&M Brown Company (JMB) announced it has reached substantial completion of the complex core and shell electrical construction of One Congress, the centerpiece project in Boston’s Bulfinch Crossing.

Designed by architectural firms Pelli Clarke Pelli and CBT Architects and rising to 600 feet, the new, 43-story, 1,006,500sf office tower is the tallest high-rise constructed in Boston in more than 40 years. One Congress has received LEED Platinum certification.

JMB’s comprehensive electrical project scope entailed installation of the building’s primary and emergency power systems, electrical distribution, interior and exterior lighting and lighting control systems, as well as the building’s fire alarm/life safety system. JMB also provided electrical infrastructure for the building’s A/V, security and tel/data systems.

Primary power is provided via a 13.8KW/480V transformer and electrical distribution system. For emergency and standby power, the building is equipped with five rooftop generators: a 1,750KW generator for the base building and four 750KW generators for tenants.

JMB’s expansive electrical construction included the installation of approximately 200,000 linear feet (more

Emergency power feed to the building for all life safety and standby power

One Congress

than 37 miles) of conduit and 500,000 linear feet (more than 94 miles) of wire.

The building’s interior lighting package features more than 6,000 LED light fixtures and drivers, controlled by an advanced multiple-zone Lutron lighting control system. Exterior lighting at One Congress features customizable, colorchanging facade uplighting.

At peak construction, JMB managed a field crew ranging upwards of 50 IBEW Local 103 journeymen and apprentice electricians on the One Congress base building project. The NECA contractor’s crews worked more than 165,000 manhours in meeting the scope and owner timeline requirements. The project commenced in November 2019 and project owners Carr Properties and National Real Estate Advisors took occupancy in May 2023.

The JMB project team was headed by project manager Ed Zipper, project supervisors Wayne Lucas and Daryl Weiss, and foremen Mark Nicolas, Bill Patterson and Eamonn McDonagh.

JMB worked in close coordination with the project’s general contractor, John Moriarty & Associates (JMA) and the project’s subcontractors. The HYM

Electrical distribution switchboard to power base building

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Lobby

Group is the developer of One Congress.

In addition to its first-class office space, One Congress features a 15,000sf outdoor rooftop terrace and a full-floor amenity center on the 11th floor comprised of a 7,000sf fitness center, event and conference space, and a full cafeteria.

Fitness center

Fitness center bar

One Congress is the new international headquarters facility for primary tenant, State Street Corp., which occupies 27 floors comprised of 450,000sf in the office tower. Concurrent to the core and shell electrical construction of One Congress and under separate contract, JMB, teaming with JMA, is also substantially complete with the electrical fit-out of the State Street offices.

The project electrical scope included installation of a separate electrical distribution riser backed up by two roof-mounted generators and an 800KW Uninterruptible Power Supply System.

The extensive lighting package for the State Street project included installation of 5,000 fixtures with the longest fixture run being 190 feet. The lighting control system provides control of 22 floors as

well as integration with AV systems for conference rooms, training rooms and executive rooms. Custom lighting was provided for a video studio. The base building fire alarm integrates to all State Street offices and the project included installation of a fire suppression system for the full kitchen.

JMB project manager Nelson Barrantes and general foreman Phil Talbot headed the project team, supervising a separate JMB crew of 45 IBEW Local 103 electricians at peak construction. The State Street office build-out commenced in June 2021 and the project was complete in May 2023.

The phased-occupancy project allowed for State Street to take occupancy of 10 floors of the offices during the course of the fitout. State Street Corp. took full occupancy of its new headquarters in late spring 2023.

The new office tower will accommodate at least 2,500 State Street employees.

Also at One Congress, JMB, working with general contractor Structure Tone, recently completed a two-floor fit-out for law firm K&L Gates. And teaming with Elaine Construction, JMB is also underway with the two-phase, 13-floor, 250,000sf electrical fit-out for medical software and data management company InterSystems. Phase one, floors 32-36, will be completed in December and phase two, floors 37-43, is scheduled for completion in late 2024.

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High-Profile Focus: Corporate and Interiors

October 2023

21

Skanska Completes School Renovation Projects Belmont, MA – Skanska recently announced the completion of the $256 million, 451,000sf construction and renovation of the new Belmont Middle and High School in Belmont, and the completion of renovations at Boston College, which included a $1.5 million renovation of the 1,100sf Higgins Hall auditorium.

The Belmont Middle and High School project, awarded to Skanska by the Town of Belmont, aimed to replace the high school with a new facility to encompass grades 7-12. The existing high school structure remained in operation while the new structure was under construction.

Then in phase two, the old high school was demolished and the connecting middle school was constructed. Renovation work to the existing field house was carried out over three summer breaks.

The newly constructed 4-floor structure includes new academic and science wings, media facilities, administrative and health suites, and a new dining common area. Additionally, the school’s existing gymnasium and swimming pool amenities were renovated; new playing fields and landscaping were implemented; and new access entry points, drop-off circles, and sidewalks were constructed.

To meet the Town of Belmont’s goals of building a zero fossil fuel and

Belmont Middle and High School

highly sustainable building, Skanska implemented a myriad of sustainable features throughout the project. The new structure utilizes a geothermal system to heat and cool the entirety of the building via the installation of 283 geothermal wells, ensuring it is 100% fossil fuel-free.

Relying entirely on renewable energy, the net-zero structure additionally includes an array of solar panels on the roof that provide a third of the property’s overall energy and is currently going through the process of seeking LEED Gold certification.

Construction at Belmont Middle and High School began in June of 2019. CHA Consulting operated as the owner’s project manager and Perkins & Will served as the

architect for the project.

The project at Boston College, referred to as a “summer slammer,” concentrated on upgrading educational facilities during

Boston College

the summer months in preparation for the students’ return to campus for the upcoming fall semester. Skanska began renovations on the Higgins Hall auditorium immediately after graduation in May. Renovations included demolishing the existing seating, replacing the flooring, and the installation of new finishes for the ceiling soffits and acoustic wall panels. Additionally, new millwork was implemented throughout the auditorium.

Following the successful completion of Higgins Hall, Skanska will continue to cultivate its relationship with Boston BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS College by initiating two laboratory BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS THAT LAST FOR 30+this YEARS iggins all auditorium renovation projects fall.

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October 2023

Architecture Firm Designs Five New Restaurants inOrganizations New England and Event Boston – RODE Architects announced five new hospitality projects, showcasing modern interior design trends for restaurants in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

“These new restaurant projects reflect the tone and character of each location and, in several cases, represent expansions or re-openings of establishments impacted by the pandemic,” said Jessica Haley, principal and director of interior design for RODE. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with innovative developers to unveil modern interior design concepts for the hospitality industry in Southern New England, bringing our clients’ visions to life and creating welcoming spaces that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.”

Mother Pizzeria, RODE’s first restaurant project in Rhode Island, opened in July at 49 Long Wharf Mall in Newport.

Designed with tin tile ceiling and a blackand-white marble bar that serves as the focal point of the space, the traditional yet modern pizzeria offers 112 seats, including counter seating and high tops for a slice on the go or a quick cocktail, with a deluxe Neapolitan-style brick pizza oven. Mother Pizzeria incorporates mixtures of light and dark warm wood tones and a play on a classic tile floor pattern throughout the restaurant.

264 E. Berkeley St. in Boston. With a bright Mediterranean vibe, fun geometric elements and a built-in serpentine booth, Baleia will feature an upscale copperchain “net” that evokes a Mediterranean fishing aesthetic. The design includes a 14-seat bar plus counter-height seating around a “tree island” to create a cozy feel.

PWC CT Welcomes New Board Hartford, CT – The Professional Women in Construction Connecticut Chapter (PWC CT) recently welcomed its new board of directors for the 2021-2022 program year.

Patricia Bilotto returns as chapter president. She is the manager of marketing and business development for van Zelm Engineers. She has nearly 30 years of experience in marketing, communications, and business development in the AEC industry, and presently serves on the program, membership, and awards committees.

Gufo / Photos courtesy of RODE Architects

Gufo, a modern take on the classic casual, laid-back Italian dining experience, opened in early August at the site of the former Loyal Nine at 660 Cambridge St. in Cambridge. A relocated entrance will provide visitors with direct access to a cafe-style space with espresso, coffee, and a pizza oven, then onto the main dining space with an expanded bar, or to a three-season porch. The flexible layout and semi-private dining nook will be suitable for events.

Bueno Malo, a casual Mexi-Cali restaurant at 93 Main St. in Andover,

Mass., opened its first phase in the spring (Second-phase plans are to be determined.). The casual taco joint expanded into a neighboring space to create two connected dining rooms as well as a creative photo-op area with a custom-designed mural and exposed Laurann Asklof, principal of Shipman brick.

AlongLLP, with & Goodwin, will lime-wash serve on the walls, board playful quirky wall as vice lighting president.features She hasand approximately decor, eachofdining room has unique 30 years experience in athe areafeel of that, together,law creates day-night She duology construction and alitigation. will mirroringto theparticipate “Bueno Malo” name. continue in the chapter’s Baleia, amentorship, 140-seat Portuguese-inspired programs, and scholarship dining experience, will open this fall at committees.

The 2021-2022 PWC CT board (l-r): Choity Kha Kyma Ganzer, and Jen

Carolyn Kurth, CPA, CFE, of CohnReznick, will return as treasurer.

She serves on the Gufo scholarship committee.

Drawdown Brewing at Dawn Meeker, directorCompany, at Marcum, 3204 is Washington St. in Boston,year which LLP, returning for a second as will open this fall, a local brewery chapter secretary.

Sheisnow serves as the and taproom proven membership chairoffering and will both continue as a favorites and creative batch brews. volunteer on the awardssmall committee.

Drawdown is locatedpartner in the ofground Kim Colapietro, EDI floor retail LLC, spacereturns of 3200 Washington Landscape, for her third year Street, a RODE-designed on the board.

She serves as multifamily the awards residential chair. development in the heart of committee Jamaica KymaPlain.

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Trends and Hot Topics

Wind in Your Sails: Finding Momentum Against Disruptive Forces In an interview with Shelley Balanda, principal and founder of FOOTPRYNT, a Boston-based organizational and growth consultancy geared to help CRE organizations implement their strategic initiatives, the recently named 2023 CRE Woman of Influence opens up on the headwinds commercial owners and operators are experiencing and how organizations can navigate the challenging times.

Making Technology Work for You

How does FOOTPRYNT interact with companies as they weather significant industry shifts?

We launched in early 2020, and it was undeniably a daunting time to venture out on our own. Despite the circumstances, it was a chance to make a meaningful impact on our industry. We understand the challenges commercial real estate operators face, juggling the demands of their capital partners, tenants, and vendors while keeping up with technology and market conditions. Our goal is to step in and help executive teams leverage their resources so they can focus on what truly matters during their most critical times.

Our industry is accustomed to episodic change, but this current cycle presents compounding challenges that put significant pressure on operating margins, including high-interest rates and vacancies, the work-from-home culture, and rising insurance premiums. It is a unique opportunity for organizations to focus not only on asset and portfolio management but also on internal improvements during this pause.

How are groups currently navigating the complexities of today’s challenging transaction market?

Where we may have “pencils down” for new investment transactions, now is the perfect time for investment teams to reassess their goals and strategies. By refining their action plans and focusing on creating a transaction-ready platform, they can be well-positioned to seize new investment opportunities as they arise. Exploring new partnerships and finding innovative solutions will yield a competitive edge and credibility at the bidding table. While it may not always be easy to chart the way forward, taking time to reflect, adapt, and add value during times of change will bring greater clarity to a reimagined investment strategy.

There is a wide array of PropTech and CRETech on the market today. How are firms adapting to achieve their goals?

There is a considerable emphasis on the adoption of technology as we strive

Shelley Balanda

for greater efficiency in our operations, paired with an overwhelming catalog of solutions available. Implementing new systems requires a careful evaluation of internal processes and procedures from a broader perspective, taking into account more than just immediate requirements.

Our industry embraces the simplicity of spreadsheets and research as the foundation of our decision-making process. This entrenched approach has provided a secure framework for decades, making the integration of AI technology, algorithms, and machine learning unsettling, particularly considering the weight of fiduciary responsibilities.

Firms typically discover that a platform fulfills approximately 75% of their requirements during the implementation process before necessitating additional customizations. However, there is often a disconnect between the technology platform staff and the vision of the operating group due to the absence of real estate experience within the tech platform.

This is the point where implementation fatigue often begins to appear. To ensure successful implementation, it is crucial to obtain buy-in and support from all departments, including technology and leadership teams. An in-depth education process and clearly defined procedures will facilitate a seamless transition and promote a higher adoption rate.

What is the most significant opportunity for operators in today’s market?

We all feel the pain in this current environment. With the ongoing shifts in market fundamentals and approaching debt maturities, significant discussion centers on the comprehensive assessment of assets and portfolios. This includes crafting a strategy for discussions and negotiations with lenders. With no immediate comeback in the office market in sight, it also delivers projects geared toward strategic initiatives and optimizing operations to help preserve operating cash.

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J.E.D.I.

AGC MA Receives DEI Award

Jones Architecture Creates DEI Council

Salem, MA – Jones Architecture announced it established its DEI Council in January 2023 with the goal of creating more diversity within the firm. Initiatives include building an office culture that pushes for inclusive design and increased diversity in the firm, as well as working with the surrounding community on equity projects and bringing architecture to diverse groups of young students through the firm’s pre-professional mentorship program.

“We welcome the initiatives the council is exploring and looking to put in place – it’s a journey for us and that is very much the point – we want to advance a culture of inclusion and belonging in our process,” said Founder and Principal Rick Jones.

The group is made up of seven employees including Senior Associate Sarah Tarbet, AIA and Project Manager Thonah Ep. The council meets six times a year, comprises diverse voices in the firm, and is developing a set of guidelines that they hope will guide Jones in its work with clients and the community as well as its day-to-day operations.

“We have been focusing on identifying how we can be most impactful through action and want to challenge existing processes to make inclusive design a baseline within the office,” said Tarbet.

Ep emphasizes the council’s goal to make Jones a leading voice for equity.

“I’d like to see the profession be a better reflection of the world we live in and hope that more people of diverse backgrounds can have a voice in architecture,” he said.

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AGC MA’s Committee for Diversity & Inclusion established a program that brings construction professionals together with students to collaborate on age-appropriate STEM-related activities.

Wellesley, MA – The Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (AGC MA) announced the association was recognized at the Boston Real Estate Times 2023 Awards Gala on Sept. 13 for their continued work in closing the diversity gap in commercial construction management.

With the support of many AGC MA member volunteers, The Building Women in Construction Advisory Committee (BWiC) and the Committee for Diversity & Inclusion (CFDI) have established networks for both underrepresented individuals and firms that support the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion.

With the support of many AGC MA member volunteers, The Building Women in Construction Advisory Committee (BWiC) and the Committee for Diversity & Inclusion (CFDI) have established networks for both underrepresented individuals and firms that support the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion.

BWiC has facilitated many events over the years that celebrate women

in the industry, including the BWiC Inspire Awards where women across different categories (Mentor, Emerging Leader, Rising Star, Young Achiever, and Tradeswoman of the Year) are honored among their peers. In addition, BWiC hosts the ongoing speaker series, “Casual Conversations with Powerful Women in Construction,” giving an inside look on the careers of successful women. BWiC also supports the growth and development of women in the industry by hosting various networking events such as charity fundraisers, golf clinics, ski trips, jobsite visits, and open houses. All these events provide an occasion to build a network, learn from each other, or possibly find a mentor or a next job opportunity.

The CFDI leads educational sessions with industry professionals working collaboratively with leads from more than 25 commercial construction firms to champion and advance industry inclusion efforts. The committee oversees AGC’s annual Diversity Summit, opening doors for minority business enterprises (MBE) and women business enterprises (WBE) to be equipped with information and resources to grow their business.

The CFDI also established a pilot program with 5th and 6th grade students at Mattahunt Elementary School in Mattapan which regularly brings construction professionals together with students to collaborate on age-appropriate STEM-related activities. The program will expand to three elementary schools this fall during Construction Inclusion Week.

High-Profile: J.E.D.I.

October 2023

27

NCARB and NOMA Release Action Plan to Increase Diversity in Architecture Washington – The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) have released a new action plan to address disparities identified by the organizations’ joint Baseline on Belonging study, with the goal of increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the architecture profession.

The recommendations are included in the final Baseline on Belonging report, which compiles the previously published reports along with new information, such as key findings by demographic group, a report on Native American and Pacific Islander respondents, and more.

“The partnership with NCARB has allowed us to quantify the disadvantages BIPOC architects face as they enter the profession, establishing these benchmarks to begin to address the specific challenges we face,” said Tiffany Mayhew, national program manager with NOMA. “Action with intention will yield real results which is what matters now to create the change we want to see as an industry.”

Three key themes were identified throughout the Baseline on Belonging study: Individuals who identified as part of multiple underrepresented groups faced higher levels of disparity; disparities faced by minority candidates compounded

throughout their career, leading to increasingly higher levels of attrition and difficulty; and the age of candidates has a significant impact on licensure progress.

“The Baseline on Belonging survey has provided the architecture industry with crucial information to evaluate impediments to diversity, equity, and inclusion and now the action plan provided

by NCARB and NOMA provides a roadmap for other organizations to make meaningful change,” said NCARB CEO, Michael Armstrong.

Developed with the help of a series of focus groups, the report provides

detailed areas for action by NCARB and NOMA, including items already in progress and areas for further research.

The recommendations include raising awareness of the path to licensure, evaluating the difficulty of the path and the cost of the licensure path, creating more effective mentorship programs, and fostering more inclusive firm culture.

NCARB has already completed one item from the action plan: On April 30, NCARB replaced the rolling clock policy with a new score validity policy, a result of findings from the Baseline on Belonging survey.

In addition to the action plan, the compiled report includes an overview of actions taken by NCARB to address the issues raised by the study, in order to make the licensure path more accessible. It also includes the results of a follow-up survey exploring the impact of the study thus far and changes in the profession since the initial survey launched.

The Baseline on Belonging study began with an initial survey in early 2020 and included a series of focus groups with NOMA membership in 2022 exploring the underlying reasons why women and people of color left the path to licensure at higher rates than their white, male peers. NCARB and NOMA released four in-depth reports on the study’s findings, highlighting a series of disparities related to education, experience, examination, and firm culture.

Going forward, NCARB and NOMA will continue to collaborate as the organizations address the action items in the report. This includes opportunities for further research and analysis, as well as the development of resources to help candidates and firms.

To learn more about the Baseline on Belonging study and to download the full report, visit http://www.ncarb.org/belong.

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Retail and Hospitality Raffles Boston Opens in Boston’s Back Bay

Lobby

Boston – Raffles Boston opened its doors to guests on Sept. 15, and celebrated a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 18, with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu in attendance.

The property represents the first mixed-use development in North America for the 136-year-old Raffles Hotels & Resorts brand. Raffles Boston features

147 guestrooms and a variety of distinct gathering spaces.

“We are delighted to extend the legendary Raffles brand into the Americas with Raffles Boston, and are incredibly grateful to the dynamic ownership teams from Cain International, Noannet Group and Saunders Hotel Group for their

At the ribbon cutting (l-r): John Borders IV, City of Boston; Chef Jody Adams, La Padrona; Dan onahue, Saunders otel Group Eric Porets y, Cain nternational Jordan Warsha , oannet Group Mayor Michelle Wu mer Acar, Raf es Martha Sheridan, Meet Boston Representati e Jay Li ingstone and li er udler, Raf es Boston Photos courtesy of Raffles Boston

trust in, and commitment to, the Raffles brand,” said Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles & Orient Express.

Residing next to The University Club and adjacent to Boston’s Back Bay train station, Raffles Boston sits within a block of Copley Square and Trinity Church. Other attractions nearby include the shops and galleries of Newbury Street and the Prudential Center, Fenway Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, Symphony Hall, and the Charles River Esplanade.

Terrace

The hotel features a 3-story Sky Lobby; four food and beverage venues; and a Raffles Writer’s Lounge, a signature Raffles space made famous for the esteemed writers and poets who have frequented it within the flagship Raffles Singapore and a number of other Raffles hotels around the world. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art gym, 20-meter indoor pool with expansive city views, and the Guerlain Spa at Raffles Boston.

Terrace

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Reception area

The Architectural Team (TAT) Inc. designed the building’s exterior architecture while hospitality design firm Stonehill Taylor fashioned all hotel rooms and several hotel amenity spaces, and the Rockwell Group designed the fitness center and spa, as well as the Raffles’ Residences, which are available for purchase. The development team is a partnership of locals Jordan Warshaw of The Noannet Group and hotelier Gary Saunders of Saunders Hotel Group, alongside their global development and equity partner Cain International.

Madison Realty Capital provided construction financing.

October 2023

29

Mixed-Use BPDA Approves new Affordable Housing in East Boston and Mattapan Boston – The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) board of directors recently approved new development projects that will create 82 residential units, 48 of which will be designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 96 construction jobs and nine permanent jobs.

The project at 2 Ford Street and 970 Saratoga Street in East Boston will consist of two separate 4-story, mixed use buildings. The building at 2 Ford Street will contain 27 residential units and retail space, and the building at 970 Saratoga Street will contain 14 residential

units and retail space. Seven units will be income-restricted; at least one other will be considered for the City of Boston Voucher Program. The retail space is intended to be tenanted by local residents from the East Boston community. This will be a transit-oriented development, as it is in close proximity to the MBTA Blue line, and will have space for bike parking for residents and visitors.

1471 Blue Hill Avenue

The project at 1471 Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan will convert a vacant lot into a 5-story residential building with 41 energy-efficient and income-restricted rental units. There will be bicycle parking

2 Ford Street

spaces for residents and for visitors. In addition, this project will contribute a bike-share station on site. It will also include a community art and workroom.

Approximately 43% of the project site will be open space, and there will also be a publicly accessible pocket park on site.

Located in the South End, the 1000 Washington Street project will convert an existing building from an office into new life science uses. The changes will primarily be interior to the building, but will also include some exterior changes including new thermally efficient windows, substantial changes to the exterior envelope at the 11th floor and expanded mechanical penthouse and rooftop mechanicals, increased energy efficiency measures, and minor changes to the loading dock.

The board also approved the Dorchester Bay City Planned Development Area (PDA) Master Plan which will create a blueprint for the long-term future of this area of Dorchester. The project proposes the construction of 21 buildings which would include a mix of office, research and development, residential, retail, restaurant, commercial, communi-

1000 Washington Street

ty, cultural and other uses, as well as the creation of an extensive new street system to accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles; more than 11 acres of public realm improvements; and the creation of more than eight acres of new open space. In support of the city’s resilience goals and due to the location of this site, buildings and the site will be raised and graded to slope appropriately to adjacent properties, and additional resiliency measures will help close two flood pathways in the neighborhood and protect the site and the neighborhood from periodic flooding.

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Multi-Residential Grand Opening Held for The McElwain School Apartments Bridgewater – MPZ Development LLC and Capstone Communities LLC joined the Town of Bridgewater, state and local officials, and the greater Bridgewater community to celebrate the grand opening of The McElwain School Apartments, a new mixed-income housing apartment community located at 242-250 Main Street, just outside Bridgewater’s town center and Route 28 corridor.

The reimagined McElwain School includes 57 units of housing, 51 of which are affordable for families earning at or below 60% of the Annual Median Income (AMI).

The apartments include 13 one-bedroom units, 36 two-bedroom units, and 8 three-bedroom units as well as numerous amenities including onsite management and maintenance, a dog park, a natural playground for children, a community room, and a wildflower bee meadow.

Designed by Prellwitz/Chillinski Associates, The McElwain School Apartments meld historic preservation and modern sustainability, encompassing both a former school building, which sat vacant for over 20 years, and a newlybuilt residential component that is the first Passive House multifamily building (PHIUS) to open in Plymouth County.

At the ribbon cutting l r Michael utton, Bridge ater to n manager Carrie nudson of Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation; Brandon Braxton of The Life Initiative; Dana LeWinter of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership; Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus Mathieu ahler of MP e elopment Jason orb of Capstone Communities Mar Teden of Mass Housing for the Affordable Housing Trust; Bob Dorfman of Dorfman Capital; and Mar Linde, Bridge ater to n councilor Photos by Andy Ryan Photography

The $28.9 million development received $10.6 million in state and federal historic tax credits, the first-ever state and federal historic tax credits awarded in the Town of Bridgewater’s history, as well as $1.345 million in Bridgewater Community Act Preservation funding.

The McElwain School Apartments’ name pays homage to William H. McElwain (1867-1908), the founder of the William H. McElwain Shoe Company,

a shoe manufacturer that was one of the major employers in Bridgewater at the turn of the 20th century. In a nod to William McElwain’s business, MPZ and Capstone commissioned steampunk artist Bruce Rosenbaum to create an intricate metal sculpture of a flying shoe that sits outside the school building’s main doors.

The McElwain School Apartments were funded through a mix of state, local, and low-income housing tax

credit funding sources. In addition to the state and federal historic tax credits and Community Preservation funding, the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC) issued a $15 million construction bridge loan to the McElwain School Apartments in which The Life Initiative participated by providing $6.5 million in support.

The Cape Cod Five Savings bank purchased the project’s State Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and the New York Life Insurance Company purchased the project’s State Historic Tax Credits. The Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) provided $600,000 in financing for the project. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) provided the State and Federal Low Income Housing Tax credits and $6.4 million in loans for the development.

The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) provided a $5.3 million permanent loan for the project.

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Ribbon Cut on Affordable Housing in West Roxbury Boston – B’nai B’rith Housing (BBH), Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, state and local officials, housing advocates, and neighbors and friends of the nonprofit housing organization recently celebrated the opening of its newest property, Parkway 1208, the first new affordable housing in West Roxbury since 2013.

Parkway 1208 is a new 60-unit workforce residence developed by B’nai B’rith Housing for below-market-rate occupants and offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, accompanied by an array of amenities. It is located at 1208D VFW Parkway in West Roxbury.

Speakers at the event, attended by about 100 people, included Wu, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus, State Rep. William MacGregor, Catholic Memorial Head of School Peter Folan, MassHousing Vice President of Multifamily Programs Mark Teden, and BBH Board Real Estate Council of Advisors Chair Ed Zuker, who is also chief executive officer of Chestnut Hill Realty. Other in attendance were State Rep. Rob Consalvo and Sheila Dillon, director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing.

Among the 60 units at Parkway 1208, 45 are available to households earning less than 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), including units reserved for households transitioning out of

Par

homelessness. An additional 15 units are specifically designated for households earning less than 90% of AMI. “It is especially exciting when mixed income apartments with affordability are built in a neighborhood where we have been working really hard to site affordable rental housing and that we need to do more,” said Wu. “It is a model of possibility for what income restricted family housing across the city of Boston should look like.”

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Features of Parkway 1208 include laundry rooms on each of the three floors, on-site service coordinator, community garden, community room with event and home-work space, playground with patio, dog-care room, indoor bike storage, phone-Zoom room, mailroom and package-storage area, and a fitness room.

The building has elevators for accessibility and a courtyard with green space. The building has 60 on-site parking spaces, including EV charging stations,

and bike storage. It includes energyefficient heating and cooling systems, as well as Energy Star rated appliances and environmentally friendly design features throughout.

“As two organizations coming from our respective faiths, we are aligned and committed to making this a better community, a stronger community,” said Folan. “Congratulations on this incredible achievement and welcome to the neighborhood.”

The design and construction industry is not just about buildings. It’s about the people behind the buildings.

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Education Construction Completed on Two Facilities for Lovell Hockey

Lovell Academy

Rockland, MA – Integrated Builders recently announced the successful completion of two new facilities for Lovell Hockey on their 55-acre campus off Bill Delahunt Parkway in Rockland.

Together, Lovell Arena and Lovell Academy total 150,000sf and provide the facilities needed to offer an athleticacademic lifestyle to Lovell Hockey’s 132 players.

Lovell Hockey is one of the largest amateur organizations in North America, with over 110 hockey teams.

Lovell Hockey’s five club programs are strategically based around Massachusetts

and include the New England Knights in Raynham, the 95 Giants in Attleboro, the East Coast Leafs in Hopedale, the Middlesex Icemen in East Boston, and the South Shore-based Lovell Winter Club and Boston Advantage Hockey Club.

Lovell Academy, a newly offered branch of Lovell Hockey, is a boarding school that allows players to skate multiple hours a day, engage in sport-specific off-ice training and conditioning, and focus on appropriately tailored nutrition plans for optimal physical development.

Completed earlier this year, Lovell Arena’s 100,000sf facility was built with

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a structural steel frame and houses three NHL regulation ice surfaces with in-arena seating for up to 1,500 spectators. The building entry features full height glass pulled out from the rest of the building and accents of cement panels. The stateof-the-art recreation center includes a 7,000sf modern restaurant/bar with views of all three ice sheets, two full-swing Golf Pro Series simulators, four Qubica AMF bowling lanes, an arcade/lounge, and concessions, locker rooms, a goalie training area, physical therapy area, fitness center, and multipurpose space.

The new residential and learning center was completed in August and serves as the main campus for Lovell Academy.

The academy building is comprised of

Years

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49,050sf, housing eight classrooms, a science lab, an art/music room, and two study centers on the ground level. Sets of 11 double rooms and a chaperone suite for each of the six teams are grouped together in separate hallways on the second and third floors. A full-service cafeteria, two large student lounges, a student health center, and recreation area with an outdoor patio and garden spaces are also located within the facility.

Project partners included Sears Point Development, the architectural team at Studio TROIKA, and engineering partners from Grady Consulting LLC; H+O Structural Engineering; Quieto Consulting Engineers; and McArdle, Gannon & Associates, as well as a team of subcontractors.

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Connecticut CBIA Releases 2023 Survey of Connecticut Businesses Hartford, CT – The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) released the results of the organization’s 2023 Survey of Connecticut Businesses, produced in collaboration with Marcum LLP, at its “The Connecticut Economy” conference on Sept. 14.

Key findings of the report include:

• Finding and/or retaining employees is difficult for 81% of surveyed businesses – essentially unchanged from last year.

• The percentage of top executives who say the lack of skilled job applicants is the greatest obstacle to growth increased seven points over last year to 46%.

• 76% of companies reported profits in 2022, up from 68% the previous year and the highest since 2019.

• Two-thirds (66%) expect a profitable 2023, with just 7% projecting losses.

• One-quarter of business leaders believe Connecticut’s economy will expand over the next 12 months, with 29% forecasting national growth.

• 91% say the cost of doing business in Connecticut is increasing, with rising labor costs (25%) and state taxes (16%) the primary drivers.

• Inflation remains a challenge for 83% of

businesses.

• Only 10% of executives feel the state’s business climate is improving, while 41% say it’s static and 33% believe it’s declining.

• 60% expect their employment levels to remain stable over the next six months, with 30% projecting increases.

• 92% of employers offer employees health insurance benefits and 86% report coverage costs increased in the latest renewal period.

CBIA president and CEO, Chris DiPentima, said the survey highlights the impact the growing labor shortage crisis is having on Connecticut businesses, but that it also shows their resilience, with 76% of companies reporting profits last year.

“This survey highlights the need for aggressively pursuing solutions to the main challenges undermining our economy: the labor shortage, the state’s high cost of living, and the high cost of doing business,” said DiPentima.

The featured speaker for the CBIA conference was Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation chair, Rodney Butler, who discussed the impact that Foxwoods

Resorts Casino has on Connecticut’s economy and plans to expand the resort as a world-class entertainment destination.

The conference also featured a panel of business leaders who examined the findings of the CBIA survey, highlighting the challenges and opportunities companies face in an evolving economic landscape.

In response to the release of the Connecticut Department of Labor’s August 2023 employment report, DiPentima commented, “Employers are doing their part – it’s time for policymakers to do theirs and help build an economy that provides opportunities for everyone in Connecticut,” adding that, “The August report also shows construction employment is at its highest level in years, but the volume of work needs to match that. And that can only be accomplished through public-private partnerships that increase DOT capacity to get design projects completed and into the hands of those who can transform our roads, bridges, buildings, and overall infrastructure.”

O&G Industries vice president, Christina Oneglia Rossi, said, ‘There is tremendous opportunity for large infrastructure projects that aren’t happening right now. The money is there, so we’re hopeful that some of these projects come to bear because investing in infrastructure has the highest return on investment in terms of job growth and in terms of improving the state economy.”

Avangrid to Create In-house Artificial Intelligence Systems Orange, CT – Avangrid, Inc., a sustainable energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, announced it has launched a Data Science and Analytics team aimed at developing unique and proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) systems that are focused on improving reliability for customers. The goal of these machine learning models, once complete, is to change how the company approaches grid investments, equipment upgrades, storm forecasting and more.

Avangrid’s Data Science and Analytics team sits within the Operational Performance organization and is made up of seven data scientists, engineers and analysts who come from industries like healthcare, astrophysics and finance. The team is creating three unique AI systems: Predictive Health Analytics, GeoMesh and HealthAI. Each technology will take existing data from Avangrid companies’ electric grids and analyze it to forecast future performance of the grid, determine the condition of grid equipment or target at-risk locations for inspections and investment, with the goal of increasing reliability for the 2.31 million electric customers served by Avangrid’s subsidiaries, including United Illuminating.

Predictive Health Analytics

This project takes a proactive approach

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to determine the condition of substation equipment such as circuit breakers, which are like fuses in a house, and uses data to prioritize planned replacements and upgrades. Traditionally, equipment is replaced primarily based on age or if it malfunctions and causes an outage. Predictive Health Analytics will take a data-driven approach to determine equipment’s overall health and life expectancy based on numerous factors, including age, frequency of use, manufacturer and maintenance notifications. This means Avangrid will save money and help reduce outages for customers by replacing at-risk equipment, such as circuit breakers, before it causes an outage.

GeoMesh

This project maps Avangrid’s service areas to identify the strengths and weakness of

its electric networks to help forecast its performance during both blue-sky and storm scenarios. The goal is to improve understanding about how the electric grid is performing under various weather conditions so that Avangrid’s companies can better plan upgrades, storm response and more.

To accomplish this, GeoMesh breaks Avangrid’s service areas into small sections to allow the company to focus on one specific region at a time. For the chosen selection, GeoMesh makes predictions by analyzing millions of data points, such as average wind speed, precipitation type and amount, outage history and reason,

population and density of tree limbs and other vegetation. All of this lets Avangrid make informed, data-based decisions on things like where and what upgrades are most needed or which customers are most likely to be impacted by a storm.

HealthAI

This project analyzes Avangrid’s existing millions of high-resolution photos of its street-level distribution system – poles, wires and grid equipment – to identify the assets in the photos and, eventually, catalogue their health. This increases Avangrid’s awareness of the condition of its grid equipment and helps to identify areas of concern. HealthAI will save Avangrid time and money by targeting at-risk locations for inspections and maintenance. It will also reduce outages and improve safety for lineworkers by giving them more information before they arrive on scene.

Currently, Avangrid is training the AI system to correctly identify grid equipment in photos, such as cross arms, transformers or wire. Next, the AI system will learn to analyze and determine the health of that equipment. For instance, it will identify if the cross arm is broken or if the wire is sagging. Right now, Avangrid learns of these equipment damages or failures from customer reports, manual inspections or outages. HealthAI will make it an automatic and proactive process to make adjustments before the customer is impacted. Long term, Avangrid aims to also use HealthAI to also identify threats to its distribution network such as hanging tree limbs or dead trees that may fall onto company electric lines.

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Trends and Hot Topics

O&G Builds: Building Pathways to Careers in Construction

By Eliza Baron O&G Builds is a revolutionary program created by O&G Industries, Inc. of Torrington, Conn. It turns school construction projects into dynamic, interactive classrooms. By immersing high school students in a hands-on, experiential learning environment, O&G Builds offers a unique educational opportunity that allows students to earn credits while exploring careers in construction.

Throughout the program, students gain invaluable insight into the behind-thescenes workings of construction projects, with interactive lectures from the project management team, design team, and trade contractors.

Plumbing students from Oliver Wolcott Technical High School tour the Torrington Middle High School project and learn about core boring.

During an O&G Builds session at Beman Middle School (formally Woodrow Willson Middle School), students toured their future school in virtual reality.

Tailored to meet the unique needs of each school, the program spans an entire school year, with regular meetings covering a wide range of topics, including construction management, architecture, engineering, masonry, HVAC, site work, electrical, plumbing, sheet metal, steel erection, and safety. The result is a comprehensive, immersive experience that helps students make meaningful connections between classroom theory and hands-on work.

O&G launched the O&G Builds program in 2013 with PlattBuilds at the Orville H. Platt High School Career Center, which at the time had a lower number of college-bound students graduating compared to the Connecticut average. With the number of skilled tradespeople on the decline for over a decade, the school staff and the O&G

Building Group collaborated to create a program that would show students they could prepare for high-paying jobs in construction without a college degree.

The program lasted for the life cycle of the three-year construction project and had 90 students participate. The results were nothing short of outstanding. Many of the participating students have gone on to pursue careers in constructionrelated fields, including construction management, architecture, and skilled trades.

School counselors who oversaw the PlattBuilds program praised it as an exceptional educational opportunity, allowing students to explore constructionrelated careers and forge a real connection between classroom theory and hands-on work. What began as a program to assist high school students in building pathways to construction careers has since been adapted to suit all school levels, taking on different forms from one-off project tours to project team-guided Lego builds.

The O&G Builds program has earned several accolades, including the Midstate Chamber of Commerce Innovation in Education Award, the Midstate Chamber of Commerce Recognition for Business & Education Excellence, and the Connecticut Construction Industries Association (CCIA) Community Service Award.

Overall, the program represents a

A student learns hands on how to assemble copper piping as part of the year-long PlattBuilds program.

transformative approach to education that has the power to shape the next generation of skilled workers in the construction industry and beyond. The program’s remarkable success speaks volumes about its effectiveness and

the value it offers to students seeking high-paying jobs without needing a college degree.

Eliza Baron is communications and mar eting manager at G ndustries, Inc.

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October 2023

36

Trends and Hot Topics

Report Outlines the Construction Jobs with the Fastest-growing Wages

San Diego – Construction Coverage recently released a new report looking at wage growth in the construction industry.

The report found that, more so than by location, wages in the construction industry vary widely by occupation, and some roles have shown more recent wage growth than others. To find the construction jobs with the fastest-growing wages, researchers at Construction Coverage analyzed the latest data from

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the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The researchers ranked all construction and extraction occupations according to the five-year percentage change in wages from 2017 to 2022. In the event of a tie, the occupation with the higher mean annual wage in 2022 was ranked higher.

According to the report, despite the fact that the construction industry already pays well compared to other occupations with similar educational requirements,

construction wages are increasing. In April 2023, median weekly earnings for full-time construction and extraction occupations reached an all-time high of $982. That figure is up 7.6% from one year prior (compared to an inflation rate of 4.9% over the same time period), and a sign of the growing demand for skilled workers in the construction industry.

However, when looking at the fiveyear period ending in 2022 – the latest

year for which more granular occupationspecific data is available – wages in the construction industry failed to keep pace with inflation. At the national level, across all construction and extraction occupations, mean wages actually fell by 2.0% after accounting for rising living costs.

Some locations are better than others for construction workers. States with a strong union presence or prevailing wage laws tend to have the highest wages.

Most of these locations are found in Northeastern and Western states. Illinois leads the nation with a cost-of-living adjusted mean annual wage of $73,226 in 2022, followed by Massachusetts ($70,846), Alaska ($69,974), and Hawaii ($68,756). In contrast, many of the lowest-paying states are found in the South, including the bottom three states for construction occupations: Florida ($47,412), Arkansas ($49,494), and South Carolina ($49,876).

In terms of wage growth, the Mountain West region saw some of the largest wage gains in the construction industry. New Mexico (+25.9%), Nevada (+23.0%), Idaho (+22.6%), Utah (+21.6%), and Montana (+19.0%) all rank in the top 10 for their increases in mean wages for construction workers from 2017 to 2022. The recent population growth in Mountain West states has likely contributed to increased demand for construction workers to build the housing and infrastructure needed to accommodate the increase in residents.

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Northern New England DECCO Announces Opening of High Purity Processing Facility Nashua, NH – DECCO, Inc. announced the opening of its new High Purity Processing Facility in Nashua. The state-of-the-art facility offers a range of services aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and compliance with regulatory standards for various industries.

The 2,100sf facility offers in-house clean for O2 and passivation services.

These services involve the thorough cleaning of oxygen enriched systems or passivation of any system parts or piping utilizing DECCO’s state-of-theart, validate clean for O2 skid. Once cleaned, the items are sealed, packaged, and returned to the owner, accompanied by a full Clean for O2 Certification or passivation report. DECCO’s Cleaning for Oxygen Service procedure specifications are certified to satisfy cleaning for oxygen service ASTM G93 and CGA G-4.1.

To further support bio-pharmaceutical

turnover package documentation review.

DECCO also provides services such as verifying existing system conditions, maintaining as-built drawings, developing comprehensive bill of materials for spare

DECCO High Purity Processing Facility

facilities and engineering groups, DECCO provides specialized maintenance programs and facility staff augmentation focused on cGMP maintenance strategies, maintenance plan execution, and qualified technician assistance to ensure optimal performance within a client’s facility or engineering group. Moreover,

DEW Hires Two, Promotes Three Williston, VT – DEW Construction recently announced two new hires and three promotions within the firm.

Justin DePasquale has been hired as assistant project manager. He brings over 17 years of industry experience and is proficient in all aspects of project management. Prior to joining DEW Construction, he established his own construction company in Rhode Island, specializing in constructing recreation centers for several years. He is currently helping to oversee the management of the South Burlington School District – Zero Energy Modular Classroom project in South Burlington. Additionally, he is assisting in managing several projects currently active at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. Patrick Turnbull has been hired as superintendent. He has over a decade of experience overseeing commercial and federal construction projects. He has worked extensively with the U.S. Air Force, Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Navy. Turnbull’s previous roles include working as a property manager, project manager, and quality control manager, and as a superintendent for various federal projects. He is currently on-site at The Marek, supervising the construction of a 235K GSF multi-family housing complex in Lebanon, N.H. Matt Cadiuex has been promoted from superintendent to senior superintendent.

He is currently overseeing the construction of Building M, a 252,000 GSF, multifamily housing development called Cambrian Rise, located in Burlington.

Scott Speyers has been promoted from

an additional offering of DECCO’s Clean Utilities Service Program (CUSP) is its newly developed “Certified Systems” service which provides maintenance for validated piping system that keeps critical process piping systems in compliance with governing FDA, BPE, and cGMP standards throughout their lifecycle. The scheduled audit includes operational performance checks, internal inspection of installed piping systems, passivation plans, review and update of process system electronic files, slope verification, on-site training of client personnel, engineering shakedowns and test runs assistance, and

part inventory management, and offering support during regulatory agency audits.

“We are thrilled to open our new High Purity Processing Facility in Nashua,” said Kyle Reagan, CEO. “This facility reflects our commitment to delivering top-notch engineering and maintenance services to our clients. With our extensive range ofofferings, we are confident that DECCO will continue to be a trusted partner in the life sciences and research industries.”

THE LINCOLN LOFTS BIDDEFORD, ME DePasquale

Turnbull

Cadieux

Speyers

superintendent to senior superintendent.

He recently completed the redevelopment of the 117,000sf, former Connor Homes manufacturing facility in Middlebury, which has Langlois been converted into an indoor hemp cultivation and manufacturing facility. He is currently supervising the construction of a renovation project at Charlotte Central School in Vermont.

Tom Langlois has been promoted from foreman to assistant superintendent. He is currently assisting in the supervision of the new construction of the 34,000 GSF Williston Public Safety Facility in Vermont.

COMMERCIAL FRAMING & DRYWALL

Photo by Chinburg Properties MANCHESTER, NH 603-668-2648

PORTLAND, ME 207-887-9065

WESTPORT, MA 508-938-9708

METROWALLS.NET

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Restoration and Renovation Universal Provides 800 Historic Replica Windows for Lofts at 25 Canal Allenstown, NH – Brady Sullivan Properties recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of “Lofts at 25 Canal,” a former textile mill building that was converted into 150 luxury apartments. Universal Window and Door provided approximately 800 custom historic replica windows from its DoubleHung 400 Series for the adaptive reuse of the complex.

The former China Mill building, located 1,000 feet from the Merrimack River, was built in 1868. Using waterpower from the Suncook River to fuel its textile machinery, the mill employed over 800 workers and turned out 330,000 yards of cloth per week by the late 1800s. The renovated mill now includes a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom marketrate apartment homes, with 130 units in the main building, a dozen townhouses, and eight additional apartments in the supplemental buildings.

Amenities include a state-of-the-art theatre room, indoor putting green, on-site fitness center, game room, community room, and a rooftop deck.

“We have proudly renovated more than two dozen historic mills over the

Lofts at 25 Canal / Photo by Heather Bronson Photography

last three decades,” said Arthur Sullivan of Brady Sullivan Properties. “Working with a company like Universal Window has allowed us to restore the building’s integrity with new replica windows while elevating the beauty of the property within the community.”

Universal Window has long been a go-to custom window manufacturer for Brady Sullivan and its historic adaptive re-use of mill buildings throughout

New England, including Pacific Mills in Lawerence, Mass.; American Wire Residential Lofts in Pawtucket, R.I.; and The Lofts at Lancaster Mill in Clinton, Mass., winner of the Paul E. Tsongas Historic Preservation Award

by Preservation Massachusetts. Brady Sullivan owns and manages an extensive portfolio of apartment communities throughout New England, specializing in loft apartments within renovated historic

mill buildings.

“Universal appreciates being part of the team that delivered such a high-quality residential complex as The Lofts at 25 Canal,” said Jim Finn, president and CEO of Universal Window and Door. “The common trait that our team members share at Universal is a passion for helping our customers realize their vision for their projects, and this project is a testament to that commitment.”

NY School Utilizes Anchoring System

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New York – CINTEC North America announced that its anchors were used as the anchoring system for the replacement windows at the PS-41 School in the Bronx.

P.S. 41 is a co-educational public school for grades 1-5. Its mission is to “nurture and serve every child to be productive citizens while reaching their highest potential.”

The original windows in the building needed to be replaced. It was discovered that backup for the proposed face brick was speed tile, and there was concern

about an effective anchor that was still sympathetic to the fragility of the speed tile units.

Cintec was originally specified by Sen Architects as the anchoring system for the replacement windows. Sen architects had specified Cintec in the past for similar school projects. However, a resin anchor was considered, tested, and failed. Cintec anchors (fire rating exceeds ATME 119) were tested, and consequently, used to complete the project. A total of 1000 anchors were used.

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Trends and Hot Topics Safeguarding Your Construction Projects:

The Significance of Certificates and Pollution Coverage in Insurance

By Girard R. Visconti Typically, contractors and subcontractors carry Workers’ Compensation coverage, automobile liability, and commercial general liability, which includes products/ completed operations, contractual liability, umbrella and other coverages.

Ordinarily, general liability insurance coverage may exclude pollution coverage.

Therefore, contractors and subcontractors should consider adding pollution coverage

to their package of insurance. For example, if a contractor or subcontractor is working on a mechanical system and for some reason oil “spills” from oil lines and damages or infiltrates into subgrades, flooring, carpets, water, etc., that damage may not be covered unless the contractor or subcontractor carried pollution insurance.

Therefore, in the event that any of your work may involve oil, gas, asbestos, demolition, blasting, spraying, etc. where “pollutants” are used or your scope of work includes any contact with oil, gas, etc., it may be prudent to carry pollution coverage.

It is imperative to have your insurance agent review your insurance needs per your specific scope of work. “Certificates

of Insurance” are commonplace in construction contracts which is “proof” of coverage of a contractor or a subcontractor. Certificates of Insurance, when received, should be reviewed in detail, including types of coverage, limits

of liability, expiration dates, etc.

It is important to have the party who is requesting coverage to be named as an “additional insured,” since in the event of a lawsuit against the requesting party, that party will mostly likely be defended by the vendor’s insurance carrier, if there is in fact coverage. All Certificates of Insurance should have an “additional insured endorsement” attached to the certificate for proof of additional coverage.

In addition, office staff should review the certificates periodically to determine whether or not the expiration date is close at hand and if that is the case, request a revised certificate.

Girard R. Visconti, Esq. is partner at Savage Law Partners, LLP.

Fast-track Construction Provides a School with a New Fire Protection System

By James Barron The Challenge & Reach Academy in Worcester, Mass. is a public school whose mission is to improve the college and career readiness of a small population of students in grades 7-12 that benefit from additional assistance. The school is in a very tight urban residential neighborhood, with very little off-street parking and surrounded by triple-deckers.

As part of a continuous process of bringing the academy’s 126-year-old building up to code, the addition of the building’s first fire sprinkler system was next in line after the recent installation of a new ADA-accessible elevator. A plan to design and install a new system, along with an electrical system update, was then put in place, but funding issues, along with the Covid-19 lockdown, delayed those plans.

Once those obstacles – and Covid – were finally overcome this past spring, the City of Worcester reached out to Weston & Sampson through the city’s house doctor program to design and provide a new sprinkler system for the 16,500sf, 3-story building. In addition

The Challenge

Reach Academy in Worcester, Mass. recei ed its first e er fire protection system in time for school this fall.

to a very tight budget with no wiggle room for unplanned changes, the new fire protection and accompanying electrical systems had to be installed and operational in an eight-week “fast-track construction” schedule, between the end of the school year in June and the beginning of the new school year at the end of August.

Adding to the project’s complexity was that school staff and administration were in the building during the entire project, so their health and safety had to be taken into consideration.

After conducting a survey of the academy building, the team located and designed a dedicated fire protection service room to house the meters and the

electrical system and valves.

Because it was the building’s first sprinkler system, the team also had to remove parts of the walls and ceilings to add new pipes and sprinklers. As you can imagine with a building of this vintage, asbestos had to be fully abated in all the areas where we were working, adding yet another wrinkle to an already challenging project. This included cutting access holes and patching and painting them once the new equipment was installed and tested.

The team also designed and installed a new water line from the street to the building. Finally, the team connected the new sprinkler system to the existing fire alarm system, as required by code.

When all was said and done, by the time school started in August, the city and the building could boast a new fire protection system in accordance with NFPA 13. The team, including the city, were able to get the entire building equipped with a new fire protection system on time and under budget so that the school’s students now have a safe building to attend and can concentrate more on grades rather than their own safety.

James Barron is a construction manager and senior job captain in Weston & Sampson’s Foxborough, Mass. office. e can be reached at barron wseinc.com.

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Organizations and Events Industry Leaders Discuss State of CRE at Inaugural HPMG Event

Anastasia Barnes moderated the panel hich included l r Marci Griffith Loeber, Amanda Strong, and athleen Mac eil

by Mike Hoban On Sept. 20, High-Profile Media Group (HPMG) held its first-ever panel discussion, Trends Impacting Commercial Real Estate, at the newly-opened Winthrop Center in Boston, the largest Passive Housecertified office building in the world. The discussion was moderated by Anastasia Barnes, owner and CEO of HPMG, and featured an all-women panel that included Kathleen MacNeil, principal at MP Boston; Marci Griffith Loeber, managing principal at Griffith Properties; and Amanda Strong, director of asset management at MIT Investment Management Company (MITIMCo). The panel shared their thoughts on a variety of topics, including the effect that the stalled return to the office is having on the CRE market, challenges with incorporating energy efficiency and resilience measures into buildings in the face of a warming planet, and what the future holds for the industry.

Griffith Loeber cited the “debt markets and the lack of liquidity” as the biggest hurdle facing the industry in Boston today and noted that it has only worsened as the year has gone on. Lenders are postponing lending decisions until 2024, “and that’s a big problem if you’re trying to buy or refinance something,” she said.

Strong agreed, stating that the liquidity crisis has negatively impacted MITIMCo’s life science and office portfolios. “In the past, when smaller life science companies got a capital infusion, they would be quick to lease up new space and expand and hire more employees,” she said. “But because of the unknowns of the market, I think people

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are just being more conservative.” Like most office owners, Strong is waiting for the return to the office to gain momentum and believes that people will eventually want to come back, particularly to buildings rich in amenities and food options.

Griffith Loeber said she is seeing signs of increased occupancy in suburban properties. “The parking lots are fuller, but it’s definitely a tale of two buildings. If you have the amenities and a nicer building, they tend to fare better,” she said. “I think the younger generation doesn’t know what they’re missing, and it’s exciting to see more and more companies mandate coming back and actually enforcing it.”

MacNeil expressed concern about the fate of the office market, particularly with loans coming due for building owners and tenants either failing to renew or downsizing their office space. “But it’s not all doom and gloom,” she said. “I think that there could be some great opportunities… there is still an amazing demand for residential, and that’s not going away. We are just too supply-constrained.”

Despite the headwinds, the panelists remained optimistic about the future of the CRE market. “It’s going to be difficult in the next several years, but there’s going to be some wonderful opportunities,” MacNeil emphasized.

“We made it through 9/11…we made it through COVID, and we made it through the supply chain issues. We will make it through this next challenge and come out with new and innovative ideas… and it’s going to be exciting.”

Mi e oban co ers AEC and real estate industry ne s in e England.

Anastasia Barnes

Panelists for the e ent l r Marci Griffith Loeber, athleen Mac eil, and Amanda Strong

Post e ent net or ing

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Trends and Hot Topics Ask the Electrician:

Arc Flash - What It Is, Why It Happens and How to Prevent It provide recommendations for mitigating those hazards.

Here are the general steps involved in performing an arc flash study:

By Brian Leborgne You have probably seen warning labels about arc flashes on electrical equipment, but do you know what an arc flash actually is?

An arc flash is when electric current leaves its intended path rather than flowing along the intended conductive path. “Arc” is used to describe electricity moving through the air between two points.

Have you ever gotten a shock when you touched a light switch or a doorknob – that is an arc. Lightning is an arc too, just on a significantly larger and more dangerous scale.

When dealing with high-energy electrical equipment, an unexpected arc causes the release of electrical energy in the form of heat and pressure — essentially, an explosion. Arc flashes are caused by many factors, some being: equipment failure, worn or loose connections, dust, gaps in insulation, corrosion, condensation, faulty installation or even dropping tools. Because none of these factors are inherently predictable, anyone working on electrical equipment must always be aware of the risks and adhere to NFPA guidelines to avoid working on live equipment and in fire-proof electric rooms. This risk awareness is where arc flash warning labels come in.

These warning labels give key information about that specific piece of electrical equipment, usually including voltage, various safety boundaries and guidance on safety gear required. With this information, not only is the general public warned of the danger, but an electrician is able to determine the precautions and level of protection necessary before commencing any work on equipment.

Gathering the necessary information to calculate arc flash risk is no easy task.

In theory, if a building has up-to-date schematics and design documents, those would give some guidance. But in many cases (especially in New England with older buildings), that documentation does not exist or has not been properly updated.

Once data has been updated, electrical engineers can perform an arc flash study.

This study is a comprehensive analysis of the electrical system to determine the potential for arc flash hazards and to

• Gather Information: The first step in performing an arc flash study is to gather information about the electrical system, including equipment data, system configuration and operating conditions.

• Create a One-Line Diagram: A one-line diagram is a graphical representation of the electrical system that shows the flow of power and the location of equipment.

This diagram is used to identify the electrical system’s components and their interconnections.

• Calculate Fault Currents: Fault currents are the currents that flow through the electrical system when a fault occurs.

These currents are calculated using the one-line diagram and equipment data.

• Determine Protective Device Settings: Protective devices, such as circuit breakers and fuses, are designed to interrupt the flow of current when a fault occurs. The settings of these devices are determined based on the calculated fault currents.

• Perform Arc Flash Calculations: Arc flash calculations are performed to determine the potential for arc flash hazards at each piece of equipment in the electrical system. These calculations take into account the available fault current, protective device settings and other factors.

• Label Equipment: Once the arc flash calculations are complete, equipment is labeled with the appropriate arc flash hazard information, including the incident energy level and the required personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Provide Recommendations: Based on the results of the arc flash study, recommendations are provided for mitigating arc flash hazards. These recommendations may include changes to protective device settings, equipment upgrades or changes to operating procedures.

• Review and Update: An arc flash study should be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure that it remains accurate and up-to-date with any changes to the electrical system.

Overall, an arc flash study is a complex process that requires specialized knowledge and expertise. Arc flash studies, warning labels and proper precautions are increasingly required by property owners and insurance providers.

All electrical equipment in a facility adds liability for the owners, and it is always

in the best interest of everyone involved to make sure the appropriate knowledge is shared to prevent any harm or hazards from happening.

Performing an arc flash study before and during construction of a facility can also help mitigate unnecessary costs and incidents by making sure each piece of equipment can handle the potential load and will function properly in the case of equipment fault in the system.

It is important to work with a qualified electrical engineer to ensure that the study is performed correctly and that the recommendations are appropriate for your specific electrical system.

Arc flash risk mitigation should

extend after the study is completed. It is recommended that arc flash hazard analysis be added to your preventive maintenance schedule. This analysis is performed by electricians who use thermal diagnostic imaging and infrared technology to identify hot spots which could potentially result in an arc flash.

Arc flash studies and preventive maintenance are indispensable aspects of electrical safety to prevent serious injuries and damage. Don’t take the risk – take preventative measures to prevent arc flashes.

Brian Leborgne is service manager at Interstate Electrical Services Corporation.

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Trends and Hot Topics

Rightsizing Your Construction Company’s Financial Management Software consider a cloud-based solution.

Know Your Needs

By Bill Constantopoulos As your construction business grows, your needs change. This holds particularly true for financial management systems.

As operations expand, basic financial software is no longer adequate to meet growing needs. Here’s how to “rightsize” your financial management software.

Recognize the Signs

• Inefficiencies: If you spend significant time on manual data entry and reconciliations, or resort to multiple software programs and spreadsheets to fill gaps, you need a more robust system.

• Lack of Advanced Features: If you could use features like advanced reporting, multi-entity management, or integration with other business systems that your current software doesn’t offer, it is time for an upgrade.

• Limited Accessibility: If you need access from multiple job sites or on mobile devices, you may want to

Analyze your workflows and identify bottlenecks and pain points for current and future needs.

• Project Accounting and Management: Gain access to project costing to track costs and revenue for specific projects, and progressive billing to keep the cash flowing.

• Time and Expense Management: Employees should be able to log their time and expenses, a critical measure for construction projects that are timesensitive and require detailed expense tracking.

• Financial Visibility: React to problems and take advantage of opportunities with real-time dashboards that can include KPIs important to construction management. Customizable reporting options make it easier to view financial metrics by project, location, or other dimensions critical to operations.

• Compliance and Auditing: Someone is always going to be looking over your shoulder. Make sure your software will keep you compliant with GAAP standards and create a trackable audit trail for both internal checks and external audits.

• Integration: Your accounting software should integrate with the software tools commonly used in the construction industry like project management software, HR systems, and inventory management solutions.

• Scalability: If your construction company has more than one project going on at the same time, advanced financial software allows you to track across projects and scale up (or down) as needed. Part of this scalability is having a cloud-based system for access any time, from anywhere.

• Collaboration: Give various team members different levels of access, based on their roles, making it easier to collaborate on financial matters without compromising security.

Explore Available Alternatives

There are many accounting software packages available in the market tailored for mid-sized and growth-oriented construction companies, including Sage Intacct, Procore, or Fieldwire. Here’s what to look for while exploring these alternatives: • Scalability: Your new system should grow with your business, be flexible and scalable, offering additional modules or features as your business needs expand.

• Integration: The software should seamlessly integrate with your other business systems, such as CRM, inventory management, and HR software.

• Customization: The software should be customizable to suit your unique business requirements.

• Cloud-based solution: A cloud-based solution allows you to access your data anywhere, anytime.

• Support and Training: Vendors should provide robust support and training, ensuring a smooth transition from QuickBooks or another basic program.

Engage a Consultant

Outgrowing your financial software is a sign that your construction business is flourishing. Embrace the change and equip your business with the tools it needs to continue to thrive. Engaging an integration consultant who is familiar with the construction industry and its requirements can guide you through the process, ensure data integrity, provide training, and help customize the software to your needs.

Bill Constantopoulos is a partner leading the Sage Intacct & Advisory Practice Group at Gray, Gray & Gray.

He can be reached at (781) 407-0300 or po erofmore gggllp.com.

The Impact of Inflation on the Construction Industry:

5 Strategies for Navigating Uncertain Times

by Carmine Cimetti

Rising Costs Leaving Some Projects Underinsured

Despite the prospect of growth thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the U.S. construction sector is still grappling with numerous challenges.

Persistent inflation, along with escalating labor, fuel and material costs, has led to significant budget increases, with some projects experiencing cost hikes of up to 20% overall. The rapid rise in interest rates further dampened the industry’s growth during the first half of 2023.

Acquiring the necessary construction materials and equipment results in limited inventories and, now with a significant shortage of expertise, potential project delays, contingencies, extended schedules and ultimately, added project costs. Even as the materials markets have appeared to stabilize, the cost of construction materials remains considerably elevated, upwards of 5% compared to 2022.

The construction industry’s ongoing challenges have led to tighter profit margins and an upswing in insurance costs. These challenges have been exacerbated by the record number of extreme weather events in recent years, resulting in catastrophic property losses. Builder’s risk insurance rates have surged by 30% over the past two years, with no clear indication of returning to pre-pandemic levels. Similarly, liability insurance costs for construction projects have nearly quadrupled during the same period.

For large-scale projects, particularly those in catastrophe-prone areas such as condominium construction, and construction conversion projects, insurance costs that previously accounted for approximately 2% of the total project cost recently surged to 8% or more.

It has also been noted that high inflation and increased construction costs are also leaving some projects

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underinsured mid-build.

Supply chain disruptions and potential project delays have made some construction underwriters cautious, and some insurance carriers are now more reluctant to assume the entire risk for a project. Unlike the past, when a single insurer would underwrite a large-scale project, it now often requires multiple carriers to provide the same level of coverage.

Project managers and owners grappling with rising costs based on conceptual estimates schedules are now faced with significant delays and face an increased risk of being underinsured. While some seek to mitigate these exposures through insurance, carriers are increasingly hesitant to extend buffers for claims.

Five Strategies for Success

Economic forces have made it increasingly difficult to predict costs and timelines for building projects. In light of these uncertainties, contractors can no

longer rely solely on traditional project management approaches. To ensure the survival and success of your business in this dynamic environment, contractors should consider the following strategies: 1. Prioritize risk management. Given the prevailing market conditions, construction firms must prioritize risk management to position themselves as a bestin-class risk. Developing comprehensive risk management plans for jobsites and investing in mitigation technology can be instrumental. This includes the use of products designed to prevent common issues, such as treated wood to mitigate fire risk or environmental monitoring and alert systems to address water leakage, temperature fluctuations in addition to changes in relative humidity/moisture levels. The implementation of these measures has been viewed favorably by most carriers and can potentially lead to insurance rate discounts. continued to page 43

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Philanthropy Charitable Foundation Continues Tradition of Community Support

Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity Corporate Build

Farmington, CT – The KBE Foundation continued its mission of community support this past summer, from baiting hooks at the Special Olympics fishing derby to dishing BBQ lunch to veterans and their families to swinging hammers for Habitat for Humanity.

The KBE Foundation is a registered nonprofit charitable organization established in affiliation with the KBE Building Corporation to continue KBE’s long history of philanthropic giving. The foundation provides financial support and volunteer staff for charitable events throughout the year. To date, KBE’s

5 Strategies for Navigating Uncertain Times continued from page 42 2. Focus on valuations. Accurate valuations are critical not only for construction projects but also for equipment.

Contractors making equipment purchases must contend with rising inflation, supply chain delays and fluctuating conversion rates.

Careful review of all contracts and close collaboration with brokers can help ensure that valuations and associated insurance coverages remain accurate. This is most effective when viewed in real time: i.e., when equipment is being considered for purchase, and at a minimum annually, prior to renewal.

3. Attract and retain your workforce.

Consider offering cost-effective benefits that can help attract and retain workers.

While competitive pay remains crucial, health plans and financial wellness programs may be particularly appealing to the younger generation of workers.

Employers should work closely with their brokers and take a deeper dive into the demographics of their workforces; the traditional “one size-fits-all” approach is no longer in play; a solid demographic analysis will identify gaps in a program which support a more diverse workforce in addition to addressing the needs of an employee population.

4. Consider 3-D printed materials. 3D

printing technology is playing a pivotal role in manufacturing pre-fabricated components for buildings, bridges and highways, offering the potential to save up to 70% in construction time and 80% in labor costs.

5. Choose the right partner. Collaborate with a knowledgeable broker who understands your specific needs and can assist in developing a robust risk mitigation strategy. Such a strategy should help secure the best coverage options while reducing the overall cost of risk.

There is no doubt the construction industry faces a complex, changing landscape characterized by inflation, supply chain disruptions, a shortage in expertise, and economic uncertainty.

Contractors must proactively adapt their strategies to successfully navigate these challenges by prioritizing risk management, demonstrating their reliability to insurers, ensuring accurate valuations, addressing workforce needs and partnering with knowledgeable experts. By enhancing their resilience, construction firms can thrive — yes, even in these challenging times.

Carmine Cimetti is vice president in the construction specialty group at insurance bro erage ub nternational e England.

Special Olympics Fishing Tournament

charitable focus has provided more than $4 million in community support since 2009.

The foundation’s latest endeavors include a corporate build for the Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics annual Unified Fishing Tournament, and its annual Veterans Lunch at the Connecticut VA Medical Center.

For the Habitat project, a team of seven KBE Building Corporation staff joined with a Habitat leader on July 20 to help build out the lower level of a 2-story home in Hartford. The Habitat program engages families in need of housing to provide “sweat equity” in the construction of a family home and relies on volunteer support to help fund and provide construction services for each project.

In August, a group of 15 KBE

staff and their families headed to the Farmington Polo Grounds in Farmington to support the Special Olympics Unified Fishing Tournament. KBE was the founding sponsor for the event, now in its sixth year. The fishing tournament draws Special Olympians from around the country. The KBE team was on hand once again to work with the athletes on all aspects of fishing, from baiting hooks to shouting encouragement when someone hooks a fish.

In September, the foundation continued its tradition of serving lunch to veterans and their families, along with staff, at the state-run Veterans Center in Newington. At its fourth annual event on Sept. 21, KBE volunteers served over 200 veterans and their family members and facilities staff with a lunch catered by Mission BBQ.

Veteran’s Center Mission BB Lunch

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Awards MJ Daly Receives Top Workplace Award for 2023

l r Paul E on, VP ire Protection Ed Car alho, president and an elson, VP Mechanical

Waterbury, CT – The Hearst Connecticut Top Workplaces have awarded MJ Daly, LLC a Top Workplaces 2023 award.

The list is based solely

on employee feedback from a thirdparty survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization,

Ed Car alho addresses craft or ers at the

including alignment, execution, and connection.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage

College Street pro ect in e

a en, Conn.

CEO. “That’s something to be proud of.

In today’s market, leaders must ensure employees have a voice and be heard.

That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

ABC Recognizes Construction Firm with Diamond STEP Award

Rendering of Piper in or al , Conn., the site of BE’s th S A safety training partnership.

Farmington, CT – KBE Building Corporation’s Safety Program has been recognized for the second year with the Diamond STEP award by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and invited to participate in an eighth OSHA Safety Training Partnership. In addition, the firm’s safety team reports it has been finding great success in further improving safety performance on its job sites through its “KBE 10 Hour” safety certification program.

This is KBE’s second year in a row earning ABC’s Diamond-level recognition, which is based on the firm’s

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exemplary record of low accident rates on its jobsites. KBE has consistently been recognized over the last 25 years with Platinum and Gold STEP awards.

KBE’s safety record has also earned the firm its eighth invitation-only Safety Training Partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bridgeport Area Office and the Connecticut Department of Labor Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CONN-OSHA) On-Site Consultation Program. This newest partnership is underway at Piper, the new multi-unit luxury residences in Norwalk. KBE is managing

BE’s Adam Moore teaches one of the BE

the construction for owner TB Norwalk Apartments, LLC. The project encompasses 855,882sf, which will include a 6-story cast-in-place and wood-framed residential component, street-level retail, and a five-level, 589-car precast parking garage. All eight of KBE’s Safety Training Partnerships are part of OSHA’s nationwide Strategic Partnership Program (SPP), which develops contractor/government partnerships that will encourage involvement of trade contractors and their field staff in the improvement of safety and health performance.

KBE’s Safety department, under the

our classes to staff.

leadership of Adam Peters, the firm’s corporate safety director, is always in pursuit of ways to continually improve safety performance and safety education on the company’s job sites and for its project management staff. To that end, Peters initiated a new, mandatory training course for all KBE superintendents, project managers, and project executives called the KBE 10 Hour. The course goes beyond the standard OSHA 10 Hour safety certification.

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People Metro Walls Welcomes Taylor

Chiofaro Adds Four

Manchester, NH – Metro Walls HR policies and procedures, and serve as a valuable resource for recently announced that Risa all employees.

Taylor joined the team as director Taylor will be based out of the of HR and people operations.

Manchester office, and will work In this role, Taylor will closely with the management oversee the company’s people team to help further develop operations and will be responsiMetro Walls’ employee programs, ble for managing all aspects of benefits, experiences, and culture. the human resource department.

Taylor She joins Metro Walls with over a She will manage the company’s employee decade of experience working as a human training and development program, exresource professional, and she holds many pand upon its recruitment and retention certifications in the human resource field. strategy, oversee the enforcement of all

Boston – The Chiofaro Company has announced four new additions to the team.

Earlier this year, Chiofaro Company announced a $100 million transformative reinvestment in International Place, a 1.8 million sq. ft. office complex in Boston’s downtown. Don Chiofaro Jr., vice president of The Chiofaro Company, said, “Our approach to managing and operating International Place is grounded in personal and collaborative engagement with our tenants to deliver truly the best value, and this team will help make it happen.”

Ryan Barrett will join the Leasing Team as a leasing associate. He will be responsible for leasing office space across the portfolio, including International Place. He will work with existing and prospective tenants on leases and ensuring their working environments support their growth and advancement.

Prior to joining the company, Barrett was a leasing representative at David S. Brown Enterprises.

Katherine Shields will join The Chiofaro Company as a marketing associate, supporting the leasing and programming efforts of the team at International Place and across The Chiofaro Company’s portfolio. Prior to joining the team, she managed marketing efforts for several hospitality and residential businesses in Georgia.

At the beginning of this year, The Chiofaro Company also welcomed

Nuzrat Joins Dietz & Company Architects Springfield, MA – Dietz & Last spring, she received the AIA Company Architects, Inc. Medal for Academic Excellence, recently welcomed Soniha which is awarded annually to Nuzrat to the firm in the role of the top graduating students architectural associate. In her in National Architectural role, she will assist project teams Accrediting Board (NAAB) throughout all phases of design. accredited degree programs.

Nuzrat recently received her Master of of Architecture Prior to pursuing her Master uzrat degree from Miami University of Architecture, Nuzrat earned in Ohio where she completed her thesis her Bachelor of Architecture degree from on evaluating cross-cultural courtyard Bangladesh University of Engineering housing for social well-being in & Technology. She also worked on a Manhattan. As evidenced by her thesis, variety of projects for architecture firms Nuzrat has a particular interest and specializes in community-based design. in Bangladesh.

Architect Michael R. Davis Retires also helping write the AIA’s Boston – Architect Michael R. Davis, FAIA, LEED AP, who Climate Action Plan. spent over 40 years at design In 2013, he was elected collaborative Bergmeyer, has president of the Boston Society of retired.

Architects (BSA) and appointed Most recently serving as chair of the board of trustees of Bergmeyer’s first-ever director of the BSA Foundation from 2015 corporate social responsibility, to 2016.

Davis joined the firm in May of In his retirement, Davis Davis 1984 and was made a principal will continue to provide expert witness by 1992, serving in key leadership roles services in support of architects’ throughout his tenure as vice president professional liability defense through from 2001-2015 and president from 2016his new solo practice, Mike Davis FAIA 2021. Representatives of the firm say LLC. Davis was instrumental in creating key partnerships with organizations focused “It is with great pride that we celebrate on creating opportunities for young Mike Davis’ remarkable career and people of diverse backgrounds to explore legacy, one so impactfully influential that careers in design. it will be felt throughout the architecture Davis’ contributions in the architecture and design industry for generations to industry include his work with the come,” said Bergmeyer president, Rachel American Institute of Architects (AIA), Zsembery, AIA, LEED AP BD+C. “His serving as an advocate for sustainable leadership as an advocate for progressive public policy and design excellence evolution and climate positive impact in the public realm. In 2020, he was within Bergmeyer, the City of Boston, appointed to the AIA’s board of directors’ and the global architectural design Government Advocacy Committee community has paved the way for our (GAC), contributing to the AIA’s first public policy platform document while collective future.“

Barrett

Shields

Labud

Almeida

Jesicka Labud as senior project manager.

She is overseeing and directing all tenant improvement build outs from lease inception to move-in, coordinating all aspects of design and construction for tenants as well as building capital improvements. She is also part of the Lobby renovation project management team at International Place. As a project manager, Labud brings more than 17 years of experience in the AEC fields.

Chiofaro also welcomed Mario Almeida as assistant controller, maintaining accounting operations and financial reporting functions.

Warner Larson Promotes Gramolini Boston – Warner Larson Landscape Architects announced that Allison Gramolini has been promoted to project manager.

Representatives of the firm say that, with over five years in the profession after earning a Master of Landscape Architecture, Gramolini is making a positive impact on the company’s community-oriented park, school and housing projects through her engaging and thorough process.

Gramolini

Marcus Partners Welcomes Leurini fund operations.

Boston – Marcus Partners “Gwen brings a broad range announced that Gwen Leurini of experience to our firm, gained has joined the firm as principal, across the commercial real estate chief financial officer, and chief and investment fields,” said compliance officer. She will also Patrick Sousa, chief operating serve on the firm’s Management officer and head of capital at Committee and chair the Marcus Partners. “Her work will Compliance & Risk Committee. enhance our ability to deliver on Leurini joins Marcus Leurini our commitments to drive strong investor Partners after 17 years with AEW Capital value and create a strong organizational Management, where she most recently culture.” served as senior vice president/head of

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High-Profile: People

46

ReArch Adds Two, Promotes Two

Per ins

Ose

South Burlington, VT – ReArch Company announced it recently welcomed Josh Perkins as assistant superintendent and Ryan Ose as senior project engineer.

Additionally, Nicole Benton has been promoted to project manager and Matt Moulton was promoted to assistant superintendent.

Perkins joins ReArch with over seven years of experience leading construction projects across Virginia, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Prior to joining the firm, he worked as a project manager/superintendent at Cold River Bridges LLC, where he honed his skills in overseeing successful construction ventures. He has a strong background in industrial mechanics and welding, and served for four years in the United States Marine Corps.

Ose’s experience includes contract administration, submittal review, document control, and change order management, in addition to a strong knowledge of subcontractor bidding and construction documentation. In his role, Ose works closely with ReArch project managers, ensuring smooth communication between field staff and the design team. He assists in the planning and coordinating of construction activities to ensure that the goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed time frame and funding parameters.

Benton started with ReArch in July of 2021 as an assistant project manager.

Benton

Sasaki Welcomes Nandi

Moulton

Representatives of the firm say that, since then, her journey with ReArch has been nothing short of exceptional, marked by her tireless work ethic and unwavering commitment to the success of the OnLogic Project, and that she has exhibited remarkable proficiency in submittal & RFI management, consistently engaging in intricate design-related discussions with key stakeholders to navigate complex challenges successfully. As a project manager, she will play a vital role in optimizing project execution, ensuring seamless coordination across teams. Recently, Benton spearheaded the initiative to bring the National Association of Women in Construction to Vermont, and she says she is dedicated to shaping a brighter future for ReArch and the industry at large.

Moulton joined ReArch in August of 2022 as a carpenter and was promoted to foreman shortly after that. The firm’s representatives say that, in just over a year, he has demonstrated what true dedication and a positive attitude can achieve, and that his growth is inspiring, from leading a single framing crew to providing direction and coaching for all crews. In his new role, Moulton shares the responsibility for delivering every project on time, within budget, and according to established quality standards. He works closely with superintendents to manage onsite logistics and communication with the team.

TOCCI Welcomes McCarthy as COO Woburn, MA – Construction “Kevin is coming on board Management firm TOCCI at a pivotal point in TOCCI’s announces the appointment company life as we position of Kevin McCarthy as chief ourselves for robust growth,” said operating officer.

CEO John Tocci. “He is a real McCarthy brings over 30 builder and brings exceptional years of dynamic construction technical knowledge, but most experience having held roles importantly, he is a powerful from estimating to project McCarthy leader and advisor. He brings management and president and great balance to our team and deep value CEO. Previously, he held positions at for clients and partners.”

Clark Construction, PC Construction and The firm’s representatives say Suffolk.

McCarthy’s experience in spearheading McCarthy will champion the firm large scale, national projects will be in taking on broader execution of critical to TOCCI’s growing portfolio, projects including expanding TOCCI’s and that his expertise throughout public Project Rescuesm program, diversifying and private sectors is instrumental to the TOCCI’s project portfolio, and increasing operational efficiency. firm’s future endeavors.

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October 2023

research environments.

Boston – Rishi Nandi, AIA, LEED AP, is joining Sasaki Nandi’s project expertise in as an associate principal in science and technology spans architecture to lead the firm’s across commercial and academic science and technology practice. sectors from planning through A licensed architect, implementation. Nandi’s work Nandi brings over 20 years of focuses on making highly experience conducting research technical spaces that meet space planning for academic andi institutions and creating stakeholder needs, facilitate built work for both institutional and research, and that people want to work in. commercial clients.

Nandi’s experience and research At Sasaki, Nandi will lead the firm’s contributes to a holistic understanding of science and technology practice across client needs, from the regulatory climate, the project lifecycle from space utilization deferred maintenance, and financial and optimization, to programming risk exposure, to workplace amenities and conceptual analysis, to the design and implementation of buildings and that draw employees in and integrate interior environments. He will work research facilities comfortably into the collaboratively as part of Sasaki’s communities they serve, to operational integrated design teams across sectors, needs in the long-term life of the building. providing technical expertise and design He says he is committed to mitigating leadership. He will also work alongside the environmental impacts of intensive Sasaki’s data science team to develop research facilities. proprietary design tools for contemporary

Bartlet Earns Professional Engineer License played key roles in design-build Waterbury, CT – MJ Daly (MJD) and design-assist projects. Last announced that Kevin Bartlet, year, he shifted to Corporate PE passed the Professional EnMechanical of New England gineering Examination recently (CMNE) as an estimator, working and will be licensed in Connection many diverse projects. cut and Massachusetts.

Representatives of MJD say Bartlet began working at Bartlet’s hands-on experience MJD as an intern seven years in estimation and project ago while attending Central Bartlet management gives him a strong Connecticut State University, grasp of the construction process, making where he majored in mechanical him a valuable asset and a resource for his engineering. After graduation, he became colleagues, and that his journey at MJD a project engineer, quickly becoming a and CMNE highlights his unwavering vital part of MJD’s mechanical team. commitment to excellence within the Bartlet has honed his skills in Arden Building Companies family. estimating mechanical systems and

Bergmeyer Hires McCourt as CFO Bergmeyer, McCourt served Boston – Bergmeyer announced the strategic addition of Chris as CFO for Boston-based McCourt as its new chief advertising technology company financial officer.

Digilant, Inc. since 2015.

In his new role at Bergmeyer, “I am delighted to welcome McCourt will oversee all core Chris to Bergmeyer,” commented financial functions at the firm Rachel Zsembery, president of while providing team-focused Bergmeyer. “As Bergmeyer has and organizational leadership McCourt expanded and enhanced the across the multi-disciplinary creative agency. Additionally, he’ll be range of professional design services working to create clarity and add value to provided by our Design Collaborative, Bergmeyer’s financial health, practice, and our geographic presence, and the scale community through a systems-oriented, of our team, this growth has afforded us innovative, and visionary approach to the an opportunity to expand our strategic firm’s design practice. leadership team. Chris’ business acumen, McCourt brings nearly two decades collaborative partnering skills, and of experience as a financial executive, exceptional leadership capabilities make working with C-Suite teams to develop him a fantastic addition to the Bergmeyer and deliver complex financial initiatives in support of business operations, team to guide us through our next stage of profitability, and growth. Prior to joining strategic growth.”

October 2023

47

Calendar AGC MA MBC October 11 at 7:30 AM Dorchester Bay City Presentation Join the Massachusetts Building Congress at Revere Hotel Boston Common for a breakfast program featuring the Dorchester Bay City Project with Accordia Partners discussing the updated plans featuring dynamic new open spaces and increased community benefits. Presenters from Accordia Partners include Kirk Sykes, comanaging partner, and Jill Lacey Griffin, VP of diversity, equity and inclusion.

ABC VT October 12 at 5:00 PM Business After Hours This informal networking event will be held at the Autopac Gallery in Laconia, N.H., a private museum of race cars, antique toys, military memorabilia, and vintage machinery. This event is free; registration is encouraged.

ULI Boston October 12 at 11:45 AM October Member Lunch This event will be held at Brown Rudnick in Boston and features Damian Szary, principal at Redgate. The discussion will focus on Gibson Point, a fullyamenitized 291-unit multifamily groundup development on a 4.54-acre waterfront parcel in Revere, Mass.

October 16 at 5:00 PM CIW Event: BWiC/CFDI Open House Siena Construction AGC MA’s Building Women in Construction (BWiC) and the Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (CFDI) will kick off Construction Inclusion Week with an “open house” event at Siena Construction Company in Cambridge, Mass. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn firsthand from BWiC and CFDI representatives about the numerous opportunities, expectations, and benefits of becoming a volunteer or committee member.

AGC MA October 17 at 2:00 PM 3rd Annual Diversity Summit Hosted by the AGC MA Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (CFDI), as part of Construction Inclusion Week, the event will be held at Boston University. The Alliance for Building and Construction Diversity (ABCD) event held earlier this year at Northeastern University resulted in the theme for this year’s summit – “Hold The Door Open” - a way to connect underrepresented business entities (UBEs) to resources while diving deeper into the issues of access and financing. Following the program, there will be a networking opportunity for attendees.

ULI Boston October 18 at 8:00 AM Evolving Downtown: Will Office to Residential Conversions Revive Boston’s Urban Center?

The need for office space is changing and the supply of and demand for urban

housing is becoming increasingly unbalanced. This event, hosted by ULI’s Urban Development Council, will explore the current state of Downtown Boston, the feasibility and viability of potential office to residential conversions, what state and local government is doing to enable this transformation and what long-term changes can be encouraged to positively impact the public realm.

PWC Boston October 19 at 5:30 PM Annual Awards Gala This is a night to celebrate Boston’s women in construction and celebrate another year of growth, collaboration, and the achievements of PWC Boston’s members. It will be held at the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in Boston.

The keynote speaker is Chiderah Okoye, chair of Nordee Enterprise (now known as Transform Power Systems), a Boston-based electrical power systems engineering and design firm.

NAWIC Boston October 25 at 5:30 PM 6th Annual Scholarship Trivia Night NAWIC hosts events throughout the year to enrich the personal and professional lives of its members, as well as raise money for its scholarship fund. Events are open to both members and non-members.

This trivia night will be held at Red Thread in Boston.

ELA October 26 at 8:30 AM Season’s End Summit The Ecological Landscape Alliance’s fall conference invites professionals to learn from experts, leaders and each other. This year’s summit will be held at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, Mass. Four speakers will present their approach to either abating disturbance in the landscape or using it to create a more native and natural landscape. A virtual attendance option is available.

Construction Institute

Construction Institute

October 24 at 6:00 PM Oktoberfest The Construction Institute invites attendees to celebrate Oktoberfest, an annual festival that originated in Munich, Germany in 1810. The festival celebrated the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I. The event is an opportunity to celebrate the festive occasion with friends and colleagues, and will be held at SBC Restaurant & Beer Bar in Milford, Conn.

November 2-15 2023 AEC Leadership Conference Now in its 6th year, The Construction Institute’s AEC Leadership Conference is a platform for industry professionals and leaders-in-training to exchange hard-won leadership advice and insights while cultivating long-term relationships.

This mission-driven curriculum prepares leaders at all levels to handle the unique challenges encountered in AEC. The hybrid event will take place over two weeks and will include both in-person and virtual events.

Next Issue

NOVEMBER

Share news on your firm’s latest work for R&D, laboratory, life science, biotech and/or pharmaceutical clients.

Contribute your insight on what is trending in the life science market in the Northeast!

Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI) recently opened its new incubator space in Worcester.

Timberline Construction Corporation served as the construction manager of the converted warehouse project.

Photo by Robert Umenhofer Photography Read full story in our November 2023 edition.

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October 2023

48

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