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June 2021 | Advertising for Certified Women, Veteran & Minority-Owned Subcontractors | 63rd Edition

HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS Office of Business Opportunity Works as One Team for Our MWBEs To Thrive From left to right: J’Monte Hooey – Senior Contract Administrator, Lauren Valdes – Staff Analyst, Morris Scott – Senior Contract Administrator, Will Norwood III – Division Manager, Aurora Suarez – Administrative Supervisor, Walter Merrell – Management Analyst 16-17

INSIDE

06

Shining the Spotlight on the Texas Hispanic Construction Association

14

ConocoPhillips Heads Diversity and Inclusion Efforts in the Oil and Gas Industry

28

Houston Airports Provides ITRP Update to City Council’s Economic Development Committee

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PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE The Subcontractors US Texas Journal highlights opportunities and news relevant to the construction, energy, architecture, manufacturing, education, engineering, oil and gas, transportation, and IT industries we serve. We hope you find this issue not only informative, but inspiring and educational as well.

This month's issue highlights Houston Public Works – Office of Business Opportunity (Houston Public Works). Houston Public Works is the largest and most diverse public works department in the United States with the great responsibility of permitting and regulating construction, managing streets, drainage, drinking water, wastewater, and capital improvement projects.

Though there have been challenges due to the pandemic and Winter Storm Uri, this entity, accredited by the American Public Works Association has adapted, remaining a solid force

“The U.S. economy and workers benefit from a strong, healthy relationship between government and business.”

— Harold Ford Jr., former U.S. Congressman

committed to our city and the progression of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs).

Under director Carol Haddock, COO Eric Dargan, and division manager Will Norwood III, Houston Public Works, composed of 4,000 dedicated public servants, works as one team with purpose and collaboration to continue to build a strong foundation for our city and MWBEs to thrive. In order for Houston to not just sustain a strong foundation, but also keep moving forward, we need the services and support of our MWBEs. Houston Public Works has a proven track record providing resources and the certification for MWBEs to successfully do business with the City of Houston.

As always, thank you for your continued support of the Subcontractors US Texas Journal. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work.

Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

Keith "MR. D-MARS" Davis, Sr. CERTIFIED:

HMSDC

Port of Houston

Metro

BEHIND THE JOURNAL PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. CHIEF OF STAFF & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Amber P. Jones ASSISTANT SALES REPRESENTATIVE Tiffany Brown OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Bria Casteel ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Erick Fontejon PHOTOGRAPHY Grady Carter L.C. Poullard DISTRIBUTION Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Helen Callier Lawrence Dean Stacy M. Brown Julianne Malveaux Subcontractors USA News Provider

City of Houston

HISD

08 CONSTRUCTION 06 Will the Housing Boom Go Bust?

08 Shining the Spotlight on the Texas Hispanic Construction Association 10 ENERGY 10 CPS Energy Strengthens Lawsuit Against ERCOT in Light of Recent Actions; Court Grants Temporary Restraining Order Preventing ERCOT From Passing on Unlawful Charges 12 ENERGY 12 Energy Action Alliance Names Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr., as New Chair Bolsters commitment to environmental and economic equity 12 Astroport Space Technologies, Awarded a NASA Technology Research Contract for Lunar Construction 14 ENGINEERING 14 Viking Engineering Opens Engineering Laboratory Offering Complete Failure Investigation, Forensic and Metallurgical Services

Heads Diversity and Inclusion Efforts in the Oil and Gas Industry 14 Resolutions at IOGCC Texas Defends States Rights at Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission 16-17 COVER STORY 16-17 Houston Public Works Office of Business Opportunity Works as One Team for Our MWBEs To Thrive 18 SAFETY 18 US Department of Labor Proposes $558k in Fines for Texas Bath, Shower Manufacturer for Willful, Repeat Safety Violations at Waco Facility 20 PERMITS 20 5 Reasons To Avoid Complaining About Your City’s Permitting Center 22 TRANSPORTATION 22 History Is Made as Project 11 Begins Construction 24 DART Student Art Contest Celebrates Local Young Artists 28 Houston Airports Provides ITRP Update to City Council’s Economic Development Committee

VBE

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OUR SERVICES

CONTENTS 04 ARCHITECTURE 04 PVAMU’s Community Development Program Marks 20th Year of Building Leaders, Communities

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14 OIL AND GAS 14 ConocoPhillips Heads Diversity and Inclusion Efforts in the Oil and Gas Industry ConocoPhillips

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PVAMU’s

ARCHITECTURE

design a community by understanding historic preservation or the foundations of development from cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic perspectives? I felt ready to do the work I am doing because of this program.”

Community Development Program Marks 20th Year of Building Leaders, Communities

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

M

any students who walk the halls on the campus of Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) say their alma mater is in the business of “building up students.” They look back on their time at the university and remember how they felt seen by their educators and peers.

They recall their time in classrooms with professors who showed them a new way of seeing the world. Mentors and peers build up their confidence and resolve to make the world a better place, laying the foundation of a sense of community and pride in who they are, where they came from, and most importantly, where they are going.

It is fitting, then, that a university in the business of building up students has the same vision for their community. And, this couldn’t be more true of PVAMU’s Master of Community Development Program, part of the university’s School of Architecture.

The program is specifically designed to build better communities, connections, and perspectives into city programming and initiatives and develop a foundation of collaborative and transformative work and relationships between leaders and residents.

Building things is at the heart of the Community Development Program.

With a recent milestone marked – the program’s 20th anniversary – several students and faculty shared how the program has aided them in their careers and equipped them with the resources and tools to make their cities and neighborhoods better.

These accomplishments are thanks in part to the university’s hard work in pursuing connection and change through the development of the Prairie View community and region.

Enhancing EnhancingSociety Society The Master of Community Development Program is a unique program that attracts students from diverse academic backgrounds. But they each have a shared mission and vision: they see a need, problem, or potential and care about how their community can be improved socially, physically, and economically. Many of the graduates of the program, which is one of the oldest in the country, have gone on to be involved with the design and development of new and growing communities.

They are collaborating with other city leaders or solving problems alongside others, all with the anticipation of avoiding future issues faced by communities today.

This is especially true for Christa Stoneham ’08 ’10 ’12, who graduated from the Community Development Program in 2012 after receiving a ba c he lor’s and master’s deg ree in architecture from PVAM U. S h e now works for the City of Houston in Mayor Sylvester Turner’s office, spearheading an initiative called Complete Communities that focuses on revitalization and empowerment for ten specific communities in Houston. The program, which launched four years ago during Mayor Turner’s first term, has doubled in size since Stoneham has worked with it.

Stoneham’s role began with engagement with community residents to capture the

Close-knitFeel Feel AAClose-knit

top priorities and projects the community desired. In the years since, her role has morphed into aligning opportunities with different corporate partners, nonprofits, and public agencies to facilitate the implementation of action plans. Through this work, she aids in creating community development plans and policies tailored around focus areas like parks or health and safety to improve the overall quality of life.

“Every day, I need skills like project management tracking, the ability to document the progress of the action plan through fundraising, building community and partner relations, or donor relationship management,” Stoneham explained.

“My degree from PVAMU was almost like a blueprint for this job. It couldn’t have been better preparation for me for exactly what I’m doing right now.”

A lthough Stoneham originally began in architecture, the program helped expand her skill set and knowledge of design beyond visual and physical elements – it’s a l so a b out people, she says. She even started as an intern with the City of Prairie View, which gave her valuable experience to build on in future similar roles.

“I am thankful to professors like Dr. [Akel] Kahera, the second director of the [Community Development] Program, for helping me navigate what was next in my career and asking questions to make me think,” Stoneham said. “How do you

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Other alumni of the program echoed Stoneham’s sentiments – and in some cases, it’s a family affair. Courtney Johnson Rose ’06, who recently served as the keynote speaker for the 2021 Founders’ Day and Honors Recognition Convocation at PVAMU, completed the master’s program at PVAMU after earning a bachelor’s degree in business economics from the University of Texas at Austin.

Upon learning about the program, her mother, Thomasine Johnson ‘06, was so energized by what it could add to her experience that she completed the program alongside her daughter. “[My mother] was so determined that I attend and complete the program that she completed the program with me,” Johnson Rose remembers. “We graduated as mother and daughter with our degrees. She currently serves as a director for our firm, George E. Johnson Development, Inc. The firm is a full-service real estate development firm that specializes in community development. I currently serve as Chief Executive Officer. My experience at PVAMU has opened doors for us to serve clients such as Houston Independent School District, the City of Missouri City, St. John’s UMC Church, and the City of Houston. The PVAMU Community Development program has been instrumental in my career and a key part of my journey of becoming a developer.”

Leadingthe theFuture Future Leading Johnson Rose noted that one of the program’s greatest strengths is developing “conscious leaders.” When students finish the program – no matter what they end up doing or where they serve – they are equipped to be resourceful, creative, thoughtful leaders who have a deep understanding of community development processes that leads to real change and progress.

“These alumni have contributed in many ways to the progress of our region.

Several graduates work in planning and development for the City of Houston, for example, and use their skills and talents developed in the program to push our region forward,” Johnson Rose said. “The work starts at PVAMU – even the current mayor of Prairie View is a graduate of the program and will be able to lean on his background in building communities to lead Prairie View.”

To learn more about PVAMU’s Community Development Program, visit www. pvamu.edu/soa.

Source: Prairie View A&M University School of Architecture

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CONSTRUCTION

Will the Housing Boom Go Bust?

By Lawrence Dean Regional Director, Zonda Intelligence

B

ack in 2005 and 2006, I was a land acquisition manager for the Houston division of one of the finest privately held home builders that is unfortunately no longer with us. That was before my career pivot to, as my eight-year-old son says, “counting all of the houses and then going around and telling everyone how many houses I counted.” Pretty accurate…out of the mouths of babes as they say.

In those heady 2005 to 2007 days, we were building and selling a ton of homes. Metrostudy (since rebranded to Zonda) observed right at 50,000 annual new home starts in the twelve-month period ending in each of 1Q, 2Q, and 3Q 2006. Builders were enjoying strong margins on all of these home sales, even in a market where the median home price was still around $150,000.

In spite of how good things were, homebuilding leaders were still quite nervous about current operating conditions. More and more homes sold were being purchased with exotic zero money down, low doc or no doc mortgages. Many of the buyers had little to no home equity, and little cash reserves in case of a rainy day. The situation did not seem sustainable. Hindsight is always 2020, and of course we now know that it was not a sustainable situation at all. Less than two years later we saw the Great Recession and related financial crisis grip not just our industry but the nation as a whole.

This history provides a backdrop for the question that we at Zonda are probably asked the most: how does the current high volume, cycle peak market, differ from that of 2006 and 2007? How is it different this time? Or is it even different this time at all?

Short answer: this time is very different.

There are two key overall reasons why this is the case.

1. New home and lot supply is significantly more constrained now versus then.

2. New home demand is demographics driven and not aided by artificial subprime mortgage driven growth.

Finished Vacant Home Inventory: When Zonda performs its field survey (the going out and counting houses part) each quarter, we refer to any new home that appears to be complete but is not yet occupied as Finished Vacant. This number ties very closely to the amount of completed spec inventory a builder has. At the end of 2020, Zonda counted 49% fewer Finished Vacant homes than Metrostudy did at the end of 2006.

Reduced inventory.

Total New Home Inventory: Metrostudy and now

Zonda consider the following three types of new homes to be homes in inventory: 1. All active model homes 2. All homes under construction regardless of started as specs or dirt sales 3. All Finished Vacant homes as discussed above The total new home inventory made up of those three types of homes at the end of 2020 is down 27% from what it was at the end of 2006. Again, reduced inventory for the market to contend with.

Lot Inventory: Now if you ask most builders, this is not a good thing. The inventory of vacant developed lots

(VDL), which in Zonda-speak are completely developed lots on which a builder has not yet started a home, is the lowest it has been in the entire time Metrostudy and now Zonda has served the market.

VDL inventory in Houston is seen as being at equilibrium if there are 20 to 24 months of lot inventory on hand. The end of 2020 saw a scant 14.1 months of supply.

By the end of Q1 2021, this inventory level further slid to a record low 12.8 months of supply. That tight 14.1 months of supply (and 43,095 vacant lots) from 2020 year’s end represents a 33% decline from the number of VDL observed at the end of 2006.

Population and Job Growth: In 2006, the Houston MSA had a population of 5.4 million residents. In that same year the market saw right at 50,000 annual new home starts. By 2020, the same Greater Houston region had grown to nearly 7.1 million residents. However, our industry spread “just” 36,750 annual new home starts over a region whose population was now 30% greater than it was back in 2006.

While 2020’s home starts volume represents a peak thus far this cycle, the number of home starts per capita is much lower in 2020 than it was back in 2006. This contributes to the more sustainable overall market conditions of 2020 versus the 2006 peak. The Houston region has also seen greater job growth in the decade leading up to 2020 versus the 10 years leading to 2006, further bolstering demand.

Mortgage Underwriting and Interest Rates: It goes without saying that the record low interest rates that the market has enjoyed for the last 12 months have aided new home demand. The median 30-year fixed rate at the end of 2020 (which has since increased slightly) was 56% lower than the same median rate at the end of 2006. And mortgage underwriting in the current environment can be characterized as normal or typical. That was certainly not the case in the subprime mortgage era of 2006.

Wrapping all of these thoughts up, the current high volume new home market is built on much more solid fundamentals than the market was the last time this many new homes were being sold and built in the Houston market.

Builders have plenty to worry about in the current environment: raising lumber prices, shrinking affordability, evolving land development regulations in various cities and counties, appraisal issues, material availability, increased cycle times, and so, so much more. However, one thing we as an industry likely need not worry about is this current boom cycle exploding into a housing bust as we saw back in 2008 and 2009.

We simply don’t have enough homes under construction or lots to build them on to get ourselves in trouble. And the majority of new homebuyers currently have sufficient credit, equity, and other resources to avoid a foreclosure or distress sale should their situation change for the worse.

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Source: Greater Houston Builders Association

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CONSTRUCTION

Shining the Spotlight on the

Texas Hispanic Construction Association

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he Texas Hispanic Construction Association is a non-profit organization that represents the Hispanic community of the state of Texas associated with construction as a fundamental part of the value chain; leading its development, professionalization and progress in a timely manner in all its areas, through technology, education, quality and best practices services, ensuring its positioning towards the optimization and efficiency of safety, sustainability, social and economic indicators, along with the active participation of Latin American countries.

gram of Texas suppliers with Latin America through their development cooperation agreements.

In this integration, they share information of interest and current affairs in this sector.

Education Education

Through their IT4 BUILD CONFERENCE, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the successes, challenges and learnings of dozens of owners, designers, contractors and manufacturers online while they delve into best practices for each stage of the project life cycle, from improvement from acceptance to optimization of design, fabrication, and installation to build faster and on budget.

Lone Star College and the organization, through its Construction Bootcamp, started the courses on everything you need to know to be successful in a construction business.

Leadership Leadership The organization provides mentorship in this area, as globally, construction is one of the most expensive and risky industries out there. It is also technically demanding and usually involves long periods of time. Countless construction professionals and contractors are involved in every project, and without proper leadership, there is always the threat of failure. But with an experienced and dedicated leader maintaining communication and collaboration channels and ensuring schedules and budgets are maintained, the promise of success remains.

Integration Integration They carry out an integration pro-

Technology Technology

Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship In the construction industry, many subcontractors agree that mentors have a direct impact on the growth and survival of their business. The early years of any business are therefore a decisive and critical period, business mentors are vital to the success of contractors.

In partnership with the only disruptive incubator in the North American market, they are creating the 150 most powerful companies as Hispanic contractors in Texas. For more information, please visit www.magnagreengroup.com.

For more information about the organization, please visit https:// www.texhca.com/.

Source: Texas Hispanic Construction Association

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ENERGY

CPS Energy Strengthens Lawsuit Against ERCOT in Light of Recent Actions; Court Grants Temporary Restraining Order Preventing ERCOT From Passing on Unlawful Charges

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

R

ecently, CPS Energy took swift action when it learned new facts and actions announced by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT); the utility filed a strengthened, amended lawsuit against ERCOT in Bexar County District Court to protect customers from excessive, illegitimate, and illegal power prices. In addition to the filing of the amended complaint, the Court granted CPS Energy’s request for a temporary restraining order, further protecting its customers from ERCOT’s latest attempt to pass on unlawful charges.

CPS Energy is a municipally owned utility. Through its owner, the City of San Antonio, the utility acts as an agent for all its customers, who are not in a position to challenge the systemic failures of the state’s energy market. The utility does not have stock investors. The money the company makes stays in San Antonio, Texas and ultimately gets reinvested back into operational and service improvements.

“Texas prides itself on being an energy state. To retain that mantle, we need to reform the state’s systemic inadequacies that caused the weather crisis, which could result in the most massive wealth transfer in Texas history,” said Ron Nirenberg, Mayor of San Antonio, Texas. “In San Antonio, we are going to exhaust every

avenue we have, including through the courts, to ensure the burdens of this crisis are not borne by the people who suffered through it, the residents of Texas.”

Strengthened StrengthenedLawsuit Lawsuitagainst against ERCOT ERCOT CPS Energy first filed claims against ERCOT on March 12, 2021 for its lack of oversight, preparedness, and failure to follow its own protocols that resulted in $16 billion in overcharges to market participants and customers. ERCOT has since admitted that it could have corrected the $16 billion error by repricing within 30 days of Winter Storm Uri, but instead allowed the 30-day window for corrections to pass.

This choice came despite the Independent Market Monitor for the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) – which oversees ERCOT – twice verifying ERCOT’s error.

ERCOT has added insult to injury by taking the remarkable step of adding $6 million of undercharges to bills, citing an apparent software glitch during Winter

Storm Uri, thereby underscoring that it will subjectively reprice errors when it benefits their organization, but not when it doesn’t.

“ERCOT can and should have repriced the $16 billion in overcharges that were charged during a declared disaster. Instead, it has doubled down on former Chair Arthur D’Andrea’s promise to Wall Street to not correct the error. ERCOT continues to show its ability and willingness to reprice when it suits ERCOT, but refuses to reprice when it rightfully favors San Antonio and Texas customers,” said Paula Gold-Williams, President & CEO of CPS Energy.

TemporaryRestraining RestrainingOrder Order Temporary Granted Granted ERCOT’s unprecedented pricing error and its latest string of mismanagement decisions has supercharged energy uncertainty and driven numerous market participants into bankruptcy or out of business. Late in the day on April 27, 2021, ERCOT notified market participants across Texas, including CPS Energy, that it would begin taking posted collateral to cover the charges that other market participants have not paid.

ERCOT’s attempts to collect these charges from CPS Energy’s customers is an unlawful extension of CPS Energy’s credit and is a direct violation of the Texas State Constitution. Per the Constitution, a city-owned utility cannot be asked to

unlawfully extend its credit to help settle the debts of other entities, especially in cases where there is no chance of being repaid. CPS Energy also wants to ensure that its customers never have to pay for the defaults of other market participants caused by ERCOT’s excessive pricing and acknowledged $16 billion error.

On the afternoon of April 28, 2021, CPS Energy was granted a temporary restraining order. This successful step forward prevents ERCOT from adjusting, extending, or otherwise affecting CPS Energy’s credit in preparation for passing on these additional charges until the Court conducts a further hearing on the matter.

“ERCOT’s latest unilateral and aggressive move is an attempt to unlawfully force our customers to pay for the insolvency of other market participants, caused by ERCOT’s own mistakes,” continued GoldWilliams. “Disappointingly, ERCOT continues to inject uncertainty into the market while failing to address its errors, which is contributing to one of the largest illegal transfers of wealth in the history of Texas.

To help correct this problem, CPS Energy will continue to work tirelessly to put its customers first.”

When available, a copy of the filing can be found at https://www.cpsenergy.com/.

CPS Energy will also provide relevant updates, as major developments occur.

Source: CPS Energy

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ENERGY

Energy Action Alliance Names Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr., as New Chair Bolsters commitment to environmental and economic equity

eficial relationships between the oil and natural gas industry and diverse communities around two priority areas: workforce and supplier diversity. Both areas focus on awareness and building diverse stakeholder alliances to meet future oil and natural gas needs.

According to a recent API study, nearly 54% of the 1.9 million job opportunities expected to be created over the next two decades in the natural gas, oil and petrochemical industry are projected to be filled by women and people of color.

“Building a diverse, inclusive and resilient workforce is a priority for API and our members to ensure the industry is prepared to meet future challenges,” said Amanda Eversole, executive vice president and Chief Operating Officer of API. “Working with the Energy Action Alliance is critical to API’s strategy for fulfilling our industry’s commitment to increased diversity and inclusion within our workforce and creating additional opportunities for minority owned suppliers in serving our industry. I look forward to working with Dr. Chavis and welcome his leadership as we advance solutions towards achieving our common goal of providing more opportunities for communities of color around the country.”

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

T

ational Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., has become the new Chair of the Energy Action Alliance (EAA).

EAA was created by the American Petroleum Institute (API) in 2012 to bring together diverse national nonprofits to help strengthen relationships between people of color communities and the natural gas and oil industry, which provides economic opportunities and reliable and affordable energy to communities across the nation.

Dr. Chavis affirmed, “I am professionally and personally committed to environmental justice and equity, and as well I am equally committed to the sustainable economic development of all the people of color communities that we serve across the United States. As the chair of the Energy Action Alliance, I hope that we can increase awareness about opportunities in the natural gas and oil industry and give back to people of color through good paying jobs, community engagement and investments.”

The EAA network is comprised of 18 partners, including NNPA, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, American Association of Blacks in Energy, National Urban League, and US Black Chambers.

The mission of the EAA is to develop mutually ben-

Source: NNPA

Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr.

ENGINEERING

Astroport Space Technologies, Awarded a NASA Technology Research

Contract for Lunar Construction

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

A

stroport and its research institution partner, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will jointly develop technology for an "Induction Furnace-Nozzle for Forming and Placing Lunar Regolith Bricks for Landing Pad Construction". NASA selected 289 small businesses and 47 research institutions to receive Phase I funding for its 2021 SBIR/STTR program. Astroport was one of only four Texas companies selected for this year's STTR program.

Astroport Space Technologies, Inc. is a deep tech space start-up with headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. The company was founded in 2020 as a subsidiary of Exploration Architecture Corporation (XArc), also based in San Antonio. Founder and CEO, Sam Ximenes, a San Antonio native and Space Architect said, "With NASA's return to the Moon with outposts and base camps, and commercial ventures for mining and even space tourism we see a market for space civil engi-

PRNewsfoto/Astroport Space Technologies, Inc.

neering construction developing within the next decade. With this initial small contract we hope to plant the seeds for a San Antonio industry to become known for expertise in space construction processes and manufacturing. We believe San Antonio's heavy construction industry should start positioning now for access to this future market."

Ximenes went on to say, "The development of a space economy will not be achieved solely by 'space experts' like aerospace engineers and scientists. There are a number of disciplines required from our community and from around the world that will need to come together. For example, Astroport was recently selected by a South Australian government sponsored

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space incubator program (ICC Venture Catalyst) to develop partnerships with Australian companies that bring expertise in mining excavation and mineral beneficiation processes. Similarly, here in San Antonio our robotics, cyber, and heavy construction industries all go into the mix of knowledge of design and processes needed to support space architecture and construction on planetary surfaces."

Astroport's Lunar Regolith Melting and Lunar Regolith Binding stabilization and solidification technologies are used for manufacturing feedstock for lunar construction. Astroport's technology addresses two challenges of space construction: (a) converting indigenous source material (regolith) into durable construction feedstock and (b) robotic emplacement and assembly of the same into surface structures such as landing pads, roads, and habitats.

The project research will be conducted at Astroport's R&D laboratories at Tech Port San Antonio and laboratories at UTSA. For more information, please visit astroportspace.com.

Source: Astroport Space Technologies, Inc.

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MORE THAN BRICKS AND MORTAR

As one of the nation’s largest commercial builders, Turner is dedicated to providing avenues of opportunity for Minority- and Woman-Owned Businesses in Houston to achieve entrepreneurial success.

Our commitment to social responsibility and fair play is not just on paper; it is ingrained in our corporate culture. We are devoted to making sure the contributions that strengthen the local economy reflect the demographics of the community at large.

w w w. t u r n e rc o n s t r u c t i o n . c o m

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ENGINEERING

Viking Engineering

Opens Engineering Laboratory Offering Complete Failure Investigation, Forensic and Metallurgical Services

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

V

iking Engineering, a GATE Energy Company, is proud to announce the opening of the Viking Engineering Laboratory located in the heart of Houston, Texas. The Viking Laboratory addition will provide clients complete failure investigation and forensic services, metallurgical evaluations, and material testing services directly overseen by Viking's own engineers and metallurgists.

The Viking Laboratory will provide fit-for-service evaluations, microstructural characterization, finite element analysis (FEA), fracture surface evaluation (SEM/ EDS fractography evaluations), mechanical testing (ten-

sile, hardness, CVN), fracture mechanics analysis and fracture mechanics testing (KIC, JIC, J-R) for evaluating complex downhole and pipeline failures. For midstream and downstream clients, the Viking Laboratory offers pipeline failure investigations and forensic services. In addition, the Viking Laboratory provides services to the renewable energy sector.

Jorge L. Garduño, President of Viking Engineering, said, "This laboratory has always been a dream of ours – to combine our engineering expertise with testing verifications to offer a complete failure analysis and materials service. This is yet another differentiator for Viking as we expand our service offerings in not only the oil and gas industry, but the renewable energy landscape as well.

We are excited with this new addition to our growing company as we have no doubt this will ultimately allow

us to provide our clients with greater value."

Viking Engineering Lab Services Director, Mario Guerra, said, "The addition of this testing and metallurgical services laboratory will enhance Viking's multidisciplinary capabilities for solving the most complex problems in the oil & gas industry and to expand our expertise into other sectors of the energy industry."

For more information on Viking's Lab services, visit https://www.vikingeng.energy/engineeringlab-services. For more information on Viking Engineering, visit www.vikingeng.energy. For more information on GATE Energy, visit www.gate.energy.

Source: Viking Engineering

OIL AND GAS

ConocoPhillips Heads Diversity and Inclusion Efforts in the Oil and Gas Industry

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

T

ith projections that half of its workforce will consist of minorities by 2040, the oil and gas industry has continued to recruit individuals of color, women, veterans, and groups that have been mainly underrepresented.

At ConocoPhillips, Shawn Green and Maalika MooreThomas each take an optimistic approach to recruiting some of the best minority talent and minds.

Green, the manager of global services and technology, and Moore-Thomas, the senior supplier diversity coordinator, also keep a steady eye on diversity and inclusion with ConocoPhillips’ contractors and suppliers.

“My day-to-day is basically working with our diverse suppliers from various backgrounds – to ensure that our supplier base is well-rounded and to make sure that we have those diverse suppliers that we contract within our oil and gas specific jobs, as well as our professional services jobs,” Moore-Thomas asserted.

Green’s role is “to set the supply chain approach and strategy for automation, data analytics, and merchant technology,” he stated.

“I’m ultimately accountable for the development approach for those programs that are under my purview.”

Moore-Thomas added that ConocoPhillips and the industry continue to work toward a more inclusive environment that reflects different backgrounds, interests, and perspectives.

Green concurred.

“One of our major initiatives is ensuring we have suppliers for the variety of categories and sourcing op-

Maalika Moore-Thomas, senior supplier diversity coordinator at ConocoPhillips

Shawn Green, manager of global services and technology at ConocoPhillips

portunities we have,” Green remarked.

“It’s really about making sure that we have a line of sight to those opportunities and a pipeline to diverse suppliers.”

Added Moore-Thomas, “The importance of diversity is not just talking points or conversation. We believe each person is accountable for creating and sustaining an inclusive work environment. It’s important to have diversity in backgrounds, but it’s important to have diversity in thought and perspective at each table where decision making takes place.”

Raised in a single-family home in Tampa, Florida, Moore-Thomas later attended The Ohio State University and earned two degrees in psychology and criminology.

While working as a buyer for a small company, MooreThomas received a message from a ConocoPhillips manager that intrigued her enough to relocate to Houston eventually.

“I became very interested in oil and gas through learning about how much this industry truly influences the way we work and live,” Moore-Thomas said.

“I applied for the position and never looked back.”

Green grew up in Houston, where he lived with his grandparents.

He said his primary focus was acquiring an education.

Green attended a magnet high school where engineers from Exxon often mentored him and other students.

Green attended Tulane University, where he majored in chemical engineering, and he later received an MBA with finance and management concentrations.

Both Green and Moore-Thomas have pitched the industry to students at historically Black colleges and universities, and they continue to encourage all minorities about oil and gas.

“I have worked in this industry for 24 years, but my first exposure was in high school,” Green recalled.

“Over the years, I think we’ve made steady strides in energizing folks to understand the industry more. I know we have more work to do in having that awareness and outreach (regarding diversity and inclusion).”

Moore-Thomas said “all hands are on deck” in creating a more diverse and inclusive industry. “[We are] figuring out how we can better task force, or diversify, the space,” she added.

Green concluded that the industry is keen on developing programs and strategies to increase diversity in the workforce.

“It’s a great time to be in the industry,” he exclaimed.

“It’s a great time to be at the forefront of change. There will be a lot of opportunities.”

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Source: NNPA

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The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program at the University of Houston (UH) is committed to promoting the inclusion of HUB vendors in university procurements. The HUB Program ensures compliance with state HUB laws, assists UH departments in locating HUB vendors; as well as offering HUBs assistance to facilitate access and contracting opportunities.

For more information about how to do business with the University of Houston, bid opportunities, or to learn about events, workshops and seminars, visit: www.uh.edu/hub

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HOUSTON PUBLIC W

16 | June 2021

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Remains a Solid Force Committed to the Progr

By Subcontractors USA

Winter Storm Uri In February, showed us that Houston is vulnerable to all sorts of severe weather events. But I’m proud that our team incorporates the resilient Houston framework and strategic planning in preparing for these unforeseen events. We are not only focused on new techniques to help prevent flooding, but also how to protect our facilities from the extreme cold. In the midst of challenging times, this process is especially helpful to ensure Houston’s operation at full capacity, also keeping MWBEs doing business with our city.”

News Provider

H

ouston Public Works – Office of Business Opportunity (Houston Public Works) is the largest and most diverse public works department in the United States with the great responsibility of permitting and regulating construction, managing streets, drainage, drinking water, wastewater, and capital improvement projects. And though there have been challenges due to the pandemic and Winter Storm Uri, this entity, accredited by the American Public Works Association has adapted, remaining a solid force committed to Houston and the progression of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs).

Under director Carol Haddock, COO Eric Dargan, and division manager Will Norwood III, Houston Public Works, composed of 4,000 dedicated public servants, works as one team with purpose and collaboration to continue to build a strong foundation for our city and MWBEs to thrive. In fiscal year 2020, Houston Public Works awarded $2.05 billion in contracts, with $525 million awarded to MWBEs, providing more opportunities for our minority business community. The number of MWBEs awarded increased 15% and 70% of all city dollars awarded to

certified firms came from Houston Public Works. Over half a billion dollars was awarded to MWBEs last year from Houston Public Works alone. The economic impact of those dollars being awarded, especially during a year of uncertainty, has a positive effect on our small business community presently, also making a great impact for the years ahead.

You may not realize how valuable Houston Public Works is to our city, as it is the first responder to the first responders. Working behind the scenes, this department works selflessly and tirelessly around the clock, keeping Houston in operation and water flowing throughout emergency events, also assisting Houston Police and Houston Fire with high water rescues.

—Carol Haddock, Houston Public Works Director

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WORKS

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ression of MWBEs

Houston Public Works has inspectors ready after any storm, to speed up the permitting process if and when Houstonians need to rebuild following a storm.

Despite unforeseen storms and the pandemic, our city cannot stop operations, so with construction and expansion projects ongoing like the Northeast Water Purification Plant (NEWPP), there are continuous opportunities for MWBEs to do business with Houston Public Works. The NEWPP Expansion Project is a $1.76 Billion design-build project that will add 320 million gallons per day by 2024 to the existing water plant’s capacity. Gutier, an MBE subcontractor performing on multiple work packages at NEW PP, accredits their rapid growth to the project. “Since working at NEWPP, we have expanded our workforce, made capital investments, and relocated to a larger office space,” says Jorge Mancilla, Principal at Gutier. Houston Public Works has been proactive, swiftly able to modify strategies and procedures, helping to ensure that MWBEs continue to have access to re-

ceiving information and opportunities with the department.

Leveraging technology further allows them to deliver the same quality of services, like pre-bid and pre-construction meetings. And going virtual provides more online services and resources at the Houston Permitting Center and other service areas. The brief postponement of their Interagency Mentor Protégé Program (IMPP) in 2020 gave them time to transition the program virtually for this year. IMPP, a program in collaboration with The City of Houston, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston Independent School District, Port Houston, Houston Community College, and Houston First Corporation, exists to strengthen effective working relationships, fostering long-term stability between established companies and local agencies with emerging historically underutilized businesses. The twenty small businesses selected in this year’s program will partner with a mentor (prime contractor) who will provide best practices, guidance, and support as the protégé progresses.

In 2020 Houston Public Works launched its Small Contactors Rotation Program (SCRP) 2.0 with seven MWBE construction firms. The SCRP is a two-year program designed to provide capacity building and assistance to MWSBE construction contractors.

SCRP enables small construction contractors to compete for business with the City of Houston, while also strengthening their ability to obtain financing and bonding. Over $1 million has been awarded in the program so far, proving beneficial for MWBEs. Because of the pandemic, Houston Public Works took their 2020 Contracts Connect event virtual, with over 260 registered attendees participating last Fall. Contracts Connect is Houston's premier networking event designed to connect major engineering consulting firms and construction compa-

nies with MWBEs in areas of engineering, design, and civil construction. This year marks fourteen years for the program and the Annual Contracts Connect event will be back in-person to assist small businesses in reestablishing relationships with the City, prime contractors, and other government agencies with civil construction and engineering opportunities.

Recently, the city recognized the efforts of Houston Public Works through National Public Works Week. This included a proclamation from the Mayor, a department-wide BBQ competition, a new department overview video, and accolades provided by local partners. Stronger Together was this year’s theme that couldn’t be more fitting, acknowledging the importance of public works professionals and their vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities, while highlighting the public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of Houston.

In order for Houston to not just sustain a strong foundation, but also keep moving forward, we need the services and support of our MWBEs. Diligent in its commitment to MWBEs, Houston Public Works – Office of Business Opportunity has a proven track record of advocating and providing resources for MWBEs to successfully do business with the City of Houston.

To find out more about the application and pre-certification workshops available, please visit www.houstontx.gov/obo and www. publicworks.houstontx.gov.

Gutier jobsite at City of Houston NEWPP project

Director Haddock and our COO Eric Dargan are consistently challenging each service line in order to find ways to identify more opportunities for MWBEs. The firm foundation of our success is credited to our leadership’s understanding that when our small businesses succeed, we as a city succeed.”

—Will Norwood III, Houston Public Works Division Manager

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OIL AND GAS

Christian Passes Key Resolutions at IOGCC Texas Defends States Rights at Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

R

ecently, Commissioner Wayne Christian authored and passed three resolutions to protect states’ rights, protect consumers, and encourage technological innovation in the oil and gas industry.

Resolution 21.052 - Opposition to the CLEAN Future Act: This resolution co-sponsored by Texas and North Dakota asks the Biden Administration and Congress to oppose the CLEAN Future Act and other similar pieces of legislation on behalf of oil and gas producing states.

“The so-called CLEAN Future Act is nothing more than the Green New Deal in lipstick,” said Christian.

“This legislation would effectively federalize regulation of oil and gas, increasing costs to consumers and our national debt, while harming our energy independence and national security.”

Resolution 21.054 - Reigning in ESG-style Investing: This resolution asks the federal government to formulate and enforce regulations relating to Environmental, Social, and Governance Funds (ESG). This style of investing has been utilized by activists to force divestment in oil and gas without regard to the rate of return for beneficiaries.

“We cannot allow activist investors to harm the investment and retirement portfolios of our constituents as collateral damage in their war against fossil fuels,” said Christian. “If ESG is not put in check, not only will future retirees face challenges in the years ahead, but we could see record bankruptcies and layoffs in the energy sector.”

Resolution 21.055 - Encouraging Carbon Capture and Technological Innovation: This resolution acknowledges the key role technological innovation, including carbon capture, has played in our nation’s environmental progress and encourages the federal government to act in a bipartisan manner to continue encouraging this progress.

“A clean environment and oil and gas production are not mutually exclusive,” said Christian. “Because of technological innovation, over the last fifty years, our nation has decreased the six major pollutants by 77% while our energy consumption grew 48%, population grew 60%, and economy grew 285%.

The key to environmental progress is innovation, not punitive regulations.”

Christian currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) under Chairman Kevin Stitt (Governor, Oklahoma). Christian has held a number of leadership roles in the organization since he was first appointed to the IOGCC by Governor Greg Abbott in 2017. At this year’s meeting, Christian was the author of three out of the four resolutions that passed.

To view resolutions and for more information, please visit http://rrc.texas.gov/.

Source: Railroad Commission of Texas

SAFETY

US Department of Labor Proposes $558k in Fines for Texas Bath, Shower Manufacturer for Willful, Repeat Safety Violations at Waco Facility

OSHA cites Clarke Products Inc. for 19 violations, finds safety hazards unresolved

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

M

oving machine parts have the potential to cause serious or fatal injuries when safety protections and procedures are ignored, and yet a Waco bath and shower manufacturer once again failed to provide its employees a safe and healthful workplace.

An inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration in November 2020 found Clarke Products Inc. failed to use required machine guards and cited the manufacturer for 19 violations. The violations included willful and repeated failures related to machine guarding and fall protection. Proposed penalties total $558,821. In October 2018, OSHA cited Clarke Products for failing to ensure the use of guards.

“The willful and repeat violations found during this inspection show Clarke Products' ignored required worker safety protections,” said OSHA Area Director Timothy Minor in Fort Worth. “OSHA will cite employers who disregard their legal responsibility to provide workers with a safe workplace.”

Headquartered in Colleyville, Clarke Products Inc. had approximately 110 employees at its Waco facility at the time of inspection.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of citation and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Visit OSHA's webpage on machine guarding for information on safeguarding equipment and fall protection.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to help ensure these conditions for America's workers by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

For more information, please visit www.osha.gov.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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PERMITS

5 Reasons To Avoid Complaining About Your City’s Permitting Center

By Helen Callier Contributing Writer

H

ave you ever submitted a perfect construction permit set to a jurisdiction and it goes through several departmental reviews, racking up every imaginable rejection comment? You then scratch your head, begin to fume and next, release a mouthful of complaints to the city plan reviewers, worrying how much delays in permitting will cost you.

With the increase in lumber prices, pressures from the lingering 2020 pandemic, long lead items and unusually longer plan review times at jurisdictions in parts of Texas, California, and many other areas in the U.S., some contractors’ frustrations are running high. The PermitUsNow team hears countless stories from small to midsize to large contractors juggling to start a construction project on time and wrap up timely.

What I know from a couple of experiences and from listening to many contractors’ horror stories is that repeatedly hurling complaints at your city’s permitting

center is not the best course of action in obtaining a building permit in a timely manner.

Below are some of my top reasons to avoid complaining about your city’s permitting center: 1 It takes you off your course versus being focused on finding ways to address any city comments and pulling the permit as soon as possible.

2 It creates a crap magnet attracting other negative energy that can derail your project in some manner like lost or stolen tools, delay in customer payments and in many other ways.

3 It turns others off. The truth is mostly everyone going to work shows up wanting to have a positive experience. And when something or someone goes against this basic desire, people like the plan reviewer will shut down and are slow to respond.

4 It triggers additional rejection comments. After hearing a barrage of complaints, some plan reviewers will then go line by line, letter by letter in the notes making sure everything meets building codes.

This magnifying glass approach usually causes more rejection comments, including very minor ones.

5 Eventually no one listens to a contractor who whines and complains all the time about the city permitting center.

In addition to the above 5 reasons, steady complaining can adversely affect your physical health, impact the morale of your employees and signal to the marketplace a different message than you planned to convey.

The Dodge Report (https://www.construction.com/) and other industry statistics highlight permit ting delays are

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a problem in many markets in the U.S.; and it is beneficial for contractors to be proactive and have a solid plan when pulling permits in order to minimize delays.

The 2020 pandemic flipped the way permitting centers work, from making an appointment to completing online submissions. But despite these unexpected changes, contractors continue working as construction projects keep moving forward in housing, aviation, transportation, mixed-use and many commercial projects. And I have to say, it is this kind of determination that keeps me writing articles with unique and helpful tips for contractors in regards to permitting.

If you have any interesting stories about obtaining permits, please connect with me on Linkedin or call me at 1.844.PERMIT.4. I would love to hear your story. Visit PermitUsNow at www.permitusnow. com to find out more about our permitting services. #Buildsafe

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22 | June 2021

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TRANSPORTATION

History Is Made

as Project 11 Begins Construction

Elected Officials Across U.S. Praise the Project for Fostering New Jobs and Prosperity

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

P

ort Houston marked National Infrastructure Week by highlighting the groundbreaking for the start of construction work to support widening and deepening the 52-mile Houston Ship Channel.

Known as Project 11, the project’s far-reaching benefits impact the United States and the entire Gulf region, and have generated bipartisan praise from officials across the state and nation.

The nearly billion-dollar project will create safer and more efficient navigation for the ships and vessels, calling the more than 200 private and eight public terminals that comprise the Port of Houston. “Our port serves as the anchor for the Texas region,” Port Houston Chairman Ric Campo said. “Expanding the Houston Ship Channel to accommodate the growth of vessel calls, vessel sizes, and cargo needs for customers and consumers will continue providing over 3.2 million jobs and $802 billion in economic value to the nation.”

Port Houston is the local sponsor of the Houston Ship Channel, providing stewardship of the federal waterway. Executive Director Roger Guenther praised its strong partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). He applauded the USACE’s “continued commitment” to delivering for the Texas Gulf coast “vital engineering solutions to secure our nation, energize our economy, while also reducing disaster risks.”

“As we begin construction of Project 11, we have a glimpse into the future we are building,” Guenther said. “This project will enable vessels to deliver goods to our doorsteps, export USAmade cargo around the world, provide safe passage for thousands of ships, and shape the livelihoods of millions of Americans for generations to come.”

“The Army Corps of Engineers looks forward to continuing to partner with Port Houston to deepen and widen this lifeline for our nation’s exporters and importers. Port Houston is a perfect example of ‘if there’s a will, there’s a way,’” said USACE Galveston District Col. Timothy Vail, who delivered remarks during Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony, underscoring its importance.

“The Port and the Army Corps of Engineers are making sure that this project is delivered in line with the priorities of the American people, which are to get it done fast, so we see immediate returns on the transportation efficiencies it will provide, and to start thinking about what’s next,” he added.

Chairman Campo recognized the support and collaboration “of hundreds of stakeholders” including “the steadfast advocacy of our local and Congressional delegations, the leadership of Col. Vail and his team, the vision of the Port Commission, and the expertise of our contractors, designers, and Port Houston staff” to reach this milestone.

A testament to this milestone’s significance is the bipartisan praise it elicited from elected officials across Texas and the nation, including U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

“Access to safe and efficient infrastructure is critical as more goods come in and out of Texas ports each day,”

said 3 Sen. Cornyn. “I applaud Port Houston’s partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and will continue to do everything I can to improve the lives of Texans in the Port of Houston.”

U.S. Representative Brian Babin, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said, “Ensuring this important initiative was brought to life has been a top priority for me in Congress. Expanding the HSC will revolutionize Texas by modernizing and improving our infrastructure, which is a critical step toward advancing America’s energy independence and strengthening our national security.”

U.S. Representative Kevin Brady said, “The Houston area – and our nation – is eagerly awaiting completion of Project 11. This project will support over 1.3 million Texas jobs, $800 billion in economic value to the nation, and will ensure the U.S. remains a top energy exporter.

I’m proud to have supported this project since the beginning and look forward to its next steps.”

U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia said, “The Port of Houston, my district, and our country are powered by

highly-skilled union workers who build and transform our nation's transportation, trade, energy, and technology sectors. I am working hard to make sure that our infrastructure is designed to meet the demands of the modern world, and that it supports a robust, growthdriven, and equitable economy."

U.S. Representative Al Green said, “The Port of Houston is an invaluable asset not only to the City of Houston and the State of Texas, but to our nation as a whole. With nearly 700,000 jobs in the local region generated from terminal activity and more than 285 million tons of cargo handled in 2019, the Port of Houston has been a key component of our country’s infrastructure since 1914.

I am proud to support the Port in its efforts to expand.”

U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee said, “The Houston Ship Channel generates and processes over 20% of the Texas GDP and this is why I continue to advocate for funding for the important work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which includes Project 11 to deepen and widen the Houston Ship Channel so that the Port can continue to serve the people of Houston, the State of Texas and the nation.”

U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, former

chairwoman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee said, “I would like to commend Port Houston for the port’s tremendous advancements on Project 11, a critical project which benefits not only the state of Texas, but the entire nation. I am proud to continue working closely as a partner to the Port of Houston. The continued progress on Project 11 will serve to accelerate and augment the port’s success and capabilities into the future.”

U.S. Representative Michael McCaul said, “By improving this port, more manufactured goods and energy will be exported – supporting millions of jobs in both the Houston area and across the United States. I am proud to support the Corps’ mission in carrying out this project.”

Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said, “Projects like Project 11 are key to making the Texas economy even stronger, and I congratulate Port Houston for moving forward on the Ship 4 Channel expansion. Project 11 will not only affect the Port of Houston region, but its impact will also be felt throughout Texas.”

Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said, “There is no more important piece of infrastructure in Texas and possibly the entire United States than the Port of Houston. The upcoming widening project will bring about more economic development and more jobs. However, we must also look at supportive infrastructure surrounding the port and the associated new developments that will keep the Port of Houston as the premier commercial waterway in the world.”

Lastly, further signaling its significance to the region, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said, “The Port of Houston Authority is integral to the economic success of the entire Houston region. The Project 11 deepening and widening project on the Houston Ship Channel will ensure that we can create jobs and expand the capacity to import and export goods into the future.”

Turner concluded his remarks noting the support and appreciation for the collaborative efforts for this historic milestone, “I sincerely thank the congressional delegation, Port leadership and partners involved in this extraordinary endeavor. By working together, we are building the infrastructure that is needed to make the channel safer and more efficient. We all benefit from a commitment to invest in the project and secure the Houston Ship Channel’s global position as a strong and competitive waterway.”

The first Project 11 construction contract was awarded

by Port Houston at the April Port Commission meeting, and will prepare the site to receive dredge material as the channel is expanded. In addition, more than half of the total $24 million in contracts approved at that meeting were to support Project 11 efforts, further demonstrating the Port Commission’s continued efforts towards stewardship of the channel.

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For more information, please visit https://porthouston.com/.

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Source: Port Houston

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TRANSPORTATION

DART Student Art Contest Celebrates Local Young Artists

Photo Caption: Collin Chon, a 5th grade student at Greenhill School in Addison, was this year's Best of Show winner.

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

B

he Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) celebrated the accomplishments of local young artists at the DART Student Art Contest Awards Ceremony at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) last month.

Collin Chon, a 5th grade student at Greenhill School in Addison, was this year's Best of Show winner. Collin's artwork, based on this year's theme "Everyday Heroes Ride DART," was selected from 688 entries from students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Heroes come in many forms and this year's art contest gave young artists the chance to salute the hometown heroes that have kept our community going during the pandemic - everyday people that have made a positive impact in the lives of others.

You can view all of the winning entries at studentartgallery.dart.org.

The DART Student Art Contest is a 23-year tradition that helps promote the use of public transportation and is

supported by community partners the Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Contemporary and Half Price Books, as well as our media partners Al Día, Dallas Morning News, DFW Child, DFW Kids Directory, Local Profile, NBC 5 and Telemundo 39.

The winning artwork will be seen at DART rail stations, buses and inside trains, as well as on display at the Dallas Museum of Art, Love Field Airport, and on DART's website, DART.org.

Source: DART

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TRANSPORTATION

HOUSTON AIRPORTS

Provides ITRP Update to City Council’s Economic Development Committee the state-of-the-art New Terminal C North Concourse, completed in early 2017. Houston Airports provided associated utilities and apron works.

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

W

ith the Houston Airports strategic priorities to build platforms for future success and make our passengers happy squarely in mind, the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program, ITRP, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, IAH, continues to make significant strides.

Recently, Houston Airports Director Mario Diaz and Executive Program Manager, ITRP, Steven Andersen briefed the Houston City Council’s Economic Development Committee on the continuing progress of the program. The committee is chaired by Martha Castex-Tatum, Houston City Councilmember, District K, and reviews matters related to economic development, domestic and international trade, business and job creation and aviation.

Design Near Completion, Construction Underway And Authorization and Requests are Forthcoming Diaz offered opening remarks and stressed two major points Houston Airports. First, Diaz said that design was “very, very far along” and reminded the committee that the demolition of the Old C North pier was completed in April 2020.

“We have now closed the Terminal D/E Parking Garage structure to prepare for demolition by summer of this year,” Diaz said. “We will have completed all design and will be moving completely into construction. The second objective that we want to accomplish today is to provide you with an advance communication on the authorizations we will be bringing forward to Council for approvals relating to appropriations in order to stay on schedule with the projects.”

Breakdown of of Projects Projects Breakdown The ITRP projects breakdown includes: • International Terminal – North Concourse Project (new pier and refurbished Terminal D) • International Terminal – Central Processor & Federal Inspection Services Project (a new structure and an expansion to the FIS) • Enabling Utilities – Landside Project (maintains water pressure, improves water distribution through the central terminal area) • Infrastructure Division Office, IDO, Building Project (constructed and completed in spring 2019; houses the Program team, Infrastructure division, and contractors and designers) Andersen said the Program’s careful planning includes safeguarding for the further expansion of Terminal D as passenger and airline traffic grows and goes beyond the record levels attained pre-COVID-19 pandemic.

“That includes a central pier and an east pier in the plan for future expansion,” Andersen said.

Updateon onthe theProgram Program Update Diaz turned the presentation over to Andersen who provided a comprehensive update and emphasized Houston Airports’ vision and goal of being a 5-star global air service gateway with a passenger focus.

Both Bush and William P. Hobby Airports are currently 4-star rated airports by Skytrax, the international air rating service.

“We obviously have a vision and a goal to be a 5-star global air service gateway,” Andersen said. “We hope and intend this design and implementation with this exciting project will lay a great platform for us to achieve that fifth star. We want to express Houston’s key, unique characteristics and make it memorable. We want to reinforce a cohesive identity for the passenger experience...one seamless passenger experience both from a processing and ease of flow [standpoint] but also a look and feel.”

Andersen said the team had worked to incorporate several important facets into design, including the regional landscape, local vegetation, experiential art, local art features and speed - an ever-important feature for the passenger.

Andersen reprised that ITRP is comprised of a number of projects that include new construction and refurbishment of existing spaces, began when United Airlines built

Other prominent features include: • a refurbished Terminal D, • a baggage screening building that includes state-of-theart baggage and a top level for new club space for VIPs, • new arrivals and drop-off curbs as well as new international terminal processor building, • expansion and consolidation of an international security checkpoint for departing and transferring passengers, with associated upgrades to baggage handling systems. and • modification upgrades to the Federal Inspection Service building.

Targeted International Terminal Complex completion dates include: • New D West Pier Q4 2022 • MLIT North Concourse Q3 2023 • New Baggage Screening Building Q4 2023 • New International Terminal, Phase 1 Opening, Q4 2023 • New International Terminal, Phase 2 Opening, Q2, 2024 Andersen said that ITRP was looking to, “really upgrade the passenger experience both from a technology and functionality standpoint and also from a comfort and maintainability perspective.”

ITRP is being built to last.

Upcoming Appropriations Appropriations Upcoming Andersen also offered a look-ahead for upcoming appropriations totaling $747 million— a figure that includes handing back $11 million in realized project savings.

ITRP’s upcoming Council actions in the second quarter of 2021 include: - funding for the D West Pier, - the EUL Water Storage and Water Distribution Scope, and - Terminal C Modifications by United Airlines, UAL and unspent budget related to the New C North April works by UAL. He also discussed expected Council dates through calendar year 2022 that would include requested appropriations for other projects and for contractors.

And Finally...

Castex-Tatum was complimentary of the presentation and concluded with a question about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic might have on the plans, design and construction of ITRP. Diaz discussed the amazing advances that aviation and Houston Airports has made with regard to biometrics and the deliberate movement toward a truly touchless, voluminous and clean ITRP environment that would typify the future passenger experience.

“We’re in the process of changing the way passengers get processed through the terminals,” Diaz said.

The program budget remains at $1.3 billion and Program completion is calendar year 2024.

For more information, please visit https://www.fly2houston.com/.

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Source: Houston Airports

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