The $11.2-million, 65,000-sq-ft Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Franklin Medical Office Building was constructed in only 10 months, with work commencing in late fall and extending through the winter.

Photo Courtesy of Riley Construction
Despite weather extremes, crews completed work on the Wheaton Franciscan Health Care Franklin Medical Office in just 10 months.
Photo Courtesy of Riley Construction
Crews installed temporary heating and erected a fully scaffolded plastic enclosure to allow masonry work to continue during adverse weather.

Among other measures, team members installed temporary heating and erected a fully scaffolded plastic enclosure to allow masonry work to continue during adverse weather conditions.

Come spring, poor soil and wet weather required application of lime kiln dust to stabilize conditions prior to construction of a parking lot.

Despite the hectic pace, the project incurred no safety incidents or lost-time injuries, a feat contractor Riley Construction attributes to an aggressive safety program led by a full-time safety manager and supported daily by a field safety specialist, superintendents, subcontractors and their crews.

Safety training and awareness sessions occurred weekly during the project, with meeting topics ranging from fall protection, electrical, forklifts and scaffolding to aerial lifts, scissor lifts, ladders, rigging, machine guarding and temporary heating.

Efforts were augmented by daily safety inspections and daily job hazard analyses performed by construction superintendents.

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Franklin Medical Office Building, Franklin, Wis.

Key Players

Owner Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Glendale, Wis.

CM Riley Construction, Milwaukee

Architect Eppstein Uhen, Milwaukee

Structural Engineer Pierce Engineers, Milwaukee

MEP Engineer JF Ahern Co., Milwaukee

Civil Engineer Joehnk Engineering Group