San Francisco voters approved Proposition B, a $412-million �Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response� bond that will cover the first phase expense of seismically upgrading a number of neighborhood fire stations and emergency water systems and construct a new public safety building in Mission Bay. The Emergency Firefighting Water Supply System, officially called the Auxiliary Water Supply System (AWSS), is an independent high-pressure water supply system dedicated to fire protection. It was built in 1913 in response to the 1906 Great Earthquake. It consists of a 135-mi pipeline network, a high elevation reservoir and two large capacity tanks, two pumping stations,
McKIM Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently appointed Cindy McKim as director of the California Department of Transportation, replacing Randy Iwasaki, who resigned in April to become the executive director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. “Cindy McKim is committed to improving our roads and infrastructure to meet the needs of future generations,” says Governor Schwarzenegger. “With many years of experience with Caltrans, she understands the impact that our transportation system has on businesses and job creation. Cindy shares my desire to see California grow and change to meet the needs of an ever growing population.” McKim has served at Caltrans since
Construction spending rebounded strongly in April, with an increase of 2.7% or $23 billion from March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $869 billion according to the latest analysis of federal spending figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America. The association notes that the gains were primarily driven by private residential construction (up 4.4%) and public construction (up 2.4%), but that private nonresidential also increased significantly (up 1.7%). “The stimulus is clearly driving one of the biggest increases in construction spending the industry has experienced in a long time,” says Ken Simonson, chief economist for the construction
Plans to finance a new professional football stadium in downtown San Diego may hinge on a June 22 vote by the city council, according to Chargers Special Counsel to the President Mark Fabiani. Fabiani spoke at a recent town hall forum at the Ironworkers Union Hall to discuss the latest developments in the Chargers’ attempt to secure a Super Bowl-quality facility. The town hall was sponsored by the San Diego Stadium Coalition community group. The stadium is being designed by architect Dennis Wellner, and this is not Wellner’s first foray into NFL stadiums. The Kansas City-based architect has designed several stadiums,
Teichert, the Sacramento-based construction, materials, equipment and development company, has been named California Construction�s 2010 Contractor of the Year for its commitment to safety and giving back while working to improve California�s vital infrastructure. Teichert worked on the Yocha Dehe Golf Club at Cache Creek Resort in Brooks. Construction on the Big Fix along Interstate-5 in Sacramento. “I am honored,” says Teichert President, chairman and CEO Jud Riggs. “McGraw-Hill Construction’s Regional Publications’ Contractor of the Year recognition is our way of honoring companies who go above and beyond,” says Robert Carlsen, managing editor of California Construction. “Teichert stood out because
Clark/McCarthy, A Joint Venture, recently finished the $575-million, LEED silver-certified Tom Bradley International Terminal Improvements and Baggage Screening Systems Project at Los Angeles International Airport. Related Links: Navy contract costs $10.9 million Mercy Medical Center in Merced completed Over two-and-a-half years, the Clark/McCarthy team completed 1 million sq ft of renovation work and upgrades. The project team replaced TBIT’s outdated baggage handling system with an in-line system, completely overhauled its existing mechanical, electrical, plumbing and information technology systems, and built a new gate to accommodate the 800-passenger Airbus A380 aircraft. Though original design plans did not account for sustainability, the
Richard Hale, who runs his family business, the Hale Corp., a small contractor in Monrovia, Calif., has been a longtime supporter of Pasadena Ronald McDonald House. He has been on the volunteer board since 2005 and served as board vice president for two years. As a board member, his role includes fundraising and chairing events for the charity. In addition, his family business and his parents have been supporting Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House since the early 1990s. Ronald hangs out in front of the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House, which is planning an expansion. In 2008, Richard’s then three-year-old son,
McCarthy Building Cos Inc. completed construction on the new $166-million Mercy Medical Center replacement hospital in Merced. A Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) affiliate, the Mercy Medical Center consolidates two existing campuses into one facility that includes an eight-level, 185-bed, 266,000-sq-ft general acute tower, as well as a 19,000-sq-ft central plant. Related Links: Navy contract costs $10.9 million Clark/McCarthy JV complete LAX renovation project In addition to CHW, the primary team members, consisting of McCarthy, RBB Architects, Inc. and the owner’s construction manager Harris & Associates, worked with the owner to implement a “design-assist” delivery process to help create a soothing
The U.S. Navy and design-build contractor Barnhart Balfour Beatty recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of two Child Development Centers on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and Naval Air Station North Island. Related Links: Mercy Medical Center in Merced completed Clark/McCarthy JV complete LAX renovation project The two centers have the capacity to serve 286 children. The project will include play areas, landscaping, new parking lots, drop-off areas and service entrances. Cost of the design and construction of the projects is $10.9 million and work is expected to be completed by January 2011. The contract was
THOMAS The American Institute of Architects granted honorary membership to Dr. Gail Thomas, president and CEO of The Trinity Trust Foundation in Dallas. It is one of the highest honors the AIA bestows on a person outside the profession of architecture. Thomas’ efforts to improve cities and her support of the arts and architecture were keys to her election. LEO A DALY in Dallas named John Kraskiewicz its new COO. He is also a vice president of the firm. Kraskiewicz holds a bachelor’s of architecture, a master’s of architecture and a master’s of business administration with a specialization in real
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