2019 BUILD OHIO WINNERS

RENOVATION CATEGORY

A.A. BOOS & SONS, INC. (Oregon)
The ProMedica Museum of Natural History at the Toledo Zoo (Cincinnati)

Project Description:
The Museum of Science at The Toledo Zoo was a Works Progress Administration project, built in 1933 with local materials recycled into an indoor theater and exhibit showplace. A treasure of hand-carved workmanship in both stone and fitted timbers, the Museum’s load-bearing masonry walls measure up to 18-inches thick and support a Spanish tile roof.

The Museum hosted a wide variety of exhibits through the 1980s, then transitioned into offices and research space. In 2015, the Zoo created a master plan which included bringing the structure into code compliance and back to life as a vibrant, exciting architectural treasure.

Transforming the WPA-era museum into an entirely new visitor experience created major challenges for A.A. Boos & Sons, general and interior trades contractors for the project. To carry the loads of today’s visitors, displays, water features and exhibits, the firm had extensive shoring engineered to brace the structure, added 1,245 pieces of structural steel, poured 650 cubic yards of structural concrete and 85 cubic yards of exhibit Gunite.

Since original columns do not align from one floor to the next, this shoring was also critical in the creation of 15 significant openings made in load-bearing brick walls as well as the re-alignment of the first floor. Over eighty-percent of the basement was removed and A.A. Boos excavated 1,200 cubic yards of dirt through standard (3′ x 7′) doors while removing and lowering the theater’s sloped floor to meet code and accessibility requirements.

Over 300 field work orders were completed with well over one hundred additional tasks done the week the Museum opened to the public. A.A. Boos self-performed 45,000 man-hours of work with no lost-time injuries while protecting the architectural integrity of the Museum, finishing without a single crack in the brick structure, ornate stone detailing or treasured woodwork.

SPECIALTY UNDER $2 MILLION CATEGORY

CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS, INC. (Columbus)
Palace Theatre Alterations (Columbus)

Project Description:
The first major renovation of the Palace Theatre auditorium in 34 years restored the 92-year-old theatre to the look and feel of its original splendor when it opened in 1926 as a vaudeville house. The Palace closed for this renovation on May 11 and had to be ready to reopen less than six months later for a sold-out performance on November 2.

Every wall, ceiling and floor surface of the Palace’s auditorium was restored, repaired, resurfaced or repainted during the renovation, all while the entire space was filled with a massive scaffold that supported the plaster and painting crews.

The scope of work included demo, replacement and reconfiguring of all seats on the main level; refurbishing seat frames and installing new hardware on all balcony and loge seats; stripping and refinishing with epoxy the concrete flooring under the new seats; refurbishing the auditorium’s 14 sets of enormous metal emergency exit doors; replacing concrete thresholds and portions of metal door frames for 14 exit doors; floor protection of all the existing carpet in the aisles and stairs and of the newly refinished concrete floors; refurbishing light fixtures and chandeliers; and construction of new concrete pads and protective railing for ADA-compliant seating.

The project was completed on time and under budget. The project passed all inspections by the Ohio Historic Preservation Office, which was necessary to earn the historic tax credits that were an important part of the project funding.

SPECIALTY OVER $7 MILLION CATEGORY

THE LIMBACH CO. (Columbus)
St. Ann's Critical Air Handling Unit Replacement (Westerville)

Project Description:
Mount Carmel St. Ann’s is a 281-bed general medical and surgical hospital located in Westerville, Ohio. Limbach has been St. Ann’s trusted partner for their mechanical and service work for the last 25 years. During their tenure with St. Ann’s, they have trusted in Limbach engineers to help them evaluate, prioritize, and plan the replacements of various air handling units, many of which have been in use since 1984.

For this unique, design-assist project, Limbach was tasked with replacing 9 critical air handling units (AHU’s) totaling 139,200 CFM, 281 variable air volume boxes (VAV’s), and upgrade the old pneumatic control system to a digital building automation system. During the pre-construction phase, Limbach Engineering and Design Services (LEDS) was able to increase the size of two select AHU’s that in return, were able to shorten the schedule and eliminate two of the existing air handlers.

St. Ann’s continuously communicated that their goals for this project were to replace the air handlers in a timely, well-planned sequence to minimize disruption to the hospital. To ensure Limbach met St. Ann’s goals, the team created a rigorous pre-construction plan, equipment phasing plan, and a comprehensive schedule to give our team a clear vision and timeline for the project and to limit disruptions to the facility. With proper planning and their expertise in working in active hospitals, the installation of these new air handling units, VAV boxes, and control systems was safe, innovative, and systematic.

The project had a vast scope, fast-track schedule, and potential for major safety issues requiring seamless
communication and teamwork utilizing engineering, design, and construction expertise.

INDUSTRIAL/HEAVY CATEGORY

KOKOSING INDUSTRIAL, INC. (Westerville)
Dublin Road Water Treatment Plant Expansion (Columbus)

Project description:
Kokosing Industrial, Inc. (Kokosing) provided $189 million in plant upgrades for the City of Columbus at the Dublin Road Water Treatment Plant (DRWTP) over five years. DRWTP is an integral part of Columbus’ water treatment process that provided 35 percent of the 48.8 billion gallons of water consumed in the area in 2018. Improvements to every facet of the plant were prompted following several instances of nitrate levels that exceeded EPA regulations, along with the anticipated growth trajectory of the City.

The DRWTP was originally built in 1975; its aging infrastructure and dated technology was ineffective against the nitrates that leach into water sources from fertilizers used in Ohio’s sizeable agricultural industry. A phased approach was applied to the vast amount of construction needed to provide higher-quality water to current residents and prepare DRWTP to handle the anticipated exponential growth for its service area. Plant operations are now much more cost effective and efficient. Phase 1 consisted of construction to prepare the plant for the coming work, including a new sludge pump station with custom pumps, new electrical distribution system, new parking facility and sitework.

The entire 18-bay filter gallery was rehabilitated during Phase 2, including media and underdrain replacement. A new SCADA system was installed, along with new network switches, servers, and associated updates. New recarbonation and ozone contact basins, with connecting channels and pipe systems, were constructed during Phase 3.

A new ion exchange facility was constructed during Phase 4, which is the largest of its kind in the United States. Additional work included replacement of six high-service pumps, installation of over 1,125 valves and major electrical and HVAC upgrades.

This complex work provided our project teams with the opportunity to rise to difficult challenges and develop creative approaches to deliver a quality project to a valued client.

NEW CONSTRUCTION UNDER $100 MILLION CATEGORY

MESSER CONSTRUCTION CO. (CINCINNATI)
University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute (Cincinnati)

Project description:
In the darkness of neurological disorders that affects one out of six people worldwide, a light shines through structured polyester mesh at the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio. World-renowned as the first of its kind, the building houses 15 neurological specialty areas under one roof with every inch designed to blend patient care and architecture. The Gardner Neuroscience Institute is the most comprehensive, patient centric neurological care facility ever built.

A three-dimensional sunshade system made of structured polyester mesh wraps around three sides of the iconic facade, designed to prevent glare for light-sensitive patients and control temperature. Underneath the facility is a 80,788-sf parking garage built with flat surfaces that prevent shadows while allowing daylight to guide exiting patients. Above the garage stands a 4-level, 110,611 sf steel-framed structure, designed with an emphasis on light-filled spaces, which house neurologic clinical trials, education and world-class outpatient care. A pedestrian walkway stems from the first floor, spanning over three lanes of traffic, connecting physicians and patients to UC Health Physicians Office–Clifton.

Although the facility was to be built with a 40% M/WBE inclusion requirement, with Messer’s core value and
unwavering commitment to diversity, the project achieved a staggering 46% M/WBE inclusion spend. The project was constructed just feet away from UC Health’s own central nervous system, UC Medical Center, which is the region’s only adult Level I trauma center. Since construction activity could not impede ambulance and vehicular traffic, Messer kept in communication with medical officials at all hours of the day to ensure no unplanned obstructions.

The UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute outpatient building was successfully completed on-time and on-budget and is the first new-build on UC Health’s Clifton campus in 30 years, serving as a new front entryway to groundbreaking patient-centered care.

NEW CONSTRUCTION OVER $100 MILLION CATEGORY

DONLEY’S, INC./TURNER CONSTRUCTION CO. (Cleveland)
Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic Sheila & Eric Samson Pavilion (Cleveland)

Project description:
The recently completed Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion on the Health Education Campus at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic is a state-of-the-future Pavilion, combining the education of students from medical, nursing, and dental schools under one roof. The 4-story, 485,000 gross square foot building houses the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine and Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing. The unique joint venture of the two institutions is the first of its kind for both organizations. The building consists of a glass curtain wall exterior and a glass skylight supported by a structural truss system that provides a 4-story interior atrium. The facility incorporates leading-edge technology to aid in the core concept of training future doctors, dentists, and nurses under one roof to foster collaboration to improve healthcare and reduce costs.

Truly a collaborative effort, the project team included the two Owners, two Architects (Foster Partners and DLR |
Westlake Reed) and two construction managers (Doney’s, Inc. and Turner Construction). This collaboration
extended to the subcontractors, many of which participated in key design-assist roles which enabled innovative solutions addressing unique design elements including the curtain wall, canopy, and skylight.

The construction documents were at a schematic design level when the project excavation began, a fast trek
approach was required to keep the design and material procurement slightly ahead of construction. There were also significant budget challenges of approximately $50 million that had to be overcome by the team when construction began.

With a focus on lean, quality, and safety, the team navigated the 40-month schedule to deliver this one of a kind educational facility. The lean tools accelerated the levels of trust and accountability within the team resulting in and leading to a highly functional team that was required to meet and exceed the demanding quality expectations and schedule constraints.