2006 Top Projects / Public

By Lucy Bodilly

Public Works continues to be a major force in the construction market. Oregon and Washington are spending record amounts on school construction.

Name of Project: Madras Prison
Owner: Oregon Department of Corrections
Architect: DLR Group
Contractor: Hoffman Construction Co.
Subconsultants: David Evans and Associates
Project Description: Construction of Deer Ridge Correctional Institution in Madras: a 644-bed minimum facility (complete December 2006); and a 1,240bed medium facility (complete December 2007). This update reflects changes to the plan for the minimum, which will now be divided into 54-bed units allowing dedicated housing for alcohol and drug treatment, mental health treatment, developmentally disabled inmates, and other special housing as needed.

Name of Project: WSP Building
Contractor: Turner Construction
Project Description: HDR and Turner Construction Company, in a joint venture, are currently providing design and construction services on a $100million integrated single-source design-build project for the Washington State Department of Corrections. The project is an expansion of the existing Washington State Penitentiary. The new 270,000-sq-ft. facility will have 768 close custody beds, 100 intensive management beds, and 98 segregation beds. Other support services, including food service are included in the assignment. Currently under construction the anticipated completion date is February 2007. The project is being designed with the goal of achieving LEED® silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Name of Project: Bellevue City Hall
Owner: City of Bellevue
Architect: SRG Partnership
Contractor: Lease Crutcher Lewis
Subcontractors: Artek, Audio Accoustics, Fairweather Masonry, GLY, Hos Brothers, Sasco, University Mechanical
Project Description: Lease Crutcher Lewis converted a former telecommunications hub in Downtown Bellevue into a city hall, police and fire headquarters, and 911 center. The project involved gutting most of the building, performing structural and seismic upgrades (including several new shear walls), adding new exterior curtain walls and cladding, and rebuilding all of the interiors and systems.

In addition to the inherent challenges with any retrofit of this size, the project was complex due to the many types of spaces – from police holding cells to council chambers to specialized communications systems.

A soaring public concourse through the center of the building features exposed wood framing, aluminum curtain wall, underfloor radiant heat, and an artistic terrazzo floor. A new stair tower in the concourse rises the full height of the building with glass curtainwall.

The building totals 619,000-sq.ft.Of this, 338,000 square feet is usable interior space. Below-grade parking with 390 spaces is being added, for a total of 790 indoor spaces and 281,000-sq.ft. of parking.

A significant new public plaza and park are included.

Name of Project: Cleveland High School
Owner: Seattle School District
Contractor: Absher Construction
Location: Seattle WA Project
Cost: $44.1M Project
Owner: Seattle Public Schools
Architect: Mahlum Architects
Consultant Team: Coughlin Porter Lundeen;Travis, Fitzmaurice & Associates; Hargis Engineers Major
Subcontractors: Metcalf-Grimm

Project Description: Absher is the GC/CM for this three-building restoration and modernization of the historic Cleveland High School, originally built in 1927. Historic renovation will include restoration of the theater and upgrades to the seating, acoustics and lighting. The project also includes a new three-story classroom building and gymnasium/commons/cafeteria building. T Most difficult aspect of the project: Site excavation has been a primary challenge due to unforeseen bedrock discovered across entire jobsite. Additionally, the scope of the abatement phase has increased; two prime examples are the removal and disposal of magnesite flooring throughout Building #1, and the removal of asbestos caulking at windows and in terra cotta.

Name of Project: CWU CUB, Ellensburg
Owner: State of Washington Architect: Ambia Enduring
Architecture Contractor: Lydig Construction
Subconsultants: Aden Roofing, Advanced Fireproofing and Insulation, Andgar Corp., Apollo Sheet Metal, DBM Contractors, Finishing Edge, Modern Drywall

Project Description: This project entailed constructing a 2-story, 228,261-sq.ft. Student Union Building and Recreation Center. The 147,370-sq.ft. Student Union wing contains residential dining facilities, a food court, radio station, theater, bookstore, meeting rooms, ballrooms, campus life and administration offices, as well as multiple open student spaces. The Recreation Center wing contains 4 full basketball courts with a second level running track, numerous multi-purpose fitness rooms, a nautalis and free weights room, rock climbing wall, locker rooms and sauna.

Name of Project: Eugene Courthouse
Owner: General Services
Administration Architect: Morphosis Contractor: J.E. Dunn Subconsultants: KPFF, DLR, Subcontractors: Glumac, Cherry City Electric, Total
Mechanical Cost: $70 million
Most Unusual aspect: The building is being designed by Thom Mayne, 2004 Pritzker Award winner.

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