Happy Holidays!!

Decorations hang from many a fixture and cubicle, home-baked treats smell sweet in the break room and holiday cards line desks and file cabinets: Yes, the seasonal cheer is impossible to miss at GBA’s many offices.

Yet, we realize not everyone is as fortunate.

So, the GBA elves did their best to help, pairing with The Gillis Center of Kansas City, Mo.

The Gillis Center has a long history of helping children and families, dating back to 1870. Back then, it provided shelter for women and children displaced and destitute after the Civil War. Today, it serves families and children through campus-based and community-based services, including residential care, special needs education, crisis intervention and reunification. The ultimate goal is for each of the center’s families to have healthy, nurturing and self-sufficient homes.

 

While the Lenexa office was donating goodies and making cards for Gillis Center families, our O’Fallon office was collecting items like diapers, art supplies and clothing for the St. Louis Crisis Nursery. The nursery provides short-term care for young children while helping families resolve crisis.

Thank you to everyone who donated items and their time!

Happy holidays and best wishes for peace and prosperity in the New Year from all of us at GBA!  

Holiday Tips from the Experts

Tim Ross talked to some experts about the holidays. Check out their tips.

The Assault On Concrete by Deicing Chemicals

Exterior concrete slabs and pavements are bombarded every winter with deicing chemicals to remove snow and ice more quickly. Even though these deicing chemicals make concrete surfaces—like roads, sidewalks and parking lots—safer for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, they can be detrimental to the concrete itself.

Winter moisture already does a number on concrete by itself, as water—snow melt, sleet, runoff—expands 9 percent its original size when frozen. That means when concrete freezes, any moisture in the concrete can create pressure in the pores of the concrete. When this pressure exceeds the concrete’s tensile capacity, it causes cracking and spalling of the concrete surface.

If large aggregate in the concrete is porous or absorptive, the moisture in the aggregate can freeze and crack and split. If these aggregates are close to the surface, they can create pop outs that look like cone shaped indentions on the surface of the concrete. This cracking can also create D-cracking, which is closely spaced cracks that parallel joints. These cracks will continue to multiply over time and show up further and further from the joint.

Deicing chemicals can make this process worse in different ways.

First, the deicing chemicals reduce the freezing temperature of the offending moisture. So rather than the moisture in the concrete freezing at 32 degrees and staying frozen until the concrete temperature exceeds 32 degrees, it thaws at a lower temperature and refreezes at a lower temperature. Therefore, the concrete goes thru more freeze/thaw cycles than it would have if deicing chemicals were not used. Each time the concrete freezes, it repeats the expansion pressure that can create more cracking and spalling.

Most deicing chemicals contain chlorides. These chlorides are like sponges that attract and hold moisture. Therefore, concrete that is more saturated with chlorides is probably more saturated with moisture and thus more susceptible to damage when the concrete freezes.

Even worse, certain deicing chemicals can actually chemically attack concrete. Sodium chloride, calcium chloride and urea are the most used deicers. Sodium chloride has little to no chemical effect on concrete, but can damage plants and is highly corrosive. Calcium chloride in weak solutions has little effect on concrete and is less offensive to plants but is also highly corrosive, but calcium chloride in concentrated solutions can chemically attack concrete. Urea has little effect on concrete, plants or metal. Deicers containing ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate aggressively attack and disintegrate concrete and should not be used.

But it’s not just the concrete these chemicals harm. Chlorides in deicing chemicals can aggressively attack metal and transform metal into rust. When metal rusts, the rust can become four times larger than the original metal. Therefore, rusting reinforcing steel embedded in concrete can expand and crack and spall the concrete covering it. Once this process starts, both the concrete and steel deteriorate even faster than before.

Deicing chemicals can certainly have a negative effect on concrete. In January, we will discuss ways we can try to protect our concrete from these effects.

Tis the Season to Save Energy!

As we begin displaying festive décor and spreading holiday cheer, we must not forget to conserve energy. Applying practical and innovative holiday conservation methods will make a positive effect on our environment, and it will help you pinch pennies! Here are a few ideas on how you can make an impact this holiday season:

Light for Less

Recycle conventional lights in exchange for LED lights. LED lights will conserve 80-90% compared to conventional lights and save an average of $9 per season for an average display.  An extravagant display could save $270 or more per season. Local Non-Profits, Home Depot and Wal-Mart are just a few among many organizations to participate in recycling conventional holiday lights – some businesses are even cutting consumers deals when replacing conventional lights with LED lights!

Time the Tinsel

Set automatic timers on your holiday decorations which will ensure shorter hours for display. No need to burn the midnight oil!

Skip the Stove

Eager to sneak a look inside the oven at the apple crisp – think again! Opening the oven door while baking wastes energy. Better yet, employing the use of smaller appliances will conserve more energy. Explore ways to spice up your holiday feast with crock pots and toaster ovens.

Guests Galore

As you open your home to family and friends, be mindful of best practices to save energy around the house. For example, turning off lights in unoccupied areas could save 10-20% on your energy bill. Another tip would result in skipping the use of technology and electronics. Instead of watching the television or listening to music, assemble a puzzle or sing a carol.
 
In the spirit of the season, we hope you utilize tactics to conserve energy for our environment. May you have a happy and energy conscious holiday!

GIS Day is November 20

Have you recently thanked your GIS professional?  This year, November 20 is a day set aside to celebrate the importance geographic information technology (GIS) to the communities in which we work, live and play. GIS Day is always held the third Wednesday of November each year during Geography Awareness Week, which is an initiative sponsored by the National Geographic Society.

Take a moment this week to thank your GIS professional for they take complex data to create databases and maps that benefit communities. GIS maps can show land usage, infrastructure location, public utilities, emergency services, road type and pavement condition, tax rate and other parcel information, lot measurements; permits issued, FEMA DFirms and much, much more. GIS is an important asset management tool that helps governments and businesses solve local problems.

The history of GIS Day dates back to 1999 and has grown into a worldwide educational event.

Leonard Barnhill is a certified GIS Professional (GISP) and has been
an advocate of GIS technology for nearly 20 years.
Thank you Leonard!

In Honor of All Veterans

Thank you to the brave men and women currently serving and to those that have served our great country. We are truly grateful for your service.

At GBA, we have the honor of having employees themselves who served or have many family members that served, dating back to the Civil War. During the week of November 11-15 we will have a display with images of each of the family members honoring their service. It is a small way to show our appreciation and never forget their sacrifices.

What's Your Impact?

Measuring your greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions is a critical first step in sustaining the environment for future generations. Unfortunately, you cannot manage what you cannot measure. While it seems like a daunting process, completing a GHG Inventory to benchmark your contribution to global climate change could make a world of difference. Although inventories vary in complexity, they center on three themes including the identification of emission sources, gathering data on those sources, and calculating GHG emissions also known as a footprint. Not sure where to start? The overview below outlines the levels you can achieve in completing a greenhouse gas inventory: 

Scope I: Under this parameter, direct greenhouse gas emissions will be identified. This is essentially the combustion of fossil fuels on your property.

Scope II:  At this level, indirect greenhouse gas emissions from consumption of purchased electricity, heating/cooling or steam will be analyzed.

Scope III:  Additional indirect emissions, such as electricity transmission and distribution losses, business travel and contracted waste disposal will provide a better look at your greenhouse gas outputs.

Feeling inspired? Take the lead to conduct a greenhouse gas inventory at your home or business. Additional details about the effects of greenhouse gases are summarized here: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/ghg/. With your benchmark complete, you can now set your own reduction goal and implement strategies to reduce your contribution to emission generating activities.

As always, we welcome your opinions and comments below!

GBA Headed to Silicon Valley for IMN

On behalf of the Critical Facilities Group (CFG), Heidi Thummel is attending the 4th Annual Financing, Investing, and Real Estate Development for Data Center Conference in San Jose, CA, October 28-29. With two days of sessions covering in-depth market analysis and best practices, our goal is to meet the next data center client for GBA.

CFG brings specialized experience with data centers and telecommunications facilities. Work is performed on mission-critical systems that require 24/7 uptime, and we’ve become experts at designing and commissioning renovation projects. Since the group’s establishment in the early 1990s, it has grown in both size and capability to meet changing client needs and technology. GBA serves clients from across the U.S. and abroad.

Providing fully integrated design teams allows us to efficiently serve our clients in the following industries:

· Data centers

· Co-location and web hosting centers

· Telecommunications

· Operations and control facilities

· Office and support facilities

· Technical labs

Since 1994 IMN's Real Estate division has earned an outstanding reputation for the quality of content exchanged at its events, with an understanding of the complex nature of the markets. IMN consistently delivers programs that lead the way in business intelligence and bring together key buyers and sellers, both domestically and from around the globe. 

GBA’s race-day work at the Kansas Speedway

Spending the day watching cars go lightning speeds at the Kansas Speedway spells f-u-n for more than 75,000 people in the stands at each race.

Not so fun? Going a snail’s pace when trying to leave after a race.

To keep the post-race frustration of speed-lovers in check, a squad of GBA traffic engineers is behind the magic curtain, making sure you get home in a safe and efficient fashion.

Our engineers are able to control the signals along State Avenue, adjacent to the track from the roof of the grandstand with the drivers’ spotters, using signal timings developed specifically for this event. Standing on the roof also allows our engineers to have a bird’s-eye visual of the traffic situation as it unfolds and spot potential sticking points before they become problems.

Tab Boyd, spotter for racer Joey Logano, says that GBA’s traffic control work is extremely helpful not just for the fans, but for the racing crews, too.

“The huge crowds at a NASCAR race can prove very challenging while leaving the race track. Many places it is difficult getting out of the facility and negotiating weird traffic patterns. Kansas Speedway has a seamless traffic pattern post-race,” Boyd says. “We never stop when we leave the tunnel until we reach the interstate. It’s nice after a hard weekend at the track to have such an easy ride to the airport!”

After traffic has calmed to normal levels—usually 90 minutes to two hours after Sprint Cup races—GBA engineers return the traffic signal timings to their normal settings.

All work is done in conjunction with the Kansas City Kansas Police Department, Unified Government Traffic Engineering, Unified Government Street Department and BPU Traffic.

Fan Scott Mallin says he really appreciates the work GBA and local agencies do to keep things moving.

“As a Harley Triker, getting in and out of the track in short order is important to keeping my engine and me cool. I have been to races at Charlotte, Atlanta, Bristol and Kansas. I am certain, that at those first 3 tracks, I would have to pull over to allow my engine and me, to cool off,” he says. “At the Kansas Speedway, I was in, AND out of the grounds and on the highway within five minutes! I live in Shawnee off I-435 and Shawnee Mission Parkway. I was home and comfortable in 15 minutes after the finish of the Sprint Cup race! I was in the pits and saw the celebration in Victory Circle. When I got home ... I felt like the traffic folks deserved a trophy as well!”

Happy Boss's Day!!

We would like to thank all of our bosses today. Thank you for your guidance each day, the knowledge you bestow and the leadership you provide. At GBA we believe we are very fortunate to have an outstanding leadership that has brought us through the decades to where we are today.

Thanks to all our bosses!!

 

 

 

 

"I like working for Mike Smith because he believes in training, including management and life skills that so important to success and understanding."

- Anonymous

 

"One of the reasons why I love working with GBA is because I have great Bosses! Dennis, Dan and Jim.

They are very supportive in many ways either professionally or even personal matters.  Yes, they are very demanding when it comes to getting things done at work with high expectations but they are very supportive and fair to all of us that is how they make GBA a remarkable and fun place to work to."

- Lea Murray, Administrative

 

"A big thank you to Kim Pearse for serving as a team player, an effective listener, and a boss who consistently provides recognition and career development opportunities. I’ve really enjoyed working with him during my time at GBA. He’s also quick with a smile, a joke and most certainly a sketch!"

- Katie McKenzie, Marketing

 

"I appreciate Craig’s insight into building client relationships and project history.  No matter what may come across my desk, there is always valuable advice to be had from his years of experience in building design and construction.  Thanks for always giving me your opinion."

- Suzanne Berkey, Architect Life Sciences

 

"I am lucky to have a boss that always has my back and shows complete confidence in my abilities. He’s also a lot of fun to go to happy hour with."

-  Anonymous

 

"I appreciate the fact that my boss and I can communicate sometimes without using complete sentences…which can be frustrating for others in the conversation."

- Anonymous

Meet the Expert

With more than 35 years of professional experience, Bill Carter, vice president and principal of GBA’s Water Environment Group, has been tapped to provide his insight at the WEFTEC conference this week at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago.  Bill will be available from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Learning Lounge for a Question and Answer period.  Stop by and try to stump this expert!

http://www.weftec.org/meettheexperts-collectionsystems/

Celebrating 22 Years of Energy Awareness

October marks the annual celebration of Energy Awareness Month. Since 1991, the U.S. Department of Energy has recognized the significance of energy efficiency and energy conservation by promoting smart energy practices. We hope you will join GBA in supporting clean energy initiatives during this month, which in turn will help the economy and protect our environment. Help us honor energy awareness by participating in the following sustainability efforts at your home, business or school:

• Install quick-fix energy conservation measures. For example, switch incandescent light bulbs to compact florescent bulbs or install programmable thermostats.
• Schedule an energy audit, create a Climate Action Plan, or sign a pledge to become carbon neutral.
• Educators or Unified School District Energy Managers can discuss the importance of energy and the environment with their students through initiatives currently implemented by the school such as recycling, energy conservation and renewable energy.
• Walk, bike or take the bus to your destination to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Bring reusable bags to the grocery store or your own mug to the coffee shop. Reduce, reuse, and recycle!
• Gather a group of friends and honor the month by planting a tree help the environment thrive.

We invite you to share your ideas – join the conversation in the comments below!

Kline Selected for 2014 APWA Emerging Leaders Academy

GBA roadway engineer Rob Kline was selected for the 2014 class of the APWA Emerging Leaders Academy.

The academy is a national, year-long program providing intensive leadership and management training within the context of public works. In addition, it provides participants with opportunities to network with peers from around the country. Rob is the first engineer from GBA selected for the prestigious group, which will be in its seventh year.

“Through the ELA, I hope to continue to develop my leadership skills,” says Rob. “I think this is a great opportunity to meet and network with other young professionals from all over the country and learn about their diverse experiences with leadership and specifically how they use it within the field of Public Works. I hope to use the information and tools that I learn from the class to become a more dynamic leader as I get more opportunities in leadership roles at GBA.”

An Iowa State grad, Rob has been with GBA since 2006, and is P.E. in both Kansas and Missouri. His resume includes projects with KDOT, MoDOT plus several counties and municipalities.

We Will Always Remember

Beck and Margheim Collaborate as Technical Reviewers

GBA leaders Gary Beck, P.E., vice president and principal, and Waldo Margheim, P.E.,

associate, recently served as reviewers for the Water Environment Federation’s Manual of Practice 17 “Prevention and Control of Sewer System Overflows (Third Edition).”

This book is the authoritative go-to manual for managers and engineers seeking to understand and analyze an overflow problem.  The book provides in-depth guidance on finding the most efficient and cost-efficient strategies to reduce or eliminate overflows.  The book can also be used as a planning tool for developing long-term control plans for combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).

 

"The water environment industry knows it can turn to GBA to provide technical expertise when needed," sadi Bill Carter, P.E., vice president and principal of GBA's Water Environment Group. "Our team consists of thought leaders that have made valuable contributions to the way the industry solves CSOs and SSOs."

 

To order your hard cover or e-book copy, please click here. Gary and Waldo are available to autograph your copy to make it a one-of-a-kind edition!

Golf and "the Game" on the Front Range

GBA returned for the 7th year to sponsor and play in the Rocky Mountain ISPE golf Tournament. The sold out tournament attracted players from pharmaceutical and bio-related companies as well as vendors. As the sponsor on the 148-yard hole #3 at Todd Creek Golf Club, everyone was invited to play our game by spinning the wheel of “club” choices, then teed off with either a hockey stick, driver, baseball bat or tennis racquet. 

Good sports participating in the game were captured on video as they attempted to hit the green, some were more successful on the first tru than others - check out the highlight reel on YouTube!

     
The winner of the game landed closest to the pin and took home a Golf Buddy GPS! We hosted two teams in the tournament and enjoyed a beautiful day of golf, followed by the awards program.

Animal Health Homecoming and Forum

Dan Abitz, Craig Rogge, Kent Dyck and Heidi Thummel attended the KCADC Animal Health Corridor Homecoming dinner. The event is in its eighth year and was attended by more than 800 guests from all around the world.

The event always showcases some great speakers and entertainment within the animal health industry. This year, Kostas Kontopanos, president of Hill’s Pet Nutrition was the host and entertainment was provided by Animal Planet star Victoria Stilwell.

The KC Animal Health Investment Forum was held the following day and 13 emerging animal health companies presented their ideas. The forum attracted more than 20 early  to mid-stage animal health companies, as well as animal health executives and investors seeking business partnerships.

This event continues to grow each year and GBA is excited to have been a part of it.

Jennifer Gunby is First in Kansas to Gain REP Designation

Jennifer Gunby has become the first individual in the State of Kansas to achieve the designation as Certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP).  The designation recognizes the expertise and experience of professionals involved in the specification and application of renewable and alternative energy technologies, assessment of renewable energy projects, and development of achievable low-carbon and sustainability goals for organizations. 

In order to receive the certification, Jennifer had to pass a written examination and fulfill prescribed standards of experience. The certification is recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Agency for International Development, utilities, end users, and energy service companies.

In addition to the REP designation, Jennifer is also a Professional Engineer and LEED Accredited Professional.  Jennifer has a well versed background on energy efficiency, energy conservation and on-site renewable energy generation.

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) has been certifying professionals within the energy industry since 1981, introducing the REP certification in 2010.

Wichita Road Trip!

GBA’s Water Environment and Energy groups and gba System Integrators (gbaSI) will be under one roof at the KWEA/KsAWWA joint annual conference at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita.  Our booth No. 50 will be open during the conference on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28.  Stop by to say hello, take a chance to win a BBQ aficionado’s dream basket and much more.

While you are at the conference make plans to join several of our GBA professionals at their presentation.

Tuesday, Aug. 27 Session

4:15 p.m. in Walnut Room 208
“Energy Savings through Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy”
Jennifer Gunby, P.E. of GBA’s Energy Group

Wednesday, Aug. 28 Session

9:15 a.m. in Cypress Room B 209
“25 Years of Public and Private: What We have Learned”
Bill Carter, P.E., DBIA, a GBA vice president and principal, and Ron Thomann of TREKK Design Group

3:30 p.m. in Cypress Room B 209
“Adventures in Public Interaction – Lessons in Counseling Homeowners through the Loss of Private I/I”
Waldo Margheim, P.E. of GBA, Joshua Tedder of Black and Veatch, Ron Thomann and Dan Ott, P.E. of Johnson County Wastewater

Click here for a map to the Hyatt Regency

Schools Commit to Climate Change Beyond the Classroom

August marks the beginning of widespread change for the nation. For many, the focus rests on gearing up for the “back to school” routine. Faculty and staff at schools, colleges and universities have spent their summer months preparing for the upcoming year to be successful. Fresh paint, new resources, better security, and welcoming décor are just a few signs of the preparatory measures the new school year brings. What might not be apparent are the behind-the-scenes measures. Amongst the meetings and paperwork, your administrators are having discussions on how to mitigate climate change.

We hear about this issue in the news and worry about the consequences caused by increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. While it’s a serious yet complicated issue, we commend the schools, colleges and universities who have made changes during the summer to make a meaningful impact which begins with a commitment.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and Presidents’ Climate Commitments are just a couple among many. These visionary pledges all work to integrate the highest standards of sustainability including greenhouse gas inventories, climate action plans, energy reduction milestones and clean energy goals. Each plan differs in its approach and commitment. Thus far, 627 colleges and universities have committed to the Presidents’ Climate Commitment, 877 Schools have joined AASHE, and the numbers are continually increasing. If your organization is behind the sustainable curve, task yourself with the following:

Step 1:          Benchmark:  Complete a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory to calculate your current contribution, also known as your climate footprint. Calculators are available online for basic benchmarking, typically Scope 1 inventories which are direct GHG emissions. Consultants can perform Scope II and III inventories which take into account indirect emissions. Further explanations of direct and indirect emissions, as well as GHG calculators, are available at the sites listed below.

 

Step 2:          Assess & Plan:  Decide by how much you want to reduce your climate footprint and if climate neutrality is right for you. Create a Climate Action Plan to determine the specific actions needed to accomplish your climate footprint goal and to provide realistic milestones to reach along the way. Your GHG inventory can be completed as a part of your Climate Action Plan, and a Climate Action Plan is generally performed by an internal sustainability director or by a consultant.

Step 3:          Implement:  Follow-up the completion of your Climate Action Plan by implementing the prescribed actions. Without action, there will not be changes to your climate change contribution.

Step 4:          Monitor:  Track your progress and publicize your accomplishments. If you find that you are progressing at a different pace than prescribed by your Climate Action Plan update your plan. It is a dynamic document and should be updated every one to two years. Most importantly - pat yourself on the back for doing your part.

These steps and commitments are not limited to schools. Many business, cities and counties are taking proactive strides to serve the atmosphere by joining agreements such as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

If you have questions and would just like to visit with someone on this, please feel free to call Jennifer Gunby here at GBA.   She’ll be happy to share ideas and can help get you on your way.

As we go about our day, whether it is in the office or in the classroom, challenge yourself to create a blueprint for sustainability because climate change is happening now. Explore more about how you can make an impact in your organization at www.epa.gov/climatechange or http://climate.nasa.gov

79th Street Ready for School Busses

Students returning to Mill Creek Elementary School this week are doing so on a brand-new road.

 

GBA teamed with Emery Sapp and Sons to do a design-build redo of 79^th Street between Pflumm and Lackman — right in front of the school. Despite a construction schedule slowed by rain, the ESS/GBA team was able to have 79^th Street open and drivable last week when the students had a kick-off playdate with a firetruck in the school parking lot (above).

Roadwork is expected to be complete Sept. 27^th, on the project, which began immediately with selection by the city Feb. 20^th. GBA submitted preliminary plans for the first phase of construction on April 11 and final plans on that phase April 24^th.

Howley Achieves CFM Designation

Rebecca Howley, P.E., has achieved the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) designation.  This certification shows that Rebecca has a thorough understanding of issues associated with flood zones and flood insurance.  By combining this certification with her professional engineering license, Rebecca is able to make strong recommendations to solve flooding issues.

“Local municipalities are facing complex stormwater issues,” said Dennis Cantrell, P.E., vice president and principal.  “With this designation Rebecca is a recognized and an authoritative voice in floodplain management and can assist with solving flood zone, insurance, FEMA submittals and disaster preparedness.”

Rebecca is based in GBA’s O’Fallon, Mo. office.  She has more than 15 years of experience as a civil engineer.  Her project experience ranges from stormwater management analysis and design to floodplain and watershed mapping. 

The Certified Floodplain Manager Program was established by the Association of State
Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) in 1999.  The program emphasizes fundamentals of flood mapping, managing floodplain development, national and state standards and how to apply them to a locally administered program.

AWG Revives Corporate Headquarters with Expansion

Dust from Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) recent headquarters expansion has finally settled, but operations continue to surge. AWG, located in Kansas City, Kansas, is the nation’s second largest retailer-owned grocery cooperative. With the 26,854 sf addition, the building will now serve over 1,000 employees for AWG Corporate Office, the Kansas City Distribution Center, and Valu Merchandisers, a general merchandise and health care subsidiary.

Photo by: Mihalevich

GBA partnered with The Weitz Company to deliver this $5.5 million design-build project, in addition to working in conjunction with local, minority and women owned businesses. The Weitz-GBA team developed perspectives, schematic floor plans and prepared budgets that became part of the successful proposal selected by the owner. The team also carried responsibility for delivering several pricing options, different entrance design approaches and communication on how to coordinate the build with the daily operations on this busy industrial site.

The major design challenge for GBA was to duplicate a 20-year old addition with the original 1970 single-story office building. GBA used present day materials and building codes to create an attractive blend between the new and existing areas. Weitz was tasked with a construction challenge of building the three-story structure over occupied office building space and sharing tarmac with a 24/7 trucking and warehousing operation.

The new building skin was a combination of aluminum composite material panels, glass curtain wall, and EIFS. The building was modeled in BIM, from the bottom of the drilled pier foundations to the roof parapet.

So, the next time you visit your local retail store you just might be selecting from AWG’s assortment of grocery, fresh meat and produce, specialty foods, health care and general merchandise items that made it to market with the help of staff working on the recent office expansion by the Weitz-GBA team.