Builders Exchange Magazine - October 2012

www.bxmagazine.comPublished by Sabre Publishing Group, Inc.

CLEVELAND | TOLEDO | DAYTON | YOUNGSTOWN | CINCINNATI | AKRON/CANTON | COLUMBUS

PROJECT PROFILES z LAKE HIGH SCHOOL IN MILLBURY z ASHLAND’S KETTERING SCIENCE CENTER

FEATURES z STUDY: AMERICA’S INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDSz STUDY: CONSTRUCTION IN THE NEAR TERMz TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION

PLUS: COLD WEATHER CONSTRUCTION

October 2012 | Volume 11 Issue 10

Study halls New schools,revamped facilities

This is your ad proofPlease check it for accuracy and content.

1/4 Page Vertical

By approving this proof, you are approving the content for placement in Sabre Publishing, Group Inc., publications (BXM, Ohio A&E or InScope) only. The payment you have agreed to is for “space only”. — Thank you for choosing Sabre Publishing Group to promote your products & services!

Approved by: __________________________________________________ Date: __________

Fax approved proof to: 216.373.6562 By signing this proof I agree to the terms & conditions set forth in the Sabre Publishing Group’s advertising contract

Serving the design & construction community


Company name: CORE Safety

Issue: See contract

Section: N/A

Sales rep: Jeff Landis

“Total Safety Management Services”

Site Inspection/Audit ServicesFulltime Onsite Management Services

OSHA and DOT Compliance & Mediation Services Wide Range of Onsite/Classroom & Web Based Safety Training DFWP and DOT Qualified Drug Testing/Monitoring Programs OSHA 10/30 Hour Training (Construction & General Industry)

Customized Safety Program Development

“Serving the Specialized Needs of Construction and General Industry”

Toll Free 888.766.1910www.coresafetyllc.com


1/4 Page Vertical


Approved by: __________________________________________________ Date: __________




Company name: AIA/IIDA

Issue: October

Section:

Sales rep:

2012 AIA/IIDA Design AwardsNovember 16, 20125:30 pmPeter B. Lewis BuildingCase Western Reserve University

Aheadof theCurve

For more information and ticket sales visit www.aiacleveland.com/2012Awards.html

A hall at Lake High School, shot by Chris Lark Photography.

BUILDERS EXCHANGE - THE MAGAZINE is published 12 times per year by sabre publishing group inc. 398 West bagley road, suite 210, cleveland, oh 44017. subscription rates: For builders exchange oF ohio, inc. members, annual subscription is $60. non-member annual subscription is $120. single copies (prepaid only): $12.00. back issues, iF available: $10 plus postage and handling. printed in ohio. copyright© 2012 sabre publishing group, inc. all rights reserved. no part oF this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any Form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including by photocopy, recording or inFormation storage and retrieval system, Without permission in Writing From the publisher. publisher assumes no responsibility For errors or omissions. the opinions expressed Within this publication are not necessarily those oF management.

www.bxmagazine.comPublished by Sabre Publishing Group, Inc.

CLEVELAND | TOLEDO | DAYTON | YOUNGSTOWN | CINCINNATI | AKRON/CANTON | COLUMBUS

PROJECT PROFILES z LAKE HIGH SCHOOL IN MILLBURY z ASHLAND’S KETTERING SCIENCE CENTER

FEATURES z STUDY: AMERICA’S INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDSz STUDY: CONSTRUCTION IN THE NEAR TERMz TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION

PLUS: COLD WEATHER CONSTRUCTION

October 2012 | Volume 11 Issue 10

Study halls New schools,revamped facilities

8

12

on the cover

news

6 AIA details effects of recession

6 Bill would encourage energy retrofits

7 Clean Ohio funds cut

7 MAP-21 transportation bill

columns

4 Blueprint Infrastructureisthenameofthegame

24 Doing business Whatexpiringtaxcutsmeantoyou

25 Technology Techtrap#5:Enoughtime andresourceshavebeenallotted

resources

25 COLD WEATHER PRODUCTS

28 NEW PRODUCTS

29 GREEN PRODUCTS

29 AD INDEX

30 PUNCHLIST

19

departments

VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 10

i n t h i s i s s u e

features

15 Job training: On the grow 19 Study: Why infrastructure matters

21 Study: Forecasting the construction climate

project profi les

8 The winds of hope LakeHighSchoolrebuildsaftertornado

12 Meeting tomorrow’s needs KetteringScienceCenterreorganizestoservemorestudents

VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 10



Proud to be members of:

InfrastructureisthenameofthegameNews ideas for funding water and wastewater projects

Over the next 25 years, the American Water Works Association predicts we’ll need

to spend over $1 trillion to modernize, repair, and expand our infrastructure for

drinking water, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors Water Council estimates

that between $2.5 and $4.3 trillion must be spent for water and wastewater until 2028.

As environmental regulations tighten, cities must spend to bring wastewater and storm-

water systems into compliance with the Clean Water Act, while federal budget cuts hamper

funding. In July, EPA’s funding for 2013 was cut 17% compared to FY2012, with only $689

million allocated for the clean water in the state revolving fund vs. $1.4 billion in FY2012,

with $829 million given states for drinking water updates vs. $917 million in FY2012.

Paying for these needed improvements can take many forms. According to the Water

and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association, in the first half of 2012, $220 billion

in municipal bonds were issued, a 56% increase over the same period in 2011.

One idea is for a federal trust fund for water infrastructure, similar to that for transportation.

The Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2012 (HR 6249) would levy a tax at the manu-

facturer level on products that use a significant amount of water or contribute to water pollution,

things like toothpaste, toilet paper, pesticides, and bottled beverages (excluding alcohol). This

could funnel from $6.5 to $10 billion into wastewater infrastructure projects, with a third set

aside for utilities serving more than 100,000 people. The American Society of Civil Engineers,

the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Associated General Contractors of America,

and the American Public Works Association are supporters of the bill.

ASCE weighs in

In other infrastructure news, a new Failure to Act report from the American Society of Civil

Engineers says that aging infrastructure for marine ports, inland waterways, and airports

threatens more than 1 million U.S. jobs. Between now and 2020, investment needs in the

nation’s marine ports and inland waterways sector total $30 billion, while planned expendi-

tures are about $14 billion, leaving a total investment gap of nearly $16 billion. Similarly,

with airports, between now and 2020 there is an investment need of about $114 billion,

while anticipated spending is $95 billion, leaving a gap of nearly $19 billion, as well as an

additional need of about $20 billion to implement NextGen. The report concludes that unless

America’s infrastructure investment gaps are filled, transporting goods will become costlier,

prices will rise, and the United States will become less competitive in the global market.

As a result, employment, personal income, and GDP will all fall due to inaction. BXM

[email protected]

Cindy GrahlEditor-in-chief

Printed in the USA

Cincinnati /Cleveland / Columbus

EXPOfacilities maintenance

Proud media sponsors:

b l u e p r i n t

Publisher Keith S. Dunbar

Editor Cindy Grahl | [email protected]

Art Director Rita Tabar | [email protected]

Administration/ Gayle Bragg | [email protected]

Contributors/ Steven Greenwald/Todd WilliamsReporters Niki Nohejl Swank

Webmaster Cindy Grahl | [email protected]

Editorial and sales offices 398 West Bagley Road, Suite 210, Berea, Ohio 44017 p: 440.243.8856 f: 216.373.6562www.bxmagazine.com

Builders Exchange Magazine is Published by Sabre Publishing Group, Inc. 398 West Bagley Road, Suite 210 Berea, Ohio 44017

For: The Builders Exchange, Inc. 9555 Rockside Rd., Suite 300 Valley View, OH 44125 p: 216.393-6300 or 866.907.6300f: 216.393.6304 or 866.907.6304 Executive Director | Gregg Mazurek

Operations Manager | Laurel Screptock

ww

w.b

xm

ag

az

ine

.co

m

www.bxmagazine.com 5

The mission of the Building Owners & Managers Associa on of Greater Cleveland is to provide advocacy, professional development, networking and economic savings opportuni es for its members.

200 Public Square, Suite 209, Cleveland, Oh 44114 www.bomacleveland.org ph: 216.575.0305

The Building Owners & Managers Association of Greater Cleveland

Your Money $aving Resource

Your investment in BOMA Greater Cleveland provides signicant returns to you and your company’s bo�om line. Member’s receive substan�al savings for the following items and services:

Air Filters Natural Gas Supply Lamps, Ballasts & Electrical Supplies Paint & Related Supplies

Electricity Supply Workers Compensa�on Insurance And many other items & services!

Call about membership and start saving today!

n Uniforms & T-shirts

n Bags & Totes

n Travel Mugs & Key Chains

n Candy & Mints

n Lip Balm & Bottled Water

n Pens & Notebooks

n Letter-openers & Paperweights

n Corporate & Executive Gifts

n Employee Recognition Plaques & Certificates

n Tradeshow Booth Design, Apparel & Graphics

n Web Design & Hosting

Dunbar-Pitcher & Associates, Inc. Advertising, Public Relations & Promotional Product Specialists

Call Gayle at 440.243.4300email [email protected] or visit www.dunbarpitcher.com

Promotional Products

Ask about our specialty line of GREEN PRODUCTS!

Looking for cool marketing ideas?

Let us design your company’s

FrameCo Inc. provides BUILD SMARTER solutions to the construction industry with our pre assembled framing. We manufacture structural wall panels, curved metal track and architectural framing. Contact us for a quote today!

4820 Briar RoadCleveland, OH 44135

P 216.433.7080

F 216.433.7394

E [email protected]

www.framecoframing.com

Our curved soffits and track figure prominently in Lorain County Community College’s new Learning Oasis. Visit framecoframing.com/curved to learn more.

builders exchange magazine | october 2012 6

i n t h e n e w s

West Coast Group debuts green standard for small commercial

Washington, DC–Since the beginning of the recession in early 2008, architecture firms have seen revenue drop by 40% and have had to cut personnel by nearly a third. Despite a national recovery from the recession in 2009, construc-tion activity continued to spiral downward, according to the recently released 2012 AIA Firm Survey. Total construction spending levels, which exceeded $1 trillion in 2008, fell to under $800 billion in 2011, and gross revenue at architecture

firms declined from more than $44 billion in 2008 to $26 billion by 2011. Such a significant reduction in firm revenue produced a comparable reduction in employ-ment. Construction payrolls peaked in early 2007 and steadily declined through mid-2011 due to the housing downturn. Since then, there has been very little recovery. Look for The Business of Architecture: 2012 AIA Survey Report on Firm Characteristics at the AIA bookstore. BXM

PortlanD, or–Earth Advantage Institute has been piloting a new green building certification aimed at new or heavily over-hauled commercial buildings smaller than 100,000-sf and built to green standards. It is hoped to be more affordable and less expensive than the USGBC’s LEED building standard program at $2,500 for enrollment and $2,500 for certification. The Earth Advantage Commercial offers three levels of certification, platinum, gold and silver, and looks at energy efficiency, healthy environment, use of green materials, sustainable land use and water conservation. BXM

AIA report details effects of recession

Washington, DC–Newly introduced bipartisan leg-islation, the Commercial Building Modernization Act (S. 3591), could create 80,000 jobs in construction, manufacturing, and related service jobs by encour-aging energy-efficient retrofits of commercial and multifamily residential buildings. By extending and improving Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code), it would leverage private-sector investment for technology-neutral, performance-based retrofits.

Building owners have found it difficult to apply the deduction for comprehensive energy retrofits, but S 3591 would help that. The bill is supported by an alliance including the Real Estate Roundtable, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the U.S. Green Building Council. The introducing co-sponsors are Ben Cardin (D-Maryland); Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine); Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico); and Dianne Feinstein (D-California). BXM

Bill would encourage energy retrofits in commercial buildings

ISI comes up with checklist for green infrastructure Washington, DC–The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure ‘s sustainable infrastructure rating system, Envision, has a new Checklist avail-able on the ISI website at www.sustainable infrastructure.org. It is an educational tool designed to help users become familiar with the sustainability aspects of infrastructure project design and can be used either as a free stand-ing assessment tool for comparing sustainability alternatives or as preparation for a more detailed sustainability assessment under the Envision rating system. Structured as a series of Yes/No questions, it looks at Quality of Life (impact on surrounding communities), Leadership (the actions of com-munication and collaboration), Resource Alloca-tion (the quantity, source, and characteristics of resources used and their impacts), Natural World (the way a project is located within the natural world systems), and Climate and Risk. For more, go to www.sustainableinfrastructure. BXM

Correction: In the September issue on page 18,

the Independent Steel Erectors ad had an incorrect

email address. The correct email address is

[email protected]. BXM sincerely

regrets the error.


state news briefs

P|C|S has added Pete Perticarini to its Opera-tions staff in Cleveland, Joe Knab as senior project manager, and Jackie Pollard to its professional estimating staff as a quantity surveyor in Cleveland. Joe Gayda will be an assistant project engineer in the Wheeling office, David Sneed director of Educational Planning Services, Allen Street project superintendent for the Cameron Project, and Cindy Messenger administrative assistant in the Wheeling office.

Arkinetics has named Rob Donaldson, AIA, LEED AP to lead its hospitality team as project manager. BXM

i n t h e n e w s

Clean Ohio funds cut and projects selection changed Columbus–The Kasich administration has reduced the scope of projects eligible for Clean Ohio as the new Clean Ohio Council released draft guidelines for brownfield cleanup grants and loans that reduce the amount available for a single project to $1 million from $3 million and give priority to projects with end-users in place, hindering cities that use the funds to clean up complex sites and those on spec. The state spent $37 million on 48 brownfield projects in fiscal 2012 which led to $168 million in development and created 1,522 jobs. Gov. Bob Taft started the program in 2001, and it has financed $393.8 million of environmental cleanup. Under the new guidelines, funding decisions are made by the state Development Services Agency, the successor to the Ohio Department of Development,

on a rolling basis. Gov. Kasich is using the brownfield cleanup money to help fund JobsOhio. The Clean

Ohio Council will approve final guidelines after the end of the public comment period Oct. 17. BXM

Washington, DC–The new Moving Ahead for Prog-ress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) will fund surface transportation programs at over $105 billion for fiscal years (FY) 2013-14. The first long-term highway au-thorization enacted since 2005, it provides needed funds while transforming the policy and program-matic framework for investments with a streamlined, performance-based, and multimodal program. It addresses improving safety, maintaining infrastructure condition, reducing traffic conges-tion, improving efficiency of the system and freight movement, protecting the environment, and reducing delays in project delivery. The legislation allows innovative delivery methods such as pri-vate-public partnerships and possibly a program manager-at-risk model along with design-build and construction manager-at-risk. BXM

MAP-21 transportation bill innovates project delivery


The Lake High School project truly began just before midnight on June 5, 2010, when a level

EF4 tornado tore a 10-mile-long and 300-yard wide path of destructionthrough the Wood County communi-ties of Millbury and Moline. The en-tire Lake Local Schools campus was in the storm’s direct path, which destroyed the high school and significantly damaged ten other buildings, including the elementary and middle schools, as well as the athletic complex. With Lake High School’s graduation ceremony scheduled for the next day, stu-dents and community members were anticipating joy, but instead were faced with devasta-tion. Among the storm’s seven fatalities was Ted Kranz, 46, father of Lake High School’s 2010 valedictorian. The Kranz home was among at least 50 homes that were destroyed. Then-governor Ted Strickland declared a state of emergency. As alumni and parents of students at Lake Schools, Rudolph/Libbe associates shared the community’s heartache, yet also felt a tremendous sense of pride and responsibility when they were selected through an RFQ process for the design/build team to complete the new high school. The project was deeply personal for many at Rudolph/Libbe. “Rudolph/Libbe has been a long-time supporter of Lake Local Schools,” said Brad Deal, vice president of project manage-ment. “Many of us at Rudolph/Libbe are graduates of Lake High School and the proud parents of children who attend Lake Schools. Lake Schools had our personal commitment, as well as that of Rudolph/Libbe, to ensure that this was a successful project.” Toledo-based architectural firm The Collaborative Inc. (TCI) was chosen by Lake Local Schools as the bridging design architect, and Rudolph/Libbe Inc. selected TMP

LAKE HIGH SCHOOL, MILLBURY

BY JUNE REMLEY

The winds of hope

p r o j e c t p r o f i l e

New construction

The first public high school building in Ohio to be constructed as a design/build project is thus the first (unofficially) built under construction reform.

Ph

oto

Co

ur

tes

y C

hr

is L

ar

k P

ho

tog

ra

Ph

y

Inset–The aftermath of the 2010 tornado.Below–The exterior of the new school.

Photo Courtesy rudoLPh/Libbe inC.


Architecture, Inc. of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan as the architect of record. All three entities started working rapidly with the district to program and de-velop a design, produce construction documents, and get the project bid. Lake High School made history as the first public high school building in Ohio to be constructed as a design/build project. The deliv-ery method unique to schools was permitted under an urgent neces-sity provision for construction in an emergency situation–and unofficially, Ohio’s first construction reform proj-ect. The project is the prototype for newly enacted project delivery meth-ods issued by the State Architect’s Office and outlined in Ohio Con-struction Reform Bill, H.B.153. Planning the projectWithin 10 days of the tornado, Ru-dolph/Libbe met with Lake School officials to offer help with the cleanup of the site and the ultimate recon-struction effort. Soon after, TCI and TMP were consulted to help establish the parameters of a new school and brainstorm options to help accelerate the schedule. John Castellana, chair-man at TMP, commented, “We were honored to join the Rudolph/Libbe team with TCI and offer our exper-tise to Lake Schools to help create a new school environment for the Lake

community. Our team was commit-ted to meet a very accelerated time-line so that students would be able to experience a new ‘home’ that would help heal the entire community.” The normal construction delivery process, dictated by the state, was a construction management de-livery system that would require a minimum of three years to complete with a new school of this size. School officials felt that was too long for stu-dents, parents, faculty and the com-munity to wait. A consulted attorney cited a section of the Ohio Revised Code that contains an “urgent necessity provision” for construction under emergency situations such as storm damage. Under this provision, the project could be constructed using the design/build delivery method, which has a shorter duration and would al-low the new school to open its doors to students in the fall of 2012.

Security and cleanupCleanup of the school campus cov-ered nearly 1 million square feet. About 1,000 tons of material were scattered in a half-mile radius from the high school. Inside the building, glass doors and windows were shat-tered, and debris was piled inside the building by the tornado. Securing the site, clearing

walkways and creating locations to deposit debris were essential steps to ensure that hundreds of volunteers could safely participate in the clean-up. A fencing contractor was onsite within days to install a security fence. Another ongoing task for the team was helping the school with media relations--designating safe areas for photos, videos and interviews, as reporters from around the coun-try arrived on site. The original Lake High School was built in 1953, with addi-tions in the 1970s, 1980s and in 2005. Much of the original 1953 structure, with its cast-in-place concrete decks and reinforced block walls, was intact. However, there was severe damage to the steel structures of the additions. After a review process, the school’s insurance carrier approved the demolition of the entire build-

ing. With total demolition approved, design work began for a new high school and ground was broken in February 2011. The school district’s goal was to open the new school in fall 2012, giving the project team an 18-month fast-track schedule to design and build the new school.

Designing and buildingWhile the insurance coverage amount was still being determined, design work began. The challenge was to design a building that addressed the school’s current needs, stayed within the budget and met the tight schedule. Financing was not typical for a school project. There was no bond issue and no taxpayer dollars. Final insurance negotiations would pay up to $19.1 million, with another $4.8 million in funding from the state of Ohio School Facilities Commission

Lake High School auditorium.


1/4 Page Vertical


Approved by: __________________________________________________ Date: __________




Company name: SA Comunale

Issue: October

Section: Lake High School

Sales rep: Gayle Bragg

800-776-7181

An EMCOR Company

Fire SprinklersFire ExtinguishersKitchen SuppressionSpecial Hazards Alarm & Detection

Large Enough To Meet Your Needs, Small Enough To Care

www.sacomunale.com

We are proud to have installed the

Fire Protection on Lake High School!

Plumbing Heating Air Conditioning Process Piping

Mechanical Fire Protection

Ph

oto

Co

ur

tes

y C

hr

is L

ar

k P

ho

tog

ra

Ph

y


and a $500,000 donation from the 2010 Kohl’s Cares contest. The project team worked directly and closely with school officials to set an aggressive schedule. Approvals and answers were obtained quickly and directly from the owner, while project team members met with the owner at least

once a week during the design and construction phase. 3D CAD models were used during preconstruction/design development to allow the owner to visualize and experience design concepts, evaluate value-engineering ideas and make decisions expeditiously. The HVAC contractor’s coordination drawings included the routing of their ductwork and piping along with the fire-suppression piping, plumbing lines, electrical mains, light fixtures and technology pathways. This process min-imized conflicts during construction and allowed masons to construct the walls with ductwork openings in place. Heavily reinforced, grouted block walls were used throughout the building as an extra measure to strengthen the structure against future tornados. Four classrooms and the weight/fitness room are designated as “Tornado Refuge” areas which have no exterior exposures. In addition, internal braced walls with carbon fiber masonry lintels served two purposes: to hold the walls in place dur-ing construction, and to add strength in the event of future tornadoes. The school’s large roof plane had created 10,000 square feet of shell space on the second floor of the academic wing to accommodate potential future classrooms. The use of rooftop units allowed for a much smaller mechanical room, saving space, dollars and freeing square footage for other uses. The high school’s kitchen serves as the food preparation area for the entire district. It therefore needed to be oversized to accommodate neces-sary equipment, food storage and freezer/cooler space. The dining area is shared between the high school and middle school and also functions as an auxiliary gymnasium. The kitchen’s coiling doors and dining area displays are protected by gymnasium divider curtains. Batting cages and basketball equipment retract into the overhead space. The multi-use athletic floor is suit-able for both the dining area and gymnasium. The school’s curved metal roof was designed to suggest “wingmen” flyers, as the school mascot is the Flyers. The curved wing concept with radius ceiling panels is carried into the “runway,” or main corridor. The gymnasium is on one side of the runway, while the auditorium and classrooms are located at the east end of the hall on the other side. Dan Tabor, principal with TCI, remarks, “The design inspiration incorporated elements from the existing middle school and organizes the interior spaces along the central runway space.” The second-story media center features a bump-out projection that forms an exterior canopy for student access from the bus loop. Large windows on three sides afford the media center a large amount of natural light and create an inviting space similar to that of a coffeehouse or college “hangout” lounge. Four science rooms are equipped with student lab tables and fume hoods. The teacher’s demo desk includes electronic controls to raise and lower the desk, based on the teacher’s preference. The school has WIFI, standard net-work connections and interactive projectors in each classroom. The weight room, which was previously housed in the middle school, has been relocated to the high school’s new fitness/weight center, which includes a locker room, athletic training room, and whirlpool with ice tub. The gymnasium, slightly larger than the original, has the same ca-pacity but is in compliance with current building occupancy codes. Arena-style seating in the school colors is used to place fans on all four sides of the gym, and patrons can easily move behind the stands, which are inset from the wall, to visit concession stands without blocking views of the ac-tion. South-facing translucent panels allow natural light into the gymnasium

The halls are light, bright and full of spirit.

Ph

oto

Co

ur

tes

y C

hr

is L

ar

k P

ho

tog

ra

Ph

y


without creating glare. Bleachers on all four sides create a more “intimate” setting for athletic events with the flexibility of having fewer bleacher seats when events warrant. The high school auditorium features high-tech lighting and sound for an enhanced learning environment for theater students. The auditorium has fixed seating for 417 but has space for another 100 people in flexible seating arrangements. The new school includes a Lake Flyers Hall of Fame showcase in the runway outside the gymnasium. To create a more interesting space, exterior design features were brought inside. Brick soldier course banding, brick columns and brick wainscoting, as well as a cast stone “LAKE FLY-ERS HALL OF FAME,” highlight this special area. The school includes many other elements designed to reflect Lake Flyer pride. School logos are embedded in the floors, and school colors are displayed throughout the facililty. The new building provides a glassed-in “lookout” point from the academic wing into the runway that provides a vantage point of the curve of the “wing” in the runway and allows adminis-trators to supervise students in the runway. Computerized night controls can be pro-grammed to turn lights off and on at certain times. Controls for mechanical systems have been evalu-ated campus-wide, and controls installed in the high school are compatible with future campus-wide in-tegration. The high school system will allow district personnel to remotely monitor the high school and potentially, with future upgrades at other buildings, allow them to remotely monitor the entire campus. The project, which began following the tragic night of June 5, 2010, was completed within two years. In May 2012, school officials moved into their new building. Under the CM delivery system, they would have waited three years or longer, but the design/build delivery

method gave them the high-tech, cost-efficient high school they wanted – in just 18 months. The school’s opening was eagerly an-ticipated by students, staff, parents and commu-nity members. Although the tornado’s effects will never be forgotten, the new school will play

an important role in the healing of a community. The beautiful building stands as a symbol of resilience and the bright future that lies ahead for the people of Lake Township. BXM

June Remley represents Rudolph/Libbe.

If Only ItWere thIs sImple.

If every piece fit together perfectly, and every design worked,then every contractor would be equally skilled. But exterior

contracting takes talent, skill, efficiency and coordination of efforts.Which is why in Northeast Ohio the top exterior contractor is VIP.

ChOOse QualIty. ChOOse IntegrIty. ChOOse VIp.

Building Exterior Contractors1361 East 55th Street / Cleveland, OH 44103 / P. 216.426.9500

www.choosevip.com

© Micha360 | Dreamstime.com

p r o j e c t s p e c s

LAKE HIGH SCHOOLArchitects: The Collaborative, TMP ArchitectsGC: Rudolph/Libbe, Inc.Cost: $25.7 million Size: 144,980-sfVendors: Mondo Mechanical Romanoff VM Systems Lakeside Interiors Bowers Asphalt

S. A. Comunale Farnham Equipment Company Smith Paving Breckenridge Kitchen Equipment Wadsworth Weis Roofing


During the fall semester, students and teachers in the biology, chem-istry and geology de-partments are learning and researching in up-

graded laboratories at Ashland University’s Kettering Science Center. The $1.3 million, 6,569-sf renovation includes upgrades to the finishes, casework and equipment in the eight existing laboratories. The design stage began in Decem-ber 2011 and was led by Bostwick Design Partnership. According to project architect Damian Henri, the design team worked side by side with representatives from Ashland University, including facility management, deans, faculty and staff members. “Frequent meetings early on in the process provided a setting for intense dialogue with the end users about layout and functionality of the laboratories,” he says.

KETTERING SCIENCE CENTER ASHLAND UNIVERSITY

BY NIKI SWANK

PHOTOS COURTESY SHOOTING STAR PHOTOGRAPHY

Meeting tomorrow’s needs

p r o j e c t p r o f i l e

Laboratory renovation

Renovation of college lab used BIM to do work while research was ongoing

An upgraded laboratory facility will serve Ashland students well into the future.


The design team utilized the building information model system during meetings to promote communication and interaction between team members. “This al-lowed for different ideas to be pro-posed, implemented in the model and reviewed and tested for viabil-ity during the course of the project meetings,” says Henri. Rick Ewing, vice president of facilities management and planning at Ashland University, explains that during the planning stage it was im-portant to make sure the laboratories were still available for research for students and teachers during the sum-mer months. Another design goal was to provide an increased area of high quality research space. Physical space limitations

made it a challenge to increase the ca-pacity of the teaching areas to support the growing population of students in the science departments. Henri explains the final design increases the space by efficiently configuring the student work-stations and tight tolerances in the case-work design. Another challenge was the fume hood installation, superimposing an additional burden on the center’s exhaust system. But Henri is proud the faculty is pleased with the renovated labs, which are a vast improvement over their previous conditions.

On constructionAfter the design stage was finished in April 2012, Simonson Construc-tion Services Inc. began construction in May and completed the project in

Study and storage are combined in an orderly way, so a limited space can serve more students.


1/4 Page Vertical


Approved by: __________________________________________________ Date: __________




Company name: SA Comunale

Issue: October

Section: Kettering Science Center


800-776-7181

An EMCOR Company

Fire SprinklersFire ExtinguishersKitchen SuppressionSpecial Hazards Alarm & Detection


www.sacomunale.com

We are proud to have installed the

Fire Protection on the Kettering Science Center!

Plumbing Heating Air Conditioning Process Piping


The design team worked side by side with representatives from Ashland

University, including facility management, deans, faculty and staff.


August. According to project manager Damon Henwood, demolition started as soon as summer break began. “The original lab casework supplier ran into production and delivery problems and wasn’t able to ship the casework until the job was scheduled for completion,” says Henwood. He explains that Lab Caseworks/Kewaunee Scientific

were able to take over the casework portion of the project and deliver on time according to the origi-nal schedule. He is proud of the fully functional, aesthetically pleasing project and that it was com-pleted on time and on budget. Ewing explains that the construction process was also challenging because asbestos

was found in the flooring tiles, as well as a deteriorating underground sanitary line. How-ever, these discoveries did not impact the con-struction timeline thanks to close coordination within the team. He notes that the project was successfully completed on time and on budget along with the engagement and coordination with the faculty, who were undertaking active research during the project. BXM

Niki Swank is a BX researcher and follows the Ohio

construction marketplace closely.

p r o j e c t s p e c s

KETTERING SCIENCE CENTEROwner: Ashland University

Architect: Bostwick Design Partnership

General trades: Simonson Construction Services

Cost: $1.3 million

Size: 6,569-sf renovation

Vendors:

Barefoot Floors, resilient flooring

Palermo, Inc., resinous flooring

Colonial Painting & Decorating, painting

Guenther Mechanical, plumbing/mechanical

S.A. Comunale, fire protection

ITZ Group, electrical

Lab Caseworks/Kewaunee Scientific, caseworks and lab equipment

The labs are used for geology study, as well as chemistry and biology.


1/3 Page Square


Approved by: __________________________________________________ Date: __________


Company name: Precision Environmental Co




Committed to Excellence...

24/7/365 EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES

Full Company Resources Available To You

5500 Old Brecksville Road | Independence, Ohio 44131 p 216.642.6040 | f 216.642.6041www.precision-env.com

Asbestos & Lead Abatement

Environmental/Site Remediation

Water Damage Clean-Up

General Union Trades Labor

Selective Demolition

Concrete Sawing & Drilling

Floor Covering Removal

HVAC Cleaning

Firestopping

Ground Penetrating Radar

Disaster Recovery

Microbial Remediation

Comprehensive Commercial & Industrial

find us on

Meetings with Ashland faculty meant all programming needs were met in the original space.


f e a t u r e

Training the workforce

b ased on labor market statistics, construction and related careers such as facility main-tenance, skilled labor for manufacturing, energy, and healthcare and other utilities will face a daunting worker shortage as skilled workers are aging out of the industry while construction in Northeast Ohio is facing a “boom” of new and rehabilitated public and private buildings estimated at $8-10 billion worth over a 10-year period. Kiplinger.com, in an August 2012 article, cited Construction Services as the #8 Best College Major for a lucrative career.

The Construction Employers Association is embarking on a variety of efforts at the national, state and local levels to identify programs which will engage youth and develop adults in construction manage-ment and trade careers and strategies to raise awareness of the construction industry, with increased career path choices for youth interested in lucrative careers with opportunities for growth in Northeast Ohio. CEA, along with contractors, building owners, public sector, non profits and educational institutions, are continuing work to build a regional (Northeast Ohio) construction career pathways program that promotes career development for several targeted populations and with a focus on traditional, youth, minority, and women workforce concerns including:

On the grow

BY CINDY GRAHL | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The industry cooperates to fill employment needs The Construction Employers Association holds many different events and programs to boost construction careers.

Photo Courtesy CeA

builders exchange magazine | october 201216

• Future Workers/Youth (middle school, high school, college and non-tradition-al under 23 years of age): exposure, education and experience • Incumbent Worker Training and Adult Workforce Development: education • Entrepreneurs/Small Construction Business: align opportunities with capability for success The Construction Industry Advance-ment Project addresses goals established by CEA and partners: 1) Develop curriculum and programs to engage youth and adults in a full range of Construction Career opportunities. We are working with partners such as the Ohio Depart-ment of Education, Career and Technical Divi-sion; community colleges and universities; the energy and manufacturing sectors, as well and the architectural and engineering community. 2) Further the establishment of con-struction program educational opportuni-ties, with a focus on Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cuyahoga and Lorain com-munity colleges, Cleveland State University, University of Akron and Kent State Univer-sity, to include scholarships, internships, Asso-ciated General Contractors Student Chapters, experiential experiences and more. 3) Assist emerging and established contractors to strengthen and grow business and safety capacities. In Northeast Ohio, contractors in partnership with CEA, Associated General Contractors, the Contractors Assistance Asso-ciation (CAA) and others provide a mechanism to obtain feedback and participation from con-struction employers. The information needed to create a unique Construction Management Career Pathway begins with youth in middle school through high school and beyond. To date, CEA has conducted pilot programs reaching 800 middle school youth via a Construction Career Awareness Program; provided nearly 40 high school and college students with instruction and internship place-ment in Construction Management careers; annually hosts 50 -70 college students in Con-structor For A Day (shadowing program); works with Lorain Community College to increase construction programs, including the Get into

Fire SprinklersFire Extinguishers�Kitchen

SuppressionSpecial Hazards�Alarm & DetectionOffices In:

Ohio - Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Fremont, Marion, YoungstownPennsylvania - Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, ReadingNew Jersey - Atlantic City, PhillipsburgMichigan - Detroit • Washington DC

www.sacomunale.com


An EMCOR Company


PlumbingHeatingAir ConditioningProcess Piping

Construction in Northeast Ohio is facing a “boom” of new and rehabilitated public and

private buildings estimated at $8-10 billion worth over a 10-year period.


Energy initiative and co-sponsors the Construc-tion Trade Career Day with Cuyahoga Commu-nity College. We seek to design broader strate-gies that will engage an increased number of diverse youth in construction. Our project focuses on construction pathway development/career awareness, in-cumbent workers, developing small businesses for success as well as increasing inclusion in the construction industry. BXM

The CMAP Estimating group from 2011.

Learning to buildHow the industry is training its future workforce

BY COURTNEY BEHM

the ACE Mentor Program of Cleveland is beginning its fifth year offering in-depth mentoring to local high school students in-terested in the fields of architec-

ture, construction and engineering. Teams of industry professionals work with stu-dents over a period of 15 weeks during the school year providing hands-on activi-ties, simulated project development and site tours to introduce disciplines such as design, construction management, civil, structural, mechanical/electrical and geo-technical engineering, and general trades. Five teams totaling 100 students are in place at the John Hay School of Ar-chitecture & Design, James F. Rhodes High School and the New Tech Academies at East Tech and Max Hayes with more than 36 firms from the local design and con-struction community providing volunteer assistance. Among the current ACE team leadership and key supporters are Uni-versity Hospitals, Gilbane Building Com-pany, Regency Construction Services, Inc.,

Herschman Architects, Turner Construction, ThenDesign Architecture, Ltd., Kent State University, Cuyahoga Community College, and Cleveland State University. There are multiple opportunities to provide support to ACE Cleveland including volunteering staff to work directly with the

students in the classroom, conducting con-struction site tours or office visits, serving as a special guest speaker and providing intern-ships for ACE alumni. “The local industry volun-teers spend valuable time with the ACE Cleveland students passing on what

Ph

oto

Co

ur

tes

y C

eA


The other four-year degreeA partnership that increases value for apprenticeship training

BY ROBERT VERHOFFt he Other Four Year Degree” is a slogan for the Union Building and Construction Trades Appren-ticeship training and attaining journey status in any construction craft. An Associate Degree and jour-neyperson status attainment is a reality at Cuyahoga County Community College (Tri-C) through its Joint

Apprenticeship Training and Construction program (JATC). The JATC partnership with Apprenticeship Training programs offers college credit towards an Applied Industry Technical Science de-gree. The AIT degree is possible when the credits earned through apprenticeship training and 30 credit hours of General Education course work is successfully completed. The JATC staff works with each partner apprenticeship program to identify specific trade training courses that will earn 30 college credit hours toward the AIT degree. Tri-C program managers enroll apprentices and journeypersons as Tri-C students to assure college credit for their training, assists apprenticeship programs with curriculum development, identifies and as-sists with IT resources, and offers instructor skill development. Program managers also counsel apprenticeship students in course completion, financial aid, and career goals. Contractors not only have skilled construction workers available for their project work but also experience additional value when workers bring their skills and knowledge from college studies. The construction training programs have always valued lifelong learning and offer journey level upgrade training to stay current with workplace safety training and new technologies in construction. Proceeding toward an associate degree is consistent with the lifelong learning values. Tri-C is excited about this partnership. In its effort to encourage academic completion in the construction AIT programs, Tri-C also offers a Certificate of Proficiency when English 1010 is completed with the identified 30 hours of coursework is completed at the Apprenticeship Training Cen-ters. Tri-C and construction training partners are working together to prepare the construction workforce of the future. BXM

Robert Verhoff is director of Joint Apprentice training at Tri-C.

they have learned throughout their careers in design and construction. Their passion to give back and serve as role models leaves a lasting impression with the students,” says Tom Laird, ACE Cleveland Board Chairman and EVP of Gilbane. BXM

Courtney Behm, senior sales services manager, Gilbane Building Company, and affiliate

coordinator, ACE Mentor Program of Cleveland, [email protected] or 216.535.3000.

Left–Mayor Frank G. Jackson addresses ACE students, their families and local industry volunteers at the recent scholarship dinner for the ACE Mentor Program of Cleveland. ACE has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to Cleveland students over the past five years.

Ph

oto

Co

ur

tes

y A

Ce


1/4 Page Vertical


Approved by: __________________________________________________ Date: __________




Company: Independent Steel Erectors, Inc.

Issue: 12x

Section:


“Specializing in Large Warehouse Projects”

• Panelization• Steel Erecting• Multistory Erection• Reinforcement & Repairs• Miscellaneous Steel • Stairs & Railings

Over 24 Years

Experience

Ph: 440.951.1606 | Toll Free 855.STEEL17 Fax: 440. 951.6045

38401 Apollo Pkwy., Unit M. Willoughby, OH 44094www.independentsteelerectors.net

[email protected]

Working Together One Piece at a Time


And how we can rebuild faster, and for less

Survey results

BY MICHAEL DELACEY

for U.S. infrastructure, the bad news never ends. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave it a “D” grade. Earlier this year, the World Economic Forum ranked it in 24th place, behind Bahrain, Barbados and Malaysia. It has a major impact on our country’s economic prowess, and job creation. Every single Ameri-can uses it. And every single American pays for it. So why, in a debate on domestic issues and economic policy, did neither presidential candidate address the drastic decline of our national infrastructure–and how they’re going to fix it?

Yes, it’s tough to come out for the building of bridges and roads as a presidential candidate, because to voters it sounds like tax hikes and government spending. But with some of our nation’s most iconic infrastructure badly in need of repairs, retrofits and updates–from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, to the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the Brooklyn Bridge–it is more important than ever for the U.S. to dig deeper into its infrastructure issues. It’s not all doom and gloom: with the right combination of strong leaders, new technologies and public-private partnerships, U.S. infrastructure might just have a shot.

Strong leaders will have an impactSo what do we need to do to get U.S. infrastructure back on top? This is where our presidential candidates come into play–and why the recent debate was all the more disappointing. In a recent “State of the Industry” survey of more than 300 industry professionals directly involved in infrastructure projects, 54% of respondents stated that we need “strong leaders” to get us back on track. Not more taxpayer dollars, not more access to innovative tools, but stronger leaders. While the majority of survey respondents said they had most confidence in President Obama having the strongest positive impact on U.S. infrastructure, it was clear in the recent debate that he wasn’t willing to stick his neck out for infrastructure. That sentiment is underscored when we examine the difficulties Congress has had in passing badly needed infrastructure legislation in the past four years. One example? July’s $105 billion MAP-21 transportation bill funding the building and maintenance of roads, bridges and highways. It took several 90-day extensions and no less than three years to pass, and while it offers a boost it still only scratches the surface. When it comes to funding that not only maintains our existing infrastructure but also lays the groundwork for our fu-ture needs–creating much-needed jobs in the process–we have to do better. We simply aren’t reacting fast enough to our growing

Infrastructure has a major impact on our country’s economic prowess and job creation. Every single American uses it. And every single American pays for it.

f e a t u r e

Why infrastructurematters



1/3 Page Horizontal


Approved by: __________________________________________________ Date: __________




Company name: Frantz Ward

Issue: 12X a year

Section: N/A

Sales rep: Chelsea Morris

OUR BUSINESS IS HELPING YOUR BUSINESS SUCCEED.OUR BUSINESS IS HELPING

YOUR BUSINESS SUCCEED.

Result-Oriented and Reliable Legal Assistance for the Construction IndustryClaims Management and Avoidance • Competitive Bidding • Schedule Disputes Defective Work and Design Claims • Project Delivery and Conceptualization • Mechanic’s Liens Surety Bond Claims • Labor and Employment • Arbitration and Mediation • Litigation

• Contact: Ian H. Frank127 Public Square | 2500 Key Center | Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1230216.515.1660 - FAX 216.515.1650 | www.frantzward.com

OUR BUSINESS IS HELPING YOUR BUSINESS SUCCEED.

needs for infrastructure improvements, particularly

as more of the population moves to urban ar-eas. The U.S. can’t take three years to approve one transportation bill. We need to react more quickly in order to keep up with the growing demands on our infrastructure, and we need to leverage the advancements in technology al-lowing us to address these needs as efficiently and sustainably as possible.

New technologies hold the key In the State of the Industry survey, experts specifically ranked bridges as in the “worst” state of decline, over roads and airports. Air-ports were actually voted as in the “best” state, though 56% of the industry professionals surveyed agreed that airports still need addi-tional infrastructure funding. The takeaway: even infrastructure ranked in the “best state” needs help. The list of projects that need at-tention only grows longer; I met recently with thought leaders at some of the country’s most prominent engineering and construction firms

to make a “Top 10” list of the most critical projects, and we couldn’t narrow it to just 10. Our nation’s infrastructure decline be-comes more troubling when you consider the bevy of technological advances at our fingertips. One of the most promising is building information modeling (BIM), which leverages advanced mod-eling technologies to create accurate, high-quality 3D models of projects and guides more intelligent building and design. The benefits of BIM are well documented. A 2012 SmartMarket Report by Mc-Graw Hill found that users of BIM have found it to significantly improve project processes, reduce costly project rework that can carry a price tag of up to 20% of the total project cost, and cut the time it takes to re-build or build roads, bridges, airports and buildings in half. It’s not enough to simply build and re-pair, though; thanks to the power of these tech-nologies, we have the ability to conduct predic-tive analysis on designs to evaluate infrastructure performance years down the road. This is critical, considering that some of our bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge, are more than 125 years old. Technology could radically impact our ability to get our infrastructure back on track, while also reducing the cost to taxpay-ers – especially if we start to demand this ap-proach across the board for all projects. Policy & P3 partnerships There have been indicators in national legisla-tion that we might begin to see additional focus on infrastructure–which is why it is so surprising

that the recent debate did not address the topic at all. Despite the long haul to get the highway bill passed, it does ultimately provide specific provi-sions designed to help build stronger infrastruc-ture projects. For example, MAP-21 has a provi-sion that provides states with greater incentives for using advanced technologies, including 3D modeling. In recognizing the importance of us-ing innovative technology to improve project delivery and contracting methods, this legisla-tion is a step in the right direction. Public-private partnerships are another key opportunity we have to explore. The U.S. is one of the only leading nations without a national plan for public-private partnerships (P3) for infra-structure projects or a national infrastructure bank to finance large-scale projects and take advantage of private capital. The idea has been on the table, most recently proposed by President Obama as part of his jobs plan, but so far it has fallen on deaf ears. If as a country and an industry we’re able to make the case for additional attention and stream-lined processes that can significantly reduce costs and waste often associated with the construction process, we can also attract private investors who see the return on investment in building greener, more sustainable and efficient structures. No true improvements can be made, though, without the support of our nation’s leaders, and that’s why it is important that the “infrastructure issue” make its way back into public discourse–and the campaign trail. BXM

Michael DeLacey is president of Microdesk.

What infrastructure category rates worst?

1. Bridges2. Roads... and best: Airports

Should taxpayer dollars go toward infrastructure?

Yes 94%No 6%

Sour

ce: M

icro

desk


f e a t u r e

Some predictions for non-residential construction for 2013

Forecasting the construction climate

BY CINDY GRAHL | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

the Gilbane Building Co. has just released its Fall 2012 edition of Construction Economics: Market Conditions in Construction. The report, by Ed Zarenski, a 40-year veteran of the construction industry. is based on a variety of sources, including economic data, construction starts, and material cost trends. The report finds a variety of positive news: Construction spending for 2012 overall will increase over 7% and in non-residential over 6% from 2011, with current spending 6.5% up from a year ago and almost 9% over last year. Plus, the Architectural Billings Index, which predicts non-residential construction activity some 9 to 12 months out, accurately predicted growth starting in May of this year. It foresees a late fall downturn

through the first quarter of 2013, but the report expects upward growth after that quarter. Spending reports derived from actual historical data on spending show spending 8% higher that the same period last year, and it is “in line with expectations of cumulative spending year to date.” Construction spending is inconsistent, but shows a clear trend toward increased spending over the last year, says the report. In addition, the July Dodge Momentum index increased by 8%, which the report interprets as meaning continued construction growth into next summer. And as companies begin to bring back business from overseas, “there has been a sharp rise in demand for industrial facilities, which is leading to an upward revision in projections for future construction spending,” according to Kermit Baker, AIA’s chief economist. However, this success is not seen on the public side, as construction spending there has gone down 4% in one year and 12% in two years due to cuts in government funding. There is also a continued movement toward more normal margins, with building costs charged in 2012 above labor

Construction spending for 2012 overall will increase over 7% and in non-residential over 6% from 2011, with current spending 6.5% up from a year ago.


Kurtz Bros., Inc.Landscape • Industrial Materials

950 Valley Belt Road, Brooklyn Hts., Ohio 44131

216.986.7035www.kurtz-bros.com

• Compactable Fill• Roll-off Container Services• Recycled Concrete & Aggregates

Leed Accredited Materials & Site

• Topsoil, Seed, Erosion Control• Bioretention Soil• Soil Removal

- 1’s&2’s, 304, 411,57 & 4x8’s


1/3 Page Square


Approved by: __________________________________________________ Date: __________




Company name: 21st Century Concrete

Issue: Every issue/2 year contract

Section: N/A

Sales rep: Chelsea Morris21st Century Concrete Construction, Inc.13925 Enterprise Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44135T 216.362.0900F [email protected] www.21stcenturyconcrete.com

All Things Concrete - Your Commercial & Decorative Total Concrete Solution

Concrete for the Next Century 21st Century Concrete Construction has built a solid reputation of stability and integrity growing from a small specialty concrete construction outfit into full service experienced concrete specialists. With a tremendous amount of growth and knowledge expanding our capabilities to include any and all concrete structures and schedules.

21st Century Concrete Construction, Inc.

and materials costs increases in that time. Plus, the producer priced index sees the costs of build-ing materials and inputs down for the last three months, so year over year price change are nega-tive. Contractors are now seen as better able to pass along increased costs as material costs go up. The report shows that future escala-tion will be higher than normal labor and mate-rial cost growth, and that due to work volume growth and increased spending, contractors will be able to recover more of the margins lost over the past few years and thus cause selling prices to rise above normal labor and materials infla-tion. The chart shows that suggested inflation/escalation rates would be a minimum of 4% for 2012, 5% for 2013 and 6% for 2014. Constructon jobs, however, contin-ue to be a problem as the recovery continues, which may mean productivity is increasing. The drop in the unemployment rate is attributed to a million workers leaving the industry, many through retirement or other jobs, which could seriously affect things as work picks up.

Some other predictionsOther predictions cited, and their sources: n The Institute for Supply Manage-

Project costs

6.5%

9%

Sour

ce: G

ilban

e Bu

ildin

g Co

mpa

nySo

urce

: Gilb

ane

Build

ing

Com

pany

A year ago Year to date

2012 2013 2014

Inflation/escalation

Current spending rate increases


ment shows the national Purchasing Manager’s Index is 49.8%, indicating overall GDP econom-ic expansion. Index values above 50 indicate expansion in the manufacturing sector. n AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Aug. 2012 report sees 10% growth in 2013 for commercial/industrial building. n The Associated Builders and Con-tractors Construction Backlog Indicator proj-ects gradual acceleration in non-residential construction spending. n FMI’s Construction Outlook predicts healthcare construction will see growth of 7% in 2013 and reach record highs by 2015, 25% above current levels. The FMI second quarter Non-residential Construction Index is now 59.8, up almost 2 points from the previous quarter and the highest it’s been since its inception in 2007. Among the many topics covered in this comprehensive report are: n Construction Starts, Spending, & Costs n Material Price Movement n Trends and Costs for Structural Steel, Recycling Steel, & Copper n Architectural Billings Index n Current Inflation Forecast n ENR Index -- BCI History For the complete report, go to www.gilbaneco.com/NewsDetail.aspx?id =2147487044. BXM

Future escalation will include higher-than-normal labor and material cost growth, and, due to work volume

growth & increased spending, contractors can recover more of the margins lost over the past few years.

Construction spending on public jobs

Sour

ce: G

ilban

e Bu

ildin

g Co

mpa

ny

One year Two years

4% 12%

This is your ad proof

Company name: O’Rourke & Associates

Issue: Vol 06-issues 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

Section: Best possible


Please check it for accuracy and content.

Notes: xxx

1/2 Page Island

By approving this proof, you are approving the content for placement in Sabre Publishing, Group Inc., publications (BXM, Ohio A&E orInScope) only. The payment you have agreed to is for “space only”. If you wish to place this ad in other publications, you agree to payan additional 150.00 design fee.

— Thank you for choosing Sabre Publishing Group to promote your products & services!

Approved by:

__________________________

Date: __________

Fax approved proofto: 216.373.6562 By signing this proof I agree to the terms &

conditions set forth in the Sabre Publishing

Group’s advertising contract

2 Summit Park Drive, Suite 650Independence, Ohio 44131

R. Russell O’Rourke, ESQ.

[email protected]

LAWYERS REPRESENTING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

O’Rourke & Associates Co., L.P.A.

builders exchange magazine | OCTOBER 201224

While the upcoming presidential

election will no doubt have an

effect on tax policy, the following

tax provisions are currently

set to expire, effective 1/1/13.

For a more comprehensive overview of these

changes, you can visit our blog at blog.skodami-

notti.com.

• 2% temporary social security payroll tax cut on

wages: The social security portion of the employee

contribution will return to 6.2%.

• Qualified dividends rate: Qualified dividends

are currently taxed at 15%. All dividends will be

taxed at ordinary rates.

• Long term capital gain rate: Long term capital

gains (sales of securities held more than one year)

are currently taxed at 15%,but will change to 20%.

• Income tax brackets: Taxable income is cur-

rently taxed at 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33% and

35%. The brackets will return to 15%; 28%; 31%;

36% and 39.6%.

• Dollar limit on dependent care expenses:

These maximum qualifying expenses will return

to $2,400 (from $3,000) for one child and $4,800

($6,000) for two or more qualifying individuals.

• Child tax credit: Currently, taxpayers with

one or more qualifying children may be able to

claim a child tax credit of up to $1,000. This

credit will return to $500.

• American Opportunity Credit: Currently, educa-

tion credits are available for qualified tuition and/

or related expenses for students in the first four

years of college. The student must be enrolled full

time and be in a degreed program. The maximum

credit is $2,500 per student and 40% refundable.

This credit will revert back to the Hope Credit, with

maximum credits of $1,800 for the first two years

of qualified tuition and/or related expenses and will

not be refundable.

• Earned Income Tax Credit: The earned

income credit will revert back to maxing out at two

dependents starting in 2013. To be eligible for the

earned income credit, both your earned income

and adjusted gross income needs to be within cer-

tain ranges. The maximum earned income credit

for 2012 with three or more qualifying children is

$5,891. The maximum earned income credit for

2013 will be $5,236.

• The work opportunity credit for hiring qualified

veterans expires: The credit for qualified veterans

expires in 2013.

• The refundable credit for prior year alternative

minimum tax credits expire: Currently, any long term

alternative minimum tax credits are able to be

refunded. As of 1/1/2013, this provision expires.

• The standard deduction for married filers: The

‘marriage penalty’ is reinstated 1/1/2013 and

married taxpayers who do not itemize deductions

have a lower standard deduction.

• Limitation on itemized deductions: Common

itemized deductions are state and local taxes, real

estate taxes, mortgage interest, medical expenses,

investment interest, and charitable contributions. As

of 1/1/13, taxpayers who file jointly with an adjusted

gross income over $175,000, will see a reduction in

itemized deductions by 3%. Some taxpayers could

lose up to 80% of their itemized deductions. The

reduction does not apply to deductions for medical

expenses, investment interest, casualty and theft

losses, and gambling losses (which can only offset

gambling winnings included in income).

• Debt and mortgage forgiveness tax relief for

foreclosures and canceled debts: Currently, if a tax-

payer’s main home is foreclosed on, the debt that is

discharged is NOT included in income. Taxpayers will

now need to include the discharged debt as income.

• Personal exemptions: Taxpayers filing jointly

with an adjusted gross income over $122,500,

will have phase-outs in the personal exemptions

(previously $3,800).

• Estate and gift tax exemptions: Beginning in

2013, the estate and gift tax exemption reverts

back to $1 million (from $5 million) and estate tax

rates will revert to 55%.

• Flexible Spending Account limits: Only $2,500

may be set aside in a flexible spending account in

2013 (from $5,000).

• Bonus Depreciation: Currently, taxpayers

purchasing assets for use in their business can ex-

pense their entire purchases under “bonus depreci-

ation.” As of 1/1/13, businesses may expense up

to 50% of these purchases and will depreciate the

rest of the expense under the asset’s useful life.

• Code Section 179 Expensing: Businesses

previously could expense up to $500,000 of

assets used in business under Code Section

179. This limitation decreases to $125,000 in

2013. Current law enacts a 3.8% Medicare

surtax on single taxpayers with income in excess

of $200,000 and married filing joint filers with

income above $250,000. The surtax will be on

investment income including capital gains,

interest, dividends, rents and royalties. High

income taxpayers will be subject to a .9%

increase in the Medicare tax. BXM

Jenna Staton, EA, is a manager at Skoda Minotti. Reach her at (440) 449-6800 or [email protected].

The tax provisions listed here are set to expire on January 1, 2013. “

A list to help you better plan for the future.

doing business

What expiring tax cuts mean to you

c o l u m n

BY JENNA STATON

www.skodaminotti.com


technology c o l u m n

BY MIKE ODEPRESIDENT OF FOUNDATION SOFTWARE

[email protected]

Tech trap #5: Enough time and resources have been allocated

Afew months ago, my wife and I decided

it was time to get a new puppy. We did

our research, which was both exciting

and stressful, and very time-consuming.

In the end, we decided what kind of dog we were

going to get (a boxer), found one in our area, and

brought him home. It wasn’t long after we got him

into our house that I realized how much of an adjust-

ment having a new puppy was going to be, and how

much work was going to be involved. The training

was constant, and I had no idea that I’d have to be

home every two hours to let him out, or make sure

he wasn’t tearing up the furniture.

Implementing new technology, after the hard

work of finding just the right product, is a lot like

adjusting to having a new puppy. You’ve done your

research, you’ve weighed your options, and you’ve

located the perfect system that you believe will

carry your business to the next level. Unfortunately,

most people tend to rush the move and underesti-

mate how long the “training” stage will take to get

their new product running efficiently.

The weeks and months following a new tech-

nology purchase are often the most critical stage.

As flawless as your research may have been, there

is no guarantee that the implementation process

will sail along without a hitch, especially if you have

neglected to allocate enough time and resources.

Set a realistic timeframe

Let’s pretend that you’ve already chosen a technol-

ogy solution, tested it, checked references, and

made sure that it fit the specific needs of your

company. The next step, before that software is

shipped or you take delivery of the product, is to

develop a feasible implementation plan.

Most software vendors will oversee the

implementation of business software, but there

are things that owners or managers should do to

minimize risks and simplify the process. First, ask

questions and consider what is involved. Imple-

menting a new accounting software program, for

example, will involve the transfer of historical data.

But how exactly is this done? Is it manual data

entry, or can it be automated? Perhaps the number

of jobs or vendors in your current system will affect

how long the process will take. Depending on your

technology solution, there are many variables that

may affect initial setup and implementation, as well

as the time it takes to complete these tasks.

Training and user support are other key areas

that must be scheduled realistically (and, of course,

should have weighed heavily in the decision-making

process). But even before setting a timetable, you

must make sure that employees will embrace the

new system. Chances are, if you’ve chosen a product

that will vastly improve efficiency and save time, most

new users will be eager to use it. More time may

be needed, however, if you have employees who

struggle with change, or have varying learning styles.

The key to a workable timetable comes down

to the obvious, “time.” Underestimating how long

training will take is a common, and costly, mistake.

It’s simply unrealistic to expect employees to learn

a new system in a day or two of training, especially

if these new users must cover their ongoing duties

at the same time. Without a clear message from

management that training is important, an employee

will simply decide, “I don’t have time for this,” and

will give up on the solution before even trying it.

Set a realistic budget

The total cost of your new technology product is

usually not limited to a one-time purchase price.

More sophisticated programs will likely include

maintenance fees as well. But do these costs

include regular updates to the program? Do they

cover unlimited tech support? And what about

costs for adding new users, additional modules

or customized training?

Working with your vendor to devise a realistic

budget should be easy. A good company will make

every effort to give you ALL costs upfront and

won’t make promises that they can’t keep. Unfor-

tunately, I’ve heard from far too many contractors

who have abandoned new technology products

because the costs escalated out of control or

the product they received was nothing at all like

the one promised. Sorting through the various

vendors is tough, but, ultimately, it’s the owner’s

job to find the vendor that cares as much about

the long-term relationship as the short-term sale.

We’re settling in with the puppy now, and we’ve

found a routine, but I’ll never forget that expectations

and reality are often years apart. And when it comes

to significant investments, such as technology, trying

to rush by skipping ahead or neglecting certain

steps will only put you further behind. BXM

Read Tech Traps in subsequent monthly issues of BX Magazine. Mike Ode is president of Foundation Software, [email protected] 800-246-0800.

Implementing new technology is a lot like adjusting to having a new puppy.

Time and cost needs must be realistic

doing business

”


Cold Weather ForecastCommercial & Residential

Bulk Materials s l Mulch l Flagstone Stone l Topsoils

Youngstown Waterproof Slip

Fit glove keeps hands

warm and dry without sacrific-

ing dexterity through use of a

patented triple-layer technology

beginning with an abrasion resistant

form-fit outer shell made for long-lasting

wear as well as greater flexibility. Stretch

fabric is utilized for a snug fit across the

back of hand to fit a wide variety of sizes.

Internal knuckle protection helps to keep hands

safe while the palm, made of one layer of synthetic leather maximizes

dexterity all while still offering waterproof technology. A breathable

inner membrane provides waterproof and windproof protection

against rain, ice, snow and sleet. A soft micro-fleece inner lining

completes the triple layer making for a glove that is as functional as it

is comfortable. An easy on/off slip fit cuff and a terry cloth thumb for

wiping sweat and debris from your face and brow are included

on the machine washable glove. www.ytgloves.com

Warm and dry

Right out of Christmas Story Ergodyne’s N-Ferno 6802 classic bomber hat is trimmed with

faux fur and has a thick, quilted satin crown lining with PU

backing. These hats are a snug barrier against wind and

cold as they are durable, wind and water-resistant nylon

shell to keep you warm and dry using 60 gr of Thinsulate

from 3M. Also includes a YKK buckle with a strap and button

flaps with side holes for hearing. www.ergodyne.com

Heated walkway mat melts snowThe HeatTrak industrial snow-melting walkway Mmat

is an electrically heated mat designed to prevent snow

and ice accumulation around the facility. HeatTrak In-

dustrial products are designed for commercial facilities

or areas with heavy foot traffic. The Industrial Walkway

Mmat is made of an electrically operated heating

element sandwiched between two protective surfaces of flame retardant

reinforced SBR rubber, making it as durable as automobile tires and allowing it

to endure harsh wear. It plugs into any standard 120V or 240V outlet generat-

ing heat to melt snow at a rate of 2" per hour. The mat can be secured to the

ground using its built-in grommet holes and is designed to be left outside for

the entire winter season. www.heattrak.com

C O L D W E A T H E R n e w p r o d u c t s

Critters andbugs hate this GREAT STUFF Pestblock is a bitter-tasting

foam sealant that

blocks critters and

bugs, from spiders and

ants to mice to rats,

from entering structures

through gaps, cracks

and holes. There are

no pesticides, and it is

long-lasting and helps

improve energy ef-

ficiency. It can be used

to seal gaps, cracks

and holes up to 1”

and bonds with most

building materials and

surfaces.

www.greatstuff.dow.com


1/6 Page Vertical


Approved by: __________________________________________________ Date: __________


Company name: Kurtz Bros

Issue: October

Section: Cold Weather Forecast




Now is the perfect time to stock your ice melting products. Protect yourself and your customers from dangerous, slippery pave-ment with proper ice melting material. Kurtz Bros., Inc. is ready to provide our complete line of winter products at com-petitive pricing. These materials include bulk and bagged Rock Salt, Magnesium, Calcium and Melt-Away.

www.kurtz-bros.com

Call 216.986-9000 for more information


Gateway Safety’s Luminary Safety

Eyewear features temple technol-

ogy to offer the user unique temple

qualities to eliminate pinching behind

the ears while fitting securely on any size face.

Ultra flexible temples bend and flex to conform to wearer's profile, while

rubberized coating on temples prevents slipping. Translucent temple insets

and sleek style and light weight are also benefits. www.gatewaysafety.com

C O L D W E A T H E R n e w p r o d u c t s EMAIL PRODUCT NEWS TO [email protected]


1/3 Page Horizontal


Approved by: __________________________________________________ Date: __________




Company name: County Fire Protection

Issue:

Section:

Sales rep: Chelsea Morris

ANSI/ISEA guide helps em-

ployers choose cold weather

garb. The 3M Company,

maker of Thinsulate, offers an

ANSI/ISEA 201-2012 guide

that is intended to provide an

objective, scientific basis for

measuring apparel insulating properties (Clo value), provide user and specifier

guidance on apparel selection based on exposure and working conditions, and

provide a garment durability component (retention of properties with wash).

Called A How-To Guide For Workers in Cold Environments, it calls on employ-

ers to determine the user application, estimate required ensemble intrinsic

insulation value, estimate required garment durability, select, specify and

procure garments, and then confirm the purchase decisions. news.3m.com/press-kit/ansi-201-made-easy

ANSI/ISEA guide helps employers choose cold weather garb

Milwaukee Tool’s line of M12 Heated

Gear now has new warming

features, accessories and jacket

colors, including red, black and

camo in sizes S- 3XL. The new

jackets provide unmatched

warmth and performance with

a new fleece inner liner and

durable heating elements in not

only the chest and upper back,

but now in lower pockets that

are controlled independently

of the core heating elements

to provide extra warmth to the hands.

Powered by M12 red lithium technology, the new

jackets are compatible with the entire M12 System, now offer-

ing over 40 cordless lithium-Ion products. Hidden in a sleek back

pocket, which can expand to hold an XC battery, an upgraded

battery holder now includes a battery fuel gauge and a powered

USB port for charging portable electronic devices. Battery delivers

superior runtime, with up to six hours of continuous heat on a single

battery charge. For users that are operating heavy machinery or rid-

ing recreational vehicles equipped with a standard 12v power outlet,

Milwaukee will also introduce the heated jacket adaptor, utilizing

a 7-foot coil cord for neat cord routing throughout the vehicle to

provide unlimited run-time. www.milwaukeetool.com

Heated jackets have new features

Comfortable safety eyewear good with snow reflection


n e w p r o d u c t s

The new Meyer Vantage-Vac is a highly portable, yet

powerful 14 HP gas powered insulation removal

vacuum. Whether the insulation is wet or fire- or smoke-

damaged, this vacuum has power to spare to handle

the most difficult insulation removal jobs. It’s compact,

pneumatic two-wheeled design, and Integrated Lifting

Lug allows for close placement to the removal area,

resulting in shorter hoses and power

reservation. The integral

1.85 gallon fuel tank is

also a space saver, and

keeps your fuel with the

Vantage-Vac every step

of the way. As always,

this comes standard

with a two year

warranty.

www.meyervacuums.com

Vacuum removes damaged insulation

This is your ad proof

Company name: Cunningham

Issue: 2007

Section: BEST


Ohio's authoritative resource since 1892

MAG

AZIN

E

Please check it for accuracy and content.

Notes:

1/2 Page horizontal

— Thank you for choosing Sabre Publishing Group to promote your products & services!

Approved by: __________________________________________________ Date: __________

Fax approved proof to: 216.373.6562 By signing this proof I agree to the terms & conditions set forth in the BXM/InScope Advertising contract

■ Excellent quality, competitive pricing & reliability■ Cunningham Paving is a family-owned business,

with over 20 years of experience■ Licensed, bonded & insured

ASPHALT PAVING and REPAIRS, MILLING, DRAINAGE, COMPLETE SITE CONSTRUCTION, EXCAVATION TO COMPLETION

Proud to provide paving services to quality-minded companies, like yours.

216.581.8600216.581.8683 (Fax)

20814 Aurora Rd, Warrensville Hts., OH 44146-1006

“Keeping our customers satisfied, keeps them coming back.”

The new SafePoint impact-

resistant laminated glass

package from Simonton

Windows adds security, quiet and

energy-efficiency, as it is engineered to

withstand high winds and flying debris,

deter intruders and reduce unwanted

outside noise. The unique laminated

SafePoint glass package is similar in

design to impact-resistant glass pack-

ages and means buildings do not need

to be boarded up before impending

severe weather. It passed ASTM

E1886-05/1996-09 at the Missile “C”

level and can withstand repeated blows

by a heavy object. It mitigates noise in

a high traffic area, near an airport, railway or urban center and serves as an

effective barrier against heat transfer, while it screens out much of the

sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. www.simonton.com

Safety glass stands up to impact, noise, heat


G R E E N n e w p r o d u c t s

LaMar Lighting debuts the all new Versa-Sconce series, an attrac-

tive and extremely economic way to illuminate office facility hallways

and conference rooms, interior hallways of single and multi-family

dwellings, residential applications, hotel and hospitality installations

and assisted living facilities. These units feature multiple choices of lens and trim options allowing for custom

configurations to suit any style and decor and utilize GU24 CFL/LED lamp technology. Using a unique flat-pack

packaging design allows a complete sconce luminaire (fixture wall plate, lamp riser, lampholder, lens and trim)

to be shipped in an extremely shallow package. 631-777-7700

Columbia Forest Products decorative plywood line includes selected CFP’s

Euro-Ply PLUS Hardwood Plywood is an advanced, innovative and sus-

tainable material. Euro-Ply PLUS Hardwood Plywood is a multi-layer hardwood

core panel composed of 100% birch construction with an exposed Eurostyle

edge finish, a visually striking edge that architects and designers utilize for a

contemporary, natural appearance. The decorative faces and inner plies of

Euro-Ply PLUS panels are laminated using PureBond no-added-formaldehyde

technology, with the accompanying strength, durability, machinability and

high-volume production attributes. www.cfpwood.com

Plywood is decorative, sustainable

AIA & IIDA ...................................................................... 2

BOMA ............................................................................ 5

Builders Exchange, Inc. .............................................C4

County Fire Protection ............................................... 27

CORE Safety, LLC ........................................................ 2

Cunningham Paving Co. ............................................ 28

Dunbar, Pitcher & Associates, Inc. ............................. 5

Farnham Equipment Company ................................. 10

Frantz Ward, LLP ........................................................ 20

Foundation Construction Payroll Service ................C3

Frameco Inc .................................................................. 5

Independent Steel Erectors, Inc. .............................. 18

JCB of Ohio ................................................................... 6

Kurtz Bros., Inc .....................................................22, 26

Ohio Concrete Sawing & Drilling, Inc. ........................ 2

O’Rourke & Associates Co., LPA .............................. 23

Peters Landscaping ................................................... 26

Precision Environmental ............................................ 14

Sanctuary Software Studio........................................ 17

S.A. Comunale/EMCOR ...................................9, 13, 16

Skoda Minotti CPAs, Business & Financial Advisors...7

Temp Air, Inc................................................................ 29

21st Century Concrete Construction, Inc. ............... 22

VIP ................................................................................ 11

a d v e r t i s i n g i n d e xLow energy lighting looks

Lighting dim areas with less heat and powerLarson Electronics Magnalight.com offers the LEDP5W-60-1227 Mining

light with durability and ruggedness as well as high intensity illumina-

tion for applications in the mining industry, power generation plants, and

other dimly lit areas. The light can operate cooler, and for up to 50,000

hours with 24 volt compatibility using much less power. With moisture

and dust ingress protection, this Magnalight.com LED is unaffected by

environmental or operational conditions that are typical of industrial

applications. Magnalight.com


Ph

oto

Co

ur

tes

y D

oty

& m

ille

r/C

lev

ela

nD m

us

eu

m o

f n

atu

ra

l h

isto

ry

Each building has to be beautiful, but cheap and fast, but it lasts forever.

Punchlist is a place to showcase reader diversions. Send us your jobsite photos, volunteer involvements, hobby info, favorite quotes or whatever. e-mail [email protected], fax to 216.373.6562 or mail to Builders Exchange Magazine, 398 West Bagley Road, Suite 210, Berea, Ohio 44017.

p u n c h l i s t

“- Rem Koolhaas

Recognizing workers who brave the cold

Oom-pa-pa

Following the success of last

year’s Cintas & Carhartt Cold

Crew Contest, Cintas Corpo-

ration has launched a second annual

campaign to recognize individuals in

the U.S. and Canada who withstand

the toughest winter working condi-

tions. Contestants are encouraged

to share their stories and explain why

Carhartt workwear is essential to their

jobs. Entries will be accepted through

February 28, 2013, Last year, the public selected Brooke Boyer, a

wastewater treatment plant supervisor from Mt. Shasta, CA, as

the grand prize winner. BXM

Ph

oto

Co

ur

tes

y C

inta

s &

Ca

rh

ar

tt®

Green Energy Ohio hosted the tenth of its annual series of tours in the

state early in the month with a weekend that included 342 open houses

at 174 sites in 49 counties. The tours show solar, wind, biomass and

energy efficient systems at work, with 200 businesses participating, plus 50

installers, 69 manufacturers, and 45 businesses serving as sites. Attractions

included tours of Lincoln Electric’s wind turbine, energy-efficient displays at the

Cuyahoga County Farigrounds, and the PNC Smart Home on Wade Park in

Cleveland. For more, go to greenenergyohio.org. BXM

A decade of green energy tours in Ohio

Left–The Lincoln Electric turbine along I-90.Right–The PNC Smart Home now in place.

Ph

oto

s C

ou

rte

sy C

ha

s. e

. Ph

iPP

s

Ph

oto

Co

ur

tes

y B

XM

sta

ff

Cold weather gear helps workers handle winter tasks.

The Chas. E. Phipps Company

celebrated Customer Appre-

ciation Day in October with an

OktoberPhipps party featuring special

pricing, door prizes and a lively polka

band, the Chardon Polka Band, as well

as a great German meal and beer. Em-

ployee Gino Cribari volunteered to sit in

the dunk tank and to be totally drenched

over and over while customers paid for projectiles to benefit the

Jones Road Development Corporation, a Slavic Village-based

charity that works toward neighborhood improvement with litera-

cy, tutoring, arts and music, and food programs. The warehouse

was thronged with Phipps customers having a good time

and learning a lot about the product offerings. BXM

Above–Looking at product offerings. Right–Gino Cribari dunks for charity.

Documents

Builders Exchange Magazine - October 2012