Unified Testing Services takes on preservation of Alabama’s Fort Morgan

Unified Testing Services, a member of the TÜV Rheinland Group, has been working to preserve Alabama’s historical landmark, Fort Morgan, located at the mouth of Mobile Bay.

Fort Morgan is owned and operated by the Alabama Historical Commission, the state’s historic preservation office. Contracted by the Alabama Correctional Industries, UTS is providing safety and waste consulting services for the 175-year-old site. The project has been ongoing for the past year.

Fort Morgan, a former military facility and presently a National Historic Landmark and museum, was built with more than 40 million bricks. The fort served in four wars – the Civil War, Spanish American War and World Wars I and II – and was decommissioned after World War II. While the site was being excavated last year for a preservation project, potentially hazardous lead sheets were discovered.

During the lead removal phase, UTS conducted personnel and area sampling, and acted as the onsite Safety Officer.

Local contractors receive safety awards from ABC of Alabama

Associated Builders & Contractors of Alabama recently announced its winners for the Safest in the Industry Awards. All winners were recognized at an April luncheon at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort.

Safety Director of the Year honors went to Ron Cross, Rust Constructors Inc.

Eagle Award Winners include Gary C. Wyatt General Contractor LLC (General Contractor); C.S. Beatty Construction Inc. (Subcontractor); and Southern Co. (Specialty/Other).

Gold Award Winners include ATC Associates Inc., BE&K, A KBR Company, Bill’s Electric Inc., B.L. Harbert International, Brice Building Co. Inc., Bright Future Electric LLC, Caddell Construction Co. Inc., Doster Construction Co. Inc., Dunn Construction Co. Inc., Erected Steel Products of Alabama Inc., Golden & Associates Construction, Hardy Corp., Hoar Construction LLC, Ivey Mechanical Co Inc., JESCO Inc., Ready Mix USA, Robins & Morton, Rust Constructors Inc., Saiia Construction LLC, Splawn Construction Inc. and Summit Electrical Construction Inc.

Gresham, Smith & Partners completes Thomas Hospital project

Gresham, Smith & Partners, an architecture, engineering, interior design and planning firm, recently celebrated the opening of a 130,500-sq-ft patient tower addition for Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, Ala.

The GS&P-designed addition is a four-floor plan that includes an emergency department, medical/surgical nursing units and is designed to accommodate 64 beds with shell space for an additional 32 beds. This is the latest project resulting from GS&P’s 10-year relationship with Infirmary Health System, the owner of Thomas Hospital.

The new 35,000-sq-ft emergency department includes four trauma rooms and 28 exam and treatment rooms and is designed to accommodate 40,000 patients a year.

Birmingham-area mayors recognize Women in Construction Week

The National Association of Women in Construction’s Greater Birmingham Chapter was recognized during the Women in Construction Week March 1-7 with proclamation signings by two local mayors.

Alabama mayors Scott McBrayer of Homewood and Larry Langford of Birmingham signed proclamations acknowledging the contributions of the local chapter’s community development and educational programs geared towards the advancement of women in skilled-trade careers.

NAWIC, an international non-profit organization, has grown to a membership of more than 5,000 women with more than 179 chapters.

Doster to build UA nursing college

Doster Construction Co. of Birmingham, Ala., recently announced that it will build the new $11.8 million Capstone College of Nursing at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The 62,786-sq-ft, three-story building will consist of a concrete frame with a brick veneer and precast exterior.

Doster is scheduled to begin construction this month and the estimated completion date is May 2010.