PBG Builders renovates The Tennessee Residence in Nashville

PBG Builders Inc., formerly known as Powell Building Group, has stepped into Tennessee’s past, present and future with the renovation and historic restoration work at the 75-year-old, 16-room Georgian colonial house in Nashville that serves as the residence for the state’s governor. 

The Goodlettsville, Tenn., contractor began work in November 2005 and will complete the project this month. 

The $6 million project is the first phase of a multi-phase renovation. Phase I involves major infrastructure repairs and improvements, updates to bring the house into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and cleaning and repair of exterior and interior masonry.

“I am really pleased with the unique skill and craftsmanship PBG Builders has brought to Phase I of the restoration,” says First Lady Andrea Conte. “This project has required a dedicated team of experts in architecture, engineering, historic preservation and construction, and I’m proud that PBG Builders is part of that team. I appreciate the valuable role they have played in making this home one that all Tennesseans will be proud to call the Tennessee Residence.”

The project is pursuing LEED certification standards. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

ABC East Tennessee Chapter recognizes contractors in STEP program

ABC’s East Tennessee Chapter recently congratulated George W. Reagan Co. Inc. and H-S Whitson Construction for achieving Silver level, Metroplex Services Inc. and The Wakefield Corp. for achieving the Gold level, and Shoun-Allen Masonry Inc. and Creative Structures Inc. for achieving the Platinum level in the Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) program.

ABC’s STEP program evaluates contractors’ safety records to identify those that place a high value on safety. Contractors applying for the STEP program that meet specific criteria receive a certificate recognizing their excellence in providing a safe workplace environment.

Those contractors that display the highest level of safety at their companies are invited to join the Platinum STEP program.

First Colony Healthcare to build first green building project in Brentwood

Healthcare developer First Colony Healthcare LLC will be pursing the first LEED Certified Green Building project in Brentwood, Tenn., officials recently announced at the closing of the land acquisition of Westgate Commons.

The Colony at Westgate will begin construction this fall and is slated for completion in mid 2008. The project will include a 35,000-sq-ft medical office building, a conventional office building totaling 63,000 sq ft and an 87-space underground parking garage – one of the only such facilities in Brentwood. A common area plaza will connect the two buildings.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a program of the U.S. Green Building Council and a rating system for buildings or clusters of buildings based on a variety of Green Building Principles. Among the principles that are incorporated into the project are:

• the use of appropriate site selection and building orientation
• high energy and water efficiency
• conservation of natural resources.

Environmentally friendly buildings and construction have been on the rise for more than 30 years, but recently have received more attention due to increased awareness of global warming, documentaries and dependency on oil.

Brick industry honors excellence in environmental stewardship, employee health and safety programs

Outstanding programs in environmental stewardship and employee health and safety were honored recently by the Brick Industry Association (BIA) at its annual banquet in Orlando, Fla. 

BIA President and CEO Richard Jennison says, “Brick manufacturers and distributors are demonstrating that – just as all-natural brick, itself – they’re operating in a sustainable manner: safeguarding the health and well-being of the environment, their employees, and society at large.”

Nashville, Tenn.-based Alley-Cassetty won for the “Reduced Truck Emissions” program that significantly cut vehicular emissions. This was done through regulating truck speeds; monitoring exhaust emissions; and recycling waste oil, anti-freeze, and hydraulic oil, leading to a 6% increase in fuel efficiency.