MBMA names new 2008 Executive Committee

The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) approved a new Executive Committee at the MBMA Annual Meeting held in December 2007 in Atlanta, GA.

• Keith Fischer, chairman, Ceco Corp.
• Phil Raimondo, vice chairman, Behlen Building Systems
• C. William Savitz, past chairman, Garco Building Systems

• Patrick Finan, Butler Manufacturing Company
• Patrick Kern, Steel Built Corp.
• F. Richard Drake, United Structures of America Inc.
• Chuck Haslebacher, VP Buildings
• John Hodson, Oakland Metal Buildings Inc.
• Patrick Bush, United States Steel Corp.

“I am proud to be working with this team of industry leaders,” says Keith Fischer. “The board will remain aggressive on the technical front and also focus on further outreach to affiliated trade and education groups to form a consolidated front to address industry issues and change.”

Founded in 1956, the MBMA serves as the technical voice of the metal building system industry.

Its members represent more than $2.8 billion in annual steel shipments and accounts for about 42% of the total low-rise, non-residential construction market. MBMA provides engineering leadership though the many research programs that it sponsors annually. This research is used to improve the performance, efficiency and quality of metal building systems and to elevate the technology used to produce them.

Much needed assisted living facility set to break ground this year

The City of Murfreesboro, Tenn., will be getting a much needed addition to its community in 2008. TDK Development LLC, a sister development company of TDK Construction, is in the process of selecting a site in Murfreesboro for a future assisted living facility.

TDK Development LLC currently has three sites under study. These sites include the Cason Lane/Hwy. 99 area, the West Thompson Lane area and the Medical Center area. These potential sites will serve much needed areas of growth in the community. TDK hopes to be able to announce a site soon.

Owner Tim Keach of Murfreesboro-based TDK Construction Co., says, “We are very excited about this project and the team we have put in place to address the communities needs.” This team will consist of Developer TDK Development LLC, General Contractor TDK Construction, Property Manager Beacon Communities Inc., Lender Deutsche Bank Berkshire Mortgage and an architect that has extensive experience with assisted living projects.

This project will have a $10 million to $12 million price tag and will be marketed as an affordable upscale product to its residents. Currently the mix will include both assisted living and Alzheimer’s units. The total project should house approximately 100 units and will have additional features such as a beauty salon, private dining room, bistro, library, game room, crafts and recreation room, wellness and therapy center and plenty of outdoor recreation space.

TDK Construction hopes to break ground on the 10-month project in mid October and pre-registration will start as early as May.

Johnson & Galyon begins work on $18 million Neyland Stadium job

Knoxville General Contractor Johnson & Galyon has begun work on the $18 million University of Tennessee Neyland Stadium - Phase 1B.

The second phase of the project involves renovations of the Volunteers’ existing lockerroom and renovation work of the west and southwest concourse. Additionally, a new media room will be constructed under the north stands as well as a new Letterman’s room in the northwest corner of the stadium. This phase is part of four phase project worth more than $100 million.

Each phase is awarded individually per bids or proposals. Johnson & Galyon completed the first phase on a tight nine-month schedule, which included the addition of club seating to the east side of the stadium, the renovation and expansion of the north concourse and utility work in preparation for the remaining phases of expansion.

TDOT celebrates completion of first Type II noise wall project

The Tennessee Department of Transportation of Nashville, Tenn., recently joined residents of Nashville’s historic Woodland-in-Waverly neighborhood to mark the completion of the state’s first ever Type II Noise Wall project. The project is located along Interstate 65 from Craighead Street to Wedgewood Avenue and is the first noise wall to be built as a stand alone project in Tennessee.

“The residents of the Woodland-in-Waverly community have worked diligently on a project that will improve their quality of life and help protect this historic neighborhood,” said Governor Bredesen. “Their efforts will be felt across the state as TDOT moves forward with more of these Type II noise wall projects in neighborhoods similar to the Woodland-in-Waverly community.”

The Type II Noise Wall Program provides noise barrier walls in qualifying neighborhoods that were established before high volume roadways were built. Neighborhoods must meet specific criteria required by the federally funded Type II Program.

Senator Thelma Harper, Senator Douglas Henry and Representative Mary Pruitt, who were instrumental in the development of this program, joined Commissioner Nicely on Lindell Avenue as the last panel of the noise wall was lowered into place.

TDOT worked closely with residents in the Woodland-in-Waverly neighborhood during the design of the new noise walls. Residents provided input on everything from the color of the walls to the landscaping that will further enhance the area.

The noise wall project along Interstate 65 was constructed at a cost of approximately $2.5 million. The contractor will now finish some remaining items of work, including landscaping and removing the concrete barriers placed along Interstate 65.

Work will begin in spring 2008 on a new Type II Noise Wall project, located along Interstate 40 East beginning at I-65 and extending to I-24.

Gray Fossil Site Visitor Center opens in Eastern Tennessee

A new visitor center, housing interactive exhibits that trace prehistoric animal life during the Miocene era through modern laboratory analysis of ancient fossils, recently opened at the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and General Shale Brick Natural History Museum in eastern Tennessee.

The exhibits, which showcase findings from the adjacent Gray Fossil Site, were designed by Bethesda, Md.-based Gallagher & Associates, one of the nation’s leading specialists in museums and interpretive centers.

The concepts for the 33,000-sq-ft visitor center were created by a Gallagher team that included several designers with extensive experience in natural history museums throughout the U.S. Led by Gallagher Principal Patrick Gallagher and Senior Designer Greg Matty, the team worked in consultation with ETSU administrators and paleontology experts, who sought to create a lively and educational environment in which to display the university’s extraordinary discoveries.

The fossil site, located next to the new center, was uncovered in 2000 by highway contractors working on State Route 75 in the Appalachian region of eastern Tennessee. Determined to be late Miocene in age (between 7 to 4.5 million years ago), the site has produced multiple rhinoceros specimens, an alligator specimen and many other fossils of fish, snakes and other species. Discoveries also included new specimens previously unknown to the area, including a Red Panda.

The Gallagher design team worked closely with Phil Fraley Productions, a renowned exhibit fabrication company best known for its mounting of “Sue,” the most complete T. Rex fossil skeleton ever found. Karen Carr, of Karen Carr Studio, Inc., provided custom illustrations.

Visitors to the center follow the regional experience from prehistoric times through modern day scientific discovery and analysis. An orientation theater launches the experience, which then takes visitors through the Miocene era in the Appalachian region. The exhibits transition to the present, where visitors explore an interactive space that features a dig pit and can then take their “specimens” to a lab.

In addition to Gallagher & Associates, the consulting team includes the architecture firm of Bullock, Smith & Partners and Vaughn & Melton. The exhibits were constructed and installed by EXPLUS. The content was developed by Sharon Barry. The lighting was designed by Ted Mather Lighting Co.

AGC Tennessee supports green building

Associated General Contractors of Tennessee, Middle Tennessee Branch, hosted its Second Green Advantage Class in December. Green Advantage certifies a contractors’ knowledge of the latest in “green” building practices, technologies and techniques.

Companies interested in this certification attend a training class followed by an exam. Several contractor members of AGC are now certified through Green Advantage including The Parent Company, PBG, Flow Construction and WASCO. AGC will give contractors the opportunity to obtain this certification quarterly.

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is the largest and oldest national construction trade association in the United States. AGC represents more than 32,000 firms, including 7,000 of America’s leading general contractors and more than 11,000 specialty-contracting firms. More than 13,000 service providers and suppliers are associated with AGC through a nationwide network of chapters.