Member News – August 2021
Ravens, designers and builders create new facility for Baltimore kids
A partnership among football player and design and construction professionals has produced a new recreation and education facility for Baltimore City children.
Former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith and his wife, Chanel, had been looking for a location to establish their LEVEL Up Leadership Academy — a nonprofit designed to cultivate Leadership, Education, Vision, Effort and Love in Baltimore City children. The couple zeroed in on the Baltimore City Recreation and Parks’ Hilton Recreation Center, which had been shuttered for 13 years.
The building itself was in “fairly decent shape,” said Scott Vieth, Principal at Design Collective. The mechanical systems were functional but not ideal. The building had developed some leaks and the interiors needed extensive upgrades.
Design Collective volunteered to lead the makeover, the Baltimore Ravens donated $400,000 to cover renovation costs and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company served as general contractor. New paint, flooring, ceilings, furniture and technology quickly created a space where LEVEL Up could host its first eight-week summer camp for children aged 10 to 12.
“The challenge was really identifying how their program would fit into that space,” Vieth said, noting that the Academy is planning other activities after the summer camp. “That led to a decision to get furniture that is flexible — that can be moved, stacked, reconfigured — to make sure they can adapt the space as their program changes to meet the needs of the kids.”
Preliminary talks are currently ongoing to add outdoor athletic facilities to the site which could also serve students at the adjacent Green Street Academy.
“We believe in Baltimore,” Veith said. “It is part of our mission to make this city better whether that is through professional services or volunteering, and this seemed like a great opportunity to help an underserved community.”
Clark Construction completes historic project in Howard County
Representatives of Clark Construction Group, Howard County and the State of Maryland gathered in July to mark the completion of a history-making construction project. The new Howard County Circuit Courthouse is the largest capital project in Howard County history and the first Howard County projects completed through a public-private partnership.
The project team which included Edgemoor Star-America Judicial Partners and Johnson Controls, finished construction on time and on budget, despite the pandemic. The 238,000-square-foot facility replaces the county’s 175-year-old historic courthouse which had developed numerous deficiencies and challenges.
BC&E members honored for excellence in high-performance design
The work of several BC&E member companies was honored at the USGBC Maryland 2021 Community Leader Awards in July. These awards recognize local excellence in high-performance building design, environmental stewardship, community impact and volunteerism.
MK Consulting Engineers worked on two award-winning projects. The Lake Clifton Park Building: Fairmont Harford High School project won the Green Schools, K-12 award. The Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School – Modernization won the Judge’s Choice Award.
J. Vinton Schafer & Sons and James Posey Associates worked on Elementary School No. 42, Hanover Hills – winner of the People’s Choice Award.
Plano-Coudon Construction lead the construction team for the University of Baltimore Bogomolny Library – winner of the Green Schools, Higher Education award.
Gipe Associates and EBL Engineers were members of the project team for the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library – winner of the Innovative Project, New Construction award.
The Whiting-Turner Construction Company lead construction of the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center – winner of the Innovative Project, Health and Wellness in the Built Environment award.
BC&E welcomes three new members
Alliance Exterior Construction is a building envelope trade contractor specializing in panel systems, glazing, and roofing. Headquartered in Baltimore and serving the central Mid-Atlantic since 1989, Alliance’s specialties include pre-engineered systems, insulated sandwich panels, complex architectural metal, heat-reflective mirror glass, commercial roofing and roof maintenance, repairs and emergencies. https://www.allianceexterior.com/
In operation for more than a century, Clark Construction Group’s portfolio includes projects of all sizes and levels of complexity – from intricate interior renovations to some of the most complex civil operations in the country. The firm’s 4,200 employees are spread across offices and jobsites throughout the United States. https://www.clarkconstruction.com/
LokTek is a dedicated service company specializing in the supply, installation, maintenance and repair of all commercial doors, locks and entry/exit systems. LokTek’s work on doors, frames, hardware and automatic operators focuses on extending the life of a door opening. https://www.loktek.com/