ECI Employees Ring The Bell for The Salvation Army

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The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.

Every year Engineered Construction employees are proud to participate in The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle Campaign by volunteering their time to ring the bell and collect donations at the local Millers & Son’s Grocery store in Verona.  For more information on The Salvation Army, ways to volunteer or to make a donation visit salvationarmydanecounty.org.

 

Dangers of Turkey Fryer Fires

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A growing Thanksgiving trend is preparing deep fried turkey.  Though a deep fried turkey is very good, the actual frying can be extremely dangerous.  According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 4,300 fires occur on Thanksgiving causing 15 deaths and almost $27 million in property damage, many of them due to deep frying accidents.

Watch this video to see just how quickly a turkey fryer can go up in flames and get some tips on how to stay safe if you plan to fry your bird.

Madison Capitols Return To Madison

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The Madison Capitols is a Tier 1 Junior Hockey Team with a history in Madison.  They played from 1984 – 1991 at the Hartmeyer Ice Arena.  In 1991 they re-branded themselves as The Wisconsin Capitol’s and played as such through the ’95-’96 season.  On November 26th, 2013, the management of Madtown Hockey, LLC announced that the Madison Capitols would be returning to Madison in the 2014-2015 season.  Ryan Suter, defenseman for the Minnesota Wild and Tom Sagissor, a former Wisconsin Badger would join the ownership group.  It was also announced that the Madison Capitols would play at the Alliant Energy Center.

The season for the franchise started the first weekend in October and they hosted their first home game on Saturday October 18th.  To learn more about the team or to purchase tickets visit madcapshockey.com.

Engineered Construction is a proud sponsor of the Madison Capitols.  Look for our logo on the boards at the Alliant Energy Center and listen for our ad during the games on 106.7 FM / 1670 AM “The Zone”.

Engineered Construction Joins CATCH

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CATCH, which stands for Community around the Children’s Hospital, is a service based membership group of professionals, community members and advocates making a difference in the lives of hospitalized children from the region.  CATCH members dedicate their time, talents and energy to collaborate, engage and support UW Health’s American Family Children’s Hospital.

Members of CATCH are given volunteer opportunities within the hospital such as serving family meals or assisting with the annual holiday gift distribution to kids.  They are also invited to attend exclusive member only events that feature presentations from American Family Childrens Hospital physicians and researchers.  In addition to that, members make an impact with their annual membership fees going directly to benefit the patients and families at the hospital.

CATCH is a relatively new organization having just launched this past July.  Currently they have 80 members with a goal to reach 250 by the end of 2015.  Heidi Dunn, Director of Marketing and Business Development for Engineered Construction, is proud to  show her support as a representative of ECI through participation in the many events and volunteer opportunities.

To learn more about CATCH, become a member or make a donation to the American Family Children’s Hospital visit http://www.uwhealthkids.org/get-involved/community-around-the-childrens-hospital/43782.

Work Wraps Up At UW Platteville

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On June 16th, two tornado’s struck the city of Platteville running through the UW Platteville campus and causing damage to numerous buildings.  Since then, Engineered Construction has been working closely with UW Facilities to assist in the clean up and reconstruction of many of the damaged buildings.  ECI was involved in the repairs to Southwest Hall and Dobson Hall (both student housing buildings), the Engineering Hall, Memorial Park, numerous Greenhouses, Greenwood (a storage building) as well as approximately 12 acres of landscaping.

Southwest Hall, which is approximately 154,000 square feet, suffered significant damage both inside and out.  Approximately 25% of the roof, windows and screens had to be replaced and 100% of the roof metal and buildings decorative metal panels had to be replaced.  The common areas roof had been blown off requiring a new roof as well as the entire interior to be gutted and rebuilt.  Around 40 of the student rooms suffered water damage which required repairs to drywall, paint and carpet.  Early arrival for fall sports and RA’s required the building to be complete enough for occupancy by August 15th and the building opened up for the remainder of the students on August 29th.

The Engineering Hall, which is approximately 110,000 square feet, also had significant damage both inside and out.  Hundreds of holes in the roof allowed water into the classes and corridors which were full of equipment.  All the curtain walls were compromised as well as all of the glass on the West side of the building.  A vehicle had been picked up by the tornado and thrown into the SE corner of the building and  many walls were blown out.  The exterior brick and precast concrete were damaged by flying debris, a vehicle was thrown into the SE corner of the building and a heater from a nearby greenhouse was found on the roof.  The building officially opened on August 28th, though some work is still being completed in some areas of the building.

The additional buildings work varied from roofs, panels, fascia, trim and walls to building a new pavilion, bathroom and storage building.  Additionally, due to the amount of glass that was blown around, there was nearly 12 acres of landscaping that had to be replaced.  This included new grass, mulch, stone, shrubs and other plantings.

Engineered Construction’s Project Manager on the job was Brian Sharkey and the onsite Job Superintendent was TJ Scheff.  As of now, the majority of the work has been completed with just punch list items and final landscaping being completed.

Fire at Park Place Apartments

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On September 24th, a small grease fire took place at the new Park Place Apartments.  The building, owned and managed by Boardwalk Investments, is located at 210 N. Bassett St. and was just completed a few months ago.

The fire took place in a fourth floor unit and caused the fire protection sprinklers to go off.  Smoke and water damage was sustained in six different units, as well as associated hallways and laundry rooms.  Engineered Construction was immediately called and arrived onsite within one hour of the incident to help minimize the damage.

Engineered Construction will be handling the mitigation, demolition and drying of all affected areas as well as the reconstruction that will involve new insulation, drywall, painting, flooring, cabinetry, trim, lighting, as well as servicing and cleaning the mechanicals.  It will also be necessary to replace security cameras and get the fire protection system back in service.

Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

Takara Japanese Restaurant To Open Third Location

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Takara Japanese Restaurant will open their third location in Middleton later this year. Currently they have two locations, one at 315 State Street which opened in 2001 and the other at 696 S. Whitney Way which opened in 2006.

The new Takara will open in the space at 1900 Cayuga St. which has housed numerous Italian Restaurants in the past. The space will undergo a major remodel which will be handled by Engineered Construction Inc. and Aro Eberle Architects doing the design/architecture. The look will be more modern than the current locations and the menu will be slightly different as well. The new menu will feature different appetizers and entrees as well as more salads, while the sushi menu will remain the same with most of the same fish.

Construction has begun with the demolition already completed and plans to open in early December. For more information on Takara, visit their website at www.takaramadison.com.

Reconstruction Wraps Up At GEF-1

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Engineered Construction has been working at GEF-1, a state office building in Downtown Madison, since it suffered a fire on May 15th.  The four story building, located at 201 E. Washington Ave., houses approximately 1000 employees in both the Department of Workforce Development and the Department of Children and Families.

The fire, which was ruled accidental by faulty electrical, caused extensive damage to the fourth floor with smoke and water damage throughout the remainder of the building.  ECI was involved in the removal of debris throughout the entire 43,600 square foot space as well as the reconstruction of the damaged floor which was approximately 15,400 square feet.

Construction remained on schedule with many of the displaced employees moving back into the building at the beginning of August.  Reconstruction efforts on the fourth floor are wrapping up now, which will allow the last of the employees to return to the building starting next week.  GEF-1 reopened to the public on September 2nd.

Murphy Joins EC as New Project Superintendent

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Verona, WI – Engineered Construction is proud to announce the addition of Mike Murphy to our team as a Project Superintendent. In this new role Murphy will be responsible for overall project planning and scheduling, while ensuring compliance with Engineered Construction’s quality standards.

Murphy has an extensive background in construction including 24 years as a superintendent and 2 years owning his own construction company.  Mike is proud of his many years in the industry and is excited to be a part of the ECI team.

In his free time Murphy is active in local politics where he has served as a Representative Delegate Member of the State of Wisconsin Conservation Congress for Columbia County since 1991 and County Chairman since 2006.  In addition, he is active in multiple WCC committees in both Columbia and Bear Counties.  Murphy is an avid waterfowl hunter and is involved in many youth hunting activities.  He is also an upland game bird dog breeder and owns and operates a Non-GMO organic fruit, berry and vegetable operation with his wife.

Engineered Construction, Inc., headquartered in Verona, Wisconsin, is a design/build general contractor serving customers throughout the country since 1983.  Other satisfied partners include The University of Wisconsin-Madison, The Alexander Company, The Gialamas Company, Executive Management Inc., MG&E, Pizza Hut of Southern Wisconsin and Park Towne Development. For more information please visit Engineered Construction’s website, located at www.engineeredconstruction.com.

Residential Remodel Complete

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Engineered Construction recently completed the interior renovation of a high end residential home in the Verona area.  The areas of the home where improvements were made included the bathroom, loft, kitchen, great room and entry way.

On the upper floor, a partial wall and privacy door were added to the hallway.  The bathroom door was moved, linen closet reconfigured and ceramic flooring added.  In the loft a radiused bump out was created and the handrail from the loft and staircase to the first floor were replaced with custom stained knotty alder and wrought iron balusters.

In the great room, custom stained knotty alder box beams were added to the ceiling as well as two chandeliers.  The carpet was replaced with red birch hardwood, the staircase was opened up to the lower level, the mantle and upper mantle were changed and the wall between the kitchen and great room were removed.

The two story foyer got two custom stained douglas fur trusses.  The kitchen was upgraded with a ceramic back splash, stone veneer at the kitchen island half wall and a cherry wood stained cap on the top of the kitchen island.  There were also upgrades in the powder room where a new vanity, sink, faucet, lighting and wallpaper were installed.

For pictures of the completed work, go to “Projects” or visit the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EngineeredConst.