Colorado Real Estate Journal - January 21, 2015
MW Golden Constructors recently wrapped up construction on several Colorado projects, including foundation repairs to the city of Glenwood Springs’ municipal operations center. The facility was built in 2002 on unstable soils and, as a result, it had settled to the point that sunlight could be seen through cracks in exterior walls. The cracks, some as much as an inch in thickness, threatened the building’s stability and the safety of the city employees who worked in the building. Instead of replacing the facility, Glenwood Springs selected the firm to stabilize the structure and repair its sinking and deteriorating foundation. MW Golden stabilized the building with 200 50-foot-deep compaction grout columns, which ultimately raised the facility four inches. While dirt was removed around the foundation of the building, a groundwater drain was installed to help prevent future moisture saturation in the soil, which had contributed to the settling. Interior walls that had cracked or settled were shored and some cinder blocks were replaced. The south vestibule and the south parking lot also were replaced during the project. The firm also recently completed work on renovations to KeyBank’s Broadway branch at 200 Broadway, near downtown Denver. The complete gut-and-remodeling project included a new roof, landscaping, fencing, exterior lighting and parking lot restriping. Inside the building, new ductwork was installed, new teller lines were created and restrooms were made Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. As well, the old vault was removed and replaced, and a security vestibule was installed at the entrance to the branch, which scans each entrant for excessive metal. The after-hours drop box also moved to a space more convenient for customers. Much of the work was accomplished at night and on weekends to minimize impact on the branch’s operations and KeyBank customers. “Our subs and our crews performed a tremendous amount of work in a short amount of time without much sleep,” commented project superintendent Jeff Erck. MWGC has also completed work for KeyBank at its Thornton and Cherry Creek branches, and soon will be starting projects at the Chatfield and Highlands Ranch locations. Additionally, MW Golden served as construction manager/ general contractor for the renovation of Aurora Public Schools’ education services center. The education services center is a multibuilding campus and serves as the headquarters and nerve center for the district, which has more than 42,000 students. The 15,000-square-foot remodel of school district office and meeting space was accomplished in three phases, beginning in July with substantial completion in late December. Existing interior finishes were completely removed and replaced with new walls, carpet, ceilings, lighting, electrical and mechanical systems. In addition, HVAC roof units were replaced and new ductwork installed. The facility was fully functional and occupied during renovation work, with MWGC and APS coordinating movement of APS employees to temporary office space during each phase.