Colorado Real Estate Journal - June 15, 2016
GH Phipps wrapped up renovations to Runyon Elementary School, the “well-loved” 1969 Littleton school. It had a wood framed structure, which began showing signs of age as the roof started sagging during snow-loading events. The school quickly installed post shores throughout the school as a short-term fix while a long-term solution was discussed. Listening to the community, the Littleton Public Schools district devised a plan that would keep as much of the existing building as possible while addressing a growing list of deficiencies. GH Phipps Construction Co. was selected to serve as general contractor. Work included essentially removing the roof, raising the ceiling heights in several areas, replacing the HVAC system, abating asbestos and correcting many structural issues so the “existing” building would look like new when finished. When work began in 2015, Runyon students were shifted to Whitman Elementary School. The Phipps team also removed mechanical equipment from individual mechanical rooms, and installed new commercial rooftop equipment, as well as a fire alarm system and sprinkler system. The design, by Yon Tanner Architecture, popped the tops over the gym/cafeteria area and over the library area, allowing more daylight into the school. Classrooms are now organized into seven pods, with each pod holding three classrooms and restrooms. The owner’s representative was Jacobs. In other GH Phipps news, the firm recently earned a national Associated General Contractors Safety Excellence Award. It was the third award since 2009. The company took second place in the Building Division/General Contractor category of 400,000 to 600,000 man-hours. The national judges based their decisions on safety statistics; an overview of the company’s safety program; increased employee involvement in safety; new programs, procedures or resources a company uses to promote safety; management’s commitment to safety; and specific unique activities the company uses to promote safety.