Recently, Bill Weber Jr. joined Joe Kelly of the Mass Construction Show for an in-depth discussion on the important role of prefabrication in the construction industry.
You can listen to the entire podcast here: https://apple.co/2AlL2AL
In the wake of Covid-19 contractors, are faced with new challenges regarding workplace productivity, scheduling, and worker safety. With a lot of communication and planning – leading construction firms have been able to adapt to new guidelines, and develop new protocols for a safe return to work.
Recently, Mike Weber and Greg Skalaski, Executive Vice President for Shawmut Design and Construction’s western division spoke with Kim Slowey at ConstructionDive.com – sharing industry insight and best practices.
“Continuous Improvement” is one of our four core values at Gaston Electrical. More than just words, we try to put them into practice daily. This particular core value takes special attention and effort however – as it requires all of us to think outside the box, question the way we (as a company and industry) have always done things, then develop innovative solutions to meet our goals.
Creative problem solving won’t be found as a daily responsibility in most electrical job postings, but in today’s competitive construction market, it is essential. Our electricians, project managers, and prefabrication team members are continually solving problems and developing innovative solutions.
Once Chestnut Place residential tower in Quincy, MA
They are highly-skilled at identifying opportunities for greater efficiency and increased safety, then putting plans into practice – all the while coordinating, adapting, and communicating across multiple departments (and with our clients) to ensure success.
Once such example is the successful collaboration between Project Manager Adam Stanieich , General Foreman Jim Ferris, Project Superintendent Mike Martinelli, and the Prefabrication Department Manager DJ Murray at our One Chestnut Place residential tower project in Quincy, MA.
For this 140-room, 18 story apartment tower project, the team worked together to identify prefabrication opportunities at the outset – resulting in the creation of prefabricated load centers which could be assembled in our 15,000 SF shop and delivered to the jobsite, and wheeled into place per our schedule.
Please click here to view the video of this successful load center installation process and learn more about our prefabrication services.
Myles Standish Exterior
On June 10th, The Boston Preservation Alliance announced the winning projects for their 2020 Achievement Awards. This list of winners includes some amazing renovation/rehabilitation projects including The Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Graves Lighthouse, The Revolution Hotel, and our project with Shawmut Construction – Boston University Myles Standish Hall.
Gaston Team during Construction Safety Week
The Myles Standish Hall Project was a 14-month renovation/rehabilitation of the well-known Kenmore Square landmark building. The Gaston Team provided full electrical services upgrades for the building systems, common areas, and student units as well as a new electrical service, all new lighting, fire alarm and power throughout.
Rooftop view toward Kenmore Square from Myles Standish Hall
Below is the project and award description from The Boston Preservatiuon Alliance website. Click here to visit the site directly.
Myles Standish Hall, formerly the Myles Standish Hotel, stands on the corner of Beacon Street and Baystate Road in the Kenmore neighborhood. Designed by Arthur Bowditch, the architect behind Paramount Theater (2010 Alliance Preservation Achievement Award winner) and constructed in 1925, it housed VIPs such as Babe Ruth and the Yankees. It hosted everything from grand social events like society weddings and balls to two basement level speakeasies during Prohibition. To house an influx of soldiers entering college under the G.I. Bill after WWII, Boston University purchased and transformed the hotel into the Myles Standish Hall dormitory, where a wide variety of notables graced its halls from Howard Stern to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Over time the exterior of the building began to deteriorate due to the dampness of the alcoves of the E-shaped floor plan. Significant water infiltration led the University to undertake a major renovation of the 90-year-old building. As much as 65% of the exterior masonry required careful replacement with matching materials and an entire exterior wall required re-building; repointing and cleaning the masonry not replaced was required as well. Extensive granite repair, cast stone replacement, and rebuilding of the facades at the first and second-floor walls were required to restore the storefronts which had been removed in 1949. Most of these materials were re-used in the construction process, and the entire building was made more energy efficient. The main entrance on Beacon Street and secondary entrance on Bay State Road were re-constructed to reflect the original entrance design, complete with a canopy. The interior of the building was also updated to create a contemporary and accessible space for students. The surrounding intersection and sidewalks were upgraded to create a safer area for pedestrians. Bike paths and a park plaza were added to create outdoor space for residents and neighbors to enjoy the historic surroundings.
“The fact that Boston University took on this restoration project rather than argue for replacement, particularly within a neighborhood undergoing dramatic change and loss of historic fabric, makes an important statement about the importance of preservation and about sustainability,” says Greg Galer, Executive Director of the Boston Preservation Alliance. “Older buildings such as Myles Standish Hall are ripe for transformation, retaining the history that happened within their walls and holding firm to the historic context of the surrounding neighborhood while meeting the university’s needs.”
With construction beginning a slow restart in the Boston market, industry leaders are focused on a safe return to work for their employee teams and project partners. Recently, Gaston Principal Mike Weber chatted with Catherine Carlock of the Boston Business Journal about enhanced safety measures and the importance of communication in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Below is a screenshot of the article and you can read the full article by clicking here (with BBJ subscription).
Recently, Gaston Principal Bill Weber held a zoom meeting discussion with Joe Kelly of The Mass Construction Show to review best practices for managing a company, clients, and employees in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Click here for the full podcast.
As Construction leaders across the country adapt to a rapidly-changing business environment, many cities/metros like Boston and Cambridge are implementing temporary work stoppages to combat (and slow) the spread of the coronavirus.
Recently, Gaston Principal Bill Weber spoke with Reporter Kim Slowey of ConstructionDive.com to share some of the effective management and project shutdown practices Gaston is using during the coronavirus pandemic.
Click here to access the full article and read all of Bill’s comments, along with information from Kathy MacNeil of Millennium Partners Boston and Greg Sizemore of the Associated Builders and Contractors.
For the third consecutive year, The Gaston Team took an active role in Women In Construction Week activities across Boston and Cambridge. Spearheaded once again by Human Resources Director Nina Radzim, Women and Men from Gaston joined clients, project partners and industry groups at multiple events from March 1st – 7th.
This year, we kicked off the week with an office breakfast to recognize the important role of Women In Construction – and at our office in particular! In the photo below – Cidalia, Christine, Megan, Lindsay, Selene, Nina, Kim, and Karen pause to mark the occasion.
As the week continued, we visited with our friends at Siena Construction in Cambridge for a panel discussion on Workplace Diversity and Inclusion. Nina was joined by Gaston Principals Bill Weber and Mike Weber.
The highlight of the week was The Inspire Awards hosted by The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Massachusetts and their Boston Women In Construction (BWiC) Subgroup. The Annual event was started two years ago to spotlight the important contribution of Women in the Boston Construction Market. This year, Marianne Monte of Shawmut Design & Construction joined Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito to honor the award winners in front of a packed room of our 250 guests. Notably – Gaston’s own Megan Dempsey (Field Apprentice) was nominated for Rising Star and Nina Radzim was nominated for Emerging Leader – Great Job Ladies!
We look forward to supporting Women In Construction Week and The AGC of Massachusetts Inspire Awards again in 2021.
On Thursday December 12th, Gaston Principal Mike Weber and Project Executive Brian Jasinski joined AGC Director of Membership and Industry Advancement Emily Sheedy for the year’s final Technical Series. The event was titled “The Electrical Process” and was held inside Beatty Hall at Wentworth Institute.
Topics discussed included :
On Friday November 22nd, members of the Gaston Electrical Team joined our client Gilbane, Fenway Sports Group, Mayor Walsh, and other dignitaries for the MGM Music Hall Groundbreaking Event at Fenway Park.
Per coverage of the event via Boston Magazine – With an estimated capacity of 5,000, the MGM Music Hall will be among the most spacious venues in Boston—roughly double the size of the House of Blues, which is located across the street on Lansdowne. It’s one of a handful of new and soon-to-open venues slated to come online in the next few years, which are shaping up to be a new golden age of live music in Boston.
The DAIQ-Designed venue will occupy approximately 91,500 square feet across four levels and feature a state-of-the-art sound system, multiple concession and lounge areas, flexible floor plan to accommodate a variety of uses and performance types.
The Groundbreaking was a huge success and the Gaston Team is already working hard to meet the 2021 opening date. Check out the video below for a recap of the event!