Holy Angels Catholic School at Seton Keough High School
CAM was employed as the CMaR to convert a portion of the Seton Keough High School into the new Holy Angels Catholic School to quickly accommodate the relocated pre-school, kindergarten, and/or elementary school children. CAM met their commitment to working within the stringent deadline of less than 2 months for opening the new school.
While few exterior modifications were required, the entire new school needed to be separated from the high school’s interior, complete with fire separations and fire alarm upgrades throughout. Asbestos needed to be abated, classrooms and restrooms needed to be created or modified, and new restrooms were added to meet the needs of the new elementary and pre-school students.
The seven existing “gang” restrooms were completely gutted and reconstructed with all new fixtures, partitions, and accessories, and ceramic tile floors installed. The administrative area for the high school needed a facelift, and a portion of the former convent was also renovated for use as office space.
New administrative offices were constructed to accommodate the Holy Angels Catholic School staff. and a new Health Suite was constructed to serve both schools. CAM renovated two existing classrooms for use as a Computer Lab and Library and also added air conditioning to the space, while several of the existing rooms were converted for use as Pre-K and K classrooms. All new IT cabling and systems were installed throughout the school, and fire separations were constructed at both the corridors and all staircases to meet new fire code regulations. Additional fire alarm work needed to receive a certificate of occupancy and was added to the scope during the course of the renovation.
CAM was also charged with adding onto work that had already been designed and at an increase of more than 40% if the cost of the original project in added scope or work were necessary due to the discovery of unforeseen conditions. These tasks were all completed without the ability to add time to an already foreshortened schedule. For example, previously unforeseen asbestos-containing materials were abated under full containment regulations as an addition to CAM’s scope of work.
The existing school structure now has two separate and secure entries, one for each of the schools, as well as distinctly different classrooms, administrative areas, restrooms, etc., and it is able to share the auditorium and athletic facilities without interrupting the curriculum of either schools.
Although classes end in June each year, a school remains occupied throughout the summer break, and CAM was able to complete their work throughout all three floors of the building without adversely impacting the school’s summer schedule. CAM’s commitment to “doing what it takes” to meet a schedule was once again demonstrated when the staff and students returned on time to the newly renovated schools.
LSOP St. Martin’s Home
In early summer 2007, CAM was retained by the Little Sisters of the Poor as a Construction and Design Advisor for the construction of their new 180,000-200,000 square foot Provincial Home, one of only three in the US, serving the needs of the 80 residents, 20 Sisters, and the needs of the entire Eastern Province for the order.
Originally accepting the role as owner’s expert construction advisor, CAM would have been precluded from constructing the facility. Throughout more than 18 months of regularly scheduled design and planning meetings, CAM was an integral part of all discussions regarding programming, materials selections, budgets, cost analysis, parallel estimates, and value engineering. At CAM’s urging and advice, environmentally conscious materials and green building techniques were incorporated into the plans and program for the new structure. Plans for the new structure were halted at 100% design development drawings, and the Little Sisters of the Poor elected to renovate their existing occupied facility, hiring CAM as the Design/Build Construction Manager at Risk for the project. This faith-based home has required extensive pre-construction work to allow it to proceed to final design and construction, all completed at the originally quoted price. Multiple phases of construction have been added as contributions have been received to allow the project to proceed.
CAM aided the Sisters in preparation of an RFP for design services and selection of the team to complete this multi-year, multi-phased project. Challenges that CAM has overcome during this project include providing for independent and assisted living needs as well as those requiring skilled nursing care, with a convent for the Sisters themselves, while constantly evaluating cost and durability.
The 200,000 sq. ft. renovation project is planned for at least five phases, three of which are completed, including the complete design, the chiller replacement, and most currently, the renovation of four “cottages” totaling 56,000 sq. ft. as well as the renovations to 22,000 sq. ft. of the lower level’s laundry wing, boiler wing, corridors, and cottage mechanical rooms.
Phase IV work will renovate the large chapel, the convent, and the Postulate. Future plans include renovations to major administrative areas, creation of a new Main Street, and the balance of the lower level.
Like many faith-based retirement communities, St. Martin’s Home includes a chapel, an auditorium, dining rooms, a commercial kitchen and laundry, administrative areas that were quite expensive, a medical suite, offices for Social Services and physical therapy, a publication office, and a planned “Main Street” area, which contains resident amenities such as a game room, beauty salon, and gift shop. Construction costs for the complete renovation project are estimated at approximately $25 million.
Saint James Episcopal Church – Nursery School
St. James was in need of additional space to fulfill the needs of its ever-growing population and provide for various educational requirements for the children. CAM met with the church early in the design process to provide a design build approach. CAM value was engineered several times from the preliminary drawings to try and maximize the utility of the structure for the parish. The project called for an addition to the current structure as well as a hallway with classrooms to transition between the new and existing structures.
The addition included several classrooms, bathrooms, a large hall, and two large gathering areas. CAM worked with the owner to maximize the use of the additional space and was able to recognize that an additional classroom could be incorporated into the design for a minimal cost.
The exterior structure consists of CMU with Stucco finish and is brightened by windows, including a stunning Geometric Gothic window. Attractive FRP columns adorn the front of the structure and provide for the inviting porch at the entrance of the addition. A cupola and custom-made weather-vain provide an architecturally pleasing feature to this country setting. An exterior border encompasses the addition and provides a pleasing visual break.
The interior includes vaulted ceilings and curved arches with dramatic elevations. Of special note is the dramatic appeal of the corridor, which provides a church-like aisle to the onlooker.
The whole addition was completed in months to the delight of the parish. The church was very proud of the new addition and continues to receive accolades from its members and visitors.
Self Reliance Federal Credit Union
This project was focused on the construction of a 3,000-square foot structure in the historic Fells Point area in Baltimore City. The first step in the construction was to carefully raze an existing townhouse that sat on this corner site. An extremely small construction area made this a challenging task, and the adjoining building was braced to avoid any negative effects from the demolition.
After demolition was completed, construction began on the ornate structure. Three stories were constructed, and great detail was needed to create Ukranian designs by using different color bricks. These elaborate designs are evident throughout the building, as the entrance is adorned with pre-cast pediment to accentuate the exterior detailing.
Upon entering the structure, one is drawn by the breathtaking marble floor with inlaid patterns and a seven-pointed star. The marble floor leads to an oak reception desk with metal trim applied at foot level. A fireplace provides an eye-pleasing focal point as well as auxiliary heat to the lobby area.
Various offices are located through the hall, past the lobby. On the second floor, there is a full service apartment with a kitchen and a balcony. The second floor also contains the credit union’s conference room. The conference room features valances adorning a cathedral ceiling, custom oak paneling, and bookcases.
Riva Road Business Center
CAM was contracted by a bonding company, Reliance Insurance, to complete various contracts. One of the largest of these contracts was the Riva Road Business Center. This project was the completion of a 52,500-square foot, Class-A office building in Annapolis, Maryland.
MTA Police & Automotive Maintenance Facility
CAM was selected in a Design/Build proposal with a guaranteed max price to develop and construct the 46,000-square foot Administrative and Automotive Shops facility. The two-story administrative area houses 21,150-square feet for the Maryland Transportation Authority, including an exercise room, holding cells, and administrative support areas. The 13,300-square foot Shops facility includes a Vehicle Lube System, Vehicle Lifts, Wash Bays, and an Overhead Crane.
By modifying the limited structural design in the RFP, CAM was able to afford the owner more usable floor area as well as more headroom with the new continuous spread-footing and wall-bearing structural system. Our structural analysis revealed a lack of structural flexibility, so we deleted perimeter columns and beams to alleviate the stress and improve interior space.
Due to the fast-track nature of the contract, the redesigned footings were completed during the design phase of the project, and the steel fabrication proceeded to maintain the tight completion schedule. Numerous finish enhancements were also added to the project during design; no additional costs were added to the contract as a result of these changes.
In addition, CAM moved the entire Bay Bridge surveillance and communication system from one building to the new Police and Automotive Facility. The Control Room consisted of running new fiber optics, data lines, video communications, monitoring, and the state police “MILES” system. This transition was completed flawlessly, without any interruption of use.
Our Daily Bread Employment Center
CAM Construction was selected as the CM to complete the construction of the new 52,000-square foot, three-story structure for Our Daily Bread, located near Baltimore’s prison. The building was designed by CSD Architects as the new home of four of Catholic Charities’ important programs, and the space will assist Baltimore’s challenged residents in becoming self-reliant through employment. This brick, decorative block, and cast stone structure includes the Our Daily Bread soup kitchen, dining room, storage areas, classrooms, large and small conference rooms, phone/privacy room, dormitories, and residential apartments for up to 60 men.
Outdoor amenities include open space areas, a basketball court, and a garden, which enhances its urban setting. As a testimony to the importance of the project, the September 2005 groundbreaking ceremonies brought together the Governor, Cardinal William H. Keeler, directors and trustees for Catholic Charities, and three of the four living Mayors of the City of Baltimore.
The Our Daily Bread soup kitchen annually serves nearly 250,000 hot meals to an average of 683 guests. Opened in 1981, and now relocated to the Fallsway corridor, Our Daily Bread is able to provide food for more guests than ever before. The Christopher Place Employment Academy, which occupies the third floor of the new structure, provides an intense 18-month residential job-readiness, education, job placement, addiction recovery program, and follow-up services. Complementing the Christopher Place program is the St. Jude’s Employment Center, which affords walk-in aid to those seeking job readiness skills and employment referrals as unskilled or low-skilled workers.
The Samaritan center, also located in the new structure, is a joint emergency services program between Catholic Charities and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which annually assists City residents with eviction prevention support, utility assistance, and traveler’s aid, as well as referrals for health providers, addition recovery, and housing services.
The Our Daily Bread Employment Center was funded by Amazing Grace: the Campaign for Catholic Charities, and it received both State as well as City funds. The construction contract required MBE participation, which is unusual for a private project, but CAM ably met the requested goal.
Construction proved challenging when an unexpected and large building foundation was found below the surface of the site. Extensive excavation of up to 20’ in depth, during one of the rainiest seasons in City history, was required to complete this project.
New Psalmist Baptist Church
CAM was selected as the Construction Manager at Risk for this important new house of worship following months of intense drawing review, owner meetings, and scope evaluation. CAM was able to reduce the project cost by more than five million dollars in order to meet the owner’s initial budget and proceed to contract.
The objective and design intent of the Holy City of Zion project, as it is named by the Church, is to provide an enduring and well-planned campus that will inspire spirited exchanges between God, visitors, members, and staff and to reinforce a sense of the campus community and pride. The campus will provide a variety of indoor as well as outdoor spaces for a wide range of academic and social activities, including productions, exhibitions, special events, and casual gatherings.
Complex electronics, sound, and broadcasting systems support the ministry of New Psalmist Baptist Church, which airs weekly on both radio and television stations throughout the Baltimore area.
Phase One of this campus wide project includes a 185,000 square foot ministry structure with accommodations for a Pre-K – Elementary School, a sanctuary that seats approximately 4,000, a 185-seat choir loft, a large narthex for gathering, a banquet hall, a commercial kitchen to support both Church banquets and off site catering ministry, two large book stores, administrative offices, multi-use classroom/meeting areas, support areas, extensive landscaping, and parking for approximately 1,500 vehicles. Future phases include a smaller sanctuary building, a family life center, and ancillary structures. CAM continues to work with the Church as they plan additional new buildings.
With the Church’s campus located in both Baltimore City and Baltimore County, construction presented some challenges not usually encountered on a single site. However, both the City and County were immensely pleased that this dynamic Church, with its thousands of congregants and more than 1,000 annual events, has elected to relocate to the Seton Business Park, close to the historic Seton Hospital structure, which is currently the home to the national headquarters for the NAACP. Completion coincided with the celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of the founding of New Psalmist Baptist Church.
Maryland Golf & Country Club
CAM was selected to provide Construction Management at Risk services for this multi-phased renovation and addition project. Services included: assistance with development of a long-range master plan, completion of a constructability study and associated value engineering, and selection of the Architect/Engineer team to implement the plans for renovating and adding to this fully occupied facility.
Renovations included expansion of the Ballroom, construction of the new locker room, expanded Golf Shops, and new Cart and Club Storage areas. Entries were required to remain open and operational in order for the Club to continue serving its members.
Value engineering efforts by CAM provided significant savings of approximately $300,000 from the original budget for the project.
Bid packages were developed to avoid duplication of work by the trades, the project was bid by multiple qualified trade contractors, and the renovations and additions were completed under CAM’s supervision. All work was completed while the facility remained fully occupied by members and guests, and the club’s calendar was not adversely affected by the multiple phased construction efforts.
Due to its complex phasing within the occupied facility and the high level of finishes required by country club construction, the project was recognized with an ABC Baltimore award for construction excellence.
