Tag: construction

Reflecting On HPM’s History in Alabama’s (New) Largest City

Posted on February 16, 2022

In 2021, U.S. News & World Report announced that Huntsville surpassed Birmingham as Alabama’s most populous city after results from the 2020 Census indicated that its population now exceeds 215,000 people. Huntsville has seen significant economic growth over the past decade, spurred by a surge of projects coming to the area, as large players within key industries turn to the city to establish new headquarters and major manufacturing plants.

Since HPM’s beginning, Huntsville has remained an important market within our portfolio, and we have built lasting relationships in the city that have spanned decades. Over the past few years, HPM has worked on a number of dynamic projects in a range of sectors throughout the region, which capture in part the impressive growth Huntsville has experienced recently. This includes the following:

HPM served as the owner’s representative for the construction of a new 136,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and the renovation of a 30-year-old office building for Aerojet Rocketdyne, a rocket and missile manufacturer that sought to move its headquarters from California to Huntsville. HPM’s support led the projects to completion under budget and within the tight timeline allotted, and the entire project brought roughly 800 jobs to the city.
HPM recently completed program management work for Calhoun Community College. The college renovated the 180,000-square-foot Sparkman Building, the most commonly used building on campus, as it remained occupied with students taking classes. HPM oversaw the project through the construction phase, including a new exterior façade, new TPO roofing, new pedestrian entrance plazas and updated landscaping.
When Pepsi-Cola bottler Buffalo Rock looked to build a new distribution center to replace its current facility in the area, the prominent Alabama-based company called on HPM to provide program management services for the 200,000-square-foot tilt-up construction project. This is part of an ongoing relationship between HPM and Buffalo Rock, as we have also assisted in managing a one-million-square-foot expansion for the company’s Birmingham distribution hub and headquarters.

“HPM is honored to have served a role in the incredible growth story that the state of Alabama has written over the past decade,” said Ryan Austin, HPM president. “Huntsville has established itself as one of the main hubs in the Southeast for some of the fastest-growing industries in our nation, including aerospace, manufacturing and technology. As the city continues to grow, we look forward to forging new partnerships in the community and finding more opportunities to share our firm’s expertise with these key players who are looking to call Huntsville home.”

We are proud to see Huntsville prosper as Alabama’s largest city, as it continues to attract top-tier companies looking to open new offices and hubs in the area. 2022 already looks promising and our firm is excited for a new year of possibilities and success, as we strengthen our team and pursue new opportunities to serve The Rocket City.

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Saving Time and Money, Despite a Pandemic

Posted on January 27, 2022

It is no secret or surprise that construction projects around the world have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, it has caused delays and budget increases, setbacks that public-school districts typically cannot afford. At Round Rock ISD, however, we delivered over $75 million of work in a period of eight months.

“One of the great successes is that we have been able to accomplish an incredible amount of work in an amount of time that really would not have been possible if we didn’t have the assistance of HPM,” said Melanie Camarena, Round Rock ISD (RRISD) director of construction.

Despite any delays caused by the pandemic, all summer 2020 projects were completed successfully on time. The projects included miscellaneous HVAC, roofing, bleachers, kitchen, and flooring renovations. In addition, there were renovations completed on the PA system, fire alarm system, cafeteria stage, main distribution frame room, a track replacement, and a field turf replacement. Electrical renovations were also completed, including the replacement of panels and main switchgears.

In order to provide a successful completion on these projects, the team helped to redefine and implement schedules, document management, and control protocols. In addition to keeping projects on track, HPM saved the district approximately $1 million in the first year through Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) reviews and pre-audit work.

“From a K-12 district point of view, it’s very difficult to hire a project manager who has the experience to be working in 30 to $50 million dollar or larger projects,” said Terry Worcester, Round Rock ISD chief operating officer. “You really need someone with experience and the knowledge base to be able to work with designers and builders who are in that league, so we procured and were very delighted to have HPM join our team here as a partner, not necessarily just as a consultant, but as a partner to augment our staff and work with us directly.”

HPM is currently serving as the program manager for Round Rock Independent School District’s $500+ million capital bond program, which spans 199 individually approved bond projects. Our role includes the three-year management of the planning, design, and construction of several large projects, including a new elementary school, a new aquatics practice center, expansion of existing schools, modernization of two high schools, and more. This also includes technology, security, and ongoing maintenance. We provide program controls with a dedicated interface with the accounting and financial systems of the district and the development of the master schedule, including all procurement, design, construction, occupancy, and startup milestones.

HPM K-12 Services

HPM Bolsters Presence in Key Markets with Round of Strategic Hires

Posted on January 14, 2022

Following a year of growth, Antonio Fratangelo, Jake Ortego and Jalal Slade to significantly broaden the firm’s offerings across several service lines.

We are pleased to announce the hiring of industry veterans Antonio Fratangelo and Jake Ortego as principals in the audit and contract services division and Jalal Slade as director of program development. Working alongside HPM Vice President of Audit and Contract Services Vinson Chapman, Fratangelo and Ortego aim to expand the division’s capabilities and service offerings for clients while expanding the firm’s geographic reach. Slade works to broaden the firm’s presence in the Metro Atlanta market, providing strategic leadership while cultivating new client engagements and strengthening existing partnerships.

Natives of Pittsburgh, Fratangelo and Ortego join the firm with a combined 45 years of experience in audit, engineering and construction project management. Throughout their careers, they have led both design and audit teams on real estate and construction projects totaling more than $2 billion. In 2014, they co-founded JA Cost Engineers and Advisors, an advisory agency providing construction auditing, management consulting, risk management and additional services for construction, development and capital improvement projects.

Antonio Fratangelo, Principal, HPM Audit and Contract Services

“Our combined passions for construction and backgrounds in engineering have equipped Antonio and me with the unique skill sets needed to assist clients along every step of a project timeline,” said Ortego. “Antonio and I have worked together for the majority of our professional careers, establishing a proven process that became the core of our firm. We look forward to bringing this shared expertise to HPM and expanding our abilities to offer a wider range of services on a larger scale.”

Fratangelo and Ortego will join the team led by Chapman, who began HPM’s audit and contract services division six years ago. Chapman previously worked with Fratangelo and Ortego on a high-profile project totaling $4B for a large tech company.

“When I knew the client needed our assistance with this massive project, Jake and Antonio are the experts I immediately turned to in order to help get the job done,” said Chapman. “They are well respected within the construction audit and cost control industry and possess a range of knowledge highly beneficial for program management. Their capabilities are exactly what HPM needs to round out our continuum of services from program development to project management and beyond.”

Jalal Slade, HPM Director of Program Development

The firm also hired Slade as director of program development in HPM’s Atlanta office, set to lead program and business development initiatives in the market. Slade has an extensive background in municipal and aviation projects within Atlanta, having previously served as assistant general manager of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, where he oversaw the construction and delivery of an $8 billion capital improvement plan. He also worked as senior policy advisor for the Office of the Mayor, providing oversight and management for the city’s real estate asset holdings. He works to align HPM’s internal goals with its clients’ goals, offering leadership and expertise for project teams across all of the firm’s industry verticals. He also aims to build on HPM’s existing client relationships while forging new connections within the market.

“Heading into 2022, we look back on a year of immense growth for our firm,” said Ryan Austin, president of HPM. “With the additions of Jake, Antonio and Jalal, I am confident we are continuing this positive trajectory with the best possible team leading the way. This is an impressive group of people with a number of diverse, large-scale projects under their belts, and our firm is in good hands as we look to even more success in the new year.”

We’ve been named one of the Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work For in America by Great Places to Work multiple years running. Interested in joining our team? Learn more by clicking the button below.

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HPM’s Brooks Ballentine Promoted to Vice President of the East Region

Posted on January 6, 2022

Brooks Ballentine has been known to say he values HPM’s family atmosphere and size—it is small enough to know everyone, yet large enough to provide opportunities for growth. He has spent nearly 14 years of his career growing with the company and has proven himself a dependable leader in every position he has served. For his immense dedication to our team and our clients, Brooks is being promoted from Director of the East Region to Vice President of the East Region.

“As a director, Brooks has worked tirelessly to improve his group’s organization, promote inclusion, and support his team in their programs and pursuits,” said Frank Marsac, HPM Vice President of Operations.

Brooks does an excellent job of partnering both internally and externally. His team feels like he is fully supportive of them and their careers and that he works hard to not only ensure their success and HPM’s success but the client’s success, as well.

“Brooks exemplifies the golden rule, whether that is with a client or his team, and they truly see him as a trusted advisor who is always seeking the best solution in every situation,” Marsac said. “He is always willing to step in and help whenever there is a need or challenge and is a true servant leader. He is optimistic and encouraging to his teams, which pushes them to higher levels of success in their roles.”

Brooks began his career at HPM in 2007 as a Project Manager. He worked on the Regions Bank account in Birmingham before representing HPM as an indispensable leader for the University of Alabama (UA) account in Tuscaloosa. Brooks helped manage the UA program’s many projects and teams from 2008 to 2017.

In 2018, Brooks took on the position of Program Executive for HPM. In this role, he managed multiple senior program managers who supervised numerous programs—such as UA, Regions, Homewood and Vestavia Hills City School districts, and the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center (BJCC) arena. Brooks displayed clear communication skills, strong leadership, and a determined work ethic. Because of these qualities, he was promoted to Director of the East Region, a position in which he has managed multiple program executives who are working on projects in HPM’s geographical East Region.

Careers at HPM

Home for the Holidays: Helping a Louisiana Resort Reopen on Time

Posted on November 23, 2021

At HPM, we’re dedicated to leading a project every step of the way—striving to ensure that the owner’s vision comes to life on time, within budget, and beyond expectations. For our clients in the hospitality industry, the pressure to complete projects on time is often intensified by peak seasons and holiday travel.

In 2020, the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana came to us with a difficult timeline for the renovation of its Coushatta Casino Resort, which had suffered significant damage caused by Hurricane Laura that August. The Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship was scheduled for the following November and Christmas season occupancy for the Seven Clans Hotel was also a top priority. The Coushatta Tribe initially hired a restoration contractor to do the work, and while the demolition and removal of wet and damaged materials progressed quickly, the restoration effort faltered, leaving no area of the hotel occupiable.

It quickly became evident to the tribe leadership that they were lacking the planning and organizational manpower needed to get the work completed on time, so they sought a program manager with the necessary experience to lead the way. HPM was hired to oversee the restoration of 160 guestrooms and other ancillary buildings.

Our services included:
• temporary furniture relocation
• identification of materials and furniture needed
• installation of new finishes and reinstallation of furniture
• coordination of contractor’s work activities with on-going hotel operations
• development of the construction schedule for restoration contractors
• tracking and reporting progress of rooms on each floor
• identification of temporary finish materials to overcome materials
procurement issues
• verification of work completion and acceptance
• coordination of the turnover of completed rooms floor by floor and wing by wing
• review of change orders and pay applications
• expedition of long-lead materials

HPM also coordinated the restoration and roof repairs of other buildings on the resort campus, including the golf clubhouse, restaurant and lounge, golf course comfort stations, human resources and training offices, and other miscellaneous buildings.

HPM’s efforts enabled the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana to reopen its casino and resort facilities efficiently, host the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship as scheduled, and welcome guests back in time for the holidays.

Through effective project management, HPM leads construction projects to completion on time and within budget while maintaining safety, achieving quality, and maximizing our clients’ resources.

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Image courtesy of https://www.coushattacasinoresort.com

Project Success and School Spirit at Hyatt Place TCU

Posted on November 16, 2021

The new six-story Hyatt Place Fort Worth/TCU is the first and only hotel located directly adjacent to the Texas Christian University campus, making it a popular place for out-of-town fans and alumni to stay. Its unique location called for an equally unique design, one that is distinctly inspired by the university’s history, mascot, and colors. The 113,000 square-foot, $40 million hotel development includes 150 guestrooms, a 6th-floor rooftop bar and restaurant, Top Golf Swing Suites, an expanded lobby and first-floor bar, extensive meeting and ballroom spaces with catering kitchen, and an outdoor pool and gym.

Once the project came to fruition, a former TCU board member recognized the need for an experienced owner’s representative to oversee this unique and challenging project. As a trusted advisor to TCU, HPM was introduced and accepted the challenge.

HPM procured and managed the various team members including but not limited to the general contractor, architect, designers, operator, furniture, equipment, interior and exterior signage, security, audiovisual, food and beverage, acoustic consultant, envelope consultant, access control, technology, warehouse, moving, commissioning and final turn over.

We also coordinated and managed municipality efforts, compliance with TCU’s guidelines and design standards, cash flow, brand communication and approvals, bank inspectors and the model room process.

Having experience in leading hotel developments, HPM was able to provide solutions and value options when city codes and urban development requirements changed during design and planning. The project overcame additional planning approval time, budget and scope additions through HPM’s efficient and effective leadership.

In addition to the standard build-out procedures, special pre-planning for the design had to be implemented to accommodate changes in sanitary precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the dining area in the lobby of the building was originally designed to feature a buffet-style setup. In response to the challenges and lifestyle changes created by COVID-19, changes were made to install sneeze guards and other modifications to allow for prepackaged food service and to adhere to safety protocols related to self-served meals. HPM remained agile, ensuring that the project moved forward and delivered on schedule, despite the challenges of designing and constructing a hotel during a pandemic.

Through effective project management, HPM led Hyatt Place Fort Worth/TCU to completion on time and within budget, while maintaining safety, achieving quality, and maximizing our client’s resources.

Avoid Weather Delays with Early Planning and Prefabrication

Posted on November 9, 2021

By Kyle Talley, HPM Electrical Preconstruction Manager

It’s cold and raining, yet I have miles of duct bank to go. In this blog post, we will discuss a planning option to avert schedule delays due to concrete-encased duct bank installations that must wait on good weather.

The cold and rainy season is well upon us and for most construction projects the thought of installing any significant length of underground concrete-encased duct banks is simply out of the realm of possibility. After all, we need minimum levels of dryness and warmth for the proper setting of the concrete. If current weather conditions do not meet these minimum requirements, we simply must wait until weather conditions improve. However, our construction schedules cannot always conform to the current weather situation. Sometimes we simply must get that duct bank installed in the dead of winter to maintain a tight schedule. With forethought, this potential situation does not have to impact your schedule. In fact, a longtime construction buzzword has presented the potential solution: prefabrication.

For many years now, prefabrication has been used to mitigate some of the risks and delays incurred with onsite construction. The use of an offsite location with more controlled conditions has become a tried and true method for both quality assurance and schedule enhancement. A prefabricated concrete-encased duct bank is a product that could very well help a project maintain a tight schedule while also allowing the actual installation to occur in conditions that otherwise would not allow. The sections of the duct bank are built offsite to the specifications of the project and then shipped to the job site. The onsite crew opens a trench, lowers the duct bank sections into the trench, joins the sections together, covers the trench, and the installation is done. The time-consuming work was completed offsite.

This allows prefabrication to be a solution to our weather-constrained schedule issue but also presents a challenge: planning. For this solution to work, the construction team must be able to anticipate the problem a minimum of six weeks in advance – the typical lead time for a prefabricated duct bank. The other main constraint to prefabricated duct banks is cost, mainly due to shipping. This potential solution will not be cheaper than a cast-in-place duct bank. The construction team will need a cost versus benefit analysis exercise to determine which installation method is best for the project.

HPM’s Preconstruction Services set the table for a successful project and make the entire building process easier for the owner. We offer expertise in planning a construction project before the actual construction begins, including feasibility studies, cost analyses, estimating, master scheduling, and design team structure and selection. The Preconstruction team includes mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering (MEP) specialists. Visit our Preconstruction Services page by clicking the button below to learn more.

Preconstruction Services

Should You Consider a Specialist for Your Construction Audit?

Posted on October 27, 2021

By Vinson Chapman, Vice President, Construction Audit & Advisory Services

Auditing construction contracts can be complex. The expertise involved is significantly different than typical audits performed by CPAs and involves evaluating subjective estimates, identifying ambiguous terms of the contract, and noting contractual incentives where the owner’s and the general contractor’s interests may not be aligned. A construction audit also requires obtaining and evaluating all the appropriate evidence to support the audit findings. This is not legal work or work performed by an architect.

A detailed analytical review of completed contracts and contracts in progress will provide meaningful information and focus on potential problem areas. Our Construction Audit & Advisory Services combine the skills of owner’s advocate, owner’s representative, program manager, and construction auditor.

Case Study Example

In the case of one independent K-12 school district in northeast Texas, the review of an extension of time by the general contractor/CM and a general financial audit required the expertise of HPM’s hybrid Contract Services, which included both project management and audit expertise.

When the GC/CM fell behind on schedule, their default was to request additional time through weather delays in order to avoid liquidated damages and redirect attention to the reality of the problem areas.

The project management audit review of the contract language and the potential weather impact on the critical path of the schedule resulted in the following:

The contractor did not provide the required documentation during construction for their intent to make a claim for more time per the contract.
The contractor did not provide evidence that there were abnormal (greater than average rain days) periods of weather. This data is measurable and a typical required deliverable in a change order request by the GC/CM.
The contractor’s critical path schedule was not affected by any claimed abnormal weather after review of the installation of work.

Project management issues were the reason behind a significant portion of the Contract Services Audit resulting in a credit back to the school district from the General Contractor/CM. Additional monies were recovered from the financial audit resulting in a total of over 5% of the construction contract value being returned to the district.

This example is somewhat typical of our standard audit findings of between 1% and 5% of the contract value. Obviously, savings of this type are well in excess of the fee to perform these hybrid services. The expertise for these services was not available from the district’s attorney or architect, and without the added HPM support, the district couldn’t defend the GC/CM’s requests. Our specialized knowledge and experience made it possible.

HPM provides peace of mind and confidence you paid the right price for your construction spend.

HPM’s audit service professionals offer expertise to secure fair negotiation and billing for client contracts. We perform comprehensive reviews of job costs that often lead to a substantial net savings of project costs. As always, if we can be of service, please do not hesitate to reach out. Click the button below to be directed to our page.

Construction Audit & Advisory Services

HPM Selected as Program Manager for Manor Independent School District’s Capital Projects

Posted on October 20, 2021

We are proud to announce that Manor Independent School District (Manor ISD) has selected HPM to serve as program manager for its capital and facility-based projects. Representing $174 million in new development, these enhancements are the result of a $280 million school bond program approved by voters in Manor, Texas, in November 2019.

HPM will work alongside Manor ISD to provide project management and preconstruction services while ensuring schedule and budget compliance over the next three years. This includes several new classrooms, transportation, and multipurpose facilities.

“Manor has seen tremendous growth over the past decade, underscoring the need for improved educational infrastructure that can support a student body expected to exceed 12,000 students within the next few years,” said Greg Ellis, HPM’s Vice President of Program Development. “We look forward to seeing firsthand the positive impact that this investment will have on the community.”

The partnership is a continuation of HPM’s growth strategy in Central Texas, where it has already built an extensive program management portfolio for K-12 districts including Round Rock Independent School District, Belton Independent School District and Austin Independent School District. HPM’s success is largely attributed to the firm’s full range of services uniquely tailored to meet the demographic and socioeconomic needs of every community it serves.

“Our work is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and HPM is well known for the ability to cater our services to the specific needs of each school district we partner with,” said Derek McSween, Senior Program Development Manager at HPM. “HPM has the expertise to understand the nuances and challenges that come with working in K-12 facility planning and bond implementation, especially as the coronavirus continues to impact regulations. Our team is pleased to play a part in Manor ISD’s growth story by ensuring that its scholars are provided the highest quality academic and recreational facilities possible.”

Greater Austin is one of the fastest-growing major metropolitan areas in the U.S., having increased 34% in population size since 2010 and an impressive 3% in the last year alone. The population of Manor, located just 12 miles northeast of Austin, has grown by more than 160% since 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“We are grateful to the Manor ISD community for voting to pass the 2019 bond. As we continue to put scholars first, these new state-of-the-art educational facilities will address equity gaps, overcrowding and prepare for the continued population growth,” said Dr. Andre D. Spencer, Manor ISD Superintendent of Schools. “Most importantly, Manor ISD scholars are more than deserving of quality facilities that will enhance their learning environment. We are excited to work alongside HPM for this effort. HPM is truly a remarkable project management partner. It would be almost impossible to complete $280M worth of bond projects without their expertise and dedication to excellence in Manor ISD.”

HPM K-12 Services

The Art and Science of K-12 Facilities Master Planning

Posted on September 23, 2021

It is often expected that the process will be “data-driven” when a Board of Trustees begins facilities master planning. This request immediately raises two questions. First, what data should be used to make informed facilities decisions? And secondly, how should the data be combined to ensure that all facilities’ needs are met?

Earlier this year, HPM’s VP of Planning Services Tracy Richter sat down (virtually) with Terry Worcester, Round Rock ISD’s Chief Operating Officer, as part of our HPM Talks webinar series. HPM currently serves as the program manager for Round Rock Independent School District’s $500+ million capital bond program, providing tangible cost savings and advice built upon a strong foundation of trust. HPM’s role with the school district includes the three-year management of the planning, design and construction of several large projects, including a new elementary school, a new aquatics practice center, expansion of existing schools, modernization of two high schools and more.

Their discussion aimed to answer the two questions above, and detailed how enrollment/demographics, educational framework, facility conditions and financial data form the four-legged stool of facilities planning for K-12 school districts. Richter and Worcester stressed that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to this process, and every district faces unique challenges and opportunities. Proper prioritization of those challenges and opportunities is key.

This is why facilities planning is both an art and a science, says Worcester – data can uncover trends, but only through knowing the community “like the back of your hand” will you be able to create a quality road map for facilities and infrastructure maintenance and improvement.

In the end, student achievement is at the center of it all.

“Any facility planning team’s goal should be to remain visionary and inspired to understand the students it is serving, prioritize needs and ultimately achieve that final goal of student excellence,” says Richter.

HPM has provided program management and facilities planning services to numerous K-12 school districts across the country. In Texas, this includes Round Rock ISD, Belton ISD, Kaufman ISD and Austin ISD, among others. HPM has honed its K-12 strategy in the region, and this success is largely attributed to the firm’s full range of services uniquely tailored to meet the demographic and socioeconomic needs of every community it serves.

To hear more about how the approach of using the science of data and the art of data integration will allow your decision-makers to move forward in a well-informed and transparent process, watch the full interview HERE. If you’re interested in more information on how HPM can partner with your school district to incorporate best practice facilities and operational planning into your program, generating the best possible outcome for students and the community, we’d love to hear from you! And if you plan to attend txEDCON on September 24-26, don’t forget to stop by Booth #847 to meet our team.

Our K-12 Portfolio

Tag: construction

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