BBI Construction begins work on second phase of Palace of Fine Arts

BBI Construction, an Oakland-based general contracting firm, has started the Palace of Fine Arts Phase II restoration project in San Francisco.

Its work includes restoring the Palace’s interior rotunda dome, upgrading the structure for seismic safety, repairing surface damage, and patching and cleaning the architectural elements, including the famous “weeping maidens.”

The architect on the project is Charlie Duncan, vice president of Carey & Co. Architects, based in San Francisco. Carey & Co.’s involvement with the Palace began with a repair project after the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989 and continues today. The firm completed the master plan, re-roofing project, and historic structures report and is currently completing the rehabilitation of the Palace of Fine Arts structure and the restoration of the lagoon.

Phase I work began in 2004, which included the reconstruction of the Palace’s deteriorating dome roof, and a $4.5 million restoration of the lagoon to improve water quality and reconstruct the failing edge.

Work on the project will take approximately 20 months to complete.

PCL finishes Balboa Theatre Renovation

PCL Construction Services Inc. has completed the $26.5 million dollar Balboa Theatre rehabilitation project in San Diego.

The Balboa Theatre, originally built in 1924, was the city’s first big downtown theatre built to showcase motion pictures. Designed by Westlake Reed Leskosky, the historic theater has reopened as a performing arts venue designed to house diverse programs of local, national and international performances as well as community, corporate and convention gatherings.

The existing five-story structure with basement and 1,350-seat Audience Chamber has been updated to today’s building standards while paying particular attention to preserving the historic fabric of the original theater. The initial demolition and structural retrofit phases accommodate new stairwell and elevator hoistway openings in the existing concrete and hollow clay tile structure. State of the art audio/visual, stage rigging, theatre lighting and hoisting systems have been installed along with new building mechanical systems and ADA compliant restrooms. New theatre seating that replicates the original seating has also been installed at raised tiers to allow for better viewing angles.

Sukut Construction begins environmental cleanup in San Bernardino County

Santa Ana-based Sukut Construction Inc. has begun demolition and removal of up to 517 fire-ravaged homes in the Lake Arrowhead region under a $19.6 million contract awarded by San Bernardino County. The impacted homes are located in four mountain neighborhoods: Grass Valley/Crab Flats; Running Springs; Green Valley Lake; and the Fredalba/Smiley Park area.

The Sukut team, with the support of local subcontractors, will tackle tons of molten debris, car and appliance carcasses, and dangerously unstable chimneys. The difficulty of the Lake Arrowhead job is exacerbated by its location on steep hillsides that can only be reached by way of narrow roads and a lot of hairpin turns. As a result, the company estimates the time for each individual home site cleanup at two to three days.

Sukut moved crews and heavy equipment into the devastated neighborhoods in late December. It anticipates hauling 120 to 150 truckloads of debris per day to a landfill, after recyclables and hazardous waste have been separated. The job is expected to be complete in 40 to 60 working days, weather and recent heavy snowfall permitting.

Green Homeless Facility Opens in Oakland

Alameda County recently celebrated the grand opening of Crossroads, a 125-bed, 24-hour multi-service emergency housing facility in Oakland.

The 24,324-sq-ft facility is located at 7515 International Blvd. and provides housing, community space, counseling rooms, healing lounge and kitchen for homeless individuals and families.

Crossroads was designed by Kodama Diseno Architects and Planners of San Francisco and the general contractor was Oliver and Co., based in Richmond. The project manager was Jonathan Austin of JSA Consulting Services and the developer was East Oakland Community Project.

The design of the $11 million facility recognizes the special circumstances of homeless people seeking to regain their self-reliance, according to Kodama Diseño. Services include case management, life skills training, health care connections, mental health and substance abuse counseling, housing referrals, and career counseling.

Sundt selected for theater project

Vista city officials have selected the San Diego office of Sundt Construction Inc. to serve as the design-build contractor for reconstruction of the Moonlight Amphitheatre Stage House and associated facility upgrades. Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects will serve as Sundt’s designer of record. The estimated construction cost for the stage house and necessary theatrical components is $6.1 million. Additionally, the city will be making improvements to the amphitheatre to increase accessibility for disabled patrons and providing upgrades to site utilities and necessary utility connections.

The scope of work entails replacing the aging and temporary stage facilities currently at the Moonlight Amphitheatre with an efficient, enclosed stage house including a fly loft, rehearsal room and workshop where sets and props can be assembled. The new stage house will also include backstage dressing rooms, restrooms and a costume room.

A lighting and sound canopy with acoustical treatment will top the 26-by-48 foot proscenium opening. The new stage area will measure approximately 3,500 sq ft, 700 sq ft larger than the current facility. A full, below-grade orchestra pit to accommodate 35 to 40 musicians will also be added.

Construction is scheduled to begin after the close of the 2008 summer season and is slated for completion in time for the start of the 2009 season.

R.D. Olson completes Coronado hotel renovation

Irvine-based R.D. Olson Construction has completed renovation of Coronado Island Marriott Resort in San Diego. The world-renowned hotel is owned by Host Hotels & Resorts, based in Bethesda, MD.

During renovation, the Coronado Island Resort Marriott remained open. More than 15,000 sq ft of new construction was required for the three-phased project at a cost of $2 million.

R.D. Olson brought a fresh look to the massive 6,300-sq-ft lobby by removing many of its walls to create more open space and redirecting the traffic flow by resituating the retail store and meeting rooms.

The company also demolished three of the four existing walls of the lounge. The construction company renovated The Café, the hotel’s 3,700-sq-ft restaurant.