Boulder Hospital Receives 'Green' Certification

The new $53 million Boulder Community Foothills Hospital recently became the first facility of its kind to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - LEED - certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Only about 70 other buildings in the United States have received the prestigious LEED certification. Boulder Community Hospital received a LEED V2 score of 33 points to earn a silver rating.

Designed by OZ Architecture and Boulder Associates, with environmental consulting by Boulder-based Architectural Energy Corp., the 200,000-sq-ft, 60-bed facility features many environmental innovations, including a super-efficient power plant, roofing material that reflects solar heat gain to reduce air-conditioning costs, high-performance windows and even waterless urinals.

The hospital was carefully placed in the landscape to conserve a wildlife corridor near Boulder Creek and the location is convenient to bus lines and bike paths that provide alternatives to auto congestion. Extensively landscaped grounds use low-water plantings that create wildlife habitat.

The general contractor on the project was Gerald H. Phipps Inc. of Denver.

Roche Awarded Four New Projects

Roche Constructors Inc. has been awarded construction contracts for four new projects in Colorado, Nevada and Montana with a combined value of $34.3 million.

Construction started in early December on Clark County School District's $16.3 million Performing Arts Theater and Visual Arts Building in Las Vegas. Designed by Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects of Henderson, Nev., the 16,875-sq-ft visual arts building and 42,175-sq-ft performing arts theater - with seating for 728 - are scheduled for completion in May 2005.

The $8.2 million Southern Peaks Regional Treatment Center is a 160-bed capacity correctional facility in Cañon City that will serve the special mental and behavioral health needs of children ages 13 to 17. Construction started at the end of October and is scheduled for completion in August 2004. The Durrant Group Inc. of Denver designed the 75,000-sq-ft facility.

Roche will begin construction on two projects for Target Corp. Super Target Store No. T-1928 in Westminster is scheduled to start in January 2004. Designed by Robert M. Lucius of Minneapolis, the store is valued at $8 million.

Roche was also awarded a $1.7 million addition and remodel to Target Store No. T-0171 in Billings. Designed by DH Architects of Alameda, Calif., the project has a 100-day duration. Most recently, Roche Constructors completed Target Store No. T-1813 in Greeley, a prototype store for Target.

Asphalt Specialties Wins Contract to Extend 120th Avenue

On behalf of Adams County, the Colorado Department of Transportation has contracted with Asphalt Specialties to extend 120th Avenue from Quebec Street to U.S. 85. The $23 million project is being funded by Adams County. The project is scheduled to start in mid-December.

Bleeker & Vigesaa Wins Three New Projects

Bleeker & Vigesaa LLC has been awarded three construction projects - renovations to Cherry Creek Gardens Apartments in Englewood for Apartment Investment and Management Co.; renovation of the Fuddruckers Restaurant in Thornton for Fuddruckers International; and the Police Shoot House slab and foundation in Broomfield for the City and County of Broomfield.

McWhinney and Neenan to Expand Swift & Co.'s Greeley Facility

McWhinney Enterprises and The Neenan Co. broke ground Dec. 10 for a new 32,000-sq-ft research and development facility for Swift & Co. in the Promontory Business Park in Greeley. Neenan is providing design and construction services to McWhinney Enterprises, the developer for the project.

Formerly a division of ConAgra Foods, Swift & Co. is moving its R&D operation to its Greeley campus from Omaha to consolidate operations and better serve its customer base. The new facility, an expansion of Swift's existing headquarters building, will support new product development, testing and customer interface.

Scheduled for completion by July 31, 2004, the new two-story facility incorporates lab areas for research and development of new products and a state-of-the-art customer interface area, where customers can view potential new products and demonstrations in product preparation. The second floor will be dedicated to office and additional support space.

BCER Engineering to Replace HVAC at Air Force Academy Field House

BCER Engineering Inc. has been selected to design and replace the heating ventilation and air conditioning and electrical power distribution systems in the Cadet Field House at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The Cadet Field House has an indoor, one-sixth-mile running track with turf infield and seating for 1,100 spectators, a 6,050-seat basketball arena and a 2,550-seat hockey rink. The facility can accommodate activities in all three areas at the same time.

Construction on the renovations is expected to begin in 2005.

Weitz Awarded Alabama Project

The Rocky Mountain business unit of The Weitz Co. was selected for a design-build contract to construct a new senior-living complex called Capstone Village at the University of Alabama.

Capstone Village, near the university's famous football stadium, is a retirement community consisting of a 14,000-sq-ft health care building; a 204,000-sq-ft, four-story independent living building with 108 apartments; and eight detached cottages. The project also requires the demolition of an existing concrete water tower on the building site.

Capstone Village will provide many residential and wellness services, including building and ground maintenance, guest meals, health monitoring, nutritional classes, life changes support groups and personalized fitness programs.

R&O Renovating Sam's Club

Sam's Club at 419 Eagle Ridge Blvd. in Pueblo is under construction by R&O Construction of Utah. The project began Dec. 15.

The scope of the project includes the remodel of an existing store and the addition of 32,381 sq ft for a total building sq ft of 146,033. In addition, R&O will upgrade the site, including the addition of retaining walls and expansion of the parking lot.

R&O Construction uses the "slide" method of renovation, which allows the store to remain open during construction without disruption. The project is scheduled for completion in early September 2004.

Taylor Kohrs Announces New Projects

Taylor Kohrs was selected as the general contractor for The Ranch at Highland Meadows in Windsor. Construction is under way and the park is scheduled for completion in late 2004.

Taylor Kohrs has also been selected by Forest City Commercial Group as the general contractor for the new Capri Coffee at the Stapleton Redevelopment project. Construction is under way.

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