Link Ledger - Volume VIII

Winter 2012
A NEWSLETTER FOR EMPLOYEES, CLIENTS, AND LINK ASSOCIATES
IN THIS ISSUE

July 2012
September 2012
When Link Construction Group got news late 2011
that the Miami Herald Media Company would be
building a new home for its business and production
facilities, their eyes lit up with anticipation at the
thought of being involved in the signature project.
The 2-phased project entails the construction of a
new, 3-story, 119,000 sq. ft. industrial plant that will
house the printing presses, along with the renovation
of a 2-story, 160,000 sq. ft. facility that will house the
company’s news and business division. The two
properties will sit adjacent to each other on a 15acre site in Doral.
Today, after just 9 months of construction the production building shell is erect with printing presses
in place for installation and the TI project fully underway.
Link is scheduled to achieve substantial completion
on both projects by late May of 2013.
BIM — Building Information Modeling:
The Miami Herald Production Building was the first
project that Link implemented Building Information
August 2012
Miami Herald & BIM

Completed Projects

Completed LEED Projects

Current Projects

Project Update

New Hires/Promotions

Company Events

Awards & Corporate Events
November 2012
Modeling (BIM). BIM has allowed Link’s project
team to visualize the design intent and to interpret 2
-dimensional drawings of the elaborate systems and
equipment that will be housing the Printing Facility.
Analyzing the project in a 3-dimensional environment has brought increased productivity to the coordination process. “Through online meetings, we
have been able to work hand in hand with our local
subcontractors, International owner /vendors and
out of state designers by virtual walk-through of the
facility, identifying and making immediate decisions
on conflicts that would have affected our schedule
to rework and/or lead time of fabrication,” stated
Tiara Rubio, Link Construction Group, BIM Specialist.
The Miami Herald project team includes:
Senior Project Manager, JC Nieves; Project Managers, Andy Vinals and Chad Brown; Superintendents,
Rand Eachus, James Nelson and Ernie Perez; BIM
Specialist, Tiara Rubio and Cost Accountant, Maria
Mejia.
A Special Note!
We would like to take this opportunity to
thank all of our clients, subcontractors,
friends and especially our employees
for making 2012 our most successful
year yet.
The past 11 months have been fulfilling
with the completion of 4 LEED projects
and the commencement of many new
contracts, including two of our largest
projects to date, The Miami Herald
Production Building & The Hialeah Park
Casino.
We are grateful for our company's
continued growth and expansion. This
year Link's family has exponential
grown from 40 employees to 69.
We are proud of everyone's hard work
and hope to continue celebrating many
more accomplishments in the coming
years.
Willy & Mickey
Link Ledger
Winter 2012
COMPLETED PROJECTS
North Shore Fire Sprinkler
Washington Park Development
This recently completed project was designed by
Naya Architects and entailed the furnishing and
installation of a new fire sprinkler system
throughout the entire hospital to be in compliance
with current AHCA/JCAHO regulations.
City of Hollywood Washington Park housing project was completed in June of 2012. The job entailed
construction of 33 residential units and a community center. The City partnered with Liberia Economic
and Social Development, a community housing and development organization, in the development of
the project. The residential units, designed by Frank Costoya Architects, were comprised of singlefamily homes, duplexes, 2-story town homes and flat layout apartments. The new housing development takes up approximately 1.5 square blocks and is located on Wiley Street between 56 th and 57th
Ave, in Hollywood.
Assigned to the job were Senior Project Manager, Amany Solan and Superintendent, Ernie Perez.
Broward Health Administrative
Offices
The grand opening was held on October 4th, 2012.
Assigned to the job were Senior Project Manager, Nick Fuoco, Assistant Project Manager, Johnathan
Taylor and Superintendent, Rick Perrin.
We are excited to have completed our first administrative offices of the Carefusion Department
at Broward Health Medical Center. The project
entailed the renovation of an existing 2,377square-foot administrative office space on the
second floor of the Fort Lauderdale hospital.
Assigned to the job were Senior Project Manager, Amany Solan and Superintendent, Greg High.
Parkview Gardens
The new housing development is located at 1475
NW 61st Street in Liberty City and entailed construction of 6, three-story multi-family buildings
(60 units total), a community center, and 2-story
parking garage. Siskind Carlton and Partner designed the project with oversized, arched sunshades, porches, and courtyards. The project
was developed by Parkview Gardens LTD, a
subsidiary of Carrfour Supportive Housing, a non
-profit housing organization, whose mission is to
end homelessness in Miami-Dade.
City of Doral, 50th Street Trails and Tails Park
Saturday, July 21, 2012, Link celebrated the grand opening of the City of Doral Trails and Tails Park.
Assigned to the job were Senior Project Manag- The 8.12 acre park was built with a bike path, small and large dog parks, a playground, and restroom
structure. Link was thrilled to deliver this new city park to the residents of Doral.
er, Nick Fuoco and Superintendents,
Angel Arguelles, Nicholson Pierre
Assigned to the job were Project Manager, Albert Santelices and Superintendent, Eddy
and Mark Cummings.
Ramos.
Link Ledger
Winter 2012
COMPLETED PROJECTS
TD Bank
Link completed its first project for TD Bank in November of 2012. The new
2,960 sq. ft., freestanding bank branch is located at 1190 NE 163rd Street in
North Miami. Robert Reid Wedding Architects designed the project with a
LEED Silver goal in mind. TD Bank is the largest bank branch to receive carbon neutrality, by reducing waste, using alternative energy and building environmentally friendly buildings. The building is currently in the process of seeking certification through the USGBC.
Assigned to the project were Senior Project Manager, Fernando Yepes; Assistant Project Manager, Claudia Limerick, and Superintendent, Rick Perrin.
Miami Green Lab
Coral Gate Community Center
Link Construction Group completed the City of
Miami Green Lab project in June of 2012. The
new “green” building, located at 151 NW 27th
Ave, will house the City’s Office of Sustainable
Initiatives and will be used as a resource center
to educate and promote green building practices
in residences and businesses within our region.
Link completed the City of Miami Coral Gate Community Center in July of 2012. The new 4,600square-foot community center was designed by Astorino to LEED standards. This is Link’s 3rd LEED
project with the City of Miami. The project is currently in the process of seeking LEED Silver certification through the USGBC.
The unique structure, which was originally a City
of Miami fire station (designed in 1951), was
deconstructed down to its shell and remodeled
with sustainable features, including a rainwater
collection system, solar hot water heater, native
landscaping, and monitoring systems. The new
center, designed by Astorino, offers functional
rooms that support the resource building’s initiatives, such as a gallery for seminars and products, a computer lab, a kitchen, offices, and a
lobby/sitting area.
Vizcaya Park
Assigned to the project were Senior Project Manager, Fernando Yepes; Assistant Project Manager, Claudia Limerick, and Superintendent, Alex Quesada.
Assigned to the project were Senior Project Manager, Fernando Yepes and Superintendent
Robert Quiles.
Link Construction Group completed the City of Miramar Vizcaya Park in June of 2012. The park is the
City’s first facility to seek Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification through
the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and received LEED Gold certification. The 23-acre
park features large sprawling baseball fields, a football/soccer field, a basketball court, a covered playground, fitness trails, picnic pavilions, and a 7,660-square-foot community center. The park was set-up
to encourage sustainable practices and is equipped with a bicycle storage space, changing rooms, and
8 low emitting/fuel vehicle parking spaces. M.C. Harry Associates designed the new park to meet
LEED criteria and incorporated the following sustainable features into the design of the community
center: low-emitting materials, a skylight, light diming sensors, high performance ventilation equipment,
low flow plumbing fixtures, high reflective roofing system, environmentally responsible wood, water
efficient and native landscaping, and open vegetated space.
Assigned to the project were Senior Project Manager, Fernando Yepes; Assistant Project
Manager, Claudia Limerick, and Superintendent, Rand Eachus.
Link Ledger
Winter 2012
CURRENT PROJECTS
Flagler Station, Building 30
Costa Farms
The new, 42,000-square-foot, tilt wall headquarters will house the company’s indoor houseplant,
bedding plant, and perennial plant division. The
building was designed by RLC Architects and will
include administrative office spaces, a purchasing
department, plant show rooms, humidity control
plant test areas, a marketing and photo studio
room, an employee fitness area, and an employee cafeteria. The project is scheduled for comWe are looking forward to completing our first pletion in February 2013.
project with Flagler Development.
Assigned to the job are Project Manager, Albert
Assigned to the job are Senior Project Manager, Santelices and Superintendent, Angel Arguelles.
Neil Jurado and Superintendent, Manny Alvarez.
In June 2012, Link commenced construction on
the 172,000-square-foot industrial spec warehouse located within the Flagler Station Industrial
Park at 10315 NW 112th Avenue in Miami. Boca
Raton-based RLC Architects designed the warehouse with 30’ clear height ceilings and office
component availability. The project is slated for
completion in late January 2013.
VF 101 Warehouse
In July 2012, Link commenced construction on
the 52,524-square-foot VF 101 Spec Warehouse,
located at 11800 NW 101st Road in Medley. Miami-based Rodriguez Pereira Architects designed the project and completion is slated for
December 2012.
Gama Global
Link has been awarded the construction of Gama
Global at Pan American West Business Park,
located at 13250 NW 25th Street in Miami. The
project, designed by Rodriguez Pereira Architects, consists of a new 68,980-square-foot tilt up
and precast twin tee warehouse/office building of
which 10,000 square feet will be finished offices
Assigned to the job are Senior Project Manager, (1st floor and mezzanine level).
Neil Jurado and Superintendent, Toyo Fernandez.
Assigned to the job are Senior Project Manager,
Neil Jurado and Superintendent, Eddy Ramos.
Miramar Streetscape
The Link team has recently began working with
the City of Miramar on their streetscape project.
This contract entails new landscaping, irrigation,
street lighting, water main extension, force main
alterations, water services, drainage, milling &
resurfacing, sidewalks and valley gutters.
Assigned to the job are Senior Project Manager,
Nick Fuoco and Superintendent, Joe Klein.
Jesus Ministries Worship Center
Phase I, consists of the construction of the complete water, sewer, drainage, fire sprinklers, landscaping & irrigation systems and the parking lot
for the whole project including phase I & phase II
for the exterior area and to build the shell, MEP
and finishes corresponding to phase I, located at
8700 Miramar Parkway in City of Miramar.
Assigned to the job are Senior Project Manager,
Fernando Yepes and Superintendent, Alex
Quesada.
Link Ledger
Winter 2012
CURRENT PROJECTS
Snake Creek Trail
Hialeah Water & Sewer
South Florida Logistics Center
Miami-Dade County Parks & Recreation Department has awarded Link Construction Group
Phase 1 of the Snake Creek Trail project. The
new 3.4 mile trail route will start at Miami Gardens Drive and extend down to the Turnpike
along the Snake Creek Canal. The landscaped
asphalt path will be approximately 10 feet wide
with signage for trail users and include benches,
bike racks, rain shelters and fitness stations. The
project commenced July 2012 and is slated for
completion a year from then in July 2013.
Link has been contracted by the City of Hialeah
for the renovation and addition to its Water and
Sewer Administration Building, located at 3700 W
4th Avenue in Hialeah. The building structure
provides customer support to the residents of
Hialeah. Construction entails renovating a 12,788
-square-foot, 1-story building plus a 1,100 sq. ft.
building addition. The project was designed by
Harvard Jolly Architecture and is slated for completion in February 2013.
Link has been awarded the construction of the
South Florida Logistics Center, located at 3200
NW 67th Avenue in Miami. The project, designed
by RLC Architects, consists of the construction of
a single story warehouse building of approximately
171,000 square feet and supporting infrastructure.
Construction will begin in November of 2012 and
is slated for completion in December of 2013.
Assigned to the job are Senior Project Manager,
Fernando Yepes and Superintendent, Ernesto
Silva.
Assigned to the job are Senior Project
Manager, Neil Jurado and Superintendent, Robert Quiles.
Assigned to the job are Senior Project Manager,
Nick Fuoco and Superintendent, Jose Roque.
Downtown Doral
DCT Commerce Center - Schenker Logistics
Link was awarded Infrastructure Phase 1B of the
Downtown Doral project, which consists of the
construction of the roadways. Downtown Doral,
located at 8410 SW 53rd Terrace in Doral, is a
120-acre master-planned community destined to
be the heart of the City of Doral and home to the
new Doral City Hall and Downtown Doral Park.
Designed by Coral Gables-based civil engineer
David Plummer & Associates, the project commenced November 2012 and is slated for completion in February 2014.
DCT Commerce Center involves the new construction of two warehouse office buildings for Worldwide
logistics company DB Schenker. This tight scheduled project currently sits on a 15 acre parcel of which
the 2 building equal 335,196 square feet. The project entails a 30,000 square foot interior office build
out for DCT's tenant DB Schenker. All 4 projects currently share forces from the Link team to its subcontractors. Construction is slated for completion in May 2013. This industrial office park is a major
force of the current industrial sector construction wave. This is our 3rd project for DCT Industrial Group.
Assigned to the job are Senior
Project Manager, Nick Fuoco
and Superintendent, Toyo
Fernandez.
Assigned to the job are Senior Project Manager, Nick Fuoco; Project Manager, Alberto Santelices;
Assistant Project Manager, Christian Hernandez and Superintendent, Rick Perrin Sr.
Link Ledger
Winter 2012
PROJECT UPDATE
Hialeah Park Update: Casino Addition Commenced
As of September 2012 the Hialeah Park Casino Addition has commenced. Ewing Cole designed the 300,000 plus square-foot, 3-story building addition & renovation of the existing North Grand Stand, in an Old Spanish style. The building features include a two-story lobby with artwork by Greek
artist/sculpture Alexandra Tsoukala, over 800 slot machines and 22 poker tables. Additionally, renowned Miami-based landscape designer, Raymond Jungles, has been contracted to landscape the grounds. The project is currently 2 months underway and is slated for completion in June of
2013. Link construction team includes: Executive Project Manager, Jazer Challenger; General Superintendent, Joe Llanes; Senior Project Manager
Hector Meruelo; Project Manager, Armando Varona; Assistant Project Manager, Guido Del Valle; Assistant Project Manager, Claudia Castillo; Project Accountant, Omar Siddiqkara; Project Engineer, Javier Cabrera & Superintendents: Mark Werntz, Antonio Roque & George Parrack.
Rendering of the new Hialeah Park Casino
November Aerial of Hialeah Park Casino
Link’s Partnership with Kristi House
Link Construction Group has partnered with Kristi House in the renovation of
its Project Gold headquarters, an emergency drop-in shelter for child-victims
of sex trafficking. The Drop-in Center will be the location for the offices of program staff, the first stop for intake and assessment, and a safe space for girls
ages 11-17 who are survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. The Drop-In Center will provide short-term emergency refuge, crisis
intervention, and ongoing support and services.
About Kristi House:
Kristi House, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization in Miami, Florida, dedicated to healing and eradicating child sexual abuse. Kristi House operates the
Orlowitz-Lee Children’s Advocacy Center responsible for sexual abuse cases
in all of Miami-Dade County.
For more information on Kristi House visit www.kristihouse.org
Link Ledger
Winter 2012
PERSONNEL
NEW HIRES (June-November)
The Link Family is growing! Link is thrilled to present to you the new members of the pack. Link greatly values each of their employees hard work,
passion, and commitment to the company. Link welcomes all of you and are honored to have you as part of the team!
ARLENE TORRES
Accounting Assistant
June
TOYO FERNANDEZ
EDGAR GUERRA
JAZER CHALLENGER
JOSE ROQUE
Executive Project Manager
September
Superintendent
October
Office Assistant
November
GUIDO
OMAR SIDDIQKARA
HEIDI PABON
Assistant Project Manager
September
Assistant Project Manager
October
Marketing
November
JOE KLEIN
CHAD BROWN
MARK WERNTZ
DANNY VERCETTI
Superintendent
July
Project Manager
October
Superintendent
October
Estimator
November
DANIEL GIRADO
CHRISTIAN HERNANDEZ
CLAUDIA CASTILLO
ARMANDO VERONA
Assistant Project Manager
August
Assistant Project Manager
October
Assistant Project Manager
November
LISETTE GONZALEZ
ANTONIO ROQUE
Receptionist
August
Assistant Superintendent
October
Superintendent
June
DEL
VALLE
Project Manager
November
PROMOTIONS!
FELIX MARTINEZ was
NEIL JURADO was
promoted to
Chief Estimator
promoted to
Senior Project Manager
November 2012
September 2012
November 2012
NICK FUOCO was
AMANY SOLAN was
JONATHAN TAYLOR was
promoted to
Senior Project Manager
promoted to
Senior Project Manager
September 2012
November 2012
FERNANDO YEPES was
promoted to
Senior Project Manager
promoted to
Project Manager
November 2012
Link Ledger
Winter 2012
COMPANY EVENTS
Link 7th Annual Fishing Challenge
American Heart Walk
2012 Mercedes Benz Corporate Run
Early Saturday, October 6, 2012, Link employees gathered at FIU for the American Heart Associations 5K Heart Walk. This was Link’s first year supporting the organizations fight against heart
disease. With the help of its employees, clients, friends, and business associates Link was able to
surpass it’s $10,000.00 fundraising goal and raised $11,085.00 in just two months. Link would like
to thank everyone for their support and generosity! It was greatly appreciated.
Link Extreme Racing
On August 30, 2012, Link hosted it’s first team building company event at Xtreme Indoor Karting
in Ft. Lauderdale. Employees were broken up into 3 teams of racers, which each competed in a 15
lap race around a 1/2 mile asphalt track. The top 4 fastest racers in each team were selected to
compete in a final race for 1st, 2nd and third place ranks.
Congratulations to first place winner Mickey Cerra, second place winner Rick Perrin, and third
place winner James Nelson!
Link Ledger
Winter 2012
EVENTS AND AWARDS
2012
Accolades & Awards
AHCA Trade Show
Jobsite123
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration held their annual seminar this past month in
Orlando, Florida to discuss the improvement
and maintenance of patient and resident safety.
Their seminar covered the latest code updates,
improvements in health care delivery and design, as well as other aspects of patient and
resident safety as they relate to the design,
construction and maintenance of health care
facilities. Key note speakers included:
THE NEW MARKETING TOOL FOR
COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION BUYERS!
Jobsite123 is an instant prequalification tool
which our top commercial construction buyers
are currently requesting to be used by all contractors. This business development tool is
powerful in that you can build your own profile
and showcase Link’s qualification and industry
relationship in a search engine providing answers to the most common prequalification
Hugh Greene, President and CEO of Baptist questions in the click of a button.
Health Systems
A. Pat Geraghty, President of Blue Cross and
Blue Shield of Florida
TOP 100 BEST PLACES
TO WORK - RANKED
#14
TOP 25 GENERAL
CONTRACTORS RANKED #15
TOP 100 PRIVATE
COMPANIES - RANKED
# 67
TOP 25 HISPANICOWNED BUSINESSES
RANKED # 21
F.I.U.
TOP 100 MINORITY BUSINESS
AWARDS - FINALIST
Link Construction recently established the ‘Link Construction Group Senior Design Project and
Competition Scholarship Fund’ within the College of Engineering and Computing at the Florida
International University. This donation is in support of undergraduate students in the OHL School
of Construction, funds will provide support for senior design projects and scholarships for students to attend national and international competitions in the construction field.
Link also participated in hosting a suite at all F.I.U Panther Football games with the
former President of the University, Dr. Modesto Alex "Mitch" Maidique.
Currently 23 employees either graduated or are enrolled in the university.
ABC-FEC GC Showcase
Several team members from Link Construction attended the Associated Builders and Contractors
GC Showcase which was held at The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Link was able to
have face-to-face with some of South Florida's top subcontractors and was also able to showcase
their current work and projects down the pipe line.
SOUTHEAST’S TOP CONTRACTOR RANKED # 73
The ABC-FEC (Florida East Coast) Chapter is a partnership of the eighty (80) national chapters
of Associated Builders and Contractors, representing the interests of over 23,000 commercial,
industrial and institutional merit shop contractors, suppliers and industry professionals. Founded
in 1968, ABC-FEC is also a partner with ABC of Florida, representing the mutual interests of Florida's five (5) ABC chapters within state government.
COMMERCIAL CONTRACTOR
OF THE
YEAR
Link Ledger
Winter 2012
Happy Holidays!
LINK CONSTRUCTION GROUP
7003 N. Waterway Drive • Suite #218 • Miami, FL 33155 • 305-665-9826