*SA Jun 02 - Construction News

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CONSTRUCTION
™
The Industry’s Newspaper
www.constructionnews.net
P.O. Box 791290 San Antonio, Tx 78279 11931 Warfield San Antonio, Tx 78216 (210) 308-5800 Sep 2002 Volume 5, Number 9
Landmark goes
home to Boysville
Investors are looking
towards home
By Jane Day Loter
F
or the past 19 years, the 50-year-old
Boysville water tower has stood as an
empty and silent reminder of the
organization’s former site. The water tank
with the Boysville name emblazoned across
it was dismantled on Wed., Aug. 7th, and
transported 4.5 miles to the current Boysville
campus in Converse.
City of Live Oak officials, Boysville officials and other interested parties have
worked for a year developing plans to move
the tower to its new location.
When the ‘Texas Home for Boys and
Girls’ was first approached about moving the
City of Live Oak sends Boysville’s
landmark to Converse campus.
tower, they were enthusiastic but without the
financial means to do anything. “They are,
after all, in the business of helping children,
not moving water tanks,” said Don
McCloskey, Live Oak Councilman and architectural intern for MDN Architects. “I
have a background in historic preservation,
and knowing how symbolic this landmark
is to the sixty-year-old organization, I started
making some phone calls to folks in the construction industry.”
With the help of Alamo Crane Service,
Fugro South Inc., Ingram Readymix, Urban Concrete Contractors, Holes of San
Antonio, Don McCrary, P.E. and the City
of Live Oak, all who have donated their time
and equipment, the water tower was relocated to a place near the front of the new
Boysville campus. Symbolic of the past and
present, the historic tank holds a lot of water for Boysville.
City Public Service, the Live Oak Police Department, and the Live Oak Fire Department assisted in relocating the over-sized
load and provided safety support.
Founded in 1943, Boysville’s mission
is to help boys and girls, who are unable to
remain at home, to become responsible
adults, and to enhance the educational, emotional, moral, physical and spiritual aspect
of each child served.
“The Boysville water tower has always
been a landmark,” said Lenna Baxter, executive director of Boysville, “and we’re
excited to have it back. I’m very grateful
to the contractors who helped make this
possible. We couldn’t have done it without
them!”
A
common, if gut-wrenching, phrase
is being uttered with more frequency these days – “My 401K has
turned into a 201K!” As the market declines, what are people doing with their
money, other than losing it?
Some analysts suggest that investors
are turning their monies toward real estate
and improvement of their own domestic
properties. With that in mind, San Antonio
Construction News decided to contact several members of the industry to find out if
and how this trend has impacted their businesses.
An established design/build remodeling firm, Bob Earl is the president of Casa
Linda Remodeling. Construction News
asked Bob if he is seeing a trend by market
investors to reinvest in their homes or per-
sonal properties.
“Personally, that’s exactly what I did!
I took some money out of the market, said
forget this, and put it into my house. I am
planning to sell it, however.”
He continued to say that he’s seeing
people take one of two courses. “I have seen
a steady sales process of people who are
still remodeling,” he continued. “Some
people have put remodeling projects on
hold due to market fluctuations, because
they’ve lost money. Others have pulled out
of the market entirely and decided to remodel. I think the real estate market is a lot
more stable now than the investment
economy, and people are looking closer at
the homefront opportunities.”
continued on Page 31
C.A. Landry Partners Ltd. expands Littleton Gymnasium
G
eneral contracting firm C.A.
Landry Partners Limited began its
modifications to North East Independent School Districts’ Blossom Athletic
Center Littleton Gymnasium in August
2001. Completed last month, the
$2,300,000+ project included modifications
to the existing structure and the construction of a two-story addition.
San Antonio Construction News spoke
with Project Manager Ray Sunday, who
said the original structure, which was built
in 1966, housed the athletic directors office, assistant athletic directors offices and
a conference room in the front portion of
the building, and a traditional gymnasium
with bleachers. Those offices remain intact
and will be utilized for other purposes.
“Landry Partners was charged with constructing a two-story addition located behind
the gymnasium,” Ray noted. “The addition
created new offices on the second floor for
the athletic director and his assistants, a hospitality room and conference room, which
are accessible by elevator and stairs. We also
added an area, between the existing building and the addition, to accommodate coverage of events by the media.”
Modifications to the gymnasium included an interior paint job, refurbishing
the seats in the spectator’s area, replacement of the gymnasium floor including
graphics, and a new ceiling.
“We removed the old cooling tower
and installed new stand-alone chillers,” Ray
continued. “In the process of opening the
gym’s back wall to the addition, we removed all of the existing decorative masonry, which is no longer manufactured. We
This month in Focus
Architecture &
Design
then carefully cleaned up the masonry units
and re-used them on the addition’s exterior,
to ensure continuity. The addition’s exterior includes stucco finish as well as extensive glazing.”
As Ray reported, Jerry Comalander,
NEISD Athletic Director, for whom the
football stadium is named, will have a
splendid view of the football field from his
new office windows. The additions’ lower
level features the loading dock, a dressing
room for officials, handicap accessible
restrooms and storage.
One of the major challenges Landry
Partners faced occurred about two-thirds of
the way into the project. Superintendent
Carlos Vela suffered two separate heart
attacks while he was away from the project.
“Mr. Landry had to step-in and take over
Carlos’ responsibilities,” Ray explained.
“He’s still at home recovering, and, of
course, we wish him well. The transition
was made easier because our second-incommand, Pete Contreras, had a good
grasp of what was happening.”
Asked if the July flood event delayed
the project, Ray confirmed that it had. “We
were unable to take delivery of sheetrock
and ceiling materials because of the rains,
and that set us back about 10 days. The
weather also affected the installation of the
gymnasium wood floor by Bauer Sport
Floors, Inc. The humidity was killing us!
We could not control the humidity, which
was raising the moisture content of the hardwood floor. The floor installation had to be
stopped. We worked with NEISD, the Encontinued on Page 31
P.O. Box 791290
San Antonio, Texas 78279-1290
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Page 2 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– San Antonio Construction News • Sep 2002
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Putz Around Town
QUINNEY
ELECTRIC,
INC.
JC Putz here . . .
What’s the big deal? A guy
disappears for a while and
everyone goes crazy. I do want
to thank the kind folks who
contributed to the “Putz Search
Fund.” The large amount
collected, $4.23, will be donated
to charity.
So, here is the real story
about my absence. I was out
cruzin’ around looking for an
unsuspecting soul in the industry
to write about. All of a sudden, Gary Joeris,
Joeris General Contractors, blows by me on
top of a fancy motorcycle hauling out of town
. . . fast! Not too often do you see one of our
largest general contractors looking like a
charter member of a biker club. I figured I
would catch him at his next stop and see
what’s up.
“THERE
IN A
FLASH”
P.O. BOX 241075
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78224-1075
––––––––––––––––––––––
That next stop ended up being Sturgis,
South Dakota, for the annual Black Hills
Rally. Gary must have really had a lot of fun.
I only saw him for a few minutes and then he
disappeared.
Rumor has it that he spent most of his
time with “Big Wanda,” the body-piercing
lady, making his body more interesting.
210-624-2881
FAX: 210-624-2298
OFFICE:
Sinks & Faucets
Kitchen & Bath Fixtures
Designer Whirlpools & Baths
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise
Guess Doug McMurry, Executive
Vice President of the local AGC
chapter, will padlock his office door
next time he goes out of town. He had
a BIG surprise waiting when he got
back. Someone had done a little
redecoration and AGC personnel don’t
know when the intruders did their
mischief, or they just aren’t talking.
Personally, I think it made the office
look much better.
M
ORRISO
SUPPLY
COMPANY
N
210 344-4436
10130 Jones Maltsberger at Isom Rd.
The ABC Cook-off and Skeet Shoot in
August really showed everyone who was
the best of the best shooters, and it wasn’t
the adult teams. First Place highest score
went to the Wallace L. Boldt, General
Contractor, #2 Team made up of youngins’
Madeline Boldt, Cullen Boldt, Chris
Christians IV, Chris Breen and Chris
Meszler.
All the old folks were making lots of
excuses, but the kids knew they were just
better.
With that . . . I’m out’a here.
Thousands expected at
Sept. STIC Show
T
he 21st Annual South Texas Industrial and Construction Show expects about 250 exhibitor booths and
thousands of attendees during the two-day
event.
Mark your calendars if you haven’t
already, for Tues. Sept. 17th, from noon to
7 pm, and Wed., Sept. 18th, from noon until 5 pm. Parking is in ample supply at the
Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum, where
several exhibitors will be showcasing the
latest industrial technology. Cranes, bulldozers and various pieces of large equipment will be on display around the coliseum.
Members of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders squad will be attending the
San Antonio Construction News
P.O. Box 791290
San Antonio, Texas 78279
(210) 308-5800 Fax (210) 308-5960
© 2002 San Antonio Construction News
The San Antonio Construction News is published monthly by Construction News LTD. and
distributed by mail to construction-related companies of record in Bexar and 7 surrounding counties. Additional distribution is provided at 91 material supplier locations serving the construction
industry.
All submissions should be mailed to our editorial offices. We reserve the right to edit any mate-
We also offer an 8,000 sf Self Service Plumbing
and PVF Counter to serve our customers better.
When it comes to versatility . . .
Kiolbassa Sausage Vendor’s Mixer (Tues.,
from 5 pm to 7 pm) for autographs and pictures.
Since many companies plan their budgets around lower-priced show specials,
available only at large-scale trade shows,
vendors come prepared to deal with local
manufacturing and construction professionals.
If you want to compare and evaluate
the latest and greatest products, services,
and concepts that will shape the future, plan
to attend.
San Antonio-based SMC Events is
hosting the 21st Annual STIC Show. For
more information, call 210-832-8444, ext.
203, or go to: www.smc-events.com.Ω
CONSTRUCTION
Publisher:
Buddy Doebbler
Production/Art Dir:
Reesa Doebbler
SA Area Manager
Byron Spencer
Editor/Writer:
Jane Day Loter
Production/Graphics: Claire Watkinson
Sales Representative
Donna Easton
Administration:
Kevin Hughes
Roaming Reporter:
JC Putz
Visit our unique designer showroom
for your kitchen and bath needs.
rials submitted. No fees for materials, copy or photographs submitted will be due unless agreed upon
in advance in writing. Submissions will be published at our discretion on a space available basis.
San Antonio Construction News will not be liable for errors in copy or in advertisements beyond the actual cost of space occupied by the error. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement at any time.
If you are a construction-related company
in Bexar or one of the 7 surrounding
counties and are not receiving a free copy
of the San Antonio Construction News,
please let us know by contacting our
office for a Request Form, or
visit our website at
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Subscriptions for additional copies
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CONTACT US AT 210-308-5800
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Serving up a
dining topping-out
HEB conversions keep
hardhats busy
Y
our store is no more,
after HEB bought several empty Albertson’s
grocery stores. During the
last two months, construction crews have pressed
ahead with renovations and
a fast-track schedule.
San Antonio Construction News spoke with
HEB’s project management
team leader, Mark Wolf, to
discover how extensively
the San Antonio-based grocery store chain altered five
previously-owned stores. The Lincoln Heights HEB opened its doors on Aug. 16th.
Mark said the success behind this effort is based on HEB’s great people who we knew we could count on
partners, vendors and subcontractors who to meet our schedules. We are projecting
together have the depth of experience re- over 20 percent MWBE and HUB particiquired to proceed with the extensive re- pation, with respect to percentage of subs
modeling and meet the aggressive open- contracted. If you look at dollar volumes,
ing dates.
the percentage is much higher. It’s been a
“The five San Antonio stores required team effort!”
a significant amount of internal
Major subcontractors that are workreconfiguration and interior finish-out,” he ing on the five former Albertson’s stores
began. “We had to get the stores up and include: Summit Services, Majek Tile &
running as soon as possible, and to do that Marble Co., Inc., Versatile, Integrated
we retained the major structural and de- Communications Technologies, Eldridge
partment layouts. Exterior alterations were Electric, Electrical Construction Serminimal, other than color changes and vices, Grinnell, Jack Laurence Corporasignage conversions. The greatest chal- tion, AC Technical Services, Circle C
lenge was the timeframe.”
Millwork, Inc., Texas Fixtures & InteriHEB conducted surveys of each of the ors, Inc., Traugott, Inc., C & F Construcfive locations to determine the actual lay- tion, Inc., Arnold Moos Company, Texas
out and status of the equipment itself. The Best Corporation, Central Builders,
internal design team, together with mar- Arnold Refrigeration Co., B. T. Services,
keting, developed each floor plan and lay- Houston North A/C, Alamo Building
out. HEB’s in-house estimating depart- Specialites, American Roofing and Metal
ment and construction services department Co., Inc., Pinkerton, Stripe-tech, Navales
were assigned to implement the work.
Enterprise, and Fuller’s Alamo Safe &
“Fortunately,” Mark concluded, “HEB Lock.Ω
has a solid subcontractor base of reliable
W
hat better location to serve up a
topping out banquet, than at a
dining facility? SpawGlass
Contractors, Inc. did exactly that during
their Aug. 9th topping-out party for their
Design Build Dining Facility for the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Sam
Houston.
“The project is approximately 27,000
sf and will seat 460 inside the facility and
60 people outside,” said Al Vazquez, coordinator of the project. “It will replace the
existing facility, which we will also demolish when this facility is complete.”
Basic construction of the project consists of a closed-space, tilt-up walls and
structural steel for the military installation’s
main dining facility.
“We thought we were going to have
problems due to security and the precautions the military would take,” stated
Vazquez. “but things have worked pretty
smoothly so far.”
Included in the topping out festivities
was the classic Bar-B-Q and ice cream
Event participants enjoy Bar-B-Q
and all the fixin’s.
which was served to site personnel, subcontractors and numerous guests.
Also included in the project are O’Neil,
Conrad & Oppelt, Architects; Garza
Bomberger, Architects;
TDIndustries, Electrical;
Crown Steel, Steel &
Tiltwall; Arnold Refrigerator, Food Service Equipment; American Roofing,
Roofing; Millberger, Landscaping; Beaird Drilling;
Bexar Electric, Electrical;
DuPont Flooring Systems;
Fugro South, Field Testing; M&M Contracting,
Sitework; Richards Rebar,
Reinforcing Steel; and R.A.
Travis Painting, Painting.
The project is on-track
SpawGlass tops-out new 460-seat dining
and estimated to be complete
facility at Ft. Sam Houston.
by Mid-February.Ω
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Nolan resurfaces after
brief retirement
L
ast spring, the construction industry
collectively bid a fond farewell to
Ross Nolan, 21-year veteran of
Alamo Cement and former masonry contractor, as he formally retired.
In an April 2002 interview, San Antonio Construction News asked Ross what he
was going to miss most about his job. He
said, “I’m going to miss my customers. As
a friend once told me, my problem is that
my customers have been my hobby. And,
that’s probably the truth of it! I’m still going to be around, have an occasional lunch,
attend the association meetings of the plasterers and the masons, and call on some of
the service companies, just as a friend.”
Those words should have been our first
clue that you can’t keep a good man down.
Ross Nolan has resurfaced as a public relations representative for Lynwood Building
Materials, and as the company’s president
N
ow and through opening day
of deer season, when you upgrade
or add to your fleet by buying or leasing
new or used equipment, Texana will
throw in a top-of-the-line deer blind from
Texas Hunter Products . . . absolutely free.
Deanie and Ross Nolan, pictured at his
first retirement party.
Chris Christians said, “We’re glad to have
him on board. Ross is a good man and will
be an asset to our company.”Ω
Texana Machinery
launches new website
A
Coming November 2002 issue
s technology becomes more and
more intertwined with the construction industry, many companies are turning to the internet to provide
information and services to customers.
Case in point (no pun intended) is Texana
Machinery, which recently launched its
new website designed to provide “Everything you need to know about Texana.”
New and used equipment, service, parts,
rentals and general information about the
company are now offered in an electronic
format to meet with the information age.
Texana upgraded their web site to better serve customers throughout their entire
38 county marketing area.
Features of this new site include de-
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tailed listings and specifications of both
new and used equipment, including used
equipment photos. This sales page allows
you to download complete manufacturer
sites for Case, Takeuchi, Tramac and
Kobelco products. You can also request financing online, open charge accounts, make
parts requests, rent equipment, even look
for job openings. The Texana news download allows you to review Texana’s quarterly newsletter “Movers & Shakers” for
current equipment offers, like their deer
blind offer. There is even a site map that
gives you a quick overview of the entire
website.
Texana’s new website can be toured at
www.texanamachinery.com.
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TEXANA
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www.texanamachinery.com
AUSTIN
SAN ANTONIO
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(800) 615-3804
(210) 333-8000
(800) 483-9262
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Big Projects like SBC Center don’t come along
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Inside will be articles
on the construction
aspects, interviews
and progress photos
from start to finish.
The centerspread
will be a panoramic
group photo of
construction
company
employees who
participated in
building the
SBC Center
Advertising Space is Very Limited.
Call Construction News @ 210-308-5800
It’s not enough
to just do the
job . . .
David
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(210) 912-5087
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@ Cascade Caverns Exit 543
You’ve got to
do the job
right.
Where has all the money gone?
By Jane Day Loter
T
ime and again, as contractors reveal the evolution of their
company’s growth, they speak of the
point in time when they developed “a banking relationship.” It’s important for contractors to have a bank that understands the construction industry, its method of accounting, progress payments on its accounts receivables, retainage, bonding, and other
unique aspects of industry. Not every bank
and not every banker speaks the construction language.
Curious to learn more about the current state of lending affairs, I contacted a
few financial experts who work closely with
local construction industry companies.
As a rising banker, he cut his teeth on
contractors, learning early on that construction has its own set of rules. Daron Lofton
is the vice president of SouthTrust Bank,
and among the three segments of the construction industry, he said they all have different needs.
“General contractors incur expenses on jobs that
they have to pay
before they get
paid by the
owner,” Daron explained. “With a
lag in working
capital, they depend on the banks for a revolving line of
credit to keep operations flowing and the
payroll fluid.”
He added that subcontractors are in a
position where they’re waiting on the general contractor to pay them, so a similar type
of lag in working capital occurs. The supplier has to buy his inventory, and pay his
distributors and manufacturers before the
sale is made. In peak seasons, they have a
working capital need that can be handled in
the form of a line of credit from a bank. Most
construction companies also have equipment
and real estate needs, where bankers develop
financing on a long-term basis.
I asked Daron if money is more, or less,
available today than it was one year ago
and whether or not controls have tightened
up a bit?
“Underwriting is always tight,” he continued. “We always try to remain consistent in our underwriting standards. As
bankers, how we approach lending money
should not materially change whether we
are in a booming or slowing economy. If
we are approving fewer loans, it may be
because a lower percentage of applicants
are meeting those credit standards due to
the economic times we’re in. This may be
a function of fewer bid jobs out there to go
around, causing the bidders to be more
competitive with their profit margins. We
may ask a few more questions than other
banks but will hopefully
know our customers a
little better as well. Consistently high credit standards are what enables
SouthTrust to lead the industry with its low rate of
charge offs and non-performing assets.”
The financial and interpretive data that the banks
look at, and use to make their decision for
approval or declining a loan request, is more
critical today than ever. When the global
economy slows down, then all industries suffer, perhaps none more than the construction industry. There are many good construction companies out there we would certainly
approve credit requests to, and we desire that
business. We haven’t stopped lending
money. In fact, SouthTrust has grown its loan
portfolio in San Antonio by 24% in 2002.
It’s hard to anticipate the future, but
Daron remains optimistic. “If you talk to
the architects, there are more projects that
are coming down the pipeline than there
were one year ago. We hit the bottom, it
was a short downturn, and, hopefully, it will
go back up as quickly as it went down.”
In terms of the contractors who are
borrowing now, Jeanne
Douglas, Executive Vice
President of the Lending
Division of Broadway National Bank, said, in general, the list duplicates
those who were borrowing
last year.
“Broadway has a
solid relationship with a
lot of construction-related businesses,” she
began, “including general contractors,
subcontractors and suppliers. The contractor business we have is established, but I
don’t want to give the impression that we
won’t look at new companies. If someone
has been with an established company and
goes out on his or her own, we would certainly consider their experience. Typically,
we are serving the same contractors now
than we were serving one year ago. We’re
not seeing any more usage under their lines
of credit. If anything, we’re seeing some
that are being more selective about the
projects they’re bidding on.”
Asked if her bank is employing tighter
controls, she said only to the extent that is
necessary to determine if there are any financial weaknesses or problem situations.
“Most of the contracting companies we
bank had a very good year last year. But,
we all know it’s time for the economy to
start softening up. We’re drilling down to
find out if their receivables are good, and if
their backlog is strong.”
It’s never easy to predict the future, but
Construction News asked Jeanne to tell us
how she thinks the next year will play out?
“I can show you two articles on my desk,
from authoritative sources, who predict opposite forecasts of the economy. One of
them says the Fed is going to tighten up by
the fourth quarter, and the other one says
the Fed is right where it needs to be and
should stay the
course. We look at
local economic
statistics to evaluate job growth,
and we think the
construction industry will remain
very steady in
terms of projects
that are coming on, especially in the school
sector. But, I do think businesses are starting to think twice before they build their
own building. They’re thinking if my personal stock portfolio is going down, do I
really want to take on this risk.”
Banks, in general, are trying to be of
service to construction companies, to help
them analyze situations. “From our perspective,” Jeanne concluded, “we may see
a particular trend that they haven’t seen. The
bottom line message is, we’re trying to help
them and we don’t want to make business
more cumbersome for them. It helps to have
another set of eyes and another way of looking at their business. We can provide them
with certain information, and what they do
with it is their call. We have seasoned
people on our staff, who have been through
the good times and rough times, who can
offer sound advice for the construction customers to think about. In the final analysis,
it’s advantageous for a contractor to communicate with a banker who does understand their system.”
STORM DRAIN
Junction Boxes
Curb Inlets
Catch Basins
Headwalls
Office Line
830-401-0555
Metro Line
830-303-6305
Fax: 830-379-2719
501 E. Baxter Street, Seguin, TX 78165
COMMUNICATION
AND ELECTRIC
Manholes
Vaults
Pull Boxes
Transformer Foundations
Announcing
• National & Contractors
Accounts Available
• Major Credit Cards
Accepted
• We Carry Most National
Brands
• Hours:
Monday-Friday 6 am-5 pm
Saturday-8 am-12 noon
Industry1one
Staffing
in San Antonio
(formerly known as
Tandem Staffing)
The competition can’t touch our
ability to provide you with the quality
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just when you need them.
In terms of Industry1one’s quality,
quantity, reliability and consistency
of personnel, the competition
can’t touch this!
1019 Camden
210–271–3060
CPS showcases renewable
technologies
Chairman reveals out-of-the-box
vision for SAACCA members
ity Public Service’ Northside Cus- from torrential rains down the spouts to the
tomer Service Center (NSCSC), a ground. Stored rainwater is pumped
national showcase of renewable en- through a ground irrigation system that
ergy technologies and energy-efficient de- waters on-site landscaping.
sign, officially opened for business on
On display at the site, is a 112 ft fiberMon., Aug. 26th.
glass windmill blade, demonstrating CPS’
Designed by Marmon Mok Architects commitment to exploration of alternative
and constructed at a record pace by Guido energy sources.
Brothers Construction Company, the faThe lobby displays contain energy concility is designed to show state-of-the-art servation and sustainable building design
green energy and energy-conservation sys- ideas, which customers can use in their own
tems in actual operation and to encourage commercial or home projects. CPS customcommercial use of these technologies ers and regional and national visitors alike
within the CPS service area.
will see how the building works, view live
The Center’s 7,000 sf of
solar panels distinguishes the
NSCSC as having the largest
combined-capacity, solarpowered roof system in South
Central Texas. It consists of
2,000 sf of solar photovoltaic
(Pv) panels to augment electric, grid-supplied power with
solar power and 5,000 sf of
solar thermal (water heating)
collectors to supplement the
heating, ventilating and coolNSCSC has the largest combined-capacity, solaring (HVAC) system. Two
powered roof system in S/C Texas.
100-ton, dual-purpose solar
hot water and gas absorption HVAC sys- meter readouts of all energy technologies
tems will drive the buildings cooling sys- in use in the building, and monitor each
tem, alternatively using solar energy or class of energy consumption and its correnatural gas.
sponding cost. Other lobby exhibits feaIn addition to the solar systems, the ture solar-electric Pv panels, an absorption
Center has a 30,000-gallon rainwater rec- chiller, rainwater harvesting equipment,
lamation system, installed in collaboration alternative-fueled cars and sustainable
with the San Antonio Water System building techniques.
(SAWS). It will be used for landscape wa“This project allowed us the opportutering to reduce reliance on the Edwards nity to do what we like best; being at the
Aquifer. Elegant in its simplicity, the sys- forefront of change,” said Tom Guido,
tem is designed to collect rainwater into CEO of Guido Brothers Construction Comgravity-fed containment tanks via a series pany. “What a stellar project to be involved
of downspouts connected to roof gutters. in, now and for the future of San Antonio!”
Serving a dual role, the downspouts fill the
containment tanks and discharge overflows
he San Antonio Air
Conditioning Contractors Association
(SAACCA) welcomed 20022003 ACCA National Chairman, Jim Hussey, at an after-hours reception on Tues.,
Aug. 20th, at TDIndustries.
Hailing from San Leandro,
CA, Jim is the president of
Marina Mechanical, a design/build heating and air
conditioning construction
company.
On Wed., Aug. 21st,
during the association’s
monthly meeting, Jim addressed over 70 members of
the local chapter, the first of
L-R: Jack Lappeus, executive director of SAACCA;
64 nationwide chapters to
Jim Hussey, chairman of ACCA; Ronnie Fuller,
president of SAACCA..
formally join the ACCA federation.
He said the mold issue is number one Jim if the high percentages of mold claims
on the list of just about every air condition- are the result of poor construction practices
ing contractor, especially in Texas where in Texas.
70 percent of all mold claims are generated.
“In my opinion, I don’t think the qualAt the forefront of the indoor air quality ity of construction in Texas is any different
movement is the fact that, with the proper than anywhere else in the country. I don’t
education, air conditioning contractors have think that it is strictly a construction dean incredible opportunity to become solu- fects problem. I believe mold is ubiquitous;
tion providers.
it’s everywhere. The phenomenon of mold
“It’s a business opportunity for future in these homes and schools is not new. What
growth, Jim began. As the industry be- I think is different is that the level of expocomes more ‘commoditized,’ contractors sure to mold has changed because we have
are going to move from the business of re- tightened buildings, so the cycles of conpairing and replacing condensing units to centration people are exposed to is elevated.
indoor air quality and energy conservation. People with higher sensitivity levels are
The mold problem is one of ventilation and having problems. With the tightening of
moisture, areas that are within our scope buildings, the issue of moisture content is
of expertise. As knowledgeable, skilled important, possibly making mold grow in
practitioners, we have the ability to differ- places where it wouldn’t have grown beentiate ourselves in the eyes of our custom- fore. Then comes the hysteria factor. I think
ers as contractors who ensure comfort as the preponderance of claims in Texas is that
well as good air quality for their health.”
it just happened here first, and when the
San Antonio Construction News asked
C
T
Congratulations to all SpawGlass Craftspersons
for working one year without a lost time accident!
Rene Adame
Candelario Adams
Matthew Adams
Pablo Aguero
Mario Aldaco
Julian Aleman
Miguel Alonzo
Eujenio Andrade
Romero Avila-Modesto
Juan Bahena
Basilio Baltierra
David Baw
Justin Beard
Kevin Bennett
Jesus Bentancourt
Gerardo Bermea
Alfredo Bosquez
Scott Bradlaw
J-Ines Briones
Melito Brito
Mario Campos
Andre Cannon
Michael Carter
Juan Castellanos
Alejandrino Castillo
Francisco Castillo
Sabas Castillo
Hector Chapa
Percy Clark
Raul Compian
Al Cordova
Mark Crittenden
Alexander Dawson
Tara De Lange
Bonifacio Del Toro
Phillip Devaney
Herbert Duano
Adrian Duran
Jesus Israel Espinoza
Jorge Estello
Julio Estello
Noel Estello
Cristhian Estrada
Macario Estrada
Ulides Figueredo
Fidel Fraire
Steven Fuentes
Diana Garcia
Edwardo P. Garcia
Enrique Garcia
Eric Garcia
Juan W. Garcia
Jorge Gomez Sr.
Luis A. Gomez
Rosendo Gonzales
Santos Gonzales
Leonides Gonzalez
Ricardo Gonzalez
Edward Giddens
Joe Godina
Luis Granados
Wallace Graves
Daniel Guerra
Rumaldo Guerra
David Guzman
Ismael Guzman-Portillo
Clayton Henson
Alberto Heriera
Javier Hernandez
Jose A. Herrera
Jose B. Herrera
Jose E. Herrera
Juan A. Herrera
Bill Herring
Joanne Hickernell
Dan Hoover
Vickie Hudgel
Francisco Ibarra
Lee H. Jackson
William Jackson
Willie Ray Jackson
Michael Jimenez
Michael Jones
Stanley Kallstrom
Candice Kirchner
Charles Lambardia
Arthur Larson
David Laureano
Efrain Leal
Homero Leal
Stanton Leddy
Thomas Lemman
Rosemary Leos
Carlos Limones
Rogelio Lira
John Littleton
Rodolfo Lopez
Andre Loumingo
Jaime Macias
Bobbie Magana
Gabriel Marquez
Juan Marquez
Daniel J. McMurray
Alberto G. Mendez
Shawn Meyer
Hermilio Morales
Richard Natal
Tranquilino Natal
Leny Navarette
David Nichols
Paul Olsen
Benigno Ortiz
Javier Ortiz
Ermelan S. Padron
Jose Padron
Juan Palacios
Justo Parra
Hershell Peck
Martin Pena
Antonio Perez
Homero Perez
Leslie Raburn
Michael Raley
Michael Rawlings
Charlie Richardson
Shawn Richardson
Panfilo Rios
Daisy Rocha
Eliseo Rodriguez
Inocencio Rodriguez
Julio Rodriguez
Robustiano Rodriguez
Alfonso Roman
Nestor Salas
Ruben Salas
John Salazar
Jorge Saldana
Manuel Sanchez
Martin Sanchez III
Jose O. Sandoval
Jerry Sanford
Michael Sanford
Steve Schulte
Robert Sephus
Steven Shahan
SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.
9331 Corporate Drive • Selma, TX 78154 • 210-651-9000 • FAX 210-651-4450
Employee owned and operated
Rigoberto Silva
Roberto M. Silvas
Tony Slayton
Gaye Stephens
George Sullivan
Janie Sullivan
Raul Tavera
Patricia Trevino
Adam Triana
Humberto Triana
Brian Valenzuela
Antonio Valero
Hope Vasquez
Juan D. Vasquez
Evaristo Vega
Arturo Villanueva
Daniel Villanueva
Francisco Villanueva
Jesus Villanueva
Mary Villarreal
Michael Weaver
Roger Weber
Jeff West
John Williams
Joshua Wise
Mike Woodyard
Blaine Zelek
“Safe Routes” offers more
construction jobs
W
ith another school year underway, the Texas Department of
Transportation has unveiled a
statewide program that will improve
children’s safety in and around school areas.
TxDOT issued the call for “Safe
Routes to School” projects on Fri., Aug.
2nd. This competitive construction program
is funded through state and federal funds
and local contributions. The goal of the $3
million program is to improve the bicycle
and pedestrian safety of school age children in and around school areas. There are
more than 4 million students registered in
Texas schools.
TxDOT’s traffic operations director,
Carlos Lopez, said the program would help
reduce the number of conflicts between students and motor vehicles.
Eligible projects include sidewalk improvements, pedestrian/bicycle crossing
improvements, on-street bicycle facilities,
traffic diversion improvements, off-street
bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and traffic calming measures for roads located off
the state highway system.
The Safe Routes to School program is
the result of House Bill 2204, passed during the 77th Legislature.
Austin to host Nov.
“green” convention
A
ustin was selected to host the U.S.
Green Building Council’s convention on Nov. 13-15. The first-ever
convention will feature international speakers, educational programs and 200 exhibitors. More then 2,000 green-minded people
are expected to attend.
Austin started the country’s first green
building program, has hosted green building conferences of its own, and its citizens
generally embrace green building practices.
The USGBC and its members promote
practices such as using energy-efficient and
environmentally-friendly materials in construction of commercial and residential
projects.
Some attendees are expected to participate in a green building project tour on Nov.
16-17. In addition to residences, commercial structures will be featured. It is hoped
that the convention will have a significant
effect on local green initiatives.
SCAFFOLDING
SCAFFOLD MANUFACTURER
Open Sky launches software for
construction industry
F
ew companies can tout helping to market the company to wider audiences.
“We are scheduled exhibitors at sevprovide ease and manageability to an
entire industry. For Open Sky Soft- eral trade shows coming up including the
Roofing Contractors Association of Texas
ware, that is the company agenda.
The privately owned, Austinbased construction software company has been in operation since
March 2000. The company has
worked this past year to perfect its Integrated Management Software called
tracework™for specialty contractors
and subcontractors nationwide. Several software installations occurred in
the first quarter of 2002 with a reported growing customer base.
Tracework™ offers lead and
Clockwise from L-R: Steve Riley, Paul Shock,
project tracking, budgeting for bids
Jean George and Mike Konderla.
and change orders, labor tracking,
job costing, tracking of customer invoices, (RCAT) trade show, the Sunbelt Builders
productivity reporting, payable and receiv- Show and another out of state,” Konderla
ables and digital document tracking, among said. “So far, Open Sky Software is the only
others. As well, customers who order soft- locally owned company in Central Texas
ware by December 31, 2002 will receive to cater specifically to the needs of the subthe newly designed General Ledger Ac- contractors and specialty contractors in this
counting software feature for free in the first fashion, and for such reasonable rates.”
Businesses that have Internet access
quarter of next year.
“Since last September we have stream- can log onto to the Open Sky web site, and
lined our software to not only work with then to their specific, secured company lomid to large contractor companies, but have cale to view everything from daily profit
packaged it for smaller businesses and titled margins to employee time sheets. With the
it tracework™ SOHO (small office & home on-line set up, employees can also access
office),” said Jean George, Ph.D., presi- tracework™ from home. And for those who
dent of Open Sky. “The software is de- prefer, Open Sky also has an in-house versigned for anyone, regardless of whether sion of tracework™ that includes pre-conor not an owner has worked with a com- figured server hardware. The system will
puter or not. You can get started right away work with any kind of network including
with very little training. We like to think of Windows, Mac or Unix.
“Our job is to make accounting and manourselves as a leading software company
in an industry that respects people who ex- agement needs as easy as possible,” said
George. “ Everyone on our team has expericel at their trade.”
Senior Developer, Paul Shock and ence with overblown database applications
Chief Technologist Steve Riley, Ph.D. have that are unmanageable for today’s businesses.
worked along with George to develop the We built tracework™ to be the most simplissoftware. Sales and Marketing Manager tic and affordable product out there.”Ω
Mike Konderla was hired recently to help
DIVISION OF TAR USA STEEL, INC.
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Frame Scaffold –Shoring Scaffold
Crossbraces – Screwjacks
Caster Wheels – Planks
TAR SCAFFOLDING
12746 O’CONNOR ROAD
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78233
TEL:
FAX:
210 650 0181
210 650 0782
www.tarscaffolding.com
SCAFFOLD
INDUSTRY
ASSOCIATION
342-5518
203 E. Rhapsody San Antonio, Tx 78216
Time Insurance
Agency
Serving the Industry since 1961
Insurance
•
Bonding
• Builders Risk
• Automobile
• Workers Comp
• Surety Bond
• General Liability
• Property
Give us a call today
210-344-8898
1 0 8 0 3 G u l f d a l e , S u i t e 2 2 0 S a n A n t o n i o , Te x a s 7 8 2 1 6
We did it for the kids
W
hen the construction industry and T&D Moravits, many of which have
gets together and throws an supported the event for multiple years in a
event, it is always done with a row.
certain style. The 13th Annual Downtown
“We have been a host for 4 years and
Youth Center Charity Fun Shoot on Sat., we do it for the kids,” said Frank Moravits,
Aug. 10th was no exception
to the rule, with a strong attendance by shooters and
volunteers.
From the moment you
drove in the gates of the National Gun Club, the construction presence was unmistakable. Alamo Crane
Services had a crane flying
the American Flag joined by
Concrete Pumps of Texas
and Capital Industries
which were holding up the
Fun Shoot banner, heralding
guests to the skeet shoot and
Heeeyyy bidder, bidder. Auctioneers and bidders alike
auction that benefits a very
enjoyed the excitement of the live auction.
good cause.
The event has developed a close group of supporters, which in- T & D Moravits & Co. “We look forward
to this every year and will be back next
year.”
“We owe a lot to the community
Providing a quality event remained the
and have always felt we are a
focus of event organizers. “Every thing has
big part of it and need to
really gone well this year. I am very happy
contribute all when can,
with the outcome,” said Doug Niznik, Niznik
especially to the youth, because
Concrete Contractors. “We streamlined the
event so it could be shorter and we could have
they are our future.” - Sandy
Garcia, Martin Marietta Materials the big auction earlier. I want to thank all the
hosts and sponsors who again helped make
this event successful.”
cludes hosts Niznik Concrete Contractors,
Shooters were up early, busting clays at
Concrete Pumps of Texas, Lynwood Build- 8 a.m. and continuing throughout the day.
ing Materials, Martin Marietta Materials Shooters and guests alike were also treated
to Bar-B-Q, prepared by T&D
Moravits & Co., and could kill
time by bidding on silent auction items or entering into one
of the raffles for many great
prizes. A youth jazz band, the
A Sharp School of Music
Jazz Band, provided the appropriate accompaniment to
complete the setting and get
everyone pumped up at the
event.
As in previous years, the
auction drew a big crowd
and big bonus for the Youth
Center. “It’s been a great day
Happy faces everywhere you looked. Shooters waiting
and a good turn out,” said
their turn to bust the clays.
The Hosts of the 13th Annual Downtown Youth Center
Fun Shoot want to Thank the Diamond
& Gold Sponsors for their Generous Contributions!
DIAMOND SPONSORS
Aggregate Haulers, L.P
Alamo Concrete Products, LTD.
Alamo Iron Works
Bill Hall Jr. Trucking LTD.
Capital Industries
Concrete Pumps Of Texas
D&G Enterprises
EZ Bel Construction
F.O Foundations
Forum Construction Co. Inc.
Hardcore Concrete Inc.
Hooker Contracting Company
Interior Ideas, Inc.
International Strand & Steel
Joeris General Contractors, Ltd.
Johnson Industries, Inc.
Lynwood Materials
M&M Contracting LTD.
Martin Marietta Materials
Mesa Equipment
Miller Beer
Miller Plumbing Co., Inc.
Niznik Concrete Contractors
Olmos Equipment, Inc.
Putzmeister Inc.
Schultz Concrete Pumping, L.P.
Sheplers
Spawglass Contractors, Inc.
Sunbelt Marketing
T&D Moravits
The Lifshutz Companies
Vanguard Concrete Inc.
VK Knowlton Construction & Utilities, Ltd.
Vulcan Materials Company
Winco Contractors
GOLD SPONSORS
Tony Tye, Concrete
Pumps of Texas. “I am
looking forward to a
good auction to raise a
lot of money for the
kids.”
And raise money
they did! Enlisting the
help of professional
auctioneer Anthony
Mihalski, organizers
raised over $90,000.
Innovation played
a big part in creating a
successful auction. As
in previous years, one
of the auction items
We do it for the kids. Children and staff from the Downtown
was a sponsorship for Youth Center showed up to thank everyone for their support.
the Kidz Fish’n Trip.
After auctioning the
trip sponsorship, Doug Niznik presented an
idea to let more people become involved.
He asked the audience to support a second
trip by sponsoring one kid for $250 or two
kids for $500. After the first sponsorship,
people started jumping in and calling out
their name with the number of kids they
would sponsor. After all was said and done,
the generous souls made it possible for 66
“Lynwood is always glad to be
a host of this event. The Downtown Youth Center is a great place
and it serves a very important
function for these kids.”
- Chris Christians, Lynwood
Building Materials.
kids to be sponsored.
Not to be left out, 20 items
were donated ranging from fishing and hunting trips, Colorado
retreats, golf packages, a “San
Antonio Sweethearts” package
and even two trips to Europe.
Once again, the construction
industry brought that special flair
to a very good cause. Although
there was no traditional “pat-onthe-back” for a job well done,
those who participated in the
event or opened up their pocketbooks at the auction left knowing that “We did it for the Kids.”
Cool shade and Bar-B-Q kept shooters occupied
while waiting for contest results and the big auction!
Fun Shoot Stats
Top Ten Buyers:
Hunter Class
Alamo Concrete: $11,400
Bill Hall Jr. Trucking: $4,100
Lynwood: $6,025
M&M Contracting: $4,475
Mesa Equipment: $4,000
Niznik Concrete: $4,300
Olmos Equipment: $4,050
Schultz Pumping: $7,900
T&D Moravits: $5,450
Vernco: $5,275
Class 1
1st - Paul Sanchez - 86
2nd - John Dury - 85
3rd - Kenny Boeder - 84
Juniors
621 Screen Printing
Aaron Concrete Contractors, Inc.
American Subcontractors Assoc.
Anchor Marine
Baeza Jewlers
Beck Readymix & Landfill
Ben Reyna Contracting, Inc.
Brian Stanush Realtor
Capstone Corporation
Concord Construction
Hill Country Waterproofing
Holt Cat
Longhorn Concrete
Lonestar Beer
McGee Domolition
Plastic Vacuum Forming
South Texas Outfitters
Texana Machinery Corp.
Texas Concrete Const. Co.
Texas Contractors Supply
Wall Across Texas
A strong showing of competitors made
competition tough. Winner of the
Youth Division, Chris Christians,
sports his award.
Class 1
1st - Chris Christians Jr. - 82
2nd - Shakotah Knowlton - 81
3rd - Jeremy Baeza - 78
Class 2
1st - Joe Cusack - 65
2nd - Mike Schultz Sr. - 65
3rd - Greg Smith - 65
Class 3
1st - Ryan Garcia - 52
2nd - Bill Mueller - 52
3rd - Damon Smith -52
Ladies Class
Class 2
1st - Zack Buff - 68
2nd - Cullen Boldt - 68
3rd - Linden Schuchart - 59
Class 1
1st - Tricia Kocurek - 84
2nd - Dolores Murry -79
3rd - Jenna Mclean - 76
Class 3
1st - Mason Brown - 50
2nd - Matthew Brown - 50
3rd - Madeline Boldt - 39
Class 2
1st - Cathy Tisue - 46
2nd - Monica Garcia - 46
3rd - Jodi Schultz - 42
Pro Class
Tony G. Rivera - 97
Mike Clayton - 93
Jake Richards - 92
Class 3
1st - Melissa Powell - 38
2nd - Jennifer Sorsby - 36
3rd - Amanda Niznik -28
Charter member
honored by TLPCA
Skeets & Eats
come rain or shine!
he Christians Company
(Lynwood
Building Materials,
Inc.) was one of two charter
members of the Texas Lathing and Plastering Contractors Association honored at
the Association’s Fiftieth Anniversary last month in Austin.
Chris B. Christians
organized Christians Company in 1908. The firm was
originally a lath and plaster
contracting firm. Chris was
L-R: Chris III and Chris IV were honored at
very innovative and graduTLPCA’s 50th anniversary ceremony.
ally started selling lath to
other contractors.
Associate Director of TLPCA, Chris III said
His sons, Buddy (J.W.) and Sonny he’s been going to the TLPCA conventions
(C.A), later joined the company in the for as long as he can remember. “I think it’s
1950’s. In 1983, after 75 yrs. in business, important to support the lath and plaster inthe firm quit contracting and concentrated dustry through our membership. I’m very
on the distribution end of the business, proud our company was a charter member
which is now known as Lynwood Building of the association, which supports the proMaterials, Inc.
motion of quality methods and practices in
Lynwood’s president, Chris Chris- the plastering trades.”
tians, III, accepted a plaque from associaAlso honored for 50 years membership
tion president Mike Mays. Currently an was Tobin & Rooney, Inc. of Houston.Ω
he Headquarters of the National to have a good time.”
Shooting Complex rocked as
Clients, prospects, friends and associPadgett, Stratemann & Co., L.L.P. ates were encouraged to bring their shot(PS&Co.) and more than 500 of their clos- guns and shells if they had a mind to shoot
est friends and business associates added skeet, and they varied in interest from diefun and subtracted stress from their day on hard competitors to novice adventurers. No
Thurs., Aug. 22nd.
records were kept, no awards were preThe accounting professionals eagerly sented; the shooters were simply enjoying
stepped away from their computers, calcu- themselves and testing their aim.
lators, and ledgers for an afternoon and
Guests were not inclusively construcevening of eating, dancing and skeet shoot- tion-related. Considered Padgett,
ing.
Stratemann’s customer appreciation event
“It’s a good event to have people take of the year, faces from many other busia little time, blow off a little steam and do ness disciplines intermingled with ours.
some networking,” said David Wadell,
PS&Co. “Half the people
out here probably didn’t
shoot They just come out
and have a good time. It’s
just our way to thank everyone.”
The annual event,
known as “Skeet’s & Eat’s,”
began at 3:30 pm with appetizers and drinks, followed
by dinner at 6:30 pm. Local
DJ, Ultimate Entertainment,
kept foot-stomping beats
going until 10 pm.
“Its a social event. A
good chance to get to know
everybody in a relaxed en- (L-R) David Moreland, Southern Construction Co., David
vironment,” said Ray Waddell, PS&Co., Ishmael Garcia, E-Z Bel Construction,
Paul Messenger, Willis of Texas and David Rivera, E-Z
Berend, PS&Co. “So we
Bel Construction enjoy the festivities at Skeets & Eats.
are glad everyone showed up
T
CPS/IBEW tournament to
benefit United Way
C
ity Public Service and the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers Local Union 500 are once
again co-sponsoring a charity golf tournament to benefit the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County.
The 5th Annual CPS/IBEW United
Way Golf Tournament is set for 12:30 pm,
on Sat., Oct. 19th, at the beautiful Pecan
Valley Golf Course.
Last year’s event, which raised more
than $16,000 for United Way, was a huge
success.
The tournament format features a 2-man
pick/partner scramble. After the tournament,
players will enjoy an awards dinner, raffle
drawing and silent auction. Sponsorship opportunities range from $100 to $2,500.
For more information about the event,
call Jody H. Lutz at 210-353-2701.Ω
T
We do more than
just publish newspapers!
We design, construct & deliver turn-key quality projects
(210) 308-5800
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877-509-3522
Qualify For:
“Ultimate Hunting Challenge 2002”
Architecture & Design
Security is a top priority
It’s been one year since the cowardly fist
of terrorism knocked down America’s front
door. The impact of that heinous act has
generated a re-evaluation of public and personal environments. With that in mind, San
Antonio Construction News spoke with San
Antonio architects to find out how it has
affected their profession.
A
ctive throughout Texas and other
states, architectural firm Morkovsky + Associates, Inc. focuses its
practice in the religious and commercial
sectors, plus a limited amount
of government work. In its
30th year of practice, the architectural firm has two registered architects among its staff
of eight. Mark T. Morkovsky,
AIA, RID is the executive
vice president of the firm.
San Antonio Construction
News asked Mark to discuss
design trends in those markets,
as they relate to security.
“We are seeing and implementing
some modifications among the religious
projects. For example, in the case of a
church that is open 24-hours-a-day, afterhour’s access to the sanctuary is limited, in
terms of entry, to the viewing room versus
the nave of the church. We’re also including surveillance systems in designs, to add
another layer of protection.
“On corporate office projects,” Mark
continued, “the owners are very mindful of
access issues to the building and access
within their own rank and file to certain
office areas. Security systems that incorporate pass cards are quite prevalent these
days.”
Mark discussed the effect of 9-11 on
another client, for whom his firm designs
mini-storage units nationwide. Because of
the potential for customers to store weapons, chemicals, biohazard or bomb-making
materials, they’ve taken a proactive step by
installing security cameras in their hallways
and premises to monitor what people bring
in and out.
Asked if owners are scrutinizing the
backgrounds of the architects they hire,
Mark said it’s more common
among firms that do government work.
“We are doing a U.S.
Customs Office right now,” he
reported, “and they did want to
know the names of my people
who will be working on the
project, and how long they’d
worked for us. I had done work
for them in the past, so they
knew who I was. They didn’t
ask for documentation, but they did ask the
questions.”
Back on the home front, we asked
Mark what security measures have been
incorporated in his own office building. He
said the building is heavily monitored and
personnel must have identity-specific security pass cards, which record when a person enters and leaves the building.
“We have also incorporated a safeguard system to protect our drawings and
documents, in which we have considerable
amount of time and money invested. If
something were to happen to our building
in terms of being out of commission or destroyed, or not having access to the building because it’s been shut down for some
reason, all of our resources are in the computer. We have a plan in place to make copies routinely, download what’s been drawn
to that point, and take those copies to another location away from the building. We
office near the airport, and our thoughts are
not geared toward the reality of our building being bombed, but if an evacuation was
mandated, we could still get work done. Our
clients don’t accept the fact that we can’t
get in our building. No excuses.”
In conclusion, Mark doesn’t see owners cutting back in other areas in order to
afford extra security systems. “I think they
understand it’s the price of doing business
these days. They recognize it as part of
smart business.”Ω
M
armon Mok Architects & Engineers, founded in
1953, employs 65
staff members, 25 of whom are
registered architects, engineers
and interior designers. Texas
Tech grad Steve Souter, AIA,
is the managing partner of the
firm. He said education,
healthcare, government, military, corporate, banking and
airport projects comprise the
majority of Marmon Mok’s
portfolio.
Architects and designers have been
addressing safety and security issues since
the modern era, in some degree or another.
Construction News asked Steve to discuss
those trends.
“Over the last 10-15 years,” he started,
“there has been a growing increase in security issues in all facets of our practice.
Schools want to control access and have
protective perimeters in place; hospitals
require tight security for newborns and in
other patient areas; full-time staff are placed
to monitor entrances and other activity. In
corporate buildings, there has been a sharp
increase in security access for the protection of employees and intellectual property.”
With regard to the security-conscious
airport, the events of 9-11 sparked a significant focus on security for the traveling
public and airport personnel. Marmon Mok
has been working on the San Antonio Airport for the last 20 years. Steve said the
Transportation Safety Administration is
distributing new requirements for airports
and, “as we work on plans for the continued expansion of the San Antonio airport, those standards
are evolving. Today, there’s a
300 ft separation requirement
between the terminal area and
the main parking. There are
also new requirements for
screening of both passengers
and baggage, plus new detection technology is being developed.
In the last few months,
Steve said several clients have
continued on page 12
Client’s needs define specs and trends
What trends are architects and designers
seeing with regard to the balance of new
construction vs. remodeling projects, and
how do owner’s budgets affect the selection of materials? San Antonio Construction News spoke with local professionals
to discuss these, and other issues.
A
graduate of Texas A&M University, Madeline Anz Slay, AIA is
the president /owner of Madeline
Anz Slay Architecture, PLLC.
Founded in December of 2000,
the fledgling architectural firm
operates from one local office,
employing two registered architects, two architecture interns, and two administrative
personnel.
Presently, the concentration of the multi-disciplined
firm’s work is in San Antonio.
“We work within the private
and public sectors,” Madeline explained,
“focusing on educational (K-12), commercial/technical office space (flexible office
space), institutional, and civic projects.”
Asked if she’s seeing a growing trend
towards new construction or modernization
of existing properties, Madeline said it depends on the sector. “In the private sector,
we’re working more on new construction.
On the educational side, the work profiles
include a combination of both renovation
of existing buildings and new construction
add-ons. In the public/civic sector, we’re
seeing both new construction and renovation, and that would be true for the institutional sector as well.”
With the quality and selection of specified materials directly affected by budget
restraints, Construction News discovered
that Madeline is prudent about always
specifying quality products.
“When it comes to budgeting,”
Madeline continued, “we do not specify
products of lesser quality to get to the budget number. We would never jeopardize the
integrity of the materials for the basics of
the building. If we have to compromise,
we work with the owner to evaluate the
scope of the project, ensuring all required
needs are met while maintaining the integrity of the design.”
Owners are
looking for maintenance-free
building materials that offer
longevity. Madeline said, in response to the rising frequency
of mold issues, her firm has
jumped its specifications up to
include other specialty materials for use in walls and roofs.
“For example,” she continued, “we specify mold-resistant sheathing that meets a certain ASTM standard, as well as
100% coverage of an air and water barrier.
It adds cost to the project, but it’s necessary and so far, our clients haven’t objected.
They’d rather spend a little more up front,
than face problems later. It’s a matter of give
and take. Regardless of what the budget is
for the building, there are certain things we
will do without question. My attitude is
good design can be achieved at efficient
cost, it’s just a matter of being creative.”
Madeline agrees that the higher cost
of “green” building products and energy
systems deter some owners from requesting or experimenting with them.
“Personally, I’m educating myself
about green building products and techniques, so I can help my clients evaluate
long-term and life cycle costs. In many
cases, ‘green’ choices are the result of the
owner’s conscience and the ultimate use of
the building. Are they going to benefit from
the long-term energy savings?”
In 18 months, Madeline’s firm has
grown a lot faster than she anticipated.
“My partner, Chris Spriggs, AIA, and
I come from varied backgrounds and we
have been able to maintain the diversity that
is necessary for growth. If we continue to
grow at the rate we’ve been growing, I
imagine we may double in size in the next
5 years. Of course, we’ll always look for
people who can contribute to our diverse
talent pool.”Ω
P
roject management consultant Robert G. Hanley, AIA, has positioned
himself in a non-traditional role
within the architectural disciplines. After
20 years in traditional architecture practice
in Austin and San Antonio, he now works
for owners who need project management
and construction management expertise. As
a consultant, he helps the owner
develop a project budget and
project schedule, assists the
owner in retaining an architect,
reviews the construction documents that contractors will bid on,
assists the owner in developing a
criteria and selection process for
retaining a contractor and manages the day-to-day process of the
project development.
Robert concentrates his focus in the private sector, including hospitality and restaurants, retirement centers,
assisted-living facilities, retail automotive,
office buildings, industrial, dental and hightech communications facilities. “New construction probably represents 95 percent of
my work,” Robert clarified.
Budget constraints often include programmatic criteria, particularly in the case
of high-tech or health-related projects.
“Budget has an impact on all things,” he
explained, “because most owners in the
private sector have a pre-determined estimated budget as consequence of a project
proforma or board decision. From that criteria, the design team is going to make certain decisions to meet the programmatic
needs and also the budget needs.”
With regard to material specifications,
Robert agreed that most clients want a lowmaintenance building. “It doesn’t matter if
it’s a speculative office building that the
owner wants to sell at a later date. The buyer
doesn’t want to inherit a high-maintenance
building. If the owner is the user, they will
want to avoid long-term maintenance and
operational costs.”
The difference would be with owners
who, in the case of a retail strip center for
example, want to get the shell building up.
“They’re not as interested in the long-term
operational maintenance
costs of the facility,” he
added, “ but rather, in getting
it leased out and selling it to
an entity that is looking for
income through a property
investment. The concerns regarding maintenance revolve
around the balance between
an attractive, income-producing project that an owner
can get into at a cost that
works in his proforma, and therefore making it attractive to a potential buyer. If the
push came to cost vs. using a material that
is lower-maintenance, cost will usually rule
in some speculative properties.”
continued on page 12
F O C U S
Page 12
continued from Page 11 - Security is top priority
raised concerns about the possible contamination of HVAC systems. Their objective
is to protect the places where outside air is
introduced, with a focus on moving those
outside air inlets to places where they can’t
be easily accessed.
The confidential nature of architectural
practice has also spurred greater scrutiny
of the firm’s staff. “On federal and airport
projects,” Steve mentioned, “they do require
our staff to have security clearances. On
some facilities, we undergo an informational training session to get access badges
and security checks.”
He added that some corporate clients
make sure his staff members register with
them, which includes wearing I.D. badges
and using scanning cards to obtain access.
Things have changed in the architecture and engineering world in the last 1520 years. Paper drawings are almost obsolete, and computers store massive quantities of sensitive informational data. Steve
said his firm ensures the security of documents on their network through the use of
password access and other confidential
measures.
“In some respects, I think computer
technology has helped us as architects and
engineers to keep things more secure. As
far as protecting our premises, we’re more
cognizant of people entering our office. In
all of the buildings we’re working on, there
is an increase of concern regarding typical
issues such as floor-level access, controlled
entrances, perimeter and entrance lighting.
External and internal camera systems are
also more commonplace these days. I think
it’s interesting to watch this technology
evolve, and in my opinion, most people
welcome additional security. Owners view
security costs as an inherent part of the
operational process. And, as security technology evolves, it becomes more economical. When the focus on security issues begins in the design phase,” Steve concluded,
“it significantly reduces the cost impact.”
A
Forward-Operating Agency from
the Pentagon, the Air Force Center
for Environmental Excellence
(AFCEE), is responsible for providing environmental, architectural and landscape
design, planning and construction management services at Air Force
bases worldwide. Architect
Boyce Bourland works for
AFCEE, which is headquartered at Brooks City Base,
formerly known as Brooks
Air Force Base.
“AFCEE is a tenant organization on Brooks and is
not directly associated with
the base’s mission,” explained Boyce, who has been
with AFCEE for 10 years. Boyce is part of
the Design Group Division, which provides
architectural, landscape architectural and
interior design support to the Air Force
Civil Engineer community.
With the events of 9-11 in mind, Construction News asked Boyce how that act
of terrorism affected the architecture and
design aspects of military construction
projects. He responded with a brief historical outline, illustrating that the DoD addressed this issue well before the catastrophic events of 9-11.
“In 1994,” he began, “the Army published a series of Security Engineering
Manuals, which laid out the nuts and bolts
of the design process for hardening a building. Hardening is the preparation of a building to resist attack, burglary, blast and other
perceived threats. It was written by the
Corps of Engineers at the Protective Design Center, in Omaha, NE. In 1997, after
the Khobar Towers incident, AFCEE prepared the Air Force Installation Force Protection Guide. It is an ‘awareness’ document that explains antiterrorism
and force protection in a succinct, easily understood document. In 1998, a DoD level
working group was established
to update the classified Security
Engineering Manuals to apply to
all services. The primary member for the Air Force is from the
Air Force Civil Engineer Service Agency (AFCESA),
AFCEE’s sister organization located in Florida. In 1999, the working group
was also tasked to establish minimum standards for military construction.”
continued from Page 11 - Client’s needs define specs and trends
The use of “green” building materials
is often left to the discretion of the owner.
The profile of an owner who would incorporate the use of “green” products in their
buildings might be a large company that
wants to take advantage of the public relations, goodwill and the image of corporate
responsibility. “They may be more willing
to go with a “green” building concept, simply because it’s environmentally and socially responsible as well as provideing the
owner with some cost benefit.”
About one and a half years ago, Robert had so much work, he was thinking
about how to expand his one-man business.
“Since then, we’re seeing a little bit of a
slowdown, though it’s not the same level
we saw in the mid-to-late 80’s with the S&L
debacle. But, business is off a little bit, in
my opinion, due to the dot.com fiasco. I’m
staying the course until I see signs of steady
recovery.”Ω
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Second Only To Nature
A
practicing architect for 40 years,
Lloyd W. Jary, FAIA, president of
Lloyd Walker Jary and Associates,
Inc., has always operated from one San
Antonio office. Within his firm, Lloyd is
the sole registered architect and
all of his staff members are outsourced contractors.
Focusing on the commercial sector, Lloyd said his portfolio of work includes multifamily housing, office, retail,
and some public works. He told
Construction News that among
his clientele, the majority of
them lean toward modernizing
existing properties as opposed
to starting ground-up construction.
“That’s the primary element of my
practice,” he reported, “and would encompass retrofit, remodel and restoration, depending on the properties. The only time
we see new construction is when a client is
relocating because their facility can’t be expanded.”
He confirmed that the owner’s budget
always dictates the quality and selection of
specified materials. However, the trend to
incorporate building materials, which offer
longevity, low maintenance and mold resistance, is contingent upon certain factors.
“Of course,” he added, “it’s always
dependent upon the client and what his ultimate goal may be. If the property is for
his own personal use, he considers those
issues. If the owner is a developer, for example, who is going to sell the property, he
is looking strictly at the bottom line.”
Asked if he incorporates “green” building materials in his specifications, Lloyd
said he does.
“We have found through research that
some of the “green” products are less expensive. A good example would include
some of the sheet rock products and recycled wood products. As more of them
become available, we’ll see even better
prices. They don’t have the base cost and
labor cost in them that new materials have.
A recycled product is often a superior product, at a lower cost. In my opinion, we’ll
be utilizing more recycled products in the
future as the economic elements play
‘catch-up’.”
Because of high utility costs, Lloyd confirmed that most owners are looking for more
energy efficient equipment or systems.
San Antonio Construction News • Sep 2002
Those minimum standards are applied
to new construction or major renovations,
regardless of the level of threat. As intelligence information warrants, individual
bases would exceed those standards, in accordance with the design procedures found
in the classified Security Engineering
Manuals.
“The greatest impact to day-to-day
operations is the requirement for stand-off,
or distance from the building, to parking
and street activity,” Boyce continued. “If
the prescribed standoff can be met, conventional construction can be used, minimizing the impact on construction costs. Of
course, acquiring adequate space to accommodate the standoff is always a challenge.
If the standoff can’t be met, the minimum
standards dictate appropriate construction
reinforcement, to create an equivalent result.”
The military has considered terrorism
in facility design and construction at least
as far back as 1994, years prior to the 9-11
attacks. Since 1999, minimum standards
have been in effect, providing protection,
regardless of the threat level, at minimal
additional construction cost. Ω
“We’ve had clients who changed their
entire lighting systems. Because the new
lighting systems were less expensive to
operate and required lower energy consumption, it was more economical. They
lowered the heat-load as well as increased
the lighting load. There are companies that
will do it at no cost to the property occupant, but they’ll
share in the savings of the
utilities.”
In today’s market, Lloyd
finds himself competing with
multi-disciplined professional
groups. He said his professional organization operates as
it does because technology has
made it possible.
“You have to stay in front
of the new trends, methods
procedures and laws,” Lloyd concluded.
“Our codes and our laws have the greatest
impact on our profession, and ignoring
them or not knowing them will be one’s
undoing. These days, the quality of any
architect’s performance and professional
services has to be checked and re-checked.
In architecture, you learn something new
everyday.”
Over the years, Lloyd has been involved professionally in architectural preservation. Current projects include the Little
Shrine of St. Anthony, which was recently
relocated, the Drought House on the campus of Providence School, the restoration
of the Brooks Army Medical Center and
the two Beach Pavilions, which the Army
has leased to private developers.
Next Month
in Focus
Glass & Glazing
Industry
• Glass & Glazing Contractors
• Glass & Glazing products
manufactures
• Glass products manufacturers
• Any company that sells items to
glass contractors.
San Antonio Construction News • Sep 2002
F O C U S
TSA’s 63rd Annual
Convention in Austin
A
rchitects from across Texas will
gather in the state capitol this fall
to discuss how to design better
communities and will hear from the federal government’s chief architect on how
architects can design their best work while
maintaining increased levels of security.
“Taking Texas Places” is the theme for
the Texas Society of Architects’ 63rd Annual
Convention and Expo, scheduled October 2426 at the Austin Convention Center. With
more than 5,000 members, the Texas Society of Architects (TSA) represents the profession as the state component of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The double meaning of this year’s
theme reflects the dual purpose of the architecture profession; that of designing attractive buildings and interesting places
while charting a course for future growth
and development of our state’s neighborhoods, towns, and cities. To underscore the
professions commitment to designing the
best, TSA will also unveil its list of “Texas’
Best Places” which includes communities
and other important sites in many corners
of the state.
Featured at this year’s TSA convention is Edward A. Feiner, the chief architect of the U.S. General Services Administration. As the top designer for federal
buildings, Feiner personally reviews and
recommends the approval of plans for each
major construction and modernization
project under consideration by all federal
agencies. Most recently, the GSA has com-
visit our
web site at
pleted construction on the two newest federal courthouses in Texas (in Brownsville and
Corpus Christi), as well as the new federal
office building in Oklahoma City that replaces
the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which
was destroyed in 1995 by a bomb. Planning
more secure buildings without creating bunker-style behemoths is a high priority for
Feiner, and he will impart to his audience the
lessons he has learned in the months after last
September’s terrorist attacks.
An architect himself and a member of
the esteemed AIA College of Fellows,
Feiner is well known among the country’s
best architects for personally championing
high-quality design for federal projects.
Feiner is responsible for revamping the way
GSA selects architects for high-profile
buildings, a Herculean effort acclaimed for
restoring dignity to, and respect for, government institutions.
Founded in 1939, TSA sponsors its
annual convention to bring together members from 17 local chapters to discuss topics relevant to architecture and to learn more
about issues that affect their profession.
This year’s topics include discussions on
the elements of good design, how “green”
architecture can lessen their projects’ environmental impact, and ways architects can
become more effective as leaders within
their communities. Concurrent with the
convention will be a products exposition
where architects can learn about the latest
innovative goods and services available
from national and regional suppliers.Ω
Page 13
Establishing physical security
P
reventing terrorist access to a targeted facility requires physical security of entry, storage, roof, and mechanical areas, as well as securing access
to the outdoor air intakes of the building
HVAC system. The physical security needs
of each building should be assessed, as the
threat of a chemical, biological or radiological (CBR) attack will vary considerably
from building to building.
For example, the threat to a large corporate headquarters may be considered
greater than the threat to a small retail establishment. Some physical security measures, such as locking doors to mechanical
rooms, are low cost and will not inconvenience the users of the building. These types
of measures can be implemented in most
buildings. Other physical security measures,
such as increased security personnel or
package x-ray equipment, are more costly
or may inconvenience users substantially.
These measures should be implemented
when merited after consideration of the
threat and consequences of a terrorist attack.
Building owners and managers should
be familiar with their buildings and understand what assets require protection and
what characteristics about the building or
its occupants make it a potential target. By
first assessing the vulnerabilities of facilities, building owners and managers can address physical security in an effective manner. While the identification and resolution
of building vulnerabilities will be specific
to each building, some physical security
actions are applicable to many building
types.
These include:
1. Prevent access to outdoor intakes.
2. Relocate outdoor air intake vents to a
publicly inaccessible location.
3. Extend outdoor air intakes. If relocation
of outdoor air intakes is not feasible, intake extensions can be constructed without
creating adverse effects on HVAC performance.
4. Establish a security zone around outdoor
air intakes. Physically inaccessible outdoor
air intakes are the preferred protection strategy.
5. Prevent public access to mechanical areas.
6. Do not interfere with fire protection and
life safety systems.
7. Implement security measures, such as
guards, alarms, and cameras to vulnerable
areas.
8. Isolate lobbies, mailrooms, loading docks
and storage areas.
9. Secure return air grilles.
10. Restrict access to building operation
systems by outside personnel.
11. Restrict access to building information.
12. General building physical security upgrades.
Source: National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health.
RV
S SUUR
VEEY Y
FINANCIAL ISSUES:
This month we are highlighting Architecture and Design.
The response was 21%.
We see a trend toward more remodeling vs. new construction: 00
Money availability for new projects is tight: ................................ 19
Fees are paid promptly by the owners: ...................................... 05
We’ve increased our architectural fees over the past year: ....... 14
Cost of professional liability insurance rose substantially in
2002: ........................................................................... 19
67% considered their firm “small” with less than $2 million in sales.
33% considered their firm “medium” with $2 - $5 million in sales.
00% considered their firm “large” with $5+ million in sales.
2 firms were involved in a lawsuit in the last 12 months.
0 firms were audited by the IRS in the last 12 months.
4 firms are woman or minority owned.
1 = Strongly Agree
2 = Agree
3 = Neutral
4 = Disagree
The cost for “green” materials has come down in the last 5
years: ............................................................................ 00 23 24 43 10
Mfg. reps are showing more mold resistant products: ............... 05 67 18 10 00
We recommend newly-developed products to our clients: ......... 10 28 57 05 00
25
33
29
37
70
24
19
10
05
24
42
29
00
00
05
10
32 24 15 10
LEGAL ISSUES:
5 = Strongly Disagree
Results are measured in percentages.
1
2
3
4 5
PERSONNEL:
We outsource Human Resource functions to save money &
time: ..............................................................................
Number of applicants for employment have increased since last
year: ............................................................................
Employee benefit package costs have risen dramatically: ........
Hiring practices are more strict since Sept. 11th: .......................
We have a professional engineer on our staff: ...........................
Threats of lawsuits have increased: ........................................... 19
Attorney’s fees for representation or consultation have
increased: ..................................................................... 05
We have resorted to legal proceedings to collect fees: .............. 05
Governmental immunity prevents us from contracting with Gov’t
entities: ......................................................................... 13
38 19 10 14
33 57 00 05
10 24 33 28
05 29 24 29
PERSONAL:
00 10 10 28 52
00
33
00
05
33
33
14
05
19
14
24
05
29
10
33
33
19
10
29
52
05
00
10
00
00
14
24
38
14
38
33
38
33
24
10
00
48
24
23
00
29
00
10
00
55
28
29
37
20
35
28
14
10
00
10
05
33
14
40
00
10
24
29
40
00
Business demands have reduced time with my family: ............. 14
Affiliation with professional associations improves our
credibility: ..................................................................... 18
I still have time to play: ............................................................... 14
I generally work on Saturdays: ................................................... 14
I would rather win the lottery than work for a living: ................... 40
24 42 10 10
48
39
19
05
19
33
10
10
10
14
37
20
05
00
14
25
SECURITY ISSUES:
We have consulted with professionals about in-house security:
We secure background checks on prospective employees: ......
Theft of intellectual property is common in our profession: ........
Client concerns about security issues have increased: .............
TECHNOLOGY:
Computer security is a top priority today: ...................................
We use local plan rooms to access proposed projects: .............
We have had a computer virus within the last 3 months: ...........
We employ a fulltime IT professional: ........................................
We find the Internet to be a valuable research tool: ...................
PRODUCTS
We’re specifying more “green” materials in our projects: ........... 06 39 39 10 06
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Flood-ravaged twin
oak resurrected
O
ne of the reasons
Dennis and Sharon
Oloteo, Alamo AgCon Equipment, bought
their 14-acre spread in Garden Ridge was because of a
majestic, 250-year-old twin
Live Oak tree. An afternoon
roost for their colorful pet
peacock, one half of the
twin oak cratered into the
saturated pastureland during the recent July weather
event.
“It was leaning to begin
with,” Dennis began, “beSupported by steel posts, the oak has a
cause of its natural growth
50/50 chance of surviving.
pattern. The water weakened the earth around it so much, that trunk
On Wed., July 24th, the resurrection acjust fell over.”
tivity commenced. “I had to raise the tree
The couple decided to speak to a pro- a little higher than I wanted to, but I’m
fessional arborist, calling on Jordy hoping its primary tap roots are still inHagen, Bartlett Tree Experts. “Jordy said tact. The arborist is giving this effort a 50/
it would be a shame to lose a tree like this,” 50 chance, and he wasn’t real optimistic.
Dennis continued, “so I decided I’d do But, I’m a dare taker!”
what I could to save it. I called Alamo
Sharon said they used one of their New
Crane Service because I’ve worked with Holland Skid Loaders to dig some holes
Marvin Ohlenbusch in the past, and I and set steel support posts, which serve as
know he has a big heart and likes to help a crutch until the tree recovers.
people. Since the flood damaged the tree,
“If this tree is a success, we owe it to
he said he’d give me a hand by sending a Marvin, who graciously donated his crane.
crane out to lift the tree. There’s no other If it survives, we’re going to name it The
way I could have done this without a Marvin Oak,” Dennis chuckled.Ω
crane.”
continued from Page 7 - Chairman reveals out-of-the-box vision for SAACCA members
word gets out, we’ll see the same level of
litigation in other parts of the country. What
needs to happen is in-depth scientific research, which at this point is still missing.
One of the best defenses is the ability to
prove that the contractor operated within a
standard of care. ACCA is striving to help
formulate and implement those standards.”
High on Jim’s list of priorities is the
issue of contractor liability. He said his
goals include working with insurance companies to ensure contractors can buy affordable liability coverage.
“If we can demonstrate that our contractors have the skill set to meet a criteria
of qualifications and identify a standard of
care,” he continued, “the underwriters
might look at providing coverage to ACCA
members at a preferred rate. We plan to
present a proposal by Oct. of this year.”
With an eye on future trends and the
impact of technology, Jim pointed to the
microprocessor, which is having a revolutionary effect on the HVAC industry today.
“As intelligence is built into the equipment that we service, the added value that
we as contractors bring to the table needs
to change. Some appliance manufacturers
are already testing web-enabled air conditioners, and the systems will alert the field
technicians to order replacement parts before the customer knows they’ve failed. In
time, the intelligence needed to service
equipment is going to be built right into the
equipment. I think the business of changing out condensing units and fixing refrigerant leaks is eventually going to go away.”
With risk management, insurance, education, knowledge and the ability to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, Jim
concluded his talk by saying ACCA contractors could become environment asset
management businesses, earning a good
margin for what they do.
SUBSCRIPTION UPDATES!
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and company information.
Construction teams take on
LaVernia Cook-off
W
here there’s Bar-B-Q, chances
are there is someone from the
construction industry behind
the grill. On Sat., Aug. 17th, teams from
around the construction industry joined
other competitors in the LaVernia Parks
Foundation’s First Annual BBQ Cookoff
at LaVernia City Park.
Smoke permeated the air as teams
vied for the cook bragging rights. Also
included in the festivities were volleyball
tournaments, horseshoe and washer contests, a car show and an auction.
When the smoke cleared, the following construction teams stood victorious:
Overall Champion – IBEW Local 500.
Brisket: 1st place: IBEW Local 500 #1.
Chicken: 3rd place: Dausin Electric.
Beans: 3rd place: 1st IBEW Local 500 #1.
Construction companies played a big
part in sponsorship of the event as well,
with participation by Wade Construction,
C&F Construction, ICI Paints, Sherwin
Williams Paint, Eldridge Electric, E.E.
Hood, China Grove General Store, Action Rentals, and Dan’s Glass.
BIG EVENT?
Let us know. Story ideas and news releases can be faxed to
the Construction News at (210) 308-5960
CONCRETE CONTRACTORS LTD
Commercial & Industrial
Multi-Level Structures Tilt-Wall Construction Super-Flat Slabs
OUR PAINT
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Residential & Multi-Family
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Ronnie Urbanczyk
President
Steven Valerio
Vice-President
210-545-3880
15701 San Pedro San Antonio, Tx 78232
email: [email protected]
See our ad on Page 1171 in your
SBC Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages
and at www.SMARTpages.com
Estimators:
Tom Fulks
Rick Fulks
Robert Cruz
Mike Zezula
24114 Blanco Road • San Antonio, Texas
210-490-0090 Fax 210-490-1505 Toll Free 1-800-884-6675
“Building a strong foundation in San Antonio and South Texas”
See our ad at CONCRETE
CONTRACTORS in your SBC
Subcontractors vie in cook-off / sporting clay’s competition
M
embers of the American Subcontractors Association came to
cook, shoot and sweat at the Annual ASA Sporting Clay and BBQ Cookoff, on Thurs., Aug. 15th.
The yearly tribute to sharp-shooting
and cuisine arts was held at the San Antonio Gun Club, where the Pride of America
pump truck from Capital Industries and
Alamo Crane Services’ flag-flying crane
signaled “this is the place.”
Executive Director Heidi Davis reported 133 shooters in attendance, a lower
than normal turnout due to 11th-hour efforts by the subcontracting community to
finish up school projects before students
arrived the following Monday.
Tournament corporate sponsor
SouthTrust Bank seated several of its financial experts at the registration table to
formally monitor the finances. Other sponsors included: B.G. Metals; Bronco Contractors; Fisher, Herbst & Kemble; Holes
Sharp shooter, working up an appetite.
of San Antonio; Insurance & Bonds;
Joeris, Ltd.; Ridout, Barrett & Co.; and
Shepler’s.
Despite his stylish and color-coordinated shooting ensemble, Steven Schultz,
ABC, was seen sporting a long face as a
result of the embarrassing numbers on his
scorecard. (It was also rumored that Steven
couldn’t handle his BBQ judging duties
very well... seems he was not feeling too
well the next day).
Meanwhile, back at the cook-off camp,
rivals John Kunz, JD Kunz Concrete, and
George Major, Jr., Holes of San Antonio,
didn’t have one nice thing to
say about each other’s BBQing techniques. The Texan
Machinery cook-off campers brought their “Dingo”
along, in hopes of mixing a
little business into their
recipe for a good time.
Down the road at the P, S
& Co.’s camp, union folks and
CPA’s enjoyed cigars, dissected the economy, and otherwise kicked-back as Charley Davis and David Waddell
held court for passersby.
Cook-off Judges included:
Senator Jeff
Wentworth; Rep. Trey
Martinez-Fischer; Billy
Jinks, Catto & Catto;
Harry Moeller, Bartlett
Cocke; Robert Freund,
Comfort-Air;
Joan
Callahan, F.W. Dodge;
Steve McCleskey, Centex;
Steven Schultz, ABC; and
Buddy Doebbler, SA Construction News.
Their favorites were:
Brisket: 1st place: Nathan Alterman Electric. 2nd place: FKSB. 3rd place: Alamo
Crane Service.
Chicken: 1st place: Nathan Alterman Electric. 2nd place: Texana Machinery. 3rd
place: Alamo Crane Service.
Ribs: 1st place: Alamo Crane Service. 2nd
place: FKSB. 3rd place: Nathan Alterman
Electric.
Wild Game: 1st place: Alamo Crane Service. 2nd place: Padgett, Stratemann & Co.
3rd place: FKSB.
Best Camp Site: Padgett, Stratemann.
Sporting Clay results:
Brandy Baker, Four-B-Paving, shows us
her Cajun fried turkey carcass!
Class A: 1st place: Hank Shaper, guest of
Insurance & Bonds. 2nd place: Mike
Clayton.
Class B: 1st place: Gary Woltersdorf,
Shepler’s. 2nd place: Robert Hoyland,
Huser Construction Co.
Class C: 1st place: Chris Reynolds, Folding Walls. 2nd place: Chester Drattlo,
Alamo Crane Service.
Class D: 1st place: David Waddell,
Padgett, Stratemann & Co. 2nd place:
Keith Colvin, C&C Erection.
Youth Division:
1st place: Chris Christians IV, Lynwood
Building Materials.
2nd place: Dustin Butter, Joeris GC, Ltd.
Top Ladies Shooter: Victoria Reynolds,
Folding Walls.
Shot Gun Raffle: Hank Hannasch,
Lynwood Building Materials (after a lifetime of buying raffle tickets he finally won
something).
J C H
CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Specializing In
EQUIPMENT RENTALS
TRENCHERS • ROCKSAWS • BACKHOES • LOADERS • & MORE
Backhoe • Rocksawing • Trenching
Your #1 Local Rental Company For All Large Equipment Rentals
“We Can Dig It”
(210) 651-5612
• No Job Too Large or Too Small
• Delivery Available Everywhere
• With or Without Operators
Fax: (210) 651-5451
1 5 3 0 5 I H 3 5 N o r t h S e l m a , Te x a s
Engineering Consulting Services, Ltd.
“Setting the Standard for Service”
651-5611
15305 N IH 35
Selma, Texas 78154
File this for
future reference!
Inspections Request Line: 210-207-8250
PROVIDING COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS
• Construction Materials Testing
• Geotechnical & Soils Engineering
• Value Engineering
• Environmental Assessment & Remediation
• Property Condition Assessments
• UST Management Services
• NEPA Assessments
• Indoor Air Quality & Mold
Chief Plumbing Inspector:
Robert
Stricker;
210-207-8279;
[email protected].
Chief HVAC Inspector (mechanical):
Ray
Valenzula;
210-207-8242;
[email protected].
Chief Building Inspector:
George
Perez;
210-207-8314;
[email protected].
On Time Every Time
12865 Wetmore Road
210-494-7100
210-494-7101 (fax)
Mike Harwood, P.E.
John Langan, C.P.G.
Chief Electrical Inspector:
Patrick J. Polosky; 210 -207- 8286;
[email protected].
City Arborist:
Debbie
Reid;
[email protected].
210-207-8053;
Interim Director Development Services:
Christopher Brady; 210-207-4478;
[email protected].
www.ecslimited.com
Chief Engineer, Development Engineering:
Robert Opitz, P.E.; 210-207-7587;
[email protected].
The Great Outdoors welcomes your photos and stories.
We will print on a first-come, space-available basis, and all photos will be returned when requested.
Mail to: San Antonio Construction News • P.O. Box 791290 • San Antonio, Tx 78279
Steve Garza, TDIndustries, hooked 150 lb sailfish,
measuring 7 ft., about 50 miles off shore, from
the 46 ft yacht Peggy Jean, owned by Frank
Howell, Howell Crane and Rigging, Inc.
Gary Weaver, Timber Tech, descending
from 14,200 ft, Camp IV, Mt. McKinley,
Alaska, June 26, 2002.
R-L: Steve Garza, Paul Bartley, Mitch Arnold, Tom
McMinn, Mitch Patterson all of TD Industries, and Les
Davis of Howell Crane and Rigging, with day’s
catch of 11 Kings and 20 Red Snapper.
2002-03 TEXAS HUNTING
SEASON CALENDAR
Legend:
• In all counties that have an open season for those
species.
+ Rio Grande as well as Eastern Turkey may be hunted
in these counties.
** In all counties where the general or special late
seasons have closed before the dates indicated.
DOVE
Mourning
•
North Zone; Sept. 1-Oct. 30.
•
Central Zone; Sept. 1-Oct. 29, Dec. 26Jan. 5.
•
South Zone; Sept. 20-Nov. 3, Dec. 21 - Jan. 14.
White-winged
Special South Texas Zone; Sept. 7-8, 14-15.
•
•
And Sept. 20-Nov. 3, Dec. 21-Jan. 10.
TEAL-ONLY
•
Statewide (all counties); Sept. 14-22.
WHITE-TAILED DEER
•
Archery; Sept. 28-Oct. 27.
General:
•
Special Youth Season; Oct. 26-27.
•
North Texas (200 counties); Nov. 2-Jan.
5. • Panhandle (six counties); Nov. 23-Dec. 8.
• South Texas (29 counties); Nov. 2-Jan. 19.
TM
Seguin - 412 acres of gorgeous virgin oak
forests under game mgm’t. for trophy deer. Hogs,
turkey, birds and small game abound! Lakes,
minerals, Hwy. frontage, 8’ fence and classy
entrance complete the package. $1,595/acre.
Canyon Lake - spectacular, pristine swimming
hole on 20 acres cut out of old ranch. Bathtub pools
fed by gushing waterfalls surrounded by fern-laden
diving cliffs. 35’ deep main hole has underwater cave.
Perfect for group of families. $595K. Make Offer!
New Braunfels - 1,015 acres on I-35 for
over 1 mile with FM road in rear. Trees, lakes, big
views, utilities near. Will sell all or large chunks of
reasonable shape at wholesale prices. Largest
tract on the market in the area - rare opportunity!
• Edwards Plateau (25 counties)
• Late Antlerless and Spike; Jan. 6-19.
• South Texas (30 counties)
• Late Antlerless and Spike; Jan. 20-Feb. 2.
• Muzzleloader (19 counties)
• Late Antlerless and Spike; Jan. 11-19.
• **Special Youth-Antlerless Only; Jan. 18-19.
MULE DEER
Archery:
•
Sept. 28-Oct. 27.
General:
•
Panhandle (36 counties); Nov. 23-Dec. 8.
•
SW Panhandle (seven counties); Nov. 23-Dec. 1
•
Trans-Pecos (19 counties); Nov. 30-Dec. 15.
JAVELINA
•
43 counties - Oct. 1-Feb. 23.
•
50 counties / No closed season.
QUAIL
•
Statewide (all counties); Oct. 26-Feb. 23.
RIO GRANDE TURKEY
Archery: Sept. 28-Oct. 27.
Fall Season:
•
Special Youth Season; Oct. 26-27, Jan. 18-19.
•
North Texas (119 counties); Nov. 2-Jan. 5.
•
South Texas (25 counties); Nov. 2-Jan. 19.
•
Brooks, Kenedy & Kleberg counties; Nov. 2Feb. 23.
Spring Season:
•
North Texas (129 counties); April 5-May 11.
•
South Texas (32 counties); March 29-May 4.
+EASTERN TURKEY
Spring Season Only
•
East Texas (32 counties); April 14-27.
by John Jefferson
John Jefferson brings broad-based outdoor experience and travel to
Construction News’ outdoor page as its regular columnist. www.johnjefferson.com
All Photos taken by John Jefferson
RING IN THE NEW YEAR!
By John Jefferson
S
eptember 1st is New Years Day!
Hunting season opens on that day
and lasts through every month with
an "r" in it.
den to let you go. Check the new Texas
Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Annual available
where hunting and fishing licenses are sold
before you hunt anything!
In September, we're
talking doves. More
people hunt doves than
any other species. It's a
tradition. Hunters reunite
with hunters. Fathers
take sons. Husbands
take wives. Mothers
(and daddies) take
daughters. Everyone
with a dog takes it, too.
And it matters not that
it's 101 degrees. You're
supposed to be hot on
opening day. That's why
God created mesquite
trees (some were wonHalf the fun of dove hunting is the comeraderie before the
dering) and ice water
hunt, and afterwards while picking the birds.
(save that other stuff 'til
At least some hunting season is open bird pickin' time).
If you do take a dog, be aware that caduring every one of those 'r" months. But
don't go out and whack a deer in Septem- nines can suffer from heat stroke, too. Keep
ber or March and try to convince the war- them in the shade as much as possible, and
have plenty of water for them to drink. Dr.
Greg Biehle, an Austin veterinarian, takes
along a kid's wading pool and puts water in
it to keep his dog cooled. Luther Young, of
the B-Bar-B, in Riviera, pours water on the
ground and lets the dog lie in the cool mud.
Don't push your dog too hard, either. The
way I shoot, Pilo has plenty of time to rest
up between retrieves.
In this part of Texas, we live at the
southern end of the Central Dove Zone
(which opens September 1), and a short
drive from the north end of the South Dove
Zone (which opens September 20). Highway 90 is the dividing line west of San Antonio, and I-10 is the line east of S.A.
About all you need is a shade tree beside a grain field, sunflower patch or near a
water hole -- and the landowner's permission. The birds will come to you. Provided
you can sit still until they are within range!
Conditions are ripe for good hunting this
season, according to wildlife officials. We'll
have about 40 million birds in Texas. In
addition, several million more migrant
doves from northern states make their way
across Texas. Last season, 400,000 Texas
dove hunters took 4.5 million birds. I can't
remember how much gravy that requires.
For $40, the Annual Public Hunting
Permit entitles you to hunt on 61,000 acres
of TPW public dove leases. Fifteen of these
are within an hour's drive of San Antonio;
twelve are near Austin. Permits can be purchased wherever hunting licenses are sold.
In the Central Zone, there is good hunting,
unique canyon lodging and fine food in the
Frio Canyon, north of Uvalde. Call Frio
Country (888) 926-6226 or (830) 232-6625.
Near Austin, call Onion Creek Ranch (512627-0203). When the South Zone opens,
The Chaparrosa Ranch, south of La Pryor,
offers dove hunting, bass fishing, excellent
meals and lodging (830- 365-4422).
The Central Zone closes October 29,
and the South Zone closes November 3.
Sure it’s hot during dove season.
Just dress for it and have plenty of
water for hunters and retrievers.
Both re-open in December for a short time.
Check the regs. Shooting hours are one-half
hour before sunrise to sunset. The daily bag
limit is 12 doves (mourning and whitewinged in the aggregate).
A $7 white-winged dove stamp is required to hunt whitewings anywhere in Texas.
You'll need it. Whitewings are everywhere!
The best bet is to purchase the Super Combo
license package, which, for $49, includes
resident hunting and fishing licenses plus
all seven special stamps. New licenses are
required September 1.
The white-winged dove season in the
Special White-winged Dove Area in the
Valley is Sept. 7, 8, 14 and 15. Bag and
possession limits are 10 white-winged,
mourning and white-tipped doves in the
aggregate, including no more than five
mourning doves and two white-tipped doves
per day. Shooting hours are noon to sunset.
JJ
Commercial and Residential
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Patrick Escalante
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Fax (210) 698-1424
Covering South and Central Texas
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with the purchase (after January 1, 2002) of new Breakers,
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People Proudly Helping Build a Better World
Flounder Tactics
Capt. Steve Schultz - Baffin Bay Charters
L
ike our redfish, flounder live a good out, soft plastic bait. Some
portion of their lives in our bays and spoons, like the Sprite, come
migrate to the Gulf to spawn. It is with a “teaser skirt”.
during this migration that the flounder can
Plastics are a different
be found “stacked” in the channels that lead animal. I prefer the smaller
to the Gulf. Since many of the back bays swimming style baits for
and flats are the summer home to a large flounder. I believe the swimnumber of flounder, the migration is often ming types possess an adfirst seen in the narrow ditches that con- vantage over the diving/dartnect these backwater areas to the major ing varieties such as Trout
bays. This turns out to be a boom for shal- Killers, Assassins, Sand Eels
low water anglers who like to target these and Eel Diablos, due to the
tasty flatfish.
fact that you can keep them
With a few exceptions, most anglers swimming deeply, just
who collect flounder via rod and reel are above the bedded flatties, a
apt to look upon them as a bonus, some- greater percentage of the Jeff Middleton, Martin Marietta Materials, wasn’t expecting
this trophy on a recent fishing trip with Capt. Steve
thing they stumbled into and are quick to time. It’s the wiggling tail
Schultz. The huge trout was 30.5-ins. and weighed 9 lbs.
accept. During early fall, however, it is that seems to do the trick.
This one will definitely be sent to the taxidermist.
wholly feasible to focus your total fishing
Any of the shorter
effort upon flounder. For anyone who has paddle-tailed baits will
done this, they will agree, the rewards can work. However, the new Redkiller from style you might wish to try can definitely
be considerable!
Ray’s Texas Tackle Factory is swiftly be- enhance your hook-up ratio.
If you’re as fond of seafood as I am, coming a personal favorite. Since flounAs for times and tactics, I heartily recyou too probably enjoy baked, stuffed ders have relatively small mouths as com- ommend visiting these guts during periods
flounder. I find it almost
of moderate to strong tidal movement. The
impossible to motor past a
flounder will bed on the bottom and sides
channel brimming with a
of the guts/ditches, facing into the current.
strong fall current and nerI personally prefer to work the bends and
vous baitfish. Chunking a
curves of the channels as these usually have
small silver spoon, such as a
a gentle tapering mud bank on the inside
Johnson Sprite or one of the
of the bend and a deep hole that sweeps
smaller soft plastic lures, and
along the outside. Both inside and outside
letting it work down toward
can be stacked with flounder when everybottom just seems so natuthing is right. Try throwing across the
ral! Sometimes, I can almost
bayou, in an up-current direction, then resmell the flounder baking
trieve your lure slowly. If you’re not feelwhen I get close to one of my
ing the bottom occasionally, you’re not
favorite flounder spots.
spending the maximum time possible in the
As far as spoons go, I’ve
strike zone, so slow down!
Another trophy trout caught! Here, Charlie Jacobs,
experienced great results
Another good place is often found on
Capital Aggregates/ Austin poses with his 30-in. trout,
caught in August, with Capt. Steve Schultz.
with just about every style
the delta, or sandbar that these channels
available. The only way to
usually create just inside the lakes they conimprove upon most spoons is to tip them pared to redfish and trout, sticking with the
with the brightly colored tail from a worn shorter versions of any particular brand/
Some of the best shooting is half an
hour before sunrise, but in the Special
White-winged Dove Area Sept. 7-8
and 14-15, you can’t shoot until noon.
TEAL SEASON
SHORTENED
B
ased on duck counts that may have
been conducted before the birds arrived, the teal season has been cut from
16 days to nine. Dates are September 1422. Bag limit remains the same at four
birds/day.
Don't let the shortened season make you
think it will be less of a season during
the days you are out there, though.
There'll be plenty of blue-winged teal in
Texas to test your ability to swing fast
and out in front of the little speedsters.
The big problem, as always with a September season, may be heat and mosquitoes. And this year, that's a bigger worry
due to the threat of West Nile Virus. Liberally apply a repellent containing Deet,
and have plenty of drinking water with
you.
That late in the month, though, you can
always hope for a cool front!
JJ
“Clearing the way
to build America”
CONTRACTING
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STEVE SCHULTZ GUIDE SERVICE
(210) 654-5576
BAFFIN BAY –– LAGUNA MADRE –– LAND CUT
SPECLED TROUT –– REDFISH –– FLOUNDER
FISHING AND HUNTING TRIPS
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1992 - 2002
10 Y E A R S
OF EXCELLENCE
Q
uality Fence &
Welding’s 3rd Annual
Project Manager Fishing
Trip netted anglers 41 trout,
4 reds, 1 flounder and 5
sheephead. L-R top row:
Robert Moore, Bill
Holloway, Mario Espinosa, Joe Colemere, Bruce
Johnston, and Kirk Bryant.
Bottom row: Michael
Weilbacher and Craig
Noto.
G
ary Joeris, Joeris General
Contractors, and daughter
Madison (9) with Axis Deer,
taken in late May with 300 Winchester Magnum at L&B’s Broken Oak Ranch, near Luling, TX.
According to Safari Club International it ranks #14, and according to the Record Book of Exotics it ranks #1.
continued from Page 19 - Flounder Tactics / Capt. Steve Schultz
nect to the bays. During incoming periods, you’ll usually find the best results on
the lake end of the bayou. When the tide is
flowing out, I usually find the fishing better on the bay side. Whichever condition
you might be fishing under, do not give up
because a few boats are using your channel to gain entrance to a lake or back bay.
The flounder, like all predators, are efficiency experts and opportunists. They have
evidently learned to potlick the disorientated bait from outboard wakes. As a flats
boat motors through your channel, just
wind your line up quickly and smile. Then
cast straight into the foamy wash, you
maybe pleasantly surprised!
If you’re serious about collecting
flounder, it’s a good idea to carry a dip net
when wading. To do otherwise is akin to
practicing catch and release. I like to leave
my flounder lying in the net while I remove
the hook and get them on the stringer. Trust
me, a flounder is a good match for Houdini
in the escape department!
If you would like to plan a fishing trip,
feel free to call me at 361-949-7359. Good
luck and Good Fishing.
Hunting Humor
A company in California has started to market ‘camouflage toilet paper’ for
use in the woods and plans to run testimonials from hunters who claim they
have been shot at while using ordinary toilet paper by hunters who mistook
them for white-tailed deer.Ω
SAEGA scores at
Golf Club of Texas
I
t was a spectacular turnout, Fri., Aug.
16th, at the beautiful Lee Trevino signature design Golf Club of Texas for the
2nd tournament since the rebirth of San
Antonio Electrical Golf Association
(S.A.E.G.A.). Head golf pro, Pam Strait,
and her staff orchestrated an outstanding
event for the 84-player field.
“We look forward to a return to that
facility in the future,” said tournament organizer Tim Reininger, WESCO Distributing. “On behalf of the officers of
S.A.E.G.A., we congratulate the winning
players.”
The results of the three-flight format are
as follows:
1st Flight:
1st place: Kirk Wolff, Vision Products,
Net 67.
2nd place: Larry Stark, AASSA, Net 67.
2nd place: Joe Herring, H&H Brokerage, Net 67.
2nd Flight:
1st place: Jerry Doyle, Summers Electric, Net 67.
2nd place: Mike Norris, Summers Electric, Net 70.
3rd Flight:
1st place: Allan Creamier, CED, Net 63.
2nd place: C. Vanlandingham,
Lachepelle, Net 68.
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Kids show who’s boss at ABC Skeet Shoot
C
tractor, Inc. #1 (the Adults).
lear summer skies and August heat
greeted Bar-B-Q teams and shooters at the Associated Builders and
Contractors’ 16th Annual Skeet Shoot on
Thurs., Aug. 1st.
As chefs vied for top honors, ABC
members and guests enjoyed a relaxing,
although heated, round of skeet shooting.
With more than 200 shooters competing,
competition was stiff.
In a surprise upset (to all of the adult shooters) “The Kids” team of Wallace L. Boldt,
General Contractor put the adults in their
place, winning the Champion Flight Division.
Final rankings in the skeet shooting
were announced later as guests enjoyed
food and refreshments:
Individual Shooter:
1st Place: Al Scooler, ABC South Texas
Chapter.
2nd Place: Bruce Bostick, Marek Bros.
Systems, Inc.
3rd Place: Chris Meszler.
Champion Flight Division:
1st Place: Wallace L. Boldt, General Contractor, Inc. #2 Team (the Kids) (Madeline
Boldt, Cullen Boldt, Chris Christians IV,
Chris Breen, and Chris Meszler).
2nd Place: Capitol Cement.
3rd Place: Wallace L. Boldt, General Con-
Modified Sporting Clay:
1st Place: Stampede Plumbing & Mechanical.
2nd Place: L & M Steel Company.
3rd Place: Olmos Construction.
Participants in the Bar-B-Q cook-off
started preparations early, preparing their
Hunters’ Flight Division:
1st Place: Manufactured Concrete, Ltd.
(MANCO) – Tom Quintero, Chester
Dratto, Mark Bakeman, Mike Grendell,
and Shawn Petty.
2nd Place: York International & Texana
Machinery.
3rd Place: Marek Bros. Systems, Inc.
Ready to take the field and bust clays is the
C.A. Landry shooting team.
BUZZ MILLER
wide variety of cooking
spices and methods in an attempt to garner top ranking
in various food categories.
Competition was stiff with
11 teams competing for honors. When all of the smoke
settled (literally), the winners were announced:
Chicken Division
1st Place: Marek Bros. Systems, Inc.
2nd Place: TDIndustries.
3rd Place: Alamo Crane
“The Kids” team of Wallace L. Boldt General
Service, Inc.
Contractors put adults in their place.
Wild Game Division
1st Place: Dausin Electric Co.
2nd Place: Alamo Crane Service, Inc.
3rd Place: Stampede Plumbing & Me- 3rd Place: Dausin Electric Co.
chanical.
Best Grill Division
1st Place: Hart Company.
Brisket Division
2nd Place: Dausin Electric Co.
1st Place: Alamo Crane Service, Inc.
3rd Place: Sun Automatic Fire Sprinker, Inc.
2nd Place: TDIndustries.
Dressed to kill, members of the Hart Lumber
cooking team show off their weekend wear.
PRESIDENT/GM
A combination team of United Wire/Stampede Plumbing
cooking up their best for the judges and guests.
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effort every time you call.”
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was a seamstress, and she made dresses for
a lot of women. She raised all six of us,
and at age 72, she doesn’t look a day over
55.
SACN: Was there an adult male in your life
who you looked up to?
MAP: My uncle, Fernando Mejorada, who
lives in Guadalajara, was like a second dad
to me. I always looked up to him as a role
model. He’s 80 years old now.
SACN: Where did you go to school,
MAPCO, INC.
Michael, and do you remember your first
job?
MAP: We were in the Harlandale ISD, and
my first job was shining shoes. I gave mom
Editor’s note: As I waited to meet Michael every penny of my earnings, and to this day,
Angelo Padron, president and owner of she gets a paycheck from me every week. I
MAPCO, INC., in the lobby of his fortress- will always take care of her.
like general contracting office, I studied a SACN: Were you a good student?
framed photograph, depicting an eagle, MAP: Yes! I earned stars and ribbons in
soaring over the calm, unbroken waters of elementary school. In middle school and
a snow-capped mountain lake. It’s inscrip- high school I became disillusioned, and
tion read, “Until you spread your wings, dropped out in the 10th grade. There were
you’ll have no idea how far you can fly.” more drugs in the 70’s than in a pharmacy.
After meeting Michael, I understand why Drugs, alcohol, weapons, fights with teachthis work of art is significant to him.
ers, you name it! If I had been able to go to
a good school, I could have conquered the
MAP: I was an electrician licensed with MAP: We do ground-up new construction,
world.
SACN: Michael, were you born and raised SACN: How did you avoid being snared the City of San Antonio and I had over 13 plus renovations. Our work at Ft. Sam inin San Antonio?
years of experience. I decided to start a volves a lot of historical renovation. We do
into that anti-social behavioral trap?
MAP: I was born in 1959, at Brook Army MAP: I think it was a gift from God. I company and I named it MAPCO, for communication and fiber-optic projects, and
Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston.
managed to avoid conflict with foresight Michael Angelo Padron Company. The fact we’re considered an all-around contractor.
SACN: Tell me about your parents.
and survival skills. Going to another school that I had no money, and didn’t know the We go after a mix of jobs in various locaMAP: My mother, Anita, was born in wasn’t an option, so I quit and went to work. first thing about
tions in Texas.
Allende, Coahuila, Mexico. My dad, Rob- Besides, my mom needed the help.
running a business
To what extent
“I have surrounded myself with SACN:
ert P. Padron, was born in Detroit, MI, and SACN: Where did you work?
were minor obare you involved in
trustworthy and talented people. your community?
he passed away when I was a teenager. They MAP: I worked for restaurants, starting as stacles that I knew
had six sons, stair-step style; I’m number a dishwasher, moving up to bus boy, waiter, could be overcome. If they know more than I do, then MAP: Let me just say
three. Mom still lives in San Antonio.
I do help my commuand breakfast cook. I was a good worker, The key, I realized,
I want them to work for me.”
SACN: Was your father in the Army?
nity, but I keep it very
but in my heart, I knew I needed to go in was to get bonding.
MAP: When my dad was ten his mother another direction.
SACN: How did
low key. I help a lot of
died, and he went to live with our relatives SACN: Where did that decision lead you? you go about doing that?
organizations, but I don’t tell anyone, I leave
in Guadalajara,
MAP: I went to work MAP: Through the years, I became famil- it alone.
MX. As an Ameriat the San Miguel iar with government contracts, having SACN: Would you recommend to your chil“I gave mom every penny of my Power Plant, south of worked at Ft. Hood, Beeville NAS, Audie dren that they enter the construction busican kid, I think he
had a problem ad- earnings, and to this day, she gets Jourdanton. I was about Murphy, Kelly, Brooks, Randolph, Ft. Sam ness?
justing to the cula paycheck from me every week. 17, and they paid de- and others. To get my foot in the door, I MAP: I think my greatest desire for my
tural differences,
cent money. After 7 subcontracted to subcontractors. Ulti- children is that they do what they want to
I will always take care of her.”
and he ran away
months of commuting, mately, I did get bonding and I was able to do, and I will support them in that endeavor.
from there at age
I decided to go to col- start bidding jobs on my own. Before long, The construction business is not for everyfourteen, and came back to America. He lege.
I needed a bigger bonding company. That one, and it can be a hard life. Some people
worked odd jobs, and when he was fifteen, SACN: Did you have to get your GED first? led me to a bigger arena, and into the niche tell me I make it look like a walk in the park,
he lied about his age and joined the U.S. MAP: Yes, and then I enrolled at St. Philip’s where I was sure I could be successful, the but it’s a lot of dedicated hours, a huge learnArmy.
ing curve, and hard work.
College. I studied electrical trades, and got government.
SACN: Where did he serve?
my associates degree in Applied Science, SACN: As an upstart company, where did SACN: If you could offer a few words of
MAP: Dad was a frontline combatant in while I worked full-time as an electrician’s you office?
wisdom to a young man or woman whose
WWII and the Korean War. He was a highly helper. I’m a quick study and have a very MAP: I started in a little trailer, then, I goal was to become a general contractor,
decorated soldier and a hero. This interview good memory.
moved into a rent house I owned. I added what would you say to them?
should really be about him. After a 15-year SACN: What appealed to you about the on to the rent house and eventually outgrew MAP: Love what you do, give it your best,
career, rising from the lowest rank to be- electrical trade?
it. I’m leasing our current offices and would and you’ll be successful. I love what I do. I
come an officer, he was discharged as a one MAP: I knew it was something I could eventually like to find some property and have no regrets in life. Ever since I was a
hundred percent disabled veteran. My fa- master, and I was good at it. I worked as an build a new facility. We finished out the young man, I’ve looked at life and taken
ther suffered many injuries and was in a electrician for a number of years.
interior with a custom floor plan, gymna- whatever it gave me. I always move forcoma for eight months. He was only 30 SACN: Where did you meet your wife?
sium, showers and the works.
ward, I don’t look back.
years old.
MAP: I met Maria at an auto parts store. I SACN: How many employees do you SACN: Do you take time out to have fun
SACN: Did he meet your mother after he had an instinctual feeling that she was the have?
with your family?
recovered from his war-inflicted injuries?
right person for me, based on my judgment MAP: Over 60, and they are some of the MAP: Yes, we travel when I have some
MAP: Yes, one of the hospital orderlies of her good character.
finest people on down time. My wife and kids pick out our
introduced him to my mother. They were We eloped and were
earth. I have sur- destinations, and the next trip will be to
married about six months later. The mili- married in Eagle Pass
“Dad was a frontline combatant rounded myself with Australia and New Guinea. We also travel
tary was hiring war veterans at Kelly Field, on June 19th, 1991.
trustworthy and tal- throughout Mexico and Central America,
in WWII and the Korean War.
where he got a job in the sheet metal de- We honeymooned in
ented people. If they and most recently, we spent 22 days in
He was a highly decorated
partment. He could speak six languages and Mexico City and in
know more than I do, Alaska.
was very talented. But, one day, when he Guadalajara. I call
then I want them to SACN: Michael, what would you like our
soldier and a hero.”
was out at hanger 375, he saw airplanes fly- her mi reina my
work for me. One readers to know about you?
ing overhead and he snapped, thinking he queen.
man can’t do it all. I MAP: I’m an honest man, the type of perwas back in the war. From that point for- SACN: Do you and Maria have children?
get up in the morning and face each day as son who makes a deal with a handshake that
ward, he never recovered.
MAP: We have a son, Michael, Jr. and a though I’m running a battleship. Some- you can take to the bank. I’m comfortable
SACN: With six mouths to feed, how did daughter, Ellie. They are both great kids! times I win, sometimes I lose, but I never in my boots and blue jeans, and I am who I
your mother cope?
am. If I were to win the lottery tomorrow,
SACN: At what point did you start your give up.
MAP: She worked hard, and we lived on own company, and how did an electrician SACN: Give me an example of a typical I’d still be the same guy doing the same
tortillas, potatoes, beans and eggs. Mom become a general contractor?
MAPCO project.
thing except more of it!
Spotlight
Michael Angelo Padron
Working Bulverde?
If you need it, you can rent it at
BULVERDE
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(CAVCO)
830-438-2626
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29630 Hwy 281 N.
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ARCHITECTURAL ACCESSIBILITY IN TEXAS
FOCUS ON ACCESSIBILITY LAWS & STANDARDS
The Fair Housing Act
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (amended 1988)
The design and construction requirements of the Fair Housing
Act apply to all new multifamily housing first occupied after March
13, 1991. Covered multifamily dwellings are: (1) all dwelling units
in buildings containing four or more units if such buildings have
one or more elevators, and (2) all ground floor dwelling units in
other buildings containing four or more units.
REQUIREMENT 7, Part A:
Usable Kitchens:
“...covered multifamily dwellings with a
building entrance on an accessible route
shall be designed and constructed in such
a manner that all premises within covered
multifamily dwelling units contain usable
kitchens such that an individual in a wheelchair can maneuver about the space.”
Fair Housing Act Regulations, 24 CFR
100.205
handles), that project beyond countertops
and cabinets must not encroach upon this
60-inch diameter turning space.
In addition to the turning space, the kitchen
must be arranged so there is a 30-inch x
48-inch clear floor space for a parallel approach centered on the sink, range, or
cooktop. The centerline of the fixture or
appliance must be aligned with the
centerline of the clear floor space.
S
ecreted away in La Vernia, Texas,
deep in the heart of HVAC country,
is PowerCold Corporation. The company manufactures a patented heating, ventilation and air conditioning system that they say
can reduce power costs by up to 50 percent.
PowerCold was recently selected to design
and install a complete cooling and heating system for a new St. Augustine, FL beach resort
hotel. San Antonio Construction News contacted
company president Dean Calton to find out how
his company is impacting the local construction industry.
“So far,” he began, “most of our business
is on the East and West Coasts, because that’s
where the energy costs are the highest. We’re
also shipping units overseas. The reason it hasn’t
made a huge impact in South Texas is because
we still enjoy relatively low energy costs.”
According to Dean, the company’s tech
guru, George Briley, set about finding small
companies that had innovative technologies.
Meanwhile, CEO Frank Simola would raise
the necessary capital to buy them. By pulling
together small companies that produce energy
saving component systems, PowerCold now has
a patented HVAC system for new and retrofit
construction. Targeting hotels/motels, managed
care facilities, office buildings, condominiums
and apartment complexes, the HVAC system
significantly decreases power costs and maintenance expense while enhancing property revenue opportunity. New installations have generated as much as 44% energy cost savings while
providing precise temperature and humidity
control.
The technology received a first-place commercial buildings award from the ASHRAE,
and the Department of Energy’s “Tomorrow’s
Energy Today” Award.Ω
Clearance between Counters and
All Opposing Elements
The Guidelines require a clearance of at
least 40 inches between all opposing base
cabinets, countertops, appliances, and
walls. The 40-inch clearance is measured
from any countertop or the face of any appliance (excluding handles and controls)
that projects into the kitchen to the opposing cabinet, countertop, appliance, or wall.
6127 SanPedro
San Antonio
Texas, 78216
Refrigerators vary greatly in depth and may
extend up to eight inches beyond cabinet
faces. Standard free-standing and drop-in
ranges may project up to three inches. Appliance depths (excluding door handles)
must be included when calculating the 40inch clearances.
Locally Owned & Operated
with 29 years Experience
(8789)
www.planetpickup.com
105 Sentinel San Antonio,
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In a narrow kitchen the 40-inch minimum
clearance provides an additional five inches
on either side of the required clear floor
space of 30 inches x 48 inches at each fixture or appliance, so a user in a wheelchair
can maneuver as close as possible to appliances or fixtures. A narrow kitchen such
as the one shown below meets the Guidelines and is usable, but may be difficult for
many people using wheelchairs. Its narrow corridor design requires a user in a
wheelchair to exit the kitchen to turn
around.
U-Shaped Kitchens
A 60-inch diameter turning circle is required in a U-shaped kitchen that has a sink,
range, or cooktop at its base. This turning
diameter is necessary to provide adequate
maneuvering space for a person using a
wheelchair to approach and position themselves parallel to the appliance or fixture at
the base of the U. Any appliances, such as
refrigerators and ranges (excluding door
210.525-TRUX
210.655.6116 Fax. 210.655.6727
Tools For Construction & Industry
Mechanical Contractors • Electrical Contractors• Plant Maintenance
Sept. 17 & 18
Come see us at the South Texas
Industial and Construction Show
Robert Buck, AIA, has provided architectural accessibility plan reviews/inspections for over 2700
projects in 17 states. He is a Texas Department of
Licensing & Regulation Registered Accessibility
Specialist (RAS), Section 504/ADA Accessibility
Consultant to the Brownsville Independent School
District, and Fair Housing Consultant for the City
of Austin. 13438 Bandera Road, #104, Helotes,
TX 78023 (210-695-5326)
Drawings For Free Giveaways
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL
NEW CONSTRUCTION • REMODELING • REPAIRS
RADIO DISPATCHED
ESTIMATES AVAILABLE
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24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
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EMAIL
[email protected]
8007 N E LOOP 410
L E G a l
INSURANCE
Builders Risk: Critical
Coverages – Hidden Landmines
By Paul Messenger and Greg Stitts
F
or most projects, a builder’s risk policy is purchased. The policy
covers the property during the course of construction along
with the owner’s, contractor(s)’ and others interest in the structure. The coverage is often purchased quickly with the premium charged being the deciding factor as to the carrier selected. Yet, builders risk coverage will vary substantially
by carrier. Coverage review gets lost in the shuffle. Moreover, once the policy is received
(usually months after the project has started-a problem in itself) the policy is quickly
checked, distributed to the appropriate parties and filed away.
No one project is the same as another.
How the owner and contractor managed the
project, where the job is located, etc., can
trigger certain exclusion or policy conditions
that become critical in a claim settlement.
Here are some topics you may want to
closely check:
Deductible responsibility: Many construction contracts require the contractor (and
sub) to pay for the deductible. Although the
owner may purchase the policy, many contractors will forget to check on the deductible amount. Large owners may have
deductibles in excess of $100,000, and
sometimes over $1,000,000. That would
certainly create a major problem if a large
loss occurs.
Catastrophic Limits and Deductibles: If the
project is located in a Coastal Wind, Earthquake or Flood zone, coverage is difficult
to purchase. Terms and conditions can be
punitive. These severity perils often have
policy sublimits lower than the project
amount. As the job nears completion, the
project may be inadequately covered from
a total loss. Secondarily, these catastrophic
deductibles are almost always higher than
the standard AOP (All Other Perils) deductible. An AOP deductible maybe $5,000
while a Wind/Earthquake or Flood deduct-
ible could be as high as 2% to 5% of the
project value, minimum $250,000. Would
the contractor be responsible for such a
deductible even though they were not the
cause of the event? Most construction contracts do not specify the nature of the event.
Occupancy: Most policies restrict coverage
for “intended use” or “occupancy” by the
owner. In other words, once the building is
put to some use or partially occupied by the
owner, builders risk coverage ceases. This
is a critical “gray” area. The project is near
full value while the permanent insurance not
yet purchased. However, the occupancy
clause was just triggered ceasing builders
risk coverage. If the owner expects to move
in equipment or begin partial use of the
building prior to substantial completion, the
policy conditions must be modified to allow
for this transition.
Change Orders/Project Delays: Most policies must be modified by endorsement if
change orders increase the overall project
value or the job is delayed. Most policies
maintain a 100% coinsurance provision.
This is a “one-way street” in the carrier’s
favor to instill full reporting of values. The
penalty to the contractor/owner is a loss will
PRO-LINE
Project close out – the final chapter?
Protecting rights and claims when
one party is insolvent
By Bob Wachsmuth
Y
ou have achieved substantial completion and may have even
completed the never-ending punch list, but before you
can collect for your work, one of the parties becomes insolvent. Your rights, claims, remedies and collection strategies will depend on which party
is insolvent.
The Owner Can’t or Won’t Pay: All direct
contractors should make sure all notices and
other steps required to perfect a lien have
been completed. Under the AIA General
Conditions (AIA 201), any person with a
direct contract with the owner has a right
to receive information about the owner’s
financial condition and availability of funding. This financial information should be
requested in writing before executing a contract and updates requested periodically
throughout the project.
If the owner has filed a petition in bankruptcy, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers are allowed to prosecute their claims
for the purpose of perfecting liens. A perfected lien can result in a priority in bankruptcy, affording preferential treatment. Your
attorney should consider a motion to lift the
automatic stay, separating your claim from
the bankruptcy proceedings.
The owner’s bankruptcy does not excuse contractors and subcontractors from
paying their contractual obligations. The
central issue in avoiding downstream
claims is whether the subcontract or purchase order contains a pay-when-paid
clause specific enough to be enforceable in
the ultimate circumstance.
The General Contractor as Bankrupt: When
a general contractor files bankruptcy, who
has the right to unpaid contract funds in the
hands of the owner? The general
contractor’s bank will claim a first lien on
the general contractor’s assets, including
accounts receivable. In addition to unpaid
subcontractors and suppliers on a project,
the general contractor’s other unsecured
creditors also have claims against unpaid
contract funds. A performance and payment bond surety will also claim those
funds. In most cases, the remaining contract funds will go first to pay subcontractors and suppliers or a payment bond surety.
Normally the bank will stand second in line
with any remaining funds paid to general
unsecured creditors. Perfection of liens and
notices to the surety are critical under these
circumstances. A subcontractor or supplier
with a direct contractual relationship with
the general contractor may be allowed to
separate his claims from the bankruptcy
proceeding.
If the general contractor has filed under Chapter 11, he can maintain control of
the funds as a debtor-in-possession if he:
(1) pays outstanding obligations or provides
security for payment (2) compensates
claimants for actual losses; and (3) provides
adequate assurance that he will complete
the contract. The bankruptcy court must
approve the general contractors post-petition work. If the bankrupt general contractor rejects the executory contract, all damages that would be recoverable under state
law are treated as general unsecured claims.
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O S H A
What is Silica?
Choosing a CPA
Joann Nataranjan
By Lynda Land
What is Silica?
Crystalline silica and quartz refer to the same substance. Crystalline silica is a natural
component of the earth’s crust and is a basic component of sand and granite. Silicosis is a
disease of the lung due to breathing dust containing
crystalline silica particles. This dust
Joann Nataranjan
can cause fibrosis or scar tissue to form in the lung which reduces the lung’s ability to take
up oxygen. Since there is no cure for this disease, prevention is the only answer.
The most severe exposures to silica result from sandblasting, jack hammering, rock/well
drilling, concrete mixing and drilling, and brick and concrete block cutting and sawing.
The more dust created by the activity, the greater the risk of silica exposure.
The early stages of silica exposure may go completely unnoticed. Continued exposure
may result in the person noticing a shortness of breath upon exercising, possible fever and
occasionally bluish skin at the ear lobes or lips. Silicosis makes a person more susceptible
to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Progression of the disease leads to fatigue,
extreme shortness of breath, loss of appetite, pain in the chest, and respiratory failure,
which can all lead eventually to death.
OSHA has established a permissible exposure limit which is the maximum amount of
airborne crystalline silica that an employee may be exposed to during a work shift. Where
silica is present, companies are required to provide and assure the use of control measures
such as water sprays to reduce dust and increased ventilation to pull dust away from workers. When sandblasting, an air supplied respirator approved for sandblasting is required to
be worn.
Employees should be made aware of those tasks that could result in silica exposure and
the health effects of silica. Smoking can add to the damage that silica causes. Where
respirators are required for silica, wear a respirator approved for silica containing dust.
Workers who wear tight fitting respirators cannot have beards /mustaches that interfere
with the respirator seal to the face. If possible, workers should change into disposable or
washable work clothes at the worksite, shower and change into clean clothing before
leaving the worksite to prevent silica from being taken home and further exposing family
members. Employees should wash their hands and face before eating, drinking, or smoking to prevent ingestion of silica.
If you have any questions about any occupational health matter, feel free to ask us. For
more information, we can be contacted at 512-916-5783. Ms. Natarajan is the Compliance Assistance Specialist in the Austin OSHA office. She is available to speak to employer and professional organizations on OSHA topics and can be contacted at 512-9165783 x 232.
15080 Tradesmen Drive
San Antonio TX, 78249
210-292-5501
Fax 210-492-0031
800-850-9275
ACCOUNTING
O
ne of the more important decisions a business owner may make
is selecting a CPA firm. Whether you are a new business looking to establish a relationship with a CPA firm, or an
existing business looking for better service, you will benefit from taking
the time to research your options. Accounting firms come in different sizes and most specialize in a particular industry. To get the best service at the best rate, select a firm that has a lot
of experience in your industry.
How do you find a qualified CPA? One
of the best ways is to ask for referrals from
business associates, friends, your banker, lawyer or investment counselor. Your local Chamber of Commerce is a valuable source, as is
the Texas Society of CPAs. I recommend you
identify at least three candidates and take the
time to “interview” each of them.
Organize your thoughts before you meet
with the CPA for the first time. Know what your
goals and expectations are for your business.
Determine what services do you need. Do you
have unresolved issues with the IRS or other
taxing authorities? Do you need help setting up
or maintaining your accounting records? Be
prepared to discuss these issues with the CPA
and bring supporting documentation.
Before making your final decision, consider some of these qualities: Is your CPA
creative? Can he or she give you ideas on
how to improve your business and make it
more profitable? Is your CPA responsive?
Although you may not be their only client,
you want to feel like you are. Your calls
should be returned promptly. Is your CPA
committed to helping you achieve your goals?
This requires some help from you to identify
those goals and come up with a plan to achieve
them. Is your work performed in a timely
manner? If your needs are time sensitive, will
the CPA be able to deliver on time?
Is your CPA easy to talk with? Advice and
instructions should be clear and applicable to
your situation. You should feel you are speak-
ing with a trusted advisor and be comfortable
doing so. Does your CPA have the resources
to handle your business? Make sure the firm
you choose has the expertise, technology and
staff needed to handle your business needs today and in the future. Bear in mind that the
CPA you interview with may not handle your
account. If another staff accountant is to do
the work, ask to meet him or her and feel free
to ask about his or her experience. Value—are
you getting what you pay for? You are making
an investment in your business when you hire
a CPA firm. The product you receive should
reflect this additional investment. To avoid
unpleasant surprises, become familiar with
their rate structure before agreeing to have work
done. Finally, will your CPA address your individual financial needs? Will he or she provide help with individual tax preparation, building college funds, planning for retirement and
creating estate plans?
Choosing a CPA is a personal decision
based on trust. Despite the scandals abounding in the financial world today, there are
many competent and ethical CPAs working
for clients just like you. Building a long-term
relationship takes effort from both client and
CPA. The first step is choosing the right CPA
for you. Take your time, seek referrals and
ask a lot of questions.
Lynda Land is a Senior Staff Accountant with
Ridout, Barrett & Co., P.C. and a member of
the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and Texas Society of CPA’s.
Software tools refine
estimating efforts
A
dvances in technology have revolutionized the manner in which
construction projects are run. A key
component in the package of business skills
necessary to run an efficient and successful contracting operation is the ability to
accurately estimate project costs.
With that in mind, San Antonio Construction News contacted local companies
to discuss state-of-the-art estimating tools,
as they apply to construction.
Marilyn Elliott is the president/owner
of Flexware Systems Inc. Her firm specializes in installing accounting and job cost
software to meet the specific requirements
of local companies.
“There are similar software tools that
are industry-specific,” Marilyn began. “One
of our landscaper customers uses a program
called ProLandscape, which is photo imaging, CAD and estimating software. It allows the user to draw a picture of a completed landscape project, which he will
present to the customer.”
For example, the illustration may include
4 palm trees, a combination of 52 1-gal. and
5-gal. shrubs, 1,000 sf of Bermuda grass, 7
crepe myrtles, extra dirt, etc. The drawing
serves as a template, a graphic look of the
final project. The program interprets the drawing logically, calculates all of the components
and costs for materials, adjusts automatically
for changes or alterations, considers labor
costs and produces an estimate.”
“A lot of the estimating programs are
moving in this direction, in which they’re
doing essentially two things at the same
time: they are defining and showing the
customers what they are going to get, while
the elements necessary to complete the
work are calculated. Then,” Marilyn concluded, “the basic estimate can always be
modified as needed.”
Strong controls for bidding and esti-
mating include: tracking bid spreads; using standardized bid summaries; and comparing actual costs incurred to estimated
costs, in order to determine the accuracy
of the estimated cost-to-complete.
Use of these controls ensures estimates
that are more accurate, identifies jobs with the
potential for profit fade, and provides insight
into how to better prepare for the next bid.
Shane Kirkpatrick heads up the estimating department for Texas State Construction Systems, Inc. The 20-year-old
company, a Timberline Software dealer, has
offices in San Antonio, Austin and Houston. TSCS has served Texas contractors and
other related clients’ computer solutions
involving estimating, job cost accounting,
project management, property management, home building, and architectural and
engineering firm management.
Considered cutting-edge, by combining conceptual estimating and detailed takeoff capabilities, the estimating package was
written by estimators, for estimators.
“The process begins with what I call a
‘needs analysis meeting’ to determine the
programming options a specific contractor
will probably need at the present and in the
near future,” Shane reported. “In some
cases, we’re challenged with taking the
knowledge of an estimator or owner of a
company, what he has in his head, and putting it into a database so that anyone who
follows after him can answer the same questions that he would answer. We’re helping
them transition from the old manual method
of estimating into technology.”
After doing his homework, Shane creates an appropriate system, customized for
the benefit of his clients. “I make sure I’m
giving them exactly what they need, and
nothing more,” Shane added. “One of the
most powerful aspects of our estimating
software is the local support we provide.”Ω
Your Story is Worth
a Million Dollars
E
veryone loves to hear a good story. Could your story or
stories be worth a million dollars? Could your story help
you sell more deals, create better customer service or even
motivate your employees to work a little smarter?
The thought of telling a story to increase your sales may not even seem plausible to you, but think about it for a moment. When a salesperson exposes their
own imperfection, or relates a humorous
event in their life, doesn’t it make them
seem more personable?
Let me relate a customer service story
that happened to me fourteen years ago. I
had just finished a remodeling project in
which my company installed a new powder bathroom under an existing staircase
area. We completed the project, collected
the final payment and moved on to other
jobs.
Two days after the project completion,
the homeowner called to inform me that
their toilet was flushing boiling hot water.
It seems that the plumbing contractor had
criss-crossed the hot and cold water lines
in the foundation. We got on this little challenge and completed all of the work, including the clean up in less than two days.
I didn’t hear from those customers for
a long time. They had moved away to work
in another part of the country and we lost
contact. Thirteen years later, that customer
called again. They had moved back to town
and wanted to completely renovate a home
they had just purchased. The new project
was well over $200,000 worth of work.
They didn’t call any other contractors
or take any competitive bids. According
to them, that toilet water experience was
convincing evidence that my company was
committed to great customer service.
Could that story be worth a million
dollars? Well, I know that it is worth at
least $200,000. The truth is that I have told
Paul Montelongo
that customer service story many times
over the years to my prospects. It reveals
that I am imperfect and that sometimes
people make mistakes. More importantly,
it underscores that I take care of my customers. Thirteen years later, I have an
even better twist to the story. I can tell my
prospects that those customers came back
to me for more work.
Here are a few tips and pointers for
telling a story that will help you make
more sales and create better rapport with
your customers.
1. Keep it real. The best stories are the
ones that are factual and that really did
happen to you.
2. Mix in the humor. When people laugh,
people buy.
3. Make it relevant. Make your stories fit
the occasion.
4. Keep it short. A short story that is interesting is much more effective that a long
drawn out boring set of events.
5. Stories are everywhere. Every day, you
have events that happen to you in your
business that can turn into a great sales
story.
Tell a story and sell more deals, improve your customer service, inspire your
employees to be more effective. Tell a
story and improve your attitude.
Paul Montelongo is the author of “101
Power Strategies; Tools to Promote
Yourself as the Contractor of Choice”.
Paul is a nationally recognized speaker
and consultant to the construction
industry. Visit Paul at
www.ContractorOfChoice.com.
WELDERS SUPPLY CO.
EVERYTHING FOR WELDING
COMPLETE LINE OF GASES
& WELDING SUPPLIES
Help Us Celebrate Our 40th
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Coming to Welders Supply Company October 17th
The Lincoln Electric NHRA Welding Trailer,
Featuring Paul Le Sage of Team Torch
• Free Refreshments From 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
• Blowout Prices on Lincoln/Harris Equipment
• Door Prizes & Drawings
• Live Seminars From The Welding Experts
• Live Hands On Welding With Lincolns NHRA Midway Demonstration Trailer
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Drawings • Free Give aways!
684-0232
Fax. 684-1445
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Specializing in
Corporate Interiors • Hospitality • Retail
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Hong Kong, China London, England Madrid, Spain Milan, Italy Paris, France
Constructors & Associates, Inc. General Contractors / Construction Managers
10100 Reunion Place • Suite 120 • San Antonio, Tx 78216
Tel: 210.541.0651 Fax: 210.541.0656
SA Airport: Exterior construction
L
ast month San Antonio Construction
News took a glimpse at the interior
construction activities at the San
Antonio International Airport. This
month, we’re stepping outside to take a
closer look at multi-phased airside and
landside improvements.
ditional 36,300 sq yards of
full-strength apron.
The second expansion
to the East Air Cargo site,
located on the east side of
the airport, between Taxiway Quebec and Wetmore
Road, began in March 2001
Project: East Air Cargo Apron Expansion with the apron expansion
Phase II.
project.
Consultants: Pape-Dawson Engineers
Development of this
Inc.; Joshua Engineering Group, Inc.; area allowed for the demoand Huitt-Zollars.
lition of abandoned faciliPrime Contractor: Yantis Company.
ties on the site and convertSubcontractors: Paladin Services; F&W ing the area to one of benCaution! Men at work on the apron expansion.
Electrical Contractors, Inc.; and Flasher eficial use.
Equipment.
The current project has
whereby airfreight companies will sort
The initial construction of the multi- installed approximately 53,600 sq yards
and transfer unloaded cargo for distribuphased development at the East Air Cargo of full-strength concrete apron, connecttion. Overall, the project provides addisite consisted of new apron facilities, ing to the Phase I apron and Eagle Air’s
tional parking places for air cargo airequaling approximately 82,300 sq. yards, lease area apron, and bringing the total
planes.”
for Airborne Express and Federal Ex- available apron area to 172,200 square
The additional projects John spoke
yards. The project is subof, which are considered part of the East
stantially complete.
Air Cargo Expansion Phase II developJohn K. Rinehart,
ment, include the Landside Roadway
P.E., Senior VP of Papeproject and the Ramp and Parking project,
Dawson Engineers, Inc.,
estimated for completion by January
spoke with Construction
2003.
News about the project.
The Landside Roadway project will
“The expansion project
provide vehicle access between the newly
includes what we call
expanded apron and the adjacent
airside construction and
Wetmore Road. Additionally, it will prolandside construction,” he
vide a signalized intersection at Wetmore
began. “What we’ve done
Road that will serve as a single point of
is create an apron, so when
access for Eagle Air and future airport
a cargo plane lands at the
tenants.
airport, it will taxi over and
The Ramp and Parking project will
Earth-moving at the east cargo ramp.
pull up to this apron where
provide additional apron area designed to
it will be unloaded of
accommodate smaller aircraft and also to
press, both completed in 1992. The first cargo. In the future, there will be some
provide vehicle parking for up to 120
expansion to the East Air Cargo site was additional landside improvements, incars.Ω
completed in 1997, which installed an ad- cluding roadways and extensions,
When You Need A Lift . . .
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(210) 525-9079
www.orionpartnersinc.com
A
ccording to preliminary results
from a survey of nearly 300
companies nationwide, health
insurance premiums paid by heating,
ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) contractors have
grown at an astounding rate.
On average, responding contractors paid 61percent more for employee
health insurance premiums in 2002 than
they did in 1999, according to the survey conducted by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).
At the same time, average employment by HVACR contractors has remained flat over the past three years,
and 64 percent of respondents have reduced benefits available to employees
since 1999. Another 16 percent of respondents indicated that they intend to
reduce benefits in 2003.
Premiums have increased in all regions of the country, although the areas that have been hardest hit appear to
be the Southwest, Pacific Northwest,
and Mid-Atlantic.
All told, contractors will spend 7.1
percent of their total operating expenses
on health insurance premiums in 2002,
an increase over the past two years of
18 percent.
Community-based businesses, like
HVACR contractors, are prohibited
from pooling together nationwide to
help reduce their insurance costs. On
average, large employers spend $1,000
less per employee on health insurance
than small employers.
Complete results and analysis of
the survey will be available later this
summer for ACCA members. Ω
. . . Call Alamo Crane
(210) 344-7370
San Antonio, Texas
Fax (210) 651-3051
23 Years in
Business
Health
premiums up
61percent
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Austin, Texas
(800) 880-0134
www.alamocrane.com
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Marge Ohlenbusch, President
Page 28 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– San Antonio Construction News • Sep 2002
City/County launch homeowner
assistance program
T
he San Antonio Housing Trust Finance Corp. and the Bexar County
Housing Finance Corp. have presented a $42 million mortgage bond program to help low and moderate income residents purchase their first homes.
More than 450 families will have access to 6.2%, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages
toward the purchase of a home. To qualified families in the designated Priority Loan
Area, neighborhoods inside Loop 410 and
south of U.S. Highway 90, the city and the
county are offering a minimum of 8% down
payment assistance.
Funding for joint program was secured
through a bond purchase agreement between the city, county and Fannie Mae.
Families who are eligible to apply for
the low-rate loans include those with household incomes under $51,400 (for one or two
people) and $59,110 (for families of three
or more).
Home costs for this program may not
exceed $86,730 for an existing home or
$106,667 for a new home.
Residential remodeling
strong and stable
T
he nation’s home and rental property
owners continued to upgrade their
properties at a stable and healthy clip
in this year’s second quarter according to
the National Association of Home Builders’ Remodeling Market Index (RMI). The
RMI is made up of two related indices, one
that measures current market conditions
and another that measures future market expectations.
The RMI for current conditions in the
remodeling market held steadfast at 52.7
for a second consecutive quarter in the period stemming from April through June of
2002. This level represents a seven-point
recovery from a slowdown that occurred in
residential remodeling last fall, and brings
the RMI within three points of its solid 55
reading during last year’s first half.
The future expectations index is derived from remodelers’ responses to questions regarding the volume of calls for bids,
the amount of work committed for the next
three months, the current backlog of remod-
eling jobs and the number of appointments
for job proposals. The first three of these
components declined in the second quarter
to levels marginally below 50, while the
component gauging backlogs rose to 58.1.
“Continuing gains in home values and
historically low interest rates are two strong
incentives that are encouraging many home
owners to remodel,” said Bill Owens,
CGR, chairman of the NAHB Remodelorsª
Council. “Housing has outperformed most
other investments, especially in the last several years, making remodeling an even
more popular way for families to add comfort and value to their homes.”
Asked to comment on how their customers are financing remodeling projects,
nearly half of respondents said their clients
paid with cash. A substantial proportion (40
percent) pointed to refinancing, either second mortgages or equity lines of credit, as
their clients’ source of remodeling funds.
Just 9 percent cited home improvement
loans.
6th Annual AIA Homes
Tour & Lecture
S
troll through some of San Antonio’s
finest examples of architectural form
and function during the American
Institute of Architects’ 6th Annual Homes
Tour and Lecture, scheduled for Sat., Sept.
14th, from 12pm to 6pm.
Event Cost:
Lecture and Homes Tour: advanced purchase ticket $25, or $35 on day of tour.
Lecture only: $15 per person.
Tour only: $15 per person advanced purchase, or $20 on day of the tour.
The self-guided 6th Annual AIA
Homes Tour will feature six outstanding
privately owned residences designed by
AIA architects. Make your ticket arrangements in advance by calling the San Antonio Chapter of the American Institute of
Architects at 210-226-4979.
Builders and realtors
reach agreement
T
he Greater San Antonio Builders
Association and the San Antonio
Board of Realtors are proud to announce a mutually beneficial program. The
two associations will be signing the agreement “Builder and Real Estate/Agent Procuring Cause Guidelines” on Aug. 19th.
After many years of miscommunication and misunderstanding between builders and realtors, the guidelines will make
great strides forward in setting forth a better relationship between the two parties.
These guidelines are intended to establish “Procuring Cause” only and shall not
establish the legal basis for payment of a
commission. A commission agreement between the Builder and Real Estate Broker/
Agent is highly recommended and may be
required to establish the legal right to a
commission. Commissions are not fixed,
controlled, recommended, suggested or
maintained by the Greater San Antonio
Builders Association or the San Antonio
Board of REALTORS, Inc. The amount a
Builder agrees to pay a Broker is not prescribed by law and is negotiable between
the Builder and the Broker. These guidelines shall not be interpreted to require a
Builder to pay more than one commission.
The guidelines are strictly voluntary
for any Builder or Real Estate Broker/Agent
who accepts the use of these guidelines in
a transaction and shall be deemed to have
accepted these guidelines as determinative
or procuring cause in that transaction, if the
guidelines cover the relevant Procuring
Cause issues.
These guidelines can be used by volume builders and custom home builders.
We believe they are flexible enough to accommodate the myriad of variations that
will be presented, yet maintain some continuity to the process.
The associations are planning several
informative seminars to introduce the new
program, so watch your emails, fax boards,
and mail.
DYC welcomes new president
T
exas-based window manufacturer,
Don Young Company, officially
bade farewell to retiring president Jim
Grover and welcomed incoming president,
Tom Italiano, on Fri., Aug. 16 th, in Dallas.
At DYC’s gathering of eagles, company founders Don and Sue Young thanked
Jim for his years of leadership, and
launched the proverbial “Roast”. Jim’s coworkers, including San Antonio’s DYC
plant manager, Mike Loter, were filled
with giddy anticipation as they passed the
microphone, each taking one last humorous shot at “the boss.”
Tom Italiano has been involved in the
building products industry in sales and
management since 1982. His solid background in chemicals, coatings, and sealants
laid the foundation for later experience,
over the past 15 years, with the technology
of glass and window fabrication.
L-R: San Antonio’s DYC plant manager,
Mike Loter, welcomes next President,
Tom Italiano, on board.
Take Care of Your New Home
A
new house isn’t a home until it’s
warmed by you personally. It’s
easy to forget that a home is also a
house made up of thousands of parts, many
of which require a maintenance regimen
and regular inspection to ensure they are
at peak performance, just like your car.
Devoting regular attention to maintenance means: preventing damage such as
scratches, chips, cuts, burns, stains, gouges
and scrapes to the cosmetic surfaces of
your home; regular cleaning using manufacturer-recommended products and techniques; adjusting and lubricating the
house’s many parts; replacing consumable
parts, like light bulbs, filters and batteries
in smoke detectors; understanding and
adhering to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance routine for appliances and other mechanical components.
Your new home likely has mechanical systems that are different from those
of your last home. Take advantage of
builders’ homeowner orientation programs
to make sure that you are familiar with the
systems and understand how to maximize
their efficiency for your family’s comfort.
Know where the main safety shut-offs are
for water, electricity and gas.
Building materials expand and contract over time because of changes in temperature and humidity, necessitating ongoing maintenance. Caulk, for example,
dries, shrinks and cracks, diminishing its
effectiveness until it no longer provides a
seal against moisture and air infiltration.
Likewise, you can expect some minor
cracking in concrete flatwork, including
driveways and patios. Concrete cracks can
result from shrinkage during curing, temperature changes or even soil movement.
While cracking cannot be prevented entirely, you can minimize cracking by following these steps: maintain good drainage away from concrete slabs; fill low
spots or settled areas near concrete slabs;
seal cracks with concrete caulking; keep
heavy vehicles (such as a moving van or
dump truck) off concrete slabs
Beautiful yards are the result of years
of caring and work, and require consistent
attention to flourish. But whether gardening is a passion or a chore for you, consider planting native plants rather than exotics for best results. Cover soil as soon
as possible to prevent erosion, and always
maintain proper slope away from your
home to ensure good drainage.
Finally, familiarize yourself with the
warranties you receive with your new
home, and be sure to activate manufacturer
warranties by completing and mailing any
registration cards. Besides activating your
warranty, this step allows the manufacturer
to contact you in the event of a product
recall. Retain all warranty documents, and
make sure recommended maintenance is
up to date. Few products combine science,
technology, art and skill they way a new
home does. Make preventative maintenance the hallmark of your home-care
plan, and you’ll enjoy the full satisfaction
that owning a home can provide.
Charity House needs
more donations
T
he Greater San Antonio Builders
Association thanks all of those
members who have generously donated products and labor to the 2002 Charity House. The 2002 Charity House is being built by J. R. Howard Homes at 262
English Oaks Circle, English Oaks Subdivision, Boerne.
The 2002 Charity House still needs
many more contributions to make this
project a huge success, including: appliances; air conditioning; roofing (materials
T
& labor); masonry materials, (stone);
sheetrock; landscaping; paint (labor only);
lumber; windows; framing materials; interior trim; counter tops (hard surface); cabinets; marble bathroom vanities; and mirrors and shower enclosures.
If it is possible for your company to
donate any of the above items, please contact Kim Jacobs at GSABA, 210-696-3800
to receive a donation form. Your help is
greatly appreciated.
he Greater San Antonio Builders Association invites NAHB members and nonmembers to a Construction Contracts & Law seminar from 9 am to 4 pm, Thurs.,
Sept. 19th. Attendees will learn about mandatory and optional provisions in contracts,
discuss when and how to seek legal help, and discover state and local resources. Special emphasis will be given to interpreting contracts and detecting unfavorable provisions. Cost is $165 for NAHB members, or $210 for non-members. Registration
deadline is Sept. 12th.Ω
SBC Center Update
H
unt Construction
Group and SpawGlass Contractors,
Inc., along with the following subcontractors, continue
progress to complete the
arena for the Spur’s first preseason game, scheduled for
October.
CFS Forming Structures,
Inc. continues work on
equipment pads, pour strips
and cooler floors. The final
deck pour occurred in August. Site walls and exterior
stairs are being formed and
poured. Richards Rebar is placing the
rebar mesh in equipment pads, exterior
stair towers and coolers.
Nathan Alterman Electric is installing sport lights at Roof Catwalks and light
fixtures, while rough-in and wire pulling
operations continue. Todd-Ford, Inc. continues hook-up of AHUs. Installation of
bathroom fixtures on the Main and Upper
Levels is in progress. Superior Air Handling is completing ductwork installation.
JAG Contractors and Paul Banda continue backfilling basement walls.
Baker Drywall is installing interior
metal studs, hollow metal doorframes,
doors and hardware. Sheetrock and ceiling grid installation is ongoing. Shadrock
& Williams Masonry is finishing up the
cast stone installation on the exterior of
the building and completing masonry
walls in the interior. Win-Con Enterprises
continues to install exterior glass and curtain wall. West entry folding door installation has begun.
Gavin Steel and Texas State Constructors have completed the East Bridge
trellis and are progressing on fabrication
and installation of handrails and exterior
fins. Alpha Insulation continues waterproofing operations on vertical and horizontal surfaces. Northstar Fire Protection
continues to install sprinkler lines and
heads at all levels. Flow tests are being
conducted. A.D. Willis is completing the
metal panel installation on the exterior of
the building. Louver installation is occurring on the South Elevation.
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Irwin Seating has begun installing retractable seating at the West End and
Stageright is installing platform seating
at the Upper Level. Alamo Tile Co. is completing ceramic tile on all levels. ProSpec
Painting continues painting and JAG
Painting & Decorating is bedding and
taping on all levels.
Subcontractors onsite include: Capital Manufacturing (signage and glass
handrails); General Neon (signage); ACS
Dataline (data cabling and facility monitoring wiring); Pro Sound (broadcast cabling); T.B. Penick & Sons (terrazzo); Industrial Flooring (epoxy flooring); Carpet Management (carpet, VCT and base);
Creative Cabinets (millwork); Strategic
Equipment dba Top of the Table (coolers
and hoods); SBC Communications (telephone cabling, conduit and equipment);
Rocky Duran & Associates (metal lockers); Intertech Flooring (computer flooring); Thyssen Krupp (elevators and
frames); Klinger Specialties (toilet partitions); Berry Glass (interior glass);
Milberger Landscaping; Service Station
Constructors ( forming and pouring walkways); Bell Pool & Spa; Lighthouse and
TubeArt (LED fascia display and
scoreboard installation); and Constructors
(construction of the Team Store). There are
approximately 630 workers on site.
Many, many kudos to Paula Yancey,
Project Control of Texas, for her excellent attention to detail and assistance in
compiling this information.Ω
Challenges of a hard market
A
ssociated General
Contractors hosted
a panel discussion
at the San Antonio Airport
Hilton on Wed., August 14th.
Panelists were Paul Messenger, Willis of Texas; Paul
Poettgen and Bill Dawley,
HCDT Insurance Agency,
Inc.; Garry Britt and Billy
Jinks, Catto & Catto Insurance & Bonds; and Edgar
Garcia, Langley & Banack,
L-R: Edgar Garcia, Bill Dawley and Paul Poettgen.
Inc. Rene Garcia, Education Committee Chairman, was on hand to Insurance: Challenges of a Hard Market. A
be the moderator. The topic was Bond and group of about 40 attended the event.
Construction worker
takes on Barney
I
f you were to set up a match with a big
purple dinosaur, who better than a construction worker to take on Barney?
Bob the Builder, a cartoon character
created by HIT Entertainment of London
has taken on the challenge and succeeded.
Bob has stolen Barney’s spotlight.
The character, an English construction
worker, comes complete with his tool belt
and hard hat, and has built his audience
following past the purple dinosaur and into
the hearts of children around the world.
Eliminate Costly Tire Repair bills!
Bob has become a sought-after toy and
a favorite of trick-or-treating kids He has
even earned a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
The series, set in a construction yard,
takes Bob and Wendy out on assignment
for the neighborhood. Joined by talking
construction yard equipment, Bob and
friends spend 30 minutes illustrating their
can-do agenda.
Strike another win for construction
workers showing who’s boss.
“This tire sealant is to be used in all existing rental equipment.” “...the test
store for this product since October 2000 and his tire expense has been
reduced by 95% (10 flats in 8 months).”
Robert Price, Vice President – RSC/Prime Equipment
“Multi-Seal’s performance has far exceeded our expectations. It has never
failed in any piece of equipment that it was installed in. We have not experienced one single flat due to a puncture.” “The savings on our tire repair bills
has made an incredible economic impact on our company, not to mention
the lack of down time caused by flat tires.”
John Randall, Assistant Service Manager – United Rentals
“...one of the test tires had 28 punctures and another had 16 punctures with
no loss of pressure or down time.”
Dan Stephens – Texas Department of Transportation
OIL & TIRE SERVICE
Call Today
210.222.1308
*Subject to contract stipulations
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL
545-6767
Fax 490-9353
www.saqualityfence.com
13115 Wetmore Road
Wrought Iron & Masonry
Staircases & Railing
Chain Link
Wood Fencing
Custom Work
Temporary Fencing
Welding Services & Repairs
Steel Fabrication
Automatic Gate Systems
See our ad on
Page 735 in your
Southwestern
Bell Yellow Pages
Children’s home benefits from
new concrete facility
S
ince 1969, the Central
Texas Children’s
Home has provided a
safe place for children to live
without government assistance.
This summer, members
of the Texas Aggregate and
Concrete
Association
(TACA), have set out to build
a new 7,500-sf concrete multipurpose center for the nonprofit organization. It will sit
on part of 152 acres in
Central Texas Children’s Home
Creedmore, just south of
Austin, where the home is
located. On average, 28 children live at the fore, the foundation will have a Styrofoam
border filled with concrete. There is also steel
home throughout the year.
Donations to help build the facility running through the form.”
Eight inches of concrete will be poured
have come in two forms: money raised by
the Children’s Home and contributions of inside the walls. Overall, with the
time, money and resources from TACA Styrofoam, the entire structure will be 13
inches thick. The structure is combined with
members.
The new facility will not only serve as Rebar Steel to make it wind resistant.
“The insulating properties of concrete
a lasting structure for the home, but also
will showcase the ability of concrete to cre- combined with the Styrofoam are tremenate a state-of-the-art facility. Bob Taggart dous,” says Garza. “We don’t have any true
of Capitol Aggregates, a TACA member, values that shows it limits. This is one of
said the goal of this project is to ensure the the larger buildings to be built with the use
home won’t ever have to build another of concrete and this style of building in the
Austin and Central Texas areas.”
multipurpose center again.
TACA members are most proud of the
“The Central Texas Children’s Home
was originally going to construct a build- light reflective property of the floor. As
ing themselves as economically as possible. Taggart and Garza explained, less lighting
Yet, TACA established a plan to contribute can be used throughout the building beresources and its members to give the home cause the light reflects off the floor. As well,
a structure that will last. The goal then is to the structure itself will be wrapped in a
help the children of Central Texas and to Portland cement-based copolymer-modishowcase what concrete and aggregates can fied stucco. It is more durable, mold and
do for building. This is the first project of mildew resistant and it is UV resistant.
TACA invites other organizations and
this kind, and we hope to complete the main
structure by December to hold the trades to help complete the interior work
of the new facility. Those interested may
Children’s Home Christmas party.”
David Garza, of Garza Design & Con- contribute donations of money, resources
or time toward the project. Please contact
struction Inc., is the project manager.
“We are working to complete this project to TACA at (512) 451-5100, or the Central
last for 300 years. The foundation is designed Texas Children’s Home at (512) 918in such a way to carry the loads of insulat- 2824.Ω
ing concrete forms used for walls. There-
Glazing the trail to
doughnut heaven
W
hen people talk
about Krispy
Kreme doughnuts, they’re usually referring to the company’s signature treat: the “Original
Glazed” made from a recipe
dating back to 1937.
That famous, mouthwatering recipe is finally
making its way to San Antonio in the form of a new
Krispy Kreme doughnut
store, under construction at
12328 IH-10 West. Houstonbased Mesa Builders Inc. is
the general contractor on the
project. The five-year-old contracting company specializes in quick-serve restaurants,
dine-in restaurants and small commercial
retail projects.
San Antonio Construction News spoke
with David Hoff, president, and his brother,
Grey Hoff, senior project director, about
their involvement with national doughnutchain dynasty.
“We have constructed seven Krispy
Kreme stores in Houston, three in Austin,
and three in Louisiana. I guess you could
say we have gotten into the doughnut building business,” David chuckled.
Grey is on site, supervising the daily
operations of the 4,245 sf project. “In spite
of having nine rain days,” he said, “including the huge July 4th flood, we have caught
up and the project is scheduled to be delivered on time. We didn’t suffer any particular damage, but our construction crews had
difficulty getting to work.”
Subcontractors on the project include:
McO.B. Service; KD Construction; Water
Works Plumbing & Irrigation; Tower
Electric; Ventilation Systems; Diaz Plastering; Pin Oaks Construction; Alamo
Glass; Chamberlain Waterproofing;
Alamo Tile Co.; Santex Painting and Drywall; and Chubb Security.
Did you know that doughnuts trace
their history to Dutch “fried cakes”, which
were brought to America by early Dutch
settlers? The cakes had nuts embedded in
their centers, and early Americans combined “dough” and “nuts” to make the word
doughnuts.
In 2 minutes, Krispy Kreme stores can
produce enough doughnuts to make a stack
the height of the Empire State Building.
There are hints and vague whisperings
that more KK’s are coming to the Alamo
City, so get ready!Ω
continued from Page 1- C.A. Landry Partners Ltd. expands Littleton Gymnasium
gineers and the HVAC contractor to try to
control the problem. Even after the rains had
stopped, it took almost a week before we
could control the moisture content of the
floor. When the correct levels were sustained
over a three-day period, we were finally able
to continue the installation.”
Professionals involved in the project
included: Architect, Rehler Vaughn &
Koone; Structural Engineer, Lundy &
Franke Engineering; Mechanical/ Electrical Engineer, MEP Engineering, Inc.;
Civil Engineer, Slay Engineering; Water
Storage Consultant, Pyle & Klein Consulting Engineers, Inc.; and NEISD Roofing
Consultant, Edis Oliver & Associates.
Local subcontractors on the project
included: J.R. Sitework; Maldonado Landscaping; Ramos Contracting (utilities);
Quality Fence & Welding; Suspended
Forms, Inc.; L&M Steel; C&S Contractors (masonry); KCM Cabinets; Alpha Insulation; Beldon Roofing; B.D. Hatchman
(floor/roof hatch); Wessely-Thompson
(doors); Texdoor (overhead doors); Biela
Glass and Aluminum; Baker Drywall;
Opening Specialties & Supply (hardware);
Drew Lath & Plaster; C.J. Tile & Marble,
Inc.; DuPont Flooring Systems; R.A.
Travis (painting); Klinger Specialties;
American Automatic Sprinklers; E.L.
Smith Mechanical; Gillette Mechanical;
Jesse Villareal Electrical and PMI.
Founded in 1978, C.A. Landry Partners
Limited operates from one San Antonio location and employs 25 personnel. Charles
A. “Chuck” Landry, managing partner of
the company, said his scope of work includes
schools, retail, industrial, and a minimal
amount of residential for select clients.
“I’ve probably worked on ten school
projects with NEISD over the years,” Chuck
reported, “and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed
working with Gary Sullivan, their new
construction team manager. He’s a fair and
honorable man, and his staff is very supportive.”Ω
continued from Page 24- Legal Column
Sureties and suppliers can sue
indemnitors and guarantors (e.g. for a line
of credit or an open account). In Texas there
are additional theories to support suits
against individuals not in bankruptcy but
related to the bankrupt, including claims for
misapplication of construction trust funds
and quantum meruit for the benefits conferred by completed work.
In a non-Chapter 11 proceeding, the
trustee may attempt to pull money back into
the bankruptcy. If a subcontractor or supplier was paid just before the general contractor filed bankruptcy, they do not have
to give the money back unless the payment
was a “preference” within the meaning of
the Bankruptcy Code. Payment to a fully
secured creditor cannot be a preference.
Payment may be a preference if made
within 90 days before the bankruptcy petition was filed, but the trustee cannot “avoid”
that preference if paid pursuant to a statutory lien. Consequently, a perfected
mechanic’s lien is not itself considered a
preference. Payment is also not a preference if made in the ordinary course of business consistent with the parties’ prior course
of dealing and within the normal business
terms of the construction industry.
A supplier may be able to stop delivery of goods before they reach the project
and keep them out of the bankruptcy court.
The Uniform Commercial Code permits
sellers to stop delivery when a seller dis-
covers that the buyer is insolvent.
When a Subcontractor or Supplier Goes
Bankrupt:
The principles outlined above apply equally
to lower tiers in the contract chain. The
owner and general contractor will assert
their rights to completed work or materials
on site, but must pay for or have the automatic stay lifted to gain title to that work
or materials in shipment or in fabrication.
Similarly, a performance bond surety who
has assumed responsibility for completion
will claim rights in the work and materials.
In any non-payment, insolvency, or bankruptcy situation, it is important to know:
(1) who you are dealing with; (2) who has
competing claims for the same funds; (3)
what collection action has been taken, what
suits have been filed, and what deadlines
are applicable; and (4) the telephone number of a good construction lawyer.
Bob Wachsmuth is a shareholder in the
San Antonio office of the Kleberg Law
Firm. He has served as general counsel
to San Antonio ASA and as general
counsel to San Antonio AGC. He is a
past chairman of the State Bar of Texas
Construction Law Section and currently
serves on the steering committee of
Division 8 of the American Bar
Association’s Construction Law Forum.
You can contact Bob at 210-227-8800 or
[email protected].
$336/mo PAYMENTS
continued from Page 1- Investors are looking towards home
Bob also said banks are looking closer
at investment income fluctuations. “Before,
investment income was an added feature in
your qualification process. Today, it’s more
of a risk, with the possibility that a person
could lose thousands or millions in net
worth in a month’s time. Real estate is a
more stable market, and land values are
strong. Banks look at the real estate factor
much more than the investment factor. If
the market continues to dwindle, I believe
people will invest in all forms of real estate
in Texas.”
A San Antonio supplier of granite and
marble, J. Matthew Young is the president
of Young Stone, Inc., He said emphatically
that the trend toward home improvement
is, without a doubt, real!
“About 7 years ago,” Matt began, “if
you weren’t building a $1 million house,
you probably weren’t going to use stone.
However, the market has opened up tremendously, partly because the cost of granite
and fabrication has come down due to
technology and other factors. When ‘Mrs.
Homeowner’ has the opportunity to select a
man-made product or a natural product,
she’s started to choose more stone.”
He continued to say that the downward
surge in the stock market has resulted in
investors putting more money into real estate, especially their own homes. “One of
the trends is to keep their nice home, remodel it and make it more valuable. The
best way to do that includes focusing on
the kitchen, bathrooms and certain flooring applications. People who own homes
in the $150,000 market and up are buying
more stone, which appreciates their property. They’re seeing their 401K and mutual
funds drop, but the housing market is rising and stable, and they’re doing what they
can to preserve and grow their investment.”
He added, with cheap money and tax
write-offs available to homeowners in the
form of home equity loans, they find home
improvement a better investment than risking the volatility of the stock market.
A respected San Antonio homebuilder,
David Anderson is the president of Anderson Custom Homes. He said he’s seeing
people, who are afraid for their jobs and
afraid of the economy, coming to the realization that they can put money into their
home, and that their investment will still
be there tomorrow.
“But, I don’t see people buying second homes or speculative properties,”
David noted. “People are cautiously looking for opportunities to move up in a down
market. The real estate market is up right
now, and interest rates are low.
“If another 9-11 event were to occur,”
he continued, “creating a lot of fear, two
things will happen: most people will continue to have a job and they’ll continue to be
taxed. Housing offers a good deduction on
taxes and that standard will remain for the
homestead, if not for speculative properties.”
On a personal note, David said he’s
seeing a slowdown in the new housing market. “We’re just not getting the buying traffic, but I am seeing more creative financing. This is another take on the stock market effect, where people may have lost
money and don’t have the down payment.
In a case like this, the mortgage rate may
be adjusted slightly higher, and the mortgage company picks up some of their fees.
This is a direct response to those who lost
money in the stock market.”
Managing and overseeing marketing
activities of unique commercial, recreational and ranch properties, David E. Culver is the director of LANDTX. He agrees
that there is a little bit of truth to the premise
of investors redirecting their monies into
real estate.
“Personally, none of my clients have
told me they pulled $1 million dollars out
of the stock market to buy a $1 million dollar ranch. I’m sensing a trend, but I don’t
have evidential facts to back it up. That’s
not to say it’s not happening and that there’s
not a groundswell of activity going in that
direction.”
Land prices topped out in the last year
or two, just like the stock market. “We’re
seeing regular old dirt with oaks, rocks and
cedar in the Hill Country that’s selling for
$4 to $5 thousand an acre now. Two years
ago, they would have been lucky to get
$1,500 an acre. With regard to Texas, the
top of the market is starting to go down just
a little bit. Business in the recreational and
ranch property sector is good, but it’s not
what it was 2-3 years ago, when prices were
a little lower.”
continued from Page 24- Insurance Column
only be partially paid based on the percentage of reported values to the value of the
building at the time of the loss. This can become an unexpected and expensive problem.
These are only a few of the potential
pitfalls that can make a successful project
quickly turn unprofitable.
Paul Messenger, Vice President, and Greg
Stitts, CPCU, ARM, Managing Director,
Willis of Texas, Inc.
Final touch to Gunn Pontiac
Call Mike or Pat for the best deals
on the best Skid loaders
4835SXT
57 H P - LIFT 1775#
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W-A-C Pricing subject to change
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CASH SAVER RENTALS, INC.
15327 San Pedro
Thorn & Graves Architects
(Hwy 281 between Thousand Oaks and Brook Hollow next to Wendy’s)
210 – 499 – 4600
See our ad on Page 577 in your SBC
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
13322 Western Oak Dr. • Suite 200 • Helotes, Texas 78023
Phone: (210) 695-5700 • Fax: (210) 695-3773
www.parconstruction.com
SALE Bar-B-Q Cookoff
Around Corner
H
eavy attendance in previous years
has encouraged many would be
cooks to seek entry packets for the
San Antonio Livestock Exposition BBQ
Cookoff.
For those unfamiliar with the event, the
cookoff raises funds to help support the San
Antonio Junior Livestock Auction by maintaining a floor price in the Junior Lamb Auc-
tion, guaranteeing that no child goes home
without being rewarded for their efforts.
“We were filled to the maximum capacity last year,” says Miltie McDonald,
registration chairman. “We urge everyone
to get their packets in early.”
Entry forms and information packets
are available for would-be chefs by calling
210-832-0902.Ω
STREET SWEEPING
PARKING LOT STRIPING
TRAFFIC SIGNAGE
POWER WASHING
MAKE READY/FINAL CLEAN
DAILY SITE CLEAN-UP
Round-Up
J
ennifer J.
McLoughlin
joined the RabaKistner team of
professionals as
an environmental
scientist in our
Austin office. Jennifer earned her
B.S. in Anthropology and M.S. in Soil
Science from Iowa State University and
is a member of The Society of Wetland
Scientists. Her responsibilities include
Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, soils characterization and
surface hydrology, along with assisting
clients in acquiring permits for projects
involving Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act, water quality issues, and
endangered species.
F
ord Engineering, Inc. announces the promotion of Lee Michael
Perry to (P.E.), Professional Engineer.
Lee
holds
a
Bachelor’s Degree
from Auburn University and has served as Project Manager for Ford Engineering for the past
five years.
Your Full Service Company
San Antonio 210–340–9990
Austin 1-866-493-9990
Fax 210–340–9938
412 W. Rhapsody San Antonio, Tx 78216
C
ivil Engineering Consultants has named
Kenneth J. Koch,
P.E. to the position
of Vice President.
Kenneth will direct
and manage the
company’s marketing and business development efforts,
foster strategic and operational planning, and serve in the leadership of the
civil engineering and surveying firm.
C
COMPLETE INVENTORY OF
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ACOUSTICAL MATERIAL
SALES & SERVICE OF MAJOR
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CONTRACTOR TOOLS & SUPPLIES
2 Convenient San Antonio Locations
DOWNTOWN
Off IH-10 @ Colorado Street
1146 W. LAUREL
210-477-3000
Fax 477-3090
NORTH SIDE
Off Tradesman @ 1604 & IH-10 W.
15262 Capital Port
210-408-9052
Fax 493-1999
Toll Free 1-800-580-9052
www.lbminc.com
See our ad at Building Materials Wholesale
in your SBC Southwestern Bell Yellow
Pages and at www.SMARTpages.com
ivil Engineering
Consultants has
named Shannon L.
Best, E.I.T. as an
Engineer-inTraining to the
company’s Municipal Division.
A graduate of
UNLV, Shannon will be involved in
preparing plans, technical specifications, contract documents for drainage,
sewer, water and street improvements
projects.
M
ark
A.
Mendel,
E.I.T., recently
joined Raba Kistner as a graduate
engineer. His responsibilities include conducting
engineering observations at project
sites, the classification of material
samples, assigning laboratory tests, interpreting engineering data, performing
engineering calculations, and the preparation of written engineering reports.
Mark also assists on geotechnical engineering studies and construction materials testing projects.
G
eri-Lee
Smith,
CPCU, AFSB has
joined Integrity Insurance Agency as
Commercial Marketing Manager.
She brings fifteen
years of experience
to the position. Geri-Lee is a graduate
of Wittenberg University in Ohio, and
holds a Bachelors Degree in Business
Administration. She will focus her activities on developing relationships with
construction-related clientele, in addition to other markets.
C
ivil Engineering Consultants has named the
firm’s Director of
Business Development, Joe F. Nix,
P.E.,
R.P.L.S.,
P.T.O.E., as the
company’s newest
Principal. Joe will
represent the company in civic and professional organizations including the
Bexar Chapters of TSPE, TSPS, PEPP,
AIA and ITE.
C
ivil Engineering Consultants has named
Xavier D.Sandoval,
S.I.T. as a Surveyorin-Training to the
company’s Surveying Division.
Xavier, a graduate
of TAMU-Corpus
Christi, will be involved in gathering
field and record data, input and reduction of field data, preparing metes and
bounds and field note descriptions, deed
research, and preparing final plats and
reports.
O
’HaverPlumbing, Ltd. is
proud to announce
that
Maurice Fox
has joined our
company.
Maurice comes
to us with 20
years experience
and expertise in estimating and project
management. Please call or come by
and help us welcome Maurice to the
O’Haver Plumbing, Ltd. family.
If you have any new
employees joining your
company.
Send your photo
and info to:
or fax: 210-308-5960
GET NOTICED!
Story ideas and news releases can be faxed to
the Construction News at (210) 308-5960
ASSOCIATION NEWS
ABC
Sept. 9, 10, 11: Associated Builders and
Contractors’ OSHA 10 Hour Course at
ABC. Cost is $165. $50 registration deposit required.
Sept. 9: Blueprint Reading at the Builders’
Exchange of Texas offices. This is a fiveweek course (every Mon.) from 5 to 8 pm.
Cost is $160 for ABC and BXTX members,
and $170 for non-members.
Sept. 11: 2nd Wednesday Safety Shorts beginning at 11:30 am, at the Old San Francisco
Steak House. Cost is only $18 per person.
Sept. 13: Excellence In Construction
Awards entries are due by 5 pm. For further information, or an entry form call the
ABC-South Texas Chapter offices at 210342-1994.
Sept. 16: ABC’s Fall Golf Tournament at
Pecan Valley Golf Course. Cost is only
$125 per player. This event fills up fast, so
make your reservations today, by calling
210-342-1994.
AGC
Sept 14: Associated General Contractors
9th Annual Safety Fair & Barbecue Cookoff at Camargo Park from 11 am to 4 pm.
Tickets are only $6.
Oct. 14: 2002 AGC Fall Golf Tournament
will be held at The Club at Sonterra. Registration begins at 11 am and shotgun start
at 12:30 pm. For information on playing or
sponsoring, please call 210-349-4921.
Oct. 26-29: AGC of America will host a
Leadership in Construction Workshop in
Dallas. Tuition is $2,500, which includes
accommodations, meals, instruction materials and the classes. Registration deadline
is Sept. 25th. For more information, contact Barbara Hickman at 703-837-5315.
Nov. 7: AGC’s Fall Fiesta at Pedrotti’s
North Wind Ranch, from 6 – 10 pm. There
will be live music by Jay Eric and the
Blieders Creek Band, Tex-Mex Cuisine, an
open bar, and the Construction Industry
Awards. Attire is casual country. For more
information, call 210-349-4921.
ASA
Sept. 4: American Subcontractors Association Safety Luncheon at the Barn Door Restaurant at 11:30 am. Topic is “Safety with
a Bang!” – hunting/gun safety.
Sept. 17: ASA’s General Contractor Night
with our 2001 General Contractor of the
Year, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, at
the Barn Door Restaurant. Social hour begins at 6 pm, dinner and program at 7 pm.
Mon., Oct. 7: ASA’s Annual Golf Tournament at River Crossing Golf Club in Spring
Branch. For more information about any of
these events, call Heidi at 210-349-2105.
Association offices are closed in observance
of Labor Day.
Sept 19: Hill Country Forecast from 7:30
am to 9:30 am at the Boerne Convention
Center. Guest speaker is Jack Inselmann,
American Metro Study Corporation. For
more information or ticket purchases, contact Kim, at 210-696-3800.
Sept. 26: Membership Mixer and Preview
Party at the House Beautiful Show, from 6
to 9 pm, at the Alamodome. Meet Richard
Karn, “Al” the Tool Man from “Home Improvement”. RSVP to Kim at 210-696-3800.
Sept. 27–29: House Beautiful Show/ Builders Showcase Expo, Alamodome.
Oct 1: 2002 Golf Classic at River Crossing Golf Club. Registration and lunch begins at 11:30 am, followed by 12:30 shot
gun start. BUILD-PAC Awards Reception
and Dinner follow the Tournament.
APHCCSA
HCA
Sept 11: Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors monthly meeting, from 11 am to 1
pm, at Dave and Buster’s. Speaker; US
Dept. of Labor / current labor laws.
Sept. 28: 9th Annual PHCC/SAACCA Fishing Tournament: Meet at Woodies Sports Center, Port Aransas Harbor. Check-in at 5:30 am,
fish from 6 am to 3 pm. Weigh-in begins at
3:30 pm, followed by dinner, awards and
prizes.
Oct. 17: 13th Annual Golf Tournament at Pecan Valley Golf Club. Check-in at 12 pm, shotgun-start at 1:30 pm, scramble format. Dinner and awards follow tournament. Deadline
is Oct. 11th. For information, call Jack
Lappeus at 210-682-7744 or tournament director Joseph Munoz at 210-496-2753.
Sept. 18: Hispanic Contractors Association
monthly meeting begins at 6:30 pm, at the
newly constructed headquarters of Zachry
Construction, 527 Logwood.
GSABA
Sept. 2: The Greater San Antonio Builders
SAACCA
Sept. 28: 9th Annual SAACCA &
APHCCSA Fising Tournament: Meet at
Woodies Sports Center, Port Aransas Harbor. Check-in at 5:30 am, fish from 6 am to
3 pm. Weigh-in begins at 3:30 pm, followed
by dinner, awards and prizes.
Oct. 17: Enjoy the 13th Annual Golf Tournament at the Pecan Valley Golf Club.
Check-in at 12 pm, shotgun-start at 1:30
pm, scramble format. Dinner and awards
follow tournament. Deadline is Oct. 11th.
For information, call Jack Lappeus at 210682-7744 or tournament director Joseph
Munoz at 210-496-2753.
SAGA
Sept. 10: SAGA Board meeting, 3 pm, at
Thad Ziegler Glass.
Sept. 24: First of six continuing education
seminars, “Architectural View of Glass” by
Don Armstrong, architectural consultant for
AFGD, at 7 pm. Location TBA.
Oct. 8: Next membership meeting will begin at 6:30 pm, at the Barn Door. Mold
Remediation is a possible topic.
SAMCA
NAWIC
Sept. 12: The National Association of
Women in Construction will host its
monthly dinner and meeting at the Petroleum Club of San Antonio. Be there at 5:30
pm Networking/Social, dinner is served at
6:15 pm. The meeting will feature George
Muyres, GJM Consulting, a glazing specialist. In addition to the featured speaker,
NAWIC will have the annual installation
of officers and board members for 2002/
2003. For reservations please contact
Celeste Rowe at 210-344-0090. Cost is $20
for members/ $25 non-members.
Sept. 25: The San Antonio Masonry Contractors monthly membership meeting begins at 12 pm, at Water Street Oyster Bar,
7500 Broadway. Cost is $20 per person. For
information, call Debbie at 830-606-5556.
TSPE
Sept. 9: The Texas Society of Professional
Engineers, joining with ASCE, will hold its
monthly meeting at the Barn Door Restaurant beginning at 6pm. It’s SPOUSE
NIGHT! So, bring him, or her. Cost is $15
with reservations, or $18 without.
Brick, Block
& Masonry Supplies
Residential & Commercial
210-493-2612
Converse Block Plant: 210-658-4631
Sales Office:
1 6 1 2 1 C o l l e g e O a k D r. S a n A n t o n i o , Tex a s 7 8 2 4 9
Metal Studs
Drywall
WALLS
Acoustical
Insulation
AC RO S S
TEXAS
BOB LYNCH
9018 TESORO SUITE 101
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78217
(210) 826-4123 FAX (210) 826-5801
Quality, Convenient
Occupational medical care for
your employees
Open 365 Days
Including All Holidays
8 am - 11 pm
No Appointment Necessary
Loop 410 / Broadway
821-5598
(between Nacogdoches & Broadway)
IH-10W / Wurzbach
696-5599
(Colonnade Shopping Center)
Blanco / Parliament
Loop 410 / Ingram Rd
520-5588
(between Bank of America & Toys-R-Us)
341-5588
(just south of Churchill High School)
IH-35N / Eisenhauer
655-5529
(northbound IH-35 Access Rd between
Eisenhauer & Walzem)
SE Military Dr / Roosevelt 927-5580
(northeast corner)
Locally-owned and operated
Visit our website at: www.texasmedclinic.com
For Column Ads
or Announcements,
call 210-308-5800
SA Construction News
Used world wide by the concrete industry
ENDUR-O-SEAL is NOT a PAINT.
Must have experience with
insurance claims using
Xactimate estimating program.
Please call Debby at 637-7663.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
ALL SIZES
STOP FLATS WITH FOAM FILLING
OTR NEW & USED
It is a water-borne product.
CONCRETE SEALERS • MASONRY & BRICK SEALERS
WOOD SEALERS • CONCRETE CLEANERS • MOLD INHHIBITORS
Carl Barbour
(210) 380-9204 or 479-9006
Visit our website:
http://concretesealers.com
Roofing/Construction
Contractor has estimator/sales
position available
TIRE PROBLEMS
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
ENDURO-SEAL USA
Sandy MacDonald
(210) 273-6484
Receptionist Needed
Morrison Supply has an immediate opening for a receptionist at its
offices on Jones Maltsberger. For
more information on this opportunity contact Robin at Morrison
Supply. (210) 344-4436
Peterson Tire, Inc.
210-738-1111
Representing Brenham Area
Business Corner
Commercial / Residential
Display / Packaging
UTILITIES–EXCAVATION
210-649-4600
12931 Hwy 87 S.
Adkins, Tx
78101
Fax
210-649-4602
Custom Computer Fabrication of Styrofoam Shapes
Pager 210-220-7975
Chuck Sparrow,
Superintendent
Toll Free: 877-500-FOAM
BUILDERS EQUIPMENT AND TOOL COMPANY, INC.
Austin San Antonio
David Spaugh
Operations Mgr.
210–333–4405 Watts 800–879–4740 Fax 210–333–4407
H
aving a good estimate is a big part
of any contractor’s ability to get any
job started on the right track. With
that in mind, Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) announces the availability of
the IEC Career Development Grant.
The goal of this grant is to support the
career and professional development goals
of project managers and estimators employed by IEC members. Grant amounts
range from $500 to $1,000, which are payable towards class tuition at the Purdue
Electrical Project Management Institute
(PEPMI). Purdue University is nationally
recognized for its Construction Management Program
The PEPMI consists of an 80-hour
course broken into two, separate 40-hour
sessions held on the Purdue campus in West
Lafayette, Indiana. Students take advantage
of an interim period between classes for
applied assignments and reporting. Topics
include pre-construction planning, project
control, quality control, tracking costs, and
much more. To ensure the best possible
learning experience, class size is limited to
22 students.
To be eligible for the grant, candidates
must be employed by an IEC member in
good standing. Applicants must demonstrate how the program fits in with their
long-term career goals and must also include a statement of support, signed by the
company owner. The statement of support
must indicate the companyâs willingness
to cover the remaining class costs, as well
as student travel and accommodations.
More information about grant applications
are available through IEC.Ω
San Antonio recognized
for ADA compliance
he City of San Antonio has been recognized by the U.S. Department of
Justice for its compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“San Antonio’s progress in ADA compliance is due in large part to the support
and effort of all the city departments and
the close relationships developed with disabled individuals and advocates in the community,” said Judy Babbitt, manager of
the city’s Disability Access office.
The city was recognized for its efforts
to follow the guidelines of Project Civic
Access, a wide-ranging federal initiative to
ensure that state, county and city facilities
comply with the ADA.
San Antonio has done the following to
comply with the ADA standards:
1. Providing directional signs indicating the
accessible features of buildings.
2. Making physical modifications to facilities
for accessibility by people with disabilities.
3. Installing additional accessible seating in
community theaters and convention centers.
4. Installing accessible recreation tables at
Monterrey Park and O.P. Schnable Park.
The Department of Justice is featuring
a story and photographs of San Antonio and
its residents on the ADA web page at http:/
/www.ada.gov. Ω
Helotes, Tx
SUPERIOR MACHINERY
(210) 648-5885 OR 800-933-5623
Scholarship targets UTSA
design students
Grant offer for IEC PM’s
& Estimators
T
1-2 YARDS
512-565-6968
Austin
San Antonio 210-862-6968
210-698-3501
Fax
PO Box 710
CONCRETE • READY-MIX
FREE DELIVERY*
Frames • Tube & Clamp • Systems • Power Swings
Debris Chutes • Erection Services • Extended Reach Forklifts
4337 Director Drive
2320 S.W. 36th St. • San Antonio, Tx 78237
O: 210.433.9999 • C: 210.685.9002 • F: 210.435.7777
P.O Box 446 Marble Falls, Texas 78654
JOE LANDRY
Sales Representative
Mobile (210) 771-5659
www.scaffold.com
Chris Martinez
Industrial and Commercial
24 hr Emergency Service
Give Bruce Eckersley a call today:
Fax: 830-693-4868
Tom Smith, President
Fred Martinez
T
he University of
Texas at San Antonio
(UTSA) interior design students have a new opportunity to experience the
world of architecture and
design, thanks to a scholarship announced on July 31st
by Intertech Flooring.
The $7,500 donation
marks the first-ever UTSA
School of Architecture
scholarship offered specifically for interior design students. The Intertech FloorL-R: Intertech’s CEO Bill Imhoff presents $7,500 scholaring Scholarship in Interior
ship check to Susan B. Lanford, IIDA and Julius
Design will be used over the M. Gribou, AIA, Dean of UTSA’s School of Architecture.
next five years to send students to the prestigious NeoCon¨ World’s company wanted to create a way for aspirTrade Fair, North America’s largest confer- ing interior designers to gain a deeper unence and exhibition for interior design and derstanding of the commercial sector of the
facilities management.
design business. “As these students gradu“We are delighted that Intertech Floor- ate and enter the interior design industry,
ing chose UTSA to create this special fund their exposure to leading-edge commercial
and unique learning opportunity for our de- design trends will be a tremendous asset to
sign students,” said Susan Lanford, IIDA, their clients.”
senior lecturer and coordinator of UTSA’s
The company’s Austin office was estabInterior Design Bachelor’s Degree program. lished in 1988 and its San Antonio location
Intertech’s CEO, Bill Imhoff said his is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
Thanks for the memories!
S
pecial thanks are extended to Associated Builders and Contractors for inviting
the National Association of Women in Construction to sponsor a “Women In
Construction” team in last month’s Skeet Shoot. Participating WIC’s included
Maryanna Christensen, Harding, Conley, Drawert, Tinch Insurance Agency;
Deborah Drumm, Fisher, Heck Architects; Liane Jett, Incore Construction;
Michelle Seward, Joeris General Contracting; and Celeste Rowe, David & David
Construction. The women made a respectable showing and even “out-shot” several
of the men. Watch out next year! Congratulations to Kari Roberts, Trimble-Batjer
Insurance for winning the Ruger pistol.
On Location
HOLES
OF SAN ANTONIO, INC.
Serving San Antonio and South Texas Since 1977
• Wall Saw - 30” Deep
• Flat Saw - Gas or
Electric 24” Deep
• Core Drilling
1” to 36” Diameter
Matt Young and staff of Young Stone ready to make a delivery of granite and marble.
•
•
•
•
•
Concrete Breaking & Removal
Decorative Sawing
Bump Grinding
Crack Chasing
Demolition
Horizontal Curb Cutting
Driveway
Approaches
ADA Ramps
Bridge
Parapet Walls
Tar Scaffolding’s Ceasar Chavez, Jr. (Left), Violet Rodriguez (Right) and
Luiz Canales (Sitting) taking scaffolding to new heights.
GEORGE MAJOR
KEN MAJOR
GEORGE MAJOR JR
FRED MABERRY
PAUL SELLERS
Lynwood Building Materials welcomed more than 150 guests to tour their facilities
and feast on BBQ during their Customer Appreciation Day.
•
•
•
•
•
MOBIL
MOBIL
MOBIL
MOBIL
MOBIL
260-5447
389-3542
389-3544
389-3535
389-3532
(210) 349-5256 800-756-5208
Fax (210) 349-0727
118 Braniff Drive
See our ad at Concrete Breaking & Sawing in your
DUST CONTROL
Topping out of the Beth-El Temple project was good cause for about 200 people
to join SpawGlass in celebrating their latest accomplishment.
SOIL STABILIZATION
The exclusive distributor of Ultra Bond 2000 ™ provides quality
road maintenance products for:
• Dust Control • Soil Stabilization • Erosion Control
• Easily applied with Applicator Truck • Third tier distributorships available
Ultra Bond 2000 ™
Easy To Handle, Proven Environmentally
Safe Non-Hazardous
Approved for use by Texas DOT
Contact: Ben Ward or Alan Hughes
Phone. 888.808.3462 Fax. 281.355.6721
L-R: Tommy Fisher, F.A. McComas Painting feasting at Constructors’ Aug. 22nd airport BBQ,
served by Cody Chrismon, asst. project manager and Randy Brunnemann, project manager.
Dina Industries, Inc. 18118 Strack Road, Spring, TX 77383

*SA Jun 02 - Construction News

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