Howard S. Wright Constructors

Scope Of Work

Vanguard Truck Centers owns and operates full-service commercial truck centers in the United States. Looking for an upgrade from their existing facility, Balfour Beatty was contracted to construct a build-to-suit sales center and office building on a new site located in south of the city and close to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The project scope included abatement and demolition of an existing, partial two-story office building, as well as a metal building. Typical of an urban environment, the sitework package encompassed all new storm and sanitary sewer that tied into the existing systems, along with a detention pond. Unanticipated, the Balfour team did encounter rock, which required blasting. Sitework was completed upon removal of rock, and work was able to progress.
 
Alongside work in the field, planning and coordination was happening behind the scenes as well. To get ahead of any unanticipated issues, the team thoroughly coordinated mechanical, electrical and plumbing work through the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM). The models provided insight into areas of clash detection and allowed for early adjustments to be made before putting work in place. After a thorough study by Balfour Beatty’s resident BIM expert, shifting of the HVAC rooftop units was suggested. Because this shift was made early, momentum never stalled in the field. 
 
All along the way, the Balfour team worked collaboratively to identify ways to work smarter. One of those recommendations was made when the team suggested laying the base course layer of asphalt around the perimeter of the jobsite ahead of the planned schedule. Doing so ahead of the winter months ensured the site would be kept clean and allowed trucks and workers to move about the site with ease, creating some efficiencies for all.  
 
Throughout the process, Balfour has looked out for the owner’s best interest and provided information and recommendations related to tenant requests and existing site conditions. This forethought has allowed the owner to make informed and timely decisions and advanced the project quickly into each next phase.
 
The build-back, scheduled for a 10-month duration, will deliver 12,000 square feet of single-story sales center space. The new building will be clad with metal panels, fiber cement and EIFS with exterior storefront and curtainwall. The operations offices and sales offices will be located adjacent to meeting rooms and training rooms and feature sealed concrete floors throughout.  The upgraded finishes, audio visual and improved connectivity will help bring a new vibrancy to the workplace for the Vanguard Truck Center employees and sales staff.
 
“Working with the Balfour Beatty team on this project has been an eye opener for us. Vanguard Truck Centers has worked on many similar projects across the country. The thing that sets this one apart is the professionalism of the Balfour Beatty team. They are very structured on scheduling and communication. This has minimized the amount of time the Vanguard team has been required to devote to the project, at the same time giving us all the visibility and input we need. In the end, we get to focus on running our business and let the pros build the building which works out great for us. We could not be happier with the results so far and look forward to the completion of this project!”