Howard Shockey & Sons News
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Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. Ranks Among Virginia's Top 10 General Contractors
Each year in March, Virginia Business Magazine publishes the Virginia Business List of Leaders, representing the largest companies across 20 industries. Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is pleased to report that the company remains one of Virginia's largest general contractors, with $195.0 million of work put in place in Virginia in 2008.
In this time of economic uncertainty, it is nice to think about how some contractors have been weathering storms successfully for more than 100 years. Since it was founded in 1896, Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. has survived The Great Depression, two World Wars and significant recessions. "Our continued success is a testament to our employees who work hard every day to deliver outstanding customer service," said Jeff Boehm, Vice President.
The family owned company is well positioned for continued growth. Shockey is a demonstrated leader in the delivery of public/private partnership and design-build projects; specialty areas include the medical, educational, commercial and industrial sectors.
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is also nationally ranked on the annual Top 400 Contractors list by Engineering News-Record (ENR), the leading U.S. trade publication for the engineering and construction industry.
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is a 114-year old general contracting and construction management firm based in Winchester, Virginia. The firm provides construction services throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.
Roanoke's finest have a new place to train. The city police department celebrated its new 28,000 square foot building at a ribbon cutting Wednesday afternoon. Constructed by Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., the Roanoke Police Academy was designed and built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification standards.
The $6.9 million facility serves as a training academy for current and future officers. "We hope that we find some opportunities to share with the community, share with the kids and it gives some place to do the training that we actually need," said Roanoke Police Chief, Joe Gaskins.
One of the highlights in the new academy is a pool where trainees will be required to jump in fully clothed with their bulletproof vest and gun belt to learn how to swim with all the extra weight.
The Roanoke Police Academy was procured using the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEA), which enables the public and private sector to work together as partners.
Source: WDBJ7.com
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Benjamin Forgey, former architecture critic for The Washington Post, offers his thoughts on parking structure design in the Washington DC area. He shared his insights in his regular column "Perspectives" for the February 19 issue of OnSite Magazine, published by the Washington Business Journal.
"At their best, parking garages can embody the civic spirit and can be innovative public buildings," says Forgey in his column.
Howard Shockey is pleased that its 530-space George Washington Autopark (in Winchester, Virginia) received mention as a "praiseworthy attempt to fit a new garage into historic context."
The garage's exterior appearance echoes the architectural aesthetic of Winchester's historic district. Here is what the project team had to say about the design of the Winchester parking garage:
"Preserving and extending the integrity of the historic downtown district had been a goal since day one," says Jeff Boehm, Vice President of Howard Shockey & Sons.
"Winchester's new garage does something significant, states structural engineer Ned Cleland. "It doesn't look like a conventional parking structure filled with horizontal beams and vertical columns. Instead, this parking deck was designed to look like an old industrial building, with walls and punched openings for windows. "
When The Free Lance-Star opens its new production facility this month, the event will herald a sizable set of firsts for the family-owned newspaper. Not only will the paper begin operating the first Goss International FPS press in North America, it will also be the first daily to use specially formulated hybrid ink from Flint Group, the first to use a plant-wide management app engineered by Goss, the first to employ an automated roll-handling system co-authored by Goss and Westfalia Technologies and the first to use a specially tailored plate loading system architected by Nela in concert with Kodak and the press vendor.
Incorporating the slate of new technologies is part of a carefully drafted strategy plotted by Operations Director John Jenkins and Publisher Josiah P. Rowe III. "The technology with the new press doesn't scare me," Rowe said. "What we're doing is visionary."
To that end, The Free Lance-Star's 92,000-square-foot plant is equipped with systems designed to satisfy a single objective: "To complete a printed product in one pass," said Jenkins. "Automation and integration are key, and we have designed a printing infrastructure in which we can get a newsprint roll delivered, a finished product printed, and have that done with only a single touch. We believe that efficiency will make the difference for us."
The 92,000-square-foot building was constructed by Winchester-based general contractor Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. The plant, on 23 acres in south Fredericksburg, will replace The Free Lance-Star's longtime downtown production facility.
The facility adds a new revenue stream to The Free Lance Star Companies, a local, family-owned business which also holds a newspaper, on-line media and four radio stations in Fredericksburg. The Washington Examiner is the first commercial printing client.
Source: News and Tech.com
WVU-East Hospital Expansion is Right on Budget
By Erienne Greene, Journal Staff Writer
MARTINSBURG - West Virginia University Hospitals-East officials said Tuesday that City Hospital's $28 million expansion project is both "on schedule and on budget."
The plan for expansion is comprised of three individual projects at the hospital, including the construction of a new 11,840-square-foot cardiac catheterization laboratory, a 120,000-square-foot intensive care/coronary care unit and a 17,000-square-foot addition to the emergency department. A new parking lot also will be built to better accommodate the new services that will be offered following the completion of the expansion.
Tony Zelenka, vice president and administrator at City Hospital, said the total project started with - and still has - a price tag of $27,863,000. "The price has remained consistent from the beginning of this," he said. "The money is in the bank and designated solely for the project - and (it's) ready to go."
The new additions to the facility and the overall scope of the project will allow for higher patient capacity levels, with the facility being able to see 60,000 patients a year. He added that through the past 10 years, the number of visits to the hospital's emergency department has increased by nearly 13,000 each year.
The construction manager of the expansion projects is Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. of Winchester, while Panhandle Builders and Excavating is performing site work, he said. "We've awarded 22 contracts to a multitude of contractors," Zelenka said. "Both site development and foundation work are 90 percent complete, with the complete structural steel setting now at 50 percent complete. We're starting on the northwest corner of the building and doing the cath lab and ICU first."
He also said the entire project's timeline is on track. "As we progress for the next three or four months, all the interior finishing will begin. We'll plan what these rooms will looks like, what furniture we need to get in there, what fabrics and colors. ... Signage is also being completed right now, too," he said. "All the interior work is what we're operating in parallel to the construction." He said the bottom line is that the hospital project is still on schedule for opening up the cath lab in September, and the ICU in December. The new ER will most likely open in January 2011. Zelenka said the project in entirety is going "exceptionally well."
"The methodology has worked very well for us so far, with very little or no change in orders," he said. "Putting the new facility in place, though, is only one-third of what's required as part of the project. The other two-thirds is that we're working on a customer service program that teaches all of our employees how to treat each other and patients in a very good manner. The remaining third, and last component of the project, is economic development."
He said the volume of patients that the hospital will be able to accommodate once the projects are complete will be dependent upon officials adding staff at the appropriate time to take care of the patients.
Since November, an expansion project also has been in the works at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, and site work on the facility's emergency department has begun recently, according to Teresa McCabe, vice president of marketing and development at WVUH-E. She said the 6,000-square-foot expansion to JMH's existing emergency department, taking it from eight to 19 beds, will include a new fast track area, it will renovate the existing waiting room, provide additional parking, and add a decontamination room, as well as a link to a newly designed radiology suite.
JMH Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Tina Coad said in a recent statement, "We are currently averaging 22,000 patient visits per year and our existing space was not designed for these volumes." "This new design will allow for growth in (emergency department) patient visits until our new hospital is built," she added. Coad emphasized the "very aggressive" deadline by saying that people can expect the emergency department project to be completed by July.
"It's been a long time in coming, and things started coming together in late fall. The hospital family and the community are very excited about it, and it's been a pretty amazing undertaking," she said. "We're doing everything we need to do to make the building beautiful and complement the excellent service that we strive to provide."
The rehabilitation of the existing Rich Products Corporation's food processing plant at 801 N. Kent St. is underway. The 33,054-square-foot plant is being renovated into Sunshine's Pride Dairy. Quesos La Ricura says it will invest $9.5 million in the building. Winchester's Howard Shockey & Sons is the general contractor working to prepare the plant for production.
Jim Deskins, Winchester's director of economic redevelopment, said he has been told the project is progressing well. He said the company had expected a spring or summer opening. Deskins said the region will welcome the jobs the plant will create - company officials have said they expect to hire about 100 people - and the city will gain significant revenue from property and equipment taxes. But the message it sends about the city also is important. "A less tangible benefit is the psychological and market impact it has for us to be able to say somebody is opening a new facility in Winchester during this time when most places seem to be losing jobs," Deskins said. "This is a positive statement about doing business in the City of Winchester. "
The dairy is owned by Quesos La Ricura, Ltd. The company is headquartered in Hicksville, NY, and is a manufacturer of a wide variety of cheeses. Quesos La Ricura also distributes products from Mexico and elsewhere in Central America.
Excerpts of this press release taken from "Factory will say Cheese in Five Months" by Vic Bradshaw, The Winchester Star
Shockey anticipates sharing substantial savings with city
On January 8th, 2010, city officials will hold a dedication ceremony to announce the near completion of the new community center. The project features almost 80,000 square feet of facility space for multi-generational recreation and leisure activities. Facility highlights include: an NCAA short course competition certified indoor pool, two state-of-the-art gymnasiums, an event hall that can comfortably accommodate 250 banquet-style seats, (with a pre-function area for gathering and socializing), 11 multi-purpose rooms for programs, performances and meetings, a fitness center that includes an oak-wood floor dance studio, and a dedicated Teen Center.
Why is this project unique? In a word: partnership. Significantly, the community center is the first project to be completed in Manassas Park using a public-private agreement (authorized by PPEA legislation) according to Catherine Morretta, Manassas Parks' Parks and Recreation Director. "We quickly realized that a public-private partnership was the fastest way to get this much needed project built. The public-private partnership arrangement allowed for creative financing and an expedited process," says Morretta.
In May of 2008, Winchester-based Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. entered into a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract with the City of Manassas Park. This meant that if the project ended up costing more than anticipated, Shockey would be responsible for remaining expenses. To encourage the contractor to further reduce construction costs, the contract had a shared savings clause. Savings will be shared with 30% to Shockey and 70% to the City of Manassas Park.
With the project nearing completion, but its final accounting not yet complete, Shockey anticipates sharing substantial savings with the City of Manassas Park. " I firmly believe that the savings will be considered significant by all ," says Jeff Boehm, VP at Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., "and they are a testament to the power of teamwork. "
When reflecting on the innovative partnership approach, Morretta indicates the City was well served, " OWPR and Shockey utilized creative site engineering to minimize the impact of an 80,000 sq. ft. community located in the middle of a neighborhood. They've stayed ahead of schedule and under budget - who could ask for more than that? It's beautiful and should serve the community ably for many decades. "
The project was designed and built in just 19 months. The project team includes Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. of Winchester as contractor and OWPR, Inc. of Blacksburg as architect.
GRTC Transit System's New Headquarters
By Will Jones, Richmond Times DispatchRICHMOND, Va. -- GRTC Transit System is poised to move into a new $38 million headquarters in South Richmond after more than 100 years in makeshift quarters near the Fan District. Built for safety, as well as energy and operational efficiencies, the new facility on East Belt Boulevard represents a leap as dramatic as Richmond's evolution from electric trolleys to talking buses equipped with GPS capabilities.
The new administrative and operations center will allow GRTC to make full use of technology, from how bus operators are trained with computer simulators to how the fleet is mobilized during an emergency, said John M. Lewis Jr., GRTC's chief executive officer. It also will allow Lewis to store the plastic bucket that catches water that drips from his office ceiling when it rains. "Now, we finally have a chance to design something that meets our specific needs," he said.
GRTC officials have been talking about building a new headquarters for at least 15 years, but the project didn't get traction until the 12-acre site on Belt Boulevard was purchased in early 2006. Construction started in February 2008, and it is about 1½ months ahead of schedule and about $1.9 million under its $40 million budget, Lewis said.
Mayor Dwight C. Jones, a representative for Sen. Jim Webb, and other city and state leaders have been invited to tour the facility this morning. GRTC plans to move its administrative offices by mid-December and expects to be fully settled south of the James River by the end of January.
The shift will free up the GRTC's longtime home at 101 S. Davis Ave. near the Fan. City officials have expressed interest in acquiring the property for eventual private development, but Lewis said GRTC's board of directors has made no decision. "The quicker we can bring that to a close, the better it'll be from a cost standpoint," he said.
The project has been designed to meet Silver standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program of the U.S. Green Building Council, and with separate entrances for buses and employee vehicles.
To ensure safety, buses are expected to flow through the site in an orderly, counterclockwise fashion, as they empty their fare boxes, get refueled and washed, and are finally parked for maintenance. Lewis called the constant motion at GRTC's current, 6.8-acre headquarters "just a nightmare from a safety standpoint." The new headquarters is tucked behind a series of buildings along the commercial strip. Dwight Barrett, a manager of Standard Furniture, sees GRTC's headquarters as an improvement for the area and isn't missing the abandoned lumberyard that had been on the site.
"Honestly, I think it'll be a boost for the area businesses with that many people working there and the traffic it'll bring," he said.
Cost: $38 million, funded with state and federal grants
Details: About 126,000 square feet in an administrative wing, as well as a maintenance and operations area. The site includes a 21-bay bus-maintenance facility, a 2,400-square-foot lounge for bus operators and a rooftop patio over the vehicle-wash bays.
Design: Built to LEED Silver energy-efficiency standards, with an internal lighting system that adjusts automatically based on natural light levels, and vehicle-wash bays that use recycled water.
General contractor: Howard Shockey & Sons | Architect: Gannett Fleming
NBC 25, by Jamie Burke
MARTINSBURG, WV - With the growing need for health care in the area, City Hospital in Martinsburg is working to expand to help fulfill that need. Construction is underway with the expansion totaling 28 million dollars.
A new cath lab will open in August 2010, a new 20 bed ICU is slated to open in December 2010, and a 40 bed emergency department is expected to open in October 2010 that can accommodate up to 60,000 patients a year.
"We hope by completing all three of these projects, which do total about 28 million dollars, that by the end of next year we will have all three areas open and have patients moving through there," says Teresa McCabe with WVU Hospital East.
The emergency department at City Hospital currently sees about 40,000 patients a year.
Howard Shockey & Sons, a general contractor based in Winchester, Virginia will lead the construction team. Howard Shockey is one of the oldest and largest building contractors in Virginia. Specialty areas include the medical, educational, commercial and industrial sectors. It is a member of The Shockey Companies, a privately held consortium of construction firms.
Virginia Association of Counties | County Connections
In this time of economic uncertainty, it is nice to know that some companies have been weathering storms successfully for more than 100 years. Howard Shockey & Sons is such a company. Founded in 1896, the Winchester-based company is well positioned for continued growth throughout the Commonwealth. Part of the company's success can be attributed to its forward-looking business strategy. In fact, today Shockey is one of just a handful of companies in Virginia with a real depth of public-private partnership (PPP) experience.
What is a Public-Private Partnership? A public-private partnership can often be an ideal model for local governments to develop and finance projects that might otherwise not get built. The advantages of the public-private partnership arrangement over traditional procurement methods are: " Increased financing flexibility " Project costs may be lower " Projects may be faster to implement
In 2002 Virginia formally enacted the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEA), which enabled the public and private sector to work together as partners for needed projects. While any locality can take advantage of this relatively new procurement option, there are a few ground rules. For example, the public reviewing agency must adopt local policy guidelines. The public entity must determine that there is a demonstrated need for the project and ensure the public-private partnership offers an effective way to put the project in place.
Most types of public ventures can qualify, but a clear, two-step process must be observed. Local governments are increasingly turning to PPPs because the savings in time can translate to significant cost savings. Shockey has been involved in a total of 10 PPP projects in Virginia, including prisons, work-release center, police training facilities, parking structures, schools and public safety facilities.
While much has changed for Shockey over the last 113 years, there are a few things that haven't. Good business relationships, quality construction, long-term employees, and a service-oriented attitude all share credit for the company's success and expansion. Jeff Boehm, Vice President of Howard Shockey, expands on this saying, "As a family owned business, we place a significant emphasis on good communication and trust. It's served us well for over a century."
Case study: Winchester's new parking garage
The 530-space George Washington Autopark is a fully automated parking deck located in the newly revitalized Kent corridor area. It is the city's fourth parking garage, and its first to be built using the PPEA process. The Winchester Parking Authority recently completed this seven-story parking structure through a public private partnership or PPEA agreement with Shockey-WPA, LLC (whose member company is Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. one of the state's oldest and largest general contractors.)
George Washington Autopark project team
The City of Winchester's Parking Authority partnered with Shockey-WPA, LLC, whose member company is Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., one of Virginia's largest and oldest building contractors. Shockey specializes in construction management, preconstruction services, design build, public-private partnerships, and general contracting. Other team members included Shockey Precast, Design Concepts, Inc. and Blue Ridge Design.
By Rob Snyder | The Winchester Star
The newest assisted-living center to be built by real estate development company HHHunt Corp., Spring Arbor of Winchester is scheduled to open at this time next year, Richard H. Williams Jr., vice president of senior living for the company, said Thursday. It will be built at Northwestern Pike (U.S. 50) and Echo Lane, near the Courtyard Marriott hotel just west of the city.
The 40-year-old company owns and operates 20 assisted-living centers throughout the Southeast, with others set to open over the next four years in Fredericksburg, Greensboro, N.C., and Annapolis, Md., as well as in Leesburg, where one is on schedule to open next month.
HHHunt has been operating assisted-living centers since the early 1990s, after getting its start about 20 years earlier, developing student housing for Virginia Tech. The company directs various types of real estate projects, including multi-family and single-family developments.
Betty Learned Friant, a senior investment adviser with Sperry Van Ness, which assisted the company in researching the area and selecting the site, said HHHunt is a natural fit for the region, bringing a reputation as a good neighbor and an active member in the community.
"We were impressed with them, because some other developers want to get in and get out, but as we were working with them and listening to the questions they were asking, it was obvious when they come, they come to stay," she said. The nine-acre site, purchased with the assistance of financing from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, cost $3.78 million.
The projected 73,000-square-foot building, to be built by the Shockey Corp., is priced at about $10 million. It will house around 60 residents, including 20 who will live in a specialized wing devoted to patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia, said Williams. That provides us with a continuum of care, if things change [with the residents], he said. Part of the success of the company rests with its approach to care, said Sylvia Maddox, the regional director for the company's senior living division. Residents entering the center are assessed on their interests, which enables the staff to develop a program to meet their individual needs, she said. We want to keep the residents active and focused on wellness, Maddox said. This approach brings enrichment to their lives so they're not just having cookie-cutter activities.
At an assisted-living center, residents are largely independent, relying on staff members to assist with the activities of their daily lives, such as bathing, dressing, and housekeeping. "This is not a nursing facility, he said. We want our residents to maintain their independence. We don't employ physicians or therapists. We encourage residents to maintain their primary physicians.
The center will employ about 60 people, relying on certified nursing assistants to provide the extent of its medical care, Williams said. Each of the 400-square-foot units at the center will be designed with a senior citizen in mind, and will feature wider doors, lower counters, a call system, and handicapped access. The units will cost about $4,000 a month to lease, not including a $4,000 admission fee, Williams said. The company also reaches into the community, drawing expertise from volunteers in schools and churches, said Leigh-Anne Osborne, a registered nurse and the executive director of the Oaks of Lynchburg. We are totally dependent on the community, she said. They bring so many different dynamics into our programs. That's all part of the center's priority to be a good neighbor, said Williams. Because we're owners and operators, we want to be a part of the communities we're in, he said.
Willie Nelson Coming to Winchester | WHSV, TV Channel 3
The auditorium inside John Handley High School was named to honor a former student and country music icon. The auditorium has been named the Patsy Cline Theatre. A dedication ceremony will be held October 29 with a special concert by Willie Nelson.
Winchester Superintendent Rick Leonard and school Principal Doug Joyner said they are happy to have recognition for the Handley family in a theatre rich in history. Money raised from the concert will benefit the Winchester Education Foundation, which raises money for various school programs. Damon Dearment, with the Winchester Education Foundation, says, "We feel this event will bring credibility and awareness to the mission of the Winchester Education Foundation, which is to provide funding for academic programs, scholarships, teacher and student enrichment, athletic equipment and uniforms, and other projects to enhance the education of all the students in the Winchester school system."
The Handley Auditorium, where Nelson will perform, is the largest entertainment facility in Winchester. The newly renovated space is located inside John Handley High School, which just completed a five-year, $63.9 million renovation and expansion project. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. served as the Construction Manager on the project.
Joint Custody: Western Virginia Agencies Join Forces to Boost Capacity, Convenience and Efficiency with $122 Million Roanoke Regional Jail By Lisa Kopochinski | Correctional News Magazine
Situated on a 42-acre site in Salem, Va., the new $122 million Western Virginia Regional Jail, which opened in April, stands as a concrete testament to interjurisdictional communication, cooperation, and coordination in tackling the pressures, challenges and constraints facing corrections agencies and elected officials at the local level.
The 605-bed facility, which was developed to provide updated facilities, deliver operational efficiencies and address jail overcrowding and inmate population projections, represents the raison d'etre of the Western Virginia Regional Jail Authority. The counties of Franklin, Montgomery and Roanoke and the City of Salem established the WVRJ to manage planning, financing and construction of the new jail under a 2005 regional partnership agreement. The procurement of project design and construction was conducted under Virginias Public-Private Education and Infrastructure Act partnership, which is designed to bring private sector expertise to bear on public projects, encourage innovative approaches to construction and financing, and ultimately save time and money through public-private partnership.
"PPEA allows for faster procurement than afforded under the old design-bid-build model," says Jeff Boehm, vice president at Howard Shockey & Sons, the project's general contractor. "Construction starts sooner and occupancy occurs earlier. "
Commencing work in April 2007, the Winchester, Va.-based firm, which has delivered a number of justice and corrections projects throughout the mid-Atlantic region, completed the project in 24 months.
Excerpt from the article, please click on the link for full text.
Site Work at New Frederick School Finished By Garren Shipley | NVDaily.com
Winchester - Frederick County's newest elementary school is coming along nicely, both on time and within budget.
That was the central item in report to Frederick County School Board members at their meeting on Tuesday. Assistant Superintendent for Administration Al Orndorff told members that the project is on track to open in August and should be ready for pupils. Site work on the $23.2 million school is complete, and system employees have been in the building since the beginning of July working to get the school ready for children.
Located on Channing Drive, Greenwood Mill will replace Senseny Road Elementary. Pupils from Senseny Road will be joined by some children from Evendale and Redbud Run. Board members approved the change in March as a cost-cutting measure.
In other business, members were told that enrollment in the school system was relatively stable over the course of the year. "There's not anything really surprising on the report," Orndorff said. Total enrollment in the system was relatively stable through the year. When classes ended last month, some 12,719 pupils were attending classes in Frederick County. "That's 35 students more than we were a year ago," said Orndorff. Officials expect 13,092 pupils to enroll in classes this fall.
Collectively, the school system finished out the year at 91 percent of its program capacity. But two facilities did have more pupils than they were designed to handle. Sherando High School finished with 80 more students than its 1,400-student capacity. Evendale Elementary also finished 80 pupils over capacity of 644.
Part of that elementary school load will be lifted when the new Greenwood Mill comes on line this fall. Board members also voted to change the old school's name to Senseny Road School to better reflect its future as the home of the Northwest Regional Education Program as well as the county's Head Start program. Students have done their part in preparing for the change, approving a new mascot and school colors. The votes were counted in June, and the newly minted Greenwood Gators will sport green, blue and white.
Leesburg Today "New High Schools Take Shape" By Alex Bahr
In Leesburg, construction is proceeding on Tuscarora High School on the northern edge of town near Ida Lee Park. The school will be the first 1,800-student facility to be built in Loudoun, with the additional 200 seats added with the intent of the school housing an academy program.
The contract for the construction of Tuscarora was awarded to Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., for the amount of $56,071,040.
The company has been nominated for an Environmental Preservation Award by the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development for its environmental impact mitigation work, much of which is focused on Tusacrora Creek, which cuts across the site.
(Excerpt) Please click on the link for full text.
Public-Private Partnerships: Virginia's Alternative Procurement Tool - How Winchester Saved Time and Money on a New Parking Garage
Across Virginia, local governments are being challenged to operate more efficiently and cost-effectively. It is increasingly clear that given the right qualifying project and an experienced, committed partner - the PPP process can yield compelling results.
The City of Winchester's Parking Authority partnered with Shockey-WPA, LLC, whose member company is Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., one of Virginia's largest and oldest building contractors.
The 530-space George Washington Garage is a fully automated parking deck located in Winchester's newly revitalized Kent corridor area.
This article was first published in the June 2009 issue of Town and City Magazine. Read the full article by downloading the link below.
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. announces that it has been included on the annual Top 400 Contractors list by Engineering News-Record (ENR), the leading U.S. trade publication for the engineering and construction industry.
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is a 113-year old general contracting and construction management firm based in Winchester, Virginia. The firm provides construction services throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.
"Howard Shockey's placement on this year's ENR Top 400 Contractors list is a testament to our employees who work hard every day to deliver outstanding customer service," said Jeff Boehm, Vice President at Howard Shockey.
Howard Shockey also recently announced a one million hour work-hour safety milestone, which means its employees have worked 1,000,000 employee hours without a lost-time injury.
About ENR
Engineering News-Record (ENR) is the industry standard for current news on construction projects, activities, and trends across the United States. The annual ENR Top 400 Contractors' list is based on construction revenue. The full list can be found online at http://enr.construction.com/toplists/Contractors/001-100.asp
About Howard Shockey & Sons
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is one of the oldest continuously operating building contractors in Virginia. Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is a demonstrated leader in the delivery of public/private partnership and design-build projects; specialty areas include the medical, educational, commercial and industrial sectors. It is a member of The Shockey Companies, a privately held consortium of construction firms.
By Jessica J. Burchard, The Winchester Star
Diagnostic medicine has changed considerably during the past 28 years, and at Winchester Medical Center it's also become much more convenient.
When Brenda Matthews came to WMC in 1981, she and others working in diagnostic medicine would have to travel across the hospital campus for most of the services they needed. The radiology department was isolated in the geographic center of the hospital (an area with no windows) while other diagnostic services were spread out across the campus. But now all of those services are in a single building, the Winchester Medical Center Diagnostic Center, which officially opens Monday at 1840 Amherst St.
"This will help people be able to come in and get what they need in one place," Matthews, site manager for the center, said Friday after giving a tour of the facility to hospital employees. The 70,000-square-foot facility, expected to treat about 400 patients each day, houses departments for: X-rays Fluoroscopy Ultrasound Digital mammography Stereotactic breast biopsy DEXA (bone densitometry) CT (computed tomography) MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) Nuclear medicine PET scan (positron emission tomography) Special procedures (imaging-guided minor procedures) Clinical lab testing And EKG (electrocardiography) The building also includes a wing for women's services.
"This building has lots of stuff that we're really excited about, said Heather Snyder, clinical coordinator, who has worked at WMC for 20 years. I never in my wildest dreams thought we'd have a building like this. "
Construction on the facility, which had been planned for years, started in September 2007. It was estimated to cost $30 million for construction and equipment, but the eventual figure was substantially lower. The construction by Howard Shockey and Sons Inc. cost $19 million and the equipment from GE Healthcare, Philips Medical, and other firms cost $6 million.
Snyder is pleased with the upgrades. Most of the technology here is new. Everything here is completely digital. The few older devices include several mammography machines purchased in 2006; they now have updated software. Digital records can be transferred to physicians outside the Diagnostic Center much faster than the older films (which required at least one day to process and get to the doctor's office.) This helps to speed up diagnoses and possible treatment options for patients.
The new facility has a patient focus, Snyder said. For instance: All of these areas have bathrooms connecting to the patient rooms. Also, since patients often need several tests at once, the placement of all diagnostic departments in one building likely will make their experience faster and more convenient. I think the patient flow is going to be more efficient, said Amanda Frizzel, diagnostic sonographer at the center. I think we'll be able to get their tests done quickly and get them out. Frizzel has worked at WMC since 1998, and in the ultrasound department for eight years. In the Diagnostic Center, the ultrasound department has five examination rooms and one empty room that may be converted into another exam room.
Matthews said the center should benefit the 50 employees who will rotate through it daily as much as the patients. "I'm expecting to see employee satisfaction go way up, she said with a smile. Now we have open windows. We have lots of light. "
Howard Shockey & Sons of Winchester, Va., hired Jerry Ennis as president. Ennis has 31 years of experience in construction supervision and management. He was most recently with Boldt Construction, where he served as president of its southern operations division. Ennis is perhaps best known for his role in stabilizing the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building after it was bombed in 1995.
By Eric Beidel, The Winchester Star
The new George Washington Autopark is officially open, and parking is free through this weekend. Contractor Howard Shockey and Sons Inc. built the garage for $7.68 million, about $14,222 per parking space. The garage is between Kent and Cameron streets, flanked by the Frederick County Government Complex and The George Washington Hotel.
The garage's proximity to the hotel, restaurants, banks, and other businesses will provide a great benefit to anyone visiting downtown Winchester, said Mayor Elizabeth A. Minor before cutting a ribbon Friday afternoon at the Cameron Street entrance of the garage. The Rev. Clyde Nelson of Market Street United Methodist Church led dozens of community leaders in a prayer during the ceremony. He asked that "the glory and beauty of Winchester be upon all who park here."
The mayor and Winchester Parking Authority Chairman Bill Bayliss took the first car into the garage - a Ford Cobra replica that Bayliss borrowed from a friend. He recognized members of the City Council, past and present members of the Parking Authority, Frederick County officials, architects, designers, and the builder during his remarks. Even if you're on the right track, Bayliss said, quoting Mark Twain, you'll get run over if you just sit there. Winchester has been on the right track, he said.
Almost 45 years ago to the day, the city government created the Parking Authority. The body was created in 1964, thanks to enabling legislation written by Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr. The parking authority previously helped to build three parking decks in the city. The new parking garage features 530 spaces: 70 on the ground floor, 380 covered, and another 80 on the roof. At least 90 spaces are reserved for county government employees, who will be able to walk across a bridge from the fourth level of the parking deck to the county government facility. At least 19 spaces are reserved for The George Washington Hotel.
The garage will be Winchester's first fully automated parking deck, with a walk-up kiosk that will accept cash or a credit card, or an in-lane pay station at the Kent Street exit where payment can be made by cash or credit. The garage also includes office space for three city employees - the Parking Authority's secretary, the director of the Old Town Development Board, and the director of economic redevelopment.
It took Shockey just short of a year to complete the new parking deck. The company did the work on time and within budget. Each of the garage's seven levels bears the name of someone who has contributed to Winchester's life and history - Patsy Cline, George Washington, Judge John Handley, Col. James Wood, Gen. Daniel Morgan, Gen. Thomas Stonewall Jackson, and Adm. Richard E. Byrd.
About 500 pieces of concrete, weighing 25 million pounds or 12,500 tons, went into the facility.
The city's first autopark on Braddock Street cost $1.7 million to build in 1972. The second autopark at Cameron, Boscawen, and Kent streets cost $2.4 million to construct in 1982. Winchester's third parking facility at Loudoun Street and Fairfax Lane cost $2.3 million to build in 1992. The three autoparks total 1,789 spaces. With the new fourth garage, the number of parking spaces now totals 2,329.
The free parking will be over come Monday. In the words of the Parking Authority Director Gary Longerbeam, that is when we'll get down to business.
The Richmond Times Dispatch selected Jerry Ennis, the new President of Howard Shockey & Sons, as a featured profile in Virginia / Metro Business.
New position: President, Howard Shockey & Sons Inc.
Previous position: Group president, Boldt Construction, Oklahoma City
Birthplace: Sayre, Pa.
Education: bachelor of science, Albright College, Reading, Pa.
Career: "I've been in the construction business since graduation, starting on the ground-floor level as a clerk, then field engineering, project engineer, project management and moving into the executive ranks about 15 years ago."
Career goals: "Leading great people to build significant buildings."
The best advice ever received: "My mom always told me, 'Where there's a will, there's a way.'"
The most difficult situation faced on the job: "Reducing the size of a workforce is never easy."
Career tip for students: "Take advantage of as many hands-on, real-life industry working situations you possibly can. Internships are your best way into most industries."
What motivates him? "Putting together a passionate team to build important structures more successfully than anyone expected."
Role model: "This one is too easy -- my dad."
Family: wife, Cindy
Pastimes: golf, traveling to some place to play golf, reliving my most recent round of golf
The most memorable movie: "The Greatest Game Ever Played"
Favorite restaurant: "I'm still becoming familiar with Virginia restaurants. However, so far I really like the Capital Grille in McLean and the Blue Ridge Grill in Leesburg."
Ideal vacation: "You can probably imagine by now. It doesn't matter where, just so it's warm, sunny and there are wonderful golf courses to play."
The Winchester Star, By Lorraine Halsted
During his 24 years with The Boldt Co., a commercial construction firm in Oklahoma, Jerry Ennis grew his division beyond the state's borders. Now he's putting the same growth plan in place as president of Howard Shockey and Sons Inc. "The strategy going forward would be to expand outside the boundaries in which Shockey has worked in the past," said Ennis, who is about four months into his new leadership position. That means venturing outside Virginia to neighboring states such as Maryland, West Virginia, and North Carolina to begin establishing a regional presence.
It was only several years ago that Howard Shockey and Sons expanded outside the Winchester market, taking on larger projects all over the state. The company, in 2005, was as big as it could get in this area, said Don Cooper who left Ennis' position to became chief executive officer of The Shockey Cos., the parent company of Howard Shockey and Sons. There's only so much work here, he added. At that time, Cooper said, the company only took on jobs no larger than about $20 million and within 60 miles of Winchester.
Growth came as regular projects started rolling in from other parts of the state, with much larger price tags. We expanded all the way to Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Roanoke, Cooper said. Our project size increased up to $80 million. Howard Shockey and Sons eventually established job-site offices in those cities. Some of its 215 employees either move to the area or stay there during the week and come back to their families in Winchester on weekends. In three years, Howard Shockey and Sons has doubled its annual revenues from $125 million to $250 million.
When it was time to recruit a new president, Cooper said, Ennis fit the bill because he knew how to grow a commercial construction firm from a local to a regional operation, having done so as president of Boldts U.S. Southern Operations. We wanted someone to come on board that fit into our culture and to continue the progress and growth that we've made, Cooper said. Ennis said his new post feels familiar because of its similarities with Boldt.
Both companies are family-owned businesses and are more than 100 years old, he said. They also handle many of the same types of projects, such as medical facilities, government complexes, university buildings, and schools. Just prior to my leaving Boldt, we just finished four high schools, Ennis said. And just as he came on board at Howard Shockey and Sons, the firm was breaking ground on a $56 million high school project in Leesburg. Ennis, who has been in the commercial construction industry for 31 years, spent the majority of it with Boldt, which is based in Oklahoma City.
One of his most memorable times with the company, he said, occurred when Boldt employees rushed to the scene after a bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995, claiming 168 lives. While the firemen were recovering bodies, we had to shore the building up, he said, noting that Boldt's office was just a few miles from the site. It was three weeks around the clock working to keep it up.
Ennis worked his way up through the ranks at Boldt, starting as a field clerk and holding five other positions before becoming president of U.S. Southern Operations.
As he leads Howard Shockey and Sons to work on more projects in neighboring states, Ennis said he hopes to double the size of the company within the next five years, but realizes that the recession may hinder that goal to some degree. Even so, he said having a presence in markets outside Winchester has given the firm a chance to bid on more projects. When we go through tough economic times, you can't just look in your area for projects, he said. You have to look outside your area.
But he's hopeful that the federal stimulus package will loosen cash and credit and that potential clients will resume some of their projects. Ennis is also encouraged with the number of projects that Howard Shockey and Sons has on the calendar in the months to come. It's definitely slowed down some, he said. But we have a nice backlog in place for 2009, and we're putting a backlog together for 2010.
While pushing ahead to reach more regional markets, Ennis said Winchester (where Howard Shockey, a carpenter, founded the company in 1896) will continue to be a focal point. We are absolutely looking for local projects.
In addition to Howard Shockey and Sons, its sister company The Shockey Precast Group is also part of The Shockey Cos. Combined, the firms have 500 employees and annual sales of $350 million.
Chas Capitano, Environmental, Health & Safety Director for The Shockey Companies recently announced that the employees of Howard Shockey & Sons became members of the 1,000,000 Hour Club - meaning that they have worked 1,000,000 employee hours without a lost-time injury. "For more than three years, each employee has come to work each day and gone home safely at night," said Capitano. Shockey's safety performance is a rare occurrence, especially in construction.
According to information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and The National Safety Council, the average lost workday injury costs nearly $28,000, and a 100-employee firm can expect about two lost time injuries per year. Shockey's exemplary performance (achieved with nearly twice the number of employees noted) is a rare feat, and is a direct result of employee pride and attention to safety.
Shockey has always valued the health and wellbeing of its employees. Safety is not just a corporate goal, it is a requirement. It means, to Shockey, that safety must be considered when planning any job and before performing any task.
"We're extremely proud of our past and current accomplishments in safety. Our employees have shown that they really take safety issues seriously," said Capitano. This is the second time that Howard Shockey & Sons has reached the 1,000,000 hour milestone. It was previously accomplished from 2000-2003.
"Many clubs will let you pay an entry fee and become a member, but not the 1,000,000 Hour Club. You earn the right to be in this club by working carefully, and by watching out for your fellow workers," said Don Shockey, Chairman of The Shockey Companies.
Howard Shockey & Sons has always prided itself on providing safe projects for its employees as well as the subcontractors that work on them. This is in large part because of its supervisors that oversee these projects. "We've always spent a lot of time and energy on providing education for our employees, but in particular for our supervisors," says Chas Capitano, Environmental, Health & Safety Director for The Shockey Companies. "Our goal this year was to take that to the next level, and I'm extremely proud of how our first class responded. "
The Council on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists (CCHEST) recently announced that Chas Capitano, Mike Corbin, Randy Cole, Bobby Parsons, Tony Ashby, Ron Poe and Shannon Jays have completed the requirements for national certification as a Safety Trained Supervisor (STS). CCHEST awards this certification to individuals who meet CCHEST's rigorous experience and education requirements, including passing a comprehensive written exam. The written exam covers the body of knowledge supervisors must have to carry out their safety-related supervisory responsibilities and includes subjects such as hazard recognition and analysis, personal protective equipment, regulatory compliance and incident investigation.
The STS certification is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards. Those who earn the STS certification are recognized as having met the demanding, peer-established competency requirements in supervision. Currently, candidates for the STS certification may earn the certification in general industry, construction and petrochemical industries. "Our next group of supervisors will begin preparing for the STS exam later this year," said Capitano. "We feel this program is an excellent way to provide additional training to our supervisors, and recognize them for their achievements. "
Howard Shockey Delivers Virginia's First LEED / Environmentally Friendly Jail
Roanoke, VA, March 3, 2009 - Howard Shockey & Sons has been building jails for a long time, but the Roanoke facility marks a new milestone for the company. The Western Virginia Regional Jail will be Virginia's first LEED accredited local jail. (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which is the universal standard green building rating system endorsed by the US Green Building Council.) Superintendent Charlie Poff, Jr. affirms, "The Western Virginia Regional Jail will be the first LEED local detention facility in Virginia."
With a construction cost of $78 million*, the new jail is both high-tech and environmentally friendly. The facility recycles much of the water it uses and captures rain from the roof for some operations. The Energy Star-labeled white roofing system is designed to reflect heat away from the building. Sophisticated energy handling systems address lighting and air handling. Interestingly, some of the features that help the jail achieve LEED green building certification also help to heighten security and inmate control, such as better day-lighting and access to views.
Located in Roanoke County near Dixie Caverns, the Western Virginia Regional Jail is a product of a regional partnership between the Counties of Franklin, Montgomery and Roanoke and the City of Salem. The facility is approximately 264,000 square feet and provides a rated capacity for 605 inmates with another 200 beds double-bunked (for a total of 805 inmates) upon opening. This facility will help ease the current overcrowded and potentially unsafe conditions at the local jail facilities of the four partnering jurisdictions.
The project was procured under Virginia's PPEA statute, a project delivery system known for encouraging partnership between all members of the construction team. According to Jeff Boehm, Vice President at Howard Shockey & Sons, "PPEA allows for faster procurement than afforded under the old "design-bid-build" model. Construction starts sooner and occupancy occurs earlier." Approximately 150 construction workers have been working on the job site daily. The contractor is Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. of Winchester; the architect is HSMM of Roanoke.
To celebrate its upcoming completion, the Western Virginia Regional Jail will be hosting an open house on Friday, March 6th from 1-4 pm. Members of the construction team will be on hand to answer questions.
* This amount represents just the building cost. The total jail price is $122 million.
Excerpt: Virginia Business Magazine, by Jessica Sabbath
Virginia Business tracks 19 industries in its annual List of Leaders. The lists show how companies and industries are doing as a whole and helps provide insight into new trends and the state's current economic health.
General Contractors (Based on value of work put in place in Virginia in 2008) 1. W.M. Jordan Company, 443.9 million 2. Balfour Beatty Construction, 435.9 million 3. The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., 355 million 4. Hensel Phelps Construction, 322 million 5. HITT Contracting Inc., 296.5 million 6. KBS Inc., 277.9 million 7. Gilbane Building Co., 276 million 8. Armada Hoffler, 271.3 million 9. L.F. Jennings, 251 million *10. Howard Shockey & Sons, 249 million* 11. Shirley Contracting, 200 million 12. DPR Construction, 181.6 million 13. Nielsen Builders, 175 million 14. MEB General Contractors, 157 million 15. S.B. Ballard Construction, 147 million 16. Branch & Associates, 138 million 17. Dietze Construction Group, 135 million 18. English Construction, 131.5 million 19. Barton Malow, 115 million 20. VIRTEXCO Corp., 112 million 21. Kenbridge Construction Company, 111 million 22. Skanska USA Civil Southeast, 106 million 23. E.V. Williams, 89 million 24. Branch Highways,86 million 25. EDC, 68 million 26. R.W. Murray Co., 66 million 27. American Bridge, 54 million 28. Henderson Inc., 55 million 29. Martin Bros. Contractors, 52 million 30. Martin Horn, 50 million 31. ENSCO, 44 million 32. Structure Tone Inc., 7 million
Jerry Ennis will lead the 112-year company into the future
Winchester, VA, February 12, 2009 - Since it was founded in 1896, Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. has survived The Great Depression, two World Wars and significant recessions. The company is now listed as one of Virginia's largest general contractors by Virginia Business magazine. Following a national search, company leaders tapped Jerry Ennis to guide the company into the future; Mr. Ennis assumed the role of President on January 5, 2009.
Mr. Ennis has 31 years of experience in construction supervision and management, and joins Shockey after spending the majority of his career with Boldt Construction, one of the top-ranked general contractors in the nation. "Jerry's leadership was critical in developing Boldt's presence in the southeast construction market. His operational expertise is clearly outstanding, but it is really his familiarity with our geographic and product markets combined with his longstanding reputation for integrity, that makes him such a great fit," says Jeff Boehm, Vice President.
- Prior to his appointment as President of Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., Mr. Ennis served as President of Boldt Construction's Southern Operations Division, based in Greenville, SC. At Boldt, Mr. Ennis was responsible for a variety of the company's most important projects and expanded the company into the public and commercial sectors.
- Mr. Ennis is perhaps best known for his role in stabilizing the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995, immediately after it was bombed in one of the nation's worst domestic terrorism acts, known as the "Oklahoma City Bombing." That year, Ennis was named one of the "Top 25 Newsmakers of the Year" by Engineering News Record magazine.
- Ennis has been a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Business Roundtable and the Community Advisory Board of the Junior League. He is a past Board Member with the Association of General Contractors (AGC) of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ennis holds a Bachelor of Science from Albright College, Reading, PA.
The appointment of Mr. Ennis also underscores Shockey's continued commitment to sustainability. Shockey is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, and is currently working on projects targeted at the LEED Silver and Platinum levels. "Jerry has worked on numerous green projects across the country, including the construction of his own headquarters' office at Boldt," adds Boehm.
Don Cooper Transitions to CEO of The Shockey Companies
Also in January, Don Cooper (past President of Howard Shockey & Sons) transitioned into the role of CEO for The Shockey Companies.
About Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc.
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is a 112-year old general contracting and construction management firm based in Winchester, Virginia. The firm provides construction services throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is a demonstrated leader in the delivery of public/private partnership and design-build projects; specialty areas include the medical, educational, commercial and industrial sectors.
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is one of the oldest continuously operating building contractors in Virginia. It is a member of The Shockey Companies, a privately held consortium of construction firms. More information is available at www.howardshockey.com
The city of Winchester, VA, is constructing a parking structure that will incorporate some unique design and precast technology. The project began at the end of May 2008 and is on target to be completed by mid-April 2009. The $7.68-million project plans to use approximately 25 million pounds of concrete. Upon completion, this new parking structure will have some 540 parking spaces spanning five levels.
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is the general contractor and its sister company, The Shockey Precast Group, is responsible for the engineering, manufacturing and erection of the precast on the project.
The design and construction of the Winchester parking garage is preserving the integrity of the historic area on Winchester's Kent Street corridor by following a design that will meld into the intended architectural look. Yet beneath its aesthetics it will employ modern construction techniques using state-of-the-art precast construction with an embedded façade. This has been an architectural challenge in the revitalized historic district in Winchester. It challenged architects to integrate infill projects that complement each other, while incorporating a style that reflects both old and new. This has been part of a careful shaping that ensures that new buildings will be a contextual fit architecturally and also will meet local design review standards.
"The exterior appearance and architectural aesthetic of the structure will greatly enhance the Kent Street corridor, furthering the improvements that began with the OakCrest Company headquarters and numerous other projects within the neighborhood. The combination of adaptive reuse of existing structures and thoughtful new construction works beautifully," says Jeff Boehm, a vice president with Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc.
The OakCrest Company headquarters is another Howard Shockey project located just down the street from the Winchester parking garage project. It was one of the first projects along this urban corridor and was converted from a partially condemned historic knitting mill that was turned into a corporate headquarters. This particular project catalyzed the revitalization of Kent Street in this section of Winchester.
"As far as our design goal, we were trying to blend in with the historic fabric of downtown," says Tim Machado, AIA, of Design Concepts, the architect for the project. "The challenge was, 'How can we provide a good-looking parking structure in the historic district?' The way we achieved that was to look at the common architectural features of nearby buildings. We worked closely with Howard Shockey & Sons and The Shockey Precast Group to formulate panels that could replicate those common elements in terms of texture, color and thickness."
Machado says that his firm worked closely with Howard Shockey & Sons on the precast thin-set process of producing the precast concrete, which was intended to improve on the delivery schedule over the traditional hand-applied masonry method. "The stamped concrete base, which switches to a thin-set brick, combines to replicate common details seen in a historic district which was built on a limestone foundation," adds Machado.
The project followed standard phases of construction. The project began with site work, followed by installation of caissons. After footers had been constructed, precast erection began. The final stages of the project will include elevator construction and installation followed by installation of control equipment and signage.
"First came the site work the site used to be a county parking lot," says Gary Ball, project manager with Howard Shockey & Sons. "All site waste was taken to another building site by the site contractor and used as fill. Then 82 caissons were drilled down into solid rock. Now we are in the precast erection phase."
Erecting the precast can be a daunting task, according to Ball. "Some of the individual pieces weigh 30 tons," he says. "On average, approximately 12 pieces are moved into place daily. There is a 300 Demag crane on site set up with a 100-foot boom and a 120-foot jib providing 220 feet of stick in the crane."
The precast members employ some unique technology, says Ball. "The precast includes carbon fiber (C-grid) reinforced double tees that help make the structure lighter and stronger," he explains. "Stainless steel fasteners are being used on the project. Both the carbon fiber and the stainless steel are non-corrosive, thus eliminating what is often a parking garage owner's biggest maintenance headache problems relating to corrosion."
The cladding for the project will be installed as the precast is erected. "The first two levels are clad with stone-faced masonry with thin-set brick above," says Ball. "Both the stone-faced masonry and the thin-set brick are cast in the beds."
Ball explains that this is advantageous in at least two ways. It reduces the construction schedule, as there is no hand cladding after precast is up since both are done concurrently. It also reduces safety risks because it eliminates the need for workers to apply cladding at higher levels.
Ball mentions that the project has its challenges. The parking garage is located between the Frederick County Office Building and the recently rehabilitated historic George Washington Hotel, and historic preservation standards were an issue. One corner of the parking structure is in the historic district and had to go through a Board of Architectural Review.
"The design and the cladding respect the scale, materials and history of the old town district," he explains. "The uses of brick arches complement the structure's neighbors and the historic district as a whole."
But Ball feels that the greatest challenges thus far were getting the 82 caissons drilled and in place. "You never know what you are going to hit when you start drilling," he says. Because the areas were characterized by limestone formations, there were karsts or irregularities where erosion has produced sinkholes and underground cavities. "In this area with its limestone karst formations, it can get a bit tricky."
Otherwise the project has been going smoothly; however, the constraint of historic preservation is ongoing. "We also have the challenge of construction in a historic district with tight site constraints," he says. "We are building property line to property line, moving east to west and eventually it will get tighter and tighter to work. This is not necessarily too unusual, but it is a challenge."
With a design that integrates into the charming and historic city of Winchester, the new parking garage scheduled to be ready for use in the spring of 2009 will add to the city's current 1,789 parking spaces, presenting an architecturally fitting design while employing contemporary construction technology to produce it.
By Jim Romeo -- Construction Magazine, 1/12/2009
Towering crane will place prefabricated pieces of $7.68 million garage on Cameron St.
By Eric Beidel The Winchester Star
Winchester - Recently, it's been a visible part of the modest city skyline from just about anywhere in town.
The towering crane arrived Friday and will stay for a few months on Cameron Street, where Howard Shockey and Sons Inc. has started building a new parking garage.
The crane can lift more than 300 tons and stretch more than 200 feet into the sky when fully extended.
Shockey is using it to place prefabricated pieces of the $7.68 million parking deck.
Located between the George Washington Hotel and the Frederick County Office Complex on Cameron Street, the parking garage will be the city's fourth autopark. The others are at Boscawen, Braddock, and Loudoun streets.
When completed, the Cameron Street garage will offer a total of 540 spaces on five main levels, a partial lower level, and on the roof.
The George Washington Hotel will have use of outside parking spaces at the site, as well as 100 spaces inside the garage.
The city's three existing garages provide a total of 1,789 spaces.
Shockey hopes to complete the new autopark by the end of March, and the garage should open for business on the first of April, said Gary Ball, project executive for Shockey.
City officials had hoped to have the new autopark finished by November, but they discovered they didn't own a small piece of land where the facility will stand.
When city leaders acquired the autopark site from the George Washington Hotel for the project, they found out that years ago, a sliver of land needed for the garage had been deeded to a church.
As a result, the city had to buy the 111/2-by-110-foot piece of land from Grace Lutheran Church, 16 North Braddock Street. Church members were unaware that the church owned the land.
The city also had to get approval from Winchester's Board of Architectural Review, because a small portion of the garage - the extreme northwest corner, closest to the hotel along Cameron Street - is within the boundaries of the Historic District.
"It's kind of like an erector set," Ball said Monday while watching work crews place a 60-foot concrete beam into place.
The first few pieces of the garage arrived at the work site Monday on the beds of massive trailers.
Shockey has created almost 500 pieces offsite that, over the next few weeks, will be brought to Cameron Street and erected into place.
Project superintendent Brad Moser said crews hope to erect 15 pieces of the garage each day.
Right now, everything's running smooth, Moser said.
Between 12 and 15 trucks each day will pull in and out of the work site on Cameron Street.
The right lane of Cameron will be closed off during the day for some time to allow trucks to deliver sections of the garage. The blocked lane will re-open each evening.
The road shouldn't be affected on Fridays, when the construction crews take a day off. That could change if work gets interrupted by bad weather and crews have to put in make-up days, Moser said.
The towering crane will stay put for a while, lifting concrete pieces of more than 30 tons into place.
It's definitely attracting some onlookers, Moser said.
People coming in and out of the county government offices next door have paused to stare at the monstrous piece of equipment through the construction fence.
The main portion of the structure should be up by Christmas, Ball said.
After that, some interior work will continue into the spring, including the installation of elevators.
Shockey has considerable experience with building parking structures. The firm built a 500-space multi-deck garage on the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg and a five-story, 1,642-space garage at the Winchester Medical Center.
Shockey also built a pair of parking garages for WorldCom in Loudoun County and three multi-deck garages at the Charles Town Races and Slots entertainment facility in Charles Town, W.Va.
Article from the Winchester Star
Winchester, VA - Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., is pleased to announce that Tom Aldstadt has completed all requirements for certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). This highly respected certification is awarded to individuals who meet academic standards, satisfy professional safety experience requirements, and have passed two rigorous examinations. The examinations cover engineering and the management aspects of safety, applied sciences, legal and regulatory matters, professional affairs, ethics, and other safety-related topics.
Certified Safety Professionals specialize in protecting workers, the public, property, and the environment by identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards. The CSP manages programs aimed at compliance with safety principles, federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
The Shockey Companies are a consortium of construction companies providing general contracting, design/build, construction management, tilt-up and precast concrete to the mid-Atlantic region. Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., a 112-year old general contracting and construction management firm provides construction services in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland with a focus on healthcare, commercial, industrial and public/private partnership opportunities.
Winchester, VA -Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. (Shockey) has been recognized with the following recent awards:
Shockey was recently commended by NARA (National Archives & Records Administration) for its "outstanding support" during the build out of a continuity facility in Rocket Center, WV. NARA cites Shockey's "attention to detail and ability to meet schedule deadlines" as being critical to the agency's capability to support regional national emergency situations.
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. also received a STEP Platinum award from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) for its commitment to employee safety. Established in 1989 by the ABC National Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Committee, the Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) program was developed and written by contractors, for contractors. "Shockey has always been committed to the safety of its employees as well as the safety of all of its subcontractors on site," states Chas Capitano, EHS Director for The Shockey Companies. "The evaluation process is a great tool to assess your EHS program and identify areas that need improvement."
The Shockey Companies are a consortium of construction companies providing general contracting, design/build, construction management, tilt-up and precast concrete to the mid-Atlantic region. Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., a 112-year old general contracting and construction management firm provides construction services in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland with a focus on healthcare, commercial, industrial and public/private partnership opportunities.
---------- For more information, contact Karen Butler (Marketing Coordinator), Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., at 540.723.4119 or kbutler@howardshockey.com.
Winchester, VA - Shockey, LLC has been selected by the Frederick County (Virginia) School Board to provide development and construction services for the Board's twelfth elementary school.
The single-story, 100,000 square foot facility - located in the center of residential neighborhoods will allow 750 students to learn in a cutting-edge environment. In many cases, these students will also be able to walk to school.
Designed by Blacksburg-based OWPR Architects and Engineers, the school includes K-5 classrooms, multi-purpose space, activities rooms, lab space and a 400-seat gymnasium. Frederick County's Park and Recreation Department will utilize space within the school, which sits on a 15.8 acre site.
Frederick County selected Shockey through the PPEA process. Shockey's proposal was selected "because it offered the best value in consideration of the evaluation criteria".
Shockey, LLC pursues Public-Private Partnerships throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
For more information, contact Karen Butler (Marketing Coordinator), Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., at 540.723.4119 or kbutler@howardshockey.com.
View construction progress here.
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. announces changes in its Business Development staffing:
Evrard Neil will be handling business development in the southern Virginia market. Evrard will be located in Richmond, VA, where he lives and works.
Mike Ferro will be responsible for the northern Virginia markets. Mike's focus will be upon the acquisition of work across market sectors in core Shenandoah Valley markets as well as in urban northern Virginia markets. Mike will be based in Winchester.
Jerry Baker will develop and build projects on hospital campuses throughout Virginia, West Virginia and beyond. Jerry will be based in Winchester.
These changes will allow Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. to continue its effort to be the Partner of Choice® to school districts, governments, hospitals, developers and institutes of higher learning.
The Shockey Companies are a consortium of construction companies providing general contracting, design/build, construction management, tilt-up, precast concrete and ready-mixed concrete to the mid-Atlantic region. Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., a 112-year old general contracting and construction management firm provides construction services in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland with a focus on healthcare, commercial, industrial and public/private partnership opportunities.
Don Cooper, President of Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. (HSS), is pleased to announce the following promotions:
Justin Choi, Vernon Crites, Terry Grim, Roger Kirby, Brad Moser and Bobby Parsons were each promoted from Foreman to Project Superintendent.
Shawn Triplett was promoted to Project Manager.
The Shockey Companies are a consortium of construction companies providing general contracting, design/build, construction management, tilt-up, precast concrete and ready-mixed concrete to the mid-Atlantic region. Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., a 112-year old general contracting and construction management firm provides construction services in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland with a focus on healthcare, commercial, industrial and public/private partnership opportunities.
From "The Winchester Star": Winchester, VA The city's Parking Authority has narrowed the field to its partner of choice to build a $9 million parking structure.
But the veil of secrecy regarding the process could be a month away from being lifted.
After a unanimous vote at the conclusion of a closed meeting on Monday, the authority issued a statement on Tuesday morning, declaring it will now begin "confidential negotiations" with Shockey LLC of Winchester.
The only other firm invited to submit a bid for the structure, to be constructed adjacent to the historic George Washington Hotel, was Cleveland-based Donley Inc.
"The authority in its sole discretion has determined that the Shockey proposal is clearly more highly qualified than other proposals submitted," an authority press release stated.
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. is currently building a number of substantial industrial tilt-wall projects, including a new 95,000 square foot production facility for the Free Lance Star in Fredericksburg, VA, an 81,000 square foot manufacturing expansion for Ariake USA in Harrisonburg, VA, a 51,000 square foot addition for Navy Federal Credit Union in Winchester, VA and a 40,000 square foot addition for a long-time client, Kingsdown, in Winchester. Tilt-wall construction is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States with more than 10,000 buildings constructed annually.
The Shockey Companies are a consortium of construction companies providing general contracting, design/build, construction management, tilt-up, precast concrete and ready-mixed concrete to the mid-Atlantic region. Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. provides construction services in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland with a focus on healthcare, commercial, industrial and public/private partnership opportunities.
The new Howard Shockey & Sons Website was designed to serve you better, faster, and with more of the kind of information you need.
We partnered with Studio 105, the area's leading Website developer, to bring you the most up-to-the minute information about what's happening at our company, why we do what we do, and our rapidly-growing project list.
Of special interest on our new Website is a completely revamped Sample Projects section, where visitors can browse a vast variety of projects, and even download a detailed data sheet on each one.
We hope all our current customers will take advantage of our customized Project Tracker system, which provides private access to photos and progress reports on your current project.
If you have any suggestions about how we can further improve our Website, please use the email link (bottom of every page) to let us know.
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. has been selected for the construction of three major LEED projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia: Culpeper County High School (Culpeper), Western Virginia Regional Jail (Roanoke) and the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum (Winchester).
LEED is a certification obtained through the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a national nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. The USGBC certifies design professionals who have been trained in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) sustainable design and who have passed professional testing. The council promotes buildings that are environmentally responsible and healthy places to work.
USGBCs LEED Green Building Rating System has become the national standard for measuring and evaluating "green" design. Based on a point system, the USGBC offers four levels of certification (from lowest to highest): LEED certified, Silver Level, Gold Level and Platinum Level.
The Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum's design has been rated "Platinum" by the USGBC - the highest rating offered by the council.
For more information, contact Karen Butler (Marketing Coordinator), Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., at 540.723.4119 or kbutler@howardshockey.com.
Several Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. employees attended the recent Tilt-Up Concrete Association Seminar in Virginia Beach and passed examinations for the following certifications from the American Concrete Institute (ACI).
- Ron Shockey: ACI - Tilt-Up Supervisor
- Bill Hartman: ACI - Tilt-Up Supervisor
- James Thomas: ACI - Tilt-up Supervisor
- Frank Kemp: ACI - Tilt-Up Supervisor
- George Stickman: ACI - Tilt-Up Technician
- Steve Utterback: ACI - Tilt-Up Technician
A Tilt-Up Supervisor is a person who has demonstrated proficiency in and an understanding of overall on-site administrative and technical management for producing tilt-up projects by passing the ACI written examination and meeting work experience requirements.
A Tilt-Up Technician is a person who has an understanding of overall on-site administrative and technical management for producing tilt-up projects by passing the ACI written examination, but who lacks sufficient work experience to qualify as a tilt-up supervisor.
For more information, contact Karen Butler (Marketing Coordinator), Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., at 540.723.4119 or kbutler@howardshockey.com.
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