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What’s up in Marin? A handful of projects keep carpenters busy Also at Marin Country Day: Jeff Wahl, Local 22; Loren Stammer, Local 35; Jim Cooke, Local 152; Timothy Bowles, Local 152; Jeff Josephson, Local 1599; Jim Stueve, foreman, Local 180.
Sometimes it seems like "dancing with numbers," says foreman Jim Stueve, Local 180. For sure, it’s a lot of paperwork. And it’s more expensive, at least in the short run. But everyone on the $2.5 million Oliver and Co. project at Marin Country Day School agrees that the "green" construction of two new buildings is where this industry is headed. The project, under well-known North Bay contractor Oliver and Co., is on track to win a "platinum certification" under the rigorous sustainability standards set by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Development (LEED) program of the US Green Building Council.  Freddy Angulo, Local 68L, on the MLK School project.  Jason Goldhammer, Local 713, at Marin Country Day School.  Salvador Castro, Local 180, on the MLK School project.
 Adam Alexander, Local 152, on the MLK School project.  Foreman Patrick Vitorelo, Local 22, checks the blueprints for Marin Country Day School. The LEED rating system addresses six major areas: site selection, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design. On one hand, "it’s a job like any other job," says foreman Patrick Vitorelo, Local 22. "But you can see the benefits—the fact that every piece of wood we use is certified from sustainable forests, that 25 percent of the material in the concrete is recycled. We’re doing creek restoration, we minimize the use of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). It all adds up."  Juan Aguas, Local 22, in San Rafael.  Dwayne Wallace, Local 35, is a third-year apprentice on the MLK School project.  Randy Thomas and Nick Tadena, both from Local 217, on the Martin Luther King Jr. School.
The two-building project is on track for completion by the end of the summer. A similar -if less intensely green- approach is also being practiced by carpenters working on the renovation of Novato’s old First Presbyterian Church -built in 1896- a $4 million project under Richmond-based Alten Construction. The classic old structure and two auxiliary buildings, connected by a hallway, will be used as a meeting place for the City Council and other organizations, and as an event center.  Michael Kane, and John O’Keeffe, both from Local 35, on the Novato project.  Novato’s First Presbyterian Chirch, originally built in 1896, is enjoying a $4 million renovation.  Steve Blake, Local 35, renovating the old Novato church.
The price tag covers rebuilding foundations, moving one of the structures from one end of the lot to the other, and an overall remodel and reconstruction to meet modern environmental and comfort standards. "It’s good old-fashioned carpentry," says John O’Keeffe, Local 35. "The most challenging part of the work is rebuilding the roof safely. It’s 12 x 12, very steep and difficult to move around on safely." But with good training and solid safety equipment, so far so good. This project is also scheduled for completion this summer. Key "green" elements of the design include building-integrated solar photovoltaic roof shingles, waterless urinals, on-site storm drainage management, drought-tolerant landscaping, and recycled and low-VOC materials and finishes. Alten Construction is also the general contractor at the $7 million Martin Luther King, Jr. School under construction in Marin City, funded by local bond issues. The project is scheduled for completion in August 2009.  Steve Engle, Local 35 on the MLK School project.  Michael Schulte, Local 713 on the MLK School project. Perhaps less challenging but of critical importance for carpenters in tough economic times is the $46 million BNB Norcal project, constructing 225,000 square feet of office space and a 399-stall parking structure for the San Rafael Corporate Center, just down the street from Local 35’s headquarters. "We’ve had as many as 80 people working out there, says Local 35 president Lawrence Reynolds. "It’s a great company to work for, and we’ve had 345 straight accident-free days." The project is set for completion in June.  The parking garage at the new San Rafael Corporate Center.  Matt Calderwood, Local 751, makes the sparks fly at the San Rafael Corporate Center.  Lawrence Reynolds (left), president of Local 35 and job steward, and Doug Bonetti (right), Local 217, quality control supervisor, on the corporate center project.  Mario Aguas, Local 713, on the San Rafael Corporate Center. |
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