Alabama 17 2014

By Cindy RileyCEG CORRESPONDENT

After more than a year of construction, special needs stu-dents in Mobile County, Ala., will soon be heading to a newschool. In August, Augusta Evans School officially re-opensits doors, at a location in west Mobile that will better serveeach child. The special needs school is reportedly the onlyone of its kind in the area.“The decision to build a new school was based on our

needs assessment,” said Tommy Sheffield, facilities manag-er at Mobile County Public School System. “Being one ofthe older schools in the district, Augusta Evans was in badshape. It serves the handicapped, but the old location wasnever designed to be a special needs facility.”Augusta Evans, which serves special-education students

from pre-kindergarten through age 21, was formerly locatedon Florida Street in Midtown between Old Shell Road andSpring Hill Avenue. A groundbreaking on the new school’scampus at the now demolished Hillsdale Middle Schooltook place in November 2012. The $12.5 million project wasset for completion by fall 2013, but construction delaysforced the work to stretch into 2014. The new facility on Cody Road is more than 80,000 sq. ft.

(7,432 sq m), and features a donated, state-of-the-art play-ground and two greenhouses. It also includes a custom-builtshelter that can withstand an F4 tornado. The shelter isdesigned to house all the children and staff at one time in onearea.In June, staff members began the move from the old loca-

tion. Classrooms have been boxed up in hopes of a smoothtransition when students return from summer vacation.Sheffield said the new school can better accommodate chil-dren with severe, and in some cases, extreme disabilities. Construction crews made certain the school’s features

comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)standards, including lighting that turns on through motion-detecting sensors.“The sliding glass doors automatically open,” said

Sheffield. “The halls are a lot wider, to give the childrenenough room to change classes and walk up and down with-

out being cramped, whether they’re in a wheelchair, a motor-ized wheelchair or a walker. Each classroom has customizedsinks, and there are restrooms built-in, so an aide or teacherdoesn’t have to take the student down the hall.” The structure is one level with an attached multipurpose

building that includes a gym, cafeteria, kitchen and library.Two very large greenhouses also were constructed on site,using an aluminum frame with two layers of polyethylenecover. Each was installed over a combination of stone andconcrete floor. The greenhouses are designed to be adaptedto a specific site, so that foundation can be put in, along withproper erection. “We met with our Special Education team, and Dr. Shelia

Martin was instrumental in helping us visualize the future,”Sheffield said. “There aren’t any schools I’m aware of in thestate in public facilities to serve special needs. MobileCounty already has a school set up for the deaf and blind.Augusta Evans is another step in raising the bar.”Sheffield said building an entirely new school at a new

location is more cost-effective and will last for decades to

Augusta EvansOpens Doors for Disabled Students

ALABAMA STATE EDITION A Supplement to:

Your Alabama Connection • Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479

“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”

see AUGUSTA page 2

Scott Roberson, Mobile Public Schools photoHolmes and Holmes Architecture adapted the site tothe playground and helped place and make changes tothe grade and the drainage system, according to NickHolmes, Jr., partner of Holmes and HolmesArchitecture.

Scott Roberson, Mobile Public Schools photoCrews ran 3,500 linear ft. (1,066 m) of concrete curband gutter and roughly 3,500 linear ft. of new stormdrain HDPE pipe, according to Jerry Gordon, proj-ect manager.

August 202014

Vol. XXVI • No. 17Mobile

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Phenix City

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Page 2 • August 20, 2014 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

Tornado Shelter Wing Proves Most Challenging for Projectcome. The new location also will help stu-dents’ transition with their disabilities.“You wouldn’t believe the waiting list we

have for these programs. Enrollment at theold school was around 250, because that’s allthey could physically manage at that loca-tion. The new building can serve up to 500.“The new school also has a special bead

room set up,” said Sheffield. “AugustaEvans is one of the largest bead distributorsin Mobile County for Mardi Gras. Beads aredonated to the school, which are thencleaned and recycled to earn money. It alsoprovides a skill for the children, as far ascounting, sorting and bagging them.”The Rotary Club of Mobile adopted

Augusta Evans and raised about $250,000 toinstall an ADA-approved, fully accessibleplayground. The flooring consists of fourinches of foam rubber, so walking on aspongy pad makes it safe if students fallwhile playing on the many speciallydesigned pieces of equipment.Don Gordon Construction Inc. of

Daphne, Ala., served as the general contrac-tor on the project. “The biggest challenge on this project was

the tornado shelter wing of the school that’sdesigned to withstand winds of 200 mph,”said Jerry Gordon, project manager. “Itrequired substantial concrete footings, 12-inch concrete block walls reinforced withsteel and poured solid with concrete, and a10-inch reinforced concrete roof deck.”Beyond the equipment used by the site

contractor, crews used a hydraulic crane forsetting roof trusses, reach forklifts formasonry and plywood decking of the roof,man lifts for high trim work and scissor lifts

inside the building for running HVAC ductwork, running acoustical ceiling and settingelevated light fixtures.Gordon said masonry work was highly

demanding.“There was a considerable amount of dif-

ferent masonry elements including arches,cast stone and high walls,” said Gordon.“This required a lot of time and detail.” Steven Walker, project manager of

Superior Masonry Inc. discussed challengeson the project. “The entire front of the building was the

most challenging. The saw-tooth brick cor-nice, the arches along with the cast stone andthe five-foot barrel arch at the main entrancerequired very skilled masons. The high wallsin the gymnasium were the most time con-suming part of the project.”Concrete block totaling 110,000 units

were needed, along with 250,000 bricks,5,000 sacks of mortar, 650 cu. yds. (496 cum) of concrete, 100,000 linear ft. (30,480 m)of horizontal reinforcing and 35,000 sq. ft.(3,251 sq m) of insulation. “We used EZ crank-up scaffolding and

conventional scaffolding,” Waller said. “Wealso used a JCB and JLG 6K forklift, and aMayco concrete pump.” Materials used during construction

included 3,500 cu. yds. (2,675.9 cu m) ofconcrete in building slabs and sidewalks,wood trusses, 300 tons (272 t) of wall andslab steel reinforcement and a total of 1,000squares of roofing shingles.About 54,000 cu. yds. (41,285.9) of dirt

was moved on the project.“A lot of existing dirt was stripped and

stored on site for reuse, if possible,” saidGordon. “The rest was hauled offsite. We

laid 6,000 square yards of new asphalt onstone base. We ran 3,500 linear feet of con-crete curb and gutter and roughly 3,500 lin-ear feet of new storm drain HDPE pipe.”All restrooms are ADA compliant, and all

showers include bench seats and easy toreach shower controls. The majority of theschool’s handicap-accessible features didn’tcreate a challenge for crews, because they’vebeen installed at numerous schools thatincorporate the same features.“The only ADA feature that was a chal-

lenge was the use of showers for every twoclassrooms and bathrooms in every class-room,” said Don Gordon, president of DonGordon Construction Inc. “This was due tothe school being a special needs school.“It was a pleasure working with the archi-

tect and the school system facilities division.The project ran smoothly, due to theirefforts.”Nick Holmes, Jr., partner of Holmes and

Holmes Architecture of Mobile, welcomedthe chance to be involved with the newschool.“After we were contacted, we went out to

the facility to tour it,” Holmes said. “Thestaff was keeping the building in beautifulcondition, but under difficult circumstances.We were enthusiastic about being selected todo the work. The whole emphasis was tocreate a facility that serves the needs of dis-abled children and was also friendly to thecustodial and teaching staff.“At first, we wanted to keep the new

building close to the existing school, butthere wasn’t enough property to hold it. Forthat reason, we placed it where an earlierschool had been destroyed.” Holmes said the tornado shelter was par-

ticularly challenging for his team.“This was a new concept for us, designing

a wing that was tornado resistant. We usedall the info we could find, and talked to theState Building Commission. We workedwith structural engineers to meet the criteriathat’s been set forth. The wing is built almostlike a bunker. There are heavy concrete wallsand ceilings underneath the regular shingleroof. There’s a 12-inch thick concrete roof toprotect the students.“The playground was a specialized proj-

ect,” said Holmes. “We were not directlyinvolved in that, but we adapted the site tothe playground, and made changes to thegrade and the drainage system and helped inthe placement.” As for the finished project, Holmes is

extremely pleased with the outcome.“I think it’s a handsome building. We are

very proud to have been associated with thisproject. I think it will serve students well fora long time.”Augusta Evans School was established to

provide a quality education to special needsstudents. The faculty, staff and parents workto make certain each individual studentreceives an education of the highest quality,and is given the skills necessary to become aproductive citizen and develop to his or herfull potential.“It’s an exciting time for Augusta Evans

students and their parents,” said Sheffield.“To see the looks on their faces when theyarrive at the new school for the first time isgoing to be incredibly rewarding.”

(This story also can be found onConstruction Equipment Guide’s Web site atwww.constructionequipmentguide.com.)CEG

AUGUSTA from page 1

Scott Roberson, Mobile Public Schools photoThe tornado shelter wing required substantial concrete footings, 12-in. (30 cm) concrete blockwalls reinforced with steel and poured solid with concrete, and a 10-in. (25.4 cm) reinforcedconcrete roof deck, according to Jerry Gordon, project manager.

Scott Roberson, Mobile Public Schools photoAfter more than a year of construction, special needs students in MobileCounty, Ala., will soon be heading to a new school.

Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • August 20, 2014 • Page 3

Birmingham, AL(205) 841-6666

Madison, AL(256) 350-0006

Mobile, AL(251) 633-4020

Montgomery, AL(334) 262-6642

Oxford, AL(256) 832-5053

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www.cowin.com1-800-239-2694

YOU PAVE YOUR ROAD TO SUCCESS.WE’RE PROUD TO HELP.

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Page 4 • August 20, 2014 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • August 20, 2014 • Page 5

Page 4 • August 20, 2014 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • August 20, 2014 • Page 5


The Alabama State Department of Transportationreceived bids for transportation-related improvementprojects.Following is a list of some of the projects let.

County: ElmoreContract ID: 20140425009Project:Widening, resurfacing, and traffic stripe on vari-ous routes.Distance: 45.17 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Wiregrass Construction Company, Inc. — $9,147,495• Midsouth Paving Inc. — $9,152,097

County: MarshallContract ID: 20140425025Project: Constructing the turn lanes on SR-79 from southof Willow Beach Road to SR-1 (US-431) to include theintersection improvements at SR-1 (U.S.-431) inGuntersville.Distance: 0.378 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Whitaker Contracting Corporation — $1,215,572• Jackson Paving & Construction Inc. — $1,262,229

County: MorganContract ID: 20140425036Project: Resurfacing, traffic stripe and curb ramp installa-tion on SR-3 (US-31) from just south of SR-67 (MP354.958) to just south of SR-20 (MP 358.394) in Decatur.Distance: 3.409 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $2,077,408• Reed Contracting Services Inc. — $2,122,910

County: MobileContract ID: 20140425037Project: Resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-17 (U.S.-45)from CR-63 (Chunchula-Georgetown Road) to theWashington County Line.Distance: 16.609 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• John G. Walton Construction Co. Inc. — $3,696,864• Hosea O. Weaver & Sons Inc. — $4,022,255• Mobile Asphalt Company LLC — $4,227,967

County: ChiltonContract ID: 20140425046Project: Intersection improvements (grade, drain, base,pave, and signals) on SR-3 (U.S.-31) at SR-22 and SR-145in Clanton.Distance: 0.159 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Chilton Contractors Inc. — $1,456,027• Carcel & G. Construction LLC — $1,653,613• Walker Patton Company Inc. — $1,709,826• J.C. Brown Construction Inc. — $1,777,774• Veterans Landscaping Company Inc. — $1,779,244• Russo Corporation — $2,196,821

County: LauderdaleContract ID: 20140404001Project: Bridge replacement and approaches (grade, drain,base, pave, and bridge removal) on the eastbound lane ofSR-2 (U.S.-72) over Bluewater Creek east of Killen.Distance: 0.667 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• The Bridge Builders of Alabama LLC — $2,759,379• B. H. Craig Construction Company Inc. —

$2,934,663• Riley Bridge Company Inc. — $2,970,757• Jones Bros. Inc. — $2,986,406• Bell & Associates Construction L.P. — $3,095,237• McInnis Construction LLC — $3,166,874• Highways Inc. — $3,405,414• Dement Construction Company LLC — $3,499,605• Ikaros LLC — $3,700,000

County: LowndesContract ID: 20140404002Project: Bridge replacement (grade, drain, base,and pave) on the westbound roadway of SR-8 (U.S.-80)over Tallawassee Creek east of Lowndesboro. Distance: 1.419 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• McInnis Construction LLC — $2,888,554• Chilton Contractors Inc. — $2,964,137• Murphree Bridge Corporation — $3,029,209• The Bridge Builders of Alabama LLC — $3,077,901• Carcel & G. Construction LLC — $3,227,196

County: JeffersonContract ID: 20140404005Project: Traffic signal installations on CR-118 (FieldstownRoad) from I-65 North to SR-3 (U.S.-31) in Gardendale.Distance:N/AContractors and Bid Amounts:

• Stone Electric Company Inc. — $470,579• Stone & Sons Electrical Contractors Inc. — $561,110

County: HoustonContract ID: 20140404042Project: Resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-12 (U.S.-84)from west of CR-75 to the east end of the ChattahoocheeRiver Bridge and the bridge rail retrofitting of the west-bound lane of the Chattahoochee River Bridge.Distance: 8.768 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Midsouth Paving Inc. — $4,043,004• Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $4,355,696

County: MontgomeryContract ID: 20140404048Project: Planing, safety widening, resurfacing, pipe exten-sions, guardrail, and traffic stripe on SR-53 (U.S.-231)from Athey Road to just south of SR-6 (U.S.-82).Distance: 4.329 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Asphalt Contractors Inc. — $3,195,216• Midsouth Paving Inc. — $3,540,773• Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $3,639,749

Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega • Calhoun • Russell • Walker • Lawrence • Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Morgan • Shelby• Bibb •Hale • Fayette • Marion • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • St. Clair• Chilton • Escambia• Montgomery • Jefferson • Russell • Fayette • Conecuh • Coffee • Geneva • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega •Bibb • Coffee • Calhoun • Russell • • Walker• Lawrence• Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Bibb• Hale • Fayette • Monroe •Clarke • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega

Alabama…

‘The Yellowhammer State’ Highway Project Lettings

Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • August 20, 2014 • Page 7

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Alabama 17 2014