Utah Construction & Design
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Also:Q&A: Utah Gov. Gary Herbert
SLC Int’l Airport TRP Underway
Top Engineering Firms of Utah
August | September 2014
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 7
22 Paving Trends Asphalt and concrete are being utilized effectively by UDOT, other owners.
28 101 Tower Panoramic views highlight Salt Lake’s newest high rise building.
32 Monsen Engineering’s 40th Anniversary
34 Allotech’s 30th Anniversary
38 Building Commissioning 101 Changes now effective per updated codes.
40 2014 Top Utah Engineering Firm Rankings
45 Marketing Solutions
Table of Contents
On the cover: Workers from Geneva Rock utilize a Gomaco Paver on the 1300 South Reconstruction project in Salt Lake City. UDOT and other municipalities prefer major paving operations at night as to minimize traffic impact. (photo by Dana Sohm)
Utah Construction & DesignUC&D
22
28
32 34
8 Publisher’s Message
10 Construction Law
12 Industry News
17 Design Viewpoint
19 Q&A: Utah Governor Gary Herbert
< Publisher’s Message
8 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
Conversation with Utah’s Governor
I have to admit, being able to interview Governor Gary
Herbert for this issue of UC&D was cool, even if it was via
telephone. It’s not often a regular, relatively non-politically motivated person gets a chance to
bend the ear of the most powerful elected state official.
Governor Herbert was accommodating, genuinely friendly, and talked about various
construction issues within in the Beehive State. One thing is certain – he cares immensely
about the overall state of Utah’s economy and believes that construction is a positive driver of
any well-functioning economy. Look for the Q&A session starting on page 19.
Also included in this issue of Utah Construction & Design is our annual Top Utah Engineering
Firm Rankings. This year we had 16 firms participate from the civil, mechanical, electrical and
structural engineering industry. We hope more firms will consider participating in future years,
but understand that companies are busy and often have more pressing matters at hand.
Our Industry News section features recaps of two significant construction events along
the Wasatch Front: the official groundbreaking of the $1.8 billion Salt Lake City Int’l Airport
Terminal Redevelopment Program (TRP), and the open house of the renovated LDS Ogden
Temple, one of the most visually-stunning buildings a person will ever encounter.
TRP, which is being built by HDJV (joint-venture between Holder of Atlanta and Big-D
Construction of Salt Lake) will span eight years, and utilize the expertise of many local A/E/C
firms, including designers and contractors, funneling millions back into Utah’s economy.
The Ogden Temple media tour was hosted by Elder Kent F. Richards, who was recently
appointed to be the new Executive Director of the Temple Department. Elder Richards is a
descendent of Willard Richards, a famous early church leader, and likened the renovated
temple to Solomon’s Temple from the Old Testament in that it features some of the finest
building materials in the world. The temple is being dedicated Sept. 21 and is worth a visit, even
if just to peruse its grounds.
Finally, we have two Anniversary Profiles in this issue: Salt Lake-based A/E/C supply
company Monsen Engineering’s 40th, and Salt Lake-based signage company Allotech’s 30th.
It’s always impressive for me to interview the people who have made these long-time firms
successful over the course of decades. In Monsen’s case, I had the opportunity to work for the
company for a couple of years in the mid-to-late 90’s – my initial introduction into Utah’s A/E/C
industry, as it were. 18 years later I’m fortunately still working in this great industry.
As always, we appreciate your interest in our publication and welcome your thoughts and
opinions. We have three more issues of UC&D to publish in 2014, including our Outstanding
Projects of the Year in December. Get your submissions ready!
Regards,
Brad Fullmer
Publisher/Managing Editor
UC&DUtah Construction & Design Magazine
4516 South 700 East, Suite 160
Murray, UT 84107
O: (801) 747-9202
M: (801) 433-7541
www.utahcdmag.com
Bradley H. Fullmer
Publisher/Managing Editor
bfullmer@utahcdmag.com
Ladd J. Marshall
Advertising Sales Director
lmarshall@utahcdmag.com
Jay Hartwell
Art Director
jhartwell@utahcdmag.com
Utah Construction & Design is published eight (8) times a year. Postage paid in Salt Lake City, UT. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Subscriptions: $64.00 per year. Subscribers: If Postal Service alerts us that magazine is undeliverable to present address, we need to receive corrected address. Postmaster: Send address changes to 4516 S. 700 E., Suite 160, Murray, UT 84107. To subscribe or contribute editorial content, or for reprints, please call (801) 433-7541 or email bfullmer@utahcdmag.com. For Advertising rates/Media Kit, please call (801) 872-3531 or lmarshall@utahcdmag.com.
Vol. 2 No. 5
Coming in August issue of UC&D:
Rock Stars: Under 40 A/E/C Professionals
Healthcare Industry
Top Subcontractor Rankings
10 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
Being a witness in a construction
dispute is a demanding experience. It’s
not just about being intelligent and
experienced. Instead, it’s about preparation,
understanding the audience, the rules, and
the “central themes” of the dispute.
When you’re a witness, the questioner
appears to be in control. That’s a lie! The
witness has the control. Most people know
the way to take control of a meeting is
not by shouting the loudest, but by using
established techniques and rules. Being a
witness is just a different kind of meeting,
and there are rules to be effective and be in
control.
Rule #1 – Take Your Time. Slow down
and control the pace of the questioning.
Lawyers like rapid-fire questions and
answers in the hopes you will make a
mistake. This tactic is easily counteracted
by slowing down and taking time to think
through an answer before giving it.
Rule #2 – Remember You Are Making a Record. It is important to remember that
everything you say as a witness is going
to be recorded. It is crucial that a witness
remembers to think through answers and to
convey them as intended.
Rule #3 – Tell The Truth. It is often
harder to do than anticipated. That’s
because telling the truth as a witness is a
very narrow concept. Answers given as a
witness should be restricted only to what
the witness did, saw or heard.
Rule #4 – Be Polite. If a witness
becomes hostile or defensive it is unlikely
they will be thinking clearly and can say
things that will be misconstrued. Stay
focused and polite.
Rule #5 – Responding To Vague Questions. Don’t respond to questions you
don’t understand. Don’t guess or speculate
when answering! Instead, ask the lawyer to
restate or rephrase the question.
Rule #6 – If The Witness Does Not Remember. If you do not remember, it is
important to say so and stop. Remember
this is not a test; you’re not being graded on
how much you remember.
Rule #7 – Do Not Guess. Guessing
is extremely dangerous so don’t do it. A
witness is only expected to answer to the
best of their ability what was done, seen, or
heard.
Rule #8 – Do Not Volunteer Information. It is critical the witness stick
strictly to the question asked. The rhythm
of a witness should ultimately be “question,
listen, pause, answer, stop.”
Rule #9 – Be Careful With Documents. When asked a question
relating to a document: ask to see the
document, read the document and ask
for the question again. You are entitled to
review the document and then answer.
Rule #10 – Use Your Lawyer. It is
important the witness utilize their lawyer
and ask questions if they are unsure of
anything. While the lawyer can’t answer the
questions for the witness, they are there for
support and will help you get the desired
results.
Being a good witness in a construction
dispute involves acting and speaking
contrary to what is typical in the everyday
world. The rules conflict with what you are
used to and are often counterintuitive. But
if used, these rules can impose a degree of
discipline and control on the legal process
that makes it significantly more fair and
productive.
Cody W. Wilson is a shareholder at
Salt Lake-based law firm Babcock Scott &
Babcock, PC. Licensed in Utah, Colorado and
the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, his practice
focuses exclusively on the construction
industry. He can be reached at cody@
babcockscott.com or (801) 531-7000.
How to Be an Effective Witness in a Construction Dispute
By Cody W. Wilson
> Construction Law
Cody W. Wilson
When you’re a witness, the questioner appears to be in control. That’s a lie! The witness has the control. Most people know the way to take control of a meeting is not by shouting the loudest, but by using established techniques and rules. Being a witness is just a different kind of meeting, and there
are rules to be effective and be in control.
12 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
After decades of meticulous planning
and preparation, the first phase of the
Terminal Replacement Project (TRP) at Salt
Lake City International Airport officially
broke ground July 18.
A joint-venture team of Holder
from Atlanta and Salt Lake-based Big-D
Construction (HDJV) is building the facility,
which is expected to take up to 8 years. The
first phase consists of the Economy Lot
parking area and the Rental Car Facility,
slated from completion in about a year,
according to Leon Nelson, Construction
Director for Big-D.
“It’s typical of any large project,”
said Nelson. “The details, the level of
communication required between project
teams, and just trying to get everybody in the
same direction is a challenge. We’ve had a
chance to interface with a lot of good people
at the Airport and the local design community
is participating in this project. We have a good
plan, it’s now a matter of execution.”
“It’s been 20 years in the making and it’s
been needed for a long time,” said Salt Lake
City Mayor Ralph Becker. “One advantage
of it taking so long is that designs get
refined and we can prepare better for the
future. This is a huge economic boost, both
directly from airport construction of almost
$2 billion, but also indirectly in terms of
serving as a hub for so many destinations.
We can get anywhere in the country
reasonably quickly.
“We have made this airport to be
an integral piece in our sustainability
efforts,” Becker added. We are requiring
the highest environmental standards –
LEED Gold is where we’re now – but we’re
aiming to be the first Net Zero airport in
the country. With so much open land we
have the ability to develop a solar farm in
conjunction with the new airport.”
Major aspects of the project include
new concourse, terminals, new aircraft
gates, multi-level passenger pick-up/drop-
off, a new light rail station, and a five-level
parking garage with 3,600 spaces. The
two-level rental car facility with offer quick
turnaround, and a new central utility plant
is being added.
Alan Bright, Design Principal for HOK,
the design architect from San Francisco,
said the new airport will include plenty of
daylighting throughout the facility, with an
a design emphasis on local Utah materials
and features, including mountains, deserts,
and Utah’s famous red rock landscape in
Southern Utah.
“The design is tied to the beauty of
Utah and Salt Lake City,” said Bright. “We
want to bring Utah’s majestic outdoor
beauty into the airport.”
“We come in with no illusions about
what it will take to get this done,” added
Nelson. “We come in with a quiver full of
tools, processes and systems that will help
us be successful.”
IEA Awards 29 Scholarships
at Annual Luncheon
The Intermountain Electrical
Association (IEA) held its 27th annual
Scholarship Luncheon, with $30,000
presented to 29 students.
“It’s a great event for us and it
has been an important aspect to the
foundation over the years,” said Ryan
Taylor, President of Salt Lake-based
TRP Finally Underway at SLC Int’l Airport
HDJV Construction team of Atlanta-based Holder and Salt Lake-based Big-D Construction start on Economy Lot/Rental Car Facility, the first phase of a planned 8-year, $1.8 billion project.
> Industry News
Interior rendering of the new Terminal Redevelopment Program at the Salt Lake City Int’l Airport. The $1.8 billion project will be built over the course of the next eight years and will funnel millions of dollars into Utah’s economy. (courtesy SLCIA)
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 13
Taylor Electric and Chairman of the IEA
Scholarship Fund.
Depending on how well it is funded,
Klaas DeBoer of NECA said the fund awards
anywhere from 30 to 40 scholarships on a
given year. Since the program started in
1988, IEA has awarded more than $850,000
in scholarships.
“IEA takes revenues generated off
investments, along with other fundraising
events we have during the year,” said
DeBoer.
Utah Again Ranked as
Top Pro-Business State
For the third consecutive year,
Utah has been recognized as the top
pro-business state by Pollina Corporate
based on 32 factors controlled by state
government.
“Cultivating an environment
where businesses can thrive has been
a significant focus of our economic
development efforts,” said Gov. Gary R.
Herbert. “It’s one thing to win once, but
to consistently rank in the top spot shows
something special is going on here. I am
proud of the hard work being done by the
private sector that has resulted in Utah
being recognized once again by Pollina
Corporate.”
As rankings go, receiving a top title
from Pollina Corporate carries a lot of
weight. The study is considered the most
comprehensive, unbiased and unvarnished
by the economic development industry.
The factors used to evaluate states include:
taxes, human resources, education,
right-to-work legislation, energy costs,
infrastructure spending, regulatory
environment, workers compensation
laws, economic incentive programs and
economic development efforts.
Utah scored highly in high school and
college completion, unemployment rate
and workers compensation to name a few.
The state also scored very strongly across
all tax categories.
Pollina noted some areas where
Utah can still improve, such as teacher
compensation, incentives and college
funding per-student. >>
> Industry News
14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
“In Utah we are always working to
improve,” said Sophia DiCaro, Interim
Executive Director of the Governor’s Office
of Economic Development.
Fiber Project Improves Service
in Little Cottonwood Canyon
Crown Castle, a wireless
telecommunications infrastructure company,
is in partnership with the Utah Department of
Transportation (UDOT) to install a Distributed
Antenna System (DAS) network on Route
210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon to allow
improved wireless, cellular, and E911 service.
Construction is expected to finish this fall.
The project will consist of installing 11 new
antenna poles in UDOT’s right-of-way and
the fiber optic cabling connecting the poles
will be installed underground starting at the
mouth of the canyon and terminating at Alta
Entry Number 2.
The DAS network will improve the
> Industry News
The Intermountain Electrical Association recently presented 29 scholarships totaling $30,000 at its 27th annual scholarship luncheon event at Little America. IEA has presented more than $850,000 in scholarships since 1988. (courtesy Andrea Hanks Photography)
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 15
full range of wireless services in the area,
including voice quality, high speed data
transmission, photo, video, audio, email, and
web access offered by today’s latest, more
sophisticated wireless devices like iPhones,
Blackberrys, etc. Multiple cellular service
providers will be able to utilize the network.
With this project, UDOT will increase
its statewide fiber network by 9 miles and
be able to monitor weather, roadway and
traffic conditions within Little Cottonwood
Canyon at virtually no incremental cost to
Utah’s taxpayers.
Project Facts:
• The antenna poles are 35 feet tall and
will be painted brown. The pole boosts
wireless services and will hold UDOT
weather, traffic, avalanche equipment,
etc. 12 new guardrail sections will also
be installed along the highway as an
added safety precaution.
• The “hub”, which holds the carrier’s
equipment and fiber connections, will
be built in the upper end of the canyon,
near Alta.
• Construction on the road is scheduled
to be complete this fall
• Wireless services will be available
by summer 2015, after the hub
construction is complete
• The system will allow the means
for a service provider (CenturyLink,
Verizon, AT&T, Syringa, etc.) to connect
a new or existing service to the
system. A computer or other device
would benefit if connected through a
wireless carrier’s mobile hotspot for
better streaming. Crown Castle does
not provide data service to residences
or businesses.
Honnen Hosts Grand Opening
Honnen Equipment officially held
its grand opening of its new facility at
1380 S. Distribution Drive in Salt Lake
on September 18. The event had several
items on tap, including an operator
rodeo, equipment demonstrations with
product specialists, maintenance and wear
products, and raffle prizes.
Hughes General Contractors of Salt Lake
built the 60,000 SF tilt-up concrete facility.
Grand Opening Held
for Ogden LDS Temple
Originally dedicated in 1972, the
Ogden LDS Temple has been reconstructed
and will be formally rededicated
September 21.
Built by Big-D Construction
and designed by Richardson Design
Partnership, both of Salt Lake, the temple
was unique in that it is not a ‘new’ project,
but required the construction teams to get
down to the building’s structure before
beginning the rebuild.
“Substantially the core and
foundation, and the basement footings,
remained in tact,” said Alma Marcum,
Big-D Project Manager. “We did add
more footings and oversized columns
in the central core area up through the
third floor and added concrete and steel
reinforcement to walls on the east and
west walls tied into the center core via
a drag strut reinforcement system. The
project was unique in that we dismantled
quite a bit of the building. It’s always
more challenging and takes a little more
time to get new properties dialed into
design.”
The temple’s entire exterior has been
reshaped with new stone and architectural
glass, and the temple entrance was
moved from the west side to the east side,
where it faces Washington Boulevard. The
renovation of the temple also includes
reconfigured rooms and new energy-
saving electrical, heating, and plumbing
systems. Other notable improvements
include underground parking and a
complete re-landscaping of the temple
block and inclusion of a major water
feature.
“The LDS Church opted to go with
an aggressive design – they wanted to
make this a destination temple,” said Otto
Gehring, Principal with Richardson Design
Partnership. “Structurally the building >>
> Industry News
16 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
needed real help. The construction crew had
to build new cages around existing concrete
columns, dowel into them, build a sleeve and
bore a concrete jacket around the existing
column. They used some interesting coring
techniques with thinner concrete pumped
up from below to fill in all gaps.”
“It’s a challenge whenever you’re
working with an existing structure,” said
Dale Satterthwaite, Senior VP for Big-D.
“Everybody had to put their heads together
and work through the challenges. It was a
very special project, and to those of us of
faith, it means even more. When it comes
to the level of finish and attention to detail,
there is nothing that surpasses a temple.
The Ogden Temple is one of the highest
levels of detail I have seen.”
Kent F. Richards, Executive Director
of the LDS Church’s Temple Department
and a member of the Seventy, said “As
with Solomon’s Temple, we used the
finest materials throughout the building.
Mahogany variety from Africa, marble
quarried in Egypt and fabricated in China.
We have gratitude for the design and
construction workers and all who have
helped put this together. When this temple
was first built it was the 14th temple in the
world. Now there are 14 functioning temples
in Utah, with three others announced.”
> Industry News
A stunning exterior view of the LDS Ogden Temple, which is slated to be dedicated September 21. The temple was originally dedicated in 1972, the 14th overall temple in the world at that time. The ethereal celestial room highlights the incredible level of detail throughout the building. (courtesy LDS Church)
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 17
The housing market has gone from
feast to famine over the last decade
but is returning as a sector positioned
for growth. As the market returns to a
steady pace in many areas of the country,
including Utah, it has become more and
more important to design communities
that set your project apart from your
competitors providing a marketable edge
for project owners and a wonderful place
for residents to live.
As housing projects of varying sizes,
owner types and locations emerge,
several factors should be considered.
Historical data from past projects based
on demographic, client vision and mission,
needs assessments and good old “gut
instinct” should be assessed. In addition,
there are several key design trends that
have emerged that are worthy of discussion.
There has definitely been a push
toward providing unique design with
greater curb appeal that visually
differentiates you from your competitors.
And, contrary to what used to be popular
opinion, it IS possible to be unique, fresh
and contextual in your housing design
without coming across as too edgy, or
too expensive. Not only are prospective
tenants looking for something different
and fresh, but they are also looking for
housing that addresses their individual
needs and daily routines. This could be
based on situations such as having a
multi-generational family under one roof
with varied needs depending on age and
status. Individual privacy combined with
gathering spaces should be considered.
Today’s housing also needs to provide
spaces that recognize and facilitate today’s
evolving but ever-present technology.
Solutions to these design problems can
be provided through merely providing
additional charging outlets at a kitchen
counter or desk area for charging a myriad
of tech devices, to installing comprehensive
“smart” systems within your home to
monitor everything from security cameras to
lights and HVAC systems remotely through
your smartphone or tablet. While “smart”
systems have been around for a few years
now, the capabilities of these systems to
control many aspects of our homes >>
A New Era in Multi-Family Housing Design
By Kelly Morgan
> Design Viewpoint
Kelly Morgan
Images of the Bud Bailey Apartments in Salt Lake City, one of several new stylish multi-family projects to crop up along the Wasatch Front recently. (courtesy Method Studio)
18 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
> Design Viewpoint
continue to grow and become more user
friendly.
One common buzzword in the late
20th and early 21st centuries has been
Sustainability. While the definition of
this trend can be deep and is constantly
changing, the good news for designers and
owners is that the science and technology
feeding this trend is constantly lowering
in price and increasing in user-friendliness.
Industry competition has brought items
that have usually been financially out
of reach down to a more accessible and
affordable range for common consumers
like you and I. Things such as solar panel
and lighting technology have drastically
reduced in price in recent years. And with
the announcement that incandescent bulbs
will no longer be produced, the competition
of fluorescent and LED lighting products
will only continue to lower prices and
increase the longevity of these products.
The demand for lively, bright living
environments is a trend that has been
around for a long time and still remains high
on an occupant’s priority list. Providing this
light and controlling this light is a timeless
trend and should be provided for in any
housing project. Pet-friendly environments
are becoming more and more of a market
demand as well, especially in multi-family
housing projects. Addressing this trend
can be as simple as providing sustainable,
cleanable surfaces in a home to more
complex, online based feeding technology
when the office demands a late-night push.
And with more and more people biking to
work each year, covered and secure bike
storage continues to climb on a prospective
tenant’s priority list.
While some trends never go out of
style, others continue to be introduced
to the market as advances in technology
and family living continues to evolve.
We as designers know one thing for sure;
design makes a difference and modern
is in. We should continue to explore
unique alternatives to family living and
not accept “status quo” as our guide. It
is our responsibility to build sustainable
living environments that enhance family
and community, are comfortable and
welcoming and safe on every level.
Kelly Morgan is co-owner of Salt Lake-
based Method Studio and leads a good
majority of the firm’s multi-family housing
projects. He is a member of the American
Institute of Architects and is a LEED
Accredited Professional.
There has definitely been a push toward providing
unique design with greater curb appeal that visually
differentiates you from your competitors.
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 19
> Q&A: Governor Gary Herbert
Q&A: Utah Governor Gary Herbert
Five years into his role at the state’s 17th Governor, he recognizes construction’s positive influence on Utah’s economy.
UC&D recently had the opportunity to
talk to Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert
about key issues relating to Utah’s design
and construction industry. The Governor
believes the state – with its business-
friendly mentality – is in good position
to continue to grow economically, with
commercial construction being a key cog
and major contributor to positive growth.
UC&D: According to the 2040 Unified
Transportation Plan, Utah will need more
than $11 billion to cover transportation
infrastructure. The Legislature, by
and large, realizes a need for more
transportation funding. What are your
thoughts on this?
GH: As you probably know, I held a
Transportation Summit last September
and we had extensive conversation
about transportation in the state of Utah
and the challenges we face. We are the
second-fastest growing state in America,
particularly on roads. We’ve done a good
job frankly of increasing capacity, which
is helping our economy. The Unified
Transportation Plan gives us a map forward
in terms of challenges and revenue needs.
We produce $43 billion in revenue and have
$54 billion in needs. The $11 billion shortfall
needs to be addressed to meet demands on
capacity and the maintenance of existing
infrastructure. The legislature is certainly
cognizant of the issue, as is the private
sector.
UC&D: Do you anticipate that
‘something’ will be done in the 2015
Legislative session in regards to
transportation funding solutions?
GH: We need to find a solution;
political will takes time to develop. If it
means raising the gas tax – the reason
that it should be considered – is we don’t
have the same capacity (with purchasing
power). Compounding the problem is
having more fuel-efficient automobiles
and increased miles per gallon. It’s
producing less revenue per capacity. A
sales tax revenue approach was talked
about. I expect both will be talked about
(in 2015). Some counties and cities (asked
for) a local option without a statewide
obligation.
UC&D: How do you feel about other
aspects of Utah’s infrastructure, primarily
water and wastewater facilities? Is Utah in
good shape or do you see a need for more
funding for non-highway infrastructure
projects?
GH: I think overall we’re in good
shape. We’re going in a good direction with
our water facilities. We have 466 water
districts, which offers some significant
challenges. Water is the only limiting factor
for growth in Utah. (Our) high birth rate
ensures we have growth, and water is a
significantly important issue. One – we
need to conserve better. There is a need
for more xeriscaping; we cannot have
sprawling (grass) landscapes as in years
past. Our goal is to reduce consumption by
25% by 2025; the good news is we’re two-
thirds towards that goal, and I full believe
we can reduce consumption in the face of
our rising population growth – we have to.
Secondly, there are opportunities for us to
develop new resources, like Lake Powell
Pipeline and Bear Riven Basin. Lake Powell
is (planned) for 2025; Bear River in 2035.
The costs are over a billion dollars. We
have water needs approaching $30 billion
including maintenance and expansion of
water and wastewater facilities. We are
addressing our needs by going around the
state and getting input from people, asking
them how they want to see the state
grow, in particular with water usage. I’m
confident we’re on the right road. >>
We’re going in a good direction with our water facilities. We have 466 water districts, which offers some significant challenges. Water is the only limiting factor for growth in Utah. (Our) high birth rate ensures we have growth, and
water is a significantly important issue.
Gary Herbert
20 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
UC&D: New DFCM Director Josh
Haines has been making a point to reach
out to local A/E/C firms in an effort to
improve working relationships and design/
construction processes. How would you
characterize Haines’ efforts thus far and
goals he may have discussed with you?
GH: He’s doing a fine job making the
transition. His approach is characterized
by a desire to listen to people outside
of government, particularly architects,
engineers and construction professionals.
We want to hear from them, what their
issues and ideas are as we plan the future
and go forward. We have a need for
unprecedented partnerships. Josh and our
people at DFCM understand the importance
of working with the private sector.
UC&D: What is your stance on
relocating the Utah State Prison? What is
the soonest design/construction activities
could begin on this key project?
GH: We need to consider whether the
state prison is in the right location or not,
particularly based on good programming.
It has limitations with its (current design).
Is there a better location? I think there
is. We need to determine how to finance
it…make a recommendation prior to the
2015 session. That will give us a pathway
forward. I don’t think it will happen until
we find a better location and make sure
funding is in place. That will open up some
valuable real estate that could help the
economy and improve quality of life. We
work hand in glove with the private sector
for the benefit of the people of Utah. It
won’t happen quicker than 2016-17. If
we do this right it should be win-win for
everybody.
UC&D: GOED and EDCUtah have
helped bring many new companies and
businesses to Utah. What are Utah’s main
strengths from an economic standpoint
> Q&A: Governor Gary Herbert
The Unified Transportation Plan gives us a map forward in terms of challenges and revenue needs. We produce $43 billion in revenue and have $54 billion in needs. The $11 billion shortfall
needs to be addressed to meet demands on capacity
and the maintenance of existing infrastructure.
Governor Herbert believes talks will ramp up significantly during Utah’s 2015 Legislative session regarding future transportation funding, as outlined in the Unified Transportation Plan. (courtesy Leo Geis, Idaho Airships)
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 21
and what makes the state attractive to
these out-of-state companies?
GH: What has made it attractive it
that we have the most business-friendly
environment in the country. Companies
like Goldman Sachs, eBay, Google, Adobe,
Proctor and Gamble all say Utah is a
very business-friendly state. We’ve been
listed as the best or among the best in all
these different publications just this past
month. One is the Kaufmann Foundation
which had Utah as the No. 1 best state for
small businesses. They look at 30 different
criteria they base the ratings on and
Utah had the most Top 10 rankings. We’re
doing very well. We have competitive tax
rates, we have a great workforce with
a 29.2 median age. We have a government
that is very efficient; we don’t spend more
than we take in. We are one of a few state
governments with a triple-A bond rating –
that’s remarkable. Businesses are coming
here, and entrepreneurs are being developed
within our borders. Even venture capital is
flowing into Utah. They know this is a place to
invest if you want to increase market share in
the world. It’s a great, magical time for Utah.
UC&D: Spencer Eccles recently stepped
down after five years as GOED Executive
Director. What has been his greatest
contribution to the State during that
time and what is your expectation of his
successor, Val Hale?
GH: Spencer deserves some accolades.
He leaves big shoes to fill; I think Val Hale will
be a great compliment and will grow into the
bar. Spencer is great at building a collaborative
team. He understood how important it was
to work with the private sector. His entire
effort was having partnership. It’s called C2
+ E2: collaboration and coordination, plus
efficiency and effectiveness equals success.
We have a great track record, but we’re not
going to rest on our laurels.
UC&D: You are big proponent of STEM
education. In a past issue this year we
included an article on the Neil Armstrong
Academy in West Valley City, the state’s first
STEM school. Do you anticipate the state
setting aside funding for more of these
schools?
GH: I think we all recognize there
needs to be better alignment – as our kids
graduate and go on to college- they need
to understand where the jobs are, and
they can choose where their desires and
aptitudes are. STEM is a big part of that.
There are a lot of job opportunities with
some that only require a two-year degree
for a technician job making $65-$70,000 to
start. We ought to be producing engineers,
scientists, and mathematicians. We’re
going to put in resources.
> Q&A: Governor Gary Herbert
22 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
Asphalt was used as one of the subgrade layers underneath 10 in. PCCP concrete pavement on various sections of the I-15 CORE project, which was completed in December 2012. The pavement was designed for a 40-year-plus life span. (courtesy Staker Parson Cos.)
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 23
Good roads are essential to Utah’s future
economic growth. That said, whether
it is concrete paving or asphalt paving,
municipal agencies think long and hard
about which surface will provide the most
bang for the buck, both initially and long-
term.
“Everybody has their own opinions,”
Randy Park, Project Development Director
at the Utah Department of Transportation
(UDOT), says when comparing concrete
vs. asphalt. “They both have their place.
We have great pavements of both types
that have served us well. There is always a
personal preference. We look at different
material types based on the inconvenience
to the traveling public for maintenance.”
Concrete paving is preferred by UDOT
and other municipalities for major urban
arterials with heavy traffic – including
large trucks/diesels and all heavy vehicles
– as it offers a longer life span and less
maintenance. Park said recent and future
concrete paving projects, including >>
Paving Trends
Local associations like UAPA, ACPA loyal to their own products, but understand that working together for the benefit of better constructed,
more durable roads is best for Utah’s citizens/taxpayers.
UDOT, Municipal Agencies EffectivelyUtilizing Concrete and Asphalt
Throughout Utah’s Roadway System
By Brad Fullmer
24 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
I-15 CORE in Utah County and the new ‘The
Point’ project from Draper to Lehi, are
designed for 40-plus-year life spans, with
special concrete mixes that can withstand
Utah’s harsh winters.
“Most urban pavements we put down
are concrete with 40- to 50-year life cycles,”
said Park, who has been with UDOT for 23
years. “Maintenance cycles (for concrete)
are less. Asphalt is better on rural I-15
or I-80 as it is not as impactful to the
traveling public. The majority of pavement
in the state is still asphalt. Concrete was
more durable in the past for heavy loads,
but that is not the case with SuperPave
asphalts. We have pretty much eliminated
rutting issues on Utah roads with polymer-
modified asphalts over the last 15 years.”
An example of concrete’s durability is
I-80 in Salt Lake from 1300 East to Parley’s
Canyon, a pavement was initially laid in
1964. Park says UDOT is not looking at
replacing that section, since it’s completely
serviceable and in really good overall
condition. “As long as we keep up with
rehab and maintenance it’s fine,” he said.
Comparable Initial CostsWhile asphalt has typically been
less expensive on initial costs, it is not
PAVING TRENDS
“It should be about what makes sense for the taxpayer community. Concrete has benefits, asphalt has benefits. Engineers need to
make that decision on what is the best solution.” - Mitzi McIntyre
The reconstruction of 1300 South in Salt Lake City is an example of how a municipal agency like Salt Lake City Corp. will place concrete on roadways with significant heavy traffic use, partly to decrease the amount of maintenance needed long-term. (by Dana Sohm)
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 25
considered as big of a discrepancy as
it once was, said Jason Simmons, UDOT
Region 2 Pavement Engineer. A 20-year
asphalt pavement design – with 8 inches
on top of a 26-inch base, calculates out
to $43/SY. A 40-year concrete pavement
design, with 10 inches of Portland Cement
Concrete, 4 inches of lean concrete base
and a 16-inch road base is approximately
$55/SY. Current major pavement projects
utilizing concrete include I-15 South Davis
project, I-80 from Silver Creek to Wanship,
and SR-201 from 5600 West to 9200 West.
In regards to maintenance, Simmons
said UDOT has a statewide budget of $34.3
million for preservation projects and
$103.1 million for rehabilitation projects.
“Maintenance repair costs vary depending
on the type of project,” said Simmons. “If
we are doing preservation, we can chip
seal a road from about $1.75/SY or $6.00/
SY for a thin asphalt overlay. When we do a
rehabilitation project we usually include 3
inches of asphalt with a surface treatment,
between $13-$17/SY.
“We’re always trying to improve
durability and life-cycle costs,” he added.
“Ad mixtures and chemicals make concrete
cure faster, but reduce durability. We want
to improve products to make it cure faster
but have the same durability. In regards to
asphalt, we’re turning our attention to low
temperature mixes and testing to see how
asphalt reacts when it’s cold along with
other improvements. If concrete is only 20-
25% more (initially), when you run a life-cycle
cost concrete wins almost every thing.”
“We have a number of paving products
that work remarkably well for our state,”
said Rich Thorn, President/CEO of the
Associated General Contractors (AGC) of
Utah. “We support educated owners in the
selection of the product that is best suited
for their particular need. Our members
pave the majority of roads in Utah, and we
have great firms on both sides. Rather than
legislate, we need to spend more energy on
helping owners make educated decisions.”
‘Friendly’ Association CompetitionThe two major local paving
associations are the Utah Asphalt Paving
Association (UAPA) and the Utah Chapter of
the American Concrete Paving Association
(ACPA). Both chapter executive directors
say they are committed to working
together for the betterment of the entire
construction industry, not just their
chapter members.
“It should be about what makes sense
for the taxpayer community,” said Mitzi
McIntyre, Executive Director Utah ACPA
Chapter. “Concrete has benefits, asphalt
has benefits. Engineers need to make that
decision on what is the best solution. When
you have a healthy pavement competition
it is better for a DOT or municipal agency
because they get the best price possible.
We do not try and be adversarial with
(UAPA). It’s in everyone’s best interest to
work together at building better roads.”
“I agree and appreciate Mitzi for taking
that approach,” said Reed Ryan, Executive
Director of UAPA. “That is also the approach
of our association. We will never attack
concrete paving. What we want to do is
build better roads through education and
training. Approximately 90% of roads in
Utah are asphalt and that carries a heavy
responsibility to work together and be
better stewards at what we do.”
Better Mix Designs; Night PavingA key project nearing completion is
1300 South in Salt Lake City, one of the
busiest roads in the state that runs past
Salt Lake Bees Stadium. The project is
being done with concrete for greater
durability and less maintenance repairs.
Bill Brown, Pavement Manager for
Salt Lake City Corp., said City Engineers
and consultants go over multiple factors
to ensure best cost, least impact to public,
greatest durability, etc. >>
PAVING TRENDS
“We have a number of paving products that work remarkably well for our state. We support educated owners in the selection of the product that is best suited for their particular needs.” – Rich Thorn, AGC President/CEO
26 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
“This evaluation includes whether
the pavement is new construction or
rehabilitation, our available project funding,
projected maintenance requirements of the
pavement, and traffic volume and loads,”
Brown said. He added that advantages
of asphalt include speed of construction,
typically a lower cost of initial installation,
better ride quality, and less difficult utility
repairs. Concrete offers better durability,
little ongoing maintenance, and a reduction
in urban heat islands.
“Both pavement types perform
well when properly constructed and
maintained,” Brown added. “Asphalt
makes more sense when rehabilitating
existing asphalt streets and where funding
restrictions require it. Concrete makes
more sense when long-term durability and
minimal maintenance is desired.”
The 1300 South project, being built
by Geneva Rock of Salt Lake, will likely be
completed at the end of the September,
roughly 90 days from beginning, according
to Cody Preston, Concrete Paving Manager.
This project is unique, he said, because there
is a lean concrete layer on top of stabilized
road base. Also, none of the utilities are
being replaced, and most of the curb and
gutter will also remain intact. Major paving
operations have been occurring at night
from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., part of the City’s
preference to mitigate traffic impacts.
Jay Ritchie, Vice President of Geneva’s
Concrete Division, said this mix design
includes 1 inch to 1.5 inch aggregate, 6.5
bags of cement, 20% fly ash replacement of
the cementitious materials, low amount of
water for minimal slump, and air entrainment
chemical additives for freeze/thaw durability.
“We collaborate to make it the
absolutely most durable concrete we can
make,” said Ritchie. “We like as much large
aggregate as we can get and still have
enough paste to give you a good finish. In
concrete paving, it’s very stiff (mix) and all
handled by the (paving) machine. There is
minimal contact with the workers, which
contributes to higher durability.”
PAVING TRENDS
28 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 29
xhibiting some things old and some
things new, 101 Tower in downtown
Salt Lake City is a marriage of
traditional and modern looks and
development technologies.
According to Darin Bell, Design
Director and Principal with Salt Lake
City-based Babcock Design Group, the
building was four years in the making,
from feasibility studies and reviewing
site options, to design development,
construction and its recent completion.
Salt Lake’s Boyer Company is the
developer of the seven-story, 145,000 SF
office building and Jacobsen Construction
of Salt Lake City handled the build.
The new $34 million project, aiming for
LEED Silver certification, is situated on a
prime piece of real estate – holding down
the corners of 100 South (with the actual
address being 101) and 200 East. As such,
101 Tower helps tie the block to the City
Center project to the west, as well as to 102
Tower (the old Questar building across the
street), which was also purchased by Boyer
in 2013 and renovated.
With its location in mind, the Class-A
office building was designed to take
advantage of the surrounding 360-degree
panoramic vistas of the Salt Lake Valley.
“Boyer wanted to maximize the views,
so there is a lot of glass on the building,”
said Bell. “They did not want, however,
a glass box. Parts of the design are very
traditional in scale, proportion and use of
stone, and other parts are almost totally
glass.”
Bell said that the two lower levels
of the building feature a colonnade
of large blocks of Honed Brown’s
Canyon Limestone, supplied by Delta
Stone Products that offer really
beautiful coloration. That coloration
is complemented by polished Giallo
Venetiano granite panels on the upper
levels.
According to Bell, the selection of
high-quality materials was extremely
important to Boyer executives.
“It was the focus of some of our
earliest discussions,” Bell said, “and the
building is designed to showcase those
materials.”
The limestone and deep recessed
windows on the first two levels augment
the building’s classical look and feel. The
curtain wall and one of the building’s most
distinctive features – a clear glass pyramid,
which is lit up at night – give it a sleek,
modern look.
“The corner entrance feature
culminates in a stunning, clear glass
pyramid that glows at night,” Bell said. “We
used clear glass to expose the structure
inside and create interesting light patterns
for nighttime illumination.”
One of the main challenges facing
the design team, said Bell, was settling
on choices of glass – which offer many
options in regards to color, transparency
and reflectivity.
“It is hard to tell, even with a large
mock up, what the effect will actually be
on the building,” Bell said. “There is a lot
of clarity looking out of this glass, but the
owners and tenants did not want to see
clutter from the outside. There is enough
reflectivity from the outside that the >>
Limestone and deep recessed windows, along witha distinctive clear glass pyramid, provide a sleek,
modern look to stately new building.
By Doug Fox | Photos by Dana Sohm
30 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
clutter is really hidden. We reviewed a lot
of different glass types, and I think this
selection worked out very well.”
According to Bell, one of the other
design challenges was that the corner
entry dictated a rotated core.
“The rotated core leaves odd leftover
spaces that are sometimes hard to utilize,”
he said, “although the visual effect of the
lobby is very nice.”
Other amenities include a parking
structure for 350 vehicles and a gym. The
law firm of Parr Brown Gee & Loveless has
already moved into the building, occupying
the top three floors.
“This space is significantly more
efficient and will enable us to better
serve our clients,” said partner David
Gee in a press release. “Technology
enhancements, increased trial
preparation and client meeting rooms,
along with adjacent parking, will also add
to the client experience.”
101 TowerCost: $34 Million
Size: 7 stories; 145,000 SF
Owner: The Boyer Company, SLC
Architect: Babcock Design Group, SLC
GC: Jacobsen Construction, SLC
“The corner entrance feature culminates in
a stunning, clear glass pyramid that glows at
night,” Bell said. “We used clear glass to expose the
structure inside and create interesting light patterns for
nighttime illumination.”
32 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
Founder and family patriarch Roger Monsen’s vision, work ethic remain a hallmark at long-time Salt Lake
A/E/C supply company.
By Brad Fullmer
At the age of 57, when many men find
themselves occasionally gazing ahead to
retirement, Roger Monsen rolled the dice and
started an A/E/C supply company – Salt Lake-
based Monsen Engineering (ME) – in 1974.
Monsen had been a long-time
salesman for Pembroke Company (27 years)
in Salt Lake and worked a four-state region,
mainly in Utah. When corporate giant Boise
Cascade bought Pembroke’s in ’74, Monsen
wasn’t keen with various corporate
All in the Family (left to right): Paul Monsen, R.P. Monsen, Richard Monsen, Jason Monsen, David Monsen, Emily Monsen, James Monsen, Ali Monsen, Mikel Monsen. Each has a significant role within the 40-year-old supply firm.
Original Monsen Engineering employees from 1974 (left to right): Founder Roger Paul Monsen, Sr. , Joe Bertrum, Grace Jones, Jack Nelson, Ron Andrews, Paul Monsen, Jim Vealie and Richard Monsen. (courtesy ME)
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 33
bureaucracies and after butting heads
with management on a few occasions
found himself out of a job and wondering
what to do next.
“He had a difficult decision to make
at 57,” said Richard Monsen, a son of
Roger and current company President
who started at ME full-time in 1977 after
graduating from Utah State University. “He
had to ask himself, ‘Do I retire, or go all-in
and put all my retirement and investments
into a new business?’ Fortunately he
started the business. He went for it.”
Richard said his father immediately
contacted manufacturers he had worked
with for years including Blu-Ray, which
made blueprint machines, and K&E
(Keuffel and Esser), which made drafting
instruments and supplies, and secured
those dealership lines. He also set about
raising $100,000, part of which he got from
younger brother Kent Monsen in exchange
for partnership in the firm. Finally, he lured
away four key people he had worked with
at Pembroke’s – Jack Nelson, Ron Andrews,
Joe Bertram, and Grace Jones – and hired
Kent’s son and his nephew, Paul, who had
just graduated in business management
from the University of Utah.
Even Roger’s wife, Nan, pitched in
during those early years, Paul recalled,
coming in at the end of each month and
spending hours typing in hundreds of
transactions.
“It would take us two days to do all
the billing and add up all charges – it was
archaic,” he said. “She was a trooper. She
worked for several years doing that until
we got a computer.”
As Monsen Engineering celebrates
its 40th anniversary, second- and third-
generation family members strive to live
up to Roger Monsen’s legacy in how they
conduct day-to-day business, and are
cognizant of the faith he had four decades
ago in starting the company.
“It was a rough go for a man at 57, first
to come up with the finances, and second,
to find a building,” said Roger (R.P.) Monsen
Jr., who has been with the company since
1986, and managed the reprographics
department for years. “What impressed
me at the time was the loyalty the people
at Pembroke’s had to follow him and help
him get things off the ground. He listened
to customers, he responded to their needs,
and many times he took a chance on the
integrity of individuals and rarely, if ever,
got burned.”
“The past 40 years it’s been an
incredible journey,” said Paul, who serves
as Vice President of Finance and has
handled all accounting-related work since
the beginning. “It’s been a passion for
our family and to see how the industry
has changed in regards to drafting and
surveying has been interesting.”
Multi-GenerationalThere are currently three second-
generation and six third-generation
Monsen family members employed with
the firm, along with others who have
worked at the family business over the
years.
Richard has three children at ME,
including James (3D Scanning Sales),
Emily (Marketing/Sales Support) and Ali
(Purchasing Agent); Paul has two, Mikel
(Media and Large Format Sales) and David
(Accounting); R.P.’s son, Jason, recently
took over as Reprographics and Scanning
Manager.
“It’s rare to have that succession,” said
Richard.
“All four of my children have worked
here in some form or another over the
years; they care as much about what is
going on with the company as we do,” said
Paul.
“We all have the same goal, and the
same vision,” said Emily.
Richard said that ME’s customer base
is much the same as it has been from day
one, even if the items the company sells
have changed considerably, including
products from manufacturers like Trimble,
HP, Canon, Faro, Surphaser, and Contex.
“Roger used to say on occasion ‘take
care of the customer, run a lean business,
and the profit will come.’ It’s simplistic, but
it’s how we run our business,” said Richard.
The elder Monsen was a tireless worker
who came into the office well into his 80’s,
before passing away in 2004 at 87.
Growth/Expansion; Rebounding from Recession; Looking Forward
Monsen Engineering’s growth over the
years has tended to mirror the economy.
In the late 90’s the firm enjoyed excellent
growth in Utah and saw opportunities to
expand into other markets, opening an
office in Las Vegas in 1999 and acquiring a
similar firm, Ingenuity, in Reno in 2002. The
firm has 32 employees: 22 in Salt Lake, and
5 each in Las Vegas and Reno.
“We had 10 great years in Las Vegas;
there were months when that office would
do as much business as we did in Salt
Lake, with five people vs. 20,” said Richard.
“Then we got hit with the recession like
everybody else.”
Richard said revenues in all offices
were cut in half starting in 2009, yet slowly
ME has been building its annual revenues
back up, and all signs are that positive
growth will continue in the immediate
future.
“We had a goal of 15% growth, which
we’ll struggle to hit, but we are seeing
some positive things,” said Richard. “Our
sales are halfway back up and we might get
back to (2008 levels) at some point, but it’s
because we’re going broader and deeper,
not because the market is going crazy.”
Richard, 60, and Paul, 65, are
coshareholders and will ultimately pass
the baton to their children, with supreme
confidence the company will remain
successful.
“Richard and I will eventually retire
like Roger did,” said Paul. “It’s been a
success for 40 years and we expect our
children to take over, and they’ll make a
great go of it in the future.”
“If everything flows the way it should,
it’ll be one more generation,” added
Richard. “Business is good, we have a good
organization. They’re talented, they have
the energy and drive to be successful.”
All four of my children
have worked here in
some form or another
over the years; they care
as much about what
is going on with the
company as we do.
“
”
34 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
I don’t think the size of
the project is the criteria
for difficulty. Even a small
plaque can present a lot
of difficulty. We’ve tried
to maintain a high level
of quality from day one
and that continues to be
tested. – Lance Bunker
“
”
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 35
Among the final items installed on most
significant projects is the building’s
signage, or branding items. How
important are these pieces? Branding is
typically a powerful marketing component
for any business, and well-crafted, top-
end signs and branding components
should properly reflect what that business
stands for and what its image is.
At least that’s the philosophy of
Lance and Jason Bunker of Allotech, a
Salt Lake-based company specializing
in architectural signage and branding
elements that is celebrating its
30th anniversary this year from its
incorporation in 1984. The firm’s
handiwork can be found on dozens of
high-profile projects throughout Utah,
including corporate (Nu Skin, Hoopes
Vision), entertainment/event complexes
(Rice-Eccles Stadium, Davis Conference
Center, South Towne Expo Center), higher
education (U of U College of Nursing), K-12
(Corner Canyon High) and many others.
“From concept through design,
fabrication and installation (of signage)
can take up to a year,” said Jason, Lance’s
son and company Vice President. “A
building can take six months to four
years to build. Why would an owner want
signage done in a couple of days? You
want something that matches the artistic
nature of the building. A lot of times we’re
problem solving. Designers and architects
have an idea of what they want, but a lot of
times it is lost in the bidding process, and
the end product doesn’t resemble what
they had in mind. We provide them exactly
what they envision.”
“The best compliment,” said Lance,
Founder and President, “is when the owner
says, ‘it’s exactly as you said it would be’.
The last thing we want to hear is, ‘okay,
that will work.’ We try to produce exactly
what the architect/owner has envisioned
and designed.”
Finding the WayLance Bunker’s knowledge of making
architectural signage in the early 80’s
was virtually nil when he went to work
for his father, Richard, who manufactured
photopolymer-printing plates for the
newspaper industry. Tough economic
conditions forced his father out of
business, so Lance took it over and landed
a contract to do work he candidly says he
really didn’t know how to do.
“When my father’s business ceased, I
was looking for a way not to go back into
construction and one of our clients was
the old Auerbach’s building (in Salt Lake),”
he recalled. “They asked if we could supply
them with signs made by deep chemical
etching. I didn’t know what it was but
we said yes. We struggled for six months
coming up with the right process. When we
found a unique system, a unique ability to
manipulate metal with graphics, it evolved
into a viable company. I do have to give
credit that this was born out of his genius. I
never would have had this avenue.” >>
Allotech has morphed over three decades into a
diverse specialist in architectural signage.
By Brad Fullmer
Allotech manufactured the main sign for Nu Skin’s Corporate Headquarters in Provo, using 4,000 pounds of stainless steel that was machine cut, hand rolled and fabricated, hand polished, delivered and installed within four months. (courtesy Allotech)
36 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
For years Allotech did strictly deep
chemical metal etching, before evolving
into the signage world, although the
Bunker’s admit they don’t like being called
a ‘sign company’ and try to distinguish
their skillset and offerings from such firms.
“We’ve evolved,” said Jason. “For years we
didn’t distinguish ourselves as a sign company.
People don’t necessarily know what we do.”
Answering the CallAllotech strives to provide full-
solution signage packages that require
little, if no, future maintenance, including
design-assist with all manufacturing
and installation processes. They pride
themselves on ultra-quick turnaround
times, even on highly complex projects.
For the main sign at Nu Skin’s
Corporate Headquarters in Provo, Allotech
used 4,000 pounds of stainless steel
that was machine cut, hand rolled and
fabricated, hand polished and delivered/
installed in less than four months.
The firm recently manufactured a sign in
three weeks for the IM Flash campus in Lehi
that had to be completed before the Tour of
Utah bicycle race in early August. It’s a large,
pedestal-mounted sign that is 12 ft. wide
by 8 ft. high and 2 ft. deep, made of custom
ceramic glass that mimics IM Flash discs, one
Jason called very unique in the firm’s catalog.
Lance also tells of a plaque made
for the Huntsman Chemical Corporation
Headquarters several years ago, where
Margaret Thatcher spoke and performed
the dedication ceremony. Allotech was
given three days to make the plaque.
“We were still finishing it at 5:00 a.m.
for a 10:00 a.m. dedication,” Lance said.
“That’s how close many of our projects are.
Sometimes you’re not given much time,
but the last thing you want to do is miss a
dedication. We don’t miss ribbon cuttings.”
It’s that commitment to detail and
willingness to jump through hoops that
has helped the firm thrive in recent years,
even during the recession starting in ’08.
Jason said over the past five-plus years,
annual revenues have jumped by 35%-50%
each year, an enviable growth period for
any firm even during good economic times.
“We actually did well during the
recession,” says Lance. “We have several
avenues for getting work. “A lot of work
is brought in directly by the architect
because they want our expertise and
don’t want it to go to bid. They want our
flexibility. A lot of companies want to
work directly with us and cut through to
the value engineering. They work with us
directly so they get what they want.”
At the end of the day, quality and
hitting deadlines keeps clients coming back.
“I don’t think the size of the project is
the criteria for difficulty,” Lance says. “Even
a small plaque can present a lot of difficulty.
We’ve tried to maintain a high level of quality
from day one and that continues to be tested.”
“What we do isn’t throwaway – it’s a
signature for the company we’re doing it for
and it leaves an impression upon society
as to who they are,” adds Jason. “We tend
to feel like we’re part of the process and we
leave a signature of who we are.”
38 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
Question: What do the Xactware building,
the USTAR Life Sciences Research Center,
and the University Of Utah SJ Quinney
Law School building all have in common?
Answer: They were all constructed using
a process called building commissioning
to ensure the buildings, and the systems
within them, function as the owner
envisioned. In other words, it’s a final
quality assurance/quality control measure
to confirm each systems’ performance
complies with the design intent and the
buildings functional, operational, and
maintenance needs.
Due to recent changes to the
International Energy Conservation Codes,
sections C403 and C405 (IECC), effective
July 1, 2014, buildings constructed after
this date must comply with the 2012
IECC code. However, buildings currently
under construction, or currently being
commissioned, will fall under the previous
2009 code. The end result will be a lot
more buildings will work more efficiently
because their systems will be tested and
balanced. This updated code will impact
several project schedules, and their final
cost, slated to be completed throughout
Utah in the next several years. The
updated code pertains primarily to the
buildings mechanical and lighting systems.
Highlights of the new code
requirements include:
• A commissioning plan must be
developed by a registered Professional
Engineer.
• The mechanical systems must pass a
TAB (test and balance) test to ensure
they are working most efficiently.
• The building must pass a functional
performance testing in all modes and
sequences of operation.
• HVAC control systems must be tested
to verify the control devices are
calibrated correctly.
• The building inspector is not allowed
to give final mechanical inspection on
the building until the owner receives
a Preliminary Commissioning Report
from a licensed Professional Engineer.
• All lighting will be based on lighting
loads to ensure maximum efficiency.
Two Utah-based companies that
are well versed in providing building
commissioning services are Total Building
Commissioning (TBC) and Ecube. Ray Dodd,
President of Total Building Commissioning,
sees “the goal of commissioning as
assuring the success of the project for the
owner, designers and contractors alike.”
Likewise, Joe Havey, President and CEO of
Ecube, states “With the construction of
buildings being more complicated, while
trying to reduce overall energy usage,
proper building commissioning becomes
much more important.”
Both companies specialize in
commissioning of buildings of all sizes,
including LEED certified buildings, as
well as mission critical facilities such as:
hospitals, laboratories, and data centers.
One company that benefitted from TBC
services is Xactware where TBC provided
commissioning services on the $60 million -
250,000 sq. ft. facility in Lehi. On this project,
TBC worked closely with Big-D Construction
and according to Eric Dunn, Big-D Project
Manager, TBC “organized things so
that the process went smoothly. Their
understanding of the systems and how
they were all supposed to work together
was integral to the project’s success.
TBC brought a history of knowledge and
experience of commissioning systems and
how to integrate all aspects as one working
unit.” Dunn stated.
Likewise, Ecube provided building
commissioning services on the 110,000 sq.
ft. USTAR Life Sciences Research Center in
Logan. The firm was brought on early in the
project’s design phase and contributed to
the overall evaluation of systems for the
building. According to Jill Jones, President
of Salt Lake-based ajc architects, “Ecube
provided an independent voice and
perspective to the overall system design
and provided additional value to the
efficiency of the systems selected.”
When talking about building
commissioning, it is important to
mention a major player in the game – the
Building Commissioning 101
Required changes now effective per updated International Energy Conservation Code
By Amy Steinbrech
> Building Commissioning
The SJ Quinney Law School at the University of Utah is an example of how building commissioning can influence design. (courtesy VCBO/SmithgroupJJR)
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 39
State of Utah. The Division of Facilities
Construction and Management (DFCM)
manages all State-owned facilities and
is responsible for their construction and
maintenance. DFCM provides a wide
variety of services for State agencies, from
selecting an architect and/or engineer
to conducting testing and inspections
all the way through monitoring the
warranty period. According to John
Burningham, Energy Program Director
at DFCM, the agency is well prepared to
meet the new IECC requirements and
they do not expect many changes to
their commissioning efforts due to their
past robust commissioning practices.
“As building owners we are pushing
our commissioning teams to provide
the level of service we need to fully
optimize the functional performance of
our buildings. The result is buildings that
are more comfortable, energy efficient and
cost less to operate”, Burningham stated.
He believes that commissioning, when
done effectively, adds significant value to
State owned buildings during construction
and over the life of the building.
Both TBC and Ecube see definite
advantages to these new code
requirements. However, both see
some challenges. “In some cases, there
will be slightly higher initial design
and construction costs. However,
commissioning, when performed by an
experienced provider, helps save money.”
Havey stated. For TBC, “LEED has been a
major driver for commissioning in buildings.
The new IECC code will expose contractors
to commissioning that have been unfamiliar
with the process. Our challenge will be
to educate them about commissioning
and show them how it can reduce their
warranty costs and provide them with a
better product overall,” Dodd stated.
For additional information about the
new IECC code changes, and what they will
mean to your company’s bottom line, visit:
http://www.totalbuildingcommissioning.
com/2014/07/standby-for-changes-
required-commissioning-for-commercial-
mechanical-and-lighting-systems-per-the-
iecc-2012-code/.
40 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
In looking at the numbers behind
UC&D’s 2014 Top Utah Engineering Firm
Rankings, what stands out the most is the
consistency local engineering firm’s have
shown in the past 2-3 years, with average
annual revenues either holding steady, or
illustrating positive signs of growth in all
disciplines.
Of the 16 firms to participate this year,
14 disclosed annual revenues. Included in
these rankings are 8 civil engineering firms,
5 MEP (mechanical/electrical) firms, and 3
structural engineering firms. Every effort
was made to encourage firms to participate,
whether or not they disclosed revenues.
Horrocks Engineers of Pleasant Grove,
a civil firm, was the top revenue producing
company from 2013 at $25.6 million, a nearly
$6 million, 23% increase over 2012.
MEP firm Van Boerum & Frank Associates
of Salt Lake was second overall and No. 1
MEP at $11.2 million from 2013, followed by
Draper-based Sunrise Engineering (civil) at
$9.8 million, Jones & DeMille of Richfield (civil)
at $9.78 million, and Spectrum Engineers (MEP)
of Salt Lake at $9.06 million.
Three civil firms – H.W. Lochner of Salt
Lake ($5.5 million), Michael Baker International
of Midvale ($5.3 million) and Psomas of Salt
Lake ($4.76 million) were within $750,000 of
each other. Each of those firms saw a slight
downturn in revenues from ’12-’13.
The remaining six firms to disclose 2013
revenues – were within $500,000 +/- of their
respective 2012 numbers. Reaveley Engineers
+ Associates was the highest revenue-
producer among structural engineering firms
at $4.64 million, followed by BHB Consulting
Engineers (structural) at $3.41 million. Two
electrical firms, Envision Engineering and
Ken Garner Engineering, came in at $2.67
million and $1.87 million, respectively.
Regarding the busiest market
segments for participating firms, obviously
the highway market is tops among civil
engineers, with two firms, H.W. Lochner and
Michael Baker International having 100% of
their revenues from highway.
Among building designers, top
markets in Utah include healthcare, higher
education, K-12, commercial/retail and civic/
institutional. Sunrise reported just over
two-thirds of its overall revenues from the
wastewater and water segments.
2014 Top Utah Engineering Firm Rankings
Utah Construction & Design is pleased to publish a list of the Top Engineering Firms in Utah based on revenues generated in 2013 by
firms with headquarters and/or offices in Utah. Firms are ranked by revenues generated from their UTAH OFFICES. Firms who chose
not to disclose revenues (DND) are ranked after revenue-disclosing firms in order based on number of employees. Every effort was
made to contact respective firms and encourage their participation.
1.
2.
3.
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5.
Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 41
6.
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8.
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5 15..
42 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
16.
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Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 43
9.
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Aug | Sept 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 45
> Marketing Solutions
It’s a proven fact that the attention span
of the average American is 8 seconds.
Imagine what that means for the
proposal you’ve just spent a week
preparing. Will the reviewer take the time
to read your detailed project approach? Or
will he/she scan through, moving on to the
next? Given the above statistic and the fact
that selection committee members are
busy professionals with multiple proposals
to review, it’s a pretty good bet they are
scanning.
What can you do to attract and keep
the attention of that selection committee
reviewer? Over the last few years I’ve
been converted to the idea of using
graphics to catch attention and keep the
reader engaged – all the way through the
proposal.
It’s easy enough to do: just think of
your proposal like a glossy magazine. Your
goal is to make the proposal something the
reviewer WANTS to look at.
Here are a few simple tips to use
graphics to attract attention to your
proposals:
• Invest in high quality photography.
Hire an architectural photographer to
make your project pop. Infuse life in
the photos by showing people using
the space. Use stock photos of happy
people connected to the project
(example: show a happy senior couple
in a proposal for an assisted living
facility).
• Convert boilerplate information to
infographics. 65% of Americans are
visual learners. We are attracted
to visual clues and our brains store
images in long-term memory. Text
that otherwise would be glossed over
can become interesting when shown
as a graphic. Don’t have access to
Illustrator? Use online infographic
creators like Piktochart or Easel.ly to
create custom infographics.
• Reinforce management plan text
with graphic representation. Don’t
let that custom management plan
be overlooked. Pull out main ideas
and emphasize them with a graphic.
This grabs the reader’s attention,
concentrating it on that section. With
interest piqued they will look for
details nearby.
• Use pull-out quotes and bullets. Keep
them concise, relevant and interesting.
Using bullets and pull-out quotes are
the time-tested way to catch a scanner.
• Double-side your prints. Use the
extra page to showcase large photos.
Consider spanning photos across page
spreads for that magazine look.
• Cut unnecessary “fluff” narrative. Make
it worth their while if they do pause to
read your text. Concentrate on what’s
really important to the client and you’ll
keep them reading.
• Utilize white space. Attractive layouts
include a place for the reader’s eye to
rest. Less is more.
Kimberly Johnson is the Marketing
Manager at Ogden-based R&O
Construction, and President of the Society
for Marketing Professional Services –
Utah Chapter (2013-14). She has 14 years
experience marketing in the AEC industry
and is a Certified Professional Services
Marketer (CPSM).
Graphics Attract Attention
By Kimberly Johnson
Kimberly Johnson
What can you do to attract and keep the attention of that selection committee reviewer? Over the last few years
I’ve been converted to the idea of using graphics to catch attention and keep the reader engaged – all the way
through the proposal.
46 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | Aug | Sept 14
Index of Advertisers
Arnold Machinery ..............................................................................................................................37
Babcock Design Group ...................................................................................................................36
BHB Consulting Engineers ...........................................................................................................36
busybusy.com ......................................................................................................................................15
Dunn Associates .................................................................................................................................14
FFKR Architects ...................................................................................................................................13
Fox Audio/Video .................................................................................................................................46
Granite Construction .........................................................................................................................6
Hanson ......................................................................................................................................................45
Henry Day Ford ...............................................................................................................Back Cover
Holland & Hart ...................................................................................................................................IBC
Honnen Equipment .............................................................................................................................9
Kilgore Companies ............................................................................................................................27
Layton Construction .......................................................................................................................11
MCWI ...........................................................................................................................................................26
Method Studio .....................................................................................................................................39
Monsen Engineering .......................................................................................................................18
Parr Brown Gee Loveless ..............................................................................................................21
ProSoft .......................................................................................................................................................16
R&O Construction .................................................................................................................................5
Reavley Engineers + Assoc. .........................................................................................................13
Richards Brandt Miller Nelson ..................................................................................................39
Sohm Photogrfx ..................................................................................................................................44
Staker Parson Cos. ................................................................................................................................2
UDOT/Zero Fatalities ..........................................................................................................................4
Utelite ........................................................................................................................................................11
Wheeler Machinery .............................................................................................................................3
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