PC Construction is proud to announce the Waterbury State Office Complex project was honored with a 2017 Public Works Project of the Year award in the category of Disaster or Emergency Construction/Repair over $75 million. The project was recognized by the American Public Works Association (APWA) on Monday at their annual conference in Orlando, Florida.
The APWA Public Works Projects of the Year awards are presented annually to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects, recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, contractor, consultant and their cooperative achievements.
When Tropical Storm Irene swept through Vermont in 2011, it flooded nearly every river and stream in the state. The Village of Waterbury was hard hit including the Waterbury State Office Complex, located on the banks of the Winooski River. The entire state was ravaged and more than 1,500 state employees were displaced to other locations around Vermont.
This project began two years later in August 2013 with the deconstruction of 21 flood-prone buildings to make room for a new 86,000-square-foot two-story steel-framed office building. Buildings were constructed six inches above the 500-year flood mark and specialized foundations were used to protect against future flooding. The complex is significantly more efficient with a new central plant and maintenance facility housing two wood-fired biomass boilers using 25% less energy. More than 115,000 square feet and 13 historic buildings were restored to their original grandeur and 94% of the 48,000 tons of demolished materials were recycled or diverted from landfills.
The success of the project can be attributed to the successful collaboration between all parties including Freeman French Freeman Architects, the State of Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services, all the subcontractors and PC Construction. This collaboration epitomizes the “We are Vermont Strong” phrase that became the hallmark of Vermont’s resiliency after Hurricane Irene.