The Christman Company

Moving 57 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of rock away from a job site is hard logistically and costly to any project. Our own Andy Westbrook, P.E., senior project manager, worked with a team to not only reuse the materials on-site at the Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System West healthcare facility, but they also found ways to make the project easier to expand in the future. Check it out in the article published by Healthcare Facilities Today below. You’ll see out why we think Andy is one of the best PMs in the healthcare arena! https://lnkd.in/g6uSzhfY

When asked what the most enjoyable part of the project at Agricultural and Natural Resource Building at University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) has been, Butch Hale, general superintendent said, “building relationships.” Butch talks about the several UTK projects he’s been a part of and sees how integral his relationships with the UTK leadership and project staff have been and will be on future projects. This speaks directly to one of our core values, building lasting relationships. The Agricultural and Natural Resource Building stands 5 floors tall and consists of cutting-edge research labs, classrooms, office spaces, an auditorium, several student communal spaces, and a café (that sells UT chicken/beef!). One of the many unique features that stands out is the eco-friendly green roof, designed to accommodate 90 individuals amidst an oasis of trees, plants, and research plots, fostering a living laboratory for environmental studies. There are so many great features of this building! Great work Knoxville team! 

With the August Bond Election Cycle less than a month away, it's good to review the May Bond Election Analysis our Bond Services Marketing Manager Brett Gillespie put together. Two brief points of recap: in May the highest millage increase that passed was .82 mills, and the zero mill passage rate statewide dropped from a 20-year average of 94% to 79% this past election cycle. School bond elections are changing in Michigan, but our Bond Services experts are staying on top of those changes and developing best practices to help ensure success for our K-12 clients. Check out Brett's analysis below 👇

Historic Preservation is a passion that flows through us here at Christman. It becomes so much more than saving a building. It’s about preserving the stories, the energy, and the history that the building holds within its walls, as well as making a positive environmental impact by reusing and revitalizing existing structures. Here’s our series, “Discovering My Passion for Preservation at Christman.” Today, hear from Madison Allred, our project engineer in Greensboro, North Carolina, and part of our Historic Preservation Group. Why/how I found my way to Historic Preservation: A few months ago, before I joined the Sparger Project in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, I had the chance to take a tour on the famous Andy Griffith squad car. It was such a nostalgic moment to snap a picture with the car right in front of the Sparger Tobacco Mill building. That experience sparked a deep interest in the history of buildings and their stories, leading me to this fulfilling career path.  What drives my passion: Preserving history is something that's always been close to my heart. There's something magical about repurposing an existing structure – it’s a way to honor and utilize the resources and materials that are already there while keeping the memories and history of the building alive. The idea of blending the old with the new and maintaining the legacy of a place truly inspires me.  My favorite project: Now, being a part of the team working on preserving the Sparger Mill, I feel like everything has come full circle. Every brick and beam tell a story, and I’m thrilled to help ensure those stories continue to be told for generations to come. The Sparger Project holds a special place in my heart as it not only connects to my initial inspiration but also embodies the essence of why I love what I do. #HistoricPreservation #SpargerProject #MtAiry #AndyGriffith #TheChristmanCompany #BuildingLegacy #PreserveHistory #SustainableBuilding

This summer, the Detroit FedEx DTWR team was joined by our new 2024 interns, as well as Angelo Iafrate Construction's 2024 interns, for a site tour and a visit to our on-site concrete batch plant. The team was treated to an in-depth look into the FedEx DTWR project, specifically focusing on the abundant amount of site civil and concrete improvements.

Historic Preservation is a passion that flows through us here at Christman. It becomes so much more than saving a building. It’s about preserving the stories, the energy, and the history that the building holds within its walls, as well as making a positive environmental impact by reusing and revitalizing existing structures. Here’s our series, “Discovering My Passion for Preservation at Christman.” Today, hear from Jeff Arlington, LEED AP, ASHE HCC, our Vice President in Knoxville, TN and part of our Historic Preservation Group. When asked how he found his way to Historic Preservation, Jeff Arlington, of the Knoxville office, says frankly “By accident…” Jeff was hired by our head of HP Ron Staley over 30 years ago, just looking to have a career in construction, not necessarily in historic preservation. Ron Staley began putting him on HP jobs from the beginning. Since then, Jeff has worked on dozens of HP projects with the Christman Company. What drives your passion? Jeff enjoys HP projects because every project has its unique attributes. The history behind each project fuels his fascination. Specific memory or connection to client/project? Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion, built in 1839 and located in Milledgeville, Georgia, is what Jeff considers to be his favorite project. Jeff says this project was considered a “museum quality restoration, " including so many unique and intentional restorations. Some notable restoration techniques used were the composition of plaster – which included mixing horse hair in the plaster to match the composition of the original plaster, Adding Heating & Cooling using fiberglass underground duct with diffusers hidden within the plaster cornice – to hide the upgrade and maintain its historic fabric, heart pine flooring was repurposed wood from an old barn – the wood from the barn was milled and used to match the original flooring, and lastly, all the original skeleton key hardware throughout the house was restored with a silver finish.

Holly Wasielewski is #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested?

The only thing better than crossing a runway is crossing the finish line! We had a blast this year at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) Runway 5K. We are proud to sponsor such a great cause every year. This year's 5K charity partner, Special Olympics Michigan, is dedicated to fostering a world of inclusion and community, providing free year-round sports competitions and programs for kids and adults with intellectual disabilities. This support allows the power of connection and community to thrive throughout West Michigan and beyond. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this event, helping to make a positive impact in our community!

Historic Preservation is a passion that flows through us here at Christman. It's so much more than saving a building. It’s about preserving the stories, the energy and the history the building holds within its walls, as well as making a positive environmental impact by reusing and revitalizing existing structures. Here’s our series, “Discovering My Passion for Preservation at Christman.” Today, hear from Tom Whitmore, our Vice President of the Historic Preservation Group. “As someone with a background in architecture and timber framing, I've always been comfortable in both fields. When I got the opportunity to join the Preservation Group at Christman in DC, I never anticipated how naturally preservation would come to me. This role has truly highlighted my love for fixing things. New construction is rational and mathematical, while preservation construction is a mental puzzle, requiring extensive research, investigation, and subjective decision-making. It demands exceptional teamwork, as misinterpreting or ignoring the real intent of a preservation project can be easy. I thrive on the challenge of diving into technical details and building teams unified towards a common goal. Seeing team members get inspired by the lessons of history and increasing their participation levels is incredibly rewarding. One memorable moment was in 2007 when I was closing up the Lincoln Cottage site for the day. I noticed a board with nails sticking out of the ceiling, posing a safety hazard. Upon closer inspection, I discovered markings on the top-facing side of the board. After consulting with the project conservator, we carefully removed it and found it was hand-painted with the name of the building’s architect, John Skirving, in Victorian script. The board, originally part of a shipping crate, had been used as a “rat-board” during the building's initial construction. It felt like finding a postcard from the past. Preservation has become more than just a career; it's a passion that drives me. The intricate blend of research, technical skill, and teamwork needed to breathe new life into old structures is both challenging and fulfilling. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to preserving our history and for the incredible journey so far.” At Christman Historic Preservation Group, we actively seek out preservation work to continue our mission. #Preservation #Teamwork #Architecture #Christman #PassionForPreservation

Recently, our own Jennifer Emerick along with SmithGroup's Tricia Beck, AIA, LEED AP and fellow presenter Ashley Flintoff, PMP, LEED AP presented at the annual MiAPPA conference. Their presentation centered around giving new life to Wayne State University’s State Hall; transforming a 77-year-old building into a modern classroom facility to accommodate current teaching while anticipating future needs.