When a long-time client was in a crunch to get their Dick’s Sporting Goods construction project in West Long Branch, N.J., completed within a reduced timeframe, they turned to EMJ Construction.
Having a previous relationship with our Boston team, they asked us to provide expedited pricing and an accelerated construction schedule.
EMJ Construction Boston was formally awarded the Dick’s Sporting Goods project on December 21, 2018 and challenged with a nearly impossible completion deadline. It was critical to the client’s financial goals that the store be open for business by the third week of May.
Senior Project Manager Bruce Tassone and Superintendent Darryl Moore immediately visited the snowy site over the winter holidays, performing scope reviews and submitting building and demolition permit requests.
Once approved to work, Lead Superintendent Mike Fragassi and the field team immediately jumped into the project, performing a full survey and highlighting many differences from the drawings.
The entire team collaborated to compare the existing conditions to the design drawings and provide creative solutions to various issues that were uncovered—from a 6-inch difference in the slab elevation at the front of the store to conflicts with the basis of design gas service pressure. In addition, the team discovered the site was built on a former landfill, adding levels of approval and environmental consultant oversight to an already-tight schedule.
“There were numerous challenges in the existing conditions and the team worked with the owner and design team to solve these problems within the first 30 days of being involved,” said Fragassi.
They were able to begin selective demolition on January 8, less than three weeks after the client awarded them the project. In the past, EMJ teams have efficiently performed start-to-finish Dick’s Sporting Goods in 16-18 weeks, but with the building permit unavailable until February 16th, 2018, the Boston team was able to complete the project in just over two months. The project was turned over to Dick’s Sporting Goods Operations Team on April 27th.
“The client(s) can’t speak highly enough about the team that pulled this out for them,” said Tassone. “Very early on, it looked like it wouldn’t happen, and our team truly rose to the challenge and did whatever it took to make sure this project ended up positively.”
As a result, both clients are now discussing additional projects with the Boston team.
“This team exhibits true grit— they’ll do whatever is necessary to get the job done,” said Neil Pratt, Executive Vice President of EMJ Boston. “Everyone on the team continually exemplified that behavior, and both clients couldn’t be happier.”
Congratulations to the team:
Alex Colwell, Co-Op
Mike Fragassi, Lead Superintendent
Peter Gilson, Project Engineer
Darryl Moore, Superintendent
Steve Rice, Vice President of Construction
Bruce Tassone, Senior Project Manager
Frank Miller, Preconstruction Manager
Joan Madden, Project Accountant
Katie Slowe, Administrative Assistant