Balfour Beatty selected for $581m Texas scheme

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Balfour Beatty selected for $581m Texas scheme

Balfour Beatty has been selected by the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) as the construction manager-agent (CMA) for the first phase of the $581 million State of Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan. The project is divided into six packages: excavations, utility relocations, central utility plant tunnels, two new office buildings, a new underground parking garage, and the Texas mall.

In its role as CMA, Balfour Beatty will advise TFC on different facets of the construction process—planning, design, procurement, construction and commissioning—to provide standardized technical and management expertise on each of the six packages. This includes coordinating the contracting and procurement of design and construction firms, creating and managing scopes of work, setting and managing project schedules and budgets, and effectively optimizing the chosen design and construction firms’ skills and talents.

In addition, Balfour Beatty will advise on safety, technology, quality assurance and quality control related to the project. The implementation of these management activities turns the planning, design and construction process into one that maximizes TFC’s control over the entire project, adding predictability to the project from the start of programming to completion of construction.

“Our team has helped shape downtown Austin’s inspiring skyline since early 2000 with landmark projects such as The Austonian, Northshore, The Independent, and over 500 tenant finish-out and renovation projects in the city’s central business district,” said Chris Davis, vice president and business unit leader for Balfour Beatty in Austin. “It is especially gratifying to be a part of shaping Texas history. The bold program for the State of Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan Phase One envisions a living symbol of independence and opportunity, two qualities synonymous with the Texan experience.”

Since 2013, Balfour Beatty has worked extensively for TFC as a preferred contractor managing deferred maintenance in critical state office buildings, many located in the Capitol Complex. The company’s detailed knowledge of TFC operations, its relationship with key personnel, familiarity with TFC stakeholders, and expertise in constructability and operational excellence, uniquely positioned Balfour Beatty to stand with TFC in building the future of Texas.

Phase One of the State of Texas Capitol Master Plan includes two new office buildings and five levels of underground parking, which will be the base of a new, pedestrian-oriented Texas Mall. This tree-lined promenade will be located on Congress Avenue between 16th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and will serve as the northern gateway to the Capitol Complex with public green space for tourism, events and festivals.

The two new office buildings will allow the consolidation of state employees currently working in leased space. Consolidating staff has the potential to create operational efficiencies between and within agencies, provide visitors easier access to agency offices, and eliminate the cost of leased office space. With civic spaces, shaded pedestrian-friendly streets and connections to the surrounding community, the project’s Phase One will transform a three-block area north of the Texas State Capitol creating a visitor destination that celebrates the Capitol and centralizes all state agencies.

The project kicked off in late September with an official groundbreaking. In attendance were TFC Executive Director Harvey Hilderbran; Texas General Land Commissioner George P. Bush; Texas State House of Representative members Jim Murphy, Charlie Geren and Donna Howard; Texas State Senator Kirk Watson; various state agency heads and members of the project team. The ceremonial event marked the implementation of Phase One of the State of Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan and the beginning of construction of the George H. W. Bush State Office Building.

Source: www.balfourbeattyus.com

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.