University of Cincinnati’s New Clifton Court Hall – School’s Largest Academic Building

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A group of college students listen to a lecture given by a professor

Students and professors at the University of Cincinnati are soon to be finishing up their first full school year in the newly built Clifton Court Hall, the school’s largest academic building.

The 185,000 square foot building, located on the university’s uptown campus, is home to the College of Arts and Sciences, the school’s largest college. It also houses the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services. The state-of-the-art facilities offer students in these disciplines incredible opportunities to study, learn, and collaborate. Here’s some more information on the building and the process that led to its completion.

Planning and Construction

UC’s enrollment has been consistently growing for more than two decades now. The total student body increased more than 40% from 2002 to 2019, at which point it had reached nearly 47,000, a record total that has since been surpassed. With this major influx of students came the need for extra classroom space. So, in 2019, the university approved the construction of Clifton Court Hall at the intersection of Clifton Avenue and Clifton Court Drive.

Initially, construction work was set to begin in fall 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors pushed that start date back to May 2021. Despite the massive size of the structure, construction work was completed within two years. Local media were given a tour of the facility in May 2023, just after faculty and staff began moving in. The space opened for students the following month. The school held a grand opening ceremony on Sept. 19, 2023.

Messer Construction Co. oversaw the construction work, LMN Architects and KZF Design were responsible for the design and architectural work. Pedco E & A Services provided engineering work, and Buro Happold served as the structural engineer. The total cost of the project was $93 million, with $85.5 being borrowed and the rest coming in the form of gifts.

The New Facility and Amenities

A substantial number of students and faculty have found a home in Clifton Court Hall. In addition to the three colleges mentioned above, Clifton Court Hall houses several academic departments, including Philosophy, Psychology, Journalism, Romance and Arabic Languages and Literatures, School of Public and International Affairs, School of Communication, Film, and Media Studies, and Asian, Eastern European, and German Studies. Essentially, the College of Arts and Sciences is now under one roof rather than being scattered across the campus.

“Because of the size and growth of the college, Arts and Sciences has been distributed across many buildings over the past decade,” UC Director of Planning, Jamie Accurso, said in a press release after the grand opening. “So, Clifton Court gives each of these departments a center of gravity and front door.”

The building features 24 classrooms, more than 230 faculty and staff offices, multiple lounges, a shared space for interdisciplinary programs, and a modern TV production and digital animation studio. The seating in the classrooms and lecture halls can be adjusted so that students can work in small groups, allowing for seamless collaboration. One 150-seat auditorium has microphones built into the ceiling so that students who are attending the class remotely can hear questions that other students ask.

The interior of the building features a five-story, centralized atrium, with a large, custom staircase, and gates. The exterior façade of Clifton Court Hall is adorned with terracotta, which has been designed to blend in with the brick buildings in the area. Additionally, there’s a pedestrian bridge that links the building with the Arts and Sciences Hall and the Bearcat Commons.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of the University of Cincinnati’s new Clifton Court Hall. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

Phase II of Salt Lake City Airport Redevelopment Complete

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A Salt Lake City Airport stampThe second phase of The New SLC Redevelopment Program was officially completed in late 2023, bringing the completion of the Salt Lake City International Airport one step closer. The redevelopment program broke ground in 2014 as part of an effort to totally overhaul what had become an outdated facility ill-equipped to take on the 26 million passengers the airport sees each year. There’s still work to be done, but the parts that have been completed reflect a modern, spacious, safe airport with world-class amenities.

What Phase II of the Project Entailed

The official end of Phase II construction came on the morning of Oct. 31, 2023, when airport officials unveiled the gates restaurants of Concourse A-East before the inaugural flight departed the concourse to Atlanta. The new concourse features 13 Delta Airlines gates and 12 restaurants, including establishments local to Salt Lake City such as Red Rock Brewery, Vessel Kitchen, and Blue Iguana, as well as national chains like Jimmy John’s, Auntie Anne’s, and Burger King.

Other establishments present at the new concourse include Hugo Coffee Roasters, Hudson News and Hudson Nonstop, Millcreek Coffee Roasters, PF Chang’s, Wow Bao, Utah Jazz Store, SLC Public Market, The Atrium, Protein Bar & Kitchen, Minute Suites, and Rockwell Ice Cream.

Holder Construction, Big D Construction, Austin Commercial, and Okland Construction were responsible for various aspects of the construction work.

Art has been important to the redevelopment project and this new concourse is no exception. The restrooms feature wall murals, each painted by a different local artist. Meanwhile, there are multiple sculptures created by a local artist hanging in the concourse.

The opening of Phase II actually began in May 2023 when five new gates opened in Concourse A. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a press release that this will enhance the airport’s status as a global Delta Hub.

“Salt Lake City is proud to be a Delta hub in the West and home to one of the top-performing airports in the world,” she said. “The completion of Phase 2 will provide efficient services and modern facilities for travelers who are eager for a seamless journey.”

An Ambitious, but Necessary Project

When the redevelopment project began in 2014, the airport was nearly half a century old. Salt Lake City’s population had grown substantially in that time, while the airport had become a western hub of activity. By the time the redevelopment project began, the facility was taking in about twice as many passengers (26 million annually) as it was designed to handle. The new airport can now handle up to 34 million passengers per year.

Phase I of the project, which took more than six years to complete, included the Central Terminal, Concourse A-west and Concourse B, a rental car service, parking garage, and quick turn around facilities. When Phase 1 was completed, the original airport was demolished, and the initial phase of the new airport opened. The first phase is more than 296.7 acres and totals more than four million square feet.

The redevelopment project continues. Phase III, currently underway, features eight additional gates and a tunnel that will connect Concourse B to the main terminal. The expected completion date is late 2024.  Following that, construction on the fourth and final phase of the project will begin. This will involve expanding Concourse B and is expected to be finished in 2027.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in the Salt Lake City International Airport Redevelopment. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

BNA Satellite Concourse Now Ready for Takeoff

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A view from outside the Nashville International AirportFor the past three months, Nashville International Airport (BNA) has been a bit busier than in the past. Since October, flights have been flying into and departing from a new eight-gate satellite concourse, an extension on the airport’s main terminal. The new concourse, added to accommodate increased travel to Nashville and Middle Tennessee broadly, is one part of the larger $1.2 billion BNA Vision redevelopment project that began back in 2017.

The New Concourse

Holder Construction and Corgan and Gresham Smith oversaw the work on the new satellite concourse, which was completed in time for an Oct. 21 soft opening. The grand opening is set to take place at a later date. The 89,000 square foot facility is adjacent to Concourse C. It features eight domestic arrival gates, modern amenities, and several concession options.

As of now, the free-standing concourse mostly services Spirit and Allegiant Airline short route flights. The people arriving on those flights go through the main terminal’s security checkpoint and then take a short shuttle ride from Concourse C to the satellite.

Once they arrive at the terminal, customers have a bevy of options when it comes to eating, drinking, and shopping. There are local restaurants serving all three meals throughout the day, Distillery District Market for those looking to purchase spirits, and Gulch Goods and Nashville Supply Co. for shopping. Meanwhile, restaurants Jimmy John’s, TX/MX, Bongo Java, and Fat Bottom Brewery are expected to open soon.

BNA Vision

The BNA Vision redevelopment project was more of a necessity than a luxury. The airport saw a record 21.9 million travelers in 2023, more than doubling its total from a decade prior. There was an obvious need for more of just about everything and that’s exactly what this project provided. The satellite concourse joins the newly renovated Terminal Lobby and new International Arrivals Facility. Concourse D and Terminal Wings Expansion, Terminal Garages 1 and 2, Interim International Arrivals Building, and Terminal Apron and Taxi Lane Expansion in the pool of recently completed projects.

Meanwhile, a Hilton-Branded Hotel and Terminal garage are scheduled to be completed early this year, the Donelson Pike Relocation is on track to finish in 2026, and a terminal access roadway improvement project is slated to begin in 2026 and end in 2028.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in the development of the BNA Satellite Concourse project. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

Amazon’s HQ2 in Arlington Houses Thousands of Employees

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A view of Arlington, VA from across the PotomacAfter years of planning, tough decisions, and construction work, the first phase of Amazon’s second headquarters (HQ2) opened for business in Arlington, VA in June 2023. The massive development, which now serves as the workplace for thousands of employees, was first announced more than six years ago. Quite a bit has happened in the intervening time.

A Brief History of HQ2

Amazon first announced that it would be building a new headquarters in 2017. The company had primarily operated out of Seattle since its 1994 founding. After a long search in which dozens of cities of North America submitted proposals in an effort to court the tech giant, Amazon chose to split the new headquarters between New York and Northern Virginia in late 2018. In early 2019, Amazon pulled out of New York amid pushback from opponents of the project. The Virginia project was split into two phases and construction began in January 2020.

The Metropolitan Park Facility

Clark Construction oversaw the first phase of the HQ2 project, Metropolitan Park in Arlington. This facility consists of two 22-story office buildings that account for more than two million square feet of office space. That includes 65,000 feet of street-level retail, a half-mile of protected bike lanes, and new and renovated public spaces. With green buildings in mind, the buildings feature green roofs, greywater and heat exchange systems, and electrical vehicle charging stations.

The ground floor of each tower is open to the public, who can shop at the more immense space dedicated to local small businesses. There are multiple meeting centers, including a 700-person event space available to the community.

The Surrounding Area

However, Metropolitan Park is far more than just a couple of office buildings. It includes a 2.5-acre public space, which is home to a dog park, recreation areas, 175 native trees and plantings, and weekend farmers markets. Members of the community can visit the area to stroll down the walking paths, view the public art, admire the children’s garden, or enjoy the play area.

Amazon’s HQ2 at Metropolitan Park now employs more than 8,000 employees with the capability of taking that number as high as 14,000. Meanwhile, it has provided both outdoor and retail space to the people of Arlington.

At Construction Protection Systems, we are proud to have played a small part in the development of Amazon’s Metropolitan Park construction. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

Parkview Health Systems’ New Orthopedic Center is a Boon to Southern Colorado Patients

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A doctor looks at an X-Ray in a hospitalFor a long time, the people of Southern Colorado had to travel up North to Colorado Springs or Denver if they needed any serious orthopedic work done. With the completion of Parkview Health System’s Pueblo West Orthopedic Center last year, that journey is now considerably shorter. This comprehensive orthopedic facility offers patients in Pueblo and the surrounding areas consultation, surgery, and rehab all in the same building.

The Project Timeline

The new orthopedic center is located adjacent to the Parkview Emergency Services Building in Pueblo West. The project was announced in Jan. 2020 in conjunction with the construction of a new comprehensive cancer center, which was also recently completed. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the groundbreaking to Nov. 2020, before related pandemic supply-chain issues delayed the competition of the project from spring to fall of 2022. JDC Architecture & Design created the design of the building while J.E. Dunn Construction Group led the construction efforts.

The New Facility

Parkview’s new 58,000 square foot building cost more than $58 million in total. That money was well-spent in the form of a high-tech lab, six state-of-the-art operating rooms capable of providing high-definition video during surgery, pre-operation and recovery space, 29 patient rooms, rehabilitation space, 25 surgery prep bays, a full lab, a sterile processing area, and a pharmacy. These amenities grant the hospital the ability to host up to 4,000 to 5,000 orthopedic surgeries per year.

But it’s not just about the quantity of patients the hospital can take on, the goal was also to provide a higher quality of care via the latest in medical technology. The video taken during surgeries can be broadcast on a live feed to a state-of-the-art classroom, allowing doctors to give instruction from across the building as students watch on a large screen. Meanwhile, the post-surgical exercise area is equipped with machines that will help joint replacement patients prepare to go home, including a mock car to help them re-acclimate to driving.

Loved ones of patients were not forgotten about either. The hospital has a café with both indoor and outdoor seating, comfortable waiting rooms adorned with the work of local artists, and a $600,000 outdoor wellness trail funded completely via donations.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of the Parkview Health Systems Orthopedic Hospital. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

New Virginia General Assembly Building Now Open

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Virginia State FlagThe General Assembly of the state of Virginia officially has a new home. A dedication ceremony was held Wednesday, Oct. 11 for the new Virginia General Assembly Building in Richmond. The legislative structure is home to offices for lawmakers, committee rooms, and more. The assembly has been working on the project of building a new, more modern home for several years and some aspects of this plan are yet to be complete.

The Project Timeline

Virginia’s old General Assembly Building was slated for a full-scale replacement in 2016. The facility was considered outdated and inefficient. It was made up of several buildings that shared a common elevator. It was also too small to accommodate members of the public from a growing state that has more than doubled in population since the 1960s. Most troubling was the asbestos and mold issues that made any technological upgrades to the building challenging to complete.

In 2016, the General Assembly authorized $300 million to build a new structure as part of a larger project involving a new parking garage, and renovations of the nearby Victorian Gothic Old City Hall, which contains state government offices. Part of that funding also went toward a tunnel, still under construction, connecting the building to the nearby Virginia Capitol.

Legislative offices were moved out of the old General Assembly Building, which was demolished in 2017. The initial completion date for the project was June 2022, but the pandemic and related supply-chain issues pushed that date back nearly 18 months. In October 2023, the building was occupied by legislators and opened to the public.

The New General Assembly Building

The new Virginia General Assembly Building was constructed on the same site as the demolished previous structure. It incorporates the historic façade, from 1912, which was stabilized and preserved during demolition. The 15-story building has a 12,000-person capacity, spread across public seating areas, expanded committee rooms, a larger dining area open to the public, and a post office facility. The building also features updated security features and a lactation room for new parents.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of the Virginia General Assembly Building. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

Canopy Park Adds Modern Touch to Historic Haymarket District

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An aerial view of Lincoln, NebraskaLincoln, Nebraska’s historic Haymarket District has seen significant revitalization over the past few years and that trend is only continuing. Recently, Canopy Park opened its doors. This multi-family, mixed-use apartment complex in the Haymarket District of downtown Lincoln now offers a high-end living space in the midst of this rapidly growing community. NGC Group completed construction on the facility in the first half of 2023 and tenants began to move in soon after.

The Living Space

The 176,230 square foot new build offers 253 apartment units in addition to commercial space on the first floor, which was designed for tenant-space build outs. There are a wide variety of open floor plan apartments – with studios, one bedroom, two bedroom, and even three-bedroom units available. The units were designed with luxury living in mind, exemplified by the private balconies, modern finishes, granite countertops, and stainless-steel appliances.

Tenant Perks

The benefits of renting in Canopy Park go beyond just the apartment a tenant resides in. Residents have access to a dog wash, bike lockers and storage areas, private tenant parking in a connected garage, multiple lounges, and a second-floor roof deck that features a view of the city. Washer and dryer are included as is high-quality internet. The outdoor courtyard features a pool, games, grilling stations, and an artificial turf yard. Meanwhile, the security latch app entry offers both convenience and peace of mind.

Historic Haymarket District

Another perk of moving into Canopy Park is the surrounding area. The neighborhood is both walkable and bikeable with easy access to countless food, drink, and entertainment options such as the Canopy Street Market, The Railyard, Pinnacle Bank Arena, and The University of Nebraska. And the options are only growing. Notable in-progress developments include another major mixed-use space and a new park.

Meanwhile, residents will be living in one of the most historic neighborhoods Lincoln has to offer. “Haymarket” refers to the original square where trading took place as early as 1867. Murals and historical markers dot the area, reminding residents of the city’s storied past.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of Canopy Park. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

New Ocoee City Hall Approaching First Anniversary

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A woman works at a standing deskThe new City Hall in Ocoee, FL is approaching the first anniversary of its completion. City staff moved into the building Sept. 8, 2022, and a ribbon cutting and open house was held that night for residents and staff. The new structure provides a more modern space for city business while also serving as the centerpiece of a downtown redevelopment plan.

A New and Modern Space

Ocoee’s new City Hall is a 46,000 square foot, three-story structure in the neoclassical style, made mostly of structural steel and brick. The first floor holds the city commission chambers and service departments, allowing residents to easily access these spaces. The city clerk’s office is on the second floor and the commissioner’s office and conference room are on the third floor. Most of the space on the top two floors is taken up by administrative offices. Each floor has its own kitchen and dining area, and its own conference room. The facility was built with growth in mind: there’s enough space to add up to 50 employees in the future.

Plans to build the new municipal building began several years ago. Prior to the construction, the city convened a group of citizens to share their input on what shape they thought the project should take on. City officials used those suggestions and their own input to work with Wharton-Smith Inc. Construction Group and HKS Architects to design and build the structure.

Conference rooms throughout City Hall are furnished with the latest video conferencing technology. Commission Chambers have the newest in broadcasting equipment so residents can watch meetings from home. The energy efficient building relies on LED and natural lighting, with almost every office having a window.

Health and Wellness

Ocoee City Hall was designed with health and wellness in mind. Offices have stand-up desks with stationary desk bikes. Each department has its own stationary bike shared among the staff. The building also features an outdoor eating area for employees, water bottle fillers on each floor to encourage reuse, and a wellness room for employees who are breastfeeding or have private health needs.

A Larger Vision

The new City Hall isn’t just a new building, it’s new location – downtown. This central location allows residents to more easily access the facility. The move is part of the city’s downtown redevelopment plan, which includes more than $44 million in capital projects that aim to revitalize the heart of the city.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of the Ocoee City Hall. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

San Diego Juvenile Justice Project Offers New Opportunity

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A yellow sign that says "San Diego" in black letteringSometimes a new space can offer you an entirely different perspective. That’s the hope for the youth of San Diego County who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law and the people who are charged with guarding and caring for them.

Over the past several years, San Diego County has been working on a plan to modernize its juvenile justice system, moving away from a tough-on-crime approach when it comes to youth detention. Instead, the county is hoping for the process to be less punitive and more therapeutic. This has been a multi-faceted effort that has involved forming a Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council and releasing a Juvenile Justice Realignment Plan in Aug. 2021.

However, perhaps the most important aspect of the process has been the multi-phase Juvenile Justice Center construction project. The first phase of that project – a new Youth Transition Campus – was completed and opened in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego in early 2022. The completion of this facility represents an important step in the modernization of San Diego County’s Juvenile Justice Facility.

The Youth Transition Campus

The new San Diego County Youth Transition Campus replaces the old 1950s era facility, in the same Kearny Mesa location. The planning on this project dates way back to 2017, when San Diego County officials began working with community leaders and other stakeholders to promote more successful outcomes in the area of juvenile detention.

Balfour Beatty Construction worked with DLR Group to provide design-build work, with construction on the $112 million, 140,000 square foot facility beginning in November 2019. The design incorporated the approach of experts from both Georgetown’s Center for Juvenile Justice and the Council of Juvenile Justice Administration.

Construction on the project was completed in Jan. 2022 and staff and youth moved in during the following weeks. The facility stretches across 12 acres on the southern part of the county’s juvenile hall property. There are eight housing units that accommodate 96 beds total for people aged 12-20 who are beginning the process of re-integrating into the community. The rooms run along a tree-lined pathway that leads to an open courtyard, containing basketball and handball courts, gardens, an amphitheater, and a stage. The opposite side of the courtyard features a visitation and dining building that includes a modern culinary arts working kitchen, a career technical education building, and an indoor gym.

A New Approach to Juvenile Detention

While San Diego County’s new comprehensive strategy has an aim of keeping kids out of the juvenile justice system, some will inevitably end up there. This new facility and the shift in approach that it coincides with is focused on ensuring that these kids don’t end up back in detention and are able to adequately re-integrate into the community.

To accomplish this, the staff at these facilities use a more therapeutic and less punitive approach to offer trauma-informed services in an effort to rehabilitate young people who have gotten in trouble with the law. The facility was designed with a home-like atmosphere in mind. The living units – not cells – feature high wood beam ceilings and open areas with home-like finishes. Each of the eight units has its own mental health clinician.

What’s Next?

San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors approved a measure to invest $75 million on the second and third phases of the Youth Transition Center in May 2021. The new facility, which is currently under construction, will be capable of housing between 72 and 96 juveniles who are completing the court process. The project will feature many of the same amenities as the first building – 12-bed living units, classrooms, recreational facilities. However, it will also include a 15,000 square foot administration building for staff working with juvenile court, replacing the existing probation center.

The center will specialize in both restorative justice and trauma-informed care. The former refers to guiding the juveniles to help repair the harm caused by crime and the latter to the staff being informed of the child’s history of abuse and/or neglect that may have led to their criminal activity.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of the new San Diego County Juvenile Justice Center. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

Students Enjoy New and Improved Crawford High School in San Diego

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The curtain of a theatre opened slightlyCrawford High School in San Diego, CA may be more than 60 years old, but it likely feels brand new to students these days. That’s because over the past several years, local construction crews have been hard at work amid a three-phase modernization effort. The facility, part of the San Diego Unified School District, has been in use since 1958 while the campus has been the site of schools that have served area students since the late 19th century.

The Modernization Project

Late last decade, the San Diego began a three-phrase Whole Site Modernization project. The first phase was completed in July 2020 and involved upgrading the school’s automotive CCTE program with a new building, three service bays, and a dedicated alignment bay. Meanwhile, the school gave a face lift to the existing auto lab by renovating a classroom, an engine lab, and a single bay demonstration lift.

The second phase of the project was not far behind, finishing up in August 2020. The work included renovations to classrooms, restrooms, and food service areas. For safety purposes, there were also upgrades to the fire alarms and emergency communications systems, and the installation of security lighting and cameras.

Phase III Complete

The final and most ambitious aspect of the project took until this year to complete, with a ribbon-cutting taking place Feb. 8. Turner Construction, who managed the project, demolished the previous auditorium to give life to a new three-story structure that now stands in its place. The new building holds 20 classrooms, a student services office suite, and a 450-seat performing arts center. The construction also included a new drop-off and pick-up area and a new parking lot.

The construction, like all capital projects in the San Diego Unified School District, was funded by the district’s Propositions S and Z, and Measure YY, local bond measures approved by voters to repair, renovate, and revitalize neighborhood schools.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in the development of Crawford High School’s multi-phase modernization project. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system