CISLEADS BETA SITE GOES LIVE!

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CIS is pleased to announce that our new beta website is live and available for use by our current subscribers only. If you’re a current user of CIS it is an opportunity to help us make this new experience even better.

NEW AND IMPROVED OFFERINGS

I encourage you to switch over to the new beta sight now to take advantage of the new and improved offerings. To sign up, click here.

Key new benefits and features of the site include:

  • Search for subs, material suppliers, equipment dealers and professional services from anywhere on the site
  • A simplified, Google-like search to find projects, contractors and other information
  • Customized reports have the capability to drill down on specific requests such as:
  • Public or private project ownership
  • New categories of work like Retail, Residential, and Warehouses
  • Required certifications like MBE/WBE/DBE and more
  • Subs, suppliers and equipment dealers can attach their company to projects as an interested party
  • Enhanced project information to cover pre-planning, planning, out to bid, results, negotiated, awarded, work in progress, and completed
  • Simplified Company Profile portal that allows users to make their own profile improvements for free
  • Improved Classified section

We hope you enjoy the new site and we welcome any and all feedback on your new site experience.

Stony Brook University Opens New Computer Science Building

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After years of construction, Stony Brook University opened their new Computer Science building on Wednesday, July 1st.  The $41 million, state of the art, LEED Silver certified facility was designed by Mitchell/Giurgola Architects from New York City and built by MPCC Corp. from New Rochelle.  http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/news/general/2015_07_02_computer_science_open.php

This project, was originally reported by CISleads on January 11th, 2012:

02/14/12 BIDS DUE AT 02:00 PM (est 30,000,000 to 35,000,000)
NEW COMPUTER SCIENCE BUILDING – STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY (SUCF# 13D12)
STONY BROOK, SUFFOLK County, NY

Owner: State University Construction Fund
353 Broadway, Room N-223, Albany, NY 12201-1946 (518)-320-3200

Design Firms: Mitchell/Giurgola Architects (212)-663-4000
170 W 97TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10025

CONTRACTS: Single
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Construct a 50,000 GSF state-of-the-art Computer
Science Building to house the various academic, research and
administrative components of the Department of Computer Science at
Stony Brook University. Contract Term: 819 calendar days from receipt
of the Notice to Proceed. Concrete: Concrete formwork; concrete
reinforcement; cast in place concrete; grouting. Masonry: Unit
masonry; exterior stone cladding. Metals: Structural steel framing;
steel decking; cold-formed metal framing; miscellaneous metals; steel
pan stairs; perimeter heating/cooling enclosures; ornamental metals;
ornamental glass rail system. Wood, Plastics & Composites: Carpentry;
architectural woodwork; exterior architectural woodwork; plastic
fabrications. Thermal & Moisture Protection: Sheet membrane
waterproofing; capillary waterproofing; thermal insulation; air and
vapor barrier membrane; metal wall panels; composite wall panels;
built-up roofing; thermoplastic membrane roofing; fluid applied
membrane roofing; sheet metal work; roof specialties and accessories;
sprayed fire-resistive materials; fire stops and smoke seals; joint
sealers. Openings: Door schedule; steel doors and frames; wood doors;
access doors; roll up doors; roll up counter shutters; all glass
doors; glazed aluminum assemblies; finish hardware; glass and
glazing; louvers and vents. Finishes: Exterior lath and plaster;
veneer plastering; gypsum drywall; tile; acoustic panel ceilings;
metal ceilings; wood ceiling panels; resilient flooring; epoxy resin
composition flooring; thin set epoxy terrazzo; carpeting; carpet
tile; painting and finishing. Specialties: Visual display surfaces;
interior signage; toilet partitions; glass wall partition system;
operable partitions; corner guards; toilet accessories; fire
extinguishers and cabinets. Equipment: Loading dock equipment; mail
sorter; projection screens. Furnishings: Horizontal louver blinds;
window shades; floor mats and frames. Conveying Equipment ñ Hydraulic
elevators. Fire Suppression: Common work results for fire
suppression; common work results for fire suppression requirements;
common motor requirements for fire suppression equipment; expansion
fittings and loops for fire suppression piping; vibration and seismic
controls for fire suppression piping and equipment; fire suppression
standpipes; wet-pipe sprinkler systems; dry-pipe sprinkler systems;
pre-action sprinkler systems; fire pumps. Plumbing: General plumbing
requirements; pipes and tubes for plumbing piping and equipment;
common motor requirements for plumbing equipment; expansion fittings
and loops for plumbing piping; general-duty valves for plumbing
piping; hangers and supports for plumbing piping and equipment;
vibration and seismic controls for plumbing piping and equipment;
identification for plumbing piping and equipment; plumbing
insulation; commissioning of plumbing; facility water distribution;
rainwater reclamation systems; facility non-potable water storage
tanks; facility sanitary sewerage; facility storm drainage; domestic
water heat exchangers; plumbing fixtures. Heating, Ventilating & Air
Conditioning: General mechanical requirements; scope of HVAC and fire
protection work; high temperature hot water; pipes and tubes for HVAC
piping and equipment; common motor requirements for HVAC equipment;
motor controls; general-duty valves for HVAC piping; hangers and
supports for HVAC piping and equipment; noise and vibration controls
for HVAC piping and equipment; identification for HVAC piping and
equipment; testing, adjusting and balancing for HVAC; HVAC
insulation; commissioning of HVAC; instrumentation and control of
HVAC; direct-digital control system for HVAC; sequence of operations
for HVAC controls; hydronic piping specialties; hydronic pumps;
refrigerant piping; HVAC water treatment; HVAC ducts and casings; air
duct accessories; HVAC fans; air terminal units; air outlets and
inlets; HVAC air cleaning devices; heat exchangers; package water
chillers; cooling towers; indoor central-station air-handling units;
computer room AC units; split-system air conditioners; convection
heating and cooling units. Electrical: General electrical
requirements; medium-voltage cables; low-voltage electrical power
conductors and cables; grounding and bonding for electrical systems;
hangers and supports for electrical systems; raceway and boxes for
electronic systems; floor boxes for electrical systems; data/voice
electrical requirements; identification for electrical systems; over
current protective device coordination study; commissioning of
electrical; network lighting controls; secondary unit substations;
low-voltage transformers; switch boards; panel boards; wiring
devices; fuses; enclosed switches; enclosed circuit breakers;
enclosed transfer switches; engine generators; static uninterruptible
power supply; facility lightning protection; interior lighting.
Electronic Safety & Security: Fire detection and alarm; air sampling
smoke detection system. Earthwork: Site clearing; foundation drainage
systems; erosion and sedimentation controls. Exterior Improvements:
Tree preservation; hot-mix asphalt paving; decorative textured
flexible paving surface treatments; porous precast concrete unit
paving; concrete sidewalk and curbs; white pavement markings;
decorative textured flexible paving surface treatments; porous
precast concrete unit paving; metal fences and gates; concrete
capstones; planting irrigation; planting soil mixing; plans.
Utilities: Other utilities; maintenance and protection of existing
utilities; water distribution system; sanitary sewer system; storm
sewer system; sewer structures.

Base Bid

MPCC Corp. 33,537,773
81 Rockdale Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Tel (914)-636-0000 Fax (914)-636-0019
E.W. Howell Co., Inc. 34,619,000
245 Newtown Road, Plainview, NY 11803
Tel (516)-921-7100 Fax (516)-921-0119
J Kokolakis Contracting Inc 34,768,000
1500 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia, NY 11716
Tel (631)-744-6147 Fax (631)-744-6156
Forte Construction 35,935,000
926 Lincoln Avenue, Suite C, Holbrook, NY 11741
Tel (631)-589-8600 Fax (631)-567-7630
Aurora Contractors, Inc 36,675,700
100 Raynor Avenue, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Tel (631)-981-3785 Fax (631)-981-3792
Rockmore Contracting Corporation 38,486,000
80 Remington Boulevard, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Tel (631)-366-6200 Fax (631)-366-2556
Piazza Brothers 38,875,000
3 West Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532
Tel (914)-741-4435 Fax (914)-741-2087
Lanmark Group Inc. 39,490,000
2125 Mill Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234
Tel (347)-462-4000 Fax (347)-462-4001
Admiral Construction Services 43,760,000
92/98 Magnolia Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590
Tel (516)-333-2558 Fax (516)-333-2588

Alternate 1

Aurora Contractors, Inc 140,000
100 Raynor Avenue, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Tel (631)-981-3785 Fax (631)-981-3792
Forte Construction 150,000
926 Lincoln Avenue, Suite C, Holbrook, NY 11741
Tel (631)-589-8600 Fax (631)-567-7630
Lanmark Group Inc. 170,000
2125 Mill Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234
Tel (347)-462-4000 Fax (347)-462-4001
E.W. Howell Co., Inc. 215,000
245 Newtown Road, Plainview, NY 11803
Tel (516)-921-7100 Fax (516)-921-0119
MPCC Corp. 300,000
81 Rockdale Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Tel (914)-636-0000 Fax (914)-636-0019
Rockmore Contracting Corporation 319,622
80 Remington Boulevard, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Tel (631)-366-6200 Fax (631)-366-2556
J Kokolakis Contracting Inc 340,000
1500 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia, NY 11716
Tel (631)-744-6147 Fax (631)-744-6156
Piazza Brothers 475,000
3 West Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532
Tel (914)-741-4435 Fax (914)-741-2087

Alternate 2

MPCC Corp. 46,000
81 Rockdale Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Tel (914)-636-0000 Fax (914)-636-0019
E.W. Howell Co., Inc. 53,000
245 Newtown Road, Plainview, NY 11803
Tel (516)-921-7100 Fax (516)-921-0119
Lanmark Group Inc. 55,000
2125 Mill Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234
Tel (347)-462-4000 Fax (347)-462-4001
Forte Construction 62,000
926 Lincoln Avenue, Suite C, Holbrook, NY 11741
Tel (631)-589-8600 Fax (631)-567-7630
J Kokolakis Contracting Inc 64,000
1500 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia, NY 11716
Tel (631)-744-6147 Fax (631)-744-6156
Aurora Contractors, Inc 67,000
100 Raynor Avenue, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Tel (631)-981-3785 Fax (631)-981-3792
Rockmore Contracting Corporation 91,325
80 Remington Boulevard, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Tel (631)-366-6200 Fax (631)-366-2556
Piazza Brothers 110,000
3 West Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532
Tel (914)-741-4435 Fax (914)-741-2087

Alternate 3

J Kokolakis Contracting Inc 27,000
1500 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia, NY 11716
Tel (631)-744-6147 Fax (631)-744-6156
MPCC Corp. 30,000
81 Rockdale Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Tel (914)-636-0000 Fax (914)-636-0019
Lanmark Group Inc. 33,000
2125 Mill Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234
Tel (347)-462-4000 Fax (347)-462-4001
E.W. Howell Co., Inc. 39,000
245 Newtown Road, Plainview, NY 11803
Tel (516)-921-7100 Fax (516)-921-0119
Aurora Contractors, Inc 41,000
100 Raynor Avenue, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Tel (631)-981-3785 Fax (631)-981-3792
Piazza Brothers 45,000
3 West Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532
Tel (914)-741-4435 Fax (914)-741-2087
Rockmore Contracting Corporation 48,720
80 Remington Boulevard, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Tel (631)-366-6200 Fax (631)-366-2556
Forte Construction 50,000
926 Lincoln Avenue, Suite C, Holbrook, NY 11741
Tel (631)-589-8600 Fax (631)-567-7630

Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital Slated to be Demolished

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greystone

By Chris Colabella

You may not know it by name, but you’ve seen this building before. You may have driven by its Parsippany location. Or, you may have read about its alleged paranormal history in Weird NJ!  You may even have caught a glimpse of the impressive gothic structure on TV’s House or one of the many ghost story shows that have filmed on the grounds of the now-closed Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital.

Regardless, memories, tales and images will soon be all that remains of the architectural marvel known as the Kirkbride Building, the longstanding centerpiece of the state’s second mental institution. Kirkbride, built in the Second Empire Victorian style, was constructed in 1876 and closed in 2008.

The NJ State Department of Treasury announced its plans on March 28 to demolish the massively impressive almost 675,000 sq. foot Kirkbride Building along with 60 other former hospital structures. A $50 million bond will cover the vast majority of the $50.7 million project, which includes site remediation, demolition and restoration. Planners expect the job to be completed sometime in 2016. At that time, the site will be turned over to Morris County, categorized as preserved open space, and used for public recreation activities.

In April, the NJ Department of Property Management and Construction (DPMC) solicited construction companies who were interested in getting prequalified as Project Qualified Contractors. Inquiries were only accepted from contractors with substantial experience in the demolition of multi-building sites, including on-site recycling operations, hazardous building materials removal and disposal, environmental clean-up and landfill closure work. Going forward, to be considered a prime contractor on this job, a construction company must be prequalified and classified as a Project Qualified Contractor by the DMPC.

Further, only contractors qualified by the DPMC will be able to work as subcontractors on the job. All bids for this project, which will be completed under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), must include subs classified in both the plumbing and electrical trades. For information on getting qualified and classified by the DPMC, visit http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/dpmc/

However, before the demolition can even begin, the state is calling for a thorough “environmental remediation process.” Asbestos, lead paint and other hazardous materials must be removed from the site. This work is expected to begin this summer.

Despite protests from historic preservation groups that pleaded with the state to invest in rehabilitating the property, the state has deemed tearing down the structures will cost far less than the estimated costs of rehab. Approximately $30 million is slated for demolition and restoration, a fraction of the estimated cost of restoring all the buildings to be used as a mental health museum or other historical site.

According to a report commissioned by the state at the request of historical preservation groups, adequate property restoration would cost between $110 million and $125 million. NJ officials invited proposals from private organizations willing to fund restoration, but the six inquiries received all required some public financial investment. Government officials have maintained the state’s current financial struggles prohibit investing in restoring Greystone.

Instead, the state announced that once the buildings are demolished and the 165-acre site remediated, the property will be converted to public open space managed by Morris County. The property will be in addition to more than 400 acres of Greystone property obtained in 2002 by Morris County for $1. That acreage is currently used by local athletic teams and houses office space for non-profit organizations.

Chris Colabella is the president of CIS, Inc., New Jersey’s only local construction project lead service. For more information, visit http://www.cisleads.com or call 800-247-1727 to arrange for a free demo of CIS Leads.

Coming Soon: Make the Most of Bartering on CISLeads.com

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By Bari Faye Siegel

You know what they say about “one man’s trash being another man’s treasure?” Nowhere in business is this more valuable than the practice of bartering – exchanging goods or services, in lieu of cash.

Bartering is the ultimate cost-saving win-win in the construction business because jobs – whether small or multi-billion-dollar projects – often require extremely costly equipment to complete. It’s understandably cost-prohibitive for a company to buy a piece of heavy equipment they will use sparingly. On the other hand, if the company obtains the equipment without having to dip into cash reserves, it can also look for ways to use it more to increase value to GCs.

Besides, there is usually some contractor or supplier somewhere who has what you need and may be willing to trade it for something they want. Cold hard cash doesn’t exchange hands in most cases, but everyone gets what they need to get their work completed.

There are many great things about bartering, the main one being that businesses that engage in trading wares are able to maintain the status quo when it comes to revenue. In other words, if your company is doing well, you can get the job done without risking going over budget when you barter for equipment, supplies or services. Conversely, trading what you have for something you need also maintains your bottom line; you don’t have to cough up cash to get your job moving forward.

CIS’ online information directory currently includes a robust classified section where GCs, subs and material suppliers can buy and sell goods. In the near future, look for a dedicated bartering section on the newly designed CISLeads.com. Many online bartering services charge hefty fees to handle the administrative aspects of bartering. CIS clients will be able to save money by making great use of CIS’ do-it-yourself bartering section – coming soon!

Consider these other ways bartering can boost your business:

Generate New Customers: Cash is king, of course. However, if a company trades you something you need for something they need and the values are equal, you both get what you need and you’ve extended considerable goodwill to your new customer.

Conserve Cash: Look at the opposite side of that same example. You need something and don’t have the funds to buy it. If you can work a trade deal in which you barter something you’ve already paid for you will get the equipment or supplies needed to complete your project without putting out cash.

Empty Your Warehouse: Sometimes, what’s old will never be new again. That doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable and useful to someone else. But for now, it’s taking up space on your shelves. You can trade your reserves or overstock to another company that needs it now. You deplete excess inventory in favor of getting something else of value that you need.

Make the Most of Downtime: In the construction business, which is often weather dependent, there are periods of downtime throughout the year. Every day your crew or equipment sits idle is a day without profits. Through bartering, savvy general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment dealers and professional service companies can trade goods and services to make better use of those extra resources.

One Additional Thought

In order to be successful in the bartering game, you need to connect with others who need what you have. Remember trading baseball cards? You had to make deals and negotiate trades. You talked with others who wanted something from you and, in return, were willing to give you something you wanted back.

In the business world, that’s called networking. Networking always expands a company’s potential customer base. So, at the end of the day, bartering is a win-win-win because today’s efforts get both companies what they need and potentially solidifies the possibility of doing future business together.

CIS is here to help. If we can help you reach more customers, please let us know. Visit cisleads.com or email customer service at Sue@cisleads.com.

Four Corners Millennium Project Will ‘Transform’ Newark; 200+ New Construction Jobs to Be Created

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By Chris Colabella

The Four Corners Millennium Project (FCMP) is set to transform Newark’s downtown commercial district into a residential and retail center, breathing new life into a part of the city once considered to be the epicenter of commerce in North Jersey.

Construction for the five-block, multi-use redevelopment project will create more than 200 new construction jobs, according to Tim Lizura, president and chief operating officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). “The Four Corner Millennium Project will add to the significant construction activity already underway in the City of Newark, “ he said.

The redevelopment of the area is being divided into project phases. Work on the first phase, which is expected to begin this summer, will include construction of a hotel and parking spaces. Residential and retail space will be built on the site of the once popular Paramount Theater. The FCMP is near Newark Penn Station, Gateway Center, City Hall and the Prudential Center, as well as the internationally renowned NJPAC.

More than 675 apartments will be built out of vacant and dilapidated office and warehouse space. An additional 220 residential units will be constructed over street-level storefronts. Planners hope the project will create a go-to area at Market and Broad streets where people will be able to live, work and play. In all, the project aims to transform five street blocks and includes 12 retail storefronts ranging in height from two to 16 stories.

The entire FMCP consists of approximately 1.2 million gross square feet, including:

  • 135,000 square feet of retail
  • 70,000 square feet of hotel (130 rooms)
  • 900,000 square feet of residential space (studios, one, two and three bedroom units)
  • 603 structured and below grade parking spaces.

Construction might have gotten started sooner, but RBH Group, owner of the project, was initially turned down when it first applied to the NJEDA for tax credits under the Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Program (UTHTCP). The state agency denied RBH Group’s application last year, confirmed Lizura, because the company wasn’t able to provide commitments for the bulk of the $410 million in capital needed for build-out. However, with those commitments in hand, RBH Group reapplied and was informed in January that the project received one of the very last grants awarded under the UTHTCP. That program is now part of the larger umbrella economic initiative known as the Economic Opportunity Act.

The NJEDA oversees the state’s economic initiatives aimed at incentivizing companies to stay in New Jersey or move here to create jobs and boost the economy. The FCMP will receive $33 million in tax credits and $19.5 million in funding from the Economic Redevelopment and Growth Program (ERG).

“The project represents a significant investment in the city’s historic center and will serve to further transform the commercial hub of Downtown Newark,” Lizura added. “From Four Corners to Springfield Avenue, state incentives have been critical to transforming the city’s vacant and blighted sites into areas of economic opportunity and growth.”

Chris Colabella is the president of Construction Information Systems, the only local project lead service serving construction companies in New Jersey. For more information about CISLeads.com or to request a free demonstration of our service, call 800-247-1727.

 

$1.2 Billion Port Authority Initiative to Upgrade Roads, Reduce Traffic by Port Newark is Music to the Ears of New Jersey Heavy Highway Construction Workers

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By Chris Colabella

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) announced last December the approval of a $1.2 billion program to pay for upgrades to the roads around Port Newark-Elizabeth. The announcement was welcome news for New Jersey heavy highway construction contractors, many of whom will be tapped to reconstruct several major roads in the region.

In a statement announcing the move, Bill Baroni, deputy director of the PANYNJ, said the capital will fund efforts to modernize infrastructure. The appropriation “will ensure that we bring the era of 1950s roads into modern times so they can handle the volumes of cargo and resulting trucks that we deal with today,” he said.

This program is part of a continuing PANYNJ initiative to make Port Newark-Elizabeth more efficient and environmentally friendly by reducing truck congestion on the port’s aging roads, according to the PANYNJ media relations department. Planners expect that the road improvement project will mean less truck congestion in the region near the port. Further, as an added benefit, the decrease in truck traffic will add up to a whopping reduction in harmful truck emissions — about 281 pounds per year!

A Port Authority representative said improvements, design and reconstruction of five major access roads around New Jersey’s shipping terminals at Port, Corbin, Marlin and Kellogg streets and Doremus Avenue are expected to save $60 million in operating costs in the next 30 years.

The PANJNY was expected to award the contract for engineering services for the Port Newark-Port Street Corridor Improvement Project in late January (after the submission deadline for this article.) The Authority will coordinate and monitor overall design, including environmental design, landscaping design, geotechnical engineering services and civil engineering design. Additional projects are expected to go out to bid in the coming months.

In addition to repaving the five roads near the port, the project also calls for upgrading barriers, improving drainage, replacing traffic signals and signs, as well as realigning portions of the roads. This also includes demolishing and replacing the Corbin Street ramp. The PANJNY media representative said the construction should provide $1.2 million in safety benefits in the same time period. In the past several years, these roads have been the site of numerous traffic accidents.

When the widening of the Panama Canal is completed in 2015, the PANJNY expects that the size of container ships needing to access Port Elizabeth will increase significantly. The current height of the Bayonne Bridge is a problem because officials believe it won’t be able to accommodate the larger vessels. Therefore, one other major infrastructure improvement is included in the $105 million strategy; the PANJNY intends to raise the Bayonne Bridge by sixty-four feet by the time the Panama Canal project is completed.

Baroni has said that making sure cargo is able to flow safely and efficiently through the port is critical to New Jersey’s ability to attract international shippers to do business in the region.

Port Authority Vice Chairman Scott Rechler added that the program, along with other initiatives that focus on improving Port Newark-Elizabeth, enables the PANYNJ to provide a safe and efficient network of roads, thereby ensuring that New Jersey’s port remains a “vital cog in the region’s economy for many years to come.”

Chris Colabella is the president of CIS, Inc., New Jersey’s only local construction lead service. For more information, visit http://www.cisleads.comor call 800-247-1727to arrange for a free demo of CIS Leads.