Kiewit Luminarium Makes Science More Accessible in Omaha

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Omaha in bright lightsThe Kiewit Luminarium is the jewel of Omaha’s ongoing reimagining of its Riverfront. The new science center opened just over a year ago and has been in the business of educating and entertaining people of all ages ever since. This impressive structure is the result of multiple years of planning and construction. In that time, key stakeholders came together to create an environment that has been called a space to “dream, play, wonder, experiment, and consider something new.”

Planning and Construction

The planning process for this structure began late last decade. Despite being a city of nearly a half-million people, Omaha didn’t have a major museum dedicated solely to science.

The first step was to acquire the appropriate funding. Heritage Services, a local philanthropy organization that has been a major part of many Omaha civic projects over the years, was responsible for raising the $101 million sum that it took to construct the project.

Meanwhile, Kiewit, a local construction and engineering firm with global reach, oversaw the construction work. The firm, which is also the namesake for the center, made a significant donation to the project.

The Exploratorium, Heritage Services, and architecture firm HDR partnered to bring this project to fruition. The construction work began in fall 2020 and continued for about two years. The Kiewit Luminarium held its grand opening on April 15, 2023. The 82,000 square foot structure already held 120 interactive exhibits at the time of its opening and has the potential to host even more.

“We are proud to be partners in making science accessible to Omaha and the surrounding region through playful, inquiry-driven experiences,” Anne Richardson, the Exploratorium’s Chief Global Officer said to local media. “Kiewit Luminarium embodies the values and aspirations of the surrounding communities and the ways in which science, technology, engineering, and math are integrated into their lives. We can’t wait to see visitors engage with the exhibits and discover new ways of seeing the world.”

An Accessible Museum

The interactive exhibits and programs held at Kiewit Luminarium are designed for anyone from children to senior citizens to enjoy., although there are “Nite Lite” events held each Thursday night for adults only. However, people of all ages can enjoy a meal any time at “Fig”, the museum’s café.

The center offers a membership program that has options for individuals, couples, families, grandparents, and educators. There are also discounted full family memberships available. Additionally, the museum is working with local community groups to offer free memberships to the economically disadvantaged.

The Exhibits and More

Many of the exhibits in the Kiewit Luminarium reflect the history and culture of Omaha. This includes the connection to the fields of construction, agriculture, and finance, as well as its relationship to the local Missouri River. Visitors to the museum can learn more about math concepts like financial literacy and immersive geometry; applied technology in the fields of farming, clothing design, and city design; and can view a series of original short documentaries covering STEM-related work.

Riverfront Redevelopment

The Kiewit Luminarium is just one part of the larger Omaha reimagined Riverfront. So far, more than $400 million has been poured into redeveloping Lewis & Clark Landing – the northernmost component of The Missouri Riverfront. It is located just east of the CHI Health Center Omaha Arena and Convention Center and near the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. This area has undergone radical change over the past four years, being transformed into a destination recreation area. In addition to the luminarium, the area is now home to extensive green space, a destination playground, a sandy urban beach with fire pits, volleyball courts, and more.

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

First Academic Year Complete at Purdue’s Dudley and Lambertus Halls

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Screw and Nuts on graph paper background

Students at Purdue University’s Polytechnic Institute and College of Engineering recently completed their first academic year in the newly constructed Dudley and Lambertus Halls. The two halls make up the Engineering and Polytechnic Gateway Complex, shared by Purdue Polytechnic and the College of Engineering. This new facility has brought these two groups of students together in hopes of fostering collaboration for years to come.

“I know our Polytechnic faculty, staff and students are proud to work and learn here,” Purdue Polytechnic Dean Daniel Castro said at a dedication ceremony in April 2023. “I also believe this facility marks a major inflection point, [and I am] thrilled about partnering with and sharing this facility with the College of Engineering. There will be [opportunities] for collaboration among faculty and students that I wish existed when I was an engineering student here 20 years ago.”

The genesis of this collaboration took place for more than five years. Here’s the key information on the process and the project.

Planning and Construction

The Purdue University Board of Trustees approved the project back in the middle of 2019 and construction began in early 2020. First came the demolition of two previous academic buildings – the Nuclear Engineering Building and Michael Golden Labs, which dated back to 1910. The new facility was then constructed on the space where those structures once stood, and are buttressed by Knoy Hall of Technology, the other major facility dedicated exclusively to the Polytechnic Institute. Construction was completed by April 2023, with the first full semester of classes kicking off in fall of that year.

The planning and construction process featured a collaboration between Ennead as the design partner, Fink Roberts & Petrie as the structural engineer, Schneider Geomatics as the civil engineer, Rundell Ernstberger as the landscape architect, and Shiel Sexton as Construction Manager.

The New Facility

The two halls combine to make up the largest academic building on campus at 255,000 square feet. This massive structure cost the university $140 million to construct, much of which came from donations. Leading donors Bill and Marty Dudley and Peter and Ann Lambertus were honored by having the halls named after them.

Most of the space in the facility is taken up by classrooms, labs, and some academic offices. The purpose of building this gateway complex was to provide more space for lab-centric instructional methods, increase the quality and quantity of lab space, and to bring these labs all together under one roof.

The facility features 14 new polytechnic labs that had no prior equivalent at the university, allowing for totally new, hands-on instruction the university was not previously able to offer. These labs are used by the Schools of Construction Management and Engineering Technology as well as the Departments of Computer Graphics Technology and Computer Information Technology.

State-of-the-Art Equipment

The classroom and laboratory spaces are equipped with the latest and greatest in technology and equipment. For example, the computer graphics technology students have access to powerful Alienware brand desktops, allowing them to run the most complex 3D visualization software. Dudley Hall’s construction laboratory is a complete, modular construction site all located within one facility. The engineering technology’s labs offer equipment for a wide range of subjects, from welding and robotics. The computer and information technology students have access to a cybersecurity lab, which allows them to learn about how federal intelligence agencies and research institutions operate.

Meanwhile, the facility features a “Smart Learning Factory”, which is essentially a lab that allows to students to create physical products all the way from concept to post-manufacturing data analysis.

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

RLL Racing Thriving in New Corporate Headquarters

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powerful racing car at drag racing start leaves behind smoke of burning tiresRahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL) Racing Team recently began its third season of operation at its new corporate headquarters in Zionsville, Indiana. The state-of-the-art facility was designed to bring the entire RLL team together under one roof, a goal which was ultimately achieved.

The construction project was completed in a timely fashion, with the agreement to build coming in 2019, the announcement in 2020, construction beginning in 2021, and the headquarters open by 2022. Two years later, the new base of operations is thriving, creating jobs, and bringing the employees of RLL Racing together in one facility.

The New Global Headquarters

When RLL was looking to consolidate its operations into one location a few years ago, it chose to do so in the motorsports capital of the world – Indiana. Back in 2019, the team’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES headquarters was located in Brownsburg, Indiana while the International Motor Series Sports Association’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship headquarters was in Dayton, Ohio.

RLL Racing leadership – made up of former INDYCAR driver Bobby Rahal, former late night TV host David Letterman, and entrepreneur Mike Lanigan – chose Zionsville, Indiana as the place to bring the operation together. More specifically, they chose the northeast corner of Creek Way and 106th Street – just about a half-hour drive from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“We are very excited about this project, and excited about being in a park-like setting in Zionsville,” Rahal said in a press release at the time of the announcement. “We feel that this building will make a statement about who we are at RLL and what our intentions are about the future. Having our entire organization based in the Indianapolis area, in Zionsville, is going to be a big plus for our organization.”

A State-of-the-Art Facility

The new 128,466 square foot facility, which sits on a 13-acre piece of land, cost more than $20 million to construct. The massive space has allowed RLL to bring everyone together from leadership to engineering to marketing. A good percentage of the structure is made up of office and event space, but there’s also fitness and training areas, an indoor pit lane practice space, truck bays, and designated areas for automotive research and development as well as light manufacturing.

A race command room equipped with the latest in technology allows key stakeholders from all over the world to remotely view and offer real-time race day assistance. The room is outfitted with several Jupiter Pana monitors that can either act as one large screen or be broken up into many smaller views of locations such as the race car and the pit area, among others.

Other notable features in the building include a 142-foot truss in the lobby, bleacher seating along one of the two sets of monumental stairs, and more than 10,000 pounds of glass covering more than 18,000 square feet of the facility, allowing for uninterrupted views.

Renier Construction served as the general contractor, Archall Architects as the Architect of Record, and Moody Nolan handled the interior design.

About RLL Racing Team

RLL Racing has been a part of the open wheel racing world for more than three decades. They’ve competed in INDYCAR SERIES since 1992, winning the series championship in their inaugural season. They’ve won nearly three dozen races, including two Indy 500 titles, since then.

The team also competed in American Le Mans Series from 2009 to 2013, winning the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the GT category in 2010 and sweeping all three GT titles in 2011. Since 2014, Team RLL has competed in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a two-car program, winning more than two dozen races.

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

Loews Hotel and Convention Center Serves the Arlington Entertainment District

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A large conference room.

A metropolitan center that is thriving like the Arlington, TX Entertainment District needs the proper amenities to serve all the people that flock to the area. The aim of the new Loews Hotel and Convention Center in the area is to do just that. The mammoth hotel can accommodate thousands of guests and can host meetings and events of all sizes.

After a grand opening in February, 2024, the hotel and convention are now fully operational, adding even more attractions to an already booming entertainment district.

A Sizable and Sophisticated Structure

Loews is no stranger to Arlington, having already operated Live! By Loews in the city for several years. But the size and scope of this project dwarfs not only that previous hotel, but all other lodging and meeting spaces in Arlington.

The structure, which was built by JE Dunn Construction, is a 22-story tower, consisting of 888 luxury hotel rooms and 570,000 square feet of convention center space. Three ballrooms of various sizes make up 123,000 square feet of that space. There are also 62,000 square feet dedicated to meeting spaces and resort-style amenities. The facility additionally features 22,580 square feet of commercial kitchen space that can serve up to 25,000 convention guests.

The building is connected to a seven-level parking garage with a capacity of 1,500 cars. Meanwhile, guests can access the Live! By Loews – Arlington Hotel and its 300 guestrooms and meeting space via a skybridge.

A Bevy of Amenities

The meeting spaces at Loews Hotel and Convention Center are far from one-size-fits-all. An expansive event lawn allows for outdoor events of all sizes. Meanwhile, with the largest ballroom in North Texas – the 51,000 square foot Grand Ballroom – the hotel can provide top notch service to as many as 5,000 guests. There are also a range of large and small meeting rooms throughout the premises.

The hotel features five restaurants and lounges including a popular Italian spot called “Farena” which features wood-fired stone pizza ovens and a “Pasta Lab.” Additional dining options include Veranda, an extension of Farena, the poolside Tomar El Sol, the Railbird Coffee Shop, and a lobby bar/lounge. In addition, a pan-Asian fusion restaurant will debut this summer.

Besides rooms and meeting spaces, the hotel features a resort-style beach club with two pools, cabanas, fire pits, a man-made beach, a water slide, and a 100-seat swim-up bar and a spa and fitness center.

The Arlington Entertainment District

The Loews Hotel and Convention Center is more of a necessity than a luxury for Arlington’s Entertainment District, due to the demand caused by rapid growth. The hotel is situated in the epicenter of sports and entertainment in North Texas. It is centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth, only 10 minutes away from DFW International Airport. More importantly, it is across the street from the newly-constructed Globe Life Field – home of the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers – and in the same area of AT&T Stadium – home of the Dallas Cowboys. For those looking to do something together with the whole family, the hotel is also located a short drive from multiple amusement parks.

Nearby retail options include Arlington Highlands and Grand Prairie Premium Outlets. For those interested in cultural options, the Arlington Museum of Art, The Gallery at UT Arlington, and the Arlington Sculpture Trail at Richard Greene Linear Park are a short walk from the hotel.

Outdoor enthusiasts can take a short trip to Lake Arlington to fish, kayak, or paddleboard. Plus, the area boasts several impressive golf courses, including the first-ever MLB-branded facility – the Texas Rangers Golf Club.

An entertainment district with so much to offer is sure to attract many, who now have a modern, convenient, world-class place to stay in the Loews Hotel and Convention Center.

At Construction Protection Systems, we are proud to have played a small part in the development of the Loews Hotel and Arlington Convention Center. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

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.