Photo courtesy of Saybr Construction. A significant part of Saybr’s business involves underground fuel tanks.

Even with the telecom meltdown of 2000-2001, Saybr Construction has steadily seen work come in from wireless providers such as Qwest and Verizon. Typically, the majority of Saybr’s work for these companies is at the switching station sites, according to President Karen Say. Used for routing calls, switching centers have back-up generator systems that require fuel systems — which requires upgrades to ensure against leakage, Say said. Typically, this means removing the underground tank and contaminated soil, and installing an above-ground tank.

Saybr’s gas station work for petroleum companies can be difficult, logistically speaking, she said. “They are very small sites, and it’s challenging getting the subcontractors and suppliers in a very small piece of property,” she said. The stations for Safeway, for example, typically have four or six bays, a small kiosk and canopies. Other gas station work includes retrofitting gas station facilities to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Saybr is riding out the recession by diversifying, which has paid off as revenue for 2001 of $4 million should increase to $5 million this year. Tenant improvement work for commercial and industrial projects; fuel systems projects for local municipalities and the federal military bases; and sewer and water work have been added to the fold to give Saybr a broader array of services in lean economic times.

“We haven’t seen the effects of all the dot-coms going under,” she added.