International Place Apartments
Architect: Environmental Works
Engineer: Swenson Say Faget
Owner: International Place Council
ABC members: Bratrud Middleton Insurance, United Systems Mechanical, Advanced Fire Protection, Boone Electric, Ro-Con Equipment Specialists, Kodo Construction, Lacey Glass, Tacoma Plumbing & Heating, Tueffers, Guckian & Gamon
The KWA International Place senior housing project is located in Tacoma's Salishan HOPE VI redevelopment project. Marpac Construction was charged with ensuring that the look and feel of this facility complemented the surrounding single-family homes, a difficult task since the apartments were the only multi-floor senior housing facility in the area.
During the schematic design phase, Marpac provided preconstruction services to ensure the stringent construction budget and schedule could be met. Careful planning and problem solving included redesigning the building layout to accommodate existing site conditions, changing to less expensive doors and hardware, and using vinyl windows in lieu of storefronts at certain locations.
Decks and patios were added to units to allow access to the outdoors without compromising safety and security. Using an aluminum clip-on system, the decks were completed with early involvement of a subcontractor.
With the siding installation scheduled during winter months, the team wrapped the building to keep siding off the critical path. The siding system included a rain screen, which allowed the team to start interior work sooner than anticipated. In addition, the record high rainfall did not severely affect the project, since the building was dried-in earlier.
To protect the site's sensitive bioswale system, Marpac installed a temporary detention pond to control runoff. On-site sediment and erosion control also helped deal with any issues arising during construction.
The project had administrative challenges in addition to the site and weather challenges. For example, extensive HUD 202 requirements allowed only HUD-approved materials for specific items like flooring and siding. Also, all HUD paperwork had to be completed correctly by the general and all subcontractors, and construction had to be coordinated with adjacent Salishan projects.
When complete, Salishan will have approximately 250 market-rate houses, 100 below-market-rate houses and 815 subsidized rentals. Marpac finished the project within budget and on schedule with no injuries in 7,715 hours worked.