over $10 million
Rushforth Construction Co.
Salem Conference Center
Owner: The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Salem
Architect: LMN Architects
The unique design of the $25 million Salem Conference Center and parking garage was just one of several challenges facing Rushforth Construction.
The design included sloped and tapered steel “tree” columns that radiate from a center anchor and support the roof over a glassed-in balcony. Rushforth collaborated with the steel supplier to develop a complex erection plan, including shoring columns in their battered position.
Rushforth project leaders also had their hands full coordinating a complex public-private partnership requiring three general contracts with the different entities to complete the project. This required Rushforth to write 70 percent more subcontracts than on a typical project, as well as track and monitor costs separately for each general and subcontract. The project included 78,000 square feet of conference and meeting room space, a catering kitchen, an outdoor public plaza and a 280-stall subterranean parking garage.
The project was completed on time and budget. In the 255,000 hours worked on this project, Rushforth had zero time-loss injuries. ABC member Olympian Precast also worked on the project.