Rushforth Construction
Franke Tobey Jones upgrades
Owner: Franke Tobey Jones
Architect: Thomas Cook Reed Reinvald Architects
Construction of three new buildings and structural upgrades on the Franke Tobey Jones assisted-living facility in Tacoma presented an array of challenges for Rushforth Construction.
Extensive underground utility installation to support the new structures was performed with no records, requiring crews to carefully perform work without damaging existing utilities. Furthermore, existing utilities had to remain in operation during construction to support campus operations.
Challenges continued during construction of the three new buildings — a 39-unit independent-living facility, a new wellness center and an addition to the skilled nursing facility. Two of the structures abutted and tied onto existing buildings, which had to remain on-line to support the critical functions.
Rushforth’s safety challenges were twofold: protect the residents and staff during construction; and protect the crews as they completed work on several steep-pitched roofs. Safety preconstruction meetings were held before new work began, and temporary partitions in remodeled areas were erected to protect residents, staff and visitors.
Rushforth required its roofers to complete a job hazard analysis exercise — which identifies hazards and details prevention — and even brought in a Spanish-speaking trainer to communicate with the largely Latino crew.
Sound Engineering was the engineer. ABC members on the job included Air Systems Engineering, McMullen Electric, Acoustics Northwest, Exterior Metals and BD Roofing.