August 2019 | Harkins Builders

08/21/2019

The Power of Diversity and Inclusion

By COO Larry Kraemer

Harkins has a long history of performing work on projects where funding or local requirements have instituted minority subcontracting goals. Harkins not only has a 15% participation goal on every project regardless of any contractual requirements, but we often exceed these goals. We have come to realize and acknowledge that while the services and projects we create are exceptional, the real measure of our success is in improving people’s lives. This serves us well as we seek diversity and inclusion in our workforce, with our trade partners, and the in communities we serve. We have a great opportunity and responsibility to influence, change, and make a difference.

Recently, Harkins employee-owners established a trade partner diversity committee with the goal of building and maintaining exceptional partnerships with our trade partners. Chaired by Leitie Cobb-Gibson, the committee meets monthly and focuses on educational and training opportunities, along with community outreach, and reporting. Leitie is also a council member of ABC Greater Baltimore’s Diversity Committee. On June 5th, Harkins partnered with ABC Greater Baltimore’s Diversity Council on the first of a series of several planned networking events. This event was held at our Columbia HQ for minority and small businesses to learn how to accurately and efficiently deliver bids to general contractors in order to be successful. We can’t wait to participate in the remainder of the series.

Harkins is committed to building long-lasting relationships with our trade partners, and fostering a culture of inclusion, diversity, and respect to strengthen the communities we work in. Together, we will continue to pave the way for local, minority, women or veteran-owned, and disadvantaged businesses, and help them grow with the Harkins family.

08/13/201908/14/2019

The Apex Tops Out in Arlington

Arlington, VA

The rain couldn’t keep this group away from celebrating the topping out of The Apex project in Arlington, VA. The topping out is a tradition that signifies when the building has reached its final height. The milestone was celebrated on Tuesday, August 13^th with a catered lunch from Mission BBQ and the Scoops2U ice cream truck. Over 200 trade partners along with representatives from AHC Inc., Arlington County, MTFA Architecture, and Harkins were in attendance.

Replacing an aging apartment complex built in the 1960s called The Berkeley, The Apex is transforming the outdated property into a new affordable community with 256 apartments. There will be two five-story apartment buildings and a two-level subterranean parking garage. The community will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment units for low and moderate income households.

Topping Out Photos

08/12/2019

Easton Readiness Center Celebrates Ribbon Cutting

Government Construction Readiness Center Ribbon Cutting

Easton, MD

The Harkins team attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Easton Readiness Center on Saturday, August 10^th in Easton, MD. Located off U.S. Route 50, the new 37,006 gsf Readiness Center replaces the previous smaller facility in the same location. Over 100 people gathered Saturday morning to take part in several ribbon-cuttings. Guests of honor included a congressman, military brass, and county and town officials. Among the dignitaries were the soldiers who will call the new armory home.

This design-build facility consists of structural steel structures with concrete and masonry foundation. It will house the Detachment 1, 729th Quartermaster Company, the D Company 1-175th infantry, and a state Veterans Honor Guard team. Soldiers from these units have deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade, in addition to serving at home during civil support contingency operations.

Featured areas of the building include administrative office suites, an assembly hall, classrooms, multipurpose rooms, a training and simulation room, equipment supply areas, a full commercial kitchen and break room, a 4,237 sf detached vehicle maintenance building, and fitness and locker rooms. Exterior improvements include private vehicle parking, Anti-Terrorism Force Protection measures, and a military-operated-vehicle lot. The building is clad with a cultured stone veneer and the entrance features a full height curved glass entry. It was designed to have space for training soldiers, storing and maintaining equipment, and supporting the State of Maryland.

It is the first building in the state to feature a work from the Maryland Public Art Initiative. This initiative creates a high-quality public art collection at state agency and university sites. A large two-story mural, titled “Always Ready” greets visitors inside the building’s entrance. Completed by internationally known artist and illustrator Mark Stutzman, this piece traces the history of the Maryland National Guard from its inception in 1636. Depicted are the many roles of the guard, from protecting the United States’ interests overseas to saving people at home during national disasters.

Ribbon Cutting Photos

08/12/201908/13/2019

Naval Air Station Barracks Facility Tops Out

Construction Topping Out of Naval Air Force Facility

Patuxent River, MD

Located at the Patuxent Naval Air Station, P-975 has reached a construction milestone with the topping out of the 73-unit barracks facility. The milestone was celebrated at the Elks Lodge in California, MD on Thursday, August 8th with a barbecue luncheon for subcontractors, NAVFAC, and other guests.

The final piece of precast and cap for the elevator shaft was set the morning of the event. Metal stud framing and MEP rough-ins are well underway on the first and second floors. Roof trusses began a week prior and the roof itself will begin in the next two weeks. The south parking lot is base paved and with precast operations complete, the other two parking lots and site work are projected to begin before winter hits.

The five-story, design-build facility will house active duty military personnel and will be a precast concrete structure. The facility will offer a combination freight elevator, water source heat pumps, state of the art access control systems for units and bedroom entry, several multipurpose rooms, and an outdoor picnic area and basketball court for military personnel to enjoy while off duty. Each unit will be shared by two enlisted sailors of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and will have two-bedrooms, two-bathrooms, a small kitchen, laundry room, and living room with a TV.