Members of the TFMoran Bedford office attended a Lunch N Learn on January 29, 2019. The Lunch N Learn was held in the first floor conference room and was taught by Jason Lenzen from Genest Paving Stones and Walls, who discussed proper maintenance of permeable interlocking concrete pavement. Jason brought Panera Bread sandwiches and salads, which were enjoyed by all in attendance. The list of attendees included Maureen Kelly, Jeremy Belanger, Mike Krzeminski, Jen Porter, Jason Hill, and our marketing intern, John DiFrancesco. The room was filled with chatter as the attendees asked questions about proper maintenance and use of the permeable pavement, and its ability to withstand salt and snow-plows during the winter months. Thanks to Jason Lenzen for a great Lunch N Learn.
Archive
TFMoran President featured in the NEREJ 2019 Forecast Spotlight
New England Real Estate Journal asked TFMoran President, Bob Duval for his 2019 Engineering Forecast regarding commercial properties. Bob’s article discusses the changes in regulations regarding environmental risks and the importance of identifying potential permitting issues early. “Although setting a realistic time-frame that includes upfront studies of all these potential impacts may seem excessive at first, the alternative – in terms of costly surprises, backtracking, or redesign of the project at later stages can be devastating to the project schedules and budgets,” Mr. Duval writes. The full article will be included in the NEREJ January 25-31, 2019 Forecast Spotlight edition. To read the article open the PDF here or read the text below.
Trends in regulatory controls require a more comprehensive “due diligence” approach
By Robert Duval, TFMoran
In the year ahead, we are likely to see continued compression in project delivery schedules, spurring developers and designers to hunt for new ways to streamline the design and permitting process. Meanwhile, the regulatory maze is becoming increasingly difficult and constantly changing. As a result, the permitting process often represents the major obstacle to project delivery dates, even for relatively simple projects.
Despite all the powerful new technologies available to today’s design professionals, “working faster” can only accomplish so much. At every scale, environmental regulation has grown more complex. To be successful, a permitting strategy must be based on one simple principle: do your homework and do it early. Here are a few of the areas where recent trends in regulatory controls require a more comprehensive “due diligence” approach…
Projects that include any impacts to wetlands or wetland buffers can expect closer scrutiny from regulators at all levels. Even very small wetlands may be determined to have important natural functions that are difficult to replace – for example a vernal pool. Large upland buffers around vernal pools and even “ordinary” wetlands are becoming more common as governments at all levels – federal, state, and local – seek to increase protection of water supplies, natural flood buffers, and natural habitats near waterways. It is not unusual today for such buffer areas to occupy more land area than the wetlands they protect.
The expanding reach of these regulations has had major consequences on project design, especially stormwater runoff, since larger and larger portions of sites are becoming subject to these enhanced setbacks and design controls. Even when physical separation from natural resource areas can be achieved, development controls do not end at the buffer’s edge –restrictions on impervious cover; enhancement of stormwater treatment systems; controls on volume in addition to rate of stormwater runoff; sampling and testing of runoff chemistry, and other constraints on site design have also become more common. No longer is it sufficient to just follow the rules – the trend is now pointing towards achieving a specific end result – and proving it.
With increased attention and resources allocated to newly emerging trace contaminants like PFOA/PFAS, new concerns are being raised across wide areas previously assumed to be free of chemical pollution risks. Public outcry is pushing regulators into taking quick action on these emerging contaminants, in some cases ahead of a solid understanding of actual health risks. In any event, each newly identified compound will add more uncertainty and extra steps to the permitting process in affected areas.
Rare and endangered species – including plants as well as animals – also will have substantial effects on development. Even in densely settled areas not typically thought of as home to endangered wildlife communities, protected organisms can be found. Each species adds its own particular set of requirements to a project, from restricted time frames for certain activities, to protective radii around individual habitats for species of concern. As recently demonstrated by the listing of the Northern Long-eared Bat and certain migratory birds, such concerns can attach to extremely wide areas.
Increased emphasis on protection of historic structures (potentially, any resource over fifty years old) and archaeological sites is emerging as a major factor during the permitting process, adding Architectural Historians and Archaeologists as important early partners on the project team. Properly evaluating and documenting any such resources takes time that must be accounted for in a well-planned project schedule.
Knowing that these challenges must be faced, early action is an essential element of project planning. Although setting a realistic time frame that includes upfront studies of all these potential impacts may seem excessive at first, the alternative – in terms of costly surprises, backtracking, or redesign of the project at later stages can be devastating to project schedules and budgets. Avoiding these unpleasant outcomes means going back to basics…
Redevelopment of existing disturbed sites, where the foregoing issues are often well understood or at least less contentious, tend to generate less public attention and concern, since urban environments with existing infrastructure are generally less impactful than new greenfield sites. Careful site selection is critical, and where possible, redevelopment should be the first choice.
While developing urban sites can often include contaminated soil risks, don’t overlook the fact that even undeveloped sites can also contain unknown, newly-emerging contaminants – all must be effectively identified and managed.
To get projects off to a good start and keep them moving, will require more intensive study and preparation than even just a few years ago… despite the new challenges, it is still possible to accelerate project delivery time frames, by early identification of problematic conditions and finding effective solutions at the earliest possible stage – preferably while the project program is still flexible and can be adapted to accommodate the challenges. With good homework and creative solutions in hand, many, if not all, of these challenges can be overcome.
First Aid Training for TFMoran Bedford Staff
Members of the Bedford office took part in a First Aid training course on January 9, 2019. Participants were required to complete an online portion of the class before taking the in-person portion held in the first-floor conference room. The class was taught by Don Poutry from the American Red Cross Associations Training Services. Fred Roach, Tom Lamb, Maureen Kelly, Chris Gagnon, Scott Olsen, Adam Jimenez, Marty Gavin, and Jeremy Belanger were all in attendance. The class taught participants how to treat a wound in an emergency. The first step was to assess the situation, then ask the injured person if it was okay to help. Help would be given only if permitted. Those who completed the course are officially First Aid Certified and can now provide assistance to anyone in need in case of an emergency. TFMoran is planning to host another training session in the near future for other employees who may have missed this one.
TFMoran on Award-winning Project Team at the ENR Regional Best Projects Awards
Engineering News-Record hosted their annual Regional Best Projects Awards Breakfast on December 12th, 2018. ENR hosts these awards to recognize some of the best, most challenging, and most innovative projects of the year across the country. The awards are divided between the different regions of the country. Winners of the ENR Best Projects Awards are invited to a Regional Awards Breakfast to accept their recognition. This years awards breakfast for the New England area took place in the Hyatt Regency Boston and featured dozens of innovative projects.
One of TFMoran’s engineering projects at Southern New Hampshire University, Monadnock Hall, received an Award of Merit Higher Education/Research at the event. The 4-story, 300-bed dormitory was opened in September of 2017 and provides apartment-style living to SNHU students. TFMoran provided survey, permitting, civil/site engineering, and landscape architecture for the project. Project team members included architects Mackey Mitchell and Lavallee Brensinger, along with general contractor Whiting Turner and construction manager PMA Consultants, who submitted the project for the award.
Congratulations to all award-recipients. Winners are listed on the ENR New England website and are profiled in the December 3rd to 10th issue of ENR New England magazine.
Thank you to the ENR Regional Best Project Awards for recognizing Monadnock Hall in this year’s awards.
Holiday Food and Fun for TFMoran’s Portsmouth Division
TFMoran’s MSC Division celebrated Christmas with a festive English lunch at the British Beer Company in downtown Portsmouth, followed by a fun team-building experience at the Monkey Mind Escape Rooms. The group of 14 was split in to two teams to enter either the Tomb of the Ancient Egyptian King or the African themed room. Both teams were victorious in their search for answers, and everyone escaped! It was a great celebration… good food and lots of fun for all!
BOB Award Voting Has Begun – Vote for TFMoran
TFMoran is proud to be the recipient of the New Hampshire Business Review’s BOB (Best Of Business) Award for SIX consecutive years, and we would love to make it SEVEN!
Please consider voting for TFMoran in the Engineering Category, Question 10 in the on-line survey. You must vote for at least 15 categories in order for your vote to count. And, only one vote per person is allowed.
Voting ends on January 18, 2019. So, please hurry!
We thank you for your consideration!
About the BOB Awards:
he BOB Awards are a New Hampshire Business Review awards program that celebrates the best New Hampshire companies in more than 90 business-to-business categories and are chosen by our readers.
The BOBs are your chance to tell us, other readers and the rest of the state which companies in New Hampshire have the best products and services for businesses – categories include: Accounting Firm, Digital Media Marketing, Law Firm, Advertising Agency, MBA Program, Dining with Clients (by Region), Young Professionals Networking Group, and more!
The 2019 “Rocking 50’s” BOB Awards Party will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. Come join the party for a fun evening of networking, food and libations.
Corey Colwell sworn in as 2019 NHLSA President
Corey Colwell, LLS was sworn in as President of the New Hampshire Land Surveyors Association during the annual meeting held at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH on December 6, 2018. Corey will serve as the 50th President of NHLSA for the year of 2019. He previously served as Vice President in 2017 and President-Elect in 2018. Corey has more than 30 years of experience in land surveying and civil/environmental permitting. As NHLSA President, he will supervise all business and affairs of the Association, and provide overall direction in concert with the mission statement and goals. NHLSA exists to promote the profession of surveying, mapping, land information systems and related fields to support the advancement of technologies, and to help ensure that these professional activities provide for the safety and welfare of the general public.
Corey Colwell has been a member of the TFMoran team since the acquisition of MSC Engineers and Surveyors in December 2014. He was named a company principal in 2015 and manages the Portsmouth division of TFMoran. TFMoran has previously worked with the NHLSA including participating in the NHLSA’s Construction Career Days, to promote jobs in construction and engineering to high school students.
Congratulations to Corey from everyone at TFMoran.
TFMoran’s Bedford Office Celebrated Christmas with a Festive Party
TFMoran’s Bedford office hosted its annual Family Christmas Party on Friday December 14th. The office was decorated with beautiful gold and blue ornaments and poinsettias in honor of TFMoran’s 50th Anniversary. The centerpiece was a 12-foot-tall Christmas tree, draped in beautiful gold ribbon with a bow at the top. The sparkling lights and ornaments, and tasteful selection of Christmas music, created a perfect Christmas Party environment.
The party started promptly at 4 o’clock, when appetizers were being served in the main lobby. Everyone enjoyed the variety of appetizers, provided by Tidewater Catering. The meatballs were a big hit, as were the chicken quesadilla trumpets. All the food provided was delicious, and everyone at the party left with a full stomach. Most of the leftovers went home with John DiFrancesco, the marketing assistant intern, so he and his roommates at Southern New Hampshire University could enjoy them during Sunday’s Patriots game.
There was a great assortment of desserts for anyone looking for something sweet. The desserts included cookies, brownies, and other small bite-sized sweets. There was wine and beer for the adults to drink, and soda and juices for everyone to enjoy. There was also eggnog for those feeling extra festive. Attendees meandered around the party, talking with one another and sharing funny memories and stories. There were many smiling faces and the room was filled with the sound of laughter and storytelling. There was a kid’s craft station where the children could create snowflake, Christmas tree, reindeer, and Santa ornaments. The kids seemed to enjoy the crafts and made some very sparkly and creative ornaments to take home.
Happy Holidays from everyone at TFMoran!
New Project Featured in the New Hampshire Union Leader
The Union Leader took notice of TFMoran’s work at Market and Main Street, the Macy’s redevelopment, in a recent news article. The Plaza has seen a lot of growth since Macy’s closed its doors in the fall of 2015. Construction crews have been hard at work on Trader Joe’s and The Friendly Toast and have completed the construction on a parking structure for the new additions. There will also be a new 4 story parking garage, to accompany a movie theater and an REI, mentioned in the article. The parking garage will be partially visible from I-293, however much of the building will be hidden by the REI and movie theater. The structure was designed with nature in mind, with architectural features including “…staggered horizontal details that are intended to interpret the ripples seen on a river.” Red Heat Tavern, Pressed Cafe, and Charles Schwab have also announced that they have signed leases. Other additions to the former Macy’s site are expected to include Athleta, Cycle Bar, European Wax Center, and MidiCi. To view the full article from the Union Leader, open the PDF UL Market and Main Redevelopment, or read the text below.
By KIMBERLY HOUGHTON Union Leader Correspondent Dec6, 2018
BEDFORD – The architectural design for a four-story parking garage at the Market and Man project has been approved by town planners, and an undisclosed cinema chain is in the process of being finalized for the development. “We do have a cinema with a letter of intent right now, so we are working on that portion of the project,” Laura Homich, project architect, told the Bedford Planning Board this week. On Monday, the board approved the architectural design for a four story, open parking garage that will be attached to the rear of the cinema building.
The 179,000-square-foot parking garage will house nearly 470 vehicles in the new mixed-use development being constructed at the former Macy’s site at 125 South River Road.
“we have minimized the structure to the extent that we can … there will be some detail and character to it,” Homich said of the parking garage.
Attached to the precast concrete parking garage will be a 2000-square-foot REI store and a 90000-square-foot cinema, restaurant and retail space, according to Homich. The building is one of several that will be constructed on the parcel. Two buildings are already in the process of being constructed, including trader joes and the friendly toast, as well as a smaller parking deck.
“Being suburban, rural community, we don’t see a lot of parking garages,’ said Becky Herbert, planning director for the town. “it is a large structure, and it will be viewed from (Interstate) 293 until the office building is constructed.
In a letter to Herbert, Homich explains that the garage will include staggered horizontal detail that is intended to interpret the reflective ripples seen on a river, which was the inspiration for the façade of the marquee building. She said the majority of the garage will be covered by the cinema and retail building, although most of the top level will be visible as well as other areas of the structure. The fourth level of the garage will not have a roof, and some screening panels will be strategically placed throughout the perimeter of the structure, according to the design plans.
“You might catch the roofline of the car, but the concrete structure comes up above the bumper on all levels,” said Chris Rice, an engineer with T.F. Moran.
To date, Pressed Café, Charles Schwab, Trader Joes, The Friendly Toast, Rei, and the Red Heat Tavern all announced that they have signed leases for the new Market and Main development. Other business intended for the site include Athleta, Cycle Bar, European Wax, and MidiCi. No new announcements have been made regarding the additional tenants that will be occupying Market and Main, a 355,708-square-foot complex.
Although an official groundbreaking is being planned, the date has not yet been publicized. In September 22016, the Planning Board granted the conditional site plan for Encore Retail and its mixed-use development that will include a cinema, hotel, medical office, restaurants, and retail space.
Supporting the Economic Development and Infrastructure Summit
Dylan Cruess represented TFMoran at the Economic Development and Infrastructure Summit on Wednesday November 14th, 2018. The event, put on by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, was hosted at the Manchester Country Club and was presented by TD Bank. Mr. Cruess was one of the panel members on the Board of Directors. The keynote speaker, Jeff Speck, who is a city planner and bestselling author, spoke about how economic development is affected by the walkability of a city. The event also featured a presentation about Driving Economic and Community Development through Grassroots Leadership, and an update on the major projects taking place in the Greater Manchester area and how the projects will impact the local infrastructure. Snacks were provided to those who attended, as well as coffee. Sponsors for the event included Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, the New Hampshire Institute of Art, and TFMoran.