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Kyle Roy Featured in NHBR Ask the Experts: Engineering Best Practices Help Businesses Gain

New Hampshire Business Review‘s February 9th issue features an engineering spotlight, with input from numerous New Hampshire engineering professionals. Principal and Senior Structural Engineer, Kyle Roy gave his thoughts on engineering best practices and how businesses gain from these practices. Read Kyle’s insight below:

Ask the Experts: Engineering Best Practices Help Businesses Gain

As New Hampshire’s commercial building boom kicks into high gear in 2024, some of the Granite State’s leading engineering firms are using the latest cutting-edge technology to provide the best structural designs for their clients. In this week’s New Hampshire Business Review, we take a deep dive into how some of these tools will help these engineering firms deliver better projects and how they can improve their capabilities to better serve their clients. We also talk with both engineering and legal experts about how businesses can save energy costs and help the planet through NH Saves and what New Hampshire is doing to help curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Q: What emerging technologies are poised to revolutionize the structural engineering landscape, and how should businesses prepare to leverage them?
A: Structural engineers seek to provide innovative, efficient and safe structural solutions for every project. A company’s investment in efficiency will be successful if they are willing to rethink existing technologies and adopt recent technologies.

Q: What is a technology tool taking hold in the engineering sector?
A: Off-site and modular construction is established and currently one of the best ways to streamline the building process, to reduce waste and improve project timelines. New materials and fabrication technologies are challenging the industry to rethink what can be built off-site. Building projects must entertain new approaches and explore more off-site construction methods, materials and modular solutions.

Companies should invest in developing expertise in modular construction design. Building information modeling (BIM) is currently being used to create more accurate models that can be used on the fabrication floor to reduce production time and errors.

In addition to being leveraged in modular construction, BIM is a commonly used technology in the architectural, engineering and construction community. BIM is used to create digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of buildings. The digital models enhance collaboration, streamline design and facilitate better project decision-making.

The next evolution for digital models is to pair them with artificial intelligence (AI), and generative design (GD) software. Structural engineers can integrate the use of AI and algorithms to explore numerous generative design options rapidly. Companies should further invest in AI, adopt GD tools and train staff to effectively use it.

Companies that leverage these tools can speed up cloud collaboration and interoperability with other stakeholders in the design and construction process.

BIM models can also be generated from point cloud data from aerial and surface drone scans for existing site surveys and inspections. Drones provide a safe and efficient way to collect data from challenging or dangerous locations.

This data, when paired with cloud storage solutions, provides a significant improvement over traditional photos and field measurements. Companies should integrate drone and LIDAR scanning technologies in the early stages of design for better visualization, collaboration and more accurate data. Invest in drones or scanners and training for staff to champion the technologies.

Develop protocols for incorporating 3D point cloud data from these sources into the design processes. This can lead to improved project understanding of existing conditions, reduce field time and reduce design and construction errors and omissions.

Q: What should businesses do to support the use of building information modeling?
A: With more data collected, a fast and reliable infrastructure is necessary to process and share the data. 5G mobile promises faster and more reliable connectivity, enabling the growth of data collection and other data-intensive applications.

Businesses should explore how 5G can enhance their operations and services. This may require investing in new equipment, adapting IT infrastructure, and developing new applications that leverage high-speed, low-latency connectivity.

To take advantage of these technological advances, businesses should adopt an initiative-taking and agile approach. To do this, businesses need to hire or train to build a tech-savvy workforce who can understand, implement, and manage these technologies. Employers need to listen to and invest in their employee’s interest in specific fields.

This approach creates a base level of empowered staff to incorporate innovative technologies into the company’s service strategies.

Q: What do engineering firms need to do to remain competitive and productive?
A: Given the rapidly evolving nature of technology, it is important to stay informed on the latest developments. Businesses need to collaborate and network with vendors, technology providers, startups and research institutions to stay abreast of the latest innovative products and regularly monitor industry advancements.

It is important to adapt to changing technological landscapes. Companies that are nimble in adopting new tools and services will remain competitive in tomorrow’s engineering landscape.

Check out the rest of the article here.

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Dylan Cruess Participates in Special Olympics of New Hampshire Penguin Plunge!

Dylan Cruess participated in the Penguin Plunge on February 11th, 2024. This fundraiser for Special Olympics New Hampshire (SONH) took place at Hampton Beach, NH, where thousands of participants plunged into the freezing water of the Atlantic.

Dylan, dressed as a TFM surveyor (hard hat and all!) was among the first in his group to make it into the water, running and jumping in with a belly flop! Dylan raised $695 for SONH, whose mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These continuing opportunities help develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event, supporting the mission of Special Olympics New Hampshire.

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TFMoran Supports New Hampshire Students

TFMoran is sponsoring ‘Are You Smarter than a Breakthrough Student?’ an event by Breakthrough Manchester. The event challenges attendees with trivia from Breakthrough’s academically rigorous middle school curriculum to support BTM’s summer program.

Breakthrough Manchester supports Manchester students from traditionally underserved communities on their path to college and inspires emerging leaders in high school and college to be the next generation of educators and advocates for educational equality.

The event will be held at Southern New Hampshire University on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

See more about the event here.

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TFMoran Sponsors Henniker/Weare FIRST Robotics Team

TFMoran is sponsoring Hopkinton High School and John Stark Regional High School’s FIRST Robotics Team OzRam 1922 for the 2024 Season. The team consists of students from Weare, Henniker, and Hopkinton, participating in the global FIRST Robotics Program. Each season, the team builds a robot from materials including mechanical gears, motors, and software to compete with other regional and worldwide teams in the yearly FIRST Robotics Challenge.

Last year, the team made it to the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas, competing against almost 700 robotics teams from around the world.

This program relies on financial sponsorships to support team activities. Sponsorship allows the team to attend local, regional (and hopefully international) events, update components for their robots, equip their lab, and help promote STEM!

Best of luck this season, OzRam 1922!

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TFMoran Celebrates our 12th BOB Award!

TFMoran is honored to be voted as 2023 Best of Business in the Engineering category by New Hampshire Business Review readers. 2023 marks the TWELFTH consecutive year TFMoran has received this award!

The BOB Awards honors the “Best Of Business” in New Hampshire in over 50 business-to-business categories. According to NHBR’s website, more than 3,000 people cast their votes in the BOB Awards survey, recognizing over 500 businesses across New Hampshire. A Big THANK YOU to all who voted for us!

NH Business Review will hold a Caribbean-themed awards celebration on Thursday, March 14th, at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. This year is NHBR’s 16th year celebrating New Hampshire’s Best of Business. Come celebrate with us and network with business leaders from across New Hampshire in a fun and festive party atmosphere. There will also be a chance to win prizes and help raise money for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire. Don’t miss out, register early and get your tickets online at NHBR.com

Thank you to New Hampshire Business Review for this opportunity and for showcasing the Best of Business across New Hampshire!

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Nick Golon Reflects in New England Real Estate Journal’s Year in Review 2023

New England Real Estate Journal‘s December 30 issue features a Year in Review Spotlight, with input from numerous professionals across the Real Estate industry. Principal and Civil Department Manager Nick Golon gave his thoughts on the year with insight into his accomplishments and career in 2023.

What was your greatest professional accomplishment or most notable project, deal, or transaction of 2023? TFM partnered with Unitil and ReVision Energy in the development of the Kingston PV Facility, planned for construction in early 2024 pending final permit approvals. This 5-megawatt solar array would be one of the largest solar facilities in the state that’s currently in operation.

What emerging trends will drive investment and development in 2024?
Solar power has become the fastest-growing electricity source in the United States, representing more than 50% of generation projects that were planned for 2023. New Hampshire’s growth in solar energy is part of a larger national trend towards renewable energy, indicating the increasing importance of sustainable energy in the United States.

See more professionals’ Year in Review here.

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Merchants Way Featured as Top Project of 2023 by NEREJ

TFMoran project Merchants Way was recently featured in the December issue of New England Real Estate Journal (NEREJ) as one of the “2023 Top Projects”, after being featured as “Project of the Month” in the February issue.

TFMoran engineers worked with Interchange Development, LLC to design and permit Merchants Way, a 200,000sf multi-phase mixed-use development on Whitney Road at I 93 Exit 17. TFMoran’s services included master planning, civil/site engineering, traffic engineering, permitting, and landscape architecture.

TFMoran is proud to be a part of the team. See an excerpt from the article below.

Concord, NH Interchange Development LLC has completed the first phase of Merchants Way, a new Market Basket anchored shopping center located adjacent to I-93 at Exit 17 in the Penacook area of the city. Phase I of the 43 acre Merchants Way development includes a new 81,000 s/f Market Basket supermarket, 22,000 s/f attached HomeGoods retail space, a 13,500 s/f New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet, and a 2,200 s/f Wendy’s Restaurant. The buildings were constructed in 2021 and 2022 along with two private roads, Merchants Way and Interchange Dr., which connect to Whitney Rod. and Rte. 4 next to I-93. The Merchants Way development complements the previously constructed Xtramart/Mobil convenience store with Dunkins and drive thru at Exit 17.

Interchange Development LLC Completes Phase One Construction of Merchants Way in Concord, NH
New England Real Estate Journal
February 17, 2023

Continue reading the article here.

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TFMoran Bedford Office Holiday Party

TFMoran’s Bedford office staff and family got together in the flex space on Friday, December 15th to celebrate the holiday season. Delicious food from Puritan Backroom in Manchester including chicken tenders, mac and cheese and more were available for everyone to enjoy.

An array of activities were available to both kids and adults including coloring, cookie decorating and fun holiday games with prizes and treats. It was certainly nice to take a break from work and enjoy a fun evening with good company.

Congratulations to our Ugly Sweater Contest winners Dylan Cruess, Kiera Lamb and Marty Gavin!

Happy Holidays from all of us at TFM!

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Queen City Center Featured in Business NH Magazine

Recent TFMoran project, Queen City Center was recently featured in the Business NH Magazine on Thursday November 30th, 2023. TFMoran is excited to be a part of the project, working closely with Lauer Architects and owners York Real Estate.  We invite you to check out the article by clicking this link or by reading the text below.


York Brothers Invest Millions to Create a New Entertainment Hub

Published Thursday, November 30, 2023
Author Matthew Mowry

From the outside, 215 Canal Street in Manchester is a nondescript old mill building with a chain link fence topped with remnants of barbed wire. The building that once held a printing company and then a defense contractor does not exactly scream “entertainment destination.”

Yet that is the vision for the building’s future that sprang from serial entrepreneur Travis York, who along with his brother Kyle, through York Real Estate, is investing $6.25 million to transform the 30,000-square-foot industrial building into Queen City Center, an entertainment hub in the middle of Manchester that will be brimming with activity by summer 2024.

York describes his new venture as a “curated collection of brands united by a shared focus on community, craft quality and entrepreneurship.”

What started as a need to relocate a video production company form Massachusetts to Manchester mushroomed into an entertainment complex that will be anchored by Harpoon Brewery, an employee-owned brewer of IPA that will include an experimental brewery, scratch kitchen and taproom.

The building will also include the video production and commercial content studio, Big Brick Productions, part of York’s marketing agency, GYK Antler, which is housed in his neighboring historic R.G. Cigar Factory building at 175 Canal St. Other tenants include: City Club Golf, a members-only club providing 24/7 simulated golfing and a lounge led by Lauren Ryan and Patrick Gocklin; Union Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster owned by David Cianci; Barre Life, a fitness studio owned by Ashley Oberg that will offer barre, yoga, Pilates and trampoline classes; Wicked Joyful, a pop culture shop owned by musician and comedian Nick Lavallee; Tenants have signed 10-year leases.

And York plans to develop the outdoor area between his two buildings to create green space and a gathering area that will feature a revolving selection of vendors and activities and worked with the city to disconnect the dead-end street that runs between the buildings.

The project aims to build on the activity in Manchester’s downtown, that includes thousands of residential units under construction, and attract workers to the area by providing more restaurant and entertainment options. “We employ creative professionals, and they want fun things to do,” York says. “It was a dated industrial building, and we are turning it into a modern gathering place.”

Touring the cavernous shell of the building in October, with wires and cables hanging from the ceiling and walls being torn down, it can be hard to see what it will be. But York’s passion for this newest venture is evident as he describes the businesses that will occupy various spaces that will bring people in throughout the day, from their morning coffee to evening drinks and concerts.

The location and potential of the building was too enticing for the York brothers to pass up. York points out it is less than a half mile from many workplaces, SNHU Arena and Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. The complex, which comes with 40 dedicated parking spots, sits directly behind The Double Tree Hotel with its conference center and an attached parking garage.

It is a new lease on life for a building that had been a mystery to York. “For years I’ve been looking at it wondering what was going on [inside],” says York. During the pandemic he got to know the owner of the business as well as the building’s owner and found out the company expected to outgrow the space and was relocating at the end of 2022. At the same time, the lease for his studio’s Massachusetts space was expiring.

“We started brainstorming what was logical to put in there and quietly reached out to folks,” York says. He wanted entrepreneurs with a “rising tide” mentality to create a center that could serve as a creative hub for Manchester. “We wanted to bring something new and different to the city,” he says.

York Real Estate spent almost $2.4 million to buy the building and another $3.5 million on construction. They also enlisted local partners to bring his vision to fruition, signing a management and construction agreement with real estate company Colliers in Manchester, collaborating with Lauer Architects in Goffstown, TFMoran in Bedford and securing financing through St. Mary’s Bank in Manchester.

York says he expects to turn over spaces to tenants by April or May, and Queen City Center is slated to fully open by summer. The building is almost fully committed except for one space that York says he is intentionally holding back to see what the best use will be.

“I hope we are inspiring others to do projects and rise up the community,” York says.

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Shadowing TFMoran’s Land Surveyors

Today, Marketing Intern Eric Poublon had the opportunity to tag along with the Land Surveying department for a day in the field.

Eric joined Morgan and Marty at Southern New Hampshire University this morning for part of their Topography and Utility Survey. Morgan and Marty demonstrated how the Prism Pole is tracked either manually or robotically by the operator or the Total Station Theodolite. This lets the team record precise measurements by communicating the vertical height and horizontal depth, allowing the instrument to draw a three dimensional line between the two surveyors and their equipment. The line will then be used to produce a topographic map of the site. They also recorded where the electrical and sewer manhole covers were located along with catch basins in the area.

Eric enjoyed his time out in the field with the Land Surveying department and getting to know the work and expertise of others at TFMoran!