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14 Feb 2024
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Kyle Roy Featured in NHBR Ask the Experts: Engineering Best Practices Help Businesses Gain

February 14, 2024 | 0 Comments | , , ,

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.

02 Jan 2024
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Nick Golon Reflects in New England Real Estate Journal’s Year in Review 2023

January 2, 2024 | 0 Comments | , , ,

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.

26 Dec 2023
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Merchants Way Featured as Top Project of 2023 by NEREJ

December 26, 2023 | 0 Comments | , , ,

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.

13 Dec 2023
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Queen City Center Featured in Business NH Magazine

December 13, 2023 | 0 Comments | ,

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.

17 Oct 2023
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Milford Cabinet Senior Housing Featured in the Union Leader

October 17, 2023 | 0 Comments |

Soon to be ready for occupancy, TFMoran project Milford Cabinet Senior Housing, was recently featured in the Union Leader.

This 19th Century building in Milford, NH previously used by the Milford Cabinet for printing received renovations along with an addition which doubled its size to just over 24,000sf. Now an 18-unit apartment building, the “Milford Cabinet Press,” is taking rental applications and will be ready for occupancy in November.

TFMoran worked alongside WarrenStreet Architects and the owner Housing Initiatives of New England (HINEC) and provided civil/site engineering, structural engineering, environmental permitting, landscape architecture and land surveying services for the new affordable senior living apartments in Milford, NH.

Read the full article here.

05 Sep 2023
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Merchants Way Phase II Receives Planning Board Approval

September 5, 2023 | 0 Comments | , , , ,

TFMoran 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.

The Union Leader recently published a story about the project. Check it out here or continue reading below.

Merchants Way Buildings OK’d

By Jonathan Phelps, Union Leader August 26, 2023

A new development in Concord has gained a lot of attention since a New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet and a Market Basket opened there. But that’s all just part of the project’s first phase.

The second phase of Merchants Way will include an urgent care center operated by Concord Hospital and a mixed-use medical/retail building. The planning board approved the plans on July 19.

“We’ve come a long way in the past couple of years. It’s amazing how much this area has changed,” developer Laurie Rauseo told the planning board last week.

Laurie Rauseo, Interchange Development

No tenants have been announced for the mixed-use building.

Two additional buildings will be considered in the future as part of phase “2C,” and phase three will include an industrial building in the rear of the property.

Service Credit Union and Jersey Mike’s Subs recently opened in the plaza.

26 Jul 2023
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TFMoran Project Featured in ASCE-NH Newsletter

July 26, 2023 | 0 Comments | , , ,

TFMoran’s recent project, Concord Entertainment Venue, is featured on the cover of the ASCE-NH July newsletter. The TFMoran team is providing Civil Engineering, Permitting, Land Surveying, and Landscape Design Services for the proposed Charitable Gaming Hall in Concord, NH. Phase one of the project includes 26,000 sq ft of gaming floor with 450 electronic games, 21 table games, poker rooms, dining options, and space for live music.

TFM is a proud sponsor of The American Society of Civil Engineers, NH Section (ASCE-NH). Many of our civil engineers appreciate the networking and continuing education opportunities it provides.

14 Jun 2023
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NEREJ New Hampshire Seacoast Commercial RE Growth Conference

June 14, 2023 | 0 Comments | , ,

TFMoran president Bob Duval participated in New England Real Estate Journal‘s New Hampshire Seacoast Commercial Real Estate Growth Summit on Thursday June 8th. Attendees enjoyed a breakfast buffet and networking before two panel discussions about the tremendous growth along the NH coastline. Bob sat on a panel to discuss new developments, exciting projects, housing, changes in zoning, financing and much more! TFMoran also sponsored the event.

20 Feb 2023
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NEREJ Project of the Month: Merchants Way

February 20, 2023 | 1 Comment | , , ,

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.

With phase I recently completed, the project is featured as Project of the Month in New England Real Estate Journal‘s February 2023 issue. See the full article on NEREJ or continue reading below.

Project of the Month: Interchange Development LLC Completes Phase I Construction of Merchants Way in Concord, NH

Published February 17, 2023 by New England Real Estate Journal

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 1 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 Rd. 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. 

Continue Reading →
10 Feb 2023
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Dylan Cruess Featured in NHBR Ask the Experts

February 10, 2023 | 0 Comments | , , , ,

Dylan Cruess participated in New Hampshire Business Review‘s Ask the Experts: “Engineering Tech Enhances Project Design in NH”. The article takes a deep dive into recent development projects and the innovative engineering that makes the industry so exciting.

Dylan and other industry experts discuss some of the most interesting engineering projects happening in New Hampshire this year, as well as state-of-the-art design trends, energy efficiency, sustainability, and much more!

Continue reading below, or check out the full section on NHBR!

Ask the Experts: Engineering Tech Enhances Project Design in NH

What are some of the most interesting engineering projects happening in New Hampshire this year?

We are seeing many redevelopment and expansion projects throughout the State for the coming year.  The inventory of previously undeveloped land, especially in Southern New Hampshire, continues to shrink, so many of our larger projects for 2023 are on redevelopment sites where previous buildings will either be removed, renovated, or expanded to create something new.  Redevelopment and expansion projects are particularly interesting because it is necessary to incorporate the existing site conditions and utility connections into the design.

Are you seeing a change in project design as companies downsize, streamline, or expand their capabilities?

Our project design processes are constantly adapting and changing based on the AutoCAD software that we use and the requirements of our clients.  Since the COVID pandemic, working remotely outside of the office has become the norm for our company and in the broader construction industry, so we have expanded our utilization of different online file-sharing and collaboration tools to make working remotely more efficient and most importantly more accurate.

What are the latest state-of-the-art design trends that you’re seeing?

The increasing use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the most state-of-the-art design trend that we are seeing.  With high construction costs and supply chain delays, we are seeing more clients utilize BIM to virtually see the future construction of their projects.  Our primary design software, AutoCAD, can merge the designs for different aspects of a project, such as the underground utility connections with the architect’s building design model. The project team can virtually see a 3D model of the future project and determine if any conflicts will arise during construction.

How much emphasis do you see on incorporating energy efficiency and sustainability in upcoming projects?

We see a very large emphasis on incorporating energy efficiency and sustainability in just about all of our projects.  Firstly, over the last 10 years, the international building codes have been updated to include many energy efficiency requirements and standards that were previously thought to be “above and beyond. Also, with energy costs at historically high rates, our Clients are asking us to look into every possible option during the design process to increase efficiency and sustainability in an effort to reduce construction and future maintenance costs.

What are some of the best things a construction firm can do to achieve a healthy bottom line in 2023?

There is a lot of uncertainty in the economic outlook for 2023, but the industry has remained resilient and I don’t foresee any change going into the Spring construction season. As a professional service firm, I think the best thing to maintain a healthy bottom line in 2023 is to continue to focus on providing value and practical solutions to clients.