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20 May 2019
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TFMoran receives 2019 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award

May 20, 2019 | 0 Comments | , ,

On Thursday, May 16, 2019 Structural Engineers of New Hampshire held their Annual Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards event at The Derryfield in Manchester, NH. Entries were judged on creativity, complexity, innovation, ingenuity, and suitability of the structural design for each of the three categories. The three categories were Buildings; Bridge and Transportation Structures; and Special Structures.

TFMoran was honored to receive the award in the “Buildings” category for Medicus Healthcare Solutions office building complex in Windham, NH. TFMoran’s Senior Structural Project Engineer, Thomas Lamb, PE (right) accepted the plaque from SENH President, Christopher R. Fournier, PE, SECB during the presentation.

Posters of each entry were on display during the meeting. Click on the pdf link to view TFMoran’s Poster or read description below to learn more:

Medicus Healthcare Solutions office building complex, located in Windham, NH, is a newly constructed three building complex. The buildings contain approximately 100,000 square feet of office space and are all connected by enclosed pedestrian bridges at the second floor. Each building is framed of a hybrid system of insulated concrete formed (ICF) walls and steel open web floor joists, beams and columns. The building is founded on concrete spread footings.

ICF walls at the exterior were chosen as an economical and energy efficient solution in lieu of the typical steel frame and metal stud curtain wall system used on most office buildings. The wall systems provided several benefits including a robust lateral load resisting system, ICF formed brick shelf, increased flexibility with façade material installation, and simplicity of connections between buildings.

A three-dimensional structural model was produced for the design of the buildings. The model was then imported into Building Information Modeling software to produce the structural drawings for the project.

Congratulations to all Award-recipients!

14 May 2019
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TFMoran Structural Engineering project, Ivory Keys Apartments, receives Preservation Award

May 14, 2019 | 0 Comments | , ,

Congratulations to Maugel Architects, LD Russo and the project team for receiving a Preservation Award for the Ivory Keys Apartments project in Leominster, MA. TFMoran structural engineers are proud to be on this award-winning team. The announcement of the award is below, as it appeared on High-Profile’s website on May 9, 2019.

Maugel / Russo Project Gets Award

Leominster, MA – The Ivory Keys Apartments, located at 140 Adams Street, was recently recognized by Preservation Massachusetts. Maugel Architects and L.D. Russo transformed this once vacant historic mill building that formerly housed a piano manufacturing facility into a 41-unit affordable rental housing complex. The new design pays homage to the building’s history by preserving and repurposing original elements throughout interior spaces.

The project is the recipient of Preservation Massachusetts’ 2019 Robert H. Kuehn Preservation Award. The award recognizes extraordinary projects that meld collaborative partnerships with creative ideas for the rehabilitation and active reuse of historic buildings.

Preservation Massachusetts is the statewide non-profit historic preservation organization dedicated to preserving the Commonwealth’s historic and cultural heritage.

Award winning Ivory Keys ApartmentsThe Ivory Keys Apartments project team accepts the Preservation Award.

 

14 May 2019
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“Embracing Mixed-Use Development” by TFM President Robert Duval featured in May issue of High-Profile

May 14, 2019 | 0 Comments | , ,

Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering was the Focus for High-Profile‘s May 2019 issue. TFMoran’s president, Robert Duval, PE, was featured as an Industry Expert in this special section, writing about the advantages for a mixed-use development. Using one of TFMoran’s high-profile examples of mixed-use, Market and Main in Bedford, NH (currently under construction), he quoted TFMoran’s Senior Landscape Architect, Michael Krzeminski, PLA explaining how he designs to provide a pedestrian-friendly experience. To view the story, click this link High-Profile May 2019_Embracing Mixed-Use Development or read below:

Embracing Mixed-Use Development
by Robert E. Duval

Adopted from urban environments, across the country, the mixed-use development concept is making its way into many smaller cities and towns in New England. These developments encompass a wide range of uses, including commercial, residential, cultural, institutional, and industrial uses in to an integrated whole.

Civil engineering benefits of integrated development include reduced traffic volumes, minimized parking needs, reduced stormwater flows, and greater density. Studies have shown that onsite parking supplies can be reduced by 10% or more because parking can be shared. Reduced parking cuts construction costs by reducing the amount of pavement as well as the extent of stormwater infrastructure needed to capture, detain, and treat pavement runoff.

Greater land use density can be achieved by avoiding internal line setbacks where multiple properties are combined into a single development. The result of this is efficiently designed parking and reduced need for land area, reduced construction costs, and minimized stormwater infrastructure and runoff.

Landscape architecture also plays a critical role in successful mixed-use development. Each building needs to be placed so as to provide convenient, attractive, and safe pedestrian travel between all other uses. “Walking distance” in New England is approximately 1,400 feet (about 7 minutes’ walk). This figure is dependent on the ease of travel; having a clear, direct path with an attractive walking environment improves walkability and the volume of foot traffic. Landscape architects must work closely with site engineers to create these easily traversable pedestrian routes.

Market and Main, a 350,000sf, upscale mixed-use center currently under construction in the town of Bedford, N.H., is a prime example. Located at the former Macy’s site on U.S. Route 3, TFMoran’s civil engineers and landscape architects worked closely with the developers to provide a pedestrian-friendly experience. “We designed the landscape to include pavered furniture strips along the sidewalks with ample seating and bike racks,” said Mike Krzeminski, one of TFMoran’s senior landscape architects. “Tree grates, along with structural planting soil, have been worked into the sidewalk design to create rhythm, shade, and sustainability for the trees,” continues Krzeminski. “The pedestrian environment is further enhanced by a central green, with pergolas and seating walls to create an outdoor gathering place for all to enjoy.” The first two retail buildings, Trader Joe’s and The Friendly Toast, are now open. The development plans include a 600-seat deluxe cinema, an office building, a hotel, a variety of restaurants and retail shops, and two parking garages.

The benefits of mixed-use developments are being recognized by many community planners. As these communities embrace mixed-use developments in their zoning codes, we can expect to see increasing prosperity and vibrancy in the central cores of our New England cities and towns.

Robert E. Duval, PE, LEED AP, is president and chief engineer at TFMoran, Inc., Bedford, N.H.

09 May 2019
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TFMoran’s Nick Golon represents NH’s Civil Engineers in Washington, DC

May 9, 2019 | 0 Comments | , ,

American Society of Civil Engineers New Hampshire Section’s newsletter featured a TFMoran civil and structural engineering project on the May 2019 cover, Southern New Hampshire University’s millyard parking garage in downtown Manchester. This 6-story, 1,700-car parking garage is currently under construction along the Merrimack River near the Fisher Cats stadium. It will provide parking for SNHU’s on-line program staff and administrative offices housed in the adjacent Langer mill building. The parking garage is being built by Harvey Construction and is ahead of schedule for completion.

ASCE NH Section’s May 2019 newsletter The New Hampshire Civil Engineer features a story entitled “2019 Legislative Fly-In” by Nicholas Golon, PE. Nick is one of TFMoran’s Senior Project Managers, as well as Treasurer of ASCE-NH Section. He was one of three engineers representing New Hampshire who traveled to DC to meet with NH representatives. Click this link ASCE NH May 2019 Newsletter – Legislative Fly-In to view the story, or read the text below:

2019 Legislative Fly-In
By Nicholas Golon, PE

Every spring, ASCE holds its Legislative Fly-In Program in Washington, DC, an intensive two-day program that provides participants with an inside look at the public policy process. This year ASCE members from all 50 states and Puerto Rico brought their message to over 310 Members of Congress on Wednesday March 13th, advocating for a variety of infrastructure solutions at the annual Legislative Fly- In. This year’s New Hampshire delegation was made up of President Logan Johnson, President-Elect Mike Bogue, and Treasurer, Nick Golon, shown below with NH U.S. Representative, Annie Kuster.

The NH delegation expressed to our elected officials and their staff a core ASCE belief that all infrastructure programs, and projects supported by infrastructure investment legislation, need to meet the following fundamental criteria:

  • Investments must provide substantial, longterm benefits to the public and the economy;
  • The cost of a project over its entire life span – including designing, building, operating, and maintaining the infrastructure – must be taken into account
  • Projects should be built sustainably and resiliently;
  • Federal investment should leverage state, local, and private investment, not replace these other critical sources of infrastructure funding.

Although the principles for infrastructure Investment was an important issue, perhaps the most vital message brought forth to Capital Hill by the ASCE membership was the advocacy argument for fixing the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). The HTF is the main funding source for the federal government’s investments in highway and transit infrastructure. The HTF is primarily funded through the federal motor fuels tax, or gas tax, of 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel. Although the federal gas tax is the main source for the Highway Trust Fund, Congress hasn’t raised the gas tax since Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were “Sleepless in Seattle”, Bill Murray was trapped in “Groundhog Day”, “Cheers” aired its series finale, and Bill Nye began his fame as the Science Guy. If the references don’t do anything for you, it was 1993!

ASCE members strongly urged Congress to fix the HTF to provide long-term stability and modernize our nation’s roads, bridges, and transit systems for the 21st century. To address the surface transportation funding shortfall, and chronic underinvestment, ASCE supports raising the motor fuels user tax by 5 cents per gallon for the next five years and indexing it to inflation.

As one ASCE member remarked to NH Congressmen Chris Pappas, “You want to get out of the hole? First, you’re going to have to put down the shovel.” Yes, this is quote was attributed to one of their kid’s favorite movies, Incredibles 2, but the lesson parallels the infrastructure investment gap and raising the gas tax is the equivalent of the first necessary step, putting down the shovel. Failing to close the infrastructure investment gap means higher costs for businesses to manufacture and distribute goods and provide services. In turn, these higher costs get passed along to workers and families.

Learn more about the Highway Trust Fund at www.FIxTheTrustFund.org

 

 

07 May 2019
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Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at TFM

May 7, 2019 | 0 Comments |

TFMoran took a well-deserved break at the end of the work week by celebrating Cinco de Mayo a little early, on Friday, May 3rd. The festive fare came from Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse of Manchester, it sure was a big hit with the TFM-Bedford team! The Taco Bar was the most popular by far, along with mexican rice, refried beans, quesadillas, chingalingas, chicken tenders, and of course, their famous hot tortilla chips and salsa.  The fiesta table also included a big pan of Taco Mac from Mr. Mac’s in Manchester, delicious!

Between the delicious food, the tasty variety of cervezas, the very colorful festive decorations and lively music, a fun-time was had by all. Thank Goodness It was Friday!

30 Apr 2019
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TFM Fleece Vests Have Arrived!

April 30, 2019 | 0 Comments | ,

Spring is in the air, and it is finally time to put away the heavy sweatshirts and start wearing clothes for warmer weather! With that, TFM staff were very excited when the TFM logo fleece vests arrived in April. Members of the TFM team had voted earlier this year on their favorite styles and colors. The men chose an Eddie Bauer vest, and the women chose a style provided by Core. Everyone is wearing the vests around the office on the milder spring days. Thank you to Roberta at Corporate Images for working with us!

29 Apr 2019
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TFMoran is Celebrating World Landscape Architecture Month

April 29, 2019 | 0 Comments | , ,

This week, TFMoran is celebrating World Landscape Architecture Month! World Landscape Architecture Month is the month long celebration of landscape architecture and designed public and private spaces. Established by the American Society of Landscape Architecture, WLAM aims to demonstrate how landscape architecture affects our daily lives. WLAM is celebrated every April to coincide with Earth Day.

TFMoran’s Landscape Architecture Department consists of Michael Krzeminski, PLA; Adam Jimenez and Robert Hoover, PLA, ASLA who spend their days designing TFMoran projects, including adding those special “curb-appeal” details.

Michael Krzeminski, PLAMichael Krzeminski, PLA, is a Professional Landscape Architect licensed in the states of NH, MA and ME. He attended State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Association with Syracuse University and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture. Mike joined TFMoran in 1995 as an Assistant Land Planner/Designer and is now a key member of the TFM Design team. He has an extensive knowledge of plant materials and design principles, which enables him to creatively solve design problems. His role at TFMoran starts at the conceptual stage and continues through project completion. Mike is responsible for planting plans, specifications and construction overview. His experience includes high-quality conceptual designs and renderings of commercial, industrial, and residential developments. He has been the lead Landscape Architect at TFMoran for 3 years and has a passion for the work that he does.

Adam Jimenez, Land PlannerAdam Jimenez has a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Rhode Island and joined the TFM Design team in 2016. He is an Assistant Land Planner and is working towards getting his landscape architecture license. His design experience includes commercial and residential land planning. Prior to joining the company, Adam was employed at a local company designing and installing hardscapes and softscapes for commercial and residential applications.

Robert Hoover, PLA, ASLARobert Hoover, PLA, ASLA, is a Professional Landscape Architect licensed in the states of NH, MA, ME, CT, NY, RI and PA. He serves as a Project Manager in TFMoran’s Portsmouth division since joining the company in 2017. Rob has over 40 years of experience in the practice of Landscape Architecture, specializing in designing with nature as a therapeutic, restorative, healing medium. He has personally designed over 100 built “nature as restorer” projects. Rob has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Design from the University of Massachusetts and his Masters Degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He has over 35 years of professional experience in the practice of Landscape Architecture. Rob founded HBLA Inc. in 2001 and maintained the company for 15 years. Based on his pioneering efforts, in 2001 Rob was invited to participate in the establishment of Chicago Botanic Gardens flagship Healthcare Design Program. This program remains the only advanced certificate program of its kind in the country.  Rob continues his involvement as faculty and program adviser to this day.  He is recognized nationally as a leader and pioneer in this field, receiving over 50 awards and special recognition including national publication and international exhibitions.  He is published, taught numerous classes and lectured throughout the country.

During this celebratory Landscape Architecture Month, a different ASLA student chapter will take over the ASLA National Instagram account each day, highlighting projects of the next generation of landscape architects. TFMoran has also posted on their own Instagram account to acknowledge the hard work that their landscape architects do to make our projects even more attractive.

We thank Mike, Adam and Rob for their contribution to TFMoran’s multi-disciplinary services we provide to our Clients in-house.

26 Apr 2019
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TFM’s President Robert Duval speaks at the NEREJ 2019 NH Summit

April 26, 2019 | 0 Comments | ,

New England Real Estate Journal held a Nashua/Bedford/Manchester, NH area Summit on April 25, 2019 at the Courtyard by Marriott Event Center in Nashua. The event gave attendees an opportunity to network and covered important commercial real estate related topics and issues.

TFMoran’s President and Chief Engineer, Robert Duval, PE, was on a panel of speakers covering the topic of”Engineering, Constructions Costs, Architecture”. He used examples from Market and Main ,as well as the SNHU Millyard Parking Garage in his discussion to highlight changing trends in the redevelopment industry. Market and Main and the SNHU Millyard Parking Garage were also featured on the promotional material for the event. A second panel of speakers covered the topic “Development Opportunity Zones, New Development Updates, Cost Segregation”.

Thank you to the New England Real Estate Journal for putting on this great event. TFMoran was glad to be one of the Summit sponsors.

18 Apr 2019
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Union Leader features first tenant at Woodmont Commons mixed-use development

April 18, 2019 | 0 Comments | , ,

Woodmont Commons, one of TFMoran’s mixed-use engineering projects, was featured in the Union Leader on April 17, 2019. The article released the name of the first tenant who is relocating to Woodmont Commons. 603 Brewery’s new 18,000sf facility, located on the new Main Street of Woodmont Commons, is nearing completion! The building will feature a tasting room, a 100-seat restaurant, and plenty of room for 603 to continue to brew their beverages. TFMoran provided civil/site engineering and structural design for 603 Brewery. The brewery was designed by McHenry Architecture and Harvey Construction is the general contractor. To read the article from the Union Leader, open the PDF here or read the text below.

603 Brewery relocating to become first tenant at Londonderry’s Woodmont Commons

Relocating: The new facility is expected to increase brewing capacity and include a beer hall.

By RYAN LESSARD Union Leader Correspondent Apr 16, 2019

LONDONDERRY—603 Brewery is starting to brew beer at its new 18,000-square-foot facility at 42 Main St. this month.

The address will be the first space at the Woodmont Commons development to see active occupants, according to developer Michael Kettenbach.

Brewery spokesman Morgan Kyle said the company, currently located at 12 Liberty Drive, will be gradually relocating between spring and early summer. The Liberty Drive location will remain open during the transition.

“We will start to slowly move operations over to the new building to ease the transition,” Kyle said. “We will start brewing in the new facility this month.”

The new custom-built brewhouse is expected to triple the company’s current brewing capacity. It will also include a large beer hall. “The beer hall will seat over 100 people, with additional seating in an outdoor beer garden and private function room,” Kyle wrote in a press release.

“The brewery will continue to run with their popular counter-service model and will offer a food menu, beers on tap, as well as retail merchandise and beers-to-go.”

Brewery co-founder Geoff Hewes said the goal of the beer hall is to offer the community a fun and casual setting to experience their craft beer and food.

“We look forward to expanding our ability to serve New Hampshire, both through our wholesale and retail partners, as well as by creating a destination for locals and tourists,” Hewes said in an emailed statement.

Part of the moving process will be transporting stainless steel, 30-to-60-barrel fermentation tanks from the old facility to the new one. Kyle said the new brewhouse is set up more efficiently, letting them get more done in a day than they could before.

The building also has a grain silo that holds up to 60,000 pounds of grain.

As part of the transition, the company is looking to hire more than half a dozen full-time and part-time employees. A job fair has been scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. at the Liberty Drive address.

The brewery distributes in New Hampshire with Bellavance Beverage Company and New Hampshire Distributors, in Vermont with Calmont Beverage, and in Massachusetts through Horizon Beverage.

18 Apr 2019
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Jeremy Belanger promoted to Senior Project Engineer

April 18, 2019 | 0 Comments | , ,

Congratulations to Jeremy Belanger, EIT who was recently promoted to Senior Project Engineer.

Mr. Belanger joined TFMoran in 2015 serving as a Project Engineer in the civil engineering department in Bedford. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering (Water Resources) from the University of New Hampshire. Mr. Belanger’s work experience includes civil/site design and infrastructure design, as well as regulatory permitting and approvals for residential, commercial, industrial, municipal and energy projects.