May 29, 2009

Construction begins for new transit police precinct

First construction project underway with federal stimulus funds will create jobs

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today joined regional officials and labor representatives for the groundbreaking for a new Transit Police Precinct located at the southern terminus of the future MAX Green Line. Federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) are being used to build TriMet’s fourth transit police precinct while creating jobs for Oregonians.

“Over a year ago we committed to creating a South Precinct in advance of opening the MAX Green Line, but with tight budgets, we were unsure how we would pay for this important security enhancement,” said TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen. “Fortunately, stimulus funds are making this happen, and we’re also putting Oregonians to work. It’s truly a win-win.“

TriMet is undertaking about 30 stimulus projects to improve its transit system. This is the first stimulus project to move into construction.

At the groundbreaking, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said “there are people here in this room that would be out of work if not for federal stimulus dollars and the work building this precinct. I am so pleased that federal efforts are improving the lives of Oregonians with the certainty of a job.”

Construction details

The new South Precinct will be 2,100 square feet and cost approximately $600,000 to build. Construction will involve one general contractor and 14 firms, including at least five Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms. The project will employ two dozen people that were either laid off or would have lost their job without this project, and support another 70 jobs.

“This precinct is a great investment in the success of the Green Line in Clackamas County. Having additional security and presence on the MAX, along with focused police patrols on the Green Line in partnership with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, will make it safer and easier for our citizens to ride light rail,” said Clackamas County Commission Chair Lynn Peterson.

“Obviously this is great for workers in the region, but it’s also part of extending light rail into Clackamas County for the first time and providing high quality transit options for the region,” said Metro Councilor Carlotta Collette.

“The construction trades have been particularly hard hit in this recession, with job loses ranging from 15 to 35 percent. These federal stimulus funds will truly make a difference to local workers and their families,” said John Mohlis of the Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council, and PDC Commissioner.

TriMet received about $45 million in ARRA funds, plus $8.5 million in stimulus funds from the Oregon Department of Transportation, Metro and other regional partners.

It’s estimated that TriMet’s stimulus projects will fund about 740 direct jobs and 1,100 indirect jobs. The South Precinct is expected to be completed in early September just before the Green Line opens on September 12, 2009.

South Precinct work

Contractor: Howard S. Wright Constructors, LP; Brian Hardebeck, Project Manager

Subcontractors and second tier subcontractors:

Alliant Systems – Mechanical Design/Builder
Amphere Electric – Electrical partial scope (DBE firm)
Arellano’s Construction, LLC – Masonry, drywall, plaster, acoustic ceilings, painting (DBE firm)
Carlson Testing – Special Inspection Services
EC Company – Electrical Design/Builder
Forefront Designs – Casework
GEOCON – Geotechnical Consultant
KPFF Engineering – Structural Consultant
LRS Architecture – Architect
McBride Sheet Metal – HVAC partial scope (DBE firm)
R&R General Contractors, Inc. – Concrete work (DBE firm)
Sign Wizards – Signage (DBE firm)
Simplex Grinnell – Fire sprinklers
Willamette Glass – Glass and storefront