Building Industry Magazine - September 2011 - (Page 10)

NewsBeat Groundbreaking Held for F-22 Building The Hawaii Air National Guard held a groundbreaking ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam on July 22 for its new $37 million stateof-the-art F-22 maintenance facility. The building is the largest construction project related to the Hawaii Air National Guard’s conversion from the F-15 Eagle to the F-22 Raptor, the world’s most advanced fighter jet, according to the Hawaii State Department of Defense (DoD). During the groundbreaking ceremony, Gov. Neil Abercrombie spoke of the new facility’s importance to national security. “This is more than just a building that is being constructed. Because of the unique role of the Air National Guard in Hawaii…this building is a necessity,” commented Abercrombie. He also said it is “literally a concrete example of what needs to be done to advance the strategic interests of the United States.” Designed by Missouri-based architectural and engineering firm Burns & McDonnell, the project is being built by a joint venture between Watts Constructors LLC and its 8(a) protégé, Bulltrack Construction Co. Work includes construction of a new F-22 SO/AMU hangar, concrete apron paving, concrete tow-way connection, utilities and infrastructure support, according to Watts Constructors. Construction is expected to last approximately 24 months. In addition, the facility is costing much less than initial estimates and – through the use of photovoltaic panels and green construction methods – will be a near-zero energy building, says the DoD. The new structure replaces the nearly 50-year-old building currently in use. Kahu Kordell Kekoa officiated the July 22 blessing ceremony. Begun in July, construction of the new $37 million facility shown here is expected to be completed in the summer of 2013. Hilton Project Reaches Major Milestone After issuing the project a finding of no significant impact, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting on July 8 accepted the final environmental impact statement for Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa’s $760 million master redevelopment plan. The two largest components of the plan are two new timeshare towers with more than 560 units collectively. One 37-story, 307-unit tower that will be located over the existing bus loading area is expected to cost $332 million. The second tower, estimated at $305 million, is a 25-story, 255-unit high rise. After receiving mainly positive feedback at an Aug. 12 public hearing, Hilton is now waiting for the Department of Planning and Permitting to issue a recommendation – it has until Oct. 6 to do so – after which the City Council ultimately will vote on whether to approve the plan. Construction may start as early as 2013, beginning with the 37-story tower and including renovations to the main entry and addition of retail and pedestrian improvements along Kalia Road. This phase is expected to be completed in 2015. The second phase includes upgrades to the main lobby building, including expansion of the “super pool” and a new Hau Tree Bar. Phase three, expected to start in 2019, includes the $53 million redevelopment of the Rainbow Bazaar and construction of the second tower on top of it. Improvements along Kalia Road are part of the first phase of Hilton’s redevelopment. 10 | BUILDING INDUSTRY | SEPTEMBER 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - September 2011

Building Industry Magazine Cover
Contents
Datebook
ABC Hawaii Appreciates Members
PV Installation Under Way on Hickam Homes
Hilton Project Reaches Major Milestone
FBI Building New Hawaii Office
Contracts Awarded
Belt Collins Wins Awards
Kauai
Concept to Completion: Wailua Cane Haul Bridge Widening
Local Firms Unveil Greenest Home in Hawaii
Civic Center Goes Net Zero
Inside the GCA
Center Park and Ride Facility
Guam
Best Practices
Low Bids
Developments in Industry Technology
News Makers
New Products

Building Industry Magazine - September 2011