Spring 2003

Project Update

A Super-Sized Effort

The new Shaw's in The City flagship supermarket at the Prudential Center is remarkable for its aesthetically pleasing design. Customers will be sure to take note of the store's glass rotunda entryway, rooftop courtyard, and meticulously executed facade designed by CBT/Childs Bertman Tseckares Inc. What they are less likely to consider are the extraordinary measures that were necessary to ensure that the structure be built at all! The footprint of the building sits partially over the Prudential Center garage and partially over the Massachusetts Turnpike, on a site abutting three busy streets—Huntington Avenue, Ring Road and Exeter Street. Thus, enormous amounts of strategy and forethought were required on the part of Lee Kennedy Co. in order to facilitate both conformity with city regulations, and the sort of logistical maneuvering necessary to build such an ambitious structure in such a constricted space. Two levels of parking were removed in order to accommodate a new loading dock accessible from Exeter Street, which, due to loading restrictions, was also used to house the crane. The two parking levels directly beneath the crane were shored up to support its weight. Careful scheduling and strategic planning ensured that work along the perimeter of the building be completed over a series of weekends, as permitted by the City. Construction of the store's interior, designed by Edwards and Kelcey, began last spring and overlapped with base building construction. All in all, this truly was a project fit for the Jumbo Aisle!

Project Team: Lee Michael Kennedy, project executive; Ryan Klebes, assistant project manager; Jim Callahan, superintendent

High-end technology met artful design in the construction of office space for the financial firm Atlas Venture Inc. In order to protect and maintain the company's information network, three uninterrupted power systems (UPS) were installed and a 5-ton chiller was mounted to the roof to cool the computer room, which also included a pre-action fire protection system. Further accommodation of the company's technological needs was achieved through the construction of a video-conference room featuring a concealed projection screen. These forward-looking foundations, designed by Solomon + Bauer Architects Inc., were then dressed in suitably modern clothing: floor-to-ceiling glass-front offices were built on the perimeter of the space, and sandblasted, contemporary-style glass panels were installed in the conference rooms and reception area. As this was a project involving much glasswork and many windows, it seems fitting that Lee Kennedy Co. removed an outer window and made deliveries through the opening in order to minimize disruption to other tenants in the building. LKCo is always on the lookout for that perfect window of opportunity to ensure that a job runs smoothly!

Project Team: Eugene Kennedy, project executive and Bob Hogan, superintendent

Writing the Book on Restoration

When architect Charles Follen McKim and painter John Singer Sargent collaborated at the turn of the twentieth century on the design of a stunning gallery for the Boston Public Library, they were unaware of the fact that, almost a century later, their collaboration would broaden to include a new participant: Lee Kennedy Co. After an award-winning performance for Phase IIA of the McKim Building Restoration, LKCo has again teamed up with architects Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott to complete Phase IIC, which involves the meticulous restoration of this historic gallery. The series of murals painted by Sargent in the gallery between the years of 1895 and 1916 is being reconditioned, and the surrounding sandstone walls cleaned, using a new micro-abrasive technique designed to protect soft surfaces. In order to showcase the murals in their revivified glory, and to honor the wishes of the gallery's designers, three large skylights that had been covered for years are being opened once again - with the modern innovation of photo-cell operated sunshades to prevent UV damage to the murals.

Restoration work is also being completed in other areas of the McKim Building. Woodwork and terrazzo flooring is being restored in the Webster Room, and the walls and ceiling of the Cheverus room are being re-plastered. The Changing Exhibits Room will be outfitted with a new marble floor, and will also benefit from some plaster repair. While all of these tasks are being completed, painstaking consideration is being given to the protection of the historic elements of the building. Temporary tents have been erected to enclose LKCo's workers in order to minimize disturbance to surrounding areas. The project is slated for completion in the fall of 2003.

Project Team: Bob O’Leary, project executive; Sal Sachetta, project manager; Jack Maunsell, superintendent

Lee Kennedy Co.'s Preconstruction Department, one of its most distinguishing assets, was key to the success of the construction of a four-story academic building for Simmons College at One Palace Road. Plans for the structure included three levels of below-grade parking well below the water table, requiring a deep excavation with an earth retention system that provided a water cut-off. LKCo's Preconstruction Department explored the options, and successfully selected a system ideally suited to the site and its surrounding properties. Once the project was underway, additional planning and forethought were necessary in order to maintain an aggressive schedule with overlapping design and construction activities.

The building, designed by Goody Clancy and Associates, Inc., houses over 10,000 square feet of academic space, 11 electronic classrooms and over 200 parking spaces. If the students walking its halls all took a lesson from LKCo's commitment to preparation, there would be absolutely no cramming for exams!

Project Team: Ed Hines, project executive; Marc Buchan, project manager; Don Cook, superintendent