Project of the Month: Connolly Brothers completes 52,000 s/f <br> design-build fit-up project for Calare Properties

Milford, MA Connolly Brothers Inc., a construction management firm serving private commercial, industrial and institutional clients, has completed a 52,000 s/f design-build fit-up project for Calare Properties. The facility will serve as a new Commonwealth of Massachusetts 911 Public Safety Answering Point, State 911 Training Center, Municipal Police Training Committee Academy and Offices for the Massachusetts Department of Correction Professional Standards Unit. 

“This project provides a state-of-the-art facility for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support its public safety initiatives,” said Bailey Duffy, associate at Calare Properties. “We are very grateful to have partnered with Connolly Brothers and the user state agencies in successfully completing this complex redevelopment.” 

The two-story building was vacant for seven years, thereby presenting challenges for Connolly’s design team. At first, it was critical to ascertain an understanding of the existing infrastructure, such as underground plumbing and structural components. Connolly proceeded to update the structural requirements, such as reinforcing second-floor and roof bar joists, strengthening steel column brace frames and creating four new grade beams, in order to meet updated building code requirements for use group risk category of the building. Connolly provided additional accessible entrances and replaced the exterior stairs with new granite. 

The electrical requirements to support the 911 Communication Center required a high level of coordination between Connolly’s design and construction teams, as this included design of twenty-two workstation consoles that support the intricate technological infrastructure needed to support the operating requirements for a 911 emergency dispatch center. 

“This project exemplified how outstanding teamwork delivers a successful project,” said Connolly Brothers president and CEO, Jay Connolly. “Each and every member of this project from preconstruction through design & engineering and then construction was fully committed to the group effort and the results showed. The project was delivered on time and on budget and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the Calare team in the future.” 

Connolly served as both architect of record and construction manager for this design-build project. The project team also included Platinum Fire Protection, D+D/DNET and Tech Mechanical.

Project Team:

Connolly Brothers, Construction Manager

Platinum Fire Protection & Services, LLC, Fire Protection

Tech Mechanical Systems, Inc., HVAC