NEWS.

Latest & Greatest.

Whether it's a new project, construction industry updates, an employee teaming event or an opportunity to celebrate the best in our community - there's always something to talk about at McDonald Building Company.

Service

Steve Friedemann 10/21/16 Steve Friedemann 10/21/16

MBC Sponsors Women Build Week for Habitat for Humanity of MontCo

Last week, the women of McDonald Building Company volunteered in Pottstown last Friday to “Build Like a Girl” and participate in Women's Build Week for Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity's latest project. This year the Women Build Week volunteers rehabbed a 3-story row home at 430 Walnut Street in Pottstown and McDonald Building Company was the main event sponsor. Led by several dedicated and knowledgeable Habitat volunteers, the MBC crew of 10 teamed up to sand and stain some interior doors, build patio stairs to the backyard and replacing exterior fence posts. The Thompson family of five plans to move in early 2017 and MBC is thrilled to contribute to the Pottstown community.

“We are currently rehabbing Beech Street Factory, also in Pottstown, only a few blocks away from the Thompson family home. To have the opportunity to participate with Habitat and help in a meaningful, impactful way to this family and community is what we love to do,” said Laura Clevenger, Director of Marketing. “And it's awesome watching women come who may not feel comfortable using power tools and learn by the end of the day how to use them. And use them well.”

McDonald Building Company is planning another Corporate Build Day for the entire staff in the spring to continue the support of Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County. To learn more about HFHMC, visit http://www.habitatmontco.org.

Steve Friedemann 10/18/16 Steve Friedemann 10/18/16

Best Wishes to our Interns, Andrew & Mike

This summer, we had the pleasure of welcoming a co-op from Drexel University and an intern from Temple University for some exposure to the field of construction management. We wish them both the best of luck in their future studies, here is a little more about them.

Andrew Coleman (pictured left) joined us early summer to take on some responsibilities in the estimating department and assist in the bidding process for a handful of potential projects, some of which were awarded. Namely, Andrew had the opportunity to work on the Nicoletta Pizza Kitchen project, a new restaurant fit-out at the King of Prussia expansion corridor and see this restaurant all the way through the construction process - buyout, scope evaluations, and subcontract administration among other functions. Andrew’s favorite aspect of the Nicoletta project was identifying the job details, verifying them from the drawings and specifications, and then visiting the jobsite to see those actual details come to life. A highlight of Andrew’s co-op was a job visit to the Masonic Temple of Philadelphia’s Grand Ballroom renovations. Particularly the day a 13-foot bronze statue of Ben Franklin was installed and secured became an impactful experience for Andrew. “On that day, I was able to meet so many people involved in the project and statue install. I could see first-hand how important communication and logistics are within a project to execute such a detailed operation,” said Andrew.

Andrew began his third year this fall at Drexel University, majoring in Construction Management and a minor in Finance - he is anticipated to graduate Spring of 2019 in the five year program. He is a member of CMAA (Construction Management Association of America) as well as a part of the Drexel Concrete Canoe Team.

Mike Cinalli (pictured right) started his internship with us at the Elmwood Park Zoo Trail of the Jaguar project. Mike primarily assisted the carpenters on a daily basis performing light carpentry duties, general cleanup, concrete pour preparations, and offered an extra hand to subcontractors as needed. “Despite the elements of the summer heat and intense physical labor, learning about how construction projects flow in general and seeing how the trades work together is impressive. I had some solid training on how to safely operate carpentry tools and learned a lot about the industry from our Site Superintendent, Chris Pili,” said Mike. In addition to field exposure, Mike spent time reviewing architectural plans, engineering documents and shop drawings as part of his Project Engineer training. He was able to make the connection between the design documents and how they translate to construction details, means and methods.

Mike started his third year in the School of Architecture program at Temple University this fall and expects to graduate Spring of 2018. Mike participates in the American Institute of Architecture Students through Temple University as well as being involved in The Architecture Lobby.

“It was a pleasure having both Andrew and Mike on board these past several months, Paul McDonald added. “Andrew made great progress working with Brad Springer and understanding the fast-paced nature of the Estimating Department. Mike was also a quick learner and his hard work ethic ensured he was in high demand with the superintendents he was assigned to. Best of luck to Andrew and Mike and we look forward to hearing updates from them and their studies.”

Steve Friedemann 9/20/16 Steve Friedemann 9/20/16

Beech Street Factory progressing on schedule

Click here for Reading Eagle article.

Steve Friedemann 3/11/16 Steve Friedemann 3/11/16

McDonald Building Company celebrates the groundbreaking of Beech Street Factory, Pottstown

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Today, McDonald Building Company celebrated the groundbreaking of Beech Street Factory, a former furniture manufacturing facility that will soon transition into 43 comfortable, sustainable, and affordable urban loft apartments and artist hub. Originally built in 1912, this massive brick warehouse complex first served as the Leibowitz Shirt Factory, then the Fecera’s furniture warehouse, and now this deteriorating structure that has been in need of a revival will see a new day. The project calls for the rehabilitation of the 60,000 sq. ft. site and structures into mixed-use residential geared towards local artists and features ADA-accessible commercial space that will serve ArtFusion 19464, a local non-profit art school and gallery. Sustainable highlights include EnergySTAR appliances and water-conserving initiatives to keep the residents’ utility bills at a minimum. The large windows and historic character of this building only enhance the overall site developments including landscaped parking lots, a new central open air courtyard and other amenities such as gallery space, leasing offices, and a community room.

The Pennsylvania Housing & Finance Agency (PHFA) is providing a $1.1 million low-income housing tax credit towards the project and additional funding is being provided by Montgomery County and Enterprise Community Investment among others. Congratulations to Housing Visions and Genesis Housing Corporation on the long-awaited start to this exciting project. MBC is excited to be a part of this visionary project and the revitalization of this area of Pottstown. Barton Partners is the Architect of Record and construction is expected to take about a year and complete by early 2017.

Click here to view renderings of this project and more info.

Construction Team & Project Partners

Local & Federal Officials and Funding Partners

McDonald Building Company Beech Street Factory Project Team from left to right: Brian Blickos-Project Engineer; Keith Hart-Project Manager; Brad Springer- Lead Estimator; Michelle Nichols - Project Coordinator; and Vince Scatamacchia - Project Superintendent

The Honorable Tim Hennessey, PA House of Representatives, commemorating the groundbreaking with a solid wall bashing.