Meeting project deadlines is often a challenging task, especially when faced with unexpected hurdles and urgent end dates. However, with careful planning and a proactive approach, a responsible and dedicated contractor can overcome these challenges to ensure a timely completion.
During the design-build-team procurement and selection phase of the Denver Central Platte Campus project, Pinkard recognized that this multi-phased project included a critical, early-phase milestone that could not be met given the City’s team-selection schedule. In other words: if the Pinkard design-build (D-B) team was selected to build the project, by the time they received notice of project award, it would already be too late to meet the first milestone.
However, the team recognized that the key to overcoming this “Catch-22" challenge was found in the City’s complicated planning and zoning process: If the Pinkard design-build team’s proposed design could be submitted for initial planning review well before project-award, there was a chance that the first critical project milestone could be met. But this plan came with the risk and expense of getting the design before the planning board with no guarantee that the City would select the Pinkard design-build team to construct the project.
True to the spirit of design-build best practices, Pinkard assumed this risk for the benefit of the project and scheduled a series of meetings with the authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) to get design review and initial approvals for the site plan - even before Pinkard’s design-build proposal was even presented to the project selection committee.
This bold move allowed Pinkard to proceed with permitting on the first stage just in time to commence construction after the property's title was transferred to the City.
The second key involved assuming more risks by placing orders for long-lead equipment while Pinkard was still in contract negotiations with the City. These two gambles paid off, allowing Pinkard to finish the first two phases on time and the third and final phase ahead of schedule.
As a result of the Pinkard D-B team’s proactive dedication to project success, the Central Platte Campus project received national accolades from a variety of industry trade groups including a first-place National Excellence in Construction award from Associated Builders and Contractors, a national Design-Build Excellence award from the Design-Build Institute of America, and the national Brownfield Renewal Award for Environmental Impact.
Pinkard Construction Co. is a Lakewood-based, employee-owned CM/GC and design-builder with a long history of exceptional performance for municipal clients across the Colorado Front Range. For more information, please go to www.pinkardbuilds.com
