Update: September 22

COUNTDOWN TO GMHC's MOVE - Biweekly Update
September 22, 2010

Greetings!

Thank you for the wonderful feedback we have received for our first Countdown update. We will continue to provide updates every other week about GMHC's move to 450 West 33rd Street and our new Chelsea Health and Wellness Center (we're still working on the specific location for that!). This week, we'll continue to feature members of the wonderful group of design, construction and move professionals who are helping GMHC. To pack and move 12 floors worth of programs, plus get the new office space GMHC-ready, are not easy tasks. We are very fortunate to work with a group of talented and enthusiastic professionals to ensure that GMHC stays on budget and on time to move.

As always, we welcome your feedback and be sure to let us know of any questions or concerns you might have about this move. It's an important move for all of us.

Janet Weinberg
Chief Operating Officer

The Project Dream Team

Our team meets weekly and works daily. Along with GMHC staff, the team consists of project managers, construction managers, architects and designer, and others as needed such as structural engineers, information technology engineers, kitchen designers, food specialists and expediters.

In this update, we would like to introduce the construction managers, Todd Phillips and Paul Tramontano, of Lehr Construction Corporation.

A Note from Todd Phillips and Paul Tramontano, Lehr Construction

Dear Friends:

We have collectively 55 years of experience at Lehr (Todd-30 years, Paul-25 years). There are three distinct phases to our work on a construction project.

Pre-Construction: This phase is the most important because it involves building the project conceptually before the construction begins. This includes creating a budget and schedules for the work, and ordering the construction supplies. We continue to meet with the client and their designers to let them know what's going to happen during the construction based on what they have conceptualized in the design. We negotiate with the subcontractors (the people who actually do the construction) to ensure that they have bought the entire scope of the project.
Construction: Our superintendent actually "moves into" the building where the construction occurs. His office becomes the hub on a daily basis. He implements the construction plan onsite and is the point-person for the subcontractors. We go back and forth to the building to check in with the superintendent on how the work is moving forward.
Close-out: After the construction is completed, we create and complete a "punch list" which captures all the details of the contract documents. We also take the client through the building to view the work. Then we present the client with a set of binders which document how the project was built. This is very helpful for future planning purposes.

It is a pleasure to work with GMHC. When we went on a tour of GMHC in the current building, we could tell the staff has a passion for their work. We were impressed by all of the different services that are provided for HIV-positive people and those at risk of HIV. When we contacted the subcontractors and explained what GMHC did, the subcontractor community wanted to help. This is a great job and we are proud to be working with your team.

Todd and Paul

What We Are Working on Now

Todd and Paul received the Department of Buildings permits and their subcontractors have now begun construction. Their superintendent's office (the person who will daily oversee the construction) will be located on the 7th floor. This is the same floor where demolition has started in order to build the kitchen, dining room and the living room. The process of building the dedicated entrance has also started, and full modernization of the dedicated elevator will begin on October 1 with Otis Elevator Company, whose offices are right in the building. They originally built the elevators so they are very familiar with the work that needs to be done to accommodate GMHC's needs.

Going the Extra Mile

Todd and Paul have made it their mission to diligently ask their vendors whom they work with on big corporate projects to discount or donate supplies. We are pleased to share that Phillips Corporation, which makes lighting fixtures, has been very generous with the lighting in our new office space. They are not strangers to GMHC as their lighting is in the current building. Because of their generosity, our new space will be even more beautiful and we will spend less on supplies.

The Search for a Prevention and Wellness Center

The search is down to two Chelsea locations and both have so much to offer. As we negotiate with the landlords, we will figure out which building could provide the best fit for our programs. In fact, one of the landlords has brought in an architect to draw out plans in order to see how we would utilize the space. That is a good sign as we move forward in our search process. We will keep you posted.

Questions???

If you have any questions about our updates, please call Krishna Stone in the Communications Department at (212) 367-1016 or send an e-mail to krishnas@gmhc.org. Thank you.

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GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City. We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.