HPM has announced the completion of construction on the reimagined Julia Tutwiler Hall at the University of Alabama (UA) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. HPM served as program manager for the project, working to oversee budget control, scheduling and project management through every phase of construction from planning to closeout.
The new Tutwiler Hall spans 383,000 square feet and holds 625 traditional bedrooms, 35 Resident Advisor rooms and four apartments for full-time housing staff. The residence hall accommodates more than 1,200 female students with two-person rooms, private bathrooms in each room, lounges and a market selling merchandise and food on the first floor. The building replaced the existing 54-year-old Tutwiler Hall on campus that was demolished this summer.
HPM worked diligently to find innovative solutions that led teams through unique challenges during the project, resulting in cost savings and avoiding delays in the timeline. During the bidding process in the fall of 2019, HPM presented a foundation and site package with alternative foundation systems offered, allowing for these systems to be submitted and reviewed during the bidding process. Introducing these new options made it possible to recognize significant price cuts by the final bid day.
“We are pleased with our team’s hard work in tackling any challenges that arose during the construction of this monumental addition to the University of Alabama’s campus, which sets a new standard for on-campus housing,” said HPM President Ryan Austin. “Our relationship with the university over the years has been incredibly valued within our company, and I am proud that we have continued to serve this partnership with program management excellence on numerous projects. Our expertise in every step of the construction lifecycle has driven home success for this client time and time again, and we look forward to continuing our work with the university in the future.”
During construction, HPM and its partners faced material shortages and price hikes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. While able to navigate through the entire project without any coronavirus outbreaks on the worksite, the team had to work with extra diligence to ensure there were no delays due to these setbacks. One specific challenge occurred when HPM realized that the insulation would not arrive in time for the confirmed completion date; however, the team quickly secured another product that would perform as well as the original. Ultimately, the team’s adaptability allowed the project to remain on schedule and within budget.
In addition to the construction of the new Tutwiler Hall, HPM oversaw the planning and execution of the old residence hall’s demolition in a separate project package. The team first removed remaining hazardous materials from the site, clearing out the floors that were going to be blasted. All structural members where the dynamite was to be placed had to be drilled as protective measures were implemented to ensure the safety of the surrounding area. The official demolition took place in early July of this year, with all remaining building materials hauled off the site by the end of the month.
With a presence throughout the U.S. and a total management portfolio value of $1+ billion annually, HPM has established itself as one of the industry’s leading program managers and owner’s representative companies. The firm’s recent notable clients and accounts include a program management contract for Airbus’ campus including the A320 and A220 assembly lines in Mobile, Alabama; an assignment to lead the site selection process, planning, design and construction of Boom Supersonic’s first manufacturing facility; project management services for several new minor league baseball ballparks and major league spring training facilities in Florida; a preconstruction services and construction administration contract for facilities owned by Regions Financial Corporation; a partnership with the World Games 2022 as the official program management partner; and program management services for multiple K-12 school districts and higher education institutions throughout the South.
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About HPM
HPM provides comprehensive planning, design and construction-related experience to offer clients a one-stop approach to complete program management and owner’s representation. From real estate acquisition analysis and facilities assessments to construction auditing and move management, HPM services clients in aerospace, automotive, sports and entertainment venues, commercial and industrial, higher education, K-12 and state and local government. With a footprint of accounts, projects and offices spanning throughout the US, the HPM team manages its work for national and international clients while providing a flexible, scalable team of experts at just the right time in the life of your facilities. For more information, please visit https://hpmleadership.com/
