Municipal and Non-Profit

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Property Condition Assessments

Building Solutions offers technical investigations with a pragmatic and transaction-savvy perspective. Some assignments are merely conforming to ASTM standards, but most projects for equity stakeholders will include a detailed analysis of all building systems, using specialized experts. These studies usually include detailed condition evaluation of structural frames, roofing, building envelope and parking garage maintenance, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, vertical transportation and code/life safety compliance. Some assignments also include review of handicap accessibility, environmental risk, zoning reviews, and development potential.

Construction

As an owner’s representative with extensive construction experience, Building Solutions manages the entire building process or supplements your own team with available skilled manpower. As project managers, we establish teamwork and direct the activities of the architects and consultants on the client’s behalf. We may even be called upon to select the design team. In either event, we are the client’s principal source of cost management, scheduling, and constructability review. We help our client keep the project on-track, affordable, and synchronized with the stated goals.

As a construction manager, Building Solutions serves as the technical eyes and ears of the client, from managing budgets and administering contracts to assuring quality of construction and fair pricing. Whether we are on-site/full-time or periodically checking on the project in a cursory role, Building Solutions guarantees that it will add value.

Troubleshooting and Remediation

Some building repairs are not routine. On specialized projects, such as building re-roofing, chilled water plant replacements, curtainwall restorations, or parking garage repairs, Building Solutions can deliver specialized design and project management expertise. On those major projects that your on-site personnel cannot manage along with their daily duties, we provide the experience, knowledge, technical expertise, and familiarity with manufacturers that’s needed. Our value will be realized in better price competition, greater efficiency, reduced disruption of your facility, and warranty protections that sometimes are only available on professionally specified and supervised work. You can continue to focus on serving building occupants and rely on us as your project partner.

Asbestos

Depending on the client’s specific needs, Building Solutions can provide services from limited asbestos sampling to comprehensive asbestos surveys, for demolition and renovation projects. Our team brings EPA Accredited Asbestos-trained professionals experienced in providing clients with cost-effective solutions to asbestos concerns, delivered in a timely manner to meet the requirements of any construction schedule.

Sustainability

Building Solutions delivers a wide range of services needed for certification programs or to simply obtain a building permit. From planning corporate sustainability strategies and “greening” programs to LEED certifications and commissioning, our team has performed the gamut of sustainable services. Architects without prior LEED experience have sought training and guidance from us, as a subconsultant on their team. Owners have looked to Building Solutions for guidance and leadership, as their LEED administrator. We have staff who are qualified to provide plan reviews and site inspections under the Green Building Program and IECC COMchecks.

Our value to you………

Building Solutions is a project leader, process manager and technical advisor for real estate and facility development programs, building assessments and facility problem-solving. We provide municipalities and non-profit institutions a road map for maximizing the value of their real estate, from pre-acquisition due diligence and facility and energy auditing, to sustainability and operations improvement programs.

We also implement the plans, as project and program managers. Our experience and deep technical expertise and our reputation for attention to detail and customer service, make us the preferred choice for clients throughout the United States.

Since 1990, Building Solutions has been merging the understanding of the business of real estate ownership with technical expertise; we bring special value to our many long-term client relationships. This client loyalty is built on our distinct ability to reduce risk and increase return on real estate investments. Commercial and institutional real estate owners engage Building Solutions as advisors for development, condition assessment, construction and facility operations. Our clients tell us that we are distinguished by our advanced technical expertise and meticulous attention to detail. They know that every Building Solutions team includes someone who has been a professional real estate operator or developer and the typical Building Solutions team includes a specialist for every major building system.

Client Testimonials

Total client satisfaction is the definition of success at Building Solutions. It is a mandate of our company culture to clearly understand the customer’s goals and then to relentlessly pursue achievement of them. “How” we meet our client’s needs is every bit as important as meeting them. Staying in step with our client, so we can execute well requires deliberate and plentiful communication and it requires a commitment to excellence.

"We greatly appreciate that your team was very accessible and responsive..."

Thank you for providing the final Building Solutions report with regard to energy stewardship and the utility bill analysis for the Dallas Zoo. We found the report to be comprehensive in scope and thorough in its analysis. The process was well planned and enabled us to begin identifying cost savings opportunities even early in the initial data collection phase. Additionally, the analysis, findings, and recommendations have provided a map for us to follow as we continue our efforts to reduce utility expenses and conserve natural resources. As a result of your assistance, we are now in a position to better identify and target specific buildings, equipment, and operations for more indepth investigation. We greatly appreciate that your team was very accessible and responsive throughout the process.

Douglas Dykman | Vice President | Dallas Zoo Management, Inc.

"The team provided us with support and guidance through all aspects of our projects..."

With the help of the Building Solutions team, our projects started and ended on time, within budget.

They have an extensive network of qualified architects, engineers, and contractors to complete our job requirements to total satisfaction.

The team provided us with support and guidance through all aspects of our projects: planning, implementation, construction and wrap up.

Steven Peskind, MD | former Chairman of the Board | Cook Children’s Pediatric Service Center

Project Portfolio

Addison Athletic Club | Addison, TX

The project included a 20,000 sf addition to the existing, city-owned, 40,000 sf athletic club along with an outdoor leisure pool. It also included some renovations of the indoor pool and racquetball courts.

The project purpose was to expand the municipally-owned health club and athletic complex, using a highly participative process involving a citizens and user committee. The project was completed on schedule and within budget and executed while the facility was in daily operation.

Building Solutions was hired immediately following the bond issue passage and was responsible for advising the citizen’s committee from architect selection through completion. As project manager, Building Solutions provided pre construction guidance of the design team, prepared budgets and handled constructability analysis, contractor bidding, and oversight of the construction process.

Botanical Research Institute of Texas | Fort Worth, TX

Residing in the Cultural District of Fort Worth, Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) is an international scientific research and learning center focused on conservation and knowledge sharing. Built around 2011, the 7-year old building and campus (6-7 acres) serve as an educational tool for the community. The facility is approximately 70,000 sf and is certified LEED Platinum.

Recognizing that an effective planned maintenance program is an ingredient in environmentally responsible management of its facilities, BRIT leadership hired Building Solutions to conduct the facilities audit and formulate a facilities asset management plan. The foundation of this plan included an objective, expert assessment of the condition of building and grounds and a timetable and replacement cost forecast associated with the renewal and replacement of major capital components. This was the first facility assessment for BRIT.

Building Solutions’ team expertise presented to the Owner an alternative way of protecting the exposed tilt-up concrete panels beneath the designed growth of vines on the building facades. The systematic pull down of guy wires suspended from stainless steel pegs was needed to treat the concrete and replace building caulking between panels on a regular schedule. Budget amounts from the assessment report helped Owner to discuss the problem with Property Board and determine the best course of action.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History | Fort Worth, TX

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (“Museum”) was founded in 1941, as the Fort Worth Children’s Museum and in 1968 established its current identity. It is located in the revered Fort Worth Cultural District.

In 2009, the Museum completed construction of its current building. New exhibit space comprising 175,000 square feet was constructed adjacent to the existing Omni Theater, which was constructed in 1982 and given minor surface refurbishment in 2009. The Museum board planned for the Omni to continue to generate operating revenue for the ensuing 10 years.

By 2017, it was evident that the rapid pace of technological change in film media had accelerated the timetable for updating this important element of the Museum business model. The systems serving the space were aging, the visual appeal and comfort of guests seated in the theater was compromised, and the space was not accessible to those with mobility limitations. The original HVAC systems had failed.

To substantiate a fundraising “case” for the Academy and entire museum, executive leadership of the Museum engaged Building Solutions to conduct a thorough physical condition assessment of the Omni. The assessment included an estimate of the cost of correcting all building defects that required remediation, so that the Omni could compete as a presentation venue for the next 5-10 years, using digital media. The information gathered in the study and presented to the decision makers empirically documented and quantified the “needs” of the existing Omni, as it continues to serve as the unique presentation venue that made it a regional attraction for decades.

We provide a road map for maximizing the value of your facilities