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South Coast Improvement, Co. completes renovation projects at Milton Academy

New changing room at Milton Academy’s Athletic and Convocation Center (ACC).
New changing room at Milton Academy’s Athletic and Convocation Center (ACC).

MILTON, MA, and MARION, MA…

South Coast Improvement Company (SCI), a design-build general contractor serving New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, completed renovation projects at Milton Academy, 170 Centre Street in Milton. MA. The projects took place at the Athletic and Convocation Center (ACC) and at the Robert Saltonstall Gymnasium (RGG).

The renovation at the ACC building entailed the conversion of a storage area into two changing areas and a shower room for home and visiting hockey teams. Each changing room included all new electrical, plumbing fixtures, and benches, and specialized flooring to absorb the impact of hockey skates.

The RGG renovation featured the conversion of three classrooms into two smaller classrooms and one fitness/yoga studio. The project included all new light fixtures, carpet finish flooring, new HVAC, and other amenities.

South Coast Improvement Company began the two projects over the summer and completed work in October. The two renovation projects cost a total of approximately $500,000.

“Over the years, we have done many projects similar to these two, most notably the locker rooms over at BC’s Conte Forum,” said Tom Quinlan, president of South Coast Improvement Company. “We have a lot of experience with these kinds of projects.  Process is the key to projects like these where you have to coordinate with the day-to-day activities of staff and students.”

Added Quinlan, “We consider a successful project to be one that looks great and causes minimal interruption to operations. We achieved that here at Milton Acadmy.”

Based in Marion, Mass. and with an office in Reading, Pennsylvania, South Coast Improvement Co is a recognized leader in providing building and renovation services to a client base of senior living, healthcare, institutional and retail clients. For more information, please call 508-748-6545 or visit www.southcoastimprovement.com.

About South Coast Improvement Company

South Coast Improvement offers a range of design, construction and management services across a variety of sectors—interiors as well as exteriors—including office buildings, health care facilities, educational institutions, commercial properties, assisted living facilities, and residential communities.  South Coast Improvement’s services include: Preconstruction analysis; Construction management; General contracting; Design/build services;  Capital improvement; Building envelope improvements; and Interior renovations.

For more information, visit www.southcoastimprovement.com or call 508-748-6545.

 

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South Coast Improvement, Co. wins bid on MIT’s Stata Center project

MIT's_Stata_CenterCAMBRIDGE, MA AND MARION, MA…

South Coast Improvement Company (SCI), a design-build general contractor serving New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, was recently contracted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for a renovation project at the Ray and Maria Stata Center at the school’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The $170,000 project calls for the conversion of a library into office space on the 7th floor of the building. Additional office space on 8th floor will be renovated.

“Over the years, we’ve done a considerable amount of work at colleges and universities in the greater Boston area but this is our first at MIT,” said Tom Quinlan, president of South Coast Improvement Company. “We’re delighted to bring our expertise to this world-renowned school and hope that it’s just the beginning of a mutually satisfying relationship.”

South Coast Improvement began work on the Stata Center project the first week of June. Completion is set for mid-August.

Work on the MIT project will be undertaken by South Coast Improvement’s private school division provides private schools. This special division offers clients the benefits of a big time general contractor with the capability to streamline smaller projects under tight deadlines.

“As a company, we routinely work on six-figure projects, with our highest being a $4 million project for an assisted living facility. We have those systems in place so that we can work on several smaller jobs at a school at once,” said Quinlan. “That’s how we have been able to get a lot of repeat business.”

That repeat business includes projects at Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern University, Mount Ida College and Dean College. Those projects have ranged from a new video room for the Men’s Locker Room at BC’s Conte Forum to conference room and new President’s office at Mount Ida to a server room for the Kostas Homeland Security Research Facility at Northeastern.

For more information, please call 508-748-6545 or visit www.southcoastimprovement.com.

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South Coast Improvement Co. launches retail division

photo of David Godfrey
David Godfrey

MARION, MA…

South Coast Improvement Company (SCI), a design-build general contractor serving New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, recently formed a retail division to better serve existing clients and prospects in the retail and restaurant industries.

“Over the years, we have demonstrated our expertise on renovation and new construction projects in healthcare, assisted living, education, and hospitality industries–and to a certain degree in the retail industry,” said Tom Quinlan, president of South Coast Improvement, Inc. “With the recent addition of key personnel, we believe we can deliver the same level of outstanding work and service to the retail industry.”

Newly hired Senior Project Manager David Godfrey will head the retail division. Godfrey began his career working for a major retailer as a construction manager before forming his own tenant improvement and renovation construction company in 1994.  That company specialized in the buildout of retail interiors on a national basis and successfully completed more than 500 projects ranging in value from $100,000 to $1,000,000. Godfrey’s past experience includes a client list featuring Starbucks, Jones Apparel Group, Tumi and Liz Claiborne Shoes and more.

“Construction delays have an even greater impact in the retail industry, particularly if it means  delaying the start of a new franchise or chain location,” said Godfrey. “South Coast Improvement’s process in working with assisted living and senior living centers–where you have to build in harmony with sensitive, day-to-day operations—will translate very well for success in the retail industry.”

South Coast Improvement utilizes Special Building Practices to ensure the comfort and safety of special needs of its clients and their tenants who occupy the spaces that are being renovated. South Coast Improvement’s experience, high standards of compliance, overall quality and their ability to complete projects on time and on budget, sets them apart from their competitors.

For more information on South Coast Improvement’s new retail division, please call 508-748-6545 or visit www.southcoastimprovement.com.

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David Godfrey joins South Coast Improvement

photo of David Godfrey
David Godfrey

MARION, MA…

South Coast Improvement Company (SCI), a design-build general contractor serving New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, recently announced the hiring of David Godfrey as a senior project manager. Working out of its corporate headquarters in Marion, Mass., Godfrey will work as project manager on several current South Coast Improvement projects while enhancing the company’s presence in the areas of retail, restaurant and corporate construction.

“It’s not every day you can bring a project manager of David Godfrey’s stature into your organization,” said Tom Quinlan, president of South Coast Improvement, Inc. “David has a strong track record of coordinating multiple projects and teams simultaneously, coupled with the skills to effectively manage staff of all levels and diverse backgrounds as he constantly strives to raise the level of customer service provided to each and every client.”

After graduating from Winthorp University, Godrey began his career working for a major retailer as a construction manager before forming his own tenant improvement and renovation construction company in 1994.  The company specialized in the buildout of retail, medical and corporate interiors on a national basis and successfully completed more than 500 projects ranging in value from $100,000 to $1,000,000 on time and within budget throughout the U.S.

“I’ve been fortunate in my career to have the opportunity to work with some truly great clients on some very exciting projects,” said Godfrey. “I’m looking forward to this next chapter with South Coast Improvement. When it comes to managing construction, our core values mirror each other and South Coast Improvement’s track record in the educational, institutional and hospitality industries speaks for itself.”

David is married and resides with his wife and three children in Bristol, RI.

For more information South Coast Improvement, please call 508-748-6545 or visit www.southcoastimprovement.com.

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Memory care by design…South Coast Improvement adds memory unit construction services

MARION, MA…

Americans are living longer and subsequently more people are residing in nursing homes, assisted living and senior living facilities. What’s placed an added burden on these facilities is the growing proportion of that senior population suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia—44 percent of seniors between the ages of 75 and 84. This epidemic has forced most of these facilities to incorporate a memory unit for these residents—either as part of a renovation or as an addition.

“Renovating an assisted living facility to include a memory unit presents some unique challenges as you’re creating a space for people who have different issues and require more specialized care than your other residents,” said Tom Quinlan, president of South Coast Improvement, a general contractor that’s provided design/build services to nursing homes, assisted living and senior living facilities since the company’s beginnings in 1997. “The main issue is you have people that need special attention that keeps them out of the mainstream of the rest of the facility. At the same time, you don’t want them to feel isolated or imprisoned.”

In working with architects and designers on memory units, Quinlan recommends self-contained “neighborhoods”. Typically, those consist of 10 to 14 residents but can be altered depending on the needs of the program, staffing and the level of dementia being served, and whether multiple levels of dementia are being served in a single unit.

Another attribute of memory units are dedicated spaces for care and programming. These include common spaces for group activity, living, dining and therapy areas – all of which entice individuals to leave their apartments and socialize with other residents and staff. Some memory care units can have specialized spaces such as a greenhouse, therapy kitchen where residents (with supervision) can prepare their favorite recipes, a music therapy space with piano, a laundry that allows residents to participate and a library.

Memory care unit space should also provide space for residents to move around, specifically interior and exterior paths for walking and wandering. Interior circulation loops and “destination points” (e.g., alcoves with chairs, desks and reading lamps) provide a neighborhood feel and encourage residents to explore and interact with others. Whether interior or exterior, visual clues and wayfinding techniques are critical elements of the design.

“How the memory care unit space progresses is critical. There should be a secure progression of space, from public to private, from the entry to the common neighborhood areas and, eventually, to residents’ apartments,” adds Quinlan. “The entry should be to a secure, supervised area vs. into an apartment corridor. Service areas and room relationships also are important and should include transitions from secured apartments to a supervised dining, living or activity space.”

Adds Quinlan, “There are other design elements to be considered. You want the space to have a homey feel as opposed to institutional. There are other things, like individual showers for each resident that, for obvious reasons, feature secure valving or other methods of staff control.”

For more information South Coast Improvement’s memory care unit design/build services, please call 508-748-6545 or visit www.southcoastimprovement.com.

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Mill work. South Coast Improvement, Co. begins work on Atria Marland Place project in Andover, MA

Atria Marland
South Coast Improvement begins work on the exterior at Atria Marland Place in Andover, MA.

ANDOVER, MA and MARION, MA…

South Coast Improvement Company (SCI), a design-build general contractor serving New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, was recently contracted by Atria Senior Living to restore a historic mill building in Andover, Massachusetts. The renovated mill, the former Marland Manufacturing Company building, would become part of Atria’s Marland Place, a senior living community for Andover’s active older adults.

The $4 million renovation of the former textile mill will include a complete gut and demo of the entire interior of building, as well as a repointing of the entire brick façade. In addition, the renovated building will feature: all new electrical, HVAC, plumbing and Life Safety; new framing and reconfiguration of existing space to accommodate needs of incoming administrative offices with continuous ongoing consultation as to maintaining historical aspects of the building; site work around entire building to facilitate new MEP hookups and feeds as well as ensuring proper drainage; construction of a new elevator and shaft for ADA compliance; and roofing, flashing and moisture protection.

“As a general contractor, we love new construction as well as the next contractor, but there’s something special about restoring these historic buildings and bringing them into the 21st century that brings a great feeling of satisfaction,” said Tom Quinlan, president of South Coast Improvement Company.

Work on the Atria Marland Place began on November 1 and is anticipated to be finished in spring 2015.

The Atria Marland Place represents the second recent project South Coast Improvement has undertaken for Atria Senior Living. The Marion, MA-based contractor just completed work on $3.5m renovation project at Atria Crossroads Place in Waterford, Connecticut.

South Coast Improvement Co is a recognized leader in providing building and renovation services to a client base of senior living, healthcare and institutional clients. For more information, please call 508-748-6545 or visit www.southcoastimprovement.com.

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South Coast Improvement Co. hires Reading native Jared Butler

South Coast Improvement
Jared Butler of South Coast Improvement

READING, PA and MARION, MA…

South Coast Improvement Company (SCI), a design-build general contractor serving New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, recently announced the hiring of Jared Butler for its business development department for its Northeast Region.

Based in South Coast Improvement’s Reading, PA office, Butler will be part of the business development team and the company’s efforts to retain new construction and renovation projects throughout the region. South Coast Improvement specializes in construction projects for senior living, educational, institutional, and hospitality industries.

“As a general contractor, we try to grow in two ways. First, we want to increase the number of projects, but we also want to cultivate the next generation of construction industry professionals by hiring talented younger team members. Hiring Jared accomplishes both and we’re happy to have him on board,” said Tom Quinlan, president of South Coast Improvement, Inc.

Butler comes to Alternate Construction Concepts in West Chester, PA where he worked as a sales representative and project manager. A graduate of Kutztown University, Butler holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communications.

“I’m very excited to be part of the South Coast Improvement business development team,” said Butler. “The job and the company are really a great fit for my skills and the career path I envision for myself.”

A Reading, PA native, Butler currently resides with his wife Jackie in Downingtown, PA.

South Coast Improvement Co is a recognized leader in providing building and renovation services to a client base of senior living, healthcare and institutional clients. For more information, please call 508-748-6545 or visit www.southcoastimprovement.com.

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South Coast Improvement, Co. launches private school division

Tom Quinlan
Tom Quinlan

MARION, MA…

Since 1997, South Coast Improvement Co. has provided design/build services to colleges and universities throughout New England. With the increase in work at colleges and universities, as well as private secondary schools or prep schools, the Marion, Mass.-based company recently created a private school division.

In addition to general construction and building services, the new division will provide institutions of higher learning with pre-construction and purchasing services. These services will be tailored to the budget, needs and operations of the school.

“The contact on construction projects at schools and universities  and prep schools are typically the grounds or facilities manager and/or the school’s business manager. These professionals mean well but they typically do not have the construction background needed to oversee projects of this nature. Our private school division can work closely with these individuals so we can build a project on time, under budget and with minimal interruption to operations,” said Tom Quinlan, president of South Coast Improvement, Inc.

South Coast Improvement’s division provides private schools with an additional advantage—big time general contractor capabilities that can streamline smaller projects under tight deadlines.

“Many private schools issue smaller projects in August once they have included their major capital improvements. These jobs typically have a turnaround time of two or three weeks and must be done before classes start. Smaller GCs just don’t have the resources—like the preconstruction services and a purchasing agent—to complete a job like that,” said Quinlan. “As a company, we routinely work on six-figure projects, with our highest being a $4 million project for an assisted living facility. We have those systems in place that we can often work on several smaller jobs at a school at once—and that’s how we are able to get a lot of repeat business.”

That repeat business includes projects at Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern University, Mount Ida College and Dean College. Those projects have ranged from a new video room for the Men’s Locker Room at BC’s Conte Forum to conference room and new President’s office at Mount Ida to a server room for the Kostas Homeland Security Research Facility at Northeastern.

Adds Quinlan, “Our new division makes even more sense for a prep school where tuitions can be just as much and the demands to maintain a first-rate are just as great.”

For more information South Coast Improvement’s Private School Division and its instituational capabilities, please call 508-748-6545 or visit www.southcoastimprovement.com.

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South Coast Improvement Co. donates pillow puppets to pediatric ward as part of Southcoast Health System and Southcoast Hospitals’ Radiothon 2014

: South Coast Improvement, Co. Vice-President Sean Whalen (third from left) recently donated 25 pillow puppets to the children at Southcoast Hospital’s pediatric ward as part of their Radiothon 2014. Also pictured are (l-r) Dr. Brian Sard, Pete Braley and Jim Casey from Southcoast Hospitals.
: South Coast Improvement, Co. Vice-President Sean Whalen (third from left) recently donated 25 pillow puppets to the children at Southcoast Hospital’s pediatric ward as part of their Radiothon 2014. Also pictured are (l-r) Dr. Brian Sard, Pete Braley and Jim Casey from Southcoast Hospitals.

MARION, MA…

A good night sleep in the hospital isn’t easy to come by for anybody, let alone a child. That’s why South Coast Improvement Company (SCI), a design-build general contractor serving New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, recently donated 25 pillow puppets to the pediatric ward as part of South Coast Health Systems and Southcoast Hospitals’ Radiothon 2014 to benefit pediatric services at Southcoast Hospitals.

South Coast Improvement Vice President Sean Whalen was on hand to personally make the donation to the children of the pediatric ward.

“I’m not sure who enjoyed the pillow puppets more, the kids or staff,” said Whalen. “Seriously, the folks at South Coast Health Systems and South Hospitals Group, as well as the folks at FUN 107, should be commended for their work on the Radiothon, as well as the people who generously donated.”

Held on June 20, from 6 am to 6pm, the first-ever Radiothon 2014 raised more than $21,000 to benefit pediatric services at Southcoast Hospitals.

“As a general contractor that specializes in renovations for hospitals and medical facilities like Southcoast, we often have to plan our work around the operations of the facility. That requires a lot of planning with staff and some patients. A lot of times, we develop relationships with those patients to the point it’s a little sad when a project is done,” said Whalen. “The pillow puppets have become kind of our calling card for the facilities where we’ve done work. They never fail to bring a smile and we’re delighted to bring that to the Pediatric Ward here at Southcoast.”

South Coast Improvement Co is a recognized leader in providing building and renovation services to a client base of senior living, healthcare and institutional clients. For more information, please call 508-748-6545 or visit www.southcoastimprovement.com.

South Coast Improvement Co. donates pillow puppets to pediatric ward as part of Southcoast Health System and Southcoast Hospitals’ Radiothon 2014Read More