Best Practices
The trends in college and university education in today's market focus on amenities necessary to attract students and maintain or expand enrollment.  Dormitories, student centers, athletic and wellness centers, wireless communication and campus security are garnering the most attention.  Research and laboratories are most active on the academic side.  In this environment, sustainability is on equal par with environmental conservation -- the protection of old growth trees, bioswayles, permeable pavements, and other storm and wastewater management.  We complete most of the work in this segment as "at-risk" construction managers.

In Ohio K-12 construction, The Ohio School Facilities Commission mandates LEED^® Certified projects and standardizes public school design programming.  The focus is on multi-function spaces, energy efficiency, long term maintenance, building security and technology upgrades.  Performing arts, libraries and athletic fields seem to be the most prevalent specialty projects in this segment.  When OFSC began in 1997 contractors had to choose between participating in one of two roles:  as general contractors or agency construction managers.  The Albert M. Higley Co. elected the general contracting role and has completed many OSFC projects in this capacity. 

One result of this decision is that our firm maintains a unique position in the market as a preferred At-Risk Construction Manager for many of Ohio's highest performing private K-12 schools and those public schools that do not receive OSFC funding.

Standard of Duty
In K-12 construction, The Albert M. Higley Co. actively supports bond issue campaigns by providing cost estimates and schedules, and attending all key community meetings.  Most of our emphasis during pre-construction is value engineering, maximizing competitive bidding among subcontractors, cost segregation and predicting our client’s cash flow requirements since bond funding is usually tied to a specific draw schedule.  Understandably, schedule is the predominant issue in educational construction to coordinate project completion prior to the start of the school year.

Context Sensitivity
Our Project Managers and Superintendents understand educational environments.  We communicate daily with school administrators to keep them informed of the day's planned activities. We often stagger shift times to avoid conflicts with pedestrian and bus traffic.  We schedule noisy activities for off-hours.  We inspect and instruct our field personnel several times each day. We keep work areas free of all obstructions and make more ample use of safety and directional signage. We exercise strict discipline on the job site. We require hardhats and visible identification badges for all on-site personnel. We prohibit construction employees from fraternizing with students or using school facilities.

Detailed information on projects currently under construction may be found in the case studies on the left.

Detailed information on completed projects may be found in the one-page profiles on the right.