Construction Notebook

RJC Architects of San Diego is teaming up with Straub Construction Co. on a $24.8 million design/build construction contract for repair and renovation of Root and Spanagel Halls at the historic Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif.

"We're thrilled to once again be part of the efforts to revitalize and renovate this elite school," said Greg Roberson, RJC's project manager. "The base is really a glorious national treasure."

According to Roberson, the latest project is notable because Root and Spanagel Halls, designed in 1954 by Walter Netsch with Skidmore Owings and Merrill, are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

"Skidmore was the most important firm in the country at the time and Netsch's success here led to his appointment as architect of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs," he said.

This is the second major project at the school for RJC Architects, which won several awards -- including the prestigious California Preservation Foundation Design Award in 2007 -- for its $31 million renovation work on the former Del Monte Hotel, which was built in the 1880s and was once considered the finest luxury hotel in America.

The former hotel is now known as Hermann Hall at the postgraduate school.

RJC's work on the former hotel was also honored with a Build America Award from the Association of General Contractors (AGC) as the best design/build renovation project in the country in 2008.

RJC's extensive experience with national defense projects ranges from a $54 million Force Intelligence Operations Center and $50 million Marine Corps Special Operations at Camp Pendelton in north San Diego County to a $30 million Explosive & Propellants Laboratory at the Naval Weapons Reserve in China Lake, Calif.

Some of its most recent projects include the $531 million San Diego County Operations Center, Coronado's $30 million City Hall and Community Center and the $24 million Cal State San Marcos parking structure.

Sully-Jones Roofing Company has completed re-roofing of the industrial building at 4393 Viewridge in San Diego.

Sully-Jones installed approximately 15,200 square feet of new roofing on the building owned by the Sylmar Company. The contract was valued at approximately $46,500, according to according to Benjamin R. Scales, commercial project manager for the El Cajon-based contractor.

Sully-Jones installed its Polara spun polyester roof system, a Title 24 compliant Cool Roof with a 25 year warranty.

At the client's request, Sully-Jones performed most of the work during weekends to minimize impacts on the tenants, said Scales.

In December 2008, work began on what will be the largest and most advanced building on the California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) campus -- the Social and Behavioral Science Building (SBSB).

The 106,509-square-foot building will soon be occupied by all the social and behavioral science disciplines and include two centers, six classrooms, seven conference rooms, 13 labs and space for graduate research.

Construction on the nearly $30 million state bond funded project is due to be complete by December 2010.

While a state bond paid for the building, private philanthropic support is still needed to pay for laboratory equipment, expansion of community service learning and internship opportunities for students, and faculty development opportunities. Opportunities for the naming of centers, labs, classrooms, and conference rooms, and the building itself are also available.