As a corporate member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Merritt & Harris, Inc. has encouraged its employees to pursue accreditation in “green” building technology. Currently, six employees of Merritt & Harris, Inc. have passed the LEED AP exam.  Joeseph Marciano, P.E., LEED AP, and William McCallion, AIA, LEED AP, attained accreditation last year and now four more have joined their ranks this year.

 Carmine Carpentier, AIA, LEED AP, is a Senior Associate in our South Florida branch office. He rejoined Merritt & Harris, Inc. in 2000 as a Project Manager. His job responsibilities include providing construction consulting to lenders and representing and advising institutional real estate investors. Mr. Carpentier was originally employed as a cost estimator from 1987-1989. Carmine graduated from Pratt Institute with a degree in Construction Management.

Nelly M. Rice, R.A., LEED AP, is a Project Manager in our South Florida branch office. Her job responsibilities focus on the evaluation of the physical condition of existing properties and on-site monitoring of renovation and new construction projects. Ms. Williams has over 20-years experience working in the architectural field. Nelly holds a Master of Architecture degree as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Design from the University of Florida.

 

Jim Mako, P.E., LEED AP, also in our South Florida branch, joined the firm in 2007 as a Project Manager. His duties include monitoring new construction and renovation projects for compliance with plans and specifications, adherence to quality standards and compliance with construction schedules, and evaluating the accuracy of construction requisitions. Jim is a registered Professional Engineer in Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University.

 

Carlos Hostin, LEED AP, works in our New York headquarters’ office as a Project Manager in the Construction Monitoring Group. His job responsibilities include on-site monitoring of renovation and new construction projects. Before joining Merritt & Harris, Inc. in 2005, he spent ten years working as a Project Manager in the construction industry. Carlos graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Catholic University and obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from New York Institute of Technology.

 

Several other Merritt & Harris, Inc. staff members are scheduled to take the USGBC examination in the near future. Merritt & Harris, Inc. has encouraged its technical staff to pursue LEED accreditation by financing preparatory classes and exam fees and by rewarding successful test takers with cash bonuses.

 

In the past few years, people have become more environmentally aware and grown conscious of the need to provide a “green” environment. Buildings emit much of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and consume large amounts of electricity and total energy usage. Now, it only makes sense when erecting a building that we use the best management practices for a sustainable development of the design, construction, and operating practices for a new building. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was created in 1998 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide certification that a building project is environmentally responsible and a healthy place to live and work. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven building rating system trying to bring together the best practices on existing proven technology to allow creativity in innovations and operations.

 

Creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient through the design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction is a daunting task. This is why individuals become accredited professionals (LEED AP), recognized for their knowledge of the LEED rating system which is attained by passing the accreditation exam given by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED APs facilitate the integrated design process and streamline LEED certification. Joseph Marciano, P.E., a Senior Associate of Merritt & Harris, Inc., is a LEED AP and has incorporated LEED evaluations for existing buildings into our Property Condition Assessment assignments and assists our Cost & Review Group by analyzing designs for buildings seeking LEED certification. He has recently been selected by GBCI to attend an Item Development Meeting that will convene in Dallas to provide input helping GBCI restructure and update the accreditation exam for 2009.

 

Incorporating USGBC’s guidelines when designing new construction is a great start. However, many of the principles set forth by the USGBC can also be applied to existing buildings. The USGBC adopted a standard for existing facilities called LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB). The program provides a list of goals that building owners and managers can attain to improve a building's energy efficiency and effect on the environment.

 

To become LEED or LEED-EB certified, a building owner must register with USGBC, pay a certification fee (sometimes this fee is waived), and complete an application which indicates the prerequisites existing and the credits being pursued. These are tabulated into a score. Based on the score, a building can be recognized as having achieved a basic, silver, gold, or platinum rating. Buildings that receive a platinum rating, the highest, will receive a rebate of the certification fee.

 

Rising oil costs, aging water and electrical infrastructure, increases in population, and a lack of space for landfills are all factors forcing local governments to look for better management practices for sustainable development. Many cities, including Los Angeles, Denver, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Virginia City, are beginning to adopt the USGBC LEED guidelines. As a corporate member of the USGBC, Merritt & Harris, Inc. understands the future demand for this service. William McCallion, AIA, LEED AP, Merritt & Harris, Inc.’s Manager of Quality Control & Training, reports that several additional members of the firm are in the process of becoming LEED APs in order to be able to assist clients in meeting the challenges of creating cleaner high performance buildings.

 

The Hilton Anaheim Hotel is completing a $60 million renovation which will present it as the ultimate hospitality destination. The 1572 guest room, 14-story hotel in Orange County includes a spa and fitness center (with a full basketball court), UPS store in the lobby, a café, a heated outdoor pool, an on-site Enterprise car rental, and valet dry cleaning and laundry. The renovations are complete with wall coverings, carpeting, and an upgraded audio and video system offering meeting planners and guests an impressive technological experience. The new audio and video technology and the renovation of the interior combined with its location in Orange County have revitalized the hosting and conference capabilities of the hotel.

 

Equipped with digital signs dispersed in eleven different locations, guests can easily find their way to the two ballrooms, three outdoor garden decks, and 51 individual meeting rooms, which combined total approximately 100,000 square feet of conference space. The digital signs also give the Hilton staff the ability to display content of a specific company on individual monitors for a personal touch or to place advertisements about upcoming events in particular locations. The interior look of the hotel was refurbished with new wall coverings, carpeting, and lighting and sound equipment. Guests and presenters no longer will get tangled in the cords running throughout the meeting rooms because the facilities are connected by a fiber optic audio, video, and data system. The ballrooms’ upgrades include Atlas flush-mounted ceiling speakers zoned into six configurations along with fixed lighting and input selection. This has the capability for guests to be able to either utilize the entire room or have the room divided into smaller sections. The system is able to maintain multiple points of management via wireless routing to the control system. By just the touch of a button, the lighting and sound can be programmed for the desired amount of space or to have multiple events occur simultaneously.

 

The location of the Hilton Anaheim is ideal, being footsteps to Disneyland and adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center. The addition of its superior audio and video technology, combined with the total renovation of the interiors, the Hilton Anaheim is a seamless blend of design and technological sophistication.

 

The Hilton Anaheim is a hotel of Makar Properties. Merritt & Harris, Inc. provided consulting, design and cost review, and construction monitoring on the Hilton Anaheim renovation for RBS Greenwich Capital.

The New York Mets opened their sparkling new 42,000-seat stadium on Monday night, April 13^th, against the San Diego Padres.   As construction consultants for the lenders to Citi Field, Merritt & Harris, Inc. personnel were on hand to christen the new ballpark. Tom Richard, AIA, President, Manny Kratsios, COO, and Jim Cockinos, AIA, Senior Associate, attended with their wives. Jim Cockinos served as M&H Sports’ Project Manager during construction of the facility.

The sellout crowd began gathering early to explore the wonders of the new park and witness the pre-game ceremonies. The primary entrance to the stadium is through the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, a 160-foot-diameter entryway which pays tribute to the heroic baseball legend. The wide, pedestrian-friendly concourses have the myriad of concession stands and restrooms positioned at their outer perimeter, affording fans open views of the playing field. The large outfield (335’ down left, 330’ down right, and 408’ in center) should prove the field to favor pitchers and speedy outfielders.

Much of the stadium’s design pays tribute to the Mets’ National League predecessors. The new HOK (now Populous) designed ballpark features a red brick, arched façade reminiscent of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Ebbets Field, while the green seats recall those at the Polo Grounds, historic home of the Baseball Giants. The bridge-like structures throughout the park are said to be symbolic of uniting the city’s 5 boroughs, most of which are separated by water. Thankfully, little of the Mets’ previous home, the cavernous and stark Shea Stadium (opened in 1964), was replicated. 

The evening’s pre-game program featured the unfurling of a gigantic American flag, which covered the entire outfield, stretching from sideline to sideline and the singing of the national anthem by the cast of the Broadway revival of West Side Story.  The obligatory 4-fighter Air Force fly-over shook the stadium. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Met hall-of-famer Tom Seaver and was caught by fan favorite Mike Piazza. Unfortunately, the night didn’t go too well for the home team. The first batter, Jody Gerut, hit the third pitch of the game over the right field fence off of Met starter, Mike Pelfrey, for an immediate Padre lead.  It was the first time in baseball history that a lead-off batter in a new stadium homered.  David Wright became the first Met to activate the signature “Big Apple” (a new replica of the Shea Stadium fixture) with the first Met homer in the new ballpark later in the game, but it was not enough to prevent the visiting Padres from winning the game 6 to 5.

The new Citi Field is attractive on the exterior and intimate and accommodating on the inside, neither of which could be said for Shea. The construction team, directed by a joint venture of Hunt Construction and Bovis Lend Lease, did an exemplary job bringing the design to reality. The new ballpark is simply a good and friendly place to watch a baseball game.

Merritt & Harris, Inc.’s M&H Sports Group represented the interests of the New York City Development Agency (Pilot bond issuer), Ambac Assurance Corporation (bond insurer), and the Bank of New York Mellon (bond trustee) during the stadium’s construction.

Traveling is no longer a necessity to stay at a hotel anymore.  Ritz-Carlton decided to incorporate their five-star service and exquisite surroundings into full-time residence properties.  People are becoming homeowners at the first of these properties, The Ritz-Carlton Residences at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD.  With 191 luxury condominiums, plentiful amenities, a historic architectural look, and lush French Parterre gardens, Ritz-Carlton Residences is targeted to lure young professionals and empty nesters back into the city.

 

The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Baltimore is situated on the Chesapeake Bay giving it direct access to arguably America’s best sailing and cruising. Residence owners will have access to 22 deepwater slips that are capable of accommodating yachts of up to 100 feet in length. The Marina offers 24-hour security and a dockmaster, as well as room service meals and refreshments delivered to its moored boats.

 

The five-star service of Ritz-Carlton will now be delivered in the comfort of one’s home. Residents will enjoy the project’s gourmet restaurant, meeting rooms, private movie theater, 24-hour state-of-the-art security, elevators that open into each condominium owner’s foyer, and 24-hour valet and concierge services.  Owners will have access to a lavish menu of luxurious services and holistic therapies from the on-site spa, fitness center, and pool.

 

With much success in Baltimore, the company is in the process of constructing other Ritz-Carlton Residences in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Toronto.  Merritt & Harris, Inc. provided consulting, design and cost review, and construction monitoring on The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD for HSBC Bank.