BARTLE HALL

Kansas City, Missouri

• Owner’s Representative

Sofola & Associates was retained as part of the Construction Management Team under the contract of Diggs Construction Management. The project was initiated by the Convention Center to improve logistics and traffic flows in the highly congested area while appealing to community stakeholders concerned about the visual eye sore and environmental toxins in the area. The new design reconfigured and expanded the dock, increasing the number of truck bays and greatly improved traffic flow and logistics by separating and movingthe entrance and egress. Additional renovations were made to the south and west docks.

Of primary concern was the need to work with area hotels to ensure visitor safety while being conscious of the center’s ongoing convention activities. Logistical planning and communication were paramount and proved to be effective. Kansas City’s 3% for the Arts program was employed to address the visual concealment of truck traffic in the area. We worked with local fabrication companies and Swedish Architects and Artist to develop a metal and metallic mesh covering that was moldable and lightweight. Aesthetically pleasing while being structurally sound and maintainable, the covering addresses several functional and maintenance requirements while it remains a permanent exhibition of functional art.

Keys to success were the logistics planning with city utilities and convention center management as road closures, utilities cutovers, dock closures were all necessary while facilitating major city-wide conventions and events. Sofola & Associates provided Construction Management/Observation Services, daily on-site supervision, as well as, reporting, coordination, and contract administration of this massive dock reconstruction. Services also included managing material testing and special inspections, quality reviews, management of the change order process, budget management, and payment application reviews.