September 2009

“The Turner Company should pay homage to the Weather Gods!” Brian exclaimed.

“Can you imagine the number of extra construction days that they have received without the disruption of hurricane winds and rains or even a tropical storm?” Again, Brian is right, though we had pounding rains all summer we have not had a single hurricane come our way. And, the storms rolled in well after 3 p.m. which is long after the crews had left for the day. Had this been any other year in the past 10 years, a delay totaling nearly one full month would have occurred.

“It’s just not fair,” said Brian. “Turner must be dancing the jig if they
are paid bonuses for early completion. They have been dealt a winning hand of ACES in the first three months. ”

According to HurricaneCity.com, Jacksonville is brushed by a tropical storm every 3.0 years. Jacksonville experienced its last tropical storm the end of August 2008. Other tropical storms since 1999 were 2000 and 2005. Hurricane season peaks September 15th each year and the end of November.

According to a National Public Radio report, African waters are experiencing warmer water temperatures keeping storms on its side of the Atlantic. But as always, watch the news for hurricane reports and “BE PREPARED!”

Attempting to inform the readership of the work hours on the construction site, Brian said, “Workers are showing up for work by the dozens on Saturday, too.” Previously, only a few select employees would work on Saturday, but now a near full shift has been added creating a 6 day construction work week and it shows. Concrete pillars are sprouting up everywhere, concrete footers appear complete and now a great deal of the second floor is well under way.

Reinhardt’s photos explain it all.

{ 0 comments }

While snapping photos of the progress being made of the New Duval County Courthouse, photographer Reinhardt met Alessandro Bellisario and his brother. Reinhardt reported, “They are two proud young men. The family has been in the heavy equipment business since their grandfather first arrived in Tampa from the old country. They have worked their way up to open the Jacksonville location.”

Reinhardt photographed the two as they overlooked the last portion of the first stationary crane to be assembled. “They mentioned that the second crane would be erected immediately. Once the first crane has completed its tasks in the center of the courthouse, it will be disassembled and reassembled on the northern side of the construction site.”

This crane is currently assembled at approximately 100 ft. and will be
self-adjust higher until it is fully extended at 300 ft in height.

Meanwhile way down on the ground, our ace reporter and super hot dog salesman, Brian Baldwin, had this to say, “With the two cranes assembled, construction has sped up to a pace that is hard to believe. As you can see on the far side, they are already laying the second floor on top of the concrete pilings that were poured in the month of August.” Heavy steel I-beams are lifted into place by the cranes. A series of scaffolding supports the weight of the I-beams until they are secured in place. A photo taken August 21, 2009, can be compared with the current construction site September 3rd.

Asking Brian what was new, he replied, “Today, they are delivering lumber by the truckload. It will be used to construct the forms for the concrete.”

“Wait until you see it next week!” he exclaimed. As I turned to walk away, I heard a worker shout, “Hey Brian, grill me a couple of those great sausage dogs.” Brian replied, “Two strips of spicey mustard, right?” “You got it.”

Brian knows his customers. Those sausage dogs can’t be beat.

Today’s photos…

{ 0 comments }