Diversified Project Management (DPMCT, Inc.), a Hartford, Conn-based owner's representative consulting firm, recently completed the construction and relocation of the Center for Science, Health and Wellness on the campus of Norwalk Community College (NCC) on Richards Ave.
DPM was hired by the Norwalk Community College Foundation (NCCF) to provide project advisory services to represent the foundation's interest during construction, which utilized a large sum of funds raised by the NCCF. As part of its engagement, DPM's project team acted on behalf of NCCF/NCC at meetings with the State of Connecticut, the design/build team, and various other consultants to ensure that the NCCF's best interests were met and that the NCCF was kept informed of the project status throughout the construction process.
Of the total $38.2 million project cost, the NCCF contributed $2.38 million towards construction and $7.55 million for FF&E - the largest sum raised by a Connecticut community college for a project to date. The 55,000 s/f brick and glass structure consists of three levels of laboratory, classroom, studio, and office space and houses cutting edge technology for the Sciences, Nursing, Allied Health, Fitness & Exercise programs, as well as the Wellness Center.
DPMCT also conducted a complete inventory of existing furniture and equipment, coordinated the specification of all new equipment for the building, assisted NCC Purchasing with procurement, managed delivery and installation of all FF&E, and managed multiple phased moves of staff and contents into the new building.
The new Center for Science, Health and Wellness, along with the renovation of 19,500 s/f of existing classroom and office space, was coordinated through the Connecticut Department of Construction Services with the cooperation of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. Mitchell/Giurgola Architects of New York City and Fletcher Thompson Architects of Shelton, CT led the design effort in creating NCC's high-tech collaborative and innovative space, all within the guidelines to meet a LEED Silver rating through the USGBC. They worked closely with The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company out of New Haven and The LiRo Group of Georgetown, to deliver a first-class, sustainable, low-impact facility to accommodate the technology of the quickly evolving requirements of the growing health and science disciplines.
"DPMCT's team did an excellent job on this project," said Rose Ellis, NCC dean of administration. "Their team of efficient professionals exceeded all of my expectations and more and this project would not have been the success it is without them."