G&R Construction of Quincy, Mass. has completed construction of the new 8,800 s/f Southeastern Regional Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (CME). The facility, designed and built under the auspices of the Commonwealth's Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM), will handle 550 cases each year, alleviating the well-publicized overcrowding and workload at the state chief medical examiner's facility in Boston. The facility will handle cases from Bristol, Plymouth and Barnstable counties as well as from Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.
Designed by Tise Design of Newton, Mass., the concrete slab-on-grade and structural steel-frame building consists of two wings, one for administrative offices and the other, a biohazard wing with autopsy suites, body holding area and lab space. Roughly two-thirds of the building is programmed for forensic examinations and biohazard handling and storage. The perimeter of the facility is a composite exterior veneer, covered with a metal deck and membrane roofing materials.
As a state-funded project, G&R managed subcontractors who were awarded elements of the projects on the filed sub bid process. The project team included specialty subcontractor trades required for the unique sanitary, security, and specialized air/gas handling systems.
"Procurement and delivery of long lead items, particularly the stainless steel medical equipment and systems controls for two controlled temperature rooms, drove our schedule," said Jason Goodwin, G&R's project manager.
On March 11, 2009, G&R received its DCAM evaluation on the project -a grade of 92 out of a possible 100 points. The evaluation stated that G&R's performance was "overall, very good in all aspects of this project."
"DCAM is a fair and professional agency to work with," said Goodwin. "They are quick to respond to challenges as they arise and are very proactive owners."
The Chief Medical Examiner's facility provides laboratory reports on all autopsies. Post-mortem samples include blood, vitreous, urine, and other tissues as deemed necessary by the CMEF. The laboratory follows a standard progression of testing required to make a forensic diagnosis in a reasonable fashion and time.
"We loved working with G&R and would do so again in a heartbeat," said Stephen Tise, principal, AIA of Tise Design. "The CME/Sandwich is a great facility, and we all deserve to pat ourselves on the back."