Similar to projects over the years, BN Builders has once again been selected by UC San Diego as the head contractor for the Tuolumne Apartments’ fire, life and safety modifications. In the past, BN Builders have been tapped to make these safety upgrades at UC San Diego’s Tenaya Hall Fire, Blake Hall, York Hall Laboratory Renovations, UCI Mesa Court 3 Dormitory Renovations, and CSU Long Beach Los Cerritos Dormitory Renovations.
The $7.3 million renovations, of which construction will occur from June 15 to Aug. 30, has been referred to as a “summer sprint,” for this work must be completed prior to students’ return from summer break. The Tuolumne Apartments were originally constructed in 1975, so BN Builders’ renovations will provide code-compliant fire and life safety systems, exterior structural repairs, new balcony rails, mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades, a new roof system, and ensure ADA compliance for the safety of the students who reside in these facilities.
Located in Muir College on the UC San Diego campus, the apartments consist of nine concrete, interconnected buildings ranging from three to five stories totaling approximately 89,000 square feet. The apartment complex is also home to student residences, lounges, laundry facilities, utility rooms, and the Muir Residential Life Office.
“We do these dormitory remodels, or ‘summer sprints’ for colleges and universities,” said Jamie Awford, BN Builders’ Tuolumne project executive. “We’re chosen on qualifications, then we prequalify subcontractors who are able to complete this work in such a short period of time. We’ve been working with UC San Diego for the past four months in the planning stages of this project, so will hit the ground running the day after students leave for summer break.”
While BN Builders will be working at a rapid pace to complete the Tuolumne Apartments safety renovations, they do not foresee work to continue into the evening. “A stipulation of our contract is that we are required to work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” said Awford. “Regardless of our time frame, we need to be careful not to disrupt utility services of others around us. Just because we may need to temporarily shut down a service, does not mean that neighbors have to deal without them, even temporarily.”
In a recent press release, Awford lauded his company’s relationship with UC San Diego.
“These are unique projects, and we are making significant upgrades to the existing buildings in a very short amount of time, leaving little margin for error,” he said.