December 11, 2014
Recognition is for successful collaboration in creating new RTS Transit Center
Rochester, N.Y. — The Pike Company and Rochester Transit Service have earned the 2014 Excellence in Partnering Award from The New York State Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC NYS). The award, which recognizes Pike’s and RTS’s teamwork on the newly opened $50 million RTS Transit Center, was bestowed this morning, Thursday, Dec. 11, at the AGC NYS Construction Industry Conference, being held in Saratoga Springs.
The RTS Transit Center opened on Nov. 28. It spans a city block between North Clinton Avenue and St. Paul Street. The Design-Build project by Pike and architectural firm Bergman Associates resulted in the 91,000-square-foot facility that is fully enclosed and climate-controlled, with customer-friendly features. More than 20,000 daily downtown RTS customers are now enjoying the comfort and safety of the new Transit Center, where 30 bus bays accommodate 100 buses per hour.
“Putting together a project of this scope involves many different components but it starts with an exceptional client, which we had with RTS,” said Rufus Judson, president of The Pike Company. “Our approach to partnering is ‘all hands on deck’ which results in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to problem solving. In the end we delivered what we believe is a very beautiful building on a very tight footprint of a site.”
Pike and Bergmann worked within a Design-Build system, operating as one unified team, working harmoniously through design and construction. This approach increases collaborative thinking, ultimately reducing risks and overall costs. For example, midstream in the Transit Center project a large amount of unsuitable materials were found on the job site, from previous uses of the property. This was addressed collectively, Judson noted, and the teams were able to tackle and resolve the issue seamlessly.
Pike and RTS are being honored, according to AGS, for the construction project that “best epitomizes the principles of partnering.” The judging is open to all contractors statewide and projects that reached substantial completion in 2014. Judging factors are adherence to the principles of partnering; teambuilding; improved communications; conflict resolution and claim avoidance; and delivery of quality to the jobsite. The Transit Center was completed on budget and five months ahead of original schedule. More than 400 workers were involved in the construction project.
“It was a complete team effort right from the beginning,” said Bill Carpenter, CEO of RTS. “The vision that was cast collectively was well received and the interior staff at RTS worked closely with the design team and construction team, sweating with them every step of the way, to make sure the facility would function well for our customers.
“What we end up with is a project that everyone is raving about, which came in ahead five months ahead of schedule and beat the budget and continues to exceed everyone’s expectation. It certainly has exceeded mine,” he said.
About The Pike Company
The Pike Company is among the leading builders in the Northeast, as well as the contractors of choice for many of the Rochester region’s largest development projects. Tom Judson is entering his 40th year as the leader of The Pike Company, which his great-grandfather founded just after the Civil War. His son Rufus Judson is the president and chief operating officer, marking the fifth generation of family leadership. Pike and LECESSE Construction Services merged in 2013 and now share knowledge and resources and jointly employ about 500 workers. Pike and LECESSE have completed an array of challenging jobs, large and small, on schedule and within budget, using the latest technological advances. Pikeco.com
About Regional Transit Service
Regional Transit Service (RTS) provides public bus transportation service in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties. Recognized as one of the best-run transit systems in the nation, RTS’s 900+ employees serve our customers who count on them for nearly 18.5 million rides each year. A public benefit entity and one of four regional transportation authorities in New York State, RTS is governed by 14 appointed commissioners who represent the City of Rochester, County of Monroe, and the surrounding counties in which RTS provides services. RTS.com
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