Sundt Connections

Officials break ground on a new student housing project at the University of the Pacific.

Sundt’s work on a new student housing complex for the University of the Pacific is being performed using a unique funding method that brings together the public and private sectors.

The project is being developed by Capstone Development Partners, a private developer known for partnering with colleges and universities to develop student housing. Public-private partnerships (P3) are the type of work general contractors are increasingly pursuing.

P3 is a long-term partnership between a public agency and private entity. Through the arrangement, the private entity typically finances, designs, builds, operates and/or maintains a fee-producing public project. In exchange, the private entity is repaid over an extended period of time through fees generated by the project or as otherwise permitted. This can involve the private entity’s lease or ownership of the project for an extended period during repayment.

The recent emergence and high-profile successes of P3 delivery will continue to stimulate tremendous opportunities for the design and construction industry. In a landscape of intense budget constraints and fiscal austerity, P3s offer government agencies an alternative mechanism for financing vital infrastructure projects.

Expected to be complete by early 2018, the project in Stockton, California, includes development of two four-story buildings totaling 158,000 square feet and 381 beds. The residences will provide contemporary apartment-style housing with gathering spaces and other indoor and outdoor student amenities, including a large shared kitchen, community spaces and study areas to support students’ academic needs.

Sundt California District Manager Dan Dumke.

Dan Dumke is Sundt’s new District Manager for California. He has more than 35 years of experience directing company operations, managing significant projects and leading high-performing teams in the construction industry. He brings a wealth of experience in the building and industrial markets as well as knowledge of large projects and public-private partnerships.

Dan is a member of the California Associated General Contractors Association and donates his time to the Challenged Athletes Foundation, whose mission is to provide opportunities and support to people with physical challenges so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics.

What made you want to work for Sundt?

The people. Sundt’s employee-owners have a genuine respect for the work they do and for their partners who do it. I have been fortunate over the past number of years to not only meet but work directly with many Sundt employees. It was clear from these experiences that they believe in the power of teamwork, are fully committed to do whatever it takes to get the job done and have a consistent habit of sharing credit.

What is on your immediate to-do list?

Getting to know our people is a high priority, so I will be visiting our projects and regional offices in California to do that. I am also looking forward to engaging with our safety personnel and site staff partners to make sure we continue to make every effort to remain the nation’s safest construction company.

What are our strengths in the California building market?

We will continue to leverage our strengths in the K-12, university and criminal justice markets and look for opportunities to further employ these strategically in other sectors, as well as with our transportation and industrial groups.

Where are we looking to start making in-roads?

Our successful growth is dependent upon our ability to develop and attract top talent in the market sectors where we work. The war for talent is real in construction, so our immediate focus is on finding more great employee-owners. Longer term, we will explore opportunities in new markets. If all industry and political indicators are even marginally correct, there will be tremendous need in the privatized infrastructure market – everything from transportation to water/wastewater to the expansion of alternative energy facilities. Schools, universities, hospitals, criminal justice facilities and community housing – essentially defined as social infrastructure projects – also lend themselves to alternative delivery types such as P3 and collaborative design-build.

What is Sundt known for in California?

The Sundt brand has and continues to be strong in California – on par with some of our most respected construction industry peers. We are recognized for being honest and following through on commitments.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

“First find the solution, then analyze its impact.” The message is simple: trust your mentors (and if you don’t have one, go find one). We are all surrounded by some pretty smart people. I am certain there is no puzzle we can’t solve when we work together.

Rendering of the interior of the Golden West College Student Services Center.

Sundt is pulling double duty on the Golden West College campus in Huntington Beach, California, where our crews are constructing both a student services center and math and science building. The student center is under way and the math and science facility is in preconstruction.

Our success with the district started with completion of the Orange Coast College Interdisciplinary Complex in Costa Mesa last year. The 78,000-square-foot math, business and computing complex includes 35 administrative offices, a 200-station computer lab, 11 computer teaching labs, nine lecture classrooms for business and computing courses, 15 math lecture classrooms, two meeting rooms and workroom, lounge and study areas.

Our performance on that facility put us in position to build the two Golden West projects, which are located within walking distance of one another.

Once completed, the 50,000-square-foot student activities facility will consolidate multiple departments into a central location on campus. Students will no longer have to hop from building to building to register, get financial aid and buy parking passes.

One lesson we’ve learned is the value of providing up-to-date communication with students, faculty, businesses and the public. Construction sites are always evolving and can serve as a source of frustration for those who have their daily routines interrupted.

The team worked with the Coast Community College District to develop a mobile app that includes information on both projects, including timelines and construction updates. The app went live not long after construction on the student activities center started. The project is in the “dead center of campus,” Sundt Regional Vice President John Messick said, making it hard for students to avoid in their daily routines. The community college has an enrollment of more than 15,000.

“We have decades of experience working on occupied campuses and know what it takes to safely and successfully complete a project like this,” John said.

The 118,000-square-foot math and science building recently completed demolition of existing structures and relocation of utility lines. Permit approval is expected to occur around Thanksgiving with construction starting next March.

Golden West College Math and Science Building rendering.

Teri Jones’ journey from teenager with an interest in construction and engineering to Sundt Senior Vice President is chronicled in the Aug. 5 issue of the Sacramento Business Journal.

The road took her from taking drafting classes in high school to the University of Southern California, where she earned a degree in Civil Engineering, to roles of increasing responsibility in the industry.

“She has a huge amount of respect from everyone she works with,” Sundt President Mike Hoover says in the article.

Teri was recently promoted to her current role, which includes being manager of the company’s building group. She has been in construction for 37 years and has worked for Sundt since 2000. Teri joined us after serving as CEO of her own company in California.

She was also recently featured in ENR California’s Sacramento City Scoop section. Our website included a question and answer session with her in February when she was Vice President in charge of Business Development for our California District.

California State University, East Bay Warren Hall Replacement Building.

Sundt was well-represented when industry honors in Arizona and California were awarded in July.

The list includes two of the Engineering-News Record’s California Best Projects 2016: Best Project in Southern California for California State University, Channel Islands Sierra Hall and an Award of Merit in Northern California for California State University, East Bay Warren Hall Replacement Building. A panel of industry judges reviewed 90 projects from California and Hawaii in the competition.

The American Institute of Architects California Council presented its Merit Award for the John M. Roll United States Courthouse in Yuma, Arizona. The award is based on design excellence, and 21 winners from among 250 entries were chosen. We worked with Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects on the project.

The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute recognized our joint-venture team for work on the San Diego International Airport Rental Car Center, the largest concrete building in the city. The CRSI Honors program has recognized excellence in the design and construction of concrete buildings and bridges for more than 40 years.

Also in San Diego, the local chapter of the American Society of Professional Estimators named us the 2016 Member Firm of the Year. The honor is given to the firm that best embodies “outstanding achievement in recognition for continuing service and dedication in fulfilling the mission and fundamental purposes of the organization.” Senior Estimator Paul Chang has provided leadership to the organization by serving on the chapter board of directors for several years.