ATLANTA—Macallan Construction, which is based in Marietta, Georgia, has its hands full with a slate of projects at Georgia State, located in the state capital city of Atlanta.

Macallan’s recent work has included renovating and adding on to the university’s library.  The addition entailed a new staircase, elevators to the second level as well as a brand-new lobby.  To realize the project, the contractor first had to demolish two nearby facilities, Kell Hall and North Plaza.  However, the addition now allows for seamless egress from Library North to the campus’s new greenway.

Architect Collins Cooper Carusi of Atlanta designed the addition of the library addition to be clad in glass so as to allow natural “reading light” into the interior.  The architect also selected earth tones for the addition to match the library’s overall aesthetic.

Macallan has also expanded Georgia State’s Robinson School of Business.  The contractor renovated nearly 30,000 square feet of space so that new classrooms and office space could be added to the building’s 11th and 12th floors.  Also added were new meeting areas, break rooms and a new lighted staircase that connects to the 12th floor atrium.

Acoustic panels, glass doors and windows for the business school were designed by architect CBRE Heery.

In addition to its work at the school’s library and expansion of its Robinson School of Business, Macallan Construction has other projects at the campus.

One such project, in collaboration with architect Houser Walker Architecture, involves transforming a squash court into an expansion of the athletic center’s current weight room facility. Additionally, the second floor of the current weight room will be turned into a storage space and office support area for the university’s student recreation center.

At the athletic center, Macallan has also updated the gym’s check-in area and reworked the building’s swing gate.

On the outside football practice field, Macallan has installed an ice station and drink station.  The contractor also updated the field’s windscreen and graphics capabilities.

Macallan is based in Marietta, Georgia, which is located in Atlanta’s northwest suburbs.

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"The [property tax increase] would assist schools in need of overcrowding relief, complete air-conditioning for every classroom ahead of schedule and provide resources for schools with facilities in dire need of overdue capital repairs," the mayor’s office told Crain’s Chicago Business.

The Emanuel administration and school officials have discussed Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) capital improvement tax for months in hopes that it would help cover the school district’s heavy debt and need for new construction, reported the Chicago Tribune. The mayor’s CPS board already quietly approved the tax in an August meeting, where it was listed at the end of the board’s resolution to levy property taxes for the year. Instead, the board voted for a $5.7 billion budget that included another property tax hike — a $19-a-year increase on a $250,000 home. The owner of the same home would also pay $45 for the new capital improvement tax, CPS spokeswoman Emily Bittner said in a statement.

"If the City Council authorizes CPS to enact the capital improvement levy, it would take effect in 2016 and would be considered on an annual basis for approval by the CPS Board of Education," city spokeswoman Lauren Huffman said in a statement.

Jesse Sharkey, vice president for the Chicago Teacher’s Union, said in a statement that the tax levy should have been approved a long time ago. He added that CPS has built several schools over the last 20 years, borrowing money along the way and paying off loans used from operating funds, according to DNAinfo Chicago.

The General Assembly authorized such tax levies as early as 2003, but they require local government approval to move forward.

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In designing this innovative 207,000-square-foot school, STR designers, who collaborated with a team from NIA Architects of Chicago, took care to make the building itself a lesson in sustainability. According to a statement by the firm, the building and site were intentionally designed to educate users about sustainable design, by showcasing energy-saving and environmental features. As the school is named for pioneering freed slave Sarah E. Goode, who was herself an inventor, furniture designer, business owner and the first African American women to hold a U.S. patent, innovation and forward thinking were key.

Visitors to the modern and colorful Ashburn neighborhood school are greeted by low-maintenance vegetation, meandering walking paths and a permeable, low-albedo parking lot. Tucked among the ball fields and sidewalks are several picnic areas and benches where both students and community members are encouraged to sit and enjoy the space. A centrally located council circle also serves as an outdoor learning space, as do the school’s learning, reading and rain gardens.

Blending the interior and exterior is a surprisingly lush garden on the school’s green roof. Here, trees that were removed during construction have found a new home thanks to a creative design by American Hydrotech. These reintroduced trees don’t just provide shade, but have even helped establish a lively bird habitat.

The three-story, steel fame and masonry school also utilizes multiple natural energy sources, which contributed greatly to its LEED Platinum points. A geo-exchange heat pump system provides for the majority of the building’s heating and cooling needs, while a solar thermal hot water heating system keeps the school’s six-lane swimming pool comfortable for students. The low-flow fixtures throughout the $62 million facility also contribute to its sustainability efforts, and non-potable water is diverted from the roof and funneled into the onsite community gardens.

A number of sustainable features were also built directly into the structure itself. From large windows, provided by Wausau Window and Wall Systems, to facilitate interior daylighting, to a demand control ventilation system, the Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy has all their environmental bases covered. By also using regional materials, as well as those with high levels of recyclable content, the school took a very holistic approach to sustainability.

Inside, the 1,200-student high school features several STEM labs, science labs, visual arts classrooms and a state of the art library and media resource center. These facilities support the school’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics-based curriculum, which also allows students to earn college credit. Both indoor and outdoor athletic areas are available to students, as well as a raised stage for performances with impressive lighting, rigging and acoustic systems. A college resource center, green room and distance learning labs round out this school’s comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to education.

Awards
2013 Brick in Architecture – Gold for Education
2013 Learning by Design Publisher’s Commendation Award
2013 Friends of the Chicago River Green Ribbon
2013 Chicago Association of Realtors Good Neighbor Award
2013 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Award of Engineering Excellence

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The funds will be dispersed among 24 school districts with $306 million allotted to school construction, $50 million for maintenance projects, $25 million to alleviate overcrowded classrooms and $20 million will be dedicated to making the state’s schools more energy efficient. The fund may also provide reimbursement for school construction that has already completed.

“Our children cannot concentrate on learning if they’re sitting in a school that’s crumbling,” Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said in a statement. “When I became governor, I initiated the first capital construction program in a decade to elevate our schools and universities to world-class status. The quality of learning happening in our schools will drive tomorrow’s economy. These school construction projects will not only raise the standard of learning in our classrooms, they will bring much-needed jobs to workers around our state.”

The school construction is part of the larger $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now economic recovery initiative, which intends to produce jobs and replace aging infrastructure in Illinois. The initiative is expected to generate 439,000 jobs over the next six years.

With the funding, schools throughout the state will have the ability to construct new schools, classroom additions and renovate aging facilities while also creating thousands of construction jobs for a much-needed boost to the state’s economy. The state will also focus on projects to provide greater access to students with disabilities, repair roofing structures, and replace outdated energy systems.

Cook County schools will receive $23.3 million in funding, which will provide crucial funding to five area school districts. The projects now funded in Cook County include the construction or reimbursement for the construction of approximately 100 additional classrooms.

Clay, Marion and Wayne County school districts in southeastern Illinois will share $52.4 million in educational facility upgrade funds. The additional funds will assist the districts in the construction of pre-K to 5 school designed for 1,600 students in Clay County, the construction of an approximately 1,175-student pre-K to 12 school in Wayne County and an additional eight classrooms in Marion County.

Chicago Public Schools will receive the largest amount from the initiative with $89 million allotted to reviving aging school buildings and construct new facilities in the city. More than $59 million will be utilized for capital construction, approximately $10 million will go toward maintenance projects and $4 million will be dedicated to making Chicago schools more energy efficient.

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