froze the ground deep down. Concrete – and construction workers – had to be protected from the elements. Work areas had to be enclosed, and heaters were brought in so the concrete would set. Delaying construction wasn’ t an option: the rail spur had to be operational during peak shipping season. Thanks to intense coordination and constant communication, the construction and railroad schedules were met.
The expansion included many other site design elements:
• The City of Augusta amended a tax incremental financing agreement to establish an off-site regional stormwater system, a key to the on-site expansion.
• A city street was vacated to allow the rail spur to be moved.
• Two properties were purchased and demolished to make room for the regional stormwater system.
• A small wetland in the middle of the new warehouse site was mitigated.
• New wells to provide water to the production facility were sited, and new well houses were designed and constructed.
• Powerlines were relocated.
• The infrastructure for Bush Brothers’ new wastewater treatment plant, located just outside Augusta, was accommodated.
All project decisions were guided by the need to keep Bush Brothers operating continually. The company has three shifts five days a week; construction could only occur up to a certain tie-in point during the week, with final connections made during weekends, holidays, and shutdowns to avoid interruptions to electricity, gas, and water.
“ The scoping meetings really helped to answer questions,” Adams said.“ There was a lot of handing off of design elements to other designers( mechanical, electrical, utilities, rail design). This project showed the teamwork of many people working together."
Adams said a lot of“ on the fly” adaptation was needed, but no construction work had to be undone as the project was phased in – a testament to the careful, up front planning.
“ Bush is always looking at what needs to be done and constantly re-evaluating where we’ re at,” Tolan said.“ That created some moments where we’ re all in the conference room saying,‘ Oh my, here we go again.’ Changes evolved as we went, and Ayres has been very receptive to that and very comfortable working in that environment.
“ Bush is all about long-term thinking. We really think it through and measure three or four times – but once we cut, we move.”
Bean
Counting
1908 Bush Brothers & Company established in Chestnut Hill, Tennessee
1934
Bush’ s Best adds pork and beans to product mix
1952
Canned dry beans become part of product lineup
1962
Augusta production facility added
1969
The“ secret family recipe” for Bush’ s Baked Beans is developed in Augusta
2006 New office addition designed by Ayres Associates opens in Augusta
2012 Bush Brothers features 43 varieties of beans in its product line
10│TRENDS