One of the most difficult tasks for these companies
is working on the renovation and remodel while
the convention center remains open, a requirement
that Charleston Civic Center General Manager John
Robertson stands by.
“We host approximately 3,600 events every year,” he
says. “We have many groups that depend on us for their
annual events, so closing was really not an option.”
The Contractors Association of West Virginia (CAWV) is
a major client of the Charleston Civic Center and was
consulted during the planning stages of the renovation.
The civic center remaining open during the remodel was
vital to the CAWV’s annual operations.
“The West Virginia Construction and Design Exposition
has been held at the civic center for over 35 years,”
says Mike Clowser, executive director of the CAWV.
“The CAWV was concerned about how the demolition
and construction would affect the event and our 5,000
attendees. The civic center, architects, consultants and
contractors have been very accommodating in working
around the expo to minimize disruption.”
In true Mountaineer spirit, working under pressure hasn’t
stopped these West Virginia companies from making
this project a success in every way, including making it
environmentally friendly. The BBL Carlton/ZMM team
developed a strategy early on to reduce the base energy
cost of the convention center, which will decrease
energy use by 27.93 percent. The civic center is seeking a
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED,
certification, an international sustainability standard.
As parts of the existing building are demolished, BBL
Carlton is tracking the amount of building material waste
that is being diverted from landfills. To date, 3,800 tons of
materials have been recycled and, when possible, some
are crushed and re-used on site.
This $100 million project will prove Charleston to be
an ideal destination for tourists and businesses alike,
providing the city and the state of West Virginia with
a first-class facility, jobs and economic development
opportunities for years to come.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
charlestonwvciviccenter.com cawv.org
gaiconsultants.com zmm.com