Older News
February 2011
RSMeans’ dollars-per-square-foot construction costs
City comparison dollars-per-square-foot construction costs of four recreational types of structures. The results for 25 major cities are shown for four office building categories.
New Photos - MDC Aeration & Final Settling Tanks
The project includes the furnishing and installation of two new aeration tanks and two new final settling tanks with associated equipment.
NMH Bolger House achieves LEED Gold
LEED Gold was achieved on this admissions building, which has a porch covered with rocking chairs offering views across the campus. Primary materials include brick, granite, wood, slate, and copper roofing that reflects on the houses along Cottage Row.
January 2011
BHCC Health & Wellness Center achieves LEED Gold
LEED Gold was achieved in part from use of battery powered, sensor operated flush valves and lavatory faucets, with ultra-low flow fixtures including 1.28 GPF water closets, 0.125 GPF urinals, 0.5 GPM lavatory faucets and automated wash fountain spouts and 1.5 GPM shower heads.
New Photos - MDC Aeration & Final Settling Tanks
The project includes the furnishing and installation of two new aeration tanks and two new final settling tanks with associated equipment.
New Project - WMass Women’s Correctional Center
Click here to learn more about this pioneering project for DCAM and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office which integrates BIM and IPD.
December 2010
New Photos - J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center
Click here to view new photos of the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center in Salem, MA
That Pesky Moisture Gradient
Water plays a crucial rule in hydrating cement, but also can cause big problems.
LEED Gold Now Required for Federal Buildings
The GSA has upgraded its green building standards, requiring LEED Gold certification for all new federal construction and major renovations.
November 2010
New Photos - Fields Point WWTF
Click here to view new photos of Rhode Island’s largest wastewater treatment facility and one of the first in the country.
NEFCO Website Launched
NEFCO, a subsidiary of The O’Connell Companies, Inc., launches their brand new website! NEFCO offers biosolids management options that are energy efficient and client specific.
New Photos - MDC Aeration & Final Settling Tanks
The project includes the furnishing and installation of two new aeration tanks and two new final settling tanks with associated equipment.
Stoeckel Hall - “Most Intriguing Green Buildings of 2010”
Built by DOC, Stoeckel Hall has been recognized as two of the most intriguing green buildings of 2010 by the Connecticut Green Building Council.
Recovery in Building Forecast for 2011
According to the McGraw-Hill Construction forecast, the nation’s construction industry will begin a slow recovery next year!
October 2010
BIM as the Core of Sustainable Design
Building information modeling (BIM) tools are empowering design professionals to more effectively implement sustainable design and increase building energy efficiency.
RI Adopts Green Construction Code
Rhode Island was recognized today for becoming the first state in the nation to adopt the International Green Construction Code (IGCC).
ENR Construction Cost Index
ENR publishes both a Construction Cost Index and Building Cost index that are widely used in the construction industry…Click above for more
Holyoke Bridge Reopens Well Ahead of Schedule
MassDOT: The Lyman Street Bridge over the Second Level Canal in Holyoke reopened to traffic Monday, on budget and nearly two years earlier than originally scheduled.
September 2010
Project Spotlight: Biosolids Heat Drying Facility
This facility has a single dryer process train and a process that utilizes a direct-fired, rotary drying system with a dual-fueled burner capable of using digester gas and natural gas.
Variables That Affect Project Management
While the benefits of project managemet are clear, it must be noted that a good project management system, whether manual or computerized, is vital to a project’s success.
Making Cement ‘Green’
A Georgia company promises less energy use, reduced CO2 emissions and mercury containment.
How to Handle Construction Materials to Prevent Mold
While there are numerous design and construction methods aimed at preventing mold, it’s also important that building products…
August 2010
New Photos - J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center
Click here to view new photos of the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center in Salem, MA
New Photos - Fields Point WWTF
Click here to view new photos of Rhode Island’s largest wastewater treatment facility and one of the first in the country.
Making Construction Leaner, not Meaner
Lean Construction is a project delivery system that has adopted lean manufacturing principles to construction projects, with an emphasis on minimizing cost and maximizing value.
New Photos - Bennington CAPA
Click here to view new photos of the Center for the Advancement of Public Action at Bennington College. The exterior of the building is clad in recycled Vermont marble.
July 2010
DOC recently received two prestigious Safety Awards!
Safety has always been a vital part of our company’s work ethic in principle and in practice. Congratulations to all of you whose safe work practices contributed to these two awards.
Stimulus Watch: White House Says ARRA Jobs
In its latest American Recovery and Reinvestment Act update, released July 14, the White House estimates that the stimulus measure’s…..Read More
The Impact of BIM on the Engineering and Heavy Construction Workflow
Using models and a BIM workflow to facilitate discussion on the design are an ideal complement to this delivery approach…..Read More
Happy 4th of July!
As we celebrate our freedom and independence on July 4th, it’s only fitting that we stop for a moment and thank our troops for all they do to protect and defend our country.
June 2010
New Photos - Field’s Point WWTF
Click here to view new photos of Rhode Island’s largest wastewater treatment facility and one of the first in the country.
City comparison costs of four recreational structures
RSMeans’ dollars-per-square-foot construction costs of four recreational types of structures. The results for 25 major cities are shown for four standard recreational buildings.
New Photo’s - Lyman Street Bridge
Click here to view new photos of this construction project involving the Lyman Street 87-year-old bridge in Holyoke, MA.
Employee Recognition Dinner 2010
The O’Connell Companies family gathered to honor employees who have achieved milestones in personal performance and service in 2009. We would like to extend our thanks for their dedication to our company.
May 2010
New Pictures - J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center
Click the link above to view the latest photos and learn more about our on-going job in Salem, MA.
BHCC Health & Wellness Center is now Complete
To see final photography click the link above. This 48,000-square-foot building houses state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories supporting students majoring in nurse education and health professions.
NMH Bolger House is now Complete
To see final photography click the link above. The Bolger House serves as a place of orientation for prospective students and provides the ideal launching point for tours of the campus.
April 2010
Commodity prices are on the march again
Commodity prices are on the march again. This has obvious implications for overall prices, since commodities are the building blocks of almost everything.
Feds Study Fuel-Economy Standards for Work Trucks
A recent report from the National Research Council will help guide the federal government as it develops fuel-economy and carbon regulations for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
Join the USGBC Massachusetts Chapter today!
The USGBC Massachusetts Chapter enables individuals to participate in, develop and support local USGBC activities through our committees.
Construction Materials Market Stabilizing
Construction materials shipments increased 0.4% in the three months through February Since production fell 0.8% over the same period, orders were met by reducing inventory.
March 2010
Masdar City:World’s First Carbon-Free City
The project that was unveiled in 2007, aims to be the world’s first carbon-free city by relying entirely on solar and other renewable energy sources. It also aims to be completely zero-carbon and zero-waste by banning cars within the city…
Despite Upturn in Steel, Lumber and Energy Prices, Deflation Sweeps Cost Index Board
Prices for diesel fuel, structural steel, lumber and gypsum-wallboard products started to stir during the first quarter, but most increases were coming off dismal lows in 2009..
4th Annual Green Building Survey
This survey of more than 1,600 design and construction professionals in the U.S. charts their latest perceptions and practices regarding green building.
15th Annual College Construction Report
College Planning & Management’s 15th Annual College Construction Report is out. Click to read more and download the PDF.
February 2010
RSMeans dollars-per-square-foot construction costs
View RSMeans’ measures of dollar-per-square-foot construction costs. The results for 25 major cities are shown for four office building types differentiated by height and usage.
Governor Patrick Visits Our Taunton Project
Governor Patrick took in the views from the four-story limestone, glass and aluminum structure, while saying hello to members of our construction crew.
Concrete + Masonry - A fresh face on concrete panels
A new technology for prefab concrete is one of the latest innovations in the concrete and masonry arena.
Construction Materials Price Index Rises 0.2% in December
Construction materials price inflation eased to a 0.2% monthly increase in December largely due to a 5% drop in diesel prices.
January 2010
Heavy Construction Spending Steady During Recession and Early Recovery
Heavy construction market drivers are balanced between positive and negative. This is consistent with spending trends which have been flat for over a year.
ICC green code to debut in 2010
Drafters of the International Code Council’s International Green Construction Code are nearing completion of the integrated green code for traditional and high-performance commercial buildings, set for a public release in March 2010.
Burj Dubai, World’s Tallest Building Opening Amid Crisis
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Dubai opened the world’s tallest skyscraper Monday, and in a surprise move renamed the gleaming glass-and-metal tower Burj Khalifa.
December 2009
A/E/C Industry Could Save $400B+ Annually with BIM
A/E/C Industry Could Save $400B+ Annually with Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technology says buildingSMART Alliance CEO.
Administration Considering new $50 Billion Investment
Administration considering new $50 billion investment in infrastructure to help boost jobs…
Construction Spending Steady in October
Total construction spending was unchanged in October but fell 0.9% ignoring a large questionable rise in residential remodeling spending…
November 2009
New Library of LEED Pilot Credits
The USGBC has unveiled a half-dozen new credits for LEED which are being investigated in a pilot program currently underway..
Stoeckel Hall achieves LEED Gold rating
Stoeckel Hall achieves a LEED Gold rating. New fixtures, new ventilation strategies, the reuse of existing materials when possible, and clever construction management strategies all contributed to the building’s rating.
Heavy construction spending up 0.3% in September
The small September rise in heavy construction spending interrupts an 8-10 month cutback period in this market….
October 2009
The 2009 Drop in Construction Materials Prices is Over
Construction materials prices fell 7.5% from September 2008 to August 2009. The decline is now over with the price index approximately steady for the last three months. Little change is expected in the next six months although a slight upward trend is likely.
Energy savings in black and white
MIT students develop concept for color-changing roof tiles that absorb heat in winter, reflect it in summer.
US Federal Courthouse receives Merit Award
Building owners, architects and constructors were on hand at the Intercontinental Hotel on October 1st to celebrate outstanding project teams who designed and built some remarkably complex facilities.
Rhodes Arts Center Earns Gold Rating From LEED
In July 2009, the Rhodes Arts Center earned a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. Opened in fall 2008, NMH’s new 63,000-square-foot facility earned the leading rating for designing and constructing a green, energy efficient, high-performing building.
