Suffolk Construction and Webcor Builders Awarded Green Miami Science Museum Project

Suffolk Construction Company, Inc., partnering with Webcor Builders of San Francisco, has been awarded the contract to manage construction of the new 250,000 square-foot Miami Science Museum in Museum Park, Miami, Florida. The key components of the new Miami Science Museum will include a 35,000 square-foot aquarium, a planetarium, and approximately 55,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor science exhibits. The new green Museum was designed as a highly sustainable, LEED-certified building that will reduce costs and serve as a showcase for the most state-of-the-art energy management and control technology in the country. The Selection Panel consisted of the Construction Committee of the Miami Science Museum and representatives of the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County.

“We are excited that the Miami Science Museum chose us to manage this very important project that will highlight the benefits of sustainable design and construction practices,” said Rex Kirby, President and General Manager, Suffolk Construction Southeast Region. “At Suffolk, we recognize that sustainable facilities can have a positive effect on our natural environment, economy, and the health and productivity of building occupants and their surrounding neighborhoods. We look forward to demonstrating our passion for managing sustainable projects, technical knowledge and innovative project management approach on this high-profile project for the region.”

The Miami Science Museum will be constructed concurrently with the Miami Art Museum on adjacent sites, presenting logistical and coordination challenges for all the project teams involved. The Museum site is also located in close proximity to the Metro Mover trolley system, which will require the planning and execution of a comprehensive safety plan.

“With Suffolk and Webcor on board, we are well prepared. Suffolk is a national company with a very strong local track record. Webcor brings invaluable skills to this particular project, from their recent experience in completing the award-winning California Academy of Sciences, one of very few institutions that, like our project, has both an aquarium and a planetarium,” said Gillian Thomas, President and CEO, Miami Science Museum. “We are confident that with their combined experience and the support of the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County, we’re on track to create a unique new museum; a one-of-a-kind facility which will serve as a leading example of sustainable building. We’re proud that Miami Science Museum will not only serve as a world-class Museum for visitors but also that the facility itself will serve to educate people about energy management, design, science and technology.”

The Miami Science Museum project is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2010 and will be completed in early 2014.

Suffolk continues to strengthen its relationship with Miami-Dade County and expand its presence in this region—in addition to the Miami Science Museum win, Suffolk is also close to completing the $66.7 million Miami Beach Senior High School and the $88 million North Miami Senior High School.

About Suffolk Construction Company, Inc.

Founded in 1982, Suffolk Construction Company, Inc., is one of the leading privately held construction management firms in the country, with main offices in the northeast, mid-Atlantic, southeast and west coast regions of the country. Suffolk provides preconstruction, construction management, design/build and general contracting services, and has a strong reputation for delivering challenging building construction projects in the healthcare, education, science/technology, government and commercial sectors.

Suffolk’s approach, capabilities and offerings are transforming the way clients achieve success in the construction industry. Suffolk has a commitment and passion for environmentally-friendly business practices and sustainable building, a focus on state-of-the-art technologies to support key processes, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), and a creative and intensive approach to preconstruction planning which has resulted in higher quality and lower overall costs for clients.

Suffolk employees are experienced construction professionals and are committed to client service and relationship building. They are influencers in the construction industry and in their local communities, and consistently lead by example while striving to exceed expectations with clients, partners and the people and businesses in the surrounding neighborhoods. For more information about Suffolk, please visit the company’s Web site at www.suffolkconstruction.com

About Webcor Consulting Group (WCG):

Webcor Consulting Group provides new, proven technologies and business practices that revolutionize all phases of the building lifecycle and deliver world-class results. Virtual Building is integrated into all WCG services–from design and construction through operations and reuse–and is what differentiates WCG from traditional construction management and Building Information Modeling (BIM) firms. WCG services preemptively increase efficiency, reduce costs, optimize schedules, limit legal issues, and deliver lasting client value. The firm’s proprietary, state-of-the-art technologies and methods have reinvented the building process and are the result of decades of research and development by its parent company, Webcor Builders–the largest, most technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable general contractor in California.

About Miami Science Museum

The Miami Science Museum aims to make a difference in people’s lives by inspiring them to appreciate the impact that science and technology can have on every facet of our world. The Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Miami Science Museum will be moving to a new state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Downtown Miami in 2014. Museum Park, which will be home to the new Miami Science Museum and Miami Art Museum, will combine science and art in an unparalleled waterfront experience. For more information about the Museum and our New Museum project, visit www.miamisci.org or call (305) 646-4405.