The expansion and renovation of Alro’s new 203,000 SF steel warehousing and distribution facility presented the team with significant site and existing building challenges. The old Central Steel and Wire building was comprised of three separate structures and expansions constructed from 1952-1972, totaling approximately 150,000 SF.
The design team was provided partial drawing sets from the three existing Central Steel and Wire building construction phases. In review of the documents, the team needed to engineer the new building tie-in to the existing structural frame to each of the different phases to allow for the 600′ long bridge cranes rails to be installed in proper alignment. It was determined through surveys that even though the existing building exterior was “square”; the structural steel framing was not. This created challenges in the bridge crane alignment and elevations for a 600’ bridge crane run.
Through extensive review of existing conditions via surveys, laser alignment, and coordination with our crane vendor, we engineered a solution to counteract the existing steel conditions. New columns, shims and crane rails were designed and fabricated to create a functional and safe solution to the problem.
Old renovation projects of this type always create challenges for the owner and design team. Echelon works to expeditiously reduce the overall impact of schedule, cost, and design to keep the project moving forward. The client was extremely pleased with the finished project and their increase in operational efficiency in the market.