Construction firm brings project management expertise to successful urban renewal projects
BOSTON – Feb. 23, 2015 – Kaplan Construction, a WBE general contractor and construction management firm providing comprehensive building programs across Greater Boston, announced today that it has been engaged by Lena Park Community Development Corporation and Madison Park Development Corporation for renovations to Boston-area properties. Over the past 37 years, Kaplan has managed numerous urban renewal projects for public and private clients.
Community Development Corporations (CDCs) engage local residents and businesses to work together to undertake community development programs, projects and activities that develop and improve urban, rural and suburban communities in sustainable ways to create and expand economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income people. According to the 2013 GOALs Report published by the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, in 2012, Massachusetts CDCs attracted $460 million in both public and private investment to support their community efforts, and built or preserved 1,511 homes.
Lena Park Community Center
Mattapan, Mass.
Kaplan was retained by Lena Park Community Development Corporation and community development organization Urban Edge to manage construction services at the Lena Park Community Center in Mattapan, Mass. The facility was a former school and Lena Park CDC sold all but 10,000 SF to a charter school and hired Kaplan Construction and Boehm Architecture to transform the space into a community center.
Kaplan renovated the interior which included framing two existing squash courts to create a multi-purpose room and installing skylights to create a warm environment for use as office space. To transform the 10,000 SF space into a community center Kaplan constructed multiple rooms including the 1,100 SF multi-purpose room, three classrooms, a meeting/community room, a lounge, office space, a tech café and kitchen, and new bathrooms. The facility will provide the community resources that will empower and support individuals and their families to become more self-sufficient and an active participant in their development and the health of their community.
“The completed project is remarkable. It has the energy and state-of-the-art feel that Lena Park and the community were seeking for the space,” said Kimberly D. Simmons, M.Ed., interim executive director for Lena Park Community Development Corporation. “Kaplan Construction was organized, orderly and responsive throughout the process. The staff, board and community are proud to embrace this beautiful new Community Center.”
Over the course of the project Kaplan employed a significant number of construction workers from the local neighborhood (51% Boston residents) in addition to minority workers (77%). Kaplan contracted with 27% MBE and 35% WBE businesses as well.
“Kaplan made every effort and was successful at hiring vendors and sub-contractors from the community, ensuring that this project would contribute to our economic development goals,” added Simmons.
St. Botolph Terrace
Boston, Mass.
Madison Park Development Corporation (MPDC) is a leading developer of affordable housing in the nonprofit sector and one of the largest CDCs in Massachusetts. MPDC hired Kaplan Construction for pre-construction and construction services at its St. Botolph Terrace apartment complex. Consisting of nine buildings originally built in 1899 and last renovated in 1999, the complex has 52 units ranging from studio to four-bedroom apartments. Interior renovations will include new flooring, painting, new common area lighting, and installation of modern life-safety and security systems. Construction will also include bathroom, kitchen, and lobby upgrades. Exterior renovations will feature repointing, replacing stone lintels and cornices, and repairing minor structural issues related to masonry. Careful consideration will be given to staging and phasing as the units will be occupied during construction. Kaplan is working with Abacus Architects & Planners and Hezekiah Pratt Architecture & Design on this affordable housing project.
“We're very pleased to work with Kaplan. Their pricing has been competitive throughout, and their preconstruction services are excellent," said Russell Tanner, director of real estate for Madison Park Development Corporation. “Kaplan completed a similar building on West Newton Street, and they have experience working with CDCs and affordable housing projects on lean budgets."
About Kaplan Construction
Kaplan Construction is a WBE general contractor and construction management company that provides comprehensive building programs including preconstruction planning, construction management, design-build services, and general construction for commercial, healthcare, multi-family, worship, and institutional clients. Serving Greater Boston since 1976, Kaplan is dedicated to building trusted, long-lasting relationships with its staff and clients based on professional teamwork, personal service, and quality craftsmanship. The company’s proactive approach features lean building techniques and integrated project delivery (IPD) that often realize substantial cost savings and earlier completion dates for its clients, while its dedication to safety far surpasses industry standards. Kaplan has earned its reputation for excellent customer service and superb workmanship, and the company’s highly successful projects have garnered a long list of industry awards and repeat clients. For more information, please visit www.kaplanconstructs.com.
Media Contact:
Susan Shelby, FSMPS, CPSM
Rhino Public Relations
978.985.4541
