Second-generation family-owned general contractor and construction management firm builds new home for Milton’s only Jewish congregation

BOSTON – July 14, 2015 – Kaplan Construction, a WBE general contractor and construction management firm providing comprehensive building programs across Greater Boston, announced today it is performing construction management and design/build services for a new 8,500 SF, two-story building for Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills in Milton, Mass. Upon completion in February 2016, Congregation Beth Shalom will house Milton’s only Jewish congregation, which hasn’t had its own home for four years.

Founded in 1944, the former Temple Shalom experienced a decline in membership from a peak of 500 to as few as 120 families. In 2011 it sold its former facility to Concord Baptist Church of Boston and began holding services in a nearby church and religious classes in a local school. In 2013 Temple Shalom merged with Quincy’s last synagogue, Temple Beth El, to form Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills. Following a long and unsuccessful search for a suitable site on which to build a new temple, Milton resident and temple member Marvin A. Gordon donated a 1.9-acre site that was once part of a 10-acre kosher dairy farm run by his grandfather and the first property owned by a Jewish family in Milton.

Designed to accommodate 120+ member families, the sanctuary will seat 160 for the High Holidays. The building has four classrooms as well as four bathrooms, offices, a library, kitchen and areas for socializing.With foundations already in place there is still one major design component of the project to work through - the Ark. Kaplan is providing design guidance, cost analyses, and setting milestone dates so that the construction of this focal point of the temple will work seamlessly into the overall project schedule.

Kaplan was engaged by the Building Steering Committee in 2014 to manage pre-construction services.  Kaplan developed a project schedule and a site logistics plan; refined the project scope and budget; performed constructability reviews and mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineering (MEP/FP) systems analysis; and coordinated MEP/FP with the structural and architectural design. Congregation Beth Shalom hired Kaplan for construction management in April 2015, and since then, the site has been cleared, foundations have been poured, and site utility work has proceeded in earnest.

“Kaplan Construction has provided a strong and positive leadership role in moving our project forward,” said Ada Rosmarin, Chair for the Building Steering Committee at Congregation Beth Shalom. “Senior Project Manager Wright Dickinson systematically took charge of the budget and guided us through preconstruction into construction. In essence, he acted as our Owner’s Project Manager and provided true leadership. We are all grateful for Wright’s patience and professionalism in his work with our volunteer committee.  His steady hand and organizational skills have been instrumental in making our project a success.  It has been a pleasure to work with the entire Kaplan team.”

With a niche in construction and renovation for houses of worship in Greater Boston, Kaplan has provided preconstruction services, renovated, or built more than 50 projects in the Greater Boston area for a variety of faiths. Designed by Torrey Architecture, The North Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in North Andover, Mass. received the William D. Smith Award for Accessible Design and Historic Preservation from the Boston Society of Architects (BSA).

The design/build project team members for the Congregation Beth Shalom project include:

• Architect: Abacus: Architects + Planners
• Mechanical Engineering: WV Engineering Associates
• Civil Engineering: Stantec
• Fire Protection: Lynco Fire Protection
• Plumbing: Lundy Plumbing & Heating
• HVAC: Breen & Sullivan Mechanical Services
• Electric: Guzovsky Electric

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.