Construction Management Oversight for Community Impact

With a population of nearly 30,000 residents, Laurel, Maryland, is home to a considerable number of people living below the poverty line.

As a result, for those experiencing homelessness or financial hardship, finding reliable support within the local area was a challenge, with limited resources available for aid. To address these disparities and provide essential services, the City of Laurel sought to establish a multiservice community center designed to assist residents. In 2020, the city identified and acquired an abandoned full-scale gym and sports facility that could be repurposed for this vision.

After securing the necessary space, the City contracted KCI to provide civil engineering design, construction management and inspection services. Drawing on the firm’s extensive experience with complex facility rehabilitation efforts, KCI was entrusted to act as a full agent, implementing documentation control measures to streamline communication across subcontractors. A dedicated on-site inspector was assigned to support daily activities, while the broader team led design development and maintained ongoing engagement with stakeholders throughout the process.

During phase one of the project timeline, the team began converting the gymnasium, two multipurpose rooms, and several storage areas into spaces for equipment storage and emergency supplies. Demolition and reconstruction efforts were carefully planned to preserve usable infrastructure while accommodating the new layout. When evaluating the condition of the building, the team determined that the existing roof needed to be replaced. However, the installation of a new roof presented one of the project’s biggest challenges. To maintain the warranty, the roofing system had to be installed in one continuous process with no unnecessary cuts or openings. At the same time, plans for the second phase of construction included an elevator with a cab that would extend through the roof, which would violate those requirements. In addition, building the elevator shaft required overhead access to complete the cinder block masonry. To address these conflicting needs, KCI recommended installing 75 percent of the new roof during the initial phase, intentionally leaving the section above the future elevator space open but weather tight until phase two.

Adding to the project’s complexities, the team was tasked with identifying the facility’s existing underground utilities. The building’s original records were more than 40 years old and largely outdated due to development in the surrounding area. Working collaboratively with other subcontractors, the project team used high-frequency ground-penetrating radar (GPR), which provided digital scans that allowed for rapid data analysis. Workers also employed an electromagnetic pipe and cable locator to trace conductive pipes and tracer wire, identifying necessary upgrades for an existing two-inch water main and successfully locating all existing utilities.

While the roof and underground utilities posed the greatest complications, the facility was also operating with limited electricity, as only temporary power distribution was available for essential functions. Additionally, the existing water system was insufficient to support the center’s increased demand. While the team transformed the interior spaces with semi-temporary power and restricted water usage to remain fully operational, the City expanded KCI’s oversight responsibilities, granting further decision-making authority to help maintain project momentum and keep the schedule on track.

At the conclusion of phase one, the team had successfully converted a portion of the existing building into a community gym and created a new reception area, multipurpose room, restrooms, and storage spaces. Additionally, new entrances, sprinkler systems, and HVAC improvements were implemented throughout the facility, as well as upgrades to adjacent parking lots. With these enhancements in place, the center was partially opened for public use as work transitioned to the next phase.

The second phase focused on transforming the remaining space into short-term housing and essential day services, such as a service kitchen, a barber shop and hair salon, a learning center, a food pantry, and a clothing distribution center. Additionally, construction was completed for the elevator and the remaining portion of the roof was attached. As the spaces completed in phase one were already open for public use, renovation efforts were coordinated to minimize disruptions to ongoing operations. Other functional and cosmetic modifications were made to the facility during this phase, including the addition of an ADA-accessible ramp at the front entrance to ensure inclusive access for all visitors. Despite the challenges that were encountered during the project’s timeline, all infrastructure upgrades were successfully completed on schedule.

To celebrate the opening of the new multiservice center, former Laurel Mayor Craig A. Moe and current Mayor Keith R. Sydnor held a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for a large crowd of residents and supporters, emphasizing the center’s impact on the community. Now open, the new facility is dedicated to providing access to essential resources free of charge, funded through a combination of grants, city budget allocations, donations, and traditional fundraising. Nearby access to public transportation will additionally enable the City to extend essential services to vulnerable communities across Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, and Howard Counties, ensuring that it remains accessible to those who need it most.