Thank you to RMCC for selecting Nabholz Construction, and best wishes to our team as they work to build what we know will be a great addition to the RMCC campus!

Architect’s rendering of the Ouachita Center.

Click here to see more Higher Education projects completed by Nabholz.

“Doubling the amount of frozen storage will mean better access and an increased variety of foods available to the agencies we serve,” noted Laura Rhea, president and CEO of Arkansas Rice Depot, at the groundbreaking ceremony last spring. “Ultimately, this expansion means additional funds to purchase food for the Arkansans we serve. We are grateful for the support of organizations like Wal-Mart and Nabholz Construction who made this two year dream a reality.” This project is the first phase of a multi-phase expansion plan for the organization.

Thank you to the Arkansas Rice Depot for once again selecting Nabholz as their trusted construction partner and to our awesome Nabholz team members who made this project a success!

Fayetteville Montessori School

Commercial Less Than $2 Million

“ABC congratulates Nabholz for their outstanding work,” said Bill Roachell, ABC Arkansas President. ABC Arkansas designed the Excellence in Construction program to recognize excellent performance in the merit shop construction field. The award honors all construction team members, including the contractor, owner, architect and engineer.

This year’s competition was open to all construction projects completed by ABC member firms during 2012. The winning projects were selected from entries submitted from across the state and were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and cost. A panel from the construction management department of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock served as the competition’s judges.

We’re grateful to ABC of Arkansas for the recognition and to all of the men and women on our project teams who worked diligently to build these award-winning facilities for our clients.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association with 72 chapters representing 22,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms with two million employees. To find out more about ABC Arkansas, visit www.abcark.org.

LEED and the related logo is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used with permission.

Here are some things I have been told either directly by “inspectors” claiming to be mold experts or by home or business owners who heard it from one of these so-called experts:

• from a talk-show expert: “…Toxic Black Mold is in Texas but has not yet reached Arkansas…”
• from a homeowner looking to purchase chemicals from a janitorial supplier to treat his home: “Don’t put bleach on toxic black mold it just makes it mad.”
• from a home inspector in a draft report: “Bleach does not kill mold it just makes it go dormant.”
• from a homeowner trying to determine if he had a mold problem: “The last guy stuck his nose up to the basement wall and said, ‘Yep, you have toxic black mold, but for $12,000.00 I can get rid of it.’”

Let me state two things that, unlike the statements above, are absolutely true about toxic black mold:

1. There is no such thing as toxic black mold. The term “toxic black mold” was popularized by news reporters in New York who were referring to an outbreak of a medical condition found in several children from a small neighborhood.
2. To quote a very good friend and regulator in Arkansas, “Mold is not an alien from outer space that has dropped out of the sky to kill your children.”

So, if “toxic black mold” doesn’t exist, then what is the truth and what should we worry about when it comes to mold? First, the term “toxic mold” is not accurate because mold itself is not toxic or poisonous; although, certain molds can be toxigenic, meaning that they produce toxins called mycotoxins (CDC, 2012). In terms of potential health hazards, all molds–even toxigenic molds–are created equal. Second, it’s important to realize that we already live with mold and mold spores every day in every way–at home, in our cars, at school, at work, at the park, pretty much everywhere. However, when we do find it in our living or working spaces, we do need to do something about it; and the first thing we need to do is find out why it’s growing on our walls (or books, or shoes, or kids’ toys, etc.). To figure that out, you need to know the two basic rules about mold:

• MOLD RULE #1: Without excess moisture, mold will not grow in your home or workplace.
• MOLD RULE #2: Without excess moisture, mold will not grow in your home or workplace.

Now that we’ve established those important rules, let’s talk about where this excess moisture might come from and the situations that could put you at risk of having a mold problem:

• Leaks - Whether it be a leaky roof, hot water heater, washing machine, ice maker, sink drain, shower pan, or anything else, leaks are common sources of excess moisture and can quickly create an environment where mold will thrive.
• Too much water in your air – If the relative humidity in your home or workplace is above 55%, it’s too high and can lead to mold growth (you can measure relative humidity yourself with an inexpensive and easy-to-find hygrometer). I often see this result from running a big air conditioning unit on those hot August days when you need to cool down RIGHT NOW. The problem with this is that the unit cools the air so fast that it shuts off before the de-humidifier part of the unit can do its job of removing excess moisture from the air.
• Too much water in your crawlspace – Wet air can make its way inside through normal construction penetrations for ducts, pipes, etc. If your HVAC ducts are in a crawlspace, they can pick up damp air and spread it through the entire duct system and into your living or work space. Even if you don’t see mold on the walls, it may be in the ducts, which means it’s in the air you breathe every day.

If you do have a real mold problem (and not a mythical case of toxic black mold), what can you do? I would love to give you a one-size-fits-all solution for any and every mold problem out there, but the reality of it is that every situation is different, so I can’t do that. What I and other mold remediation specialists can do is evaluate your unique situation and give you a fair, honest and scientifically-accurate appraisal and some ways to solve your mold problem.

As a final note of encouragement, if you have mold in your home or business, you probably won’t have to tear it down, move to Arizona, go live with your parents (well, maybe for a day or two), or file for bankruptcy. Most mold problems can be solved without major inconvenience or financial burden. That said, if you have significant mold growth, then you must have a lot of water coming from somewhere, and that water may be causing structural damage or providing a haven for termites. These things, not the mold, can cost big bucks to fix, so the best thing to do is stay vigilant. If you see even a hint of mold in what should be a dry area, or if you suspect you might have a leak or too much moisture in your air, don’t ignore it. Check it out or call a professional, like myself, to check it out for you.

Nabholz Environmental Services offers a wide range of environmental expertise, specializing in commercial assessment and abatement. We specialize in Phase I and Phase II Environmental Assessments, Asbestos Abatement and Mold Remediation. Our team is committed to providing clients with the same level of quality, exceptional customer service, and integrity that has been synonymous with the Nabholz name since 1949.

About the Author

Dewain Tennant serves as Business Development Office for Nabholz Environmental Services. He earned his MS in Biology and Environmental Engineering from Tennessee Technological University in 1975. Since then, Dewain has spent more than 35 years designing and executing studies characterizing the impact of hazardous waste management and toxic substance release on the environment. He has directed a variety of multi-disciplinary projects for the private sector and governmental agencies, including the EPA. Dewain has a strong technical background and is Project Director on all technical aspects of Nabholz Environmental Services. Dewain’s diverse background has allowed him to direct a variety of complicated environmental projects.

Cutting the ribbon (from left): William Jaco, Head of the OSU Department of Mathematics; Chris Burnett, President of Nabholz Construction's Southwest Operations; Bret Danilowicz, Dean of the OSU College of Arts & Sciences; Sheila Johnson, OSU Dean of Libraries; OSU President Burns Hargis; Calvin Anthony, OSU/A&M Board of Regents; Robert Sternberg, OSU Provost & Senior Vice President; and Chris Francisco, Assoc. Head of Lower Division Mathematics at OSU

OSU President Burns Hargis address attendees at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Nabholz team: Chris Burnett; John Roach, Business Development Officer; Danny Kennedy, EVP of Preconstruction Southwest Operations; Chris Tyler, Project Engineer; Mykala Phillips, Project Manager Assistant; Ray Blake, Superintendent; and Chad Hall, Project Manager

According to a press release issued by the University, “The MLSC will provide the latest in education software and computer technology. Highly trained tutors and a dedicated staff will coordinate and supervise the services. These new resources will provide enhancements for student learning and success. . . . The enhanced MLSC will provide more services and be able to accommodate roughly three times the current capacity of the MLRC [Mathematics Learning Resource Center].”

We applaud OSU’s strong commitment to support their students’ success in mathematics education, and we’re thankful to the University for partnering with Nabholz to create this facility that will allow them to achieve that goal.

“These tips offer property professionals effective operational and management strategies for reducing energy consumption and elevating sustainability,” said BOMA Tulsa President Kelly Baker. “As we approach Earth Day, it’s important to remember that making significant energy-efficiency improvements is within the reach of most building owners and managers, and many of the methods are no- or low-cost.”

Here are the Top 10 Ways commercial real estate professionals can green their building operations this Earth Day:

1. Measure and Manage. Benchmark energy and water consumption through ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager.
2. Audit Yourself. Perform regular energy audits to identify opportunities for cost-effective energy reductions. Remember to perform midnight evaluations to make sure lighting and HVAC aren’t running when the building is unoccupied.
3. Get the Word Out. Institute a Tenant Energy Awareness Program – use your company newsletter and/or building announcements to keep tenants informed about energy management goals and how they can help. Provide them with energy savings tips.
4. Become Enlightened. Replace incandescent lights with CFLs, which use less energy, have a longer lamp life and produce less heat.
5. Go Low Flow. Install low-flow/flush fixtures and hands-free fixtures in restrooms.
6. Don’t Forget Electronics. Hold an e-waste day and collect old printers, computers and electronics for recycling.
7. Use Sensors. Install occupancy sensors and photo sensors that monitor daylight. Occupancy sensors also work for HVAC controls.
8. Be Shady. Install solar shades to block heat.
9. Encourage Eco-Friendly Transportation. Install bicycle racks and electronic vehicle chargers.
10. Improve IAQ. Use high-efficiency HVAC filters–and change them often. Use low-VOC paints, sealants and adhesives for building improvements.

Nabholz provides professional thermal imaging services, performed by Thermography Certified Specialists who are ready to analyze any facility’s energy efficiency and report back to the owner where and how their buildings are losing energy and money. We will recommend solutions and help to accomplish them. For more information about our thermal imaging services, contact us at (501) 505-5802.

Additionally, our professionals at Nabholz Environmental Services can perform indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments, and if needed, recommend and provide solutions for improvement. To find out more about how NES can help improve the air quality in your building, give us a call at (501) 217-5506.

After brief comments from Chairman of the Board Charles Nabholz, attendees watched as two steel beams, topped out with a tree and a flag, were hoisted to the center of the superstructure and joined together to symbolize the partnership forged by the two major healthcare providers in the $16 million project. One of the beams put into place Wednesday had been taken to AMMC and the other to St. Bernards, where employees at both organizations had the opportunity to sign them.

Ground was broken for Paragould Medical Park in December, and it is expected to be ready for use in the fall of this year. The initial phase will include a 60,000-square-foot structure that will accommodate clinical offices of a number of primary care physicians and specialists, as well as pre-admissions testing for patients who will be admitted to AMMC and St. Bernards, laboratory services, imaging services, and physical therapy and rehabilitative services. The facility will be connected fiber-optically to both AMMC and St. Bernards. Brackett Krennerich Architects of Jonesboro, AR designed the structure to be especially energy efficient.

The topping out ceremony is a kickback to a centuries-old Scandinavian tradition of placing an evergreen tree, a symbol of growth said to bring good luck, on the highest point of a shelter or home upon its completion. Though the meaning of the ceremony has changed a bit over time, we continue the tradition as a way to celebrate the completion of the most dangerous phase of construction and to symbolize thanksgiving for a safe project.

At Nabholz Construction, safety always comes first–not just for our employees, but for anyone and everyone who enters a Nabholz jobsite or construction zone. So, next time you’re driving and you see our workers or any construction workers in a work zone, please think about their safety and your own, and slow down and pay attention. It could save your life.

To see the press release and full study from AGC, click here.

Dr. Paneitz & Melba Shewmaker taking the first swing.

Dr. Paneitz, College President

Josh Hammet, Project Engineer; Steve Clouten, Project Executive; Rob Dodd, Senior PM & Bill Rossborough, Superintendent

Since this is a renovation project and there was no ground to break, our resourceful crew brought out a large piece of sheetrock from the existing building so the project stakeholders could each take a swing at the wall to represent the start of construction, which has now begun and should be complete in about 8 months. We are truly honored to be involved in such an important project for the Northwest Arkansas community.