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S. M. WILSON & CO. – ALTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
“The main lobby creates a new mod-
ern image for the hospital with sensi-
tive design details that humanize the
space,” adds Robert Meyer, Pratt Design
Studio project manager. “Relocation of
the lab and pharmacy into the new build-
ing allows for the logical expansion of
radiology and cardiac services into the
vacated space, accommodating clinical
expansion for anticipated patient
growth.”
Coordination ‘A Must’
S. M. Wilson is constructing the new
tower while the existing facility contin-
ues to operate, Goodman notes.
“We’re replacing two existing chillers
with two brand new chillers,” he says.
“We’re constructing a new generator build-
ing with two new emergency generators
and installing a substation that will power
the whole campus.”
This requires extensive coordination
with the hospital, he explains. “We have
to bring that substation online by doing
a switchover of all the power in their
existing facility, so coordination and
good communication with the facility’s
130 ■ WWW.CONSTRUCTION-TODAY.COM ■ FEBRUARY 2009
operations managers is a must,”
Goodman says. “We coordinate on a
weekly basis and sometimes on a daily
basis.”
Working in a Wet Season
Goodman says the most challenging
aspect to the Alton Memorial Hospital
bed tower replacement project has been
constructing the building’s basement.
“We are going through what so far has
amounted to the wettest year on record,”
he states. “It’s definitely been a schedule
challenge.
“The biggest thing that has happened
to us with all the rain was we over-dug
the basement about a foot,” he contin-
ues. “We had to bring in a foot of rock,
which actually paid off, because we had
a rock base to work off of down in the
basement. You may lose a day when it
rains, but with the rock base, at least we
could get down there the next day and
continue our work. That was probably
key to helping us maintain the sched-
ule, as well as setting up some good
drainage so that the water wouldn’t just
sit there.”
He says the project has been a suc-
cess so far, thanks to the positive rela-
tionship S. M. Wilson has with Alton
Memorial Hospital, as well as the sub-
contractors participating in the bed
tower’s construction. “We maintain very
open and honest communications with
our subcontractors, and we look to con-
tinue that effort throughout the rest of
the project,” Goodman says.
Building Partnerships
Positive relationships have fueled S. M.
Wilson’s growth since its inception in
1921, according to the contractor. “Building
successful partnerships is the cornerstone
of our business philosophy at S. M. Wilson
& Co., and the critical success factor in all
of our projects,” it states.
Healthcare projects are no exception,
the company continues. “Coordination,
communication and advanced planning
are key,” it explains. “S. M. Wilson’s suc-
cess with healthcare clients stems direct-
ly from their relationship with our pro-
fessional project managers and field
superintendents who make each project
their own.” ■