Imagine the first day back at high school, in the middle of August, and "what do you mean there's NO AIR?!" We had Just two months, from the time school let out for the summer, to remove the existing chilling plant system- air had to be on and cool by August 1st. The entire existing systems had to be removed: two chillers, two towers, a boiler and all piping. The existing condenser lines were filled with bacteria and severe corrosive conditions. Critical conditions became everyday occurrences: frequent changes in design and equipment created significant scheduling challenges to order the equipment and have it delivered in time, and the paperwork process for approval was an hourly nightmare! Every day was crucial, spending extremely long hours, including weekends. Not all of the sweat was caused by the extreme heat. Often it was necessary to give only oral approval and trust one another to meet the goal. The solutions lay in the trust and teamwork by everyone involved; the owners, engineers, subcontractors, (and their abilities to get their suppliers to deliver the needed equipment on time.) The willingness of all parties to focus on the solutions to accomplish the goal, are Just some reasons for the success. The big day arrived, and Just as if it were expected all along, the switches were flipped, and yes the air was CHILLIN'! A compliment was overheard from one of our engineers: "this never would have happened without this group on the job." A sincere "Thank You" to all of you who made this happen. The $14 million addition and renovation project for Round Rock's McNeil High School also includes 141,000 SF of new construction: a new cafeteria, 47 classrooms, science labs, an expansion of the library, plus a new gymnasium, locker rooms and training and weight rooms. Besides the new facilities, renovations to some existing buildings, parking lots and grounds will be provided. Other key partners on the American team are Tim Cahalane, Gabe Navejas, Pete Smith, Gene Mueller, Jim Jennings and Marry Burger. Completion is scheduled for June '97.

A certificate of occupancy was received in March for the 107,000 SF, $9 million additions and renovations expansion project, designed by Don Tew Architects; several months ahead of schedule. Tim Cahalane, heading the project, gives credit for the success (the early completion and consistency) to the teamwork, communication and cooperation established at the beginning of the project - when Partnering was implemented and practiced throughout the project. Other American team members include Dan Koran, Pete Smith, Gene Mueller and Gabe Navejas.

This project is a combined effort by our Austin and California offices. Americans' team included Terry Adams, and Art Topete from our California office, and David Fletcher and Derrick Lormand in the Austin office. Located in San Marcos on 19 1/2 acres, American recently completed this $8.3 million, 200 unit apartment complex, complete with clubhouse, pool, and exercise and laundry rooms. The project is located in the Blanco River flood plain and required a four-acre detention pond. Owners are the ARV Housing Group, Inc., in California.

This fast-track eight-month DESIGN/BUILD project for the U.S. Postal Service included a 35,000 SF building expansion. Constructed between two operating buildings, this project provided major challenges, as it was necessary to keep all mail sorting operations functioning. The project team included Terry Sheehan, Tim Shelton, R.C. McMillan, Pat Osuna and Cody Bristow. Designers were O'Connell Robert-son & Associates, and Pickett Kelm & Associates, Inc.

The Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary's (APTS) 30,000 SF Multipurpose Facility was completed in August. Nestled In a serene wooded area with a creek running alongside, the facility will provide the students with a 3-story brick clad building, including dormitory rooms, recreation and student life areas, offices, a large auditorium/lecture hall, cafeteria and a fellowship hall. Extensive collaboration with the owner and architect/engineer, O'Connell Robertson & Associates, was required to bring this project within budget. Heading Americans' efforts were Bruce Blakely, Marty Burger, and Robert Salgo.

Construction began in April on a new $3 million gymnasium for St. Stephen's Episcopal School. The 25,000 SF building will include four basketball courts with completion planned for early '97. Team members include architect's RTG/ Partners, Danze and Blood, Resource Design and Conley Engineering. Americans' Team is headed by Project Managers Scott Cooper and Tom Peoples, and assisted by Tony Bunch and Charlotte Schlech.

American was awarded a $4.2 million DESIGN/BUILD contract with the U.S. Postal Service, The 60,000 SF expansion of the Austin Processing and Distribution Center has a six-month completion schedule for both the design and construction. Assisting in the design are O'Connell Robertson & Associates, Pickett Kelm & Associates, Inc. and John Doucett & Associates. Terry Sheehan and R.C. McMillan headed up the project, assisted by Pat Osuna and Cody Bristow.

American Constructors California is currently building an assisted living, 150 units, housing project in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The facilities include a commercial kitchen, large dining area, activity center and a special unit for Alzheimer patients, complete with a whirlpool for treatment purposes. This is the second project American is building for ARV Housing Group, Inc. Bob Jones heads up the project and is assisted by Jeff Chen and Paul Clinton. A Spring '97 completion is planned.

Heading the financial operations is RON KONKOL, who joined the Austin office Corporate Comptroller spring. Ron brings to the company over 16 years of experience in construction accounting and banking.

Joining American in field management this summer are COREY TAYLOR, and Superintendents BOB JONES and TONY BUNCH. Corey brings to the company 15 years of project engineering experience. Tony returns to Texas after working on major projects in Mexico and California. Bob, a seasoned veteran of many apartment and commercial projects, heads up our work in New Mexico.

Engineering graduates, JIM JENNINGS, CHARLOTTE SCHLECH, and DERRICK LORMAND all have signed on for field engineering assignments and are currently assigned to Austin area projects.

Joining LISA OWENS in Americans' accounting department in Austin is MARLA KEPHART. In Albuquerque, CATHRYN JOHNSON is our projects' clerk, while LORI MENTZ joins our California operation as office administrator.

Helping part-time this summer in the main office were DANNY KROMIS and MANDY CAMPBELL (her second summer with us); RYAN IRION assisted at the Austin Mail Handling Project. Earlier this year SCOTT GIBSON joined us as our runner.

American Joined RTG/Partners and Kitsune/Haworth on a "design/build project" in Galveston. To represent Austin in a unique way, we started with a 5-pointed star base. Each point had replicas of a local beer company - a bottle of Shiner Bock, a six pack of Pearl Beer, a Lonestar Longneck, a keg of Cells, and a tequila shooter with lime. In the center of the star we constructed a replica of the renovated Capital Building - with one minor "change order." The Dome is now a beer mug, with overflowing foam. Now Austin isn't only the "Capital of Texas," it's "The Beer Capital of Texas." Returning with the "Best Award for Long Distance Team," a good time was had by all and making new friends was the "foam on the mug."

American Constructors was awarded the 1995 AGC/Austin Chapter Construction Award for "Construction Excellence" for the St. Stephen's Episcopal School Tennis Center. The twelve-court tennis complex, which is situated on a wooded hillside overlooking the school campus and the Texas hill country, is used for training, tournament play, and professional exhibitions. Just last month, the largest sanctioned professional tournament in Texas, "The 1996 Norwest USTA Women's Challenger of Austin" was played on these courts.