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The Alisal Integrated Health Clinic is a state-of-the-art, two-story, 19,000-square-foot healthcare facility located in the heart of Salinas, California. Commissioned by the County of Monterey Health Department, the clinic serves as a vital resource for comprehensive health and wellness services to the local community. Harris & Associates provided expert construction management services, overseeing the creation of this essential facility, which includes a broad range of services designed to meet the diverse healthcare needs of the community.
Harris & Associates collaborated closely with DMC Commercial as the general contractor, ensuring the successful construction of the health center. The clinic includes specialized spaces such as office areas, exam and treatment rooms, observation spaces, and a multipurpose room that serves the broader community for events and gatherings. The facility is equipped with cutting-edge medical technology to support Behavioral Health and Clinic Services, offering services such as screenings, individual and family counseling, occupational therapy, primary care, medication evaluation and treatment, and more.
Core Elements:
• Project Size & Scope: 19,000 SF, two-story building with integrated healthcare facilities, office space, treatment rooms, exam areas, and community-serving multipurpose room.
• Construction Design: The facility’s structural design features a steel frame, slab on grade, and concrete over metal deck construction, which integrates seamlessly with exterior site improvements like parking, landscaping, bioretention ponds, and a security fence and gate for the adjacent County of Monterey Probation Youth Center.
• Challenges & Solutions: The project faced several key challenges, including the procurement of materials amid global supply chain disruptions post-pandemic. Harris & Associates mitigated these challenges by establishing a 90-day pre-construction submittal phase, ensuring materials were ordered in advance. One specific issue involved the relocation of a critical 25-foot security gate for the neighboring youth center, which required careful phasing to maintain 24/7 security access while the new gate was built.
Harris provided full-spectrum construction management, including pre-construction services, scheduling, budget oversight, and coordination. Harris worked with DMC Commercial to navigate the challenges that arose during the project, ensuring that it was completed on time and under budget. Harris also managed the procurement process, sequencing construction tasks, and addressing unforeseen site conditions.
Pre-Construction Services: Harris developed detailed pre-construction plans, including a 90-day submittal phase to mitigate supply chain delays. This phase ensured that all materials were ordered and confirmed before construction began, preventing significant delays.
Schedule & Budget Control: Harris coordinated with DMC Commercial and Rowecon LLC, utilizing tools such as Oracle Primavera P6 to monitor and update the project schedule regularly. Harris maintained strict budget oversight, ensuring the project remained within financial constraints despite challenges like procurement issues and site conditions.
Additionally, unforeseen conditions such as existing utility conflicts, soil instability, and adverse weather conditions (22 weather days) created obstacles during the construction phase, which were managed through proactive planning and coordination.
Safety Performance: Harris & Associates implemented a rigorous safety program, including site-specific safety plans and constant hazard monitoring. The project team maintained a stellar safety record with only two near misses over two years of construction.
Environmental Considerations: During excavation, asbestos-containing pipes were discovered, posing an environmental hazard. The team swiftly coordinated with environmental specialists for safe containment, removal, and disposal of the materials, ensuring environmental protection.
Community Engagement: Throughout the construction process, Harris worked closely with local authorities to keep the community informed via weekly updates, door hanger notifications, and direct communication with residents about any work that might impact traffic or pedestrian access. The project’s transparency and commitment to minimizing disruptions enhanced community relations.
Unforeseen Issues: The relocation of overhead PG&E power poles near the construction site caused a delay in the structural steel frame erection. Harris coordinated with PG&E for the redesign and relocation of the poles, enabling work to continue safely and ultimately minimizing the project’s schedule impact. Despite these delays, Harris was able to bring the project back on track within five weeks of PG&E completing their work.
Beyond the Blueprints
- 19,000 SF of healthcare and community space
- Comprehensive behavioral health and primary care services
- Innovative construction management addressing supply chain and logistical challenges
- Community engagement through proactive communication and safety efforts
- Successful completion of the project under budget and on schedule despite unforeseen challenges
The Alisal Integrated Health Clinic is now operational and providing essential health services to the community, fulfilling a critical need for accessible healthcare in The City of Salinas. The project stands as a testament to effective construction management, adaptive problem-solving, and a deep commitment to community service.
