Construction of Air Traffic Control Tower

Location: Destin Executive Airport, Destin, FL
Client: Okaloosa County Airports

Construction of a new Air Traffic Control Tower directly in the heart of Destin Florida; a project that redefines the Destin skyline and will bring a decade of preparation to completion. The SOW includes 39 auger cast pilings at 45-ft and 65-ft depths, concrete tilt-wall construction with weights up to 90 tons, steel erection at six stories in the air, new light beacon, wetland dredge and fill and impact mitigation, highly technical air traffic control systems and ALCMS control lighting, bores for electrical, communications and water, as well as a federally specified 3,500-ft asphalt access roadway, new security fencing, and key card access control systems for the facility. 

This project received an award in recognition of outstanding achievements in airport aesthetics, safety, and service in the state of Florida.

Replace Chilled Water Piping B3909

Location: NAS Pensacola, FL
Client: NAVFAC Southeast

Design and construction to replace the underground chilled water distribution piping system at the Naval Air Technical Training Center. Work included replacing all piping from the mechanical plant (Building 3909) to all barracks (Buildings 3901-3908 and 3910), the Galley (Building 3900), the Medical Clinic (Building 3911), and the Enlisted Club (Building 3912). The new pipe was installed up to the locations of existing isolation valves at all twelve buildings served. New gate valves were installed where the new piping connected to the existing. Existing piping from the isolation valves to the buildings remained in place for use. The project site covered approximately 3,600 linear feet where new chilled water piping was installed. The new chilled water piping crossed under four roads that were to remain in use. Underground directional boring was utilized in these areas to not disturb the flow of traffic.

Repair Air Traffic Control Tower Building 118

Location: NAS Jacksonville, FL
Client: NAVFAC Southeast

EMR was responsible for the four-phase renovation of Building 118 to bring it into compliance with applicable codes and regulations. Selective demolition included drywall and metal stud framing; vinyl composition tile; acoustical ceiling tile; windows; concrete masonry units, as necessary, to allow for the installation of structural members; guardrail/handrail; and roof planes. Repairs included replacing the HVAC system; repairing the electrical system; and refurbishing interior finishes, lighting, and exterior finishes. Work also included new state-of-the-art equipment in the control tower and below the cab observation level to meet requirements established by the National Airspace System Modernization Program and FAA standards. Building 118 remained in operation during all phases of this project.

Replacement of Runway 19 Approach Lighting

Location: Eglin AFB, FL
Client: Department of the Air Force

The replacement of runway approach lighting at Eglin AFB Runway 19 included new pilings, concrete caps, light towers, approach lights, electrical controls, a wood access walkway on timber piles, and wetland impact mitigation. The project also required the shutdown of Eglin’s main runway, Federal Aviation Administration permitting, design of pile-supported temporary access bridges, design and installation of temporary crane access, design of traffic diversion, and precision demolition of the existing system. 

Since the existing approach lighting system was constructed in 1969, the creosote-coated timber pile-supported structures had outlived their lifespan. EMR was to replace the existing rotted system with a concrete-supported structural steel tower system that should last another 50 years.

EMR installed (55) 18-inch x 18-inch concrete piles, (16) 16-inch x 16-inch concrete piles, 32 timber piles, 570 linear feet of timber access walkway, and 480 linear feet of temporary access, including a steel bridge strong enough to hold an 85-ton crane. We poured 11 concrete caps to support the new approach towers. Each tower contained approximately 21 cubic yards of concrete, 22 feet of specifically designed hurricane-rated support towers, and a 20-foot frangible fiberglass mast that is designed to break in the event of an errant aircraft collision.

Design-Build of Addition to Fire/Crash Station No. 1

Location: Eglin AFB, FL
Client: Department of the Air Force

EMR completed an expansion/renovation of the Eglin Fire Station No. 1 apparatus bay encompassing 7,392 square feet, along with additional interior renovations to the laundry room, training rooms, restrooms, and structural bay. EMR designed and executed an addition that created a five-stall garage measuring 52 feet x 100 feet with five 15 feet wide x 17 feet high doors. 

While ensuring that all construction debris was continually removed from the flight line, precise demolition of the original roof, two main supporting walls, a storage room, and a training room were successfully completed. A custom steel roof was installed, which included a highly sophisticated ambient exhaust extraction system with heavy-duty roof fans. An advanced sensor system was installed to control the integrated louvers and fans as low levels of toxic fumes enter the area. 

An entry canopy was added to the front of the fire station, which was constructed with a split-face concrete masonry unit for continuity of design. A custom design steel truss system was manufactured for the canopy and painted to match the adjacent trim. A standing seam metal roof was attached to the custom canopy.