It’s Tourney Time!

Feeling the post-Super Bowl blues?  Depressed that the party scene has left Indianapolis?  Well fear not, because this week the national spotlight returns to the Circle City in the form of another major sporting event: the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament. 

2012 marks the fifth consecutive year that Indianapolis has hosted the tournament and its eighth time overall.  Indianapolis’ central location makes it the ideal spot for the tournament, as it is a short commute from the majority of the Big Ten schools.  Much like it did for last month’s Super Bowl, Indy has received rave reviews in its hosting duties for previous tournaments, so the decision to return to the city was surely an easy one for the Big Ten committee.  If you have ever been downtown during past tournaments you know that it is an exciting atmosphere, with the occasional good-natured ribbing amongst rival fans of course.  The games are held in the newly-renamed  Bankers Life Fieldhouse, and are stretched out over the course of 4 days (Thursday through Sunday).  Average ticket prices are typically the lowest of any conference in the nation, so the tournament definitely provides some affordable fun for the whole family.

This year’s Big Ten Tournament is one of the most anticipated in years.  The addition of the University of Nebraska to the conference (making an even 12 teams) means that the tournament has a new and improved format.  The fact that the Big Ten is considered by many to be the best, most competitive conference in college basketball also adds some pizzazz.  But let’s face it, as residents of the Hoosier State, our primary focus is on IU and Purdue!

While the start of the “Big Dance” is still a couple weeks away, the Big Ten Tournament is sure to provide some exciting basketball in the meantime.  If you love watching quality basketball and want to spend some time in a great, hospitable city, make your way to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament. 

Adam Keller

Project Engineer

Greening the Heartland Conference 2012

2012 marks an exciting year for the Indiana Chapter of the USGBC.  This year we are proud to be hosting the 9^th Annual Greening the Heartland Conference right in our own backyard!  Being on the GTH2012 Development Committee and involved with the USGBC Indiana Chapter, I could not be more excited for what this means for our state and our organization.

 Greening the Heartland is the premier annual conference on green building and sustainability programs in the Midwest. The conference has a tradition of providing both lively dialogue on issues of environmental importance along with tangible, proven approaches for green building projects and sustainable development. Featuring interesting keynote speakers, multi-track accredited educational sessions, and an expansive exhibition by product and service providers, GTH2012 promises to provide a variety of benefits for both businesses and individuals to learn, exchange ideas, and discuss opportunities within our Midwest environmental context.

If your company wants to reach individuals and organizations throughout the region that are interested in your green services and products, or you want to support sustainability and the concept of building community, participate in the upcoming Greening the Heartland regional conference May 16-18, 2012 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, drawing attendees from the US Green Building Council’s 12-state Heartland Region.

www.greeningtheheartland.org
@GTH2012
info@greeningtheheartland.org

Estimator
Karen Shutte

Project Spotlight: Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation

If you’ve traveled along Meridian Street recently in the Meridian Hills area, you may have noticed the significant upgrades taking place on the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation temple.  The Hagerman Group has spent the last year completing major renovations to the facility’s sanctuary and social hall, chapel, office spaces, gift shop, corridors, and entrances.

Working alongside Ratio Architects, The Hagerman Group ensured that not even the smallest detail was overlooked.  From the imported Jerusalem stone flooring to the eucalyptus wood used throughout, the new temple provides an impressive upgrade to what had become a somewhat outdated facility.  The renovated building, which combines a modern flair with more traditional religious elements, has drawn rave reviews from congregation members and visitors alike. 



New entrance canopy with stone-wrapped and Ipe wood columns

 



View from outside new gift shop; imported Jerusalem floor tile in foreground



Chapel interior with existing stained glass incorporated into new wood storefront

Written By

Adam Keller

Emerging Energy Markets

Although the nuclear power industry could hardly be referred to as an “emerging energy market”, the fact remains that it has been 30 years since our country was actively involved in the construction of nuclear power plants. Ergo, I’ll classify this market as “re-emerging”…possibly.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) less than two months ago, and with little fanfare and press, approved the design of Westinghouse’s AP1000 nuclear reactor. The AP1000 (nominal 1100 MW unit) is touted by Westinghouse as “simply more advanced than other nuclear power plant technologies available today in the worldwide commercial marketplace.” The AP1000 is a pressurized water reactor (PWR), designed so that the core stays inside of the reactor vessel during a severe accident. In other words…no China Syndrome. As a former power plant builder (fossil and nuclear), I remember the old reactor building containment domes of concrete and steel containment vessel inside. The new AP1000 has a totally different look, primarily due to the rooftop passive containment cooling system (a big tank). In case of a shutdown situation, water in the containment cooling tank gravity drains automatically and cools the top and sides of the steel containment vessel. Less visible innovations include: 50% fewer valves; 35% fewer safety grade pumps; 80% less pipe; 45% less seismic building volume; and 85% less cable.

It is expected that the NRC will issue combined construction and operating licenses (COL) shortly for two new AP1000 units each at Southern Company’s Units 3 and 4 in Vogtle, GA and SCANA’s Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station, Units 2 and 3. The cost of Vogtle 3 and 4 is estimated at $14.5 billion. Virgil C. Summer 2 and 3 are estimated to cost $9.8 billion, plus transmission facility and financing costs. With the cost totaling well “north” of $10 billion for a two-unit, 2200 MW facility, nuclear power still remains a costly proposition in the U.S. Projected online dates for Virgil C. Summer 2 and 3 are 2016 and 2019 respectively. Vogtle 3 and 4 projected online dates are 2016 and 2017 respectively.

If this generation of regulators, owners, designers, builders and other stakeholders involved in the development of highly complex, safety-sensitive nuclear power stations can bring their projects in on-budget and within schedule, they will be far more successful than the previous generation of nuclear power plant developers/builders. I remain cautiously optimistic.

Dave Hall

Executive Vice President Corporate Development

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)

Here we are in the second month of the year and I have already achieved one of my 2012 goals – I purchased a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)!  People are often surprised that I didn’t already drive a hybrid.  Nope, I was still driving my beat up old Cavalier that I had been driving since my early college years, and had mixed feelings about making the leap to a new vehicle. 

Generally my philosophy is that we should use things until they are no longer useful before throwing them away or replacing them (have you seen The Story of Stuff?  I highly recommend it).  My Cavalier was an excellent car.  Sure there were some dents and dings; but in the 10 years I drove it, the little coupe never gave me a single problem.  The car was reliable and had been on many fun road trips.  About 11 months ago I found out that I was going to have my first child and knew that the time had come to start thinking about replacing this old beater.  For starters, it was a two door.  Two door car + infant car seat = lots of frustration and backache!  Besides, I was really starting to feel the need to drive a vehicle that says to the world… I care about the environment.  So the search began. 

Long story short, in June of last year Karen Schutte and I went to Cincinnati together for Greening the Heartland and I had the opportunity to drive her Toyota Camry Hybrid.  It was love at first… drive!  I narrowed my search to the make and model vehicle that I wanted, however, my husband and I decided to wait until I returned to work from maternity leave to make our purchase.  Lo and behold, on my second day back to work we found “The One”…  a 2010 model!  In addition to using less gas, I also managed not to contribute to carbon emissions that a non HEV vehicle would produce.  2012 is already off to a great start! 

Hybrid Electric Vehicles, often referred to as “hybrids,” combine the benefits of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for better gas mileage.  Regenerative Breaking powers the electric motor so it does not need to be plugged in to be recharged.  The US Department of Energy offers a great animated explanation of how HEVs work.  Click here to take a look.

Laura Bailey

Sustainability Director

Super Bowl Time

As the Super Bowl and all the events surrounding it are finally upon us, Indianapolis will be front and center in the national spotlight this weekend.  From sports talk shows broadcasting from the Pan Am Plaza, to popular musical guests appearing on the newly completed Georgia Street, the eyes of the world will be upon us.

Almost anyone that lives in and around Indianapolis has had some part in preparing the city of Indianapolis for the Super Bowl.  As a company, The Hagerman Group is no different.  Our most notable involvement was in the construction of the unbelievable, new Lucas Oil Stadium….or “The House that Peyton Built” as some refer to it.  Hagerman Construction did most of the concrete work and masonry on the beautiful new stadium and was an integral member of the large construction team.

During this unique and exciting time in the city, I would encourage everyone to get out and see our collective work in preparing for this event.  It really is quite an honor to host the Super Bowl and have people from all over the country in town for a few days.  I know the people and the city itself will not disappoint.  With a great showing from Indianapolis this weekend, hopefully we can have the opportunity to host again in the near future!

John Kilbury

Estimator

Getting Involved: Do I Really Know?

It’s been very interesting for me to experience and witness people’s behavior when asked if they want to “get involved.”  Responses immediately vary from “I’m too busy,” to “I do not have a passion for that activity or function,” to “Absolutely, what a great opportunity!”   What I have found to be the most difficult task, when being asked to get involved throughout the years, was taking the time to make an EDUCATED decision.  Too often we rush to what we believe to be the correct answer without weighing the pro’s and con’s.  A couple quick questions I always ask myself prior to making a commitment to get involved are as follows:

1.      Why am I being asked to get involved?

2.      Would I be ACTIVELY involved in the opportunity, or PASSIVLEY involved?

3.      Do I truly have a passion for the opportunity?

4.      What is my personal return on investment for my time?

5.      Is there a corporate return on investment for my time?

6.      Who ultimately benefits from my commitment (Charity, Board, Community, Corporation, etc)?

7.      Would I have to delete something from my current schedule to get ACTIVELY involved?  

8.      Would the company or my family suffer from my involvement?

If you are able to generate positive responses to these questions, then you have found an Activity/Committee/Board/Association to get involved in!  It is OK to say “no thank you” to an opportunity to get involved, if you truly feel value will not be brought to either you or the benefitting party.   But you should always challenge yourself prior to jumping to that potential conclusion; because you never truly know how much value you could add that would benefit you and others for years to come!

Jeff Hagerman,

President

The Hagerman Group