Bids for the remodel and expansion of GRANCO Federal Credit Union’s main facility in Ephrata were opened on March 20, 2014. Baker Construction & Development of Spokane was the lowest responsible bidder with a bid of $1,234,137, including alternates. This was 1% below Driftmier’s cost estimate prepared in February 2013. The Credit Union has now [...]
Recently I got the old bicycle down off the wall, got it tuned up, and took off for a short ride. Riding the bike wasn’t the problem, it was the starting and stopping. Somehow they just weren’t as smooth as I remembered. Good thing I was wearing a helmet. Starting a new construction project or [...]
by Rick Driftmier Each year Driftmier Architects participates in several association conferences where we interact with the staff and board members of many banks and credit unions. This fall the overriding question asked was, “Where is branch design going in the new economy?” Branch facilities are moving from substantial and secure to open and convenient. [...]
In general, construction costs remained flat in March with fuel (-6%) and metals (-0.4 to-9.5) dropping while lumber, plywood, gypsum, plastics and paint all rose. Overall the year over year increase was 0.9%. Design Cost Data News reports that “Associated General Contractors of America . . . . officials noted that contractors have kept the [...]
Did you see the Seattle Times editorial on January 28? Under the headline “Signs Point Upward,” the editorial outlined a number of points that seem to support their thesis. The first statement was, “When developers announce a 43 story skyscraper in downtown Seattle without a solid tenant, it is a sign that the hard times [...]
To paraphrase a comment I heard early on January 2nd on Bloomberg, “Congress didn’t even move the cliff. They just let us fall to a lower ledge.” Most of us would happily compromise some of our political positions to achieve some stability and avoid any more cliffs. In spite of congress and the challenges they [...]
In a hotly contested race, Lee Driftmier was elected to the Washington Association of Sewer and Water District's Board of Directors. The association represents all water and sewer districts in the State of Washington and includes 88 member districts and 125 associate members statewide. Lee has been elected to a three-year term representing the Associate [...]
M.J. Takisaki Inc. has broken ground on Shoreline Water District’s new office and administrative center at 1519 NE 177th Street in Shoreline, WA. The project bid on July 17 and Takisaki was the lowest responsible bidder with a bid of $2,763,700. Designed by Driftmier Architects of Redmond, the project is being built on the site [...]
Redmond Center, designed by Driftmier Architects and owned by the Nelson Legacy Group, has received an award for exceptional design. In a ceremony at Redmond City Hall on June 12, 2012 the City of Redmond awarded the design team the 2012 Outstanding Design Award, “In recognition of their exceptional architectural contribution to the City of [...]
Remodel of Covington Water District’s buildings “C” and “G” has been completed. WestCoast Contracting of Renton completed the work on time and the district staff has moved in. Designed by Driftmier Architects the work included the remodel of two buildings at the district’s existing 23-acre site south of Covington. These remodels turn an unused garage [...]