CONTACT:

Rodney A. White
Whipple Construction
(508) 753-1496
rwhite@whipple-construction.com



Whipple Wins $1.4 million Project to Upgrade Homeless Veterans Shelter
WORCESTER, MA, June 1, 2005

     Whipple Construction has won a $1.4 million bid to upgrade and modernize the Homeless Veterans Shelter, 69 Grove St., Worcester.

     The shelter and its housing programs serve up to 130 veterans every night. As well as emergency shelter and food services, the shelter offers employment training, computer education and transitional and permanent housing.

     The project includes upgrading and modernizing the shelter’s sleeping quarters, which are currently open barracks. Whipple will maintain some of this military style and add multiple semi-private transitional spaces for dual occupancy. The project will involve partitioning, electrical work, fire alarms, plumbing, sprinklers, central air-conditioning systems, a new elevator, masonry repairs and restoration, new windows and interior finishes. Bathroom, lounge and common areas will also be renovated.

     Once the work is complete the shelter will be able to offer services not currently available.

     The project was awarded to Whipple Construction in April, 2005, and is now in the value engineering and pre-procurement stage. A six-month phased construction schedule is planned to begin in September.

     The project required a thorough scheduling plan to allow uninterrupted occupancy during all phases of the work. Various precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of the occupants, including fire watches, overhead precautions, shoring for structural alterations, and the temporary re-wiring of electrical, security and communications systems.

     “The Veterans Shelter has become one of our repeat clients,” said company president and treasurer Rodney A. White. “We are honored to be a part of helping those who have served their country.”





Whipple Construction is a leading construction company in Central New England that serves industrial, commercial and institutional clients. Whipple’s services include preserving and protecting historically sensitive buildings, adapting, upgrading and modifying existing construction and building new structures..