OUT of the ORDINARY and INTO OUR HISTORY
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A NEWSLETTER OF McCOURT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY VOLUME 11 No. 2 FALL/WINTER 2006-07 OUT OF THE ORDINARY and INTO OUR HISTORY In the last issue of the “Pipeline”, I told Adams statue atop his valiant steed. Sam, reply were not, “Why the grasshopper, of you about Our First Saint, the statue of St. as I’m sure you all remember from your course”, there would be trouble. Ignatius, that we erected at Boston College history books, was a renowned Patriot, a as part of a beautification project. Since leader in the fight against British colonial Fish Out of Water then, several people have asked me about rule and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. By the way, you may notice other unique and interesting projects that City Square we have done. So here are some of the that Sam is leaning a little left. This was Park, the first most interesting: done by the artist to show Sam’s political inclination. At the base of the statue on a open space granite paver, you will find a plaque with created by the A Tower of Faces McCourt’s name. If you are not a history CA/T project is located just over In the mid 80s, buff, when you hear Sam’s name you may McCourt was the be more apt to think of a delicious brew of the Washington Street bridge at the General Contractor local beers. Surrounding Sam, if you look entrance to Charlestown. Of interest for Lechmere Canal closely, etched into the cobblestones is the are the wonderful Fish Sculptures that Park. The park was outline of the Boston Waterfront as it was adorn the entrances to the park. The fish designed by Carol originally, before the city and developers are larger than life codfish, a natural for began filling in parts of the harbor to Johnson Associates. It Boston waters. Another feature of this create more usable space. is a pedestrian-friendly park that would make Paul Revere proud park centered around is the remains of the original foundation a 60ft. fountain. Off Our First and Only Bug to the pub or Great House as it was then to one side is a tower of heads and faces called, where Paul waited before making sculptured by James Tyler. It is called Overlooking Sam Adams his historic ride. “The Tower of Faces”. The artist’s and the whole of Quincy intention was to capture in bronze the Market, is the Historic diverse culture of East Cambridge. Fifty- Grasshopper Weathervane PLAYING WITH FIRE five faces of area residents randomly sitting on top of Faneuil Hall. This is the original assembled from photographs taken in the Massport needed a weathervane from the 1742 neighborhood comprise this “Tower of practice fire drill plane Faces”. Faneuil Hall building. McCourt re-erected this as and ground area, so we part of the Sam Adams Park built them one. The mock History Buffs and Beer Lovers renovation. The Gilded grasshopper was plane has automated controls like a gas grill that can emit jet Both history buffs and beer lovers may created by silversmith Shem Drowne have an interest in Sam Adams Park, which and was modeled on the Gresham fuel onto the fake plane and ignite it. McCourt built Grasshopper weathervane on the London Also, a mock building was constructed in 1998. This Royal Exchange, thus associating the for firefighting simulation of smoke and cobblestone park new building in the New World with a darkness. Massport uses this area to train is located at the great center of finance of the Old World. emergency personnel. Don’t worry there During the Revolutionary War, a challenge top of Faneuil is no mistaking the plane for real. It is Hall Market question issued by Colonial soldiers was: “What sits atop Faneuil Hall?” If the swift black and has not one bit of commercial Place and is markings on it. Keep an eye out for it next ruled over by an time you fly out of Logan. impressive Sam 1 EMPLOYEE NEWS Continued from page 1 a really big A PRINCESS IS BORN Dan Mitchell has some wonderful birthday new responsibilities! Dan and his lovely wife Stacy have a new baby girl. A large group of employees Alexandra Rose was born on May 15th, and friends gathered at Lucca’s so burping and changing are on Dan’s Restaurant in the North End to list of things to do. We know they are surprise (?) Richie McCourt enjoying their little bundle of sunshine! on his 60th birthday. Yes, Richie turned 60 on September 19th, so a suitable celebration was in order. The gathering Ron, Scott, Dan and Octavio included friends and associates toast Richie’s Birthday Ryan McCourt has been asked to be on the from many, many Board of Directors for Construction Industries of years ago to the Massachusetts (CIM). Ryan continues the present time, as well as his legacy of his father Richie and grandfather family. Richie started in the Frank. Ryan was also asked to be on construction business when the Board of Directors for Utilities he was 14, so there were Contractors of New England many stories to be told. (UCANE). He is the first person to be on both boards at the same time. Richie extends his heartfelt Richie, Ryan, Ginger and Trevor thanks to all who attended enjoying the festivities to help him celebrate this Love is in the Air milestone and his thanks to those who have worked with him over the years in an often challenging, usually Nicole Flynn, our charming receptionist rewarding, and always changing world of construction. at K Street, recently got engaged. The lucky guy is Kevin Turner. He is in the US Army, stationed at Fort Bragg right MCCOURT HELPS OUT IN now and that’s not an easy commute. No definite plans have been made yet for TUNNEL ACCIDENT the big event. When the ceiling panel fell in the I-90 tunnel on July 10, McCourt/ Obayashi was asked to help with the immediate, eminently danger- ous situation and then to help with the long-term solution. Working with the various agencies, McCourt/Obayashi was able to secure the loose panels to prevent any further accidents. McCourt had equip- McCourt employees and friends celebrated Independence ment readily available and manpower that it was able to make avail- Day this year on June 22nd at the Adams Inn. A group of able to help remedy the situation. We truly swung into action on 50 or so showed up at the Gazebo, overlooking the water on a 24/7 basis and worked with all the agencies to help find the best a beautiful summer day to enjoy a clam bake, with all the solutions that would help prevent future tragedies. McCourt staff fixings and each others company. went above and beyond the call of duty, working nights and week- ends relentlessly to correct the problems with the panel, a scenario New Employees that no one anticipated. McCourt’s efforts went through the summer and the staff is still in high gear working many hours to correct the Jeremy Clarke recently joined the accounting deficiencies. department at K Street. Jeremy is from Hanover, MA. He has a degree in Accounting/Business We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of the victim, Administration from Fitchburg State and several Milena Del Valle, whose life was tragically taken in this accident. years of experience in construction accounting. We are looking forward to working with him. 2 RETIRING JUST GOT EASIER – 401K GETS A NEW LIFE After a long process of evaluating the 401K options for McCourt Construction and McCourt/Obayashi, we decided to switch from John Hancock to Total Choice, which is run on a Fidelity platform. By making this switch, we were able to reduce the fees charged to our employees by over 50%, and we are still able to offer CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR AGAIN top performing funds in our 401K plan. With these changes going on, NOW Massport has again named McCourt Construction “Contractor of the Year”. is a good time to re-evaluate your This is the third time in four years. We must be doing something right. Thanks 401K investments and see if they are to all the staff that made it possible. This is the nomination submitted by Bob doing what you intend them to do. Are Pelland of Massport: you putting enough away to insure a comfortable retirement? Is your money in the investments most suited to your 2005 Contractor of the Year Nomination by Bob Pelland age, lifestyle and goals? You may want to speak with a professional advisor to help I would like to nominate the McCourt Construction Company for their you make these decisions. You can do this in person in the office outstanding performance on Contract L495-C1, Rehabilitate Terminal B/C at K Street or over the Alleyway. The McCourt organization, in conjunction with their primary phone. Call the subcontractors, Aggregate Industries and Sealcoating, has again delivered a office for more top quality project on time and within budget. The work was accomplished information in September and October 2005. This $2.8 million job was an airfield project about this service. with the usual difficulties and constraints imposed by aircraft traffic, wind and (617-269-2330) weather, gate availability and safety/escort/security requirements. Over 13,000 tons of highly modified hot mix asphalt was installed, along with 3,100 SY A CAT (CA/T) MIRACLE of concrete for the engine start hardstand at the top of the alley.