Pier Drilling & Tile Setting

Outside the concrete men were busy forming light pole bases, transformer pad, and finishing trash enclosure pad. The drill truck arrived to drill piers for all those areas. Inside the electricians, hvac mechanics, and framers continued with their work. The framers devoted time to adding additional support to freezer walls for Mr Jasper, who has come up with a brilliant storage idea that will be tried at this store. Meanwhile, the tile crew were moving along at a very fast pace. Yes, we did notice they didn't have hard hats. They were warned to have hard hats on their heads. They complied immediately. This tile crew has worked with us on several projects. They do excellent work, quality work, and fast paced work. The EIFS subcontractor came by the job. They will begin staging tomorrow. Later, Woody & I traveled to Grand Prairie to see a water heater system used in a McDonald's out there.

Construction Continues as Opening Date Approaches

It won't be long now and the sound of children playing will be heard as the smell of the fries fill the restaurant. But today it's filled with about 30 to 35 men working on a variety of tasks. Framers are hanging sheetrock. Electricians have started overhead work. Stone masons are applying stone on front of store. Mechanics are wrapping hard duct lines. Plumbers were taking care of details on grease trap and in the restrooms. The brick masons blocked the trash enclosure 5' high. Concrete crew worked on setting up the drive thru as well as forming the next section to be poured. Tile crew arrived to stage so they could begin tiling tomorrow.

More Concrete is Poured in McDonald's Parking Lot

The glass crew made a brief appearance today. They are projecting at least another week before glass is installed. Concrete crew poured the NE central lane. The framers worked on wall coverup. Mechanics continued with trunk line work. Stone masons had an inspection and started scratch coat. Brick masons continued in the southern corner of the building. Fire & sprinkler crew continue to run lines. Later Michael Jasper came by with two other gentlemen to brain storm in reference to the freezer storage. Finallly, the Oncor easement arrived today & Tim Dolan of Oncor came by to personally pick it up. The rental company delivered the generator today as well.

Inspections Pass at McDonald's

Concrete crew continues to form the NE central section to be poured tomorrow. The utility contractor was approved by the Fire Marshall to cover up. Hydrostatic and fire & sprinkler inspection to be held next week. The framers finished insulating walls and continued to cover walls. Sprinkler crew continued to run lines. The electricians were only able to work two hours today. The brick masons continued on the back corner. Stone masons prepared for inspection tomorrow. The city of Fort Worth passed the HVAC and insulation inspection. The roofing crew should return next week to put the metal on the roof.

McDonald's Trash Enclosure Poured

Not only did the concrete crew pour the trash enclosure, but they even started working on forming the drive thru area. Today the interior framers also worked. They installed most of the insulation in the walls. These two crews have done some outstanding work today. It's not easy to find the enthusiasm to work on Saturdays. Yet, these men worked today as if it were a regular work day. After the delays we encountered earlier in the project every day is crucial if we are to meet our schedule.

Construction Continues @ McDonald's on Alta Mere

Our site meeting was held in the afternoon this Friday rather than morning. The roofing crew was able to finish drying in the roof. The brick masons continued with brick work. The stone masons finished the drive thru area yesterday. The mechanical crew set the hvac units on the roof. The concrete crew were ready for the inspection. Which by the way, the trash enclosure footings were inspected and passed. The interior framing was inspected for partial framing and passed.

Progress @ McDonald's Interior & Exterior

Today the electricians passed the electrical inspection! Brick & stone masons have continued to cover the exterior of the building. While inside the front counter is beginning to take shape. The framing crew is also covering walls on one side. The roofing crew is working on the main body of the roof. The utility crew came out to rub the inlet boxes. The concrete crew is setting anchor bolts and finishing forms for the trash enclosure inspection. Yesterday we received decor plans & today we received the first revision to those plans. The fun is just getting started.

Mid week Rain ...

In the bottom right corner of the picture above a blue tarp is visible. This tarp was put up by the stone crew so that they could continue to work despite the rainfall. They made good progress today. The brick crew on the other hand was only able to work about three hours before having to stop work. That crew is significantly larger. They will return tomorrow if the rain stops. The utility crew kept their scheduled pour time for the box tops. Inside the building the fire and sprinkler crew & framers were the only crews working today. Weather should be clear tomorrow and allow for crews to return to work.

Stone Masons Arrive Today

First, the electricians announced today that they are ready for their inspection & in fact, it's already scheduled. Next, the HVAC mechanics had the same news for us today. That means we'll be ready to have our framing inspection on Friday. Despite the off and on sprinkling all day, it never really rained until exactly 4pm. However, the sprinkles and rain didn't slow the brick masons down one bit. They continued to work throughout the day. The concrete company was only able to work through noon. The fire and sprinkler crew and framers are nearing completion of their work. Meanwhile about noon the stone masons arrived. They made arrangements with a local hotel so that they could stay while they do this project. They did manage to set up scaffolding and materials. So long as the rain doesn't stay they will be able to get going good and steady tomorrow morning.

Information Board

Not often does it happen that I make a request of Woody to perform a manual task and he delivers. However, let the record show that when it came to the information board, he no sooner heard my request and it was built. Today I was able to finish posting notices, poster, photos, and other job information that may be useful to the subcontractors working.

MEP's, MASONS, Concrete, & Fire/Sprinkler Crews All Working

Today the stone arrived for the exterior of the building. Woody has scheduled the stone mason to start tomorrow. The interior framers framed around the switch gear, the baby changing stations, and decor walls. The brick mason continued down the drive thru side of building. Electricians are finishing up as they prepare for their electrical top out inspection on Wednesday. The plumbers, hvac mechanics, fire & sprinkler crew, and concrete crew also worked today. Work is progressing on schedule. The glass company will be here on Wednesday to install the glass. The utility company should be able to pour inlet tops on Wednesday. Without a doubt it's been a full house all day.

Electricians Working @ McDonald's Today

As I reviewed our collection of photos for this job, I noticed the lack of photos on file for the electrical interior work. This is partially due to the fact that the electricians haven't been on site working inside until this past week. On Friday the electrician was able to meet with Michael Jasper & Woody to discuss the location of the electrical outlets. The electricians arranged to work both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. They passed their inspection with the electrical inspector on Friday after a week of preparation. After all their efforts this weekend, they should be ready for another electrical inspection early this week.

Happy Birthday, Michael Sawyers

Wow! Look who had a birthday this weekend. It's our Project Manager, Michael Sawyers.

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you...

Okay...now get back to work.

It's Saturday & Crews Were On Site Working

Woody schedules work to continue through the weekend whenever possible. Especially, when we've had any delays. These crews have come to recognize the fact that Woody expects them to do their contracted work in a timely manner. Electricians, interior framers, and the utility contractors were all working today. More inspections are scheduled with city inspectors and the fire marshall this coming week. We can't possibly express how appreciative we are to the crews that worked this weekend. Scan down to the October 3, 2008 entry and see the difference between this picture and last week's picture. We've come a good way in a week.

No Time to Slow Down

We definitely had people in and out all day. Our Project Manager had to be on location at another project and was unable to come out today. The McDonald's Area Construction Manager, Jimmy Lopez, met us about 8am, along with the Partner for this project and key people of his management team. The crews continued to work on the day's assignments. The electrical inspector and the plumbing inspector came out to do their inspections, as well.

Preparing for Friday's Visitors...

As the end of the week nears, Woody pushes the crews to make advancements to maximize this week's progress. On the surface it's not much of a demand, basically asking crews to speed it up. The challenge is that they have to work better & faster without the slightest sacrifice of QUALITY. The work must be top notch work. Keep in mind at the weekly site meetings held each Friday, we have the opportunity to have our best critics view the progress. Michael Sawyers is an EXCELLENT Project Manager with years of experience. He can spot the slightest deviation from the plans. Add to that the fact that the Area Construction Manager, Jimmy Lopez, that is our customer at this project, is an engineer in his own right. So glossing over problems would never fly with him. Then the partners for this store have several other stores & they have an eye trained to spot anything below the best possible quality. And that's not the end. Don't forget we still have to pass the test with the very highly qualified Fort Worth City inspectors. The framers are busy building the arcade walls, MEPs are progressing on interior, brick masons have made great advances on the exterior, and the utility company is finishing the forming of the storm water inlets. Overall, we believe we are ready for all inspections and visitors tomorrow.

McDonald's Construction Advances

The brick work is off to a great start. The photos show how the masons have bricked the front and are now working on the west corner and the drive thru wall. The stone masons are scheduled to come in on Monday to begin the stone work in the drive thru. The interior framers have installed the roof access ladder. They also worked on finishing interior framing and started one-siding the walls. The hvac mechanics installed a trunk line. Outside, the concrete crew worked on forming the drive thru and prepared for pouring the trash enclosure building pad.

Congratulations, Jennifer!

Jennifer is currently in Iraq. She left her son behind with her parents to care for him in her absence. Recently, Jennifer emailed me a list of items she was in need of overseas. Immediately, Woody & I set out to gather a care package for her. A couple of days ago she emailed that she'd just been notified that she was coined by a Congressman. Just want to congratulate you, SSgt J.H. Thompson! Good Job! Also, a thank you from us for your service to our country. Hope you return home soon.

First Bricks Set Today @ McDonald's

On Friday, the owner's and McDonald's Area Construction Manager, Jimmy Lopez, and Michael Sawyers came out to the job to layout the front counter per their new changes. After a brain storming morning on Friday, they were able to layout the vision they have for the front counter. Today the framers were able to frame the front counter & frame the overhead soffit. Outside the masons have started setting brick. Overhead, the mechanics are installing plenims for HVAC and the roofing crew started roofing. Concrete crew worked on setting up the drive thru area so that the Engineer & ACM can come out to layout the final. Electricians started their interior electrical work. Plumbers stayed busy running lines.

RAINED OUT @ McDONALD'S

The rain started about 3:45am today. The roofing crew made an appearance at work, but it was too wet to begin roofing. The plumbers also came out and tried to work, but they were unable to work in the rain. Woody hung out at the office for a good part of the day just in case there were any deliveries. He also made calls to confirm rescheduling. For those of you following our progress, you know this is the last thing we needed was another RAIN DAY! Forecast looks better for tomorrow.