Harrisburg, Pa.

Key Players

Owner Hamilton Health Center

Architect Murray Associates Architects

General Contractor Wohlsen Construction

Structural Engineer Raudenbush Engineering

Civil Engineer Snyder, Secary & Associates

MEP Engineer McClure Co.

Electrical Contractor G. R. Sponaugle & Sons

Masonry Witmer Masonry

The two-phase renovation project on a contaminated brownfield site in the Allison Hills section of Harrisburg allowed Hamilton Health to combine multiple community clinics into a single location. The initial 88,000-sq-ft phase transformed an abandoned warehouse into a modern clinic with nearly 50 medical and dental exam rooms; space for an imaging department, pharmacy and full-service lab; offices for specialized medical and patient support services; and a community town hall. A 21,000-sq-ft second-floor addition consisting of pediatric exam rooms, social and behavioral health services and administrative and training areas was completed after the ground floor was operational.

Many unknown issues were discovered and addressed as the project progressed, including uneven floors, unknown fire damage and a dump uncovered where a 76-well geothermal system was to be installed. The second-floor addition required precise placement of 52 supporting steel columns in direct alignment with ground-level supports—all while preventing disruption and contamination of ground-level health care services. Green features include high recycled content materials, a reflective white roof and energy-efficient lighting systems.

Pollution abatement measures included removal of oil- and sludge-filled containers; erosion and soil controls; and waste management for disposal of construction debris. Contaminated material from the site was encapsulated beneath the parking lot, cutting costs and time.