Safe Passage is a nonprofit focused on supporting children who have experienced abuse. The project team’s flexibility and collaboration were essential in keeping the organization’s 11,000-sq-ft renovation project on its accelerated schedule.

With no as-builts to guide demolition work, early uncertainties turned into construction challenges. Along with last-minute design revisions for what turned out to be a smaller-than-expected interior space, the discovery of asbestos after 90% of the building had already been tested and cleared required the project team to flip the entire build-out schedule. Construction began on the opposite side of the building to allow time for further abatement in the area where asbestos was found and saved weeks of delays.

Another surprise was the discovery of groundwater during excavation for new underground infrastructure lines. Crews dug deeper sump pits to avoid the need for additional dewatering, ultimately keeping the project’s critical path intact.