Walsh Brothers, Incorporated and MSCBA Break Ground on $48 million New Residence Hall at Salem State College

For Release: Immediately

Date: June 19, 2009

Press Contact:
Sarah Cotter, Marketing Manager
210 Commercial Street
Boston, MA 02109
617-878-4864
scotter@walshbrothers.com

Salem, MA -Friday, June 5, 2009 - Patricia Meservey, Ph.D., President of Salem State College (SSC), alongside state legislators, collegiate partners, supporters, community members, the Massachusetts State College Building Authority (MSCBA) and Construction Manager Walsh Brothers, hosted the groundbreaking ceremony that marked the beginning of construction of an exciting state-of-the-art New Residence Hall and Dining Facility located on Salem State's central campus. Currently, Salem State College houses 1,500 students, roughly 25% of its enrolled undergraduates. However, SSC has set a definitive goal of obtaining 50% on-campus residency within the next ten years. Walsh Brothers was selected by the MSCBA to provide Construction Management services on this new residence life initiative. This new residence hall project, designed by Walsh Brother's long time trusted architectural partner DiMella Schaeffer, will be the first major step toward achieving this goal. The project maintains an aggressive 18 month schedule which requires detailed logistics planning and phasing to ensure no disruption to the student's day-to-day activities. Walsh Brothers, is thrilled to have the opportunity to help pioneer this residence life initiative.

During the ceremony many key Salem community supporters spoke of the importance of this project, including Mayor, Kimberly Driscoll and Congressman John Tierney. Also in attendance were Richard Freeland, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and MSCBA Commissioner James Morris, both of home personally recognized Walsh Brothers for their reputation of excellence in Construction Management. The project will be comprised of a 523-bed new residence hall that includes a new 384-seat dining facility complete with all necessary support functions. The five-story steel and masonry structure is approximately 162,637 square feet. The building shall include common lounge spaces, a fitness room, a laundry room, a game room, a kitchen servery area, conference rooms, and faculty apartments. The residence hall will be constructed to specifically house sophomore students using a collaborative pod design. The design will afford sophomores a more independent living situation while simultaneously being part of a small neighborhood of other students. The project requires working within the confines of the adjacent occupied campus buildings, dorms and businesses. As with any active academic environment the safety of the students, faculty, and employees is paramount. One of the highest priorities will be to avoid the disruption of campus activities. The project schedule will be fast track as the additional beds are required in time for academic year 2010.

Walsh Brothers is a fourth generation, family owned construction management firm headquartered in Boston. The firm, founded in 1901, has extensive experience in higher education construction and has worked for many of the leading educational institutions in the Boston area.