Firms Selected for Design-Build Project

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Walsh Construction and Heery International Inc. have been selected to build a new multi-use state correctional facility in Montgomery County, located in Skippack Township, Pa.

Walsh Construction and Heery International Inc. will be awarded the mechanical, electrical and plumbing contracts after the design is complete. Pittsburgh-based Astorino will serve as the design firm.

Hill International, will serve as the construction management firm for the $3.7 million design-build project.

The new facility will be constructed adjacent to the existing SCI-Graterford Prison. Graterford was originally built in 1929 and is Pennsylvania’s largest maximum-security prison. The new facility, SCI-Phoenix will be located in close proximity and consist of two separate facilities — a maximum-security prison and a medium-security prison.

“The project will greatly enhance the functionality and efficiency of Pennsylvania’s correctional facilities,” said Michael V. Griffin, PE, Hill’s senior vice president and Mid-Atlantic regional manager. The project calls for the construction of a modern secure facility that will house up to 4,100 offenders and will better fit the Department of Corrections’ population needs while reducing operational costs. The project is slated for completion in 2014.

“When the new administration began, we took the opportunity to review every construction project to ensure we were getting a product that matched our mission of operating safe and secure prisons,” said John Wetzel, state Secretary of Corrections.

“Specific to SCI-Phoenix, this was an opportunity to improve upon a design and change the scope of the project to ensure taxpayer funds are spent in an appropriate manner.”