Concrete Future
Jacobsen Construction began running out of room in their corporate headquarters in West Valley City over five years ago. People were in triple-wide trailers in the parking lot, while others, President and CEO Gary Ellis said, were in the building, one colloquially known as “the maze” because of its labyrinthine offices and areas.
It was at that point that Ellis and former CEO Doug Welling said, “It’s time.”
The time, specifically, to move into a space befitting one of the biggest contractors in Utah. “We want to be in the talk as the best contractor around, and we felt like [a new headquarters] would be important for our future,” said Ellis. “Where we could plant a flag here for the next hundred years.”
Settling on Location and Design
With buildings and development expanding westward, the Jacobsen building committee felt that the opportunity to be a part of that growth was too good to pass up. Now, their headquarters resides in Salt Lake City just west of the airport in the International Center.
Inspiration for the Jacobsen Corporate Office came from the Life Sciences Building at Utah State University, another Jacobsen/VCBO Architecture collaboration. Burke mentioned the metal paneling, extensive glazing, and GFRC on the exterior were choices that came about from UC&D’s 2019 Most Outstanding Higher Education Project.
Payne was complimentary of Burke and the team’s effort to bring design choices to life—specifically regarding the constructibility of the GFRC façade.
“They found this way to look at the material and make it other-worldly,” he said, pointing out the process of treating the GFRC like brick—bringing about the lovely cream colors that blend so well with the dark metal panelling and concrete touches on the exterior.
The themes present in the building center around light and collaboration. The three levels, according to Payne, “was a better way to communicate [than single-story]. You can get everywhere [in the building] very quickly. The whole idea of the central stair […] was a key to collaboration.”
Efficiency and economy in both cost of the building and in movement were a great starting point to meet the company’s goals for a collaborative space.
Meeting the Scope
In internal documents, the company looked to construct a building that effectively and invitingly portrays the Jacobson experience and the Jacobson culture to both employees and visitors.
That goal is visible immediately upon entry, with the company’s expansive lobby projecting not just depth of expertise in the concrete forms throughout the lobby. Wooden risers and steel beams support the staircase and provide more visual nods to the contractors expertise as visitors and employees climb to the second and third floors.
“Everything is compartmentalized,” Burke said. He and the other workers who shift between field and office can chat with their fellow project managers and project executives. Accounting, HR, IT, and estimating (with their unique, “War Room” table and less unique but still combative ping-pong table) have their own dedicated spaces that accommodate both present and future needs.
The space currently holds the 120 employees who regularly pop into the office, with Ellis mentioning that the space has plenty of room for growth. Training rooms downstairs can fit up to 200 people—craft workers for a safety training or the whole office for a company-wide meeting—and it isn’t just for Jacobsen employees, either.
“We want clients to come and use our space,” said Ellis. Whether that is architects coming in for an off-site meeting, engineers looking to strategize for the future, or even groups like ULI, who have used the space already, Ellis said, “We want the industry to come in.”
Showstopper
What they will see is a testament to the firm’s quality, especially in concrete. Burke suggested putting reveals in the forms to help keep the visual consistency of the concrete. It’s just one part of the “showpiece” of Jacobsen’s self-performed concrete work.
“Jacobsen made this their headquarters for life,” said Payne as he spoke of the bones of the building. Eighteen inches was their prescribed thickness for the concrete walls, according to those interviewed, but that would only be decided after Burke and others watched all their work potentially dashed in the 2020 earthquake.
“Watching those walls flap around in the air was unnerving at best,” said Burke with a grimacing smile. “We had poured and stripped our first lift of [walls] when the earthquake hit. Watching them sway four to six inches” had him and others fearful that all that work would be for naught.
But the structure stood firm, and 15-foot lift after 15-foot lift after 15-foot lift got tied into the structure to bring it up to its three-story height: 2,550 cubic yards of concrete. A mark of pride for Burke is the quantity of 90-degree angles on the various concrete forms, but the showpiece of all of that concrete is the chosen angle for the exterior that faces the lake.
It’s 30-degrees, the corner rising from ground level up three stories—an impressive feat. “It’s a sharp corner,” said Burke, marveling at the work. “It would split something up like a melon.”
The quality in concrete construction was a high point for Burke, but his favorite feature is the ground-level boardroom. While concrete is also prominent there, the views through the exterior glazing, dimmable interior glazing, the wooden panelling on the ceiling, and the art present there make it a comfortable space to make the big decisions.
Interior Charm
“There are objects, and then there is atmosphere,” said Payne of that main boardroom’s massive table. It’s a favorite part of the building for him. Payne explained that he drew inspiration from a Viking ship, an ode to Jacobsen’s Danish history. With the scenic lake nearby, “[the table] was meant to be this ship that is going toward the lake—like it’s seaworthy.” The atmosphere that brings together the space is simple grandeur.
The interior maintains the company’s goal of vibrancy. No boring board rooms or stuffy offices here, but 18 collaboration spaces join the various individual offices that nestle on the exterior walls. Each office has enough glazing to make that visual theme pop.
Sloped ceilings near the glazing shower the entire office area in sunlight. Jacobsen and VCBO also incorporated “neighborhood” concepts outside of the offices and work areas for the informal meetings, the all-important “meeting after.” These spaces have construction’s version of coffee table books, Walker’s Building Estimator’s Reference Book, but, more importantly, they have the the subtle nods to Jacobsen’s roots as a construction firm.
“It’s almost like a whisper,” said Amy Christensen, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications & Brand Marketing for Jacobsen. “You want the whisper between the utility and sense of meaning.”
And those whispers are heard throughout the space. Whether via the self-performed concrete, the steel beams that double as bookcases in the neighborhoods, or the wood paneling on the ceilings, the execution perfectly straddles the balance of utility and aesthetics.
Employees, Tenants, Owners
As an employee-owned company, one accountant came up with a type of suggestion board “Wish List” with many different ideas to help the building committee. Some of the suggestions were comical, like the pinball machine, while others were universally praised and incorporated, like “The Grand America” bathroom concept, where stalls and bathrooms would be totally private and no one needed to check out the shoes of the person the next stall over.
But other choices had folks drawing battle lines. Some wanted open office, others felt like their work would deteriorate in noisy conditions. The solution, according to Ellis, was, “Turning to department heads to figure out what works best for them.” And figure it out they did by allowing each to find the perfect balance. “Accounting services are a more social group and wanted the open concept […] [while] virtual design and construction wanted the ability to shut the door.”
With lots of interior glazing to complement the daylighting shining through the 83 windows, transparency, openness, and the vibrancy of a bustling office are on full display.
Speaking of displays, the “J-Hub” helps to blend office and field work on a massive touch-screen near the company’s lovely self-service café. It’s part internal communication tool, part recruiting tool, full unifier of purpose. “We use it for all kinds of things,” said Christensen. She was excited about how that sentiment in the J-Hub reverberated throughout the building.
Artistic Reminders
Other, more traditional art pieces adorn the building, too. Jacobsen Construction chose four individual art installations and two photo galleries to add additional energy to the interior, with help from design and branding professionals at Struck.
Some serve as a rendition of work the Jacobsen does, with two pieces using reclaimed wood from the company warehouse and yard. Others serve as more abstract visions of the company’s mission and connectivity to the greater community.
“We took a hard look at ourself and asked, ‘How do we translate a legacy of 100 years, where we want to go in the future, and have it resonate with employee ownership culture?’” said Christensen.
That translation comes in every piece, specifically via the photo galleries. One, “Hard Work” celebrates the many hands that have built the company up for nearly a century—that’s the “how.”
Ellis gestured toward the other, “Built for Life,” during the interview.
“This is ‘why’ we do it,” he said.
The gallery is a reminder of the importance of these buildings for the people who inhabit them: expecting mothers at the hospital, worshipers at a church, students at school, employees at an office. It’s a lesson that wasn’t lost on Burke as he led the building efforts during construction.
“Every building we build has its challenges. As contractors, we walk away and say, ‘Oh, I made it through that one.’” He said. “But being able to enjoy the finished product […] has been my favorite part of this project.”
Does he get a lot of high fives? “Yes,” Burke smiled. “I get a lot of people telling me ‘You did a good job. It’s a beautiful building.’ A lot of people are really happy about it and happy about their new home.”
Legacy and Future
The weight isn’t lost on Payne either, who spoke to the work done by the entire building committee as they moved the project forward.
“Best voicemail I ever got was from Dennis Cigana,” he said of one of his favorite memories of the entire project. “I’ve never heard someone say [what he said] about a building. He told me, ‘You got us everything we wanted out of the building.’ He and [Jacobsen Construction] were such a joy to work with.”
At the ribbon-cutting, Cigana, Chief Development Officer for Jacobsen, stood next to Ted Jacobsen, former owner of the company. Ellis recalled the conversation with Jacobsen saying, “What have you done?” with a wry smile.
The comment may have been in jest, but he heard Cigana say, “Ted, this is what you have done.” He credited Jacobsen for charting the company toward its present course.
So where is Jacobsen Construction now? It’s one of the top general contractors in the state, now with a building that fits the brand of which Christensen spoke so highly. It’s a building that represents the strength and stability of the company.
“We’re not going anywhere,” concluded Ellis. “We’re here to stay and to do great things.”
Jacobsen Construction Company Headquarters
Location: 5181 W Amelia Earhart Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Square Feet: 58,836 SF
Design Team
Architect: VCBO Architecture
Civil: Meridian Engineering
Electrical: Envision Engineering
Mechanical: Colvin Engineering
Structural: Reaveley Engineers
Geotech: GSH Geotechnical, Inc.
Landscape: ArcSitio Design
Artwork: Struck
Construction Team
General Contractor: Jacobsen Construction
Concrete: Jacobsen Construction/Gene Peterson
Plumbing/HVAC: CCI Mechanical
Electrical: Hunt Electric
GFRC: Allen’s Masonry
Framing/Drywall: Pete King Construction
Painting: Pete King Commercial
Acoustics: K&L Acoustics
Millwork: Boswell Wasatch
Carpet: JCC Flooring Division
Polished Concrete Floor: Stone Touch
Roofing: Utah Tile and Roofing
Glass/Curtain Wall: Steel Encounters
Interior Glazing: Midwest D-Vision Solutions
FF&E: Midwest Commercial Interiors
Waterproofing: Guaranteed Waterproofing
Steel Fabrication/Erection: JT Steel
Site Utilities/Asphalt: Morgan Asphalt
Nathan Goodrich
Paul founded Paulsen Construction in 1925 after immigrating from Norway 16 years prior. Sprague Library in Sugar House was originally built by Paul, and then restored nearly 100 years later, led by current President John Paulsen.
West Valley City Veteran’s Memorial Expansion Owner: West Valley City Architect: EDA Architects GC: Okland Construction Estimated Completion Date: September 2025
Commercial office is not dead. The market is alive and well, according to the design pros at HB Workplaces team. Their new office and showroom in Draper, and what it has done for employees and clients, is a case in point. All it took was a change in scenery. Transitioning from the B'Nai Israel Temple, built in 1890, to a new space was a welcome change for the team. "I just remember working between 2015 and 2020, and it was just," Keilian Meyer trailed off as he described the former office, a historic religious building converted into an office and showroom in 1987. Minimal natural lighting, rooms and layouts misaligned for team needs—their space wasn't bringing out anyone's best work. Meyer, Marketing Director for HB Workplaces, said going to work didn't engender a sense of engagement. "It was kind of punch in and punch out." But everything coalesced with their move. "The timing aligned perfectly," Meyer said of the June 2024 move and their rebrand from the year before from Henriksen/Butler to HB Workplaces. Dual Purposes Come to Life It aligned with every real estate broker's favorite word: location. Planting the HB Workplaces flag in the award-winning Baltic Pointe made perfect sense, especially with its epicenter locale between the booming economies of Salt Lake and Utah counties. HB Workplaces CEO Dave Colling summed it all up succinctly: "Our new headquarters is not just another building; it's a statement of our appreciation and stewardship of design, built upon decades-long heritage of our own, along with MillerKnoll, underscoring our commitment to excellence." The mass timber ceilings in HB Workplaces' first-floor office in Baltic Pointe—the first of their kind for a commercial building in Utah—are part of that commitment. Everything seems warmer, healthier, and better under the all-lumber ceiling. "We've always been drawn to inspiring architecture, and the natural warmth and intentionality of this structure made it a natural fit," said Meyer. HB Workplaces sought to make their mass timber home a showpiece for the beautiful and wide-ranging possibilities of today's commercial interiors, serving as an office for the HB Workplaces team and a showroom for interior designers and architects looking to envision their next project. That dual nature comes through perfectly across the space, with the showroom piece especially highlighted in the "Living Room" and its 382 SF of mid-century modern glory. The unforgettable Eames Lounge chair catches the eye, but closer inspection reveals some nods to the B'Nai Israel Temple's stained glass windows and other homages to the deep histories of the Herman Miller and Knoll brands. The room's mid-century-style lounge chairs, couches, ottomans, and side tables—all MillerKnoll line, of course—combine with gentle lighting to create the perfect spot for hosting. Brit Badger, HB Workplaces' VP of Client Development, explained how the Living Room is ideal for getting to know their design partners and clients, especially for a first meeting. "It's not all the same seating everywhere, like it would be at a conference room," she explained of how the varied seating choices—the Nelson Coconut Lounge Chair is often first dibs—help to create a relaxed and comfortable environment. "It's cool to see who chooses what. It's a fun way to start."
Bragging about a “C+” might seem gauche, but Utah is one of only four states to earn that high a grade, according to the May 28 release by the Utah Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) of the 2025 Report Card for Utah’s Infrastructure. The cumulative “C+” for the Beehive State is the highest mark ever given by ASCE to any individual state—the report card itself spans 12 categories of infrastructure and is virtually unchanged from 2020 (ASCE issues report cards every four years). Utah's grade is also one step higher than the national infrastructure average grade of “C” in the ASCE 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which dropped in March. Roads (B+) and Bridges (B) remain the stars of the class, as the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) continues to receive consistent state funding in furthering its aggressive program of building new projects to meet ongoing demand, while diligently maintaining existing infrastructure. “Our transit and transportation are doing fabulous," said Anna Lisonbee, President of ASCE Utah and an Engineer-in-Training at South Jordan-based Hansen, Allen & Luce. “UDOT and UTA are lauded as some of the most efficient [organizations] nationwide, so we’re doing very well in that category.” Aviation infrastructure was the only category to see a grade increase—somewhat predictable given the sheer amount of capital investment made over the past decade at Salt Lake International Airport, Provo Airport, and other regional airports statewide. Three categories—bridges, s tormwater, and transit—saw grade decreases. The remaining eight categories held steady from 2020. "Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and state leaders have taken steps to ensure the reliability of infrastructure systems as more people move here to enjoy Utah's thriving communities, amazing outdoors, and high quality of life," said Craig Friant, Utah Civil Practice Lead for South Jordan-based Wilson & Company and Chair of the 2025 Report Card for Utah's Infrastructure. Utah grades per category: Roads: B+ Bridges: B Drinking Water, Solid Waste, Transit: B- Aviation, Dams, Hazardous Waste: C+ Stormwater, Wastewater: C Canals: D+ Levees: D-
"What gets you out of Egypt doesn't take you to the promised land." The quote, as I first heard it, came from Ron Dunn, Founder of Salt Lake structural engineering firm Dunn Associates. While he was talking about the differences between founding and growing a company, the same principle holds true in developing a robust transportation infrastructure. In other words: "What got us here will not take us there." What has taken us here has been development dedicated to personal vehicles and last-mile freight—a stellar network of roads and highways from massive investments in horizontal construction. But what will get us "there" to the promised land? What will bring us to a future where Utahns can have the freedom to move without a car? Unified Plan for a Connected Utah? We'll certainly wander in the West Desert without a plan. Lucky us, we have hundreds of agreed-upon proposals across metropolitan planning organizations, cities and towns, counties, and even the Utah Department of Transportation. The Beehive State's guiding document toward long-term transportation plans, whether for cars or not, is found in the Utah Unified Transportation Plan, also known as the Unified Plan. The visionary document aims to prioritize funding across multiple transportation options and give residents choices, ranging from personal vehicles to mass transit and active transportation. Residents and metropolitan planning organizations across the state have added their input to further unify the state's trajectory. Key in Utah's Unified Plan, as documented, is analyzing and ultimately determining how transportation projects in Utah should be funded between 2023 - 2050. With projected needs across that timeline estimated at $153 billion in today's dollars, current revenue sources generating just under a projected $95 billion, and future revenue streams projected to generate just over $18 billion, we're going to be short. But where is that money going? Most often, it's funding roads. According to the Unified Plan, transportation needs from road capacity, maintenance, preservation, and operations project at a whopping $110 billion between 2023 - 2050, with a $29 billion funding gap in revenue. Funding future mass transit capacity ($14.8 billion) and operations ($19.8 billion) over the next 25 years costs a fraction of the projected costs for roads and highways. It's an apples-to-oranges comparison, admittedly, as massive funding for highways and freeways has created so much, but where do state priorities lead? Budget at a Glance Utah continues to tread the asphalt and concrete highway to prioritize highway funding. UDOT's FY2026 funding document shows $2.5 billion in funding. Estimated Transportation Investment Fund (TIF) expenditures, primarily used for improving or optimizing capacity, are projected at $1.2 billion. Within the TIF, Class B & Class C Roads, county roads and city streets, respectively, will receive $261 million, Highway Systems Construction $205 million, and Operations/Maintenance $254 million. It makes sense when $883 million in projected revenue for FY2026 comes from user-based fees, permits, and gas tax revenues (set to be 40 cents per gallon in 2026). On the other hand, UDOT-funded mass transit receives a bulk of its budget from the above-mentioned Transportation Investment Fund—35% of the index fuel tax sales tax goes into the Transit Transportation Investment Fund. For FY2026, transit and commuter rail projects will receive $103 million. John Gleason, UDOT's Sr. Public Information Officer, said there is a major shift happening within UDOT over the last decade-plus to give some "gas" to other forms of transportation. "All transportation is important to us. For every project we undertake, we are looking at the different components across all modes—cars, transit, bikes, trails," Gleason said. "We need to keep an eye on how the entire transportation system can function across the state." The words and shift in priorities are welcome, but what "Keeps Utah Moving", will not be more highway lanes or highway construction that receives the lion's share of transportation funding. Utah highways, like those in so many other states, are the victims of induced demand. The phenomenon is a matter of economics. For vehicle transportation, each lane added, highway developed, or road widened helps to expand capacity on these newly modified transportation corridors. However, expanding capacity does not mean solving traffic concerns. While capacity expands, more people are "induced" to use these freshly expanded corridors, lanes fill back to capacity, and commutes return to their sluggish nature. This never-ending quest to meet our transportation needs is set to play out again on I-15. UDOT is set to add another lane on I-15 from Farmington to Salt Lake, and do so at a multi-billion-dollar price tag. Surely this lane will be "The One" that fixes the traffic problem on Utah's busiest transit corridor? Utah may still be adjusting to roundabouts, but will we ever get out of this circle?
Standing atop the now-tallest building in Utah—the dynamic 451-foot, 680,000-SF Astra Tower in downtown Salt Lake City—Lance Shields was succinct in describing the otherworldly, 360-degree views available from the 41st-floor rooftop patio. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” mused Shields, a Principal with Salt Lake-based HKS Architects and one of a half-dozen architects on HKS’ team who contributed to the design of Astra Tower, which features 377 total units, two levels of penthouse suites, and more than 40,000-SF of top-shelf amenity space. Peering southeast to majestic views of the Wasatch Mountains, Shields referenced the striking cantilever structure gracing the building’s southeast corner—a concession that preserved the breathtaking view by eliminating what would have been a structural column. Adding this approximately $2 million change to the bottom line only further illustrated the owner’s desire for a world-class luxury apartment tower. “The uninterrupted views of the valley are really breathtaking at the top floor and is the one thing that visitors I have taken through the project consistently comment on as the best experience they have had,” said Shields, adding that it would have been easy to justify a column in that corner. “I have to hand it to the vision of our team and the owner to see the value of the views and taking steps to preserve it.” Indeed, Boston-headquartered Kensington Investment Company (KIC) had been eyeing the Salt Lake market since 2017, ready to make a splash. In 2018, it purchased the site once home to Carl’s Jr. and hired HKS in 2019 to get the ball rolling on the design side. The pandemic forced KIC to pause its timeline, with construction formally kicking off in January 2022, led by Salt Lake-based Jacobsen Construction. “We were taking an enormous risk and writing a massive check while making sure we had as many people with experience on our team as we practically could,” said Ed Lewis, CEO of KIC. “We asked ourselves if Salt Lake City was ready for this kind of product—with no [like-building comparisons] to look to—while making the project financially successful. Putting together the capital stack with no comps in the state, and ensuring the team knew what they were doing, was challenging.” Engagement with the community was a priority from the start, said Shane Rensmon, President of Real Estate Development for KIC, as was finding local A/E/C firms with the moxie to take on a unique hybrid design-build project of this magnitude, a delivery method “not common in Salt Lake City, but common across major markets,” he said. “Ownership wanted to utilize local consultants and vendors as much as possible to get the community involved and engaged with the project, which presented new challenges in designing and constructing Astra Tower,” said Rensmon. “We leveraged [KIC’s] skills and experiences to help guide the design and construction teams on issues that they have not seen before or had little to no experience in.” Hotel-like Vibe with Unmatched Amenities Emir Tursic is no stranger to massive projects, having cut his teeth in the hospitality realm as a draftsman-turned-project architect for HKS on Block A of the enormous $10 billion MGM City Center project in Las Vegas from 2007-2008, which included the 61-story, 600,000-SF Aria Hotel. “It was a project I grew up very quickly with,” recalled Tursic, Office Director for HKS’ Salt Lake office, who ended up managing part of the project before it ended. “After this, I could go to the moon and not be scared of anything.” Even amidst the challenges for Tursic and his team, Astra Tower proved to be one of the most exciting, generational opportunities in the realm of world-class residential high-rise design that—ho-hum—also sets a record as the state’s tallest-ever building. “We wanted to create a sustainable urban community that focuses on wellness and sustainability,” said Tursic. “Sustainability is not just about energy and carbon footprint, it’s also [about] health and wellness and the environment. We have this huge amenity program—40,000 SF of indoor and outdoor amenities space focused on physical and mental health.” Tursic said dispersing major amenities across three building levels was a key functional design consideration. Level 8 kicks things off with an expansive club lounge that includes a demonstration kitchen and entertainment area, a state-of-the-art fitness center where views overlook Gallivan Plaza, a remote office space with a conference room and meeting rooms, and what Tursic calls “The bonus space”—an expansive 10,000 SF outdoor urban park. “Instead of a roof on top of the eight-story parking structure, we created a space with an outdoor lawn, hammocks, fire pits, grills—it’s a great social space for Astra’s residential community,” he said. Level 23 includes the outdoor pool and indoor spa, highlighted by a wellness center, steam room, sauna, recovery spas, treatment rooms, and private locker rooms. The pool deck overlook offers excellent views of the Oquirrh Mountains to the west. Level 41 tops the amenity spaces—literally—with an outdoor kitchen, entertainment area, and a spacious outdoor viewing deck that looks down on Salt Lake’s adjacent tallest buildings. “We wanted to provide a variety of experiences,” said Tursic. “The 41st floor is meant for quiet and solitude.” ROAM Interior Design of Los Angeles provided interior design on every level. "With Astra Tower, we set out to design interiors that reflect both the soul and natural beauty of Utah, infused with the energy of modern city living," said Deanne Teeter, Design Director at ROAM. “Every amenity—from the tranquil spa on the 23rd floor to the rooftop lounge with panoramic views—is intentionally crafted to foster wellness through biophilic connection and a true sense of home in the sky." “Astra Tower was purposefully designed to exemplify KIC's commitment to o perating market-leading apartment buildings, featuring state-of-the-art amenities and an unwavering dedication to service excellence,” said Joe Bird, Vice President of Real Estate Development for KIC. “This intentional design ensures an unparalleled living experience, blending sophisticated facilities with exceptional resident-focused service to set a new standard for urban residential excellence in Utah.”
Ralph L. Wadsworth watches demolition activity on the I-80/1300 East Bridge Slide in August 2023 with granddaughter, Bradynn Wadsworth (Tod’s daughter), illustrating his genuine passion for construction. (all photos courtesy RLW Construction)
First. Best. Leader. These are some of the many positive ways people described the late Marshall White, the civic hero and namesake of Ogden's past and future community centers. Marshall White is remembered as the first black police officer in Utah killed in the line of duty after being fatally shot in 1963. Equally important was his dedication to other causes outside of police work: the loving father of seven children; veteran and military doctor who helped establish a clinic at Hill Air Force Base post-WWII; youth mentor who partnered with the Elk's Club to establish the Wall Avenue Recreation Center; President of the Ogden chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Marshall White embodied community, and the original Marshall White Community Center, constructed five years after he died in 1968, was its physical manifestation. The building became a safe haven for youth, especially those with darker skin and different ethnicities from those of Utah "pioneer" ancestry, to learn to swim, take art classes, and participate in sports. But as time passed, the building fell into disrepair as Ogden's population shrank from the 1970s through the 1980s. Structural issues in the building appeared before a crack in the pool grew into a metaphorical chasm as COVID and its effects further disconnected society. Ogden needed champions who would follow in White's footsteps to bring people together, and create a space that would continue his community-building legacy. New Center; Relit Community Beacon Salt Lake-based VCBO was hired in 2020 to evaluate the old facility and propose future alternatives. It began, as VCBO Principal Brent Tippets described, "to replace a failing pool and building. […] It quickly became apparent that this community revolved around the Marshall N. White Community Center as both a gathering space and a historical icon for all minorities and people of humble circumstances." "Budget is always a challenge, but perhaps meeting all the affected parties' expectations was more so," said Tippets. "What was originally a pool and gymnasium replacement became a versatile destination with a plethora of participation options. He and the VCBO team worked with an Ogden City-appointed steering committee of passionate residents who provided valuable input on the importance and utilization of recreation and community spaces. "The Mayor, City Council, and City administration were committed to funding the project at the required level to achieve the grander vision for the facility," said Tippets. The Ogden City Council initially set aside $18 million and later increased the budget to $32 million for a new, 68,900-SF community building, doubling the size of the previous structure. Construction Challenges But challenges arose as soon as excavation commenced. Construction teams led by Vernal-based BHI encountered a dark, organic-looking soil that was previously undiscovered in geotechnical test borings. The surprise soil raised immediate concerns due to its lack of stability and reliability in compaction. BHI's history as an industrial contractor, where safety and lightning-fast communication are treasured, escalated the soil problems immediately. They collaborated and aligned with ownership, geotechnical engineers, and designers amidst evolving conditions to create a plan. Instead of utilizing native soils as initially planned, excavation teams removed the unsuitable material and imported structural fill from Ogden and nearby Plain City to meet compaction and bearing requirements, all while maintaining oh-so-important project momentum. "Working with Ogden City involved a different set of communication and coordination protocols than our typical projects," said BHI Superintendent Scot Marrot. "There was a greater emphasis on public transparency and adherence to specific city regulations. However, it was incredibly fulfilling to collaborate with the city officials who were passionate about providing a valuable resource for their community. The partnership fostered a strong sense of shared purpose and pride in the final outcome."
Thoughtful consideration on Oquirrh Lake transformed the initial idea for the water feature into a community and ecological asset. The 67-acre lake weaves around the 130-acre recreation space, residential area, and wildlife habitat. (Main rendering and photo pictured courtesy LHM)
