Conrad’s College Gifts, at 316 West Lane Avenue, has long been a fixture on the OSU campus. For thirty years, they have been the source for OSU memorabilia. Conrad’s needed extra room for their burgeoning business, but the lack of a staging area and their location on a main OSU-area artery presented unique challenges.
In 2002, MCR was invited to submit a bid for this expansion. After meetings with the owner and architect, Conrad’s gave us the work and we began mobilization.
Challenges
Crowded Staging Area & Bad Weather
MCR Services needed to compress the construction schedule so that Conrad's could be ready for the fall quarter sales rush. Thanks to great communications with the owner and suppliers, we were able to finish within 4-1/2 months:
Compressed work schedule to beat the fall college sales season
Progress remained on schedule despite bad weather
Lack of staging area and tight workspace
Carefully coordinated delivery schedule
Master construction plan that minimized disruptions to ongoing store operations
Features
High Store Visibility Delivers an Extra Impact Along Busy Lane Avenue Corridor
819 square foot gable addition
Additional interior and exterior retail improvements
New, pedestrian-friendly arched stone & stucco façade
ADA-compliant access ramp
Four different types of masonry block used to realize the architect’s vision
Project finished well ahead of schedule—4½ month duration
Results
Project Team Delivers Goods
Thanks to great communications with the owner, architect and subtrades, we were able to successfully compress the schedule and turn over the completed project prior to the busy Fall season.
The finished addition plays up the scarlet & gray OSU colors. Their new “hi-impact entry” from Lane Avenue—complete with ADA ramp—gets them noticed.
Along with the other improvements, Conrad’s found the elbow-room they really needed.
