Bobbitt Starts Work on South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Facility in Florence
November 18, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – November 18, 2009 – Bobbitt Design Build began site work in late October on the new Region II facility for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR), whose mission is to serve as the principal advocate for and steward of South Carolina’s natural resources. The 8,800-square-foot facility will be located at South Evander Drive adjacent to the Francis Marion University campus in Florence, S.C. The anticipated completion date is spring 2010.
Bobbitt was selected for the project after an extensive search and interview process that included more than 20 firms. With a diverse portfolio of more than 3,000 commercial buildings in North and South Carolina, Bobbitt had the solid reputation and experience to meet DNR’s needs.
We were very impressed with the Bobbitt design build team, and their pricing was competitive, said Kevin Kibler, assistant director of DNR and project manager overseeing the facility construction. The overall expertise exhibited by Bobbitt made us feel comfortable with their ability to execute.
DNR, headquartered in Columbia, currently operates its Region II at an office on Pisgah Road in Florence. According to Kibler, the new building represents a significant upgrade that will enable the agency to improve customer service and offer more public programs.
The current location was never intended to be permanent, said Kibler, and it’s not set up for customer interaction. The new, multi-use facility will enable us to interact with customers face-to-face and offer more services and training.
The office will be able to handle boating registrations, issue hunting and fishing licenses, offer boater and hunter education, and field questions in general. It will be one of four major DNR locations in the state.
The new facility will feature a number of green building elements, including energy efficient lighting, daylighting, efficient water fixtures, low VOC paints and adhesives, and an all-inorganic exterior for sustainability and low maintenance. Bobbitt will also focus on job site materials recycling during the construction phase.
Bobbitt has teamed with Columbia-based architect, LTC Associates, for the project. The two companies have a strong track record of providing a comprehensive design build scope of work, which encompasses site planning, permitting, architectural design and construction.
About Bobbitt Design Build
Established in 1946, Bobbitt Design Build is the Carolinas’ largest design build contractor for commercial construction, which provides control of architectural design, engineering, permitting and construction services under one roof. The employee-owned company has built more than 3,000 commercial buildings throughout the Carolinas. www.bobbitt.com
