Kramer Construction keeping busy with projects

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Rich Kramer Construction has a number of projects under way in Springfield and beyond.|ret||ret||tab|

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Fire Station No. 1|ret||ret||tab|

Among several projects under construction by Rich Kramer Construction, Fire Station No. 1 is scheduled for completion by the end of September, according to Rich Kramer, president and co-owner of the company.|ret||ret||tab|

"It's going to be a very attractive facility," said Doug Dale, project manager.|ret||ret||tab|

Dale said exterior of the wood frame structure will be a combination of concrete block, brick and precast stone with a small amount of siding for accent. |ret||ret||tab|

The station's interior design will combine stained concrete floors with a variation of porcelain and, in certain areas, ceramic tiles.|ret||ret||tab|

"The metal, standing-seam roof will be fire station red," Kramer said, adding that the two-story design will be a good architectural fit for the neighborhood.|ret||ret||tab|

Located on the south side of Grand just west of Southwest Missouri State Uni-versity, the station will replace the Fire Station No. 1, built in 1961 and located on Kimbrough across from the Shrine Mosque. |ret||ret||tab|

The fate of the old building is uncertain. Fire Chief Steve Strader said it will be vacated and assessed for possible other uses by the city,|ret||ret||tab|

The traditional brass pole, along with other firefighting equipment from the old building, will be moved to the new site.|ret||ret||tab|

"We've gotten away from using the brass pole in this area, but it is coming back at some stations around the country for nostalgic reasons," Strader said. The old pole will be installed as part of the construction schedule.|ret||ret||tab|

The upstairs living quarters in the new station will sleep 30 firefighters and will be complete with a fitness room and all-purpose room for on-duty personnel. The lower level will contain a three-bay truck and equipment area, with glass doors, boot room and the Captain's and Battalion Chief's offices. |ret||ret||tab|

The exterior walls of the offices will be "curtain glass" an aluminum framed continuous piece of glass, according to Dale.|ret||ret||tab|

On the other side of the engine bays an 850-square-foot community room, complete with kitchen, will be designated for public use.|ret||ret||tab|

"This facility will be available free of charge to the community. They just need to make arrangements with the fire department to reserve the space," Dale said.|ret||ret||tab|

The $1.3 million project got off to a slow start because the dirt at the site was full of debris and not suitable for building, but it is now on schedule, Kramer stated. |ret||ret||tab|

Several tons of dirt had to be hauled away and new fill dirt hauled in before construction could begin.|ret||ret||tab|

Situated on a 1.2-acre lot, the total structure is approximately 13,000 square feet, according to Kramer.|ret||ret||tab|

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Other local projects|ret||ret||tab|

Kramer's company is erecting the steel framing for the Central High School project, which is scheduled for completion by the end of the year, according to Kramer.|ret||ret||tab|

There has been 500 to 600 tons of steel used in the complicated project, Kramer stated.|ret||ret||tab|

"It's been a very challenging project," Kramer said. "We're attaching to buildings that were built in 1893 and 1903 and 1931." |ret||ret||tab|

The new addition will contain classrooms, an art office, multipurpose room and a cafeteria, he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Completion is expected in the fall of this year for the new Springfield Agriculture Center located at the northwest corner of Interstate 44 at Highway MM. |ret||ret||tab|

Howard Bailey Company is general contractor for the project. Kramer stated he is supplying and erecting the steel portion of the complex.|ret||ret||tab|

On the east side of town, Kramer is supplying material and equipment for the 23,800-square-foot addition to Sam's Club. |ret||ret||tab|

Progressive Construction is general contractor for the project. The original Sam's structure was built about 15 years ago and was the 50th Sam's store built.[[In-content Ad]]