With 2017 behind us, we here at RJO’Connell & Associates would like to take a few moments to reflect back on a few of the projects and other accomplishments that our firm and clients experienced over the past year. Thank you to all our Clients, Colleagues, and RJOC Staff who helped make these possible.

♦  9/27 Plaza – Natick, MA – 2017 saw RJOC continuing to provide consulting services on this project via the development of construction documents and providing construction phase services. In June, Crosspoint Associates & Finard Properties hosted a Groundbreaking Ceremony to officially kickoff the re-development of this site in accordance with the entitlements that we assisted in obtaining in 2016. Following the groundbreaking and during construction, the Owners were busy securing tenants such as Dunkin Donuts , Staples, Partners Urgent Care, and Advanced Auto Parts to fill available vacancies. In collaboration with the architects Form + Place and landscape architects Shadley Associates, RJOC continued to provide assistance to address construction items in a timely and efficient manner.

♦  ALDI’s – Waterford, CT – Our project with Kincora Development reached a notable milestone in June when the new ALDI’s Supermarket opened their doors to the public. This was a culmination of successful collaborations with various design consultants including William Fleming Associates landscape architects, McMahon Assoc. Inc., transportation engineers, and New England Construction.  Unforeseen site conditions were overcome through a team effort to complete the project on time.

♦ Arsenal Yards – Watertown, MA – After obtaining the overall Master Permitting Approvals in 2016, 2017 was filled with return trips to the Watertown City Hall to secure entitlements for the first three phases of this transformative project. Collaborating extensively with the Wilder Companies & Boylston Properties, RJOC and other team members including architects Prellwitz Chilinski Associates has positioned this project to break ground early in 2018 with an anticipated Grand Opening in the Spring of 2019. The hard work, energy, and vision invested into this project was recognized in August of 2017 by the New England Real Estate Journal as their Project of the Month!

♦  Fairfield at Dean Avenue – Franklin, MA – The Franklin Town Hall became a common place to find RJOC staff during 2017 as this 250+ unit residential project went through the entitlement process. Working diligently with various consultants including Hawk Design as the landscape architect and Vanasse & Assoc., Inc transportation engineers, RJOC was able to obtain the necessary approvals for our client Fairfield Residential. RJOC is currently completing the documents and review process to secure the required licenses from MBTA for construction adjacent to the railroad property. Groundbreaking for this project is tentatively expected in the spring of 2018.

♦  Lakeway Commons – Shrewsbury, MA – Well known to many as the former Spag’s discount store site and after several years of planning, design, permitting, and construction, Grossman Development Group hosted a Grand Opening Ceremony in October to celebrate the opening of the retail portion of this mixed use development. RJOC is looking forward to continuing to work with GDG while tenants continue to lease the space in this center which is anchored by Whole Foods Market. In parallel with this effort, RJOC has been assisting Criterion Development with the construction of Quinn 35, the 250 unit residential component of this development. One of five residential buildings is currently being leased with project completion estimated for late spring/early summer of 2018.

♦  The LINX – Watertown, MA – RJOC continued to provide construction administrative services to Boylston Properties and Callahan Construction on this redevelopment of the former Verizon warehouse. This new, creative, LEED certified office building located in the thriving East End of Watertown. After construction was completed in the spring, Boylston Properties was able to secure one of their first tenants C4 Therapeutics in July and most recently, Macrolide Pharmaceuticals in December.

♦  MACOM Building – Lowell, MA – On behalf of our client and the property owner, Calare Properties, RJOC obtained final local approvals from the City of Lowell Planning Board and Building Department in early 2017. Shortly thereafter, Integrated Builders was engaged as the General Contractor to construct the 55K sf addition and other site amenities to increase the space needed by Calare’s tenant MACOM. RJOC is currently attending weekly construction meetings as construction continues into 2018.

♦  Meadow Glen – Medford, MA – Following the years of planning, design, permitting, negotiating, and construction, New England Development reopened and rebranded the 40 year old Meadow Glen Mall in November of 2017. Anchoring the center of the redevelopment is a 120K SF Wegman’s supermarket. Joining Marshall’s, Petco, Dick’s Sporting Goods, & Kohls. RJOC worked closely with New England Development, HFA, and DW White to ensure that the project opened on time.

♦  Nantucket Cottage Hospital -Nantucket, MA – After working with architects Cannon Design to secure the necessary state and local permits in 2016, RJOC developed construction documents in the spring of 2017 leading up to the groundbreaking in July. Working for Partners Healthcare, RJOC continues to provide construction phase services to assist Suffolk Construction with the construction of the new hospital that is anticipated to officially open in October of 2018. This project also provided an opportunity for RJOC to add a new scope of service to our resume – the design of a helipad!

♦  PetSmart – Newington, NH – Engaged by KeyPoint Partners, RJOC provided design and permitting services to secure the entitlements required to construct a new PetSmart store located at the power center known as The Crossings. Upon receipt of the necessary permits, the project moved immediately into construction with RJOC providing construction observation services.

♦  Restaurant Row at the Northshore Mall – Peabody, MA – RJOC continued their work with the SIMON Property Group, Inc. to provide survey and engineering consulting services at the Northshore Mall property. “Restaurant Row” was their project in 2017. RJOC has provided design, permitting, and construction oversight for the build-out of new restaurants located on the northeastern end of the mall in addition to walkway, parking lot, and façade improvements. Construction activities have continued at a steady pace since the first shovel was put in the ground in April while minimizing disruption to the shoppers during the regular business hours.

♦  Expansion of RJOC Team – 2017 was a year of growth internally for RJOC. Our team has grown by the addition of Kevin Kiernan, PLS as the Manager of our growing Survey Department, Brian Timm, PE as a Project Manager, and Mark MacKenzie as a CAD Designer/Drafter.

 

 

♦  Annual Dave Flanagan Golf Outing – For the 9^th year we gathered to honor the memory our good friend and colleague Dave Flanagan. In November of 2008 we suddenly lost our friend Dave to a heart attack. We initiated the Golf event to help Dave’s young children with their education needs. Words cannot express how wonderful it was to again see so many people gather for this fun day of golf and to socialize in Dave’s memory. We are looking forward to the 10^th annual this September to close out a decade of family support and golf camaraderie.

♦  Continued Support of Charities – Consistent with years past, RJOC continued to support a variety of charitable causes throughout the year. Charities benefiting children will always place high on our list. Spreading awareness of these organizations and people is an ongoing effort for us. Groups like JDRF, Yoga Reaches Out – Children’s Hospital, and Melmark New England touch the lives of many people. During the month of December RJOC employees held a toy drive to fill the Christmas wishes for some of the children at the St. Anne’s Home of Methuen. This was a wonderful way for us to end a successful year. St. Anne’s has been helping children since 1925.

Recognitions

♦  “RJO’Connell & Associates stays true to its course of client service and satisfaction” … featured Company of the Month in the New England Real Estate Journal Oct 27- Nov 2, 2017 Retail Trends and Development.

♦  Arsenal Yards – a RJOC project was named as one of the New England Real Estate Journals Top Retail Projects of 2017.

♦  MACOM global headquarters – another RJOC project was named as one the New England Real Estate Journals Top Projects of 2017.