Robins & Morton, one of the nation’s leading healthcare construction companies, is converting 250,000 square feet of the Miami Beach Convention Center into a 450-bed field hospital, including isolation rooms. The Army Corps of Engineers announced the project at a press conference Wednesday, April 8, joined by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Miami Beach Convention Center retrofit is part of the Corps' ongoing effort to convert convention centers, hotels, and closed hospitals to alleviate pressure on local hospitals from the anticipated surges of COVID-19 patients.
The Army Corps of Engineers selected Robins & Morton to perform the $22.5 million contract. The facility is scheduled to be ready to receive patients on April 21, giving the general contractor two weeks to go from bare floors to a working hospital.
“As we were wrapping up details of the contract, we were already working on the logistics and had our key project team members in place within 24 hours so that work could start the next day,” said Robins & Morton Senior Project Manager Johnathan Peavy. “Turning an empty space into a hospital in such a short time is a huge undertaking, but everyone on the project is committed to working with the Army Corps of Engineers to get this done. We know how important this is to the state of the Florida and the Miami Beach community during the public health emergency.”
TWO SHIFTS, WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK
As the project quickly ramps up, up to 250 people—including craft professionals and more than 40 members of the Robins & Morton team—will be working around the clock in two shifts. Robins & Morton quickly pulled together more than 20 contractors from South Florida to support the project. In addition to coordinating the work, Robins & Morton will follow COVID-19 health and safety protocols and CDC guidelines to help protect everyone on the job.
“There’s a tremendous amount of logistical challenges we have to solve in the first few days,” said Peavy. “Fortunately, we have long-term relationships with a number of trade contractors and vendors who have worked with us on other healthcare projects.”
Robins & Morton has a long history of major healthcare construction in Miami and across Florida and has offices in Miami and Orlando, with corporate headquarters in Birmingham, Ala.
ABOUT ROBINS & MORTON
Robins & Morton is a privately held construction firm based in Birmingham, Ala., with offices in Charlotte, Dallas, Huntsville, Miami, Nashville, and Orlando. The firm specializes in the construction of healthcare, hospitality, higher education, entertainment, sports and government buildings. Robins & Morton is consistently ranked as one of the top 100 contractors in the United States, and one of the top 15 in the Southeast. To learn more about Robins & Morton, visit: www.robinsmorton.com.
Related Stories
Coronavirus | Apr 2, 2020
COVID-19: CannonDesign initiates industry coalition to make masks for healthcare providers
Coalition formed to make DIY face masks for healthcare workers in COVID-19 settings.
Coronavirus | Apr 2, 2020
As virus spreads across North America, software providers step up with cost-free offerings
The goal is to keep construction projects moving forward at a time when jobs are being postponed or canceled.
Coronavirus | Apr 2, 2020
SBA and Treasury begin effort to distribute $349 billion in emergency small business capital
The new loan program will help small businesses with their payroll and other business operating expenses.
Coronavirus | Apr 2, 2020
New webinar explains how AIA Contract Documents can address business disruptions due to Covid-19
The webinar was recorded March 27.
Coronavirus | Apr 2, 2020
Informed by its latest Crane Index, Rider Levett Bucknall anticipates the effect of coronavirus on the construction industry
While total crane count holds steady, turbulent economic conditions indicate a recession-based drop in construction costs.
Coronavirus | Apr 1, 2020
How is the coronavirus outbreak impacting your firm's projects?
Please take BD+C's three-minute poll on the AEC business impacts from the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus | Apr 1, 2020
Opinion: What can we learn from the coronavirus pandemic?
The coronavirus pandemic will soon end, soon be in the rear-view mirror, but we can still take lessons learned as directions for going forward.
Coronavirus | Apr 1, 2020
Three reasons you should keep sewing face masks (as long as you follow simple best practices)
Here are three reasons to encourage sewists coast to coast to keep their foot on the pedal.
Coronavirus | Apr 1, 2020
TLC’s Michael Sheerin offers guidance on ventilation in COVID-19 healthcare settings
Ventilation engineering guidance for COVID-19 patient rooms
Coronavirus | Apr 1, 2020
February rise in construction outlays contrasts with pandemic-driven collapse in March as owners, government orders shut down projects
Survey finds contractors face shortages of materials and workers, delivery delays and cancellations.
