Minnesota’s harsh winters cause slow-downs in its construction industry – for everything from roads to commercial buildings. Many owners choose to delay a construction start until spring to save costs of dealing with temporary heat and other challenges related to winter construction.

 

However, it is not impossible to keep commercial construction projects going through the winter. Often a new building project is schedule-driven, and an owner will choose to begin construction in the fall or winter.

 

Shingobee currently has three major construction projects under way that demonstrate some of the techniques that are used to keep commercial construction going through the winter in Minnesota.

 

The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Woodbury, MN, started construction in the fall of 2017, completing site work in preparation for the building’s construction. Tilt-up panel construction, a construction method that is not often used in Minnesota, was implemented for this project. It involves concrete wall panels that are cast on-site and then tilted into place by a crane. This type of construction can be completed in virtually any weather, and combines the advantages of reasonable cost with low maintenance, durability, and speed of construction. The biggest advantage to tilt panel construction is that the size can be considerably larger compared to pre-fabricated wall panels, because they don’t have to be transported on public roadways.

 

 

Construction of the Residence Inn by Marriott in Eagan, MN, was started in November 2017, with a substantial amount of site and underground utility work in preparation for the construction of the building. Footings were formed and placed by early December, while weather was still warm enough to place concrete. Since then, the extreme cold weather has arrived in Minnesota, and heated enclosures are being utilized in order to place the slab on grade for the building.

 

 

Likewise, construction at the Lady Luck Estates jobsite in Hinckley, MN, started in mid-October, completing a substantial amount of earth-moving and utility work for this ten-building townhome development before the freeze. Masonry work for many of the buildings is being completed through the winter months, inside comfortable, heated enclosures.

 

 

Shingobee Builders can manage the schedule of your commercial construction project to meet your goals, even during winter conditions. To learn more about our construction services, call us at 763-479-1300, or email us at sbi01@shingobee.com.