By Laura Jean Whitcomb

A solitary elm graces the east side of the new Community Senior Center lot adjacent to Park St.

A solitary elm graces the narrow strip of earth separating Hanover’s newest Town facility from the edges of Route 10. Protecting the lone and fragile tree from the destructive nature of site clearing requirements was one of the early tasks that faced the owners, construction management and design team charged with creating and building a 23,000 square foot Community/Senior Center within an odd shaped Town lot, hard-by two very busy thoroughfares. A separate task altogether involved orchestrating construction around the needs of multi-users of the new facility, each with their own set of interests and requirements.

Over the years, Trumbull-Nelson has completed work on numerous in-town properties with “tight site” conditions. During its 85-year history, the Company has completed a variety of Projects along Hanover’s busy Main Street and on the Dartmouth College campus and fully appreciates the challenges that such projects can create. One concern that is related to doing work in such an environment is Safety. The builder who can balance an absolute need for safety with the likely risks associated with ‘public-curiosity’, is skillful. In the case of the Community/Senior Center, a facility that will eventually serve the needs of area seniors and youth, a considerable amount of public interest exists. The Construction Management team is working hard to keep all interested parties aware of construction progress, while keeping site safety a primary concern. The use of chain link fencing around the perimeter of the job site allows maximum viewing of day-to-day work on the facility, while keeping the general public a safe distance from the action.

The Community/Senior Center, supporting the needs of area seniors and home to the Town’s Recreation Department, will serve many local residents. In the early stages of planning and design, a multi-user committee was formed to help evaluate the building’s most effective uses and functions. The Construction Management delivery approach offered the Committee and Architect the advantage of builder review and input at the Project’s earliest stages and the opportunity to better evaluate material and cost alternatives long before the actual construction began. Although the practical realities of budget constraints often create a need for compromise, collaborative efforts inherent to the Construction Management approach go a long way toward meeting user goals, and in helping to create project harmony.