We are excited to share a new series where we will be highlighting some of our projects that we’ve worked on over the years. These posts will allow us to go into more detail on each of our projects as well as share more photos. This first week, we will be talking about Fishers Central Green & Amphitheater Renovation. This project recently won us an award: Award of Excellence in Construction in the Institutional $1M-$6M category.
When the vision of a downtown Fishers Amphitheater was born, the goal was to create a vibrant, destination downtown gathering place. The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater hosted its first concert in 2012, and since then has truly become the place to be year-round. Each year, it hosts a variety of events including concerts, cultural events, festivals, farmers’ markets, and much more. Fast forward five years and the City of Fishers recognized the need to improve the Amphitheater stage itself in order to accommodate musicians and performers of all types. The 25’ expansion of the stage made it deeper, and an added sound wall which enhances aesthetics looking at the stage, while also improving the listening experience that pushes the sound out into the crowd. Additionally, renovations include an elevated lawn with additional drainage and pathways to help with storm water drainage. The grassy knoll includes contour elevation for a better viewing experience regardless of seating proximity to the stage.In addition, a 1,700 sq.ft. pavilion structure was built between City Hall and the Amphitheater stage to provide a public meeting space that can accommodate up to 46 people. The glass pavilion features restrooms, tables, and natural lighting. Immediately outside the pavilion is a fountain that measures 40 feet by 40 feet and features seating and 24 water jets.Last summer, during construction, the venue welcomed 150,000 Fishers residents and visitors for local and national performing acts. This year, Fishers Parks & Recreation is ready to AMP up the summer and create even more memories and traditions at the community destination in the heart of the downtown Nickel PlateDistrict.
Construction of the Central Green Pavilion and Amphitheater renovation was from the onset, to be a fast track project. Contracts were let in late January 2018 and anticipated completion before the end of the summer of 2018. Massive coordination between the City of Fishers, the Design Team, and theConstruction Manager was necessary to pull this off. And let’s not forget that MotherNature and precipitation has a lot to do with meeting a schedule and deadline. The structural steel was pre-ordered even before the design of the project was completed. The use of “Lean Construction/PullPlan” scheduling and weekly coordination meetings were essential to keep the project moving forward.Adding to the schedule constraints were the physical constraints with the Fishers Town Hall being to the south, the Police Headquarters to the east and the Fire Department Headquarters to the west.This caused staging of materials to be a premium as well as phasing the work to allow all trades time and space to get their work completed before the next trade had to occupy the same space. 25,000yards of dirt had to be hauled in to create the elevated lawn area, with the only access being immediately adjacent to the Amphitheater, where massive demolition and re-construction was being done. Since not all the existing Amphitheater was demolished, care had to be taken to protect what was not disturbed. Because of this, careful and even surgical like removal of old stage roof structure needed to be done to allow the installation of the new footings, steel columns and roof structure.Once the roof structure was in place, then construction of the stage itself could start. Work was being done on all corners of the project in a condensed construction schedule to come close to meeting the desired completion dates.
