Local 3 California – Coming Back Strong

JOURNAL: ISSUE 2 - 2014

Jim Gensheimer The exterior of the women’s hospital building at UCSF Medical Center.

During a scheduled trip to the West Coast in early April, BAC President James Boland leapt at the opportunity to talk with members of his home Local, Local 3 California on several jobsites in San Francisco and San Carlos, including two medical centers and a hotel restoration.

Joined by Local 3 President Dave Jackson and Vice Chairman and Field Representative Steve Kantoniemi, Boland described the mood of the BAC craftworkers he met as “upbeat,” adding, “I was struck by how many members told me they were looking forward to busier times with a lot more optimism than in recent years.”

That optimism is confirmed by construction forecasters for much of Local 3’s jurisdiction, which covers 46 counties in Northern California. “The Bay Area is coming back strong from this recession,” says Local 3 CA President Dave Jackson. “Construction is booming in San Francisco, and cranes are everywhere – high rise residential buildings, historic renovations, sports arenas, high tech offices, courthouses, and especially healthcare facilities. During the next five years alone, 14 new medical centers will break ground.”  Jackson continues, “Work hours are up, but we still have a lot of ground to make up and we’re doing everything possible to make sure we get everyone back to work.”

UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay

Jim Gensheimer Local 3 CA marble finisher Oscar Garcia, right, greets BAC President James Boland, left, and Local 3 President David Jackson on this Mission Bay jobsite. At right, Brother Garcia assists with setting stone on an exterior wall.

Construction of the UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay officially began in December 2010. The six-story children’s, women’s and cancer hospital complex is comprised of three physical buildings – the Hospital, Gateway Medical Building, and Energy Center.

A total of 32 Local 3 members have been working on the project since 2012, employed by De Anza Tile & Marble (Fremont, CA), D & J Tile Company, Inc. (San Carlos, CA), and San Francisco-based contractors Rainbow Waterproofing & Restoration Co. and Carrara Marble Company of America, Inc.

The $1.52 billion medical complex features both a unique architectural aesthetic and unmatched energy efficiency that began in the design stage and radiated forward by utilizing the latest sustainable building practices. Installation of the hospital’s interior tile and marble work was coordinated over multiple phases. Local 3 members installed and set floor tiles, wall bases, ceramics, porcelains, and granites in the main lobby, hallways, waiting area, restrooms, bathrooms, the entire first floor perimeter of the hospital, and the 60,000 square-foot rooftop garden area.

The project is expected to be completed in August 2014 and open to the public in February 2015.

Jim Gensheimer From left, Local 3 CA President David Jackson, BAC President Boland, Local 3 CA tile finishers Moises Santos and Diego Pinon.	Jim Gensheimer Carrara Marble Company Marble Finisher Foreman and Local 3 CA member Edward Huerta, right, talks with President Boland, center, and Local 3 CA President Jackson on the jobsite.

Jim Gensheimer From left, Local 3 CA President David Jackson, BAC President Boland, Local 3 CA tile finishers Moises Santos and Diego Pinon.

Jim Gensheimer Tile finisher Moises Santos grouts tile on an interior wall.

Jim Gensheimer Local 3 CA tile setter Paul Lucero with BAC President Boland.   Jim Gensheimer From left, Local 3 CA members Robert Villalobos, Lino Vazquez, Matt Soderstrom, Local 3 CA President David Jackson, Field Representative Steve Kantoniemi, Richard Wallace, Paul Lucero, Connie Ocasio, Ed Brunelle, BAC President James Boland, Adrian Banuelos, Jesse Larez Sr., Marco Monteiro, Mike Schwarz, non-member Victor Lucero, James Buffmire, Jonathan Contreras, and Ignacio Gonzalez.

Huntington Hotel

This historic 12-story brick façade hotel was first opened as a luxury apartment in 1922. Property owner Grace International closed the 135-room hotel in January to complete extensive upgrades. After a $15 million renovation, the new Huntington Hotel, atop Nob Hill in San Francisco, opened its door as the Scarlet Huntington on May 6, 2014.

Nineteen members of Local 3 CA, employed by Rainbow Waterproofing & Restoration Co. (San Francisco) and D & J Tile Company, Inc. (San Carlos, CA) worked on the renovation including PCC restoration of the exterior brick façade around the entire building. Members also installed tile and stone over a floated mortar bed in 135 hotel rooms and the lobby.

Jim Gensheimer

Jim Gensheimer Local 3 CA member Lino Vazquez sets stone tiles for a new bath and shower.

Jim Gensheimer BAC President Boland observes tile setter Jesse Larez Sr. making a precision cut.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation, San Carlos Center 

Jim Gensheimer The exterior of the PAMF medical center.

The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) a 75-year Bay Area healthcare services provider, is building a state-of-the-art, full service medical center in San Carlos to accommodate its growing patient demand. In 2007, the San Carlos City Council voted unanimously to approve the PAMF San Carlos Center; construction began in 2012.

Jim Gensheimer Local 3 CA member Fernando Barajas prepares walls for grouting.

Jim Gensheimer Local 3 CA tile setter Rey Barrios sets broken bond wall tiles of hospital restrooms.

The integrated campus, including an outpatient medical center and a hospital, is being constructed in two phases. The first phase is the construction of an outpatient medical center and parking garage. The second phase, a center for acute inpatient care, has not yet been scheduled. The completed San Carlos Center is expected to open in November 2014. 

Since September 2013, about 15 Local 3 tile and stone craftworkers, employed by Superior Tile and Stone (San Leandro, CA) and Pete Wismann Masonry (Mountain View, CA) have been at work on the first phase – laying, setting and installing high-end tile and stone materials in the lobby, hallways, restrooms, bathrooms, and showers. The project is expected to generate more than 3,430 hours for journey-level members and 686 hours for apprentices.