COMMODORE JOHN RODGERS REVIVAL
CAM Construction was selected as the Construction Manager for the Commodore John Rodgers School Replacement School Project. This project, which was issued by the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA), will see the construction of a state-of-the-art educational facility to replace the existing elementary/middle school on 100 N Chester Street, in the Butchers Hill neighborhood of East Baltimore. The estimated $60 Million job will be broken up into two phases, with the first phase consisting of demolition and abatement of the existing building, as well as sheeting & shoring for extensive site retaining walls, and the second phase consisting of the construction of the new facility. This project is anticipated to start within a month, with completion scheduled for Q4 2026. We are thrilled to be working alongside MSA and Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates – Architects to create better facilities for Baltimore City Public Schools under the 21st Century Building Act! Big thank you to our design partners for the project, Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates – Architects, for the renderings!
PAST MEETS PRESENT: ARMISTEAD GARDENS ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL
CAM Construction has begun work on the Armistead Gardens Elementary/Middle School Renovation and Addition project. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to make major upgrades to the existing building, which CAM originally built in 1991!
This effort will see a transformation of the 62,000sqft school with a 92,000sqft addition to its west end. We have kicked off this three-phase project by re-grading the old ball fields in preparation for new modular classrooms and the installation of 111 geothermal wells. Between Phases 1 and 2, we will transition the modular classroom buildings over the geothermal field. Phase 2 will include the construction of the new addition and storm water management facilities. Finally, Phase 3 will follow with renovations to the existing school and rec center.
We are thrilled to provide a new space to foster the education of the 800+ student body and revitalize a building that has intrinsic meaning to CAM. Check back in for more updates to Armistead Gardens as well as an exciting announcement to come soon.
A huge thanks to our partners on this project, Design Collective, Inc., for allowing the use of their renderings. (©Design Collective, Inc. 2024, All Rights Reserved)
TAKE A TOUR: Behind-the-Scenes Drone Footage of Montebello EMS
MUST SEE: Drone Fly-Through Video of Highlandtown EMS
It’s our pleasure to share this great drone fly-through video, produced by 21st Century Schools, showcasing the $22 million Highlandtown Project! Lots of natural light, beautiful ceiling details, and a seamless transition from the historic facility into the newly constructed Middle School wing (both inside & out). The school boasts new science labs, art studios, music room, and a makerspace/tech lab. Outdoor spaces include an all-new playground and recreational soccer field, fulfilling a long-held vision of the community that emerged as a priority during early planning meetings! Shoutout to John Srygley on another sharp design.
Scenes from the Ribbon Cutting at Montebello Elementary/Middle
A buzz of excitement was in the air as CAM wrapped up 2022 by hosting two major ribbon cutting ceremonies IN ONE WEEK, showcasing our recently completed 21st Century Schools Projects: Highlandtown Elementary/Middle and Montebello Elementary/Middle! We were overjoyed to have the chance to unveil these beautiful new facilities to the throngs of students and parents, eager to explore their new classrooms, libraries, dining halls, and collaborative learning spaces. Special thanks to leaders like Governor Larry Hogan, Senate President Bill Ferguson, Mayor Brandon Scott, Council President Nick Mosby, Principal Denise Ashley, Principal Troy Mitchell, and other city advocates who were instrumental in getting these plans approved, who came out to celebrate the momentous occasions and tour the final product.
What better feeling than to give over 1,400 young students the gift of a brand new school for Christmas! Certainly much more work to be done, but together we can change the lives of Marylanders for the better, one building at a time.
Scenes from the Grand Opening of Highlandtown Elementary/Middle
Montebello Transformation Featured in the BBJ
Melody Simmons, commercial real estate reporter with the Baltimore Business Journal, just published an excellent article in the BBJ following her tour through our recently completed Montebello Elementary/Middle School project in Central Baltimore.
CAM was proud to be a part of a ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Michael Frenz, and so many other dignitaries yesterday! An incredible transformation and example of historic preservation, while incorporating modern finishes and cutting edge technology throughout the facility. The exterior design of the building is emblematic of the historic architectural style of the surrounding neighborhood, so the city committed to restoring the facades back to their original luster, while giving its design team the creative liberties to redevelop the interior of the facility has beyond recognition–optimized for modern occupancy! The stately character of the Field House is one area where Todd Vukmanic & his architectural team were really able to marry the exposed historic elements with the needs of today’s student athletes, performers, and general assemblies.
Executing the rear cafeterium addition, playground, and outdoor classroom spaces proved extremely challenging, given the constrained site conditions and limited points of access into the building for equipment and materials. Contending with steep slopes, working around historic window openings, maximizing views of the lake, and re-imagining the existing floorplates into a 21st Century learning environment proved a rewarding and challenging endeavor for our project management staff and the visionary team at Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates. Moreover, redirecting pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns along Harford Road, E. 32nd Street, and Curran Drive added to the complexities of managing this job. Shoutout to our PM, Vince Culotta, our Superintendent, Jeff Schissler, and Justin Wood at MSA for all their hard work on this one over the past two years.
CAM Participates in ABC/AIA/ULI Baltimore Panel Discussion
Marc Munafo, CAM’s President, participated as a panelist during the recent “Unique Practices of Successful Project Teams” event presented by ABC, AIA, and ULI.
The Graceland Park/O’Donnell Heights EMS & Holabird Academy projects were featured and CAM was joined by Maurice Gaskins, Baltimore City Public Schools, to discuss the project’s success and unique organizational structure. Grimm + Parker was the architect in the project.
Each team identified how they defined success and elaborate on the unique project management and planning practices that were implemented in order to achieve client goals.
Other Project Teams:
MSU Calvin and Tina Tyler Hall
- Bob Mock, Associate, GWWO
- Benjamin P. Morgan, Vice President, Barton Malow Company
- Daniel N. Janak, Assistant Project Manager, Morgan State University
Four Ten Lofts
- Malindi Lankatilleke, Project Manager, Southway Builders
- Nancy Liebrecht, Project Manager, Moseley Architects
- Jim French, Principal, French Development
Construction Update Meeting – Highlandtown #237
