Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County – Community Outreach Center
Fort Worth, Texas
Expertise
- Community
Services
- civil engineering
- electrical engineering
- landscape architecture
- mechanical / plumbing engineering
- structural engineering
- land surveying
Size
- 27,260 SF
BHB delivered a comprehensive suite of civil, electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering services, along with land surveying and landscape architecture, for the Community Outreach Center of the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County. This $13 million, 27,260-square-foot facility was thoughtfully designed to address skill gaps and underemployment among low-income and no-income individuals.
It includes UGM-TC’s Donation Warehouse and the Carl R. Brumley Community Room, which serves as both a rental venue for corporate or special events and a classroom for UGM-TC’s vocational training program. This program equips individuals with the knowledge and resources necessary to obtain fair-wage employment, particularly in fulfillment center logistics and apartment complex maintenance.
BHB was responsible for the mechanical and plumbing design of this state-of-the-art training facility, including new rooftop units with two-stage cooling and gas heating for optimal efficiency. BHB worked closely with the Owner to provide welding hood ventilation and appropriate design conditions for each distinct space. Special attention was given to routing and elevating exposed ductwork in high rack storage areas to prevent conflicts with forklift operations. The design was also customized to meet the diverse needs of the Community Room and allow it to function as both a classroom and an event venue.
BHB also provided the electrical power and lighting design tailored to the specific requirements of each space. The power system was designed with future on-site power generation in mind to ensure continuity during power outages. Conduit systems were pre-installed for potential future power and lighting needs, allowing easy access with minimal disruption. Power requirements varied across the facility, from EV forklift charging stations to pull-down receptacles connected to a power busway system in the training area. Lighting design included industrial high-bay lights for the warehouse and training spaces, and aesthetically pleasing luminaires for areas with lower ceilings. Façade lighting was modeled to enhance the visibility of the building’s main entry signage from East Lancaster.
To address the dynamic power needs of the training center, BHB implemented a powered busway system adaptable for future changes. This system initially provides power for 15A and 20A receptacles, 30A receptacles for dryer testing and repair, and a 50A receptacle for oven/range repair and testing. Power provided by cord reels can be retracted to maximize open space as needed.
The structural design included the drilled piers, exterior concrete tilt-walls, and steel columns/framing. The building featured two different roof heights to distinguish the workforce/community area from the warehouse area. BHB collaborated closely with the architects to meet the City of Fort Worth zoning department’s requirements for multiple variations in the exterior wall plane and window placement along the building’s façade. This necessitated the creation of distinct wall designs for different sections of the building. Additionally, the site presented steep grades along the front and side, necessitating the construction of substantial retaining walls.
The structural design included the drilled piers, exterior concrete tilt-walls, and steel columns/framing. The building featured two different roof heights to distinguish the workforce/community area from the warehouse area. BHB collaborated closely with the architects to meet the City of Fort Worth zoning department’s requirements for multiple variations in the exterior wall plane and window placement along the building’s façade. This necessitated the creation of distinct wall designs for different sections of the building. Additionally, the site presented steep grades along the front and side, necessitating the construction of substantial retaining walls.
Key People
-
Richard J. Watters, PE
Richard J. Watters, PE
Chief Operations Officer | Senior Mechanical Engineer
Richard Watters came to BHB after working with a design-build contractor in the area for two years. As an active member of BHB’s leadership team, Richard manages some of the firm’s multiple long-term engineering projects, including healthcare, commercial, oil and gas, retail, and municipal. He is experienced in sustainable design, energy studies/audits, design-build, hospitality, data centers, critical environments, medical gas systems, and construction administration.
Richard has been named one of the Top 40 Engineers Under 40 in the country by Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine and one of the Top 20 Engineers Under 40 in our region by Engineer News-Record magazine.
In the office, his hands-on style has helped him successfully find solutions for clients and mentor young engineers. Outside of the office, Richard has been past president of the Fort Worth Chapter of ASHRAE and has been active with various student organizations as a guest speaker or project sponsor; he also travels back to Texas A&M to guest lecture and has sponsored projects for the construction science department at Texas A&M.
With his wife Yesenia, he enjoys being outside with their kids, traveling, working on multiple home improvement projects, and helping others. They have sponsored scholarships for children in El Salvador, his wife’s native country, who would otherwise not have access to advanced education. In addition to these, they also have four annual scholarships locally at TCU and UNT. Expanding on this desire to provide resources and forward momentum for everyone, Richard is also a founding board member of the Paul Schulte Foundation, a non-profit organization with a goal to empower, inspire, and facilitate individuals with disabilities.
Project Experience
Arlington Animal Services Center
Doss Heritage and Culture Center
Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center
Star-Telegram Building
Texas Wesleyan University Jack and Jo Willa Morton Fitness Center
Education
Texas A&M University:
Master’s Degree/2001/Mechanical Engineering
The University of Texas at El Paso:
Bachelor’s Degree/1997/Mechanical Engineering -
Ali Buron, PE
Ali Buron, PE
Senior Associate | Mechanical Engineer
As a third generation engineer, you could say that it is in her blood – but Ali didn’t always dream of mechanical engineering. When she was young, she wanted to be an actress, even landing the leading role in her fourth grade school play. She still loves the stage today, but has since considered a career in law before ultimately falling in love with engineering during her studies at TCU. It was there that she met Richard Watters through a mock interview event and became interested in working at BHB. She is now a project manager for healthcare and commercial projects among others, and is an active member of the Fort Worth chapter of ASHRAE.
Having grown up hunting and fishing at her grandmother’s farm, Ali still enjoys outdoor activities. She plays on an intramural kickball team, which she loves for the opportunity to compete and meet new people. At home she has two weenie dogs named Ruff and Ryder, who love visiting dog friendly restaurants in Fort Worth and bossing around their mom.
WordPress › Error