Hamel Builders News
August 2011
The Union Mill: Courting Baltimore Teachers With Low Cost & High Style
As you turn off Falls Road in Hampden, heading downhill on Union Avenue towards Meadow Mill and Woodberry Kitchen, it’s hard not to slow down to admire the construction project that is the Union Mill. The mill lies low in a hollow beside the Jones Falls; in the mornings, mist hangs in the air.
Over the past year and a half, the Union Mill at 1500 Union Avenue has been the latest project of the Seawall Development Company--turning an abandoned stone factory into a mixed-use building designed and managed specifically for non-profits and teachers-- an innovative development concept that looks like a win-win for Baltimore city.
April 2011
Buchanan Gardens Apartments Groundbreaking Celebration
Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing presented the Buchanan Gardens Apartments Groundbreaking Celebration on April 28, 2011. Built in 1949, the 11-building, 111 unit garden apartment community will undergo major renovation beginning in the spring of 2011. Residents, relocated temporarily during a three-phase renovation, will return to an apartment community with increased energy efficiency, all new systems and finishes, new interior fixtures and appliances, a community room and playground. Renovations will be completed in late 2012.
March 2011
Celebrating with a Golden Hammer
The Rebuilding Together 2010 Golden Hammar awards were presented to Ed Hamel, Steve Thompson, and Michele Bruggeman of Hamel Builders. Rebuilding Together Howard County (RTHC), formerly known as Christmas in April, was formed in 1992 when a group of Howard County residents and businesses joined together to mobilize volunteers and provide free home repairs to low-income families in Howard County. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, veterans and families with children - all homeowners in Howard County who have worked hard, but no longer can afford to keep up with repairs.
December 2010
Hamel Green Construction
Hamel Builders, Inc. is proud to announce the formation of its newest venture, Hamel Green Construction. Hamel Green Construction was formed through a partnership of Hamel Builders, Inc. and Baltimore Green Construction, LLC. Baltimore Green Construction brings expertise in the field of sustainable design and construction that is far ahead of the building industry at large to Hamel’s outstanding history and leadership in commercial, multifamily and adaptive reuse construction. Hamel Green Construction will be able to offer fully integrated design-build services as well as a wide range of consulting and construction management services. Hamel Green Construction will also serve Hamel Builders’ project teams as experts in green construction techniques and green standards compliance consultants.
October 2010
Hamel Builders Named Partner of the Year at the 2010 Commitment to Excellence Awards
Hamel Builders, a Mid-Atlantic general contractor with corporate officers in Elkridge, Md., was named Partner of the Year at the 2010 Commitment to Excellence Awards. Secretary Skinner announced the winner on Oct. 5 at the Governor’s Conference on Housing and Sustainable Communities. The Partner of the Year award goes to individuals or organizations that have served as catalysts to affect community and economic development or an economic rebound in the surrounding community or region by working to respond to community needs; use of innovative and successful financing techniques; leverage of state dollars with private sector financing; partnerships with non-profit and government agencies or programs and demonstrated commitment to low income neighborhoods through volunteer efforts. Hamel Builders was DHCD’s partner on numerous projects, including the renovation of the former Wiley H. Bates High School in Annapolis into affordable housing for senior citizens and a community center.
September 2010
Baltimore Heritage Award Winner: Miller’s Court
Constructed in 1874, the former H. F. Miller and Son’s Tin Box and Can Manufacturing Company at 2601 N. Howard Street served as a manufacturing site for the American Can Company. Vacant for the past 20 years, this landmark building has experienced a renaissance as Miller’s Court–a mixed-use redevelopment offering affordable apartments for teachers and office space for nonprofit organizations that work with the city’s school system. To boot, the rehabilitation work combined the highest preservation standards with the gold standards for green and sustainable design. The end product is already breathing life into Howard Street and the surrounding community. The Adaptive Reuse and Compatible Design Award went to owner Seawall Development, architect Marks Thomas, and contractor Hamel Builders.
August 2010
"The Avenue” (Park Morton Phase One) Unveiled
The broad-scoped $130 million, 500-unit Park Morton redevelopment project is a dual partnership between the Warrenton Group and the Landex Companies. Wiencek & Associates Architects & Planners are currently completing the designs for the phase one building. General contractors Hamel Builders will carry out the construction, which could begin as early as December 1st. But in all likelihood, ground will break sometime in January of next year. Once started, construction is expected to last 14 months. The PUD application process for the subsequent phases of the redevelopment plans will begin in tandem with initial construction, with the goal of transitioning rather smoothly and quickly from phase one completion to phase two construction. The general intention for the entire redevelopment project is aimed at securing quality living quarters for the current public housing tenants (phase one) that will allow the construction of the new higher density residencies (later phases) - the proportion of purely public housing in the area diminished as the planned mixed-income projects come to life. Upon the completion of all phases, the new housing will follow the rule of thirds, units divided evenly between public housing, affordable or workforce housing, and market rate housing.
