PJ DICK.
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minimize or eliminate the emissions of
compounds that contribute to ozone deple-
tion and global warming. Additionally, P.J.
Dick deconstructed the site’s existing build-
ings to salvage or reuse more than 65 per-
cent of materials that would otherwise go
to landfills. The majority of construction
waste, including wood, steel and cardboard,
is being recycled or salvaged.
“The green aspect of the project is part-
ly why P.J. Dick was chosen for this job,”
Spatafore says. “PNC is the firm’s bank
and we have constructed LEED-certified
branches for them before. Also, we have
a good relationship with Oxford, the devel-
oper. We are helping with the green aspect
of the project by providing extensive docu-
mentation and using a waste management
plan for the construction materials.”
The core part of the building will be
finished later this year, and the hotel will
be complete in 2010. P.J. Dick self-per-
formed some aspects of the work, includ-
ing all of the concrete, which has been a
benefit to the schedule, Spatafore says.
Going forward, the project still needs its
internal finishes and the mechanical sys-
tem needs to be finalized.
P.J. DICK INC. – THREE PNC PLAZA
P.J. Dick will start the fit out of the core
building soon, and expects to begin work
on the condominiums early this summer.
A Green Family
Based in West Mifflin, Pa., P.J. Dick works
alongside its sister companies, Trumbull
Corp. and Lindy Paving. The company
offers general contracting, design/build,
construction management and consulting
services to markets such as commercial,
heavy/highway, government, healthcare,
education, retail and corrections. It also
offers infrastructure inspection, landfill
management and asphalt production.
“We are a closely held family of com-
panies that brings innovative solutions,
dedicated professional personnel, a lega-
cy of quality and safety and more than
50 years of construction experience into
every project,” the firm says. “Our compa-
nies have managed more than $5 billion
in construction activity and are consis-
tently ranked among the top-100 general
contractors and construction managers
in the United States.”
Spatafore says P.J. Dick’s experience in
sustainable construction was one of the
reasons it was chosen for Three PNC
Plaza. In fact, the contractor notes it has
been using green techniques since the
mid-1980s. P.J. Dick explains it started by
using fly ash for heavy and highway
embankments and fill, but it has expand-
ed to use fresh air diffusers, solar panels,
storm water collection systems and other
conservation mechanisms in its projects.
“We prefer to start the green design
process in the conceptual phase as it is
our responsibility to ensure it continues
through project close-out,” P.J. Dick says.
“Sustainability is an integral concept
throughout the construction process. We
work with the architect, community, con-
sultant and owner to ensure sustainabili-
ty requirements are met.
“As contractors, we are compelled to
find innovative strategies, materials and
resources that promote energy conserva-
tion and recycling. Pittsburgh ranks third
in the nation for green building projects.
Of the 300 projects certified by the
USGBC, 37 of them are in Western
Pennsylvania. We expect to continue to
build many more in this area and in the
surrounding states.” ■
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