Category: success story

In 2019, more than 630 children were attending Dominion Middle School, which was built to house 409 students, and the popularity of the high-achieving school suggested a future of rapid growth. At the same time, there was an aging high school in the area that could handle the growth but needed major renovations.

That is when Columbus City Schools (CCS) hired Miles-McClellan as the design/build contractor for the building envelope project of the former North High School. The historically registered building opened its doors in 1924. The design/build team was tasked with making the building safe and dry for students and staff, while preserving the building’s beauty, character and history.

The project replaced the roofing, windows, skylight systems and completed masonry restoration. Each component of this project came with its challenges. The existing windows were installed in plaster containing asbestos that had to be removed, the roofing and masonry work had to be coordinated and, of course, the labor shortage and strict timeline to make sure kids could start school as scheduled in the fall played a role. But this project had the additional challenge of working with the Historical Preservation Committee to ensure all design, materials and construction techniques were approved during the design/pre-construction phase.

One of the historical requirements was to mimic the original historic sightlines of the original windows. After a great deal of preparation work, multiple manufacturer bids and an extensive review of three products to make sure they fit the design and performance specification, the Historical Preservation Committee was pleased, and the approval process went smoothly.

With a highly scrutinized budget by nature of working with a public school system, Miles-McClellan delivered a dry, safer school $19,637 under budget. In a 2020 interview with The Columbus Dispatch, Dominion Middle School Principal Dorothy Flanagan said, “We couldn’t have asked for a smoother process from district leadership and our design and construction team.”

Overall, Miles-McClellan has managed 11 projects to improve the safety and learning environment for CCS, including one current project to replace the HVAC systems in Valleyview Elementary, Westgate Elementary and West Broad Elementary schools.

Other HVAC upgrades, electrical upgrades and facilities renovations include Brookhaven High School, which now houses the Columbus North International High School, and the former Dominion Middle School, which is now the New World Language Middle School.

Safer schools are a priority for Columbus City Schools and Miles-McClellan. We are proud to have helped CCS provide more secure entrances to 10 district school buildings — adding new security checkpoints in five schools and upgrading security vestibules at another five schools. The work included demolition, casework, aluminum storefronts, wood doors, hollow metal frames, door hardware, drywall, painting, HVAC and electrical.

“The team at Miles-McClellan not only produce good work, they are very personable, responsive and organized. They have a great system in place to manage projects and they have helped Columbus City Schools make our schools better and safer for our students.”
-Columbus City Schools Facilities Rep

We build success by Building Excellence! We take pride in our people, and we take pride in our work. Contact Miles-McClellan Construction to put that pride to work on your next project.

If you’ve been to Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio, you have seen firsthand how nature meets art through their displays of beautiful flowers, plants and organic landscapes, enhanced with real pieces of art. But did you notice how the buildings themselves fit into those landscapes and how, through lighting and innovative architectural design, they have become an art exhibit of their own?

With the Conservatory’s vision to restore the vitality, grandeur and beauty of Franklin Park while retaining its original charm and character, Miles-McClellan Construction has managed a variety of projects for The Conservatory, including the expansion of the John F. Wolfe Palm House, a registered Historical Place. As part of a four-phase, two-year expansion campaign, Miles-McClellan completed the expansion of The Palm House by building two 5,000 square foot additions that flank the building’s existing corridor, one designed for special events and the other for administrative offices. The versatility and creativity of the design added 10,000 square feet of flexible space for open air gardens, water features and elegant gatherings, while conquering the roadblocks that come with historical renovations.

In addition to the expansion of The Palm House, Miles-McClellan oversaw the construction of the Bride’s Garden, community gardens with education pavilion, and LIGHT RAMIENT II, an inspiring light display which illuminates The Palm House and was designed by internationally renowned, award-winning artist James Turrell.

In 2015, as classes, programs and community outreach increased for the Conservatory, a new space was needed, so the organization relocated an historic barn’s timber frame, which was set to be dismantled, from northern Ohio to its campus. Miles-McClellan took on the transformation of the Wells Barn, which is not only a piece of history, but a construction marvel filled with engineering innovation, including a basement with classroom space, an elevator, a large event space, a commercial kitchen, and a bar.

“The project was completed on time and on budget, which is critical for a non-profit organization, in large part due to Miles-McClellan’s commitment to problem solving, open communication and outstanding project planning and budgeting.”

Garry Clarke, Vice President of Planning
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Building Excellence takes teamwork and Miles-McClellan would like to thank its architecture, engineering and landscape partners, and the Franklin Park Conservatory, for helping to create these amazing spaces.