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Russ Ward

Mission Accomplished – Hope On Hyde

Hope On Hyde Park/Los Angeles, CA – Mission accomplished. The Hope On Hyde project is a great example of everyone pulling together for a great outcome. Our small part for this affordable transitional housing community for the Los Angeles area is complete. As a result we thought we would look back at the project and the team that brought it all together.

Of course MEM had a great install team with TL Shield & Associates taking charge of the placement and start up process. C. W. Driver led the way with the overall project leadership and they were grateful for our participation. “We appreciate MEM’s experience in the elevator industry. They helped keep the project moving forward and on time.” – John Kately, Project Executive, C.W. Driver. Lastly, KTGY provided superb architectural plans, drawings and concept.

It was a team effort with us playing just a small part of the overall effort and we are overjoyed with the results.

How We Made A Difference

The project was a modular build from the beginning. So, using a conventional elevator can defeat the overriding premise of using the modular concept. Modular is supposed to be faster than conventional construction. There are other positive factors such as it being safer, greener, higher quality and more cost effective, but the first thing people look at is speed to completion.

We helped with the timeline because if you have a modular project with a conventional elevator, the work can easily grind to a halt. The elevator is smack dab in the middle of the critical path and conventional elevators interrupt the general construction process in the following ways:

  • Conventional elevator installation can only begin once power is supplied. Modular is built in a factory based on when you need it.
  • The area is a congested mess around the elevator. This unsafe practice slows the other build teams.
  • Call backs to finish work must be done after the elevator doors and entrances are installed with conventional.
  • It takes serious time to physically hand carry every elevator component into the hoistway. The process is slow.
  • The elevator installed conventionally is labor intensive in a tight unsafe area. Accidents slow construction.
  • The project completion date is at the mercy of the elevator company, scheduling and parts availability.
  • With conventional elevator installation the only inspection takes place when the elevator is finished. Mistakes pile up leading to more issues at inspection time.
  • Modular elevators can double as a construction elevator cutting project time and costs.

For all the above reasons and more, for a modular project the only solution is to place the MEM Elevator solution.

The Project

The five-story development will offer studios and one-bedroom apartments on a 0.49-acre site. Residential services and a boxing gym will be located on the ground floor. The 98-unit building will be constructed around a central courtyard, providing privacy, safety, and a deepened sense of community. Parking spaces will be provided for social services staff while each resident will have a bike storage space. Floor to ceiling glazing along the amenity space will engage the community and brings movement to the street.

The Elevator

The elevator for the five-story project, as you can see in the video above, was set in no time. Quite impressive even for veteran project managers. “Seeing a fully installed elevator lowered into place and set in four hours was amazing.” – Luis Cadiz, Project Manager, C.W. Driver.

The process begins with placing the mode of conveyance, an in-ground hydraulic jack. It goes in first. Then the lower a portion of the fully installed elevator and hoistway gets craned into place. Once it is set, the second section of the elevator is lowered as well and locked in. The elevator came in two sections due to transportation needs and is not unusual in the least. The units are designed to be stackable.

The entire elevator set took less than four hours and everything is already inside including the elevator car and wiring. Once power is available onsite the MEM Elevator System is ready to go. It will then be started up, adjusted and scheduled for inspection. An easy, fast, timesaving solution. The elevator is off the critical path and the all too important purpose of the building can begin changing lives sooner than if a traditional elevator was used.

TL Shield & Associates set the elevator and will be in charge of start up as well. They and Modular Elevator Manufacturing was chosen due to the expertise they provide and the superior product they offer. They have been the leaders in the modular elevator field for more than two decades.

Tough steel makes up the MEM Elevator System hoistway with production occurring in a factory environment. Installation of all the elevator components and parts then takes place. Loading and shipping occurs next when the site is ready. In four hours you will have a fully installed, commercial quality elevator ready to be started up and used.

Supportive Housing Benefits from the MEM Elevator System

The mission of this project is important. The elevator and the Hope on Hyde Park project are crucial to combat the growing homelessness issues in Los Angeles. There are several benefits for supportive housing with the MEM system:

  • No onsite elevator installation slowing the project. Manufacturing is in the factory.
  • No elevator crew, elevator parts and no elevator tools getting in the way of the other trades.
  • Use as a construction elevator is possible. Two elevators for the price of one.
  • Quick start up – the process only takes about a week.
  • You don’t have to call back other trades to finish entrances. The MEM System comes factory drywalled and ready to finish. This saves thousands per entrance.
  • Safer – Fewer people coming and going means fewer injuries. Also, there are no open shaft doors to fall through like with traditional elevators.
  • Greener – Modular is much greener than traditional construction.
  • Same parts, higher quality. Most elevator companies regardless of the nameplate have the same parts and components. The MEM System has factory advantages of tight tolerances. This produces higher quality.
  • Faster, faster, faster. And isn’t that the point. You get the elevator when you need it base on your timing, your project and your needs. The elevator is off the critical path and occupancy can happen much faster.

Hope on Hyde Benefitted You Can Too

In conclusion, it maybe time to explore the possibilities further regarding supportive housing elevators. Let’s see if the MEM Elevator System can meet your needs. You can click the button below for a Fast Track Quote for a project you currently are working on. However, if you want to explore it more, request a LIVE VIRTUAL TOUR. We would be happy to pull back the curtain. We will show you how we produce the industry’s most successful modular elevator solution.

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