Rising Tide is pleased to announce their choice of architect and construction manager as they move to renovate the former Strong Chevrolet building and relocate in the spring or early summer of 2009.
Rick Burt, of Richard Burt Architects based in Damariscotta will serve as architect on the project, and Wright-Ryan, based in Portland, will act as the Construction Management firm.
Rick Burt has worked on projects ranging from the renovation of the State House in Augusta, to designing Lincoln Academy’s dining hall and The Darling Center’s dining hall and dormitory. Burt specializes in public buildings, stating that “Public buildings are always very interesting. Finding the right design for a public building and the community it serves is always a challenge, and always fun.”
Rising Tide’s position as a community owned organization is part of what attracted him to the project, Burt said, combined with the fact that as a resident of Newcastle and a member of Rising Tide, this is his community.
Wright-Ryan has been in business since 1973, and has become one of the leaders in the state in green design and energy efficient buildings. Sustainable practices in design and construction, as well as in their operations, are at the center of their business. It is this experience and knowledge that attracted Rising Tide to working with Wright-Ryan.
While they also work on large scale projects, such as Maine Audubon, Portland Stage, and The Children’s Museum of Maine, they like to work with small not for profit groups because they believe in community based concepts, and giving back to communities is part of their mission statement.
“We are thrilled to have such an experienced and knowledgeable team working with us on this project,” says Scott Cooper, co-general manager of Rising Tide. “The former Strong Chevrolet building has been part of this community for more than 60 years. We want to honor that, and create a space that will be welcoming to all. We are excited at the opportunity to re-use an older building, and feel that Rick Burt and Wright-Ryan are going to help us create a space we can all be proud of.”
