Project Titles:

• Repair Laurel Grove House (FFS #R5BH)
• Replace Wilna Boat Shed (FFS #R5BJ)
• Repair Wilna Quarters (FFS #R5GX)

State: Virginia

Project Description: $422,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding was infused into the area surrounding the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Warsaw, Virginia.

Work has been completed on three separate projects at the refuge, each led by a separate contractor. The projects included the rehabilitation of two living quarters and the construction of a large prefabricated steel storage shed.

“All three of these projects were slated for funding some time in the future,” said Refuge Manager Joe McCauley. “With the Recovery Act, we were able to move them up in the schedule, help increase the efficiency of our operations, and provide a much needed infusion of construction funding into the local economy when it is needed most.”

Eagle River Construction Inc., from nearby Callao, renovated the Laurel Grove Quarters House; Tidewater Preservation Inc., located in nearby Fredericksburg, restored the historic Wilna Quarters building; and Monteray Construction Company, Inc., from Columbia, South Carolina, oversaw the erection of the storage shed. All three companies are utilized local subcontractors for labor and both Eagle River and Tidewater are local, small businesses.

Approximately 20 people worked on the storage shed project, according to Jon Tomlinson, Project Leader at Monteray Construction. This created much needed work in the area. The majority of the subcontractors employed by Monteray, which specializes in the construction of pre-engineered and commercial buildings, came from within 40 to 50 miles of the job site.

“That area has been hit pretty hard with the lack of construction work,” Tomlinson said. “Everybody that we’ve called has been thrilled that the phone is ringing and that there’s somebody with work on the end of it.”

The Laurel Grove House is located at the southern end of the refuge about 25 miles from the headquarters. The Service had originally considered tearing down the house when it was first acquired in 2003, however the building was deemed structurally sound following an inspection. Work had been done to improve its exterior over the past few years, but, according to McCauley, the inside of the building had never been rehabilitated. Recovery Act funds allowed the Service to finish an overhaul of the building while providing work for at least six individuals.

“It’s good to see Recovery Act money being spent first hand,” said Mike Plante, project leader at Eagle River. “This project really helped us out.”

The Wilna Quarters, formerly known as the Wilna Caretaker’s House, was originally constructed in the mid-1800s and is eligible to be listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. For more than 10 years, it had served as a quarters building on the refuge although it is in need of repair. Recovery Act funds created local employment opportunities by making these repairs possible.
“The plumber we are using lives right across the river from the refuge,” said E.J. Benedict, Project Superintendent for Tidewater. Between painters, roofers, electricians and other people working on the project, approximately 17 different people worked on the Wilna Quarters rehabilitation, according to Benedict.

Both Tidewater Preservation and Eagle River Construction received the contract awards through the Northeast Region’s implementation of a two-step negotiated bidding process which has been shown to increase the opportunity for small, locally owned, or disadvantaged companies to be awarded government contracts while also allowing for more accurate and competitive proposals. Potential contractors are required to send in their qualifications, which are carefully sifted through before selecting the best and most qualified firms. Chosen firms then have the opportunity to visit the worksite before submitting final proposals. This process maximizes the percentage of ARRA funds being invested in the local economy.

Ask the plumber just across the Rappahannock River who had work because of the Recovery Act.

Photos:

Local contractors are at work renovating the Laurel Grove Quarters House.	Local contractors are at work renovating the Laurel Grove Quarters House.
Many people in the area will have work constructing the new storage shed.	The Wilna Quarters rehabilitation is providing employment to nearly 20 construction professionals.
The Wilna Quarters rehabilitation is providing employment to nearly 20 construction professionals, including a local plumber.

Originally posted 02/22/2010
Updated 11/10/2010
Page Updated 01/25/2011