Sacramento - With more than 200 attendees (peers and colleagues combined), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) presented awards for the 2009 Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Awards for the State of California. Among the recipients was California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo who was awarded Outstanding Sustainable Technology Project of the Year for the Poly Canyon Village. Scott Bloom, Housing Facilities Manager, and Mike Cannon, President of Cannon, received the award as owner and engineer of record for the project.
This award follows a string of accolades the University has received for the recently completed Poly Canyon Village. This spectacular new campus development which opened to students in 2008 is the single-largest construction project in the history of the CSU system. With 2670 beds, this housing complex includes three residential neighborhood areas on 30 acres north of Brizzolara Creek at the base of beautiful Poly Canyon.
The design-build team committed to delivering the project one year earlier than requested in the RFP, and established a goal of achieving LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) -NC Gold certification including sustainable design concepts for the project. As such, Poly Canyon Village is the first LEED certified project on the Cal Poly campus and the largest LEED certified project in the California State University system. Some key sustainable concepts include the following:
Natural ventilation in the residential units to reduce energy use.
Radiant heating panels for the cooler months.
Drought tolerant native plants to significantly reduce water use.
Covered bicycle storage for over 25% of the village occupants to promote alternative modes of transportation.
Bus stop near the Village Center.
Open space equal to twice the size of the project's building footprint.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., February 19, 2010 - The San Luis Obispo County
Regional Airport is one of nineteen airports nationwide to secure a
federal grant that will increase service and make the airport more
competitive.
"Receiving this grant is great news for the future of our County and the
airport," said Michael Cannon, Chair of the San Luis Obispo Air
Transportation Alliance (SLOCATA), an advocacy group that has been
instrumental in helping the airport. "These federal dollars will help
attract service for new routes. The importance of this award to local
businesses cannot be understated - they are the lifeblood of our
communities."
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the airport a $500,000
grant under the Small Community Air Service Development Program. In
July 2009, the DOT solicited applications from small communities
interested in securing a grant for air service development and whose
benefits are expected to continue growing after the initial
expenditures. 84 communities in 38 states applied from this grant pool
of $6.5 million dollars, and the airport was the second largest
recipient in the nation out of 19 awards. It is the only airport in
California to receive such an award for this year's program.
"It comes down to jobs and infrastructure. Our airport is an economic
engine of the region and contributes approximately $177 million in
annual impacts. Since our County is far from the metro centers of the
State, improving air service has great benefit to our business community
and all travelers. Air service is particularly vital in SLO County which
relies upon tourism and the wine industry as some of its largest
employment sectors. SLOCATA supporters have worked very hard since 2008
to collaborate with tourism organizations, the SLO Chamber of Commerce
and other chambers to achieve several successes. The award speaks highly
of the competiveness of our airport." said Michael Manchak, president of
the Economic Vitality Corporation, a partner organization of SLOCATA.
The grant application was submitted by the San Luis Obispo Regional
Airport with support from SLOCATA, a group of local business leaders who
understand the importance of a sustainable and competitive local
airport. Working closely with airport administration, SLOCATA obtained
letters of support from many elected officials including Congressman
Kevin McCarthy, Senator Barbara Boxer, Congresswoman Lois Capps, and
Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee. Congressman McCarthy's office announced the
grant after a meeting with the Department of Transportation Secretary.
ABOUT US SLO County Air Transportation Alliance (SLOCATA)
An advocacy group for the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport aimed
at helping to retain and attract airline service and the future of
airport infrastructure. Founded in 2008, SLOCATA is comprised of
business leaders from throughout the County who understand the
importance of a sustainable and competitive airport. www.sloevc.org/airservice
Economic Vitality Corporation
Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC) is a local non-profit economic
development organization that provides business resources throughout San
Luis Obispo County. The EVC stimulates the local economy by helping to
generate jobs, increase investment in the community and promote the
start-up, growth and attraction of businesses. 805.788.2012 www.sloevc.org
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
It is the oldest and largest voluntary organization in San Luis Obispo
County. Serving the needs of 1,400 members, for more than 105 years the
Chamber has been dedicated to the economic health of the City of San
Luis Obispo. www.slochamber.org
Cannon Helps Save A Whale During the Super Bowl
Those with a sharp eye may have noticed that the Avila Pier was featured in a Super Bowl commercial. The premise of the commercial involved three young men returning a live Orca whale to the ocean after a bachelor party. The three raced down a winding road and out to the end of the Avila Pier--coming to a skidding, spinning stop which propelled the whale into the bay.
Last September, the production crew approached the Port about using the Avila Pier. Cannon provided an analysis of the pier structure to assess the forces associated with the fast moving SUV. The production crew’s biggest question: “How fast can we go?” Cannon’s response: “It is not a question of how fast you can go, but how fast you can stop.” Cannon structural engineers evaluated the gravity and deceleration loads, the weight of the vehicle, and the constructed capacities of the pier elements and their connections. Strengthening options were limited by strict coastal construction requirements. Commercial:
San Luis Obispo - On Thursday, October 22nd, the City of San Luis Obispo held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Tank Farm Sewer Lift Station.
The Tank Farm project included the abandonment of three existing sewer lift stations and the construction of a new regional lift station and new sewer mains connecting to it. The approximate lengths of new sewer main include 6,750 liner feet of 16-inch, 250 linear feet of 12-inch, 4,000 linear feet of 10-inch, and 1,000 linear feet of 8-inch gravity sewer mains and 4,000 linear feet of 16-inch sewer force main. The scope of work for this project included engineering, surveying, and construction observation. The team of Brown and Caldwell and Cannon provided the engineering consulting services. Cannon prepared gravity sewer and force main designs, plans, and specifications. Cannon also provided topographic surveying and mapping, boundary surveying and mapping, utility research and coordination, base mapping, legal descriptions and exhibits.
The Home Builders Association and three members -- Cannon, Estrella Associates Inc., and Terry Flatley Homes -- teamed last week to find 62 donors during a three-day blood drive for the United Blood Servicesďż˝ "Find the Hero in You" program.
Liz Moody, Public Affairs Committee chairperson for the association, noted that the blood drive was held to honor family and friends who have been diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma and to promote healthier communities. "The home builders care about the communities they have called home for decades and helped create. This is just one of the many ways they volunteer to give back."
Estrella CEO Officer Dick Willhoit agreed. "Sponsoring the blood drive allows Estrella to give back to the community and contributes to the well being of our family, friends and neighbors Blood is the lifeline of a healthy community, making a continual supply critical. It is essential to meet the county�s continuing health needs and to draw upon in times of emergency. We rely on partners like Home Builders Association and United Blood Services to better serve our community."
The blood drive covered most of the Central Coast with Estrella hosting a day for donating in Paso Robles, Cannon in San Luis Obispo, and Flatley in Santa Maria. The hosts provided donors a barbecue lunch and certificates for golf rounds and spa use.
Founded in 1943 as the Salt River Valley Blood Bank in Phoenix, AZ., United Blood Servicesďż˝ non-profit community blood centers provide blood, blood components and special services to patients in more than 500 hospitals in 18 states. More than 15 million people in communities throughout these states have donated through United Blood Services. For more information, please visit www.bloodsystems.org
The Home Builders Association is a non-profit trade association representing about 150 businesses - home builders, subcontractors, architects, engineers, designers, and other industry professionals working in San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County. More information is available on the association's web site.
San Luis Obispo - Cal Poly received LEED-NC Gold Certification for Poly Canyon Village (PCV). As such, PCV is the first LEED certified project on the
Cal Poly campus and is the largest LEED certified project in the California State University system. Additionally, PCV received recognition from American
Society of Civil Engineers San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles Sections for Outstanding Sustainability Project of the Year.
PCV - opened to students in 2008 fulfilling the vision of student housing expansion. This spectacular new development on campus is the single-largest construction project in the history of the CSU system. With 2670 beds, this housing complex includes three residential neighborhood areas on 30 acres north of Brizzolara Creek.
This project presented Cal Poly a unique opportunity to create a twenty-first century living and learning community. Its program components and physical design embody the key values of the Cal Poly Master Plan, particularly with respect to establishing an atmosphere that is student-centered, stimulating, socially supportive and environmentally responsible.
Cannon provided civil engineering and survey services and assisted with environmental permitting and LEED certification efforts.
Scope / Components
Design/Build
LEED-Gold Certified
Nine, four to five story buildings
992,000 gross sf, 30 acres
Conference Rooms, Seminar room, Laundry units
5,811 sf village retail center
2670 beds
Phase I - 1,541 student beds, 356 units, 3 staff beds
Phase II - 1,129 student beds, 262 units, 6 staff beds
Four and five bedroom unit configurations
SAN LUIS OBISPO - Cannon supports the Village Dirtbags' fourth annual Christmas Bikes for Kids which provides bikes and helmets to families of Vandenberg Air Force Base's deployed service members.
The Christmas bikes program is one way to show our support and appreciation to our courageous troops and their families.
To make a donation, mail your check and the attached form to 1201 E. Ocean Avenue, Suite K, Lompoc, CA. More information can be found online by going to www.VillageDirtbags.com, 2009 Christmas Bikes for VAFB Kids.
NIPOMO - On May 22, 2009 over 125 oil field professionals competed in the 22nd Annual SPE Golf Tournament in support of Central Coast youth. Through sponsorships and tournament fees, the event raised nearly $6000 to educate the next generation of informed energy consumers and decision-makers. The proceeds go towards educational programs such as Desks to Derricks, and the Annual Poster / PowerPoint competition. For more information visit: http://www.centralcoasteducation.org/.
For over 20 years, hundreds have turned out for this tournament to raise over $80,000 to support energy education.
Bronze: Conoco Phillips, Breitburn, RECON - Remedial Construction Services and Tracer.
Final thank you to everyone's generous raffle ticket purchases and contributions this year, and to our registration volunteers.
Cannon has been coordinating the tournament for over the past 20 years. Each year, Cannon provides the organizational structure and staffing to keep the tournament running smooth and ensure participants have a fun day on the greens. This year we'd like to hear your feedback to make next year even better. Please contact Donna Martin at DonnaM@CannonCorp.us or at 805-544-7407 to share your thoughts/suggestions.
We hope to see everyone again next year!
San Luis Obispo - American Public Works Association (APWA) presented an award to The City of Grover Beach for the South County Transit Hub project. The project was voted Project of the Year for Outstanding Public Works Transportation.
The City of Grover Beach constructed a new transit and parking facility as well as completed a series of parking and street-related improvements between North 9th and North 10th Streets. This transportation facility serves as a regional hub for commuters from across the Five Cities Area; connecting commuters with the commercial center of Grover Beach.
The City's project team was comprised of:
Design Engineer: Cannon
Contractor: Granite Construction
Surveyor: Cannon
Construction Schedule:
Construction Start: July 14, 2008
Construction End: September 10, 2008
The scope of work included roadways, sidewalks, parking areas, and storm drain system; topographic surveying, construction staking, and construction administration services. This project is the first phase of a two-phased project. The next phase includes the extension of parking and improvements along Ramona Avenue between North 8th and North 9th Streets.
Some of the award criteria included construction schedule, safety performance, environmental considerations, and community relations.
Cannon and Granite Construction, both local firms, provided solid support and service for the success of this project.
May 6, 2009; San Luis Obispo, CA - Local engineering firm, Cannon, wants to see these talented Cal Poly students remain afloat by donating $7,500 to the Concrete Canoe Club and Society of Civil Engineer's Student Chapter. In return, the students will be presenting Cannon with their 1st place concrete canoe from 2008. Yep, that's right, it is a concrete canoe. This talented club of engineering students competes annually against 16 other teams at ASCE's Pacific Southwest Regional and National Conferences.
Cal Poly's outstanding engineers continue to paddle ahead of competition. The club placed first at the Pacific Southwest Regional Conference in Hawaii in 2009. Sixty students went on the trip resulting in victory. The club has taken 1st place at the PSWRC for 15 of the past 17 years. In the national competition, the concrete canoes have won 2nd (2006), 5th (2007), and 4th place (2008).
Even more recently, Cal Poly's Society of Civil Engineer's student chapter has the distinction of being named the 2009 Robert Ridgway Award Recipient. This award is a national award given to the "single most outstanding student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Approximately 4600 hours goes in to the creation of these canoes like 'Big Sur' (the name of the 2008 canoe). The club/team has six captains to ensure equal distribution of responsibilities: one project manager, two construction captains, and three mix design captains. Six captains' assistants play vital roles in the design-build process, and ensure transfer of knowledge and methods for future years.
This year the canoe's name is "Vintage." The club wanted to capture the local heritage through the canoe's aesthetic attributes. When asked how they came up with the name, Captain Kyle Marshall answered, "The detailed mural on the hull depicts local wineries through acid stains. The sandblast recessed colored slurried tiles depict the wine making process from nose to tail, grapes to glass. The gunwales encompass recessed concrete graphics with the name of the canoe, and clean, fine lines contribute to its aesthetic appeal."
Congratulations to this outstanding group of students and everyone who made the past year an outstanding success.
The Concrete Canoe Club allows students to gain hands-on experience and obtain useful knowledge in more than just a technical aspect; it also requires members to work as a team to achieve a set of goals. The combination of these facets leads to the development of leadership skills as well as the creation of life-long relationships. Source: CPSCE.com
Cannon Office, 1050 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Workshop: 10:00 AM to Noon
Lunch Round-Table: Noon to 1:00PM
Cannon hosted a 2 Hour workshop on 3D Scanning Technology and Applications. There was a live scanning session conducted during the workshop to demonstrate point cloud data collection and 3D model development. The workshop was facilitated by:
Les Carter Jr., PLS - Director of Surveys
Victor Rasgado, Senior Surveyor
Benefits of using Laser Scanning Technology
Industry Applications for 3D Data
3D Scanning; Measurement Principals and Equipment
Equipment capabilities; Project control and QA/QC
Point Cloud "Registration" process
Data File Formats and 3D Modeling Software
Example Workflows for CAD and GIS applications
3D Data Management Requirements
Project Examples; Cost and Efficiency Benefits
Software that import point cloud and 3D Model data
Completed Project examples
Cost and Efficiency Benefits
This workshop was for all Engineering and Design Professionals, Public Agency and Law Enforcement Managers and Staff to learn more about the benefits and applications of 3D Laser Scanning Technology. Presenters facilitated an open forum "Round-Table" discussion on key topics of interest to the attendees. An informational and resource brochure of workshop materials was provided. The Workshop qualified for 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH), credit through CLSA's Professional Development Program.
January 27, 2009; Paso Robles - On Wednesday, March 11th, at 2:00 p.m. the City of Paso Robles will hold
a groundbreaking ceremony for improvements to South Vine Street at the southern part
of the City. Mayor Duane Picancowill be joined by his fellow Council Members, City
officials, representatives of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, Caltrans, and
the design team.
The South Vine Street improvement project has been on the City's priority list for quite
sometime. The City is pleased that we can finally begin its construction.
The project includes widening the existing two traffic lanes, adding two new bike lanes,
as well as new curbs and gutters.
In addition to being the southern entrance to the City, the Vine Street corridor is an
integral part of the community's thoroughfare as it is one of the two local streets that
connect the City to the south. The project not only aesthetically enhances the southern
entrance and exit to the City, it also adds safer recreational opportunities by providing
new bike lanes which help access to the City's beautiful western vineyards.
The total cost for the project is expected at $2,700,000. Funding for the project is a
compilation of several Federal and State Grants: Transit Enhancement Act (TEA), Urban
State Highway Account (USHA), Proposition 1B, Proposition 42, and Gas Tax. The
engineer on the project is Cannon from San Luis Obispo. The project is being constructed
by Rockwood General Contractors, Inc.
Groundbreaking Ceremony: Wednesday, March 11th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Courtyard by
Marriott, 120 South Vine Street, Paso Robles.
January 5, 2009; Santa Monica, CA - Cannon, a leading service provider to public and private sectors, announced their acquisition of Brockmeier Consulting Engineers, Inc. staff and the opening of an office in Santa Monica, California. The Brockmeier team including Eric Porkert, Mike Kielborn, and Derek Romer, along with other Brockmeier and Cannon staff will continue serving existing clients from the Santa Monica office.
Brockmeier's expertise complements Cannon's very well. The addition of staff provides local expertise in the fields of municipal water, sewer and storm water, and recycled water systems. The Santa Monica office and staff further strengthen Cannon's growing water system design practice, particularly in the water and wastewater markets.
Staff includes civil, structural, agricultural, electrical and mechanical engineers; land surveyors and landscape architects; instrumentation and control (SCADA) specialists; funding administrators; land use planners; and construction managers and many other talented professionals.
Meet Cannon's New Senior Santa Monica Team:
J. Eric Porkert, P.E.; Chief Civil Engineer: As Chief Civil Engineer, Eric is responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of Cannon's public works projects. In his 15 years in the industry, Eric specializes in municipal water, recycled water, and wastewater facility design.
Derek Romer, P.E.; Chief Electrical Engineer: Derek Romer's extensive professional experience includes electrical and controls system engineering in secondary power, lighting, instrumentation, SCADA and communications for municipal, institutional and commercial facilities. Derek's responsibilities at Cannon as Chief Electrical Engineer include field investigations, calculations, design drawings, and specifications. Specializing in potable water and wastewater projects, Derek provides engineering and design for modification, upgrade and replacement of existing electrical systems.
Michael Kielborn, P.E.; Senior Project Engineer: Michael Kielborn specializes in water transmission and sewer system engineering. Michael is experienced in design, construction and management. His responsibilities at Cannon include the preparation of studies, substructure research, engineering calculations, design and CAD drafting of multi-discipline engineering drawings and specifications, as well as processing documents with public agencies specializing in the field of water and wastewater. In addition to civil engineering, he has six years of construction experience, primarily working in the field with underground utility construction and structural building design.
"With the opening of the Santa Monica office we'll be in a position to more effectively provide the consistent, timely, cost effective service throughout Southern California." says Michael F. Cannon, President.
Since 1976, Cannon has been providing professional consulting services to clients throughout the Western United States. Cannon is a leading multi-disciplinary consulting firm providing full-service engineering, design, construction management, and operations and maintenance services to clients in public infrastructure, education, commercial and residential development, power generation and distribution, and aerospace and defense. The firm has offices in Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, California, and now Santa Monica, California.
For additional information on Cannon please visit www.CannonCorp.us or contact Liz Moody by telephone at (805) 544-7407 or by email at lizM@CannonCorp.us
SAN LUIS OBISPO - Cannon announced their continued commitment to the Children's Museum by becoming a $10,000 Diamond Event Sponsor for the Museum's annual benefit Saturday, October 11. The event took on a Hollywood flavor incorporating Disney's "Indian Jones and the Return of the Lost Jewel." To assist with the event, Mike Cannon emceed as Obispo Jones. There were themed hors d'oeuvres followed by an unforgettable sit-down dinner, an interactive scavenger hunt, exotic animals, poker and gaming tables. Guests bid on unforgettable items and priceless experiences such as tickets to the Grammy Awards and after party, fighter pilot rides, and an exclusive sleepover at the Museum.
This sponsorship follows on Cannon's donation of engineering services for the construction of the SLO Children's Museum.
Event Details
Contact: Roy Mueller, Executive Director
San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
545-5874 rmueller@slocm.org
Event: Obispo Jones and the Return of the Lost Jewel
When: Saturday, October 11, 2008
Cannon's New Digs
New locale includes energy-efficient touches and benefits company's bid to promote bike usage
September 23, 2008
Cannon, a San Luis Obispo engineering, surveying and planning firm, will move into a renovated 24,000-square-foot space at 1050 Southwood Drive on Oct. 6.
Company President Mike Cannon purchased the building for an undisclosed sum in 2005.
The building also houses the Economic Opportunity Commission of San Luis Obispo County. It will occupy about 20,000 square feet. EOC has operated in temporary locations this summer and is slated to move back when the makeover is complete. The structure has an additional 10,000 to 15,000 square feet of tenant space.
Renovations include gutting the interior to bring in a new look and energy-efficient touches, such as window glazing, more natural light and new insulation. The firm is also seeking LEED certification for the building, a point-based system that identifies buildings that meet certain environmental standards by the U. S. Green Building Council. Construction was delayed a few months, Cannon said, because a fire damaged the roof of an empty tenant space in July. Cannon didn't know the cause of the fire, but said the damage was significant.
Performance Technologies Inc. occupied the space last year, but has since moved to Aerovista Place in San Luis Obispo. Cannon's current offices on Pacific Street are in three buildings and take up about 15,000 square feet. Cannon is excited the move will allow for more collaboration when the employees are all working together under one roof.
The Southwood site is also next to Johnson and Sinsheimer parks and close to the railroad bike trail, which benefits the firm's effort to encourage its 120 to 130 professionals to use its fleet of bicycles for errands or lunch breaks.
Cannon has multimillion-dollar projects throughout the state, including work with Cal Poly.
SAN LUIS OBISPO - American Public Works Association (APWA) presented two awards to Cannon, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and Granite Construction for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant's Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) project. The project was voted Project of the Year and took top honors in the category of structures over $10 million. The ISFSI project allows for onsite storage of the used fuel generated by the plant.
The Project of the Year and structures over $10 million awards criteria included: Construction schedule, management, and control techniques used Safety performance, Environmental considerations, Community relations, Unusual accomplishments, as well as Innovations in technology and/or management. This was an extremely exciting and important project both for PG&E as well as Cannon. We were thrilled to be a part of the project. To take home two of the top awards for the year makes it that much better, remarks Larry Kraemer, Director of Public Works Division at Cannon.
SAN LUIS OBISPO - Cannon participated in an all-day United States Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED training class Saturday, April 19. This training is geared to prepare participants to take the USGBC's LEED exam this summer to become a LEED Accredited Professional. Once accredited, each participant will be available to assist clients in pursuing certification of a Green building through USGBC's LEED Program. This Green building program is one method to help Clients learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle their energy and material resources and create or maintain a sustainable design.
Cannon is looking into incorporating many of the sustainable design elements required for LEED certification into their future office Southwood Drive in San Luis Obispo. In addition, Cannon is on the LEED team that is to certify the Poly Canyon Village and the new Center for Science, both at Cal Poly.
"We look for ways to incorporate sustainable design and low impact development into projects if possible. This training just drives home the importance of Green building and the need for environmentally friendly designs," said Liz Jaeger, Cannon. If you or someone you know is interested in certifying a building contact Cannon (805) 544-7407 or go to United States Green Building Council's website.
Sacramento - With more than 200 attendees (peers and colleagues combined), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) presented awards for the 2009 Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Awards for the State of California. Among the recipients was California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo who was awarded Outstanding Sustainable Technology Project of the Year for the Poly Canyon Village. Scott Bloom, Housing Facilities Manager, and Mike Cannon, President of Cannon, received the award as owner and engineer of record for the project.
May 6, 2009; San Luis Obispo, CA - Local engineering firm, Cannon, wants to see these talented Cal Poly students remain afloat by donating $7,500 to the Concrete Canoe Club and Society of Civil Engineer's Student Chapter. In return, the students will be presenting Cannon with their 1st place concrete canoe from 2008. Yep, that's right, it is a concrete canoe. This talented club of engineering students competes annually against 16 other teams at ASCE's Pacific Southwest Regional and National Conferences.
Approximately 4600 hours goes in to the creation of these canoes like 'Big Sur' (the name of the 2008 canoe). The club/team has six captains to ensure equal distribution of responsibilities: one project manager, two construction captains, and three mix design captains. Six captains' assistants play vital roles in the design-build process, and ensure transfer of knowledge and methods for future years.
Cannon Office, 1050 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
This sponsorship follows on Cannon's donation of engineering services for the construction of the SLO Children's Museum.
"The Relentless Pursuit of the Elegant Solution" is a service mark of Cannon.