Senders Communication Group - Demo Site

LAUSD Central Los Angeles Learning Center #1

By Roy San Filippo, Staff Writer
Photos by Slobodan Dimitrov

Craft union members working at the LAUSD project on the site of the former Ambassador Hotel joined LAUSD officials and the project's construction team on Nov. 21 to celebrate the topping off of the project's high school. "Topping off" is the term used by Ironworkers to indicate that the final piece of steel, decorated with an evergreen tree and signed by the Ironworker crew, is being hoisted into place on a building, bridge, or other large structure to mark the project reaching its maximum height. All craftsmen and women on the project were treated to a lunch before the final beams were hoisted into place. The Ambassador Hotel was a historical landmark in Los Angeles.

The hotel was the infamous site of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968, hosted several Academy Award ceremonies, and was featured in numerous movies including The Graduate. Kevin Michael, owner of Pro Steel Erectors, the Structural Ironworker contractor on the project, said getting to work on the project was particularly meaningful because of the site's historical significance. "Most projects have significance to them either large or small," said Michael. "There's no question that this has been one of the most interesting projects I've ever been involved in, because of the Ambassador Hotel and the historical significance of it – Robert F. Kennedy being assassinated here – and the fact that they are trying to restore parts of it, have been really interesting." However, Michael said, the best part of the project has been working with the well trained and highly skilled Ironworkers from Local 433.

"One of the real enjoyments of this project has been the caliber of Ironworkers we've been able to employ. Local 433, without a doubt, has one of the strongest training programs and some of the best bridgeman that I've ever come across." The ironwork on the project is currently ahead of schedule and has employed approximately 150 structural and reinforcing Ironworkers since work began in the beginning of June, according to Pro Steel Superintendent Harlan Johnson. "We've been fortunate to not have a lost-time injury on the project. We've only had two minor injuries on the job, and that's a credit to the Ironworkers on the job paying attention and doing everything safely," Johnson said.

The progress on the school is a testament to the skill and hard work of the craft union members on the project said Jeff Stuart from Hensel Phelps. "This just goes to show you what 150 skilled and motivated union Ironworkers can accomplish," said Stuart. Michaels stated that his company benefits greatly from being a union signatory. "In my opinion there's no question of the advantage of working with organized labor, understanding that the training programs they have to offer bring a benefit to us," he said. "They're constantly being vigilant of the changes in the industry from safety, to the trade itself, to the new technologies, and also there's a lot to be said for the continuities of families and the tradition and the spirit that comes with the union."

The scope of the project includes a K-3 School, a 4-8 Middle School, and a High School, for a total of 4,624 students. The 92,000-square-foot K-3 building will accommodate 1,150 seats within 46 classrooms on three floors. The 4-8/High School building will accommodate 3,474 seats within 130 classrooms on six floors. The area is 382,000 square feet, and the rehabilitated Coconut Grove building, the site of the Robert Kennedy assassination is being preserved as a historical monument to the civil rights leader. LAUSD plans to open the K-3 facility in 2009 and the 4-8 and high school facility in 2010. The north side of the new school will suggest the original facade of the hotel and the north lawns will remain much the same, as seen from Wilshire Boulevard.

The subterranean parking structure will accommodate a total of 442 parking spaces on two levels for faculty and administrative staff. Playfields will be constructed above the parking structure. The scope also includes construction of a gymnasium building. This structure will accommodate the gymnasium court for grades 6-8 and Central Plant equipment on the first floor, and a gymnasium court for grades 9-12 on the upper level. This is one of the first LAUSD schools with an extensive public art program.

The public art pieces include: A reflection on Robert F. Kennedy's contribution to social justice. This piece is located in a sunken park off of Wilshire at the very center of the site, consisting of a stainless steel entry piece and reflecting pond and a long granite wall with engraved quotations and text. A piece is located at the entry to the school library (a re-construction of the Hotel's original Embassy Ballroom). This is a sequential piece consisting of video, photos, collage, and dioramas, interpreting the history of the site, the hotel, and the school design, and an audio / streaming radio piece associated with a number of park benches around the site.

Dennis Burnaman
Journeyman
I was with a non-union Ironworker company that became signatory to the Ironworkers about 14 years ago. I went through the apprenticeship program. It was a good experience and I learned a lot. That company I worked with is no longer signatory, but I stayed with the union and am making a good living for my family. I know the guys that I work with. We’ve all been taught the skills to do the job safely on a job this size. You want to work around safe and productive people. Anyone can go out there and make 12 bucks an hour putting up a building but to do it safely and to make a good living, working union is the way to go.

Hank Besida
Journeyman
Becoming an Ironworker is the best deal I ever made. Out here I work with good guys. I couldn’t work in an office. The work is heavy and it’s hard on your back sometimes. The hardest thing about being an Ironworker is the drive home. This building will be here long after I’m gone. I’ve worked on the Disney Concert Hall – that’s a landmark, Disney California Adventure – those are places that people will always see – and you got to be a part of it.

Chuck Zillner
General Foreman
What I like best about being an Ironworker is the Brotherhood. Ironworkers stick together all the time. Being a union Ironworker means that when things get tough, everyone’s got each others back. It’s a team. It’s not just you against everybody, it’s everybody together. It’s good work. It’s tough work and it’s important to work safe so you come home everyday with all your fingers, arms and limbs.

Harlan Johnson
Superintendent
Being a union Ironworker, you get to learn to do things the right way. People take care and train the other workers coming through. The non-union workers are just guys coming in off the street trying to get something done. They see things getting done, but they don’t know how to do it; they don’t know the safe way of doing things. We teach you how do things safely and productively.

Frank Paredez
Apprentice
Local 433 changed my life. I get up everyday and work hard. This is my career and it’s what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. I love this job.
This trade is as hard as you make it. If you show up everyday, you’re going to learn something new. There’s always someone there who’s got your back. If you’re in a bind, somebody’s always got your back.

Trevor Dye
Apprentice
The best things about being an Ironworker is that you get to come to work everyday and get away from everything and make some money. You work hard, but the pay is good.You’re taken care of when you are a union Ironworker.