New Opportunities at Union Training Facility

In the midst of a building boom, neighborhoods throughout Boston are experiencing a flurry of redevelopment, and pipefitters are in high demand. With more than 500 apprentices – the most in its history – Pipefitters Local 537 found itself in need of a new training facility. The union, which has provided free training courses for the piping industry since 1911, sought to redevelop its aging facility in the Dorchester community.

Bringing together the union office, benefits office, and training facility under one roof, the four-story project also provides public open space for the community. Navigating antiquated utilities and a complex permitting process, Bohler collaborated with the project team, enabling the facility to open on time.

Designing Around Existing Utilities

While working around existing utilities is typical of urban redevelopment projects, the design team faced a unique challenge on the Pipefitters property – a massive 108-inch sewer interceptor cut diagonally through the site, carrying wastewater from all over Boston. Through coordination with the entire consultant team, Bohler was able to demonstrate that the new facility would not adversely affect the sewer line, ultimately obtaining approval from the utility owner to keep the project moving forward.

Navigating Complex Permitting Processes

With many different agencies and departments to appease, city permitting can be overwhelming. Leveraging experience and providing strategic permitting services for the project, Bohler coordinated extensively with the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, Public Improvement Commission, and contributed to the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) Large Project Review process.

Training Future Generations

The impressive transformation allows Pipefitters Local 537 to continue training future generations of pipefitters for years to come. By collaborating with the consultant team and efficiently obtaining permits, Bohler kept the project moving forward, ensuring the facility opened on time to accommodate the incoming class as scheduled.