Project Spotlight: Greyhound Downtown Atlanta Intercity Bus Facility

Project Name: Greyhound Downtown Atlanta Intercity Bus Facility

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Client: Greyhound

Project Type: New construction

Scope: The project scope included two-phases of construction of an intercity bus terminal totaling 14,000 SF plus canopies and site work. Interior finishes included office spaces, ticket desk, cafe, commercial kitchen, lobby and waiting area.

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Cooper & Company transported what was a 26-year-old mobile trailer Greyhound Bus stop into a top-of-the line bus station full of comfort and amenities to keep its travelers waiting for their next trip in style. Greyhound, a South Downtown Atlanta staple since the 1996 Olympics, presented unique challenges–the main one being a 365/24/7 station, must maintain full operations at all times. A small jobsite, unsuitable soils also presented challenges to overcome. The project was completed in two phases and with careful scheduling, logistics and safety measures Cooper & Company brought the project to completion on time and on budget and no one missed their bus. The City of Atlanta now has a new avenue of welcoming visitors to its great city and provides a significant investment in South Downtown Atlanta and will serve as a catalyst for future growth and economic development.

Building around the clock

The success of our Greyhound project was challenged by several factors. Greyhound is a 24hour, seven-day-week, 365 days a year business. They remained fully operational while our construction team operated alongside them.  This required careful phasing and sequencing of our schedule and trades. Each week Project Manager Todd Ford and Superintendent Buddy Pickle would provide a plan of action for subcontractors at each weekly subcontractor meeting. It also required open and constant communication with the local Greyhound staff members. The project was completed in two phases. Ultimately, Greyhound was able to operate out of its existing location while construction of Phase 1 (the building) was completed. Phase 2was demolition of the original building and hardscaping and landscaping for an employee parking lot, bus parking slips and drop off area.

In addition to working while Greyhound was fully operational, the jobsite itself was very small. Tight quarters and being only 15 feet away from the street also required careful phasing and sequencing of our trades. There was little to no space for laydown. To utilize as much space as possible, subcontractors would park in an adjacent lot.

Almost immediately after shoring began, unsuitable soils were discovered. Our team was challenged with having the debris removed offsite and taken to a landfill while suitable soil was brought in. The team also encountered an unexpected concrete slab requiring removal and new soil brought in to level the ground and make suitable for construction.

All of these challenges threatened the success of our Greyhound project with potential delays and expenses. Cooper & Company was able to navigate these challenges and bring the project to completion within the schedule parameters.

Communication is key

One of the biggest concerns our Owner had was having our project team ensure Greyhound’s daily operations would not be interrupted. Our project team provided a schedule and team of subcontractors who not only achieved this goal, but also ensured local Greyhound employees, patrons and pedestrians were always safe when passing the jobsite or arriving or departing for a bus ride.

Regular and frequent communication between all parties made this possible. Our project team was involved and/or led regular O/A/C meetings, walk throughs, and openly communicated schedule updates with all active team members. The owner appreciated our upfront, regular, and open communication style. They always felt their concerns were heard, requests met and always included in our decision-making processes.

Cooper & Company always aims to provide our client with top-notch customer service and our project with Greyhound was no exception. Our team worked tirelessly to make sure the job was completed on time and within budget while keeping with the safety standards and expectations of our owner.

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