Draper & Associates was retained by the general contractor to implement our systematic scheduling process for the development of the Miami-based, Dolphin Mall. Program and Design changes induced by the change of ownership at construction inception precipitated implementing program wide schedule and issue management systems. Simultaneous redesign, permitting and construction of a regional mall was a substantial challenge to achieve the original opening date of March 1, 2001. Our client the contractor was awarded the ABC Eagle Award for "Excellence in Construction".

The Dolphin Mall is a 1.6 million SF value, entertainment destination center with 15 anchor stores, 200 retail outlets, and an 850 seat food court, centered on a racetrack layout bisected by a two level entertainment zone. The city-scaped entertainment zone "Ramblas"(The Walk) includes a 19 screen Cobb megaplex movie theater and a Dave & Busters family arcade center under a dramatic 75' foot vaulted ceiling(above). The adjoining mall sections "Playa" (Play) and "Moda" (Fashion) each had their own distinct thematic styles. Dolphin Mall is a Development of Regional Impact constructed under the South Florida Building Code.

Community Development District ancillary work consisted of the 90-acre parking lot, regional upgrades to drainage, sewer, water and dual primary power services, and multiple roadway improvements, including a Florida 's Turnpike Plaza . The project was conducted under a Owner Controlled Insurance Program, which received OSHA recognition for achieving a 2.3 Loss Time Rate, 52% and 41% better than the respective Florida and National average(s).

The tilt/lift wall of the Dolphin Mall represented unique management; logistical, sequential and staging challenges in ensuring maximum concurrent construction to meet the 18-month objective. Draper & Associates conducted project strategy and schedule development sessions with the owner, contractor, design team and primary subcontractors. This resulted in a composite Site/Building Sequence Plan that defined the "3 Building Concept". Primary strategic considerations were to gain dry-in 10 months prior to completion to release anchor tenant construction, which dictated the 10,000 sf/day completion rate to meet shell schedule objectives.

As a result, our primary client restructured the project forces and contracts into 3 separate, competitive supervision and subcontractor teams "Racing To Results". At peak construction more than 2000 men/women were employed in over 30 distinct work areas, receiving more than 350 truckloads of materials per day. The building sequence was integrated with the 90 acre parking sequence to create the fluid staging/access areas needed to support concurrent construction. Strict logistical/access control and Just-In-Time deliveries were critical to support unabated primary power, water, drainage and sewer construction to gain services 10 months prior to completion. Storm drainage construction was extremely critical in receiving the roof runoff in the summer "rainy season" of 2000 in tropical Miami .

Draper & Associates implemented its unique Project Advocate services to focus the project team on the critical strategies, contract structures, material procurement, design, permitting, and tenant change issues needed to support the construction forces.

Project Advocacy supported the multiple path construction sequence and created the issue resolution atmosphere. This was required to manage the original $55 million shell only construction while integrating $60 million of increased scope contained in more than 2400 directives and clarifications. The Dolphin opened exactly on schedule, on March 1, 2001; 18 months after construction start and 17 months after redesign started, despite receiving two record 28-inch single-day rainfall events during the construction period.

Draper & Associates Primary responsibilities included the following:

Draper & Associates provided the following to anchor contractors: