Macomber to transfer WGBH project to Turner Construction
Boston Business Journal - 11:38 AM EDT Fridayby Michelle HillmanBoston Business Journal
Macomber Builders is transferring one of its major projects, the new $76 million headquarters for WGBH Boston, to Turner Construction.
The news that WGBH and Boston-based Macomber would part ways with one of its remaining clients is the latest setback for the 102-year-old construction firm. In April, a fatal accident occurred at the site of a Macomber project on Boylston Street, where it is finishing a residence hall for Emerson College.
"WGBH and Macomber have been working closely to assess the best way to keep the WGBH headquarters project on track, moving forward to a successful completion," Jeanne Hopkins, vice president of communications for WGBH, said in a statement.. "Together we have determined that it is in the best interests of the project to transfer the construction management to another company. WGBH and Turner Construction Co. are working on a proposal for Turner to assume management of the project."
Hopkins said in a statement that the final transfer is pending completed discussions involving WGBH, Turner and Macomber. She said that Macomber and WGBH are working "cooperatively" and it appreciated the "honorable way in which Macomber is handling this matter with us."
"We respect and value their integrity and fine work. Given the financial strength of WGBH, and our commitment to the success of the project, we are confident it will move forward seamlessly and be completed on a timely basis," she said.
James Loud, senior project manager at Macomber, sent a memo to subcontractors Wednesday regarding the transfer. John Macomber, president of the construction company, was not immediately available for comment.
Turner officials did not immediately return calls for comment.
Following a final decision to transfer WGBH's Brighton project, remaining Macomber projects include Emerson's $50 million Residences at Piano Row, the $41 million headquarters for the Institute of Contemporary Art on the South Boston waterfront and the Woburn High School project.
John Macomber, the fourth generation to run the company, had recently notified employees that the company would not pursue a planned renovation project at Harbor Towers. Macomber, in a previous interview with the Boston Business Journal, said he decided that the renovation project, which is valued at less than $100 million, had become too large for Macomber and that it was "beyond what they would be prudent to take on with us at this time."
John's father, George Macomber, lives in one of the condominium units at Harbor Towers, which overlooks the Boston Harbor and the future Rose Kennedy Greenway.
Macomber said in the previous interview that he is focusing on finishing existing projects and is not taking on any new jobs. Though he admitted the company was losing staff -- from 110 employees two years ago to 60 employees by the end of this year -- he said he didn't think the company was in danger. He said the company would decide this winter "how aggressively to crank the company back up at that time."
