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Hill Expands in Ohio as Opportunities Grow

Thanks to regional economic growth and a burgeoning slate of projects, Hill’s operations in Ohio are expanding.  Hill has three locations in Ohio:  on opposite sides of Lake Erie in Toledo and suburban Cleveland, and in Columbus, the Buckeye state’s capital.  Hill is more than doubling the size of its Cleveland office, with space for up to 25 people, to help meet the current and expected demand.

Hill Vice President Todd Cooper, P.E., CCM, LEED AP, who oversees the three offices and its projects, said opportunities for Hill are on the rise on both the public and private sectors.  “In addition, long-time clients, such as the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Cuyahoga County continue to utilize and expand our services,” Cooper added.  Projects for these and other long-time clients include expansion of the Ohio Turnpike, the expansion and renovation of K-12 schools  in various areas, and an upgrade of Department of Natural Resources facilities  throughout the State.

Hill also is working with new Ohio clients, including the City of Cleveland.  “We’re assisting the city with program management and inspection in support of the Dominion gas pipeline replacement program there,” Cooper explained.

In addition, the U.S. General Services Administration has awarded Hill a contract to manage the  five -year modernization of the James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L. Ashley U.S. Courthouse in Toledo.  The $104 million modernization and restoration of the existing historic, Beaux Arts building will include infrastructure improvements and security enhancements. The project also includes construction of a new 96,000-square-foot annex, which will allow for judiciary growth.  Hill also will manage similar modernizations of federal courthouses and office buildings in Toledo, Cincinnati and Detroit, added Vic Spinabelli, Jr., P.E., LEED AP, Senior Vice President in charge of Hill’s project management operations in Western Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Hill’s growing slate of work in Ohio reflects the state’s modestly growing economy.  The outlooks for Cleveland and Columbus, in particular, are bright, as both cities build on their manufacturing legacies to spur growth in healthcare, higher education, hospitality and tourism.

“Healthcare and higher education are markets we see growing over the next few years,” said Gene Baxendale, Hill’s VP for Business Development.  The industrial market also is expected to grow, thanks to advances in technology, a strengthening economy and other factors.

Hill’s current and past work in the state, especially on transportation projects, has helped to solidify the firm’s reputation for excellence and has contributed to its growth here, Baxendale and Spinabelli said.

Hill’s Ohio offices now employ about 60 professionals, about 20 of whom are based out of the Cleveland office.  Expansion of the office from 2,700 to 4,800 square feet will provide workspace for at least five more employees, not counting those that are assigned to jobsites across the state.

“Expanding our office in Cleveland will help us continue to serve our current clients, and add staff and capabilities to meet future demands as well,” Cooper said.

By Tricia McCunney

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