Birmingham builder to convert Miami convention center into Covid-19 hospital

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were awarded a $22 million contract to Birmingham-based construction firm Robins & Morton to convert the Miami Beach Convention Center into a temporary field hospital as the state prepares for a surge of COVID-19 patients.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, along with U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelbert and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez announced plans Wednesday

Once completed, the facility will have 450 regular beds and 500 intensive care beds. Semonite said work will begin immediately and will be completed no later than April 20. It is unclear whether the convention center will house coronavirus patients or serve to alleviate overcrowding of non-coronavirus patients at other area hospitals.

“This is a hard build that usually takes three weeks, but Gov. DeSantis told me just a few minutes ago it needs to be done no later than April 20th,” Semonite said. “So, we have to get to work.”

The Birmingham builder has two weeks to go from bare floors to a working hospital.

“As we were wrapping up details of the contract, we were already working on the logistics and had our key project team members in place within 24 hours so that work could start the next day,” said Robins & Morton senior project manager Johnathan Peavy. “Turning an empty space into a hospital in such a short time is a huge undertaking, but everyone on the project is committed to working with the Army Corps of Engineers to get this done. We know how important this is to the State of the Florida and the Miami Beach Community during the public health emergency.”

As the project quickly ramps up, up to 250 people – including craft professionals and more than 40 members of the Robins & Morton team – will be working around the clock in two shifts. Robins & Morton quickly pulled together more than 20 contractors from South Florida to support the project. In addition to coordinating the work, Robins & Morton will follow COVID-19 health and safety protocols and CDC guidelines to help protect everyone on the job.

“We understand the critical nature of these projects and their role in supporting vital healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. With that, we understand our role is to ensure that this project is backed by the full support of our company to usher it to completion in its short timeframe,” Robins & Morton President and COO, Robin Savage, said. “Projects like these are rewarding – the ones that really make a difference. They make being a builder so meaningful. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to preparation efforts in the community at this difficult time.”

https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2020/04/09/birmingham-builder-hired-to-convert-miami.html?ana=infabode