Design-Build Experts Lend Knowledge and Hard Work to Create New Storage & Sale Facility
AMHERST, OH (February 24, 2010) – STAR Design-Build, a design build contractor in Amherst, Ohio, has joined forces with Double Harvest Haiti to build an industrial cooler and produce stand that allows for improved food storage and expanded produce sales capacity. The project is designed to subsidize the operations of Double Harvest’s 200-acre farm in Croix des Bouquets, outside Port-au-Prince.
“We’re looking forward to working with Double Harvest to provide the cooler and its attached produce stand,” said Kim Mulder, president of STAR Design-Build. “Our tilt-up concrete construction is perfect for a building like this, because it is fast and cost effective. Having storage and sales facilities will help Double Harvest make the most of their harvests.”
In March of 2009, the initial team began the site assessment in Haiti and unloaded the first container of equipment and supplies. More employees followed completing the foundation and concrete floors. STAR will follow up with additional trips to finish the project as soon as current conditions allow.
The cooler will be built by 15 STAR employees, using the company’s extensive experience with tilt-up concrete construction. It will be resistant to tropical pests, will feature thick, well-insulated construction to maintain the freshness of food, and will be built to withstand hurricane-force winds and an 8.0 on the Richter scale.
The cooler is needed to prevent food grown on the Double Harvest farm from spoiling in Haiti’s warm climate before it can be preserved or consumed. The cooler, which will be located at a major intersection half an hour from Port-au-Prince, will let the Double Harvest staff keep food fresh for later use or sale to members of the community, and the produce stand will allow staff to sell produce to residents of the Croix des Bouquets area.
Double Harvest is a Christian ministry, and seeks to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of people in developing countries. Double Harvest also seeks to model Christ’s compassion by offering economic, educational and medical programs in difficult and impoverished situations. In addition to the farm, Double Harvest also operates a school and a clinic, and offers housing to Haitian women and children.
Since 1955, STAR Design-Build has designed and built a wide variety of efficient and attractive structures throughout Northern Ohio. Along the way, they have earned an enviable reputation for their high level of service and have been honored with numerous awards for architectural design and construction. They have experience in many markets including commercial, industrial and retail, covering a wide range of building projects in the public and private sectors.
STAR’s ability to understand their client’s needs results in creatively designed, quality structures that have earned the trust and repeat business of their clients. For more information, visit the website at www.starinc.cc or call 440-986-8022.