Fibrwrap Construction Provides Retrofit Solution for LA Women’s Center

May 4, 2010 - PRLog -- Known as an industry authority in the use of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) for building restoration and renovation, Fibrwrap Construction, LP recently aided in the complete renovation of Los Angeles’ Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) new residential facility. Fibrwrap was hired by WE O’Neil, the project’s general contractor, to strengthen over 140 columns on multiple floors, adding structural integrity needed in the event of an earthquake.    
Over several weeks, Fibrwrap retrofitted the new DWC facility columns, providing a number of advantages over traditional rebuilding methods. Benefits of Fibrwrap retrofitting include its competitive cost, especially when compared to traditional construction methods. The use of this advanced composite material also allows for faster completion of the entire project, since the columns can be strengthened in much less time than other methods. Most importantly, the Tyfo® system is lightweight and very low profile, allowing for the preservation of valuable functional floor space. The materials are also all environmentally compliant and can be applied while other trades complete their work.  

The Tyfo® Fibrwrap® system, manufactured by Fyfe Company, LLC (http://fyfeco.com), has been used to complete these types of projects in aging buildings for over 20 years. Los Angeles issued an approval for the Tyfo® products’ use for these types of structural projects in the late 1990s. Since then, hundreds of projects have been completed that help to ensure the safety and security of employees, occupants, and visitors to buildings across the Los Angeles basin.  

The DWC began serving destitute, elderly, mentally ill and disabled homeless women in the late 1970s after Founding Director Jill Halverson became concerned about the dangers of LA’s Skid Row and the closure of area psychiatric hospitals. Due to the success of the DWC’s nationally recognized nonprofit program and the growing number of community participants, the organization’s expansion included this full renovation of the building at 434 S. San Pedro Street to create a new downtown living facility. The revitalized building will contain over 70 new living units, allowing the DWC to support to dozens of new residents.

Like DWC’s main downtown residential facility, the newly refurbished building will offer its residents private living spaces, community kitchens and comfortable common areas.  The center’s goal is to help women become both confident and self-sufficient as they learn to live on their own and develop positive relationships with other residents and staff members.

“Fibrwrap Construction is pleased to be assisting in making this facility become a reality, and we appreciate the difference that this organization is making in Southern California,” said Fibrwrap CEO Heath Carr.  

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN WOMEN’S CENTER: Founded in 1978, the Downtown Women’s Center’s mission is to “provide permanent supportive housing and a safe and healthy community fostering dignity, respect and personal stability, and to advocate ending homelessness for women.”

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ABOUT FIBRWRAP CONSTRUCTION: Using best industry practices developed over 20 years, Fibrwrap Construction is continually extending its international presence. The company employs over 100 certified applicators worldwide, successfully using its advanced composite systems to rehabilitate pipelines, water storage facilities and a variety of large, traffic-intensive structures.