Energy Support and Institutional Construction in Rawlins, Wyoming
Contractors, operators and agencies in Rawlins need buildings that survive a 98 degree summer and a minus 36 degree night, and the wind that runs through both. We build shops, laydown yards, operations buildings and institutional space for those conditions. We manage foundations and slabs, coordinate wind-rated steel erection and enclose buildings quickly, so you have a working facility on a schedule that accounts for the weather.
The largest source of new demand sits just south of town. The Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project starts about 3 miles south of Rawlins and Sinclair on a 320,000 acre ranch, with about 3,500 MW nameplate capacity, about 600 turbines up to 390 feet tall, an estimated $5 billion cost and an estimated 114 permanent operations jobs. The developer describes it as under construction. Operations and maintenance buildings, warehouses and equipment shops are the kind of support structures a project like that needs.
The BLM's 2016 environmental assessment covered 219,707 acres south of Rawlins and anticipated up to 1,000 construction jobs at peak and more than 100 permanent operations positions, calling it the largest proposed wind energy facility in North America. Those peaks put pressure on lodging, laydown space and skilled labor. We help local owners and project contractors plan ahead for that pressure and avoid being the one who has to rebuild a schedule.
Where the work is around Rawlins
Rawlins, the Carbon County seat at about 6,834 feet, has I-80 on its south side with the business loop through the center, US 287 along Cedar Street, a bypass north and Wyoming 789. Union Pacific provides freight rail service. A building on the I-80 side serves trucking and wind support. A building off Cedar Street serves local retail and service customers. We price both and advise on which makes sense for your use.
The Wyoming State Penitentiary is located in Rawlins, and the Sinclair refinery, which began as the Parco refinery and company town in the 1920s, sits just east of the neighboring town of Sinclair and remains in use. Public and industrial owners in this market want durable, low-maintenance buildings with a long service life. Government and public sector owners will find we bid openly, document carefully and meet reporting requirements.
Safety in wind, cold and remote work
Wind is the main safety variable in Rawlins. We set lift limits with the crane operator, brace walls and roof framing as they go up, and secure materials at the end of every shift. Panels and decking are bundled and tied down. We stop work when conditions call for it, and we do not penalize crews for making that call. Roof and wall panels are never left loose overnight, and we inspect bracing after every high-wind event before the next shift climbs.
Cold is the second variable. Recorded temperatures here range from 98 F to minus 36 F, and average annual snowfall is 54.1 inches. We provide warming areas for crews, use heat and wind protection for concrete and keep walkways clear. Our plans cover emergency response, because help can be a long drive away on county roads. Every crew carries first-aid supplies and a written route to the nearest hospital, and we confirm radio and cell coverage at the site before we start.
Schedules for a dry, windy, cold climate
Rawlins has a semi-arid climate, with average annual precipitation of 9.04 inches. Dry weather helps summer construction. Wind shortens roofing and siding windows, and snow shortens the year. We start sitework in spring as soon as the ground allows, aim for the shell in fall and use winter for interiors. That pattern repeats on most jobs, and we set the contract milestones to match it.
For long-lead items, we place orders early: structural steel, overhead doors, rooftop units and electrical gear. On a regional peak driven by large energy projects, supply and labor tighten, and the owner who commits first gets the better delivery date. Structural steel erection is often the item that sets the schedule.
What we build
Our work around Rawlins includes pre-engineered metal buildings for shops and warehouses, concrete tilt panels where fire rating or appearance calls for it, municipal and county buildings, and the yard, utilities and paving that surround them. We also renovate and expand existing buildings that still have good structure. A condition survey of the frame, slab, roof and utilities tells us whether a building is worth keeping. If the slab is cracked beyond repair or the frame cannot carry modern snow loads, we say so and price a replacement. Owners appreciate knowing that before they sign a lease on a building that will cost more to fix than to replace.
Owners looking at multi-site programs along I-80 can talk to us about programmatic multi-site rollouts. A repeatable building design, bought in bulk and built by the same crew, saves money from the second site onward. We keep a standard set of details for foundations, wall panels and roof systems, then adjust them for each town's snow, wind and frost values. The travel crew stays together, so the second building goes up faster than the first.
Who we work with
Rawlins owners fall into a few groups: energy contractors, county and state agencies, operators serving I-80 travelers and trucking companies. Each has a different decision-maker and different needs, so we adjust our proposal format to match. An agency wants compliance documentation. A trucking company wants speed and a clear price.
If you are planning something across the county, we can also quote in Sinclair, Saratoga or Laramie, using the same preconstruction process.
Build in Rawlins
Send us the site, the use and the date. We will confirm wind and snow loads with the building official, price the shell and tell you how the weather affects your schedule.
Questions Owners Ask
Do you build support buildings for wind energy projects?
Yes. We build operations buildings, maintenance shops, warehouses and laydown yards. We coordinate with the developer's design team on loads, electrical service and access. The scale of the Chokecherry and Sierra Madre project means material and labor competition, so we plan procurement early.
How does wind affect a building schedule in Rawlins?
It cuts crane picks, roofing and siding. We plan for lost days and brace structures as they are erected. Wind also affects concrete finishing in hot, dry weather, so we use windbreaks and curing compounds.
What foundation depth do I need in Rawlins?
The local building department sets frost depth and snow load. We get those values before design, and we build footings below frost and protect them in winter.
Is there a premium for building in Rawlins?
Distance and weather raise some costs: freight, travel and winter protection. We separate them in the estimate so you see what is real and what is padding.
Can you build near the refinery or the highway?
Yes. We coordinate access, setbacks and utility easements with the owner, the state highway department and the city. Truck turning radii and sight distance are checked in the site plan.