One of Orange County’s more prominent general contractors that specializes in hospitality says work continues at its ongoing local projects despite coronavirus implications on construction and hotels.
R.D. Olson Construction, the Irvine-based affiliate of Bob Olson’s R.D. Olson Development in Newport Beach, has nearly 16 projects for other developers in the works, including several hotel, entertainment and other projects in Orange County.
Construction continues at these developments, albeit at a slightly slower clip, with fewer workers on-site in order to adhere to social distancing protocols.
“We were already implementing close to 90% of the new requirements and regulations, so it wasn’t a huge transition, more of an adjustment,” said Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction.
Headwinds
Economic anxieties aside, headwinds for commercial contractors these days include a potential permitting backlog and limited materials.
While work continues at projects that have already broken ground, those still awaiting approvals may be pushed back, Wilhelm said.
“That’s where we will start to see an impact down the road, with a delay in project starts in the next few months.”
Regarding a shortage of resources, it’s the construction industry’s own “toilet paper problem,” he said.
This could mean labor shortages, as well as limited construction goods due to production delays, specifically from Chinese factories.
“We are starting to see some form of shortages, which the entire industry will continue to monitor closely,” Wilhelm said.
Project Roster
All of the construction firm’s 116 employees have been working remotely or on project sites, said Wilhelm.
Current projects for the company include:
• The mixed-use Bolsa Row in Westminster’s Little Saigon district, which will include a 200-unit apartment complex, stores, restaurants and the city’s first full-service and four-star hotel by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. Construction is expected to wrap by the end of next year.
• The Inn at the Mission, a 124-room boutique hotel across from the Mission San Juan Capistrano.
• A 45,000-square-foot luxury movie theater at the San Clemente Outlets.
• A dual-branded Hilton hotel in Anaheim, with 223 total rooms operated under Hilton’s Garden Inn and Home2Suites brands, slated for completion this summer.
• The renovation of the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground in Anaheim’s Resort District. The project includes a full modernization of 91 guest rooms at the 60-year-old hotel’s second tower.
