These design-build projects involved the renovation and addition of more than 430 family house units at Fairchild Air Force Base, located just outside Spokane, Washington between 1993-1994. Two neighborhood parks and playgrounds were added as part of the project. Phase III was even completed ahead of schedule. These projects spearheaded Garco’s venture into working with government agencies.
The 273,000 SF multi-purpose arena contains 12,500 seats and 14 luxury suites. The project involved over 3,000 tons of structural and miscellaneous steel and 17,000 CY of concrete. Garco Construction placed all the concrete and steel with its own forces, as well as, the installation of over 2,000 tons of pre-cast deck and seating units. The Spokane Veteran’s Memorial Arena was the largest public works project ever bid in Spokane at the time. The arena was completed in 1995.
Completed in 1997, this 430,000 SF retail center consisting of concrete foundations, steel framed floor and roof, concrete slabs on grade and on decking, and pre-formed metal and EPDM roofing became a premier shopping destination for the Inland Northwest region. Features included EIFS and masonry exterior finish, curved exposed roof trusses and glass block bridges.
Currently home to one of the nation’s top basketball teams, Gonzaga University McCarthey Athletic Center was completed in 2004. Garco Construction, in conjunction with ALSC Architects and Ellerbe Beckett, was selected as the design-build general contractor to build a new 6,000 seat arena for Gonzaga University. This new complex also serves as a multi-purpose arena, providing 54 points of sale and more than adequate restroom facilities.
This multi-phase project on an occupied campus was the first large GC-CM school project for Garco. Completed in 2009, new construction represented 150,000 SF and renovation represented 100,000 SF; extensive mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, data, intrusion detection and security systems were required throughout. At the peak of construction, nearly 200 craftsmen were employed.
This milestone involved some of the largest contracts for Garco outside of Washington state. Between both phases, there were 14 single family homes, 64 duplexes and 29 6-plexes constructed between 2006-2011. Projects also involved demolition of existing utilities, installation of new utilities, construction of all new streets, curbs, sidewalks, driveways, landscaping and playgrounds.
Completed in 2010, Shadle Park High School marks Garco’s second major school GC-CM project, consisting of a 220,000 SF renovation and 55,000 SF addition. The school was occupied during construction and required 6 construction phases. Although this was not a LEED certified project, it exceeds the Washington State Sustainable Schools Protocol.
Completed in 2014, Ferris High School marked another large school GC-CM project for Garco Construction. The modernization and addition project replaced all existing classrooms, administrative offices, and public spaces with a single multi-story building. It was a three-phase construction project on an occupied campus.
This design-build project was completed in early 2016. It increased the size of the existing facility by more than 90,000 SF with exhibit hall space, meeting rooms, a large ballroom and new back-of-the-house facilities. The facility features a unique 12,000 SF green roof structure. The addition also required fire protection, mechanical, electrical and plumbing.
Completed in 2018, the University District Gateway bridge is 450 feet long and the arc is 120 feet tall. The total rate weight for the bridge is 312 tons. It uses 3,688 feet of tension cable and took 48,000 total man-hours to complete. It was the first infrastructure project within the University District-Sprague Corridor (UDSC) and is a visionary project featuring visual elegance and promoting revitalization and connectivity. The design provides a stunning effect capturing the gateway from north to south Spokane.
This design-build project was completed in 2019. It was especially meaningful for Garco. CEO Tim Welsh had the fortune to be a part of the original U.S. Pavilion construction for Expo ’74. Working on the new U.S. Pavilion was a privilege our team, and really felt like a family affair. Working on a project with this significance for the community meant that our team gave our all in every effort to create a finished project that did not disappoint. Attention to even the smallest details, working collaboratively and the commitment to scheduled completion were all top of mind throughout the project.
Garco’s strong culture and values have remained strong over the past 40-plus years. We are a team of passionate builders that strive to build and support better communities while providing opportunities for rewarding careers. The foundation of our unique culture is built on quality, safety, efficiency, honesty, innovation, accountability, and respect.
The Spokane community and the greater Pacific Northwest have provided Garco with a multitude of opportunities to grow our company. We strive to give back to the communities that help keep our company strong so we can all be stronger together. We’re proud to support charitable organizations that are making a difference in the community and will continue to do so.
These design-build projects involved the renovation and addition of more than 430 family house units at Fairchild Air Force Base, located just outside Spokane, Washington between 1993-1994. Two neighborhood parks and playgrounds were added as part of the project. Phase III was even completed ahead of schedule. These projects spearheaded Garco’s venture into working with government agencies.
The 273,000 SF multi-purpose arena contains 12,500 seats and 14 luxury suites. The project involved over 3,000 tons of structural and miscellaneous steel and 17,000 CY of concrete. Garco Construction placed all the concrete and steel with its own forces, as well as, the installation of over 2,000 tons of pre-cast deck and seating units. The Spokane Veteran’s Memorial Arena was the largest public works project ever bid in Spokane at the time. The arena was completed in 1995.
Completed in 1997, this 430,000 SF retail center consisting of concrete foundations, steel framed fl oor and roof, concrete slabs on grade and on decking,and pre-formed metal and EPDM roofing became a premier shopping destination for the Inland Northwest region. Features included EIFS and masonry exterior finish, curved exposed roof trusses and glass block bridges.
Currently home to one of the nation’s top basketball teams, Gonzaga University McCarthey Athletic Center was completed in 2004. Garco Construction, in conjunction with ALSC Architects and Ellerbe Beckett, was selected as the design-build general contractor to build a new 6,000 seat arena for Gonzaga University. This new complex also serves as a multi-purpose arena, that provides 54 points of sale and more than adequate restroom facilities.
This multi-phase project on an occupied campus was the first large GC-CM school project for Garco. Completed in 2009, new construction represented 150,000 SF and renovation represented 100,000 SF; extensive mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, data, intrusion detection and security systems were required throughout. At the peak of construction, nearly 200 craftsmen were employed.
This milestone involved some of the largest contracts for Garco outside of Washington state. Between both phases, there were 14 single family homes, 64 duplexes and 29 6-plexs constructed between 2006-2011. Projects also involved demolition of existing utilities, installation of new utilities, construction of all new streets, curbs, sidewalks, driveways, landscaping and playgrounds.
Completed in 2010, Shadle Park High School marks Garco’s second major school GC-CM project, Shadle Park High School included a 220,000 SF renovation and 55,000 SF addition. The school was occupied during construction and required 6 construction phases. Although this was not a LEED certified project, it exceeds the Washington State Sustainable Schools Protocol.
Completed in 2014, Ferris High School marked another large school GC-CM project for Garco Construction. The modernization and addition project replaced all existing classrooms, administrative offices, and public spaces with a single multi-story building. It was a three-phase construction project on an occupied campus.
This design-build project was completed in early 2016. It increased the size of the existing facility by more than 90,000 SF with exhibit hall space, meetings, large ballroom and new back-of-the-house facilities. The facility features a unique 12,000 SF green roof structure. The addition also required fire protection, mechanical, electrical and plumbing.
Completed in 2018, the University District Gateway bridge is 450 feet long and the arc is 120 feet tall. The total rate weight for the bridge is 312 tons. It uses 3,688 feet of tension cable and took 48,000 total man-hours to complete. It was the first infrastructure project within the (UDSC) University District-Sprague Corridor and is a visionary project featuring visual elegance and promoting revitalization and connectivity. The design provides a stunning effect capturing the gateway from north to south Spokane.
This design-build project was completed in 2019. It was especially meaningful for Garco. CEO Tim Welsh had the fortune to be a part of the original U.S. Pavilion construction for Expo’74. Working on the new U.S. Pavilion was a privilege our team, and really felt like a family affair. Working on a project with this significance for the community meant that our team gave our all in every effort to create a finished project that did not disappoint. Attention to even the smallest details, working collaboratively and the commitment to scheduled completion were all top of mind throughout the project.
Garco’s strong culture and values have remained strong over the past 40-plus years. We are a team of passionate builders that strive to build and support better communities while providing opportunities for rewarding careers. The foundation of our unique culture is built on quality, safety, efficiency, honesty, innovation, accountability, and respect.
The Spokane community and the greater Pacific Northwest have provided Garco with a multitude of opportunities to grow our company. We strive to give back to the communities that help keep our company strong so we can all be stronger together. We’re proud to support charitable organizations that are making a different in the community and will continue to do so.
In 1978, Tim Welsh and Bob Carter approached Gifford-Hill, Inc., owner of Garco Building Systems, with a proposal to purchase the construction division of the company. Hesitant to divide the company Gifford-Hill agreed to the proposal and the new company became Carter-Welsh, Inc. doing business as Garco Construction. Two years later, Tim’s childhood friend, Frank Etter, who had been with Garco Building Systems for the previous eight years, joined Garco Construction as Vice President.
As a graduate civil engineer from the University of Washington, Tim’s education, experience, and true passion for heavy industrial construction drove the company to focus on the private sector. Frank, also a graduate of the University of Washington in personnel and industrial relations, brought a wealth of experience and energy to the company. His attention to customer needs combined with Tim’s knowledge of construction allowed the company to expand quickly into the industrial and design-build markets.
Garco’s first large contract was with Kaiser Aluminum. At the time, Kaiser was operating two industrial facilities in Spokane, allowing Garco to gain experience in the industrial market which would parlay into other industries. Garco expanded its client base into the mining industry, working on jobsites throughout the western states and Alaska.
By the late 80s and early 90s, the resources-based construction industry was waning and Garco needed to expand its focus from the private industry to public works. Most notably, Garco was awarded the largest public works project ever awarded to a local contractor in the Spokane area with the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
Additionally, Garco was expanding its focus further into the construction industry. Hollis Barnett, who started with the company in 1990, pushed to enter into the military sector. The nation’s military infrastructure was expanding and older buildings and systems were being replaced. Acknowledging this fact, Hollis focused solely on being awarded military contracts, with our first award in 1993 with the 416-unit Wherry Housing project at Fairchild Air Force Base. By the late 90’s, Garco had completed 4 more projects out at Fairchild Air Force Base.
In 1998, Tim’s son Clancy joined the Garco team after graduating from the University of Washington in construction management. Three years later, Tim’s other son, Jamie, would also join the team, initially working out in the field and then coming into the office as a project manager.
Throughout the 2000s, Garco has worked towards a diversified customer-base. We have been privileged to be the general contractor on educational facilities, military projects, auto-dealerships, housing facilities, and commercial facilities. Our portfolio has expanded and changed and so has our leadership. In 2011, Tim Welsh became the CEO of Garco Construction, appointing Clancy Welsh as President, Hollis Barnett as Vice President, and Jamie Welsh as Vice President.
Garco Construction has grown to be one of the largest general contractors in the Inland Northwest. We pride ourselves on our ability to mold and develop with the industry and always have the drive to provide our client with the best building.
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