Two of M&L Construction’s recent purchases: a Kobelco SK300LC and a Kawasaki (Hitachi) 70Z7.
The last out may have been made at Bridgeport Bluefish's baseball park in Bridgeport, Conn., but there will be extra innings played for part of this venue, which is being partly demolished and reinvented as an amphitheater.
The new Harbor Yard Amphitheater, which will serve as southwestern Connecticut's premier concert venue, is one of the largest construction projects currently in the area.
M&L Construction Inc. has been selected to perform all site development, concrete and demolition on the project. The demolition portion of the project involved selective demolition of the old Ballpark at Harbor Yard, including the removal of portions of the concrete stadium structure, columns and walls. M&L also is performing the site development, and had just completed a major sewer re-route that involved moving 800 ft. of 54 in. sewer main. This sewer main happened to be 20 ft. down and well below sea level. Any time this type of work is done it involves a considerable amount of shoring and excavating. To accomplish this type of heavy lifting a Kobelco SK300 excavator that was purchased last fall from Westchester Tractor in Brewster, N.Y., was used.
The site sits low and is located near several waterways and involved a significant amount of dewatering. For this dewatering process the services of Godwin Pumps were utilized.
Throughout the demolition, excavation and site work process all materials that are on site are remaining on site. All products are being crushed, screened and reused.
Most of the excavating and earthmoving machines used by M&L Construction are Kobelco and Kawasaki (Hitachi) that were purchased from Westchester Tractor, including a Kobelco SK300, a Kobelco SK140, a Kobelco SK85, as well as a Kawasaki (Hitachi) 70Z7 and a Kawasaki (Hitachi) 67Z7.
"When Eastern Equipment went out of business Westchester Tractor became our dealer for both Kobelco and Kawasaki (Hitachi) and we have stayed committed to those brands and to Westchester Tractor for a number of reasons," said Frank Marini, M&L Construction's owner.
"For decades we have found the Kobelco and Kawasaki [Hitachi] machines to be reliable, simple and powerful. We put a ton of hours on them, they rarely break down, and they are not overengineered. When they do break down or simply need routine maintenance, Westchester Tractor always has the parts to get us back up and running. John Apple, president of Westchester Tractor, and fortunately for us, also our sales rep, is always available to us. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and the resources to get things done, including circumstances where he has gone to battle for us. This included an instance with the manufacturer over a warranty issue and he successfully got us taken care of.
"We take meticulous care of our machines. At the end of each day every machine is serviced. All filters and wear items are replaced by manufacturer specifications and we don't beat them up. As a result, we get a great return on our investment, not just because of the maintenance, but also because we don't start out by buying junk, we buy quality to begin with."
About the Harbor Yard Amphitheater
The amphitheater, which is being touted as a "boutique" amphitheater, will have space for 5,500 people and be open to events from spring through fall. Live National Entertainment, which owns, operates and/or programs 200 venues throughout the world, is powering Harbor Yard.
A large permanent stage will be built behind what used to be second base; and the infield will turn into open floor space, with integrated restaurant and bar areas to the east and west. A tensile membrane roof will provide protection from the elements.
Suites will be available on the field and in both club and floor boxes.
About M&L Construction
M&L Construction, located in Bridgeport, Conn., services all of Connecticut and Westchester County in New York. The company has been in business since 1983 and is family-owned and -operated by Frank Marini and his son, Gaetano Marini. The company specializes in site development, and self performs all utility work, excavation, crushing, paving, material hauling, concrete work and demolition for all their projects.
Marini founded the business in 1983 with a backhoe and a small dump truck. In 1985, he purchased his first Kawasaki (Hitachi) wheel loader, a 70Z3 3.5-yd. machine, which is still at work today with more than 15,000 hours logged in.
In 1988, Marini purchased his first Kobelco excavator, a SK200LC, from Eastern Equipment, which at that time was the servicing Kobelco dealer of Connecticut. His hard work and the combination of the Kobelco and Kawasaki (Hitachi) machines expanded Marini's growing business into excavation, site work, drainage and road work projects. At the time, the housing market in Connecticut was booming.
In 2003, Marini landed one of his first major projects, "The Rinks at Shelton," a major two-story skating facility for which he did all of the site and concrete work.
After completing college, Gaetano joined the company and brought with him a business savvy that has helped bring the company to a new level.
Today, the company has 20 employees, an equipment stable of nine excavators, five loaders, plus various trucks and other pieces of support equipment, and continues to see a pattern of steady growth.
According to Marini, "Over the years we have held steadfast to the same motto: ‘Do the right job do the best we can and treat our employees right.' We have found that if we stick to those basic principles it has been the pathway to success."
For more information about M&L Construction, visit http://www.mlconst.com/.
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