MCM Corp.

The extra mile┬áIt might take a little time to recover but as Dan Bailey learns, itÔÇÖs difficult to keep a determined spirit down. No motorist enjoys paying road tolls but at least with a flat rate fee, the process was understandable with charges being set primarily to raise a certain amount of money to finance the road. Now, though, the motorist is facing variable tolls designed to reduce congestion or to maintain specific levels of performance on the road, such as a target speed range or an optimum volume to capacity ratio. One such area where variable pricing is being trialed is on a 21 mile stretch of the I-95 in Miami, involving the conversion of the existing high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) to managed lanes which have variable congestion pricing set to maintain a minimum operating speed of 50 mph at all times. ItÔÇÖs estimated that the project could provide potential time savings of up to 38 minutes during peak periods.The responsibility for designing and building the necessary modifications has gone to the Miami based MCM Corp. The $121 million project covers all aspects of roads, pavements, lane transitions and bridge elements, but it also includes installation of the dynamic message signs and CCTV cameras necessary to monitor, control and administer the variable pricing.MCM ÔÇô Munilla Construction Miami ÔÇô is a family-run organization with a history more colorful than many a thriller. Founded in 1940 by Fernando Munilla Sr, it was once the leading construction company in Cuba, responsible for many of the most famous landmarks in that country including CubaÔÇÖs tallest structure, and what was then the largest free span bridge in the Western Hemisphere when it was built in 1954. Munilla was also a pioneer in construction methodology, advocating pre-cast and pre-stressed structures. Much of the output from his concrete plants went into the Malecon seawall that protects Havana to this day.Then, in 1960, Fidel Castro nationalized the firm and Munilla made plans to evacuate his six children to the US. The four eldest children made it and spent time in an orphanage in Ohio until safe passage was arranged for their mother and younger siblings. Munilla stayed behind, orchestrating covert operations. After three arrests he finally escaped by boat with only his knowledge, reputation and desire to reunite his family.Once the family settled in Miami, the sons began their training and education in construction until in 1983, MCM was established. Since then, it has grown steadily to a $100+ million a year business, employing over 200 and taking on building and construction work across the spectrum, but particularly in education facilities and road works. In this respect, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Miami Dade Expressway Authority are amongst MCMÔÇÖs most important customers. However, new work is not automatically awarded. After each contract an assessment of performance is made, against which MCM is in the habit of scoring 90+ points, putting it ahead of the average contractor.MCM works in many different ways. It can provide construction management consultancy, guiding others through the complex business of construction, preparing bid packages and assessing tenders; it operates in a design-build capacity, offering clients a single point of contact for both the architectural and constructional components; or it performs the traditional role of third party contractor, submitting prices to bills of work.As well as keeping its nose ahead of the competition, MCM also takes note of its corporate responsibilities. It says thank you to the state of Florida by donating around three percent of net annual profits to charitable organizations. MCM is affiliated with the US Green Building Council and is sending more and more of its personnel to attend LEED accreditation classes so that the concept and techniques of sustainable construction can be passed on to clients. In order to further minimize its impact on the environment the company has long run a paperless office and recently embarked on a program of updating its fleet of vehicles to more economical hybrid models. At least that way, MCM will keep the cost of driving to a minimum should it venture onto the big brother controlled I-95. ÔÇô Editorial research by Jason Moore┬á