(Above left to right) David Box, Foreman and Rick Engebretsen, President, West-Tech Contracting, Inc.

The typical demolition project undertaken by West-Tech Contracting, Inc., with offices in Escondido and Carson, ranges from $100,000 to $3,000,000. But no matter what the value you can be assured that Rick Engebretsen or a member of the family will be on the job on behalf of the demolition and excavating firm.

West-Tech performed over $3 million worth of demolition work at the Naval Training Center in San Diego in preparation for the Liberty Station Development planned for the former base. "Almost all of our family was involved in the demolition project that included removing over 40 multi-storied concrete dormitories and numerous other structures," Engebretsen said. "The job involved considerable equipment and personnel and was completed just before the end of last year."

(Above) Demolition at the NPC Naval Training Center in Point Loma, CA.

Former Padre Tony Gwynn will throw out the first pitch next April when the San Diego Padres move to Petco Park in downtown San Diego. West-Tech played an important role in demolishing the footprint for the $458 million ballpark. "Our personnel leveled buildings, including imploding the six-story San Diego Refrigerated Services complex, to make way for the Padres new home," Engebretsen noted.

The expansive cleared area West-Tech Contracting helped create in conjunction with the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) recently received a statewide award. The CCDC accepted the California Redevelopment Association's Award of Excellence for its innovative "Clean Footprint" plan used to remediate land for Petco Park. The plan involved removal of affected soils and underground tanks and the safe diversion of contaminated runoff into filtration devices in San Diego's sanitation system.

West-Tech was also the successful bidder on another CCDC project known as the R-7 Public Parking Garage in San Diego's East Village neighborhood. West-Tech demolished the 60,000 square foot site of all improvements, conducted environmental soils remediation, completed excavation and shoring in preparation for construction of the 7-level, 40,000 square foot structure. The project will also include 13,500 square feet of ground floor retail space.

(Above L to R) West-Tech brings a 3-story building crumbling to the ground for the redevelopment of the former Naval Training Center in Point Loma, CA.

Another just completed demolition project was for the City of Encinitas. From the start of the $450,000 project last February until it was completed two months ahead of schedule in April, family members worked with dedicated West-Tech employees to clear the 43-acre site. The so-called Hall property, once owned by nursery owner Robert Hall, will become a community park.

Encinitas Council members voted January 22, 2003 to accept West-Tech's bid of $448,989 to remove the collection of old greenhouses on the Hall property. Engebretsen indicated that once the Council approved the demolition project, "it allowed us 120 days for completion," he continued, "but we were able to send in the crews and equipment and get the job done basically two months ahead of schedule."

"We were able to reclaim in excess of 50 percent of the materials from the abandoned greenhouses and were even able to recycle PVC pipes found throughout the property," he continued. "It wasn't possible to recycle more because much of the plastic and wood used to build the greenhouses years ago could not be reused."

Engebretsen's firm found considerable debris on the site that is bordered by Santa Fe Drive on the north and Interstate 5 on the east. Encinitas purchased the parcel from Hall in May 2001 for $17.2 million. Hall rented the land until last December and worked with city staff to remove and recycle some of the greenhouse materials. But when the process didn't move as quickly as city officials wanted they took possession of the property and awarded the demolition contract to West-Tech.

"We had about 30 people and pieces of equipment on the job," Engebretsen revealed. "We used Caterpillar skid steer loaders and Link Belt excavators with various demolition attachments along with other pieces of equipment. The Caterpillars in our fleet were purchased from Hawthorne Equipment and the Link-Belt excavator from Bejac Corporation.

(Above) West-Tech demos a 3-story barracks building at the former Naval Training Center.

Another West-Tech demolition project was the razing of 19 buildings in the San Marcos area to make way for the 22-mile east-west rail link between Escondido and Oceanside. West-Tech's equipment and crews began the $265,000 project in November 2002 and completed the work for the North County Transit District ahead of the February 15 deadline.

Engebretsen explained that West-Tech had to demolish 12 single-family homes and six industrial buildings in San Marcos and one apartment complex in an unincorporated area between San Marcos and Vista. "The first structure to come down," he added, "was the Buena Vista Creek apartment building in the 2100 block of South Santa Fe Road. The Buena Vista Creek Station will eventually occupy the site when the $351 million rail line goes into service in late 2005.

"Environmental concerns were met head-on by the Transit District and our work was completed during the off-breeding season for endangered species like the California gnatcatcher," he emphasized. "The brush found in that area, including coastal sage and coyote brush scrub, serves as nesting material for the gnatcatcher and it had to be cleared prior to their usual March mating period."

(Above) West-Tech has been contracted for the demolition, expansion and redevelopment at the Lake Elsinore High School in Lake Elsinore, CA.

During the rail line project, West-Tech had to remove 15-20 trees. Rather than take the wood to a landfill or cut it into firewood, West-Tech's personnel cut down the trees and donated them to the wood shop at nearby Palomar College. "It helped Palomar's woodworking students during tight budget times and provided experience for future craftsmen," Engebretsen said.

Engebretsen is proud of the family-run business and having his father, Merrill, and uncle, Clay, as part of the management team running crews and making sure "the jobs are done right the first time." He also noted that a cousin, Ben, and a nephew, Danny White, were also working in the organization. West-Tech's founder also praised several employees who have been with the firm almost from the start including Brett Riggs, Director of Operations. "We're all family here and have a very low turnover rate."

A graduate of San Diego State University with a degree in Finance, Engebretsen says, "I went to college to get away from construction. I worked part-time for my dad's construction business and it just sort of evolved into what West-Tech is today."

West-Tech Contracting, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is a licensed demolition and excavating contractor. The firm also handles hazardous waste management and removal projects. For additional information about West-Tech call (760) 233-2570.