Pro bono project brings telecom and data to writing lab

BEI Construction contributed telecom and data installation services to the new 826 Valencia Mission Bay Center. The new 826 Valencia location helps students build writing skills in a fun, woodland-themed environment. BEI joined with more than 30 other firms that contributed services to the 826 Valencia Mission Bay Center. BCCI Construction led the effort and invited BEI to help with telecom and data installation.

“826 Valencia has helped countless young people develop their writing skills,” says BEI President Mike Rantz. “At BEI, we were honored to help ensure that the new Mission Bay Center has the telecom and data connectivity services it needs to support its mission. The total project cost to this worthy organization was discounted by more than 90 percent thanks to all the building and construction industry players who generously contributed.”

A space for young writers
Completed in March of 2019, the 826 Valencia Mission Bay Center is a writing and tutoring lab focused on helping young people. Students aged 8 to 18 from the surrounding underserved community can come to the center for tutoring and writing help. The 2,500-square-foot center includes many elements intended to capture the imagination, including a wood-slat mushroom tree and a woodland creature cave.

826 Valencia got its start on Valencia Street in San Francisco’s Mission District. The organization’s first writing center captured kids’ imaginations with a pirate theme. Volunteer tutors help students boost their writing skills by doing more than just helping with homework. Many of the organization’s programs focus on creative writing, freeing students to use their imagination as they become more adept writers.

Bay Area contractors make a difference
The 826 Valencia Mission Bay Center’s space was donated, but the organization needed to complete the build out. BCCI Construction led the project, and WRNS Studio contributed architectural design services. Many of the leading specialty contractors in the Bay Area stepped up to lend their expertise and skills to the project. Natu Tuatagaloa and Mike Kramer helped lead BEI’s portion of the effort, with other BEI team members supporting the project.

“826 Valencia is an organization that succeeds by making writing fun in a fun environment,” says Tuatagaloa, a Principal at BEI and 18 year School Board Trustee in San Rafael. “with online tools, collaboration and support, Data and telecom services play an important role in education today, and we were happy to help 826 Valencia by installing data and telecom services in the new center gratis.”