Roper Performing Arts Center
Norfolk, VA
Category: 2023 Hospitality/Public Space
Starnet Member:
W.C. Carpenter LLC
Starnet Preferred Vendors:
Johnsonite By Tarkett, LGM Associates Technical Flooring Services, Mannington Commercial Resilient, Milliken Commercial, RFMS, Schönox, Wagner Electronics
Project Strategy
The Elegant Roper building is the focal point of the Tidewater Community College Campus, in Norfolk, Virginia. With traditional architecture and design, we had to find a carpet that would meet the era of this historical building. With thousands of patterns to choose from, Milliken’s custom broadloom carpet was the obvious choice. Not only were we able to choose the pattern, colors, and repeat size, but we were also able to provide the school with a beautiful installation to suit the building and supply an attached cushion on the carpet. This cushion would give the school the comfort and wearability they were accustomed to and it eliminated the wrinkling problems of their current carpet.
What made this job so special was the effort the school went to, to ensure that W.C.Carpenter was awarded the job. Due to the CARES money the school had received, they believed, at the time, that they could award us the job without putting it out to bid. Unbeknownst to me, the school found out the job would have to be bid out or purchased through their VASCUP Contract. There were two out-of-town dealers on their contract and both were over 300 miles away. A phone call informed me of the disturbing news. However, to my surprise, I was asked if we could be a subcontractor for one of the dealers that held the contract. Although this dealer was not a Starnet Member, we did partner to get this job done. We quoted our total package to a dealer on the contract and they sold it to the school. The job went smoothly, and it was a win-win for all involved.
Having gone through the process, we decided to apply for the VASCUPP contract and were just notified 2 days ago that we are now a VASCUP Contract dealer. Now we will be able to do these jobs ourselves next time they come up.
