BKD build Indiana awards: rewarding excellence in construction.

• Author: Hromadka, Erik
• Position: CONSTRUCTION

THE ANNUAL AWARDS program recognizes contractors whose projects demonstrate quality, innovation and excellence in project management and teamwork. The awards are sponsored by BKD LLP, an accounting and advisory firm, and Associated General Contractors of Indiana, a construction industry association. All entries are considered for a BKD Governor's Award, which is presented only if a project significantly exceeds all award criteria in creating an extraordinarily positive effect on an Indiana community.

BKD GOVERNOR'S AWARD

F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co. Inc., for the Indianapolis Museum of Art

Indianapolis-based EA. Wilhelm Construction Co. won the BKD Governor's award for work on the Indianapolis Museum of Art, a challenge that involved relocating 24 departments and renovating the facility while keeping it open to the public for all but the final stage of the project.

The project included expanding the museum by 164,000 square feet, shutting down the existing building in phases as the new one was brought on-line, adding a new underground parking garage and connecting tunnel and performing extensive landscaping. However, one of the most visible accomplishments was the new entrance pavilion that is 56 feet tall and includes 225 pieces of glass.

"This project demonstrates the quality achieved by our field force, Indiana's largest, in completing this complicated and highly detailed building," says vice president Larry Roan.

INDUSTRIAL/ UTILITY

Shook LLC, for SBC Generator Replacements

The winner of the industrial/utility award was recognized for work that was prompted by a national emergency Following a 2003 blackout that left 50 million without power in the Northeast, problems at a Midwest utility were identified as a root cause. As part of an upgrade to modernize the region's power grid and its support systems, SBC identified 10 communications facilities that needed work.

Shook Construction's Indiana division removed and replaced existing, outdated, overloaded, out-of-service generators and electrical systems in Bloomington, Brownsburg, Boonville, Gary, Hammond, Kokomo, Rockville Spencer and Zionsville. The work was performed without interrupting telephone service and included providing temporary power and cooling requirements while monitoring dust partitions to protect the sensitive telephone equipment.

"This was a very difficult project since disruption to the owner's system, including 911 emergencies, was not an option," explains Jay Walter...