Meritorious construction: Associated Builders and Contractors' annual program recognizes outstanding work across Indiana.

• Author: McKimmie, Kathy
• Position: CONSTRUCTION

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RECOGNIZING excellence in construction is an annual event at Indiana's Associated Builders and Contractors, ABC. "Our purpose for the awards program is to increase public awareness generally, and to construction users specifically of the quality, diversity of projects, and the full range of capacity of Merit Shop contractors in Indiana," says J.R. Gaylor, the association's president and CEO.

JUDGES SPECIAL WINNERS

Institutional over $25 million: Community Hospital North Campus Expansion

Contractor: Summit Construction Co., Indianapolis

The $170 million expansion at the Indianapolis north campus, completed in April 2007, includes a six-story patient tower addition for maternity, NICU, pediatrics and medical/surgical patients, a 1,000-car parking garage, five-story medical office building, surgery addition, interior relocation and expansion of departments and connecting walkways and skybridge. It was all completed in 28 months.

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Mechanical Commercial: French Lick Casino and Resort

Contractor: Enterprise Electrical & Mechanical Co., Indianapolis

The overall design of the building, the magnitude, and the time restraints made this project unique. The elaborate coffer-type ceiling required an enormous amount of bracing, and great care was needed in installation because of the lack ceiling tiles.

A major redesign by architects resulted in 17 plan changes. Half of those changes were made after installation began. This meant production had to stop on materials that were already in the process of being made. Even though these changes created a major impact on the schedule, the job was still completed two months ahead of schedule. Due to a lack of available hotels in the area, nearby properties were purchased to house Enterprise's workers, saving a two- to three-hour commute each day.

EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Site Work: Red Gold Transportation Warehouse and Rail Siding, Orestes

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Contractor: Star Excavating, Bippus

Construction included 1,800 lineal feet of storm, water and sanitary pipe, movement and placement of more than 70,000 cubic yards of earth and 40 tons of stone. Existing lagoons were drained and demucked before placement and compaction of the lime modified soil.

Historical Restoration under $2 million: Heminger House Travel Lodge Restoration, Plymouth

Contractor: Michiana Contracting, Plymouth

Nearing condemnation, Heminger Travel Lodge, built in 1937, was rescued and now serves as...