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Straub Construction, Gould Electric take top honors

in Excellence in Construction Awards

Outstanding Projects of Excellence and Merit Showcased

Event presented in part by

Master Event Sponsors

Nov 17, 2011 - Nearly 200 ABC contractors, guests and industry professionals filled The Prado ballroom on Thursday night to honor twenty projects of Excellence and Merit. "All projects this year were of exceptional quality and achieved the minimum score to be eligible to submit into the National Competition", commented ABCSD President Scott Crosby, "these projects demonstrate the Merit Shop's commitment to innovation, excellence in design, safety, and building quality projects delivered on time and on budget." The outstanding field personnel for each project were also honored with a medal of excellence.

Straub Construction, Inc. and Gould Electric, Inc. accepted the evening's highest awards for top project by a General Contractor and top project by a Sub-Contractor for the Design Build Human Resources Center, MCAS Miramar and Thomas Jefferson School of Law, respectively. Other finalists for top project included C.W. Driver, Fallbrook Branch Library; Stronghold Engineering, Inc., Historic Renovation of the San Bernardino County Central Courthouse; Sherwood Mechanical, Inc., Ten Fifty B Street; and Western Bay Sheet Metal, Inc. for Palm Desert High School Phase 2.

The evening's highlights included entertainment by Chinis and Camberos, a Latin jazz band, presented by Straub Construction and Schwartz, Semerdjian, Ballard & Cauley, LLP; a hosted cocktail reception presented by Stronghold Engineering, Inc., and presentation of the 2011 Excellence in Leadership Award to Oceanside City Councilmember Jerry Kern for his dedication to fair and open competition. The annual award is endowed by Stronghold Engineering, Inc.

Paul Rowan from Rowan Electric, Inc. and Jim Roherty from Pacific Building Group, Master Event Sponsors, talked about the importance of the Merit Shop and building with Excellence. Both are Gold Annual Sponsors who believe in the mission of ABC to preserve and protect fair and open competition in construction. Special thanks to the Special Events Committee and Event Chair Brooke Velazquez withGo-Staff who were instrumental in the event's success. Helix Electric, Inc. sponsored the evening's wine.

Read the feature piece by The Daily Transcript. Click here for the press release.

Winner of Top Project by a Sub-Contractor - Gould Electric, Inc.

Gould Electric played a pivotal role in the construction of a technologically advanced, distinctive building located in San Diego's East Village. The project used the design-assist model, and Gould Electric worked closely with the design team, general contractor, and others intimately involved with project construction.

The contractor coordinated with SDG&E to install a bus duct and emergency power and also implemented an elaborate lighting package and "high-end features" throughout the building. Gould Electric used BIM technology, schematic design, unique layout techniques to construct accurate plans, and prefabrication to complete the project on time and on budget for a project that expects to receive LEED Gold certification, which would make Thomas Jefferson School of Law one of a small number of law schools in the nation to achieve this prestigious status.

Winner of Top Project by a General Contractor - Straub Construction, Inc

The Design-Build Human Resources Service Center at MCAS Miramar can be described as the most sustainable, unique, and prestigious facility at MCAS Miramar.* Straub Construction used innovative design to create the building's unique architectural style and aerodynamic characteristics on a military base that is over 23,000 acres with over 400 structures and houses employing approximately 11,000 people. Unique challenges the design team faced were military protocols and specifications, preservation of the wetland, and designing a project that would fully incorporate function and form."Very few contractors, if any, would be able to achieve what Straub has achieved without significant impacts to time and cost," says Dave Grant, NAVFAC Design Build Manager.

Finalist for Top Project by a General Contractor - Stronghold Engineering, Inc.

Historical Renovation of the San Bernardino Central County Courthouse

Stronghold Engineering, Inc. has a portfolio of award winning projects including the Design-Build Golf Clubhouse Complex, MCAS Miramar, which received an Eagle Award at the National Level in 2009. Their consistency in producing exceptional projects, overcoming extreme challenges, and implementing site-specific safety programs has impressed the judges at the local and national level for almost a decade. The Historical Renovation of the San Bernardino Central County Courthouse, just one of four Stronghold projects being honored this year, is no different.

Originally slated for demolition, this historic landmark originally built in 1927 has been in use without interruption since it's original construction. Stronghold Engineering, Inc. was not only able to help save the building from certain destruction, but also preserved its historical value and integrity through the use of innovative processes and techniques, attention to detail, and a committed partnership with the County of San Bernardino, the consultants, and design-build team. The three year project was implemented with precise planning and scheduling, leading to a project built ahead of schedule while increasing the quality of work performed.

Finalist for Top Project by a General Contractor - C.W. Driver
Fallbrook Branch Library

Finalist for top project by a General Contractor, the Fallbrook Branch Library, submitted by C.W. Driver, melds a space with multiple functional uses into one unit built with innovative design and lean construction techniques. The project used a design-build delivery method to adhere to a tight budget with schedule constraints. It was the first design-build project for the County of San Diego under new administration which required precise coordination. Rowan Electric, Inc. also submitted the project into this year's competition and will receive an Award of Merit.

C.W. Driver selected the sub-contractors based on the best value, not just on the price. This allowed the contractor to add project enhancements that ultimately added value. Unique challenges included coordinating with the stakeholders including Friends of Fallbrook Library, a local community group that was involved in the planning process. The contractor also incorporated local artwork and provided field modifications to properly install the art which created an environment of collaboration and trust on a project that was built ahead of schedule and opened with a huge community turnout.

Finalist for Top Project by a Sub Contractor - Sherwood Mechanical, Inc.

Ten Fifty B Street is a unique project in downtown San Diego that would become San Diego’s first one-hundred percent affordable housing high-rise. Sherwood Mechanical coordinated with the general contractor and the design team during the entire project which used the design-assist project delivery method.

One unique challenge was the joint funding effort that comprised the job. Levels 8 thru rooftop were publically funded, and the parking thru level 7 were privately funded. Sherwood Mechanical used precise methods and planning to properly process the certified payroll and wage rates and to properly submit change orders. The contractor used BIM, prefabrication, and the use of innovative construction techniques to ultimately help finish ahead of schedule and to keep within their budget requirements. The building received LEED Gold Certification for its use of sustainable materials and methods.

Finalist for Top Project by a Sub Contractor - Western Bay Sheet Metal

Palm Desert High School is the result of a $100 million dollar construction bond that sought to modernize one of the top schools within Riverside County. Western Bay Sheet Metal’s scope of work included all nine buildings
within the Phase Two construction, and the contractor was mobilized 15 months after the project broke ground.

The unique challenges included the installation of architectural sheet metal and moisture protection, the precise coordination with the General Contractor, working on a site that had multiple projects within a small area, and facing extreme heat during the summer construction. Western Bay Sheet Metal implemented innovative techniques to fabricate the composite panels used in the design of the entryway and walkway that ultimately would save the District thousands of dollars in labor. The contractor also made recommendations for a better quality of rooftop panel to avoid longterm warranty issues. With owner requested changes, the project came in on budget and ahead of schedule.

Reception Hosted By Entertainment Hosted in Part by

Wine Sponsor

Projects Showcased

Awards of Merit

Lincoln Middle School Modernization - Echo Pacifi c Construction, Inc

City of El Cajon Public Safety Center - Ledcor Construction Inc.

San Marcos Elementary School - Lusardi Construction Co.

Veteran’s Affairs Clinic - Reno Contracting

MedImpact - Reno Contracting

Fallbrook Branch Library - Rowan Electric, Inc

Ramona Library - Rowan Electric, Inc

Bachelor Enlisted Quarters Naval Air Station Lemoore - Stronghold Engineering, Inc

Awards of Excellence

San Diego Fish & Wildlife Complex - Western Bay Sheet Metal, Inc.

Repair Damaged Communication Lines from 43 to 53 Areas - Stronghold Engineering, Inc

Sharp Medical Center Emergency Dept & Observation Unit Expansion - Hensel Phelps

Solar Canopy Design and Construct Transit Facility - Stronghold Engineering, Inc

Camp Cuyamaca - Lusardi Construction Co.

Chula Vista High School Project 1 - Turner Construction Company

Finalists for top project by a sub-contractor

Ten Fifty B Street - Sherwood Mechanical

Palm Desert High School Phase 2 - Western Bay Sheet Metal, Inc.

Finalists for top project by a general contractor

Historic Renovation of San Bernardino Central Courthouse - Stronghold Engineering, Inc

Fallbrook Branch Library - C.W. Driver

ABC Fall Golf - thank you to the event sponsors!

September 16, 2011 - Prominent merit shop contractors, industry professionals, and Merit Shop Champions Bergelectric, Gould Electric, Helix Electric and West Coast Group Benefits enjoyed an afternoon of golf, food, and fun on one of San Diego's top rated golf courses.

MERIT SHOP CHAMPIONS