Overview | Publicity for Winners | 2009 Winners | Nomination process

THE 2009 PINNACLE AWARDS
On Friday, January 22, 2010, Carolinas AGC bestowed the 2009 Pinnacle Awards for three projects, two companies and two individuals. The presentation was made at CAGC's 89th Annual Convention, in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Click here for more Convention highlights.

The Loughlin plant operated continuously while new construction went on literally around it. This process was made smoother by a formal partnering session at the outset, and the teamwork approach to the design modifications that had to be made on the fly.

The project even received an award for excellent performance and pollution discharge elimination while Crowder was in the midst of heavy construction activities and bypass pumping.

The engineer noted that on several unexpected issues, Crowder took care of them before they even got to the engineer. On a fairly major item- the need for greater water capacity prior to project completion-- Crowder, the Engineer and Owner worked together to design a solution, get a permit midstream, and build what was needed to increase supply.

Safety was a top priority at all times. Crowder and their subcontractors worked 800,000 hours without a single lost time accident over the span of three years. The owner specifically applauded Crowder's aggressive safety training, plus their excellent planning.

The safety accomplishments were recognized by North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Cherie Berry at an onsite Safety Luncheon.

Another special feature of this project was Crowder's bond with the local community. Crews and management staff were engaged in local holiday and special events. On example- committing a team of top executives, project managers, superintendents and field crews to plan, organize and execute the installation of a 5000-pound Fallen Soldier Memorial.

This plant expansion was completed on time and $6 million under budget. The owner proclaimed that in 30 years, this is only the second project photograph to be added to his office wall, as one of the most successful projects he had ever been involved in.

Congratulations to Crowder Construction Company!

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Its many unique aspects were dictated by its sheer size and location, site conditions and the vision of the owner and design team.

With a tight, downtown site, complex accessibility issues were coordinated to maintain both pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the surrounding area as well as on the site.

To fit the project neatly into Raleigh's pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, the design team had placed the exhibit hall and 17 loading docks well below ground. The first major construction challenge was to remove more than 32,000 truckloads of material from as deep as 48 feet, safely and smoothly.

Portions of the building are actually situated under three busy urban streets, and required construction of concrete and steel bridges to carry the street traffic. When crews had to build a tunnel under McDowell Street (which carries 30,000 vehicles per day), it had to be done without closing more than one of the three lanes of traffic at any time. The construction was so seamless that even the newspaper reporter covering the project didn't realize what had happened, though he traveled through the site every day for 18 months.

Most challenging during construction was the intimate coordination required by the Center's being constructed in tandem with the adjoining hotel. Access to work areas had to be continuously coordinated between the two projects, to allow for construction of retaining wall systems, foundations and exterior wall systems landing on common property line with no setback.

While the Raleigh Convention Center took over four years and 1.9 million man-hours, the project experienced only one (disputed) lost-time accident. The team entered into an unprecedented agreement with the NC Department of Labor with OSHA representatives participating in training and walking the site quarterly. Since the success of this agreement, the DOL has established such partnerships on other projects.

The facility measures some 507,000 square feet over three main levels, but has an overall height of 130 feet. With 11 structured floor levels and some 50 feet below street level, the public perceives an exposed building height of 80 feet above street level.

This massive project was delivered on time and within budget—termed by the architect team as "simply a remarkable project."

Congratulations to the entire team of Skanska/Barnhill!

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Many scope changes and construction challenges included multiple phase renovations, infrastructure improvements, and major utility relocations, all while the hospital itself continued to safely operate.

A special twist: A new four-level, two-truss connector had to link the hallways of floors 5-9 from the North Pavilion to the 1960's-era General Tower. This required removing the 2400-square foot roof while lower floors were continuously occupied.

The five-level Visitor Parking Deck is 600,000 square feet of cast-in-place concrete. As it neared completion, the pours for the North Pavilion were underway—its opening had to be exquisitely timed to coincide with the West Tower renovations. This series of phased renovations totaling over 100,000 square feet severely affected many areas serving expectant parents and infants.

For example, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was located at a connection point-- no connection could be made with the unit occupied, but the NICU couldn't move until the North Pavilion was available.

These and other equally daunting challenges were met and overcome, all while maintaining a .75 Incidence Rate over 900,000 work hours.

The RodgersRentenbach team delivered the Forsyth Medical Center Master Plan projects well below budget, despite an unprecedented increase in market prices from initial budget through bidding to the end of the project. And, delivered it seven months ahead of schedule.

Congratulations to this entire joint venture team of RodgersRentenbach!

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One customer described the Concrete Supply management as having created and instilled "an exceptional company culture."

From another: "Extraordinarily responsive with change orders…and always willing to work around the clock."

The judges were especially impressed that in reference calls to general contractors, the word "relationship" was used time and time again, along with "team member."

Employee relationships also stood out-- for example, Concrete Supply awarded 53 college scholarships to its employees and their dependents in the previous 12 months. The employee profit sharing plan also earned stellar marks.

Concrete Supply Company joined Carolinas AGC in 1958, the same year the firm was established. Congratulations to Concrete Supply Company, Carolinas AGC Best Supplier/Service Company for 2009.

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From a competitor: "CT Wilson demonstrates high integrity and ethics... consistently."

"... well-respected by the area subcontractor base..."

The judges gave CT Wilson top marks for its high safety standards, which extend to all subcontractors. Supervisors have the authority to remove from a job site subcontractors who violate CT Wilson's safety practices.

The judges also commended the firm's contribution to industry & community and its exemplary treatment of employees, which was also noted by a competitor.

CT Wilson has been a member of Carolinas AGC since 1955— 55 years of membership! Congratulations to CT Wilson Construction Company, winner of the 2009 Best General Contractor Pinnacle Award.

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Bob Kipp has taken a fledging organization and nursed it into one of the most respected underground utility safety and damage prevention organizations in North America. His leadership and unequaled ability to understand and coordinate a diverse universe of stakeholders in addressing difficult issues has benefited all safety and damage prevention stakeholder groups, particularly the construction industry.

Today the Common Ground Alliance, formed in 2001, is recognized by the USDOT, National Transportation Safety Board and all stakeholder industries as the optimal forum where stakeholders can share information and perspectives and work together on all aspects of damage prevention issues. This allows the achievement of results that would otherwise be impossible.

Bob Kipp is to be credited as a role model for working with industry stakeholders and regulators to produce stronger, more effective results through partnership, collaboration, and the pursuit of common goals in damage prevention.

Congratulations to Bob Kipp on the 2009 Carolinas AGC Build with the Best Award, honoring your body of work.

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