News Release > Carolinas AGC Announces 2006 Pinnacle Award Winners

For additional information, including project photos :
Lori Tharp , Carolinas AGC
(704) 372-1450, ext. 5227; ltharp@carolinasagc.org

TARBORO CONTRACTOR EARNS TOP HONORS FOR ROCKY MOUNT'S IMPERIAL CENTRE FOR ARTS & SCIENCES

Contactor: Barnhill Contracting Co. , Rocky Mount , NC

CHARLOTTE –February 2007 – The Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences in Rocky Mount , NC has earned the 2006 “Best Building Project ” Pinnacle Award from Carolinas Associated General Contractors (AGC). Tarboro, NC-based Barnhill Contracting Company performed as construction manager on the project.

Barnhill rehabilitated a tobacco warehouse-- dormant for 50 years-- into a state-of-the-art museum and arts center, while preserving the historic aspects of the original building. The project had to meet rigorous historic restoration standards specified by the US Department of the Interior and National Parks Service. Another challenge included adding a modern planetarium within the confines of the 50-foot-wide foundation of the 1908 tobacco manufacturing plant. Barnhill also created an animal habitat area with sections ranging from python and alligator habitats to a “touch” tank.

Barnhill was credited for using many proactive measures to ensure smooth construction of this 135,000 square foot facility, which involved complexities such as having different subcontractors performing the same trade on the job site at the same time.

The Best Building Project award was presented to Barnhill Contracting at the Carolinas AGC Annual Convention in St. Thomas , Virgin Islands , January 26, 2007 .

As the largest AGC chapter in the nation with 3,000 member firms, Carolinas AGC's mission is to build its members' businesses through workforce development, business development, profit management, and CompTrust AGC –a self-insured workers' compensation trust. More than 75% of commercial and industrial construction (buildings, highways/bridges, utility facilities) in both North and South Carolina is performed or supported by Carolinas AGC members.