The Association of General Contractors (AGC) and Construction Risk Partners recently honored this year’s best new and renovation construction projects with Build America Awards at the AGC Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Build America Merit Awards were also presented to construction companies at the convention.

“These awards are designed to set a new minimum standard of excellence for the construction industry,” said Tom Brown, AGC’s Vice President and President of Sierra Pacific West, Inc. in San Diego. “Considering what went into building these projects, that minimum standard is extremely high.”

For 41 years, the Build America Awards have recognized excellence in projects ranging across the building, highway and transportation, utility infrastructure, and federal and heavy industries. The projects are selected by a panel of judges comprised of contractors that look for projects excelling in: state-of-the-art advancement, project management, innovation in construction or use of materials, contribution to the community, client service, overcoming jobsite challenges, environmental sensitivity, and partnering excellence.

In the Michigan Contractor & Builder area, the following projects were awarded with 2023 Build America Awards.

Granger Construction Company was presented with an award in the Construction Management New or Renovation ($100 Million or More) category for the W.K. Kellogg Institute and Dental Building Expansion and Renovation in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This project was completed on behalf of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, one of the oldest and highest ranked dental schools in the United States. Granger worked on the project with design partner, SmithGroup, along with other contributing partners including John E. Green, Tri-County Electric, Acoustic Ceiling and Partition, and National Specialty Contractors.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized for this challenging effort among so many other outstanding projects,” said Paul Roller, P.E., LEED AP, Project Director at Granger Construction. “The award is a testament to the team’s perseverance, flexibility, and willingness to prioritize the school’s needs above the construction. We could not have planned and safely executed the work without our skilled trade partners, the design team, and the School of Dentistry’s support and willingness to adapt to evolving conditions.”

Granger’s work on the project involved a deep infrastructure renewal, renovations, and additions throughout the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Institute and Dental Building, a complex of four connected buildings that surround an interior courtyard. Over half of the work took place while the building remained occupied by patients, students, faculty, and staff.

The project included the replacement of utilities, renovation of 176,000 square feet of the five-level dental clinic section, conversion of the former library into a faculty office suite, clinic renovations in the oldest portion of the complex, and two additions — a four-level entrance addition connected to the adjacent parking structure and a four-level infill of the courtyard for laboratory and office space. The Granger team also completed extensive site improvements, such as a tunnel connection to an adjacent building, replacement of two electrical substations, consolidation of electrical service from two rooms to one, and installation of a new engine generator system and 10 custom air handling units.

A 27-phase plan was developed over 16 months to minimize the impact of construction activities to ongoing clinic and research operations. The team worked in 25 to 30 locations, maintained two shifts and weekend work, and began work at 4 a.m. to maintain the original schedule. Despite the pandemic and other challenges, the project was completed on time after nearly four years of construction.

The Merit Award winner in the Michigan Contractor & Builder area was: O’Brien Construction Company in the Building New (Under $20 Million) category for the Ruth Ellis Clairmount Center in Detroit, Michigan.