Contractors group showcases top projects

Ten construction projects in northern Nevada were showcased as the region's best work by the Nevada Chapter of the Associated General Contractors last week.

he 10 winners of the chapter's PINNACLE Award were selected from 32 entries by members of the Idaho Chapter of the Associated General Contractors.

Winning projects included:

* Western Dairy, a project by RHP Mechanical valued at more than $500,000. Judges noted the Lyon County project was the first of its type in the dairy industry. RHP was recognized for meeting the challenge of a difficult job.

* Emergency work on the Dixie Valley transmission line by PAR Electrical Contractors, a job valued at more than $500,000. The company had to convince UPS to deliver a part to a roadside location in rural Nevada and had to talk a manufacturer into stopping production to make a specialty part, judges said. PAR was recognized for meeting the challenge of a difficult job.

* Mathewson IGT Knowledge Center, a project valued at more than $5 million. Judges said general contractor Q&D Construction dealt with an innovative design, complex concrete pours and tight working conditions on the University of Nevada, Reno, campus. The company was recognized for meeting the challenge of a difficult job.

* The Nevada Air National Guard air intelligence exploitation facility, a project by United Construction valued at more than $5 million. Among the challenges, judges noted, were coordination of 50 subcontractors and tight security requirements. United was recognized for excellence in project management.

* The Reno-Tahoe International Airport aircraft rescue and fire fighting facility, a project of PENTA Building Group valued at more than $5 million. The project, judges said, "required a huge level of coordination and communication." PENTA was recognized for excellence in project management.

* Repair of the TMWA Mogul flume, a job by Q&D valued at less than $5 million. Judges said the company pulled off the work in treacherous terrain against a tight schedule. Q&D was recognized for innovation in techniques and materials on the job.

* Crystal Bay water quality improvement project, a job by Aspen Developers totaling less than $5 million. Judges called the work

"a textbook example of best management practices on a difficult site." Aspen Developers was recognized for sensitivity to the environment, history and culture.

* Bethel Cultural Awareness Museum historical restoration, a project by Building Solutions valued at less than $5 million. Judges said the contractor's staff was "enormously creative and committed" in the restoration project. Building Solutions was recognized for sensitivity to the environment, history and culture.

* Golden Eagle Park, a job by Q&D valued at more than $5 million. The company made up seven weeks lost to bad weather and saved $700,000 on the job, judges noted. Q&D was recognized for excellence in client service.

* Wild Island Coconut Bowl expansion, a project by GuiDenby Inc, valued at less than $5 million. Judges said the contractor creatively re-used materials and allowed the facility to stay open during construction. GuiDenby was recognized for excellence in client service.