White-Spunner tops out at Colony at the Grand

White-Spunner Construction Inc. of Mobile, Ala., recently celebrated the topping out of the 8-story condominium Bayview II at the Colony at the Grand in Point Clear, Ala.

A crane lifted a tree to the top floor while those involved with the project popped a bottle of champagne for each floor in a champagne salute. The tree atop a structure symbolizes the safe and successful rising of a building, good luck for continued construction and good fortune for those who later occupy the building.

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres were served under a tent at the condo sales office adjacent to the construction site and guests had the opportunity to visit the top floor.

Mike Fitzgerald, president of White-Spunner Construction, recognized key sub-contractors for their efforts, including MCC Mechanical, led by Phil Garcia Sr. and Irby Holmes; ARD, led by Dan Tomlison, concrete structure supervisor; MASCO, led by Edmund Garner; Jim Booth Contracting, led by Jim Horechny; and Wayne J. Griffin Electric, led by Bill Barry. 

Mobile Section, Alabama AGC presents Construction Safety Excellence Awards 

Mobile Section, Alabama AGC, recently recognized members that maintained an excellent safety record throughout 2006 at a luncheon at the Country Club of Mobile.

More than 100 of the leading commercial, industrial and specialty contractors and suppliers in the Mobile area were in attendance for the 5th Annual AGC Construction Safety Excellence Awards.

Guest Speaker, OSHA’s Mobile Area Director Ken Atha, commended the contractors and suppliers for their outstanding safety performance. 

The following companies were recognized for the safety excellence they demonstrated throughout 2006.

• Building Division, Over 200,000 Hours, White-Spunner Construction
• Building Division, 100,000 to 199,000 Hours, Ben M. Radcliff Contractor Inc.
• Building Division, 50,000 to 99,000 Hours, TerMac Construction Inc.
• Building Division, Under 50,000 hours, Ollinger Construction Inc.
• Building Division, Under 50,000 hours, M. R. Kopf Contracting Inc.
• Industrial  Division, Over 500,000 hours worked with no recordables or loss time, Robt. J. Baggett Inc.
• Industrial Division, Under 50,000 hours, Ben M. Radcliff Contractor Inc.
• Municipal Utilities Division, Over 100,000 Hours, S J & L Inc.
• Highway Division, Over 200,000 Hours, Esfeller Construction Co. Inc.
• Highway Division, Under 200,000 Hours, John G. Walton Construction Co.
• Pile Driving Division, Over 75,000 Hours, Jordan Pile Driving Inc.
• Steel Erection Category, Over 150,000 Hours, Keith Mosley Construction
• Steel Erection Category, Under 150,000 Hours, Cheyenne Steel Inc.
• Rigging Category, Over 40,000 Hours, Barnhart Crane & Rigging
• Electrical Category, 348,000 Hours, Bagby & Russell Electric Co. Inc.
• Mechanical/HVAC Category, Over 200,000 Hours, Batchelors Mechanical Contractors
• Mechanical/HVAC Category, Under 200,000 Hours, James B. Donaghey Inc.
• Plumbing Category, Under 50,000 Hours, Person Service Co. LLC
• Engineering & Construction Services Category, Over 550,000 Hours Thompson Holdings Inc.
• Geotechnical Engineering, Under 300,000 Hours, Southern Earth Sciences Inc.
• Specialty Division, Over 400,000 Hours, Smith Industrial Service
• Specialty Division, Utility Operator – Natural Gas Distributor, Over 500,000 Hours, Mobile Gas Service Corp.
• Specialty Division, Fabrication and Mechanical Service, Over 100,000 Hours, Alabama Metal Fabricators Inc.
•  Concrete Pipe Manufacturer, Under 50,000 hours, Hanson Pipe & Precast
• Concrete Block Manufacturer, Over 60,000 hours worked, Block USA
• Welding and Industrial Gas Supplier, Over 150,000 Hours, WESCO Gas & Welding Supply Inc.
• Safety Leader of the Year, Robert “Alex” Napier, Thompson Holdings Inc.

TAG/The Architects Group joins U. S. Green Building Council

TAG/The Architects Group Inc. of Mobile, Ala., recently became a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Ranked seventh in the state by Business Alabama Magazine, TAG is pursuing LEED accreditation with its employees as well as LEED certification with several upcoming projects.

TAG Principal Ronnie Taylor says, “We are conducting multiple study sessions for our architects, interior designers and construction managers as a process to achieve LEED accreditation throughout the firm by the end of the year. These will be taught in-house by our LEED Accredited Professional Elizabeth Brodbeck.”

Brodbeck joined TAG in early 2007 and is the founding chairperson of the U.S. Green Building Council Alabama Chapter. 

Beth received her LEED accreditation in December 2003.

She has worked for prominent architectural firms in Birmingham and Baltimore and served as a graduate research and teaching assistant at Auburn.

There, Brodbeck conducted research on the cost benefits of the LEED Rating System for the new Building Science facility.

Brice breaks ground on Seohan Auto manufacturing facility

Brice Building Co. Inc. of Birmingham, Ala., recently broke ground on the new Tier 1 automotive manufacturing facility for Seohan Auto USA Co. and Seohan NTN Driveshaft USA Co., located in the Auburn Industrial Park in Auburn, Ala. 

The 250,000-sq-ft, design-build facility will supply automotive axle assemblies to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Montgomery, as well as the Kia Motors Manufacturing in West Point, Ga.  

During the fist year of operation the Seohan facility is expected to invest $16 million and create about 170 new jobs. 

Brice has completed numerous automotive projects with both primary manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers.  

Brasfield & Gorrie tops out Auburn student center in June

Brasfield & Gorrie of Birmingham, Ala., recently topped out the Auburn University Student Center in Auburn, Ala. The facility is a three-story, 185,000-sq-ft concrete frame, multi-occupancy building. 

The building functions include Tiger Card, Copy Cat, the Plainsman, multiple lounge areas for students, as well as several food venues including Chick Fil-A and Starbucks. 

Auburn Student Organization offices will be located on the third floor. The new building will also include a large service kitchen able to cater large events.