LBYD named best Alabama firm of 2009 by subcontractors

LBYD Inc. a consulting civil and structural engineering firm with offices in Birmingham, Huntsville and Atlanta, was recently named the 2009 Engineering Firm of the Year by the American Subcontractors Association of Alabama.

The award recognizes the engineering firm that represents superior quality in the field of engineering. LBYD’s contribution to the construction community was recognized with the award.

LBYD is responsible for the civil and/or structural design of many major projects in Alabama and the Southeast, including the first four LEED Gold-certified projects in Alabama.

Some of the major projects include The University of Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium Expansion, Auburn University Student Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Women and Infants Center, and the new Hewitt-Trussville High School, as well as numerous other projects located throughout Alabama and the Southeast.

Auburn University students move into ‘Village’

The Village at Auburn University covers 15 acres, with more than 750,000 sq ft of construction, 10,000 individual rooms and 485 suites, most with four bedrooms each.

White-Spunner Construction Inc. of Mobile, Ala., recently announced that Auburn University’s 1,700-bed student housing project, The Village, was successfully completed on schedule.

The suite-style residences include a common living room, kitchenette, four bedrooms and two baths.

A large bay of windows in the main living area offers students natural light and views to exterior green space. Individual bedrooms afford each student a private sleeping area, closet and study area.

The U.S. Green Building Council recently confirmed that White-Spunner Construction’s self-built corporate headquarters in Mobile, Ala., meets the standards of LEED Silver certification. Pictured are (from left) Mike Fitzgerald, president, and Tommy Rowe, executive vice president, both with White-Spunner; Robin White, president of the U.S. Green Building Council of Alabama; John White-Spunner, CEO, Jeff Carrico, vice president, and Scott Rowe, project manager, all with White-Spunner.

The residence halls also include group meeting and study rooms on each floor and offer students state-of-the-art communication and data services. The site covers 15 acres and the buildings total 750,000 sq ft, with 10,000 individual rooms and 485 suites.

Hoar Construction to build The Shops of Grand River

Hoar Construction LLC of Birmingham, Ala., has been selected to construct The Shops of Grand River, the retail portion of a new mixed-use, master planned community in Leeds, Ala. Grand River’s retail component, which will initially consist of 330,000 sq ft, will be situated on a 100-acre site.

The upscale, open air outlet center will consist of nine buildings. Construction is expected to start this fall, with the center scheduled to open in late 2010.

Daniel Corp. is the developer and CMH is the architect for the project. Hoar Construction will be responsible for sitework, building construction, hardscape and landscape.

Hoar Construction, established in 1940, has offices in Houston, Nashville, Birmingham and Orlando.

Robins & Morton completes Opelika sports complex

Robins & Morton recently completed construction on the new Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics Center.

Robins & Morton of Birmingham, Ala., recently completed construction of the new Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics Center in Opelika, Ala. A unique feature of the facility is the 6,000-sq-ft Adult Activity Center that is attached to the Sportsplex.

The 75,000-plus-sq-ft facility houses staff offices, meeting rooms, two racket ball courts, indoor heated zero-depth entry pool, indoor walking track, double gym, aerobics room, cardio room, weight room, five lighted soccer fields with two control buildings and restrooms, walking trails, amphitheater and lake.

A unique feature of the facility is the 6,000-sq-ft Adult Activity Center that is attached to the Sportsplex and features a computer lab, a media center, game room, warming kitchen and a large common area complete with full sized stage.

The project recently won a commercial real estate award from the Birmingham Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties in the $15 million-$25 million category.

NAWIC Greater Birmingham Chapter attends national convention

On Aug. 26-29, the National Association of Women in Construction’s Greater Birmingham Chapter attended the NAWIC national convention. More than 400 women from across the U.S. attended the event, which was held in Phoenix, Ariz. The local Birmingham Chapter stood out as having the highest number of participants of all the chapters in Region 2.

From left, Ginger Thompson, president of the NAWIC Greater Birmingham Chapter; and Nancy Fouad, Burr & Forman LLP, Birmingham. Fouad recently spoke to the group about contracting with the State of Alabama and its agencies.

During the convention, the attendees heard Edith Washington deliver a keynote address entitled “Turning Points” and attended other educational seminars.

The Greater Birmingham Chapter also held its monthly meeting on Aug. 17 at the office of Gary C. Wyatt General Contractor LLC.

The meeting’s speaker was Nancy Fouad of Burr & Forman LLP, who is also a current member of the NAWIC Greater Birmingham Chapter. She spoke to the group about contracting with the State of Alabama and its agencies.

NAWIC, an international non-profit organization, has grown to a membership of more than 5,000 women with more than 179 chapters.

Boyken International gets contract for green courthouse

The General Services Administration (GSA) selected Boyken International as construction manager for renovations to the Robert Smith Vance Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Birmingham, Ala.

Under the contract, Boyken International shall also serve as the building commissioning agent, providing enhanced building commissioning services for the project.

The goals for this ambitious project include meeting the requirements for a High Performance Green Building Modernization under the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) of 2009. LEED Silver certification will be targeted as the project team works to renovate this historic structure, which was originally built in the 1920’s.

The construction budget for this project is $32 million, with design scheduled for an immediate start. Construction will begin in spring 2010.