Bredesen breaks ground on state’s first Recovery Act project

Gov. Phil Bredesen joined Congressman John Tanner, TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely, State Senator Lowe Finney, State Representative Curtis Halford and officials from Gibson County recently to break ground on Tennessee’s first transportation project funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. The Gibson County project will replace three aging timber bridges along McMurry Road in Trenton, Tenn.

“The McMurry Road bridges have served the citizens of Gibson County well for more than 37 years, but are clearly in need of replacement,” said Bredesen. “This project will save the county government close to $200,000 in matching funds, will employ more than 150 Tennessee workers and will give the residents of Gibson County peace of mind as they travel this roadway.”

The Gibson County project is one of 10 local bridge replacement projects included in TDOT’s March 20 letting. The $924,000 project was awarded to Ford Construction Co. and involves the replacement of three county owned and maintained bridges. Normally, the county would be required to provide a 20 percent match in order to receive bridge replacement funds; however, that match is waived for projects funded through the federal Recovery Act.

Hutton Hotel breaks ground at downtown Nashville site

As Nashville continues to grow its downtown area, Bell & Associates of Brentwood, Tenn., has teamed with Earl Swensson & Associates to bring a new West End hotspot to fruition for developer, Amerimar Enterprises Inc.

The 16-story Hutton Hotel features 250 guest rooms and is described as a ‘’boutique’’ hotel. The developer chose not to partner with a national chain, instead an independent brand that will offer upscale accomodations to its guests.

Gresham, Smith & Partners signs on to AIA 2030 Commitment Program

Gresham, Smith & Partners, an architecture, engineering, interior design and planning firm, recently announced it has signed on to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2030 Commitment program and its goal of carbon-neutral buildings by the year 2030.

The program is a voluntary commitment for AIA components, member firms and other entities in the built environment that asks organizations to make a pledge, develop multi-year action plans and implement steps toward attaining the organization’s carbon-neutral goal. An announcement of firms who have committed to the program will be made at the 2009 AIA National Convention.