To suggest ENR Midwest judges had a challenging task determining the Regional Best Projects for 2016 would be an understatement. Close to 100 entries were received, each detailing a truly excellent construction project completed in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa or Kentucky.

Below, please find a list of the projects that scored highest in our judges’ eyes, earning either the Best Project or an Award of Merit in their respective categories.

The award recipients will be honored at the ENR Midwest Best Projects event Nov. 30 in Chicago. Visit the event page for more information and/or to register.

At the event, we will also crown our overall Project of the Year, as well as honor the firms that were selected throughout the year as the region's Owner, Design Firm, Contractor and Specialty Contractor of the Year. Oh, yeah, we will also recognize the ENR Midwest Legacy Award winners.

You won’t want to miss it!

Airport/Transit

Best Project: Kansas City Downtown Streetcar, Kansas City, Mo., submitted by HDR Engineering Inc.

Cultural/Worship

Best Project: Westport Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Mo., submitted by A.L. Huber General Contractor

Award of Merit: Milwaukee Art Museum Addition and Renovation, Milwaukee, submitted by Hunzinger Construction Co.

Government/Public

Best Project: Skyline Plaza Garage, Fort Wayne, Ind., submitted by Hoch Associates/Woolpert

Health Care

Best Project: Columbus Regional Hospital Building and Expansion, Columbus, Ind., submitted by Pepper Construction

Award of Merit: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center/ UC Health Proton Therapy Center, Liberty Township, Ohio, submitted by Messer Linbeck JV.

Higher Education/Research

Best Project: Benedictine University Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business, Lisle, Ill., submitted by International Contractors Inc.

Award of Merit: St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, submitted by PARIC Corp.

Highway/Bridge

Best Project: U.S. 31 Hamilton County Reconstruction, Westfield, Ind., submitted by CHA Consulting Inc.

K-12 Education

Best Project: Joliet Central High School Student Center Restoration, Joliet, Ill., submitted by Gilbane Building Co.

Landscape/Urban Development

Best Project: The 606, Chicago, submitted by Collins Engineers Inc.

Manufacturing

Best Project: GE Aviation Jet Engine Assembly Facility, Lafayette, Ind., submitted by Brasfield & Gorrie LLC

Office/Retail/Mixed-Use

Best Project: Blattner Energy Headquarters Expansion, Avon, Minn., submitted by Knutson Construction

Award of Merit: Burns & McDonnell World Headquarters Expansion, Kansas City, Mo., submitted by Burns & McDonnell

Renovation/Restoration

Best Project: Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, Chicago, submitted by KJWW Engineering Consultants

Residential/Hospitality

Best Project: Xavier, Chicago, submitted by Lendlease (US) Construction Inc.

Small Project

Best Project: Railroad Depot Grand Staircase, Poplar Bluff, Mo., submitted by Concrete Strategies LLC

Sports/Entertainment

Best Project: Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo, Detroit, submitted by DeMaria/Wharton-Smith Joint Venture

Award of Merit: Mistwood Golf Clubhouse, Romeoville, Ill., submitted by International Contractors Inc.

Water/Environment (updated Sept. 13)

Best Project: Kandiyohi County Landfill Leachate Treatment System, New London, Minn., submitted by Clark Engineering