ENR Texas & Louisiana Cites the Best Projects of 2012
According to our independent panel of judges, the high caliber of every submission in this year's ENR Texas & Louisiana Best Projects competition made selecting winners incredibly difficult.
This year's award winners were very diverse, representing a wide selection of construction projects in varied markets that were completed across the region between July 1, 2011 and June 30. They range from the restoration of an early 20th-century courthouse to an innovative bridge inspired by a state bird to the world's largest drainage pump station and a massive bridge relocation across state borders. But to win distinction as a Best Project, each one had to demonstrate innovation, exceptional quality and an ability to find creative solutions to daunting challenges. To select the region's best, ENR Texas & Louisiana recruited an independent panel of six industry professionals, representing diverse fields of expertise. In the end, our judges recognized 42 projects.
More than 200 entries were submitted by contractors, owners and design firms in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. The number of quality submissions shows that despite tough economic times for the construction business, plenty of projects are still being built.
The judges selected winning ENR Texas & Louisiana entries based on criteria such as overcoming challenges and teamwork, safety record, innovation, contribution to the industry and community, construction and craft quality, design function and aesthetics. This year’s jury included: Dana Birkes, Corporate Vice President, Flintco, Tulsa, Okla.; Wayne Crew, Director, The Construction Industry Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Paul Hawryluk, Facilities Services Director, Raba Kistner Consultants Inc., San Antonio; Mike Holland, Executive Vice President and CEO, American Council for Construction Education , San Antonio; James C. Smith, Professor, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; and Steve Penson, Regional Manager, Austin Commercial, Dallas.
ENR Texas & Louisiana also added a new award to this year's contest that recognizes project safety. While safety has always been a criteria in the Best Projects competition, the editorial staff deemed it worthy of special recognition for projects that exceeded goals. Any project could be considered for this distinction in addition to the other category awards, and industry participants offered more than 70 entries that vied for this award.
This year’s safety judges included: Dennis Cobb, HSE Manager, Project Services, Phillips 66, Houston; Wayne Crew, Director, The Construction Industry Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Billy Gibbons, Global Account Executive, JMJ Associates, Houston; and Jimmie Hinze, Professor, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
We invite you to read on to find out more about all of these well executed projects across the region.
Texas & Louisiana Project of the Year
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) West Closure Complex, New Orleans
Civil/Infrastructure
Best Project: Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) West Closure Complex, New Orleans
Award of Merit: Seabrook Gate Project, New Orleans
Cultural/Worship
Best Project: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Ark.
Government/Public
Best Project: Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans
Award of Merit: Rockwall County Courthouse, Rockwall, Texas
Green Project
Best Project: University of North Texas Apogee Stadium, Denton, Texas
Health Care
Best Project: San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas
Award of Merit: University Medical Center of El Paso, El Paso, Texas
Award of Merit: Texas Children's Hospital Pavilion for Women, Houston
Higher Education/Research
Best Project: Memorial Student Center Renovation and Addition, College Station, Texas
Industrial/Manufacturing
Best Project: Crane Worldwide, Houston
Award of Merit: South Central Utility Plant at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
Interior Design/Tenant Improvement
Best Project: El Paso Corp. Tower Renovation, Houston
Award of Merit: Fulbright & Jaworski, Austin, Texas
K-12
Best Project: Ann Richards Middle School, Dallas, Texas
Award of Merit: Lady Bird Johnson Middle School, Irving, Texas
Landscape/Hardscape/Urban Development
Best Project: North Boulevard Town Square Project, Phase 1, Baton Rouge, La.
Office
Best Project: MD Anderson Cancer Center Mid Campus Building and Garage, Houston
Award of Merit: Hess Tower, Houston
Renovation/Restoration
Best Project: Lafayette General Medical Center Tower Renovations, Lafayette, La.
Award of Merit: 1910 Courthouse Historic Restoration, Houston
Award of Merit: University of Texas at Austin School of Law Jesse H. Jones Hall, Austin, Texas
Award of Merit: Vertical Expansion at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, Plano, Texas
Residential/Hospitality
Best Project: Omni Dallas Hotel, Dallas, Texas
Award of Merit: Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans
Retail/Mixed-Use Developments
Best Project: Pearl Brewery Development, San Antonio, Texas
Safety
Best Project: Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans
Award of Merit: University Medical Center of El Paso, El Paso, Texas
Award of Merit: Blue Plate Artist Lofts, New Orleans
Small Project (Under $10 Million)
Award of Merit: Star of Hope Children's Building, Houston
Specialty Contracting
Best Project: Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas, Texas
Award of Merit: Harris County 1910 Courthouse Restoration, Houston
Sports/Entertainment
Best Project: BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston
Award of Merit: NOLA Motorsports, Avondale, La.
Transportation
Best Project: John James Audubon Bridge, Pointe Coupee Parish, La.
Award of Merit: Oklahoma City Skydance Bridge, Project No. BC-0180, Oklahoma City
Award of Merit: Houma to Freeport Bridge Relocation, Houma, La., and Freeport, Texas
Award of Merit: LA 1 Improvements, Phase 1A Bridge Construction, Fourchon/Leeville, La.
