ENR Midwest

Project Challenge: Installing 'Wheat Columns' at U. of Kansas $450M Stadium Renovation

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:42:16 -0400

Why are wheat columns significant for university football team fans and how were they incorporated in a stadium renovation?

Great Lakes Tunnel Project in Michigan Secures Needed Permits

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:37:56 -0400

The pipeline under the Strait of Mackinac has been delayed by legal battles, with one report showing the price tag has increased from $500 million in 2018 to more than $750 million.

Contractor Wins $11.3M Judgment in Milwaukee Timber Tower Lawsuit

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:43:39 -0400

Why did C.D. Smith sue the developer of the Edison, which was planned to be the tallest mass timber tower in North America?

ENR Midwest Names F.E. Moran as 2026 Specialty Contractor of the Year

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The company's work spans industries where reliability is essential, including data centers, hospitals, industrial manufacturing, energy facilities, aviation infrastructure, food processing and high-rise construction.

$280M Indiana Park Project's Whitewater Rapids to Wipe Out Area Brownfields

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 11:20:59 -0400

A Colorado-based engineering firm has been hired to design and build a whitewater rafting course in Clarksville, Ind.

Data Centers and Energy Facilities Fuel Midwest Market

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400

With available land and reliable, low-cost power, industry leaders say the Midwest is one of the country’s premier data center hubs.

D-Day Bravery Honored at Lifelike Illinois Memorial Assembled by Tarlton

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:56:19 -0400

The famous U.S. Army Ranger cliff-scaling in France is recreated on a midwest limestone bluff where the Mississippi and Illinois rivers meet.

Semi-Conductor Market Going Strong

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

SK hynix is advancing construction of its $3.8-billion semiconductor hub in Indiana, marking a major step in expanding advanced chip manufacturing in the U.S. The facility will be the company's first manufacturing site outside Asia and is backed by federal CHIPS Act funding.

Another Contract for Carp Deterrent Effort

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded an $85-million contract to a Black & Veatch-Stantec joint venture to advance the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, a key effort to keep the invasive fish species out of the Great Lakes. Work will support design of a layered system of engineered barriers and deterrent technologies at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam.

HNTB, HDR, Kiewit Ready for 'Big Red Rebuild'

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

A $600-million overhaul of the University of Nebraska's Memorial Stadium is moving forward.

Contractor Chosen for $1.3B Pork Processing Facility in South Dakota

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:00:49 -0400

Chicago-based Epstein is hired to build $1.3B packaged meat and fresh pork processing plant in Sioux Falls, S.D., where a century-old facility is set fo be demolished.

Owners Reinvesting in Existing Facilities

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 23:59:00 -0400

Minneapolis-area owners are prioritizing renovations, energy-efficient systems and extending facility life.

Midwest On the Scene: Redevelopment Around Chicago's United Center Sports Arena

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 23:59:00 -0400

The first phase of a $7-billion, 15-year plan to redevelop 55 acres around Chicago’s United Center sports arena with housing, retail, entertainment space and a public plaza formally kicked off June 3 with a groundbreaking ceremony.

From Raffle Winner to Industry Leader: Ideal Contracting, Midwest Firm of the Year

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Over three decades, Ideal Contracting has evolved into a nationally recognized contracting firm, and it continues to grow.

Minnesota Zoo Project Makes Nature the Focus

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Minnesota Zoo replaces a 50-year-old arrival area with a $14.2M outdoor plaza, exhibit space and waterfront restoration.

Why Fortress-Like Cincinnati Tower Had to Go Down Slab by Slab

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Crosley Tower, which has stood on the University of Cincinnati campus since the 1960s, is being dismantled.

Data Centers and Housing Drive Growth in Des Moines

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:59:00 -0400

The city is seeing development on many fronts, including tech, manufacturing and the burgeoning downtown district.

Midwest People: July 2026

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:59:00 -0400

Updates about construction professionals in the Midwest region.

Contractor Chosen for $1.4B Blatnik Bridge Replacement in Minnesota

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:49:51 -0400

What contractor team won the job to replace this vital freight and commuter link connecting Wisconsin and Minnesota?

Project Challenge: Steel Span Lifted in Place on $140M Mississippi River Bridge Project

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:33:37 -0400

What steps did Kraemer North America take to install a steel span that restored a key Iowa-Wisconsin crossing?

Obama Center Opens The Doors as Subcontractors Say Invoices Remain Unpaid

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:47:54 -0400

Several union trade contractors say they have not been paid for their work on the Obama Presidential Center project in Chicago.

$400M, 30-Mile Illinois Water Pipeline Moves Forward

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:53:34 -0400

Pipeline to bring Lake Michigan water to Chicago's far-west suburbs passes critical milestone.

Minneapolis Launches $15.1M Revamp of George Floyd Square

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:24:38 -0400

What are the plans for rehabilitation of George Floyd Square in Minneapolis?

Boeing Plans $1B Investment in New Buildings and Renovations in Wichita, Kan.

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Boeing's planned $1-billion investment comes after its recent return to manufacturing operations in Wichita, Kan.

Buffered by Steel, Concrete and Collaboration, a Railroad Bridge Becomes a Kansas City Public Gathering Space

choa@enr.com (Aileen Cho) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:54:16 -0400

$16-million Rock Island Bridge reuse could be emulated on other abandoned structures, say advocates.

Judge's Order Halts Google Data Center Project in Minnesota

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:28:16 -0400

Why did a Minnesota judge issue a temporary restraining order?

Ill. Governor Pauses Data Center Incentives as NY Lawmakers Pass One-Year Moratorium

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:26:12 -0400

Illinois' pause on tax credits takes effect July 1 while the New York bill awaits the governor's signature—as concerns surrounding data center construction grow at the state and local level.

Chicago Bears Advance Planned Move to Indiana for New Football Stadium

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:15:56 -0400

NFL team signals that it intends to relocate to northwest Indiana to a proposed multibillion-dollar domed stadium.

Chicago Launches $7B Plan to Transform Sports Arena Neighborhood

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:29:00 -0400

What firms are part of the construction team tapped for the United Center-area redevelopment project expected to transform 55 acres over the next 15 years?

ENR 2026 Regional Top Specialty Contractor Survey Goes Live

jriceenr@gmail.com (Justin Rice) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:17:53 -0400

ENR's regional Top Specialty Contractor survey is now live.