From more than 90 entries, a panel of industry judges selected winning projects from across the Midwest that exemplified a high level of achievement in creative design and innovative construction methods.

Judging criteria included collaboration and teamwork, ability to overcome challenges, safety performance and use of innovative design or construction solutions. The panel also considered the project’s contribution to the construction industry and/or community, design quality and construction craftsmanship. Entries were not accepted for projects that had a construction-related death.

Judges selected Best Projects for a range of categories and also recognized award of merit winners. In addition, the jury combed through all the winners and selected this year’s Project of the Year—a modern hospitality update to a historic Chicago building.

Two safety specialists reviewed several dozen entries for the Excellence in Safety Award, considering factors such as the project’s lost-time accident rate, total worker hours and the quality of the contractor’s safety program. Ample preplanning and subcontractor coordination elevated a health care project to the top of the safety award contenders.

ENR Midwest Best Projects Judges

Shawn Anderton, vice president, Graycor Industrial Contractors

Neal Burnett, president, Midwest Constructors

Greg Douglas, vice president, construction innovation, Miron Construction Co.

Sam Mishelow, chief strategy officer, Meyer Najem Corp.

Paul Parry, principal/national director of higher education, KJWW Engineering Consultants


Excellence in Safety Award Judges

Jeff Emerick, director of safety and compliance, Ozinga Ready-Mix Concrete

Sam Mishelow, chief strategy officer, Meyer Najem Corp.