High school students from across the Chicago region will have the opportunity to learn about careers, meet potential employers and gain new skills by participating in the 2011 Construction Challenge. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" The Construction Challenge is connected to an industry actively looking for talented and motivated individuals for a wide range of careers that directly contribute to a high quality of life. Students who participate in the nationwide competition will learn about rewarding, interesting and lucrative careers in the industry, from engineering, project management and service technicians, to sales, marketing, systems and related jobs. The Construction

The City of Wildwood, Mo., has contracted Oates Associates and the planning team of Nelson Byrd Woltz and Vector Communications to prepare a conceptual plan for a future world-class park to support this recreational community near St. Louis. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" The park would be located on a 66-acre tract of land that the city owns at Highways 100 and 109 near the Wildwood Town Center. The land features gently rolling hills, grasslands, native woodlands and a creek. “Our goal is to create a diverse set of memorable spaces that embody Wildwood’s character while protecting the unique

In March, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced a five-year plan that calls for reducing the department’s staff size and cutting costs, with the goal of keeping major highways in good condition and improving minor roads. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Seven months later, the department says it is on track to reduce costs by more than $200 million in the next five years and has already identified $64 million to use toward fixing the pavement on lettered and rural routes. MoDOT Interim Director Kevin Keith says his department is taking a hard look at its maintenance operations, including

Soil and Materials Engineers Inc. of Bay City, Mich., has been prequalified by the Indiana Department of Transportation to provide Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessment services. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" INDOT typically retains these types of environmental services to support infrastructure improvement and expansion projects. SME has performed more than 2,000 Phase I and II ESAs for state and local governmental agencies and others during the past five years. SME supports clients at every stage of development and ownership, from site acquisition, design and construction, to maintenance, restoration and redevelopment.

Chicago-based general contractor Weis Builders Inc. recently began construction on Phase II of the Cermak Plaza renovation in Chicago. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" The 1950s-era retail center will undergo a multi-phase renovation. Weis Builders was hired to complete renovation work, including the overhaul of the exterior fa�ade. New brick will be added along with architectural features such as a shade-canopy and towers on the east and west wings. Phase II is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Weis Builders has been providing preconstruction and construction services to the Chicagoland area since 1995.

New Holland Construction and Lawn & Landscape magazine named Kinsella Landscape Inc. of Blue Island, Ill., as the winner of the 2010 Landscaper’s Challenge. Left, Greg Semmer, president of Kinsella Landscape Inc., accepts the grand prize award for the 2010 Landscaper’s Challenge from Dave December, marketing manager, New Holland Construction. A New Holland L170 skid steer loader was presented for the best landscape design-build project of the year. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" The grand prize – a New Holland L170 skid steer loader worth more than $32,000 – was presented to representatives of Kinsella Landscape during an award

Moody•Nolan, the nation’s largest African-American owned and operated architecture firm, has opened a new office in Chicago, its firm’s seventh regional location. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Moody•Nolan’s new office will assist in the firm’s goal of expanding its portfolio of educational, healthcare, fitness and recreation and cultural architectural projects on a national level. Moody•Nolan’s Chicago office is located in the historic Rookery Building, an iconic building located in the center of Chicago’s downtown Financial District. Renauld Mitchell will serve as director of Moody•Nolan’s Chicago operations. Mitchell brings more than 15 years of architectural experience

The Redmond Co. of Waukesha, Wis., recently announced that it has been awarded a contract by Cities and Villages Mutual Insurance Co. to design and renovate a two-story office space building in Wauwatosa, Wis. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" The Redmond Co. provided due diligence services including site visits, a written building condition report, a review of the municipal approval process and local ordinances, preliminary budget and schedule, as well as identifying potential risks for Cities and Villages Mutual prior to their purchase of the property. In addition to the due diligence services, an energy audit was performed to

McShane Construction Co. of Rosemont, Ill., was recently selected to complete the 51,500-sq-ft design-build construction of a classroom and office facility on the campus of Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" The building will feature a masonry, aluminum, precast and glass exterior that incorporates aluminum cladding, generous windowlines and additional aesthetic elements. The facility’s interior will offer lobby space, offices, teacher’s lounge and flexible office and classroom areas for the College of Arts and Sciences. Classrooms will incorporate high-tech audio visual equipment to provide an enhanced and productive learning environment. Contemporary interior finishes will include

Seven facilities from across Indiana were awarded for their architectural style and design during the annual American Institute of Architects Indiana Design Awards. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Honor awards went to Hafer Associates of Evansville, Ind., for its design of Cool Springs Horse Barn, an elaborate stable and retreat for the OFS Corp. in Southern Indiana, and to AXIS Architecture + Interiors of Indianapolis for the Nature Conservancy near downtown Indianapolis. AXIS also received a merit award for its interior design of Business Furniture in Indianapolis, while One 10 STUDIO Architects working with HAUS|The Architecture Studio designed Brand