The Boldt Co. of Appleton, Wis., and the British consulting firm AMEC have been selected as the engineering and construction contractors for the conversion of the coal-fired power plant on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus to burn natural gas and biomass. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" The Boldt-AMEC team was selected after a competitive selection process that was launched in March for the $250 million project, according to the Wisconsin Department of Administration. Now that the team has been selected, the agency said it will work to negotiate a contract with the firms. Boldt is heavily involved in construction

The Structural Engineers Association of Illinois recently announced the 2010 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award winners during its annual banquet on June 5. The event was held at Murphy Auditorium in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" The award winning projects and individuals include: • Most Innovative Structure: Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP • Jurors’ Favorite: The Ledge at Skydeck, located at Willis Tower, Chicago, Halcrow Yolles • Best Large Structure: Aqua, Chicago, Ill., Magnusson Klemencic Associates • Best Medium Structure: United Arab Emirates Pavilion, Shanghai, China, Halvorson and Partners

The latest information from economic forecasting firm IHS Global Insight, prepared for the American Rental Association in Moline, Ill., reports that the equipment rental industry is starting to show signs of recovery from the national recession. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" “The outlook report indicates that the worst may be over for the equipment rental industry,” says Christine Wehrman, CEO, ARA. “The U.S. economy is proving its resilience with growth returning to many sectors. “However, construction spending continues to lag behind the rest of the economy. While construction spending is weak, spending on rentals is beginning to grow and

Two Kwame Building Group projects have received 2010 Regional Excellence Awards from St. Louis Construction News and Real Estate. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Kwame is based in St. Louis. The $17 million Harris-Stowe State University William L. Clay Sr. Early Childhood Development/Parenting Education Center in St. Louis was chosen for the Regional Excellence Innovation Award based on its unique design, use of innovative materials and importance in furthering the understanding of early childhood development and parenting. Kwame Building Group was the construction manager on the project. The architect was KAI Design & Build of St. Louis and Kozeny-Wagner

Faith Technologies of Madison, Wis., a full-service electrical and specialty systems contractor, has raised nearly $6,000 this year for the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" The seventh annual Jerry Ahrenholz Memorial Golf Outing was held at The Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove, Wis., on May 18. More than $36,000, the equivalent of 254,625 meals, has been raised for Second Harvest of Southern Wisconsin over the seven-year period. Proceeds from the golf outing will cover expenses to provide more than 40,000 meals to southern Wisconsin residents.

Chicago Department of Aviation First Deputy Commissioner Michael Boland was a guest speaker recently for the SMITH’s 2010 Infrastructure Finance Conference at the Standard Club in Chicago. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Boland participated in the Air Transportation panel along with Peter Stettler, director, Ricondo & Associates, and Seth Lehman, senior director, Fitch Ratings. The session focused on new challenges for airports and investors, and the latest trends and outlook for the air transportation industry. Boland provided an update on the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP), and discussed OMP funding sources, recent O’Hare International Airport bond issuances, OMP future issuances

Dow Kokam, a leading large-format battery system producer, announced it has selected Clayco Inc. of St. Louis as the design-build contractor to oversee construction of its battery manufacturing facility in Midland, Michigan. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Clayco will be responsible for the design and construction of the facility, which will produce lithium ion battery cells and packs for hybrid and electric vehicles. “Dow Kokam’s speed to market is critical to meeting the automotive industry’s needs for a competitive energy source for the transportation industry,” says David Pankratz, Dow Kokam’s vice president of operations. Construction of the new 800,000-sq-ft,

Alberici Constructors Inc. of St. Louis was named the construction manager to build a $55 million soybean seed production facility in New Madrid, Mo., for DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Pioneer held a groundbreaking ceremony May 17 for the new facility, to be located on 129 acres of land in New Madrid County. The new plant is expected to begin operations in fall 2011 and to employ about 50 people when fully operational. The project includes a warehouse facility and production space as well as an administration building.

To continue meeting its clients’ current needs while increasing service capacity, engineering firm Alfred Benesch & Company of Chicago recently announced that the company will merge with Lincoln, Neb.-based HWS Consulting Group. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Uniting the firms’ respective practice areas will broaden the services the combined company has to offer existing and future clients. Both firms are known for their expertise in civil and traffic engineering, transportation planning, and rail and roadway design. Benesch is recognized for its structural, municipal, water /wastewater systems, and value engineering services. These offerings are complemented by HWS’ experience in environmental

The North American Copper in Architecture Awards program recently showcased the top U.S. and Canadian projects. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" In the Midwest Region, the 2010 award recipient was: • Restoration/Renovation: Milwaukee City Hall, Milwaukee, Wis. Architect: Engberg Anderson Architects, Milwaukee. Sheet Metal Contractor: Heather & Little Ltd., Markham, Ontario. The projects were judged by a panel of architecture and copper industry experts, and the judging was based upon overall building design, integration of copper systems, craft of copper installation and excellence in innovation or historic restoration. The awards program continues to attract entrants from across North America,