Two EMJ Construction projects received accolades at the 2017 Building Recognition in Chattanooga (BRIC) Awards on Tuesday, April 18th. Hosted by AIA Chattanooga, green|spaces and Sustainability Professionals of Greater Chattanooga, the BRIC Awards highlight projects completed by Chattanooga-based firms that represent the best-of-the-best in construction innovation, engineering and design.
The Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, or TNACI, was the big winner of the evening, taking home four awards—the People’s Choice for Sustainable Project of the Year, both the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice in Best Commercial Design, and the People’s Choice for Collaborative Building Team of the Year.
FedEx Ground Distribution Center took home the Judge’s Choice for Collaborative Building Team of the Year. This is EMJ’s second consecutive year to receive the Collaborative Building Team award, after last year’s recognition of our Cabela’s project team.
TNACI is a 14,000-square-foot freshwater research center on the banks of the Tennessee River. Anticipated to be LEED-Gold certified, the facility provides a central location for researchers across the Southeast to bolster the mission of restoring the region’s natural ecosystems and educating the public on conservation. The entire site serves as a living classroom, showcasing how sustainable design can protect ecosystem health while creating connections between people and the natural environment.
Through the design and construction process, the team not only minimized TNACI’s impact, but produced a restorative entity for the ecosystem. By avoiding culverts, controlling erosion, removing invasive species then restoring natives, and carefully considering alternatives, the project will positively impact on the environment for years to come.
“I’d always heard that construction was the worst experience, but for me, it was the best year of my life,” said Dr. Anna George, Director of TNACI, during her acceptance speech for Sustainable Project.
Pictured, from left to right, are architect Matt Brown of Franklin Architects, Lead Superintendent John Rudez, Senior Vice President of Construction Jack Bowen, Senior Vice President of Preconstruction James Tyson, and Dr. Anna George of TNACI.
Thank you to all of our subcontractors and partners on this project and to TNACI for allowing us to be a part of bringing this amazing facility to the Southeast.
In addition to TNACI, the project team included Franklin Architects, WM Whitaker & Associates, IC Thomasson Associates Inc., Miller McCoy, Bennett & Pless, and Compass Commissioning and Design, LLC.
The EMJ team included Executive Vice President Clint Dean, Senior Vice President of Construction Jack Bowen, Project Manager Steve Totzke, Lead Superintendent John Rudez, Senior Vice President of Preconstruction James Tyson, Project Engineer Chad Marler, Project Engineer Matt Holder, and Accountant Michele Cheresnick.
EMJ completed FedEx Ground’s 235,000-square-foot distribution facility in just over eight months. The automated, build-to-suit station consists of a pre-engineered metal structure set on continuous concrete stem wall. Over 300,000 cubic yards of earth were shifted across the site during the development of the 63-acre site. In addition to the on-site work, EMJ oversaw the installation of a new pump station and traffic signals along with the widening of a nearby interstate exit ramp to accommodate the anticipated increase in freight traffic.
“There are so many people that play a part in how these jobs get done. We just go everyday and execute the delivery part,” said Jack Bowen in accepting the Collaborative Building Award for FedEx. “Collaboration is really a testimony to everyone involved. We appreciate what everyone in this room does for us.”
Thank you to our partners on this project: owner Saad Development Corporation, Castles Design Group, Anchor Engineering Associates, and all of the subcontractors. We’d also like to thank the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, EPB, Norfolk Southern, the Summit community, Waste Water Treatment Authority, Tennessee Department of Transportation and more for their work in bringing FedEx Ground to Chattanooga.
Our EMJ team included Clint Dean, Jack Bowen, James Tyson, Director of Construction James Williams, Project Manager Chris Webb, Superintendent Rich Gliddon, Superintendent Richard Stone, Director of Preconstruction Alex Miller, Preconstruction Manager David McCallen, and Accountant Mindie Ogle.
Congratulations are also in order for our colleague Hugh Morrow of Ruby Falls, who received the Sustainability Professional of the Year Award for his continued efforts to preserve the historic Ruby Falls, and to Chattanooga Whiskey Co., who received the People’s Choice Award for Sustainable Business of the Year. EMJ is currently working on an expansion at Ruby Falls and recently completed Chattanooga Whiskey’s new distillery. Read more about those projects below, and click here to read more about all of the BRIC honorees.
https://www.emjcorp.com/news/emj-begin-construction-ruby-falls-expansion/
https://www.emjcorp.com/project/tennessee-stillhouse/