On January 24, 2024, the Minnesota Construction Association honored its members for outstanding recently completed construction projects. The awards were presented at the 29th Annual MCA Awards of Excellence Gala at the Minneapolis Marriott West. Congratulations to all of the award recipients!
Project Excellence Award Winners
New Project Total Value Under $15 Million
Greystone Construction — Badger Hill Brewing & Bravi’s Craft Mexican Kitchen
With incredible views of Canterbury Park’s horse racing track, the multi-tenant building, shared by Badger Hill and Bravi’s, is a “winning combination.” This community favorite gathering space was successfully designed and built to elevate the experience of live music, fine beer, addicting tacos, and invigorating coffee.
New Project Total Value Over $15 Million
McGough — Essentia Health Replacement St. Mary’s Medical Center
Essentia Health’s Replacement in Duluth spans two blocks with 942,000 sf of new construction and 140,000 sf of renovations. Overcoming challenges like climate and geological complexities, it seamlessly connects existing facilities and required substantial municipal infrastructure upgrades. This state-of-the-art facility serves as a Midwest healthcare destination.
Renovation, Expansion or Tenant Improvement
Knutson Construction — Two-Twelve Medical Center
The Two-Twelve Medical Center project included a one-story vertical expansion of the occupied facility and a renovation of its existing fourth floor. Multiple operating rooms and inpatient beds were added to help support the growing needs of the Chaska community, along with the addition and remodel of several elevators.
Publicly Funded Construction Project
Terra Construction — Bloomington Fire Station #4
This project involved the demolition of the City of Bloomington’s 4,429 sf current Fire Station #4 and construction of the new 25,286 sf facility. The new station includes three apparatus bays, office space, a training room, living accommodations and firefighters health and safety amenities.
Subcontractor/Specialty Contractor
Empirehouse, Inc. — Allina Health Surgical Care Pavilion Skyway at Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Empirehouse’s impact on the Allina Health Surgical Care Pavilion Skyway project exemplifies the successful navigation of complexities, rapid problem-solving, and unwavering collaboration. Their commitment to innovation enabled the efficient delivery of a custom-designed skyway, meeting the schedule’s critical path and ensuring continuity toward the project’s big-picture goals.
MCA Choice Award Winner
Kraus-Anderson — Rock Ridge High School
Rock Ridge High School is an outstanding example of the public and private sectors working together to drive prosperity in an economically challenged region. Working with the IRRRB, The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, three rival school districts of Virginia, Eveleth, and Gilbert became “Fiercely United” to pass a $180 million referendum, making possible new facilities including the $90 million Rock Ridge High School. The high school includes:
- 285,000 sf state-of-the-art Career Academy High School
- Five new fully synthetic turf athletics fields
- New stadium complex
- Structural timber main commons area
- Competition pool
- Three-station gym
- Performing arts center
- Music facilities
- Wood and metals lab
- Video production lab
- CNA training lab
- Chemistry/physics/biology labs
- 3D and 2D fabrication labs
- Exterior learning environment
Constructed on the rocky Laurentian Divide, Rock Ridge presented unique challenges for the project team, including approximately 70,000 cubic yards of blasting, prompting 40-year construction veterans to call this the most challenging project of their careers. Construction was completed with zero lost time claims.
In addition, the team collaborated with the school district to provide on-site construction training opportunities for students, including student construction of 15 small structures on the campus, such as dugouts, decks, and storage buildings. The school district also partnered with local businesses to provide students with training and exposure to a range of career opportunities during construction.
Rock Ridge High School stands as a proud testament to what can be accomplished through bold vision, innovation and whole-hearted teamwork.
People’s Choice Award Winners
General Contractor of the Year
Subcontractor
of the Year
Service Provider
of the Year
Design Professional of the Year
Member
of the Year
Dave Lyste
Rachel Contracting