eicawardsdev, Author at Excellence in Construction Awards

WINNER: Studio Park Lofts & Tower

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

Story

A high-pressure fire pump was installed to feed the sprinkler and standpipe system in Grand Rapids’ fifth-tallest building. Additionally, fire protection was added to the existing in-use five-story parking garage without disrupting day to day operations.

Facts

Submitter: Total Fire Protection, Inc.

Size: 484,919 SF

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Date contract completed: September 2024

Final contract value: $1,151,000

Project manager’s name: Erich Nelson

Superintendent’s name(s): Mike Wilcox

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

Latvian Center Garezers

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

Story

This multi-purpose building is outfitted with a state-of-the-art dry system, vertical turbine diesel fire pump, underground tank, and nitrogen generator. Installation required working around aesthetic architecture to conceal piping, using seven types of sprinkler heads to accommodate variable ceiling heights, and accommodating a tight schedule for opening day.

Facts

Submitter: Dependable Fire Protection, Inc.

Architect: Intersect

Location: Three Rivers, MI

Date contract completed: December 2024

Final contract value: $223,000

Project manager’s name: Mike Groner & Brad Ferguson

Superintendent’s name(s): Adam Springsteen & Chris O’Brien

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

Interchange Distribution Center II

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

Story

Extensive coordination and precise premobilization design were critical for this project, given the limited pump room space, tight schedule, and specific ESFR sprinkler requirements. At the 770 Interchange, a 300,000 SF warehouse with multiple shipping docks and office space, Brigade installed 35,000 feet of exposed steel piping, 3,200 sprinkler heads, and nearly 3,000 couplings. Remarkably, a two-person crew completed the installation in just over 800 hours.

Facts

Submitter: Brigade Fire Protection

Size: 300,000 SF

Location: Holland, MI

Date contract completed: July 2024

Final contract value: $647,000

Project manager’s name: Brent Elkins

Superintendent’s name(s): Don Haminger

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

Studio Park Lofts & Tower

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

Interior shot of common areas for Studio Park Lofts & Tower

Exterior shot of outside recreational area for Studio Park Lofts & Tower

Story

Studio Park Lofts & Tower, now Grand Rapids’ fifth tallest building at 22 stories, adds 165 apartments and 26 customizable condos atop a six-level parking garage. Residents can enjoy top-tier amenities including a gym, sauna, pool, coworking spaces, community areas, and a rooftop sundeck with a pickleball court.

Facts

Submitter: Rockford

Architect: Integrated Architecture

Size: 224,000 SF

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Date contract completed: September 2024

Final contract value: $60,000,000

Project manager’s name: Eric Kella

Superintendent’s name(s): Brent Hillard

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 8%

WINNER: Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Authority — Wastewater Treatment Facility

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

Piping outside of Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Authority — Wastewater Treatment Facility

The tanks at the Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Authority — Wastewater Treatment Facility

The exterior pipe at the Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Authority — Wastewater Treatment Facility

Story

A large wastewater plant expansion to handle flow from The Gun Lake Tribe’s new hotel and aquadome. This addition upgraded the plant’s capacity of 0.1 MGD to 0.3 MGD.

Facts

Submitter: DHE Plumbing and Mechanical

Architect: Fishbeck

Title: Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Authority — Wastewater Treatment Facility

Size: 16,800 SF

Location: Wayland, MI

Date contract completed: May 2025

Final contract value: $5,400,000

Project manager’s name: Josh Heyboer

Superintendent’s name(s): Gord Drumm

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 94%

fairlife — Milk Receiving

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

The piping inside of fairlife — Milk Receiving

A truck inside of fairlife — Milk Receiving

Story

Van Dyken’s scope included a new milk receiving building with all the product piping as well as steam, condensate, natural gas, and compressed air piping.

Facts

Submitter: Van Dyken Mechanical, Inc.

Title: fairlife — Milk Receiving

Location: Coopersville, MI

Date contract completed: May 2024

Final contract value: $2,800,000

Project manager’s name: Jeff Dickman

Superintendent’s name(s): Kyle Hulst

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 95%

WINNER: Grand Valley State University — Lubbers Stadium

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

An aerial view of the exterior of Grand Valley State University — Lubbers Stadium

An aerial view of the exterior of Grand Valley State University — Lubbers Stadium during construction

Story

As the precast erector for GVSU’s Lubbers Stadium project, Pioneer installed 82 structural planks—some over 25,000 pounds—despite tight access and a compressed summer schedule. Precision lifts and coordinated execution ensured the scope was completed safely and on time for the football season opener.

Facts

Submitter: Pioneer Construction

Architect: Integrated Architecture, JDH Engineering

Title: Grand Valley State University — Lubbers Stadium

Size: 8,384 SF

Location: Allendale, MI

Date contract completed: June 2024

Final contract value: $65,000

Project manager’s name: Dean Hawkins

Superintendent’s name(s): Kenny Jones

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

UHS & Trinity Health MI — Southridge Behavioral Hospital

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

Plumbing within UHS & Trinity Health MI — Southridge Behavioral Hospital

Story

Southridge Behavioral Hospital is a joint venture partnership between Universal Health Services (UHS) and Trinity Health Michigan. It will accommodate up to 96 beds. It will employ approximately 170 full-time and part-time staff including physicians, nurses, therapists, mental health technicians, administration, dietary, and housekeeping personnel.

Facts

Submitter: DHE Plumbing and Mechanical

Architect: Stengel Hill

Size: 74,813 SF

Location: Byron Center, MI

Date contract completed: March 2025

Final contract value: $3,350,000

Project manager’s name: Drew Bosch

Superintendent’s name(s): Mike Welch

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 97%

My Lakeshore Subaru

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

Story

This dealership is the largest Subaru dealership in the state of Michigan sitting at over 70,000 SF across the two stories. The lower level holds the ability service cars in 30 total bays with an enclosed car wash and detail area.

Facts

Submitter: DHE Plumbing and Mechanical

Architect: SVB+Reckley Architects

Size: 70,000 SF

Location: Nunica, MI

Date contract completed: February 2025

Final contract value: $350,000

Project manager’s name: Mitch Vandyk

Superintendent’s name(s): TJ Marlette

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 100%

WINNER: Gentex Corporation North Riley Campus Building 3

eicawardsdev on June 13, 2025

The inside of the Gentex Corporation — North Riley Campus Building 3

Story

Gentex water treatment system supplies purified water to 350,0002 SF of production space. Each of the water purification steps—from city water to soft water, then chlorine-free water, then reverse osmosis to deionized water—has state-of-the-art plumbing systems. The system is designed for safety, easy operation, and quality control.

Facts

Submitter: Godwin Plumbing Inc

Architect: InterActive Studio

Size: 9,000 SF

Location: Zeeland, MI

Date contract completed: March 2025

Final contract value: $2,000,000

Project manager’s name: John Bilsky

Superintendent’s name(s): Don Pattock

What percentage of the work scope was self-performed by your company? 90%

Story

Facts

Story

Facts

Story

Facts

Story

Facts

Story

Facts

Story

Facts

Story

Facts

Story

Facts

Story

Facts

Story

Facts

Copyright © 2025 Excellence in Construction Awards