Construction Briefs

Branson

Branson construction values up $22 million

The city of Branson's new construction values were the third highest ever at $65.7 million in 1999. That's $22 million more than in 1998, and the highest value since 1994, when the city recorded $87 million in new construction. In 1993, new construction values peaked at $119.5 million.

The city reported that more than 10 percent ($7.35 million) of last year's projects were new condominiums built for timeshare rentals.

WOW

Most of WOW contracts awarded locally

Of the $9.1 million in first-round contracts awarded for the construction of the American National Fish and Wildlife Museum, 82 percent, or $7.5 million, went to Springfield contractors.

"We said from the start we wanted to keep taxpayers' money at home, and we're doing it," said Bruce Colony, director of operations for the Wonders of Wildlife Museum, under construction now at the southwest corner of Sunshine and Campbell.

Colony said contracts for excavation, concrete, electrical and some exhibit construction have been awarded so far.

Local contractors include Jolley Excavating Company, DeWitt and Associates and Melton Electric.

"We are using local contractors and trades whenever possible," said Don Payne, project manager for Turner Construction Co. "It will pay dividends after the facility is open to have a local electrical contractor who installed the system available in case service is needed."

The basement for the building, which will house mechanical and aquarium life-support systems, has been dug.

World of Wildlife officials said piers are being drilled in bedrock to support the weight of the aquarium tanks that will be a feature of the museum.

Salt water weighs approximately 7.5 pounds per gallon and there are 222,000 gallons in the ocean tank alone. There will be a half million gallons of water in the facility that needs to be supported to bedrock, according to a release from the museum.