Industry honored at Salute to Construction awards

A massive underground facility and an equally impressive hospital project were among the honorees Thursday at the annual Salute to Design & Construction awards banquet.

The Springfield Contractors Association gave its Developer of the Year honors to Springfield Underground, for its work turning underground space into energy-efficient, secure warehouse and office space. In June, the company completed its largest project to date: a 400,000-square-foot distribution center for Kraft, which was attracted to the underground space because of its energy efficiency.

"(Kraft was) green before green was cool," Springfield Underground Vice President John Griesemer said upon receiving the award.

Project of the Year honors went to St. John's Health Systems for its south patient tower. The $101 million, 360,000-square-foot eight-story patient tower on the south side of the East Cherokee Street hospital was completed in April.

Michael Mardis, a relative newcomer to the local architecture scene, was named Craftsman of the Year. The co-owner of theworkshop 308 LLC was honored for his work for The Coffee Ethic, which has tabletops and a barista bar made from trees damaged during the 2007 ice storm and other environmentally friendly features.

The National Association of Women in Construction's local chapter gave its Vesta Award - for 10 or more years in the sector - to Anna Mathis with Joe's Electric, and its Rosebud Award - for 10 or fewer years in the sector - to Cindy Thompson of Walton Construction.[[In-content Ad]]