Page 12 - Delaware Contractors Association - 2023 Construction Excellence Awards

2023 CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENCE AWARDS
SPECIAL PROJECTS UNDER $5 MILLION
MERIT CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERS, INC.
Pea Patch Island Improvements at Fort Delaware State Park
This multi-faceted project on Pea Patch Island, home to Fort Delaware, consisted of several components, including the widening of the entry Tramway to the fort, a new Picnic Pavilion and a new Maintenance Building. Each of these structures had their own
level of complexity, including driving new piles and roadway construction, but it was the planning done to address the unique logistics for this project that was exceptional. Since execution of the work required that all the construction materials and equipment
be transported to the island, the contractor needed
to coordinate with the tide schedule, optimize the available docking facilities, and select the perfect equipment for the project with respect to weight and duration of use. This creative and innovative planning is what set this project apart and what makes it worthy of a Construction Excellence Award.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
OVER $5 MILLION
EDIS COMPANY
Hockessin Colored School #107 – Center for Diversity, Inclusion, & Social Equity
Originally built in 1920, the Hockessin Colored School #107 was a one-room schoolhouse to serve Black children who were not permitted to attend school with white children. The school closed in 1959 and was purchased in 2012 with the vision of transforming the historic school into a Center for Diversity, Inclusion,
& Social Equity. The 2,300 sq. ft. center includes multi-purpose educational space, historical exhibits, offices, support space, and an outdoor patio. EDiS had to delicately dismantle half of the original building to achieve the significant transformation of a spacious open area. While the exterior of the building retained much of its original appearance, the interior underwent substantial upgrades. Materials like original wood and tile were salvaged and incorporated into the design, thus maintaining a bridge to the building’s storied past. The challenges of a difficult job going hand in hand with the design and craftsmanship portion are what make this project Construction Excellence Award worthy.
12 | DELAWARE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION 2023