EEA 2018 Awards Announcement List

Each February, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Nebraska (ACEC Nebraska) celebrates it’s more than 50 member firms that employ more than 3,000 individuals across the state—firms that are engaged in a wide range of engineering projects that propel the nation’s economy, and enhance and safeguard America’s quality of life.

As a professional business association, ACEC Nebraska’s role is to assist our member firms with opportunities to shine. The association’s Engineering Excellence Awards, recognize the innovation and creativity that keep our communities working.

Grand Award

CHI Health CUMC Bergan Mercy ~ Farris ~ Category B Winner ~ Building/Technology Systems

 

A major relocation of a Level 1 Trauma Center and Academic Medical Center from an outdated facility to a new location within a busy working hospital in Omaha, Neb., required extensive collaboration and project phasing. The project evolved as new services and functions were added. Today, the extensively renovated campus, known as CHI Health CUMC Bergan Mercy, includes new emergency and trauma suites with 21 exam rooms; safe hold, isolation and sexual assault treatment rooms; a helipad; new clinic spaces; classrooms; intensive care units; laboratories; and offices. All meeting the needs of a vital contemporary trauma and Academic Medical Center for the city of Omaha and elevating its level of care.

 

Honor Awards

42nd & Q Street Intersections Improvements ~ Felsburg Holt & Ullevig & HGM Associates ~ Category H Winner

South Omaha is known for its vibrant, culturally diverse neighborhoods built on proud traditions and a history of hard work. However, the failing bridge and outdated intersections at 42nd Street and Q Street were not reflective of that pride and tradition. Built in 1961 over BNSF rail lines, the bridge’s structural deficiencies were threatening to close it to vehicular traffic. The intersection was a relic from the past with high-speed turning movements, higher than average crash rates, and dangers for pedestrians. It was time for something new for the people and businesses of South Omaha. In 2009, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig and HGM Associates were hired by the City of Omaha to update the intersections and bridge to current design and safety standards. Today, the project area has been transformed and the future is looking very bright for the 46,000 daily drivers it serves. The new Q Street bridge provides a space-saving, single span structure that safely meets the needs of the vehicular and pedestrian traffic traveling on top, as well as the BNSF Railway below. The two outdated signalized tee intersections were replaced with a modern, efficient multilane roundabout on the west side of the new bridge and a single-lane roundabout on the east side. Together they reduce speeds through the intersections and the potential for high-speed, right-angle crashes. The project is the Omaha’s first roundabout on an arterial street and provides a safe, pedestrian-friendly gateway to the businesses, schools, parks and neighborhoods that make South Omaha a great destination.

 

Kapi’olani Medical Center NICU/PICU Addition ~ HDR ~ Category C Winner ~

The Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)/Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Tower, which opened in the spring of 2017, is the first major hospital project on this campus since the early 1970s. The new tower provides approximately 200,000 square feet of space in a 6-story structure. The tower has the potential for future vertical expansion with three additional floors. The project faced numerous challenges related to the high costs of construction in Hawaii, the high wind and seismic forces in Hawaii, and the tight project site. Through the use of an innovative structural system, all of these challenges were met in a practical and cost-effective manner. The end product is a magnificent new hospital tower that nearly quintupled the size of Kapi’olani’s previous NICU; and provided outpatient, education and support functions in addition to a new front door to the hospital, surrounded by an open “lei” that represents the welcoming of new life.

 

Great Salt Lake Causeway Improvements ~ HDR ~ Category H

After a railroad causeway across the Great Salt Lake created one of the world’s most unique ecological marvels, a team designed a new bridge opening and performed irreplaceable water quality modeling to maintain the rare environment. Salt and water transfer between the two lake arms had been reduced with the closure of two culverts due to structural deterioration. Performing the first extensive lake modeling since 1997, the team updated and recalibrated water and salt balance. The new 180-foot-long bridge enables lake managers to adjust salt and water transfer between the lake’s north and south arms. Designing a stable bridge structure proved challenging due to two tectonic faults and soft sediment. To mitigate these conditions, the bridge was constructed in a geologically stable area with additional stability provided by 40 piles driven more than 200 feet deep – unique for a 35-foot-deep lake. Project completion marks a renewed cooperative effort among all stakeholders to protect and preserve the extraordinary assets of the Great Salt Lake. The project is highly valued by Union Pacific, which can continue to safely operate; state officials who have a long-term lake management solution; and environmental groups, who see the lake’s ecological resources continuing to thrive.

 

Fort Omaha Campus Expansion ~ Morrissey Engineering ~ Category B ~ Building/Technology Systems

Metropolitan Community College Fort Omaha Campus Expansion includes three new construction buildings pursuing LEED Gold certification and a new Central Utilities Plant on one campus. The buildings are designed to create a new, application based teaching model and achieve the highest degree of student retention and success with a focus on skilled trade and technology based degrees. The new buildings are designed to immerse the occupants in the building systems so that the buildings themselves are an extension of the syllabus. Each building has uniquely different design aesthetic, along with different architectural lighting concepts incorporated into each public space. In the new buildings, students will learn the skills for today’s jobs, prepare for the future, and advance opportunities for learning to reach their academic, career and life goals

 

Jackson Dinsdale Art Center ~ TD2 ~ Category C ~ Structural Systems

Hastings College in Hastings, Neb., is home to the new Jackson Dinsdale Art Center. The $6.8M, 24,600 square foot facility was inspired by the life of Jackson Dinsdale, a young man passionate about art. The building was designed to represent the three primary art instruction areas of ceramics (brick facade), glass blowing (glass curtainwall), and metalworking (steel). The building includes classrooms, galleries, and studios for glassblowing, metal sculpture, ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, and photography. In addition, the building is supported by an office suite, permanent collection storage, and wood shop. The inclusion of the two geometric scrim structures and several unique steel canopies gives the building a sculptural appearance and creates a visually stimulating design which becomes a learning opportunity for the art students.

 

Merit Awards

Category A—Studies, Research, Consulting

168th Street Environmental Assessment ~ Alfred Benesch & Co. ~ Category Winner

Blair Water System Modeling and Master Plan ~ HDR

Upper Snake River Watershed Study ~ Olsson Associates

The Management Action Opportunity Toolbox Lower Rep NRD ~ Olsson Associates

Water System Study ~ Olsson Associates

 

Category B—Building/Technology Systems

Howard L. Hawks Audiovisual Design ~ Alvine – IP Design Group

Howard L. Hawks Hall Acoustics Design ~ Alvine – IP Design Group

 

Category D—Surveying & Mapping Technology

Omaha Sign Management Inventory ~ Olsson Associates ~ Category Winner

 

Category E—Environmental

Integration of RCRA Corrective Action ~ Burns & McDonnell ~ Category Winner

 

Category F—Water, Waste Water

Utica Water System Improvements ~ Olsson Associates ~ Category Winner

 

Category G—Water Resources

Kramper Lake ~ Olsson Associates ~ Category Winner

Ash Hollow Dry Dam ~ Olsson Associates

 

Category H—Transportation

Q Street Improvements ~ Alfred Benesch & Co.

Capehart Road – 81st to 60th St ~ Lamp Rynearson

Northwest 48th Street Improvements ~ Olsson Associates

 

Category I—Special Projects

Metro Community College Fort Omaha Campus Redevelopment ~ Lamp Rynearson ~ Category Winner

York Ballpark Complex ~ Alfred Benesch & Co.

 

Category J—Small Projects

108th and Charles Emergency Repairs ~ Olsson Associates ~ Category Winner

Dodge Street Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation ~ HGM Associates

Sandy Pointe Bridge ~ Olsson Associates

 

Category K—Energy

Chilled Water Expansion ~ Olsson Associates ~ Category Winner

St John Paul II Newman Center ~ Alvine Engineering

Midwest Transmission Project ~ HDR

Solar Array Shade Canopy ~ Morrissey Engineering

 

People’s Choice Award
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig & HGM Associates ~ Category Winner