Haskell to build Jo-Ann Stores distribution center

The Haskell Co. of Huntsville, Ala., will build a $45 million distribution center in Opelika, Ala., for Jo-Ann Stores Inc. The 700,000-sq.-ft. distribution center will create about 425 jobs when completed.

The fabric and craft retailer has distribution centers in Visalia, Calif., and Hudson, Ohio, where it also has its headquarters. There are three traditional Jo-Ann Stores locations in Jacksonville and one superstore.

Haskell officials expect to start the project in March and complete it by April 2006.

Founded as a single retail store in 1943, Jo-Ann Stores now has 743 traditional stores and 114 superstores in 47 states.

Brice Building completes parking deck for East Alabama Medical Center

Brice Building Company recently completed a $5.3 million design-build parking deck for the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Ala. Brice began construction on the 220,000-sq.-ft., cast-in place parking deck in February 2004.

The four-story deck adds an additional 609 parking spaces for the hospital. The deck officially opened ahead of schedule in December. Managing the project for Brice was Steven Moore, project manager, and E. C. Ward, superintendent.

Paul Langlind with The Ritchie Organization was the project architect. The design-build team included Brice, The Ritchie Organization, MBA Structural Engineers, and The Wit Group.

Brice and The Ritchie Organization are also working together on numerous other design-build projects within the hospital.

ABC Alabama unveils scholarship program

Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama recently announced a wide ranging scholarship program to provide both professional and trade education to its membership.

In 2005, ABC will award 11 college scholarships for members' children who are majoring in building science or allied subjects in colleges and universities.

ABC is also offering a one-year paid scholarship for craft training programs to its members' employees in programs offered by the Construction Education Foundation of Alabama.

CEFA was co-founded by ABC in association with Associated General Contractors and the Alabama Concrete Industries Association.

Jeff Masters, president of ABC-Alabama said, "We believe this is a unique program of educational support that will supply both future leaders and craft workers for Alabama's burgeoning construction industry."

ABC's scholarship programs are partially funded by the association's Excellence in Construction awards program.

Brice receives honor For Vulcan Park restoration

Brice Building Company recently helped restore the home of a 55-ft.-tall tribute to the Roman god Vulcan in Birmingham, Ala.

For its work on the Vulcan Park restoration project, Brice was recently recognized with a National Eagle Award for Excellence by the Associated Builders and Contractors.

The National Eagle, the highest honor given in recognition of a construction project, was awarded at the ABC national convention in Orlando, Fla., in February.

"A project with such historical significance as Vulcan Park's restoration is inherently complicated," said Brice CEO Felix Drennen. "Successfully completing such an undertaking requires incredible commitment from our client, our staff and our subcontractors."

Brice began the restoration of Vulcan Park in 2002. Brice supervised the renovation of the statue's pedestal to its original form, including sourcing the stone materials used in the original 1930s construction, built the new visitor's center, added an observation deck and elevator to the pedestal, which proved to be a complex and demanding task.

Other factors complicated the project, including the discovery of several abandoned ore mines crossing the property that lay unmarked on any map.