Nuera Construction LP, Bergelectric honored with top prizes

at 2017 Excellence in Construction Awards

Sixteen contractors recognized for quality, craftsmanship, and safety

SAN DIEGO, November 17, 2017 – Merit shop contractors working on projects ranging from retail stores to retirement communities, military installations, hospitals, schools, libraries, and office buildings were honored for their work at the 2017 Associated Builders and Contractors San Diego Chapter Excellence in Construction Awards. This program recognizes projects built with exceptional quality, design, craftsmanship, and safety by ABC members.

Projects were judged by an independent panel of judges based on a set criteria of safety, innovation, quality of construction, and owner satisfaction.

The evening’s top awards were presented to Nuera Construction LP, winner of Top Project by a General Contractor for the Wesley Palms Retirement Community Renovation; and Bergelectric Corporation, winner of Top Project by a Subcontractor for its work on WeWork B Street.

“Shining a spotlight on these exceptional construction projects achieves two vital goals,” said Shandon Harbour, ABC San Diego CEO. “First, we demonstrate how skilled merit-shop construction professionals deliver the highest quality of work on time and on budget. Second, we share best practices for the entire industry to learn and benefit from on future projects, raising the bar for our entire industry.”

Originally developed at a cost of $5 milion in 1962, owner Front Porch Retirement Communities initiated the first ever complete infrastructure replacement and modernization of Wesley Palms, starting with the $14 million renovation of its 122-unit apartment complex. Nuera Construction LP completed all work on the main building on schedule and within budget despite a 20 percent scope increase due to numerous unforeseen conditions, while logging 114,209 man hours of work with zero OSHA recordable accidents, no lost-time accidents, and no restricted day cases.

Nuera’s single greatest challenge confronted it from the first day: completing all work safely and on schedule working in and around 121 occupied living units – while also ensuring the quality of life stayed consistent for the residents from age 70 to over 100 years old. Through good communication, genuine care for the residents, and anticipating surprises due to unforeseen conditions in a 55-year-old building, Nuera accepted challenges and found solutions.

Nuera President & CEO Walter Fritz says he and his team are most gratified by the response of Wesley Palms residents to the results, and by their compliments to all of the employees working on site for their care and consideration.

WeWork B Street was a multi-level tenant improvement project on six floors of a downtown San Diego high-rise building. All six of the original floors were completely cleared and converted into office spaces, meeting rooms, and a cafe. Bergelectric’s scope of work consisted of new electrical installation on all floors including 500 new light fixtures, a new state-of-the-art lighting control system, transformers and much more on all six floors. Bergelectric was asked to complete the project in only 14 weeks.

With an extremely condensed construction schedule, tight construction quarters on multiple levels, multiple trades on-site, and limited space to store materials, a concise project management approach was crucial not only to keep up with the fast-tracked schedule, but also to assure the high level of quality that Bergelectric is known for.

Despite the challenges presented on this fast-paced project, Bergelectric completed the project on time and under budget with zero recordable safety incidents, continuing its “Work Safe Live Safe” philosophy.

Lance Zangger of Brian Cox Mechanical was named the ABCer of the Year. State Senator Joel Anderson was honored as ABC’s Elected Official of the Year. In a first-time award, Colin Gillanders of Tri State General Contractors received the Superintendent of the Year Award.

The awards dinner at the Marriott Marquis was presented by Platinum Sponsor Nuera; Gold Sponsors Bergelectric, Prava Construction Services, and Collins Plumbing; Silver Sponsors reception sponsor HPS Plumbing Services, and Brian Cox Mechanical; Bronze Sponsors Gafcon, Moss Adams LLP, Polycomp, SASC Bonds, Stronghold Engineering, and Tri State General Contractors; Reception Sponsors Casper Company, and Torrey Pines Bank; Program Sponsor Shore Specialties, and Entertainment and Step and Repeat Sponsor Enterprise Fleet Management.

About ABC San Diego
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national trade association representing 22,000 members from more than 19,000 construction and industry-related firms. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. The San Diego Chapter of ABC represents construction and construction-related firms throughout San Diego County. To find out more about ABCSD, visit www.abcsd.org.

Complete List

ABC San Diego 2017 “Excellence in Construction Award” Winners

General Contractor Project of the Year (Grand Winner)
Nuera Contracting LP, Wesley Palms Retirement Community Renovation

Subcontractor Project of the Year (Grand Winner)

Bergelectric Corporation, Indian Wells Tennis Stadium Renovation

Excellence Winners

General Contractor Excellence in Construction Awards

Under $5 million: Tri State General Contractors, WSS Shoes
$5 – 10 million: Stronghold Engineering, Camp Pendleton Wildfire Repair
$10 – 25 million: I.E. Pacific, Security Complex & Military Facility in Yuma, Arizona
$25 – 100 million: Lusardi Construction, Hampton Inn & Suites
Renovation: Nuera Contracting LP, Wesley Palms Retirement Community Renovation

Subcontractor Excellence in Construction Awards

Under $5 million: BergElectric Corporation, WeWork B Street
$5 – 10 million: Helix Electric, P-500 Littoral Combat Ship Training Facility
$10 – 20 mllion: HPS Mechanical, Mesa Nueva Graduate Housing
Renovation: BergElectric Corporation, Indian Wells Tennis Stadium Renovation

Merit Winners

Bergelectric Corporation, SDSU South Campus Plaza Project
Helix Electric, Kauai Island Utility Project
Stronghold Engineering, Monterey Transformer and Generator Project
Reno Contracting, Vue on 5^th Project