Old Main Project Adds to Its Awards Collection

Awards keep rolling in for our extensive reconstruction of Old Main on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson.

Our team’s efforts earned a Common Ground Award presented by the Metropolitan Pima Alliance on Oct. 30. Old Main was one of 11 winners from a field of 50 submitted for consideration as top projects in Southern Arizona.

Constructed in 1891, Old Main was the original building on campus.

The project also earned the:

•Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Crescordia Award;

•Arizona Preservation Foundation Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Award & Grand Award;

•DBIA Western Pacific Region, Merit Award-DBIA Western Pacific Region;

•Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Award;

•National Award of Merit-Design-Build Institute of America and the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission’s Historic Preservation Award.

The project involved stabilizing the perimeter stone wall, resolving subterranean water infiltration, reinforcing the brick columns and chimneys, reconstructing the second floor porch, upgrading and leveling the second floor structure, replacing metal roof shingles and rebuilding the second floor interior for use as the office of the University president. Other features included safety upgrades, installation of a new mechanical system, and replacement of the plumbing, lighting and electrical systems. Work began in early 2013 and finished during the summer of 2014.

Common Ground Awards are presented annually to honor outstanding accomplishments in conflict resolution, negotiation, community building and peace-building. The Metropolitan Pima Alliance advocates responsible development in the Pima County metropolitan area and furthers the interests of the real estate and development industry through education, public policy advocacy and networking.