Category: Fort Wayne News

Sparks Fly as Work Continues at Electric Works

Posted on June 2, 2021

FWEW Construction April2021 36 — Crews working in Building 20, the West Campus’ oldest remaining building.

A little over four full months of hard work put into the Electric Works campus, and so much has already changed!

With a lot of the major demolition wrapping up, the Weigand team has had their hands busy tearing off old roofing materials from all the buildings, removing old flooring and concrete, and we’ve even recycled over 2,806 cubic yards of waste! One of the most noticeable of these demos was in April, there was the careful removal of all the original large windows that checkered the complex’s two towers also known as Buildings 26 and 19. Currently, teams are beginning work on masonry restoration and reroofing efforts throughout Dynamo Alley. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing are also starting to take shape in some of the buildings.

In other exciting news, the official announcement naming the Union Street Market was revealed earlier this month! Upon the finish of Electric Works’ Phase 1, it will mark Northeast Indiana’s first food hall and public market, where it will also become the permanent home of the Fort Wayne’s Farmer’s Market.

By seeing all of the progress that’s happening at Electric Works every day, we can’t wait to see that energy carry on to its new life as a thriving community center that will truly be an electrifying addition to Fort Wayne.

We’re Hiring!! Fort Wayne Area Safety Manager Position

Posted on May 26, 2021

We’re Hiring!!

Weigand Construction is looking to hire an experienced Safety Manager within the Fort Wayne area. This is an opportunity to be a part of building up your community and make sure that everyone is safe while doing it!

Apply now on our careers page!

This position is responsible for assisting the Safety Director with the planning and preparation of job site set-up; inspecting and conducting job site visits; advising, supporting, and providing projects safety-oriented environments; scheduling safety training, processing worker’s compensation and administration claims; purchasing safety equipment; and administering the safety program. This position serves on various committee assignments and is invited to address various committees regarding safety issues.

Internally, this position works with the Safety Director, the Assistant to the Director of Field Operations, Project Supervisors, and Project Managers. Externally, this position interacts with subcontractors, vendors, government regulatory agencies, and others associated with project-related activities.

Below is an in-depth descriptive list of position responsibilities and requirements.

Principal Responsibilities:

Job Site Set-up

Preconstruction Checklists
Safety Informational Posting
First Aid
Safety Equipment Management

Site Visits

Job Site Inspection
Inform Internal and External Teams
Job Site Investigation
Technical Problem Solving and Decision Making
Flexibility
Safety Equipment Inspections

Administration

Manage Safety Training Program
Filing Traditional and Digital Documents
Correspondence
Time Management/Scheduling
Retain Project Knowledge
Work with Safety Committee on Changes to Safety Program
Preparing Reports Regularly

Management

Team Building
Self-Evaluation
Professional Development Training
Proper Delegation to Support Staff
Effective Communication

Required Qualifications:

College Graduate (Safety Degree or Related) OR Applicable Working Experience of 4+ Years
College Internship with a construction company or previous safety-related employment in the construction industry
Specialized Knowledge including but not limited to: Workman’s Compensation rules and regulations (Indiana), Federal OSHA, IOSHA (Indiana), MIOSHA (Michigan), Rules and regulations for the construction Industry 29 CFR 1926

Core Values:

Communication
Customer Service
Interpersonal Relations
Adaptability
Decision Making/Problem Solving
Planning and Organization
Attention to Detail
Conflict Resolution

Compensation & Benefits Package:

To be determined upon experience aligning with company needs

*Please include salary requirements with resume submission.

The Weigand Why:

BUILDING LANDMARKS THAT IMPACT THE LIVES AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE

Building Contractors Association – Excellence in Construction Award 2021

Posted on April 30, 2021

BCA Excellence in Construction Award 2021

Weigand Construction was proud to take home the Building Contractor’s Association Excellence in Construction award for our work with Design Collaborative on the New Covenant Impact Center on the southeast side of Fort Wayne. This 13,200 square foot space now serves as a “beacon of light” to the local community. A plethora of services are being offered such as mental health counseling, ESL courses, a free café, parental and prenatal care education, and “restore and renew” programming to help mentor previously incarcerated individuals. This much needed resource will continue to expand their services as their capital campaign continues.

It was an honor in its own right to be part in giving such an important source of aid to the most diverse and in-need quadrant in Fort Wayne. One of our driving principles here at Weigand is that we strive for Building Landmarks That Impact The Lives And Communities We Serve. To us, these aren’t just words; but instead they are a promise to people like those in the southeast side of Fort Wayne that if we’re on the job it will be done right.

Focused on the Field

Posted on April 29, 2021

Jade Painter Weigand Construction head shot

JADE PAINTER, DIRECTOR OF FIELD OPERATIONS –

Spring has Sprung! We are looking forward to a great year in 2021 (Not that we have been in hibernation!) Behind the scenes, we’ve been getting started on the largest backlog in our company’s history. We’ve made a point to educate and cultivate our robust team to both tackle our current backlog and pursue new opportunities!

In a market where tradesmen numbers have decreased, it is completely vital that we maintain our manpower base. Internally, we have created educational programs at all levels, from Apprentices to Project Superintendents, that allow us to collectively share our practical knowledge and encourage professional development. Externally, we continue to have heavy involvement with our surrounding high schools trade programs. By partnering with the trades programs, we are able to provide pathways for students with interest in joining the trades. Weigand also has a program for students pursuing Construction Management degrees. Our program requires 2 summers of field internship, and 2 summers of office internship.

These programs have allowed us to build the largest manpower base in Northeast Indiana! Our base allows us to tackle large projects like Electric Works, fulfill secured projects and pursue all kinds of new opportunities!

Masonry

Gary “JR” Hunter – 2020 Robert M. Weigand Award Recipient

Posted on February 25, 2021

Presented by Larry Weigand, Chief Executive Officer –

The Robert M. Weigand Integrity in Construction Award was started in 2006 as a way to honor my father. Bob’s career spanned over 50 years at WCI serving the roles of Superintendent, General Field Superintendent, Vice President, and finally President & Owner from 1984 through 1993. He was a third-generation leader of our company, started by his grandfather in 1906.

From now on, handing out this award will be bittersweet. I’ll miss standing next to my father and watching him congratulate the much-deserving recipients in person. My dad constantly reminded me that the WCI Holiday get-together and award ceremony was his favorite night of the year. It is hard to believe it’s already been over a year since his passing. I still miss him each and every day, especially when I walk by his “old office”.

Due to Covid restrictions, we were unable to have the annual Holiday dinner, but that couldn’t stop us from this tradition! I am so pleased to announce the 2020 RMW award recipient… Gary “JR” Hunter!

JR has been a leader in our company since 1999. He was one of the first masons to come on board when we decided to start-self performing masonry again. JR has consistently stepped up and done a great job making our masonry department what it is today.

The criteria for the RMW award are the following: Unwavering Business Ethics, Humility, Hard work, Integrity in actions, Always doing the right thing, Lives the mission statement in actions.

These were all characteristics of the man for which the award is named, and JR definitely exhibits each and every one of these every day. So please join me in congratulating JR!

Weigand Construction appreciates you.

** An excerpt from our Q1 2021 Newsletter **

Electric Works Construction Begins

Posted on January 19, 2021

LARRY WEIGAND, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER – With 2020 firmly behind us, we look forward to an exciting and hopeful 2021. We are so proud of our team for the many successes and achievements they accomplished this past year, despite the changes and the challenges. Our team completed lots of notable projects this past year for a variety of industries. These projects are helping us live our “Weigand Why” – building landmarks that impact the lives and communities we serve.

As we look to the future, we are encouraged by a very strong backlog of projects. We currently have major projects lined up for all kinds of markets. As I’m sure you know, the largest of those projects is none other than the long awaited (and highly anticipated) Electric Works.

This adaptive reuse of the old GE campus offers 700,000 square-feet of corporate offices, innovation, retail, and healthcare space. Construction has just begun, and will wrap up in 2022. We’re so excited to be involved in a project that will impact our community for generations, and we can’t wait to share this beautiful new space with everyone soon!

I look forward to working with all of you in 2021!

** An excerpt from our Q1 2021 Newsletter **

Electric Works In The News

WPTA21 – Machinery is moving on old GE site; construction on Electric Works project launches

Northeast Indiana Public Radio – Developers close on Electric Works financing, construction can begin

Inside INdiana Business – Electric Works financing deal closes, Construction to begin

WANE15 – Developers close on $286 million Electric Works deal; construction to begin

Inside INdiana Business – Developer Calls Electric Works Milestone ‘Rewarding’

Our Take on Tech

Posted on October 2, 2020

BISHOP BROWN, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER – At Weigand, we understand the importance technology plays in Building Landmarks That Impact The Lives And Communities We Serve. We always seek to leverage technology to improve the construction process and continually exceed client expectations on each and every project. The technology department helps Weigand reach their goals by providing IT support to employees, subcontractors, and customers as well as adopting and implementing innovative technologies to help Weigand serve better.

Some examples of our use of technology include:

Using our Building Information Modeling (BIM) approach to coordinate complex projects using state of the art software
Our three FAA licensed UAV pilots using our professional-grade drones to capture compelling project visuals
Our use of project management software, like PlanGrid, to collaborate with all project stakeholders in real-time

Construction Scheduling

COVID-19 reinforced the principal at Weigand that to be effective, our employees must be able to effectively and efficiently work from anywhere. For several years, we have been equipping our field and office leaders with mobile-first hardware and software to enable this principal, such as cellular-enabled laptops and iPads and cloud-first applications like PlanGrid and Zoom. These investments allowed Weigand to pivot overnight into an entirely remote workforce with no disruptions or impact to operations. The entire office staff was able to work from home as effectively as if they were still in the office, and use our prior investment in Zoom to continue the high level of collaboration we expect. While we all endure the hardships and adversity that COVID-19 has wrought, I am thankful for our foresight into enabling a remote workforce and our ability to protect the health and safety of our employees.

****An excerpt from our Fall 2020 Newsletter***

The Rescue Mission – New Lifehouse and Restoration House Reveal

Posted on August 16, 2020

Changing Lives for Good

The Fort Wayne Rescue Mission serves a variety of displaced individuals in the Greater Fort Wayne area, and was in need of a larger facility to meet their goals of creating a safe haven for the homeless and a larger restoration program to help graduates restart their lives. Their new facility is nearly 4 times the size of the previous location, giving them the ability to house 3 times the amount of residents and expand critical services by partnering with up to 16 local agencies to help those in need merge back into society smoothly. They’ve also partnered with local businesses and colleges to create jump start programs and classes to help displaced people get the education and skills they need to hold lasting jobs. Weigand Construction is so proud to have been the Construction Manager on this project, one that is such an important asset to our local community.

The Rescue Mission FW – New Lifehouse & Restoration House

The Rescue Mission Honors Donor With Naming Rights

Posted on June 1, 2020

As our project at The Rescue Mission in downtown Fort Wayne finishes up, they’ve got an announcement to make – A major donor was honored today with the reveal of his name on the side of their building! With a longstanding history in relations with The Rescue Mission and a heartwarming story to go along with it, the W. Paul Wolf Rescue Mission was shown off with pride. The new facility is just about ready for move-in, which will take place later this summer. We can’t wait to show this space off to the public – a much needed asset to our downtown community. As things finish up over the next couple of months, keep an eye out as we’ll be showcasing the vast differences between the old space and the new. Congratulations!

The Rescue Mission Donor Announcement

Byron Wellness Community Nearing Completion: Drone View

Posted on May 1, 2020

Check out those neighborhoods!

The residents and staff at Byron Wellness Community will be moving into their new digs next week! Take a look at that beautiful campus, where residents will have their OWN rooms, with their OWN bathrooms (something many of them have never experienced!) and even their own green spaces allowing them to spend time outside without needing a staff member to accompany them.

We are so excited for the increased quality of life for the whole Byron Health Center family, as they finally move into the state-of-the-art facility they deserve, to match their state-of-the-art quality of care they provide. Congratulations!