Tag: South Bend Contractor

How to Set Vision for the New Year

Mike Miller

It feels as though the year has just begun, and yet we’re just about to dip into the second quarter! This is a perfect time to check-in on yearly goals and see how they’re coming along.

For me, as I review both personal and team goals, my focus is always on the team first. For South Bend, my goal continues to be growing the Weigand “brand”. With not having a 116-year history like Fort Wayne, and not being as recognized regionally, I’m constantly looking for ways to increase awareness of our name. Some of these initiatives are strategic social media posts, community service days with a local not-for-profit, and using our new K-12 Scholarship Program in partnering with local school corporations.  

On a personal level, I remind myself to look at the larger picture. Each Weigand team member is busy dealing with the day-to-day whirlwind that we all live in. I can often get sucked into daily tasks requiring my full attention, and before I know it, a month or two has gone by and I’ve lost perspective. It’s important that I step back from time to time and remember the bigger goal. 

What about you? What’s important for you to keep in mind when you’re on the clock? Make time to gain context with your goals this year; it can help you reach them more consistently!

Mike Miller

Mike Miller

Business Development Associate

Concord Unveils New Trades Building

Concord Trades Building

Larger Learning Environment

Concord Trades Building

Planned in lieu of the rising influx of students enrolling in trade programs, Concord Community School’s employed Weigand’s Construction Management services to build a brand-new trade school facility. This $3.9 million, 10,400 square foot education center houses more students, more resources, and more space for each trade discipline offering.

The Structure

Concord Trades Building

The complex features various spaces designed to support classes such as:

  1. Civil Engineering
  2. Architectural Engineering
  3. Manufacturing
  4. Robotics
  5. Design and Innovation
  6. Construction Trades

These subjects are enhanced through learning areas equipped with the latest technology and training instruments so that students can get a hands-on education with real-world applications.

For the Future

Concord Trades Building

“We are proud to support this investment that will have a direct impact on our students and their ability to increase their industry-ready skills while still in high school…In conversations with local industry leaders, it is clear that having this facility in place to support student learning will set them on a path to success in whatever career path they choose.” – Dan Funston, Superintendent, Concord Community Schools

With the mounting need for people well-versed in trades of all types across the nation, the Engineering and Construction Center will not only benefit the individual careers of students that pass through its halls but will also create value for all kinds of industries that require the skill and expertise of well-educated workers. This will have a lasting impact on learners’ careers, the community, and the economy as a whole.


Concord Trades Building
Concord Trades Building
Concord Engineering and Construction Center
Concord Trades Building
Concord Trades Building
Concord Engineering and Construction Center
Concord Trades Building
Concord Trades Building
Concord Engineering and Construction Center
Concord Trades Building
Concord Engineering and Construction Center

Ironworks Plaza Opens in Downtown Mishawaka

Something’s Stirring Downtown  

Residents of downtown Mishawaka are gathering for several new attractions that have arrived with Ironworks Plaza! In this third building phase, with Weigand serving as construction manager, there are three primary new additions.

These include:

  1. An Ice Rink,
  2. The Ironworks Café
  3. An Events Center

However, these are not the only new expansions that have made a home downtown. They will be joining other recent developments like The Ball Band Biergarten (a food event hub) and The Mill (an apartment complex).  

More Interest in the Princess City  

“This is just an opportunity for us to bring activity to our downtown all the months of the year,” says Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood. “…Another added amenity that will help us to attract people; to fill shops, restaurants, and other things.”

Bringing the Community Together 

Residents from all over Mishawaka can now enjoy all the offerings that Ironworks Plaza has! Whether that’s taking a walk through the Biergartens, ordering a warm drink at the café, watching a concert at the event center stage, or skating with friends on the ice rink, there will be plenty to see and do! We’re excited to work alongside the city in this season of growth. We look forward to seeing more municipal projects come together in the future! 


From K-12 to Construction: Dr. Diane Woodworth’s Story

An Excerpt from our Q3 Newsletter

My name is Diane Woodworth, and I serve as the Business Development Education Specialist at Weigand Construction. During my K-12 career, I was a high school mathematics teacher, school counselor, and principal. I also served in various roles in district offices, retiring as the superintendent of Goshen Community Schools. I enjoyed each of the roles I had in public education, as I believe good education can truly change the trajectory of young lives! 

During my career, I oversaw over $100M in projects utilizing a wide variety of delivery methods. At Goshen, a referendum was passed to build a new intermediate school as well as an addition to our high school. We utilized the delivery method known as CMc (Construction Manager as Constructor) to build these projects and chose Weigand Construction as our construction manager. I became a big fan of both CMc and Weigand during that final construction project before my retirement. It was the most transparent, efficient, and pain-free of all the projects I have ever been involved in.  

Every Weigand employee I met demonstrated high levels of honesty and responsibility. I was not surprised at all when I began working for Weigand to find that our company values integrity tremendously. I have greatly enjoyed being part of a team that continues to “Build landmarks that impact the lives and communities we serve.”

Diane Woodworth

Dr. Diane Woodworth
Business Development Education Specialist


Focused on the Field

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!

Andrews University – Andreasen Center for Wellness Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Andrews Ribbon Cutting

 

We are incredibly proud to have served as the Construction Manager of the new Andreasen Center for Wellness project at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. The largest new facility construction project in Andrews history, the Andreasen Center for Wellness boasts 2 floors of fitness equipment, an indoor 1/11th mile track, an outdoor fitness suite, a sensory retreat, an indoor saltwater pool, a healing oasis including a sauna, steambath, infrared lighting cove, and sunroom retreat. The Wellness east wing includes multiple classrooms (including a full demonstration kitchen classroom with outdoor event patio), massage therapy suites, multiple sports courts complete with locker rooms and athletic team offices. Congratulations on the opening of this beautiful new facility!

 

Screen Shot 2019 10 21 At 8.18.48 AM Andrews LobbyScreen Shot 2019 11 17 At 9.47.03 PM Screen Shot 2019 11 17 At 9.50.46 PM Screen Shot 2019 10 21 At 8.18.17 AM Screen Shot 2019 11 17 At 9.50.20 PM Screen Shot 2019 11 17 At 9.49.30 PM Screen Shot 2019 11 17 At 9.51.32 PM Screen Shot 2019 11 17 At 9.52.22 PM Screen Shot 2019 10 21 At 8.19.58 AM Screen Shot 2019 11 17 At 9.48.06 PM

 

Barnes & Thornburg Earthwork

We’ve got to go down ⬇️ before we can go up! ⬆️

The earthwork has officially started at the Barnes & Thornburg building site in downtown South Bend. The basement level of the building can accommodate 21 cars and even includes a vehicle elevator, a unique feature that helps conserve that precious square footage.

64427127 1135355703255213 6803942746278068224 O

62622635 1135355903255193 9000575474572722176 N

64562209 1135355486588568 3122225844467007488 O

Partnering in the Downtown Revitalization of South Bend

An Excerpt from our Q2 Newsletter


Larry Weigand

Larry Weigand – CEO

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Weigand’s e-newsletter! This is a fantastic opportunity to connect and communicate quarterly news. I am thrilled to highlight in this issue our people and partnerships within the South Bend region, where Weigand recently expanded our geographic footprint with the opening of a downtown office.

Why South Bend, you might ask? At Weigand, we believe that building partnerships is as important as building projects. In fact, we would say it is foundational to our success as a company. Strong partnerships played a significant role in our decision to expand into the north central Indiana region, where we have been involved in an increasing number of projects in recent years. Opening an office in South Bend allows us to improve upon our existing presence while continuing to provide exceptional service to the Michiana community. The Barnes & Thornburg Building – this issue’s spotlight project – is a case in point of people and partnerships working together to create momentum in a city on the rise.

Similar to other cities across America, South Bend is experiencing a notable urban revitalization. The Barnes & Thornburg Building is the first new office building to be constructed in over 20 years. It is an exciting time, with a strong supply of local projects providing ample opportunity for a variety of relationships to evolve. The city itself is investing nearly $50 million to improve parks, trails and the South Bend riverfront, and neighboring cities in the region are following suit. Young professionals, empty nesters, and even families are looking for downtown housing options that provide them an “authentic” experience, involving the combination of work, life and play. South Bend is striving hard to meet those needs.

The ability to provide our Michiana employees with a permanent home downtown where they can serve lifetime clients as lifetime residents and neighbors only serves to fuel this spirit of collaboration and community. Check out the employee spotlight section to meet our homegrown South Bend team and see our new office!

We continue to move forward with fierce resolve to meet the needs of our clients, our industry partners, and our Weigand team, and we are doing it the Weigand Way – by building landmarks that impact the lives and communities we serve!

Project Spotlight: The Barnes & Thornburg Building

201 S Main

As the first new Class A office building in over 20 years, the construction of The Barnes & Thornburg Building in downtown South Bend is generating a lot of excitement.  The official groundbreaking for this five-story modern glass and steel structure took place on April 9, with Mayor Pete Buttigieg remarking, “This is exactly what we hoped, what we dared to hope, South Bend’s comeback would look like…”  Lou Hansell, managing partner of Bald Mountain LLC, concurred, “It is gratifying to see Barnes & Thornburg’s long-term dedication to a project that will accelerate South Bend’s position as a professional destination.”

201 S Main 2

Located at the southwest corner of Main Street and Jefferson Boulevard across from the federal courthouse, the 64,000 square foot building is in the heart of downtown South Bend’s business core and within walking distance of Weigand’s offices.  Law firm Barnes & Thornburg will lease floors two, three and four of the building, with River Park Leasing Corp occupying the top floor and plans for a drive-thru coffee retailer and restaurant planned for the street level.  Fourth and fifth floor terraces will provide fresh air, city views, and green space to tenants.  The basement level of the building can accommodate 21 cars and boasts a vehicle elevator, a unique feature that helps conserve precious square footage. This city corner is experiencing a major face lift – there is new life where previously a parking lot quietly occupied the space.  Continued growth in the heart of the city is exciting to see, and Weigand Construction South Bend is thrilled to once again be selected to lead this landmark project, a critical component in the city’s ongoing economic surge.