Construction shines in this year’s Top Projects 

Construction professionals from many specialties celebrated successes Thursday night as Idaho Business Review (IBR) Top Projects speakers shared highlights from a year unlike any other seen before.

“You have weathered the pandemic, and (the) election, labor shortages, supply chain issues, change orders and Zoom to get here. Just being here in this room is a success you should be proud of,” said keynote speaker and presenting sponsor Jonathan Lee, principal and managing director for George Smith Partners, a real estate capital advising company based in L.A. “Be grateful for the people sitting at your table, because they helped get you here and across the finish line.”

Lee had attendees laughing and smiling as he pointed out what many Idahoans consistently appreciate — a thriving outdoor scene, no traffic compared to bigger cities and quality of life through community service — but those kind words were followed by some words of advice gained from his experience in L.A., an area that went a route Boise and much of Idaho itself could be taking.

“If you compare the growth of the Treasure Valley to Phoenix, Austin and Salt Lake City, you will know you’re at a fork in the road, where the hardest decisions have to be made,” Lee said, referring to recent growth and rising rent rates. “These are the green shoots of the challenges you’re going to face. Deepen your relationships tonight, so you can deepen your trust and build that future in good faith.”

The Top Project honorees — in areas of Infrastructure/Utility/Transportation, Public, Private and Renovation — reflected passion and quality, according to judging committee member Charlie Woodruff, regional director for U.S. Green Building Council.

“One of the more subjective criteria by which we’re to judge these projects is quality. Well for me it means craftsmanship, durability, functionality and how projects will enhance the community around them,” Woodruff said. “So, with that, I will leave you to consider what metrics for quality do you consider important? Looking at the projects that you’ve delivered over the last couple of years, what can you improve on? What went well? And how might you incorporate sustainability into your project submissions for years to come?”

A first this year was these private companies sharing Galaxy Event Center’s stage with representatives from a nonprofit, Camp Rainbow Gold, that reminded attendees of the effect building spaces can have on one’s heart. Camp Rainbow Gold received uproarious applause as its project Hidden Paradise was recognized as not only the first-place winner in the Renovation category, but as the People’s Choice in that category as well.

People’s Choice awards included:

• Kathryn Albertson Park for Infrastructure/Utility/Transportation
• 11th and Idaho for Private
• Micron Center for Materials Research for Public

The Top Project of the Year was awarded to Boise State University’s Micron Center for Materials Research building for its sustainable, inclusive energy efficient design and how the building itself is meant to serve as a teaching tool, using the building’s construction materials to explain important material science concepts. The full list of this year’s awardees and honorees is available in the 2020-21 Top Projects magazine. Project submissions are now open for 2022.

Now in its second year, the award of Top Specialty Contractor was received by “good neighbor” company TVR, which specializes in HVAC and refrigeration.

“The energy in the room was electric, confirming how elated the crowd was to be able to gather, socially distanced, and celebrate the completion of the many projects from across the state,” Cindy Suffa, IBR publisher, said of the event. “We appreciate the innovation and hard work shown in this year’s projects.”