Your Honor

Germantown Iron & Steel Corp.'s complete stair system at the Oconomowoc Lakes Plaza in Oconomowoc Photo courtesy of Germantown Iron & Steel corp.

Burkhart Construction Corp., Butler, won the Circle of Excellence Award from Culver's Franchise Systems for the contractor's service to Culver's. This is the second consecutive year that Burkhart has won the award. … Kelly L. Zylstra, a project manager for the Water, Supply, Treatment and Storage Section of Crispell-Snyder Inc., Lake Geneva, won the 2004 Young Engineer of the Year Award from the Engineers and Scientists of Milwaukee for her contributions to the engineering profession and her participation in professional societies and community-based engineering efforts. … Alfred Benesch & Co., Kenosha, won the Grand Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin's 2005 Engineering Excellence Awards for the company's FRP cage-reinforced bridge deck for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. … R.A. Smith & Associates Inc., Brookfield, won a Best of State Award from the ACEC of Wisconsin for the company's development of a geographic information system for the Waukesha Water Utility. Len Roecker, a senior project manager at R.A. Smith, won the Engineer of the Year Award, and Andy Schultz, a project engineer at R.A. Smith, won the Young Engineer of the Year Award from the Waukesha Chapter of the Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers. … J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc., Janesville, won the 2005 Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Award from the Associated General Contractors of America for the company's construction of South Milwaukee High School and remodeling of South Milwaukee Middle School. The award recognizes contractors that take steps before a project begins to define the project's goals and processes for resolving problems in their earliest stages. …

Two student teams from Milwaukee School of Engineering took first place in a national construction- management competition in Las Vegas. In the Design-Build Competition, an MSOE team in 38 hours prepared an architectural design, estimate, schedule, construction plan and presentation for a $12.6 million student union in California. The members of that team were Michele Dunn, Thor Misko, Ryan Lent, Sean O'Gorman, Darby Rowland and Matthew Tadisch. The alternates were Veronica Konieczka, Saif Islam and Adam Stadelmann, and the coach was Robert Lemke. In the Commercial Construction Competition, an MSOE team in 26 hours developed a construction plan, estimate, construction schedule, safety plan and presentation for a high school within a juvenile-detention facility. The members of that team were Molly Gray, Kevin Kaczynski, Dustin Stephany, Eric Geisler, Patrick Peterson and Laurel Ward. The alternate was Nicholas Lipinski, and the coach was Michael Emmer. … Interstate Sawing Co., West Bend, won the 2005 National Contractor of the Year Award from Equipment World. The award recognizes contractors with $5 million or less in annual revenue that exhibit solid management practices. … Germantown Iron & Steel Corp., Richfield, won an Outstanding Craftsmanship Award from the National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association for the company's work on a complete stair system at the Oconomowoc Lakes Plaza in Oconomowoc. … M.M. Schranz Roofing Inc., Milwaukee, won the 2005 Master Contractor Award, the Inner Circle of Quality Award and the President's Club Award from Firestone Building Products for the contractor's inspection ratings and commitment to long-term quality.

Hot Spot

NAI MLG Commercial, Brookfield, is getting in on the ground floor of the 27th Street corridor development in Oak Creek. The overall development will cover hundreds of acres from Rawson Avenue in Oak Creek south to the county line. But NAI MLG, along with its development arm, MLG Development, is focusing on a 100-acre piece of land. While still in the early stages of development, MLG plans to turn the lot into a mixed-use development featuring retail, office space, commercial areas and condos. The project is at least temporarily on hold as the city of Oak Creek works toward a joint venture with the city of Franklin to create a master plan for the development. The developer plans to build structures on the land to suit the users, and a search for architects and contractors was expected to start sometime after May 1.

By Design

The Forest Home Animal Clinic needs an upgrade. With a building that's more than 30 years old and inadequate for current veterinary practices, the clinic has turned to Sean Bujold & Associates Inc., Menomonie, to design a 5,000-square-foot addition to the facility on Forest Home Avenue in Franklin. The project will expand and improve the clinic's medical services and add new treatment areas, exam rooms and boarding areas. Bujold expects the project to break ground in early summer and reach completion in December or January. Bujold, which specializes in veterinary clinics, expects to receive invited bids by the middle of May.

Dotted Line

J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc., Janesville, won a contract to remodel 46,000 square feet at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Lapham Hall for biological research, instruction and offices. Cullen also won a contract to construct a five-story, 125,000-square-foot residence hall on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus. … Rule Construction Ltd., Dodgeville, landed a $1.1 million contract to reconstruct West Elm Street in Lancaster. … Underground Pipeline Inc., New Berlin, will construct the Maple Terrace and South Beach sewer and water replacement in Oconomowoc after winning a $1.1 million contract for the job. … Dorner Inc., Luxemburg, won a $2.1 million contract and a $1.6 million contract for the Ashwaubenon transmission main project in Green Bay. De Groot Inc., Green Bay, won a $1.7 million contract for the project, and Vinton Construction Co., Manitowoc, won a $3.1 million contract. Vinton also won a $1 million contract for the 2005 concrete reconstruction program in Manitowoc. … Tri-North Builders Inc., Waukesha, will remodel Fire Station No. 2 in West Allis after winning a $2.7 million contract for the job. … Mathy Construction Co., Onalaska, will cross over into Michigan for asphalt resurfacing work in Ontonagon and Houghton counties after winning a $1.9 million contract for the job. … Wondra Excavating Inc., Iron Ridge, won a $1.9 million contract to expand the sanitary-sewer collection system in the town of Fond du Lac. … Tradewell Construction, Antigo, landed a $1.6 million contract to construct a new community wellness center for the Lac du Flambeau Tribe in Lac du Flambeau. …

RJS Construction Group LLC, Superior, won a $1.1 million contract to construct improvements to Barkers Island in Superior. … Calnin & Goss Inc., Appleton, secured a $1.2 million contract for asphalt pavement reconstruction work in Appleton. … A.W. Oakes & Son Inc., Racine, will construct water-main improvements to Manitowoc and Manistique avenues in South Milwaukee after winning a $1.1 million contract for the job. A.W. Oakes also won a $2.4 million contract for utility and roadwork in Sturtevant. … Bachmann Construction Co. Inc., Madison, won a $1.5 million contract for an expansion project at Madison Area Technical College's Truax Campus in Madison. … Mann Bros. Inc., Elkhorn, landed a $2.3 million contract for street reconstruction and utility work in Delavan. … Globe Contractors Inc., Pewaukee, won a $1.7 million contract for lift station, sanitary sewer and force main construction in Germantown. … Miron Construction Co. Inc., Neenah, will expand and remodel the former St. Mary's Hospital into the Kewaunee County Administration Center in Kewaunee after winning a $2.2 million contract for the job. Miron also won a $7.9 million contract to construct a wastewater-treatment facility in Cambridge. Miron also won a $2 million contract to construct a new library in McFarland. … Briohn Building Corp., Brookfield, will design and build a tenant-improvement project for Velocity Sports Performance in Hartland. … Michels Pipeline Construction Inc., New Berlin, won a $2.1 million contract for combined-sewer lining and relay work in Milwaukee. … R.G. Huston Co. Inc., Cottage Grove, landed a $3.5 million contract for utility and roadwork in Maple Bluff. … C.D. Smith Construction Inc., Fond du Lac, will upgrade the water-pollution control facility in Sun Prairie after winning a $20.8 million contract for the job. … Jos. Schmitt & Sons Construction Co. Inc., Sheboygan, won a $2 million contract to expand and remodel Northview Elementary School in Howards Grove. … Stark Asphalt Service Inc., Milwaukee, secured a $1.5 million contract for road resurfacing work in Brookfield.

Milestones

Brent Miller, the director of safety and environmental services for the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, has completed the requirements to become an accredited practical examiner for the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators. Miller is now qualified to examine telescopic cranes for certification in operation.

On the Horizon

Torke Wirth Pujara Ltd., Wauwatosa, is working on a 4,000-square-foot addition to the Bank of Lake Mills. … Becher-Hoppe Associates Inc., Wausau, has signed on as a consultant for a proposed airport-improvement project at Price County Airport in Phillips. Becher-Hoppe is also working on an improvement project at Lakeland Airport/Noble F. Lee Memorial Field in Minocqua. … Ruekert/Mielke Inc., Waukesha, is helping the towns of Oconomowoc and Okauchee determine the feasibility of extending sanitary-sewer services to parts of the towns. Ruekert/Mielke is also working on an estimated $1.5 million ammonia-compliance project at Mukwonago's wastewater-treatment facility. … Beyer Construction, New Berlin, is working with Washington County on plans to construct assisted- living residences adjacent to Samaritan Health Center in West Bend. … Developer J.B.J. Construction, Germantown, is working through the approval process for the estimated $30 million Whispering Ridge Condominiums and Apartments development in Lannon. … The Kettle Moraine Evangelical Free Church, Delafield, is planning construction of a new church in Delafield. …

OMNNI Associates, Appleton, has signed on to provide consultant services for an improvement project at Fond du Lac County Airport in Fond du Lac. … Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP, Milwaukee, is working with the Waukesha Fire Department on an estimated $7.4 million plan to replace Fire Station No. 1 with a new building on St. Paul Avenue in Waukesha. … AG Architecture, Milwaukee, has signed on with New Life Management & Development Inc. to lead the design efforts for a $48 million continuing-care retirement community in Seattle. The firm is also designing a $32 million CCRC project for Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich., and a $35 million CCRC in Boise, Idaho, for Greystone Communities. … Frisbie Architects Inc., River Falls, is working with the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on an estimated $1.8 million renovation of restrooms and shower rooms in multiple residence halls on the campus. … RNL Design, Denver, is designing an estimated $13 million bus garage and transit headquarters for the city of Kenosha on 39th Avenue and 45th Street. … Eppstein Uhen Architects, Milwaukee, has signed on for an estimated $17 million addition and remodel of the Ullsvik Student Center at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Peer Review

BEST-LAID PLANS

Welch steers Wauwatosa's development

Nobody ever told Nancy Welch about the afternoon naps.

Granted, she's relatively new to Wauwatosa's staff, starting as the director of community development in January 2002, but a little heads-up on the head-down time would have been appreciated. As it was, she had to find out from a city survey respondent.

"One person said the city could save a million dollars if it canceled the afternoon naps for civil servants," Welch said. "I wish someone had made me aware of this possibility."

The director of community development always finds out last. That was the case at a School Board meeting when someone stood up and announced that Welch secretly kept the deed to Wauwatosa's Fisher School in her desk drawer. That was news to Welch, and she still can't figure out what sinister plans she could have put into play with possession of such a document.

"We've had so many weird things happen that I sometimes maintain that I'm not really a civil servant," she said. "I'm doing research for a sitcom I'll write one day."

Welch's reality doesn't include the audacity of office naps or the intrigue of squirreled-away documents. It does include an office shared with two other planners and a hand-me-down chair.

"When they hired me, the previous planning director acknowledged that the chair had a broken wheel," she said. "He put in a budget request for a new chair, and it was cut from the budget. Now, I'm using a chair that was 'stolen' from the city attorney's office."

elch traveled a long road to that chair, and what it lacks in comfort, it makes up for in symbolism. The person who sits in that chair sets the development course for a city of more than 46,000 people.

She's in charge of the city's Building & Safety Division, building maintenance, building inspectors and planning and zoning. Somewhere between those duties and her oversight of about eight city commissions, Welch finds time to focus on the bigger development picture, whether it's at Mayfair Mall, the city's medical complex or the Roundy's/Kohl's redevelopment site.

"We've been averaging somewhere between $100 million and $150 million in development since I've been here," she said. "By the way, they told me this was a landlocked city. Not much going on here."

But with the responsibility comes the heat.

"Some days I like it, and some days it gives me a headache," Welch said. "I don't always like people yelling at me. If the lights are on too late at a store, it's my fault. If a neighbor puts up a fence that you don't like, it's my fault."

Fielding those kinds of complaints would have been hard for the Rhinelander native to predict when she graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio with a bachelor's in English in 1979. From there, she took a detour, landing a job at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, getting married and moving to Appleton.

"My husband got a job as a professor at Lawrence University," she said. "I had one of those moments in my life when I decided I was not meant to be a housewife and faculty wife in a small town. I decided I had my own path to follow.

"When I was living in Appleton, I renovated a historic house and decided I had an interest in historic structures and architecture."

Her new path took her to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a master's in architecture in 1991. That was also when she got her first taste of urban planning, an experience that led to a neighborhood-planning job in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1993.

She stayed in Iowa for five and a half years, marrying an architect from the UWM program along the way, before deciding to move back to Wisconsin. That led to a brief stint with the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, a two-and-a-half-year role as an assistant planner in West Allis and then her job in Wauwatosa.

"To go from assistant planner to director is big," she said. "It's a constant challenge and an interesting job. I don't think I'll ever master it."

- Chris Thompson

Best of the Web

Nicolas Janberg's Structurae Web site at www.structurae.net is a gigantic database of construction projects from around the world. The site lets users browse projects by name, structure type, geographic location and so on. A great feature of the site is the cross-linking of designers and engineers. The user can search a project by name, then click on the name of the designer and see a list of all the projects the designer has in the database. — Rick Benedict

Off the Clock

Break a leg

Jeff Neidorfler (left) pounds a Pabst and works the remote control in a Waukesha Civic Theater production of "Broadway Romance" in 1995.

Some people get home from work, plop down on the couch and relax in front of the television.

For a while in the early 1990s, Jeff Neidorfler liked to unwind after a long day of work by pretending to be a television. That was during the six-month run of Remotely Funny, an improvisational theater company in the Milwaukee area that Neidorfler founded with a friend.

The idea was that each performance moved at the whim of an audience member holding a remote control. That person could change the channel, hit pause or even push reverse.

"The trick was to do something in reverse, but do it really fast," said Neidorfler, an associate principal and strategic thinker at Kahler Slater Architects Inc., Milwaukee.

Remotely Funny was just one incarnation of an acting hobby that Neidorfler found in high school. He cut his acting teeth on classics such as "Fiddler on the Roof" and "South Pacific."

Jeff Neidorfler (right) enjoys a glass of champagne as he plays an alcoholic at a New Year's Eve party in "Broadway Romance."

"It was an awesome thing for me to act and sing," he said. "It was something to do. My friends were involved in it."

When he graduated from high school, acting found him when his high school director called to get Neidorfler involved in community theater.

"He got me hooked on community theater," Neidorfler said. "I did the rounds, and it was kind of a way to socialize.

"I graduated from college in the mid-1980s, and I started getting more serious. I got bit by the drama bug. I wanted to do more dramatic theater."

Even as his architectural career grew, Neidorfler never got too far away from acting. He guessed that he's performed in 40 or 50 shows over the years, including the lead part in a Waukesha Civic Theater production of "Broadway Romance" in which he played 17 characters ranging from an egotistical disco dancer to a couch potato.

In the musical "Chess," produced by the Bay View Players in 1993, Jeff Neidorfler (standing) plays a CIA agent undercover as a chess champion's agent.

In the last 10 years, Neidorfler has worked mostly with the Waukesha Civic Theater and the Racine Theater Guild. As a member of the board of directors in Waukesha, he even used talents from his day job when the Civic Theater embarked on a $2 million building renovation.

But, Neidorfler admits, it's hard to maintain a full-time job and a full-time acting hobby, so in the last few years he's stayed offstage as he focuses on sound design for various productions.

But that's not to say his acting days are done.

"For me, acting is a way to forget the troubles of the day and be someone else for a couple hours," he said. "It's a cathartic thing for me. When I'm rehearsing or on the stage, it's a wonderful way to release energy."

- Chris Thompson