Gilbane's Worcester Trial Court project earned national recognition for excellence in construction management recently when it was named winner of a Project Achievement Award from the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). The project received top honors in the category of Buildings, New Construction, Constructed Value of More than $100 million.
Chosen based on criteria including overall management efforts, quality management, cost management, schedule management, complexity, innovation & creativity, customer service, and customer satisfaction, the project was one of 12 to receive an award among more than 100 nominees from across the country. The Worcester Trial Court project was cited specifically for innovation, complexity, sustainability and on-time, under budget completion despite unforeseen site challenges.
"The successful completion of this project stands as a testament to DCAM's decision to utilize the CM at Risk approach on future major projects," said Bill Kearney, senior project executive. "The project team's synergy was a major contributing factor to our ability to get this landmark project completed on time and under budget. It was an honor to be a part of the team."
The Worcester Trial Court was Division of Capital Asset Managements' (the agency responsible for major public building construction in Mass.) first to utilize CM at Risk and their largest project undertaken to date.
The Worcester Trial Court is a new 427,000 s/f, six-level court complex. It is the largest court facility in the state and will serve as a prototype for the commonwealth's court modernization program. The new complex houses all five of the state's court departments—Superior, District, Juvenile, Housing, Probate/Family court and a Grand Jury room. Built on a two-acre lot near the heart of Worcester's historic business district, the court complex contains 27 courtrooms and accommodates three circulation systems, including public, restricted, and secure.
 "We are especially pleased with the quality results of the construction process. The team completed this 100-year designed facility with constant vigilance," said Michael McKimmey, Deputy Commissioner, Office of Planning, Design & Construction.
CMAA has been presenting its Project Achievement Awards since 1999, recognizing instances in which professional construction or program management has made a significant contribution to the successful completion of a challenging project or program.