Thos. S. Byrne, Inc. Wins Industry Award

10/02/2001 -

Thos. S. Byrne, Inc. Wins Industry Award for The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas

Fort Worth, TX - Thos. S. Byrne, Inc. is the recipient of North Texas Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.'s "2001 Excellence in Construction Award" in the $25-$99 Million Institutional Category. Byrne's entry, as Construction Manager for The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas, took first place in the annual competition. Criteria used to judge entries include the overall appearance of the project, unique challenges, overall project management, and owner satisfaction. While lieutenant governor, Bob Bullock asked the Texas Legislature to fund a world-class museum in Austin to showcase the history and people of Texas. The 76th Legislature voted to honor Bullock by naming the Museum for him shortly before his death. The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum opened its doors in April 2001, inviting Texans of all ages to experience The Story of Texas. The 180,000 square foot Museum includes 34,000 square feet of permanent exhibits and 7,000 square feet of changing exhibit space. The four- story Museum also includes a 400 seat IMAX Theatre, interactive exhibits, and a four-story rotunda featuring a circular terrazzo campfire scene in the lobby entrance. The Museum project team included the State Preservation Board, Owner; E. Verner Johnson and Associates, Architect; HKS, Inc, Associate Architect; Lead Consultants Walter P. Moore and Associates, Inc., Aguirre Corporation and TBG Partners, Inc.; and Construction Manager Thos. S. Byrne, Inc., working with excavation contractor SpawGlass Contractors, Inc. and building contractor Constructors and Associates, Inc. The team delivered this award- winning project on a twenty-three month fast track construction schedule in the heart of the State Capitol complex. Byrne's competition entry is eligible for the National Associated Builder's and Contractors competition in December 2001. Since 1994, Thos. S. Byrne, Inc. has won five National EIC Awards. "The Bob Bullock State History Museum is a tribute to our history, a home for our heritage", said John Avila Jr., President of Thos. S. Byrne, Inc. " Every member of the project team, most notably Dealey Herndon, Rick Crawford and Bonnie Campbell, embodied the true spirit of the project - striving for excellence - and this was shared by hundreds of people, from artisans to excavators, who took pride in building this showcase for Texas history."