The Daily Reporter – WI Construction News & Bids Wisconsin's Construction Authority
(Rendering courtesy of Zimmerman Architectural Studios)
Project name: Fox Cities Exhibition Center
Address: 355 W. Lawrence St., Appleton
Cost: $32 million
Size: 75,000 square feet of indoor space and a 17,000-square-foot outdoor plaza
Start date: September 2016
Estimated completion date: Late 2017
Owner: City of Appleton
Construction manager: Miron Construction Co. Inc., Neenah
Architects: Zimmerman Architectural Studios Inc., Milwaukee, is the architect of record, and Fentress Architects, Denver, is the concept designer.
Significance to the region: Officials with the city of Appleton and surrounding communities hope the new exhibition center will attract more visitors to the Fox Cities region. Miron will build part of the structure into the side of a hill, and will also put in place a roughly 82-foot spire capable of emitting light that frequently changes color. Tim Kippenhan, vice president and chief operating officer of Miron, said in a statement that his team is building “this truly community-focused project that will continue to define the Fox Cities for years to come.”
Project challenge: Miron officials noted that they are being asked to build the exhibition center in a 40-foot hole dug into the side of a hill. Unpredictable weather and accompanying changes in soil conditions could bring their own difficulties.
