by Ryan Kring | Jun 28, 2018 | Ancon News
June 27, 2018
Gary, IN-Ancon Construction, premier design build construction company, held a ground breaking ceremony to kick off the construction of Goodwill’s first campus project in the state of Indiana.
The ceremonial shovels that lifted dirt Monday in Gary for Goodwill Industries of Michiana’s $8 million charter school and Goodwill outlet store marked the organization’s first campus project in Indiana, said Debie M. Coble, its president and CEO.
Coble said her organization has been looking for land for about four years before it settled on eight acres at 4610 W. Ridge Road, just west of Clark Road. Barenie Lawn Decorations, 4800 W. Ridge Road, sold Goodwill the land, Coble said.
The 105,000 square-foot, one story building that will hold the Gary Excel Center charter school will serve adults, aged 18-and-over, who dropped out of school. There will also be a Kids Excel preschool program for children of adult students.
Ancon Construction, of Goshen, has been retained to build the campus, Coble said.
Goodwill operates 11 Excel Centers in Indiana. It opened a charter school in Hammond last year. The Indiana State Charter School Board sponsored the charter. Graduates will be required to gain a certification in an in-demand employment field to improve their chances of getting a job, Coble said. Funding for dropout recovery schools is routed from the state’s Workforce Development Department to the Department of Education, Coble said. It does not come from the same funding stream that finances K-12 schools, she said. Gary School Board member Robert Buggs, who’s a Goodwill advisory board member, said the school will help veterans, ex-offenders, and others who need a high school diploma.
“What I appreciate is the vision this represents,” said Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson. “We know the value of the store, but more importantly, the Excel program will help our citizens who have dropped out.”
In partnership with Gary, Goodwill is also involved in the Gary for Life initiative aimed at reducing violence and the Nurse-Family Partnership that pairs registered nurses with more than 180 low-income new mothers.
Article Source: Chicago Tribune
Article Source Location: http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-excel-goodwill-groundbreaking-st-0605-story.html
by Ryan Kring | Jun 19, 2018 | Ancon News
June 19, 2018
South Bend, IN- Woochi Japanese Fusion & Bar is moving to its new home in downtown South Bend. Woochi is partnering with Ancon Construction, premier design build construction firm, to design the interior for their new location. They will be taking over the former Noma space located along North Michigan Street near Vegetable Buddies, Tapestrie and the Morris Performing Arts Center.
Woochi’s New Home
Highlights of the new location include a complete renovation of the first floor kitchen, a modern family dining area and a new bar.
The lower level will have a private event/club atmosphere with the design and construction of a new club bar, club style seating, private event areas and an elevated DJ booth for special event nights. Future phase for lower level includes plans for a second larger private dining and event space for private parties/dinners.
Final designs are approved and demo is starting soon. Stay tuned for future project updates.
Ready to discuss your project? Contact us HERE and let’s get your project started…..together.
by Ryan Kring | May 21, 2018 | Ancon News
John Place (President) Celebrates with New Graduates Zachary Bechtel and Nathan Stegelmann
May 21, 2018
Goshen, IN-ANCON Construction, premier design build construction firm, is proud to announce the completion of a four (4) year carpentry apprenticeship program for two members of the carpentry team. Zachary Bechtel and Nathan Stegelmann were honored at the May 11th commencement ceremony where they received their degree for completing the carpentry program.
ABC graduates are required to complete four years worth of classes as well as required field training hours in order to become eligible for graduation. Nathan Stegelmann and Zach Bechtel both performed very well in their classes. Nathan and Zach have bright futures at Ancon and we’re looking forward to seeing all that they will accomplish. This four (4) year program is in partnership with Vincennes University and the Associated Builders and Contractors Indiana|Kentucky Chapter.
Congrats and we are proud to have you on the Ancon team!
by Ryan Kring | Mar 13, 2018 | Ancon News
With over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Doug VonGunten is one of Ancon Construction’s many valuable project managers. Doug’s responsibilities as a project manager begin long before construction actually starts, leading the design-build team in programming, design, budgeting, and cost estimating. The project manager continues his leadership role throughout the construction process until the project has been completed and handed-off to the customer. Doug has managed a wide variety of projects including industrial projects, manufacturing facilities, streetscapes and infrastructure, zoo animal exhibits, ice skating parks, educational facilities, and more.
Some of Doug’s accomplishments include awards for Excellence in Merit Shop Construction for a new TLCU Financial building and a multi-purpose center at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Additionally, Doug’s Eddy Street Commons Streetscape project won an Associated Builders and Contractors Merit Shop Image award and the North American River Otter Exhibit project he managed at the Potawatomi Zoo earned an ABC Award of Honor. Through all of the projects that Doug has managed, he is most proud of making a client’s ideas and dreams about their project a reality.
Onsite Making Sure Projects Run Smooth
Aside from his work at Ancon, Doug finds many ways to serve and give back to the community. He is a member and Past President of Goshen Noon Kiwanis, serves on the Apprenticeship Committee for the local chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors apprenticeship program, and is an active member of his church, Walnut Hill Mennonite in Goshen. Doug also serves on the Board of Directors for Ryan’s Place, a not-for-profit organization that provides grief support to children, teens, and families who have experienced the death of a family member or loved one. Most recently, Doug has been serving on a committee with the Goshen Parks Department that is designing a playground for children of all ability levels.
Doug lives just North of Goshen with his wife of 21 years, Jolene, and their three children: Jack (16), Garrett (13), and Molly (9). In his free time, Doug enjoys attending his kids’ sporting events and music programs and being active outdoors, including cycling, running, camping, and hiking. Doug and his family also enjoy spending time at the beach in North Carolina with their extended family.
Doug says about his work, “I really enjoy the construction industry and the challenges that it brings. There are new challenges every day and no two projects are ever the same.” Doug is an invaluable part of the Ancon team. Both Ancon and its customers greatly benefit from his vast experience and tireless work.
