The Awards of Excellence Gala brought together over 280 industry professionals to honor outstanding individuals and organizations who have demonstrated unparalleled excellence in construction. Congratulations to the 2025 MCA Awards of Excellence winners:
New Project Total Value Under $15 Million
Loeffler Construction & Consulting — Red Lake Nation College – Minneapolis
The Red Lake Nation College – Minneapolis facility repurposed three historic buildings to create a modern higher education space featuring classrooms, training areas, student services, offices, and a rooftop area. Designed to serve Indigenous students specifically, the college is a significant addition to the Native American community in the Twin Cities.
New Project Total Value Over $15 Million
Knutson Construction — Mayo Clinic Anna-Marie and Stephen Kellen Building
Mayo Clinic’s Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Building in Rochester, Minnesota, is an 11-story, 176,000 sq ft. research facility. Located in the Destination Medical Center Discovery Square district, it supports integrated healthcare, education, and research, with a focus on neurosciences and cancer research, advancing global medical care.
Renovation, Expansion or Tenant Improvement
Kraus-Anderson — Zenith DCHS Apartments
The bold adaptive reuse Zenith DCHS Apartments project converted an icon – Duluth’s Historic Central High School – into 122 mixed-income apartments. Addressing exacting criteria for HUD financing and historic tax credits, restoring original materials and adding modern amenities and comforts, the team repurposed this 1892 structure with skill, artisanship and sensitivity.
Publicly Funded Construction Project
Terra Construction — Apple Valley Fire Station #2
This project replaced the existing Fire Station #2 with a new 27,891 sq ft. facility. The new station includes a two-story operations wing with six pull-through apparatus bays split by a full training tower, decontamination area, turnout gear area, administration spaces, classroom, residential spaces, fitness room, hose tower, and support spaces.
Research, Innovation, or Use of Technology
Gardner Builders — HealthPartners Apple Valley
The building features an Imaging suite showcasing Philips & Siemens Imaging Equipment. Additionally, the MOB has Dental, Optometry, Primary Care, Allergy, Mother Baby, and other associated clinic functions. Of the 60,000 sq ft., 2,050 sq ft. is being utilized as the MRI Suite with a Siemens MRI. This project was based on a Target Value Delivery (TVD).
Subcontractor/Specialty Contractor
Maverick Cutting & Breaking — Minnetrista L24 Renovation
The Metropolitan Council adopted facility plans for Lift Station L24, Interceptor Forcemains 7020 and 7508, which were subsequently approved by the MPCA. These projects aim to address the renewal of aging 50-year-old infrastructure, enhance compliance with modern operational safety standards, and accommodate future growth.
Each year, the Minnesota Construction Association recognizes a project that was completed as a result of a resourceful blending of construction techniques and professionals. The 2025 recipient of the MCA Choice Award is McGough — University of St. Thomas Schoenecker Center.
The Schoenecker Center is the University of St. Thomas’ newest and largest academic building to help meet the rapidly evolving needs of the community and employers by enabling collaborative, interdisciplinary education that incorporates diverse viewpoints into students’ work. The 130,000 sq ft. building houses three academic areas (Arts, Engineering, and Sciences) and everything from engineering high bays, science labs, musical performance spaces, and art galleries. It also includes St. Thomas’ Centers for Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Water Justice, an emerging media newsroom, and robotics labs.
The center redefines the university’s look along Summit Avenue, where it adjoins the O’Shaughnessy Science Hall, home to several engineering, math, and science departments. Designed with input from various corporate industry partners, the center inspires more collaboration among students who otherwise may not have worked together in a typical university setting. Additionally, it provides learning, meeting, and performance spaces for local K-12 schools and community organizations.
MCA also honored outstanding companies and individuals at the Awards of Excellence Gala. These awards acknowledge the exemplary work and dedication to quality construction by MCA members.
General Contractor of the Year – Knutson Construction
Subcontractor of the Year – Sonus Interiors
Service Provider of the Year – American Engineering Testing, Inc.
Design Professional of the Year – KOMA
Member of the Year – David Borak, Orion Search Group
About the Minnesota Construction Association
The Minnesota Construction Association is a nonprofit organization that provides networking, recognition, and education opportunities for construction professionals, project managers, general contractors, subcontractors, owners, engineers, architects, attorneys, suppliers, developers, educators and students involved in the construction industry. For more information, contact the MCA Office at (952) 928-4646, info@mnconstruction.org, or mnconstruction.org.
Contact: Jen Wothe, Executive Director • (952) 928-4646 • info@mnconstruction.org