Renovated Cathedral wins national award

CHARLESTON— It’s official. The renovations and steeple addition to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist was recognized as one of the most significant construction projects of 2010 by the Associated General Contractors of America.

The project’s contractor, Hightower Construction Company, Inc., was then named one of 20 firms to receive the association’s Aon Build America Award.

The honors were announced during the association’s annual convention in Las Vegas on March 23.

The Aon Build America Awards recognize the nation’s most significant construction projects. A panel of judges, representing all areas of construction, evaluated over 115 projects this year, assessing each project’s complexity, use of innovative construction techniques and coordination with partners, among other criteria.

Jamie Kilgallen said Hightower was honored to be part of the Cathedral team.

“We do not start projects with the goal of receiving awards, but the accolades that the beautiful Cathedral has attained are a result of a wonderful restoration … by a passionate and committed team,” he said.

The Cathedral also earned the Carolopolis award in January, a founder’s award from the Historic Charleston Foundation, plus other achievements for the construction company and Glenn Keyes Architects.