By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
It took decades of planning and complex calculations to merge a century old structure with a new efficient building for city government.
After more than a year in the new Bowling Green City Administration Building, the public and employees have praised the architecture. And now the structure at 305 N. Main St. has earned accolades at the state and national level.
“We’re really pleased to learn recently that others view this beautiful new municipal building in the same way we do,” Mayor Mike Aspacher said during last week’s City Council meeting.
The new 31,000-square-foot city building was recently recognized with two awards – a Build Ohio Award, and a national ironworkers award.
“I’m thankful of the opportunity to brag on this building and to brag on the accomplishments and contributions of those members of our Northwest Ohio construction community,” Aspacher said.
The mayor, who worked for years in the construction industry as a member of Local 50 plumbers and pipefitters, was thrilled that the new city building meets the needs of the public and city employees, plus is being recognized with state and national awards.
City officials have heard from many citizens that the new building is much more accessible, and from many employees that they are no longer crammed into workspaces that the city had outgrown decades before.
“We’re really pleased with the outcome,” Aspacher said. “It is our belief this building will serve the citizens of Bowling Green for a very long time.”
The 2024 Build Ohio Award was presented earlier this month to Mosser Construction by the Associated General Contractors of Ohio. The Build Ohio Award is a renowned award for the construction industry in Ohio.
The awards are presented to project managers that meet the challenges of difficult jobs, and use innovation in construction techniques and materials.
Construction of the new city building meant preserving the historic façade of the post office building at 305 N. Main Street dating back to 1913. That building remained empty for years before it was repurposed as a senior center. The project also required the demolition of the 1901 building behind 305 N. Main Street, which started as a school in 1901, was later converted into a library, then later into the city’s administrative offices.
Despite setbacks such as the 2022 market volatility, procurement delays, workforce shortages, and unforeseen site conditions, Mosser brought the project in on budget. The construction cost of the new building was $11.1 million, with costs for architectural and engineering services, furniture and equipment bumping the total cost to $14.5 million.
“We want to offer our congratulations to Mosser and all of the contractors, and all the trades men and women, who were responsible for constructing this beautiful new building,” Aspacher said.
The national award was presented earlier this month in Washington, D.C., to Foundation Steel and Ironworkers Local 55 of Toledo.
The award recognized the difficulties of building a steel connection between the new structure and the former post office façade constructed more than 100 years ago. Aspacher said the city’s commitment to preserving the historic front presented a “really significant challenge.”
“This just isn’t something you do everyday,” the mayor said.
