COLUMBUS - A 51,000-square-foot supermarket facility's conversion into a cancer treatment center has earned American Glass Co. its fourth merit award from the Mississippi Associated Building Contractors.
American Glass received the award for The Hope Center, located on North Gloster Street in Tupelo. Gov. Haley Barbour was the guest speaker for the Nov. 2 awards program.
The company has received three additional awards for different projects within a two-year period.
American Glass officials thanked the architectural firm of JBHM Architects and the general contracting company of Sanderson Construction of Amory with project manager Tony Carroll directing the renovations.
American Glass Co. President/Estimator and Project Manager John K. Nuesch credited his employee's efforts as a team for producing one of the area's most modern architectural designs.
-- Commercial Dispatch, December 20, 2007
Over the past 18 months, CDF has devoted much time introducing Toyota and Japanese nationals to our southern culture. We opened our manufacturing plants to showcase our high calibur workforce and our public schools to prove our commitment to education. We shared Elvis's birthplace, fried green tomatoes and catfish.
This past week it was time for us to learn more about them: their production facilities, kimonos, sushi, and the Imperial Palace.
The Mississippi Development Authority and the Office of Gov. Haley Barbour sent a 32-person delegation to the Southeast United States/Japan, 31st Annual meeting in Tokyo, Japan. Northeast Mississippi and Tupelo/Lee County were 11 members of that delegation. Michael Jones partner in charge of the Tupelo office of JBHM Architects was one of the 11 members.
We had four missions:
First, to represent Mississippi well in our first year as a partner in the 31-year old SEUS/Japan Association. Membership includes Japan's top business leaders and government officials and leaders from the southeastern states. Mississippi was congratulated for our perseverance and professionalism in locating Nissan and Toyota to Mississippi. We met new friends from surrounding states and from multi-nationals like Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi. Mississippi Development Authority Director Gray Swoope and his team did a masterful job. Although a rookie, Mississippi performed like a veteran. First mission accomplished.
Second, to network in person with potential Toyota suppliers. While these discussions must, understandably, remain confidential, our effort to recruit face-to-face in Japan certainly enhances our chances to succeed. Second mission accomplished.
Third, to solidify our relationships with Toyota and Toyota Auto Body. Following the conference, we traveled to Nagoya and Toyota City on the 180 mph bullet train.
That evening we were treated to a nine-course traditional Japanese meal - while seated on the floor, using chopsticks. It was an amazing experience. The food was outstanding. Having been hosted and toasted by us here in Mississippi, they took this opportunity to show their hospitality to us. There is no doubt in my mind that this visit added another layer of trust and mutual respect to our burgeoning relationships. Third mission accomplished.
Fourth, to enrich and enlarge our personal understanding of Japanese culture and customs, that we may spread that knowledge throughout our community so that all of us in Northeast Mississippi can be valuable partners in this new chapter of economic development. We came away with these observations:
Our new friends in Japan genuinely appreciate the hard work our economic development team, volunteers and public officials put in to win their business. By taking the time to travel there, to admire the facilities, to learn and to appreciate, we found them to be just as warm, friendly and hard working.
Next, even in the crowded city of Tokyo, some 12 million people, they make time to respect and serve one another. They are courteous to visitors and to each other.
Third, they, too, take pride in their work. Now, together, we can look forward to mutually taking pride in the world-class work we have before us.
-- Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, October 26, 2007
TUPELO - The American Institute of Architects Design for Aging Review (DFAR) recently selected JBHM Architects' design of the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo for publication in DFAR 9, as well as for a traveling exhibit.
DFAR is a biannual competition, which showcases facilities that improve quality of life for the aging while exhibiting innovation in their design and execution. There are four award categories: buildings; planning; concept design; and, research/post occupancy evaluations. Sanctuary Hospice House was entered in the building category, and it is one of 36 projects selected to be showcased in the traveling exhibit and the publication DFAR 9. Michael Jones, AIA, partner in charge of JBHM's Tupelo office, says, "Our goal was to play a part in improving the quality of life for those who needed this facility, and I feel we accomplished that, so anything else is icing on the cake.
The exhibit will appear in several locations from 2007-2009. It was recently featured at the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging annual meeting, and the American Institute Convention in Boston will also highlight the exhibit.
-- Mississippi Business Journal, December 10, 2007
NORTHSIDERS COULD see a mess when they drive through downtown Jackson next year.
Work on the Old Capitol Green is slated to begin in early 2008. Developers are hammering out the final details with state officials to acquire the land needed to make the project a reality.
Once completed, officials say the project will be a shot in the arm to Jackson's tourism industry and mean a boost in sales and property tax revenue for the city. Officials say the project would likely take between eight and 10 years to complete.
Pre-construction work on the project began in earnest about a year and a half ago.
About 18 months ago, Full Spectrum engaged in a dialogue with the state to obtain the land, said JBHM partner Richard McNeel. A year ago, the group made a formal announcement that they were heading up the project in the parking lot at Hal and Mal's on State Street.
In the last year, he said, engineers have worked to identify issues related to infrastructure, like storm water drainage and utilities, and the property acquisition.
Recently, architects and developers hosted a daylong eco charrette downtown. He described the event as an intense brainstorming session in which stakeholders involved with the project discussed how it could be made to be sustainable and environmentally friendly.
A report on the planning session showed those present set goals and strategies for energy and transportation, water management and for creating a livable, unique community. "It's a pretty challenging, but exciting thing," McNeel Said.
Once completed, the project will include 4,500 dwelling units, like hotel rooms and apartments, office spaces and cultural centers.
-- Northside Sun, November 22, 2007
TUPELO - With a new expanded office in Tupelo, Miss., the Hematology and Oncology Associates at BridgePoint hopes to reach out to the community of northern Mississippi to serve the needs of an increasing number of cancer patients in its rural neighborhoods.
The cancer center assists those who can't travel to Birmingham or Memphis. By making its practice convenient to patients between those areas, a greater amount of the public has access to quick and efficient treatment.
The new 70,000-square foot center - 50,000 of it currently open to patients and staff - has multiplied its space five times over. It's capable of serving 300 patients a day.
Ideally, the center would like to be a one-stop place where a patient with a suspected tumor can come in, be tested, be diagnosed and begin treatment within two days.
-- Memphis Business Journal, December 14-20, 2007
PASCAGOULA - Supervisors took the first step Monday to a new county services complex by approving a contract with JBHM Architects for the building's design. The county wants to build a 60,000-square-foot, $12-million facility south of the courthouse. Those plans tool a hit recently when FEMA decided not to play for flood mitigation efforts on the complex.
The county has $8 million in state grants for the complex.
"This will get the project off the ground," Supervisor John McKay said.
"We may have to scale back," said Tim Broussard, president of the Board of Supervisors. "The dollar amount that we have for the project is an issue and will drive the design."
Broussard said he hopes groundbreaking on the new facility can be done as early as the first quarter in 2008.
Supervisors want the building to house the county's most-used departments, such as the tax collector's office, the planning department and the tax assessor's office.
"We want the departments with the highest foot traffic in one place," Broussard said. "We want it where every possible destination someone might have a need for with county services is in one place."
In addition to making it easier for county residents to go to one building for all their needs, Broussard said the complex will increase the professional appearance of the county to visitors.
Currently, most of the departments the services complex will house are located in older offices in the courthouse or in temporary offices at the fairgrounds.
"We don't show well professionally, and some of that is due to Katrina," Broussard said. "We can do a good job presenting Jackson County services to the public. This is something that needs to be done. The employees need something better and public deserves something better."
-- The Mississippi Press, November 6, 2007
'Tis the season to treat others and many Jackson area businesses, churches, schools and organizations take that concept literally by hosting Christmas open houses featuring elaborate buffets and comfort foods that appeal to kids.
To show their appreciation of customers, JBHM Architects hosted an Open House on Dec. 6 that Richard McNeel said was anticipated by clients as well as staff members.
"We are so thankful at this time of year, and we enjoy hosting our clients so they can meet members of our staff that they may speak with regularly over the phone but have not met in person," said McNeel, partner in charge of the Jackson office. "It gives them a chance to interact with and get to know us in a less formal way."
The catered menu at JBHM's included smoked salmon, pork tenderloin, an antipasto platter, jambolaya, Vidalia onion dip with pita chips and a large assortment of desserts and beverages ranging from wine to wassail.
According to communications coordinator Michelle Lafleur, each of the firm's five offices host events for customers in varying ways throughout the year.
-- Northeast Ledger, December 12, 2007
GREENVILLE - School officials moved forward with plans for a new athletic complex for Greenville-Weston High School.
Ryan Ashford of JBHM Architects got the go-ahead Tuesday from the Greenville School District Board of Trustees for the first phase, with a price of $8.4 million.
The proposal includes a 51,000-square-foot building, housing a gymnasium and practice facilities for football, basketball and track. Those facilities would include a half-length footbal field, restrooms, locker rooms, coaches' facilities, a weight room and a meeting room. The gymnasium will accommodate 1,700 people - 1,200 on the home side and 500 on the visitor's side, with movable bleachers on the visitor's side and fixed bleachers on the home side. The building will be located on the south end of the Charles S. Kerg Field.
-- Delta Democrat Times, December 13, 2007
JACKSON — JBHM Architects, Flagstar Construction Company and members of Park Place Baptist Church in Brandon, Miss. celebrated a groundbreaking Thursday on a new educational facility for the church.
The facility will be located on the Park Place Baptist Church Campus at 5701 Highway 80 East in Pearl, Miss. The design includes a 32,298 square foot, two-story school with an assembly and fellowship area, as well as a library, computer lab, science lab, activities room and additional Sunday School classrooms. This project will also include a new canopy system, which connects the education facility to the existing church.
"We're excited to help make the vision of the building committee and members of Park Place Baptist Church come to fruition," said Richard McNeel, AIA, IIDA, NCARB, partner of JBHM Architects. "We always enjoy designing new facilities for students to learn and thrive in."
-- Metro Business Chronical, October 2007
FLOWOOD - On Friday, December 7, Jackson Preparatory School held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Dining Commons, a multi-functional structure with a spacious student and faculty dining area, private dining and meeting room and expanded kitchen and serving facilities.
This building will host banquets for Prep's many athletic teams, alumni events and prospective student events. In addition, the Dining Commons will feature an exterior plaza where students can enjoy outdoor events and entertainment.
This building will visually connect each of the interior campus plaza areas. The plan for this transformation was designed by JBHM Architects to incorporate elements that naturally bring one's focus to the center of student activity, creating a welcoming atmosphere for student fellowship.
--Rankin County News,December 19, 2007
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