B.R. firm’s renovation of historic Brusly church named best in U.S.

An extensive renovation of the 104-year-old St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Brusly has earned Baton Rouge-based Faulk and Meek General Contractors the 2012 Alliant Build America Award for the country’s best renovation project under $10 million. Billed as the “Oscars of the construction industry,” the Alliant awards annually recognize the nation’s most significant construction projects. Presented by the Associated General Contractors of America, the awards honored just 15 firms this year. “The Faulk and Meek team carefully demolished and restored the church to its original appearance, building new sacristies, a vestibule, gathering areas, choir loft, stained glass, a new bridal annex, and a 90-foot tall steeple,” AGCA says. “Because the church was originally constructed without the modern techniques of today, the project required constant collaboration with architects and structural engineers, and careful scheduling. Despite several unanticipated construction challenges, the project was completed two months ahead of schedule, allowing the congregation to celebrate the Lenten season in the newly renovated church.” You can check out photos of the renovated church at the firm’s website here. Cajun Constructors and the Louisiana chapter of AGCA also received Alliant Build America Awards for 2012. Read about those honors in a Daily Report story here.