General Contractor Minnesota, Commercial Construction MN, Minneapolis, Twin Cities :: Shingobee Builders

Shingobee has been honored with a Pyramid Award in Associated Builders and Contractors Minnesota Chapter Excellence in Construction Awards competition, for Shingobee’s work on Mazopiya, in Prior Lake, MN. Shingobee Project Manager James Schuweiler accepted the award February 2, 2012, during ABC’s Annual Awards Banquet, held at The Metropolitan in Minneapolis, MN.

Shingobee earns Excellence award for construction of Mazopiya, a natural foods market.

Mazopiya is a natural foods market constructed for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, a Federally recognized Indian tribe, in 2010. The Community enterprise focuses on natural as well as locally produced foods and offers a full line of grocery items, with a focus on fresh produce and a large inventory of organic items. The store’s mission to support a healthy, sustainable community - environmentally, economically, and socially – is in keeping with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s many endeavors to protect and preserve natural resources.

Shingobee utilized a fast-track process and sustainable construction methods to construct the interior build-out, a building addition, and exterior improvements to an existing building for the 9,000 square foot grocery. The unique interior design included natural wood casework, a polished concrete aggregate floor, and a community room for cooking and nutrition classes. The project incorporated numerous energy efficient features, with the goal of LEED certification. The SMSC’s schedule and budget were met, and the Community’s goal of bringing healthier, natural nutrition to its members has been achieved.

Representatives of Shingobee, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and HTG Architects were recognized for construction of Mazopiya.

Representatives of Shingobee, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community,

and HTG Architects were recognized for construction of Mazopiya

ABC's awards program is designed to recognize the quality and innovation of merit shop construction and to honor all the members of the construction team, including the contractor, the owner, and the design team responsible for the project. The winning projects were selected from entries submitted from across the state and were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unusual challenges, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and budget.

See our previous story for more information about the Mazopiya project.

Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino Update

December 2011

The Minot Daily News recently published an update on the construction project at Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino in Belcourt, North Dakota. Shingobee is the general contractor for this project.

The article includes a discussion of the design philosophy for the new facilities by Architect Mike Laverdure of DSGW Architects. Many aspects of the building reflect tribal culture in the design.

The full story in the Minot Daily News

More information about the Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino project

Construction webcam at the jobsite

Shingobee donates new flag pole at Spirit Lake Tribal Headquarters

November 2011

A new flag pole and U.S. flag, donated by Shingobee, were recently installed at the Spirit Lake Tribe's headquarters building in Fort Totten, North Dakota. Shingobee is currently constructing a new Elderly Center for the Tribe, and donated the flag pole as a gesture of good will.

A blessing was held earlier this month, with members of the various U.S. military services represented.

L to R: Oliver Gourd, Sr., who performed a sage blessing;

Jerry Blackbird (Marines); Josie Lawrence, Head of Tribal Veterans (Army); Walt Lang (Army); Randy VanHyfte, Shingobee's Superintendent (Marines); Roger

Yankton, Sr., Tribal Chairman; and Joel Redfox, Sr.,

Tribal Council Member

Construction begins on new Auburn Homes facility in Waconia MN

November 2011

Auburn Homes & Services held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, November 11, for Auburn Meadows Assisted Living, a new facility to be constructed by Shingobee in Waconia, MN.

The 62-unit, three-story facility will offer assisted living and enhanced assisted living as well as apartments for memory care residents. It will be constructed next to Auburn Home in Waconia, just west of Ridgeview Medical Center.

Shingobee mobilized construction on November 15, and completion of the project is scheduled for October 2012.

Waconia Patriot: Auburn Homes begins $9.8 million project

Groundbreaking Photos

Auburn Homes representatives and City officials gathered

at the construction site on November 11, 2011

"Auburn Meadows helps us to significantly expand

the types of services we offer in the Waconia area"

Mike Senden, Auburn Homes CEO

Auburn Homes & Services' Board of Directors

State Rep. Ernie Leidiger, Waconia Mayor Jim Nash,

and city officials

Shingobee Selected for Construction of Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino

September 2011

Shingobee was selected for construction of Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino

Shingobee Builders has been awarded construction of the Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino expansion for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in Belcourt, North Dakota.

Designed by DSGW Architects First American Design Studio (N. St. Paul, MN), plans for the $30 million expansion include a 100-room hotel tower and a significant expansion and reorganization of the gaming floor. The existing building that serves as the casino will be transformed into a buffet-style restaurant and will house an events center capable of hosting concert events, conventions, or community events.

The casino expansion is expected to create 75-100 new jobs and improved economic success for the Tribe. An increase in gaming opportunities, more hotel rooms, and much improved guest amenities are the goals for the addition and renovation of the Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino’s facilities.

“Shingobee Builders is pleased to have been selected as general contractor for this important project for the Turtle Mountain Band. We look forward to a successful construction process,” said Keith McDonald, Shingobee President and CEO.

A Ground Blessing Ceremony was held at the construction site on August 1, and Shingobee’s construction team mobilized shortly thereafter. The new casino and hotel are expected to be open for business by November 2012.

Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino Groundbreaking Ceremony

Tribal officials and construction team members gathered on August 1, 2011,

to celebrate the start of construction for the Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino.

Minot Daily News story

Shingobee's Casino and Hotel Experience

Two Major Tribal Projects Completed

September 2011

Shingobee Builders recently completed two major construction projects for tribal entities.

Prairie Knights Casino & Resort Lodge Expansion

Shingobee recently completed this hotel, casino, and parking expansion for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, in Fort Yates, North Dakota. The three-story hotel expansion doubled the size of the existing hotel, and includes a swimming pool/water park. A parking garage and parking lot expansion were also added, along with sitework, landscaping, and utility connections. The project included remodel of areas connecting to the existing hotel and casino, as well as a new entrance area to the casino. Construction began in November 2009 and was substantially complete in May 2011, with soft opening of the hotel in June 2011.

New Casino entrance	Three-story Lodge expansion
Suites feature vaulted ceilings	New swimming pool includes water park features

Fort Randall Casino Expansion

This 31,500 square foot, one-story casino expansion, constructed for the Yankton Sioux Tribe in Pickstown, South Dakota, features a striking new entrance and expanded gaming area. The project also included partial demolition and remodel of the existing casino, and modifications to the grounds and parking areas. Grand Opening of this new facility was held in June 2011, following a nine-month construction.

A striking mural greets guests in the entrance lobby.	The expansion features a striking new entrance.
The new gaming floor, unique lighting features	Custom Greeter's Desk

Shingobee's Casino and Hotel Experience

Shingobee Completes Warehouse for North Dakota Electric Cooperative

August 2011

Shingobee recently completed construction of a new warehouse / distribution facility for Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative in Williston, North Dakota, and Grand Opening festivities were held on August 17, 2011.

Shingobee completed construction of new warehouse for North Dakota Electric Cooperative

The 32,000 square foot facility will significantly improve MWEC's ability to move inventory quickly from supplier to construction crews, to meet the needs of the booming growth in northwest North Dakota. In addition to space for MWEC equipment and personnel, the building will provide warehouse space for RESCO, a rural electric supply cooperative, and for Basin Electirc Power Cooperative.

Shingobee completed the new facility within a very tight construction schedule, generated by the high demand for the electric cooperative's services. We were delighted to work with this company and with Hulsing & Associates (architects) to help support the facility needs for this area of North Dakota.

Grand Opening Photos

Groundbreaking and Blessing Held for Spirit Lake Elderly Complex

August 2011

Construction of the new Elderly Center for the Spirit Lake Tribe began on July 26 with a Groundbreaking and Blessing ceremony. Representatives from the Tribe, the city of Fort Totten, the US Department of Agriculture, and local housing authorities gathered to mark the occasion, with a blessing by Spirit Lake Elder Oliver Gourd, Sr., and drum music by the Spirit Lake Singers. The program was emceed by Bernice Juarez, Tribal Project Manager.

Spirit Lake Elder Oliver Gourd, Sr. offers a sage prayer to bless the ground.

Spirit Lake Singers provided drum music.

Shingobee has begun construction of the 16,580 square foot facility, which will provide 18 one-bedroom apartments, a central common area for dining and activities, kitchen, and support spaces. We are honored to work with the Spirit Lake Tribe to help meet the housing needs of the Reservation. Completion of the building is scheduled for February 2012.

Devils Lake Journal story

More Groundbreaking Photos

About the Spirit Lake Tribe

Shingobee to Construct Two New Senior Housing Facilities; Nearing Completion on Another

April 2011

Shingobee Builders has been awarded the construction contracts for two new senior housing facilities.

A new Elderly Center will be constructed for the Spirit Lake Tribe in Fort Totten, North Dakota. Designed by DSGW Architects of Duluth, MN, the new senior housing facility will contain 18 apartment units, a community/dining room, central lounge/activity area, and support spaces.

Shingobee has been awarded the construction contract for Spirit Lake Elderly Center, a new 18-unit senior housing facility for the Spirit Lake Tribe in Fort Totten, ND.

The Spirit Lake Tribe of Indians is a federally recognized Indian tribe. The new Elderly Center is identified and prioritized in the Spirit Lake Tribe Strategic Plan: Planning for Seven Generations 2008 – 2013.

A new assisted living addition to Midway Care Center is under way in Fosston, Minnesota, for Health Services Network, Inc. This new facility is a 7,000 square foot addition to an existing nursing care facility, and will provide 15 new studio units, living area, dining area, kitchen, and pantry. Renovations to the existing building will include a covered porch, new tub room, and offices.

Construction started in early April and is scheduled to be complete in October 2011.

Health Services Network, Inc. operates long-term care facilities in Kelliher, Bagley, and Fosston, MN, and has been serving the residents of these communities for over 30 years. Shingobee completed a 37-unit assisted living complex for them in Bagley, MN, in 2009.

Senior Housing near completion in St. Peter, MN

Shingobee is in the final phases of construction for a new senior housing facility for Ecumen in St. Peter, MN.

Shingobee is nearing completion of Ecumen Prairie Hill, a new senior housing facility in St. Peter, MN

Ecumen Prairie Hill will consist of 43 one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments, as well as twenty additional studio and one-bedroom residences for seniors requiring 24-hour memory care services. There are also a variety of common spaces, dining options, personal services and personalized care options.

Completion is scheduled for June 1, 2011.

Shingobee Completes Construction of Natural Foods Market for Shakopee Mdewakanton

LEED Certification Sought

March 2011

Shingobee recently completed a new natural foods store – Mazopiya – for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Prior Lake, MN. Shingobee provided interior buildout and a receiving area addition for the 8,000 square foot grocery in an existing new building constructed by the SMSC. The new Community enterprise focuses on natural as well as locally produced foods and offers a full line of grocery items, with a focus on fresh produce and a large inventory of organic items.

The project is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and is in the process of pursuing certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. Shingobee is working closely with HTG Architects of Eden Prairie (the project’s designers) to qualify the project for LEED certification. The facility’s design incorporated a number of energy efficient features, including stormwater design, water use reduction, water efficient landscaping, optimized energy performance, enhanced refrigerant management, and green power. The construction process incorporated storage and collection of recyclables, more than 75% recycling of construction waste materials, and use of recycled content, regional materials, certified wood, and low-emitting materials, as well as an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan during construction.

For additional information on Shingobee’s experience with and approach to energy-efficient solutions for buildings, visit the Green section of our website.

LEED Certification Sought for SMSC Natural Foods Market

Mazopiya means "a store, a place where things are kept" in the Dakota language.

LEED Certification Sought for SMSC Natural Foods Market

Shingobee Earns National Award for Holiday Stationstore Construction

March 2011

Shingobee Builders has been honored by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) with an Eagle Award, the highest award in ABC's National Excellence in Construction Awards program, for Shingobee’s work on Holiday Stationstore #404 in Minneapolis, MN. Shingobee Project Manager Stacy Gleason received the award February 22, 2011, during the 21st annual Excellence in Construction Awards celebration at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

“ABC congratulates Shingobee Builders for its exceptional work on the Holiday Stationstore #404 project,” said Michael D. Bellaman, ABC president and CEO. “This project is an outstanding example of the innovation and commitment to superior craftsmanship that embody merit shop construction.”

Shingobee Project Manager Stacy Gleason accepts the Eagle Award from Michael Uremovich, Chairman of ABC

The Excellence in Construction awards program is the industry’s leading competition, developed to honor innovative and high-quality merit shop construction projects and safety programs. The winning projects, selected from entries submitted from across the nation, were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety, and budget.

Shingobee completed Holiday Stationstore #404 – “Stadium Site” (near the new Target Field) – in December 2009. Shingobee overcame challenges of a brownfield site, schedule changes, and winter conditions to deliver this unique gas station and convenience store in just 15 weeks.

See the article below for more information on this unique project.

Holiday Stationstore Recognized for “Excellence in Construction”

January 2011

Holiday Stationstore #404, Minneapolis

Holiday Stationstore #404, completed by Shingobee in December 2009, has been honored with an Eagle Award in Associated Builders and Contractors Minnesota Chapter Excellence in Construction Awards competition. The award was presented on January 27, 2011, at the 2010 Awards Banquet, held at The Metropolitan in Minneapolis, MN.

Award accepted by Scott Alpaugh, Stacy Gleason, and Rick Wold

The award was accepted by Scott Alpaugh, Holiday Stationstores; Stacy Gleason, Project Manager; and Rick Wold, Superintendent.

Holiday Companies created a unique design for this Stationstore, located on a site adjacent to Target Field, the Minnesota Twins’ new stadium. Exterior masonry details on the convenience store and freestanding car wash building were designed to complement the classic ballpark appearance of the new stadium, as well as fit in with nearby buildings in the urban-industrial neighborhood.

Shingobee encountered a number of challenges in the construction of this unique project, including a contaminated brownfield site that required clean-up; a condensed schedule; tight urban site constraints; cold weather and winter conditions.

Deep excavation was required for fuel storage and water reclamation tanks, so 4,815 tons of contaminated soil had to be transported off the site. A high water table and poor soils necessitated sheet piles and installation of 216 piles to a 40- to 50-foot depth.

Creative scheduling was required to meet the condensed schedule established by the owner, with subcontractors running long shifts and working weekends. The small urban site required extra supervision to coordinate the work effort and maintain safety. Cold fall weather further impacted the schedule, and winter conditions had to be dealt with during a portion of the work.

Throughout the project, Shingobee met the challenges by providing options to the owner, coordinating successful solutions, and turned over the store exactly on schedule. We enjoyed the opportunity to work on such a challenging, creative project for an ongoing, successful client, Holiday Stationstores.

Primrose School Groundbreaking Held

January 2011

Primrose School Groundbreaking, Eagan, MN

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held at the site of a new Primrose School in Eagan, MN, on Wednesday, January 26, 2011. Representatives of the Primrose School Franchising Company, Four Points Real Estate (the developer for this project), local owners Darren and Diane Storkamp, and Shingobee were on hand to celebrate the beginning of construction of the school.

Primrose Schools are based in Acworth, Georgia, and are located in 16 states. There are nine located in Minnesota, and this is the third to be built by Shingobee. Each Primrose School is privately owned and operated, and provides educational child care for children ages infant through kindergarten.

Construction started mid-January and is scheduled to be completed in June.

US Bank Project Achieves Gold Level Certification

May 2010

The US Bank project in Burnsville, MN, completed by Shingobee in October 2009, has achieved Gold level certification in the LEED® Green Building Rating System.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

See additional information on the US Bank project.

Top National Award for Dakotah! Ice Center Construction

February 2010

Shingobee was recently honored by Associated Builders and Contractors as an Eagle Winner in ABC's National Excellence in Construction Awards competition, for construction of the Dakotah! Ice Center in Prior Lake, MN. The award was presented on February 4, 2010, at ABC’s National Convention in San Diego, California. Accepting the award at the event were Shingobee Project Manager Jim Schuweiler and Superintendent Bob Mueller.

ABC's National Excellence in Construction Awards competition is the construction industry’s premier annual awards program, recognizing the outstanding merit shop projects of the year. This honor recognizes Shingobee as having one of the most innovative and high-quality merit shop construction projects nationwide.

“ABC is pleased to present this industry-leading construction project with our Excellence in Construction award,” said Kirk Pickerel, ABC president and CEO. “This year’s winners were exceptional examples of the outstanding craftsmanship and professionalism that embody merit shop construction. ABC members continue to be the driving force behind some of the nation’s highest-profile projects.”

The new Dakotah! Ice Center is an addition to the existing Dakotah! Sport and Fitness facility, owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), a federally recognized Indian Tribe, in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The facility features state of the art amenities and utilized numerous Green Initiatives for sustainable, energy-efficient construction. See the project description for more information.

ABC National Award

Project Manager Jim Schuweiler and Superintendent Bob Mueller accept the Eagle Award from ABC Chairman James Elmer

Two Shingobee Projects Receive Top "Excellence" Awards for Construction

January 2010

Shingobee received top awards from the Minnesota chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors for two projects in ABC's Excellence in Construction Awards competition. The awards were presented on January 14, 2010, at the 2009 Awards of Excellence In Construction Banquet at The Metropolitan in Minneapolis, MN.

Dakotah! Ice Center, Prior Lake, MN
Eagle Award, Other Construction - Over $5 Million Category
St. Cloud Regional Airport Terminal Expansion & Remodel, St. Cloud, MN
Pyramid Award, Commercial Construction - $1-$5 Million Category

ABC's awards program is designed to recognize publicly the quality and innovation of merit shop construction and to honor all the members of the construction team, including the contractor, the owner, and the design team responsible for the project. The winning projects were selected from entries submitted from across the state and were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unusual challenges, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and budget.

“These projects are clear examples of the high-quality work merit shop contractors perform every day,” 2009 MN ABC Chairman Steve Kuepers said at the awards event.

Shingobee worked closely with the owner and architect (HTG Architects of Eden Prairie) from design development through construction to manage the schedule and complex construction methods for the project. Fast-track phasing was utilized to manage the project schedule, and great attention was given to site safety. Shingobee completed the project on time and on budget.

The new facility is one in which SMSC and the at-large community take great pride. Serving as a model for Green construction, and serving the needs of the community, the Dakotah! Ice Center exemplifies what a state-of-the-art ice arena should be.

St. Cloud Regional Airport Terminal Expansion & Remodel: Shingobee provided Construction Management services for a 9,295 square foot expansion and remodel of the existing 10,175 square foot terminal building at St. Cloud Regional Airport. The timeline of the entire project was driven by a deadline for one-time discretionary federal funds, resulting in condensed design, bidding, and construction schedules. Remodeling of the existing facility was phased to allow services to continue uninterrupted throughout construction. The expansion was opened to passengers exactly on schedule, and the City of St. Cloud has received positive feedback from the public related to the improvements to the terminal. See this article for more information.

Architect: Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., St. Paul, MN

Shingobee extends its thanks and congratulations to everyone involved in these successful projects.

Shingobee Earns Award for Mazopiya, Prior Lake, MN