Mobile Section is proud to announce that Ben M. Radcliff Contractor, Inc. was awarded a Build South Award for “New Building Construction” for their Grand Bay Welcome Center Project.
Demolition on the 20-acre site included the relocation of artillery shells, monuments, and other historical elements from the old buildings. The old facility also relied on three large sewage lagoons. This was the largest closing and draining of their type in Alabama. To protect surrounding waterways from runoff and erosion multiple protections were used, such as contouring of grades, silt fencing, and sodding after storms. The new 12,000-square-foot facility was constructed with precast columns, stucco, sculpted brick, metal roofing, terrazzo flooring, and glazing. Features include bronze sea life statues located on the main plaza. The marine-themed terrazzo floor in the main lobby contains detailed figures marine life. Structural, glazed-tile masonry units were colorized off site so they required no further finishing but provided hurricane resistance for the project. The welcome center contains numerous communications and technological
features such as ALDOT provided Wi-Fi, making this project a crown jewel of welcome centers across the State of Alabama. The project was completed on time with the grand opening held on 4th of July weekend.