Plocher Construction Co., Donco Electric Headquarters, Edwardsville

By RITA DUCKWORTH
    Some of the biggest beneficiaries of the unseasonably mild winter in the region have been construction companies. Plocher Construction Co. of Highland broke ground in October on Donco Electric Co.’s new headquarters. Thanks in part to the weather, the $5.4 million project is currently a week or two ahead of schedule.
    Donco Electric specializes in gas and electrical design, metering services, utility locating, and communications. The new building will bring the separate divisions together under one roof. Plocher Construction was selected as general contractor for the 42,000-square-foot building at 200 Lakefront Parkway in Edwardsville. Henderson Associates Architects designed the facility. SSC Engineering handled the mechanical engineering, and Hamilton Engineering was responsible for the structural engineering.
    Plocher Construction’s Russ Zurliene is project manager. “The structure will consist of a 28,000-square-foot, two-story office building at the front,” says Zurliene. “The remaining 14,000 square feet will make up a warehouse at the back end of the building.”
    Zurliene explains that the building is unique in that the two parts will be constructed using different methods and materials. “The front is all ground faced masonry construction. We’re using steel bar joists, metal deck, and concrete slab for floor framing. The warehouse, however, consists of a pre-engineered metal building frame and roof system. The walls are precast concrete panels.”
    Zurliene notes that the office section of the building will feature an open concept for the employees, with some offices around the perimeter. A visually appealing entry way of glass and stamped concrete will open to a view of an attractive stairway and elevator shaft of made of ground faced block. The result will be an efficient workspace with a modern look.
    Plocher Construction is currently in the roofing phase on both sections of the building. “The job is moving along nicely,” says Zurliene. At this point, the project is about 50 percent complete. It is scheduled to wrap up in early August.