January 23, 2019-South Bend, IN. Construction progress continues on Potawatomi Zoo’s new entrance. The light winter has allowed Ancon Construction, to continue work. This week, new timbers have arrived onsite and will begin to be installed. The timbers columns have been put in place and additional timber beams will be installed on the columns to form the gift shop and lobby. Incorporating the timber will provide a unique design feature to compliment other timber accents found throughout the zoo.
Timber Columns In Place
Eric Jensen, Architect for Ancon Construction, was excited to see the timbers arrive onsite, “Seeing the timber columns put in place really starts to make the building come to life. Utilizing glass for a majority of the exterior will allow visitors to see more of the timbers on both the outside and the inside.”
Completion of the new entry is expected to be completed by end of summer 2019. To learn more about the project visit the Zoo Front Entry Project link.
Ready to start your project? Contact us HERE and let’s get your project started…together!
Mishawaka, IN- Ancon Construction, premier design build construction firm, recently completed the renovations for Jesus Latin Grill & Tequila Bar. They describe themselves as an unique experience of Latin food. We differ from a Mexican restaurant and the ubiquitous “chips and salsa”. Latin cuisine infuses cultures, flavors and spices from the Caribbean and South America. We draw our inspiration from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Peru, all the way to the Southern tip of Argentina. Jesús Latin Grill & Tequila Bar incorporates American twists for an explosion of your senses
The location provided us some unique challenges as it was located within the historic Carnegie Library in Mishawaka, IN. Despite these challenges Ancon is proud of the work and the project as a whole. In addition to the photos provided please take a minute to check out our drone video of the project.
“This project gives another unique dining experience for the downtown Mishawaka corridor. Working with George is always a fun experience as he has such a creative mind when it comes to interior decor. I am really excited about the upper level which can be rented out for private events”, added Ryan Kring, VP|Business Development for Ancon Construction.
Fly around with us as we tour our latest multi-tenant retail shopping center that recently opened. The Shoppes on Grape are located on the southwest corner of Grape and Douglas in Mishawaka, IN. A lot of attention was placed on the design and user flow. The plaza includes a drive thru ready restaurant tenant space complete with its own drive through stacking lane. The emphasis placed on the details are sure to make it easy for the remaining spaces to be occupied.
South Bend, IN- Ancon Construction, premier Design Build Construction Firm, is proud to announce the opening of their latest project. Holiday Inn Express will be the latest hotel to serve our region. The property opened on Monday and had 25 guest bookings the first day! For a new property that is very good.
The property is located in the old parking lot area where the previous Kmart and Sears used to be near the intersection of Ireland Road and Michigan Street (US 31) on the southside of South Bend. This is the latest brand model for Holiday Inn Express and features bright colors and open modern spaces. The 92 room hotel also features a work out facilities, indoor pool, business accommodations and open lobby/foyer are which is inviting for guests to sit and relax.
Ancon Construction was chosen by JSK Hospitality to build the project. Ryan Kring, Vice President of Business Development, commented, “We are very excited about opening this project. As a southside resident myself, this area was lacking a quality hotel. By bringing in a Holiday Inn Express people are already familiar with the brand which provides a comfort level for both families, visitors and traveling business people”. Kring went on to say that future development will continue within the areas immediately around the hotel siting potential future retail development within the plaza.
“There is a lot of activity happening throughout the Ireland Road corridor right now which is consistent with what people have been requesting”, Kring noted. In addition to the new Holiday Inn Express, United Federal Credit Union is very close to opening their new branch, Panda Express has built a new location along Ireland Road and Drive and Shine is building a new car wash on Michigan Street. Regional favorite Rise N Rolls is also putting in a new location on the southside believed to be next to the existing Chipolte location where the former Annies Bakery used to be.
Kring’s next hope is that a brewery shows interest on the southside. “It is something that is missing on this side of town, to have a small local craft brewery would be a nice addition”, Kring added.
Did you hear that Ancon Construction has recently broken ground for the new SpringHill Suites which will be located on SR 933 just north of Cleveland Road? Kring said, “We are excited about this project as we served as both the design team and the construction team, so it is a true design build project”. Springhill Suites is scheduled to open in 2019.
Ancon Construction has been designing and building northern Indiana and southern Michigan for over 40 years. 100% Employee Owned. Do you have a project you are ready to start?
With over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Doug VonGunten is one of Ancon Construction’s many valuable project managers. Doug’s responsibilities as a project manager begin long before construction actually starts, leading the design-build team in programming, design, budgeting, and cost estimating. The project manager continues his leadership role throughout the construction process until the project has been completed and handed-off to the customer. Doug has managed a wide variety of projects including industrial projects, manufacturing facilities, streetscapes and infrastructure, zoo animal exhibits, ice skating parks, educational facilities, and more.
Some of Doug’s accomplishments include awards for Excellence in Merit Shop Construction for a new TLCU Financial building and a multi-purpose center at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Additionally, Doug’s Eddy Street Commons Streetscape project won an Associated Builders and Contractors Merit Shop Image award and the North American River Otter Exhibit project he managed at the Potawatomi Zoo earned an ABC Award of Honor. Through all of the projects that Doug has managed, he is most proud of making a client’s ideas and dreams about their project a reality.
Onsite Making Sure Projects Run Smooth
Aside from his work at Ancon, Doug finds many ways to serve and give back to the community. He is a member and Past President of Goshen Noon Kiwanis, serves on the Apprenticeship Committee for the local chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors apprenticeship program, and is an active member of his church, Walnut Hill Mennonite in Goshen. Doug also serves on the Board of Directors for Ryan’s Place, a not-for-profit organization that provides grief support to children, teens, and families who have experienced the death of a family member or loved one. Most recently, Doug has been serving on a committee with the Goshen Parks Department that is designing a playground for children of all ability levels.
Doug lives just North of Goshen with his wife of 21 years, Jolene, and their three children: Jack (16), Garrett (13), and Molly (9). In his free time, Doug enjoys attending his kids’ sporting events and music programs and being active outdoors, including cycling, running, camping, and hiking. Doug and his family also enjoy spending time at the beach in North Carolina with their extended family.
Doug says about his work, “I really enjoy the construction industry and the challenges that it brings. There are new challenges every day and no two projects are ever the same.” Doug is an invaluable part of the Ancon team. Both Ancon and its customers greatly benefit from his vast experience and tireless work.