Batson-Cook Construction celebrated the topping out of the new Blue Cross Blue Shield Service Center under construction in Midland, Georgia, with a barbecue lunch, door prizes and commemorative gifts for the entire construction team and all project stakeholders, area dignitaries and media in attendance at Thursday’s event. 

“Topping out is always a very special milestone in the life of a project,” said Paul Meadows, project executive for Batson-Cook.  “It’s a milestone that we are only able to achieve through the dedication and commitment of all of the employees that have been a part of this project so far.” 

Topping-out events, a long-standing tradition in the construction industry, commemorate the placement of the final steel beam in a building under construction.  BCBSGA’s new three-story service center contains 1,339 tons of steel, 36,660 square feet of glass, and has tilt-up concrete exterior walls.  The final beam was placed last week. 

BCBSGA Service Center, located in Muscogee Technology Park, will encompass 245,000 square feet and feature multiple sustainable elements, including 235,000 square feet of raised floors for enhanced air distribution, LED lighting and light sensors, and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The interior build-out contract, also awarded to Batson-Cook, includes a three-story atrium, full-service dining facilities and a fitness area. Completion is expected in early August.

There will be about 150 construction trade employees on site at the peak of construction.  More than 40 companies are involved in the design and construction of the facility.  The Molasky Group of Companies is the developer and owner of the building; Hecht Burdeshaw Architects of Columbus is the architect; and The Dollries Group of Cincinnati is the interior designer.