The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance recognized 22 construction projects during its recent fifth Building Berks Awards & Expo.
The event is held every two years — honoring and shining a spotlight on construction projects that have “added to the economic vitality, transformation and growth of the Greater Reading community,” according to the organization.
The awards were first held in 2018 and celebrate construction, design, development and investment projects. They recognize all partners involved in the completion of each project GRCA said, including financial partners, contractors and municipalities. The timing aligns with the natural cycle of development for project — from vision to completion.
A total of 34 projects were nominated for this year’s awards, with several nominated in multiple categories. Nominations were accepted through July 9 for projects completed within the last two years, with a completion date on or before July 31, 2025.
“The Building Berks Awards highlight the vision and collaboration driving growth and investment in our region,” Aaron Gantz, GRCA vice president of economic development & strategy, said in a statement. “Each nomination reflects a commitment to Berks County’s future. At the end of the day, every project is a win for our community.”
The event was held Wednesday at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in Reading. The evening began with networking and an expo that featured sponsor businesses and nominated projects on the main floor. Attendees then moved to the second floor, where awards were presented to the winners.
This year’s Building Berks award winners include:
• Adaptive Reuse: Helping Harvest Commercial Kitchen
• Agribusiness: Berks County Ag Center – Phase One
• Building Systems: Encompass Health Infrastructure Upgrade
• Commercial – New: Redner’s Event Center at FirstEnergy Stadium
• Commercial – Office: County of Berks South Campus Phase 3
• Commercial – Renovation: Reading Aviation at Reading Regional Airport
• Commercial – Retail: Super Natural & Fresh Produce III Inc.
• Education: Tec Centro Berks Renovation
• Healthcare: Reading Area Community College – Weitz Healthcare Pavilion
• Historic Preservation/Restoration: Centre Park Revitalization
• Hospitality – Arts/Entertainment: Santander Arena Renovations and Upgrades
• Hospitality – Restaurant/Bar: GoggleWorks Art Park
• Industrial: Always Lift. Never Quit. Mural at American Crane
• Infrastructure: Peach Street Bridge
• Mixed-Use: Alvernia University’s John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne
• Out-of-the-Box: Abilities in Motion headquarters
• Placemaking: Reading Skate Park
• Public Art: Moss + Douglass Mural
• Residential – Multi-Family/Group: Albright College – Lion Hall
• Residential – Planned Community: Opportunity House – Beacon House Apartments Renovation
• Residential – Single Family: Rehabilitation of 315 N 11th St.
• Sustainable Development: Muhlenberg Greene Firm Relocation, 606 Court St.
The 34 projects nominated represented:
• $186 million in investment
• 2,600 jobs created or retained
• 1.3 million-square-feet of development
Since 2018, all nominated projects through 2025 represent:
• $1.035 billion in investment
• 13,925 jobs created or retained
• 9.4 million-square feet of development
The projects were evaluated by a panel of judges — which considered economic and community impact, design and aesthetics, innovation and other key criteria. The panel included:
Suzanne Cody, associate director of business development, Muhlenberg Greene Architects; Stuart Heisey, principal, MEP Services, Entech Engineering; Mark Mohn, director of government affairs, Reading-Berks Association of Realtors; Jaime Perez, deputy director, Berks County Redevelopment Authority; and Nicholas Stolzfus, president, DESCCO Design & Construction.
