News Archive

TAMPA, Fla. –The Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission honored Walbridge with two Awards of Excellence before a packed house at the Tampa Convention Center.  The awards were received in recognition of Walbridge’s work on the new Tampa Bay History Center and for the restoration of historic Orange Grove Middle Magnet School. 

The program recognizes outstanding achievement in community planning, architectural design, building development, environmental sensitivity, and encourages future projects to benefit the region through mixed-use and urban connectivity.   The 27th Annual Community Design Awards also marked the 50th anniversary celebration of the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission. 

Walbridge executives Richard Marshall, Tim Sewell and Project Manager Cranston Harris, who led the $20 million facility’s construction team, received the honor for the Tampa Bay History Center.  Also accepting were Hillsborough County Architect, William Hand and C.J. Roberts, the museum’s president and CEO.  The Tampa Bay History Center was nominated in the Commercial, Public or Quasi Public category based on its contribution to community connectivity, unique and attractive design features and energy or natural resource conservation.  Situated on a former industrial site, in the heart of the Channelside District, the 60,000 square-foot museum is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and intends to pursue LEED® certification.  Also receiving honors in the category of Historic Preservation and Restoration was Walbridge’s work on Orange Grove Middle Magnet School.  The school, originally built in 1927, received a $3.4 million restoration.  The award was accepted by John Williams of Hillsborough County Schools. 

This year, 25 projects were entered in ten categories.  Winners were selected by judges with experience in the fields of planning, architecture and landscape architecture and who reside outside of Hillsborough County.