VOLUME 14 ISSUE 5
$5.99 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2025 SERVING CONTRACTING FIRMS AND THE ARIZONA COMMUNITY. . . THEN & NOW
JOY, HELL, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN: BUILDING THE NORTH LOOP 101 THE VALLEY FREEWAY THAT STARTED NOWHERE AND ENDED THERE TOO GLENN A. MCCOLLUM: CHANDLER’S TALENTED MIDCENTURY MODERNIST THE OLYMPUS CONDOMINIUMS: CARING FOR AN AGING GRANDE DAME MATURE MIDCENTURY GEMS: MANAGING INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS
Arizona’s Timeless Magazine
INSURICA SOUTHWEST: EXCELLENCE IN HANDLING CONSTRUCTION RISK
THREE DECADES OF ROLLING OUT PROJECTS GALORE: WHEELER CONSTRUCTION COFFMAN SPECIALTIES WIDENS GATEWAY TO THE WEST VALLEY
SUN STATE CRUISES TO FINISH PRESCOTT AUTO DEALERSHIP
WILLIAM “WINK” AMES: A LIFE DEVOTED TO CONTRACTORS
SCHOOL’S STILL IN SESSION AS HOW EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IMPACT TIMELINES AND BUDGETS MCCARTHY REBUILDS ROSE LANE
2
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2025
THE EASIEST WAY TO BUY EQUIPMENT SCOTTSDALE John Deere SOLD $205,700 2016 1050K dozer
TUCSON
PHOENIX
CAT 308 SOLD $62,700 2020 mini excavator
Xtreme XR1147 SOLD $42,900 2018 telehandler
MULTIPLE ONLINE, NO RESERVE AUCTIONS HELD EVERY WEEK
GREG KROSKY
ANTHONY MONTOYA
Territory Sales Manager dennis.isherwood@purplewave.com
Territory Sales Manager greg.krosky@purplewave.com
Territory Sales Manager anthony.montoya@purplewave.com
623.208.1855
480.851.9278
520.607.0129
DENNIS ISHERWOOD
Create Account | Bid & Win | Pay & Pickup ...it’s really that simple! Visit us today!
purplewave.com Fast Turnaround. Proven Success. ARIZCC.COM
ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY
Ensuring the safe, accurate, and timely delivery of materials.
AGGREGATE TRUCKING AND SALES SAND, GRAVEL, & ROCK
NEVADA ARIZONA & UTAH
CLAY, TOP SOIL, & MIXTURES LIMESTONE, COBBLE, & PEA STONE
REGIONAL MANAGER
JEFF DAMER 605.220.9224
AGGREGATE SALES
WILLIAM CHESLA 602.849.3164
4 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2025 CALL FOR PRICING 602.595.4973 | 1802 N 27TH AVE. PHOENIX, AZ. 85009
RELIABLE... BECAUSE WE ARE
PHOENIX METRO PORTABLE BATHROOM RENTAL SERVICES GET IN TOUCH TODAY! 602-601-2222 INFO@RPBAZ.COM 3014 E MOHAWK LN. PHX, AZ 85050 RELIABLEPORTABLEBATHROOMS.COM ARIZCC.COM
At reliable portable bathrooms. We are committed to changing the perception of portable bathrooms. Our mission is to shatter the notion that they are dirty and gross. We take pride in our superior cleaning processes, ensuring that every unit we rent is delivered on time and in an immaculate, brand new condition. Our dedication to cleanliness means that our bathrooms are free of tar, graffiti, urine stains, and any unpleasant odors. Don’t just take our word for it – explore the glowing reviews from our satisfied customers. Their testimonials speak volumes about the quality and satisfaction they have experienced with our facilities. Join us in embracing a new standard of excellence in portable bathrooms. Experience the difference for yourself, and let us exceed ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY your expectations.
SAVE UP TO $1.99 AN ISSUE OFF COVER PRICE
1 YEAR, 6 ISSUES FOR $30, OR 2 YEARS, 12 ISSUES FOR ONLY $48! Neighborhood lawns at 10, my first business venture
NAME ADDRESS CITY
STATE
ZIP
EMAIL PHONE
CUT OUT, COMPLETE & MAIL CHECK TO: ACC, LLC. PO BOX 6912, GLENDALE, AZ 85312 FOR FASTER SERVICE, GO TO WWW.ARIZCC.COM AND SUBSCRIBE ONLINE
Editor Douglas Towne douglas@arizcc.com
S & D Lawn Service with Scott Perlman in Denver
ADVERTISE HERE!
FIRST JOB YOU EVER HAD?
Contributors Replacing broken John Crow shovel handles for Molly Hammond my grandfather’s Bill Kelton paving crews at age 12 Clark Lowe Installing wood Lisa Sass stockade and rail fences Luke M. Snell Salesman at Entz White Lumber Doug Sydnor Company in Print and Janet Traylor Phoenix at age 16 architectural
signage designer
REACH THOUSANDS OF READERS
Publisher Billy Horner billy@arizcc.com
Production Manager Hand sewing Laura Horner curtains at laura@arizcc.com Curtain Girls
In Memoriam Charles “Chuck” Runbeck 1928 - 2020
in the UK
Advertising 602-931-0069 arizcc.com/advertise
CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN ABOUT AD PLACEMENTS THAT FIT YOUR GOALS AND BUDGET EMAIL US AT BILLY@ARIZCC.COM OR CALL 602-931-0069 TO LEARN MORE SIX
Subscriptions: Online at arizcc.com Serving Contracting Firms and the Arizona Community… Then & Now
Arizona Contractor & Community (ACC) magazine is published bi-monthly (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec). ACC is a professional publication designed for the contracting industry, engineers, architects, equipment rentals, suppliers, and others interested in Arizona and its history. Content including text, photographs or illustrations may not be reproduced without the written permission from the publisher. The publisher does not assume responsibility for unsolicited submissions. ACC reserves the right to reject any editorial and advertising material and reserves the right to edit all submitted content material. Arizona Contractor & Community Copyright © 2025 All rights reserved.
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2025
SPECIALTY COMPANIES GROUP
UTILITY ADJUSTMENTS
There Is Nothing We Can’t Do. There Is No Place We Won’t Go. Contact us anytime!
SPECIALTYCOMPANIESGROUP.COM
ARIZCC.COM
623-582-2385
ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY
10 12 17 47 48 56 62 66 70 74 76 80 84 86 90 94
CONTENTS Contributors - Clark Lowe & Janet Traylor From The Editor: A Day at Europe’s Mini-Pearl Harbor: Gdansk, Poland - Douglas Towne Construction Around Arizona: Projects • People • Practices Back When: Finding Fame at Bashas’ - Douglas Towne Three Decades of Rolling Out Roads, Golf Courses, and Subdivisions: Wheeler Construction - Douglas Towne The Original Luxury Condos in Phoenix: Caring for Our Aging Grande Dames - Janet Traylor Midcentury Gems Turning 50, 60, and Older: Managing Infrastructure Assets Over Time Janet Traylor The Freeway That Started Nowhere And Ended There Too: Building The Outer Loop 101 - Bill Kelton Joy, Hell, And Everything In Between: Constructing The North Loop 101 - Bill Kelton Saluting Arizona’s Builders: William “Wink” Ames Douglas Towne Old School Equipment: Euclid Twin Stack Bulldozer Billy Horner Building on the Past: 1991 – Loop 101 Frontage Road Bill Kelton Architect’s Perspective: Glenn A. McCollum, AIA: Chandler Modernist - Doug Sydnor, FAIA Digging Through the Archives: Wheeler Construction: Masters Of Mass Earth-Moving Operations Billy Horner Bid Results Advertising Index
Front Cover A Wheeler Construction Caterpillar 633 scraper working on the Outer Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway, 1991. Article on page 48
EIGHT
Image Courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2025
Servicing Arizona’s construction industry since 1996!
Serving Arizona for 30 years in the construction equipment repair and field service industry. Component rebuilds including engines, transmissions, differentials and speed reducers. Shop and field mechanics experienced in Cat ET, Cummins Insite, Detroit DDDL and others. Field trucks have welders, compressors and 8K cranes. Onsite hydraulic and a/c hose replacement. Mechanics a/c certified. Certified welding, fabrication and line boring. Mobile 100 ton track press.
Come to Us or Let Us Come To You Lonnie cell: 602-376-1448 David cell: 602-525-3226 5626 S 43rd Ave, Phoenix AZ 85041 dynamicdieselrepairinc.com
ATTENTION CONTRACTORS!
20% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER 3245 N. Arizona Ave. Ste. 8, Chandler, AZ 85225
logowearexpress.com hailey@logowearexpress.com (480) 545-5900
SAFETY TEES, SAFETY VESTS, TRUCKER HATS, & MORE!
New Machines, Parts, Warranty & Service
ARIZCC.COM
ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY
CONTRIBUTORS S OA K IN T H E R E L AXAT I O N CLARK LOWE
JANET TRAYLOR
PAGES 39 & 41
PAGES 56 & 62
C
castlehotsprings.com | 844.276.8052 | Morristown, Arizona
TEN
lark Lowe, president and CEO of O’Connor Company, is a seasoned leader with a distinguished background in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he honed his leadership skills and developed a passion for guiding others toward a shared vision. Clark combines academic rigor with hands-on expertise by holding a BA in Business, an MBA with a Finance specialization, and certifications in Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Project Management from Villanova University. Clark’s extensive construction and business management career includes launching successful divisions, driving significant revenue growth, and optimizing operational budgets. With deep knowledge of construction operations and a global network of industry contacts, he has led major project builds in diverse sectors such as high-end retail, healthcare, and hospitality. His focus on strategic partnerships and innovative approaches has consistently delivered measurable results. As an executive leader, Clark excels in tackling complex challenges using dynamic LEAN solutions to enhance efficiency and drive success. His ability to realign processes and motivate teams has earned him a reputation for leading successful turnarounds in highly competitive environments. Clark is a sought-after public speaker and former Professor of Graduate Business at Mercy College. He is passionate about mentoring the next generation and prioritizes innovation, adaptability, and a commitment to fostering growth within his teams and the industry.
J
anet Traylor earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Colorado State University, then moved to Arizona for graduate studies in art and architectural history at ASU. She began her career in commercial art and design, including architectural signage and wayfinding, branding, ad agency art direction, and representation of commercial illustrators and photographers. She later held corporate leadership positions in marketing and management at PC Globe, a global start-up software company; Cornoyer-Hedrick, an architectural and environmental design firm; APS; and construction and real-estate businesses (Suncor Development, Golden Heritage Homes, and Kitchell Corporation, as Director of Corporate Communications). She and her late husband founded and managed Trocadéro Wine School, which offered Wine and Spirits Education Trust (W.S.E.T.) certified classes to trade professionals and wine enthusiasts. Janet has served on the HOA board of The Olympus Condominiums for many years and is currently the association president. She has helped bring many large infrastructure projects to fruition. She believes that careful planning and thoughtful stewardship of vintage properties are essential to maintaining and enhancing property values. An advocate for historic preservation and a long-time enthusiast of modern architecture and design, she supports groups such as Preserve Phoenix, Docomomo International, and Docomomo US. She initiated her community’s application to the National Register of Historic Places. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2025
Constructing Our Legacy through a commitment to safety, integrity, development & excellence
Serving all of Arizona
KE&G Construction, Inc. - Heavy Civil Contractor www.kegtus.com | Tucson 520.748.0188 | Sierra Vista 520.458.9594
Est. 1994
GRADING/ PAVING CONCRETE
WWW.SUNLANDASPHALT.COM
UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
602.323.2800
CONTACT US
11535 E. Germann Road, Chandler, AZ 85286 | 480.732.9238 www.dcscontracting.com
CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE SERVICES » CRACK SEALING » SEALCOATING » ASPHALT REPAIRS » CHIP SEAL » MILLING/PULVERIZING ARIZCC.COM
» PAVING & OVERLAYS » EARTHWORK & GRADING » UNDERGROUND UTILITIES » CONCRETE STRUCTURES/ FLATWORK
CONSOLIDATED ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC. 1717 E RAIRDAN LANE
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, 85034
Phone:602-437-4200 Fax: 602-437-0773 E-Mail: conorq@cedphx.com Website: www.cedphx.com ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY
EDITOR’S COLUMN:
A DAY AT EUROPE’S MINI-PEARL HARBOR: GDANSK, POLAND DOUGLAS TOWNE
I
t was a stunning morning, free of clouds and full of promise, as the Viking Sky docked at Port Gdansk’s Westerplatte Berth on the 11th day of our summer cruise through the North and Baltic seas. My wife and I, along with friends I’ve known since graduate school at the University of Arizona, were briefly dipping our toes into the luxurious life on a dream vacation. We had nary a care in the world except for what wonders we’d be treated to in Poland.
But the atmosphere would have been entirely different if we had arrived a tad earlier—specifically, 75 years and 10 days. On that morning, September 1, 1939, the Nazi German battleship Schleswig-Holstein, on an alleged diplomatic port visit, opened fire without warning on the garrison stationed at the Polish Military Depot. German troops soon landed, marking the beginning of the invasion of Poland and the horrors of the Second World War.
Images Courtesy of Author
A massive stone marker I was staring at atop a nearby hill stood as a monument to this unprovoked attack, and concrete ruins visible through the trees were remnants of guardhouses that were valiantly defended by outnumbered Polish troops. There was little time to contemplate the somber setting with our morning coffee. I would soon board a bus to visit a hydro-engineering marvel, declared one of the “Seven Wonders of Poland,” because it has allowed boats to travel overland since 1860. Our destination was the 50-mile Elblaski Canal, which runs from Lake Durzno to Jeziorak Lake, two bodies of water with a 100-meter elevation difference. Boats navigate through the canal using locks, except for a steep 6-mile stretch where five water-driven inclined planes and slipways transport them over stretches of dry land like amphibious vehicles. In 1829, this propulsion system was first used in the Morris Canal to transport coal across northern New Jersey. However, although the Morris Canal was decommissioned in 1924, Poland repaired the damage caused during World War II and restored the Elblaski Canal for tourism and recreation in 1948. It was a shrewd decision by the government, as it provides a fascinating expedition for engineers and those who Top left: Construction overhead while touring Old Town Gdansk, Poland, 2024. Top right: Water wheels propel the cables powering the carriages that carry the boats overland on the Elblaski Canal, 2024. Left: Our boat aboard a carriage rises from the lower level of the canal, while another boat on a carriage descends from the canal’s upper level on the Elblaski Canal, 2024.
TWELVE
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2025
Images Courtesy of Author
Above: Monument to the Defenders of the Coast, 2024. Top right: A memorable building downspout in Gdansk, 2024. Below right: Ruins of Polish Military Depot at Westerplatte, 2024.
simply enjoy seeing the Polish countryside from a unique wetland perspective. The voyage across water and land on specially designed boats was a memorable experience. Our Polish guide, dressed in a flamboyant shirt adorned with butterfly species, reminded us of the late gonzo author Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, but with a naturalist’s flair. After passing around shot glasses of Goldwasser, a Polish liquor created in the 16th century, for a morning eye-opener, our guide described the technology behind this historic transportation system that enables boats to traverse hilly canal segments too steep for locks to be used. The inclined planes, or large ramps, feature two parallel rail tracks and cables that pull carriages carrying the boats. The inclines rise from the lower canal level to a summit and then descend a second, shorter incline to reach the upper canal level. A carriage is lowered down the incline to counterbalance the upward-moving carriage. Once the downward-moving carriage has reached the summit and started down the main incline, its weight helps to pull up the upward-moving carriage. After the morning expedition, we headed to a lunch featuring traditional foods such as cucumber salad, rye bread, pierogi, and apple strudel in Old Town Gdansk, one of the most prosperous cities in the Hanseatic League. This mercantile trading group existed from the 12th to the 16th centuries. ARIZCC.COM
To work off the meal, we wandered they surrendered when their ammunition through Gdansk, a city that blends Gothic, and supplies ran out. The day was now overRenaissance, and Baroque architectural cast, and the gray setting suited the somber styles, which was awe-inspiring. Still, I par- memorial, Monument to the Defenders of ticularly appreciated the more plebeian the Coast, created in 1966. Our Polish guide details, such as the downspouts, which mentioned recent sabotage at the port and emerged from carved stone noted that just because bulA HYDRO-ENGINEERING lets weren’t flying at the figures, including serpents. And, of course, I took note of moment, it didn’t mean a MARVEL THAT HAS construction cranes, transconflict wasn’t ongoing with forming historic buildings for ALLOWED BOATS TO TRAVEL Poland’s oversized neighbor new purposes. OVERLAND SINCE 1860. to the east. Our tour returned to the But these concerns port with time to explore Westerplatte, quickly vanished as we reboarded our cruise including the World War II monument ship, where the waiters offered a glass of and ruins. The Polish troops had held out champagne after the long day. With the against an overwhelming force for seven bubbly, I toasted to Poland and its future days. With no hope for reinforcements, peace and prosperity.
ARIZONA CONTRACTOR & COMMUNITY