Landry/French wins AGC award for Colby College mixed-use project

Waterville, ME Landry/French Construction Co. received a first place award in the 2019 Build Maine Awards Competition for the construction of Colby College’s Bill and Joan Alford Main St. Commons. Sponsored by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Maine, the award was presented at the AGC’s annual event at the Augusta Civic Center. 

Landry/French Construction received the top award in the Building Category for the new 103,000 s/f mixed-use building. A signature piece of a multi-million dollar downtown revitalization effort spearheaded by Colby College and in partnership with the city, the Alfond Main St. Commons was the first new construction project in downtown Waterville in over 50 years. The five-story building features 52 student apartments designed for 200 students with four, two-bedroom faculty apartments and four studio apartments for staff members; a first-floor fitness center; a studio wellness center for yoga or meditation; a classroom on the second floor with full A/V capabilities; two, two-story glassed-in social lounges for recreation and study; a fifth-floor reading room; study nooks on each floor; and laundry facilities on the third and fourth floors.   

On the ground floor of the building is a 3,800 s/f  glassed-in multi-purpose community space, the Chace Community Forum, that is used as meeting space for Colby, the Waterville City Council, non-profit organizations, and other community groups. The ground floor also contains Camden National Bank’s new prototype location and retail space for additional tenants.

The Alfond Main St. Commons was designed with civic engagement in mind, deepening the connection between Colby and the broader Waterville community. The social impact has been tremendous with 200 students who are now active in the community, partnering and volunteering with nonprofits and other community organizations.  

The project received the award based on the five categories: contribution to community, innovation in construction techniques or materials, meeting the challenges of a difficult job, environmental sensitivity, and responsiveness to client needs/satisfaction. 

Despite challenges along the way including a tight labor market and an aggressive schedule, the project was completed ahead of schedule. The design-build project was designed by Ayers Saint Gross.

This is Landry/French’s third AGC Build Maine Award in five years.