The regional construction landscape has reached a new pinnacle of achievement. Following an intensive evaluation process that scrutinized the most ambitious developments across the heartland, ENR Midwest has officially announced the winners of its 2026 Best Projects Awards. These accolades serve as a benchmark for the industry, highlighting the firms, engineers, and visionaries who have successfully navigated complex logistical hurdles to deliver infrastructure that defines the modern era.
Out of 108 high-caliber submissions, 30 projects were selected as "Best Project" winners across 19 diverse categories, while 16 additional projects received "Awards of Merit." These selections represent the gold standard of architectural ingenuity, sustainable design, and rigorous safety standards currently shaping the Midwest’s built environment.
The Selection Process: A Rigorous Standard of Excellence
The integrity of the ENR Midwest awards program hinges on its independent judging panels. This year, the evaluation was conducted by a group of industry leaders who represent the breadth of the construction sector, from architectural design and engineering to project management and sustainability consulting.
The 2026 jury included:
- Danielle Dy Buncio, CEO, VIATechnik
- Zane Hyrkas, Project Manager, OHM Advisors
- Melanie Jefferies, COO of Production and Delivery, Milhouse Engineering and Construction
- Brandon Maurisak, Transit and Rail Project Manager, HNTB
- Sam Mishelow, Director of Client Development, Meyer Najem
- Vivek Prasad VK, Lead Estimator-Americas, Microsoft
- Deana Ruud, Director of External Communications, Terracon
- Ben Szela, Principal and Texas Engineering Practice Leader, DLR Group
- Laura Young, CEO, Griskelis Young Harrell
- Steven Zimmerman, JTC Director and Associate Principal, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
To ensure impartiality, the judging process was strictly governed by conflict-of-interest protocols. Jurors were recused from voting on any project with which their own firms were affiliated or in which they had direct involvement. Specialized categories—specifically Safety and Sustainability—featured dedicated subject matter experts, including Jill Katic of Barton Malow Holdings and Julianne Laue of DLR Group, to ensure that the unique technical requirements of these critical disciplines were properly vetted.
Chronology of Recognition: From Selection to the Grand Stage
The announcement of these winners marks the midpoint of a multi-stage celebration of regional talent. Following this week’s reveal of the category winners, the industry turns its eyes toward the November print edition of ENR Midwest, scheduled for release on November 9. This issue will feature in-depth profiles of the winners, offering a granular look at the technical challenges and innovative solutions employed in each of the 30 "Best Project" developments.
The culmination of this year’s program will occur on Friday, November 19, at an awards breakfast in Chicago. This marquee event will not only honor the Best Projects and Awards of Merit winners but will also reveal the highly anticipated "Project of the Year" from a shortlist of three top-tier nominees. Furthermore, the breakfast will serve as a platform to recognize the recipients of the program’s most prestigious individual and firm awards, including:
- Legacy Award
- Specialty Contractor of the Year
- Contractor of the Year
- Owner of the Year
- Design Firm of the Year
A Snapshot of the 2026 Winners
The breadth of this year’s winners reflects the diverse needs of the Midwest, ranging from high-stakes infrastructure to community-focused cultural hubs.
Infrastructure and Public Works
The Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension (Submitted by Herzog Contracting) took the top honor in the Airport/Transit category, underscoring the critical importance of urban mobility. In the Highway/Bridge category, the monumental Gordie Howe International Bridge Project (Submitted by AECOM) claimed the Best Project title, serving as a testament to cross-border cooperation and engineering scale.
Healthcare and Institutional Growth
Healthcare projects remain a focal point for investment in the region. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center University Hospital (Submitted by Walsh/Turner Joint Venture) was named the Best Project in Healthcare, reflecting the massive scale and technical complexity required for modern medical facilities. Similarly, the Minnesota State Emergency Operations Center (Submitted by JE Dunn Construction) earned the top spot in the Government/Public Building category, highlighting the essential role of resilient infrastructure in public safety.
Education and Innovation
From K-12 to higher education, the region continues to invest heavily in its future. The KRESA Career Connect Campus (Submitted by CSM Group) captured the Best Project award in the K-12 category, while the Chemistry Building Renovation and Expansion at the University of Cincinnati (Submitted by Skanska USA Building) topped the Higher Education list.
Sustainability and Safety: Setting the Bar
The awards reflect a shifting industry focus toward environmental responsibility and human welfare. The Amazon DII5 Net Zero Delivery Station (Submitted by Graycor) was recognized as the Best Project in Sustainability, signaling a growing trend in carbon-conscious industrial logistics. In the Safety category, Polaris Forge I (Submitted by Applied Digital) received the top honor, reinforcing the message that no project can be considered a success unless every worker returns home safely.
Implications for the Future of Construction
The 2026 ENR Midwest Best Projects list is more than just a roll call of successful construction jobs; it serves as a roadmap for the future of the built environment. Several key themes emerged from this year’s submissions that carry significant implications for the industry at large.
1. The Rise of Adaptive Reuse
Projects such as the JE Dunn Construction Headquarters Renovation and the Chemistry Building Renovation and Expansion highlight a growing trend: the transformation of existing spaces into high-performance, modern environments. As urban density increases, the ability to repurpose aging structures with minimal environmental impact is becoming a primary competitive advantage for design and construction firms.
2. Engineering for Climate Resilience
The recognition of the Buffalo Trace Distillery: Riverbank Stabilization & Flood Protection as a winner in both the Manufacturing and Safety categories illustrates a pivot toward infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather. As climate patterns shift, the industry is increasingly tasked with building structures that provide long-term protection for vital commercial and industrial assets.
3. Collaborative Delivery Models
The prevalence of joint ventures—seen in the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Walsh/Turner) and the Gordie Howe International Bridge—suggests that the most complex projects of the coming decade will rely on deep inter-firm collaboration. The ability to integrate multiple teams under a single, unified project management structure is no longer just a luxury; it is a necessity for the successful completion of mega-projects.
Official Responses and Industry Outlook
Industry leaders have noted that the 2026 competition was arguably the most difficult to judge in recent history, citing an across-the-board increase in the quality of project documentation and technical complexity.
"The projects selected this year demonstrate a profound understanding of what it means to build for the next generation," said an industry spokesperson close to the awards committee. "We are seeing a move away from simple cost-minimization and toward value-maximization. Whether through the implementation of Net Zero standards or the use of cutting-edge materials to ensure bridge longevity, these firms are proving that they are ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century."
Conclusion: Honoring the Architects of Progress
As the Midwest construction sector continues to evolve, the ENR Midwest Best Projects awards provide a vital lens through which we can view the region’s progress. These 30 winning projects represent millions of hours of labor, millions of dollars in capital investment, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
From the quiet, contemplative design of the Chapel of the Risen Christ in St. Louis to the massive, industrial scale of the Tilden Solar project in Michigan, the 2026 honorees embody the spirit of the industry: the desire to innovate, the courage to tackle the impossible, and the dedication to improve the communities in which we live and work.
As we look toward the awards breakfast in November, the industry celebrates not just the completion of these structures, but the ongoing impact they will have on the people who use them, the cities that house them, and the history they will help to write. Congratulations to all of the 2026 winners; your work is the foundation upon which the future of the Midwest is being built.
