Masonry group to honor 3 stonework projects in Pa.

The awards are given out every other year.

By LAURE CIOFFI

VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A recent building boom in Lawrence and Mercer counties has come to the attention of the International Masonry Institute.

Three projects that used extensive stonework will be recognized next month by the group at its annual dinner in Pittsburgh. Institute personnel were in Lawrence and Mercer counties Wednesday filming the work and talking to those involved for a presentation that will be presented at the awards dinner.

The newly opened Riverwalk Park in downtown New Castle won the award for best landscape.

“This was such a unique project. It looks so great in a downtown setting. It fits in,” said Tom Swidzinski, president of Swidzinski Masonry Inc. of Butler, Pa. Swidzinski’s company did the work on the stone pillars that are placed throughout the downtown park.

Mary Linn Theis of IMI said these awards, called the Golden Trowel Awards, are only given out every other year in western Pennsylvania, and the judges are brought in from the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area.

City’s history

New Castle Mayor Wayne Alexander pointed out the city has a long history of masonry work, and this newly built Riverwalk Park is another example of the quality found in the city.

IMI also is recognizing the New Castle Junior/Senior High School for its masonry interior award.

Grove City College in Mercer County also is slated for an IMI award for best work in higher education for the newly built Colonial Hall.

Amy Clingensmith, Grove City College spokeswoman, said Colonial Hall is a $12 million newly opened apartment building for upperclassmen. The entire exterior is brick.

Theis said nominations for the awards are usually submitted by the contractors or architects who work on the project. There are 12 awards presented every other year in various categories.

cioffi@vindy.com