AGC BUILD Wisconsin Award
Ideal Builders Wins 2026 BUILD Wisconsin Award for Wisconsin Dells Public Works
AGC of Wisconsin honors the 70,000-square-foot municipal campus in the Industrial category.
MADISON, WI – November 2026 — Ideal Builders has won a 2026 BUILD Wisconsin Award from the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin (AGC of Wisconsin) for the Wisconsin Dells Public Works facility. The project was recognized in the general contractor Industrial category, in the $15 million to $30 million division.
The BUILD Wisconsin Awards recognize the best of Wisconsin construction. Entries are judged on craftsmanship, how the team met difficult challenges, the project’s impact on the client and community, and sustainable practices and innovation.
A New Home for the Crews Who Keep the Dells Running
The Wisconsin Dells Public Works facility is a new, ground-up campus at 1440 Broadway Road that brings the City’s public works crews, water and electric utility, and parks and recreation staff together in one purpose-built home. The 70,000-square-foot facility includes offices and meeting rooms, locker rooms, a fleet parking garage, vehicle maintenance and wash bays, workshops, and mezzanine mechanical and storage space, plus a separate salt and sand storage building.
Wisconsin Dells has a year-round population of about 3,200 and welcomes more than 5 million visitors a year. The crews based at this campus handle everything from street maintenance and municipal mowing to garbage collection and stormwater management, serving residents and visitors alike.
“I have to say, having been in utility and civil engineering for 17 years and a Director of Municipal Services; this project is outstanding! Other municipalities will be drooling over this facility.” – CHAD RENLY | Owner & Photographer, Branded Exposure
Built Through a Wisconsin Winter
Ideal Builders served as general contractor, working alongside the City of Wisconsin Dells, owner’s representative Eric and Lee Associates, and architect Architectural Design Consultants, Inc. (ADCI). Construction began in May 2025 and carried through a full Wisconsin winter. The team prioritized enclosing the building so interior work could keep moving through the cold months, and closely managed procurement of specialized equipment, including electrical distribution equipment, mechanical systems, and commercial overhead doors.
Several City departments, each with its own equipment and utility needs, came together in a single building, with mechanical systems on mezzanines above active work areas. Ideal Builders used BIM coordination, proactive scheduling, and ongoing quality-control inspections to bring those systems together. The team also self-performed the foundations, which required precise layout for the building’s structural precast wall panels.
Ideal Builders turned the facility over in August 2026, meeting the contractual turnover date, with three owner change orders and a net reduction in the contract amount.
Built to Last, Built Close to Home
The facility is designed for decades of demanding municipal use, with durable materials and systems, modern building controls for efficient HVAC management, and energy-efficient LED lighting. The dedicated salt and sand storage building protects materials from rain and helps limit exposure to stormwater, and construction waste was sorted for recycling to reduce landfill waste.
Officials say the project positions the city to better handle increasing service demands tied to population and visitor growth. The centralized campus is expected to improve operational efficiency for utilities and city services, while freeing up space for community amenities. Among the anticipated public features: A dog park.
Source: Dells Mayor Highlights Growth
“Wisconsin Dells is a small city with a big job, and the people in this building make it work every day. We’re proud to have built them a facility that’s ready for decades of hard use. This project shows what our team can do when the work gets complex.”
– JASON BOLLIG | President & CEO, Ideal Builders
Headquartered in Madison, Ideal Builders built the project with approximately 10 subcontractors from the Greater Madison area and south central Wisconsin.
Ideal Builders will accept the award at AGC of Wisconsin’s Centennial Celebration and BUILD Wisconsin Awards ceremony on January 28, 2027, at The Sylvee in Madison.
ABOUT IDEAL BUILDERS
Ideal Builders is a commercial construction company based in Madison, Wisconsin. For 25 years, we’ve built award-winning spaces for clients across industrial, biotech, healthcare, boutique hospitality, financial, and office footprints. We know what makes a good project great: collaborative partnerships, a focus on service, and genuine care for the people who experience our spaces. Learn more at idealbuilders.com.
