MAY 2008
                                          
DC SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION EARNS TOP HONOR FROM DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
Annual Awards Dinner to be Held at Washington Hilton - May 15, 2007, 6:30 PM

(Washington, DC) – On Thursday, May, 15, 2008, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and W. Christopher Smith, Jr., president of the District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA) will present the DC Sports & Entertainment Commission (DCSEC) the 2008 Building Industry Achievement Award.  The awards ceremony will take place at the Washington Hilton Hotel at 6:30pm.

The award is being given for the successful construction of the new, spectacular, state-of-the-art Nationals Park, located in Southeast DC which was delivered on time and within the cost cap.  The project achieved every construction milestone and unprecedented participation by District businesses and residents in building the ballpark.  Nationals Park also received LEED® Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the first major stadium in the United States to become environmentally friendly.   DCSEC Board Chairman Matthew Cutts and DCSEC Chief Executive Officer Gregory A. O’Dell will be on hand at tomorrow’s ceremony to make remarks and accept the prestigious award.

“We are thrilled and honored to receive this recognition from the DCBIA,” said DCSEC Board Chairman Cutts.  “Designing and building this ballpark was accomplished with dedicated teamwork from start to finish.  We applaud everyone who had a hand in completing the project.”

In addition to the DCSEC, also honored will be the design, construction and program management teams which include Clark Construction Group/Hunt Construction Group/Smoot Construction- Joint Venture, HOK Sport/Devrouax & Purnell Architects & Planners, McKissack & McKissack, Brailsford & Dunlavey and Turner Construction.

“I am very proud to have been a part of this remarkable project,” added O’Dell. “It is very satisfying to work on this successful project that involved so many of our District residents and local businesses – it is a wonderful showcase of the District’s talented workforce in the construction industry.  We hope Nationals Park is a model for future development projects.”

Since 1984, the DC Building Industry Association has presented Achievement Awards to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the District; i.e., new development, revitalization of neglected areas, and primarily service to the community. 

The awards are presented to representatives of the private and public sectors who work in partnership to ensure economic growth and opportunity – enriching the lives of residents of the District of Columbia.

According to DCBIA President Chris Smith, “The outstanding accomplishments of the recipients of the 2008 Achievement Awards are remarkable and have made a significant difference in the lives of the many people who live, work, go to school in Washington, DC.  The achievements of these individuals are extraordinary examples of partnerships working together to create change in our city.” 

About the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission                                                             
The DC Sports and Entertainment Commission, an independent agency of the District of Columbia government, is responsible for the management and operation of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, the DC Armory and their adjacent facilities.  The Commission is also charged with presenting and promoting sports, entertainment and special events.