Houston’s commercial construction industry celebrated the most outstanding projects built by AGC Houston members at the Awards for Project Excellence on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016.  More than 500 guests attended the biennial event at The Astorian, which featured KPRC TV’s Khambrel Marshall as master of ceremonies. Twenty five Houston companies took home 52 Gold, Silver and Bronze APEX awards for outstanding building projects in 18 categories. APEX recognizes and honors firms for their excellence in design and construction, their valuable contributions to the community, and advancement to the commercial building industry.

The event also honored Paul Bell, Jr., P. G. Bell Company, with the 2016 AGC Houston Master Builder Award. Mr. Bell served the Associated General Contractors in numerous capacities at the local, state and national levels throughout his long career, including the Texas Medical Center for over 50 years.

Susan Bell Boykin and Paul Bell, III, accepted the award on their father’s behalf. General and specialty contractors submitted 82 entries in categories that include healthcare and research, education, industrial, liturgical, hospitality, interiors, renovation, entertainment, sitework and greenspace. Each entry had to have been completed between April 1, 2014 and April 30, 2016, within the 24 counties that comprise AGC Houston’s territory.

More than 55 qualified judges representing the architectural, engineering and construction industry spent significant time touring the projects in June and meeting with project teams. Each winning entry’s selection was based on contribution to the community and/or environment; quality of the management process in serving the client; safety records; difficulty in construction; and timely completion within budget.

Paul Bell Jr.’s selection as AGC Houston Master Builder is attributed to the outstanding contributions he made to the commercial construction industry—particularly his significant involvement in construction labor issues at the local, state and national levels.

During his years in business, Mr. Bell chaired numerous construction labor negotiating committees including the Employers Council of the Texas Gulf Coast. He served as AGC Houston President for two terms (1965–1967) and helped to form the AGC Texas Building Branch in Austin. Bell spent many years as a national director of AGC of America and served on its Executive Committee.

In addition to being widely respected in the construction industry, Mr. Bell served in numerous capacities in local charities and organizations, particularly in the Texas Medical Center. He served on the St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Board for 20 years, beginning in 1965. Bell also served on the Texas Medical Center Board from 1982 through 2013 and the Thermal Energy Corporation board from 1967 through 2013. TECO’s board of directors renamed its central plant the Paul G. Bell, Jr. Energy Plant in 2014 to salute his role in its formation and for his service to the Texas Medical Center.

List of award-winning projects, companies and categories.