Waukegan, Illinois (December 20, 2024) – Headquartered in Zion, Illinois, Doetsch Contractors, a certified excavating and trucking company, was one of the local contractors involved in the restoration of the historic Carnegie Library, located at 1 N. Sheridan Road. Doetsch Contractors was honored with the Award for Project Excellence in the Building Category by the Great Lakes Construction Association.

The Great Lakes Construction Association was founded in 1947 by contractors who recognized that to have a bigger voice in union labor contracts and government affairs that affected their businesses, they needed to join forces with like-minded contractors. Today, they are the leading trade association for the commercial construction industry in the Great Lakes Region.

Designated as a Waukegan Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Carnegie Library opened in 1903 with a donation from Andrew Carnegie, a steel magnate and philanthropist who commissioned the construction of 2,509 libraries. In 2022, the Waukegan Park District and the Waukegan Historical Society broke ground on the restoration and adaptive reuse of the former Carnegie Library to become the future Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie with expanded history programming, archives, collections, exhibits, a classroom, and a research library.

Anton L. Mathews, President of the Waukegan Park District Board of Commissioners, stated, “The Waukegan Park District is proud to celebrate the Award for Project Excellence from the Great Lakes Construction Association for Doetsch Contractors. The award is a testament to the strength of partnerships with local contractors to make projects a success for the community.”

Lori Nerheim, President of the Waukegan Historical Society’s Board of Directors, stated, “Thank you to Doetsch Contractors for their key role on this ground-breaking project to transform a beloved national landmark and give it new life as the new Waukegan History Museum. The Waukegan Historical Society celebrates this fourth generation, woman-owned, local contractor and adds our congratulations on their well-deserved recognition.”

Jay Lerner, Executive Director of the Waukegan Park District, stated, “Doetsch Contractors has been a great partner for the Waukegan Park District. Their involvement in the transformation of the historic Carnegie Library has been critical to preserve the integrity of one of Waukegan’s most cherished landmarks. The recognition from the Great Lakes Construction Association for Doetsch Contractors is well deserved.”

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