Des Moines Construction Progresses

January 7, 2010

Work on the New Annex Moves Forward Despite the Cold

Despite sub-zero temperatures, record-breaking snowfalls, and several water issues, work is progressing on the new Merchants home office annex and the walkway between the two buildings. It is still on track to be completed by spring of this year.

The walls are up inside the building and work is beginning on drywall and priming. The walkway is also progressing, with piers build and masonry work to be completed this week. It took just one day in December for workers to set up scaffolding around the structure and tent it so that work could continue inside the walkway as temperatures plummeted outside.

The Executive Committee took advantage of the enclosed construction area as a backdrop for a "Who's Who in Insurance" magazine photo. "Our photo will be quite a bit different from every other boardroom photo you'll see in the magazine," said V.P. of Marketing Therese Wielage. "We wanted to show we're growing even in these economic times and this was a good way to do it."