2000 News
(JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FL) June 30, 2000 – Company officials with Connelly & Wicker report that the firm has completed several engineering projects in North Florida in recent weeks.
Clear Channel, who purchased Eller Media last year, is making improvements to their location in East Park Industrial Park to consolidate current staff from five other area locations. Architects Luckett & Farley of Louisville, Kentucky secured the services of Connelly & Wicker Inc. to provide site grading for the expansion of the original facilities and for a new 16,900 square foot structure to the rear of the existing building. The existing building will expand from one stories to two. Situated on more than six acres in the industrial park, Clear Channel is at the corner of Central Parkway and Parkside Drive. Josh McGraw of Clear Channel reports that all improvements should be completed by March 2001. Connelly & Wicker Inc. is also currently in an initial design phase for a secondary location on the Northside for the Eller Media Division of Clear Channel. It is anticipated that this site will serve as a storage location for construction materials.
The Lighthouse Grille will open in the former location of Jacksonville Beach’s Point of View Restaurant. The site also originally featured the popular Fanny Dugan’s Sports Bar, which has been demolished to make way for the new restaurant and associated parking. New improvements to the facilities include a lighthouse that is 60 feet high. The owner/developer is South Carolina-based CentraArchy Restaurant Management Company. Seiber Design Inc. of Atlanta is the architect and Connelly & Wicker Inc. provided civil engineering services. The 11,000 square foot restaurant is expected to seat 350 and is slated to open late Summer 2000 says Operating Partner, Mike Crookes.
(JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FL) March 1, 2000 - Connelly & Wicker Inc. announced that Richard C. “Rick” Welch, P.E. will succeed Marvin Wicker, P.E. as president of the 17-year old Jacksonville civil engineering firm.
Rick Welch, who has been with Connelly & Wicker Inc. for 15 years led the principals in constructing a management and ownership transfer plan. “Every privately held company in business for any length of time will need to address the issue of the retiring founders, and it is critical to plan ahead in order to assure that everyone’s interests are being considered and to implement a smooth transition of responsibilities”.
One key element to Connelly & Wicker’s management plan was to retain the “hands-on, principal involvement” approach. To that end, the firm’s principals are the lead engineers in their primary disciplines. Andy Cummings, P.E., Senior Vice President, Transportation and Drainage Design; John Lewis, P.E., Senior Vice President, Destin Regional Manager; Duane Merrell, P.E., Vice President, Structural Engineer; and Vice Presidents Gary Abbey, P.E. and Brian Kientz, both of whom specialize in private land development engineering. Marvin Wicker, who is the second co-founder of the firm, agreed to serve as Chief Financial Officer until next year. His full retirement will be effective February 28, 2001.