Owen‑Ames‑Kimball Company (O‑A‑K), a preeminent general contractor with a longstanding presence in Southwest Florida, has completed the Lovers Key State Park Welcome and Discovery Center construction. Friends of Lovers Key and the Florida Park Service partnered to build the first visitor center in a state park in more than 20 years. Lovers Key is the second-busiest state park in Florida.
Set on the inland waterway banks, the center's design pays homage to the beautiful backdrop, with columns designed to model mangrove roots and glass walls that open to large observation decks. The 6,250 square foot building (4,000 square feet enclosed with a 2,520 square foot open deck) includes air-conditioned exhibit space, a multi-purpose community room, restrooms, and an exterior covered outdoor classroom. The structure is elevated to meet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements and includes exterior stairs, an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramp, and ground-level enclosed storage.
“The completion of the Welcome and Discovery Center is the realization of an almost 20-year dream of the people of Southwest Florida,” said Mark Generales, board member of The Friends of Lovers Key. “The team from O‑A‑K went above and beyond, and the quality of their work is exceptional. They are more than a contractor; they are a partner."
The O‑A‑K project manager was Fred Doster. The job site superintendent was Scott Reynolds, and Matthew Zwack is the vice president of operations and general superintendent. Abel Natali, O‑A‑K vice president, was the chief estimator. The architect was John Bryant of Sweet Sparkman Architects.
An employee-owned company, O‑A‑K Florida, Inc.’s Board of Directors comprises members from the company’s Florida operations. Owen‑Ames‑Kimball Company has provided premier general contracting, design-build, and construction management services in Southwest Florida since 1982.
O‑A‑K’s Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Florida operation has offices in Collier and Lee counties. Its Lee County office is located at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers. Learn more about O‑A‑K at www.owen‑ames‑kimball.com or call (239) 561-4141.
The team from O‑A‑K went above and beyond, and the quality of their work is exceptional. They are more than a contractor; they are a partner.
