Bethany

Pioneer Equipment Rental received the Top Sales Distributor for 2011 award from Terex Construction. Pioneer, 7940 N.W. 39th Expressway, is the largest independent rental company in Oklahoma with nine stores in Oklahoma and Texas. This is the first time Terex, a global construction supply company, has presented this award.

Del City

right, Del City Chamber of Commerce

The Del City Chamber of Commerce (pictured, right) moved into its new space at 5540 S.E. 15th St., allowing Executive Director Kay Bibens to move from a cramped office at the Del City Community Center into a renovated 2,816-square-foot building. Previously it was a gas station and convenience store. The city initially purchased the building and will retain ownership while leasing it to the chamber. Del City builder Jim McWhirter donated time and materials and found partners to donate supplies to complete the project.

Capitol Hill

Fire Station No. 7 reopened in Capitol Hill after a $1.7 million rebuild. The station, 218 S.W. 23rd St., includes an advanced alerting system to reduce response time by firefighters, a decontamination area, a built-in sprinkler room, a room dedicated to emergency medical services, a rig room with a hydronic heating system that stores an advanced life-support engine, a rescue ladder truck and a car for the battalion chief. The sleeping quarters include private storage for firefighters on all three shifts. One of 25 fire stations around the city, it was funded through the Public Safety Capital Tax. “The technology and features, along with two of our newer fire trucks, will enhance the quality of emergency services for residents living in the Capitol Hill area,” says Oklahoma City Fire Chief Keith Bryant.

Northeast

Scott Plafker, a scientist with Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, received a five-year, $1.57 million grant to study an enzyme that may stop retinal degeneration. The grant was awarded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences based on his work with UbcM2, an enzyme that amplifies the ability of cells to fight oxidative stress and damage. Research shows, over time, free radicals can build up causing adverse effects, as well as it being linked to several diseases and retinal degeneration.

Over the next five years, Plafker will work with Michael Kinter, also with OMRF, and Rachel Klevit, with the University of Washington, to examine the structure of the enzyme.

Edmond

The Meat House, an upscale butcher and grocer, is setting up a shop at 2245 W. Danforth Road. Kirkpatrick Bank opened in the retail center in 2002, and recently leased 3,276 square feet to the New Hampshire-based butcher chain. It has 28 Meat House locations in eight states. This is the company’s first store in Oklahoma. The architect for the project is NORR, and the construction company is Skyriders. Carl Archiniaco with Grubb & Ellis|Levy Beffort handled the transaction.

Northwest

Mercy Health Center announced plans for a 50-bed, 50,000-square-foot rehabilitation hospital at Memorial Road and MacArthur Boulevard. The budget for the project is $14 million.

It will include inpatient rehabilitation services for those suffering from strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations, complex orthopedic injuries and other conditions.

“Every inch of the new facility, inside and out, is being designed with the patient in mind,” says Jim Gebhart, president of Mercy Health Center. “Our goal is to provide a dynamic healing environment focused on complete patient recovery.”

The new rehab hospital will be linked to Mercy’s electronic health record system.

Southeast

Oklahoma City Educare, 500 S.E. Grand Blvd., was selected to receive a grant for outdoor play space by the Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play. As one of 436 recipients, the school for at-risk children from birth to age 5 will receive $5,000.

The money will be used to improve the school’s play spaces, and as an award winner, will have access to online courses, webinars and resource materials for teachers. The equipment will be installed this fall.

“We appreciate Head Start Body Start for helping us improve our play spaces and educate our children and their families about the value of physical activity and playing outdoors,” says Malana Means, director of Oklahoma City Educare. “This grant will allow us to install new climbing structures in our playground and purchase gardening materials to enhance the playground appearance.”

Photo by Mark Hancock