PRINCESS ANNE, MD -July 15, 2004— Construction of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s new $3 million Coastal Ecology Teaching and Research Lab is underway in Princess Anne, Maryland. Located 200 feet from the Sinepuxent Bay, near the bridge entering Assateague Island, the future lab will be dedicated to conducting ecological research of the oceans and bays along the Maryland coast. Konover Construction Corporation, serving as general contractor, anticipates the project will be complete in time for the Fall semester in 2004.

The 11,000 square-foot, single story, wood structure will be built on top of masonry piers, extending over the Chesapeake Bay. Built with unpredictable, inclement conditions in mind, the steel and concrete piers will fully stabilize the facility during hurricanes and stormy weather.

Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the new lab will work with other minority institutions to find out more about subjects including the blue crab parasite, bay habitats for flounder, sea grasses, striped bass, and run-off pollution.

“UMES has been identified as one of the country’s top institutions in marine sciences for minority students. We’re excited to play a part in the process.” explains Michael Kolakowski, president and CEO of Konover Construction.

Regionally located in Columbia, Maryland and Farmington, Connecticut, Konover Construction Corporation is a $300 million, full-service, single-source commercial construction company serving the Eastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Founded in 1959, the company provides construction management, design-build, and general contracting services to corporate, institutional, educational, retail, and other public and private sector clients. Engineering News-Record magazine ranks Konover Construction 164th among the nation's top 400 construction companies, and 66th in the nation’s top 100 construction management-at-risk firms.