TEMPE, AZ – Hunt-Sundt, a joint venture of Hunt Construction Group and Sundt Construction, Inc., has completed the 490,000-square-foot Phase II renovation of Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.

The $162 million contract included the complete reconstruction of the lower stadium bowl, new stadium seating with chair backs and cup holders, new concessions, upgraded restrooms and amenities, along with new luxury suites on the east and west sides of the stadium. A new, 360-degree concourse was raised to 20 feet to increase airflow and circulation. Last year, Hunt-Sundt completed Phase I, which involved infrastructure work and rebuilding the south end zone.

“This project has not only improved the fan experience, but elevated an aging 58-year-old stadium to the most technologically advanced stadium in college football, featuring a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi network,” said Sundt Senior Vice President and Southwest District Manager Ryan Abbott. “By next year, the stadium will have 785 wireless access points and 273 antennas, which will significantly improve communications for the teams, fans and media.”

Eventually, the university plans to use the stadium as a multipurpose entertainment hub.

Hunt-Sundt, a joint venture, was conceived almost four years ago to create a winning combination between two top-ranked construction companies — Hunt Construction Group, one of the top ranked sports builders in the United States, according to statistics compiled by Engineering News-Record (ENR), and Sundt Construction, Inc., the state’s most prolific builder of higher education projects.

Construction on Phase II of the Sun Devil Stadium reinvention began in early 2015, and most of the work was completed during the 2015 and 2016 football off-seasons, helping to reduce the project’s impact on student life.

TEMPE, AZ – Sundt Construction, Inc. (www.sundt.com) has promoted Ryan Abbott to Senior Vice President and Southwest District Manager.

In his new role, Abbott provides direction to the district’s leadership team and is responsible for overall performance of its building projects, including acquiring and executing work in Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. Meanwhile, former Southwest District Manager Marty Hedlund has accepted the challenge of a new Regional Director role, overseeing the company’s building work throughout the Phoenix valley.

Abbott began his career at Sundt more than 15 years ago as a field engineer, working his way through every level of project management and eventually becoming project development manager prior to his recent promotion. He has played a key role in many notable Sundt projects, including the $256 million Arizona State University (ASU) Sun Devil Stadium transformation in Tempe (a joint venture with Hunt Construction), the $400 million Banner – University Medical Center Tucson tower in Tucson (a joint venture with DPR Construction), and the $113 million Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Building 4 at ASU in Tempe.

As a modern construction leader, national lecturer and educator on alternate project delivery methods, Abbott has had his work published both locally and nationally in many industry-leading periodicals.  He seeks to redefine the contractor’s role in solving society’s grand challenges, believing that the problems being faced today require a new multi-disciplinary, collaborative approach.  Under his leadership he has proven that when a constructor focuses on the success of its clients and community, it too will prosper.

Abbott was named one of the 2012 Building Design + Construction 40 Under 40 and the 2011 Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 20 under 40 for his extensive professional accomplishments and active role in the industry and community.

Abbott holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from ASU, where he remains active as an ASU Alumni Association board member and a National Alumni Council member. He currently serves as co-chair of the American Institute of Architects/Associated General Contractors Joint Committee.