
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 6, 1991                   TAG: 9104060520
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY/ BUSINESS WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

LAST CEMENT POURED FOR TOWER

The last bucket of cement was poured Friday at the Dominion Tower office building in downtown Roanoke, and workers later went off to pour a different kind of liquid at a "topping-out" party.

Because the building is made of concrete, the final bucket represents completion of the basic structure, said Bob Schneider, project manager for the contractor, F.N. Thompson.

In construction tradition, a tree is erected as part of the topping-off ceremony. Dominion Tower's pine is visible on the Salem Avenue corner nearest the City Market area.

The tree was provided by Concrete Ready Mixed Corp. of Roanoke, which has supplied thousands of yards of concrete for the building.

Dee Shoring Co. of Richmond did the concrete form work, and the topping-out means that company's part in the project is "99 percent complete," said Schneider.

Schneider said Friday's final pouring was on the ceiling for the 24th floor, which will support the pyramid-shaped top that will hide the building's electrical equipment.

Ground was broken May 11 for the Dominion Tower and construction is due to be completed by the end of this year.

by CNB