• Chad Vriesema Contractor taking on significant downtown projects
Published 12:00 am Sunday, January 5, 2014
SALISBURY — Chad Vriesema of Central Piedmont Builders has a full plate in 2014.
Because state historic preservation tax credits are scheduled to sunset Jan. 1, 2015, Vriesema wants to devote much of his time this year on downtown projects, including a transformation of the former Bernhardt Hardware building, which he purchased in 2013 with Bryan Wymbs as a partner.
Their plans call for providing a mix of retail, office and residential in the Bernhardt venture.
Also in 2014, Central Piedmont Builders will be tackling a major renovation of the Hedrick Building on North Church Street to provide retail and office space and a parking garage in what once was home to a Salisbury car dealership.
Central Piedmont will continue its work on the East Fisher Street building that includes Benchwarmers and stick with some of its residential remodeling projects in the Country Club area.
Vriesema and his father, Peter, own Central Piedmont Builders, and Peter serves as president. Starting here in 2000 as predominantly a masonry contractor, Central Piedmont Builders now has eight full-time employees and is structured to take on major projects.
In the downtown area alone, Central Piedmont’s restoration resume includes, for example, Pottery 101, Critters, Go Burrito and Walser Technology Group.
Name: Chad Vriesema
Title: Vice president, Central Piedmont Builders
Age: 36
Address: Salisbury
If you won millions of dollars in a lottery, what would you do? “I’d tithe to the church and invest the rest.”
Favorite TV show: “CSI”
Who should play you in a movie? Ben Affleck
What would you choose for your last meal? “Filet mignon and mashed potatoes, comfort food.”
Who will you watch in 2014? Rand Paul
Biggest challenge in 2014? “Finding a balance between work and family.”
Biggest hope for 2014? “Figuring out a way for the county to continue to have growth and a common ground for coming together.”
Reaction to making the list: “I was surprised, shocked.”
— Mark Wineka