April 30, 2024

DJC bids adieu to construction editor Benjamin Minnick

Photo by Emma Hinchliffe

Benjamin Minnick has retired after 35 years at the DJC.

Today is bound to be a bittersweet one at the office as the DJC says goodbye to longtime construction editor and esteemed colleague Benjamin Minnick, who is retiring, effective May 1, after more than three decades reporting for the paper.

Minnick started at the DJC in 1989, writing the Upcoming Projects column and other construction related briefs. This was long before the internet as we know it today and the job took him to about a dozen cities between Olympia and Everett every week. At these municipalities, he pored over SEPA documents to extract information and created over 10,000 leads for the Upcoming Projects column.

His responsibilities grew over the years. In 1993 Minnick became construction editor and later an associate editor.

In addition to his writing and revered editing skills, Ben is a great photographer and an even better coworker. He has also volunteered a tremendous amount of time judging construction industry excellence competitions.

Photo by Benjamin Minnick [enlarge]

One of Minnick’s favorite memories is taking a tram ride into the downtown Seattle waterfront tunnel while it was under construction.

Phil Brown, DJC editor and publisher, had this to say about Minnick: “Ben has contributed significantly to the DJC's success over the years. His in-depth knowledge of the people and companies in the Northwest construction industry has allowed Ben to write thousands of amazing articles for our publication.”

Minnick shared the following reflections on his time at the DJC:

Q: How are you feeling on the occasion of your retirement?

A: This is bittersweet. I will miss working in the newsroom on a breaking news story or researching the latest trend in the construction industry. On the other hand, I won't miss two hours of daily rush hour commuting. I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life that will, hopefully, involve more travel. I am already booked for an Alaskan cruise in the coming weeks with family and friends.

Q: What have you most enjoyed about covering construction for the DJC?

A: The local construction community is tight-knit and always open to lending a helping hand when asked, making my job easier over the years. The DJC ran a series of articles back in the day about KUBE's Haunted House project, which needed volunteers and donations. These articles proved valuable to the cause, as members of the construction community stepped up to build vignettes and companies contributed supplies and materials to the annual fundraiser.

Q: What are some of the construction stories/projects over the years that stand out?

A: For the most part, those that involved tours of projects not available to the general public. Some examples include several tram rides into the downtown Seattle waterfront tunnel while it was under construction, a tour inside a concrete pontoon of one of the Lake Washington floating bridges, and a quick climb up a short ladder at the 300 level of the Kingdome to access the roof, which was being cleaned at the time.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories from your time at the DJC?

A: Helping our readers better their businesses/careers through informational articles. Outside of the newsroom, the DJC's 100th anniversary cruise on Lake Washington in 1993, and the annual office golf outings of the past.

Q: What will you miss the most?

A: The DJC has been an extended family to me over the past 35 years, with many of my fellow team members here for most of that journey. Low staff turnover is a testament to a good work environment.

“We wish Ben well and hope that he may still write some articles for us after an appropriate amount of relaxation, travel, and fun,'' Brown added.