Author: ssullivan

Powers recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business and the CAC

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Women like Vice President Kelly Powers who work in the construction industry are breaking ground and barriers. Kelly is one of 65 professionals featured by Crain’s Chicago Business in April as “2021 Notable Women in Construction & Design.”

The women recognized this year are leaders in every aspect of the construction industry—including design, site selection, and project management and administration—with specialties in a range of construction sectors.  They represent a diverse cross-section of architects, engineers, subcontractors, general contractors, construction managers, and consultants.

To qualify for inclusion, honorees must be employed in a construction, architecture, engineering, or commercial design firm, have worked on significant projects during the past 18 months, and have striven to advance women in the field.

Click here for Crain’s complete 2021 list of the women recognized. Note that a subscription is required to access the individual profiles published for each honoree.

Also in 2021, Kelly was appointed to the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) Board of Trustees. Formerly known as the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the nonprofit group offers tours, exhibits, programs, and events that inspire visitors to discover why design matters. Established in 1966, CAC is the city’s leading organization devoted to celebrating architectural innovation.

Solar panels installed on roof of new West Perry Branch Library in Indianapolis

Earth Day 2021: Sustainability & New Construction

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Applying feasible solutions to reduce the impact of climate change on everyday life is rapidly becoming a global imperative.

In recognition of Earth Day 2021 (Thursday, April 22) and its #RestoreOurEarth theme, here is a short update about the Indianapolis Public Library’s new West Perry Branch.

According to Project Engineer Dylan Etheridge:

  • Library officials expect to meet about 75 percent of their total energy needs using solar technology; 680 solar panels are newly installed on the library’s roof.
  • By harvesting energy from the sun, Indianapolis Public Library will be able to substantially reduce operating expenses at this property.
  • The savings can be reinvested into new library materials, programs, and services for local residents.

Located near the intersection of Southport & South Harding, the project is on schedule to open in 2021. Landscaping on the 60-acre site will feature trees and flowering shrubs, including some which are drought-tolerant species. Etheridge reports that among the trees being delivered and planted are juniper, spruce, sumac, honey locust, hawthorn, red maples, Kentucky coffeetree, and American elm.

Why are trees an important consideration in ground-up new construction?

  • One acre of mature trees can absorb the same amount of carbon that is generated by driving a car 26,000 miles (they absorb other pollutants and toxins as well). That same acre provides enough oxygen for 18 people every year.
  • Trees cool buildings, sidewalks, and parking lots by providing shade and releasing water. Most trees need a minimum of 15 gallons of water a week to survive, but they release 200-450 gallons of water per day depending on their variety and size.
  • In addition, trees play an important role in erosion control, soil fertility, and water absorption.

Site prep for the 25,000 SF facility with parking included installation of a storm water management system. Because storm water can be full of pollutants and nitrogen, trees help reduce run-off instead allowing water to seep into the soil where it is filtered and cleaned.

LEED Certification through the U.S. Green Building Council may be pursued for the project, which includes Schmidt Associates, HBM Architects & Interior Designers, Schneider Geomatics, and RM Consulting.

April 22 @ 9 AM: M/B/D/VBE Opportunities at Northview Middle

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Representatives of MBE, WBE, DBE, and VBE companies are invited to join us Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 9 a.m. for a virtual meeting highlighting opportunities with Powers & Sons Construction and partners Messer Construction, Schmidt Associates, Nubian Construction Group, and Winston Terrell Group.

We are building the new 210,000 SF Northview Middle School on a 60-acre site for the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township. Our firms are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive construction site and practicing equitable procurement of materials, supplies, and services by doing business with local small businesses.

MEETING LINK:
https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1472968025?pwd=NU55RzdZRjR1UzZSb3lDRU01ZkNkUT09 

DIAL IN:
+1(650)2424929,1472968025#

PASSWORD: 877333

QUESTIONS?
Please contact: Deborah Oatts at doatts@nubianconstructiongroup.com

 

Kelly Powers Baria

Building the Obama Presidential Center

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Building the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) is about local, sustainable change and partnership.

CEO & Chair of the Board Mamon Powers, Jr. and Vice President Kelly Powers Baria are featured in a new video released by the Obama Foundation about the Lakeside Alliance initiative.

Lakeside Alliance is a joint venture between Powers & Sons Construction Company, UJAMAA Construction, Inc., Brown & Momen, Inc., Safeway Construction Company, and Turner Construction Company. “Our primary mission is to be transformative,” says Kelly. “We want to leave the construction landscape different than when when we first began.”

The five firms form an innovative team of experienced construction management specialists. Together, the alliance will execute a new paradigm in the industry where community and capability merge. At least 50 percent of the workforce hired for this historic project will live in the area surrounding Chicago’s Jackson Park.

The multi-year OPC project will be a catalyst for substantial investment in the area. Located on the south side of the city near the University of Chicago, the OPC will feature a presidential library, a museum, a forum (event) building, an athletic center, and a spacious plaza with green space. The majority of these facilities will be free and open to the public.

Kelly, Mamon, and partners discuss the vision for honoring our nation’s first Black president in the video at https://lnkd.in/eZmPfFk.

New Reality Accelerates Need for Strength and Innovation

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Mamon Powers, III, an eight-year member of the United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) board and president of the Indianapolis Office, is featured in the first article in a new blog series launched by UWCI last week.

Titled “A Board United: Meet Mamon Powers,” Mamon shares his thoughts on how a strong, inclusive company culture has helped Powers & Sons Construction stand the test of time. It also enabled us to pivot and be flexible in adjusting to the nation’s new reality when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

Mamon discusses how business leaders had to act quickly to realign company resources, achieve its project goals, and guide their teams through uncertainty. He shares some of his key lessons learned about adapting to changing conditions in the construction industry.

Read the entire article.

We made the list: 2021 Best Places to Work in Indiana

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Powers & Sons Construction Indianapolis is one of 125 companies across the state recognized by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce as one of 2021’s BEST PLACES TO WORK IN INDIANA. The Indiana Chamber announced its findings on February 22.

Powers & Sons Indianapolis is one of 30 newcomers to be included on this year’s list. Company culture and job flexibility during the pandemic were two key factors the Indiana Chamber says distinguished those who earned the award this year.

Over 54 years in business, Powers & Sons Construction has withstood the tests of time and change. When COVID-19 struck, business around the world had to act. Ours was no exception.

  • The Powers & Sons team has successfully rallied to adapt to the current 2020-21 social, economic, and business climate. Staff across all levels of our organization have quickly learned new ways of operating from home, in the office, and on the job site.
  • The Powers & Sons spirit of collaboration and teamwork did not dwindle. We used video-based strategy sessions and team meetings to move forward. We demonstrated we could not only maintain business as usual but that we could actually improve the alignment of our daily operations with our overall company goals and values.
  • In the survey, Powers & Sons employees expressed great appreciation and approval of the way management responded to the pandemic, so we are especially proud to be included on the list this year.

Top companies were identified through employer reported data and employee surveys. Winning companies represent 30 cities and towns across the state. Companies range in employee count from 15 to over 2,300. All businesses which participated will receive evaluation data about company strengths and weaknesses that can be used to enhance new employee recruitment. hiring, and retention efforts.

Winners were selected from four categories: small companies of between 15 and 74 U.S. employees; medium companies of between 75 and 249 U.S. employees; large companies of between 250 and 999 U.S. employees; and major companies with 1,000 or more U.S. employees. Out-of-state parent companies were eligible to participate if at least 15 full-time employees are in Indiana. Company rankings will be unveiled May 6 at any awards event.

Black Trailblazers in Engineering: Purdue University

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CEO & Chairman of the Board Mamon Powers, Jr. was featured on a panel discussion titled the “Social Impact of Black Trailblazers in Engineering” hosted by Purdue University on February 24.

The Black Trailblazers in Engineering (BTE) event is part of a required four-day 2021 workshop for applicants seeking one of 25 seats in Purdue’s initial class of BTE Fellows. Applicants are Ph.D. and post-doctoral engineering students.

Mamon is a graduate of Purdue University’s School of Civil Engineering. He represents the second generation of the Powers family to have successful careers in the engineering, general contracting, and construction management industry. He was appointed to four terms as a member of the Purdue University Board of Trustees. He holds an honorary doctorate from Purdue in civil engineering and is recipient of the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award and the Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Award.

The moderator and panelists were all Purdue University engineering graduates, faculty, and administrators. The goal of Purdue’s BTE program is to prepare future trailblazing faculty in engineering with a focus on preparing outstanding scholars who are also committed to increasing the success of Black engineers.

Contract Awarded for MSD Washington Township

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Powers & Sons Construction has been awarded a construction management contract to build the new Northview Middle School for Washington Township Schools.

The contract is part of a 2020 referendum that includes the development of a new middle school at 91st Street and College Avenue in Indianapolis. When completed, it will replace an existing middle school facility on the North Central High School campus. The total planned project cost is $72,000,000.

Upon completion, the size and amenities of the facility will be similar to the $44,000,000 in renovation work Powers & Sons is currently completing at Eastwood Middle and Westlane Middle, also in Washington Township.

Northview Middle School will largely be a one-story secure facility with a main public corridor connecting event, academic, and administrative spaces. The school campus will include indoor and outdoor activity areas and athletic fields along with vehicle and bus parking required for school operations.

Each of the three grades will form its own pod with two teams per pod. Grades 6 and 7 will be on the ground level with Grade 8 on the second floor along with additional shared academic spaces for research and study. The new school will feature a special education pod that is central to the others with a separate building entrance.

It will serve 1,000+ grade six through eight students. Nearly 30 acres of the nearly 60-acre site will retain its natural canopy of trees and shrubs with storm water detention features.

Designs are expected to be finalized in March or April of 2021, with the architect selected and construction beginning soon after. Project management will include a bidding phase that continues through August of 2021. Construction is expected to be completed in July of 2023 in time for the beginning of fall classes.