Category: News

Celebrating Success: Baron Waller & Culver’s Restaurants

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Powers & Sons had a great 2021 serving client Baron Waller. To date, we have built four Chicago Culver’s restaurants for Waller with the most recent being Culver’s Pullman Park and Culver’s Ravenswood. Previous projects include Culver’s Joliet and Culver’s Bronzeville.

The Pullman Park grand opening was well attended. Pictured from left: Owner Baron Waller, Project Manager Robert Kennedy, Culver’s CEO Rick Silva, COO & President Claude Powers, and Vice President Kelly Powers Baria.

Culver’s Pullman
Located near the Pullman National Monument, Waller’s 4,300 SF restaurant on South Doty Avenue has created 70 jobs. With outdoor patio seating, inside seats for over 120 diners, and drive-through ordering, it is the first new casual sit-down restaurant in Pullman in 30 years.

It was funded in part by a grant from the City of Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, and New Markets Tax Credit equity.

The investment brings much-needed food and beverage options to the area, which has seen investment by new businesses including an Amazon fulfillment center, Whole Food Midwest Distribution Center, and other retail shops and businesses.

Culver’s Founder Craig Culver (center) was joined by Owner Baron Waller (far right) and others to recognize the opening of Waller’s Ravenswood restaurant.

Culver’s Ravenswood
Waller’s new 100-seat restaurant on West Montrose features the brand’s first pedestrian friendly design. Located near a CTA Brown Line stop, the restaurant has a walk-up ordering and take-out window with inside seating for 100. It employs about 50 people.

With six restaurants, Waller is the franchise’s largest minority owner. Chicago’s ABC 7 news covered the opening, which was attended by civic leaders. Waller’s two sons are among the Ravenswood employees, making it a true family-owned business success story.

 

 

New & Improved K-12 Facilities in Lawrence Township

Posted on | by ssullivan
Since 2019, Senior Project Manager & Project Executive Dustin Thalmann has led five Powers & Sons CMc projects for the Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Lawrence Township.

Powers & Sons is a leader in delivering large public Construction Manager as constructor (CMc) projects, including those for K-12 and higher education clients.

This year, we partnered with MSD Lawrence Township for an improvement program at several properties:

  1. Sunnyside Elementary School
  2. Winding Ridge Elementary School
  3. Winding Ridge Early Learning Center
  4. Amy Beverland Early Learning Center
  5. Mary Castle Early Learning Center

Currently, Thalmann is putting finishing touches on the new construction of a 42,500 SF transportation building to open in early 2022.

Strategies for Success
Planning and executing detailed construction schedules with multiple phases and good communication are among Powers & Sons’ keys to success, Thalmann reports.

“In Lawrence Township, each of the schools was open and occupied, so temporary walls, fencing, and other barriers isolated work areas. The district’s COVID-related protocols were followed. Educators and students were able to go about their daily routines outside construction zones,” he explains.

 

Team Effort is Required
A collaborative, cohesive management team with shared goals and objectives is the primary goal.

“Because we assign PMs, PEs, and site superintendents to proactively identify issues during daily walk-throughs, we can document, photograph, track, and resolve above- and below-ceiling concerns throughout the process. Any issues are immediately communicated to subcontractors and tracked to ensure concerns are resolved. When we walk a site for the final time with architects, city inspectors, fire marshals, and owners we want a zero-item punch list,” Thalmann adds.

Thalmann credits a strong team effort from Project Manager Emily Lucas, Superintendents Don Smith, Shawn Hernson, Brent Klemme, and Brad Holland, and Project Engineers Kayden Rivers, Jose Valdez, and Alivia Naus for making the Lawrence projects successful.

Estimating and pre-construction planning will begin in the first quarter of 2022 for a new Lawrence Township middle school improvement program. It includes facility upgrades and improvements to be completed at three local schools in 2023.

 

Support for Local Apprenticeship and Skills Training Programs

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National Apprenticeship Week is a great time to consider how your industry can support local workforce development initiatives. Apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and skills-based certification programs are tools that enable labor, education, business, and civic leaders to join forces in their efforts to hire qualified workers and strengthen local economies.

COO & President Claude Powers is at the forefront of a Lake County initiative that will make accurate, comprehensive information about post-secondary career resources in Northwest Indiana.

A member of the Gary Chamber of Commerce (GCC) Education Committee, Powers and a group of local leaders have launched a Schools2Careers program with two initial areas of focus:

  1. Building a web-based clearinghouse with links to existing regional training programs and resources.
  2. Developing supplemental after-school programs for K-12 youth.

"Today's career paths are less linear. A college degree is no longer necessarily a dividing line or barrier for job applicants who seek meaningful careers, especially in construction. Often, it is a matter of guiding students and job seekers to the resources for learning new skills and knowledge, so we support approaches that combine education with hands-on work experience," Powers reports.

Pathways for Greater Opportunity
Apprenticeships can serve as the first step in a career journey that includes continued growth and advancement. Despite the availability of good jobs and wages with paid employment, OTJ training, and classroom instruction, less than one in ten apprentices are women. Groups like Chicago Women in Trades, the California-based Tradeswomen Inc., and the U.S. Department of Labor through its WANTO grant are helping to increase construction opportunities for women.

Some of the most in-demand construction jobs include construction project managers, with a projected growth rate of 11 percent growth through 2030. Others include first-line supervisors of construction trades workers, electricians, architectural and engineering managers, plumbers, carpenters, drywallers, and painters.

U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh published a video explaining the critical impact registered apprenticeships make in America. They are available in hundreds of occupations that touch nearly every major economic sector and aspect of daily life.

Building a Strong Local Talent Pipeline
Powers says the GCC committee's work strengthens the Lake County economy by connecting employers with skilled job seekers who are trained to meet 21st century needs.

Programs available through the Construction Advancement Foundation and We Build Northwest Indiana are examples of what he expects to be links to 25 independent partners who share the same workforce development objectives.

  • The GCC website, slated to launch in the first half of 2022, will connect users with direct links to information about programs, services, resources, and benefits.
  • It will serve as a go-to platform for guidance counselors, educators, parents, high school students, young adults, career-changers, and those who have experienced challenges like job loss, homelessness, or incarceration.

Learn how you can support Northwest Indiana apprenticeships and the GCC Education Committee by emailing gccschoolstocareers@gmail.com or calling the Gary Chamber of Commerce at 219.885.7407.

New West Perry Library Celebrates with July 17 Grand Opening

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Powers & Sons joined our partners at Schmidt Associates for the Saturday, July 17 grand opening of the new 25,000 SF West Perry Library. The newest branch of the Indianapolis Public Library welcomed a full house of Perry Township residents throughout the day.

Library officials including Peggy Wehr, Curtis Bigsbee, and Jackie Nytes spoke, offering opening remarks for hundreds of visitors. Township, city-county, education, and other local officials were on hand to mark the occasion, as was Powers & Sons’ Indianapolis President Mamon Powers, III and Senior Project Manager & Registered Architect Russell Lewis. Lewis offered remarks at the podium, noting the importance of libraries for lifelong learning, describing the library as a southside Indianapolis public gem.

The facility will serve a growing, diverse community with a range of materials, programs, and services. Located at 6650 South Harding, the celebration began at 10 a.m. with self-guided scavenger hunts, refreshments, live music, kids’ crafts, animal balloons, and a Silly Safaris’ Meet and Greet for children, all hosted by the library. Rowdie from the Indianapolis Indians made an appearance and the Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) gave a musical performance.

 

 

 

 

#FamilyBusinessHeros: Loyola University Feature

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Powers & Sons Construction is excited to announce that we were nominated by our partners at BMO Harris Bank and selected as one of 12 family-owned businesses in a new Loyola University Family Business Center “Celebrating Family Business Heros” campaign co-sponsored by Katten.

The Powers family share how they continue to lead a successful construction business, keeping work on track and field crews safe, during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to advance planning and having the right people and the right systems in place, our team was positioned to pivot and embrace a virtual business environment. We stand strong and stable, strengthened by a legacy of over 50 years in business but firmly focused on a 21st-century future.

More importantly, when the communities in which we live and work experience challenging times like a global pandemic, Powers & Sons remains steadfast in our core beliefs, values, and convictions to lift as we climb.

Watch the YouTube video: Powers & Sons Construction 2021 #FamilyBusinessHeros.

Powers & Sons named a 2021 Half Century Business by IEDC

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The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) recognized Powers & Sons Construction on June 16 with a Half Century Business Award. Powers & Sons is one of over 100 Indiana companies and organizations who received the award in 2021.

Nominees must be in continuous operation for at least 50 consecutive years and demonstrate a commitment to community service. In addition, nominees must continue to be in the same type of business as when they were founded and be headquartered in Indiana.

Over the award’s 30-year history, more than 1,160 Hoosier businesses have been recognized. Businesses recognized represent a cross-section of retail, corporate, manufacturing, services, and other enterprises. Typically, recipients participate in an award ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse but that did not happen this year due to COVID-19.

“I’m honored to recognize these dedicated, Hoosier business leaders who have created a lasting impact not only on their communities but to the state as a whole,” Gov. Holcomb said. “As we continue to attract new jobs and investment to Indiana, these well-established businesses will set the tone for a Hoosier economy dedicated to hard work, constant improvement and strong community roots. I’m confident these businesses will continue providing great service for the next 100 years and keep Indiana on the path to success for centuries to come.”

Powers & Sons Construction was incorporated in the State of Indiana in 1967. Headquartered in Northwestern Indiana, the company began as a builder of single-family homes but shifted its focus in the early 1980s to commercial construction. The family-owned firm celebrated its 50th anniversary (photos below) in 2017 with events in Chicago and Indianapolis.

Virtual Workforce Outreach Event: Thursday, July 1 at 10 a.m. CST

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Are you ready to help us build a stronger and healthier neighborhood on Chicago’s south side? Learn more about possible job opportunities for the construction of Friend Health Center’s new headquarters and clinic in Woodlawn.

You are invited to a Zoom virtual outreach event on Thursday, July 1 at 10 a.m. CST. Please register in advance: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAlde-rpjMrGtaTLp0qN0c91HsWLPYTp2HN.

Mark your calendars and plan now to attend! Questions? Contact Dannielle Thomas at dthomas@powersandsons.com or 773.536.3100.

Download the event flyer here.

 

 

 

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana Opens May 14

Posted on | by ssullivan

The new Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana celebrated its May 14 grand opening with a traditional guitar-smashing ceremony and live music including a performance by Chicago blues great, Mr. Buddy Guy.

Surrounding the 210,000 SF casino are roads, walkways, and surface parking for 2,340 vehicles and tour buses. A 37-foot signature neon guitar marks the main entrance. Inside, the gaming floor features a grand walkway with art chandelier.

The 150,000 SF main gaming area holds 80 tables with games like Blackjack, Mini Baccarat, Pai Gow, and Spanish 21. Patrons can play 1,637 of the most popular slots as well as video poker and video roulette. The casino features a High Limit Slots room, VIP areas, a sportsbook, an acoustically pure Hard Rock Live indoor concert venue with unobstructed sight lines, and gift shop. A Hard Rock Cafe, Asian noodle bar, and plush, high-end steakhouse are among the five food concepts.

Powers & Sons is one of three firms that comprised the JV general contracting and construction management team. The $150,000,000 casino is operated by Hard Rock International owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Future plans call for the property to be expanded with the addition of a 200-room Hard Rock hotel on the property.

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.