Category: News

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.

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.

• To access the meeting, download the free RingCentral app.
• No download is required to use the call-in number.

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

 

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.

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.

One thing that remained unchanged in 2020 was our annual company-wide effort to thank and acknowledge our entire team, which included a dozen new staff members across three offices.

In lieu of a traditional Christmas celebration, Vice President Kelly Powers Baria led a committee that held a virtual event that included a fun “party-in-a-box” with snacks and gifts delivered to employees at their job sites, offices, and homes.

During the event, members of the executive team reviewed the year’s highlights during a video presentation. They also recognized these individuals who received one of four annual company awards.

Founders Safety Award

• Indianapolis office:  Phil Hadley
• Northwest Indiana/Chicago office: Drew Smith

Z-PRIDE Project of the Year

• Indianapolis office: Dustin Thalmann and Don Smith
• Northwest Indiana/Chicago office: Haley Solar and Jeremy Wilson

President’s Z-PRIDE Award

• Indianapolis office: Carrie Nichols
• Northwest Indiana/Chicago office: Tamara Davis

Mamon Powers, Sr. Team Member of the Year Award

• Indianapolis office: Michelle McCullough
• Northwest Indiana/Chicago office: Ameya Lokhande

The Powers team has been awarded an $11.5 million renovation and addition project for Friend Health at their Woodlawn headquarters.

Powers & Sons Construction will build the Chicago-based healthcare provider’s new flagship medical center and administrative building at the corner of 63rd and Cottage Grove. The property, which includes an existing 3,000 SF building that will be renovated, will feature a new community center, retail space, and a surface lot with 140 parking spaces.

The 45,000 SF main medical center will house about 43 new staff, most of whom will be hired locally. About 96 percent of Friend Health patients are Black or Hispanic, with an average 75 percent living under the poverty line.

The facility, located in a medically underserved area, will provide acute care, family medicine, and OB/GYN services as well as imaging operation.

The contract is part of an overall $37.5 million effort to revitalize the area and provide improved healthcare services for low-income local residents. Friend Health and its developer DL3 Realty are pursuing $8 million in TIF funding for the project, reports the Hyde Park Herald.

The medical center building is expected to open in January of 2022, with the adjacent building coming online in July of 2022.

Work continues on our 16 Tech District construction site to remove and replace an existing parking lot and install new surface lighting and landscaping.

The Powers & Sons project is part of a new 16 Tech initiative which encompasses 60 acres on the near northwest side of Indianapolis in the historic Indiana Avenue Cultural District. It is part of a larger 250-acre technology park being developed by the City of Indianapolis to foster economic development and build on the city’s already strong tech ecosystem.

Find the latest news about 16 Tech—which is expected to be a magnet for entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and intellectual property owners who want to support market-driven innovation—at 16tech.com.

With the first and second phases of work to build an outdoor concert venue at White River State Park now complete, phase three of this construction manager as constructor (CMc) project is underway.

The Amphitheater at White River State Park, located at 801 West Washington, is on the east bank of the White River. It will offer a diverse mix of some of central Indiana’s best music and contemporary musical acts.

The first phase of construction was building permanent restrooms near the park’s administrative building which houses its ticket sales operation as well as a first-aid station. The resulting 12,000 SF structure was completed in June of 2019.

The second phase was to build the main stage, additional restrooms, a back-of-house artist VIP area, large LED screens, and add 3,000 permanent seats in addition to the 4,000 existing lawn seats. This work was substantially completed in August of 2020.

The current and third phase of our continued work at WRSP is to construct a large, visually artistic permanent canopy over the stage and permanent seats. The $10.8 million canopy is expected to be complete in June of 2021.

The new wedge-shaped roof will make the WRSP concert experience even better for live music lovers. The area under the canopy includes fixed seats as well as open space near the stage for a general admission pit.