5/13/2010
The Public Building Commission issued its First Quarter 2010 report today. The report reflected continued success in the promotion of economic development and human sustainability, showing minority and women business participation at 31.56% and 9.86% of total construction projects, respectively, exceeding the PBC’s minimum business participation goals of 24% for minority-owned firms and 4% for women-owned firms.
With a total project authority that exceeds $2 billion, the PBC also reported a projected surplus of $70 million in the first quarter of 2010, with current projects in various stages of development under budget by 3.55%.
“Recognizing that now, more than ever, there is a great need for fiscal responsibility, the PBC creates efficiencies and project controls that optimize project development costs,” said Executive Director Erin Lavin Cabonargi. “As public developers, we are proud to say that our construction costs are in line with market trends across the nation.”
In other business, the PBC board approved a request by the Chicago Park District for the PBC to undertake the purchase of playground equipment for the following parks:
- Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island
- Kennedy Park, 11320 S. Western Avenue
- Weisman Park, 901 W. Oakdale Avenue
- Wilson Park, 1122 W. 34th Place
- Valley Forge Park, 7001 W. 59th street
- Park 542, 115 S. Sangamon Street
- Park 554, 1805 N. Albany Avenue
Another board action approved the issuance of five additional trade packages for the ongoing construction of Ogden Elementary School, located at 24 W. Walton on the city’s Near North Side, bringing the total participation by minority-owned firms to 45.57% and women-owned firms to 14% for that project.
Ogden Elementary School is part of Mayor Daley’s “Modern Schools Across Chicago” program. A substantial capital investment by the City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools since 2006, it was created to bring new schools and major high school renovations to the city over the next several years.
The school’s design is based on a prototypical kit of parts, incorporating the sustainable design criteria required by the USGBC to achieve LEED “Silver” Certification, and will be a 3-story, 109,000 square foot facility with steel frame and masonry and standard school amenities.
The school is currently under construction and scheduled to open in January 2012.
The Public Building Commission of Chicago manages construction and renovation projects for the City of Chicago and its sister agencies. Mayor Richard M. Daley serves as the PBC’s chairman. Additional information about the PBC and its projects, including a full copy of the PBC’s 2010 First Quarter Results can be found at www.pbcchicago.com.
