PBC Reports Continued Success With Second Quarter 2011 Results

The PBC presented the Quarterly Staff Report for the Second Quarter 2011 to the Board of Commissioners at its monthly board meeting today. The report highlights the PBC’s accomplishments through the second quarter of 2011.  With 21 projects in construction, 9 projects in design and another 18 in planning, the PBC reported continued success with a development authority exceeding $2 billion and projects trending under budget by $153 million or (7.5%) under the original undertaking budget.

The PBC manages a capital program on behalf of its clients: Chicago Public Library, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Park District, and the City of Chicago among others.

Project highlights for 2011 include the completion of six school projects on time for the 2011-2012 school year. The Ogden International School of Chicago, funded through the Modern Schools Across Chicago program, is a new elementary school on the City’s near north side. Other projects include Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy Additions, Sauganash Elementary School Addition, Garvy Elementary School Addition, Mt. Greenwood Elementary School Linked Annex and Collins High School Renovation.

The PBC also completed and dedicated the new Richard M. Daley Library last month in the Humboldt Park Community.

Other second quarter highlights include:

• Over $115 million of construction work awarded by the PBC in the first two quarters of 2011.
• The minority-owned business (MBE) commitment on the work awarded was 27.98%, or $32.3 million. The women-owned business (WBE) commitment for this work was 5.26%, or $6 million.
• The completion of three general construction projects and two task orders for job order contracts for a total value of over $15 million. As paid to date, these projects have achieved actual M/WBE participation of 38.49%, or almost $5.4 million to minority- and women-owned business enterprises.
• 43 contract awards to pre-qualified Specialty Consultants for surveying, commissioning, environmental consulting and construction materials testing. Of the total value, 44% of the dollars were awarded to MBE firms and 23% to WBE firms. 91% of the awards were made to local firms.
• Change orders for construction reflecting an average change order percentage of 2.3%, well below the industry standard change order percentage of 3-5% for similar construction work.
• Comprehensive indirect costs averaging 12.6%, well below the industry standard of 25%, emphasizing the cost effectiveness of PBC project delivery.

The PBC also continues to lead the industry with its promotion of environmentally sustainable development practices. To date, the PBC has registered 70 projects under the LEED program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), promulgated by the United States Green Building Council. Of those previously registered, 32 PBC projects have already achieved certification. Chicago has more municipally-owned LEED certified facilities than any other city in the nation. PBC Chairman Rahm Emanuel has committed to doubling this value within four years.

The Public Building Commission of Chicago manages construction and renovation projects for the City of Chicago and its sister agencies. Mayor Rahm Emanuel serves as the PBC’s chairman. Erin Lavin Cabonargi serves as the Executive Director of the PBC.  Additional information about the PBC and its projects can be found at www.pbcchicago.com.