Projects move forward as PBC Board approves construction contracts for libraries, firehouse

Two new libraries, one on the Southwest Side and one on the Northwest Side, will be built along with a new firehouse under construction contracts approved today by the Public Building Commission of Chicago’s Board of Commissioners.

The board also approved during its monthly meeting a contract for the construction of two comfort stations along Lake Michigan.

“There are few endeavors as critical and rewarding as development in support of public safety and public education,” said Erin Lavin Cabonargi, Executive Director of the Public Building Commission. “The actions taken today by our Board of Commissioners represent a substantial step as we move from planning and design into the construction phase for these projects.”

The Board of Commissioners approved construction contracts for the Little Village Branch Library, to be located at 2311 S. Kedzie Ave., and for the Dunning Branch Library, to be located at 7455 W. Cornelia Ave. Both branch libraries target “Silver” level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Dunning Branch Library contract was awarded to FH Paschen, SN Nielsen & Associates, which submitted the lowest of eight responsive bids with a bid of $4,390,000. The builder committed to Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) participation of 24 percent and Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBE) participation of 4 percent.

The Little Village Branch Library contract, meanwhile, was awarded to the Sollitt/Oakley Joint Venture, whose bid of $5,694,000 was the lowest of eight responsive bids. The joint venture committed to MBE participation of 25 percent and WBE participation of 4 percent.

A third contract approved by the Board is for the construction of the new Engine Company 109 firehouse, to be located at 2343 S. Kedzie Ave. The firehouse will follow a one-story prototype design, with 14,000 square feet including accommodations for 40 firefighters and four officers, along with a fitness center, male and female lockers rooms, a communications center and a training room. The facility, replacing the current Engine Company 109 firehouse which was built in 1907, will seek “Silver” level LEED certification.

The contract was awarded to the Sollitt/Oakley Joint Venture, which submitted the lowest of nine responsive bids with a bid of $7,555,000. The joint venture committed to MBE participation of 25 percent and WBE participation of 4 percent.

Another contract approved by the Board was for the construction of two new comfort stations, at the 40th Street located at the at 4101 S. Lake Short Drive and the Kathy Osterman Beach located at 5701 N. Lake Shore Drive. Each of the comfort stations will include restroom facilities, as well as a concession area and a lifeguard locker room.

The contract for construction of the comfort stations was awarded to Pacific Construction Services, which submitted the lowest of nine responsive bids with a bid of $2,927,142. The company committed to MBE participation of 24 percent and WBE participation of 6 percent

The PBC Board also on Tuesday:

• Approved bid packages for site utility work and excavation work at Ogden Elementary School;
• Appointed Johnson and Lee Ltd. as Architect of Record for the Haas Park Fieldhouse project; and
• Approved the contract value for Design Architect Services for the Chicago Park District Fieldhouse Program to Booth Hansen.

The PBC manages construction and renovation projects for the City of Chicago and its other sister agencies. Mayor Richard M. Daley serves as the PBC’s chairman. Additional information about the PBC and its projects is available at the agency’s Web site: www.pbcchicago.com.