Public Building Commission Awards Contracts for Four New Projects to Enhance Chicago Neighborhoods

The Board of Commissioners of the Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) today approved contracts for three school renovation projects on the city’s southwest side at Air Force Academy High School, Peck Elementary School and Henderson Elementary School. In addition, a contract was awarded for the planned addition and renovation project at the Humboldt Park Branch Library on the city’s west side.

Project details include:

• Air Force Academy High School, 3630 South Wells Street, Armour Square Community.  The contract award is for Phase III, the final phase of the renovation project. Upon completion, the renovation will include ADA accessibility upgrades, warming kitchen renovation, two science labs, lockers rooms, interior finish repairs, lighting replacement and retrofit, roof and exterior window replacement, mechanical system optimization, electrical and plumbing infrastructure upgrades.
• Peck Elementary School, 3826 West 58th Street, West Elsdon Community. The renovation project includes masonry and terra cotta repairs, window replacement, structural repairs, accessibility upgrades, interior program renovations and finish upgrades, lighting efficiency upgrades, mechanical system optimization, electrical and plumbing infrastructure upgrades.
• Henderson Elementary School, 5650 South Wolcott, West Englewood Community.  The renovation project includes exterior terra cotta and masonry repairs, ADA compliance renovations, interior program renovations and finish upgrades, mechanical system optimization, and plumbing infrastructure upgrades.
• Humboldt Park Branch Library, 1605 North Troy Street, Humboldt Park Community.  As a result of this project, the library will receive a new 5,000 square foot addition featuring an expanded Reading Room, a dedicated room for YOUMedia programming and additional parking on adjacent city-owned land along with renovations to the existing branch library including upgraded public restrooms.

Construction is scheduled to begin on all four projects in First Quarter 2012, and projects are scheduled to be complete in Fall 2012.

The planning, design and construction of the library project and school renovations are being managed by the PBC on behalf of Chicago Public Library and Chicago Public Schools.

As good stewards of the public fund, in addition to its commitment to environmental sustainability, the PBC implements an economic sustainability program. Environmentally sustainable provisions are included in the design and construction practices of every project the PBC takes on. The economic sustainability provisions include bid incentives for the employment of apprentices, and minority and female workers; community hiring and resident workforce requirements, helping to employ those closest at hand; and contract provisions that require minority- and women-owned business participation and local business participation.

A date for community hiring intake on all four projects will be scheduled in the next few months and will be posted at the construction site.

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.