Power Construction

Construction is progressing quickly at NEIU's new Education Building! Once complete, the state-of-the-art facility will be comprised of two structures connected by a pedestrian bridge, housing classrooms, conference spaces, labs, offices, and support areas.   In one structure, interior finishes are well underway. Terrazzo and millwork installation continue to move forward, with interior glazing and remaining flooring activities scheduled to begin later this month. Meanwhile, major enclosure and sitework activities are in full swing at the adjacent structure. Structural steel erection and deck pours are now complete, marking another major milestone for the project. Power Concrete are in the final stretch of work following elevated metal deck placements completed in April. Precast erection and curtainwall installation are underway, paving the way for drywall and sitework beginning in early July.   With major MEP equipment now set on the roof, the team will be working towards permanent cooling systems going live in both structures in the next month.

40+ Power Athletes participated in the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge, Chicago’s largest corporate running event, supporting Association House of Chicago and its work in mental health, education, and workforce development. We took on the 3.5-mile course alongside thousands of runners, with a great evening backdrop of the city. It was a strong turnout and a good opportunity to connect as a team outside the jobsite.

This year’s Safety Week kicked off with Power’s annual Safety Day, where more than 250 employees came together for a networking breakfast, a keynote presentation, and a series of informational and hands-on training sessions. Each session was led by members of the Safety Team, including our Site Safety Coordinators and other trusted external partners. These sessions reinforced our employees’ safety knowledge and reflected a shared commitment to implementing best practices across our job sites.   Safety Week’s 2026 theme, All In Together: Recognize, Respond, Respect, serves as a daily reminder of the role each team member plays in maintaining a safe work environment. Throughout the week, project teams participated in activities designed to bring this theme to life and reinforce the importance of safety on every Power job site. Safety is more than a priority; it is a core value. We are committed to proactive practices, personal accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement.   We would like to thank our Safety Department for their leadership and dedication in advancing a culture of safety. Their efforts continue to protect the well-being of our employees, clients, and subcontractors.

This month, our volunteers partnered with Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago in the Austin community to support a longtime resident, taking on a variety of home improvement projects from painting and repairs to cleaning and refreshing both the interior and exterior. Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving homes and neighborhoods for those in need, helping residents continue to live in warmth, safety, and comfort. We’re proud to have partnered with them for eight years, joining forces once again to make a positive impact in the community and provide much-needed home repairs for a deserving resident. #PowerWithPurpose 

This Earth Day, Power employees volunteered with Inspire Through Flowers across their Wheeling and Evanston locations—an incredible organization repurposing donated flowers into fresh bouquets and deliver them to healthcare patients and staff in hospitals, nursing homes, and veteran facilities, as well as to community groups including essential workers, refugees, and women and children in shelters.   During our Power with Purpose event, volunteers prepped and designed over 100 bouquets of donated flowers, which otherwise would have ended up in landfills. Instead, these flowers were given new life and delivered to Glenview Public Library and Lutheran General Children’s Hospital.   We are proud to support a mission that focuses on environmental responsibility with meaningful community impact.

A newly completed GI Center received approval from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and is scheduled to open mid-April 2026 - ready to deliver world-class care to patients across the community. Once divided into separate tenant spaces, the area was completely transformed through full demolition and rebuild into a 20,000 sf center featuring clinic exam rooms, prep and recovery areas, procedure rooms, and shelled space for future growth. Our VDC team developed a detailed BIM model guide to address low deck heights and new ceiling requirements while ensuring seamless system integration of all existing MEPs immediately after demolition. Throughout design and construction, Power Carpentry collaborated closely with the architect to resolve structural conflicts, refine schematic designs, and visualize room layouts - reducing change orders and alleviating schedule pressure. The team also worked diligently to minimize disruptions, keeping staff and patients comfortable and safe in the occupied spaces while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Last week, we teamed up with Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) to support the next generation of construction professionals through their Assistant Project Engineer (APE) Training Program.   During the class, APE students explored the basics of construction project coordination and management, documentation management, and how to navigate stakeholder challenges. A member of the Power team taught the session and helped lead the discussion, sharing perspectives and real‑world examples students may encounter on the job.   Beyond the classroom, we stay connected by sharing bid opportunities, joining monthly meetings, hosting jobsite tours, and supporting HACIA’s pre-apprenticeship and training programs. Huge thanks to HACIA and the APE students for a great experience and for the continued work toward building a stronger, more inclusive construction industry.

Construction of the new 138,500 sf United States Cold Storage, Inc. facility in Denton, TX is complete! This milestone continues a partnership dating back to the 1990s - one built on trust, communication, and a shared commitment to quality. Designed to support USCS’s long-term growth strategy, the expansion consolidates operations within the Denton facility, enhances truck flow and dock capacity, and strengthens regional performance. Completing the project on an aggressive schedule also positioned USCS to secure additional business and reinforce its presence in the region.   Despite challenging site conditions - including expansive clay soils and heavy seasonal rain - the team delivered a durable, high-performance solution built for sustained growth.

As Q1 wraps up, steady progress continues at Northwestern University's 239,000 sf Ann Drake Executive Center. Our team remained focused on critical exterior scopes while advancing interior work less impacted by winter weather. Key milestones this quarter include: - Building Enclosure: Roughly 60% of the curtainwall window system has been fabricated and installed, while roofing and metal panels are nearing completion at the penthouse level. Detailing and caulking crews continue sealing exterior systems to ensure a watertight building envelope. - Mechanical & Electrical: Overhead mechanical work is advancing across all levels. ComEd vault construction and switchgear installation are underway, with panelboards and wiring progressing toward branch locations. HVAC ductwork, risers, and pipe racks are in place, paving the way for phased system testing. - Interior Buildout: Framing is moving through Level 5, opening ceiling areas for MEP coordination and drywall to follow. - Connecting Tunnel: The Global Hub terrace has been fully restored following tunnel installation, with final glass railing and cleaning scheduled soon.   Targeting completion for the start of the 2027 school year, the Executive Center will be the dedicated home for its Executive MBA and Executive Education programs, blending cutting-edge learning environments with guest accommodations. 

By combining the strengths of our VIP Group, Cold+Food Group, and our Self-Perform Carpentry Group, Power is helping UNFI modernize critical facilities while minimizing disruption to their supply chain. In Joliet, we recently completed the first phase of a 49,000 sf renovation within UNFI's food storage warehouse, featuring a new 40,000 sf specialty food storage room and 9,000 sf office build-out. Construction was carefully executed around sensitive food products, with close attention to logistics, cleanliness, and contamination control to keep operations running safely and reliably.   The new office space enhances employee comfort and functionality, while the grain room expands capacity for specialty food storage to meet UNFI’s evolving operational needs. Phase 2, remodeling the existing breakroom and locker room, is currently underway!