Design,Construction

Metro Edge Development Partners Announces Team to Design, Build, and Operate World-Class Data Center in the IMD

Metro Edge Development NEws
Metro Edge Development Partners, a commercial real estate development firm and minority business enterprise (MBE), announced it has finalized agreements with Corgan, Clune Construction, Power Construction, and Ujamaa Construction to design and build its state-of-the-art data center in the Illinois Medical District (IMD). They join T5 Data Centers as the team that will design, construct, and operate the new data center.

“Metro Edge was founded as a firm focused on high-impact, technology-driven developments that have a positive impact on the market and the local community, We are thrilled to have best-in-class partners like Corgan, Clune, Power, and Ujamaa working with us to design and construct this facility. It is a testament to, not only their belief in this project, but also the importance of the development and the positive impact it will have on the West Side. We believe this diverse collection of industry professionals will allow Metro Edge to deliver one of the highest-performance data centers in Chicago.”

-Bradley Beile, COO of Metro Edge.

The $257 million state-of-the-art data center is expected to break ground in 2023 and open in 2024. Metro Edge recently announced the company secured a 75-year ground lease on a 1.97-acre parcel in the IMD to build and operate a 19.8 megawatt, five-story, 184,720 square foot, high-performance data center that will address the technology infrastructure needs of local and regional healthcare, financial, educational, and government organizations. The facility has already secured 50% preleasing.

Located on the West Side of Chicago, the construction of the data center will support over 200 construction jobs and, once completed, over 70 full-time jobs including data center engineers, electricians, tech support personnel, and operations.

The new data center will be designed by Corgan, a renowned local architecture firm with decades of experience designing data centers, healthcare and education facilities, commercial buildings, and airport terminals.

“Corgan has a rich history of supporting our clients across the data center sector, including the largest wholesale and hyperscale client in the world, We believe the IMD project has the potential to transform the data center landscape in Chicago and we are excited to work with Metro Edge to bring this data center online.”

-Dan Drennan, Principal at Corgan.

Corgan is leading all the architecture, engineering, and design elements of the project while Clune will oversee all construction aspects of the development in partnership with Power and Ujamaa and T5 as project manager.

This project represents a major investment in the West Side of Chicago and meaningfully improves the neighborhood by building on land that has sat vacant for decades, said 28th Ward Alderman Jason Ervin. The development is being led by a top minority-owned real estate company and will generate jobs, revenue, and important social impact programs for the community.

About Metro Edge Development Partners:
Metro Edge Development Partners is a Chicago-based commercial real estate development firm and minority business enterprise (MBE). Our mission is to pursue institutional-quality investment opportunities that deliver exceptional results to our financial and community partners. Led by a team with decades of private equity real estate experience, Metro Edge targets data centers, life sciences, and technology-oriented developments in primary urban locations around the country. Simply put, we create significant value in areas overlooked by our competitors. 

About Clune Construction:
Clune Construction is a national, employee-owned general contractor, with more than 600 talented professionals located in six offices across the U.S. Since 1997, Clune has provided construction management services for some of the most respected companies in the world. The company manages over $1 billion in construction projects annually.

About Corgan:
Corgan is a leading architecture and design firm with a decades-long reputation for great customer service. Corgan has expertise across six market sectors – aviation, commercial, data centers, education, healthcare, and interiors.

About Power Construction:
Power Construction is a management-owned commercial construction company founded in 1926, that focuses on the greater Chicago metro area. With annual revenue of $1 billion and a professional staff of 270, Power is ranked #1 in Chicago on Crain's Chicago Business List of Largest General Contractors. The Chicago Tribune has recognized Power Construction as a Top Workplace for the past five years running. Client types include healthcare, hospitality, developer, workplace, education, industrial, aviation, and luxury residential.

About T5 Data Centers (T5)
T5 Data Centers (T5) is a full lifecycle data center partner. The company provides customized build-to-suit, wholesale turnkey or powered shell data centers, critical facility construction, and ongoing facility management and operations services. T5 offers expert critical facility construction and its Uptime Award Winning facility management and operations services across its portfolio of data centers. T5 currently operates over 500 MW of critical load across 55 data centers and offers turnkey or build to suit data center solutions in 9 U.S. markets.

About Ujamaa Construction
Ujamaa Construction (“UJAMAA”) was founded in 2002 by Jimmy Akintonde to create a working organization that pays an equal amount of attention to quality of completed projects, safety of its employees, social responsibility, sustainability, corporate profitability, and citizenship within the company’s communities. UJAMAA has experienced explosive growth, opening an office in Atlanta, Georgia in 2017.

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Construction

Deltek Announces Expanded Partnership with Procore to Elevate Construction Management

PR Newswire | September 21, 2023

Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, today announced an expanded partnership with Deltek ComputerEase within the Procore platform, marking a milestone with its involvement on the Procore App Marketplac Procore Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of construction management software and launched the Procore App Marketplace in 2016 as an online hub for third party integrations and custom applications modernizing the everyday life of the construction professional. The enhanced integration will benefit thousands of construction stakeholders who currently depend on Deltek and Procore for their financial and project management needs, ultimately helping enhance firms' profitability by enabling construction jobs to be managed more effectively. In addition, Procore will join the Deltek Marketplace, a curated collection of third-party vendors that bring value and ROI to project-based businesses, and Deltek ComputerEase will remain on the Procore App Marketplace. Deltek ComputerEase has a longstanding integration with Procore's Project Management platform, and this partnership will further the relationship between the two by bringing more connectivity and efficiency to the construction industry's daily operations. The expanded partnership offers more seamless data synchronization by connecting project management and accounting functions. Any changes made to projects will appear for all team members simultaneously, reducing errors and time spent on manual data transfers and updates, leading to improved efficiency, accelerated timelines, and smarter decision-making. "Through this enhancement, we can offer contractors and their accounting teams improved access to the meaningful data they need to successfully carry out a project," said Kris Lengieza, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Alliances at Procore. "Construction professionals using both platforms can now have access to accurate, real-time information that can be seamlessly shared between the jobsite and the back office, helping deliver projects on time and within budget." "Thousands of trade and general construction contractors already leverage Deltek ComputerEase and Procore to run their businesses, control their margins, and collaborate with stakeholders," said John Meibers, Vice President and General Manager for Deltek ComputerEase. "We're thrilled to continue our journey with Procore and look forward to delivering industry leading integration and customer experience for users of the ComputerEase and Procore platforms." Deltek ComputerEase is proud to be a Silver sponsor of Procore Groundbreak, being held in Chicago September 19-20, 2023. Attendees can learn more about Deltek and the expanded partnership with Procore at the Deltek ComputerEase booth, #16. About Deltek Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. Learn more at www.deltek.com. About Procore Procore is a leading global provider of construction management software. Over 1 million projects and more than $1 trillion USD in construction volume have run on Procore's platform. Procore's platform connects key project stakeholders to solutions Procore has built specifically for the construction industry—for the owner, the general contractor, and the specialty contractor. Procore's App Marketplace has a multitude of partner solutions that integrate seamlessly with Procore's platform, giving construction professionals the freedom to connect with what works best for them. Headquartered in Carpinteria, California, Procore has offices around the globe. Learn more at Procore.com.

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Construction

GC Powerhouse PCL Construction Chooses Industry-Leading STACK Construction Technologies as Its New Preconstruction Partner

Newswire | September 28, 2023

STACK Construction Technologies, a pioneering cloud-based construction platform, announced today a strategic partnership with PCL Construction, a globally renowned 8 billion-dollar in work per year General Contractor, to optimize PCL’s preconstruction process. PCL supports projects from small renovations to major sports complexes, and their team recognized a more powerful preconstruction solution was needed to support their continued growth and profitability. “As we broaden our capabilities and move further into the GC space, this partnership validates that STACK is a serious player in construction technology,” said Phil Ogilby, CEO and Co-Founder of STACK. “STACK is one of the most intuitive and collaborative preconstruction platforms in existence today. We’re thrilled to be able to offer STACK’s open API to help streamline the PCL workflow in a way that no other solutions on the market can.” The partnership is underscored by PCL and STACK’s commitment to innovation in the construction industry. After a rigorous evaluation of the market and multiple competitor software solutions, PCL chose STACK based on the platform’s data availability, cloud collaboration, data security, and integration capabilities. They are streamlining their preconstruction processes with STACK’s innovative and hyper-accurate takeoff feature to enhance their estimating capabilities. “As part of a modernization of our estimating solutions, experts within the PCL estimating team did a broad market scan for quantity takeoff solutions,” said Brad Ens, Preconstruction Manager for PCL Construction in Calgary, Alberta. “Our hands-on approach of evaluating several competing products included functional verification that ultimately led us to select STACK as our tool of choice for quantity takeoff.” By leveraging STACK's open API, PCL is able to seamlessly integrate their existing workflow to produce better estimating data. Through the cloud-based platform, PCL will have unparalleled flexibility and accessible data, increasing the precision of estimates, minimizing manual processes, and supporting better-informed decision-making. With over 30 offices across the US, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean, STACK will also further empower PCL’s team collaboration. “A key decision criterion for PCL was based on the fact that STACK is built on a modern cloud technology platform which enables improved collaboration during the quantity takeoff process,” said Kevin Sundquist, Senior Relationship Manager, Business Technology at PCL Construction. “Equally important, STACK comes with a modern integration layer that allows us to realize efficiencies for our estimators by integrating takeoff into the rest of our estimating solution suite. This cloud-first approach aligns with our overall technology strategy, driving both technology and business efficiencies.” PCL is a powerhouse, consistently in Engineering News-Record’s Top 15 List and boasting a range of projects from San Diego Airport’s International Arrivals Terminal to Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles-based BMO stadium. The partnership between PCL and STACK marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for two of the most innovative companies in construction, where data-driven decision-making and digital solutions are poised to revolutionize preconstruction processes. As industry leaders, both organizations are committed to delivering outstanding results, setting new standards for advancement, and accelerating growth. “PCL has not only recognized us for our comprehensive, hyper-accurate takeoff solution, they’ve also recognized how we partner with them throughout the entire process,” said Raymond DeZenzo, CFO of STACK. “STACK is a true partner. We are dedicated to understanding the unique needs and challenges of each project undertaken by PCL and then tailoring development, training, and support to ensure that our solution seamlessly integrates into PCL's existing business process.” About STACK Construction Technologies From project evaluation to completion, contractors use STACK’s cloud-based software to help run their business and maximize their profits. Our preconstruction solutions enable fast and accurate takeoff and estimating, as well as providing a centralized hub where plans, specs, and other construction documents can be stored, evaluated, measured, and shared. Our construction solutions power real-time field and project collaboration by allowing teams to quickly and easily review, annotate, compare, and share plans, anywhere, from any device. STACK’s superior collaboration tools ultimately improve project outcomes and profitability for contractors. About PCL Construction PCL is a group of independent construction companies that carries out work across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and in Australia. These diverse operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial, and buildings markets are supported by a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers. Together, these companies have an annual construction volume of more than $8 billion, making PCL the largest contracting organization in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Watch us build at PCL.com.

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Engineering Tech

Bowman Acquires South Carolina Firm Dennis Corporation

Business Wire | October 17, 2023

Bowman Consulting Group Ltd., a national engineering services firm delivering infrastructure solutions to customers who own, develop and maintain the built environment, today announced the acquisition of Dennis Corporation (“Dennis”), a civil engineering, surveying and construction management firm headquartered in Columbia, SC. Supporting public and private sector clients, Dennis specializes in delivering general civil infrastructure planning and design; program and construction management and oversight; environmental and geotechnical services for traffic and transportation; intelligent transportation systems (ITS), aviation, water resources and public sector facilities. With a rich history of client-focused services, sustainable engineering practices and forward-thinking solutions, the firm has a proven reputation of success. Established in 2005 by current CEO Dan Dennis, the firm has grown to become one the largest locally owned engineering, surveying and construction management firms in South Carolina. All 40 technical and administrative professionals will become Bowman employees in connection with the acquisition. “Dennis Corporation embodies a culture of commitment to unparalleled client service, which aligns perfectly with our cultural values, making them a great fit for Bowman,” said Gary Bowman, chairman and CEO of Bowman. “Their focus on transportation, construction management and surveying complement recent acquisitions we’ve made, and their geographic footprint introduces us to an attractive growth market in a familiar region. We’re looking forward to getting Dan and his team onboard and integrated into our platform so we can start sharing work and growing our collective base of business through revenue synergies.” “Becoming a Bowman company begins an exciting new chapter in our proud story,” said Dan Dennis, CEO of Dennis Corporation. “Our employees are looking forward to the suite of professional development platforms available at Bowman. We’re anxious to contribute to Bowman’s work-sharing mindset and we’re excited about the opportunities we will have to expand our service offerings and increase our exposure to clients and markets.” Financed with a combination of cash, seller notes and equity, the acquisition falls within previously discussed target multiple and operating metric ranges and is expected to be immediately accretive. The Company anticipates the acquisition will initially operate at an annualized net service billing run rate of approximately $4.5 million. More detailed information on M&A activities, pipeline and guidance updates are provided in connection with scheduled quarterly and annual communications. About Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Bowman is a national engineering services firm delivering infrastructure solutions to customers who own, develop and maintain the built environment. With over 2,000 employees and more than 80 offices throughout the United States, Bowman provides a variety of planning, engineering, geospatial, construction management, commissioning, environmental consulting, land procurement and other technical services to customers operating in a diverse set of regulated end markets. Bowman trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol BWMN. About Dennis Corporation Since 2005, Dennis Corporation has operated as an engineering, survey and construction management firm committed to innovative designs, sustainable solutions and high-quality services for clients in South Carolina. The firm employs highly trained and experienced personnel who utilize the latest equipment and software for design and construction management. The construction services division has all the necessary DOT, environmental, OSF and OSE certifications and equipment required to perform field inspections and testing. Managing projects throughout the state of South Carolina, the Dennis team understands the importance of completing projects within budget and ahead of schedule. For more information on Dennis Corporation, their projects and their services, visit www.denniscorporation.com.

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Construction

HED Announces Strategic Partnership with Denver-based Larson Incitti Architects

PR Newswire | October 05, 2023

HED, a leading national architecture and engineering firm, is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Denver-based Larson Incitti Architects. This formal partnership combines Larson Incitti Architects' staff with HED's national, award-winning integrated architecture and engineering team, significantly expanding Larson Incitti Architects' capabilities in education, religious and community design. Together, the firms will leverage community relationships to create new opportunities across multiple market sectors. Marking its 25-year anniversary of experience in the greater Denver area, the Larson Incitti Architects team has established trust among clients in the community and Pre-K-12 education sectors by consistently delivering excellence through collaborative design innovation and dedication to client service. HED is well positioned to build upon that tradition of excellence with expanded market sector expertise in housing, science, mission critical, workplace, healthcare, higher education, manufacturing and product development. HED offers the support of a national team of architects, planners, MEP and structural engineers, and design specialists in laboratory planning, experiential graphic design, and landscape architecture. "Our strategic partnership with Larson Incitti Architects is a great fit because of our shared commitment to create a positive impact for clients and the greater community," said Enrique Suarez, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CO-CEO of HED. "We are pleased to formally announce our partnership and look forward to using our combined strength to explore new opportunities in the Denver area and deliver long-term success for our clients." HED is known for its aspirational company culture and innovative professional services, and collaborative approach to project teaming. As an inclusive and integrated practice, HED values diversity in perspectives, experiences, abilities, and expertise, and this reputation and culture fits neatly with Larson Incitti Architects values. An award-winning integrated firm of architects and engineers, HED has recently been honored with national recognition for its collaborative, innovative solutions and project leadership by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). "Larson Incitti Architects has always been dedicated to client service and committed to the Denver community, and since our founding, we've emphasized learning and collaboration in our company culture — values we share with HED," said Bruce Larson, AIA, Principal of Larson Incitti Architects. "Those shared values and commitments are strengthened by joining forces with a national team, and we look forward to working with HED to continue creating positive impact for our clients in Denver and the surrounding area." About HED At HED, great design is about thinking creatively to overcome challenges and improve real world outcomes. Our firm has a long history and reputation for excellence because we believe that all the facets of our design, from architecture, engineering, consulting, and planning, must create a positive impact for our clients, the community, and the world through responsive, innovative, and sustainable design solutions. This belief has allowed our firm to become one of the 200 largest design firms in the US, serving clients nationally in a broad range of market sectors including Healthcare, Higher Education, Mission Critical, Housing and Mixed-Use, Pre-K 12, Science, Manufacturing and New Product Development, Workplace, Community and Government

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