Project of the Year Feature – New Construction – Suburbs (Above $20M)
January 7, 2025
BURR RIDGE – CISCO’s 2nd 2024 Project of the Year Feature is the top choice of New Construction – Suburbs (Above $20M), which is the Downers Grove Civic Center. General contractor was Leopardo; client was the Village of Downers Grove.
When considering submissions, judging criteria is based on: quality of construction, design, impact on the community and safety record.
The Downers Grove Civic Center project stands out as a beacon of excellence in community infrastructure and public safety complexes, successfully merging police, village hall and School District 58 operations into a combined facility. The 75,919 square-foot municipal building boasts a range of amenities, including shared fitness spaces, an accessible roof garden, a public plaza, and modern council chambers. The Downers Grove Police Department features highly specialized facilities, including a dedicated entrance, a two-bay sally port, a five-lane firing range, and a fully equipped evidence lab. The site also offers surface parking for staff and visitors, secured parking for police and village vehicles, and is prepared for future multifamily building development.
With a two-year construction timeline, plus decades of prework (from conception and budgeting to final approval and groundbreaking), this project required extensive planning, coordination and collaboration from the contractor, subcontractor network, client and community at large. Comprehensive site logistics, as well as daily communication and coordination updates, fostered trust and ensured municipal operations continued smoothly, and weekly pull planning ensured valued trade partners understood their scope of work for the week, but also who else would be onsite and how their work impacted the overall construction schedule.
Given the project’s proximity to the BNSF Metra rail line and downtown Downers Grove, meticulous oversight was imperative. The project team implemented enhanced safety protocols to protect both workers and the public – all while ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the police station and Village Hall. The presence of overhead power lines and work within 25 feet of the tracks necessitated flagging and other safety protocols to ensure compliance.
This project had a customized safety plan and QR-code based safety orientation allowing for immediate access to project safety information. Rather than a traditional “toolbox talk” style training, the project teams engage in a 5-question quiz to determine how well they knew that week’s safety topics. Scores were utilized to follow-up as appropriate. Weekly safety visits were conducted by the Leopardo safety team to provide a new perspective and share recent news from other sites. The Leopardo safety team also engaged with the weekly pull planning process to help with safety planning efforts.
Other challenges the team overcame include (1) reworking the Burlington/Washington Avenue corner, which included lowering the site by four feet, improving vehicle flow but also requiring utility coordination for AT&T lines and a water main; (2) material shortages and price increases in cement and concrete; and (3) long lead times for specialized items like detention equipment, security systems, and mechanical units. The team planned early, kept a detailed procurement log, and submittal approvals early to prepare for any delays and get materials on site in time.
Other methods the team utilized included using cutting-edge techniques to more efficiently manage the project. This included digital layout systems for interior walls and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) coordination and 360-degree photo capture, which allowed both the client and construction team to monitor progress in real-time. In order to keep the project on schedule, temporary moisture control conditions such as industrial fans were maintained throughout the project to allow for continued construction while expediting drying times and protecting permanent materials.
BIM coordination played a critical role in integrating the building’s systems, from foundation sleeving to MEP modeling. The team worked through coordinating a complicated building enclosure with multiple plan changes including elevations, roof lines, terraces, green roofs and more. For this part of the project, Leopardo hired and worked closely with enclosure consultants to ensure the highest quality outcome. The third-party performed detail reviews, assisted Leopardo with coordination meetings, conducted Quality control site walks on the enclosure, and also did extensive testing of the air barrier and windows.
Exceptional craftsmanship is evident throughout the Civic Center, from intricate millwork to refined finishes. Notable features include expansive tiled walls, stunning wood detailing, and sophisticated accent lighting highlighting the building’s architectural elegance. Security measures, including ballistic protection in select areas, demonstrate commitment to seamlessly integrating safety features into the design without compromising aesthetics. The future-forward design also incorporated many green building elements, such as green roofs, bioswales, rain gardens, photovoltaic panels, permeable pavers, sustainable materials, and natural landscaping.
The Downers Grove Civic Center represents a significant investment in the community’s future, consolidating vital services for residents. It also is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a community comes together – owner, architect, contractor and tradespeople worked tirelessly to meet a demanding construction timeline, navigating many challenges along the way. The completed project fosters greater civic engagement and pride among Downers Grove residents and will no doubt serve them well for many years to come.
