Midwest Contractors Fighting Discrimination Charges

Contractors in the Midwest are defending a round of employment charges brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which says that a discriminatory pattern is forming among construction firms in the region.

The EEOC in Milwaukee charged in a suit filed Feb. 26 with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin that Milwaukee-based contractor CG Schmidt violated federal law by retaliating against Frederick Jackson, an African-American carpenter. The suit alleges that Jackson was dismissed from his job on Oct. 24, 2006, for filing a charge of racial discrimination with the EEOC against his employer earlier that year.

Brian Tyndall, EEOC senior trial attorney, declined to provide details about the original claims. Dave Giordano, a spokesperson for CG Schmidt, would not comment on the suit because he says company officials have not seen it. But the company says in a statement that it is “abiding by all federal and state laws and will vigorously defend against any claim to the contrary.”

The action comes on the heels of three similar suits originating in Wisconsin or Illinois. EEOC A filed a suit in September 2006 against Rockford, Ill.-based contractor Area Erectors Inc. alleging racial discrimination and retaliation, according to Deborah Powers, senior trial attorney. The discrimination charge is in class-action status involving 30 individuals. Another suit alleging racial harassment and retaliation against Aliquippa, Pa.-based specialty contractor Iron City Constructors Inc. and racial harassment against Appleton, Wis.-based general contractor The Boldt Co. was settled prior to trial as part of separate consent decrees issued in late 2005.

“I’d say we’re seeing a trend,” Powers says. Last fall, Chicago-based Walsh Construction Co. agreed to pay a $130,000 settlement to a female laborer, who in 2003 reported she was sexually harassed by another employee while working at the Millennium Park project in Chicago (Engineering News-Record, 12/10, p. 7).

In the CG Schmidt case, the EEOC is seeking punitive damages; compensation due to nonpecuniary losses, such as injury to Jackson’s reputation; either the restoration of his employment or front pay; and back pay.

Tyndall could not quantify the damages but notes that such lawsuits “seek complete financial relief to make the person whole for the past, present and future.” A date for the jury trial has not been set but is expected in early to mid-2009.

$183M Learning-Center Development Planned

Hudson, Wis.-based Stone Development Group has reached an agreement with Duluth, Ga.-based DBMB KRK 27 Inc. to develop 87 Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Centers in the Chicago area for $182.7 million.

This will be Kids ‘R’ Kids first foray into the Midwest. Currently, the 162 franchises are primarily located in the South.

Initial zoning and permitting work has begun on the first proposed site in northwest suburban Crystal Lake. An additional two sites will be added in the third quarter of 2008. SDG and DBMB KRK 27 Inc. plan to initiate between six and eight units per year starting in 2009. The total project is estimated to be completed by 2019.

Kane Cougars Home To Get Facelift

Elfstrom Stadium, home of the Kane County Cougars baseball team, is getting a $10.5 million renovation.

The project includes a renovation to the stadium and construction of a new administration center, entry lobby and upper deck. The contemporary upper deck, which will oversee the existing stadium, will feature 18 suites equipped with a full service kitchen and year-round banquet facilities for spectator enjoyment.

The project is expected to be complete in April 2009. Palos Hills-based Skender Construction is the contractor.

Aqua Nears Selling Out

Though far from an expected 2009 completion, the Aqua condominium tower is reportedly nearing sellout.

More than 90 percent of the 268 condominiums in the 82-story structure are under contract, the developer, Magellan, says. Aqua will also have 476 rental residences, 210 hotel rooms, approximately 55,000 sq ft of retail and office space and amenities.

Its wavy design is produced by outdoor balconies and terraces that form undulating contours of different sizes and shapes that change gradually from the lower to the higher part of the building. This shape contrasts with the angular shape of surrounding buildings.

40 Miles of Piles

More than 40 mi of steel H-piles were drive 70 ft. to bedrock as part of the Roosevelt Collection mixed-use development in Chicago.

This is believed to be a Chicago record for length of piles used in a single commercial development, said Chicago-based Halvorson and Partners, the structural engineer.

Shiel Sexton Gets Kudo

Indianapolis-based Shiel Sexton Corp. was named General Contractor of the Year during the annual conference of the Indiana Subcontractors Association.

The award is based on scores in a number of categories including ethics, safety and project management. The ballots were distributed among subcontractors throughout the state.