Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Creighton University Rigge Science Building Project

Creighton alum and former professor George Haddix and his wife gave a $10 million to Creighton University last month.  The gift is earmarked academic programs, faculty development, laboratories, student opportunities and advising.

Haddix earned a master’s degree in math from Creighton and was a professor at the university from 1969-1971. He has donated to other schools he attended, including to STEM programs at UNO.

Prairie Construction was honored to be chosen for the first phase of this esteemed project. Immediately after the 2017/18 school year finished in May, we began demolition in the Rigge Science Building. This project kept us busy throughout the summer and we completed in August, right before the 2018/19 school year started.

The project included demolition of the first floor and a remodel of the corridor and four classrooms, as well as a remodel of labs on the second and fourth floors. The improvements will directly impact STEM programming for undergraduate and graduate students.

Prairie Construction was involved in other recent projects on Creighton University’s campus, including a multi-phase project in the Bio Information Center (BIC) for the occupational therapy study space and the addition of study carrels, and a renovation of the Old Gym. We value Creighton’s continued trust in Prairie Construction, and we look forward to partnering with them on additional projects in the future!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News, Current Projects

On Track for Gretna Public Works Project – Despite the Rainfall

When it comes to meeting construction deadlines there are many contributing factors – sub contractors, budget, adjustments to the original plans, and weather – and the hardest to account for is weather.

Construction companies need to get creative in order to meet deadlines when we’ve had as much rainfall as we have the last few weeks in Omaha.

Several weeks ago we told you progress on the Gretna Public Works facility. By mid-August, the foundation and paving were being laid, and the steel erection had begun. Since then, we have laid the foundation, erected the building and completed the paving and retaining walls.

Rainfall and new concrete are a hard mix, but we have managed to take advantage of dry days – regardless of when they call – to keep the project on track to meet our deadlines. Our teams have been long hours on dry days, even when they fall on weekends.

We hope you will continue to check back on the progress of this project!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Industry News

Commercial Renovation vs. Construction

Whether your business is just starting out or outgrowing your current space, the decision about the right office space can be hard. Should we renovate an existing space or build a brand-new site?

When it comes to choosing a new space for your business, there are many things to consider, not the least of which is budget. Renovating an existing space can often cost less than a new build, but there are several factors to consider:

  • Can you find an existing space to meet your needs? Consider how much space you need now and for potential growth in the future. Do you need cubicles or offices, or a shared conference space, etc.?
  • Consider long-term renovations and upkeep. An existing building may require more significant updates over time than a new building, and those expenses may outweigh the upfront savings. You could have a pest issue, for instance, and you might explore a few michigan exterminators (or in some other location) to hire one for pest control. Whereas, a newly constructed building can be treated while construction to avoid such issues in the future.
  • What is your timeframe? A rehabilitation will often take less time than new construction, especially if the previous structure needs to be demolished. For instance, it would probably take less time to complete a renovation or place a new roof on your new office with the help of commercial roofing companies in Denver or elsewhere than to create a brand-new structure. If you need to move in before the building is finished, think about when you need to be in the new workplace.
  • What are your design preferences? Starting from scratch with a new building gives you a blank slate to choose the design elements you want. This may be limited in a renovation.
  • Energy-saving options. Construction from the ground up allows you to choose some energy efficient elements that may not be an option with a renovation project, and those can save you money in the long run. However, before embarking on the journey of constructing a building, you would need to find a commercial builder who has a good reputation in building offices. Besides this, you would also need to hire the services of construction site security guards TX who can provide impeccable security to the site so that no one can interrupt the construction process.
  • Location, location, location! if location is a crucial factor for your business, available options may be the deciding factor in whether you decide to you build or renovate.

Prairie Construction is experienced in renovations and new builds of all sizes. We are committed to completing projects that meet our client’s needs on time and within budget. Whether you decide to renovate an existing space or build a new space, Prairie Construction can help create the perfect office space for your business!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Gretna Public Works Facility Update

Earlier this year we were excited to learn that we were awarded the contract for the brand new Gretna Public Works facility.

We broke ground on the project located at 20090 Husker Drive, north of the water tower and fire station in Gretna and have been busy with the foundation, paving and steel erection at the facility.

The 38,000 square foot facility will allow the City of Gretna to consolidate all Public Works vehicles and equipment in one facility.

Here are some images of the progress – check back for more updates!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Steve Rease Speaks to Omaha Executives Association

Steve Rease, executive vice president of Prairie Construction, spoke recently at an Omaha Executives Association (OEA) meeting. The presentation included a history of Prairie Construction, tips for choosing the right contractor, and highlights from some recent projects.

OEA was formed in Omaha in 1924 as a networking group for business owners and executives. Members exchange business information, networking and leads during weekly meetings. A current OEA members presents a craft talk – an informative presentation about their business – at each meeting.

Steve’s craft talk included an overview of Prairie Construction and the services we provide. Steve provided an overview of the process of hiring a contractor for a project, including the initial project design and the bid process, and finishing with the build!

He provided a brief over view of some recent projects that Prairie Construction completed, including the St. Patrick’s activity center, recent Creighton University projects, the Excel Physical Therapy expansion, the Lockbox Storage facility in Bennington, and some recent school projects. Steve highlighted unique features of each project and showed photos during construction and the finished build.

We have been fortunate to help several OEA members expand and grow their businesses through renovation or new construction projects. We enjoy the opportunity to talk about the things that make Prairie Construction different from other construction companies in Omaha. We hope you will think of Prairie Construction!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News, Current Projects

Bennington Storage Facility

We recently completed the construction of a new storage facility in Bennington, NE for Lock Box Storage. The 60,000 square-foot climate-controlled building includes a variety of sizes of storage units inside, as well as outdoor storage space.

Self-storage is a rapidly growing industry in the US. According to The SpareFoot Storage Beat, there are more than 2.3 billion square feet of rentable self-storage space in the United States. That’s an average of 7.06 square feet of self-storage space for every American. The Prairie Construction team has been involved with the construction of numerous storage facilities for McGregor Interests in the Omaha and Des Moines areas, and we are proud of the quality construction of each of them.

Every project we complete has unique requirements and specifications. Climate control is crucial with storage units and the team at Prairie Construction has the experience and expertise to give you peace of mind that our facilities are safe and reliable. Learn more about the Bennington Lock Box storage facility here.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Excel Physical Therapy Expansion

We love when local companies call on us to help them expand their business. We were happy to be involved with a project that allowed Excel Physical Therapy to expand into the Elkhorn area.

The expansion project included the completion of a multi-tenant flex building that would house physical therapy clinic space for Excel, and eventually other businesses.

We completed the project within the projected six-month timeframe, allowing Excel to meet the needs of their clients in a new market. The Prairie Construction team can help fulfill your expansion needs on time and within budget – call us today!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Meaningful Project at St. Patrick’s in Elkhorn

Summer is a great time for many of the projects we work on – especially when they are at a school! While we are accustomed to working around kids and busy school schedules, we can be more efficient during summer hours.

We are currently working at new project at St. Patrick’s in Elkhorn, NE. The job involves improvements to the main entrance and exterior upgrades.

We are removing the concrete in front of the church and school and replacing it with a wider sidewalk. New landscaping will complement the new sidewalk. We will be installing new brick piers and upgrading the exterior lighting around the building. The improvements will not only create a safer, more secure entrance, but will also enhance the welcoming feel to the entrance.

Included in the project is a special project in partnership with the Aspen Seeman Lane Graves Foundation. We will be installing a specially commissioned statue of Jesus with the two young boys, Aspen Seeman and Lane Graves. The families of both young boys belong to the parish, and we are honored to play a role in this special project. Landscaping, lighting and brickwork will surround the statue, creating a special memorial place for the boys.

We were busy last summer at St. Pat’s as well,  as we wrapped up construction of The Aspen Seemann and Lane Graves Activity Center. The activity center was long anticipated by the parish and holds special meaning for so many. We are proud of our contributions to the parish, and to have been asked to complete another special project for the parish. We look forward to sharing photos when the exterior renovations are completed!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Renovation Underway at Skutt Catholic High School

The 2017/18 school year just ended at Skutt Catholic High School and we could not be more excited! Students took their last final on Thursday, May 24 and Prairie Construction began work on a new addition to the school right away!

The focus of the 3500 square foot addition to the southwest corner of the building will be a secure main entrance to the high school, providing additional safety for the students and faculty. The project will also include an enlarged main lobby, secure vestibule and additional office space.

The addition was designed with safety in mind and goes beyond secure doors. The design for the single-story entrance calls for structural steel, brick, EIFS and composite metal panels, as well as aluminum curtain walls for the windows. The result will be a modern attractive front entrance that will provide security for the school.

We are probably just as excited that the students are out of school for summer – we were anxious to get started! Watch for progress throughout the summer. We expect to have the project completed in September, 2018!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Why Choose Prairie Construction

We know there are many choices when it comes to selecting a construction company. Whether it is small remodeling project, a fleet vehicle facility, or a school, you can trust that Prairie Construction will deliver quality work.

When choosing the right construction company for your project, there are many things to consider beyond budget. Here are a few reasons why Prairie Construction might be the right choice for your construction project:

  • Prairie Construction is a trusted local company, based in Omaha since 1989.
  • Our goal is to meet the client’s needs and that is best accomplished through open communication. We will work closely with you throughout the project to problem-solve and complete the project on deadline and within budget.
  • Everyone on the Prairie Construction team – from the foreman to the subcontractors – is committed to creating a safe, friendly environment and providing excellent quality service to each of our clients.
  • No project is too big or too small for Prairie Construction. Our team can help with anything from small remodel jobs to large new construction projects.
  • Our clients are our top priority. We consider each project to be a team effort so every Prairie Construction job site is safe and clean, and every client is treated with respect.

If you would like to learn more about Prairie Construction, or speak to one of our client references, please contact us today!