Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Welcome Nighthawks to Elkhorn North Ridge Middle School

Elkhorn North Ridge Middle School welcomed students for the first time when the school year started a few weeks ago.

Prairie Construction has built many schools in the Omaha metro area, and each one is unique. North Ridge, located at 183rd & Ida St. in Elkhorn, was constructed with state-of-the-art safety features and design, and is proving to be fully functional for students.

Here is an inside look at some of our favorite spots in the school.

Have a great school year Nighthawks!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects, Uncategorized

Update on Elkhorn Middle School Project

We continue to make progress on the construction of the new middle school for the Elkhorn Public Schools.

Elkhorn North Ridge Middle School will welcome its first students through its doors in less than a month. Here’s a unique look at the progress!

Elkhorn North Ridge is located at 183rd & Ida St. and will accommodate the continued growth in the fifth largest school district in the state.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Skyrocketing Lumber Costs are Starting to Ease

We have good news for those of you planning a construction project……the cost of lumber is starting to fall!

Since the pandemic began, we’ve heard a lot about high demand and low supply for everything from toilet paper and Clorox wipes to groceries and vehicles. We saw a huge increase in the demand for things like lumber, and an even bigger increase in the costs for lumber and building supplies.

According to the Labor Department’s producer price index, lumber prices more than doubled from May 2020 to May 2021. The National Association of Home Builders says the price tripled in just 12 months.

Americans spent more time at home over the last year, contributing to an increase in home improvement and new construction projects. Adding to that, restrictions due to COVID-19 slowed production at sawmills. This increased demand and reduced supply resulted in skyrocketing prices for lumber.

We are finally starting to see an easing of high lumber prices. Americans are going back to work and things are slowly returning to “normal”. While we may not see a return to pre-pandemic pricing for some time, we are seeing improvements in lumber and building supplies pricing.

If you put off your construction project because of the increased pricing, now might be a good time to put the plans back on the books. The team at Prairie Construction is ready to help!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Welcome to Omaha, CWS fans!

We are big baseball fans at Prairie Construction – This is one of our favorite times of year in Omaha, and we are so happy to see the series back in full swing this year!

If you are new to Omaha, or you haven’t been back for a few years, things might look a little different to you. There has been a construction boom in Omaha in recent years and Prairie Construction has played a big role in development near the stadium.

If you take a stroll just west of TD America on Cuming St., you’ll see Prairie Construction’s mark throughout Creighton University’s campus, notably the new Facilities Management Building on 18th & Burt St. We’ve also been busy with work in the Medical School and Health Sciences Library on campus as well.

If you head southeast from the stadium, take a trip over the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge to Council Bluffs, IA. It’s a beautiful bridge with a spectacular view of the Missouri River, and it’s fun to be able to say you were in 2 states at the same time – you’ll see the state line marking about halfway across the bridge.

For a little extra fun, make a stop under the pedestrian bridge – yes, that is a giant blue troll! Helping the city transport and install the troll to his new home under the bridge was a fun project for the Prairie Construction team, definitely different from our typical projects.

Enjoy your stay in Omaha, or just your visit downtown, good luck to all the teams, and we hope to see you back in Omaha soon – you never know what will be new by the next time you visit!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

A Catered Affair

Prairie Construction so excited to be involved with the construction of the new headquarters for A Catered Affair, located at 134th & State St.

The local catering company specializes in events of all sizes from office lunches and trainings to cocktail parties, weddings, corporate events, and banquets. A Catered Affair also creates a weekly seasonal menu of meals-to-go – delicious, prepared meals perfect for anyone who wants a break from cooking or restaurants.

Since opening in 2008, A Catered Affair has built a solid reputation for providing delicious food with excellent customer service. Their reliable, high-quality service has led to rapid growth and the need to expand their headquarters.

The new headquarters will be located at 134th & State St. near the Deer Creek neighborhood and golf course, and adjacent to the A View Event Center. The larger building will accommodate prep space for additional, larger events. It will also offer an in-house option with a coffee shop and café for customers to dine-in.

We are on track to complete this project by mid-summer. Watch for additional updates on this project or follow along on A Catered Affair’s Facebook page.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Bennington Elementary School

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released official numbers from the 2020 census, and Nebraska experienced a 7.4% increase in population growth in the last decade. Nebraska’s population growth ranked 20th in all 50 states.

With population growth comes families and children, and with more children comes the increased need for more schools.

Prairie Construction can attest to this population growth. In the last decade, we have been busy building new schools – elementary, middle and high schools – across the metro area. We’ve done recent projects for the Elkhorn,  District 66, and Papillion/LaVista school districts, and most recently we have been busy with the newest elementary school in Bennington.

The elementary school is located at 168th and Military Ave. and will be a K-5 school with a capacity of 480-520 students. Our deep experience with school projects has helped us navigate the stages of this project and remain on schedule.

Prairie Construction is prepared to help business expand and school districts accommodate the continued population growth in Nebraska!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Take Time to Appreciate

The Prairie Construction team is looking ahead to a busy spring and summer, we paused recently to share our appreciation for our customers, vendors, partners, subcontractors, and most importantly, our team! Our annual Fish Fry Friday brought everyone together for great food and good conversation.

We are proud that throughout the fall and winter, the Prairie Construction team stayed busy and completed projects on deadline. Our team is skilled and dedicated to bringing excellent, quality craftsmanship to every project.

We are geared up for the busy spring and summer season  – warmer temperatures and longer days are the perfect recipe for productivity.

We didn’t want to miss the opportunity to recognize and thank our amazing team and partners for their dedication to Prairie Construction!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Athletico at Westwood Plaza

Athletico Physical Therapy has expanded in the Omaha metro area, and Prairie Construction was happy to help with a tenant build-out for the physical therapy clinic.

Athletico Omaha West Center is in Westwood Plaza, located at 120th & Center. The business development area has been a mainstay at the busy Omaha intersection for many years. The bays came available and offered an ideal location for the growing physical therapy clinic.

Prairie Construction helped Athletico transform the existing retail space to meet the specific needs for the physical therapy clinic. The plans for the renovation included specifications for additional safety measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team worked closely with the Athletico team to ensure deadlines were met and safety protocols were prioritized.

Prairie Construction is a locally owned construction company. We have experience helping businesses open multiple locations, including new builds and buildouts of existing spaces.

If your business is moving to Omaha or expanding to add new locations in the metro area, call the Prairie Construction team.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Should You Build or Renovate?

You’ve made the decision – your office or company needs a new space. Maybe you have outgrown the office, or it no longer fits your needs. Or you’re due – maybe overdue? – for an updated, more modern look and feel.

But now the question – should you renovate your existing space, or build a brand-new structure?

The answer is – that depends. It depends on your unique situation, and the reasons for wanting, or needing, the new space.

Let’s take a look at some considerations for both renovating and building new.

Consideration for Renovation:

  • Does the location of your current structure still work for you?
  • If you need more space, can your renovation plans accommodate the new growth that you need?
  • Will your budget accommodate the plans necessary to meet your goals? Will your budget accommodate a new build?
  • Can you maintain day-to-day operations while the space undergoes a renovation?
  • Can your existing space accommodate electrical or plumbing updates necessary to comply with codes?

There are many benefits to building new, beyond just a brand-new space.

Benefits of Building New:

  • Starting from scratch opens the door to design, spacing and floor plan options that might by limited in a renovation project.
  • With a new build, you can incorporate energy and environmental efficient plans and materials that might not be an option with a renovation.
  • As you design your new build, you can be assured your plans will be compliant with all current codes.
  • A new build may be more cost-efficient when you factor that all costs will be upfront, and there will be fewer unforeseen costs that can happen with demolition begins.
  • More sustainable options for an office building, such as modular shipping containers (visit the website to see more), can be considered provided all requirements are met and the space is sufficient.
  • Consider the value. New construction tends to hold its value very well and, and it may have a stronger resale value down the road.

Weigh your options between renovation and new construction. Always consider what is best for your company now and in the future. The Prairie Construction team is ready to help you with your project, give us a call today – we are ready to help!

 

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Impact of an Office Renovation

After repeated snowfalls, and frigid cold, sunshine and above-freezing temperatures always feel refreshing and reenergizing.

The Prairie Construction team has felt that way walking into our office every day since we completed our office renovation in early summer, 2020. We look forward to the day when we can invite you to see it for yourself, but in the meantime, we want to share the impact the newly updated space has had on our team.

After 30 years of helping countless clients with their own renovation projects, it was time for us to do the same for ourselves. We like to think of our office remodel project as a rebrand from within. Our team did a complete remodel of our office space, and with the help of several local partners, we completed a renovation that brings us a renewed enthusiasm, and a great deal of pride. This was something that was key for us as we did not have the same feelings of pride attached to our old offices. Whilst the renovation was being completed, some of our employees worked from home and due to most of them having a good work from home internet speed this was not an issue for our company. However, it is nice to have everyone back in the office.

The new space showcases our ability to create functional spaces that are not only efficient and attractive but also gives the strong first impression that any company wants to portray. If an office space has been closed for months now, it might be possible that there are mold formations in certain places. This might require the intervention of Mold Remediation Experts who can help you restore the property back to its former glory. Following this, all renovation procedures can be continued. It might be important to keep in mind that office spaces should always be welcoming and positive to maintain a healthy and friendly environment for employees, as well as visitors. In order to achieve this, choosing every office component, including equipment, supplies, and furniture carefully (visit https://www.officemonster.co.uk/ to select furnishings for your office) might be essential. The right choice of these elements and items, if made carefully, can elevate the aesthetics of a workspace. Additionally, it is important for the old and unused furniture to be gotten rid of – especially in a way that does not in any way harm the environment. To this end, roll off dumpster rentals could be utilized by construction companies to get rid of material waste.

Coming back, our team members feel a sense of pride and renewed enthusiasm when they walk into the bright, updated, and professional space.

The project gave us an opportunity to showcase our creativity and innovative ideas. We collaborated with local artist Jan Milam from Art on Location, to create unique, custom prints featuring some of our recent construction projects that hang in our conference room. We love the strong statement they make to our guests, clients and team members.

Our only regret is that we didn’t do this project earlier! Have you considered an office renovation or upgrade? Give the Prairie Construction team a call – we are ready to help!