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!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News, Industry News

Looking Ahead to 2021!

As we look back on 2020, I think everyone can agree the year didn’t necessarily go the way we planned it!

No one could have predicted a pandemic that would close businesses and put many aspects of our lives on hold the way they were in 2020.

But it’s a new year, and as we look ahead we can revisit plans that were put on hold in the last year. If your plans to remodel, or build a new home or office, stalled in 2020, the Prairie Construction team may be able to help with your plans.

If you are ready to move ahead with your construction needs, the Prairie Construction has some tips to keep in mind to ensure your 2021 project, big or small, is successful:

  • Don’t be afraid to ask a contractor for referrals. Or ask your friends and family for a recommendation.
  • Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the company has a solid reputation.
  • Choose a company that has experience with projects similar to yours.
  • Work with a company that has a good understanding of architectural design.
  • Choose a contractor or construction company that will manage your project from start to finish so you don’t need to find subcontractors.

More than anything, trust your instincts. Choosing the right company for your project will make the process successful and enjoyable. Contact the Prairie Construction team to discuss your projects for 2021!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News, Uncategorized

Happy Holidays from the Prairie Construction Team

As we close out what has been a most unusual year, we look back with appreciation for our amazing team of dedicated professionals. You make Prairie Construction who we are, and we appreciate your dedication, loyalty, and commitment to serving our clients with professionalism and excellence every day.

Thank you to all of our subcontractors and partners. We appreciate your shared commitment to quality craftsmanship and excellent service on every project.

And to each of our clients – thank you for trusting the Prairie Construction team with your construction needs. It has been our pleasure to work with you and we are grateful for the confidence you have in our team.

As we welcome 2021, we look forward to working with each of you on exciting new projects!

We wish you the very best of the holiday season, and a very happy New Year!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Go Green with Gift Wrap

The Holidays are here, the most wonderful time of the year. Shopping, decorating, baking, and checking your lists twice. So much to do, so much anticipation.

But before you think about wrapping the gifts, consider this. Not all wrapping papers and gift bags are recyclable.

The City of Omaha recently started a new garbage and recycling, and program coordinators and conservationists are optimistic this will lead to a renewed enthusiasm for recycling. The extra-large, wheeled carts make recycling easy and convenient.

In the flurry of gift-giving and unwrapping, you may think all wrapping paper can be recycled together. But that is not the case. Just because they are paper doesn’t mean they can go in the recycling bin.

Wrapping paper that is metallic, glittery or textured is not recyclable; adding it to a bin of recyclables can contaminate the entire bin. While you may have bought your recipient a pretty thoughtful gift, like a diploma frame, from Jostens (you can read more about the shop here), the glittery wrapping paper may not make the gift seem as thoughtful. But if you really wish to present yourself as a thoughtful person, then why not go green with your wrapping?

If you’d like to do your part to Go Green and recycle this holiday season, here are a few tips to consider for your gift wrapping.

  • Look for wrapping paper that is made of recycled paper. Not only is this type of paper recyclable, using recycled materials prevents them from ending up in a landfill.
  • Do not include wrapping paper that is metallic, glittery or velvety. These need to be separated from paper and thrown in the trash, or saved to be used again.
  • Ribbon, bows and glittery cards are not recyclable. These should be separated and discarded into the garbage, or saved to be used again next year.
  • Crush recyclable wrapping paper into a ball – it’s more likely to be recycled.
  • When you shop for wrapping paper, opt for those made of recycled papers and avoid recyclable papers.
  • Consider reusing papers and gift bags from previous years, and save salvageable gift wrap as you unwrap gifts this season.
  • When you are wrapping, using only enough paper to cover the gift, minimizing scraps and excess that are discarded.

This season, remember one of the best gifts we can all give is the gift of conservation. Wishing you and yours the very best of the season!