Chicago Politics

Public Building Commission's Construction Season Kickoff 4.22.26

Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson attends the Public Building Commission's Construction Season Kickoff event.

Transcript

0:01 Y'all ready? Good morning. Good morning. Good morning and welcome to our kickoff of 2026 construction on the beautiful west side of Chicago at one of our iconic institutions, the Malcolm X Westside Learning Center. We're pleased to be here today, and we're actually pleased to be here in this very room. As you can see, we're still under construction, but once this is complete, this will service not only the Austin community, but the Westside in its entirety with a place that it will be welcoming to our residents, not only our students,

0:35 but our residents in this community. We have long held that this particular facility at the Westside Learning Center has been a cornerstone of community activation, community meetings, and community greetings. Now, while we were cramped down in the basement through the help of our good chancellor, our president here at Malcolm X Westside Learning Center, as well as our mayor, we've been able to establish this beautiful community facility here. So, again, let's give everybody a hand for the work that they're doing to bring this forward.

1:08 As we embark on the 2026 season, as we look at the funds that have been made available through our housing and economic development bonding, our TIF funds, our partners from the state and also the federal government, all of these pieces are necessary to bring forth the types of institutions and capital investments that are needed to make our communities go. And we're so proud on the west side to have been such a recipient of these types of activities and things that we bring our community forward. So again, I just want to say thank you to everyone as we kick off 2026.

1:38 Even though this is your first stop, it needs to be your second, third, and fourth stop as you come to the west side of Chicago with all this great largesse and money. But again, I know the mayor, he'll be back here probably later this week and next week and the week after next because we're doing such great things here in the 28th Ward on the west side of Chicago. So next on our speaking list, we're going to have our Deputy Mayor for Infrastructure and Development. Let's give it up for Deputy Mayor Lori Lipson.

2:09 Good morning. I am Lori Lipson, the Deputy Mayor of Infrastructure and Services for the City of Chicago. I'm proud to be here with Chairman Irvin of the 28th War, alongside our partners with Department of Buildings, Public Building Commission, GMA, and City Colleges, so many others as we kick off construction season. We couldn't ask for a better start. The weather is cooperating, and crews are back to work. This week alone, we have been out in neighborhoods, on streetscapes, along our transit corridors,

2:45 and now a vertical project site. Later today, we will showcase streets and sanitation and tomorrow aviation, continuing to see firsthand what investment looks like. Because when we build, we bring people to the table. That's what construction season is about. Movement, momentum, and investment in every neighborhood. Now let me say something we don't say a lot. Construction is pretty cool.

3:15 There's something powerful about watching a lift rise into the skyline, hearing the hammers, the power tools humming. It's not just work, it's actual transformation. It's skilled tradespeople building the future of Chicago with their hands. These are the men and women working for the people of the city. And none of this happens alone. To get the shovels in the ground, it takes coordination across various departments and agencies,

3:47 planning and development, buildings, transportation, water, building commission, fleet and facilities, and even the teams behind the scenes, technology and human resources. Just as important is our commitment to minority and women-owned businesses. These businesses reflect our communities, strengthen our neighborhoods, and ensure the work that we do is inclusive, equitable, and impactful.

4:18 They are essential to how we build. And when we look at projects like this, we also see the future. The students who will learn here, the young people who have the opportunity to build, They are a living testament to what happens when opportunity and investment come together. Under Mayor Johnson's leadership, collaboration like this is not optional. It's expected. Because we are not just building more, we are building better together.

4:51 That means safer streets, stronger neighborhood, modern facilities, and real opportunity for today and generation. to come. I want to thank all our public servants, our contractors, and our labor partners. This does not happen without you. After today's program, we're excited to take a tour because the real story is in the inside. We'll get to see the heart, and since we're on the west side, the soul of the building, and the work shaping Chicago's future. And now it's

5:26 my honor to introduce a leader who is ensuring that we are not just building more, but building stronger, smarter for every community in Chicago. Please join me in welcoming Mayor Brandon Johnson. Thank you so much to our Deputy Mayor Lipson and good morning everyone. And welcome to the best side, the blessed side, the west side of the city of Chicago. This week the city of

5:58 Chicago is celebrating the launch of construction week and construction season, a time when residents can expect to see more workers and equipment around the city, and that is a good thing for the people of Chicago. City crews are hard at work, beautifying and strengthening our communities. On Monday, CDOT kicked off our season of streetscape improvement projects and traffic safety upgrades. On Tuesday, CTA we kicked off this week with the 2026 Refresh and Renew program

6:31 to make system-wide repairs and upgrades at 42 L stations across the city. And today we are gathered at Malcolm X College West Campus's soon-to-be community center for teaching and learning, one of the municipal buildings intentionally designed and built by the Public Building Commission to kick off their construction season. The Public Building Commission, or PBC, is building this space in collaboration with City Colleges of Chicago and Malcolm X College.

7:03 It stands as a testament to what is possible when our city comes together to invest in our communities. The more than $20 million in expansion of Malcolm X College West Campus will serve as an instructional space for in-demand careers in health care and a community convening space. The Westside community, local businesses and organizations will certainly benefit the rental event space for meetings and celebrations that will ultimately bring people together.

7:34 I look forward to returning in the fall to celebrate the center's grand opening. The PBC will continue to collaborate with city departments and agencies to plan, design, and build the facilities that empower our residents and communities. Chicagoans can look forward to projects like the site preparation, design, and construction of a field house at Kells George Park in Humble Park, an expansion of nursing education at city colleges of Chicago, but particularly Kennedy Keene College,

8:05 which involves renovating their existing library and creating additional space for learning and labs. The Morgan Shore Reconstruction Project along Lake Michigan shoreline between 45th and 51st Streets in collaboration with CDOT, the Park District, and the U.S. Department of Army Corps of Engineers. Also, the Emergency Medical Services Edition that is located on our public safety training campus to invest in our city's first responders, and various capital improvement projects

8:38 in collaboration with the Department of Fleet and Facilities. Together, these projects reflect a shared citywide commitment to building safe and affordable communities. We are building with a purpose to create opportunities, expand the reach of vital public services, and invest in areas of our city that need it the most. The commitment is demonstrated in my administration's Build Better Together initiative. It's a comprehensive, equitable development strategy. The Build Better Together encompasses efforts like the Cut the Tape Initiative,

9:09 which remedies the city's planning and approval process that were slowing down or hindering development in Chicago. And, of course, our $1.25 billion housing and economic development bond, which is the largest investment in housing in Chicago's history, which allows the city to collaboratively and equitably invest where it is needed the most. We use these funds to build mixed-use affordable housing developments and growth in our business and cultural corridors and to create jobs and opportunities for residents and small businesses.

9:40 Construction season in Chicago is the manifestation of our Build Better Together operation, a time when our city departments and communities come together to uplift and strengthen our entire city. I'm grateful for the leadership and collaboration that goes into building the safest, most affordable big city in America. And now in closing, I do want to acknowledge and thank the Public Building Commission team and the Executive Director, Ray Gitteroff, who quite literally is working to build a brighter future for the City of Chicago. The Department of Buildings Commissioner, Marlene Hopkins, and her team,

10:14 they oversee the sustainability and resilience of our city's environment and are building our true environmental justice as well. The City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor, Juan Salgado, and Malcolm X College President, David Sanders, who ensure our city's college students receive a high-quality education that sets them on a strong pathway to stronger careers. And, of course, the developer team, the GMA Construction and CEO Cornelius Griggs, who are completing the work on Malcolm X West's campus in this center that will be a bright star for the west side.

10:51 and all of the city crews who put in the daily hard work and outstanding services to ensure that our communities are safe, healthy, and thriving. I look forward to continuing this work. Thank you to Chairman Irvin, who has been a stalwart in our community, allowing us to create the space that's necessary to build safe and affordable communities. And so thank you to everyone, and with that, please provide a warm welcome to the City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor, Mr. Juan Salgado.

11:24 Let me start by sharing deep appreciation to Mayor Brandon Johnson for his leadership and stewardship of our city and his care for our communities all across the city and especially this beloved West Side community. And it is a great day. Every day is a great day to be on the West Side. But today is an especially great day to be on the west side because we are right here at the site of what was a learning center.

12:01 We have now named it a campus, a campus of Malcolm X College, because it indicates, you know, further investment, not just now, but in the future. Further investment in the community, but further investment in our people. which I know is super important to you, Mayor. This is phase two of City College continued investment in Malcolm X College West Campus. Phase one, renovated new biology labs to support the academic pathways into high-demand careers.

12:37 This project, as you see, adds new space for training, community convening, including this new assembly hall. We're also, by the way, making key upgrades to the building itself, the infrastructure of the building. We're talking about roofs, mechanical, electrical, plumbing. These essential elements of a building are being renovated as well. I do want to thank the partners that have been involved in this effort. I want to thank Chair of the Education Committee, Jeanette Taylor, who has joined us as well for her leadership.

13:12 And, of course, Alderman Jason Irvin, thanks to you for your steadfast support of this center itself. Ray, for your leadership and the great work that the Public Building Commission has been doing. And Deputy Mayor Lori Lipson for your leadership. And, of course, Cornelius Griggs, by the way, you all should know, was an instructor at City Colleges of Chicago at one point. So if anybody here wants to be an instructor in our construction technology, we welcome you to partake in the joy of being a teacher within the city college system.

13:50 But look, we wouldn't be here if not for the voice, the leadership, the tenacity, the perseverance of our president of Malcolm X College. President David Sanders, from the moment I arrived as chancellor, said, this is something I want to make sure gets done. Gets done for the Malcolm X community, gets done for the Westside community. And it's his vision, his perseverance that has allowed us to be close to the moment.

14:28 And I look forward to that fall opening with you and the mayor and the community present here to see this vision coming to full reality. So please help me in welcoming President Davidson. Thank you, Chancellor Salgado. I certainly appreciate those comments. Today we gather with a shared sense of pride and purpose on the west side of...

15:00 Chicago, a community rich in history, resilience, and possibility. And that possibility is growing stronger with the expansion of Malcolm X College's West Campus. This multi-million dollar investment was supported, is supported, and continues to be supported by our elected officials and so many others. It is a commitment to the people of the West Side. It means a new space where education meets community, where students and families can come together to learn and connect.

15:35 The expansion promises to increase capacity by 50%, opening doors for about 2,000 students, many pursuing careers in nursing, health sciences, and other essential fields that keep our communities strong. But this is also about respect. Respect for students who deserve modern classrooms and labs. Respect for a neighborhood that deserves investment and state-of-the-art facilities to call their own. From a new community center, a new roof, top-line audio and visual equipment, updated HVAC systems, and safety improvements,

16:14 we are ensuring that this campus reflects the excellence that is here on the West Side. Can I hear it, West Siders? I want to give thanks for the great leadership of our mayor, Mayor Brandon Johnson, to Deputy Mayor Lori Lipson, to Ray Gitteroff and the Public Building Commission, one of the best aldermen in the city, Jason Irvin, and to the wonderful head of City Council's Education Committee, Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor,

16:47 to the great Commissioner Marlene Hopkins, and to the man who heads the team that is bringing our vision to life, CEO Cornelius Griggs and GMA. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And with that, I want to introduce our City of Chicago's Department of Buildings Commissioner, Marlene Hopkins. Thank you, President Sanders, for welcoming us to McElmex College today.

17:22 I am Marlene Hopkins, Commissioner of the Department of Buildings. and I am proud to be here this morning to celebrate construction season kickoff and the remarkable progress being made on this project. DOB has been deeply involved every step of the way. My team is committed to Mayor Johnson's Building Better Together initiative, working collaboratively with the Public Building Commission and the City Colleges of Chicago through our permitting and inspections.

17:53 as you continue to expand the Malcolm X College West Campus. We are honored to be an integral part of this project and will remain engaged through every phase, from ongoing inspections to the final issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. I am especially proud of the members of my Certificate of Occupancy team. They are responsible for performing the inspections of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and ventilation work here on this project.

18:27 These are the skilled professionals who show up every day answering questions, working through challenges, and partnering with GMA to make sure every phase of this project meets the standards this community deserves. At DOB, partnership is the heart of everything we do. We go beyond inspections, serving as trusted resources and having a steady presence for project teams, from the shovel in the ground to the moment the door is open to the community.

19:02 As we celebrate the start of another construction season, I am proud to stand with every partner and stakeholder in this room. Together, we are building something better and crafting the future of the city we all call home. Thank you. Deputy Mayor. So we are going to commence a tour, and we will start. Oh, I have Auderman Taylor. Okay, Chairman Taylor.

19:33 Do you want to say it? Okay. So we will, let's take a picture, and then we will commence with the tour. I'm sorry. Ray Gitteroff, I'm the Executive Director. Mr. Mayor, thank you for remembering. And Deputy Mayor Lori Lipson, construction is funded. certainly. Mayor Brandon Johnson, thank you for

20:04 expecting nothing but excellence out of our team. To our partners at City Colleges, we couldn't do it without you. Alderman Irving, we couldn't do it without you. This represents the best part of our work and that's the people that are involved. I just want to place emphasis on who designed this project and who's building the project. A 100% WBE and MBE team is doing that. Bailey Edwards, a a certified WBE firm, GMA, a certified MBE firm. That's not by accident. These firms competed for the work fairly, and they won the work fairly.

20:38 And that collaboration is the result of what you're standing in today, maximizing the use of the space, maximizing the use of the site. The very space that you're sitting in that we're going to conduct a walkthrough is part of the enhancement. It's part of making the space welcoming, making the space warm, and making students and community feel space. That divider wall behind you goes in both directions that allows for maximum flexibility of this space. Nearly 7,800 square feet of space has been added, approximately 4,000 square feet of the space that we're standing in,

21:09 and another approximately 3,000 square feet of renovated lobby space, in addition to addressing all of the pre-existing conditions that were here. So Chancellor Salgado, thank you for that opportunity. With that said, Lori, I think that concludes my side of it. And, I know Cornelius Griggs is not here today, but joining is his, I'll call your, is it the left or the right arm you want to be today?

21:41 But again, let's welcome our team, Erica Kirkwood from GMA Construction. Good morning, everyone. I'm Erica, good morning. I'm Erica Kirkwood, Vice President and General Counsel at GMA Construction Group. First, I would like to speak on behalf of Cornelius Griggs and just thank the mayor for bringing this vision to life. The city colleges has been an amazing part of this city for a very long time.

22:12 So for us to bring this vision to life, GMA Construction is very excited about that. We're a minority-owned business. We have projects in a lot of different cities, but this city is the best city to operate in. So I really want to echo the Deputy Mayor's sentiments that construction is fun, and we're excited to bring this project to fruition. So thank you.

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