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Minority Participation
Dominick, Town Meet Goals for Minority Contractor Participation in Construction of Municipal Complex
 Cicero Town President Larry Dominick set a tone early on in the construction of the new municipal complex at 50th & Cermak that he wanted to ensure minority-owned contractors, women-owned contractors, and local businesses were given every chance to bid and meaningfully participate in building the complex.
"This is a community project and so I believed we should have a diverse cross-section of businesses participate," said Dominick. "That participation gets buy-in on our vision for the complex and it also sends a clear signal that my administration is serious about expanding opportunity to groups and businesses that have not always been afforded those opportunities."
As of February 1, 2008, there is more good news to report on this front. With the subcontract work for the tenant interiors at the town hall and police station successfully let, of the more than $9.5 million dollars in contracts, a whopping 21% ($2.486 M) went to minority-owned businesses and nearly 7% ($775 K) went to women-owned businesses. Both numbers exceed the project goals for minority- and women-owned business participation.
"These are strong numbers," said Dominick. "The numbers don't lie. When I said we were serious about enfranchising people, I meant it. And, now, we've proved it."
Tenant interiors include among other things: electrical, drywall, masonry, millwork, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, landscaping, and painting.
Back in October 2007, the town reported that with approximately 80% of the complex contracts let, as of September 1, the town had awarded $3,512,200 in contracts to LBEs (local business enterprises), $4,911,350 to MBEs (minority business enterprises), and $3,731,500 to WBEs (women business enterprises). Respectively, that represented 9.08%, 12.70% and 9.65% of the total value of contracts awarded to date. The WBE figure at the time almost doubled the contract goal of 5%.
The municipal complex project team included KR Miller Contractors, the construction management firm, Bulley & Andrews, the general contractor, and ZPD+A, the lead architectural firm.
Minority Participation
Town President Larry Dominick has placed special emphasis on encouraging the participation of minority-owned, women-owned and local business enterprises in the development of the Town Hall complex and the park at 1808 S. Laramie. Dominick hosted two separate minority business fairs for interested contractors and spread the word throughout the Chicagoland area that, under his leadership, Cicero is a town of opportunities for all persons. The result has been impressive participation, exceeding the aggressive participation goals Dominick set for the project. As of March 1, 29% of the contracts let on the town hall complex have gone to certified minority business enterprises and 34% have gone to certified local business enterprises. For the park at 1808 S. Laramie, 29% and 25% of the contracts let have gone to certified minority business enterprises and certified women business enterprises respectively.
"It is important to me that residents and businesses alike understand that the 'New Cicero' is an inclusive place focused on expanding opportunities," said Dominick. "We want the best person for the job and I personally want to send a message that if you're honest, hard-working, and qualified, we want you in Cicero."
Click here for more information on Minority Participation
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