The new Poynette elementary school, which will house grades kindergarten through fourth, is estimated to cost $23 million. Also included in the referendum funds is money for security upgrades at Poynette High School and general building improvements district-wide.“It’s the (school district’s) first brand new building since 1963,” Shappell said. “… This community supported the district many times with additions, which have been great, but this is a generational, educational solution that we’re incredibly excited about.”
Associated Bank has started on the first phase of renovations to the Milwaukee Center office tower in the city’s downtown. Working with architecture firm Rinka and construction firm J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Associated Bank has started updating the 373,000-square-foot tower at 111 E. Kilbourn Ave.
Findorff, a Madison construction company, has hired about 20 people who have been trained with the Urban League through the HIRE program, a county-wide initiative that aims to help people find jobs. Company president Dave Beck-Engel said the specific training “helps set people up for success.”
“The more employers we have participating, the more people we’re going to have employed and the more success we’re going to have as a community,” Beck-Engel said.
Blog written by Chad Eschler, Business Development
When people think of Wisconsin, what comes to mind may be the Green Bay Packers, cheese, brats, and the great outdoors. What may be news to some folks is that Wisconsin is also becoming a top destination to plant roots for science and technology businesses from across the U.S. Having lived here my entire life, I have seen this first hand as there is an increasing need for local state-of-the-art facilities to support research, innovation, technological advancements, and more!
Hearing this, you may be asking yourself, “why Wisconsin?” There are three main areas that answer this question:
- Accessible research: Our state has a wealth of knowledge. For example, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been one of the top universities for decades and home to famous discoveries, ranging from Hector F. DeLuca’s research on vitamin D to Jamie Thomson’s research on stem cells.
- Growing career opportunities: We used to hear about the brain drain from Wisconsin. In my experience, this has lessened over the years with the increasing career opportunities offered by science and technology businesses coming into our state. For example, Madison is the third-fastest growing technology employment market in the U.S as described by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- Central location: Being positioned in the Midwest has made Wisconsin a viable place for science and technology. With its strong infrastructure and geographical location, Wisconsin is serving as a hub between the coasts.
Considering the science-based opportunities Wisconsin has to offer, specialized facilities are in demand by new businesses entering our state. With a pulse on the industry, Findorff adapted its approach to building science and technology facilities. We focus on five key areas:
- Understanding client needs: Not all science is the same. Nor are the building requirements for each project. Considering this, we start each project with the question of “why?” This ensures a clear understanding of our clients’ goals and needs.
- Recognizing FDA/cGMP regulations: During the early planning stages, we discover and analyze any necessary requirements that would impact construction. Often projects need to follow FDA/cGMP regulations. In these instances, we track all items that go into a project against specific facility and process requirements to ensure compliance.
- Supporting speed-to-market delivery: Once a product is approved, companies only have so much time to capitalize on patents. This drives us to build quality facilities through efficient scheduling.
- Building projects of all sizes: Findorff has the expertise to support various project sizes. A major asset that makes this possible is our Special Projects Group. It is experienced in remodeling, renovation, maintenance, and trades-related work. Often such efforts are even performed in occupied spaces so our clients’ staff can keep working. In turn, Findorff understands how to perform quality work, regardless of scope.
- Serving as a local resource: With nearly 130 years under our tool belts working in Wisconsin, we leverage an expansive network of resources that make Findorff more than a builder. We are a partner with local insight into how clients can achieve success both on and off the construction site. This is possible because of our skilled talent and array of services that we tailor to our clients’ needs.
To learn more about our efforts in the growing science and technology industry, make sure to check out several of our relevant projects.
Every year, in late October, it is our honor to recognize Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Week. This time pays tribute to the roles that building and grounds staff, as well as facility managers and engineers have, in ensuring quality healthcare environments for all patients, residents, visitors, and staff.
As we proudly construct projects that support care and healing throughout the Midwest, Findorff sees firsthand how facility and engineering teams are integral in making a difference through the delivery of healthcare every day. Without such hardworking professionals, it would be impossible to manage and maintain clean and safe environments for those in need. Please join Findorff as we celebrate these people for their efforts not only during Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Week, but also all year round.
By working side by side with healthcare facility teams, we are inspired every day to create quality healing environments, which led to our recent recognition as a top national healthcare contractor. To learn more and how we can support your healthcare facility needs, please contact Findorff’s Business Development and Healthcare Consultant Jeff Eckstein, AIA.
D.C. Everest seniors in the Construction Trades course are getting the opportunity of a lifetime thanks to a building expansion at their school. As part of the $60 million referendum that voters approved in April, the schools within the D.C. Everest School District are undergoing a lot of renovations. One of the largest projects is the expansion at the high school because several new classrooms are being added to the building. Findorff is the construction firm overseeing the project.
The Ronald McDonald House of Madison is a “home away from home” for families while their beloved children receive care at area hospitals. As the need for pediatric medical services continues to grow, so has the need to expand space for families committed to staying close to their little loved ones during treatment. Since craftsmanship is at the core of what we do, Findorff was honored to help fill this need with the recent addition to the Ronald McDonald House, built on a foundation of community and hope.
The addition nearly doubled the size of the facility. Findorff added 13 additional guest rooms, two of which accommodate larger families, and eight ADA compliant rooms. Expanded indoor and outdoor play areas, improved kitchen facilities, parking, enhanced security, and private spaces were also improvements. Findorff Superintendent Adam Budda played a key role in the project’s construction. “There were many days that the building was at capacity,” he said. “Our team worked hard to keep noise down while providing families complete access to the existing building.
”Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison Executive Director Kevin Huddleston is overjoyed with the addition and remodeled facility. “Many of our families enjoyed watching the workers during construction,” Huddleston said. “But it doesn’t even come close to how thankful we are to have a beautiful, comfortable, and homey space built with love.”
Pictured: Findorff Superintendent Adam Budda received some carpentry advice from former patient Mason and his brother Kyle on the steps of the new addition entrance.
UnityPoint Health Meriter has expanded its Child and Adolescent Psychiatry program. They’ve doubled the size of the building at 8102 Wellness Way in Madison, which officials say will help children and teens get an extra level of the in-patient care they need. They have yoga, meditation and outdoor walking paths.
Eurofins Madison is excited to announce that it has begun construction on its new facility, which will take place over the next eighteen months with a scheduled opening of spring 2021. The 108,000 square foot facility, with over 400 employees, will be located at 6304 Ronald Reagan Avenue in Madison, WI.
Lakefront has installed kegs that light up on the side of its brewery, dubbing it Kegnado. What looks like an out-of-control keg-stacking issue is an intentional 40-foot-tall art statement at Lakefront Brewery. The installation of kegs and pony kegs arranged at the edge of the brewery at 1872 N. Commerce St. suggests that a tornado ripped through Lakefront’s packaging area, creating a flurry of kegs up the side of the building. It also lights up. At sundown, the brewery will flip a switch to illuminate the tumult of kegs in LED lights.