The Indian Prairie Public Library project is a renovation of the 43,000-SF, two-story facility, located at the corner of Plainfield Rd. and Clarendon Hills Rd. The project includes new carpeting, paint, fabrics, doors, furniture, plumbing and electrical work. The Reference and Readers’ Advisory desks are being combined and all service desks are being made modular to make future updates easier to complete.

The first floor plans at Indian Prairie Public Library include a new vending café as well as adult computers, magazines and newspapers. The current teen area will double in size and a brand-new family center will be unveiled for preschoolers and their parents. Planned duration of the project is 13 weeks. PSA-Dewberry is serving as architect with Leopardo as general contractor.

Ela Area Public Library is undergoing a radio frequency identification (RFID) improvement project and Leopardo is performing drywall, demolition, carpentry and acoustical ceiling trade work. RFID is a method that uses tags, attached to books and other library materials, which retrieve and store data. Ultimately, this will make check-in and check-out of materials easier and will modernize the library’s self-check system.

Earlier in the year, Leopardo broke ground on the new $6.4-million West Humboldt Park Branch Library in Chicago. Located at 733 N. Kedzie Ave., the 14,800-square-foot, one-story, full-service branch library is one of the first using a prototype design by Lohan Anderson and is seeking LEED Silver certification. The branch library will utilize geothermal systems for heating and cooling, resulting in dramatic reductions in energy consumption, and a prevegetated modular green roofing system will reduce the urban heat island effect, conserve water and decrease storm water runoff.

According to Crain’s description of the video, “the latest forecast shows construction activity is slower than initially expected this year. But at least one local contractor [Leopardo] says the market is improving.”

“Leopardo is breaking ground on several new projects this year.  The company has hired about 10 people recently,” said Chicago Business Today Host Lisa Leiter.

In recent months, Leopardo has been awarded about 20 projects totaling approximately $70 million worth of construction.

Station is Pursuing LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council

MOUNT PROSPECT, Illinois (June 2, 2010) – Leopardo, a leader in construction, design-build and commercial real estate development, recently completed Mount Prospect’s new 23,000-square-foot fire station.

The two-story facility, which is seeking LEED Gold certification, features greywater recycling, high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, and a predominant use of natural daylight to reduce energy requirements. The masonry and steel-constructed building also includes a basement, a three-vehicle bay and living quarters for seven firefighters, as well as a large training room. The station’s apparatus floor and living quarters are designed to accommodate future growth.

Fire Station #14 was designed in accordance with Miami-Dade County building codes, which ensures the ability to withstand hurricane-force weather conditions. This “hardened” facility promises the community successful operation, even under the worst conditions.

Leopardo served as the construction manager along with SRBL as architect.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Illinois (March 25, 2010)

The Project of the Year Award was in recognition of the Mount Prospect Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which was one of three projects Leopardo built simultaneously on three different sites in Mount Prospect.  The projects were 1) the new 24,000-square-foot fire station No. 14, which is seeking LEED Gold certification; 2) the EOC, which was designed in accordance with Miami-Dade building codes; and 3) two new additions to the existing public works building, a renovation of existing office space and a new storage facility. Combined, the three projects totaled 35,000 square feet and $11.85 million. Leopardo served as construction manager with SRBL as the architect.

This is the fourth “project of the year” award Leopardo has won in recent weeks. Leopardo’s Children’s Specialty Care Clinic at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital won Project of the Year by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA).  The Aurora Police Headquarters won Build to Suit Project of the Year at the Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards, and Project of the Year by the Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO).

MATTESON, Illinois (March 24, 2010)

The $24-million facility will include an indoor competition pool, gymnasium, locker rooms, spa rooms, salon, pre-school, childcare rooms, youth dance studio, multi-purpose rooms, and meeting rooms.  Outdoors, the community center will feature a spray pool, running track, football stadium, two baseball fields, soccer field, three tennis courts, two basketball courts, a storage garage and four parking lots.

In an effort to support the local workforce and trades, Leopardo has established two community-focused goals for the project: 1) At least 50 percent of the workforce will include residents of Matteson or surrounding communities; and 2) At least 50 percent of the subcontracts will be with companies based in Matteson or surrounding communities, or with certified minority-owned business enterprises (MBEs).

Leopardo is serving as the construction manager with William E. Brazley and Associates as the architect and Greenwood Management Partners as the owner’s representative and community liaison.  The community center will be completed by the end of 2010.

The Build to Suit Award was in recognition of Leopardo’s Aurora Police Headquarters project, a LEED Gold police campus consisting of 1) a 154,000-square-foot headquarters, court and 911 emergency call center building, 2) a 41,000-square-foot training and support building that houses a lead-free tactical firearms proficiency range, evidence storage, forensic examination laboratories and a secure garage, and 3) a 204,000-square-foot, 500-car parking garage

The Aurora Police Headquarters is among the most energy efficient and sustainable police campuses in the United States, and as also won the 2009 Project of the Year Award by Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO).

Illinois Real Estate Journal called Leopardo one of the night’s  “big winners”.  Click here to read article. Below is a video tour of the facility.

Located at 7001 W. 59th St., the 10,244-square-foot field house will feature a half-court gymnasium, fitness and club rooms, locker rooms, pantry, reception and an administrative office. A new play lot and improvements to the existing baseball field are also part of the project.

Seeking LEED Silver certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the field house will utilize geothermal systems for heating and cooling, resulting in dramatic reductions in energy consumption. Additional green elements include rainwater harvesting and a prevegetated modular green roofing system, which will reduce the urban heat island effect, conserve water and reduce storm water runoff.

Leopardo is serving as the general contractor with Booth Hansen as the architect. The field house will be completed in September 2010.

CHICAGO, Illinois (March 3, 2010)

Located at 733 N. Kedzie Ave., the 14,800-square-foot, one-story, full-service branch library is one of the first using a prototype design by Lohan Anderson. Leopardo is serving as the general contractor.

Seeking LEED Silver certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the library will utilize geothermal systems for heating and cooling, resulting in dramatic reductions in energy consumption. Additionally, a prevegetated modular green roofing system will reduce the urban heat island effect, conserve water and decrease storm water runoff.

The West Humboldt Park Branch Library continues the Chicago Public Library’s effort to create a standardized system of neighborhood resource centers that are flexible, convenient and inspirational.

The library, which will be completed in December of 2010, will also feature community meeting space with computers and internet access.

Police Headquarters Wins Coveted “Project of the Year” Award

AURORA, Illinois (December 9, 2009) – Leopardo recently completed the Aurora Police Headquarters and Branch Court. Located at 1200 E. Indian Trail, the $108-million facility houses 500 public safety employees and is a consolidation of three bureaus and 11 police divisions, a 911-emergency call center and branch court house.

The police campus consists of a 154,000-square-foot police headquarters building, which houses the branch court and 911-emergency call center; a 41,000-square-foot training and support building that contains a firearms range, evidence storage and forensic examination laboratories; and a 204,000-square-foot, 500-car parking garage.

Aiming for LEED Gold Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the campus features numerous environmentally-friendly elements:

• Permeable pavers to absorb storm water runoff and reduce heat island effect
• Daylight harvesting features to maximize light and reduce energy needs
• Recycled products used in ceiling, drywall, steel, concrete, countertops, etc.
• All finishes washable with soap and water – no chemicals required
• Photovoltaic panels generate electricity from solar radiation
• Engineered to use 27 percent less energy and 30 percent less water than an average building of similar size

During construction, the Aurora Police Headquarters was the largest civic building under construction in Illinois and the largest full-service station under construction in the United States.

The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) named the Aurora Police Headquarters “2009 Project of the Year” as part of its annual Pride in Construction Awards. Midwest Construction Magazine called the police campus one of the few memorable cultural and municipal construction projects in the region.

Leopardo served as the lead construction manager on the entire campus with McClaren Wilson and Lawrie, and Cordogan Clark and Associates as architects.

Below are links to some of the media coverage on the project:

Turning Green to Gold
Illinois Real Estate Journal
October 21, 2009 Cover Story

Cultural and Municipal Building Projects Make Their Marks in the Midwest
Midwest Construction
October 2009 Cover Story

Police Get Ready to Relocate to Sprawling New Headquarters
Chicago Tribune
December 9, 2009

New Aurora Police HQ Wows the Public
Sun-Times Media
December 6, 2009

Aurora Police Unveil Their New Home
Daily Herald
December 5, 2009

[Click here] to watch the testimonial video interview with former Aurora Police Chief Bill Powell, who was part of the committee that originally selected Leopardo to build the headquarters. The video is also embedded below.

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ROMEOVILLE, Illinois (February 5, 2009) – Leopardo Companies, Inc. recently completed the 13,500-square-foot Fire Station No. 3 in Romeoville.

Located at 698 North Birch Lane, the one-story facility was built to integrate well with the surrounding residences and includes masonry walls and asphalt roof shingles. The building includes a three-port garage, kitchen, recreation room, exercise room, sleeping room, a 1,200-square-foot community training room and extensive landscaping. The exterior design integrates with surrounding residences using asphalt roof shingles, brick and arched openings.

Leopardo served as design-builder with PSA-Dewberry as architect.