• About The PBC
• PBC Chairman
• Board of Commissioners
• PBC Executive Director
• Annual Reports
• Financial Reports
• Other Reports
• Press Releases
•  
• Agendas, Minutes & Notices
• PBC Board
• Audit Committee
• Administrative Operations
•  
• PBC Board Actions
• General Contractors Named
• Architects Named
• Professional Service Contracts
• Change Orders
• Contract Amendments
• Other Actions
•  
• Sister Agencies
• City of Chicago
• Chicago Public Schools
• Chicago Public Library
• Chicago Park District
• City Colleges of Chicago
• Cook County
• Forest Preserve District
• Chicago Transit Authority
• Chicago Housing Authority
• Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
• Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority

PBC Executive Director Erin Lavin Cabonargi

From the Executive Director:

Erin Lavin Cabonargi

For over fifty years the Public Building Commission of Chicago has served as the development agent for schools, libraries, parks, police stations, firehouses and other public structures for the City of Chicago and Cook County. In 2007, the PBC continued this tradition of excellence and celebrated another productive year planning and constructing new facilities that will serve as civic centers and community anchors. Further, throughout the year, the PBC devoted time to critically evaluate how projects are developed and embraced opportunities for improvement.

Our promise to our clients and their constituents is to bring the highest standard of performance to the projects we undertake, because the facilities we construct are not simply buildings, they are cornerstones of the community. These development projects impact the surrounding areas, creating ripples of economic activity and community revitalization, producing facilities that resonate with the vibrancy that surrounds them.

The PBC is proud to have supported Mayor Daley's steadfast commitment to lifelong learning with our work toward developing branch libraries and the Modern Schools Across Chicago program. We will celebrate the opening of 14 new schools and school additions before the end of 2011, due to the tremendous planning and design activity underway in 2007.

In an effort to foster the mission of an enhanced quality of life through leisure and recreation, the Chicago Park District engaged the PBC to develop a prototype fieldhouse design. This new design provides opportunity for sport and programmed activity and will be implemented in various locations throughout the City. Two of these new fieldhouses, along with 5 new fire houses, 3 new police stations, 2 senior centers and one new fleet vehicle maintenance facility are far along in development due to the extensive planning and design efforts which occurred during 2007.

The process improvements developed during 2007 have engendered projects which exceed industry standards for schedule and budget adherence, redefining public agency delivery and engaging quality builders, while utilizing public funding to build capacity among minority- and women-owned vendors. Our clients and Commissioners expect the PBC to deliver quality projects on time and within budget. To attract a wider range of qualified bidders, thereby increasing beneficial competition, we have instituted several reforms to expedite payment and more promptly resolve field issues.

Our clients and Commissioners also expect exemplary participation among minority- and women-owned businesses. PBC projects have attracted competitive bids from qualified contractors for each project bid in 2007, with each successful bidder committing to meet or exceed M/WBE goals. With a total contract value of more than $237 million in 2007, the minority- and women-owned business participation commitments exceeded 31% and 5%, respectively. We have expanded our outreach into communities across the city to ensure that all vendors are aware of the opportunities to help us move these important projects forward, and we have worked hard to remove barriers that vendors may encounter.

During 2007 the Public Building Commission continued its role as a leader in sustainable development. The application of a variety of sustainable design features, including green roofs, stormwater management and recycled material integration among others, has allowed the PBC and the City of Chicago to lead by example. We are proud of all sustainable public buildings, but in particular of the schools, libraries and fieldhouses, as they inspire and teach us about the critical nature of environmental stewardship. Many of the buildings developed in recent years are being used as curriculum development tools to inspire students of all ages; helping to ensure a better community for future generations.

The Public Building Commission remains committed to building facilities that are as solid and vibrant as the communities they serve. In 2007, that commitment was consistent and clear, and I am confident our future will be equally productive.

Sincerely,
Erin Lavin Cabonargi
Executive Director