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What does it look like when a project delivers on the promise to provide diversity, equity and inclusion value while making a real difference for the people it serves? Pepper’s partnership with Ujamaa Construction on the Rich Township School District 227 (SD227) project is a model that “walks this talk.” With a shared, deep expertise in K-12 construction, Pepper and Ujamaa delivered the highest quality educational environment and built positive relationships that empower the community to thrive.
A choice of two campus encourages propels students onward and upward
Located in Matteson, Illinois, Rich Township SD227 is wrapping up a three-year, $105 million total bond project plan that optimizes student success on two campuses. One campus, at 237,000 square feet, provides a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum designed to lead to higher education, while a second 308,200-square-foot campus features Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses. Students first attend the campus closest to where they live, before selecting a pathway that best fits their career goals and includes access to advanced placement, international baccalaureate, STEM, FACS or CTE curricula.
Inclusion from within the community
Recognizing that trusted relationships are as important as bricks and mortar, Pepper/UJAMAA elevated community involvement. The team partnered with SD227 to involve Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE) and local businesses within district boundaries. To expand MBE/WBE firm participation, we hosted community outreach sessions virtually, collaborated with minority industry leadership groups to raise awareness, leveraged social media to share information and created separate bid packages to make the work accessible to smaller firms.
Before the new spaces were built or existing areas reconfigured, the team worked closely with school officials and stakeholders to maximize the district’s goals within practical and financial needs. Taking the step to include teachers and architects in design and build conversations allowed facilities to be customized to the specific needs of the educators and students who use them.
"Complex projects like this require work to be completed in occupied spaces during the academic year,” adds Kristin Hannemann, Pepper’s Senior Project Manager for SD227. “Proactive communication and careful coordination with the District allowed the team to execute our projects successfully with minimal impact on the daily activities of the students and faculty.
A new main entrance at the FACS campus, successfully constructed while school was in session, welcomes students, staff and community members to the renovated campus. With room to study, gather to connect, or take refuge from the weather while waiting for a ride, the transformed singular point of entry offers security, accessibility and belonging.
Growth and learning outside the classroom for both students and local businesses
The modern Rich Township campuses are places where young minds can readily explore an array of specialist subjects and enriching experiences, and Pepper/UJAMAA purposefully extended that opportunity within construction. Two internships, one from each campus, exposed juniors and seniors to the inner workings of the construction process. Students selected by the district were paired with a project superintendent and project manager and immersed in industry practices that included coordinating on-site activities and maintaining job site quality, safety, documentation, scheduling, and cost management. Interns attended job site contractor and owner meetings and teamed with subcontractors and suppliers in executing work.
Taking the broader view, the team also engaged with the larger student community through the school’s annual career fair and implemented a Business Mentorship Opportunity Plan to empower protégé firms, like National Catastrophe Solutions Inc. (NatCat), with success on and beyond Pepper/UJAMAA projects.
For more than a decade, MBE-certified firm NatCat has provided clients with abatement services, water and fire damage cleanup, biohazard cleanup, interior and exterior finishes, drywall, painting and more.
NatCat is currently working in a number of school districts and partnering on several abatement projects with Pepper Environmental Technologies.
"This was a life-changing experience for my company," says owner John Turner. "It gave us additional credibility and opened doors. Most importantly, we now have additional avenues where we can add value to the community we serve."
Leading change involves defining what it looks like. Beyond constructing spaces where students can thrive, Pepper/UJAMAA created environments where everyone can feel respected and know that their contributions matter. This is how we build to transform tomorrow, today.
Credits
Client: Rich Township School District 227 | JV: Ujaama
