Site work and new construction of an educational facility in Louisville, Kentucky. Conceptual plans call for the construction of a educational facility; and for site work for a educational facility.

https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2024/09/18/whittenberg-construction-turns-100.html When it comes to growing a successful general contracting firm, Whittenberg Construction President Andy Mays likens it to the old Tortoise and the Hare fable -- slow and steady wins the race. That's how Mays says he prefers to build the Louisville-based firm, which is celebrating its 100th birthday this month (more on that at the end of this article). "I'm a believer in construction that you need to grow slowly; if you try to grow too quickly -- there's so much risk in construction anyway -- that if you don't have the right people in place, it could be very risky and costly. So I think the success, the reason for it, is our people," Mays said in a recent interview. Mays, who took over as president in 2014, said growth wasn't always the norm. He noted that when Gil Whittenberg Jr. sold the firm to four employees in 1991, the employee count was comparable to today, but annual revenue had plateaued at about $20 million. According to Louisville Business First research, 2023 revenue was $92 million, growth of about 360% over the past 30+ years. Employment sits at about 100 locally and more than 150 in total. "The president before me, Pat Noonan, was really good at hiring people and I feel like I'm the same way," Mays said. "I've been in the hiring role for about 20 years, and it's all about the people you get. It's all about the people you hire. "I believe it [success] was a function of getting the right people and not growing too fast." Mays, Andy 2024 10expand Whittenberg Construction President Andy Mays at the University of Louisville on the site of the future J.B. Speed Student Success Building, which will clock in at 115,000 square feet with a price tag of $90 million. Mays has lead the company for the past 10 years and this month marks their 100th year in business. Christopher Fryer Going from bids to relationship-building Whittenberg is building the $90 million, 115,000-square foot University of Louisville J.B. Speed Student Success Building, projected for completion next year. Some other projects over the years for the company that Mays noted were: The Aloft Downtown hotel (2022); Kentucky Center for Performing Arts (1983); UofL's Belknap Academic Building (2018); the Kentucky International Convention Center renovation (2002); Western Kentucky University's Downing Center (2014); and numerous projects for the Louisville Zoo, including The Islands exhibit. He also said the firm is a top concrete contractor in town, even on projects it doesn't manage, such as the under-construction Downtown UofL Health eight-story tower. Mays said at the time of the sale of the company in the early 1990s, the majority of its work was hard-bid general contracting, but that has changed to a more stable business model. "It takes a long time to develop relationships with owners and architects to where there's more negotiated work, where they hire you because of you and the relationship you have," Mays said. "So in the last 10 years, the majority of our work is now negotiated. It can be a little more profitable and less risky, but it's also more fun because you're working for the clients you've chosen to work for, and they've chosen you because they like you, so it makes going to work a little bit more pleasant." Whittenberg's structure and the future When I asked Mays about how key decisions are made at the company -- what with 26 owners/shareholders of varying degree -- he said a steering committee (or executive team) of five people own about 80% of the shares and help in decisions, but that as president, ultimately it's his call. He said in the near future he's excited about Whittenberg's work on the Phase IV westward expansion of Waterfront Park, along with some multifamily projects with the likes of LDG Development, one of the prominent developers of affordable housing in Louisville and beyond, most notably at The Prestonian near Downtown and within the new LOUMED district. "[Waterfront Park] is going to be really exciting, because they built a playground that would be like if a child walked onto a construction site and got to play on all the construction equipment and all the materials -- It's just really unique," Mays said. "It's going to be great for the city of Louisville. "We built the Event Center and the restroom building and then we're helping set all this playground equipment, and I really can't put words to how fun and cool it's going to be." A brief history of Whittenberg Construction Whittenberg Construction was founded in 1924 and remained a family-owned firm until Gil Whittenberg Jr. sold the firm to four employees in 1991. In 1997, then-company president Pat Noonan began selling shares to key employees. There are now 26 employees who own shares of the Type S. Corp. A steering team of five own 80% of the shares. The company is led by President Andy Mays. $100,000 for 100 years This month, Whittenberg Construction announced it was giving $100,000 to area charities to mark its 100th year in business. Below are the list of recipients of the awards and amounts: Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana -- $8,000 Dare to Care Food Bank -- $8,000 Habitat for Humanity -- $8,000 Holy Cross High School -- $8,000 Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates -- $8,000 Louisville Zoo -- $8,000 Presentation Academy -- $8,000 Waterfront Botanical Gardens -- $8,000 Waterfront Development Corp. -- $8,000 Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute -- $15,000 University of Louisville, Speed School of Engineering -- $15,000 ________________ The project is included in the University's 2024-2030 Capital Plan. The university's goal is to have the project completed by December 2027. As of September 12, 2024, per owner, they have not made any selections yet. The University of Louisville says it is looking to address a statewide shortage of skilled health care workers through the construction of a $280 million Health Sciences Simulation Center & Collaboration Hub in Downtown Louisville. The center would be at the heart of Louisville's Downtown medical district, known as LOUMED. An exact address is not identified in the proposal, but it says the site fronts South Preston Street to the west, bordered by Gray Street to the south and Chestnut Street to the north. That's adjacent to the current School of Public Health and Information Sciences building, as well as the UofL Physicians Outpatient Center parking structure. The new center would be home to the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry and Public Health & Information Sciences and engage thousands of health care learners. It also will house research laboratories and a simulation center where health care workers and students can hone their skills. The building will include common spaces for students and faculty as well as a conference center.