Will County Gazette

Gise VanBaren, Director of Field Operations for CORE Construction of Monee, IL, said CORE is the best to partner with Monee County because its qualifications "speak for themselves."

Monee City Council members heard his presentation at their June 14 meeting.

Monee County has been in the early stages of planning the construction of a large retail center. One of the requirements of the council is that the county partner with a local or regional construction company.

"We're the best. Can I say that? No. But you know what? Because I think our qualifications, you know, speak for themselves, right? In managing public funds, taxpayers' money responsibly and being fully transparent with it, that sets us above. There's, you know, when it comes to, you know, public safety, for example, you know, in K through 12. Right. Which is all taxpayer funds. That's where our company, we rise to the top," he said. "And that shows to all, CORE, when they get into that market of public funds and spending and responsibility, they're it," VanBaren said.

 VanBaren showed the city council projects previously completed by CORE.

"Our position," VanBaren said, "is to ensure that things are staying on schedule. We all see those projects that when you drive by and nothing has changed in three or four months. Our position is to make sure things stay on track and keep moving."

VanBaren said CORE creates a healthy cohesion between the architect and the construction manager. "You think about a team or even a basketball team, there is tension, which there should be. When you're a coach, you're complimenting, but then you're also maybe criticizing and giving some good words to keep going. Sometimes on a team like this, you have to have that advocate there."

VanBaren said all people associated with the build will be local.

"We always take into consideration, local contractors first, to try and support the community from within. I feel like I am pretty local to here, so I know a decent amount of the trade partners, but if there is a case where there is not, we do hold trade partner fairs, either at a town hall or somewhere locally, to see if we can bring in others that we may or may not know to try to bring in some more excitement to the project. The more we can invite, the better the pricing is." 

The next council meeting will be held on June 28.