Case Study

Preserving History, Building the Future

Venvidici brings a new level of value, professionalism, and preservation to this $5.2M capital improvements Project.

Envisioning A Dream Project

Shaker Square, a 168,000 sq. ft. office over retail, was in need of major renovations to restore this historic commercial destination. The project, as envisioned, was a huge undertaking with strict OEO compliance and Fannie Lewis requirements that added to project complexity. Once chosen as the construction manager, Venvidici quickly determined that a significant hurdle to be considered was the need to align the client's vision with their budgetary constraints. 

We determined that the cost to fulfill the project needs assessment as initially written would exceed the Square’s $5.2 million funding by 50%. Our team set out to determine a priority list of the Square’s needs, looking for creative solutions that would optimize resources without sacrificing quality. 

We undertook extensive research and analysis and, working in tandem with the property owner, crafted a comprehensive pre-construction budget that detailed and supported the client's key objectives while bringing the cost into line with available funds. 

Pre-construction Planning for Success

During the pre-construction phase, extensive planning and preparation were undertaken to ensure the project's success. The process included conducting thorough site assessments, developing a detailed scope of work, and collaborating closely with stakeholders to align project goals. 

Budgeting and resource allocation were key focus areas to ensure that the budget was effectively managed throughout the project lifecycle. Finding the right subcontractors was also an undertaking not to be taken lightly, given the funding-driven requirements for hiring local, minority, and female-owned businesses. Other requirements included:

  • OEO compliance of 30% MBE/FBE/CSB (result: project exceeded with 61% of contracts qualifying)
  • Fannie Lewis City of Cleveland Resident Hours Requirement of 20% city resident and 4% low income (result: project exceeded with 22% city residents' hours and 7% low-income hours)

Construction Phase: Turning Plans into Progress

Now it was time for Venvidici to bring the property owner’s vision to life. Because of our attention to detail in the pre-construction phase, there were virtually no change orders throughout the construction process – helping to prevent the project from going over budget. 

As we approached the end of the project, we were finally hit with an unexpected curveball: structural damage was found in one of the buildings that couldn’t go unaddressed. We worked with the property owner to determine what “want” could be adjusted to make room in the budget for this unexpected “need.” We pivoted our list of priorities to ensure the structural damage was fully repaired in place of some cosmetic work that could be completed at a later date if needed.

It's a Wrap

As the project neared completion, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted to assess the outcomes against project objectives. Final inspections, quality checks, and client walkthroughs were conducted to ensure that all deliverables exceeded expectations. The project was a success for the property owner, tenants, and the community. The owner expressed particular appreciation because all of the Square’s tenants remained open throughout the construction process.

Tasks Accomplished

  • Replaced/overlaid 115,000 sq ft of flat roof
  • Replaced 65 HVAC systems
  • Replaced/added LED lighting throughout the square and parking lots to increase light levels 3x
  • Replaced 17,200 sq ft of rotten wood storefronts with historically accurate, custom-made panels and trim
  • Fabricated 7 historically accurate, custom-made wooden pediments
  • Sandblasted, repaired, powder coated, and re-lamped fifteen 100-year-old light fixtures
  • Painted all ground floor and 2nd floor wood storefronts facing the Square
  • Milled, paved, and striped 135,000 sq ft of asphalt parking lots
  • Resurfaced 21,000 sq ft of parking spaces
  • Rebuilt 400 linear feet of integral gutters
  • Replaced 69 awnings

  • Jetted and replaced clogged underground plumbing on all 4 quads
  • Created architectural drawings for existing conditions of all 4 quads
  • Replaced 8 storefront glass panels
  • Installed new 250-gallon grease interceptor with new underground sewer connection
  • Tuckpointed all poor masonry joints
  • Replaced rotten window lintels
  • Repaired 5 rotten structural wood columns
  • Cleaned out 100 years of accumulated debris in basements
  • Replaced all old knob and tube electrical panels with modern panels
  • Repaired all code-deficient electrical items in all 4 quads

A Successful Partnership in Revitalization

The Shaker Square $5.2 million capital improvement project stands as a testament to effective project management, meticulous planning, budget management, and collaborative teamwork. Throughout the entire process, we collaborated closely with the owner to ensure all tasks would be accomplished according to the owner's expectations, within the allocated budget, and without undermining the historical significance of the original design. 

Ultimately, this project was about revitalizing a community asset that is important to so many residents and business owners. Our CMA model of construction management allowed us to keep costs low while keeping the best interests of the property owner, business owners, and residents in mind.

To learn more about how Venvidici's construction management model allows you to reduce costs by reallocating risk while effectively managing budgets, deliverables, and requirements, give us a call.

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