The building at 900 W. Randolph St., center left with the yellow top, under construction in Chicago on Oct. 5, 2022.
The $200 million-plus Fulton Market project Ehimwenman’s firm is working on in partnership with Related Midwest is billed as the city’s first high-rise with an African American Minority Business Enterprise co-leading construction. The 43-story building is being constructed using a newdesigned to boost affordable housing, with 80% of the 300 units at market-rate prices and 20% affordable.
“We’ve been exposing them to the industry, because when they think of construction, it’s ‘hammers and nails and guys running around sweaty,’ and no one wants to do that ... that’s what their response is,” Ehimwenman said. “We want to get more African Americans, women and Hispanics into the industry, so we talk to them and try to guide them. Unless you’re born into a family of construction workers, construction may not be on the top of your list.
Don Biernacki, executive vice president of construction at Related Midwest, agrees. While he said progress is being made to diversify the field, it’s slow, and the needle is being moved one project at a time. Biernacki said that’s what Hire 360 is about.
Developing a relationship with Related Midwest has resulted in having partners and owners that want to see Bowa be successful, which Ehimwenman says is “life changing.” “Not everyday is the same,” Minor said. “You’re doing both sides — office and field work,” Minor said. His advice to youth: Start looking at construction and reading about it. When Minor speaks to youth, he tells them about his job and how to become part of the field.
Black people have helped me open up many opportunities in my life. I pray they do well, and God blesses their work...
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Lemme just fix that title for you. 'Slow news day. Writer decides to go the Racial route to get views.'
Affordable housing in Fulton market?
This is great news!
So we are building a new Cabrini or Robert Taylor?