Construction projects of all types, from historic building restorations to modern manufacturing facilities, are still making progress in southeast Wisconsin despite the COVID-19 pandemic that has shut down many southeastern Wisconsin businesses.
Members of the real estate and construction industry had pushed for the right to continue working through the statewide stay at home order. Gov. Tony Evers’ order allowed it, and developers who are still working emphasized safety precautions their contractors are adopting. Other major southeastern Wisconsin projects moving forward include BMO Tower in downtown Milwaukee and R1ver on Milwaukee’s near south side.
That includes at Foxconn Technology Group’s Wisconn Valley development in Racine County. Led by construction manager joint venture Gilbane Building Co.|Exyte, contractors are enforcing social distancing between workers, including limits on meetings and additional break areas, according to an emailed statement from Foxconn Technology Group.
There’s additional cleaning and “constant communication between site management, trade contractors and workers regarding stay at home policies for anyone not feeling well or who is aware they have been in contact with or exposed to persons who may be COVID-19 positive,” according to the statement.
Lead contractor JP Cullen has adopted new safety practices for the very different project of restoring Civil War-era buildings in the Milwaukee Soldiers Home grounds, according to developer The Alexander Co. Those buildings are being converted into affordable apartments for homeless veterans.
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This was originally published by Sean Ryan in the Milwaukee Business Journal.
