James G. McConnell

Mr. McConnell defended The Public Building Commission of Chicago in a federal court jury trial against the general contractor's claims for $3,652,000.00 in extra work and extended general conditions and overhead in the delayed completion of this project. After considering the Commission's defenses based on the contractor's interference with the LEED certification process, and failure to promptly pay its subcontractors, the jury brought in a verdict for less than 23 cents on the dollar claimed.

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The Chicago Center For Green Technology was reclaimed from a 17 acre brownfield site with a 47 year old office and shop building. The city took over the site from a construction waste recycling company which had filled the property with construction debris beyond the scope of its recycling permit.

The city spent $9 million and 18 months removing 600,000 tons of debris from the site in 45,000 truckloads. Rather than merely rehabilitating the masonry building using conventional methods of construction, the city designed the reconstruction to be the first rehabilitated project ever to receive a platinum rating from the Green Bulding Council under that organization's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

The building opened in 2002, and it serves as an incubator for new businesses in the green building industry.

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Lessons Learned:

Brownfield sites can be made so green they achieve LEED certification.