Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County Broke Ground on New Homeownership Training Center and Main Office

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County Broke Ground on New Homeownership Training Center and Main Office

by | Oct 18, 2024 | ANCON News

Pictured left to right: Andy Place Sr., Place Builders President; Matt Krause, Ancon Construction Superintendent; Matthew VanSoest, Ancon Construction Lead Project Designer; Jim Williams, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity; Doug VonGunten, Ancon Construction President; Mayor Dave Wood, City of Mishawaka; Jeff Rea, South Bend Area Chamber of Commerce President; Tim Schrock, Ancon Construction Project Manager.

 

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County Broke Ground on New Homeownership Training Center and Main Office

Ancon Construction is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County on its new Homeownership Training Center and Main Office, located at 524 E. McKinley Ave, Mishawaka. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday, October 17.

The project involves an 11,500-square-foot adaptive reuse of a former medical office building, featuring a complete interior overhaul and a transformative exterior renovation. The redesign aims to restore the building’s original 1961 architectural features while modernizing its exterior with new entrance canopies. Inside, the two-story facility will include offices, open workspaces, conference rooms, lounge areas, a board room, an outdoor patio space, and a 60-person training room.

“Ensuring all interior work and communal spaces have access to natural daylight is achieved through the building’s ribbon window features on both the north and south facades,” explained lead project designer Matthew VanSoest. Habitat for Humanity’s national branding and color palette will be incorporated into the interior, alongside unique wood screen walls and feature walls that symbolize the non-profit’s work in building homes.

Doug VonGunten, President of Ancon Construction, which is leading the renovation, expressed the company’s appreciation for the opportunity to partner with Habitat for Humanity: “On behalf of all the Employee Owners at Ancon Construction, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with Habitat of Humanity of St. Joseph County to design and renovate their new corporate office. Habitat’s mission closely aligns with our core values here at Ancon, and it has been a true privilege to be entrusted with this project. We look forward to transforming this building so that Habitat can continue to transform St. Joseph County.”

The new Training Center is expected to serve 750 to 1,000 community members annually, offering educational programs on budgeting, credit improvement, fire and home safety, estate planning, and home maintenance. “This 75-person Training Center reflects our commitment to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for successful homeownership,” said Jim Williams, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County. “With the generous support of donors like Key Bank and the Judd Leighton Foundation, this debt-free facility will allow us to focus on building more attainable workforce housing.”

The building is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2025 and is strategically located adjacent to the new fire station, making it a prominent addition to the ongoing improvements along the McKinley Corridor, which will include the widening of McKinley Avenue.

For more information, please contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

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About Ancon Construction: 
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s construction and architectural landscape since 1975.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

The Ground Has Been Broken on Ryan’s Place “Home for Healing Hearts” Project.

The Ground Has Been Broken on Ryan’s Place “Home for Healing Hearts” Project.

by | Oct 16, 2024 | ANCON News

Pictured Left to Right: Lindsey Diener-Locke, Ryan’s Place Program Director; Mathew VanSoest, Ancon Construction Lead Project Designer; Doug VonGunten, Ancon Construction President; Eunice Munn; Rex and Nancy Gleim; Aileac Deegan, Ryan’s Place President and CEO; Bill Purcell, President of Crossroads United Way; State Rep. Joanna King, Glen Kauffmann, Ancon Construction Project Manager.

The Ground Has Been Broken on Ryan’s Place “Home for Healing Hearts” Project.

Ancon Construction is proud to announce the groundbreaking of Ryan’s Place “Home for Healing Hearts” project. This 18,000-square-foot facility on Regent Street in Goshen will serve as the new home for Ryan’s Place, a vital organization dedicated to supporting grieving families. The building will provide a safe, nurturing space for children, teens, and families, offering grief support programs in a purpose-built environment.

“On behalf of the Ancon Employee-owners, I am both proud and grateful to partner with Ryan’s Place in designing and constructing their new building, “Home for Healing Hearts,” shares the President of Ancon Construction, Doug VonGunten. Breaking ground on this project marks a significant milestone for Ryan’s Place to have their own building to continue their mission of supporting grieving children and their families.”

Aileać Deegan, President and CEO of Ryan’s Place, expressed her excitement about the project: “This is a promise to the community—a dedicated space for grieving families to heal and ensure we can continue offering our vital services for years to come. Every child, teen, and family who walks through our doors feels seen, supported, and empowered in their grief journey.”

Key features of the “Home for Healing Hearts” include specialized rooms for art, high-energy activities, music therapy, and theater, all designed to meet the diverse needs of grieving families. The building will maximize natural light and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels more like a home than an office, fostering a sense of community and connection.

“Throughout the design process and through case study research of other successful centers around the country, we acknowledged that the built environment has a direct relationship to the variety of ways people grieve. Sensory design, lighting, material use, and color are all direct variables we had to consider,” stated Ancon Construction’s lead project designer Matthew VanSoest.

“The ‘Home for Healing Hearts’ will be a lasting symbol of our commitment to the community,” said Deegan. “It allows us to reach even more grieving children and families, ensuring no one has to navigate their grief journey alone.”

For more information, please contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

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About Ryan’s Place: Ryan’s Place was founded in 2002 to fill the gap in grief support for children, teens, and families after the loss of a loved one. Named in honor of Ryan Gleim, who died in 1992, the center was inspired by the need identified by Ryan’s family and local therapists. Today, Ryan’s Place offers a safe and supportive environment for over 1,000 individuals each year through various grief support programs.

About Ancon Construction: 
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s construction and architectural landscape since 1975.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

What Do Banks Like To See When Asking For A Commercial Construction Loan?

What Do Banks Like To See When Asking For A Commercial Construction Loan?

by | Feb 22, 2024 | Ancon News

 

What do banks like to see when asking for a commercial construction loan?

 

If you’re planning to build a commercial property or undertake a major renovation project, you’ll likely need to secure financing through a commercial construction loan. These loans are specifically designed to cover the costs associated with commercial building projects and require a different set of documentation and requirements than a traditional business loan.

Here are some of the key factors that banks typically look for when considering a commercial construction loan application:

  1. A strong business plan: Banks will want to see a detailed business plan that outlines your project’s scope, including blueprints, architectural drawings, permits, contractor bids, and timelines. This plan should also include a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in the project, as well as an estimate of the property’s value upon completion.
  2. Strong credit history: As with any loan application, banks will want to see a solid credit history demonstrating your ability to make timely payments and manage debt responsibly. A high credit score and a low debt-to-income ratio can help increase your chances of being approved for a commercial construction loan.
  3. Adequate collateral: Commercial construction loans are typically considered riskier than traditional business loans, so banks may require additional collateral to secure the loan. This could include a lien on the property or other assets, such as a vehicle or investment account.
  4. Sufficient cash reserves: Banks will also want to see that you have enough cash reserves to cover unexpected expenses that may arise during the construction process. This could include things like delays in construction, unexpected material costs, or changes to the scope of the project.
  5. Experienced contractor: Banks will want to see that you’re working with an experienced and reputable contractor who has a track record of successfully completing similar projects. They typically require that the contractor be licensed and insured. Completing schematic drawings and understanding the actual construction cost can save time and additional questions from the bank’s underwriters. These documents should be included with your loan application.
  6. Proven track record: If you’re an established business owner, banks will want to see a proven track record of successful projects and profitability. This can help assure the lender that you have the experience and financial stability to manage a large-scale construction project.
  7. Projected cash flow: Banks will want to see that the property will generate sufficient cash flow to cover loan payments and operating expenses once the construction is complete. This could include projections of future rental income, sales revenue, or other revenue streams.

Securing a commercial construction loan requires a thorough and detailed application process. By working with a knowledgeable lender and providing all the necessary documentation and requirements, you can increase your chances of being approved for a commercial construction loan and successfully completing your building or renovation project.

Ancon Construction would love to help answer your commercial construction loan questions and learn more about your vision. A 100% Employee-Owned True Design-Build Construction firm since 1975. 

Let’s get your project started…together.

Learn how Ancon Construction’s True Design-Build process provides risk mitigation

Learn how Ancon Construction’s True Design-Build process provides risk mitigation

by | Dec 18, 2023 | Ancon News

 

Let’s start with the basics

What exactly is Design Build? Design-Build is a project delivery method that combines the design and construction phases of a project into a single contract. This method has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to provide risk mitigation for project owners.

In general, the Design-Build approach is different from traditional construction delivery methods, such as Design-Bid-Build, where the owner hires a designer and a contractor separately. With Design-Build, the owner hires a single team that includes both the designer and the contractor. This team works together from the beginning of the project to the end, which ensures that everyone is on the same page, and the project goals are aligned.

In this blog post, we will explore how Ancon Construction’s True Design-Build delivery method provides risk mitigation and the benefits it offers.

Ancon Construction is a 100% employee-owned company that specializes in True Design-Build construction services, making it an ideal partner for clients who want to mitigate risks and ensure the success of their projects. Ancon’s in-house team of experts includes both designers and construction professionals, who work collaboratively to provide cost-effective solutions that meet the specific needs of each client. By taking responsibility for both the design and construction phases of a project, Ancon can better identify and mitigate risks throughout the project’s lifecycle. As a result, the team is better equipped to identify and mitigate risks throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Here are some ways Ancon’s True Design-Build team provides risk mitigation:

  1. Collaboration and Communication: Ancon’s in-house Design-Build approach emphasizes collaboration and communication between the design and construction teams. By working together, we can identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. This collaborative approach can help prevent costly delays and change orders down the line.
  2. Cost and Schedule Certainty: With Ancon’s True Design-Build process, the owner receives a fixed price for the project, which helps eliminate cost overruns. Additionally, since the design and construction teams are working together, they can develop a realistic schedule that takes into account potential challenges and risks.
  3. Quality Control: Ancon’s True Design-Build team is responsible for the quality of the project from start to finish. They have a vested interest in delivering a high-quality product, which helps ensure that the project meets and often exceeds the owner’s expectations.
  4. Single Point of Contact: With Ancon’s True Design-Build process, the owner has a single point of contact for the entire project. This simplifies communication and ensures that everyone is working towards the same goals.

Ancon Construction’s True Design-Build team provides risk mitigation by fostering collaboration and communication, delivering cost and schedule certainty, ensuring quality control, and providing a single point of contact for the owner. By hiring our True Design-Build team, owners can mitigate risks and ensure that their projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.

30 years of dedication and hard work

30 years of dedication and hard work

by | Sep 7, 2023 | Ancon News

Meet Ken – 30 years of dedication and hard work

Ken is celebrating being an employee-owner at Ancon Construction for 30 years on October 25th. His journey began when he started as a laborer on the concrete crew. Prior to joining Ancon, Ken had a brief experience building furniture after coming home from the military. A year into furniture building, Ken knew the job wasn’t the right fit for him. With the economic recession in full swing, jobs were hard to come by, so he started working for a temp company. One day, when Ken was on break, he noticed Ancon Construction was across the street building a project. Ken decided he’d give them a call. Shortly after that, both he and his brother started working for Ancon Construction.

Ken’s commitment to Ancon Construction is evident in his long tenure and loyalty. He values Ancon’s commitment to its employees. Ken reflects, “Ancon is very good about caring about their people. There is no other company like our company. Ancon wants to make sure you have a future, and they do that with stock – all of us being employee-owners.”

Ken’s role has evolved over the years, transitioning from a laborer to operating heavy equipment after 15 years. Subsequently, he became a finisher and form carpenter, showcasing his adaptability. “My job has changed a lot in 30 years. And I have learned a lot of new skills. Over the years, I have learned how to operate all different kinds of equipment on the job. You can’t be afraid to learn something new and continue to adapt and take on new challenges.”

Ken also appreciates the diverse projects and locations Ancon offers, emphasizing the company’s unique qualities. He takes pride in his work. “I like to do projects the right way – I’m a perfectionist.”

There are two things Ken shared he really likes about this type of work:

  1. Each project is different. You might be pouring another footing, but it’s not the same footing you did on the last project.
  2. You are in a different area and a different climate.

Ken said his most memorable project was the Ross Laboratories (formally Abbott) built in Michigan back in the early 90’s. It was a huge project, and he remembers how bitterly cold and snowy that winter was. The project was long, work hours were long, and the project involved a lot of concrete work.

Ken’s 30-year journey at Ancon Construction reflects his dedication, adaptability, and appreciation for the company’s values and opportunities for its employees.

Thank you, Ken, for 30 years of being a dedicated, hard-working Employee-Owner!