Since 1999, Junior Achievement of the Heartland (JA) occupied a space in downtown Davenport, Iowa which housed their JA BizTown® and JA Finance Park® student programs. When the original lease ended, JA seized the opportunity to invest in a modern space dedicated to empowering local students through hands-on learning programs focused on career readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.
Ultimately JA was given the opportunity to transform 12,000 s.f. of space in the Vibrant Credit Union Headquarters facility in Moline, IL.
As a 30+ year supporter and contractor for the original JA space, Russell was brought back in as the Design-Build construction partner for the new Junior Achievement Inspiration Center. With the building’s former warehouse structure serving as a blank canvas, Russell collaborated with JA and SVPA Architects Inc. to ensure that the design and budgeting processes were aligned with the organization’s needs and financial constraints. Given that JA was in an active capital campaign fundraising phase for the project, Russell implemented a phased approach to the design, allowing the organization to extend its capital campaign over time.
- Phase 1: Involved major infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of new MEPFP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection) systems, the addition of four restrooms, a janitor’s closet, a large open space for future build-out, and a new front entrance.
- Phase 2: Focused on the tenant fit-out of the shell space, which transformed the open space into JA’s Inspiration Center, tailored specifically for interactive learning and community engagement. For the business suite fit-out, Junior Achievement partnered with Edwards Creative to design both the individual business suites and simulation areas, working closely with local businesses to create interactive educational suite designs that enhance the student experience.
The primary challenge was delivering a high-quality facility that met Junior Achievement’s vision while staying within a tight budget during their capital campaign. Russell’s phased design and construction approach allowed JA to pace its fundraising efforts while maintaining the project’s progress. Russell also coordinated closely with the client and subcontractors to complete the project on schedule, ensuring JA was able to launch programs in line with their operational goals.
“Trust was a fundamental aspect in hiring Russell Co. From the very beginning of the project, the Russell team made a commitment to excellence. They successfully met deadlines, provided honest estimates with regular updates, and found effective resolutions when issues occurred. Russell successfully handled all communication with subcontractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders. This reduced our need to manage multiple relationships and helped ensure that information was coordinated and consistent.”
— Dougal Nelson – President/CEO, Junior Achievement of the Heartland
