Ali Center Announces New Construction Management Team with High Priority on Minority Contractors and Inclusiveness

LOUISVILLE (June 17, 2003) - The construction of the Muhammad Ali Center moved one step closer as the facility announced the composition of its management team that will be overseeing the Center’s building project. The unique compilation of the team will consist of four construction management companies—all of which are equally committed to achieving maximum minority involvement. Three of these are minority-owned companies in Louisville: David Cosby and Associates, King Bridgeman Bosse (KBB) Constructors, LLC, and Mathis & Sons, Inc.; and Gilbane, a 130-year-old company, headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, with regional offices in Ohio and across the United States.

Anthony Mathis, a principal in Mathis & Sons, noted the uniqueness of the management team approach. “I don’t know if this has ever been done before—where four general contractors have agree to work together and put their egos aside” to honor “such a highly proclaimed individual” as Ali,” he said.

Michael J. Fox, the Center’s President and CEO, said the team will work with financial institutions to ensure that minority firms are able to prepare a quality bid for subcontracting work. The Center is prepared to do whatever it takes, even breaking down bid packages so that smaller firms can better compete.

“Nothing could be more important to us at this juncture than to have our institution become the beneficiary of the various talents and thoughtfulness of a multiplicity of cultures and personal characteristics. Whether it be a bricklayer, window installer, painter, or electrician, we want a piece of this building to belong to everyone, and we want this pride to stay alive for many generations to come.”

Specific responsibilities for the construction management team are as follows:

Cosby and Associates will provide supervision to the project throughout the construction phase, be responsible for mobilizing the structural steel contractor (the first contractor on site), planning the work, and safety and quality control.

Gilbane will lead the project team, and will provide the on-site project manager and project superintendent. The project manager is responsible for day-to-day activities on-the-job and is the primary liaison with the Ali Center and the architects.