(1888PressRelease)
April 03, 2010 - At the end of the day, final decisions will be made here," Bobb said, pointing to his chest. He was responding to a committee member's question to Walbridge Aldinger CEO John Rakolta about the selection of construction subcontractors.
Walbridge Aldinger beat out 21 other project management teams, including A-Mac Construction Services. Black-owned, Detroit-based Madison Madison International and A-Mac led the 1994, $1.5 billion bond construction team before they were replaced by suburban contractors in the 1999 state takeover. Walbridge "minority" partner is Washington, D.C.-based Brailsford and Dunlavey.
Bobb and Rakolta claimed at length that the school construction project will provide plentiful opportunities for Black businesses and Detroiters, including DPS students. They said about 550 unemployed skilled trades workers, who live in Detroit, would be at the top of the hiring list of 11,000 workers, and called on unions to bring Detroiters to the top of their hiring lists. Rakolta said his company sponsors mentoring and pre-apprenticeship programs for Detroit youth.
But Bobb said only "goals" would be used in hiring.
Pressed by the Michigan Citizen, Bobb said, "The term 'quota' is a dirty word and likely illegal." For the second time, he said he is not familiar with former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's Executive Order 1, which requires a quota of 51 percent Detroit residents on publicly-funded construction jobs. Similarly pressed about a 51 percent quota, Rakolta responded, "Only if they are qualified."
The Community and Ferguson Speak Out
"If Detroiters are not retained and hired at every level, all hell is going to break loose. That's one of the reasons we supported the bond," Rev. Wendell Anthony said.
In response to Rakolta, Bobby Ferguson looks forward to the new bond program headed by Walbridge. As CEO of Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., Ferguson looks forward to the lessons learned by Waldbridge during the 1994 DPS bond construction project. "They have the solution to those past problems," said Ferguson. "I see them reaching out to stand alone with bonafide, minority contractors who are ready, willing and waiting to do the work."
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
Bobby Ferguson is the President of Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. FEI's close partnership with the DPS includes programs to build and renovate schools. Shultz Elementary - selective demolition, earthwork & utilities, Cooley High School, Longmeadow Elementary School Demolition, New Law Elementary School, Tappin Middle School - complete demolition, Old Sinai hospital demolition, earthwork and utilities in preparation for the new Renaissance High School, Spain School - selective demolition, earthwork & utilities, Northwest Activities Center - demolition and renovation, Marquette Elementary, Woodward Academy and Cadillac Elementary.
Contact Information
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
14385 Wyoming
Detroit, MI 48238
Office: 313-491-4040
Fax: 313-491-4206
Email: info ( @ ) feiteam dot com
Website: www.bobbyfergusondetroit.com
Bobby Ferguson Detroit, Bobby Ferguson, $1M Bond, Robert Bobb, Ferguson Enterprises, Detroit Public Schools
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