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* From a press release…
The Illinois Executive Mansion Association has sent a letter of intent to local contractor Henson Robinson Company to restore the building’s ailing roof. The winning bid came in at an economical $492,934 for the project. To support the growing campaign to restore the People’s House, Henson Robinson Company is also including a generous in-kind donation in their proposal.
“It is crucial that we begin this work soon to stop further decay to the mansion that is caused by the damaged roof. We are very excited to be working with the Henson Robinson Company, as they have been serving Springfield for over 150 years through six generations,” said Jeff Evans, owner of a Springfield architectural and construction management firm who is volunteering his time and services to the project. “They have worked on some of the most important and historical buildings in Illinois and we appreciate their dedication to restoring the People’s House at a cost-effective rate.”
The Henson Robinson Company was first founded Springfield in 1861 and provided Civil War soldiers with various appliances and tools. Since then, the company transformed into an employee-owned contractor specializing in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, roofing, plumbing and other systems. Their top historical and landmark projects include the restoration of the Illinois Capitol building’s dome in the 1960s, repair work to Lincoln’s Tomb and the 2014 installation of air conditioning in Abraham Lincoln’s Illinois home.
“We are all honored by the opportunity to participate in another historical Illinois landmark. This project, like so many before it, continues our legacy of providing quality construction services on so many of Springfield’s most recognizable buildings,” said Dan Hoselton, President, Henson Robinson Company. “Our team of construction professionals is already at work perfecting our plan to execute the work safely, on time and in budget.”
The Illinois Executive Mansion is the third-oldest state governor’s residence in the United States and the oldest gubernatorial residence in the Midwest. Since the 1971-1972 renovation, only emergency repairs and maintenance work has been performed on the building and mechanical systems.
The repairs will be supported solely through private funds raised by the Illinois Executive Mansion Association.
According to the association, prevailing wages will be paid on this project.
And, by the way, good on Henson Robinson Company for donating some of the costs. That shows real local pride.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 10:27 am
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Good to hear. Long overdue.
Comment by Stones Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 10:29 am
Just about the difference between the two proposed budgets.
“Honey, didn’t we have some tarps lying around somewhere?”
Comment by Oshawott Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 10:37 am
“The Henson Robinson Company was first founded Springfield in 1861 and provided Civil War soldiers with various appliances and tools.”
Free advice: Make it very, very clear which side of the Civil War you were outfitting.
Of course, unless…
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 10:42 am
This is a really wonderful story on a Friday. Good on the company is right! Good show.
Comment by A guy Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 10:46 am
Is Henson a union company?
Comment by Fan Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 10:46 am
Glad this is happening. At least one positive development from Springfield.
The mansion needs more than just this, but this is a great start. And good on the contractor for donating some costs.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 10:47 am
Henson is a union company.
Comment by Liberty Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 10:50 am
== …local pride. ==
And, a company I’d choose to do business with.
Comment by sal-says Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 10:57 am
Good for Dave over at the mansion. He busts his tail to stretch a dollar and get things done. Nice win for him.
Comment by Man with a plan Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 11:04 am
What “appliances” did they supply to Civil War soldiers? Tools, I get, but appliances?
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 11:11 am
Glad to hear that the winning bid at prevailing wage is viewed as “economical.”
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 11:12 am
Dave left the mansion.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 11:12 am
Finally some good news in state government.
Comment by Just Me Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 11:21 am
Well, I guess that’s a diplomatic way to put it, Rich…
Comment by Will Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 11:22 am
=== What “appliances” did they supply to Civil War soldiers? Tools, I get, but appliances? ===
Kegerators. You don’t think those fellows would line up in rows to get shot at without being a little liquored up do you.
P.S. Kudos for the repair.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 11:37 am
hats off to Henson.. well done
Comment by better days Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 11:38 am
Finally. Good job Henson!
Comment by 36th Warder Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 11:50 am
Kudos to Henson and Rauner. Kegerators ftw!
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 11:58 am
Worked with Henson on several state projects….they are a class act and do great work. Kudos to them and the Exec Mansion Assoc.
Comment by Former Merit Comp Slave Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Great story all the way around from the contractor, the wages, the cost, the donations, a great story.
All should be commended. All.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 12:13 pm
So let me get this straight. Rauner takes the project away from CDB to avoid state construction laws like responsible bidding requirements and prevailing wages. Then a reputable union contractor who pledges to pay prevailing wage on the work submits the low bid and wins? Amazing! Rauner always swears that eliminating prevailing wage will reduce the cost of a public works construction project by 20% (patently false and mathematically impossible BTW). I would love to see all the bids that were submitted. I’ll bet a dollar that some nonunion, non-prevailing wage contractors submitted bids higher than Henson Robinson’s. Are the bids FOIAable?
Comment by Working class voter Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 12:27 pm
Working class, every bid was prevailing wage. State law required it.
Comment by Emanuel Can't Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 12:35 pm
Dave was the best and will be sorely missed.
Comment by lil' enchililada Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 12:51 pm
===What “appliances” did they supply to Civil War soldiers? Tools, I get, but appliances?===
Polyester gins. Cotton was suddenly out.
Comment by A guy Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 1:19 pm
We should also tip our hats to Jeff Evans and his company for donating the architectural and engineering work for this project.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 1:54 pm
@Emmanuel Can’t: state Prevailing Wage is unclear on projects funded by foundations similar to the Mansion’s. While, arguably, a foundation-funded project at a state facility should be covered by the PWA, initial rulings on coverage would be made by IDOL followed by the courts, if necessary.
Comment by Hyperbolic Chamber Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 2:20 pm
Obviously, the non-union companies were not up to the task.
Comment by DuPage Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 4:06 pm
All joking aside on the “appliances”-
http://m.sj-r.com/article/20140329/News/140329340
Your Friday joking may now resume…
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jul 31, 15 @ 4:43 pm