A whirlwind of growth and relationship-building is driving a significant expansion into Indiana for Skender to the tune of more than 1 million square feet of healthcare, office and government construction projects.
Skender recently moved into a larger Indiana office, located in the Keystone area of North Indianapolis, and more than doubled its workforce in the state to support a host of new projects under construction and in the planning stages. The move marked a prominent milestone for the firm, which has spent the last 60 years building a reputation for construction distinction in Illinois—and now is poised to do the same in Indiana.
Skender’s presence in the region began prior to the pandemic in early 2020 when Indiana University Health (IU Health), one of the country’s largest healthcare institutions, brought Skender in to assist with significant expansion and upgrades to IU Health facilities in Indianapolis and around the state. The IU Health projects ranged from new construction to simple cosmetic updates and had the potential to shape whole neighborhoods in key Indiana markets like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Bloomington, bringing communities to the forefront with improved access to healthcare.
Brian Simons, a Skender veteran and Purdue University alumni, relocated to central Indiana to head up location operations, with a focus on expanding relationships with clients, architects, brokers, and trade partners. Simons recruited talented local professionals to enhance resources and relationships, and in less than 24 months, the team grew to 11 construction professionals. Skender is now positioned with more than one million square feet of construction experience across Indiana, and the firm’s Indiana office is projecting more than 400% revenue growth in 2023 with projects spanning healthcare, municipal, office and industrial sectors.
Skender’s recent and active work with IU Health includes the following projects:
– Bloomington Regional Academic Health Center. Skender joined the F.A. Wilhelm team to build the new IU Health Bloomington Regional Academic Health Center near the campus of Indiana University. The state-of-the-art, 620,000-square-foot complex, which opened in December 2021, consists of in-patient and out-patient clinical services, and 115,000 square feet for academic instruction.
– Capitol View Medical Office. Skender is partnering with Meyer Najem Construction ona new five-story, 250,000-SF medical office building that is part of IU Health’s expansion across downtown Indianapolis. With expected completion in summer 2023, the LEED Silver certified project will be a shining example of sustainability features and high-energy performance.
– West Hospital Clinics. Skender managed the renovation of IU Health West Hospital’s Outpatient Clinic and the expansion of its Infusion Clinic in Avon, Indiana, a near-west suburb of Indianapolis. The Outpatient Clinic was previously occupied by a third-party outpatient operator and IU Health integrated it into their network. The Infusion Clinic project included the renovation of an existing infusion clinic, adding new infusion bays, adding a compounding pharmacy and modernizing all finishes. It opened in late 2022.
– Saxony CT Replacement. Skender managed the replacement of the CT Equipment at IU Health’s Saxony campus in Fishers, a northeast suburb of Indianapolis. This project required the construction and activation of a mobile CT unit to enable the replacement of the permanent interior CT equipment. The project was completed ahead of the aggressive December 2022 deadline set forth by the hospital.
In addition to its work with IU Health, Skender has also been building a reputation in Indiana that has landed the construction firm additional projects, which help to strengthen community by providing better access to healthcare and government services:
– Adult & Child Health. Skender will soon start the interior buildout of a 40,000-square-foot clinic and office for this nonprofit healthcare provider.
– Aspire Indiana Health Clinic. A nonprofit healthcare provider now has a new full-service clinic on northeast side of Indianapolis, serving an urgent need for acute care in the area.
– Jane Pauley Community Health Centers. Four health center projects ongoing or completed by Skender are now providing medical and mental health services in Central Indiana. The timing couldn’t be better. The centers have reported a doubling in the number of patients who need behavioral health services since COVID hit the U.S.
– Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center Renovations. Skender is underway on a multi-phase renovation of the existing Hamilton County Judicial Center, which includes the addition of multiple courtrooms and support spaces. The recently completed first phase at the Judicial Center included the opening of two new magistrate courtrooms and support spaces.
– Greenwood Healthcare Center Expansions. Skender is under construction on three separate medical clinic/office expansions in Greenwood, allowing enhanced services for a community in need. Expected completion in March 2023.
“I’m humbled by our growth and opportunities in the great state of Indiana,” said Brian Simons, Vice President at Skender. “It takes a village and we couldn’t have made it this far without our clients, partners and talented Indianapolis team, who offer strong market expertise, personal connections and tailored solutions to all sectors and industries. The future is bright and I’m excited to increase our impact on the communities in which we serve.”
