On the Job:
Collaboration and Creative Problem Solving at Thurber Village
Thurber Village is a luxury 6-story apartment complex featuring 229 residential units, a 350-space parking garage, an amenity deck with a pool, and an outdoor garden. It’s the landmark component of a new commercial development in a central urban area of Columbus, Ohio, and scheduled for completion in June 2025. HGC has been managing the build since our new regional office opened there in 2023.
Here, team members Ian Kelly and Jake Maurer share a behind-the-scenes look at the project and some of the solutions they bring to the jobsite every day.
Their roles are similar, but micro vs. macro
As Superintendent, Jake focuses on the daily needs of the project and clears the path for great work by removing obstacles as they arise. “I take problems out of the way of other professionals so they can do their job,” he says. By anticipating needs and managing complications, he ensures every subcontractor can focus only on providing exceptional craftsmanship.
As Project Manager, Ian looks further out on the project timeline. While Jake deals in the immediate days and weeks, Ian is thinking months ahead. He ensures budgets, contracts, permits and POs are in order to prevent delays and keep things running on time and on budget. “I make sure everything is lined up and ready to go so when the teams show up, they are ready to start from a procedures and paperwork standpoint.”
Every day starts with a team huddle
No matter what’s on tap for the day, the morning begins with a team meeting in the jobsite trailer. Every subcontractor foreman plus the HGC team gather around a big table to discuss what’s being done, who’s on site, scheduled deliveries, safety considerations, and overall goals. Depending on the work that’s planned, it could be anywhere from 10 to 15 people kickstarting the day. “Then it’s off to the races,” Ian says.
Not all problems can be planned for, but they can be addressed proactively
Thurber Village has 229 residential apartments featuring dozens of unique unit styles. “There are a lot of nuances to the designs,” Ian says. “It’s not a standard cookie-cutter type of thing.” As construction was underway, HGC discovered there was an issue with the original design plans for one of the units where the clearance between two walls would not meet ADA compliance.
Solving the problem was a collaborative effort HGC led thoughtfully and efficiently to keep the project moving forward while avoiding extra expense or delay. Simply widening the space to meet ADA standards was not an adequate solution; rather, the solve required coordination between the owner, the architect and an array of subcontractors, from HVAC and plumbing to the drywall contractor and door supplier. Together, we remedied the issue in a way that maintained the original functionality of the room while mitigating changes to the timeline and budget.
Job sites can be unpredictable, so our teams have to stay ready for anything
When excavation began, we discovered the site had a groundwater issue. Mitigating it required hiring an out-of-state dewatering subcontractor and drilling 17 40-foot wells to pump the water out so we could dig to the required depth without it flooding. Arriving at an effective, efficient solution required extensive conversations with many different experts and stakeholders.
“Plans always change,” Jake says. “You have to step up and work through them.”
[Some problems just need a little creativity to solve
The property manager was ready to begin leasing apartments, but their new leasing office wasn’t yet scheduled for completion. Still, the agents wanted a place where they could meet with prospective residents and safely direct them to the model units for showing. To meet their request, we converted a maintenance office into a temporary leasing space that served its purpose while representing the modern and upscale appeal of the new apartment complex.
You have to consider the community surrounding the jobsite
Thurber Village is located just south of Ohio State University’s campus, in a densely populated area adjacent to several established neighborhoods of tight-knit communities. This proximity led to frequent queries from curious and concerned local residents wondering about the noise, the timeline, and the final product. We met these concerns with empathy and understanding.
“Sometimes they’re frustrated, so we’re always considerate and as helpful as we can be,” Jake says.
We also assured them our goals for a beautiful development that would elevate the area aligned with theirs. We gave back when we could, such as donating to a local trash cleanup, further emphasizing our commitment to enhancing the local community.
HGC Construction is a trusted construction partner with a century-old legacy. We specialize in construction management, design build, specialty trades, historic preservation, new construction, and restorations. We build at all levels of complexity, across unique and diverse market segments. Our capabilities are defined not only by what we do but by how we do it. Our solutions-oriented approach is backed by grit, integrity and an unrelenting commitment to do it right. Discover how we leverage unparalleled expertise and creative problem solving to bring visions to life. Contact us for more.