Concrete Cutting Pros For Urban Revitalization

After decades of tail-spinning, some of Chicago’s urban landscapes are being reinvented by developers that want to bring together the various perks of so-called “mini communities.”

As contractors assess the diverse construction needs required, they’ll want to tap into Chicago saw cutting outfits such as Cobra Concrete to negotiate lingering hard materials and make modifications during the development process. A prime example of potential redevelopment is the former South Works site that closed in 1992.

This waterfront property had been considered for a joint business venture to create a mini community since 2004. The 430-acre property was under consideration for 12,000 homes, more than 17 million square feet of retail space, a marina, and wind-power energy. Although the deal was scrapped in 2016, a new proposal emerged this year called “Chicago  8o8o  Lakeshore  Masterplan ” that would create 30 urban square blocks of pedestrian-friendly community space. General contractors will need to portion out much of the work to subcontractors such as electricians, plumbers, and HVAC companies. But a Chicago saw cutting outfit like Cobra Concrete may be a go-to resource from beginning to end on projects like this.

Before architects and engineers can begin to map out mini communities, they need to know what may be hidden beneath the surface. Modern construction mapping in many cities can detail water and gas lines. But the problem with old cities such as Chicago is that massive sites such as the proposed Chicago  8o8o  are the unknown. Oil tanks, unmapped power, and gas and natural construction impediments need to be defined before a backhoe can crack the surface. That takes the type of Ground Penetrating Radar that Cobra Concrete offers.

Reinventing industrial lands and buildings mean demolition and removal. The former South Works site, for example, has large swaths of concrete slabs that will need to be excavated. Many of these are likely to be thick and require a Chicago saw cutting company with an inventory of walk-behind cutting machines. In some areas, this will entail bringing in the 100-horsepower artillery and experienced technicians to handle the work. Cobra Concrete has a safety certified team of experienced operators that facilitate deep and shallow concrete cutting tasks. Hazardous machinery requires qualified operators.

Developers make effective use of experienced concrete pouring organizations and employ precast materials. Any experienced contractor understands that building is a fluid process that calls for minor and major changes. Trimming a few inches off precast material or an inaccurate blueprint leading to an extra foot of slab means someone must bring it back to spec. That’s why many general contractors set up an initial agreement with concrete cutters that includes on-call services. An experienced Chicago saw cutting outfit like Cobra Concrete keeps the project running on time and on budget.

The major Chicago waterfront project is a prime example of how developers can reinvent urban landscapes. At Cobra Concrete, our team provides a wide range of invaluable services for large and small projects. Call Cobra Concrete for an estimate.