Cover Stories
Forty Years
“We can’t wait to come to work tomorrow,” John Russo said. He and Stuart Broeren have been constructing buildings for 40 years.
Broeren and Russo have an extensive history. One could say that they have built quite a relationship, along with the many buildings they have constructed through the years as Broeren Russo Builders, Inc. Broeren is the president and Russo is the executive vice president of the company that has been providing premier general contracting and construction management services.
They have a passion for quality building. They approach every project with the idea that they can enhance the community with their builds. And if 40 years seems like a long time, well, their relationship actually goes back a lot longer than that.
“I have known John Russo since second grade at St. Matthews’s grade school,” Broeren said. “We attended grade school, junior high and high school together.”
On the weekends they would work for Broeren’s dad, Wayne Broeren, at Thompson Lumber. They were two boys who were learning a trade and creating an investment into the future.
Even back then, these young boys loved working hard and completing projects together as a couple of up and coming carpenters.
“In high school, we built our first house,” Russo said.
“We remained close friends through college. We've been through marriage, divorce, kids, death, sickness, injury, stupid actions, successes, happiness and failures...life,” Broeren said.
After college, Broeren stayed in town and Russo moved to Chicago.“I started the business in 1977 with my father who was the other 25 percent shareholder,” Broeren said.
“I built high rises in Chicago,” Russo said.
The two kept in touch, however, because their friendship was built on a solid foundation.
“John was working for a large international CM firm, when I had a project in Champaign that needed his expertise: The Trade Centre building on Neil and Kirby in Champaign where Wolfram Research is (headquartered) and the hotel across the alley. That was in 1988. We never looked back from there,” Broeren said.
They have a large list of satisfied customers, too. In fact, the various subcontractors in and around the area are also very complimentary when referring to the company. Broeren Russo has built a solid relationship with the community that is honest, fair, and filled with integrity. They have built in many community sectors.
“We started out building homes, some multi- family and light commercial. We have done hospitals, manufacturing, clean rooms, warehousing, industrial plants, commercial, retail, office, and even a waste water treatment plant”, Broeren said.
Some recently completed projects also include: Pickwick Coffee Company, Hamilton Walkers’ restaurant, Healey Place Apartments, The Hub, Mahomet-Seymour High School library and auditorium, 512 Green Street, The Tower at Third, JW Eater Junior High School, Skyline Tower, Chez Family Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education, Alpha Gamma Delta fraternity, the West Quad, UIUC Golf Facility, Countryside School, Stephens Family YMCA, UI Conference Center/Hotel/Houlihans, Parkland College Applied Technology Center and much, much more.
They both agree they wanted to be involved in the tough and challenging projects. “Some examples are: Memorial Stadium, Virginia Theatre, St. Patrick's Church. They are very fulfilling,” Broeren said.
Current projects include: Renovations of the UI Ice Arena and Henry Administration Building, the “Suites on Third” Apartments, Larson Apartments on Third and Green, Christie Clinic, and the Middletown Prairie Elementary Addition in Mahomet, where last week they raised precast walls of a gymnasium that will also serve as a community emergency shelter.
There are those that say Broeren Russo does have a distinct style. Their builds speak for themselves. “We are just the builder. We have to give credit to the owners and architects for their vision,” Russo quickly said. “We are thankful for the opportunities our community has given us to build so many projects throughout Champaign County.”
Broeren agreed. “We are not architects. We build what they come up with, and we do have many clients who utilize our expertise in advising them on what will meet their goals and objectives and not break the bank,” he said.
So what is included in the future proverbial blue print for Broeren Russo?
“We have an outstanding group of young leaders who have been with us for many years. They have been taking on more responsibility each year and will take over the operations of the company,” Broeren said.
“Yes, we have really brilliant and talented staff who possess great skillsets and vast knowledge of the latest technology. All in all, we have great people,” Russo said.
Are these two still inspired by their work?
“Stu and I love construction and are very passionate about what we do. We are very fortunate to have a great staff who share our passion and dedication to provide the best possible construction solutions. We can't wait to come to work tomorrow,” Russo said.
For more information, go to broeren-russo.com.