DPR Construction, Inc., a forward-thinking commercial contractor/construction manager, broke ground today on Norcross Cooperative Ministry’s (NCM) new 12,000-sq.-ft. headquarters. A nonprofit organization founded in 1989, the purpose and mission of NCM is to provide emergency assistance to low income and homeless families in the community. The new facility will offer the necessary staging areas and much needed floor and storage space to meet current demand, as well as allow NCM to expand its programs and services to better serve the life needs of local families.

According to DPR Project Manager Charles Rossignol, with a significant portion of the building’s cost, including studs, computers, office furniture, carpet and paint, being donated by individuals, member churches and local businesses, the project is being built for approximately $900,000 – considerably less than market value, which has been estimated at $1.4 million. DPR is also utilizing its preconstruction expertise to deliver the ground-up facility at minimal cost.

"It's exciting for all of us at DPR to be working on a project, such as NCM’s new headquarters, that will eventually assist so many families though their time of need,” added Rossignol. “We understand that in today’s market, budget is always a primary concern. At DPR, we create collaborative environments that allow us to work closely with the customer and project team to provide detailed cost analysis and scheduling services to bring even the most demanding projects to a successful finish on time and within budget.”

Experiencing exponential growth in the number of families served, NCM’s programs assisted more than 6,500 families in 2001, and currently serves more than 930 families each month, with a 48 percent increase in the last four months alone. Having outgrown its current 4,000-sq.-ft. space, NCM acquired a 1.5-acre tract from the City of Norcross and began its Capital Building Campaign in 2001 to raise money and receive donated services for the new facility. The nonprofit has already accepted more than $420,000 from board members, local businesses, churches and individual supporters, such as Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ellis, whose son will be memorialized by having the facility named after him, “The Greg Ellis Center.” This figure also includes a grant of $20,000 from the John H. Harland Foundation. NCM also qualified for a one-year, low interest community reinvestment loan from the Peachtree Bank in the amount of $400,000.

“We continue to solicit public support from foundations, corporations and individuals to achieve our goal of raising an additional $500,000. Our desire is to have NCM’s new facility debt free as quickly as possible,” said Shirley Cabe, NCM’s executive director.

Scheduled for completion in January of 2003, the light, steel-framed facility, designed by Crowley and Luckett Architects, will feature a concrete and brick façade that blends in with the surrounding mixed-use commercial and residential area. Once completed, the new headquarters will include office space, client intake areas and a food pantry, as well a 6,000-sq.-ft. basement, and will be used to launch ongoing and seasonal projects like: collecting and distributing school supplies, Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, and toys. In addition, NCM provides clothes, non-perishable foods and personal care items and operates a job resources center, on-site interview opportunities, optional language classes and other counseling services.

About Norcross Cooperative Ministry:

The purpose and mission of the Norcross Cooperative Ministry is to help those in need through a crisis situation by pooling together the resources within the community. For 14 years, NCM has continued to work diligently to provide food, clothing and financial assistance to the less fortunate in Gwinnet County. An approved 501C3 nonprofit organization registered with the state of Georgia, NCM is a faith-based organization that receives its resources from the generosity of donations. For further information on providing a donation or volunteering at NCM, please call 770.263.0013.

About DPR Construction, Inc.:

Combining some of the best construction talent in Atlanta, with the expertise and resources of a national construction company, DPR Construction, Inc.’s Atlanta office currently employs more than 25 team members and has won many high-profile projects since opening its doors in January 2001. Specializing in technically demanding and environmentally sensitive projects in corporate/speculative office, healthcare, education, entertainment, biotech/pharmaceutical, broadcast, semiconductor, mission critical (data/telecom), and warehouse and distribution industries, DPR has been recognized in both local and national markets for its collaborative approach, safety program, use of technology and green building practices.

In addition to Atlanta, DPR also has offices in Phoenix, Ariz.; Newport Beach, Pleasanton, Redwood City, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose and San Diego, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; Portland, Ore; Austin, Dallas and Houston, Texas; Fairfax and Richmond, Va.; and Seattle, Wash. DPR’s Atlanta office is located at 4151 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Suite 503, Atlanta, Ga., and can be reached by phone at 404.255.1280. For more information, please visit DPR’s Website at http://www.dprinc.com.