July 26, 2017 (Des Moines, IA) - Hubbell Realty Company, along with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa, would like to announce the newest Hubbell Extreme Build event aimed at “Keeping More Families Close.” We will demolish the current Ronald McDonald House on the corner of 15th and Pleasant Street in the historic Sherman Hill Neighborhood. The demo will begin in early August and continue through the remainder of the month.
Beginning on September 11, Hubbell Realty will begin the Hubbell Extreme Build by constructing the exterior walls. The team will then spend the next eleven days building a new 18-room house, fit with the highest quality equipment and tools to make the families using Ronald McDonald House feel at home. The build will occur around-the-clock until the completion on September 22.
“We hold a Hubbell Extreme Build event every four years and for us, it’s about helping the community and making an impact on the people within those communities. We’ve done three builds like this - in 2006, 2009, 2013 - and this years’ will be by far the largest project we’ve ever taken on as a company,” said Hubbell Realty Company President & CEO Rick Tollakson.
During the build, families who depend on Ronald McDonald House services will be staying at HCI Care Services & Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa’s Bright Kavanagh House. HCI Care Services & Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa have been generous enough to open their doors, in addition to giving taxi vouchers, to families traveling to and from Blank Children’s Hospital.
The staff at Ronald McDonald House is dedicated to making these two months run smoothly and efficiently. Staff moved all of their items out of the property on July 17. Following the move, Habitat for Humanity is stepping in to salvage many of the usable cabinets, mirrors, doors and vanities prior to the demo.
The new facility will address a host of issues important to the mission of Ronald McDonald House. The new structure will increase the number of rooms from 12 to 18. Each room will be capable of hosting families of four. Current room capacities only allow for two occupants. A brand new HVAC system, kitchen, dining area and laundry facilities will offer more space and comfort for guests; while the theater, game room, outdoor play area and serenity garden will make the family’s stay a little easier. The secured building will feature a covered entry and private check-in area for families. Additional parking, storage and office space will make the organization’s daily work more efficient.
“We had been looking at ways to address our aging facility and capacity issues for some time,” explains Brenda Miller, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House of Central Iowa. While making costly updates to the existing structure was considered to tackle efficiency concerns, it would not have addressed supply-and-demand problems. “We are fortunate that Hubbell Realty Company chose us for this project because we will have a new, state-of-the-art House that meets our demand levels,” adds Brenda.
When complete, the total project cost is expected to be approximately $3 million. Hubbell Realty Company and a wide variety of subcontractors and vendors will donate the majority of labor and materials for the build. Ronald McDonald House is actively seeking capital campaigns to cover the remaining balance. The Board President of the organization’s Central Iowa chapter, Chris Anderson, is confident additional community support will follow.
“Our board, staff and community advocates are ready to take on the challenge of raising the remaining $1.5 million necessary to match Hubbell’s generous gift. Their efforts have truly set the bar and we look forward to cultivating additional support that builds on this momentum,” says Anderson.
Look for further announcements made prior to our kick-off event on September 11 and again during our big reveal in late September. Tours of the finished facility will be made available.
For those interested in following our progress or volunteer opportunities, visit www.KeepingMoreFamiliesClose.com.
