91视频

Hermann Colas Jr., who founded Colas Construction, Inc. in 1997, developed and self-financed all of its early projects for residential homes and ground-up multifamily developments, providing quality and affordability for tenants and neighborhoods.

Over the years, the company has grown to employ more than 100 people and its project profiles have increased to include health treatment facilities, civic and institutional, ground-up and renovation of affordable housing, mixed use and tenant improvements.

Among its project highlights, Garlington Campus: Health and Wellness Center and Garlington Place Apartments comprises two buildings in Northeast Portland. Garlington Place Apartments offers 52 units, including 10 for formerly houseless veterans, 10 for patients in critical need, and 32 open to low-income community members. Both developments are named in honor of the late Rev. Dr. John W. Garlington Jr., a prominent leader and advocate for Portland鈥檚 African American community.

The Oregon Convention Center鈥檚 $32 million renovation included upgrades to the center鈥檚 interior, ballrooms and exterior spaces. The project established new heights for equity and inclusion in public projects, with 51 percent of the total contract dollars awarded to certified M/WBE firms owned by people who identify as BIPOC and/or women. Forty percent of the total hours worked were completed by people of color.

For the Henry Building, the project team was tasked to provide a cost-effective seismic design that respected the structure鈥檚 historic character while adding affordable housing units. Today, the rehabilitated National Register-listed building offers safe, dignified spaces for 173 veterans and low-income residents. The Henry Building received the 2021 DeMuro Award.

鈥淥ur project teams, clients and the end-users of the projects we complete keep us humble and enthusiastic despite the incredible challenges that our industry and all industries have endured over the last two years,鈥� said Project Executive Alex Colas. 鈥淟istening to tenants share how fulfilled they feel about their spaces brings a tremendous perspective and reminds us why we chose to get into this business. We take nothing for granted and remain inspired to continue strengthening our community through the projects that we build.鈥�

Nearly 90 percent of Colas Construction鈥檚 portfolio includes LEED-accredited and Earth Advantage-registered projects. Its inherent appreciation for environmentalism inspires it to champion green building practices in tune with the Pacific Northwest region. COLAS has completed and is engaged in several sustainable, certified buildings and believes the future of construction brings a positive impact on the environment.

The company also is focused on the barriers of unrealized potential based solely on racial differences or gender. From firsthand experience, its team has met and surpassed the barriers to entry in the industry.

鈥淣ow in our prime at 25 years old, we often reflect on the hurdles COLAS has faced just as much as the opportunities from those who were willing to take a chance on us,鈥� said Vice President and CFO Aneshka Colas-Dickson. 鈥淥ur story is woven with integrity, and we can smile knowing we exceeded expectations, delivered optimal results, and are looking forward to more opportunities to demonstrate what we are passionate about 鈥� building community while building for the community.鈥�