Broadway Consolidated Companies, Inc.

Areas of Expertise

General Contractor, Construction Management Services, and Design Builder

Organization Profile

Margaret Garner developed Broadway Consolidated Companies, Inc. (BCCI) in 1999 with a commitment to go a giant step beyond merely building structures. She pledged to focus on human capital development by partnering with her clients and the impacted communities. Her passion is not just to build buildings, but to build a better quality of life for the people affected by her work. Margaret’s dedication to improving lives wherever she goes has always guided her career path - from top management jobs implementing innovative programs in public housing - to building a multi-million dollar full service construction firm with offices located on Chicago’s near West side. Broadway Consolidated Companies, Inc. is a 100% African American female owned company.

Beginning her construction management career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Margaret successfully managed the building and rehabilitation of affordable housing for the local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Authority. Margaret’s unique management style of building lives as well as building structures caught the attention of HUD officials in Washington, D.C. Margaret was recruited by the Assistant Secretary of HUD to participate in an internship program in Washington, D.C. for the “Reinvention of HUD” under then Secretary Henry Cisneros. The program, known as Section 3, was designed to move residents from welfare to work within their communities. In 1995, Margaret’s accomplishments and dynamic personality were the two factors that led to her recruitment to join the HUD team that tackled the nation’s third largest and worst housing authority in the country, The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA).

As the CHA Director of Modernization, Margaret managed the Architects and Engineering Division, Environmental Division, Capital Funding and the Construction Division, comprised of more than 300 tradesmen. The primary goal was to rehabilitate existing units in the ABLA Homes, provide construction jobs for residents, relocate as many residents as possible to decent safe and sanitary housing and gain resident confidence. The challenge was tremendous, but Margaret exceeded all expectations. Her Modernization Team, in cooperation with Walsh Construction Company, was able to fast track the renovations of a high-rise for temporary relocation of residents and rehabilitate 234 new townhouse units in a record-setting time of 120 days. This project exceeded its goals by being completed ahead of time, on budget, creating jobs for residents and employing the largest minority subcontractors on any CHA project. CHA residents were not only hired as tradesmen, but as project consultants as well. The ABLA Homes “Miracle on Loomis Street” was designated as the Mayor’s model for all public housing in Chicago.

In her company’s five-year history, Broadway Consolidated Companies, Inc. has grossed more than $30 million. The company’s current projects exceed the annual goal of $10-$15 million. Margaret’s philosophy of improving lives in the communities she serves is evident in all her work. Instead of merely contracting with the University of Chicago to participate in the building of Comer Children’s Hospital, Margaret lived up to her philosophy of “more than bricks and mortar” by partnering with the University and community to provide jobs. Broadway Consolidated Companies, Inc was also successful in participating in the U.S. Small Business Match Making Initiative whereby BCCI was awarded a five year contract with the Department of the Navy. BCCI has also been enjoyed it’s relationship with the Army Corps of Engineers rebuilding the Chicago Shoreline. That philosophy, along with Margaret’s illustrious track record, proved to be the winning combination when BCCI was chosen in February 2005 to be the first woman-owned general contracting company to be awarded a prime construction contract for the very first Wal-Mart Store in a major urban city, the City of Chicago. Under Margaret’s management, the construction of the new Wal-Mart on Chicago’s west side will serve as a model of community involvement and partnership by providing opportunities for all trades.

Professional Background

Margaret D. Garner is President and Chief Executive Officer with over 20 years of construction management experience. Margaret began her career building and rehabilitating affordable housing for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Her passion was and still remains to not just build buildings but to build a better quality of life for the people and communities impacted by her work. Margaret’s dedication to improving lives wherever she goes has always guided her career path – from top management jobs to implementing innovative programs in public housing – to building a multi-million dollar full service construction firm. In her company’s 6 year history, Broadway Consolidated Companies, Inc. has succeeded in winning multi-million dollar projects.

Education/Awards

Margaret’s educational degrees in Business and Economics were obtained at the University of Pittsburgh. She is affiliated with many professional and faith-based organizations. Margaret has recently been appointed to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and was voted on the Support Group Board of Directors. In 2004 she became the President of the Federation of Women Contractors.

Margaret has received numerous civic awards and citations for excellence in government and community leadership. Among recent recognitions, she received the Black Contractors United Mentor/Protege 2002 Award for outstanding achievements in developing sustained support systems for African American Contractors. In 2003, the U.S. Small Business Administration for the State of Illinois presented Margaret with the Minority Small Business Person of the Year Award in recognition of outstanding business and community leadership, serving as a model of the entrepreneurial spirit in America. Margaret’s daughter, Margarite, aspires to retire her mom in the future to run the company.

Business/Community Affiliations

  • President of the Federation of Women Contractor’s
  • President of Broadway Consolidated Companies, Inc. Education Scholarship fund
  • Vice President Minerva Dyett Missionary Society
  • Member March of Dimes Construction and Transportation Committee
  • Member Black Contractor’s United
  • Member City Club of Chicago

Clients Include

U.S. Department of Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of the Navy, WAL-MART, City of Chicago, Metra, University of Chicago, University of Chicago Hospitals, Illinois Institute of Technology, Barrington School District, Chicago Park District, Chicago Housing Authority