Mark E. Augustyn and James A. Brucato, owners of Principle Construction Corp., are pleased to announce that their firm was selected by Bear Real Estate to construct a new multi-tenant retail building at 6119 East Avenue in Hodgkins, Illinois.  Bear Real Estate will own the building, in which Ben’s Rental & Sales will be the anchor tenant.  As many as three other retail spaces will be available for lease in the 12,320 square foot retail facility, which will be expandable to 19,940 square feet.

The new building will be a part of a redevelopment effort and TIF district in west suburban Hodgkins along East Avenue. The property combines several lots on which buildings had fallen into disrepair. The village performed significant grading and utility improvements to make the site attractive to new businesses, hoping to gentrify the area. Ben’s Rental & Sales, which rents a variety of tools and construction equipment, will be the first tenant. The site will be a new store for the chain, which was founded in Chicago in 1967.

“We are looking forward to redeveloping this site and improving the image of East Avenue.” stated Mark Augustyn, Chief Operating Officer of Principle Construction Corp. “This new retail building will continue the strong retail redevelopment of the area and further the advances Hodgkins is making on being a good place to do business.”

Timothy Morgan and Associates will provide architectural services for the project. Principle’s Ken Lattanzi will be the project manager and Doug Ingram will be the Superintendent.  Completion is scheduled for September 2014.

Ben’s Rental & Sales rents construction equipment, party equipment, landscaping tools, power tools and other home improvement implements to individuals and businesses. They also sell used equipment. Founded in 1967, they will use the Hodgkins building as a new location to expand their business.

Principle Construction Corp. is a leading design/build general contracting firm that has been serving the Chicago Metro, Southern Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana industrial markets since 1999.  Specializing in the design and construction of manufacturing, warehouse and distribution, medical, office, laboratory and food processing facilities, Principle has built a solid reputation for providing unsurpassed service to its clients and the ability to successfully complete even the most complex projects. Additionally, Principle has extensive expertise in expansions and additions, tenant improvements, site evaluation, due diligence and value engineering.  Leading industry publications and professionals continually recognize Principle Construction as one of the field’s best and most prestigious design/build firms.