News

It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed since we first opened our doors. Time has flown by, and what a remarkable journey it has been! To mark this significant milestone, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary, while also commemorating our recent relocation to Hartford. This momentous occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on our growth, accomplishments, and, most importantly, the meaningful relationships we've built along the way.

Two of our  projects were  recognized at last month’s Connecticut Building Congress 28th Annual Project Team & Scholarship Awards Celebration. CSG was honored for its contributions to two award-winning projects, taking home first place in the Large Pre-K-12 Schools category for the Cranbury Elementary School in Norwalk and first place in the Large Civil category for the Innis Arden Golf Club in Greenwich.

School districts face diverse challenges when it comes to facility improvements. While some may opt for comprehensive renovations or new construction, others may choose to take on capital improvement projects due to budget limitations. Roof replacements/rehabilitations frequently fall under the latter category.

For CSG, 2023 was all about keeping things steady, doing good work, and getting out and about networking with our industry partners and friends. From grand re-openings to new contracts and golf tournaments, we had a great 2023 and we’re looking for all that 2024 has in store. Take a look at some of our highlights from the past year.

If you’re in the business of managing multi-year, multi-million dollar school construction programs, you better have a playbook handy. In this industry, where intricate architectural designs meet the raw reality of materials and labor in the field, there are always a lot of balls in the air. That’s where the art of program management comes into play.

An avid football fan, CSG President Jim Giuliano sees parallels between his role as the leader of CSG and that of a football coach / general manager. Building out a team is part of what Jim does – he sees his role as finding the right people and putting them in positions to succeed.

Project Manager Dan Phillips recalls one of his first jobs in high school working with a contractor who renovated and flipped condos – from full gut to refinish. 

Construction and entrepreneurship run in Jim Giuliano’s blood. He recalls his first job working as a laborer for his family’s masonry business, a business Jim’s brothers still run to this day. Those early days, working alongside his family, were an inspiration.

“It’s one thing if a building looks nice; it’s another if it’s functional,” says CSG Project Manager Mike Faenza. Prior to joining CSG, Mike held a variety of positions in the industry, including working for Jacob’s Engineering, an owner’s representation firm where he completed code improvement projects at the University of Connecticut. During his time working in construction management, he noticed something that would help guide his career.

When Joshua Markowitz went off to college, he thought he’d be leaving the construction industry behind. He grew up visiting job sites on a regular basis. His father was the vice president of a large construction company that developed buildings in New York, Chicago, and Miami – many of the properties high rise condominiums.

Safety is top of mind at any construction site. But working in school environments carries a different set of responsibilities. Whether it’s a brand new school being built next to an existing school or an occupied phased renovation project, the safety of students and staff comes first.

CSG is honored to have been unanimously selected by the City of Norwich School Building Committee to provide owner's project management services for phase one of the District's $385 million school construction program, approved by voters in November 2022.

When Jon Gombotz isn’t out at a construction site representing CSG, you can find him hanging out with his family, doing yard work, and playing sports. Softball, baseball, golf, football – depending on the season you’ll find Jon and his family participating in something. He’s always been inspired by the dedication of athletes: the meticulous attention they pay to their craft, the drive necessary to succeed.

For Eileen Eagle, one of the most rewarding aspects of her work comes through seeing the construction process from beginning to end.

CSG Project Executive Mark Garilli is proud to represent CSG on any project site, but acknowledges that CSG’s work in affordable senior living projects represents the big impact their work can have.

CSG Project Manager Samantha D’Agostino has been around construction her entire life. She recalls growing up with huge trucks pulling in and out of her driveway, and her father heading off to construction sites throughout the state. She says the work ethic she was introduced to at a young age is something she aspires to and continues to motivate her to this day.

CSG is pleased to announce the hire of project manager Eileen Eagle, who joins the firm with more than 20 years of owner's representation and construction administration experience.

CSG President Jim Giuliano is always thinking about his clients. Turner’s most recent study of construction market conditions summarized and validated a lot of the issues he and others at CSG are grappling with –  supply is not matching demand, and it hasn’t for some time. 

CSG is pleased to announce the hire of project manager Dan Phillips, who joins CSG with 15 years of construction management experience on both public and private sector projects.

We are proud to announce that Jim Giuliano, President and Co-Founder of CSG, has been appointed to the Construction Institute's Board of Directors. Click below to learn more about Jim and the Construction Institute.

CSG is pleased to announce Fran DiFiore as Education Specialist. With nearly 40 years of experience, Fran is a crucial and strategic addition to the team. 

We are proud to announce that one of CSG's most recent projects, Oxford Middle School, was recognized by the Connecticut Building Congress (CBC), receiving it's First Place 2021 Project Team Award for K-12 (large) Schools.

CSG has been selected as Owner's Representative to oversee renovate-as-new improvements to the Anna Reynolds Elementary School in Newington, CT. 

Construction Solutions Group (CSG) is pleased to announce the hire of project manager Randy Feda.

In Summer 2019, the Town of Farmington hired CSG to provide owner’s representative services for the evaluation of pricing and conceptual designs for a new $137 million high school. Here are the latest developments with the project.

In recognition of Women in Construction Week (March 7-13, 2021), CSG would like to thank the CT Chapter of Professional Women in Construction (PWC-CT) for continuously providing quality professional development opportunities for the AEC industries. CSG Assistant Project Manager Samantha D’Agostino attended PWC CT’s virtual program last week. Find out what we learned.

Exciting progress is being made on the construction of the Southend Boys & Girls Club in Hartford, where CSG is providing owner’s representative services. The new facility will serve more than 1,500 youth in the Capitol city.

Construction Solutions Group (CSG) is pleased to announce the hire of assistant project manager Samantha D'Agostino.

CSG has been selected as the owner's project manager to support the design and construction of the new Colchester Senior Center. With an estimated construction cost of approximately $9 million, the new facility will feature a variety of activity spaces including a café with commercial grade kitchen, game room, arts and crafts classroom, library/lounge, conference room, multi-purpose rooms, and more than 2,200 square feet of fitness rooms.

Impressive progress is being made with the $40 million renovation of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. As part of the first significant renovation to the facility since 2001, the project includes the expansion of marine life exhibits and the construction of a new 4D theater.

Despite the challenges of COVID this year, the CSG team was fortunate to participate in a number of golf tournaments over the past few months. These are wonderful opportunities to connect with clients, industry folks and meet new potential clients and project partners, while supporting nonprofit organizations that provide services to the communities where we all live, work and play. Here is a wrap up of our 2020 golf season. 

Pivot. Adapt. Switch gears. We’ve all heard or used these terms since March 2020 to describe how we’ve managed to conduct business during these (wait for it…) unprecedented times. And while nothing can replace in-person, live interaction, businesses have been forced to come up with new and creative ways to connect with clients, partners and prospects on a personal level and in a digital environment.

The renovation/addition of the former Ponus Ridge Middle School in Norwalk, Connecticut is quite remarkable. The project itself is impressive from a design and construction standpoint, transforming a school serving grades 6 through 8 into a state-of-the-art facility that will ultimately become a PreK-8 intra-district magnet school. However, what really makes this project stand out is the conditions and timing under which it was completed.

Always looking to improve our golf game and support our community, CSG participated in a number of golf tournaments this summer and early fall. Let’s just say we had more fun than birdies, while helping to support some important causes including: Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, CT Assisted Living Association (CALA), CT School Buildings and Grounds Association (CSBGA), and The Construction Institute.

CSG, along with administrators from the Enfield School District, local officials and project partners, Gilbane Building Company and JCJ Architecture, celebrated the groundbreaking for the complete renovation of JFK Middle School in Enfield, CT on September 14, 2020. With an anticipated completion date of August 2022, this project will yield nearly 175,000 square feet of renovated space and add approximately 19,000 square feet of new construction. 

CSG was honored to be a part of the beam signing ceremony on the site of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s newest Club. On track for completion in fall of 2021, this new facility will provide important support to children and families in the South End of Hartford. CSG is working with design and construction partners JCJ Architecture and BBE – Bartlett Brainard Eacott. 

With generous budgets and deep benches, large firms arguably have a leg up when it comes to out-marketing and out-staffing. But big businesses often lack the personal touch that characterizes their small counterparts, and the very qualities that drive the successes of larger organizations can leave them failing to deliver in other areas that matter most to clients

Construction Solutions Group (CSG) president Jim Giuliano was recently profiled in Blueprint Magazine, a Portland, Maine based publication that spotlights construction and facilities professionals who are creating, maintaining and imagining better spaces.

Construction Solutions Group (CSG) is pleased to announce the hire of project manager Jonathan Gombotz.

Construction Solutions Group (CSG) is pleased to announce the hire of project manager David Crowell, CPMM.

CSG attended this morning’s Dedication Ceremony for the new New Lebanon School. Vice President Christopher Cykley was present.

Vice President Chris Cykley and Farmington Public Schools Facilities Director Tim Harris provided an overview of the Farmington High School OPM and conceptual design architect selection processes at this morning’s AIA Connecticut School Construction Coalition presentation.

Five years ago today, Construction Solutions Group was born. For those of you that may not know the origins of our firm, we’d like to ask that you take a moment to read the following highlights of our history in honor of this important milestone.

Construction Solutions Group (CSG) is pleased to announce the hire of senior project manager Marnie Liska.

Construction Solutions Group (CSG) is pleased to announce the hire of project executive Mark Garilli.

Construction Solutions Group (CSG) is pleased to announce the hire of assistant project manager Michael Faenza.

Construction Solutions Group (CSG) is pleased to announce that project manager Jason LaFleur has received his State of Connecticut Building Inspector license.

Construction Solutions Group (CSG) is pleased to announce the hire of senior project manager Karen DePersia.