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Wild Carrot

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For years, the building at 3901 Shaw Avenue sat unnoticed and slowly deteriorating. While sometimes occupied by a retail tenant or small corner market use, the building was unrecognizable as something that was once a neighborhood gathering space. When the building was suggested as an option to our client by the City, we realized that it had actually been the Shaw Theater in a past life and at about 9300 square feet, was exactly what we were looking for. After exploring the interior, we realized that the old theater portion had huge barrel trusses, exposed brick and other interesting details.

Our team consulted on the development, helping our client to find the building, negotiate the purchase with the City, and utilize Historic Tax Credits. We brought her vision of an event space for hosting weddings and events for up to 200 people. To host variable-sized events, we needed to make the space flexible while respecting the old theater space architecturally. For the most part, we left the space open and exposed, and inserted small, contrasting volumes into the space to house the kitchen, bar, mezzanine, bride and grooms’ rooms, and storage. The arrangement of these spaces allows for variable sized events and some of the existing architectural features create opportunities to divide the space and curate to an event – and also make those evermore important “Instagram-able” moments.

The design and construction team worked collaboratively to create a great space that worked with the budget. We completely renovated the ground floor interior of the building into and event space and a small 2nd floor apartment into an apartment or Air BnB that can be rented along with the space. Using historic tax credits, the exterior was refurbished to its former glory as the Shaw Theater. A large and impressive historic canopy and ticket booth were reconstructed on the front of the building. We worked with the State Historic Preservation Office to make other thoughtful modifications to accommodate the new use.

 

Climb So Ill at The Power Plant

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When brothers and business partners David and Daniel Chancellor and partner Ian Anderson came to us they already had one of the best known and unique brands in the climbing holds and supply business, in So Ill, and wanted to launch an indoor climbing gym that would be on par with their holds business. Working with Bush (previously known as UIC), the team toured spaces across St. Louis, including abandoned malls and breweries, which were capable of holding up to 55 foot high walls and an existing massive bouldering wall. The final location selection was a truly one of a kind opportunity in the former Power Plant to what was the City Hospital complex south of Downtown. We worked with So Ill and the existing building owner to not only understand how the climbing gym could fit, but to also figure out how to insert an adjacent banquet hall and a two story roof top restaurants with a bar looking out over the top of the elite wall, all of which not only created a great facility, but made the project financially viable.

The result is truly one of a kind. Working with Bulgarian based climbing wall designer and fabricator, Walltopia, Bush and So Ill developed a design with vibrant walls contrasted against the rich patina of the carefully maintained existing structure. New elements, such as a series of balconies and stairs and a suite of custom casework and furniture, were designed to match this contrast of elements and to further embellish the unique scale and heights of the spaces.

Bush’s design team embedded themselves in the Climb So Ill team from the outset of the project and did everything they could to help David, Daniel and Ian realize their dream of creating one of the best indoor climbing experiences in the country. Starting with site selection, advising on their award winning business plan, working tirelessly to find the right mix of spaces and materials, and even donning climbing gear to adjust lights 60 foot in the air well into the night the day before opening, Bush became a part of the So Ill team and the success of our client.

 

 

 

 

 

YWCA Rock Island

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YWCA of Rock Island partnered with Bush Construction to deliver a three-story, multi-use education and community facility designed to expand access to high-quality childcare while supporting the long-term needs of children, families, and the broader Rock Island community.

The new building replaces the YWCA’s former 24,000-square-foot facility with approximately 64,000 square feet of modern, purpose-built space—nearly tripling capacity. A planned rooftop patio expansion will further increase the facility to 72,000 square feet, creating additional opportunities for community programming and events.

Expanding Childcare Capacity Through Education-Focused Construction

A primary driver of the project was the YWCA’s need to significantly increase affordable childcare capacity in a safe, secure, and welcoming environment. Bush Construction delivered a modern facility that supports early childhood education through well-equipped classrooms, in-room restrooms, enhanced security systems, and flexible spaces designed around daily operations.

By aligning construction with program needs, the new facility enables the YWCA to serve more families while maintaining high standards for safety, supervision, and learning environments.

A Multi-Use Facility Designed for Learning, Wellness & Community

Beyond childcare, the new YWCA facility was designed as a comprehensive education and wellness hub, supporting youth development, family services, and community engagement under one roof. The building integrates fitness, education, and gathering spaces in a way that allows programs to operate simultaneously and efficiently.

Key program spaces include:

  • Secure, modern childcare and classroom environments

  • Fitness and wellness areas, including a gym and indoor aquatic center

  • Administrative offices and conference rooms

  • A full-service kitchen supporting community programs

  • Interior play and gathering spaces designed for year-round use

This integrated approach allows the YWCA to expand services while maximizing operational efficiency and long-term flexibility.

Community-Driven Investment with Lasting Impact

Funded through strong community support and generous donors, the project reflects a shared commitment to investing in education, childcare, and community well-being. Bush Construction supported the YWCA throughout the process, helping translate mission-driven goals into a durable, future-ready facility that will serve Rock Island families for decades to come.

“This project represents more than a building — it’s a place where dreams will be nurtured, skills will be developed, and lives will be uplifted.”
— Julie Larson, President & CEO, YWCA of Rock Island

   

Marion Public Library

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After the 2020 derecho tore through Marion, Iowa, the already aging Marion Library took on damage. We were thrilled to partner with the Marion Public Library to build a new library across the street from the original location. The design of the new space was not just a warehouse for books, but an active place and community hub for the city of Marion where people of all ages can congregate and learn.

The two-story, 50,000-square-foot library features modern, open spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows, giving a bright and welcoming feel. The first floor includes a large community room with a demonstration kitchen for meetings, classes, and other programming, as well as a cozy reading area with a double-sided fireplace.

With special attention to cater to families with young children, the second story features various spaces that function for the entire family unit including adult workstations with conjoining playpens, an indoor playground area, and a children’s programming room.

Other notable spaces include a second-floor terrace, various tech spaces, study rooms, and conference rooms. “I think this library will be a model for all libraries in the future,” said Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. We sure think so, too!

Will Hall and Law Building

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In the spirit of historic preservation and adaptive reuse, Bush Construction completed the renovation of the Will Hall and Law Building in downtown Aledo, Illinois. The project transformed the building into three commercial storefronts on the main level, with short-term rental (Airbnb) units on the second floor, breathing new life into a key downtown structure.

At the same time, Bush Construction also completed the historic renovation of the Carnegie Library in Aledo, originally built in 1915–16. The landmark library served generations of community members before closing in 2019 and was carefully restored to honor its legacy while supporting new uses.

As part of the broader downtown revitalization effort, the storefronts of the Perryton Law Building were restored to reflect a more historically accurate appearance. Bush’s design team prioritized preservation details while developing plans for commercial space on the first floor and tenant space on the second floor.

This project required completion within a strict timeline. Through detailed planning, strong communication, and close coordination with trusted trade partners, Bush Construction successfully delivered the renovation on an aggressive schedule—supporting both historic integrity and economic reinvestment in downtown Aledo.

The Refuge Church

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This project is a premanufactured metal building. This new construction church space included a lobby/overflow room, the worship hall, classrooms, a nursery, a kitchen, and offices. After erecting the metal building structure and finishing the worship space and lobby, the Bush team coordinated with the church congregation as they assisted on the build-out of the other half of the building. Church volunteers handled various parts of construction from the framing/drywall to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in the classrooms and offices. The finished building was 10,387 SF in total.

The Bush Construction team used their creative, problem-solving skills while undertaking the site work on this greenspace lot. The site had been stripped of topsoil and was close to the river, which meant the grade of the building was basically bedrock. This created a storm drainage issue with hills on two sides of the property. Our team raised the building elevation and added a berm along the high edge of the property line to redirect any water to the retainage pond. In the end, this solution ensured the property stayed dry and it also ended up saving the owner money from the original site plan.

Carnegie Library, Aledo, IL

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Bush Construction completed the historical renovation of the Carnegie Library in Aledo, IL. Built in 1915-16, the landmark served generations of community members until it closed in 2019. Former residents, Crista and William J. Albertson, purchased the library and renovations began in early 2020.

The Albertson’s vision was to turn the library into a center for technology, education, and recruiting.

Project Details

  • Restored original bookshelves and refinished original floor.
  • Refurbished exterior lamp posts and replaced light fixtures and handrails.
  • Exterior updates including tuckpointing, replacing windows and storm windows, refinished the original exterior door and replaced the roof.
  • Installed modern HVAC and communication technology.
  • Added a conference room and kitchen in the lower level to help support new coworking space and tech center run by High-Tech Small Town.

The library has gained national attention and received the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award, an award that celebrates the in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and the re-imagining of historic buildings for the future.

Coram Deo Bible Church

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Coram Deo Bible Church underwent a significant renovation to create a vibrant, educational, and safe space to support its Children’s Ministry. Bright colors illuminate common areas designed for interacting and playing, and each of the 11 classrooms meets the needs of the children and pre-teens they serve.

Nursery – offers room dedicated to nursing moms that includes a screen with a feed to the Worship Center, a crib room where babies can sleep and a kitchenette complete with a dishwasher and sink.

Preschool – includes a bathroom and a sink, whiteboards, and audio-visual technology to assist little learners.

Upper Elementary – features modular tables and chairs for connecting, moving, and learning.

In addition, the Compass Room (holds up to 150), the Cornerstone Room (holds up to 200), and the Legacy Room (holds up to 260) were created as flexible spaces for children’s ministry programs, gatherings, and events.

The renovation also included the reconfiguration of the entrance, including a dedicated Welcome area, a wide-open corridor to the children’s ministry, and new paint and flooring.

Coram Deo Bible Church Multi-Purpose Room Coram Deo Bible Church Entrance Coram Deo Children's Ministry Entrance Coram Deo Bible Church Children's Ministry Gathering Space Coram Deo Bible Church Children's Ministry Corridor Coram Deo Bible Church Elementary Learning Room Coram Deo Bible Church Nursery & Mother's Room Coram Deo Bible Church Preschool Room

Bettendorf Christian Church

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To accommodate a growing congregation, Bettendorf Christian Church underwent a 16,000 SF addition and 10,000 SF renovation project. Their goals were to increase space, improve traffic flow and enhance their children’s and student ministries. The church determined a multi-use worship area that seats up to 850 with a gym layout would offer the greatest flexibility to convert the space for a variety of activities and events.

The Church’s gym/worship area includes a stage, a separate audio-visual area, and a baptistry. The welcoming front entrance provides an open space for members to congregate, the kitchen an opportunity to serve, and the cafe a way to enjoy coffee and conversation before or after services.

 

Vander Veer Park | Enabling Garden

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Vander Veer Park Enabling Garden is a 3,000 SF project that created an accessible garden for people of all ages and physical abilities. This garden featured raised flower beds and serpentine shaped concrete planters with sandblasted finishing, accessible paths, a pergola, water feature, custom-made western red cedar fence, teak wood cabinets and doors, wrought iron gates and various flowers & plants that appeal to all of the senses.

This unique project allowed Bush Construction to work with the City of Davenport, a client we have worked closely with in the past. The Garden required a high level of communication at all times amongst Bush Construction, the City of Davenport, the design team, and all of the subcontractors and suppliers performing work on the project.

Bush Construction takes pride in our involvement with the Enabling Garden, as it was designed to improve and maintain the physical, mental, and social health of those who utilize it. Our strong ties and involvement in our community make projects such as the Enabling Garden extremely gratifying.

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