Turner Construction

In 1902, Henry Chandlee Turner (1871-1954) founded Turner Construction Company with $25,000 in start-up capital, at 11 Broadway, in New York City.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VLcvAAAAYAAJ&q=Turner+Construction+founded+1902|title=To Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of the Turner Construction Company, May 6, 1902|date=1942|publisher=Turner Construction Company|language=en}} Turner's first job was a $690 project to build a concrete vault for Thrift Bank in the borough of Brooklyn.{{Cite book|last=Wolf|first=Donald E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzNPAAAAMAAJ&q=thrift+bank|title=Turner's First Century: A History of Turner Construction Company|date=2002-01-01|publisher=Greenwich Publishing Group, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-944641-56-9|pages=39|language=en}} In 1904, a Scottish industrialist named Robert Gair hired Turner Construction to build several concrete buildings in Brooklyn, including a plant that was recognized as the largest reinforced concrete building in the United States at the time.{{Cite news|last=Gray|first=Christopher|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/14/realestate/streetscapes-robert-gair-dumbo-brooklyn-neighborhood-s-past-incised-its-facades.html|title=Streetscapes/Robert Gair, Dumbo and Brooklyn; Neighborhood's Past Incised in Its Facades|date=2004-03-14|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-02-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OFIiAQAAMAAJ&q=robert+gair+turner+construction&pg=PA94-IA3|title=Architecture|date=1916|publisher=C. Scribner's Sons|pages=94|language=en}} Around the same time the company was developing plans for the Gair building, Turner began building concrete staircases for the New York City Subway. The original design showed the stairs were to be made of steel, but Turner persuaded Gair to use concrete as an alternative.{{Cite book|last=Wallace|first=Mike|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AnUzDwAAQBAJ&q=henry+turner+concrete+stairs+subway&pg=PA311|title=Greater Gotham: A History of New York City from 1898 to 1919|date=2017-09-04|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-972305-8|language=en}} His proposal was applauded and led to contracts for staircases and platforms for the Interborough Rapid Transit Company's first subway line.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MHURuDBc8VUC&q=%22Turner+Construction%22&pg=PT3|title=New York Subway: Its Construction and Equipment|date=1904|publisher=Interborough Rapid Transit Company|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.clevelandmemory.org/speccoll/cdl/Turner100th.html|title=Hundredth Anniversary History of Turner Construction|website=www.clevelandmemory.org|access-date=2020-02-29}} The company established branch offices in Philadelphia in 1907,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/subscriber-only/2018/06/01/contractors-with-the-highest-billings.html|title=Contractors with the highest 2017 billings for projects in the Philadelphia region|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=2020-02-28}} followed by Buffalo in 1908,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2018/12/26/company-of-the-year-turner-construction.html|title=Company of the Year: Turner Construction|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=2020-02-28}} and Boston in 1916. Within the first 15 years, Turner Construction Company constructed buildings for some of the country's largest businesses, including a building for Western Electric{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nCznAAAAMAAJ&q=turner+construction+built+Western+Electric&pg=PR122|title=Architecture and Building|date=1920|publisher=W.T. Comstock Company|language=en}} and for Standard Oil.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=csY1AQAAMAAJ&q=turner+construction+built+standard+oil&pg=PA125|title=A Record of War Activities|date=1919|publisher=Turner Construction Company|language=en}}

From World War I to the Great Depression, the company's billings grew to nearly $44 million. Like most industries, construction suffered during the economic collapse and Turner's volume fell to $2.5 million by 1933.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sbnonline.com/article/turner-on-a-dime-follow-turner-construction-co-s-lead-stay-agile-and-ready-to-shift-your-company-s-focus-when-the-market-changes/|title=Turner on a dime|last=Lewis|first=Morgan Jr.|website=Smart Business Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-02}} The company recovered and revenues increased to $12 million by 1937. The company suspended commercial construction during the war years, focusing instead on the construction of military camps, factories, and government buildings.{{Cite book|last=Wolf|first=Donald E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzNPAAAAMAAJ&q=war+years|title=Turner's First Century: A History of Turner Construction Company|date=2002-01-01|publisher=Greenwich Publishing Group, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-944641-56-9|pages=82|language=en}} In 1941, Henry Turner stepped down as president to serve as chairman and make room for his brother, Archie Turner, as president.{{Cite book|last=Wolf|first=Donald E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzNPAAAAMAAJ&q=archie|title=Turner's First Century: A History of Turner Construction Company|date=2002-01-01|publisher=Greenwich Publishing Group, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-944641-56-9|pages=178|language=en}}

In October 1946, Henry Turner retired as chairman, handing the post to his ailing brother. For his replacement, Archie Turner selected Admiral Ben Moreell, the individual responsible for forming the Seabees.{{Cite book|last=Wolf|first=Donald E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzNPAAAAMAAJ&q=ben+moreell|title=Turner's First Century: A History of Turner Construction Company|date=2002-01-01|publisher=Greenwich Publishing Group, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-944641-56-9|pages=185–186|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1978/08/01/adm-ben-moreel-dies/4372b390-c042-40ad-b23c-56eef4f78f07/|title=Adm. Ben Moreel Dies|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2020-03-03|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}} One month after Moreell's appointment, Archie Turner died of a heart attack.{{Cite book|last=Wolf|first=Donald E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzNPAAAAMAAJ&q=heart+attack|title=Turner's First Century: A History of Turner Construction Company|date=2002-01-01|publisher=Greenwich Publishing Group, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-944641-56-9|pages=186|language=en}}

Turner, together with three other main contractors Fuller, Slattery, Walsh built the United Nations Secretariat Building in New York,{{Cite news|date=1973-04-13|title=H. Chandlee Turner Jr., Leader Of Construction Firm, Is Dead|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/13/archives/h-chandlee-turner-jr-leader-of-construction-firm-is-dead-tenure.html|access-date=2020-09-22|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|date=December 19, 1948|title=4 Companies Join Forces To Construct U.N.'s Home|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1948/12/19/96442051.pdf|access-date=December 20, 2017|issn=0362-4331}} which was completed in 1952.{{Cite news|last=Hamilton|first=Thomas J.|date=1952-10-10|title=WORK COMPLETED ON U. N. BUILDINGS; $68,000,000 Plant Finished -- Lie Announces a Plan to Reorganize Top Staff WORK COMPLETED ON U. N. BUILDINGS|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/10/10/archives/work-completed-on-u-n-buildings-68000000-plant-finished-lie.html|access-date=2020-09-23|issn=0362-4331}} Also in same city, Turner built the One Chase Manhattan Plaza in 1956.{{Cite news|date=January 29, 1957|title=Chase Manhattan Bank Breaks Ground for 60-Story Headquarters|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/01/29/archives/chase-manhattan-bank-breaks-ground-for-60story-headquarters.html|access-date=May 6, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} During the 1960s, notable projects included the Lincoln Center{{Cite book|last=Wolf|first=Donald E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzNPAAAAMAAJ&q=lincoln+center|title=Turner's First Century: A History of Turner Construction Company|date=2002-01-01|publisher=Greenwich Publishing Group, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-944641-56-9|pages=258–259|language=en}} and Madison Square Garden in 1967.{{Cite book|last=Wolf|first=Donald E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzNPAAAAMAAJ&q=madison+square+garden|title=Turner's First Century: A History of Turner Construction Company|date=2002-01-01|publisher=Greenwich Publishing Group, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-944641-56-9|pages=240|language=en}} From the early 1950s to the late 1960s, the company opened offices in Cincinnati,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2015/11/20/best-places-to-work-finalist-2015-turner.html|title=Best Places to Work finalist 2015: Turner Construction Co.|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=2020-03-05}} Los Angeles,{{Cite web|url=http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/firm/1198/|title=PCAD - Turner Construction Company|website=pcad.lib.washington.edu|access-date=2020-03-05}} Cleveland, and San Francisco. In 1969, Turner issued over-the-counter stock and in 1972, the company's stock began trading on the American Stock Exchange.{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/769042349|title=International directory of company histories. Vol. 23.|date=1998|publisher=St. James Press|others=Grant, Tina., Thomson Gale (Firm)|isbn=978-1-55862-664-5|location=Detroit, Mich.|pages=486|oclc=769042349}} Throughout the 1970s, the company added offices in locations such as Atlanta,{{Cite book|last=Wolf|first=Donald E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzNPAAAAMAAJ&q=1976|title=Turner's First Century: A History of Turner Construction Company|date=2002-01-01|publisher=Greenwich Publishing Group, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-944641-56-9|pages=293|language=en}} Seattle, and Portland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/09/06/how-oregon-works-with-photo-of-dan-kavanaugh-sent.html|title=How Oregon Works: Turner Construction's Dan Kavanaugh on the most in-demand talent|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=2020-03-05}} Notable projects included the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Hospital in 1974{{Cite book|last=Wolf|first=Donald E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzNPAAAAMAAJ&q=vanderbilt+university|title=Turner's First Century: A History of Turner Construction Company|date=2002-01-01|publisher=Greenwich Publishing Group, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-944641-56-9|pages=348|language=en}} and the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library in 1977.{{Cite web|url=https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-constructor/articles/index.asp?aid=177842&issueID=30479|title=Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Turner Construction Dies at 100|website=www.naylornetwork.com|access-date=2020-03-05}}

Howard Sinclair Turner became president in 1965, and was chairman from 1970 to 1977,{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/obituaries/20120502_Howard_S__Turner__100__ran_family_construction_firm.html|title=Howard S. Turner, 100; ran family construction firm|last=Naedele |first=Walter F |website=www.inquirer.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-05}} when he was succeeded by Walter B. Shaw.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/07/02/archives/realty-news-mixeduse-sale-books-of-interest-corporate-changes.html|title=Realty News|date=1978-07-02|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-03-05|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} In 1984, Shaw appointed Herbert Conant as president.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/06/business/executive-changes-032759.html|title=Executive Changes|date=1984-03-06|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-03-05|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

File:Jfk library.jpg]]

Turner Construction Company erected several professional sports stadiums during the 1990s. Sports construction was not new to the company: Turner's first sports contract was construction of the promenade at Harvard Stadium in 1910, followed by Pitt Stadium for the University of Pittsburgh in 1925.[http://www.turnerconstruction.com/corporate/files_corporate/TurnerCentennial.pdf Turner News: Centennial edition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235358/http://www.turnerconstruction.com/corporate/files_corporate/TurnerCentennial.pdf|date=2007-09-26}} Turner Construction, 2002 In 1995, the company completed construction of the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. In 1996, they built Charlotte, North Carolina's Bank of America Stadium, followed by completion of Sports Authority Field at Mile High in 2001.

In August 1999, Hochtief of Germany purchased The Turner Corporation for $370 million.[http://www.faqs.org/abstracts/Business-international/Hochtief-agrees-to-buy-Turner-for-3501-million-euros-Eurotunnel-asks-for-protection-from-creditors.html Hochtief agrees to buy Turner for Euros350.1m] Business International, 1999 By extension, Turner Construction Company gained access to Hochtief's operations in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the heavy construction field. In 2002, Turner Construction expanded its presence in the Washington, D.C. area by acquiring J.A. Jones-Tompkins Builders, Inc., the former subsidiary of J.A. Jones Construction Company. Tompkins Builders, Inc., a new entity, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Turner Construction.[http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/08/11/tidbits1.html CapNet leaves nest] Washington Business Journal, 8 August 2003 By 2016, Turner had 45 office locations around the world.

In August 2017, Turner Construction flouted permit regulations and unlawfully closed two lanes in middle of downtown Portland, Oregon.{{Cite news|last=Duffy|first=Clare|date=August 7, 2017|title=Portland punishes construction companies that block traffic|work=Portland Business Journals|publisher=American City Business Journals|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2017/08/07/portland-punishes-construction-companies-that.html}}{{Cite web|author=KATU Staff|date=2017-08-07|title=PBOT fines two contractors who blocked right of way on Burnside Bridge and downtown|url=https://katu.com/news/local/pbot-fines-two-contractors-who-blocked-right-of-way-on-burnside-bridge-and-downtown|access-date=2020-09-23|website=KATU}} In response, the city withheld inspection until the fine was paid off and the behavior prompted city transportation commissioner Dan Saltzman to issue the following statements:{{Cite web|last=Njus|first=Elliot|date=2017-08-07|title=Portland fines two construction firms for blocking traffic|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2017/08/portland_fines_two_constructio.html|access-date=2020-09-23|website=oregonlive|language=en}}

"Amidst one of the busiest summer construction seasons in recent memory, I’m disappointed at the blatant disregard for the public,"

"For a private construction company to block a lane during rush hour, delaying thousands of people and undermining our efforts to reduce traffic congestion is unacceptable," Saltzman said in the statement. "We will hold them accountable."

One worker was killed and four were injured in a partial collapse on November 25, 2019, in the 14-story luxury apartment at 4th & Race under construction in Cincinnati that is being built by Turner for Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) and Flaherty & Collins.{{Cite news |last=Caproni |first=Erin |date=December 3, 2019 |title=Work resumes on downtown building after partial collapse |work=Cincinnati Business Courier |publisher=American City Business Journals |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2019/12/03/work-resumes-on-downtown-building-after-partial.html}}{{Cite web |last=Hager |first=Sarah |title=Visual breakdown of what caused the partial collapse at downtown Cincinnati building |url=https://www.fox19.com/2019/11/27/visual-breakdown-what-caused-partial-collapse-downtown-cincinnati-building/ |access-date=2020-09-24 |website=Fox 19 |language=en-US}} Concrete was being poured onto the seventh floor which was being supported from below on a temporary structure called "shoring" placed on the sixth floor. Workers were inspecting for seepage from the sixth floor when the floor above collapsed from the weight of the concrete. A worker who had gone missing in the collapse{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2019 |title=Man lost in building debris following accident in Cincinnati |url=https://www.dailystandard.com/world_news/704/man-lost-in-building-debris-following-accident-in-cincinnati |access-date=2020-09-24 |website=The Daily Standard}} was found dead more than a day later in the rubble.{{Cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Madeline |last2=Knight |first2=Cameron |date=November 26, 2019 |title=Construction worker buried by partial collapse of Cincinnati building found dead |language=en-US |website=USA TODAY |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/11/26/cincinnati-building-collapse-construction-worker-found-dead/4316577002/ |access-date=2020-08-21}}{{Cite web |last=Coolidge |first=Bob Strickley, Madeline Mitchell, Cameron Knight, Segann March, Sharon Coolidge, Sarah Brookbank and Alexander |title=The man missing in the Downtown building collapse has been found dead |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/11/25/cincinnati-fire-department-responds-partial-building-collapse-4th-street/4298446002/ |access-date=2020-08-21 |website=The Enquirer |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-11-27 |title=Coroner IDs man found dead in collapsed portion of building |url=https://apnews.com/d7a4d08a6ee84f95be249c88bbeea90b |access-date=2020-09-24 |website=AP NEWS}}

Turner's previous fatality was in 2012 in Hillsboro, Oregon.{{Cite news |last=Coolidge |first=Alexander |date=February 18, 2020 |title=Latest Greater Cincinnati construction fatalities part of national wave. Here's what's behind the rise. |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2020/02/13/latest-construction-fatalities-part-national-wave/2824966001 |access-date=August 20, 2020}}

In February 2018, investigators with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office started looking into Turner Construction and Bloomberg LP over suspected construction fraud by employees in each company and 22 subcontractors.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=2018-02-26|title=Investigators Eye Possible $100 Million Construction Fraud|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/26/nyregion/bloomberg-interior-construction-fraud.html|access-date=2020-08-21|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.manhattanda.org/d-a-vance-announces-guilty-pleas-in-15m-bloomberg-lp-and-turner-construction-bid-rigging-and-commercial-bribery-conspiracy/ |title=D.A. Vance Announces Guilty Pleas in $15M Bloomberg LP and Turner Construction Bid-Rigging and Commercial Bribery Conspiracy |date=October 6, 2020 |publisher=Manhattan District Attorney's Office |access-date=July 22, 2021}} There was conspiracy, bribery and kickbacks involved which occurred between 2010 and 2017.{{Cite news|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=2018-12-11|title=Cash 'Sandwiches': 'Brazen' Fraud by Bloomberg Executives Is Detailed in Charges|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/11/nyregion/bloomberg-construction-fraud-kickback-charges.html|access-date=2020-08-21|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|last=Ramey|first=Corinne|date=2018-12-11|title=Kickbacks and 'Sandwiches': How Insiders Ran an Alleged Construction Fraud at Bloomberg|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/kickbacks-and-sandwiches-how-insiders-ran-an-alleged-construction-fraud-at-bloomberg-11544569969|access-date=2020-09-15|issn=0099-9660}}{{Cite web|last=Small|first=Eddie|date=2020-07-29|title=Ex-Turner Construction VP admits evading taxes on $1.5M in bribes|url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/ex-turner-construction-vp-admits-evading-taxes-15m-bribes|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Crain's New York Business|language=en}}

In the multi-year bribery and bid rigging scheme involving Turner, a former Turner vice president, Ronald Olson, pleaded guilty to bribery in July 2020. Olson pleaded guilty to tax evasion for US$1.5 million he received in connection with Bloomberg jobs while he was working for Turner.{{Cite web|last=Slowey|first=Kim|date=2020-08-06|title=Former Turner exec pleads guilty to charges based on $1.5M in bribes|url=https://www.constructiondive.com/news/former-turner-exec-pleads-guilty-to-charges-based-on-15m-in-bribes/583022/|access-date=2020-08-21|website=Construction Dive|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2020-07-29|title=Former Construction Executive Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion In Connection With Bribery Scheme|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-construction-executive-pleads-guilty-tax-evasion-connection-bribery-scheme|access-date=2020-08-21|website=www.justice.gov|language=en}} He received bribes from subcontractors in exchange for awarding them contracts for Bloomberg L.P. projects.{{Cite web|title=Former Turner Construction Executive Admits to Tax Evasion in Bribery Scheme {{!}} USGlass Magazine & USGNN Headline News|url=https://www.usglassmag.com/2020/08/former-turner-construction-executive-admits-to-tax-evasion-in-bribery-scheme/|access-date=2020-09-15|website=www.usglassmag.com|date=11 August 2020 |quote=Ronald Olson, a former vice president and deputy operation manager for Turner Construction Co., pleaded guilty to charges of evading taxes on more than $1.5 million in bribes he received from subcontractors in exchange for being awarded contracts for Bloomberg projects. He is one of four who have been charged in the scheme, which amounted to bribes exceeding $5.1 million.}} He was one of 14 individuals facing charges over this scandal.{{Cite web|title=Former Turner Construction executive pleads guilty to evading tax on $1.5m in bribes - News - GCR|url=http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/former-turner-construction-executive-pleads-guilty/|access-date=2020-09-16|website=www.globalconstructionreview.com|date=4 August 2020 }}

File:DSCN5753 invescofieldatmilehigh e.jpg

Turner has 46 offices in the U.S., is active in 20 countries around the world, and averages 1,500 projects per year. Turner services include construction management, general contracting, consulting, construction procurement, insurance, and risk management. According to Engineering News-Record's 2014 Top 400 Contractors Sourcebook, Turner is the largest "Green contractor" in the United States.{{cite web|title=The Top 100 Green Building Contractors|url=http://enr.construction.com/business_management/companies/2014/0818-The-Top-100-Green-Buildings-Contractors.asp|website=ENR|publisher=ENR}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Turner Construction}}

• {{Official website|http://www.turnerconstruction.com}}

Category:Companies based in New York City

Category:Construction and civil engineering companies established in 1902

Category:Construction and civil engineering companies of the United States

Category:1902 establishments in New York City