Cicero’s Development Corporation

In 2012 Sam J. Cicero Sr. decided it was time to pass Cicero’s Development Corporation (CDC) on to the next generation. “I stepped down from my role as president about a year ago, handing the day-to-day operations over to my son, Sam E. Cicero Jr.,” shares Sam Sr. “I’m still involved to an extent, mainly with marketing.”

After 42 years in business, Sam Sr. has taken CDC from a small painting and decorating company to a hospitality construction expert. “I established CDC in September 1970,” recalls Sam Sr. “We grew from painting kitchens and bathrooms to paperhanging to renovations of residential properties and into small commercial then to larger commercial projects. From there, we ventured into ground-up construction and eventually building and renovations for large hotels. This has been a 20-year evolution process.”

CDC is based in Plainfield, Ill., servicing a majority of the Midwest and East Coast. “We have a team of 18 employees, including Steve Glenn, our in-house architect and director of design,” details Sam Sr. “Steve is assisted by an experienced crew of project managers, estimators, superintendents, foremen and talented craftsmen. We stand out from the competition, because we work with our property owners to thoroughly understand the project goals and really understand them; it is about adjusting our schedule to meet that of the clients. We want to maximize their ability for cash flow.”

Trademark Service

CDC has perfected its renovations process, resulting in its trademarked Renovationomix. “This program is a complete system that we have developed and implement on every renovation project,” Sam Sr. continues. “This is our systematic method of renovating that increases revenue and assures that our projects come in on time and within budget.”

It is evident that Sam Sr. is proud of the company’s approach. “We focus on getting our customers a quick return on their investment [ROI] through several value-added programs and services that we provide,” he details. “Some of our value added services include our own $ensible Green Program, which focuses on working with owners to choose renovation projects and methods to increase their revenue and decrease operating expense while maintaining a healthy environment. Our research department looks for any available rebate or incentive programs available that may help offset renovation costs through federal, state and/or local means or their utility providers. We also prefer the term reconstruction over demolition, because through this program our aim is to recycle materials whenever possible.”

As another added feature, CDC partners with an expert tax analyst to help owners seek out accelerated tax depreciation benefits by properly classifying all materials coming out of or going into a construction or renovation project for tax purposes. “We’ve found there are often tax credits most owners are eligible for that most wouldn’t have thought of,” explains Sam Sr. “Our goal is to save our customers money and help the environment at the same time.”

Operating in Occupied Space

Setting up shop in a busy, high-traffic hotel is just in an average day’s work for the CDC team. “We decide our schedule around our clients’ schedule so we’re not disturbing them,” says Sam Sr. “We’re accustomed to working in fully functioning hotels.” The team’s ability to adapt to any occupied space has earned CDC some bigname hotel renovations throughout the country.

“We have recently renovated the ballroom areas on the top, 16th floor of the famous landmark Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston,” details Sam Sr. “Prior to that, we completed a job at the Wyndham Hotel University Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., which involved an indoor swimming pool, all meeting and ballrooms, as well as the main lobby, 251 guest rooms, 12 floors of corridors, all common areas, complete new commercial kitchen, restaurant and bar renovations. Along with this was our design-build, HVAC project for the hotel.”

Sam Sr. adds that most of CDC’s work involves repeat business. “At the Omni Severin Hotel, a historic landmark in Indianapolis, we completed 450 guest rooms with two-story suites, all corridors and common area renovations,” he continues. “We were asked to come back and put in a Starbucks Coffee shop and a complete modern bar area. We were there for about seven to eight months all while the building was between 70 and 80 percent occupied. We’ve gone back to the Omni Severin Hotel four or five times for various smaller renovation projects.”

Operating through the hustle and bustle of busy four- and five-star hotels requires flexibility and experience, as well as complete understanding of how hotels operate. “We fully understand the hotel business and how to communicate and work with our clients so they can continue to serve theirs,” emphasizes Sam Sr. “That’s what we’re all about.”

CDC is also about utilizing a local workforce when possible. “We’ll hire local subcontractors and unemployed qualified veterans wherever and whenever we can,” explains Sam Sr. “By hiring local people we help keep good jobs and business in the area, allowing subcontractors to service a building they’ve probably already worked on.” This sense of community is important to CDC, as it is a family-run operation.

Sam Sr. is also proud to note that his son is more than happy to carry on CDC’s notable reputation. “Sam Jr. will be 50 years old soon and he will be with the company for at least another 15 years,” says Sam Sr. “Zara Johnson, our office manager and chief cook, has been with us for over 25 years, as well. Between Sam Jr.’s leadership, my grandchildren and great long-term employees, I think CDC is in good hands.”

For more than 43 years Cicero’s Development Corporation has remained a family-owned and -operated hospitality specialist that understands clients’ needs and provides functional, cost-effective solutions.