Juneau Construction Company, headquartered in Atlanta and one of the Southeast’s leading commercial contractors, commemorated reaching the halfway point of constructi(NCCHR) Expansion and Renovation project with a traditional Trade Partners Appreciation celebration. The event was held Thursday, Aug. 29, at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (100 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard) with key stakeholders, project partners and community members in attendance.

This construction milestone marks the completion of the structural framework for the East Wing (7,195 SF) and West Wing (21,790 SF) expansions of the iconic museum, which will enhance NCCHR’s role as a national cultural organization dedicated to civil and human rights education.

The entire project—set to be completed by Fall 2025—also includes 42,703 SF of enhancement renovations to the existing facility, with a focus on delivering immersive and educational experiences for visitors of all ages. 

The East Wing and West Wing expansions of the NCCHR will introduce a Family Gallery for children under 12, a dedicated gallery on the Reconstruction Era, and updates to permanent exhibits, including a redesigned gallery to display papers and artifacts from the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection. These expansions will also feature state-of-the-art classrooms, versatile spaces for events and conferences, and retail areas. Additionally, a new café will provide visitors with a space to reflect on their experience at NCCHR.

Nancy Juneau, founder and CEO of Juneau Construction Company, the #1 woman-owned general contractor in Atlanta, said that the NCCHR expansion and renovation project holds a special significance for her, a sentiment echoed by the entire project team.

“We are honored to play a role in the growth and evolution of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights,” Juneau said. “Our Trade Partner Appreciation ceremony represents more than just a construction milestone; it’s a significant step forward in The Center’s mission to inspire change and educate future generations. We are immensely proud of the work we’re doing alongside our remarkable partners and The Center, and of the lasting impact it will have on our city, our country, and the world for generations to come.”

Jill Savitt, President and CEO of NCCHR, said the expansion is essential to advance its work as a leading cultural organization that connects history to the present and inspires visitors to become changemakers. 

“As we mark our first decade, this build brings The Center closer than ever to fulfilling our founders’ vision of becoming a nationally recognized educator and convener that promotes respect for the civil and human rights of all people,” Savitt said. “We thank Juneau, our extraordinary team of partners, and all the workers for their exceptional skill, ingenuity and care in this project. We look forward to the months ahead as we merge the museum’s new wings and complete the interior.”

The project developer, DaVinci Development Collaborative, and the architect, Perkins&Will, have worked closely with Juneau and NCCHR to bring this vision to life. 

Walker Mills, Project Executive for Juneau, shared his enthusiasm about the NCCHR project, what it symbolizes and its importance. “It’s a humbling and exciting experience to be involved with a project that has such a powerful and impactful mission. It's a project that I look forward to sharing with friends and family for years to come. Juneau strives to build the highest profile and most innovative projects in the Southeast with clients that align with our values. We put people and families first and are intentional about leaving our communities better than we found them. It’s such a natural fit to partner with The Center, with its goal of using these new and renovated spaces to educate and serve the community as both a museum and cultural hub.”

Holding a Trade Partner Appreciation event at the halfway point of construction, as Juneau did on Thursday, Aug. 29, is traditionally a time to reflect on the project's progress and celebrate the collaboration that has brought it to this stage. Notably, 38% of Juneau's trade partners on this project are minority, woman-owned or disadvantaged businesses, making this milestone at NCCHR even more meaningful. 

“Taking a moment to appreciate everyone’s dedication is essential. This achievement, especially in a city bustling with construction and high demand for skilled labor, reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to building great projects and stronger communities,” Mills said.