A C3 Project Success Story
Building with Safety, Quality, and Accountability
Planned with C3 Principles
At project set up:
• Owner: University of Houston
• General Contractor: Austin Commercial
• Architect: DLR Group
• Square Footage (planned): 135,000 sq. ft.
• Estimated Cost: $105 million
• Anticipated Craft Workforce: 250 workers
• Anticipated Completion: August 29, 2025
C3 measures were embedded before work began:
• Mandatory C3 orientations for all craftworkers
• Display of C3 jobsite posters and safety protocols
• Monthly safety training modules onsite
• Use of the C3 Training Database to verify worker credentials
• Workforce competency and credential tracking
• HUB/MWBE participation requirements (21.1%)
This foundation set the stage for safer conditions, higher-quality work, and workforce accountability.
Delivered with Results
At closeout:
• Final Square Footage: 185,000 sq. ft. (expanded scope)
• Final Cost: $110 million (in line with expanded scope)
• Craftworkers Oriented through C3: 526 (double the original projection)
• Total Manhours: 284,577
• Punchlist Items per Square Foot: .022 (extremely low rework rate)
• Deficiency Identifications: 0
• Lost Time Incidents: 0
• Recordable Incidents: 0
• Non-Recordable Incidents: 9 (minor issues only)
• Completion Date: July 28, 2025 (one month ahead of the anticipated schedule)
Safer
Every craftworker, more than 500 in total, went through C3 safety orientation. Across nearly 285,000 work hours, there were zero lost-time or recordable incidents. This proves that proactive safety training works. Workers not only went home safe, but they also gained knowledge that will carry into future jobs.
Higher Quality
The project closed with no deficiencies and a very low punch list rate, demonstrating the strength of a workforce trained, tracked, and supported by C3 systems. Inspections were passed without delay, and costly rework was avoided.
On Time and On Budget
Despite a significant increase in project scope from 135,000 to 185,000 sq. ft., the facility was completed a full month ahead of schedule. Cost remained consistent with the expanded program, reflecting disciplined workforce management and savings from fewer safety incidents and rework.
The C3 Difference
The Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center proves the power of C3:
• Safer: Hundreds of workers injury-free over nearly 300,000 hours.
• Higher Quality: Turnover with virtually no rework or deficiencies.
• On Time and On Budget: Delivered ahead of schedule, within costs.
This facility is more than a new home for the University of Houston Cougar football, it is a model for how C3 standards transform construction outcomes.
About C3
Construction Career Collaborative’s mission statement:
As an interdependent alliance of construction industry leaders, we are collectively committed to positively impacting the future of the safe, skilled, and sustainable craft workforce pipeline.
