General Contractors "Building Chicago's Past, Present, and Future."
History
Riteway-Huggins Construction Services, Inc was founded in 1975 as Riteway Painting and Decorating, Inc. As a painting and decorating contractor, the company was recognized as a forerunner in forming a tri-venture partnership on construction projects at O’Hare Airport for United Airlines. The company went on to participate in every major construction project at O’Hare in the 90’s including Delta, Northwest, and the New International Terminal. Our firm evolved into Riteway Construction Services, Inc. in 1985 and began to provide construction management, concrete, and development services. In 2006, it emerged into the name it bears today, from its founder, Riteway-Huggins Construction Services, Inc. adding trucking to its repertoire of services.
Today, RHCS has garnered the reputation as a widely-known and respected general contractor with an impressive roster of clients, repeat business, and landmark projects. As a second generation of Huggins come to the helm, our dedication to build cities, communities, and invest in people remains. From inception to completion we will continue to bring safe, innovative, and sustainable construction into the 21st century.
Riteway-Huggins is a MBE contractor currently certified by the City of Chicago and Chicago Transit Authority. We are listed with agencies such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Cook County Government, Chicago Park District and the Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce. Our company also holds memberships in the Black Contractors United (as a founding member), Builder's Association AGC, Chicago Urban League, and Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce.
Our Vision
Riteway-Huggins Construction vision is an extension of our founder, Larry Huggins vision: building legacy. As an organization we strive to accomplish this in several ways:
Through expanding our knowledge, talent, and capabilities to continue building lasting, sustainable construction.
Through our investment in people; we are committed to hiring practices and a work force that is inclusive, diverse. and reflective of the surrounding community.
Through our commitment to give back; community building is a core value and we continuall dedicate resources in service to Chicago's most under served communities.
As a minority-owned business our passion to empower and invest in Chicago, build rich legacy, and accomplish this through solid, diverse business and civic partnership’s is uncompromising. We understand what we build in support of commerce and industry is only as vital as the surrounding society, opportunities, and resources it inhabits.
This is who we are, what we believe. This is our legacy.
Our Founder
Larry Huggins is an industrious businessman and president and CEO of Riteway-Huggins Construction Services. Huggins, a graduate of Washburn Trade School began his career as a painter and soon entered the business world as a painting and decorating contractor. In 1985, after a decade of success with Riteway Painting and Decorating Inc., he recognized the opportunity to expand his business and reorganized as a general contracting firm. His business acumen, leadership, and drive in forming Riteway Construction was a bold move that paid off as the company began winning major contracts at O'Hare airport; construction manager for the Democratic National Convention at the United Center; McCormick Place expansion; and numerous other projects. His work, vision, commitment to serve, and ability to build relationships and alliances has led to numerous accolades and recognition for Mr. Huggins and Riteway-Huggins Construction throughout the years.
He is a founding member of Black Contractors United (1979), serving as the organization’s vice president in 1987 and Contractor of the Year by the group in 1986 and 1997. In 1981, he received the annual Bronze Hard Hat Award from the Chicago Economic Development Corporation in recognition of the firm’s achievements, performance, and growth as a minority-owned construction firm. Mr. Huggins has twice received recognition by the Chicago Urban League (1990 and 1991), twice named Outstanding Contractor by the Coalition for United Community Action (1992 and 1994) as well as Contractor of the Year by the group in 2000. In 1996 he was named Minority Contractor of the Year by the Chicago Department of Transportation. He was also named Contractor of the Year for the Grant Park Museum Campus Project in 1998. In the mid 90’s he was featured in Newsweek and Ebony magazines, detailing his path and that of minority firms striving to flourish in the construction industry.
Most recently Mr. Huggins was honored with the 2012 Newsmaker of the Year for Transportation award by the Chicago Defender newspaper for his efforts in providing fair and equitable transportation for all Chicagoans.