Parker Brown has done well. Now it is concentrating on “doing good” for its community. The 28-year-old general contractor in the Valley has grown steadily and now employs more than 50 workers. It has developed specialties in tenant improvement for medical facilities (be they clinics or doctors’ offices) and retail.
In the past two years, however, Parker Brown has taken on some projects for the neediest in our Los Angeles Community.
One prime example is a $2 million refurbishment of the Simi Valley Free Clinic. This clinic offers medical, dental and mental health services to those who are unable to afford it. The clinic, which has served the needy in Simi Valley since 1971 with medical, dental, legal and counseling services, is in its new home at 2003 Royal Avenue. Parker Brown handled all of the tenant improvements in the new building under exceptional deadline pressure.
Work consisted of a full interior demolition of 8,417 square feet of office space, including asbestos abatement, and the buildout of a new OSHPD3 medical facility, including dental imaging, labs and operating rooms and, exam rooms, with new restrooms and office space.
Another example of Parker Brown’s generosity is the $4 million tenant improvement project for St. John’s Wellness Centers in South LA. This is an area underserved by medical facilities. The work done by Parker Brown impacted the lives of tens of thousands of people living near this facility that, again, offers low-cost or free health care to the neediest. The build at 6800 Avalon Blvd. was an 11,000-square feet warehouse. Parker Brown converted it into an open, airy and beautiful facility. St. John’s “strives for health equity by addressing the health care needs of low-income, uninsured, and under-insured people in Central/ South Los Angeles and Compton.”
Parker Brown is also about to begin a $4 million centralization of the West Valley Food Pan- try Community Center. This project would tie together the network of food distribution sites that are scattered throughout the Valley in one single, ground-up 4,000-square-feet building. The current system is inefficient to serve the needs of the hungry. The Center in Woodland Hills will include a new warehouse, distribution room, walk-in cooler, staff office suites, community work spaces, a community kitchen, and more. The project should get under way this spring and take about one year to complete.
“You can’t be a good citizen to your community without first being a viable business, and second, being a company that shows it cares about those in the community,” said John Parker, co-founder of Parker Brown, Inc.
“Obviously, we have to price these projects to keep our company in business and make sure our employees are paid fairly,” said Scott Brown, co-founder. “But these projects make these communities healthier and better. And that is part of our mission as well.”
Parker Brown has a long history of “doing the right thing.” John Parker and Scott Brown started the company in early 1994 and a few weeks later, the Northridge Earthquake devastated the Valley. There was a phenomenal amount of work for contractors. Some of them took advantage of the situation and raised the rates they charged for rehabilitation projects. Parker Brown did not.
“We received advice from one of our mentors in the business that we would earn the loyalty of our clients if we kept our rates where we were and did not take advantage of them when they were in crisis,” Parker said. “Some of those clients are still with Parker Brown today.” Members of the Parker Brown teams are actively involved in the community. They serve on boards for groups that work to prevent domestic violence and curb substance addiction. Many staff members serve as youth mentors and coaches for youth sports teams.
“We give them time off to participate in their community and support their teams with sponsorships,” said Brown.
Additionally, the company searches for local business and business organizations to support. It has been a leader in the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. It also supports pro-business organizations such as the Association for Corporate Growth. Educational Institutions – such as Cal State Northridge and California Lutheran University – enjoy support from Parker Brown sponsorships.
Learn more at parkerbrowninc.com.