Clune Construction, Stream Data Centers and Cooperative Excellence

Through a series of successful development outcomes in the Chicago area, Clune Construction and Stream Data Centers have established a partnership that allows them to tackle challenges common in today’s mission-critical construction environment. Stream’s strategic evolution as a data center developer and operator — marked by a flexible approach to project types, a focus on hyperscale data center campuses and a commitment to forging strong relationships across the supply chain — has reinforced its position as a critical infrastructure leader.

By working closely with Clune’s dedicated general contracting teams, Stream has streamlined project planning and optimized operational efficiencies to continue delivering trusted results to hyperscalers. Clune’s holistic construction management approach and its commitment to proactive problem-solving have ensured seamless project execution, supporting Stream’s fast-track growth.

As collaborators and partners, the two companies are well positioned for future data center developments, building momentum across AI readiness, efficiency innovations, sustainable building design and energy solutions. By proactively addressing demands as they evolve and maintaining forward-looking leadership, both companies are ready to create a positive and lasting impact in the communities they serve with their standards for excellence in mission-critical construction.

Close Collaboration in the Hyperscale Era

Clune and Stream have developed a successful partnership in the mission-critical Chicago area because of shared values of honesty, trust and transparency. This partnership and collaboration help these teams face many common challenges in mission-critical construction, leading to improved outcomes and innovation.

In this short Q&A with leaders from the two companies, get their perspectives on what success looks like, what challenges are being faced, what data center developments can mean for communities and more.

What is it like working with Stream? What about this partnership is unique?

Dave Sitkowski, Managing Director, Project Executive, Clune Construction:
Stream and Clune share similar values, which has built trust. Stream values Clune’s expertise and collaborative project planning skills, and Clune values Stream’s deep understanding of tenant requirements and focus on knowledge transfer between teams. Both groups understand the importance of safety, communication and consistency across teams and of understanding each other’s needs during a project.

What kind of challenges occurred on your project in the Chicago area? How were they solved?

Tejo Pydipati, SVP, Design & Construction, Stream Data Centers:
In our Chicago I expansion, the challenge was expanding an active data center, adhering to our tenant’s ongoing operational needs and maintaining 100% uptime. It called for significant coordination to determine processes between owner, tenant and contractors well in advance of the work to facilitate efficient construction. Organizing a collaborative MOP process and aligning Stream, Clune and the tenant’s process helped get everyone on the same page.

In Stream’s second Chicago-area project in Elk Grove Village, managing OFCI (Owner Furnished, Contractor Installed) equipment was a priority. Can you tell us a bit about that?

Dave Sitkowski, Clune Construction:
Clune bid, scoped, awarded and held the contracts for OFCI vendors to assist them. Delays in equipment and adherence to approved submittals meant that we had to evaluate equipment for compliance and maintain quick coordination with Stream and OFCI vendors to come up with creative solutions (i.e., send back wrong equipment for correction, make substitutions).

Tejo Pydipati, Stream Data Centers:
Clune did a great job managing supply chain hiccups by prioritizing communication with project stakeholders to help them engage, collaborate and adapt our approach and continue meeting tight project deadlines.

 What were some differences between each project you have worked on? For example, what was the biggest challenge of CHI I compared to CHI II? 

 Tejo Pydipati, Stream Data Centers:
Adding a shell to CHI I and building out the insides of an existing shell at CHI II both presented unique challenges. Logistics are a huge priority with urban sites where laydown space is at a premium. Material handling, crew logistics and maintaining a safe work environment in tight quarters while ensuring 100% uptime and managing an aggressive schedule showcased the project team’s leadership and collaborative approach.

Was there anything specific to your role that was particularly unique or demanding?

 Dave Sitkowski, Clune Construction:
Clune Project Managers led and implemented a unique reporting system over the past two years, transitioning from monthly to weekly reports that also included the end-user (tenant’s) expected level of detail. These clients often rely heavily on contractor recommendations, requiring a strong partnership approach. Clune was able to successfully take on these responsibilities typically handled by an owner’s representative, presenting advantages that benefitted the project’s unique complexity.

 What are your thoughts on doing these projects in Elk Grove? What does this kind of development mean for the community?

 Tejo Pydipati, Stream Data Centers:
We understand that the public might not have the full picture of data centers’ place in the digital economy and their positive impacts on their way of life. We are sensitive to their perspectives and try to share how these types of developments are needed for communities to adapt to rapid changes in technology. Data centers form the backbone of the digital economy, which serves not just the public but enables many modern industries as well. We are grateful to the leadership in Elk Grove Village for their supportive approach to our hyperscale data center development efforts in the community.

Dave Sitkowski, Clune Construction:
Elk Grove Village’s status as a major data center market underlines the significance of these developments. The Village is collaborative and is a great partner to the Stream and Clune teams. Working in Elk Grove Village for the last five years has also helped us develop strong relationships with the local fire and police departments, which has helped us get things done quickly and efficiently.

The Village received certification for efficient development practices partly due to successful collaboration with contractors. As Tejo mentioned, the government leaders in Elk Grove Village recognize the significant economic benefits data center projects like these bring to the Village and the positive effects they have on their residents’ tax burden. The Village has also seen the positive changes from the beautification efforts that were supported by funds created by data center development.

What trends or obstacles do you foresee in the data center industry over the next few years?

Tejo Pydipati, Stream Data Centers:
The increasing demand for data center capacity is fueling the exploration of alternative power sources. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar continue to grow to supply sufficient renewable/carbon-neutral power to meet our customers’ needs.

 Our customers continue to lead the industry with their stewardship of the environment. Consequently, the data center industry is constantly exploring ways to move to more renewable sources of power and improve energy efficiency and power distribution within data centers.

The recent focus on AI is also likely to drive positive change in the way we build data centers. Higher densities, more efficient use of space and land, reduction in requirements for engines for backup power… we always strive to be good neighbors in a community — many of these AI-driven changes really help our efforts.

Dave Sitkowski, Clune Construction:
All major data center markets and utility providers are experiencing issues delivering new/additional electrical power due to constraints on generation and/or transmission. We are all working with the major utility providers to ensure infrastructure can be upgraded to support new construction while continuing to meet customer-driven timing requirements for their critical systems.

As the hyperscale boom continues and data centers’ role in empowering end users’ digital capabilities in areas like Chicago expands, Stream and Clune both continue to dig deeper into their own partnership — and their alignment with the communities they build in. Maximizing large-scale deployments’ speed to market and delivering trusted, proven expertise across design and construction creates efficient data center projects that move forward easily, effectively and with fewer disruptions and surprises.

“Stream Data Centers and Clune Construction both show tremendous respect for the mission-critical nature of their projects, but importantly, they also both understand the significance of working collaboratively with the communities where data centers reside,” states Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson. “Diligence at this level makes large, complex undertakings like this one in Elk Grove Village seamless, and the results of their efforts will continue to pay dividends for our region and its economic development opportunities.”

To learn more about Stream’s developments in the Chicago area, click here.