Published on: January 28, 2026
For years, Charter Construction has earned a reputation for quality work, dependable partnerships, and the ability to tackle complex concrete challenges. The University of Kentucky Parking Garages project in Lexington, KY was an opportunity to bring that same level of expertise to a different kind of scope: a formwork-only project.
Working alongside Messer Construction, our team provided all labor, equipment, and materials to complete roughly 412,000 square feet of elevated formwork decking across two parking structures, totaling more than 1,000 parking spaces. It was a major milestone for Charter and a strong example of how our approach—built on planning, precision, and trust—translates to every type of concrete work.
Seamless Coordination from Nashville to Lexington
A project of this scale is always a team effort, but coordinating across states added another layer of challenge. Charter’s crews were operating out of Nashville while supporting field operations in Lexington, which required careful planning around travel, housing, and supply logistics.
“Running a project like this from Nashville meant we had to be very intentional about how we supported our team,” said Senior Project Manager Jonathan Rizkallah. “We developed a streamlined process with our Nashville shop to get materials and equipment to the site quickly. The goal was to make sure our crews always had what they needed, when they needed it—even from a few hours away.”
The team also worked hand-in-hand with Messer and other trades to keep the schedule aligned. Because the project was all formwork, coordination and sequencing became especially important.
“Timing was everything to support Messer’s work in rebar and concrete placement,” Jonathan explained. “We built out detailed cycle schedules that kept our work ahead of the pour schedule, allowing their team to stay productive and on pace.”
Navigating an Active Campus Environment
Building two large parking structures on an active college campus came with its own set of hurdles. Limited laydown space, delivery windows, and campus activity all demanded tight planning and flexibility.
“Working on the University of Kentucky campus meant we had to stay organized and adaptable,” Jonathan shared. “From delivery coordination to staging equipment, our team stayed focused on finding ways to work efficiently without impacting daily campus life.”
Despite the logistical challenges, the crews kept things moving with consistency and precision. Each phase of the deck cycle required careful sequencing and constant adjustment—and the team delivered, safely and efficiently, every step of the way.
Forming a Way for Future Projects
Looking back, Jonathan says the project represents an important step forward for Charter’s capabilities.
“This job proved that our teams can perform at a high level even when the scope looks different from what we traditionally do,” he said. “It gave us a chance to show what we bring to the table: expertise, adaptability, and a commitment to doing things the right way.”
With more than 23,000 work hours already logged and three months still to go, the University of Kentucky Parking Garages project demonstrates how Charter’s teams can adapt and excel, no matter the scope. From carefully sequencing work across a massive 400,000+ square-foot footprint to managing logistics across state lines, the crews brought the same ownership mentality and attention to detail that clients have come to expect on full-scope projects.
This successful experience has set the stage for Charter to confidently pursue future formwork-only opportunities, leveraging our expertise to provide unmatched planning and execution in the commercial construction industry.
