City announces first Project Labor Agreement for City Hall, Market Square and garage renovation

City Manager announced a milestone: the city has executed its first Project Labor Agreement (PLA) to support the City Hall, Market Square Plaza, and garage renovation project.

The manager said the PLA was executed with Grunley Construction Company, the project’s construction manager at risk, and the Baltimore DC Metro Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents 22 construction unions across the region. The agreement covers employment terms including wages, safety standards, dispute-resolution mechanisms and workforce goals, and the manager said it is consistent with city policy for projects expected to exceed $35 million in construction costs.

Julian Gonzales (assistant city manager) and project representatives introduced construction and labor partners: Al Coleman (Department of General Services), Dylan Chandler (Garland Construction), Jonathan Tackett and George Rusk (Grunley Construction), and Greg Ackerman (president, Baltimore DC Metro Building & Construction Trades Council). Jonathan Tackett and George Rusk thanked the council and said the team looks forward to beginning work; the city anticipates construction management activities to begin in January 2026.

City leaders framed the PLA as a tool to secure a stable and qualified workforce, reduce the risk of delay, and create apprenticeship and local hiring opportunities. The manager and vice mayor both praised the agreement as a landmark in how the city will deliver capital projects.

Staff did not present an adoption vote during the meeting; the announcement was presented as a milestone and an update to council.