Ridgefield Homes Builds Through the Cold with Nicor Gas
When winter hit hard in Cary, Illinois, the team at Ridgefield Homes faced a challenge that could have delayed their newest residential community — Ridgefield Park, a 38‑unit townhome development designed for modern living. With more than 30 years of experience and over 100 communities built across Chicagoland, owner Jay Dulla knew that reliability and partnership would be key to keeping the project on schedule.
To meet homebuyer expectations for comfort, efficiency and affordability, Ridgefield Homes chose natural gas to power heating, hot water, cooking, dryers, fireplaces and backup generation. But as early snowfall and a January polar vortex brought temperatures down to –10°F and nearly three feet of frost, construction progress was at risk.
That’s when the partnership with Nicor Gas truly made a difference. Despite the harsh conditions, Nicor Gas established new main and service installations in just three months — helping Ridgefield Homes maintain momentum. Natural gas service was essential for thawing frozen basements, allowing slabs to be poured and construction to continue safely and efficiently.
Nicor Gas representatives Kelsey Friemuth and Heather Runge worked closely with Ridgefield Homes through every step of the process — from engineering and permitting to field coordination and execution. Their proactive communication and responsiveness ensured that decisions were made quickly and work stayed on track.
“Nicor Gas was a dependable partner,” said Dulla. “Their team’s coordination and communication helped us overcome one of the toughest winters we’ve faced.”
Today, Ridgefield Park stands as a testament to perseverance and partnership. The new townhome community provides high‑quality, energy‑efficient housing for families in Cary, offering the comfort and reliability homeowners expect. For Ridgefield Homes, the collaboration with Nicor Gas wasn’t just about keeping construction on schedule — it was about building lasting value for the community.