Chicago is easy there are tons of solid GC's and builders.

For ground-up inspector spec or builder development, we're usually topping out at 80% of cost (land plus construction plus soft costs) up to 70% of As Completed Value.

Cash is like the blood flow through your body.  

One of the things he championed was the use of religious bodies for that purpose, something no Marxist would have permitted. 

One in the SF Bay area that has been around a LONG LONG time is BAWB which stands for Bay Area Wealth Builders - they might be able to direct or assist you.

Any body can refer me to an excellent RE mentor?

Hey Zane, I work for a production builder.

Thus the necessity of needing builders risk. 

The white body and black trim was/is popular in SoCal...

Call one of your architects to do the research for you, noone in BP will have all your answers, they are too specific, your architect and the building department will know the answer to those questions. your firm should be able to get quotes from builders mentioned on your profile.