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Washington University in St. Louis Unveils Transformative Project Constructed by McCarthy Building Companies

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Sustainability, flexibility and sophisticated technology guided construction of the 18-acre, multi-building assignment.

A sweeping campus planning, design and construction project has transformed the Danforth Campus of Washington University in St. Louis following a two-year construction process managed by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

The $360 million, 18-acre East End Transformation project adds five new buildings, expands the university’s world-class Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, relocates hundreds of surface parking spaces into a state-of-the-art underground parking garage, and creates an expansive new park.

As construction manager, McCarthy used sophisticated technology and 4D planning tools to manage the project’s eight separate project components. This involved synthesizing the work of multiple architects and coordinating an onsite team of construction specialists and trade professionals.

“We were honored to help Washington University reshape the East End of its Danforth Campus into a vibrant green space and a hub for research, teaching and student life,” said McCarthy Project Director Ryan Moss.

During the project’s site excavation phase, a drone captured high-resolution aerial images on daily 12-minute flights over the 18-acre site. These photographs—and accompanying data—guided the construction team in assessing progress and adapting the schedule accordingly. Drones continued to equip the team with valuable data throughout construction to ensure the fast-track project remained on schedule.

Nearly six acres of surface parking lots have been converted to green space, furthering the university’s commitment to sustainability. All of the new buildings have been designed to achieve LEED Gold certification; several are currently on track to exceed those standards. Resource conservation measures include solar arrays to generate electricity, and heat recovery chillers to harvest waste heat to minimize heat island effect. Other sustainable features include a bioretention rain garden and native plantings; an expansive indoor green wall in Weil Hall; and the Active Commuter Hub, which includes shower facilities for those opting to bike or walk to work.

Flexibility informed the design and construction of the underground parking garage, which can be converted into classrooms and labs to accommodate the university’s future needs and plan for a potential future less dependent on automobiles. To support this flexibility, the construction team laser scanned all post-tensioning cable, rebar and embedded MEP systems to capture precise data before concrete was poured on the garage deck. The facility, which has 790 spaces and a projected lifespan of 100-plus years, is on track to receive certification from Parksmart, the world’s only rating system designed to advance sustainable mobility through smarter parking design.

Connectedness with the city and community is achieved with a reimagined entrance to campus across the street from Forest Park, long considered one of the best urban public parks in the nation. The Tisch Park creates new outdoor programming opportunities for Washington University, and welcomes the St. Louis community from the northwestern edge of Forest Park. The Kemper Art Museum expansion also creates new opportunities for community engagement, with space for events and a more visible, welcoming presence.

“The project was truly a unique opportunity to honor our physical heritage and lay the foundation for our future,” said Henry S. Webber, the university’s executive vice chancellor and chief administrative officer. “These world-class facilities will support world-class teaching and research and the everyday activities of our faculty, students, staff and guests for many years.”

Major components of the east end transformation include:

  • The Ann and Andrew Tisch Parkserves as a welcoming entrance to campus and is a gathering place for the university community and visitors alike. 
  • The Gary M. Sumers Welcome Center(25,500 GSF) provides a clearly designated starting point for campus visitors and houses the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Student Financial Services. 
  • The Craig and Nancy Schnuck Pavilion(18,000 SF) houses the Parkside Café, the Environmental Studies program and the Office of Sustainability. It also supports pedestrian and bicycle commuters with shower facilities, lockers and bicycle parking. 
  • The underground garage serves the Danforth Campus and opens to the outdoors, offering views of both the sky and landscaped gardens. 
  • Henry A. and Elvira H. Jubel Hall (84,000 GSF) houses the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science in the McKelvey School of Engineering. 
  • James M. McKelvey, Sr. Hall (86,500 GSF),which will be completed in 2020 and open in 2021, will house the McKelvey School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science & Engineering. 
  • Anabeth and John Weil Hall (80,700 GSF)is the new main entry to the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. It houses graduate art and architecture studios, classrooms and a digital fabrication studio. 
  • TheMildred Lane Kemper Art Museum expansion (5,600 SF) includes a new 34-foot-tall polished stainless-steel facade, a new entrance foyer and additional exhibition space. The relocated Florence Steinberg Weil Sculpture Garden integrates the museum’s prominent collection of outdoor sculpture, including works by Auguste Rodin and Alexander Calder, into the expanded green space of the east end.

Watch a construction time lapse video.

View and download photos.

Project partners include:

Landscape Architect and Planner:
– Michael Vergason Landscape Architects

Planning and Design Firms:

– KieranTimberlake (Weil Hall, Sumers Welcome Center, Schnuck Pavilion, Kemper Art Museum
expansion)

– Mackey Mitchell (Jubel Hall)

– Moore Ruble Yudell (Jubel Hall)

– Perkins Eastman (McKelvey Hall)

– BNIM (East End parking garage)

 

Washington University in St. Louis East End Transformation Facts and Stats

  • On-site construction workers, including over 3,100 trades professionals, have completed more than 1.1 million manhours of work so far.
  • Excavation of the East End construction site took less than 100 days. At the peak of excavation, more than 1,000 truckloads of dirt left campus each day.
  • 250 tons of steel are included in the Sumers Welcome Center and Schnuck Pavilion’s structures, while 510 tons of steel are included in Weil Hall’s structure.
  • The project added 48,718 square feet of new and future research space and 6,000 square feet of new makerspace.
  • 10 species of plants make up the 30-foot living green wall in Weil Hall’s Kuehner Court.
  • The new underground parking garage ceiling reaches up to 20 feet high, which will enable the facility to be converted to academic space in the future.
  • All new buildings are designed to achieve a minimum of LEED Gold 
  • The landscape replaces nearly six acres of parking lots with green spaces. When completed in 2020, the East End landscape will feature 390 trees of 38 different species. Ninety-four percent of the trees were grown regionally.
  • The Florence Steinberg Weil Sculpture Garden at the Kemper Art Museum includes seven outdoor sculptures. 

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country – with more than 150 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com or by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram

KAI Designs Unique Shade Solar Canopy for Saint Louis Zoo

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KAI Design has created a unique solar canopy for the Saint Louis Zoo that provides much-needed shade for visitors, absorbs light and generates power.

The solar panel shade canopy, officially called Williams Family Solar Pavilion, provides shelter for a 2,200-square-foot dining area at a prominent location in the zoo. During the planning process for a retail renewal program in the heart of the zoological park, the project team recognized an opportunity to greatly expand the amount of sheltered outdoor dining area.

“The prominence of the location presented a unique opportunity and demanded ambitious aesthetic goals,” said Carl Karlen, Design Principal at KAI and Senior Designer on the project. “The canopy overlooking the central lagoon is highly visible to the millions of annual visitors, many of whom will sit in its shade enjoying their meals. It will also host important after-hours events as a source of additional revenue. The generosity of a sponsor elevated the possibilities for a distinctive architectural solution adding to the fabric of the historic and varied campus.”

Discussions on sustainability and LEED certification goals yielded the decision to include electrical power generated on-site from a solar power array. Design challenges included integration of technical requirements and aesthetics of the solar array itself (a steep 20-degree panel slope, exposed wiring and connections and an industrial appearance).

“The strategic location of the structure was selected to avoid disruption to seating and other uses,” said Karlen. “LEED requirements for power generation and lighting spillover, and harmonization of the new structure with the existing naturalistic context were also considered.”

The final architectural design allowed for inclusion of extensive custom artwork engraved into the Corten steel structure, which features aquatic life located throughout the park.

Power UP installed the panels and KAI Build was the general contractor on the project.

KAI Enterprises is a national design and build firm providing delivery-oriented building solutions with a diverse portfolio of experience, in-house multi-discipline professionals, and expertise in both design and construction delivery. Founded in 1980, KAI has grown into one of the largest minority-owned firms in the AEC industry. To learn more about KAI, visit www.kai-db.com

As Illinois General Assembly Session’s End Looms, Fate of Capital Bill Unknown

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By KERRY SMITH, EDITOR, ST. LOUIS CONSTRUCTION NEWS AND REVIEW MAGAZINE

Less than two hours before the official end of the Illinois General Assembly’s regular legislative session in Springfield, the answer as to whether both sides of the aisle would unite to fund a statewide capital improvements bill remained unclear.

“For years we’ve been close to getting horizontal or vertical construction (funding) passed, but it just didn’t happen,” said Dave Bender, president and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois, an affiliate whose members include more than 240 engineering firms across Illinois members and nearly 14,000 engineering professionals. “Two years ago, it was down to the very last day (of session) and they had a deal on the table, but there was a blow-up on the floor, they gaveled, and the session was over. It has been 10 years since Illinois’ last mini-capital bill. The shelves at our (Illinois) DOT (Dept. of Transportation) are empty. We’ve got to pass a capital bill of some sort or risk losing our federal (funding) match,” he added.

As it stands, IDOT’s funding streams are comprised of 90 percent from the federal government and just 10 percent from the state. Bender says to bring Illinois’ highway infrastructure up to acceptable standards, it will take an additional $3 billion annually – $3 billion in addition to the $2 billion annually that is already being generated through a combination of gasoline tax revenues and increased vehicle registration fees. “Every penny generates about $65 million,” Bender said, “but Illinois is slipping because it didn’t index the gas tax (fee of 19 cents) over time (for inflation). If we had indexed it since 1990 – the last time it was increased – it would be 38 cents (per gallon of gasoline) by now. We need a minimum of 38 cents, double what it is and what it has remained for 29 years.”

Two potential outcomes were in the mix at press time, according to Bender: 1) A failsafe version of a capital improvement plan that would be limited to horizontal construction capital projects, meaning roads, bridges and mass transit infrastructure, but no vertical construction capital efforts such as improving and expanding state-owned facilities; and 2) A much more comprehensive capital plan that would include both horizontal and vertical construction projects.

“Vertical is the real problem in terms of creating a funding mechanism in contrast with horizontal-specific funding such as user fees that go directly toward transportation infrastructure needs,” Bender said Thursday. “When you walk inside a state of Illinois building and use the elevator, there’s no fee. For vertical, legislators are looking at options like sports gaming, the possibility of recreational marijuana, a parking garage fee, a minimal increase in the cigarette sales tax or a small increase in the liquor (sales) tax, a video streaming tax and more. Alternative ways to fund vertical construction will be challenging,” he added. “But to do nothing year after year is like watching your 100-year-old Victorian home’s mounting issues that you’ve learned are due to a crumbling foundation and opting to ignore the expensive underlying structural issues and choosing only to put new shingles on the roof.”

AGC Urges Industry to Garner Support From Users for Federal Highway Funding

Published on in Associations/Homepage Primary/News

By KERRY SMITH, EDITOR, ST. LOUIS CONSTRUCTION NEWS AND REVIEW MAGAZINE

The Associated General Contractors of America says Tuesday’s agreement between President Donald Trump and House and Senate Democrats to work together on a $2 trillion highways, roads, bridges and rail investment program builds the beginning of momentum that will need to accelerate to make a big, bold federal transportation initiative a reality.

“We’ve got a long road – pun intended – ahead of us before we reach agreement on an infrastructure spending bill,” said AGC Spokesman Brian Turmail, “but the fact that this bipartisan agreement has been forged amidst other pressing (non-transportation-related) issues on Capitol Hill is encouraging. Now we need to keep the momentum going toward creation and passage of a broad-based infrastructure package long before the current program expires in September 2020, because by then we’ll be in the middle of an election year.”

The AGC of America and its affiliates across the U.S. – including the AGC of Missouri – are advocating for a bill that does more than fund road, rail and bridge projects. The organization wants to see a solid workforce development component as well, according to Turmail.

“Yes, we’ve got to fix the Highway Trust Fund, which is based upon a user-pay system that is fundamentally American,” Turmail said, noting that the revenue that funds the fund – 18.4 cents per gallon of gasoline purchased – hasn’t been updated since 1993. “But we think the infrastructure package also needs to include workforce development since creating jobs through these construction projects is paramount. What better opportunity to marry these investments in infrastructure than with the ability to create well-paying jobs?”

Construction industry members can help further development and passage of a new, multi-year federal transportation infrastructure funding bill, he said, by engaging support from individuals and organizations beyond the construction sphere.

“One of the things our AGC members and lobbyists hear all the time (from Congress) is, “’We hear from construction industry people all the time, but we also need to hear from others outside your industry such as those who use our highway system,’” Turmail said. “We’re asking AGC members to ask shippers, manufacturers, drivers and consumers – neighbors, church friends and others – to contact their federal elected officials and communicate the importance of maintaining our transportation system for all.”

The nation’s current multi-year transportation funding program, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST) was signed into law by former President Barack Obama in December 2015, authorizing $305 billion over fiscal years 2016-2020.

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Roeslein Celebrates National Welding Month

Published on in Companies/Homepage Primary/News/Uncategorized

With 17% of its workforce made up of professional welders, Roeslein & Associates acknowledges the high level of skill, education, and training that modern-day welders need to keep up with industry advancements in materials, processes, and equipment.

Roeslein has three levels of welders with a Level III welder carrying the highest welding and fabrication skillsets and experience. Basic welding skills are required at entry level but advancement comes through in-house training and experience to produce basic to advanced components. Welding positions require prepping and cutting knowledge, as well as, the GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SMAW application techniques to produce Roeslein’s products. When it comes to pipe welding, Roeslein does everything from manual pipe welding to automatic pipe welding. They provide multiple weld procedures ranging from many processes and material types with carbon steel and stainless steel being the majority.

Between its structural and piping departments, Roeslein has 94 fabrication welders that work in its three fabrication facilities in Red Bud, IL (60); Hollister, CA (14); and Shanghai, China (20). Roeslein has over 27 welding processes and procedures and frequently tests its welders on these practices, including x-ray and ultrasonic tests, to make sure each welder can complete the task with less than a one percent failure.

Dan Hemmer, Roeslein’s Senior Quality Manager, said “Our welders take a lot of pride in the work they do, and the quality of the finished welds are a testament to their dedication to the craft. Our team is the best in the business.”

Roeslein is a firm believer in continued education and training for all employees. Catered to its welders, Roeslein offers a tuition reimbursement program that is inclusive of welding schools, has a Welder-in-Training position that offers entry-level training, and currently, has one employee attending welding school on a Roeslein scholarship to Ranken in Perryville, MO.

Roeslein & Associates was founded in 1990, specializing in engineering, modular fabrication and construction services. The company has product offerings in both the container manufacturing industry and the process and energy sectors with annual revenues over $250 million. Its 680+ employees are spread throughout offices in St. Louis, MO (HQ); Red Bud, IL; Denver, CO; Hollister, California; Northampton, UK; Dębno, Poland; and Shanghai, China. To find out more, please visit www.roeslein.com.

St. Louis Joins Worldwide Spotlight on Autism Awareness

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Lighting consultants and engineers were busy changing color filters to create a blue hue for St. Louis for World Autism Awareness Day on Tuesday April 2, 2019.  The effort lighting businesses and landmarks kicks off a number of initiatives by St. Louis Chapter of Autism Speaks for World Autism Awareness Month in April.

“We continue to advance understanding and acceptance,” noted Greg Yawitz, chairman of St. Louis Chapter of Autism Speaks’ board.  “With autism now diagnosed in one out of 59 children, the breadth of the spectrum means just about everyone knows someone living with autism. Those on the spectrum can be significantly impaired while others are found in the workplace, in college and raising families of their own.  Understanding the puzzle of autism and the breadth of the spectrum is at the heart of Autism Speaks fundraising and awareness efforts.” Autism Speaks is asking people worldwide to take the pledge to increase understanding and acceptance at AutismSpeaks.org/WAM.

Autism impacts more than 70 million people worldwide.  Among the awareness Autism Speaks will advance throughout the year are:

  • Research indicates that stigma and denial can delay a diagnosis of autism, particularly in lower socioeconomic populations where the average age of diagnosis is significantly higher than in the general population.
  • People with autism learn, think and problem-solve in different ways – from highly skilled to severely challenged, and may require supports that can range from minimal to intensive.
  • Many people with autism have sensory sensitivities that impact their daily lives. Medical issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures or sleep disorders as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues, often accompany autism.

HOK will be among several businesses participating in the April 2, 2019 Light it up Blue for Autism Speaks.  Others include West County Shopping Center, Scott Air Force Base, the Lumiere Place Casino and Four Seasons Hotel, James S. McDonnell Planetarium, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and more.  The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and its Electrical Connection partnership with the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) will participate through its long-time sponsorship of the Planetarium lighting.

Autism Speaks also has a number of events in the coming months to advance awareness and fundraising including:

  • The April 17, 2019 Autism Speaks’ 8th Annual Chefs Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton, Mo.
  • The May 5, 2019 Autism Speaks Go Blue Run in Clayton, Mo.
  • The August 31, 2019 Louis Cardinal game that will feature autism awareness.
  • The October 12, 2019 Autism Walk in Forest Park.

For more information, visit Autism Speaks St. Louis’ Facebook page. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. For more information, visit www.autismspeaks.org.

 

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Trades Ready to Work as St. Louis NGA HQ Project Goes to McCarthy-HITT

Published on in Companies/Homepage Primary/News

By KERRY SMITH, EDITOR, ST. LOUIS CONSTRUCTION NEWS AND REVIEW MAGAZINE

The joint venture team of Rockhill, MO-based McCarthy Building Companies and Falls Church, VA-based HITT Contracting has been tabbed as the builder of the largest federal investment project – $711.7 million – in St. Louis history.

Trades union leaders attest that their people are ready to report to work and begin building it.

That massive project, ready to dominate north St. Louis City over the next four to five years, is the nearly $1 billion National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s future western headquarters.

Additional Next NGA West joint venture partners include Overland Park, KS-based Black & Veatch, San Francisco-based Gensler and Akima LLC.

St. Louis – Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Al Bond reacted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Kansas City District project award announcement, made on March 19, saying St. Louis is ready get to work on the mega-project.

“What’s good for St. Louis is good for Missouri,” said Bond, whose organization includes more than 20,000 members with 34 local unions in Missouri, Kansas and Southern Illinois. “All three joint venture teams invested millions of dollars and years of work competing for the opportunity to build this project. All three general contractor teams that have been immersed in the bidding process are friends with the Carpenters. All three are deeply invested in building in Missouri. From a St. Louis point of view, we’re excited that a St. Louis-based contractor was selected. But from a regional perspective, the other teams (the joint venture team of St. Louis-based Alberici Constructors and Mortenson Construction and the joint venture of Kansas City, MO-based JE Dunn Construction, St. Louis-based HOK and Clark Construction) would have been welcome as well.”

Part of the enormous construction project includes a permanent building that will be erected early on at the site to accommodate the joint venture team members and other project delivery professionals, Bond said. The project site spans 97.2 acres in North St. Louis at the north corner of Jefferson and Cass Avenues.

In addition to the main construction scope, the Corps is preparing to announce five small business set-aside construction contracts including the on-site program office, a remote inspection facility, the surface parking lot, access control points and landscaping.  Five additional set-aside projects related to NGA

According to projections from the Corps, at its peak in 2022 the effort could require up to 1,300 workers per day at the site and create an anticipated 5,000 construction jobs to complete. According to the Corps, Next NGA West Dept. of Labor affirmative action goals for the project are 6.9 percent female participation by trade and 14.7 percent minority participation by trade.

Bond said the Carpenters is confident it can meet the workforce needs that this gigantic construction project demands.

“This project is bigger than the magnitude of the job itself,” Bond said. “It’s going to create some great construction industry opportunities and man-hours for all the trades, the local subcontractors and for the St. Louis economy overall. Speaking for the Carpenters, we’re ready. We’ve got a ready workforce with the capacity to build this job. That’s not a concern of ours. But our doors are wide open to welcome additional minorities and women looking to get into the trades to join us. It’s entirely possible for individuals seeking a career in the construction trades to apply for our (four-year) apprenticeship program now and gain the experience of working on the NGA project in St. Louis. Although we’re confident we can fulfill the workforce requirements for this job, we’re keenly interested in continuing to bring young people, minorities and women into (all of) the union trades.”

Associated General Contractors of Missouri President Len Toenjes said McCarthy Building Companies’ St. Louis roots and its innovative safety programming translates into a win for the NGA, for St. Louis and for the region.

“We just awarded McCarthy our top honor, a Safety Excellence Award, for its new safety mentoring initiative that pairs experienced professionals with those who are new to the construction field,” Toenjes said. “This is but one example of how McCarthy works to build safely. The beauty of the Next NGA West project stretches beyond the project itself,” Toenjes added. “It signifies a measurable, positive impact on the economy of the entire St. Louis region.”

Individuals interested in learning more about applying for the Carpenters’ apprenticeship program can gain more information at http://www.carpdc.org/careers.

Ameren Missouri Reaches Milestone in Plans to Build Second Wind Facility in the State

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New renewable energy planned for Atchison County

Ameren Missouri’s second planned wind facility in the state is one step closer to producing renewable energy. This morning, the Missouri Public Service Commission voted unanimously to grant Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE), a certificate of convenience and necessity to acquire, after construction, an up to 157-megawatt (MW) wind facility to be located in Atchison County.

“Expanding renewable energy in Missouri is an important part of our strategy which, alongside our Smart Energy Plan, will modernize the energy grid and enhance how our customers receive and consume energy,” said Michael Moehn, president of Ameren Missouri. “Today’s announcement brings us even closer to adding at least 700 MW of wind energy by 2020.”

Several milestones remain for the northwest Missouri facility, including obtaining a timely and acceptable Midcontinent Independent System Operator transmission interconnection agreement. The Atchison County facility, along with the previously-announced 400 MW facility under development in northeast Missouri represent an approximately $1 billion investment and are expected to be in service by the end of 2020. These planned additions in renewable energy will help Ameren Missouri achieve its goal of reducing carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050.

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company’s electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri’s mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 127,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

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Tech Capabilities of Future SSM Health SLU Hospital Apparent in Scope of Enormous Construction Project

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By KERRY SMITH, EDITOR, ST. LOUIS CONSTRUCTION NEWS AND REVIEW MAGAZINE

Of the $550 million total budget for building and equipping the future SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, $101 million is allocated to medical technology that will equip all facets of the operation and provide the latest means of patient care.

Donald Wojtkowski, executive director of design and construction for the SLUH Medical Campus Renewal Project that’s rising from the earth along Grand Boulevard in Midtown, says medical technology investments in the brand-new hospital include not only clinical IT but also IT that will connect and power all business functions throughout the hospital and adjacent ambulatory care center.

“Relative to overall clinical technology, we’re equipping 16 operating rooms, five cardiac interventional rooms, seven special procedure rooms, seven CTs, three MRIs, three nuclear medicine suites and eight endoscopy suites,” Wojkowski said. “Approximately $12 million in IT equipment is going in that’s specific to computerized medical records. The IT elements of this – every piece of clinical equipment in the new facility and most of the hospital’s medical devices – will link with its IT networks so we can capture data and assist nurses with all of that information right at their fingertips.”

IMEG is providing mechanical-electrical-plumbing, fire protection and technology design for the new medical center, which will replace the existing, adjacent SLU Hospital. Alberici Constructors Inc. is the project’s construction manager. The Lawrence Group is architect of record, in partnership with planning firms HGA and FZA.

The mammoth construction project is a joint effort between SSM Health, SLUCare Physician Group and Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

The project has been designed solely with 3D modeling since the beginning, years ago, when plans were first being etched for the future hospital.

“That’s the most amazing thing in my mind with regard to this whole project,” said Wojtkowski. “We began our commitment to building information management 12 years ago when we designed (SSM Health) St. Clare Hospital in Fenton,” he said. “Even then, we were committed to BIM and to lean construction delivery. It was a bit awkward because we were really pioneering things back then. We had a great team, we got it done and we learned a lot. Today, when you’re walking through this construction project, you don’t see anyone looking at blueprints anymore…they’re holding up their iPads…for a project of this magnitude not to have any trailers filled with blueprints, it’s truly a testament to how far technology has come.”

Substantial completion of the new hospital is on track for May 2020, according to Wojtkowski, at which time the facility will be turned over to its owners to begin the operational and staffing transition from old hospital to new. Sept. 1, 2010 is the date when the first patients will move into the new space.

Building Careers

Published on in Homepage Primary/People

The latest People in the News highlighting new hires, promotions, honors & recognition of the men and women in the St. Louis building community.

Maggie Stamm Joins HOK’s St. Louis Office as Marketing Coordinator

Maggie Stamm

Maggie Stamm is the newest member of HOK’s growing St. Louis studio and will serve as a marketing coordinator assisting the office in branding, client engagement and project pursuits.

A native of the greater St.

Louis area, Stamm earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She has spent the past three years in California where she held a similar marketing role in HOK’s San Francisco office.

With offices around the globe, HOK designs buildings and spaces that respond to the needs of people and the environment. HOK designers are rooted in technical excellence, driven by imagination and focus.

Color Art Governing Body Appoints Four to Board of Directors

Jeff Bauer

Color Art, St. Louis’ largest interior solutions provider, announces additions to its governing Board of Directors. Four new members join a roster of more than ten distinguished individuals responsible for directing the company’s growth strategies, acquisition decisions and financial planning. The Board of Directors for Color Art Palette, the company’s governing body, shares the appointment of Jeff Bauer, Troy Garner, Mick McIntyre and Ed Wills as Board Advisors. Color Art has been family and employee owned for more than 70 years.

Troy Garner

“I look forward to serving stockholders and team members as an Advisor,” remarked Jeff Bauer. “It’s a privilege to continue building on the family legacy that started 71-years ago. Color Art is a great place to work and grow.”

Mick McIntyre

Color Art’s vision is to be the clear knowledge leader for connecting people and space, an irreplaceable partner to each of its customers, and a place where highly talented and engaged people can thrive. Its vision is to create and provide the best places for people to do their best work. Color Art does this through understanding and leading practices in connecting architecture, technology, furniture, and services for healthcare, education, corporate and large venue environments.

Ed Wills

Recently, Color Art announced the hires of 15-year executive Todd Nixon as Executive Vice President of Furniture, and Jennifer Clark as both Vice President Operations of Furniture and General Manager of Color Art’s non-union Installation and Moves Team. Additionally, long-time employee Christine Hoffmann was promoted from Executive Vice President to President of Color Art Furniture, the company’s largest and longest-standing division.

Color Art is the largest commercial interiors solutions provider in the Midwest and serves clients in 30 states as well as i

nternationally. For more information visit https://www.color-art.com.

S. M. Wilson Promotes Andrew Ahlers, CM-BIM, A.C. To Project Manager

Andrew Ahlers

S. M. Wilson & Co. has promoted Andrew Ahlers, CM-BIM, A.C. to Project Manager. As Project Manager, he will be responsible for handling all administrative functions for a project, including scheduling, holding progress meetings, generating meeting minutes, tracking costs and maintaining logs for all project information.

Ahlers joined S. M. Wilson in 2014 and has worked on a variety of projects including  numerous projects at Blessing Hospital, the Chaddock School Education Center Addition and Ignite Medical Resorts in Kansas City, MO. Currently, he is serving as the Project Manager on the Blessing Hospital Tower Expansion project. The vertical expansion includes adding two floors to the existing four-story patient tower which was originally built by S. M. Wilson in 2015. Ahlers’ strategic planning and attention to detail on this challenging project have been a tremendous asset to ensure the two fully-functioning hospital floors below are not impacted during construction.

He holds his CM – BIM Certificate of Management in Building Information Modeling from the AGC of Missouri. He has his AC (Associate Constructor) certification from the American Institute of Constructors and his ASHE – HCC (Health Care Construction Certificate). Ahlers is OSHA 30 Hour Construction Safety and Health for Construction Industry certified and earned his B.S. in Construction Management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

S. M. Wilson is a full-service construction management, design/build and general contracting firm with headquarters in St. Louis. For more information, visit www.smwilson.com.

February 15, 2019

Castle Contracting Hires Four

Castle Contracting, LLC has expanded its team with the hiring of four new employees: Charles Danner, project engineer; Dan Schaefer, estimator; Cory Howell, project manager; and Cody Hobbs, safety coordinator.

Charles Danner

As project engineer, Charles Danner supports the estimating department in compiling accurate project bids, as part of a three-step development program instituted by Castle for all project engineers. Prior to joining Castle, Danner served as an engineer at Kiewit Corporation in Federal Way, Wash. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technologies from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. Before college, he served in the U.S. Air Force and earned the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He lives in St. Louis.

Dan Schaefer

In his role as estimator, Dan Schaefer prepares complete, accurate quantity take-offs to build detailed cost estimates and prepares comprehensive proposals for Castle clients. He previously served as estimator/project manager at Kuesel Excavating Co. in O’Fallon, Mo. and an estimator/project manager at Septagon Construction in Columbia, Mo. Schaefer received a bachelor’s degree in construction management from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. He and his family live in St. Peters, Mo.

Cory Howell

As project manager, Cory Howell oversees the day-to-day operation of projects, including budget reporting, submittal review, subcontractor coordination, material ordering, scheduling maintenance and trade coordination. Prior to joining Castle, he served as project manager at Crossland Construction Company in Kansas City and held several roles at Hensel Phelps Construction Co. Howell received a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering technology from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. He and his family reside in Spring Hill, Kansas.

Cody Hobbs

And Safety Coordinator Cody Hobbs is responsible for the overall administration of safety guidelines on Castle projects, including monitoring the safety efforts of employees and subcontractors. He earned a bachelor’s degree of safety in the health sciences program at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. A Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP), Hobbs is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals. He lives in Belleville, Ill.

“As Castle continues to expand our business in St. Louis and beyond, these new professionals will play key roles in strengthening our team and enhancing our services to clients,” said Michael Pranger, Castle Contracting vice president of operations.

Castle Contracting, LLC provides turnkey site preparation services, site utilities, earthwork and trenchless technology directly to owners; general contractors; and mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection contractors. The company’s earthmoving expertise is visible throughout the St. Louis region and from coast to coast.

New NGA CTO Announced

Mark Munsell

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency appoints a new chief technology officer to lead NGA’s technology transformation and modernization efforts, while also attracting IT talent.

Mark Munsell, currently the deputy director of the CIO and IT Services Directorate, will fill the role of chief technology officer at NGA beginning immediately. Munsell is based at the agency’s St. Louis, Missouri, location and will remain in his CIO-T deputy director role as he steps into the CTO job.

The CTO role was created in 2018 to focus on increasing the agency’s ability to instill next-generation technology, tradecraft and innovative approaches to the geospatial intelligence community, enterprise and mission.

Munsell began his career in 1990 with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration where he was awarded the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal for his software engineering work transforming the nation’s nautical charting production system. He joined an NGA predecessor agency, the Defense Mapping Agency in 1996 where he led the update of the agency’s aeronautical production systems. After a stint with a government contractor, Munsell founded the Internet Marine and Aviation Planning Services, or IMAPS, in 2000 to offer flight and maritime planning services to individuals, industry and government via the Internet. He returned to government service at the NGA in 2006. Munsell is also the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award and NGA’s Distinguished Civilian Service Medal.

Kevin Kopp Named BIM Manager at Murphy

Kevin Kopp

Kevin J. Kopp has been named BIM manager for Murphy Company. The announcement was made by Mike Werdes, vice president, engineering.

Kopp holds an associate’s degree in drafting and design technology from ITT Technical Institute and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He is certified in numerous computer software and design programs, and has extensive experience in Revit, Navisworks, Fabrication, Plant 3D,Revizto, AutoCAD, BLK360 and Microsoft environments.

He recently served as BIM Director for a global engineering, architecture and project/construction management firm. . With over 18 years’ experience in BIM/CAD modeling and design as well as integrated project delivery, he previously served as a BIM coordinator and manager for several area engineering and contracting companies. He began his construction career in 2001 as CAD manager/IT support for Tensar Corp., a BIM/CAD manger/senior IT support for Planners and Engineers, and a Bentley Admin/BIM for Hydro-Chem – all in Georgia.

Founded in 1907, Murphy Company is one of the nation’s top mechanical contracting and engineering firms delivering innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and institutional markets. The firm employs more than 1,000 people nationwide. For more information, visit www.murphynet.com.

Woody Miller Promoted to Vice President, Operational and Facilities Development at WINCO Windows

Woody Miller

WINCO Windows, a St. Louis-based manufacturer of architectural and heavy commercial aluminum windows, is pleased to announce the promotion of Woody Miller, one of the company’s Leadership Team members, to Vice President, Operational and Facilities Development.

“WINCO’s Leadership Team was formed late 2017 and took effect early 2018,” said Bill Krenn, WINCO President and CFO. “Woody’s success at coordinating plant operations to increase efficiencies and enhance communication, as well as bringing employees’ ideas to fruition keeps the company moving forward in a positive light.”

As Vice President of Operational and Facilities Development, Miller will work with team members Brian Scott and Sharon Gamble to continue evolving WINCO’s manufacturing systems. Integrating new equipment, technologies and processes is vital to serve the demands of WINCO’s expanding presence in the window industry. Miller is one of several family members who have leadership roles in WINCO. The company has been family-owned for more than 100 years.

Miller is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Over the years, Miller has worked as the owner/operator of a construction company, property developer, consultant, and business owner/entrepreneur. Miller was recently named to this year’s class of 40 Under 40 by the St. Louis Business Journal. This honor recognizes young business leaders for their accomplishments, professional excellence, and contributions to their community. In his spare time, Miller is an avid rock climber.

For more information, contact WINCO Window Company at (314) 725.8088 or visit www.wincowindow.com.

New Hires at S. M. Wilson

S.M. Wilson & Co., has rehired Mary Anderson as a Project Engineer and former S. M. Wilson Interns Travis Schmitt, Chris Watkins as Field Engineers as well as Emily Echele as Project Engineer.

Schmitt and Watkins will be responsible for supporting and assisting field and office personnel on job sites to produce successful projects, ensure safety, quality, cost control, schedule and overall compliance with applicable laws and regulations are achieved.

Chris Watkins

Watkins recently graduated from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville where he received his B.S. in Construction Management. He spent the summer working as an intern for S. M. Wilson on an apartment complex project

Schmitt holds an Associates in Applied Science – Construction Management Technology from Southwestern Illinois College with 10 years of construction experience. He also worked as an intern and co-op for S. M. Wilson on the Ladue Horton Watkins High School project.

Mary Anderson

Echele and Anderson will be responsible for helping establish procedures with the design professionals, consultants and Owner of projects for information flow, approvals, meetings and reporting. They will also track shop drawings, submittals, material deliveries and RFIs through the duration of projects and assist the Project Manager with MBE/WBE participation and workforce inclusion. Anderson rejoins S. M. Wilson with four years construction experience. She holds a B.S. in Construction Management from Southeast Missouri State University and is OSHA 30 certified.

Emily Eschele

Echele recently graduated from Missouri S&T where she received her B.S. in Civil/Architectural Engineering. She also worked for S. M. Wilson on an apartment complex project as an intern over the summer.

S.M. Wilson is a full-service construction management, design/build and general contracting firm with headquarters in St. Louis. For more information, visit www.smwilson.com.

February 8, 2019

Linda Eigelberger Hired by Midas Hospitality

Linda Eigelberger

Leading hotel development, management and investment firm Midas Hospitality recently added Linda Eigelberger to the leadership team as Vice President of Sales and Revenue Management.  In this position, she will drive revenue across all managed hotel properties by guiding the team with long-term planning, day-to-day sales operations leadership, and talent development.  Eigelberger will spearhead strategic initiatives that make Midas Hospitality hotels a preferred partner to customers, and leverage hotel marketing tools to efficiently reach more potential guests.

Eigelberger previously worked for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), an industry leader with 15 distinct hotel brands, for more than two decades in various business and leadership roles.  Career highlights include directing the entire sales, marketing and revenue management performance for the Crowne Plaza brand.  Prior to this position, she handled all of sales skill building and revenue retention efforts for the IHG organization’s brands throughout the country.

“Linda possesses an excellent track record in the industry, and she brings tremendous value to our company in terms of expertise and insight,” said David Robert, Midas Hospitality’s CEO and Co-Founder.  “We look forward to her leadership in creating a competitive, enjoyable and successful sales culture for all existing and future properties in the Midas Hospitality family.”

Founded in 2006, Midas Hospitality specializes in the development, management and investment of award-winning hotel properties across the U.S.  The firm focuses on select-service and extended-stay experiences for global brands including Hilton, Marriott, and IHG. For more information, call (314) 692-0100 or visit http://www.midashospitality.com

JLL’s Blaise Tomazic Transitions From Research to Office Brokerage Team

Blaise Tomazic

Commercial real estate firm JLL today announced Blaise Tomazic transitioned to a new role with the firm effective January 1 after more than 10 years as research lead in St. Louis. Tomazic is now a vice president with JLL’s office brokerage team.

In his previous role, Tomazic specialized in industry research, data visualization, strategy, mapping, and financial analysis. His research also included macro and micro level economic analysis of the St. Louis region. His previous role gave Tomazic a deep knowledge of the St. Louis commercial real estate market, which greatly enhanced the team’s business development capabilities on multiple levels. He joins office brokerage at a time when the industry is quickly evolving. Tomazic’s expertise will be used to help better service tenants and landlords in understanding and utilizing new technologies.  

David Steinbach, managing director of JLL’s St. Louis office, said, “Blaise has been an invaluable asset to our team for the past 10 years. His deep knowledge and understanding of commercial real estate in the St. Louis market will undoubtedly be of tremendous value to our tenant representation and leasing clients.”

JLL St. Louis is headquartered at One Metropolitan Square in downtown St. Louis. The company has approximately 150 commercial real estate experts in the market as part of its brokerage, property management, valuation and advisory services, and project development divisions.

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of 88,000 as of September 30, 2018. For further information, visit jll.com. 

Doug Weber Promoted to Vice President, Project Executive at Holland Construction Services 

Doug Weber

Mike Marchal, President of Holland Construction Services (Holland), is pleased to announce the promotion of Doug Weber to Vice President, Project Executive.

Doug joined Holland in 2007 as a Project Manager and was promoted to Director of Multi-Family Housing in 2013.  In his new role as Vice President, Project Executive, he will continue working with developers and other clients on multifamily housing and senior living, but also office, retail, and light industrial, including lead generation, project pursuits, contract negotiation, preconstruction, and oversight during construction.  As a partner at Holland, Doug will also be more involved in the general running of the business working directly with Holland’s Executive VP/COO on risk analysis, contracts, insurance, etc.

Doug received a degree in Construction Management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Holland Construction Services is a full-service construction management, general contracting, and design/build firm based in Swansea, Ill., guided by the principle of providing our clients the best possible building experience on every project. For more information, visit Holland’s website at www.hollandcs.com. 

Jim Greffet Promoted to Sales Representative at G&S Architectural Products 

Jim Greffet

St. Louis-based G&S Architectural Products has promoted Jim Greffet to a new position as a St. Louis area sales representative with an emphasis on industrial acoustical products.

Greffet attended Missouri State University and has been a part of the Golterman & Sabo team for more than ten years, serving on the production management side of the business as a Shop Facilitator and an Installation Manager.

G&S Architectural Products is a leading provider and installer of architectural products such as acoustical products, visual display boards and operable wall systemsthat are primarily used for commercial, education and healthcare industries.  

IMEG Names New director, Client Executive

Steve Rhoades

IMEG Corp. has named two leaders from its St. Louis office to new positions.

Principal Steve Rhoades has been named to the firm’s newly created national role of Director of Federal Solutions. Rhoades, PE, LEED AP, is a licensed mechanical engineer with more than 23 years of experience, all with IMEG. Most previously the leader of the St. Louis office, he has done substantial work with federal clients for more than 10 years. In his new role Steve will strategizes across IMEG’s geography and offices for delivering engineering solutions for federal agencies CONUS and OCONUS.

Jim Kappeler

Principal Jim Kappeler, PE, LEED AP, is now a client executive for education and government. A licensed mechanical engineer with 18 years of experience (all at IMEG), he most previously served as a project executive. Both Rhoades and Kappeler will continue to work out of IMEG’s St. Louis office at 15 Sunnen Drive. 

IMEG is headquartered in Illinois and has 1,200 employees at 40 national and international locations. It is one of the largest engineering consulting firms in the U.S. specializing in high performing building systems, infrastructure, and construction-related services. For more information, visit IMEGcorp.com.

Spellman Brady Welcomes Michelle Hamilton New Director of Business Development

Michelle Hamilton

Spellman Brady & Company, an award-winning interior design firm, welcomes Michelle Hamilton as the firm’s Director of Business Development. Ms. Hamilton has corporate responsibility for developing working relationships with new clients, as well as growing ongoing relationships with Spellman Brady’s existing repetitive client base.

Ms. Hamilton has developed a reputation as a keen business strategist with an entrepreneurial spirit and vision throughout her 22 years of professional experience. She first earned her bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and went on to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis with a Masters of Fine Arts degree. In additon to her impressive track-record in business development, the depth and diversity of her experience includes being a sales representative for a major furniture manufacturer and as an adjunct instructor at Maryville University of St. Louis. 

Spellman Brady & Company is an award-winning St. Louis–based interior design firm specializing in senior living, healthcare, and higher education environments. For more information about Spellman Brady & Company, please visit www.spellmanbrady.com.

Leslie Cerny Promoted To Vice President, Named Co-Owner At Gateway Land Services

Leslie Cerny

Leslie Cerny has been promoted to Vice President at Gateway Land Services.  In her new position, Leslie will lead all projects and services through the company’s Civil Engineering and Land Surveying departments.  She has served as Project Engineer at the company for the past year and has four years of professional experience.

Gateway Land Services has also made Leslie a co-owner of the company.

Leslie earned both a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Cum Laude) and a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering (Cum Laude) at the Missouri University of Science & Technology.

“Leslie has exceeded our performance expectations and has shown tremendous leadership qualities during the past year with us,” said Kelly Hyde, co-owner of Gateway Land Services.  “We are very excited about our company’s future with Leslie in an ownership position.”

Gateway Land Services is a St. Louis-based Professional Civil Engineering and Land Surveying Company.  Founded in 2009, it provides engineering and surveying expertise to municipalities, government agencies and commercial construction contractors.  Gateway Land Services is a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) as certified by the State of Missouri.

Christa Barr Earns NCIDQ Certification

Christa Barr

Over 25% of Spellman Brady Interior Designers are NCIDQ

Spellman Brady & Company (SBC) is proud to announce that Christa Barr, designer and account manager,has earned her National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Certification.  With Ms. Barr’s recent accomplishment, SBC’s professional staff of NCIDQ interior designers has increased to over 25%.

Ms. Barr has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree of Interior Design from Maryville University and has over 13 years’ experience, which are all part of the prerequisite to apply for the NCIDQ Examination.  After CIDQ approved her eligibility, Ms. Barr took and passed the entire NCIDQ Exam consisting of three separate exams; the Fundamentals Exam (IDFX), the Professional Exam (IDPX), and the Practicum Exam (PRAC).  By achieving NCIDQ, Ms. Barr has proven her expertise in understanding and applying current codes established to protect public health, safety and welfare.

NCIDQ Certification is the industry’s recognized standard of proficiency in interior design principles and a designer’s commitment to the profession.  Professional interior designers who possess the NCIDQ Certification have distinguished themselves by demonstrating a specific set of core competencies of interior design: building systems, codes, construction standards, contract administration, design application, professional practice and project coordination.

Spellman Brady & Company is an award-winning St. Louis–based interior design firm specializing in senior living, healthcare, and higher education environments. For more information about Spellman Brady & Company, please visit www.spellmanbrady.com.

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