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McCarthy Holdings, Inc., one of the nation’s largest 100 percent employee-owned construction companies and the nation’s safest commercial builders, is preparing to complete the transition from standard hard hats to helmets for all trade partners on the firm’s construction sites. This comes as an extension to McCarthy’s 2022 transition to helmets for its more than 6,000 salaried and craft employees. This proactive decision is expected to significantly reduce the impact and lessen the frequency of future injuries and accidents.

On July 1, 2023, McCarthy will begin requiring all trade partners to wear helmets.

Traumatic brain injuries are responsible for 25 percent of all construction fatalities, and account for many life-altering injuries. Safety helmets offer superior head protection for construction workers, providing protection from not only a direct impact to the head, but also a glancing blow to the front, back, and sides of the head. In addition, safety helmets feature an integral chinstrap to secure the head protection in the event of impact, a fall, or while leaning over or looking up. Because of this, helmets have been proven to help prevent or significantly reduce the severity of a potential injury.

“This change to helmets is one that many in the construction industry are only beginning to adopt,” said McCarthy vice president, national safety, Pat Devero. “We want to provide everyone working on our jobsites with the highest level of protection for the most important part of their body.”

In a recent survey of McCarthy craft professionals, the firm’s commitment and approach to safety was consistently identified as one of the top reasons why craft prefer to work on a McCarthy project. Throughout this transition, McCarthy gathered feedback from these craft professionals to help determine the models and types of helmets to be provided.

“It’s critical to our success that the end user of our personal protective equipment is engaged in the considerations and decisions regarding that equipment,” Devero said. “We fully understand that safety is the most important thing we do every day. That commitment never changes.”

About McCarthy

McCarthy Holdings, Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country – with nearly 160 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. McCarthy Holdings, Inc. is comprised of McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. and Castle Contracting, LLC. Repeatedly honored as a Best Place to Work, McCarthy is ranked the 19th largest domestic builder (Engineering News-Record, May 2022). Because of its commitment to safety, McCarthy received the 2022 Procore Excellence in Safety award. With approximately 6,000 salaried employees and craft professionals, the firm has offices in St. Louis; Atlanta; Collinsville, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Denver; Austin, Channelview, Dallas and Houston, Texas; and San Diego, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, Calif. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned.  

Spellman Brady & Co., a nationally recognized St. Louis-based interior design firm, is excited to announce the completion of the phase 2 renovation of the west wing of the Sverdrup Complex, home to Webster University’s School of Communications in St. Louis, Missouri.  Spellman Brady (SBC) was responsible for specifying and procuring the project’s furniture.

The project transformed the existing interiors into new state-of-the-art spaces, including a soundstage, audio and photography suites, workshop, screening room, classrooms, and cutting-edge labs for virtual learning, animation, game design, and video design and production. Webster University prioritized active learning and embraced flexible spaces that can adapt to individual or group needs while being open to new technology and new uses in the future.  Allowing students to engage, collaborate, and explore through hands-on learning experiences was identified as a key component to incorporate into the planning process.

SBC proposed appropriate furniture solutions for technology-heavy applications, including computer tables, training tables, work benches, student seating, and common area furniture.  Due to technology and design requirements, extensive collaboration with the Communications School leadership, architect, and Webster’s technology team was required. This collaboration was vital to delivering the unique state-of-the-art media production and communication education facility the faculty had envisioned.

Even though SBC was brought on late in the project schedule and was up against a very tight project timeline, they specified and ordered furniture that resulted in a successful project opening date. The positive outcome proved to be extremely challenging because of global manufacturing & supply chain issues, which resulted in very long and unpredictable furniture lead times.

“Spellman Brady was great to work with,” said School of Communications Dean Eric Rothenbuhler.  “They listened to our vision and hopes for the new spaces, presented a slate of excellent furniture options, helped us find the right cost/value point, and delivered and installed on a tight timeline. Their careful attention to our needs throughout, was outstanding.”

Spellman Brady collaborated with architect V Three Studios LLC and general contractor Musick Construction of St. Louis, Missouri.

Spellman Brady & Company is a nationally recognized St. Louis-based interior design firm specializing in senior living, healthcare, higher education, and multi-family environments. The firm maintains design excellence by delivering comprehensive space planning, interior design, furniture, artwork master planning and procurement services. As a Certified WBE Business, Spellman Brady & Company has completed more than 6,300 projects in forty-three states and abroad since its founding 29 years ago.

Construction will commence this Spring and be completed in Summer 2023

After getting input from transit riders, area residents, elected officials and stakeholders through a series of in-person and virtual opportunities, a finalized design concept has been approved for the “Transit Stop Transformation Project” at the 5^th & Missouri Transit Center in East St. Louis, Ill. The project – being completed in conjunction with the St. Clair County Transit District, Citizens for Modern Transit, AARP in St. Louis and Metro Transit – will transform the concrete area between the bus bays and MetroLink entrance into an interactive, playful and engaging space.

The finalized design, developed by Trivers, a top architecture firm in St. Louis, boasts a nod to East St. Louis and a “City of Champions” theme. It features one large central shade structure, seating, windscreens with images of influential East St. Louisans throughout history, a significant investment in landscaping and the creation of community gathering space. Construction will commence this spring and be completed in the summer 2023.

“The planning process for this project was heavily influenced by the needs and wants of the local community,” commented Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “We are excited to see this concept come to life and transform this space into an engaging corridor that residents of all ages can enjoy, while celebrating the champions of East St. Louis.”

The “Transit Stop Transformation Project” at the 5^th & Missouri Transit Center is the fifth transformation of its kind in the St. Louis region. Transformations were also completed at the North Hanley Transit Center in St. Louis County in October 2022; Belleville Transit Center in Belleville in June 2022; the Emerson Park Transit Center in East St. Louis in August 2021 and at a MetroBus stop in Maplewood in June 2020.

The goal of this and all other “Transit Stop Transformation” projects is to transform places that people typically pass through on their way to their next destination into community amenities that improve safety and security, build ridership and increase engagement around transit. Each project showcases a deep understanding of and commitment to equitable development around transit, the impact and possibility of play, the ability for creative interventions to produce long-term impact in neighborhoods that are accessible for residents of all ages, and the need for collaboration to succeed.

To learn more, visit www.cmt-stl.org.

Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is the region’s transit advocacy organization. It was established in 1985 to help bring light rail to St. Louis and works to develop, support and enhance programming and initiatives to ensure safe, convenient and affordable access to the region’s integrated public transportation system. CMT champions, challenges, encourages and advocates for public transit in an effort to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life in the St. Louis region.

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

The Associated Builders and Contractors in mid-March announced a total of $2.14 billion worth of construction across 82 projects as the winners of its 33^rd Annual Excellence in Construction Awards.

The EIC Awards are bestowed on projects coast to coast that demonstrate innovation, design-build excellence and productivity, according to Milton Graugnard, 2023 national chairman of the ABC’s board of directors.

“The Excellence in Construction Awards are the cornerstone competition in our industry, honoring the project teams that exemplify the best of the best in merit shop construction,” Graugnard said.

Winners include the National WWI Memorial in Washington D.C., the Mount Olympus Indoor Water Park in Lake Delton, Wisconsin and the Thibodaux Regional Medical Center’s Cancer Institute in Thibodaux, Louisiana. “Every one of these projects is exemplary and shows the diversity of what the merit shop construction industry builds and how we build projects safely, on time and on budget.”

The EIC Awards honor every member of the construction team – the contractor, owner, architect and engineer. Winning projects are judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges that were overcome, completion time, innovation and safety.

A full list of winners is available here.

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

Data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri reveal a slow start to single-family and multifamily permit applications compared to a year ago.

2023 President Jeremy Roth says permits are off to a sluggish start in early 2023 with single-family permits down 52 percent and multifamily permits down 61 percent in January compared with the same period in 2022.

“Construction costs and higher mortgage rates continue to challenge the industry,” said Roth, “but builder confidence is climbing as the number of units under construction is high … and we expect permit numbers to strengthen in the spring months.”

January permit data was unavailable for St. Louis City, Festus and Pacific.

The percentages cited above are based upon the following detailed permit numbers from the HBA of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri:

The Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program and Southern Illinois Builders Association will hold their Awards Program on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the SIBA Office, 1468 N. Green Mount Road, O’Fallon, Illinois.

Four firms will be recognized for 50 years of membership: Jim Taylor, Inc., Belleville, Illinois; DeLaurent Construction Company, Inc., Wilsonville, Illinois; Quad-County Ready Mix Corp., Okawville, Illinois; and Energy Culvert Company, L.L.C., Energy, Illinois.

Over 90 SIBA member firms throughout Southern Illinois will be honored and presented with awards for construction safety excellence.

The Southern Illinois Builders Association is a trade association of contractors representing approximately 500 commercial and industrial building, highway and utility construction contractors throughout the 39 counties in Southern Illinois.

Text of former President and Chief Operating Officer of TJ Wies, Tim Weis:

In accordance with TJ Wies Contracting’s long term strategic plan, it is with great pride that I am announcing that Cameron Wies is assuming the office of President and Chief Operating Officer of TJ Wies Contracting effective immediately.  

In his new role, Cameron will be responsible for providing day to day oversight, direction and support for the TJ Wies Leadership Team as well as all of our TJ Wies teammates. 

Over the past several years Cameron has proven himself as a leader, a teammate, a supporter, and problem solver. Cameron brings many of the same character traits to TJ Wies that you are accustomed to seeing.  

He is a very good communicator who is comfortable both asking for and listening to others’ opinions as well as formulating and respectfully expressing his own opinion.

He is creative and innovative in both his problem solving and also in setting the direction of TJ Wies’ future.  

He is a skillful collaborator/teambuilder who looks for ways for everyone to be successful.

He is committed to keeping the family aspect of TJ Wies Contracting while looking for growth opportunities for the company, therefore providing growth opportunities for those family members who seek to further develop in their careers.

He has the courage to do the right thing all of the time, no matter how costly.

Cameron also brings a different set of skills to TJ Wies than you have seen from me in the past and I am sure that you will appreciate these upgrades.

He is extremely organized which helps him stay on task, he assigns projects with adequate notice and then holds himself and others accountable for completion of their assignments within the timeframe.

He is a “finisher”, he stays involved in projects to see them through to completion, he does not jump from one “shiny object” to another. He tends to set a well thought out pace and waits for project completion and implementation success before starting another project.

He is very data driven, he sources and analyzes as much data as he can find before making a decision. He is always ready, aim, shoot as opposed to what you have seen in the past with my gut decisions.

As for me, I will be retaining my title of Chief Executive Officer and part time DFS, “Director of Fun Shit”. I will be available for consultation for Cameron, the Leadership Team, and anyone else who might have questions or concerns, but I will not be involved in the day to day activities of TJ Wies Contracting. I have the utmost confidence in Cameron and the Leadership Team, I am excited for the future of TJ Wies Contracting and am looking forward to watching where you all take this company over the years.  

My goal was to create a “Century Company”, which is one that has been successful for over 100 years, we have had 29 extremely successful years and it is time for Cameron and all of you to move it forward the next 29 years while developing the next group to continue on after that.   

Thank you to everyone who has been part of TJ Wies Contracting’s success over the years, first and foremost all of our TJ Wies family members both past and present, you have made us the company that we are.

Secondly to our customers – without you we are nothing, thank you for trusting us with your work and with your reputation, your reputation is on the line on every project you have and if we do not perform, your reputation suffers, that’s why your trust is critical to our success.  

To our suppliers, your skillful handling of pricing, inventory and logistics has allowed us to concentrate on what makes us successful -BUILDING, your services are paramount to our success.

To our Labor Supply Partners, we may have not always agreed on everything, but in most instances we have been on the same page, do what is right for the industry. You have been an integral part of our success over the years – Thank you

To our Service Providers – thank you for providing advice, mentorship, education and most importantly for keeping me from making more stupid decisions than I did.

Incoming President and CEO, Cameron Wies’ comments:

My vision for the future:

In the short term, we have a lot of transition to go through in the next couple of years. My personal goal is to help support everyone who has made this company truly great as they transition into retirement and pass along their duties and responsibilities to others.

Overall my goal is to always stay positive, to never back away for any worthwhile challenge and to continue to build with the help of each and every one of you a place we always enjoy to going to each and everyday and a career we are all proud of on the day we choose to retire.  

Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way, I truly could not have done it without you.

Awards Spotlights Organizations and Individuals Dedicated to Sustainability in Schools

Hope Gribble, Green Schools Manager for the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council, has been named a 2023 Best of Green Schools Award recipient for the Michelle Curreri Collaborator Award category, presented by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Schools National Network.

The awards celebrate the hard work being done by people, schools, campuses and organizations to push the green school movement forward. For over a decade, Hope Gribble has led the development and management of multiple school sustainability programs that have driven the green school momentum in the state of Missouri and has included the Green Schools Quest: A Project-Based Challenge and Missouri Green Schools. The suite of programs, which have engaged over 200 Missouri schools to date, provide schools with guidance and resources for integrating green and healthy practices across their buildings and grounds, educational programming and school culture.

“I’m grateful for the many partners, teachers, students, school staff and volunteer mentors who have helped shape these programs and truly brought them to life,” remarked Hope Gribble. “Collaboration, creativity, and passion for elevating the nexus between human and environmental health are at the heart of this work. It’s incredible to see what we can accomplish together with these as our driving forces!”

“The Center for Green Schools relies on the hard work of volunteers and advocates who are committed to sustainable schools that enhance the health and wellbeing of all students and prepare them to lead a more sustainable future,” said Anisa Heming, director at the Center for Green Schools.

“The 2023 Best of Green Schools honorees represent a group of incredible individuals and organizations who have done extraordinary work for the green school movement.” The Center for Green Schools and Green Schools National Network received hundreds of nominations of individuals and organizations that have made an impact in advancing green schools in 2022. The 2023 recipients of the Best of Green Schools Award were announced during the Green Schools Conference in New Orleans.

Show-Me Green Schools: Pathways to Whole-School Sustainability is a suite of programs that support and recognize schools for their achievements across all three “pillars” of a green school: Reduced environmental impacts and costs; Improved health and wellness of schools, students and staff; and Effective environmental and sustainability education.

Managed collaboratively by the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council and the Missouri Environmental Education Association, the suite of programs include: The Green Schools Quest, a project-based, student driven challenge honoring teams of students who implement a low-or-no-cost sustainability project at their school with the help of a community mentor and a school staff lead. Missouri Green Schools, guiding and honoring schools across multiple levels of achievement recognition, from just starting their green and healthy journey to making significant gains in wellness, student engagement, cost-savings, and reduction of the school’s ecological footprint. The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School Award, a prestigious one-time only award for up to 5 schools per state who have made significant strides in each of the 3 green school pillars listed above.

Design-build contractor Keystone Construction Company has begun work on the new 45,000-square-foot headquarters and state-of-the-art production studio for KMOV Channel 4 in Maryland Heights, Missouri. KMOV has broadcast from Gateway Tower at One Memorial Drive in downtown overlooking the Gateway Arch for more than 50 years and is expected to move into their new facility in May 2023.

Located near Westport Plaza and Interstate 270, the site includes a three-story office building, which is an ideal open slate for transforming into a broadcast space. The design-build project includes a major interior and exterior renovation. The new facility will feature two broadcast studios, a large newsroom, dressing rooms, control rooms, data center, seven transmission satellites and fitness center. The two-acre site provides ample room for parking, some of which will be covered.

“KMOV’s new headquarters will be at the forefront of broadcast facilities in the nation to optimize viewer engagement now and be readily transformable for the future,” said JD Sosnoff KMOV St. Louis Vice President/General Manager. “Additionally, our project team is constructing the very best in modern production and creative collaboration spaces to provide advertisers with what they deserve in a broadcast partner.”

Work also includes the installation of a backup generator with the capability to power the entire building and electrical and HVAC system upgrades to accommodate KMOV’s higher demands. The project team will install specialty sound proofing systems, new audio/visual equipment throughout and replace all lights with new LED fixtures to improve energy efficiency.

As design-build contractor, Keystone is tasked with defining the project scope and ensuring that the design and construction are delivered in alignment with the client’s schedule and budget goals. During the current supply environment, Keystone has identified and sourced critical building components with long lead times to ensure the project schedule remains on track. The architect is Partners By Design. Cole & Associates is the civil engineer. Barrett, Woodyard & Associates is providing mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineering services. NAI DESCO is the real estate broker.

ABOUT KEYSTONE CONSTRUCTION
Keystone Construction Company is a St. Louis-based general contractor with expertise in design/build projects for office, retail, industrial and healthcare clients. For nearly 35 years, Keystone projects have reflected the company’s commitment to superior architecture and design, quality materials and craftsmanship that stand the test of time. The general contractor has received numerous design and construction awards, including Building St. Louis awards in 2017, 2019 and 2021; Project 64 West Excellence in Community Development Award; and Excellence in Design Award from American Builders Company and Nucor. Harvard University chose Keystone’s unique process for a course study called “How to do Design/Build Right.” For more information, visit https://keystone-stl.com.