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Input Costs Rise Faster than Bid-Price Index in June

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Starts Surge, ConstructConnect Reports

Submitted by the AGC.

Contractors’ input costs rose faster than their bid prices from May to June but bid prices rose faster over the past 12 months, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data posted on Thursday. Specifically, the producer price index (PPI) for material and service inputs to new nonresidential construction increased 1.1% for the month and 16.8% year-over-year (y/y). The PPI for new nonresidential building construction—a measure of the price that contractors say they would bid to build a fixed set of buildings—rose 0.5% for the month and 19.8% y/y. Costs rose faster than bid prices last month for a variety of inputs in the cost index: diesel fuel, up 14% for the month and 111% y/y; prepared asphalt and tar roofing and siding products, 3.2% and 22%, respectively; concrete products, 1.7% and 14%; plastic construction products, 1.5% and 27%; insulation materials, 1.2% and 16%; and brick and structural clay tile, 1.0% and 9.3%. In contrast, the PPI for lumber and wood products slumped 15% in June and 27% y/y. PPIs for metals also slid last month: aluminum mill shapes, down 5.2% for the month but up 20% y/y; steel mill products, -1.8% and 22%, respectively, and copper and brass mill shapes, -1.6% and 0.6%. Bid prices, as measured by PPIs for new buildings, fell 0.1% for the month but climbed 30% y/y for new warehouse construction; and increased 0.2% in June and 16% y/y for both school and health care buildings; 0.8% and 24%, respectively, for industrial buildings; and 1.0% and 21% for offices. PPI increases for new, repair, and maintenance work by subcontractors amounted to 0.8% for the month and 21% y/y for concrete contractors; 15% and 18%, respectively, for roofing; 1.4% and 14% for plumbing; and 0.4% and 12% for electrical contractors. AGC posted tables of construction PPIs. Readers are invited to send information about costs and supply issues to ken.simonson@agc.org.

The value of construction starts in June rose 3.6% y/y in current dollars (i.e., not inflation-adjusted) and increased 15% year-to-date for the first half of 2022 compared to January-June 2021, not seasonally adjusted, data firm ConstructConnect reported on Friday. Nonresidential building starts jumped 29% year-to-date, with institutional starts up 1.9%, commercial starts up 0.8%, and industrial (manufacturing) starts up 316%. Engineering (civil) starts leaped 24% year-to-date, with road/highway up 30%, water/sewage up 23%, power and other miscellaneous down 4.1%, bridges up 47%, dams/marine up 13%, and airports up 20%. Residential starts edged up 0.7% year-to-date, with single-family up 1.3% and apartments down 1.0%.

“The first year of new settlements reached from January through June of 2022 for union craft workers in the construction industry had an average increase of 3.6%” for wages, fringe benefits, and other employer payments, the Construction Labor Research Council reported on Friday in its June Settlements Report. “There has been noticeable growth in the size of increases the past year and a half. After a modest dip of 0.2% in 2020, likely due to COVID-19, there was sharper growth in 2021 and so far in 2022. That is, the 0.8% change in the size of increases from 2020 to [the second quarter of 2022] is the same amount as the growth from 2013 to 2019 (6 years). It appears that high inflation has impacted union craft pay rates more than two other recent factors—the craft labor shortage and COVID-19.” Among 14 crafts, settlements ranged from 4.3% for carpenters to 2.3% for plasterers. Among the nine Census regions, “the Northwest had the largest increase to date this year [5.7%], and that is on top of the largest increase percentage in 2021,” 4.0%. The smallest increase so far in 2022 was 2.6% in the West North Central region.

The Dodge Momentum Index in June reached a 14-year high, up slightly from an upwardly revised May reading and up 9% y/y, Dodge Construction Network reported on July 11. The index “is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, [which has been] shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. In June, the commercial component of the Momentum Index rose 4% [and 11% y/y], while the institutional component fell 6%” but rose 5% y/y. “Commercial planning in June was led by an increase in warehouse projects, while most other commercial buildings were flat. For institutional planning, a decrease in education projects in June dragged the sector lower, although healthcare increased.”

“Economic activity expanded at a modest pace, on balance, since mid-May; however, several districts reported growing signs of a slowdown in demand, and contacts in five districts noted concerns over an increased risk of a recession,” the Federal Reserve reported on Wednesday in the latest “Beige Book” summary of informal soundings of businesses by district. Nine of the 12 districts “noted moderation in prices for construction inputs such as lumber and steel.” The district headquartered in San Francisco reported, “Contacts noted that commercial real estate permits and construction slowed down somewhat.” The Dallas Fed reported, “a few [staffing-firm] contacts cited some slowing in demand, particularly for construction workers.” The Kansas City Fed reported, “Demand for multifamily housing construction remained elevated. However, financing conditions for new projects tightened recently, leading to fewer projects being initiated in recent weeks. Still, backlogs for multifamily housing development projects remain large by historical standards.” The Minneapolis Fed reported, “Commercial construction was flat since the last report. Contacts said overall demand was still healthy, but persistently high material costs, supply chain difficulties, and rising borrowing costs were having an increasingly negative impact. New projects and total active projects over the most recent six-week period (ending mid-June) were lower,” y/y. Readers are invited to report project cancellations and postponements to ken.simonson@agc.org.

McCarthy Marks Topping Out For 1M sf Mixed Use Development

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McCarthy Building Companies has secured in place one of the last steel beams to complete the framing of Forsyth Pointe, a nearly one-million-square-foot mixed use development occupying an entire square city block in the prestigious central business district of Clayton, Mo., the county seat of St. Louis County.

The development by US Capital Development features two steel-framed, all glass Class A office towers with street-level retail space offering spectacular views of the adjacent 30-acre Shaw Park.

Highlights include Commerce Bank Tower, a 10-story, 265,000-sq.-ft. high-rise at the intersection of Forsyth Blvd. and Meramec Ave., as well as an 8-story, 210,000-sq.-ft. west tower at the intersection of Forsyth Blvd. and Brentwood Blvd.  In addition, the development includes more than 20,000 sq. ft. of street-level retail space and a 7-level (1,250 car) parking structure connecting both towers and extending 2.5 levels underground.

Designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, a signature amenity will be the 45,000-sq.-ft. (over one-acre)  “green roof” open-air garden terrace built over the parking structure that will be available for tenants to enjoy. Additional amenities include plans for a 10,000-sq.-ft. fitness center and ground-floor arts and entertainment venue.

McCarthy Building Companies, 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. With an unrelenting focus on safety and a comprehensive quality program that span all phases of every project, McCarthy utilizes industry-leading design phase and construction techniques combined with value-add technology to maximize outcomes. Repeatedly honored as a Best Place to Work and Healthiest Employer, McCarthy is ranked the 13th largest domestic builder (Engineering News-Record, May 2021). 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, Dallas, and Houston; and San Diego, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, Calif. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com or by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Pennington, Keeley lead United Way 2022 Campaign

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ST. LOUIS— United Way of Greater St. Louis announces that Penny Pennington, managing partner of Edward Jones, and Rusty Keeley, CEO of Keeley Companies, will serve as chair and co-chair, respectively, of its 2022 annual community campaign. Additionally, Arica Harris, director of banking and payment operations at Edward Jones, will serve as vice chair. 

This year, United Way of Greater St. Louis is celebrating 100 years of impact in the St. Louis region.

“United Way and its agency partners play a unique and vital role in the success and resilience of our regional growth by providing critical wraparound services and support to our neighbors, family and friends,” said Pennington. “Like Edward Jones, United Way is celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2022, and I am proud of our strong and enduring partnership. Together, Rusty, Arica and I are looking forward to partnering with local leaders, companies and community volunteers to help even more people through the United Way campaign this year.”

United Way’s campaign supports more than 160 Safety Net agencies that help 1 million people in 16 counties throughout Missouri and Illinois. Its support across the region focuses on basic needs, youth success, health, financial stability and crisis response.

“United Way of Greater St. Louis has shown their dedication to uplifting the St. Louis community for decades through philanthropy, giving, and volunteer leadership, and I am humbled to join them as they continue their mission,” said Keeley. “I look forward to working on this year’s campaign that will go towards helping countless individuals and families throughout the community.”

In addition to funding its health and human service partners, United Way manages the region’s Volunteer Center and 2-1-1 Helpline, a 24/7 resource connecting people to programs and services for a variety of needs.

“Through its network of safety net agencies, United Way works to make the St. Louis region a great place to work and live and inspires so many people to realize their full potential,” said Harris. “United Way is a powerful change agent and I’m excited to expand this work even further through my role as vice chair this year.”

United Way’s annual campaign begins in early September and runs through the fall.

“We are thrilled to have Penny, Rusty and Arica leading this year’s campaign efforts as each of them exemplifies leadership, generosity and community,” said Michelle Tucker, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. “Their knowledge and business experience will be invaluable in helping us find new and innovative ways to engage our supporters and expand our impact in the St. Louis region. We are very grateful and excited to have them on board and to see all that we will accomplish during this special centennial year.”

Pennington
Keeley

Sign of the Times: MO, IL Public Projects Draw Only One Bidder

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

Within the past 45 days, two major public-sector building project lettings – one in St. Louis, the other in Springfield, IL – have been left wanting for bids from contractors.

The first project, phase two of a proposed expansion to St. Louis’ downtown convention center, met with only one bidder for phase one and no bidders for phase two. The contract to build the second half of the Cervantes Convention Center expansion/modernization, estimated by city officials to cost $70.8 million, received nary a bid. Phase one of the project, awarded in early May to the only bidder – Ben Hur Construction – included approval of a $123.9 million contract with the construction firm, 65 percent higher than what the city initially budgeted.

The second project, the largest-ever renovation of the Illinois State Capitol, attracted only one bidder with a price tag that came in 43 percent over the state’s job cost estimate. Core Construction Services of Illinois Inc. was awarded the $243.5-million project, for which the state budgeted as part of a 2019 capital improvements package. Four contractors expressed interest at a pre-bid session, according project architect Andrew Aggertt, but only one firm bid on the contract.

“I am not surprised,” said Leonard Toenjes, president of the Associated General Contractors of Missouri, referencing the lack of bidders. “These longer-term projects, with inflation as it is and all the different work opportunities there are, dissuades contracting from trying to work in the public low-bid market because that carries a lot of risk, especially now.”

In contrast to private-sector construction projects, taxpayer-funded public builds don’t allow for provisions such as escalation clauses, according to Toenjes, to help minimize the risk contractors bear when there are supply chain unknowns. Private sector project agreements also frequently include flexibility in working with the project owner when diesel prices double over the course of the project timeline.

“The long-term nature of some of these projects often requires that contractors go back to owners and restructure various portions of the contract to account for dramatic cost escalations,” Toenjes said. “These candid constructor-supplier-owner conversations are often needed these days to keep a project on track. In a public low-bid, hard-bid situation, this type of flexibility often is not possible.”

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Holland Begins Constructing New Midtown Apartment Development in St. Louis

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Holland Construction Services has begun construction on The Edwin on Grand, a $60 million apartment development located in Midtown St. Louis near SSM Health’s new hospital campus, St. Louis University and Grand Center. The development, which will be located along Grand Boulevard between Gratiot and Papin Streets, will include a Target on the ground floor with additional retail space. The project has a planned completion date of October of 2023.

This apartment complex is the latest addition to the Pier Property Group’s Steelcote Square District, a more than $100 million investment in Midtown St. Louis. This area includes several of Pier Property Group’s multi-family complexes including the Steelcote Lofts, Steelcote Crossing and Mill Creek Flats. 

“This unique apartment development is a huge success for the St. Louis area and the Midtown community in particular,” said Holland Vice President and Multi-Family Project Executive Doug Weber. “The demand for multi-family units has only continued to grow and we are happy to be a part of the development of this upcoming, exciting area.”

In addition to Target, the 350,000 square foot development will include 196 apartment units and incorporate a 200-space parking garage along with 140 surface parking spaces. The Target on the ground floor will be 70,000 square feet. The Edwin will have a rooftop pool with views of downtown St. Louis along with many other resident amenities including a fitness center.

This is the fourth multi-family project Holland Construction Services has partnered with Pier Property Group on in recent years. The team also recently completed the Flats at Dorsett Ridge in Maryland Heights and is currently working on the Flats at Wildhorse Village in Chesterfield and Mill Creek Flats in Midtown. 

“We’ve developed a very good working relationship with Holland which helps these projects run smoothly,” said Developer Michael Hamburg with Pier Property Group. “Holland’s team, and the process-oriented approach they take to their work always impresses me. I’m excited to see what this apartment development will bring to the area and have no doubt it will attract even more people to Midtown St. Louis.” 

A St. Louis based design firm, Arcturis, is the architect for this project.

About Holland

Holland Construction Services is a full-service construction management, general contracting, and design/build firm guided by the principle of providing clients the best possible build experience on every project.  Holland has been providing quality construction services throughout Illinois and Missouri since 1986, when it was founded by company CEO Bruce Holland. 

Holland offers pre-construction, construction, and virtual design & construction services to commercial, education, healthcare, industrial, multi-family, municipal, recreation, and senior living clients. The St. Louis Business Journal consistently ranks Holland as a “Best Places to Work” and one of the top 15 contractors by volume in the St. Louis area. For more information, visit Holland’s website at www.hollandcs.com.

First Female President, Sarah Jacobson, to Helm Clayco Subsidiary Lamar Johnson Collaborative

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National architecture and design firm Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC), a Clayco subsidiary, announced today the appointment of its first female president, Sarah Jacobson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, ND. Sarah will also be joining the Clayco enterprise’s executive leadership team on the West Coast.

Sarah has distinguished herself throughout her career as an architect and project leader on numerous large, complex projects. She most recently relocated to lead LJC’s newly established office in Culver City, California, near Los Angeles. With extensive experience in architecture and construction management, Sarah has led teams on award-winning developments including office buildings, hotels, high-rises, mixed-use, civic and institutional facilities, for both new construction and adaptive re-use.

“This year LJC has seen tremendous growth and exciting new opportunities, all of which Sarah Jacobson has been instrumental in making happen,” said Bob Clark, executive chairman and founder of Clayco, LJC’s parent company. “With over 250 people in six offices, the diversity and quality of LJC’s work has drawn national attention and recognition. LJC has achieved success through the collective efforts of exceptional leaders like Sarah, as well as Kapil Khanna and Lamar Johnson.”

Lamar Johnson Collaborative is pleased to announce additional executive promotions:

Kapil Khanna

Kapil Khanna is elevated from President to Chief Executive Officer. Kapil joined the firm more than ten years ago and provides direction for the business strategy, integration and implementation of initiatives to support the firm’s growth.

Lamar Johnson

Lamar Johnson, the namesake and founder of the firm, is named Executive Chairman. He founded Lamar Johnson Collaborative in 2017 and joined Clayco in 2019. Lamar has successfully established the firm as a nationally recognized design practice.

In addition to these leaders, LJC acknowledges the significant contributions of three additional senior staff; interior design market leader Al Fiesel, industrial design market leader David Junge, and senior designer Tyler Meyr have been promoted to Executive Directors.

What began as Forum Studio Architects in St. Louis almost 25 years ago has now been transformed into a leading architecture, interiors, planning and landscape firm. LJC employs over 250 professionals across four offices and partners with companies, municipalities and universities of all sizes to deliver aspirational built environments through master planning, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, urban planning and engineering. Recent firm accolades include PopCourts!, Grand Prize winner of the AIA Film Challenge 2021; Promenade Park, winner of a 2021 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence; NAIOP Chicago Architecture Firm of the Year; and recipient of the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s Commercial Real Estate Awards Architect and Interior Design Firm of the Year awards.

IMPACT Strategies Recognized for Diversity Initiatives

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Firm named one of Ameren’s top prime suppliers in diverse business spending.

IMPACT Strategies was recently recognized by Ameren as a top supplier partner in diverse business spending. Ameren recognized firms reporting greater than 25% of total expenditures with diverse suppliers. IMPACT Strategies was one of twelve area firms named to this list.

This recognition comes as IMPACT Strategies boosts its efforts to build sustainable MBE/WBE partnerships throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. To that end, the firm is proactively building strategic relationships with qualified, established MBE/WBE firms, and hosting meet-and-greet events to assist them in forging relationships with other established majority firms.

IMPACT Strategies has also hosted outreach/workshop mentoring and entrepreneurial programs in cooperation with the Illinois Office of Minority Economic Empowerment along with officials of the Illinois Small Business Development Council for the Metro East. The firm is also actively developing relationships with qualified subcontractors through its involvement with the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Women in Construction.

Additionally, the firm sponsors scholarships through local NAACP chapters that support youth interested in careers in construction.

“Our commitment to inclusion and diversity in our industry has acutely grown over the past five years as we push to become more responsible to our clients and to the communities we serve,” said IMPACT Strategies Director of Diversity, Michael Holmes. “The future of the construction industry continues to be challenged to grow and develop a new workforce. We have an opportunity and a duty to develop programs that attract women, minorities, and veterans to careers in our industry.”

IMPACT Strategies provides client-focused construction management, design/build, and general contracting services. The firm offers a full continuum of innovative design/build service capabilities including proven construction management processes and site development. IMPACT Strategies serves a regional and national client base in the Healthcare, Senior Living, Multifamily, Office, Retail, and Warehouse/Distribution markets from its offices in Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio. To learn more visit BuildwithIMPACT.com.

IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection Earns Missouri Show Me Service Award

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Partnership Honored for Support of Rebuilding Together St. Louis

A nearly 20-year commitment by the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership to improve lives of families in low income homes is being honored by the state of Missouri. The Missouri Community Service Commission, a division of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, has given the partnership a Show Me Service Award for its 19 years of volunteer service to support Rebuilding Together St. Louis.

Rebuilding Together St. Louis has provided free home repairs in St. Louis for more than 25 years, focusing on projects that improve homeowners’ safety, health, and independence.  Since 2003, the Electrical Connection has donated more than $2.3 million in labor and materials to make electrical repairs and improvements to 570 homes for low-income, disabled and elderly St. Louisans.  The Electrical Connection is a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

In honoring the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership, the Missouri Community Service Commission noted, “every year, an army of 100-plus International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 electricians and more than 20 electrical contractor members of the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) give up their Saturday for a special purpose. They unite under the banner of the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership to make critical lifesaving electrical repairs to low-income homes in the St. Louis area. The partnership pays for all of the materials for the repairs, and the labor is all donated. The now 19-year commitment by the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection to help Rebuilding Together St. Louis improve homes of low-income residents was put on hold in 2020 because of the pandemic. But on April 24, 2021, it was renewed with vigor when the partnership repaired 15 homes. ‘We had a lot of catching up to do since the pandemic limited our access to volunteer resources as we continued serving our neighbors in need,’ noted Elaine Powers, executive director, Rebuilding Together St. Louis.

The repairs and upgrades vary – a new ceiling fan, light fixture or bathroom vent, improvements to electrical panels, new switches and sockets – but it is the trained eye of the skilled electrician that uncovers the most critical issue needing repair: faulty wiring. For the elderly living in aging homes on a fixed income, electrical systems can fall into disrepair. And the “cheap fix” of an unskilled “handyman” can create a hidden fire danger or shock hazard. The IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership encounters innumerable hazards including exposed wires, open splices, overloaded panel boxes and a lack of ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) switches and outlets.

Repairs require skill and knowledge of the National Electrical Code that IBEW/NECA diligently follow in all its installations and repairs. Older homes remain the dominant housing stock in St. Louis with many in disrepair in the poorer neighborhoods. The IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership is helping Rebuilding Together make the homes most in need safer, improving the quality of life for its residents.”

Rebuilding Together nominated the Electrical Connection for the Show Me Service Award.  For more than 25 years Rebuilding Together St. Louis has provided free home repair to low income homeowners and veterans in need so they may remain safely and comfortably in their own homes. Since its founding, the organization has rehabbed more than 3600 homes; 68 community spaces and touched more than 57,000 lives. For more information visit www.RebuildingTogether-STL.org.

Learn more about all of the recipients of the Show Me Service Awards. Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world.  Find a contractor near you in the Electrical Connection contractor database.

Successor Contractors on Federal Projects Must Now Offer Employment to Predecessor’s Employees

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By CANDACE JOHNSON

Candace Johnson

An Executive Order signed by President Biden in November 2021 has revived an Obama-era requirement that required successor employers on federal contracts under the Service Contract Act to hire or offer employment to the employees of the predecessor employer.

Under this new regulation, when a federal service contract transitions from one contractor to another, the new contractor will be required to offer jobs to qualified employees who worked for the previous contractor and performed their jobs well. The Biden Administration says this requirement will prevent disruptions in federal services, make it easier for employers to find workers who are already trained for the job and save taxpayer dollars.

Thanks to federal infrastructure investments and stimulus spending, more large federal construction projects are underway in the St. Louis area, including the new National Geospatial Administration headquarters. Therefore, it is very important for construction contractors and subcontractors to prepare for and comply with this new order to ensure they remain eligible to receive additional federal work.

In 2009, President Obama issued Executive Order 3495, known as Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts, requiring a right of first refusal for continued employment be offered to qualified service workers who stood to lose their jobs when a government contract was replaced with a new federal contract and contractor at the same location performing the same or similar services. This policy remained in place until October 2019, when President Trump revoked it through Executive Order 13897.

The new Biden Executive Order has already taken effect. It retains most of the Obama Executive Order and adds some important additional requirements. Specifically, under the Executive Order, contracts under the SCA valued at or above $250,000 must contain specific clauses that essentially require successor contractors and subcontractors to hire or offer employment with a right of first refusal to “qualified” predecessor employees under the prior contract. Offers of employment must be expressly made and kept open for at least 10 business days.

The new requirements do not apply to contracts valued under $250,000 or to employees who were hired to work under a federal service contract along with one or more nonfederal service contracts as part of a single job.

The Biden Administration says this new order will ensure that a reliable supply of experienced and skilled employees is available to work on federal service contracts. It says the rules will also make federal procurement more efficient by reducing worker turnover and keeping skilled workers in their jobs. 

Failure to follow these rules can expose contractors and subcontractors to penalties including an order to hire the predecessor contractor/subcontractor’s employees, payment of lost wages and benefits and debarment for up to three years for failure to comply with the Department of Labor’s orders for hiring.

The best way for a contractor or subcontractor to avoid these consequences is to become familiar with the requirements of these regulations and start considering successorship issues where follow-on contracts may require bargaining with and hiring a union workforce. Consulting an employment attorney can put contractors in the best position to receive federal successor contract awards effectively and efficiently.

Candace Johnson is an attorney at Carmody MacDonald P.C. She focuses her practice in employment law, advising clients on employment-related and human resources matters. Contact her at cej@carmodymacdonald.com or (314) 854-8647.

This column is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein should be treated as legal advice or as creating an attorney-client relationship. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements.

S. M. Wilson & Co. breaks ground on $13.3 million projects at two elementary schools in the Fox C-6 School District

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S. M. Wilson & Co. broke ground on $13.3 million renovation and addition projects at Antonia and Meramec Heights Elementary Schools in the Fox C-6 School District in Arnold, Missouri this month. The projects will help the schools accommodate growing enrollment, maximize learning spaces and improve security and accessibility. S. M. Wilson is the general contractor. Building Resource Studio Architecture and Planning (BRS Architects) is the architect. 

Since work must be completed while school is in session, ensuring campus safety, minimizing disruptions to students and limiting impacts to campus operations are primary focuses for S. M. Wilson.  

Left: Meramec Heights Elementary School View from Back Courtyard
Right: Antonia Elementary Schools Courtyard View

Last month, students, parents, staff, board members and residents from the local community came out to celebrate two separate groundbreaking ceremonies to mark the beginning of construction. 

The 20,994-square-foot, two-story addition at Antonia Elementary, located off of Old State Road M in Imperial, Missouri, includes additional classroom space as well as a new library, gym and art room. In addition to a new entrance, parent-drop off and playground, the project also features significant interior renovations of 3,740-square-feet to ensure ADA compliance as well as upgrades to the music room and school office.

The 25,859-square-foot, two-story addition at Meramec Heights Elementary, located off of Outer 21 Road in Arnold, Missouri, features new classrooms, gym, school office, cafeteria, kitchen and an expanded music and art room. The project also includes a new school entrance, parking lot and hard-surface playground. An additional 3,671-square-feet is being renovated. 

Both projects will include new storm shelters and upgraded building security, including new exterior door keycard access and expanded security camera systems. Funding for these projects comes from a $40 million no-tax-rate-increase bond to improve the safety, security and accessibility of all buildings throughout the district. Prop P, which stands for Promise, Purpose and Progress, was overwhelmingly approved by voters in June 2020. Located in northeastern Jefferson County, Fox C-6 School District serves nearly 12,000 students.

ABOUT S. M. WILSON & CO.

S. M. Wilson is a full-service construction management, design/build and general contracting firm with headquarters in St. Louis and offices in Edwardsville, IL and Cape Girardeau, MO. Founded in 1921, S. M. Wilson is dedicated to going above and beyond expectations for their clients by putting people first. The 100% employee-owned company is one of the leading construction management firms in the Midwest. Areas of expertise include education, commercial, healthcare and industrial projects. For more information, visit www.smwilson.com.

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