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Industry Confronts Labor Crisis with Expanded Training

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April 20 Build My Future Interactive Event to Showcase Skills/Jobs/Training in Industry

Missouri’s construction industry has a lot of great momentum and positive headwinds behind it. On April 15 the AGC of America reported that Missouri’s March 2022 construction, mining & logging employment of 140,300 has surpassed levels from February 2020 by 11,300 jobs, an 8.8 percent increase over the past 25 months:  State Empl 2022_March_Alpha_25.pdf (agc.org)

In 2018 the Missouri Economic Research and Development Center projected employment in Missouri’s construction industry to grow from 122,687 in 2018 to 131,154 by 2028. March 2022 employment of 140,300 has already smashed through those projections and growth in some segments of the sector, i.e. utility system construction, is projected as high as 21.6 percent.

  Other compelling reasons the industry is attracting workers include:

Excellent pay. Construction jobs pay well. In Missouri, five out of the five most numerous construction occupations had higher median pay than the median for all employees in the state in 2019. (Half of workers earn more than the median; half earn less.) See AGC of America’s Missouri fact sheet for sample median wages:

Construction Training.  Missouri offers a variety of craft/trade training programs including exceptional union apprenticeship programs, technical schools, junior college, industry-sponsored trade courses and some of the top post-secondary engineering programs in the nation. https://www.agcmo.org/WCM/Career%20Development/WCM/Nav_Items/Education_Workforce/Education_LANDING_PAGE.aspx?hkey=a70fe0a4-a854-4dbb-869f-f4297aa0069c

However, these positive headwinds could be significantly slowed by a lack of qualified workers and supply chain woes currently confronting contractors. In its Annual Workforce survey, Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA) reports that 95% of Missouri contractors have unfilled open craft positions and 71% have unfilled salary positions, mirroring statistics nationwide:

The industry is pulling out all stops to attract workers. On Wed., April 20 Build My Future® STL will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the St. Charles Family Arena. (Ribbon-cutting will take place at 8:30 a.m.)  The event will include hands-on exhibits and virtual reality simulations by nearly 60 local organizations that specialize in architecture, construction, bricklaying, heavy equipment, tile laying, welding, and more.  The Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri and the Francis Howell School District are co-chairs of the event planning committee, with support from the organizations on the attached page.  The high school students also will receive t-shirts, safety gear and a quick overview of safety protocols.  For updates/photos, visit: www.buildmyfuturestl.com or https://www.facebook.com/BuildMyFutureSTL/.

              This event is the second of five Build My Future events scheduled throughout Missouri in 2022 – all designed to introduce the next generation to the construction industry.  A Build My Future event was held in Springfield, MO on April 13, followed up by the April 20th Build My Future STL in St. Charles. Future events include:  Macon (Sept. 21); Sikeston (Oct. 5); and Jefferson City (Oct. 18).  For information on future Build My Future events, contact Charlyce Ruth at 417.425.3390 (cell) cruth@agcmo.org  (NOTE:  All vendor, volunteer and student registrations are complete for April 20 and the event is SOLD OUT.)

The Associated General Contractors of Missouri (AGCMO) represents the united voice of the construction industry throughout the state of Missouri. AGC of Missouri represents nearly 550 commercial, industrial, highway, transportation, and utility infrastructure contractors, industry partners and related firms in 110 counties across the state of Missouri. AGCMO operates offices in St. Louis, Jefferson City and Springfield. Visit: www.agcmo.org.

Build My Future® STL Committee • Associated General Contractors of Missouri • City of St. Charles School District • Construction Forum • Economic Development Council of St. Charles County • Fort Zumwalt School District • Francis Howell School District • Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce • Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri • Lewis & Clark Career Center • Mid America Carpenters Regional Council • Minuteman Press • Missouri and Kansas Laborers District Council • Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development • Northeast Missouri Workforce Development Board • Orchard Farm School District • Sellenriek Construction • St. Charles County Center for Advanced Professional Studies • St. Charles County Community College • St. Charles County Department of Workforce & Business Development • Troy School District • Vision Leadership • Warren County School District • Wentzville School District • Winfield School District • Wright City School District Schools Participating in Build My Future® STL • Benedicite Education • Bowling Green High School • Fort Zumwalt East High School • Fort Zumwalt North High School • Fort Zumwalt South High School • Francis Howell High School • Francis Howell Central • Francis Howell North • Francis Howell Union High School • Hazelwood Opportunity Center • Holt High School • Hope High • Innovation High School at Cool Valley • Jennings Senior High School • Lewis and Clark Community College • Liberty High School • Mehlville and Oakville High Schools • North Point High School • North Technical High School • Orchard Farm High School • Pacific High School • Pattonville High School • St. Charles West High School • St. Dominic High School • South Technical High School • Troy Buchanan High School • St. Dominic High School • Timberland High School • Winfield High School • Washington High School/Four Rivers Career Center • Wright City High School Build My Future® STL Exhibitors & Sponsors • ABC Supply Co. Inc. • Associated General Contractors of Missouri Education Foundation • Alberici Construction • American Welding Academy • Boone Center Inc. • Bommarito Construction • Bricklayers Local #1 JATC • Brinkmann Constructors • Builder’s Bloc • Carpenter’s Joint Training Facility • Ceco Concrete Construction, LLC • Construction Career Development Initiative • City of O’Fallon Public Works • Civil Design, Inc. • Consort Homes • Cool Touch Graphics • D&L Painting and Drywall • Dierbergs • Elite Mechanical • Fabick • Ferguson Enterprises • Francis Howell School District • Fischer & Frichtel Carpentry Specialties • Frisella Nursery • FTI Midwest • Green Street Building Group • Guarantee Electrical Company • Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri • Independent Electrical Contractors of Greater St. Louis • John Bender, Inc. • Johnstone Supply • Kienstra Concrete • Laborers’ Local 660 • Local #18 Tile, Marble, Terrazzo • LSL Finishings • McBride Homes • McCarthy Building Companies • Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council • Midwest Safety Supplier • Millstone Weber LLC • Missouri State University – College of Business • MODOT • Murphy Company • National Association of Women in Construction • Negwer • Operating Engineers Local 513 Training • OSHA St. Louis • Paric • Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562 • Progress 64 West • QuesTec Mechanical • Ranken Technical College • Reed Electric • S.M. Wilson & Co. • ScholarPath • Scott Lee Guttering • Sellenriek • Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 • Spire • St. Charles Community College • St. Charles Regional Chamber of Commerce • St. Louis Cement Masons Joint Apprenticeship Program • St. Louis Electrical Industry Training Center • St. Louis Job Corps • STL Design and Build Home Services • T.R. Hughes • Tarlton Corporation • The Boeing Company • The Sound Room • TJ Wies Contracting • True Manufacturing • Two Alpha Construction • Universal Technical Institute • McKelvey Homes • Midas Construction • Midwest Insulation • Missouri American Water • Missouri Employers Mutual • Missouri Women in Trades • Metro Lighting/Electric Supply • Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District • Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council • UtiliSource • Wright Construction Services, Inc.

Spellman Brady Nationally Recognized for Innovative Senior Living Design

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Sagewood Senior Living Community in Phoenix, Arizona Receives 3 Awards

Spellman Brady & Company (SBC), an award-winning interior design firm, is proud to announce that its interior design for the Phase 2 expansion and renovation of Sagewood Senior Living Community in Phoenix, Arizona for Life Care Services® has been recognized for its innovative design by 3 national senior living publications.

Senior Housing News – named the project “Best Independent Living Project Design of 2021.”

Environments for Aging – 2021 Remodel/Renovation Competition awarded the “Silver Award” to the “Sagewood Canyon Café.”

Environments for Aging – 2022 Design Showcase awarded the project an “Honorable Mention.”

In addition to developing the overall interior design concept for the facility, Spellman Brady was responsible for managing product selections, specifications, procurement and installation for the FF&E package consisting of furniture, window treatments, artwork and accessories.

Sagewood is nestled within the Sonoran Desert and boasts impressive resort-style living. Phase 2 of this renovation and addition marks the largest construction project since Sagewood opened in 2010. This phase includes a 4-story, 101-unit independent living building with an underground parking garage. The new 276,454 SF building features impressive one and two-bedroom apartment homes with den layouts and scenic patio views. In addition to expanding the living options, Phase 2 provides a multitude of amenities including activity and game rooms, an art studio, putting course, café, formal dining, an indoor-outdoor tapas bar and lounge.

The community had a clear vision to add a hospitality flair to create a one-of-a-kind senior lifestyle. This came to life best in the three restaurants on site. The design approach was inspired by Sagewood’s surrounding landscape which helped weave together three unique dining destinations: The Sonoran, The Canyon Café, and The Owl’s Nest. Part of the existing Palo Verde Dining Room and adjacent administration area became The Sonoran, an entirely different and separate venue offering fine dining. The Canyon Café’s renovation allowed for a full kitchen to be added in place of a simple convenience counter. This expanded the menu and allowed the café to remain open all day, seamlessly transitioning from morning coffee to an evening nightcap. The Owl’s Nest is a sophisticated tapas bar that perches on the fourth floor overlooking the McDowell Mountains. Each destination has a distinct brand and function, but all bring a restorative lifestyle to the Sagewood community

Life Care Services®, An LCS Company, is the second-largest manager of rental senior living communities and Life Plan Communities. Retirement living communities managed by Life Care Services may include residences for independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care, or a combination of these living arrangements.

Spellman Brady & Company is an award-winning 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 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 43 states and abroad since its founding 28 years ago.

Price Increases, Supply Disruptions Intensify; Employment, Wages Climb in March but Lag Other Sectors

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Materials cost increases continue to intensify in magnitude and suddenness, while availability of materials appears to be worsening.. On March 25, Firestone Building Products notified customers of price increases ranging from 6% for TPO roofing membrane to 75% for glass fiber felt sheets, effective April 25. In addition, “Any announced vendor surcharges will be passed along with their market announcements. Metal will be priced at time of shipment.” Steel tube suppliers raised prices $150 per ton on March 25. On Thursday, door and window manufacturer YKK AP announced a 15% price increase, effective May 2. On March 18, Marino\\Ware, a manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing products, announced it “will raise prices 10% on all products, effective May 2.” Multiple sources reported ready-mix concrete suppliers in Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida were cutting production due to reduced supplies of cement. The newsletter Steel Business Briefing reported on Monday, “U.S. domestic rebar prices continued to hold at all-time highs on March 25, as supply remains extremely tight in the South/Southeast, especially in Florida where mills have no availability and distributors have already booked out on May rollings.” Readers are invited to send price and supply-chain information to ken.simonson@agc.org.

Construction employment, seasonally adjusted, totaled 7,628,000 in March, an increase of 19,000 from the downwardly revised February total, according to AGC’s analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data posted today. The March total was an increase of 220,000 (3.0%) year-over-year (y/y) from March 2021 and topped the pre-pandemic peak of 7,624,000 set in February 2020 for the first time. Residential construction employment, comprising residential building and specialty trade contractors, rose by 7,600 in March and 103,000 (3.4%) y/y, putting the total 161,000 (5.4%) higher than in February 2020. Nonresidential construction employment—at building, specialty trades, and heavy and civil engineering construction firms—rose by 11,300 for the month and 117,600 (2.7%) y/y but remained 157,000 (-3.4%) below the February 2020 level. The number of unemployed jobseekers with construction experience dropped 28% y/y to 598,000, and the industry’s unemployment rate declined from 8.6%, not seasonally adjusted, in March 2021 to 6.0% last month.

Average hourly earnings for “production and nonsupervisory employees” in construction (mainly, hourly craft workers) increased by 6.2% y/y to $31.68, seasonally adjusted, in March 2022, BLS reported today. The increase was the steepest since December 1982. However, the average for the overall private sector rose even faster, by 6.7% y/y to $27.06. Although the average for construction topped the all-private average by 17% in March, this “premium” has narrowed sharply from an average premium of 20-23% annually from 2005 to 2019. Since the pandemic began, other sectors have raised starting wages dramatically, offered signing and retention bonuses, and–for some jobs–flexible hours or work locations, inducements that are not possible for onsite construction jobs. These conditions imply construction firms are likely to have a harder time attracting and retaining workers or will have to raise pay even more.

There were 364,000 job openings in construction, not seasonally adjusted, at the end of February, a jump of 125,000 (52%) from February 2021, BLS reported on Tuesday in its latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) release. That was the largest February total, by far, in the 22-year history of the series Hires increased by 8% y/y to 342,000. Layoffs and discharges totaled 130,000, a drop of 67,000 (-34%) y/y, and the layoff rate was 1.8% of employment, the lowest February rate in series history. The excess of openings over hires implies the industry would have hired at least twice as many workers if they had been available. Quits soared 29% y/y across the total nonfarm sector (the so-called “great resignation”) but dipped 1% (-1,000) in construction. Together, the rising openings and flat quits figures suggest construction firms are having trouble attracting new employees but are doing better than other sectors at retaining current employees.

Construction spending (not adjusted for inflation) totaled $1.70 trillion in February at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, up 0.5% from the upwardly revised January total and 11% y/y from February 2020, the Census Bureau reported today. However, without a deflator, it is impossible to say how much of the gain is in units vs. price. Spending exceeded the February 2020 rate, just before the pandemic hit, by 14%. Trends differed sharply among segments over the month, year, and two years. Private residential construction spending increased 1.1% for the month, 17% y/y, and 40% from February 2020. Single-family spending climbed 2.5%, 20%, and 50%, respectively; multifamily, 0.1%, 7.8%, and 23%; and owner-occupied improvements, -0.7%, 15%, and 31%. Private nonresidential construction spending rose 0.2% for the month and 9.7 % y/y but still lagged the February 2020 rate by 3.4%. The largest private nonresidential segment—power—rose 1.4% for the month but declined 1.7% y/y (including electric power, up 1.6% for the month but down 2.1% y/y, and oil and gas field structures and pipelines, 0.8% and -0.3%, respectively); followed by manufacturing, up 0.6% in February and 35% y/y (including chemical and pharmaceutical, 0 and 0.7%, and computer/ electronic/electrical, 1.1% and 229%); commercial, down 1.3% for the month but up 19% y/y (including warehouse, -0.9% and 22%, respectively, and retail, -2.6% and 19%); and office, -0.1% and 6.6%. Public construction spending decreased 0.4% for the month, rose 1.5% y/y and declined 5.6% over two years. The largest public segment, highway and street construction, lost 1.3% for the month but climbed 8.3% y/y. Public education construction skidded 1.3% and 7.9%, respectively. Public transportation construction fell 1.3% in February and rose 0.4% y/y.

American Society of Concrete Contractors to Hold 18th Annual Conference in Chicago this September

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The American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, MO, will hold its twenty-first Annual Conference September 29- October 2, 2022, at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, Cleveland, OH. Concrete contractors, manufacturers, designers and other industry professionals will gather for three days of educational events and networking.

Seminar tracks include Tech, Business Management, Decorative/Polished Concrete, and Safety. Topics include “Techniques to Reduce Carbon Footprint,” “Transitioning Your Company to the Next Generation,” “Intro to 3D Printing,” “Lessons in Leadership,” and a panel discussion on constructability: “What’s My Role and What do I Want it to be?”

Attendees can take advantage of the ACI Flatwork Finisher Certification and the ACI Decorative Concrete Flatwork Finisher Certification classes and exams.

Additional opportunities include golf at Sleepy Hollow Golf Course and a cruise on Lake Erie.

The ASCC is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of those who build with concrete, and to providing them with a unified voice in the construction industry.  Members include concrete contracting firms, manufacturers, suppliers and others interested in the concrete industry, such as architects, specifiers and distributors.  There are approximately 700 member companies in the United States and 11 foreign countries.  For more information visit the website at www.ascconline.org or call (866) 788-2722.

Tarlton Garners 2022 AGC of America Merit Award in the ConstructionRisk Partners Build America Competition

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Tarlton Corp. was recognized with a Merit Award for its work on the Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails, a first-of-its-kind immersive outdoor exhibit at the Saint Louis Zoo, in the 2022 Construction Risk Partners Build America Awards from the Associated General Contractors of America. The project and team were honored in the New Building – $10 million to $75 million category at the annual awards ceremony March 29 in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

The 35,000-square-foot Primate Canopy Trails expansion at the Saint Louis Zoo brings lemurs, Old World monkeys and New World monkeys into eight new outdoor habitats that encourage learning through play and exploration for the animals and Zoo guests. Project scope included the construction of a state-of-the-art forest canopy, overhead mesh tunnels and a winding steel boardwalk at treetop levels. Tarlton managed the delegated design and construction of multiple systems and numerous specialty contractors to provide cost-effective, high-quality construction solutions on the technically complex project. The exhibit opened in July 2021. Tarlton’s primary project team members included Vice President Joseph Scarfino; Diane Grimsley, senior project manager; Gregory Sweeso, preconstruction project manager; and Jeffry Peterson, superintendent. The team was supported by members of Tarlton’s diversity and safety teams, plus many others.

“This project was one of a kind, involving a great deal of complexity and coordination with consultants and specialty contractors,” said Tracy Hart, president, Tarlton Corp. “We are honored that the Zoo entrusted us to manage this project and grateful to the AGC of America for recognizing the team that safely and successfully delivered this project for all of St. Louis.”  

About the Associated General Contractors of America

The AGC of America, the voice of the construction industry, is the leading association for the construction industry. With over 27,000 member firms, and operating in partnership with its Chapters, the AGC supplies a full range of services satisfying the needs and concerns of its members, thereby improving the quality of construction and protecting the public interest.

About Tarlton

Having celebrated its 75th year in business in 2021,Tarlton Corp. is a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise that provides outstanding preconstruction, construction and design-build solutions to clients in the commercial, institutional, government and nonprofit, industrial and power and energy markets. The Midwest general contractor/construction manager also has special expertise in concrete construction, restoration and maintenance. Tarlton has completed many landmark St. Louis projects and is committed to improving lives through inclusive construction, civic engagement and service to others.

Food Truck Garden Coming to Cottleville Soon

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

A food truck garden named in memory of one of Cottleville’s most beloved residents will welcome visitors later this spring.

Frankie Martin’s Garden, a family-oriented entertainment venue located on 2.74 acres in Old Town Cottleville, is the second food truck garden to grace St. Louis. When the development is completed in about eight weeks, it will boast casual 7-day lunch and supper options from a rotating cast of well-known St. Louis-area food trucks, up to 10 of them at one time.

In addition to food trucks, Frankie Martin’s Garden will offer patrons a place to bring their folding chairs and blankets and enjoy live music, a whiskey and wine bar housed in an historic house, a beer pavilion, 26-foot LED wall, six pickleball courts and other amenities.

Lifelong Cottleville resident and St. Joseph Catholic Parish worker Frank J. Martin, who passed away in March 2020 but was a friend of many, is the inspiration for the venue’s name.

The ownership team includes restaurateur and managing partner Brian Hardesty, Seneca CRE’s Larry Chapman, Kolb Grading’s Jeff and David Kolb, Tom Mohan of Chapman Ventures LLC and Michael and Kate Reiter from Cottleville Ventures, LLC.

“I can’t wait to open the doors and serve Cottleville and the surrounding St. Charles County community,” said Hardesty. “In addition to the generous menu of food and beverage options, the garden will be hosting an exciting array of free events. The opportunity to bring the people of this area together everyday to celebrate, eat delicious food and create memories is what the food truck garden experience is all about.”

Hardesty and Chapman were also part of the ownership team that launched 9 Mile Garden in Affton a few years ago.

Kolb Grading’s role in the Cottleville project has included demolition of several dilapidated barns that stood on the site, clearing and grading the property, along with rehabilitating and repurposing a 770-square-foot old brick home into a whiskey and wine bar that will accommodate up to 24 people with an outdoor patio to seat another 40 to 50 guests. Kolb Grading is also performing utilities site work and paving.

True to the personality of the closely knit community whose residents are often seen traveling across town via golf carts, amenities at Frankie Martin’s Garden will include a golf cart parking lot, Hardesty said.

A growing list of food truck operators showcasing a variety of cuisines are already booked to be part of the daily 11am-2pm lunch and 5pm-9pm dinner service. They are: Angie Burger, Aristocrab Company, Beast Craft BBQ, Cluck Oink Moo, The Crooked Boot, Daddy O’s Cheese Steaks, Doggie Mac’s, Homestyle Grill, Lion’s Choice, Mother’s on Wheels, Moving Munchies, Scoops & More, SNS Goodies, Soul Burger, Supersmokers, The Sweet Side, This N’ That Eatery, Truck Norris, Ukraft, Wayno’s, Wok N’ Roll, Zacchi and Zia’s. Hours also include a Sunday brunch from 10am-2pm.

Subcontractors to Kolb Grading on the project include: Tuepker Brothers Construction, Reinhold Electric, Goodman Electric, Heggemann Inc., Air Alliance Team and Concrete Construction LLC.

Goodwin Brothers Supports World Water Day

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Goodwin Brothers has been helping provide clean water to municipalities and cities across the Midwest for much of its 75-year history …not just with our innovative design-build solutions for water treatment plants, but by supporting organizations that provide clean water sources to areas that otherwise wouldn’t have access to drinking water.

Clean water projects first became a priority with the Clean Water Act of 1972.

The Clean Water Act set higher quality standards, allowed the EPA to implement pollution control programs, provided a basic structure for regulating pollutant discharges into the waters of the United States, and funded the construction of sewage treatment plants under the construction grants program.

Goodwin Brothers was there at the beginning providing manpower and know-how to this exciting frontier and continues this focus today as the industry keeps evolving.

To learn more about the necessity for clean water and interesting water facts, please visit our World Water Day Page.

In addition, we would like to include more of our clients and friends in supporting Water for People, an organization that supplies clean water sources to those in need.

Sign up on our page or follow us on our Linkedin company page to be included. 

Follow us on Linkedin to stay notified of our industry news and events as well.  

NCSEA Awards Firms for Structural Engineering Excellence

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The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) announced the winners of the 2021 Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards at an awards celebration on Wednesday, February 16 at the 2021 NCSEA Structural Engineering Summit. These awards were presented in eight categories, each with an Outstanding Project Winner.

Category 1: New Buildings < $30 Million

Outstanding Project

Red Rocks Amphitheater Stage Roof Replacement – Morrison, CO, Martin/Martin, Inc.

Outstanding Project

DC Southwest Library – Washington, D.C., StructureCraft

Category 2: New Buildings $30 Million to $80 Million

Outstanding Project

Taiyuan Botanical Garden Domes – Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China, StructureCraft

Award Winner

The George W. Peavy Forest Science Center – Corvallis, OR, Equilibrium Consulting Inc

Award Winner

2461 Broadway – New York, NY, WSP USA

Category 3: New Buildings $80 Million to $200 Million

Outstanding Project

Stanford Center for Academic Medicine – Stanford, CA, HOK

Outstanding Project

David Rubenstein Forum, University of Chicago – Chicago, IL, LERA Consulting Structural Engineers

Category 4: New Buildings Over $200 Million

Outstanding Project

Rainier Square – Seattle, WA, Magnusson Klemencic Associates

Award Winner

425 Park Avenue – New York, NY, WSP USA

Award Winner
Conrad Washington, DC – Washington, D.C., Thornton Tomasetti, Inc.

Category 5: New Bridges or Transportation Structures

Outstanding Project
State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program – Seattle, WA, HNTB Corporation

Award Winner

Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement – Long Beach, CA, ARUP

Award Winner
Sea-Tac International Arrivals Facility Pedestrian Walkway – SeaTac, WA, KPFF Consulting Engineers

Category 6: Forensic/Renovation/Retrofit/Rehabilitation Structures up to $20 Million

Outstanding Project

Alberta Bair Theater – Billings, MT, Cushing Terrell

Award Winner

Apple Park – Greenville, NC, Collins Structural Consulting, PLLC

Award Winner
Brent Spence Bridge Emergency Repair – Covington, KY to Cincinnati, OH, Michael Baker International

Award Winner
Sperry Chalet Reconstruction – Glacier National Park, MT, JVA, Inc.

Category 7: Forensic/Renovation/Retrofit/Rehabilitation Structures over $20 Million

Outstanding Project

Savannah Plant Riverside Project – Savannah, GA, Browder + LeGuizamon and Associates

Outstanding Project

Syracuse University Stadium – New Roof Project – Syracuse, NY, Geiger Engineers

Category 8: Other Structures

Outstanding Project

Little Island – New York, NY, ARUP

Award Winner

East End Gateway – Entrance Canopy, MTA C&D – New York, NY, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in association with AECOM

Award Winner
Moynihan Train Hall Skylights – New York, NY, Schlaich Bergermann Partner

The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) was formed to constantly improve the standard level of practice of the structural engineering profession. The Association’s vision is that structural engineers are valued for their contributions to safe structures and resilient communities. The Association’s mission is that NCSEA, in partnership with its Member Organizations, supports practicing structural engineers to be highly qualified professionals and successful leaders.

Fuel, Metals Prices Soar; L.A.-Area Port Delays Ease; Job Openings Set January Record, Exceed Hires

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Submitted by the AGC

The war in Ukraine and Western countermeasures are stoking further price increases for numerous construction materials. Readers have passed along these steel pricing notices, among others, received and/or effective on Tuesday: “Nucor Tubular/Atlas Tube just announced an increase of $150/ton effective immediately.” Commercial Metals Company (CMC) notified customers in the Southeast, “Effective immediately, we are increasing the transactional price for reinforcing steel products from our East Region Mills in South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, and New Jersey, $100/ton.” “Merchant [channels, bars, other shapes] went up $80/ton.” “Plate went up $50/ton, flats going up as well.” “Stainless steel pricing just went up by 30%.” “Stainless steel master distributors and manufacturers are limiting access to inventory by raising pricing, refusing to quote, and limiting the validity time for quotations as a result.” On Monday, Gutterman’s Supply Corp. of America notified customers, “Aluminum coil and aluminum accessories will go up approximately 10%,” effective April 1. On March 1, Fortiline Waterworks notified customers of price increases exceeding 33% and extended lead times for PVC, polyethylene/polypropylene, and ductile iron pipe and fittings, with “no inventory availability at the plants for the remainder of this year….material will continue to be priced at time of shipment.” Readers are invited to send price and supply chain information to ken.simonson@agc.org.

The national retail average price of on-highway diesel fuel was $4.85 per gallon, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on Monday, a record high (not adjusted for inflation) and a record one-week increase of 75 cents/gallon. “U.S. demand for distillate fuel [diesel and heating oil] has been high since early 2021 because of increased demand for trucking and rail freight transport,” EIA posted in Thursday’s “Today in Energy” article. “Furthermore, cold weather in January 2022 contributed to increased demand for heating oil in the Northeast this winter, a region that relies on heating oil to heat almost 20% of its homes. Despite increased distillate demand, refinery production of distillate remains below pre-pandemic levels, partly because of comparatively slower demand growth for other petroleum products such as motor gasoline and jet fuel.”

Terminal operators at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach say “containers have been moving more quickly through the ports and on to inland destinations recently,” the Wall Street Journal reported today. The companies at the heart of the supply-chain logjams don’t expect the respite to last, but they say that adjustments made in recent months, including the addition of space to hold containers off the ports, may help keep the ships and their cargoes moving….Terminal operators say a sharp decline in the number of workers calling in sick with Covid-19 has also helped….Measures such as the time boxes wait for handling have also slipped from historic highs. Import volumes are expected to pick up over the coming months, however. And operators say many of the underlying supply-chain issues that caused backlogs in 2021 persist. Warehouses still don’t have enough workers or space to process and store boxes, executives at companies in the region said, and trucking firms remain short of drivers and the trailers needed to pull containers.”

There were 384,000 job openings in construction, not seasonally adjusted, at the end of January, a year-over-year (y/y) increase of 81,000 (27%) from January 2021, BLS reported on Wednesday in its latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) release. That was the largest January total, by far, in the 22-year history of the series Hires declined by 15% y/y to 259,000. While a decrease in hires might suggest contractors are pulling back, they did not lay off many workers. Layoffs totaled 190,000, and the layoff rate was 2.6% of employment. The excess of openings over hires implies the industry would have hired at least twice as many workers if they had been available. Quits soared 28% y/y across the total nonfarm sector (the so-called “great resignation”) but fell 1.6% in construction. Together, the rising openings and flat quits figures suggest construction firms are having trouble attracting new employees but are doing better than other sectors at retaining current employees. A challenge for construction firms in filling onsite jobs is that “More than 60% of job seekers on ZipRecruiter say they would prefer remote positions,” the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing ZipRecruiter’s chief economist, Julia Pollak. From early 2020 to early 2021, the migration rate–the percentage of people who changed residences–was at the lowest rate in the 74-year history of the data, the Census Bureau reported on Monday. Migration, as well as changes in household size and ages, contributes to demand for residential, school, and other construction. However, the pandemic may have encouraged some migration of tech jobs, according to a Brookings Institution report posted on Thursday. “In nearly half of the…large metro areas [apart from ‘superstar and rising star metro areas’], tech growth rates increased in 2020. These included…Philadelphia, Minneapolis, [ Cincinnati, Charlotte], San Antonio, Nashville, Tenn., Birmingham, Ala., New Orleans, Greensboro, N.C., Jackson, Miss., [Stockton, Calif.,] Chapel Hill, N.C. [, Madison, Wis.,] Virginia Beach, Va., Ogden, Utah, Albuquerque, N.M., Tucson, Ariz., and El Paso, Texas….Santa Barbara, Calif., Barnstable, Mass., Gulfport-Biloxi, Miss., Pensacola, Fla., and Salisbury, Md. all saw their tech employment surge by 6% or more. Likewise, attractive and convenient college towns such as Boulder, Colo., Lincoln, Neb., Tallahassee, Fla., Charlottesville, Va., and Ithaca, N.Y. all grew their tech jobs by more than 3% during the first year of the pandemic.”

Wellington Environmental Hires New EPA Scheduler and Client Liaison Communications Manager

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St. Louis-based specialized environmental services firm, Wellington Environmental, announces the hire of Molly Pryor as its new EPA scheduler and client liaison communications manager. In this role, Pryor will be responsible for improving communication with existing clients and prospects across a wide range of industries.  

“We are thrilled to have Molly join our team,” said Thom Wellington, president of Wellington Environmental. “Her understanding of the ecommerce landscape will be a tremendous asset for both our internal team and clients as we continue to offer new environmental safety and infection control services to our clients across multiple industries.”  

Prior to joining Wellington Environmental, Pryor was an assistant buyer and communication specialist for a military supply firm. She brings with her an extensive background in relationships-building and communication with 140+ vendors, strong data analysis skills, customer service representation, and inventory management.  

Pryor received her bachelor’s degree in political science studies from the University of Missouri in Columbia.  

About Wellington Environmental 

For more than 30 years, Wellington Environmental has been providing specialized environmental services to residential, medical and corporate facilities throughout the Midwest. The St. Louis-based firm employs a diverse and seasoned team of professionals and technicians who provide solutions to various environmental issues, including testing and remediation of asbestos, lead and mold; specialized infection control, deep cleaning and disinfecting services; Legionella water management planning; and spray-applied fireproofing. For more information, visit www.environmentalcare.com.

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