The Associated General Contractors of Missouri (AGCMO) recognized exceptional achievements in the construction industry during its 2024 Keystone Construction Awards Gala, held on November 7 at the River City Casino Hotel. The event celebrated contractors for excellence across 12 specialty disciplines, with notable accolades, including the designation of Specialty Contractor of the Year.

Stephen Leamon, superintendent at Pace Construction Company, was honored with the Show Me Excellence in Craftsmanship Award for his outstanding work in asphalt paving. Leamon was commended for his leadership in scheduling, budgeting, and reducing downtime and for his dedication to crew training.

The gala also featured the presentation of 11 First Place Keystone Awards, honoring contractors for significant contributions to various projects, including manufacturing, research, hospitality, sports, and historic renovations. Among the winners, Ben Hur Construction was recognized for its work on Procter & Gamble’s manufacturing facility, while KAI, alongside McCarthy Building Companies, earned an award for the Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building Link Bridge at Washington University. Other top recipients included PARIC Corporation for the Kings Hill Redevelopment, Millstone Weber, LLC for the I-270 North Design-Build project, and Russell for the 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis renovation.

The Brightline Florida Higher-Speed Rail project received a National Class Keystone Award for its impressive work outside Missouri. The collaboration between Herzog Contracting Corp., StacyWitbeck Inc., and RailWorks Corp. is the largest U.S. passenger rail project in over a century, spanning 165 miles and allowing train speeds of up to 125 mph.

The Keystone Awards assess projects based on how contractors overcome challenges and meet high standards in safety, budget management, and schedule adherence rather than focusing solely on aesthetics or scale. A panel of judges, including experts from architecture and engineering firms as well as academic institutions, evaluated the nominees.

Additionally, AGCMO recognized 12 Specialty Contractors of the Year (SCOTY) for their exceptional performance in timeliness, budget compliance, and overall contribution. Boyer Fire Protection, with the most votes, was named Specialty Contractor of the Year, with other honorees including ROSCH Company, Elastizell of St. Louis, and Guarantee Electrical Company.

SEE A LIST OF ALL THE KEYSTONE AWARD WINNERS HERE.

Header image: A photo of the award-winning Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building Link Bridge at Washington University School of Medicine. Image courtesy of KAI Build

Simon Property Group, the largest shopping mall operator in the United States, plans to reopen 49 malls and outlet centers starting Friday through Monday for the first time since their March 18th shutdown.

Three of the malls are located in Missouri and will open on Monday, May 4, including St. Louis Premium Outlet in Chesterfield, Battlefield Mall in Springfield and Osage Beach Outlet Marketplace in Osage Beach.

Best Buy also recently announced reopening plans, which include allowing customers to schedule in-store consultations in about 200 of its U.S. stores beginning in May. During the pandemic, the big-box retailer temporarily shut stores and switched to a curb-side pickup model.

According to a study done by Coresight Research, 45% of consumers expect to avoid shopping centers and malls even after the lockdown ends, citing more people will avoid malls than movie theaters or public transportation.

However, the pandemic has not slowed down area retailers; who are renewing their leases - and in some cases - even opening new stores.

In Hazelwood, Mo., a new Dollar Tree is opening this summer in the Village Square Center. The low-cost retailer will occupy approximately 11,000 SF of the once defunct shopping center located at Lindburgh Blvd and Interstate 270.

New York based, Somera Road Inc., bought the dilapidated, mixed-use shopping center in December 2018 and has invested more than $1 million in renovations.

"Dollar stores are continuing to open new locations in this challenging market. The affordability of their product makes them resistant to market downturns. We were thrilled to recently sign Dollar Tree to a long-term lease at our (Village Square) property," said Michael Ervolina, senior associate at Somera Road.

Other occupants include Concentra Urgent Care, Axes Physical Therapy and Millstone Weber, who all signed new lease agreements with Village Square.

It’s important to note, most retailers are adhering to CDC guidelines upon reopening. Simon Property Group, for example, has implemented CDC recommendations and precautions including:

· Handing out CDC-approved masks and hand-sanitizing packets (at no cost to shoppers)

· Mandating all employees to wear masks and wash their hands frequently

· Taking customer temperatures using infrared thermometers

· Encouraging social distancing in restrooms (tape will be placed over every other sink and urinal)

· Directing traffic flow with decals on the floor

· Limiting food court seating

· Closing children’s play areas

· and closing public drinking fountains.

Operating hours will be limited to 11a.m - 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, as well as 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday to allow for cleaning and sanitization, according to a Simon Property Group company memo.

AGCMO honors excellence in construction at the 2024 Keystone Awards Gala

Retail stores awaken in the midst of COVID-19 shutdowns