Metro Transit selects New Flyer, Burns & McDonnell for BEB infrastructure in STL

New Flyer of America, one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, and Burns & McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned engineering, construction and architecture company, have been selected for an $8.7 million contract for the construction of charging infrastructure for battery electric buses (BEBs) for the Metro Transit fleet.

Metro Transit operates the public transportation system for the St. Louis region, which includes MetroBus, a 400-vehicle clean-burning diesel bus fleet that services a 550-square-mile area in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois.

“The introduction of battery electric buses into the MetroBus fleet next year represents our commitment to providing economically and environmentally sustainable mobility options as well as an excellent transit experience for our riders,” said Jessica Mefford-Miller, Metro Transit executive director.

“We will be leaner and greener by introducing this battery electric bus technology, not just with the buses but also through the charging infrastructure and operating facilities.”

Metro Transit will introduce battery electric technology to the MetroBus fleet with the addition of 14, 60‐foot New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE™ BEBs and four, 40‐foot GILLIG Ebus BEBs.

Operation of these vehicles will require both overhead in‐route charging at the Broadway & Taylor Transit Center (North Broadway and Taylor Streets in St. Louis) and depot charging at the Brentwood MetroBus facility in Brentwood, Mo.

This charging infrastructure will consist of charging units, new dedicated power supplies and charging dispensers to enable safe operation. The chargers at the Brentwood MetroBus facility will provide overnight charging capability, and the chargers at the Broadway & Taylor Transit Center will enable in-route charging as necessary to maintain a sufficient state of charge to complete scheduled operations.

“This is a landmark investment in American infrastructure and zero-emission technology, and we’re pleased to provide sustainable mobility solutions through buses, technology and infrastructure,” said Chris Stoddart, president of New Flyer.

“Metro is leading sustainable mobility and shaping the community’s quality of life for the better. Together, we’re making the evolution to electric a reality for Greater St. Louis.”

The battery electric buses will officially go into service next year with the 60-foot vehicles operating exclusively on the #70 Grand MetroBus route, which carries about 10% of Metro Transit’s customers on a daily basis.

The contract is for construction services for a turnkey charging infrastructure solution at both locations, including the design, permitting, approvals, equipment/material sourcing, construction/installation and commissioning necessary to install the in‐route charging and depot charging systems.

“The addition of BEBs and associated infrastructure is an exciting step forward for electrification in St. Louis,” said Kyle Pynn, who leads electric vehicle infrastructure at Burns & McDonnell.

“We are honored to be a part of the project and to transition Metro Transit from conception to deployment smoothly and efficiently.”

Burns & McDonnell serves the St. Louis metropolitan area from two offices comprising more than 200 full-time professionals. The Burns & McDonnell team in St. Louis has served the metropolitan area's needs since 1989, delivering a wide range of projects, including electric transmission and distribution, roads and bridges, cybersecurity, water and wastewater, labs and clean rooms, aviation, power generation, defense facilities and air quality improvements.

Holland Construction begins $4 million Carlyle High School addition

Holland Construction Services has begun construction on a $4 million addition to Carlyle High School, located at 1461 12th Street in Carlyle, Ill.

The project includes a 10,000-SF building addition, including a new multi-purpose cafeteria and kitchen area as well as offices, bathrooms and a lobby.

Holland project manager Brian Dayton and his team worked closely with the design team of Ittner Cordogan Clark Group as well as school administrators to ensure the new space would be multifunctional.

“This is the type of project where our specialized knowledge and expertise on educational construction projects can be very useful,” said Dayton.

“Quality, durability, flexibility, safety and cost control are always top of mind on a project like this. Our goal is to make sure we are creating an addition that will meet the district’s needs from both a budget and functionality standpoint. The entire team has been very pleased with how this addition has progressed.”

The new multi-purpose room will have multiple benefits including allowing high school students to eat lunch inside the school building as opposed to leaving campus. It will also allow for a new entrance to the school offices with a secured entry vestibule which improves school security.

Carlyle School District superintendent, Annie Gray, who took over as superintendent after the project was already underway, said the project is going to make the most of the space.

“It's never easy to step into the middle of a major construction project, especially while also dealing with COVID-19,” said Gray. “However, Holland has done an excellent job of keeping me filled in on all the progress and has been extremely responsive to any questions I might have. These additions, especially the added security features, will be a tremendous benefit to our staff and students.”

Other partners on the high school addition included Millenia Professional Services of Illinois, Cordogan Clark & Associates, BRiC Partnership, William S. Ford & Associates and Quality Testing & Engineering, Inc.

The project is expected to be complete by January 2021.

$7 million phase one of UCM reno masterplan complete

Phase 1 of a masterplan for renovations at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) in Warrensburg, Mo. is complete.

The renovations are the first piece of the campus’ masterplan and includes a $7 million redesigned, modern main entrance and a new, 280-seat multi-purpose auditorium addition.

The architect duo of KWK Architects and CannonDesign along with general contractor, Westport Construction, joined forces to create UCM’s 15-20 year renovation masterplan and are now ready to focus on the next phase of the plan - the Elliott Student Union, a centrally-located social hub affectionately known as the “campus living room.”

The 165,000 SF student union also houses a bowling alley, several retail dining options, a cinema, university offices, a bank, student programming spaces, ballrooms and meeting spaces.

“The team analyzed existing conditions and held multiple workshops, meetings and a town hall to gain stakeholder input. We explored various design options to best meet the university’s vision for how the facility would look and feel and how its space would best be utilized,” said KWK principal Eric Neuner, AIA.

To create the new entrance, the design team shifted the south entrance to the west to create a hallway between the existing bowling center and a Steak ‘n Shake restaurant, which were also given access points within the new corridor. The former entry had also served as the entrance to the bowling alley, which created confusion for visitors not familiar with the campus or the building. The new entrance area also includes seating, a graphic wall timeline, entry signage and a wayfinding kiosk.

“The new entrance and hallway were designed to be functional as well as inviting with its comfortable seating and modern design elements which include wood accents, gray-toned flooring and the university’s signature red color featured throughout,” said Andy Noll, AIA, KWK project manager.

The 5,700-SF auditorium addition, one of the highlights of the renovation, was designed with a stage and retractable seating so that the facility could be used for a variety of student and community events, such as wedding receptions, reunions and special gatherings. The entrance to the auditorium is also accessible through the new entrance hallway.

“The first-phase auditorium addition was directed towards student recruitment, providing a large, flexible space that introduced students to the university. Additionally, it was critical that the design address a connection between the new auditorium and the main visitor entry to Elliot Student Union,” said Neuner.

First phase of Parkway School District upgrades complete

When the COVID-19 pandemic sent students and staff home last spring before the scheduled end of the school year, McCarthy Building Companies identified innovative ways to streamline project schedules and save costs for clients such as the Parkway School District in St. Louis County, Mo.

Despite the numerous pandemic-related challenges, including supply chain slowdowns, newly implemented safety protocols and labor shortages, McCarthy has successfully completed the first phase of a three-year program for the district. 

The $55 million work program involves nearly every school building in the Parkway School District, which serves 17,500 students from early childhood through high school, and encompasses 18 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 5 high schools.

Parkway selected McCarthy to oversee the bond program as construction manager at risk, a first for a school district in the St. Louis area due to Parkway’s desire to improve their outcomes from the significant taxpayer investment. 

McCarthy’s scope of work, which continues every summer through 2022, ranges from HVAC and security upgrades to classroom renovations, roof replacements and more.

“By having McCarthy on board as our construction manager, we realized a lot of flexibility and benefit we couldn’t have anticipated. With our buildings vacant since spring, McCarthy was able to get a jump start on work originally not scheduled to begin until the end of the school year in June. Having the early start turned out to be an important advantage considering supply chain challenges encountered during shutdowns,” said James Swingle, PE, group manager, facilities planning & construction, Parkway Schools.

“Fortunately, McCarthy’s extensive industry relationships and trade partnerships, combined with some creativity and ingenuity, helped keep the project on schedule and on budget.”

According to Swingle, when the closing of an overseas factory caused a 10-week delay in the expected delivery of two switchboards needed for electrical rooms, McCarthy relied on its extensive network of local trade partners to develop a solution and identify a way to make the switchboards locally.

In another instance, the manufacturer of a compressor for a rooftop heating and cooling unit agreed to install a standard compressor until the specified digital compressor became available. This creative solution added no additional cost to the district and enabled the buildings to be completed on schedule.

Work completed this summer on the $17 million first phase focused on renovations at five schools, including:

• Bellerive Elementary School: interior demolition and reconfiguration to provide acoustical separation, new ductwork branch line and lighting.

• Central Middle School: construction of a new secure entry lobby and waiting area with resource office, replacing entry drive hardscapes and landscaping, replacing and adding new high-efficiency rooftop units (RTUs), and utility upgrades.

• Hanna Woods Elementary School: extending corridor walls full height to separate classrooms from corridor prior to installing new ceilings, as well as duck work modifications and new corridor lighting.

• Southwest Middle School: construction of a new secure entry lobby and waiting area with resource center office, replacing 20 RTUs and adding 11 new heat pumps, removing and capping 32 curb-mounted skylights prior to full roof and skylight replacement, in addition to installing new entry drive hardscapes, parking lot, landscaping and minor utility upgrades. 

• Wren Hollow Elementary School: interior demolition and reconfiguration of partitions in two classrooms for acoustical separation, replacing wheelchair lifts with concrete ramps, and replacing dock area hardscapes, site steps, and playground landscaping.

“McCarthy is pleased to be working on this project for Parkway Schools which is not only located in our hometown, but is an excellent district where many of our own children attend school,” said Jared Hites, vice president, operations for McCarthy Building Companies. 

New multifamily development lands in Central West End

After delivering two multifamily complexes in 2018 -The Euclid and Chroma- KDG is adding another 1.4-acre property to their multifamily portfolio, this time in St. Louis’ upscale Central West End neighborhood.

Sitework began last month at 4545 Laclede Avenue on the seven-story, ground-up, multifamily residential building. Featuring 205 apartments above a secure parking garage, unit floor plans range from studios to two-bedrooms, with plans to introduce “micro-units” to the St. Louis market.

“We had the opportunity to design our interiors while significant cultural changes reshaped how folks live and work. We created micro-units in the 400 square-foot range, and then complemented them with a mezzanine floor of flex office space. The result is functional yet affordable spaces for those seeking a Class A product in the Central West End,” said KDG president, Jason Braidwood.

KDG is partnering with L. Keeley Construction to bring this development to life. Part of the Keeley Companies, KDG and L. Keeley previously partnered on construction of The Euclid’s second floor conversion to apartments and amenity spaces, which was completed in August. KDG plans to partner with L. Keeley on upcoming developments, including Olive Crossing and Cortex K.

“This is what I love to call the ‘Power of One.’ Our construction company and development company coming together to create an amazing project for one of our favorite neighborhoods,” said Rusty Keeley, CEO of Keeley Companies.

Local architect Chris Cedergreen led the design effort with Lamar Johnson Collaborative serving as architect of record and interior designer.

Inspired by the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, the architecture is classical with a modern aesthetic and eclectic spirit. The building’s façade incorporates painted brick masonry with custom wrought iron, filigree, and wood elements. The building form and materials reinforce the context of the surrounding neighborhood and scales down to street-level with European garden-style landscaping in a lush courtyard at the entrance.

The interiors will reflect the same authenticity and timelessness as the exterior design. Bold colors, patterning, and sculptural fittings will add richness and texture, marked by graphics and artwork that evoke curiosity, whimsy and interest.

KDG chose the Central West End for its new, highly amenitized community due to the neighborhood's multiple places to work, exercise, gather, relax and entertain. The development will complement the neighborhood by offering a full suite of amenities; including a hearth room, curated gallery wall, club lounge, pool terrace, outdoor grilling island, fitness studio, yoga studio, golfing green and a first-of-its-kind, flex-office mezzanine. The space will feature individual and collaborative workspaces and “Zoom” meeting spaces for residents to create and produce outside of their residence.

“We were seeing this trend well before COVID. Our residents require flexible work-from-home environments as secure as they are collaborative and communal. The property will be industry-leading in this regard,” said Braidwood.

Along with developing the property, KDG will lease the building through its in-house property management team. The team’s property management portfolio includes The Euclid, Clayton on the Park, Chroma and Hue - set to open in late 2020.

“Our team was best-in-class upon opening The Euclid and Chroma three years ago, but the culture and systems implemented through the Keeley-Koman merger have made us that much stronger. Combine that with this building’s location and amenities and you have what I think will be the premier residential community in St. Louis,” Braidwood said.

Tarlton's fast-track hospital back-up facility wins award

Tarlton Corp., a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction management firm, recently received a 2020 Award of Merit in the 'Best Projects' category from ENR Midwest for completion of a COVID-19 alternate care facility in Florissant, Mo. for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Tarlton Corp. assisted USACE and coordinated with multiple government and health agencies to transform the Quality Inn at 55 Dunn Road into an alternate healthcare facility for patients referred by St. Louis-area hospitals for non-acute COVID-19 treatment.

The conversion was completed April 11, 2020 – less than 80 hours after construction work began. After opening several days later, the facility was staffed by members of the U.S. National Guard.

Tarlton led the design-build team in this unprecedented fast-track project, building in two shifts around the clock with more than 100 employees from four firms. Design-build partners were Ross & Baruzzini, Rock Hill Mechanical Corp. and Guarantee Electrical Co. Subcontractors included C&R Mechanical’s Plumbing Division, Collins & Hermann, Dynamic Air Solutions, Flooring Systems Inc., Jos. Ward Painting Co., Midwest Elevator, Stanley Steemer, Tech Electronics, Waterhout Construction and Woodard Cleaning and Restoration.

“I’m proud of the quick and thorough response our team put together and executed on this project,” said Tracy Hart, president of Tarlton. “We feel honored to be trusted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for this mission-critical project for our community.”

The project yielded more than 100 patient rooms on the four floors of the 130-room hotel. Scope included stripping down and deep-cleaning individual rooms and placing extra beds and furniture in storage; changing door hardware for rooms and bathrooms to disable locking mechanisms; cleaning carpet throughout; removing and replacing carpet in specific areas; repainting certain walls and ceilings; building a nurse station and storage area on each floor; and converting the phone system into a nurse call system.

Tarlton’s award is one of only two projects selected from St. Louis, with 32 Best Projects selected from a slate of 112 entries received this year by ENR Midwest, which covers an 11-state region. The 2020 award-winning projects and firms will be featured in the November edition of ENR Midwest, with a virtual awards presentation scheduled for Dec. 3, 2020.

Mary Lamie receives 2020 'Women in Supply Chain' award

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Supply & Demand Chain Executive, a supply chain industry magazine covering the entire global supply chain that focuses on ROI, professional development and change management, announced the recipients of its first-ever “Women in Supply Chain Award.”

Mary Lamie, head of the St. Louis Regional Freightway and executive vice president of Multi-Modal Enterprises at Bi-State Development, was recognized with the prestigious award that honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network.

Since 2014 when Lamie was selected to establish and lead the St. Louis region’s new freight district, she has worked with public and private partners to evaluate freight needs in the St. Louis region and the freight network’s operational status. She heads the regional effort to grow the $6 billion of goods traveling through the bi-state area annually and to ensure the freight network can handle the 45% growth in freight volume projected over the next 25 years.

Lamie created a foundation for a comprehensive, regional approach to freight management, infrastructure and marketing, and has united the region toward a common focus by establishing partnerships bridging government boundaries, public and private sector, industries and modes of transportation.

“We received over 200 entries for this new award, entries that were submitted from a combination of men and women. This proves that our industry needed an award like this, especially in conjunction with Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s 20-year anniversary,” says Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics.

When it comes to women’s roles aligning supply chain with a company’s broader strategy, Lamie sees clear evidence that women are playing a critical role building reliable and efficient supply chains and the infrastructure that supports them, both of which enable the nation to compete globally.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive and validates the hard work we’re doing to elevate the St. Louis region’s status as a world-class freight hub right here in the heartland of America,” said Lamie.

“This award is a testament to the support I and the St. Louis Regional Freightway receive from many public and private sector partners who are all working collaboratively with us to maximize infrastructure funding for the region and to advance our partnerships with other midwest and coastal ports so more cargo moves between Midwest and foreign destinations. All of these efforts will help increase jobs in manufacturing and logistics industries here and, ultimately, improve the nation’s global competitiveness.”

Lamie’s work building consensus and advocating for funding has been central to these efforts, but she also plays another critical role -- marketing the St. Louis region to further elevate its status as a global freight hub. 

Lamie developed FreightWeek STL, an annual event bringing together industry leaders to share ideas and advance the latest innovations shaping the future of the freight industry and impacting supply chains. 

“According to Gartner’s 2020 Women in Supply Chain Survey, 17% of chief supply chain officers are now women – a 6% increase compared to 2019. This award resembles females supporting other female leaders; men supporting their female counterparts. It resembles the future. It represents growth, evolution and community. And, that future shows that it’s a great time to be a part of the supply chain industry. So, congratulations to these top female leaders. I look forward to seeing what else you do to grow the supply chain industry,” Mayer said.

Companies such as World Wide Technology, Bunge, General Motors and many others have some or all of their supply chain in St. Louis, and have been growing as they compete in the global market, a signal that others can be successful in the St. Louis region too.

For more information and the full list of 2020 Women in Supply Chain winners, visit Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s website at www.sdcexec.com. The 2020 Women in Supply Chain Award winners will also appear in SDCE’s September issue.

NGZ's Ben Albers keys success to mentors, marketing and momentum

MWM STL is excited to present our first St. Louis Broker Spotlight, featuring Ben Albers with Newmark Grubb Zimmer (NGZ).

Albers joined NGZ in 2015 and currently serves as managing director of office brokerage in the company's St. Louis office, where he focuses on representing tenants and landlords in office property transactions.

Albers attributes his early success to mentors, marketing, momentum and more. Here are the details of our MWM Broker Spotlight interview:

Rachel Treanor (RT): What was your lightbulb moment to get into commercial real estate?

Ben Albers (BA): I was always interested in development, but it took me some time to realize that brokerage was perfect for me. I spent a lot of time getting coffee with people in the industry before I made the leap. The lightbulb moment actually came when I learned that brokerage had an entrepreneurial component that other roles did not.

RT: Who is your mentor and why?

BA: My father has always played a role in my development as a professional. He is in the healthcare industry, so his influence taught me to approach problems from a completely different mindset. We don’t spend a lot of time on the real estate market, but hearing his approach and perspective on bigger picture issues has always taught me to not be so insular in my business.

RT: What gets you excited to get to work every day?

BA: I’ve always been a social person, so I enjoy getting up every day to talk to clients, prospects, other brokers, etc. This career offers the ability to meet new people every single day, so I make the most of it by getting out as much as I can.

RT: When did you get your CCIM /other continuing education and how has it affected your career?

BA: I’m currently working on my CCIM designation and am over halfway there. It’s been valuable to sit in class with other real estate professionals who work in different sectors. Their approach to a deal can be very different, so I’ve learned a lot by picking up tips and tricks along the way.

RT: How do you keep your skills sharp in this competitive climate?

BA: One of the benefits of the digital age is that there is a never-ending stream of information. I try to soak up all the latest trends and market info by talking to clients, furniture vendors, attorneys, architects, etc. If I get to the point where I feel like I’ve learned it all, it’s time for retirement.

RT: Tell us about your current projects.

One of the benefits of working on a team is that we get new ‘irons in the fire’ almost daily. However, there are handful of projects that I am ultra-focused on in 2020. The disposition of an office portfolio in Wildwood, the leasing of a 90,000 SF call center building in Berkeley, and a handful of tenant rep clients are a few examples.

RT: What does a St. Louis CRE Comeback look like to you?

BA: St Louis needs to build on its momentum in the city. Areas like the Cortex, the Grove, Midtown and little pockets of downtown have all seen tremendous growth and investment over the years. The key to a comeback will be connecting those neighborhoods to attract young talent to come to the city. When that happens, large companies that are looking for those employees will follow.

RT: What leads do you look for?

BA: As an office broker, I focus on representing both tenants and landlords. Anyone who needs help figuring out their office lease, whether they are growing, shrinking, or renewing, is someone I can help.

RT: How can prospects contact you for more information?

BA: You can email me at balbers@NGZimmer.com or call me at 314.628.0439.

Property manager reminder: It’s all about maintenance

It’s budget season and conscientious building managers have likely had an inspection conducted as part of their due diligence. But what comes next when facility managers are facing a roof replacement or other large expenses when products begin nearing the end of their usable life?

Western Specialty Contractors offered some insight on assisting management professionals in evaluating strategies and tactics that they can use to make the most of their budgeting season.

“I think that it’s important to look back on previous years,” said Bob Gender, region manager at Western Specialty Contractors.

“Whether or not you’re a new or seasoned manager to a building, it’s important to look at past budgets and actual spending from previous years to determine how much you should put in your budget for the following year,” Gender said.

Gender notes that managers do not want to be faced with a huge variance in spending versus budget. Unforeseen situations like weather activity can’t be predicted but being able to look at historical spending on a building’s roof, for example, is an important factor to consider when compiling a budget.

Property managers are tasked with giving very detailed budget numbers to their building owners, but they are often lacking an important explanation or summary as to why a repair needs to be done.

“The best customer is an educated customer, so we work to explain the benefits of preventive maintenance. We just try and maintain that philosophy and our customers get it and their buildings are better for it,” said Gender.

Gender accedes that many times a building’s budget won’t allow a full expenditure, so a temporary solution will have to do until the budget can cover the full repair or replacement cost.

“What’s really important is explaining the consequences of deferring maintenance on your roof, or any part of the building. When you buy a car and defer maintenance, like not changing the oil or rotating the tires, the car will age prematurely and be more costly to repair down the road. The same analogy goes for building maintenance,” Gender said.

Owners who are going to sell a property in the near future may have different considerations when it comes to spending for items such as a new roof. While spending for maintenance might not increase the sales price of a building, not spending may cause an owner to have to sell the building at a discount later.

“If you’re on the seller’s side of a transaction, I think it’s in your best interest to get repairs completed before the sale,” said Gender. “Owners can either pay for repairs now or they’ll be paying for it later, in the sale price.”

Gender finds repairs to be a selling advantage, showing, for example, how an owner has taken care of the roof, like conducting annual roof inspections and having the recommended repairs completed. The same calculations go for the façade, the parking structure, or any other major maintenance areas of a building.

“I think being proactive is key in keeping future costs down, and hiring your preferred contractor to do annual inspections is just one way of being proactive. When you do it every year, it will not take as much time to inspect and the repairs will likely be less widespread, as well as less severe, saving your owner money. Whereas, if you do the inspections every five years, it becomes a game of catch up,” said Gender.

For help creating a building maintenance plan and detailed evaluations for ownership, contact the Western Specialty Contractors branch location nearest you: http://www.westernspecialtycontractors.com/western-locations/.

Vestal Corporation: Can't stop, won't stop

Covid-19 challenges over the last six months have not slowed down Vestal Corporation; in fact, you could say their business is thriving because of it.

Vestal’s Covid-19 response strategy bolstered the consulting firm’s ability to remain highly productive on current projects and significantly contributed to new project wins.

In response to the pandemic Vestal quickly made several strategic technology advancements, including its 2019 transition to MS Office365 that enabled team members to be well connected remotely via MS TEAMS. 

Additionally, Vestal increased its external bandwidth by 250% to accommodate an increase in remote team members and provided the Building Information Modeling “BIM” team with powerful desktop and notebook computers required to support high productivity remotely.

“Business doesn’t get easier or more forgiving during a pandemic. You adapt, get smarter, get stronger and find creative ways to achieve success,” said Mark Hubbs, principal | vice president of project development for Vestal.

Design backlog from major projects with Constellation Brands, AB InBev, Nestle Purina Petcare and Proctor and Gamble positioned Vestal well to navigate the market’s reaction to the pandemic. 

“While some design firms are turning to contract employees during the pandemic, Vestal has been well-positioned to add talent and expand its capabilities. We see a strong construction market on the horizon and are more prepared than ever before for the opportunities it will create, ” said Dale Carlton, principal | vice president of project management for Vestal.

Recent projects won by Vestal include a bio-diesel production facility in the metro-east (STL), storage facilities in Shrewsbury and Fenton (Mo.) and multiple projects for a high-purity chemical manufacturer in Earth City, Mo.

Vestal has also been very active in its pursuit of several mega projects schedule to start in the 4th quarter of 2020. 

These successes have led Vestal to add 14 new team members since March 2020 and its continued efforts to hire additional talent.

About Vestal Corporation: Vestal is an internationally-recognized, strategic partnering firm providing specialty architecture, multi-disciplinary engineering and construction consulting through its Integrated Project Design approach. 

St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station wins ENR project award

The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, constructed by McCarthy Building Companies, has earned top recognition in the “2020 Best Projects” competition, sponsored by ENR Midwest, the regional edition of national publication Engineering News-Record (ENR).

A panel of industry judges selected the aquarium as Best Project in the “Renovation/Restoration” category. The annual competition honors building teams for achievement in several areas including overcoming challenges and teamwork, safety, innovation & contributions to the industry, construction quality & craftsmanship and function & aesthetic quality of the design.

Built within the footprint of a 19th century iron umbrella train shed, the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station is a signature element of a $187-million redevelopment of the National Historic Landmark structure.

The 120,000-SF, two-story attraction brings together more than 13,000 animals, from 257 species, in 44 exhibits that provide visitors with immersive perspectives of underwater life in the world’s rivers, streams and oceans.

Using advanced technology and ingenuity, the construction team overcame formidable construction challenges while protecting and preserving the property’s original columns, footings, foundation, underground piping and other infrastructure.

Thirty-two “Best Projects” winners were selected from a list of 112 entries submitted from across the 10-state Midwest region. Winners will be featured in-depth in the December edition of ENR Midwest and honored at a virtual award event in December.

“The renovation/restoration and highway/bridge categories had some of the most competitive fields we have ever seen and most categories were difficult to winnow down to just one best project winner and award of merit,” noted ENR Midwest editor, Jeff Yoders, in the article announcing the winners.

For more details and to view the complete list of 2020 ENR Midwest Best Projects winners, visit https://www.enr.com/blogs/10-midwest-musings/post/50027-enr-midwest-selects-32-best-project-winners-for-2020

Brett Hull's sports restaurant skates into Wentzville

St. Louis Blues hockey legend Brett Hull has added his name to a new restaurant at The Junction of Wentzville, a 13,600 SF commercial development currently under construction in Wentzville, Mo.

Brett Hull’s Junction House, originally announced as Junction House in March, will be the centerpiece of the rapidly-growing development area and is slated to open in October 2020.

The multi-level eating and drinking establishment will occupy more than 9,400 SF including the main restaurant area, a large covered outdoor patio and a 1,500 SF open-air rooftop suitable for both public use and private events. All three areas of the restaurant will feature a full-service bar and seating for dining with special Brett Hull photos and memorabilia.

“We’ve been in talks with Brett Hull for about two years now and are absolutely thrilled to now have him come on board as a partner and add his name and the energy and excitement he brings to our already exciting venue,” said Keith Horneker, a local entrepreneur, restaurateur and Wentzville resident who developed the Junction House concept along with a group of five other St. Louisans with more than 20 years of combined experience in the local food and beverage industry.

“Having Brett involved has always been our long-term plan, and now we’ll also serve signature cocktails made with Brett’s very own Codigo brand; a super-premium tequila,” Horneker said.

“I’m excited to be part of such a great group and bring such a neat concept to the city of Wentzville,” said Brett Hull.

“As we bring our vision to life and share it with everyone in the community, I’m really happy I could help create jobs in these trying times. I can’t wait to relax out on the rooftop and enjoy some great food and many Codigo cocktails with the great people of Wentzville,” Hull said.

A new fitness gym called F45 Training Wentzville will occupy the remaining 3,000 SF of retail space in the new building and will be located adjacent to Brett Hull’s Junction House. It is also scheduled to open later in October 2020.

“Scoring the fourth most goals in NHL history, Brett is not only the best Blue we’ve ever had, but he’s one of the best to ever play in the NHL. Brett is a hero in our city and we want to prominently feature him throughout our establishment. Brett plans to be at the grand opening next month and plans to visit regularly with friends throughout the year. We’ll be announcing the grand opening date soon,” Horneker said.

Sullivan Bank is providing $4.3 million in construction financing for the project, which is being developed by LayneCo Construction Services. Patrick Wittenbrink of Carmody MacDonald P.C. is representing Horneker and his partners in the development.

Read MWM's previous article on The Junction development here: Restaurant and gym to anchor next phase of The Junction in Wentzville

St. Joseph's Academy gains $7.5 million in campus upgrades

St. Joseph’s Academy has completed more than 23,000 SF of campus enhancements at a cost of $7.5 million, including the new Weidert Center for Integrated Science and the Sisters of St. Joseph Humanities Hall.

The private, all-girls, Roman Catholic, college preparatory high school is located in Frontenac, Mo.

The new Weidert Center features 12,000 SF of renovated and upgraded science, engineering and technology lecture and laboratory spaces on the third floor of the main school building. It is named for Barbara Weidert, a 1947 graduate, whose estate made a $3.5 million gift to the school in 2018.

“The Weidert Center for Integrated Science offers a large and innovative new educational environment with state-of-the-art features and technology designed to help prepare our young women for STEM-related careers,” said Regina Mooney, president of St. Joseph’s Academy. 

“Now we can provide enhanced academic experiences and opportunities for the growing number of our students interested in engineering and related fields. We are very grateful for the overwhelming generosity of Barbara Weidert and many other dedicated donors of the SJA community for their help in making these 21st-century spaces a reality for our girls,” Mooney said.

The $3.5 million gift from the estate of Barbara Weidert is the largest single gift in St. Joseph’s Academy’s ’s 180-year history. This unrestricted gift also jump-started the school’s ongoing Expect More Capital Campaign for Every Girl supporting long-range plans to renovate and upgrade HVAC, windows and other instructional areas including a new Visual Arts Center and Studios on the school’s second floor which has been re-named The Sisters of St. Joseph Humanities Hall. 

A new Campus Ministry Center on the first floor puts St. Joseph’s Academy at the forefront of collaborative faith-filled learning. These projects include another 11,000 SF of renovation.

The school’s Expect More Capital Campaign has provided the construction funding for these campus enhancements and is also expanding scholarship support for qualified students of all backgrounds. These enhancements are part of the school’s plans to continue providing quality Catholic education and prepare young women with 21st century skills.

“These forward-looking investments prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s careers,” said Craig Hannick, St. Joseph’s Academy Board of Directors chair. 

“Reimagined and upgraded facilities advance our holistic education, preparing values-driven leaders, just as our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph, envisioned 180 years ago,” Hannick said.

Construction of the new STEM education facility and visual arts center began in 2019 and was completed in time for the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester by project architect, Hastings & Chivetta and BSI Constructors, the general contractor.

To view a short video highlighting the new facilities, click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDmwNVoq4HI&feature=youtu.be 

Kingsway Development's $13 million project set for October kick-off

Construction will begin next month on Kingsway Development’s mixed-use project, which includes 58,000 SF of new, high-energy retail, restaurant and office space, facilitated by the restoration and modernization of two classic St Louis buildings.

Approximately $13 million will be invested in a variety of office and retail within the two brick buildings in the Fountain Park neighborhood.

The location, adjacent to the historic Central West End, will also feature a brand-new, 10,000 SF performance venue with a courtyard that will play host to the outdoor functions of the new retail businesses and some special events.

Tenants for 4731 Delmar Blvd., the former Union-Sarah Economic Development Corp. Building, include Elevation (coworking space); Kingsway Development; Conversions Global Marketing; VIP Construction; TurnGroup Technologies; Hawktime LLC; Tammie Holland Public Relations; Wand USA, Inc; Park Central Development; Dream Builders 4 Equity; BRAND Foundation; UPS Store; The Original Hot Dog Factory; and pending tenant, Jamba Juice.

Tenants planned for next door at 4709 Delmar -a former 1920s candy factory- include a business training center, vegan restaurant and radio station, according to the developer.

“Buildings in this area have great bones, they have amazing detailing. It’s wonderful to see people bringing these buildings back to life. It keeps the history of the neighborhood alive," said Carl Karlen, AIA, CDT, LEED AP, design principal with Facet Architectural Design.

Other contractors on the project include Ameresco, Ballast CRE, Kwame Construction, Simms Building Group and ABNA Engineering.

Private-equity financing partners on the development include PACE financing, New Markets Tax Credits, Team: Carl Karlen of Facet Architectural Design, Chris Mazurek of Ameresco, Trivers, Ballast CRE, Kwame Construction, Simms Building Group and ABNA Engineering.

Just across the street the area continues to develop, with a $30 million, 150- apartment complex. The apartments are in the early stages of design by Trivers (architects), who is also designing the $7 million infrastructure improvements for the area.

Green Street announces 'The Oscar' mixed-use development

Green Street Development has purchased a 17.5 acre site to redevelop into a high-density, mixed-use development at the eastern side of Sheboygan, Wis.

Located at 1440 S. 16th St., “The Oscar” will join the current site of the Van Der Vaart Concrete Company, formerly known as the Oscar Zimbal Brick Co.

The Oscar will consist of 240 apartments, a new Kwik Trip and a 1.5-acre lot for future redevelopment. The multifamily portion will provide a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments across three buildings with underground, temperature-controlled and secured parking.

The Oscar is a workforce housing development and will offer all of the top amenities and features that are expected in a new Class-A, residential community - but with a discount to other new apartments in town.

Van Der Vaart is moving just south of the site, allowing for The Oscar development, but will remain a member of the Sheboygan Economic Community.

“Green Street and our community partners share a vision to transform this site into its highest and best use, creating a unique sense of place while continuing to support local industry,” said Joel Oliver, senior vice president of development for Green Street St. Louis.

The Oscar is the largest known housing development in the city of Sheboygan and Green Street’s largest multifamily project to date. Consistent with Green Street’s track-record of award-winning, urban projects, the intention for the overall development is to provide a neighborhood-like feel while integrating distinctive architectural features to establish an exceptional community.

“The Oscar brings a new choice in living to the Sheboygan area as demand for residential and mix-use development quickly grows. Rosemann is excited to design this distinctive community and looks forward to collaborating with Green Street and teaming up with its project partners, said Jarrett Cooper, vice president/studio director with Rosemann & Associates, P.C., St. Louis, who is the architect on the project.

Other project partners include general contractor, ARCO Construction and project engineer, Stock and Associates. Colliers International is providing the construction loan and BMO Harris is participating as an equity partner.

The first phase of The Oscar is scheduled to open in September 2021. 

KWK Architects shares evolving residence hall design trends

Residence hall design will evolve to reflect the current pandemic condition, according to the student housing design experts at KWK Architects.  

As universities and colleges look to design new residence halls after the current global health crisis, they will be challenged with how to safely house students while still providing for their social and academic development.

Social interactions have taken on a new normal – social distancing, limited-size gatherings and a responsibility to act in a manner that does not make someone else sick.

“Safety and security will be paramount for future students and their families, likely resulting in a desire for single-occupancy bedrooms in residence halls. Single bedroom units can provide a safe haven – a personal retreat where students can relax away from others,” said Sara Koester, principal at KWK Architects.

Koester stresses, though, that this configuration may be too isolating for a student away from home for the first time. Many residence halls are designed specifically to house freshmen; and studies have shown that freshmen students in double bedrooms with a roommate have a higher rate of retention. 

A “next best” bedroom design that will be considered is a double-bedroom designed as a “paired-single” unit – two singles side-by-side – with each occupant having furniture, a closet-operable window on “their side” and only necessarily shared elements, like a corridor door and mechanical unit/thermostat centrally located. The bedroom shape would be wide and shallow, allowing beds, desks and closets to be located further apart.

“The two sides can be marked with floor patterns and paint finishes to distinguish the two zones within the room. The two roommates will function as a ‘family unit’ since they are indeed sharing a room. These resident students will have experienced the pandemic in their formative years and can rely on their prior experiences to understand the importance of appropriate space boundaries,” said Koester.

New bathroom designs may favor a clustered single-use bath arrangement where private-use bathrooms - each containing a toilet, lavatory (sink) and shower - are located together. When grouped with a community lavatory area, this offers opportunities for socializing while still providing for privacy.

Two entrance/exit points to the facilities will allow for a one-way traffic pattern to be implemented when environmental health conditions warrant. The common lavatory area, with ample space between fixtures, will allow for ease of hand washing as well as a chance to chat with other residents while maintaining social distancing. New staff training and procedures will be required to ensure a constant (or at least much more frequent) cleaning cycle to safeguard the safety of all building users.

Social spaces, such as floor lounges and studies, will be sized and organized to allow for social distancing with distinct “stations” at appropriate intervals. Areas can be demarcated with floor patterns.

“Kitchen facilities should ideally be arranged for one-way circulation and appliances spaced to permit multiple work areas with adequate buffers between. Hand-washing stations should be ample and sufficiently spaced with accessories at each station,” said Koester.

“It has always been important to provide a variety of social spaces that allow for a range of activities – quiet to active and small group to large group – but now residence halls should consider including single-person study spaces where a resident may go to focus on studies or simply decompress in a private, safe zone.” 

Circulation spaces in residence halls will need to evolve. Entrances to buildings will need to be wider and feature multiple single entrance doors to avoid compressing residents as they enter the building. Lobbies should be large enough to allow for pedestrian flow to the elevators or stairs while social distancing, and elevators should be sized to accommodate multiple occupants at opposite corners.

Additional elevators may be needed to safely address reduced elevator capacity due to social distancing restrictions. Corridors will need to be of ample width and preferably feature small alcoves at regular intervals off the main hallway, with views to the exterior and perhaps a bench, that can serve as places to “step out” of the way and not be in the traffic flow. Doors to bedrooms should be located in recessed pockets off the corridor allowing one to transition into the main corridor flow. Air flow exchange and mechanical systems may need to be reevaluated with more frequent filter changes.

“While the program for outdoor spaces in residence hall design has always been important, this will take on a heightened importance in providing places where residents can go for relaxation and space-distant socializing, with individual areas articulated in the design of the hardscape, landscape and outdoor furniture. Individual outdoor activities, like hammocking and swings, can offer places to unwind, while outdoor terraces and patios can offer places for small groups to safely meet while social distancing,” said Koester.

With careful and thoughtful planning, residence hall design can balance environmental health concerns and living preferences of students and their families while fostering community and providing a nurturing environment.

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About KWK Architects: Founded in 2013 by five architects with a combined 120 years of higher education knowledge and experience, KWK Architects partners with colleges and universities across the United States to create innovative and inspiring places that enhance campus life. Areas of expertise include student housing and dining, and academic and science/technology spaces. KWK Architects has completed more than $1 billion in construction-valued projects since its founding and currently employs a growing staff of 15 at its headquarters in Webster Groves, Mo.