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Dear Members and Friends,
I am busy planning a wedding for my daughter. Music was the last discussion which made me think of using these lyrics, “if you could have had one wish, what would it be?” Who doesn’t want to fantasize about getting something you want? So we ask you what would that be if it is in the context of the SLC3? If you had a request for something we would offer or host, what would it be? Let us know what that is because it is planning time and we are here for you!
Today is the last day of September and the last day of Suicide Awareness Month. I hope your organizations have spent some time educating within on this topic. Given the dim statistics in our industry, it’s imperative we take it very seriously.
Let’s take a left turn here and talk about some fun outdoors. The SLC3 Clay Shoot is this Friday. We have two sessions this year, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, but activities all day. Registrations are still available.
October 9th is our project tour of a historic building renovation in the Hill neighborhood! We will have a Happy Hour across the street following the program and tour. Come out and join us to explore this amazing building and enjoy some networking time. There is still time to register for this event.
If you are considering joining us, now is a great time to do so. We are very close to launching our new website for members. And, the membership event is for members ONLY and an event not to miss! Plus, we have so many ways to engage and support our overall mission and goals. We are a non-profit and we need the support of our members financially and through volunteering. It’s only $217 to join for the remainder of the year for associates. Just reach out to us for more information or go to our website as it’s open 24 hours a day and my staff and I sleep.
Lastly, our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by Hurricane Helene. We suspect some members have friends, family or co-workers in the areas affected. It's an incredible devastation.
Here's to a fantastic week of no rain in STL. Make great choices and be safe.
Cheers,
Kelly Jackson
Executive Director
KJackson@SLC3.org
SLC3 Staff
Note: Please remember to follow us on LinkedIn to stay on top of our posts. Follow us here.
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| If you had one wish about us what would that be? | | | |
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Feel free to send us a note on your wishlist! Email us.
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LAST CHANCE! THIS FRIDAY! SPORTING CLAYS
2 Sessions, Morning and Afternoon
Thank You to Our Title Sponsors,
CRB & UHY!
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OCTOBER 9 PROJECT TOUR
& HAPPY HOUR
Brown & Crouppen Law Offices: Kings Hill Historic Redevelopment
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OCTOBER 31 WOMEN'S LUNCH
Beyond the Grind: Igniting your Passion and Finding Your Purpose w/ Laura Sheidhauer
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NOVEMBER 8 SLC3 TRIVIA NIGHT
**REGISTRATION INCLUDES OPEN BAR**
Thank You to Our Platinum Sponsor,
US Capitol Development!
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Contact Lydia Meyer to join a committee! | |
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Do you know the SLC3's four key pillars?
We are driven by innovation, continuing education, equity empowerment, and collaboration.
These aspects are what push us to bring our members as many benefits to the table as possible. For our region and for the AEC industry as a whole, it is essential to stay connected, continue learning, and focus on what we can do to better one another.
If you're not a member, do any of those aspects align with your organization? If so, please reach out to learn more.
We want to provide as many benefits to as many individuals and organizations as possible. If you are a member, we greatly appreciate you and your continued support! If you have questions, ask us. We want to hear from you and we want you involved. Join us in bettering the STL AEC Industry!
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Once the new lock is complete, two of the three Soo Locks on the U.S. side of the St. Mary River will be able to accommodate larger modern "laker" cargo vessels. Rendering courtesy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Awards $223M Contract Option for Soo Lock Construction
The $3.2-billion New Lock at the Soo is taking shape in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District recently awarded a $222.7-million contract option to the project’s final phase contractor, Kokosing Alberici Traylor LLC.
The project is replacing existing Sabin and Davis locks with one larger lock to accommodate modern 1,000-ft “laker” cargo vessels as they traverse the 21-ft elevation change on the St. Marys River between Michigan and Ontario to travel between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes. The new lock would have a chamber measuring 1,200-ft long, 110-ft wide and 32-ft deep.
One of the Soo Locks, the Poe Lock, is already the same dimensions of the future lock. But with just one lock able to accommodate larger modern laker vessels, more than 88% of commodity tonnage passing through the locks must go through the Poe. Having the second large lock will allow the Corps to perform needed rehabilitation work on the Poe Lock. Congress authorized funding for the project at its current cost in 2022.
“The leadership team throughout the Corps of Engineers have made the New Lock at the Soo project a national priority and we have continued to see strong support every step along the way,” said Kevin McDaniels, district senior civilian, in a statement.
The newly awarded contract option covers construction of the lock floor, installation of mechanical and electrical systems, completion of a filling and emptying system, placement of soil between the new lock and the old Davis Lock plus commissioning of the new lock chamber, according to Darin White, technical lead on the project for the Corps’ Inland Navigation Design Center.
Kokosing Alberici Traylor, a joint venture of Westerville, Ohio-based Kokosing Industrial, St. Louis-based Alberici Constructors and Evansville, Ind.-based Traylor Bros., began work on the base $1.1-billion Phase 3 contract in 2022. Corps of Engineers officials structured the contract with $794.5 million in contract options to be awarded as funding becomes available. All the options are needed for completion of the functioning lock.
Three options worth $95.3 million remain to be awarded, and Corps officials said they expect that to happen over the next year.
Work is on schedule for completion in 2030, according to the Corps.
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U.S. Department of the Treasury Awards SLDC $25 Million in New Markets Tax Credits to Benefit Local Development Projects
In the latest round of allocations announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) was selected to receive $25 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to further economic justice and assist local development projects. Since 2004, SLDC has been awarded 13 allocations totaling $568 million in tax credit authority. NMTC spur investment and economic growth in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide.
“This $25 million award will create opportunities and benefit development projects across all areas of St. Louis,” said Neal Richardson, President & CEO of SLDC. “We can leverage New Markets Tax Credits to help attract more private investment in economically distressed areas of the City. By closing project financing gaps, the NMTC Program enables investors to make larger investments than would otherwise be possible.”
The NMTC allocation process will begin when SLDC issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) to attract quality projects with the most impactful use of the tax credits. We expect this will happen in early 2025. An advisory group will review the applicants and make recommendations on which projects should receive NMTC, with final approval coming from the SLDC Board of Directors.
As the economic development organization serving the City of St. Louis, Mo., SLDC administers the NMTC program, which has been a tremendous tool for the City. Over the life of the program, SLDC has used its allocations to finance 100 real estate developments and businesses, both for-profit and not-for-profit, resulting in the creation and retention of approximately 6,875 jobs in the City of St. Louis.
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Since its last award in 2022, SLDC has closed on financing for $49 million in allocations. With its 2022 allocation, SLDC established the Housing Access and Neighborhood Stabilization Revolving Loan Fund, which leverages American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) capital and NMTCs to finance the creation of for-sale units targeting households earning less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). SLDC has also supported several prominent projects with recent NMTC allocations including the expansion of the Urban League’s headquarters, St. Louis Symphony’s Education and Learning Center and construction of a new Ronald McDonald House.
About the New Markets Tax Credit Program
The New Markets Tax Credit Program, established by Congress in December 2000, permits individual and corporate taxpayers to receive a non-refundable tax credit against federal income taxes for making equity investments in financial intermediaries known as Community Development Entities (CDEs). CDEs that receive the tax credit allocation authority under the program are domestic corporations or partnerships that provide loans, investments, or financial counseling in low-income urban and rural communities. The tax credit provided to the investor totals 39% of the cost of the investment and is claimed over a seven-year period.
The CDEs in turn use the capital raised to make investments in low-income communities. CDEs must apply annually to the CDFI Fund to compete for New Markets Tax Credit Program allocation authority. Since the inception of the NMTC Program, the CDFI Fund has completed 20 allocation rounds and has made 1,667 awards totaling $81 billion in tax allocation authority. This includes $3 billion in Recovery Act Awards and $1 billion of special allocation authority used for the recovery and redevelopment of the Gulf Opportunity Zone.
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Henderson Construction Expands with New St. Louis Office, Strengthening Commitment to the Region
Henderson Construction, a leading player in the construction industry, is proud to announce the opening of its newest office in St. Louis, Missouri. With decades of experience delivering innovative and high-quality construction solutions, this expansion highlights the company’s commitment to serving clients in the greater St. Louis area and beyond.
What Henderson Construction Does
Henderson Construction specializes in providing full-service construction management, design-build, and general contracting services. Their portfolio spans multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, commercial, and industrial construction. Known for their ability to deliver projects on time and within budget, Henderson Construction has established itself as a reliable partner for clients seeking expert guidance throughout all phases of a construction project—planning, design, execution, and delivery.
A Strong Presence in Healthcare: SSM Health Partnership
One of Henderson Construction’s most notable partnerships in the St. Louis area is with SSM Health, a leading healthcare system with locations across the Midwest. The company has been entrusted with numerous construction and renovation projects for SSM Health, focusing on creating state-of-the-art healthcare facilities that meet the rigorous demands of modern medical environments.
Henderson Construction’s work with SSM Health includes the construction of cutting-edge medical centers and critical infrastructure upgrades. Whether working on new healthcare facilities or updating existing ones, Henderson’s expertise in healthcare construction ensures that all projects are completed with the precision, safety, and compliance required by the healthcare sector. The partnership underscores the company’s ability to adapt to the unique challenges of medical environments, from minimizing disruptions to patient care to ensuring that facilities are designed for optimal efficiency and safety.
Expanding Their Reach in St. Louis
Beyond healthcare, Henderson Construction has worked with several other notable St. Louis clients. Their projects in the region span industries such as:
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Education: Henderson has collaborated with schools and universities to build and renovate educational facilities, providing spaces designed to foster learning and innovation.
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Commercial Development: The company has worked on a range of commercial buildings, offering expertise in creating functional, aesthetically pleasing office and retail spaces.
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Industrial: For manufacturing and industrial clients, Henderson provides comprehensive solutions that optimize operational workflows, safety, and sustainability.
Commitment to the St. Louis Community
Opening the new office in St. Louis represents more than just business expansion for Henderson Construction. It signifies the company’s dedication to the local community. By hiring locally and forming strategic partnerships with regional subcontractors and suppliers, Henderson aims to contribute to the economic growth and development of St. Louis.
With this new office, Henderson Construction is positioned to offer even more personalized service to its clients in St. Louis, continuing its tradition of excellence in construction and client satisfaction...
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Keeley Companies Announces Executive Leadership Promotions
Keeley Companies is proud to announce several key leadership transitions that reflect intense commitment to growth, internal development, and strategic planning. Effective Monday, September 16, Tom Birkemeier has transitioned to CEO of Keeley Construction Group, Jim Lee will now serve as the President of Keeley Construction Group, Mike Rupinski will now serve as Chief Risk Officer, and Ron Roellig has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Civil. Rusty Keeley will continue to serve as the CEO of Keeley Companies.
Keeley Companies is dedicated to nurturing talent from within and is proud to leverage the deep experience and fresh perspectives of their Executive Leadership Team. This new team is structured for scalable growth across the nation and across all business units. “Our people are our most important asset and I am a firm believer that if you get the people right, the results will follow,” said CEO, Rusty Keeley. “In this case, we got the people right, and I could not be more excited to have these strategic visionaries leading the charge and writing this next chapter in our history.”
These internal promotions showcase Keeley’s dedication to their culture, ensuring continuity in their core values and complete alignment on their mission and vision. This will mark Keeley Construction's fifth president in 50 years, and all five are still full-time Keeley’ns.
About Tom Birkemeier
Tom Birkemeier has served as an effective construction leader for over 40 years, having served as the President of Keeley Construction for the past decade. As CEO, Tom will collaborate with Rusty Keeley and the Presidents of Keeley Construction Group & Keeley Restoration Services to help shape and communicate the long-term vision and strategic direction for the company. His decades of experience will allow him to act as a mentor and advisor to Executive Leadership, ensuring alignment and helping navigate challenges. Lastly, Tom will oversee all special projects, including company-wide initiatives such as mergers & acquisitions, major strategic shifts, or significant investments. Tom embodies Keeley’s mission and core values, and he continuously positions his teams to execute on every promise while exceeding expectations.
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About Jim Lee
Jim Lee brings over 35 years of construction experience to Keeley Construction. Since June 2020, Jim has served as the Executive Vice President of Building & Industrial, bringing in new customers, rapidly growing these teams, and executing larger, more complex projects across the nation. As President, Jim will take on all responsibilities of the President, including overseeing the management of Keeley Construction's daily operations, leading Keeley to continued success.
About Mike Rupinski
Mike has been a valued member of the Keeley family for 27 years, having served as the President of Keeley Construction, President of ZeroDay Technology Solutions, Leader of the Building Group, and Vice President of Risk. Mike's passion and expertise in navigating risk is essential to the success of Keeley Companies as they continue to grow in scale and complexity. In this role, Mike will oversee Risk Management, Legal, Claims, DOT Compliance, Project Controls, IT, and Change Management. As Chief Risk Officer, Mike will ensure Keeley is positioned to take on any new challenges and new opportunities.
About Ron Roellig
Ron joined the Keeley family in January of 2019 as the Vice President of Civil Infrastructure. During these past six years, Ron has led the Civil Infrastructure Group through explosive growth, growing the team to over 250 Keeley'ns today. In February 2024, Ron took over in leading the entire Civil Group as Senior Vice President. With Ron at the helm, he is sure to guide the Civil Group to even more growth, excellence, and success in the years to come.
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Construction Updates (STL Region) | |
Under Design/Construction:
- Avenue Bene
- Viva Bene – 171 Unit Luxury Active Adult Living Community (St. Peters, MO)
- Tara Ridge Development, LLC (Chesterfield, MO)
- First Community Credit Union
- First Community Credit Union (Streets of Caledonia, O’Fallon, MO)
- NGA
- NGA West
- Records
- GRG
- Brickline Greenway (GRG)
- New Chain of Rocks Bridge Park
- Delmar Maker District
- STL Zoo North County
- $230 Million Conservation Area
- STL Zoo
- Destination Discovery
- Crestwood Crossing
- City of St. Louis
- Arch Connector
- 39 North (Danforth Center)
- 600-Acre AgTech Innovation District
- Mixed-use developments
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September Women's Leadership Lunch w/ Kelli Risse ONn Achieving with Ease
Feeling burned out, stressed, or overwhelmed? You’re not alone. We all encounter these feelings from time to time, but last Thursday at our Women’s Leadership Lunch, Kelli Risse gave us practical advice on how to take control and overcome those challenges.
Kelli's message was simple yet powerful: Run your life, don’t let life run you. She emphasized the importance of living, leading, and working in a sustainable way. Burnout happens when we’re constantly stuck in stress and anxiety, leaving us drained, detached, and ultimately, ineffective.
Kelli introduced us to the Stress & Performance Cycle and explained how we operate best in our "Comfort" and "Stretch" zones—those sweet spots are where we stay engaged, energized, and productive. Her approach to reaching this optimal zone? Focus on self-care. Kelli highlighted there are six forms of self-care (yes, six!), but even just honing in on two can help you set boundaries, build healthy habits, and keep burnout at bay.
A huge thank you to Kelli Risse for sharing her wisdom with us. If you're feeling overworked or overstressed, don’t hesitate to reach out to her for guidance. And of course, a big thank you to our Women's Leadership Sponsor, SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills, and Jan Mullaney for making this enriching event possible.
Let's take these lessons to heart and make the changes we need to live more balanced, intentional lives!
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Moving Beyond The Fear of Failure
by Derlene Hirtz
As a professional coach, fear of failure is one of the biggest obstacles to overcome.
Having experienced it personally and on many levels, I understand the fear wrapped around never meeting our personal expectations, perceived expectations of others, and/or the unrealistic expectations that our work environment provides. In our mind, we come to tell ourselves we are failures. We will never get it right.
Guess what? Your unconscious mind always wants you to have what it is you want. When you tell yourself you are a failure you keep receiving lessons so you can keep having those thoughts and proving how right you are.
In other words, your thoughts become your destiny.
I was talking to a friend of mine this morning about this very topic. It amazes me how people talk about all the changes they would like to see in their business, life, relationships, finances, I could go on. And yet, this time next year, they are in the same position, getting the same results, with the very same mindset.
Why is that? One of the biggest reasons is the fear of failure.
I’ve witnessed firsthand how the fear of failure can paralyze even the most ambitious and talented individuals. This real fear can prevent entrepreneurs and business owners from taking the necessary steps to achieve their full potential. Today, I want to share insights on overcoming the fear of failure and transforming it into a catalyst for growth and success.
Understanding Fear of Failure
Fear of failure is an intense worry about the possibility of not meeting expectations or achieving goals. It can manifest in various ways, such as procrastination, perfectionism, or an aversion to taking risks. This fear often stems from a desire to avoid the negative emotions associated with failure, such as embarrassment, shame, or disappointment. (That’s a lot of information right there and future blogs will address them.) For now, just know that by the very nature of reading this, you have an awareness and now you get to decide if you want to address fear of failure, or not. You know what I say, “Choice is a powerful thing, suffering is always optional.”
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The Impact on Business Growth
In the business world, fear of failure can be particularly crippling. It can hinder decision-making, stifle innovation, and lead to missed opportunities. When you let fear dictate your actions, you may find yourself stuck in a comfort zone. There has never been a successful person who has stayed in their comfort zone and been successful. It is not going to happen. All growth happens outside of the comfort zone. The first advice I received when I started You Empowered Services was: get comfortable being uncomfortable.
Thomas Edison nailed it, “I have not failed 10,000 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 10,000 ways will not work, I will find the way that will work.”
Failure is Only Feedback. Read That Again. And Again.
Imagine the possibilities of learning from perceived failures. I know of several entrepreneurs who are constantly starting new businesses because the last one failed. If they do not learn the lessons within the failure, they are doomed to repeat it over and over again. It is what the brain knows.
Recognizing the Signs
Identifying the signs of fear of failure is crucial for addressing it. Some common indicators include:
- Avoidance: Steering clear of new challenges or opportunities to prevent potential failure.
- Over-preparation: Spending excessive time preparing to ensure every detail is perfect, often leading to inaction.
- Self-sabotage: Engaging in behaviors that undermine your success to avoid the risk of failing. This is a sneaky one because we might not recognize it.
- Negative Self-talk: The things we say to ourselves we would not even say to our worst enemy! What you feed grows and when we constantly feed ourselves negative self-talk, we continually invite it into our life.
Strategies for Overcoming Fear of Failure
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Embrace a Growth Mindset: Give yourself permission to embrace and understand that failure is a natural part of the learning process. Shift your perspective from fearing failure to viewing it as an opportunity for growth and development. I wish I understood this on this level when I was an educator and as a young mom.
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Set Realistic Expectations: Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps. Celebrate as you reach those small goals, knowing you are one step closer to the business and life you desire.
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Redefine Failure: Reframe your definition of failure. Instead of seeing it as a negative outcome, consider it a valuable learning experience that brings you closer to success. See it as feedback. I stress this over and over because it is key.
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Visualize Success: We store in pictures. Use visualization to imagine yourself succeeding. This can build confidence and reduce anxiety about potential failure and allow your brain to help you create it.
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Seek Support: Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors, peers, or a coach. You can only see what is right in front of you. That is the way we are wired. It is important to have trained professionals that can expose blind spots and different perspectives which then allows your brain to seek different possibilities.
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Take Action: The best way to overcome fear is to confront it head-on. Take small, calculated risks to build your confidence and gradually increase your comfort with taking larger steps.
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BEYOND THE BUILD: Five Questions to Assist Public Entities In Selecting the Right Project Delivery Method
Choosing a project delivery method is crucial when a public entity such as school districts and municipalities embarks on a new construction project. With 100+ years of construction management experience, S. M. Wilson offers valuable expertise with five questions professionals should ask to ensure they choose the proper delivery method that best meets their projects’ needs, budget and schedule requirements.
“Understanding the various project delivery methods and what suits your next project should not be taken lightly. When embarking on a project using taxpayer funding, a public entity wants to use the best possible means to ensure that each dollar is being spent appropriately and going to the right places,” said Mark Cochran, S. M. Wilson’s Chief Operating Officer.
These questions are meant to assist public entities in determining what method will work best for their project and meet all their needs.
1. What Level of Collaboration and Transparency Do We Want Between Design and Construction Teams?
Collaboration can make or break a project. Owners should consider the value added to partnering team members from design and construction early in the process. The Design-Build or Construction Manager methods may be ideal if a public entity wants to work closely with the design and construction teams to allow for multiple inputs beginning in the pre-construction stage, which increases efficiency, constructability, schedule phasing and provides a better cost return...
2. What Are the Specific Goals and Priorities of Our Project?
Understanding the public entity’s project goals is the foundation for selecting the most suitable delivery method. What are the budget constraints, tight timelines, or the need for high-quality finishes? Knowing the project’s priorities will help determine the best project delivery method: Design–Bid–Build, Design-Build or Construction Manager...
3. How Important Is Project Schedule?
Public projects often have fixed deadlines, like the start or end of a school year. Stipulations regarding how funds from bonds and grants are used might also exist. If the schedule is critical, methods like Construction Management or Design-Build offer more opportunities to overlap design and construction phases, allowing for more proactive scheduling. In a traditional Design-Bid-Build scenario, the project must be 100% designed before construction can begin...
4. What Are Our Budget Considerations?
Budget is often the most critical factor. Some methods, such as Design-Bid-Build, are known for potentially lower initial costs as contractors compete on price alone, and the lowest-priced contractor is selected...
5. What is our risk tolerance, and how much staff time do we want to allocate to project management?
Different delivery methods allocate risk differently and require different resources from the Owner’s standpoint. Public entities should also consider their in-house staff’s capacity for project management when choosing a delivery method...
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If you are considering joining us, contact Lydia Meyer about Membership. Don't miss our member-only activities and perks! | |
SLC3 2024 Officers & Leaders:
Frank Niemerg, Ameren - President
Michael Hargrave, BJC Healthcare - 1st Vice President
Bill Dyer, Avison Young/Pace Properties - 2nd Vice President
Anna Leavey, Anna Leavey Consulting, LLC - Secretary
Danielle Thomas, Hazelwood School District - Treasurer
Mark Winschel, ASC Group/Four Fourteen - Past President
Kelly Jackson, Executive Director
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IMPACT STRATEGIES PROMOTES SCHWARTZ TO SENIOR PM
Travis Schwartz was recently promoted to Senior Project Manager at IMPACT Strategies, Inc. Travis has been with IMPACT for over seven years and received his degree in Construction Management from SIUE.
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SEND US YOUR UPDATES!
info@slc3.org
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MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN ANNOUNCES NEXT PRESIDENT
Dr. Lucia G. Lohmann will be the next president of the Missouri Botanical Garden! She will be the eighth president of the Garden and the first woman to hold the position.
Dr. Lohmann, currently Director of University and Jepson Herbaria - UC Berkeley and professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley, will step into the role of Garden President and Director on Jan. 2, 2025.
Born in Brazil, Dr. Lohmann earned her undergraduate degree in biology from USP - Universidade de São Paulo and a master’s degree and PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics from University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Dr. Lohmann also previously worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Garden in our Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development (CCSD) where she used specimens from the Garden’s globally renowned Herbarium and geospatial tools to address evolutionary, ecological, and conservation questions.
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St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers
301 Sovereign Ct, Suite 101, Ballwin, MO 63011
636.394.6200 | f 636.394.9641 | info@slccc.net | slccc.net
Staff:
Kelly Jackson // Executive Director
Rebecca Hale // Event & Office Manager
Lydia Meyer // Marketing & Membership Coordinator
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