August 24, 2026

Dear Members,

As I sat down to write this week’s letter, I found myself thinking about change.

This time of year always brings it. Students head back to school. Summer gives way to fall. Projects move from planning into construction. Teams grow, shift, and sometimes face unexpected challenges.

It reminded me that growth rarely comes from standing still.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that leadership isn’t measured only during the exciting moments. It’s measured in how we respond when life doesn’t go according to plan.

We don’t always get to choose the circumstances around us, but we do get to choose how we move forward.

Construction is a great example of that. Rarely does a project unfold exactly as it was first envisioned. Weather changes. Materials are delayed. Priorities shift. Yet good teams adapt, communicate, solve problems, and keep building.

Life asks us to do much the same.

As we continue focusing on workforce development, leadership, best practices, and the incredible projects shaping our region, I’m reminded why this organization exists. We aren’t just here to exchange business cards or attend events. We’re here to learn from one another, support one another, and build something stronger together.

This week’s newsletter continues that mission with another collection of practical ideas, industry news, and resources that I hope you’ll find valuable.

Thank you for reading, for participating, and for being part of this community. Your support of one another—and of this organization—means more than you probably realize.

I hope you have a wonderful week, and as always, if there’s a story, project, accomplishment, or idea you’d like us to share, we’d love to hear from you.

Keep building something that matters.

Warmly,

Kelly

Kelly Jackson

Executive Director

St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers (SLC3)

AT A GLANCE...

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

News & Updates

Legacy Farms Park: St. Charles’ Next Destination Park Takes Shape

Know Your Industry

39 Hosts Plant Science Family Reunion Event

Training & Education

Owner Perspective Series | Week 1

Is Workforce Mobility the Weak Link in Your Labor Strategy?

The “Fatal Four” Hazards — and How to Prevent Them

CONSTRUCTION CURIOSITIES

AI: Did You Know?

PRINT CALENDAR

OUR EVENTS

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UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS

SLC3'S MOST REQUESTED SPEAKER RETURNS! DON'T MISS DALLAS!

JOIN US: Winning projects requires more than technical expertise—it takes the confidence to communicate your ideas, influence decisions and build lasting trust.

Join SLC3 for Constructing Communication Confidence: Win the Room Before You Win the Work, a high-impact, interactive session featuring executive communication coach Dallas Amsden, SLC3’s most requested speaker.

Dallas will share proven strategies to help you present with clarity, manage nerves under pressure and make your message memorable in every room you enter.

You’ll leave ready to:

Speak confidently in high-stakes meetings and presentations
Present your ideas with clarity and impact
Build trust through authentic communication
Stand out during interviews and project pursuits
Communicate in ways people remember—and act on

Event Details:

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Greenbriar Hills Country Club

12665 Big Bend Blvd.

Kirkwood, MO 63122

Schedule:

7:30 a.m. — Registration

8:00 a.m. — Plated breakfast

8:00–10:00 a.m. — Program

Registration:

SLC3 Members: $65

Non-Members: $80

Whether you’re presenting to a client, leading a meeting or pursuing your next project, stronger communication can help you become a stronger leader—and win the work.

Join us for 2nd Friday Coffee & Networking at JEMA—a relaxed morning designed to help you make new connections, exchange ideas and build opportunities with fellow industry professionals.

📅 Friday, September 11

⏰ 7:30–9:00 AM

📍 JEMA | 2823 Olive St., St. Louis, MO 63103

🎟️ Free event—registration required

Start your morning with great coffee and even better conversation.

Join SLC3’s Emerging Leaders for a Night at the Ballpark on Tuesday, September 15!

Connect with fellow members while enjoying St. Louis Cardinals baseball from the Hoffmann Brothers Rooftop, located on the third floor of Cardinals Nation in Ballpark Village and overlooking Busch Stadium.

The rooftop opens at 5:15 p.m., with the game beginning at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $105 per person and include food and an open bar. Space is limited, so register early for an evening of baseball, networking and fun!

Location: Hoffmann Brothers Rooftop at Cardinals Nation, 601 Clark Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63102

Ticket Price: $105 per person

Rooftop Opens: 5:15 p.m.

Game Begins: 6:45 p.m.

Ready. Aim. Network!

SLC3’s 14th Annual Sporting Clays Returns October 23

Join SLC3 on Friday, October 23, at Top Gun Sportsman’s Club in Lonedell, Missouri, for a day of friendly competition, meaningful connections, and unforgettable industry networking. Whether you’re an experienced shooter or joining for the camaraderie, this signature event brings together construction owners, design professionals, contractors, and industry partners for an experience that extends well beyond the shooting range.

The day includes morning and afternoon shooting sessions, a BBQ lunch catered by Kenrick’s, a cocktail reception, dinner and awards, and a fireside reception to close out the evening.

Not a shooter? Join the reception and dinner for $100.

Team registration: $1,440 for members | $1,680 for nonmembers

Individual shooters: $360 for members | $420 for nonmembers

Reception and dinner only: $100

📍 Top Gun Sportsman’s Club: 4273 State Highway 47, Lonedell, MO 63060

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026 | 8:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

View event information and register

Required waivers: Each team member must complete both the SLC3 waiver and the Top Gun online waiver.

Completed SLC3 waivers should be emailed to Morgan McDevitt.

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Congratulations to Adrian Flores on His New Role with LUZCO Technologies!

SLC3 member LUZCO Technologies recently welcomed Adrian Flores as its new Regional Program Manager, where he will help lead the company’s continued growth in Florida.

Adrian brings more than 15 years of experience leading complex marine, industrial, construction, and development projects. His extensive project experience and leadership will support LUZCO as the company continues to expand its reach and capabilities.

Why it matters to SLC3 members: Strong leadership and continued growth within our member companies strengthen the entire design and construction community. We’re always proud to celebrate the people and organizations within the SLC3 network who are growing, advancing, and bringing valuable expertise to our industry.

Congratulations to Adrian and the entire LUZCO Technologies team!

NEWS & UPDATES

Each month, SLC3 spotlights an organization that is helping shape the future of design, construction, and economic growth in the St. Louis region.

Our goal is simple: help our members better understand the partners, organizations, and leaders making an impact across our industry.

Know Your Industry

Greater St. Louis, Inc. – The Organization Working Behind the Scenes to Grow Our Region

When a major corporate headquarters announces an expansion…when a manufacturer selects St. Louis for a new facility…or when a billion-dollar development project breaks ground, have you ever wondered who helped make it happen? Well, let me tell you!

More often than not, Greater St. Louis, Inc. (GSL) has been involved long before the first architect sketches a concept or the first excavator arrives on site.

As the St. Louis region’s economic development organization, GSL works every day to attract new investment, support existing businesses, and strengthen our regional economy. Their efforts may not always make the front page, but they create opportunities that ripple throughout the design and construction industry.

Who is Greater St. Louis, Inc.?

Greater St. Louis, Inc. was formed in 2021 through the merger of five major civic and economic organizations, creating one unified voice for business growth across the bi-state metropolitan region.

Their mission is straightforward:

To drive inclusive economic growth and position the St. Louis region as one of the nation’s most competitive places to live, work, and invest.

Rather than focusing on a single industry, GSL works across advanced manufacturing, healthcare, geospatial technology, aerospace, financial services, agriculture, life sciences, logistics, and emerging technologies—all sectors that rely heavily on design and construction.

What Does GSL Actually Do?

Many people hear “economic development” but aren’t quite sure what that means.

Think of GSL as one of the region’s lead business recruiters and strategic planners.

Their work includes:

Legacy Farms Park: St. Charles' Next Destination Park Takes Shape

The City of St. Charles is moving forward with Legacy Farms Park, a new 97-acre community park that will become one of the region’s premier recreational destinations. Located near Missouri Route 94 and Highway B, the $5 million Phase 1 investment was designed using feedback from more than 1,500 residents to create a park that serves today’s families while preserving the area’s agricultural heritage.

The first phase includes a large playground, shelter pavilions, restrooms, beginner bicycle pump tracks, restored wetlands and prairie areas, and a scenic 12-acre lake. The completed master plan also features an 18-hole disc golf course—only the second in the St. Charles County park system—along with future amenities such as batting cages, miniature golf, and an indoor sports fieldhouse.

Project Snapshot

Location: Missouri Route 94 & Highway B, St. Charles, Missouri
Size: 97 acres
Investment: Approximately $5 million (Phase 1)
Opening: Phase 1 scheduled for April 2027
Key Features: 12-acre lake, playground, bicycle pump tracks, wetlands, prairie restoration, shelter pavilions, 18-hole disc golf course, and future indoor sports complex.

Design & Construction Team

The project is being developed and managed by the City of St. Charles Parks & Recreation Department. While the City has not publicly announced the complete design consultant and construction team for Phase 1, construction is underway with the park opening planned for spring 2027.

39 North Brings St. Louis’ AgTech Community Together at Energizer Park

39 North recently hosted its annual Plant Science Family Reunion at Energizer Park in Downtown St. Louis, bringing together hundreds of professionals from across the region’s agtech and plant science community. The all-day event featured speakers representing a variety of organizations and industries, along with opportunities to network, exchange ideas and celebrate the innovation helping establish St. Louis as a leading agtech hub.

Among the organizations supporting the event was SLC3 Owner Member Bayer, whose continued involvement in the region’s agriculture and life sciences ecosystem reflects the kind of collaboration that helps move St. Louis forward.

Why it matters to SLC3 members: Events like the Plant Science Family Reunion highlight the investment, partnerships and innovation happening throughout our region. They also demonstrate how the work of SLC3 members extends beyond individual projects and organizations—helping strengthen industries, create opportunities and contribute to the continued growth of the St. Louis region.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Arcturis Project Earns ENR Midwest 2026 Award of Merit

Congratulations to Arcturis, S. M. Wilson & Co., and the entire project team behind the St. Louis Community College–Meramec project, which has been recognized as an ENR Midwest 2026 Best Project: Award of Merit.

The award celebrates a project designed to make a lasting impact on both the campus and the greater St. Louis region. More than simply creating a new and renovated space, the project expands opportunities for students, strengthens the campus community, and demonstrates what can be accomplished when design, construction, engineering, and ownership come together around a shared vision.

Arcturis recognized project partners St. Louis Community College, S. M. Wilson & Co., Clayco, Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects, Introba, IMEG, Arbelope Studio, and Stock and Associates for their roles in bringing the project to life.

Why It Matters to SLC3 Members:

This recognition is a great example of the collaboration SLC3 works to foster across the region’s construction community. Projects like STLCC–Meramec bring together owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and specialty partners to create facilities that serve St. Louis for years to come.

Celebrating this work highlights not only an award-winning project, but also the expertise, partnerships, and investment that continue to move our region forward.

Collinsville Fire Station No. 2 Takes Shape

Construction is underway on the Collinsville Fire Department’s new Fire Station No. 2, a 13,600-square-foot facility designed to support the department’s operations, training needs, and service to the community for years to come.

The modern facility will include three apparatus bays with training elements, dedicated decontamination, SCBA and gear rooms, six bunk rooms, a fitness room, training and community space, and an ICC 500 storm shelter—combining day-to-day functionality with resiliency and long-term community needs.

The project also highlights the kind of collaboration that moves our region forward. Archimages, Inc. is leading the design, with Horner & Shifrin, Inc. providing MEP engineering, KPFF Consulting Engineers providing structural engineering, Civil Engineering Design Consultants, Inc. providing civil engineering, and Holland Construction Services serving as contractor.

Why It Matters to SLC3 Members:

Projects like Fire Station No. 2 demonstrate the impact of strong collaboration across the design and construction industry. From architecture and engineering to construction, multiple disciplines are working together to deliver critical public infrastructure that strengthens communities and supports the people who serve them.

It’s another great example of our regional AEC community at work—and of the expertise SLC3 members bring to projects that matter.

Is Workforce Mobility the Weak Link in Your Labor Strategy?

For years, the construction industry has relied on one simple assumption: when the work moves, the workforce will follow.

That assumption is becoming less reliable.

Owners, contractors, and design firms are all feeling the pressure of labor shortages, yet many organizations continue to focus almost exclusively on recruitment. The real question may not be how many people you can hire, but whether your workforce can get to where it’s needed when it’s needed.

Workforce Mobility Is Changing

Today’s workforce has different priorities than previous generations. Family commitments, housing costs, longer commutes, and quality of life are influencing where people are willing to work. Recent construction workforce research also suggests that workers are becoming less willing to travel long distances for projects, creating regional labor shortages even when qualified workers exist elsewhere.

For owners planning billion-dollar capital programs, this creates a significant risk. Having funding, design teams, and materials ready means little if skilled labor isn’t available locally.

Mobility Is More Than Geography

Workforce mobility isn’t just about relocating craft workers.

It also includes:

Moving experienced employees between projects.
Cross-training workers to perform multiple roles.
Developing leadership pipelines that can support new markets.
Using technology to coordinate staffing across offices and jobsites.
Creating career paths that encourage employees to stay with your organization.

The companies winning today’s labor battle aren’t always hiring the most people—they’re deploying the people they already have more strategically.

The "Fatal Four" Hazards - and How to Prevent Them

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the majority of construction fatalities stem from four preventable hazards known as the Fatal Four. Understanding the risks is important—but taking proactive steps to eliminate them is what saves lives.

Falls

The Hazard: Slips and falls from roofs, ladders, scaffolding, and unprotected edges remain the leading cause of fatalities in construction.

Mitigation Tips:

Always inspect ladders and scaffolding before use.
Maintain three points of contact when climbing.
Wear properly fitted fall protection when working at heights.
Install guardrails, safety nets, or warning lines whenever possible.
Keep walking surfaces clean and free of debris or cords.

Struck-By Objects

The Hazard: Workers are struck by falling tools, suspended loads, equipment, or moving vehicles.

Mitigation Tips:

Never stand beneath suspended crane loads.
Wear hard hats and other required PPE at all times.
Secure tools and materials when working overhead.
Establish exclusion zones around lifting operations.
Make eye contact with equipment operators before entering their work area.

CONSTRUCTION CURIOSITIES

Did You Know? Construction is Full of Surprises.

The Machines That Build Our World

How Many Steps Does a Construction Worker Take?

A busy commercial jobsite is like a small city. Between attending meetings, checking installations, gathering materials, climbing stairs, and walking the site, many construction professionals log 5–7 miles every day—often before quitting time.

Why it matters: Efficient site layout and material staging don’t just save time; they reduce fatigue, improve productivity, and help keep workers safer.

Tower Cranes Can “Grow” With a Building

Tower cranes are engineering marvels capable of lifting 20 tons or more, but what’s even more impressive is how they get so tall.

After being assembled with a mobile crane, many tower cranes use a hydraulic climbing system that raises the crane high enough to insert another mast section underneath. As the building rises, the crane literally climbs with it.

Fun Fact: Some tower cranes eventually stand more than 300 feet tall, while supertall projects around the world have used cranes reaching well over 800 feet.

One Machine, Dozens of Jobs

Modern excavators don’t just dig.

With quick-change attachments, one excavator can:

Dig foundations
Demolish buildings
Break concrete
Install utility pipe
Lift heavy materials
Grade land
Drill holes
Clear trees and brush

Owner Perspective Series | Week 1

The New Competitive Advantage: Front-End Planning

For decades, construction owners have viewed cost as the greatest threat to project success. Today, however, many owners are pointing to a different concern: having the workforce available to execute the work. With data centers and other mega-projects competing for the same skilled electricians, plumbers, and specialty trades, every hour of labor has become increasingly valuable.

That shift is making one Construction Industry Institute (CII) Best Practice more important than ever: Front-End Planning (FEP).

Front-End Planning is the disciplined process of making critical project decisions before construction begins. It means confirming the project’s scope, aligning stakeholders, identifying risks, validating site conditions, developing realistic schedules, and planning procurement before crews ever mobilize.

When labor is scarce, planning isn’t just good project management—it becomes a competitive advantage.

Projects that invest in strong Front-End Planning are better equipped to:

Reduce costly rework and design changes
Identify site risks before they become field issues
Order long-lead equipment earlier
Coordinate labor more effectively
Improve schedule and budget predictability

Rather than reacting to problems in the field, successful owners are preventing them during planning.

AI: Did You Know?

AI remembers your conversations.

You don't have to start over every time.

You can say:

"Continue where we left off."
"Make this more professional."
"Turn this into a social media post."
"Now make it shorter."

Think of it as having an assistant instead of a search engine.

CALL FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS? TIME TO HELP...

Much of the work we do is driven by member volunteers, and right now our committees could use a few more voices and helping hands. Committee service offers an opportunity to influence priorities, collaborate with peers, and support initiatives that impact the industry and our region. If you’re willing to get involved—even in a small way—we invite you to sign up.

Committee Info

HELP US KEEP THE PICTURE CURRENT

The construction and development landscape across the region continues to move quickly—and keeping our information accurate and relevant matters.

We’ve recently updated our construction and development listings to reflect new projects, changes in scope, and activity across the greater St. Louis area. These updates help ensure that our members have access to timely, useful insight into what’s being built, redeveloped, and planned throughout the region.

That said, no one has a better pulse on what’s happening than the people working in it every day. If you’re aware of a project that’s underway, planned, or evolving—or if you notice something that needs to be updated—we invite you to share it with us. Your input helps strengthen the resource for everyone.

Keeping this information current is a collaborative effort, and we appreciate your help in making it as accurate and valuable as possible.

CLICK FOR LATEST UPDATES

Have something to share? Reach out anytime—we’re always glad to hear from you.

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