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Volume 38 - 2023 | Wednesday, September 20, 2023 | www.mbex.org | |
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Thirty-six percent of all U.S. bridges (that's more than 222,000 spans) require major repair work or replacement, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association 2023 analysis.
The total amount needed to make all needed repairs? $319 billion.
And how much federal money is being designated from IIJA for bridge repairs and replacements? Only $40 billion over the next five years.
No Minnesota bridges landed on the 'newly rated in poor condition' list this year.
IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:
• MBEX Fall Social: Wellness and networking await on October 10
• Halted: The 2040 Comprehensive Plan is put on hold
• Sneak Peek: Inside the Pre-Plan Pipeline September issue
• Blame the Diesel: Fuel prices cause first material price hike in six months
• Trying To Keep Up: Building codes are not climate ready, four more construction headlines, and one project to watch
• Member Benefit: Save 20% off select annual subscriptions with project management software, BrickControl
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Connection, Education and Inspiration Ahead | |
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The air is getting crisper, the leaves are turning gold, orange, and red, and the MBEX Fall Social and Self-Care Health Fair is just around the corner! 🎉
We're thrilled to invite MBEX members and non-members alike to an afternoon of connection, rejuvenation, and learning on October 10th.
• Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2023
• Time: Doors open & Health Fair begins at 3:00pm | Program at 5:00pm
• Venue: Pinstripes Edina Bowling & Bocce
Trust us; you won't want to miss this:
🤝 Connect
Join us to forge valuable connections with your fellow MBEX members, construction professionals, and industry leaders. Share experiences, exchange ideas, and strengthen your network in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
💪 Wellness Wisdom
Our first-ever construction Self-Care Health Fair is the star of the show this year. Discover practical self-care tools aimed at boosting one's overall physical and mental well-being on-site and at home. From physical therapy to life coaching, our wellness stations have you covered. Explore, ask questions, and make sure to visit all stations; a special giveaway will be awarded to one lucky attendee who does!
🌟 Guest Speaker
As part of our journey toward mental well-being, we welcome special guest speaker, Sean Haines, to the Fall Social. Sean is on the Board of Directors for the LIVIN Foundation, and he will share his powerful story along with the work LIVIN does in providing help, hope, and hugs to families and individuals in need and struggling with mental health and suicide.
🏆 Scholarship Recipients
The 2023-2024 MBEX / TBG Construction Scholarship awardees will be recognized and honored at this year's event.
🎁 Prizes Galore
Feeling lucky? Participate in our exciting 50/50 and SuperCash raffles for a chance to take home cash prizes as well as other giveaways.
🍔 Delightful Eats
Savor delicious bites and beverages while you mingle and unwind.
Ready to fall into wellness with us? Don't wait! Secure your spot now and be part of this incredible event. Click the link below to register.
This is more than just a social event; it's a chance to invest in your well-being and strengthen your industry connections. Let's celebrate the season, build relationships, and prioritize self-care together.
See you on October 10th - we can't wait!
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2040 Plan Court Ruling Creates More Uncertainty | |
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The recent court ruling rejecting the city of Minneapolis' 2040 Comprehensive Plan will create more uncertainty and have a chilling effect on construction of new housing in the city.
That's what some local developers and homebuilders are saying in reaction to the ruling from Hennepin County District Court Judge Joseph Klein, who ordered the city to revert to its 2030 Comprehensive Plan within 60 days.
The ruling is a win for Smart Growth Minnesota and other plaintiffs, who have challenged the 2040 Plan in court on the grounds that it harms the environment, reduces green space and violates the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act.
Read More on Finance & Commerce
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PEEK INSIDE: September Issue of the Pre-Plan Pipeline
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Each month, MBEX members with Premium Access services receive a comprehensive review of projects in their formative stages across Minnesota. How many projects? It varies from issue to issue, but September's issue contained 92 projects: Peek Inside at the Latest Issue
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Already a Premium member but not seeing the Pre-Plan Pipeline? First, check your spam / junk folder. If not found there, email Ashlee so she can doublecheck you're on the mailing list (or add you if not!).
Only have Basic access services but want to upgrade so you too can receive this monthly publication? Contact Ashlee to get started.
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Prices Jump for First Time in Six Months | |
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An extreme jump in diesel fuel costs in August drove the overall increase in material prices, according to an analysis from the Associated General Contractors of America.
Most commodity prices remained relatively unchanged, according to AGC officials.
The producer price index for diesel fuel, which covers the selling price at the terminal rack or refinery, ballooned 34.6% in August --- the largest one-month jump since 1990 --- according to AGC. Ken Simonsen, AGC chief economist, added retail diesel prices have continued rising since then and have climbed 77-cents per gallon in the past 10 weeks.
While energy prices will likely grab headlines, materials like concrete and switchgear also continued to exhibit inflationary tendencies in August.
Read more in Construction Dive
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October 10 - MBEX Fall Social & POWER Self-Care Health Fair
This widely-popular networking event provides an opportunity for attendees to socialize and mingle with other industry representatives in a casual, yet professional, atmosphere. New this year is the first-ever POWER Self-Care Health Fair, opening the full event to both MBEX members and non-members. Register Here
October 15 - Buyers Guide & Membership Directory Contracts Due
It's time to update your company's contact information, such as mailing addresses, phone numbers, websites, etc. with MBEX. It's also a prime opportunity to update listings (or add new ones) within the Classifieds or Trades sections. Review your company's current information, Classified listings, and Trades listings by visiting the current digital Buyers Guide & Membership Directory. View 2023 Directory | Email Julie
October 16-20 - Construction Inclusion Week 2023
Construction Inclusion Week is the first effort to harness the collective power of general contractors, specialty contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Initially launched in 2021 as an industry-wide awareness initiative, Construction Inclusion Week aims to build awareness of the need to improve diversity and inclusion in the construction industry by providing content and resources. Learn More
October 31 - Ads for Buyers Guide & Membership Directory Due
Submit your ad artwork for the 2024 Buyers Guide & Membership Directory to Julie or Ashlee.
November 27 & 29 - Reading Construction Documents (online class)
From navigating title block information to combing through specification documents, participants will learn how to navigate a project and understand the material and construction requirements. This class is taught by Troy DeGroot with UChpater2. Register Here
Save the Date! December 7 - Holiday Party North
An evening featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, networking with fellow members, door prize giveaways, and awards for the ugliest Christmas sweaters. Bring your spouse, employees, and coworkers to Ridgeview Country Club for a festive and lively event to celebrate the holiday season and the close of another business year.
NOTE: If you are an employee of a current MBEX member company, you are welcome to attend any and all MBEX events.
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🌦️ Building Codes Aren't Climate Ready, but Changes are Coming
The world's climate is changing more quickly than building codes are being updated, putting lives and structures at risk, according to panelists at the Building Innovation 2023 conference in Washington DC last week. In fact, only about one-third of the U.S. is covered by disaster-resistant codes, according to panelist Daniel Bass, an architect with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Although climate risks interact with each other, building and zoning codes are not meshed accordingly and vary by locality. Wildfires, for example, must be addressed at a community and neighborhood level, since a fire at one building threatens all the structures around it. (Smart Cities Dive)
🛋️ Twin Cities Ranks with Leaders in Office-to-Apartment Flips
Cities across the nation with fewer commuters and shuttered businesses are scrambling to revitalize downtowns in a post-pandemic world. Minneapolis and St. Paul are among the cities converting offices to apartments fastest, and a new report suggests the trend will continue. Local conversions in the works include Minneapolis' Northstar Center East and St. Paul's Landmark Towers. (Axios Twin Cities)
🎨 New Paint Can Heat and Cool Buildings Reducing Energy Use
Stanford University scientists have conceived of a new kind of paint that can cool homes and other buildings in the summer and warm them up in the winter, resulting in reduced energy costs and less carbon emissions. (Interesting Engineering)
🆕 Wisconsin Bridge Installation Using a New Innovative Method
A bridge on County Highway V is being replaced, using a method that is new to the United States. According to Eau Claire County Highway Commissioner Jon Johnson, all the parts for the bridge were completed in a factory. Then, they were shipped to the bridge location and put together quickly at the site. Bridge construction usually takes two to three months, but by using this method, it can be completed in four weeks. (News 18 - WQOW)
🗂️ Construction AI Follows a Familiar Path into Geotechnical and Civil Preconstruction
Building starts from the ground up, so Civils.ai extracts data from geotechnical reports so engineers can move faster and dirt moves sooner. The sheer volume and complexity of data engineers and civil contractors must digest in preconstruction is substantial. The Civils.ai website may be worth a visit for a broad spectrum of engineers and civil contractors, with its assortment of free estimating, planning and calculation tools for geotechnical, structural, and tunneling projects. But the company's current focus is on its geotechnical and civil construction planning AI tool. (For Construction Pros)
🦺 PROJECT TO WATCH
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Military and Veterans Museum Held at Camp Ripley
A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony for a world-class military and veterans museum at Camp Ripley was held Sunday, September 17 afternoon in Little Falls. Plans have been drawn up for a 40,000-square-foot building made possible with a $32 million investment from the state Legislature, another $5 million in private funding and a family's donation of the 32-acre plot. Construction of the museum is set to begin in the spring of 2024 and is expected to be complete in late 2025 with a grand opening in early 2026. (KSTP-TV)
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Rendering of the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum, which will be constructed
just outside the walls of Camp Ripley along Highway 371 near Little Falls, Minn. See more
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How Prefabrication is Shaping Multi-Family Developments
Webinar presented by Wells Concrete
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• DATE: Thursday, September 21
• TIME: 11:00am
• PRESENTERS: Jim Clapper - Regional Sales Manage & Ever Esparza - Project Manager
Register Here
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Multi-family developments are complex buildings, with many design considerations at the onset. When it comes to the design and construction, development decisions are driven by ROI, speed of construction, site constraints and appearance.
To meet these drivers, prefabrication offers many options ranging from architectural cladding, to parking, to total precast, a highly durable architectural and structural solution. In this webinar, experts will provide valuable insights on the options available and how to bring a project to life.
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The Contractor's Guide to Maximizing Profit with Modern Project Technology Webinar presented by Construction Executive
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• DATE: Wednesday, October 4
• TIME: 2:00pm EST | 1:00pm CST
• COST: Free!
Register Here
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Contracting is a competitive landscape where how well you operate determines your success. To grow profits and remain competitive, contractors must ensure maximized efficiency across their portfolio. But how?
The secret lies in achieving a holistic mindset across your organization that seeks to improve project performance, not just during execution but from the earlier stages of planning.
This webinar will explore how technology is supporting needed visibility into reliable, mission-critical data to drive enhanced project performance and efficiency. With more accurate measurement, greater predictability and faster insights, business leaders are empowered to:
• Retain up to 85% ROI from their enterprise project performance tools
• Scale down project management and controls headcount
• Reduce total capex out-turn
• Minimize cost of capital
• Improve stakeholder confidence
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Supplier Diversity Expo
Hosted by the University of Minnesota's Office for Supplier Diversity
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• DATE: Tuesday, October 10
• TIME: 8:00am - 4:00pm
• LOCATION: St. Paul River Centre
Register Here
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The University of Minnesota Supplier Diversity Expo is hosted by the Office for Supplier Diversity and provides an excellent opportunity for University decision makers, diverse business owners, majority-owned firms, and community partners to:
• Connect and network;
• Identify new suppliers;
• Discuss business opportunities, including B2B;
• Form joint ventures to maximize inclusion on University construction, goods, and services contracts.
Reduced exhibitor fees are available for Targeted Businesses (BIPOC-, disabled-, or woman-owned).
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Software for Managing Successful Projects for Construction Professionals and Architects | |
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BrickControl is an innovative software for construction project management that uses cloud-based technology for real-time collaboration between teams. You don't need to be in the office to stay up-to-date on the details and progress of your projects --- get work done from anywhere.
Plus, with a full suite of management features, you can manage your construction projects from end to end. BrickControl is an integral solution for your business.
MBEX Members who sign up for a free NPP membership will receive:
• 20% Off Annual Subscriptions (Basic and Business plans)
• Integrated Project Control - invoicing, estimating, and material sourcing
• Data Accessibility - cloud-based software, available from anywhere, and preservation of important data
• Tracking of Billing and Costs - full invoicing capabilities, easy expense tracking, and forecasting with confidence
This offer can be activated through our member benefit provider, National Purchasing Partners (NPP). To get started, enroll your business for free at mynpp.com/association/mbex.
NPP is a member benefit provider of MBEX, offering savings on products and services that businesses and employees use everyday.
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PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | |
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 9/11/2023 - 9/15/2023: 86
• Total Projects Leads Reported on at MBEX from 9/11/2023 - 9/15/2023: 2
• Total Active Projects Received/Reported on at MBEX as of 9/19/2023: 301
• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 9/19/2023: 3,716
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 9/13/2023-9/19/2023.
For information about the Bulletin's content, technical issues, or to place an ad (such as a Minority
Notice, Job Posting, or Event Notice), contact Ashlee, Membership + Communications Manager.
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UPCOMING MBEX EVENTS
• October 10 - Fall Social & POWER
Self-Care Health Fair
• October 15 - 2024 Buyers Guide & Membership Directory Contracts due
• October 16-20 - 2023 Construction Inclusion Week
• November 27 & 29 - Documents
Reading Class (online) with UChapter2
• December 7 - Holiday Party North
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Connect with the Builders Exchange: | |
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The information in this bulletin was obtained from sources deemed reliable. The Minnesota Builders Exchange (MBEX) does not assume responsibility for its completeness or accuracy. You are urged to check your own sources in addition to the information contained in this publication. This issue contains plans and other bidding information received prior to and including the date noted above. The project data within this newsletter is intended for member company's and their employees use only.
2023 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Greg Grazzini, Grazzini Brothers & Co; Vice President - Mike Carlson, Max Gray Construction; Treasurer - Heidi Sedlacek, Bituminous Roadways; Past President - Randy LaFaive, Market & Johnson | 2023 DIRECTORS: David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Jason DuVal, Tenet; Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; Andy Ristrom, Carl Bolander & Sons; and Nate Sapik, Benson Electric Company | STAFF: David Siegel, Executive Director; Julie Miller, Executive Assistant/Project Coordinator/Accounting; Jeff Boelter, Project Acquisition & IT; Ashlee Hartwig, Membership & Communications Manager; Don O'Connor, Duluth Branch Manager; Ka Yang, Peggy Esboldt, Janet Margheim & Shauna Baska, Project Reporters
You are receiving this email because you are employed by a current member company in good standing or have indicated you wanted to receive MBEX's Weekly Bulletin. Unsubscribe from the Weekly Bulletin
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