SLDC Bidding & Estimating Academy

Part 1: Monday, August 19th, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Part 2: Monday, August 26th, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

• In-Person & Virtual Options

Part 3: Thursday, August 29th, 9:00 am

• In-Person Only

Where:

Northside Economic Empowerment Center

Sumner High School Annex

4248 Cottage Ave., St. Louis, MO 63113

Market at Olive Retail Project Welcomes Target as Newest Anchor Store

The development team behind the Market at Olive retail project, which spans both sides of Olive Boulevard between I-170 and McKnight/Woodson Roads in University City, today announced that Target has purchased a 7.5-acre site within the Costco-anchored development. The team, consisting of Bob Clark (Clayco), Larry Chapman (Seneca Commercial Real Estate), Caroline Saunders (general counsel for the project), and David Hutkin (Hutkin Properties Group, LLC), revealed that Target plans to build an approximately 148,000 square foot store, which will be the largest Target store in the St. Louis area. A two-level parking structure will be constructed to service the store and its customers.

In addition to Costco and Target, the 47-acre retail project includes notable brands such as Chick-fil-A, First Watch, Chipotle, Chase Bank, Panera, AT&T, Raising Cane’s, Jersey Mike’s, 7 Brew, and Sport Clips, with additional retailers and restaurants expected to be announced later this summer.

“Target is a brand that aligns with our values, and we are excited to have University City as the home of the largest Target store in the region,” said Terry Crow, Mayor of University City. “It has been incredible working with Bob Clark, Larry Chapman, Caroline Saunders and David Hutkin and their team in bringing this best-in-class company to our community.”

Bob Clark credited the team for their hard work and tenacity in finalizing the deal and extended his gratitude to University City Mayor Terry Crow, the City Council, and City Manager Gregory Rose for their invaluable support, which were critical to the success of the transaction.

“We are extremely pleased to support University City with this significant development,” said Clark. “We are thankful to Target for choosing to locate their store in the Market at Olive development, which now features two of the most respected retail brands in the industry. We look forward to soon announcing our third and final anchor as we approach the completion of this project, which is so important to University City.”

icon Mechanical Named 2024 SMACNA Safety Innovator of the Year

Granite City, Illinois-based icon Mechanical is the winner of the 2024 SMACNA Safety Innovator of the Year Award. The award will be presented during the Annual Business Meeting at the SMACNA Annual Convention in Palm Desert, CA, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa on Wednesday, October 30.

icon Mechanical's innovative Good Catch program revolutionizes workplace safety and mental health through technology. By employing QR codes, we empower employees to report safety observations at any moment, fostering a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility. 

This initiative simplifies hazard reporting and enables real-time analysis, leading to swift corrective actions and a notable reduction in accidents. To maximize the Good Catch program's visibility and accessibility, we strategically place QR codes on daily JSAs, TBTs, and other prominent locations throughout our projects. This deliberate placement ensures that every employee's opportunity to report good catches is always within arm's reach, regardless of their role or location on site. 

This program creates a dynamic feedback loop, encouraging vigilance and continuous improvement across our nationwide projects. By analyzing trends, we promptly address potential risks, significantly enhancing our safety culture. 

icon conducts a bi-weekly drawing to promote engagement further and recognize individual contributions, randomly rewarding the "Best Catch" and other submissions. This boosts morale and underscores our commitment to valuing every submission.

Since its launch 16 months ago, the program has received nearly 300 submissions, identifying and mitigating countless hazards. Its effectiveness is underscored by a significant milestone achieved in 2023—surpassing 1.5 million work hours without a lost time incident. This achievement directly reflects the positive impact of employee engagement and our technological approach on icon Mechanical's safety performance.

Navigating the Intricacies of Code Compliance and Authorities Having Jurisdiction | Vessel Architecture

The construction of a building entails navigating through a maze of regulations, permits, and codes. Architects are more than mere designers; we are stewards of safety and navigators of code compliance. Our work not only defines the visual impact of a structure but ensures its soundness and safety. The importance of understanding and adhering to building codes, the collaborative dynamics with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), and the paramount goal of ensuring the well-being of a building's occupants should not be overlooked.

Initial Preparation and Jurisdictional Clarifications

Understanding which AHJs govern a project is paramount. In many projects, especially those involving licensed care like senior living facilities, multiple layers of AHJs can come into play, each wielding their own set of codes. The challenge is not just in understanding these codes but in working through their potential conflicts. For instance, projects across the United States often simultaneously fall under three distinct accessibility requirements, each with its own nuances. 

Ensuring proposals are in line with local codes and regulations is essential. This starts with a meticulous code review early in the design phase. Knowledge and experience play vital roles here, allowing us as architects to anticipate and mitigate potential issues well in advance.

Visual Aids and Presentations to AHJs

By the time we approach an AHJ, we typically have a comprehensive BIM model in place. Life safety plans are critical visual aids presented to AHJs, illustrating the project's safety features and occupancy types. These visual aids assist in explaining the project's underlying assumptions to officials who may be seeing the project for the first time.

Stakeholder Involvement and AHJ Discrepancies

Clear communication is the backbone of a smooth permitting process. This begins with a preliminary meeting with the AHJs, where we lay out the design assumptions. If these are clearly conveyed, the permitting phase often sees fewer hiccups. 

While the primary stakeholders at this juncture are the design team and relevant AHJs, sometimes multiple AHJs may have conflicting views. Keeping a continuous dialogue and fostering understanding becomes pivotal in such scenarios.

Fast Tracking and Staggering Applications

While there's no one-size-fits-all approach, there can be advantages in splitting permit applications based on the project's unique requirements. Client needs or construction lead times dictate this decision. 

AHJ Modifications and Field Inspections

In instances where AHJs request modifications or additional studies, the primary cause is often a lack of clarity. These modifications might also arise during on-site inspections, even if previous approvals were granted. Opening a dialogue, understanding the AHJ's assumptions, clarifying, and recalibrating plans in alignment with these assumptions is key.

Keeping Stakeholders Informed

Tools like Microsoft Teams have revolutionized the communication process at Vessel, ensuring stakeholders remain updated in real-time about project developments. The nature of architecture and construction means setbacks and delays are almost inevitable. While these can indirectly impact time and budget, keeping all parties informed and aligned is crucial. 

Providing Total Well-Being Support could Be the Difference-Maker in Your Construction Company

When we talk about health and safety in the construction industry, the focus is often on physical safety. However, there is another important aspect to consider: the well-being of workers. Well-being encompasses various dimensions, including mental, social, financial, and physical health. All these aspects are interconnected, and they affect each other in many, sometimes profound, ways. If an employee is struggling financially, they may spend less time out socially. This can influence physical and/or mental health. All these dimensions play off one another—comprising your workers’ total well-being.

This reinforces the value of integrating wellness into your safety programs. By enhancing your culture of health you can work toward optimizing your organization’s safety initiatives.

The Connection Between Well-Being and Health

Health is not limited to physical well-being alone. It also includes mental and emotional wellness, financial stability, and social connections. When any of these dimensions are compromised, it can have an impact on an individual's overall well-being. This impact can be deeply felt, as construction is the industry with the second-highest rate of suicide.

What makes the construction industry unique is how multiple risk factors align. These include the transient nature of work, a culture that often deters employees from seeking help, and stressful, often dangerous work that can lead to chronic injuries. Mental health issues also exacerbate this issue.

“Research shows that up to 90% of people who die by suicide have a mental health condition,” the Center for Workplace Mental Health explains. “Depression is the most common, however other conditions may impact suicide rates including substance use disorders—most commonly alcohol misuse, anxiety, and trauma.”

While suicide and silent suffering are tragic outcomes for any person, they often come about from a convergence of well-being factors. Imagine a construction worker who is struggling financially. They might have to work longer hours or take on extra jobs to make ends meet, which can lead to physical exhaustion. Financial stress can also affect their mental health, causing anxiety and worry. In turn, these challenges may result in social isolation, as they may not have the means or time to engage in social activities with friends or loved ones. Ultimately, this interconnectedness between well-being dimensions affects the worker's overall health and happiness.

Returning to the Center for Workplace Mental Health study, it’s clear that leadership in the construction industry knows this is a critical issue to address. Seventy-seven percent of respondents who are in top leadership positions believe prioritizing mental health is crucial.

“Leaders play a key role in fostering and building a caring culture that addresses worker well-being, mental health awareness, and suicide prevention in construction,” the study explains. “Active and continuous leadership engagement is essential in breaking down barriers in addressing mental health and worker well-being.”

Integrating Well-Being Into Safety Programs

Recognizing the impact of well-being on workers, the importance of construction companies integrating wellness initiatives into their safety programs becomes clearer. By promoting a culture of health, organizations can optimize their safety initiatives and support their employees. Instead of focusing solely on keeping workers safe on the job, consider also providing and promoting resources to keep them well at work and at home. There are several ways to enhance the integration of wellness into safety programs.



1. Offer and de-stigmatize mental health support. Provide access to resources and programs that promote mental well-being, such as counseling services, stress management workshops, and awareness campaigns to reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues.
2. Provide helpful financial education. Offer financial literacy programs or workshops to help workers manage their finances effectively. This can reduce financial stress and improve their overall well-being.
3. Drive social engagement. Encourage social activities and team-building exercises within the workplace. Foster an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes social connections and reduces feelings of isolation.
4. Promote wellness-focused physical health. Implement initiatives that encourage physical activity, such as wellness challenges, onsite exercise facilities, or subsidized gym memberships. Promote healthy habits and provide information on nutrition and exercise.

Expand your network with the FRB St. Louis facilities team and learn about the opportunities available at the Bank, including previous projects! Registration Details will be released soon.

When: Thursday, September 26th, 4:30 - 6:30 pm

Where: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Economy Museum (free/secured parking in the Bank's garage)