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Four Quick Things To Know/Do This Week:
1.) This week's Bulletin is shorter and in your inbox later than usual. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We'll be back to our regular schedule next week.
2.) You're in luck; Early Bird ticket pricing for the annual MBEX Spring Social on April 17 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine has been extended through Monday (April 8).
3.) Our next Online Plan Room demo is Thursday, April 18 at 9:00am.
4.) As of the end of March, our Duluth office located on Piedmont Avenue has officially closed, but Don O'Connor is still in business. Northern Minnesota members can reach Don by email at don@mbex.org or (218) 722-2836 during regular business hours.
It wasn't our fault; it was asphalt.
IN BRIEF:
• Act Fact: MBEX Spring Social's early bird pricing ends Monday, April 8
• Redevelopment Funds: DEED awards $2.2M to eight Minnesota communities
• MBEX March Recap: MBEX's plan room work over the past 30 days
• Legislative Action: Consideration for exempting comprehensive reviews
• Key Scott's Collapse will Change Bridge Building, Innovative Construction Materials to Watch in 2024, & How AI will Change the Job of Architects and Civil Engineers: Five construction headlines, and bids are now open for a juvenile correctional facility in Milwaukee (and yes, MBEX has the plans)
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Early Bird Pricing Extended thru Monday (4/8) | |
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Don't miss out on extra savings with the annual MBEX Spring Social; our Early Bird pricing has been extended through Monday, April 8!
EVENT DETAILS
• Date: Thursday, April 17
• Time: 3:00pm - Check In & Networking | 5:00pm - Program & Special Guest Speaker Timothy O'Neill (DEED) | 5:30pm - Raffle Winners Announced & Door Prize Giveaways
• Location: TPC Twin Cities (Blaine, Minn.)
• Cost: $40 - Early Bird thru 4/8
Sponsorship Opportunities are also available.
Become an event sponsor at the Platinum ($500), Gold ($300), Silver ($200), or Bronze ($100) level or sponsor the Wine & Spirits Pull ($150) and door prizes (any amount starting at $50). Choose your sponsorship level when registering for the event.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Join us for an evening with fellow members and other local construction business owners, executives, and industry professionals, and gain several chances to win exciting door prizes or indulgent bottles of wine or spirits.
Our special guest speaker at this year's event is Timothy O'Neill, DEED's regional analyst for the seven-county Twin Cities region of Minnesota.
Back by popular demand at this year's Spring Social is our Wine & Spirits Pull! Attendees can purchase a mysteriously-wrapped package that contains either a bottle of wine or spirits potentially of much greater value than the purchase price. All funds from the Pull go directly to support the MBEX / TBG Construction Scholarship.
We will also have our traditional 50/50 cash raffle where the winner takes home half of the winnings and the other half directly supports the MBEX Scholarship Fund.
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Thank you to our following sponsors: | |
DEED Awards $2.2-Million in Redevelopment Funding | |
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The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced more than $2.2-million in land redevelopment to eight communities statewide --- creating or retaining 91 jobs, collectively increasing local tax bases by $3.1-million and leveraging more than $228.7-million in private investment.
ALBERT LEA: Convenience Store and Filling Station
Awarded $189,205 for public infrastructure improvements on the 3.66-acre site. A meat-packing facility for nearly 100 years, the plant --- located in Albert Lea's Blazing Star Landing redevelopment district --- burned down in 2001. The site will be redeveloped into a 9,100-square-foot convenience store that includes an associated car wash and filling pumps. | Local Contact: Steven Jahnke, (507) 377-4325
CLOQUET: Hotel Solem Reuse
Awarded $87,659 for asbestos and mold abatement on the 0.23-acre site. Located in the heart of downtown Cloquet, the former hotel, apartment building and restaurant will be renovated into an 18-unit apartment building in the once-vacant Hotel Solem building. | Local Contact: Holly Hansen, (218) 879-2507
DEER RIVER: 13 Main
Awarded $130,000 in Demolition Loan funds for the demolition of a building on the 0.25-acre site. The site, formerly used as a furniture and appliance store, was destroyed by a tornado in May 2022. The site has redevelopment potential as commercial, healthcare or office space. No local contact given.
HUTCHINSON: Jorgensen Hotel
Awarded $150,000 for demolition on the 0.26-acre site. After the original Jorgenson Hotel burned down, it was rebuilt using large amounts of concrete, which has proven to be costly for past redevelopment attempts. The current plan is to demolish the site and redevelop it into a new hotel. | Local Contact: Miles Seppelt, (320) 234-4223
LA CRESCENT: 31 South Walnut Redevelopment
Awarded $19,051 for demolition and public infrastructure improvements on the 0.06-acre site. Work to revitalize Walnut Street in downtown Le Crescent began in 2017, and the city is now ready to move forward with the redevelopment of 31 South Walnut. Historically used as a dry cleaner and a laundromat, the site will be redeveloped into a mixed-use residential and commercial building. | Local Contact: Larry Kirch, (507) 895-4096
MOORHEAD: Downtown MCM Redevelopment
Awarded $1-million for demolition on the 14-acre site. The former shopping mall site will be redeveloped into a 55,400-square-foot library and two apartment buildings with a combined 484-units, and 36,000-square-feet of commercial space. | Local Contact: Amy Thorpe, (218) 299-5442
SCOTT COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CDA):
Senior Housing and Office
Awarded $545,000 for geotechnical soil stabilization and public infrastructure improvements on the 1.96-acre site. The site is located in the heart of Shakopee and alongside a transit route. The site will be redeveloped into a three-story, 60-unit senior housing apartment building and a one-story, 17,000-square-foot office building for the Scott County CDA. | Local Contact: Julie Siegert, (952) 641-5185
WHITE BEAR LAKE: Wildwood Rowhomes
Awarded $115,253 for demolition and public infrastructure improvements on the 0.67-acre site. Formerly a gas station, the site will be redeveloped into two townhome buildings consisting of nine residential units. Removing blight from the area will also significantly help redevelopment efforts on other sites at the intersection and throughout the County Road E corridor. | Local Contact: Tracy Shimek, (651) 762-4838
The Redevelopment Grant Program helps communities with the costs of redeveloping blighted industrial, commercial, or residential sites and putting land back into productive use. The Demolition Loan Program helps communities with the removal of dilapidated or unsafe structures to prep sites for future development.
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BY THE NUMBERS: MBEX March recap | |
At the start of each new month, we like looking back at the past 30 days to review project progress, Online Plan Room stats, and membership goals. Numbers reflect the time period of March 1-31, 2024. | |
Total # of Projects Added (2024) | |
Total # of Projects Added (2023) | |
Total # of Projects in 2024 (YTD) | |
New Member Companies Joined | | |
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No. of Bidders Added to Bidders Lists
(Members & Non-Members)
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Total Visitors on
Project 2024-03CE
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Total Unique Visitors
on Project 2024-03CE
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Project Name: PTCC - 20 Technical / Trades Lab Addition Renovation,
PTCC-23 HVAC Replacement (HEAPR), Pine Technical & Community College
Bid Date: April 2, 2024 at 2:00pm
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Lawmakers Consider Exempting Comprehensive Plans for Environmental Lawsuits | |
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A bill that would make it so cities can no longer be sued under the Minnesota Environmental Review Act for looking to create dense housing in their comprehensive plans received a hearing last Tuesday (March 26) at the Minnesota Senate Committee on State and Local Government and Veterans.
The bill would be retroactive, affecting comprehensive plans that date back to March 2018. That means that the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which was the subject of a lawsuit brought by two environmentalist groups, would fall under the bill's protection.
This is the Legislature's second attempt at creating this protection for comprehensive plans. Last year, a bill was put forward that would prevent lawsuits over the comprehensive plans under the Minnesota Environmental Review Act, or MERA. This year's bill specifically looks to prevent lawsuits over the creation of denser housing.
The Minneapolis 2040 Plan removed single-family-only zoning. Studies have cited this move and the plan as contributing to low rent growth in the city compared with nationwide rent spikes.
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A valuable benefit of an MBEX membership is invitations to our social and educational events; by being an employee of a member company, you too can take advantage and attend any and all MBEX-sponsored events.
** indicates a newly added event
April 17 - MBEX Spring Social
Join us at TPC Golf Club in Blaine, Minn. with fellow construction business owners, executives, and industry professionals that includes a special guest speaker, drinks and delicious food, cash raffles benefiting the MBEX Construction Scholarship fund, and more. Register Here
April 18 - MBEX Online Plan Room Demo
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and bidders lists, this free, one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. There will be time at the end for questions and answers. Register Here
** May 14 - MN Construction Crew's 10th Annual Construction Career Hiring Event
Presented by Construct Tomorrow, this in-person event is an opportunity providing contractors a chance to meet / interview individuals that are looking for employment. Learn More
** May 16 - MBEX Online Plan Room Demo
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and bidders lists, this free, one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. There will be time at the end for questions and answers. Not yet open for registration
May 27 - Memorial Day
MBEX will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. Please plan any office visits and plan/spec/addenda orders accordingly.
Save the Date - June 5 - MBEX Member Appreciation BBQ
Let MBEX treat you to lunch as a thank you for your continued membership and support! Join us for a casual afternoon of Famous Dave's barbecue, cold beverages, a handful of door prizes, and great company and networking. Each member company receives 2 complimentary tickets.
** Save the Date - June 18 - Twin Cities Golf Tournament
Join MBEX out on the greens not just to golf, but to also meet and mingle with fellow members and industry professionals.
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INFRASTRUCTURE
🏗️ Baltimore Collapse Will Change How Bridges are Built
Baltimore's Key Bridge had protections in place, but not ones sufficient to stop a head-on collision from a cargo ship like the one that occurred last week, according to civil engineering experts. The bridge, which collapsed into the Patapsco River after one of its load-bearing piers was struck by the container ship Dali, appeared to have concrete dolphins, also known as pilings or bollards, in place to protect it, according to experts who examined photos of the site. (Construction Dive)
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
🧰 7 Innovative Construction Materials to Watch For in 2024
Innovative building materials are moving the industry forward, helping today's construction projects achieve higher levels of sustainability, efficiency, and durability. Here are seven materials that have recently gained attention for their unique properties and applications. (ConExpo - CON / AGG)
ARCHITECTURE + ENGINEERING
📐 How Generative AI will Change the Jobs of Architects & Civil Engineers
The basic idea is that generative AI tools will empower architects and civil engineers to streamline workflows and automate repetitive elements of their work. This will leave them free to focus their limited human attention on tasks that require real ingenuity and creativity. AI can rapidly create design ideas, using generative design algorithms to create candidates using available resources and materials. It can deploy simulations and digital twins, generate project management and budgeting plans and even help to make the construction of buildings and urban structures more sustainable. (Forbes)
JOBSITE SAFETY
⛑️ Mitigating Struck-By Incidents on the Jobsite
Struck-by incidents account for nearly 20% of all construction fatalities. These incidents include workers being backed over or run over by equipment or vehicles, pinned between equipment or other objects, struck by swinging equipment parts or falling loads, and crushed beneath overturned equipment and vehicles. Yet, the measures taken most often by contractors to protect workers from these struck-by hazards are personal protective equipment, back-up alarms and use of spotters. Contractors must implement more proactive controls to complement these existing measures and prevent injuries and fatalities. (Construction Executive)
INNOVATION + TECHNOLOGY
🌳 Wood Ink for 3D Printers Can Turn Old Scrap into New Parts
Researchers have now found a way to turn some of the scrap wood waste produced in the U.S. into a wood "ink" that could eventually be used to 3D-print items such as furniture or architectural elements. Wood-based 3D-printing itself isn't new. Existing inks, though, are typically made by mixing sawdust with a binder. This produces a wood-like composite that lacks many of the physical and aesthetic properties that give wood its appeal. (Scientific American)
🦺 PROJECT OF THE WEEK
Construction Bids Open for $78.4M Juvenile Correctional Facility in Milwaukee
The new facility will replace Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls, both located outside Irma in northern Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. General prime contractor bids for the one-story, around 71,000-square-foot correctional facility at 7930 West Clinton Avenue will close on May 8th; bids for mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors will close April 24th. Construction is expected to begin in June and continue until July 2026, DOC officials said. The facility is scheduled to open September 2026. The facility will have housing, food service, health services, classrooms and recreational spaces for up to 32 teens. (Finance & Commerce)
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Rendering: BWBR Architects Inc | |
PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | |
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 3/25/2024 - 3/29/2024: 82
• Total Active Projects Received/Reported on at MBEX as of 4/3/2024: 358
• Total Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 4/3/2024: 1,369
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 3/27/2024-4/3/2024.
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
• April 17 - MBEX Spring Social
• April 18 - Online Plan Room Demo
• May 14 - MN Construction Crew's 10th Annual Construction Career Hiring Event
• May 16 - Online Plan Room Demo
• May 27 - MBEX Closed (Memorial Day)
• June 4 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
• June 5 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
• June 5 - Member Appreciation BBQ
• June 6 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
• June 18 - Twin Cities Golf Tournament
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Connect with the Builders Exchange: | |
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Information within the MBEX Weekly Bulletin are 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.
2024 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Mike Carlson, Max Gray Construction; Vice President - Heidi Sedlacek, Bituminous Roadways; Treasurer - Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Past President - Greg Grazzini, Grazzini Brothers | 2024 DIRECTORS: Allie Brady, Veit; Kevin Bohrer, Donlar Construction; David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Jason DuVal, Tenet; Chuck Geisler, American Engineering Testing; Chris Niemand, Frattalone Companies; Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; 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; Melanie Hendrickson - Events & Membership Coordinator; Don O'Connor - Duluth Branch Manager; Shauna Baska, Peggy Esboldt, Janet Margheim, Michelle Siegel & Ka Yang - 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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