Poettker Construction Co., Jefferson Barracks VA Engineering Warehouse, St. Louis
By RITA DUCKWORTH
Poettker Construction Co. was recently awarded the $31 million Jefferson Barracks VA Engineering Warehouse in St. Louis and anticipates mobilization in October 2016.
Poettker is one of several companies participating in the massive campus overhaul of the Jefferson Barracks VA Medical Center, located on the Mississippi River in St. Louis. In addition to the major renovations of several buildings constructed in the 1920 and 30s, consolidation of services into fewer buildings will provide much-needed additional space for the adjoining cemetery.
The new 70,000-square-foot engineering warehouse will combine a warehouse and the engineering and maintenance operations of two existing buildings under one roof. Before new construction can begin, an existing building currently located within the footprint of the new structure will be demolished. The second building will remain occupied throughout construction, and will then later be demolished to create room for additional parking.
Designed by St. Louis architect Christner Inc., the new warehouse will be environmentally friendly and constructed to achieve LEED-Silver sustainable certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a standard for green building. The exterior of the building will consist of both brick masonry and precast concrete construction.
“The engineering warehouse will consist of a single level,” says Walker Gusewelle, project manager, “but is set up for the future expansion of a second level if needed.” The option of building up instead of out provides more certainty to the layout of the campus for years to come.
Key to the successful completion of the project is detailed coordination of the project phases, so there will be limited impact to patient care. At this point, Poettker expects the project to meet its proposed end date of September 2018.
Poettker Construction Co. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Breese, Ill.