BUILT: Edwardsville’s Marschke Engineering continues building the future at Lake of the Ozarks

 

When the Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council (LOREDC) finalized its multi-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy this spring, it marked a turning point for the region’s infrastructure and commercial growth.

Marschke Engineering in Edwardsville is working at the heart of that transformation.

Led by founder and principal engineer Matt Marschke, the firm has become a powerhouse in waterfront and industrial development. In the past 18 months alone, Marschke Engineering has completed more than a dozen commercial projects around the lake, totaling over $25 million. From high-end condo renovations to marine industry facilities and heavy industrial sites, Marschke’s fingerprint is all over the lake.

From the ditch to the drafting table

Marschke’s journey began in the trenches—literally. At age 14, he was wiring homes alongside his father in the family’s electrical business at the Lake. “I know how to build stuff,” he says simply.

That hands-on experience, combined with building trades in high school and a few years in the army has shaped his practical, results-driven approach to engineering. After founding Midwest Engineering at the lake in 2001, Marschke expanded to Edwardsville in 2012 and now serves clients across 25 states.

Big Thunder Marine: Engineering for the extreme

One standout project is the new gel coat shop for Big Thunder Marine, a state-of-the-art facility designed for custom paint, fiberglass repair, and ceramic coating. Marschke engineered a building capable of housing 60-foot boats and baking them at high temperatures to cure finishes—making them stronger, sleeker, and showroom-ready. “It’s not just about aesthetics,” Marschke explains. “It’s about durability and performance and they need a facility where it can get it done right.”

To view an informational video on YouTube, click here.

Breakwater Bay: Resilience on the waterfront

When stormwater took out a 1,000-foot retaining wall at Breakwater Bay Condos, Marschke Engineering mobilized quickly to assess damage, scope repairs, and get residents back into their homes.

“Resilient waterfront structures are our specialty,” says Marschke. “We understand the environmental challenges that damage commercial assets, and we bring that expertise to property managers in southwestern Illinois.”

In addition, they also designed new wooden decks to replace their old, deteriorated decks. Construction at Breakwater Bay is nearing completion on these decks. The Marschke Engineering team understands the strengths and weaknesses of wood and how to design with that in mind.

Magruder Companies: Heavy industrial with a light footprint

For almost 30-years, Marschke has worked with Magruder Companies, leaders in construction and aggregate mining. Recent projects include quarry work near the lake and an asphalt plant and industrial park in Wright City. Sensitive to community concerns, Marschke’s designs incorporate vegetative buffers and topographic screening to minimize impact. “Nobody wants an asphalt plant in their backyard,” he says. “But with smart design, we can make it work.”

Engineering with integrity

Whether it’s planning, permitting, bid solicitation, or quality control, Marschke Engineering delivers full-spectrum professional services with a builder’s eye and an engineer’s precision. “We’ve been in the ditch; we’ve been on the scaffold. That experience makes us safer, quicker, and realistic about meeting the client’s goals,” said Marschke.

With powerful tools, a strong sense of accountability, and a team of incredible people, Marschke Engineering continues to shape the built environment across southern Illinois and Missouri, one resilient, well-designed project at a time.

For more information, visit mwec.us.

Photos courtesy of Marschke Engineering.