2016 October Issue
Builder expo to give students, parents look at construction careers
BELLEVILLE — The Southern Illinois Builders Association and the Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program will play host to the 18th Annual Metro Construction Career Expo from Oct. 31 through Nov. 4, to give students and parents a better understanding of the variety of construction trades careers available. Themed, “Earn While You Learn with…
Read MoreQ&A with Al Bond Jr., executive secretary-treasurer of the Carpenters’ District Council of Greater St. Louis and Vicinity
IBJ: How is the Carpenters’ union doing? Bond: Man-hours have gone up. We’re maintaining our workforce but we could use more. We’re reaching out and unionizing some non-union contractors. We’re reaching out to non-union carpenters and bringing them in. Things are going well but Southern Illinois is slow. I pay close attention to…
Read MoreMcKendree moving ‘Forward’ with $40 million capital campaign
By ALAN J. ORTBALS Last May, McKendree University announced the most ambitious fund-raising goal in its 188-year history — a $40 million capital campaign to support the renovation of Voigt Science Hall and Holman Library. To date, the university has raised more than $25 million of its goal in donations and pledges. At an…
Read MoreLindenwood Belleville’s growth spurs hiring of new A.D., expansion of Matt’s Café
By ALAN J. ORTBALS Lindenwood University-Belleville continues to grow. Enrollment for the fall semester is strong with 2,058 students. While more Belleville area students are choosing Lindenwood, campus President Brett Barger says many are coming from throughout the country and around the world. “We have students coming from 39 different states and more than 40…
Read MoreNew Chancellor Dr. Randy Pembrook seeks to build on SIUE’s momentum
By ALAN J. ORTBALS Dr. Randy Pembrook became the ninth chancellor in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s history on Aug. 1. The Metro East native returned to the campus where he had earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He came to SIUE from Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. “I am absolutely thrilled to be the chancellor…
Read MoreConstruction Roundup
Holland Construction Services, Bridgeton (Mo.) Recreation Center
By RITA DUCKWORTH Holland Construction Services, based in Swansea, acted as construction manager for a $14.4 million project completed in January 2016 for the city of Bridgeton, Mo. The Bridgeton Recreation Center is a 56,000-square-foot complex that replaced the city’s outdated Community Center. It is a multipurpose facility housing the Parks and Recreation offices, as…
Read MoreKorte Luitjohan Contractors Inc., Washington County Courthouse, Nashville, Ill.
By DENNIS GRUBAUGH Restoring a building built in 1884 is always a challenge, but the team assembled by Korte & Luitjohan Contractors Inc. for the Washington County Courthouse in Nashville, Ill., was up to the task, project manager Del Scott says. The Highland-based company wrapped up work on the 14-month, $3.4 million project in May.…
Read MorePlocher Construction, Prairie Farms Dairy Headquarters, Edwardsville
By DENNIS GRUBAUGH EDWARDSVILLE — Work is proceeding at a brisk pace on the new, $9 million headquarters building for Prairie Farms Dairy that should be completed in mid-summer of 2017. Project Manager Michael Garrett of Plocher Construction Co., which is serving as the design builder and contractor, said the building will accommodate office, sales…
Read MoreContegra Construction Co., First to the Finish, Edwardsville
By DENNIS GRUBAUGH EDWARDSVILLE — When First to the Finish, an athletic apparel business, chose the site for its newest location, the company knew it would have a built-in customer base. Next door is the Planet Fitness gym. Just to the north, plans are in the works for a connection to the Madison County bicycle…
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