
St. Louis Construction News and Review
Regional Excellence Award

Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, University of Missouri
— St. Louis
Mark Borella, Photographer |
The 2004 Construction News & Review Regional
Excellence Award, which recognizes projects that demonstrate
excellence in design, excellence in construction and a positive
contribution to the St. Louis community, was presented to
KCI Construction Company for its construction of the University
of Missouri St. Louis, Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts
Center. |
Masonry Institute of St. Louis Awards KCI

Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, University of Missouri
— St. Louis
Mark Borella, Photographer |
The Excellence in Masonry, Distinction in
Design Award was presented to KCI Construction Company on
October 18, 2003 for its contribution to the Blanche M. Touhill
Performing Arts Center, University of Missouri — St.
Louis. |
CCC Will Graduate Its First Class
On June 28, 2005, Construction Careers Center (CCC) will honor
30 students as its first graduating class at the Millennium Student
Center at University of Missouri, St. Louis.
CCC is a fully accredited four-year academic high school, providing
a well-rounded education with emphasis on construction knowledge
to 320 students. In 2001, the City of St. Louis approved the new
charter school, which was the first publicly funded high school
for construction nationwide.
Leonard P. Toenjes, president of the Associated General Contractors
(AGC) of St. Louis, and Rick Grebel, president of KCI Construction
Co., St. Louis, were instrumental in the creation of charter school.
Rick headed the AGC task force and chairs the school board, known
as the Construction Careers Board of Education. The school is a
model for partnerships between industry, associations, labor, education,
philanthropy and government.
The school is located at 1224 Truman Parkway, between Chouteau
and Park, in the city of St. Louis. The former 1940s Clinton-Peabody
School was extensively renovated in 2001, in preparation of the
first freshman class. In 2004, a 5,000 square-foot shop construction
lab was completed providing a hands-on training facility for students
in preparation for entrance into construction industry apprenticeship
programs. Tools and equipment were donated by AGC contractor members
and suppliers for the new construction lab. In December, 2004 the
school building was purchased from St. Louis Public Schools.
You Can Help
All of us in the construction community benefit from CCC. Support
its ongoing success by getting involved.
You can help by:
- Donating money
- Donating materials
- Donating tools and equipment
- Providing mentoring or teaching time
- Hosting field trip opportunities to project sites
- Sponsoring an internship for a senior student
Call Bill Scheffler, CCC Administrator, at 314.5889991, Ext. 101,
to discuss how you can help.
Ready, Set, Grow
Through the network of AGC chapters and local unions of the participating
organizations, the CCC model can be replicated across the United
States. For more information, contact the CCC at www.constructioncareerscenter.org
or call Bill Scheffler, CCC Administrator, at 314.5889991, Ext.
101.
Take a Closer Look
CCC prepares young adults for college as well as the trades. Students
wear uniforms, are assigned hard hats and safety glasses and are
tested for drugs, a common requisite in many construction jobs.
- Freshmen take an exploratory class that delves into architecture,
floor laying, iron work, painting and every other industry trade.
- Sophomores take a blueprint reading, estimating and scheduling
class.
- Juniors take a two-hour shop class and go on field trips to
construction sites.
- Seniors spend most of their time at new construction or rehabilitation
sites.
For more information about or to apply for admission to CCC, visit
its Web site: www.constructioncareerscenter.org
or call Bill Scheffler, CCC Administrator, at 314.5889991, Ext.
101.
Walking The Talk
For
15 years, our own Rick Grebel has been involved in increasing minority
opportunities in the construction industry. Recently, Rick has been
instrumental in the development of the Construction Readiness Center
in Wellston, Mo. scheduled to open November 1, 1999.
The center, which provides career awareness recruitment for minorities,
ultimately hopes to prepare minorities for various construction
crafts. By offering pre-apprenticeship training, remedial help or
a refresher course, the center will provide a bridge for unskilled
applicants seeking a way into union apprenticeship programs.
Many groups are working together to provide funding, facilities,
recruitment and the curriculum for the new center. Advocates include
MO-KAN, a minority advocacy group, Associated General Contractors
(AGC) of St. Louis, local labor unions, St. Louis Community College
and state and local government officials. Ricks history of
minority program involvement also includes:
- President of Contractors Assistance Program (CAP)
for the past eight years. CAP, located at 1300 Convention Plaza,
is a clearing house for information about upcoming construction
projects. Minority firms can, at no charge, look at sets of plans,
evaluate them, do a take-off, use CAPs computers and fax
machines or any other services to help them become part of the
bidding process. The program is funded by the City of St. Louis
through federal bank grant funds.
- AGC representative on the Disparity Study Committee
for the City of St. Louis examining the industry and helping to
set goals for hiring minority contractors.
- Chairman of the AGC Contractor Development Task
Force.
- Past Chairman of Pride Diversity Committee.
- Corporate representative to MO-KAN working to
increase the number of minorities at KCI and to select minority
subcontractors to work with KCI.
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