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Regulators Give Ameren Missouri OK to Build Gas Plant and Batteries, In Part for Data Centers

2 months 1 week ago

From St. Louis Public Radio: Regulators gave Ameren Missouri permission to build a new natural gas and battery storage energy center in Jefferson County on Wednesday. The Missouri Public Service Commission approved the Big Hollow Energy Center, which will be a simple-cycle natural gas plant — a type that can be turned on quickly to […]

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Tom Finan

Another Modular Giant on the Brink. Are We Paying Attention Yet?

2 months 1 week ago

From Offsite Straight Talk: News that Harbinger Production—formerly known as Factory_OS—may close its Vallejo, California factory and lay off 280 employees should send a chill through anyone involved in offsite construction.  The company recently filed a legally required notice warning of possible layoffs later this year.  The reason? A familiar one in our industry: a lack […]

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Tom Finan

“Designing from Inside Out”: Debbie and Greg Stamer Lead ODA Studio Into Its Next Chapter

2 months 1 week ago

by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum Debbie Stamer has devoted her professional lifetime to “designing space from the inside out.” That approach begins with listening. In 2024, Stamer and her husband of 35 years, Greg, became owners of ODA Studio Design Associates, the firm where Debbie has worked since 1998. The transition to ownership […]

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Tom Finan

PERSPECTIVE: “Something Big Is Happening” — And It’s About Trajectory and Purpose

2 months 1 week ago

by Tom Finan A recent post by Matt Shumer titled “Something Big Is Happening” has drawn more than 83 million views. That kind of reach tells you this is not a niche technology discussion. It’s a broader moment of reckoning. You can read his full post here:https://shumer.dev/something-big-is-happening Shumer’s central point is not that today’s AI […]

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Tom Finan

Millstone Weber Snags Low Bid for Two-Bridge Project in St. Louis County

2 months 2 weeks ago

From St. Louis Business Journal: St. Louis County is moving toward awarding a nearly $4.8 million bridge reconstruction contract to Millstone Weber LLC after the company submitted the lowest bid for work replacing two bridges over Big Bend Boulevard. County transportation officials are asking the St. Louis County Council to authorize a contract with Millstone […]

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Dede Hance

Boulanger’s Experience Perfect for New Role

2 months 2 weeks ago

Karen Boulanger is the new Director of Operations at Korte & Luitjohan Contractors (K&L). Following a lengthy career at Ameren, Boulanger has joined her family’s business. She is the daughter of the late Cyril “Pete” Korte, founder of K&L. Boulanger grew up around the company, which made her familiar with some aspects. “For many years, […]

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Dede Hance

Wash U. Professor Says Concrete Is Future of Resilient, Affordable Homes

2 months 2 weeks ago

Editor’s Note: Pablo Moyano Fernández, assistant professor of architecture, Washington University in St. Louis recently drew attention for a 20-foot-tall concrete bird blind built along the Mississippi flyway as a demonstration of concrete’s versatility. The project reflects his larger argument explored below: that modern concrete construction, used thoughtfully, can help deliver durable, climate-resilient, attainable housing. […]

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Dede Hance

Agencies Representing Billions in Infrastructure and Development Investment to Converge at 2026 Investment in Infrastructure Expo

2 months 2 weeks ago

An event designed like no other around the country is happening for the 10th time in the St. Louis Region. The 2026 Investment in Infrastructure Expo, hosted by the SITE Improvement Association, is garnering major attraction as the organizations responsible for building and maintaining roads, utilities, parks, water systems, airports, and major development projects will […]

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Dede Hance

PERSPECTIVE: Energy Codes, Affordability, and Attainable Housing in Missouri

2 months 2 weeks ago

by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum A bill moving through the Missouri House — House Bill 2384 — would cap building energy codes at the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code and prohibit local governments from adopting more current efficiency standards. Communities like St. Louis and Kansas City that have voluntarily adopted stronger codes could […]

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Tom Finan

How To Expand Modular’s Footprint

2 months 2 weeks ago

From Offsite Builder: Getting more modular homes built in the US requires education, incentives and innovation. Readers of this publication likely agree on the benefits of offsite construction. However, there is a lot of debate about what’s holding back the growth of the modular or panelized single-family market. Of course, there’s not one simple answer. […]

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Dede Hance

Clayco’s Bob Clark Unveils Affordable Housing Project as Model for St. Louis Development

2 months 2 weeks ago

From First Alert 4: Clayco CEO Bob Clark is announcing an 80-plus unit affordable housing project at Delmar Divine that he says demonstrates how St. Louis can address its housing crisis through collaborative leadership and long-term commitment. The project, developed in partnership with Maxine Clark, transforms an abandoned hospital into affordable housing units expected to […]

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Tom Finan

S. M. Wilson Expands National Retail Division by Adding Five Team Members

2 months 2 weeks ago

S. M. Wilson & Co. has expanded its national retail division with the addition of five team members. S. M. Wilson has delivered $2 billion of retail construction since 1987. The strategic expansion positions the 105-year-old company to grow existing client relationships and establish new long-term partnerships with major national brands from coast to coast. […]

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Dede Hance

National Construction Hiring Up; St. Louis Posts Modest Growth

2 months 2 weeks ago

by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum National construction employment increased by 33,000 jobs in January, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data analyzed by the Associated General Contractors of America. Total industry employment now exceeds 8.3 million, up roughly 0.5% year-over-year. The Associated Builders and Contractors reported that nearly 28,000 of January’s gains […]

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Tom Finan

Tarlton Promotes Michael Trettel to Senior Vice President

2 months 2 weeks ago

Tarlton, St. Louis’ largest women-owned general contracting and construction management firm, has promoted Michael Trettel to senior vice president. In this new role, Trettel, an experienced leader with more than 20 years of service in the construction industry, will expand his corporate responsibilities and leadership at the firm and continue to provide executive oversight of […]

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Dede Hance

AIA Elevates Local Architect to the College of Fellows

2 months 2 weeks ago

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is elevating AIA member from AIA St. Louis to its prestigious College of Fellows, AIA’s highest membership honor, for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. The fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made […]

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Dede Hance

Historic STL Street Advances Plan to Self-Fund $6M in Tornado Repairs

2 months 2 weeks ago

From St. Louis Business Journal: A Board of Aldermen committee on Tuesday advanced legislation that would create a special taxing district on Kingsbury Place, a historic private street in DeBaliviere Place whose residents say they want to finance up to $6 million in tornado-related infrastructure work without seeking city dollars. The Housing, Urban Development and […]

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Dede Hance

Housing Bill Sails Through the House

2 months 2 weeks ago

From MultiFamily Dive: The House overwhelmingly passed a major bipartisan housing package on Monday night by a vote of 390–9. The Housing for the 21st Century Act is designed to expand supply, modernize federal housing programs and expand paths to homeownership. Introduced on Dec. 11, 2025, H.R. 6644 is the House’s counterpart to the Senate’s […]

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Dede Hance

Community Meeting Addresses Dangers on Highway 30 in Jefferson County

2 months 2 weeks ago

From First Alert 4: Residents and elected leaders are demanding new safety measures on what they say is one of the most dangerous highways in the St. Louis area. The number of accidents continues to rise on a stretch of Highway 30 from south of Fenton to House Springs in Jefferson County. County Councilman Brian […]

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Dede Hance

St. Louis Moves to Blight CWE Site After Years of Failed Redevelopment

2 months 2 weeks ago

From St. Louis Business Journal: St. Louis lawmakers are moving forward with a subsidy package for an aging Central West End property long eyed for redevelopment, aiming to attract a developer after years of stalled plans. Alderman Michael Browning last month introduced the legislation, for the former Engineers’ Club, and, in a key step, it […]

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Dede Hance

Jefferson County Labor Club Supports Festus Data Center

2 months 2 weeks ago

From St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune: The Jefferson County Labor Club is officially backing a plan for a proposed data center in Festus, Mo. that would provide high paying jobs for the local workforce and strengthen the city’s tax base. The Festus Planning and Zoning Commission approved plans for the area to be rezoned as […]

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Dede Hance