(308,124,4,2,1213162554,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-10 07:25 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:50:\"Newer Names Lenger Genearl Manager of Door Systems\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"newer_names_lenger_genearl_manager_of_door_systems\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:72:\"Lenger Promoted to Vice President/General Manager of Negwer Door Systems\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:119:\"Negwer Materials Inc. has promoted Jerry Lenger to vice president/general manager of its Negwer Door\nSystems division. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:35:\"Negwer, Lenger, Negwer Door Systems\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1844:\"<p>Negwer Materials Inc. has promoted Jerry Lenger to vice president/general manager of its Negwer Door <br />Systems division. <br />&nbsp;<br /><img alt=\\\"Jerry Lenger\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"364\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/negwer.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Lenger, a more than 30-year veteran in the door sector, is responsible for managing and supervising the door division&rsquo;s four locations in St. Louis and Columbia, Mo., and Chatham and Belleville, Ill. His expanded role includes maintaining and upholding Negwer&rsquo;s corporate responsibilities. <br />&nbsp;<br />Lenger joined Negwer in 2000 and became general manager of Negwer Door Systems in 2005 when Negwer Materials Inc. opened the new division to offer clients the latest technologies and trends in the door industry. <br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;Jerry has been instrumental in building and growing Negwer Door Systems,&rdquo; said Scott Negwer, president and CEO of Negwer. &ldquo;His vast knowledge of the door industry is a great asset to Negwer, and we all feel privileged to have such an expert on our team.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;<br />Lenger is a member of the Door and Hardware Institute and currently is serving as a member of its board of directors. <br />&nbsp;<br />Founded in 1924, Negwer Materials Inc. supplies building materials to general contractors, architects and specialty contractors. Products include acoustical systems; doors, frames and hardware; exterior wall systems; fasteners and&nbsp; tools; interior wall systems; CSI Division 10 specialty items; and light gauge steel trusses. Divisions include NMI Associates, Negwer Door Systems and Negwer Specialties. Headquartered in St. Louis, Negwer operates 15 locations throughout Missouri, central Illinois and Arkansas. For more information, visit www.negwer.com. <br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(309,124,4,2,1213162595,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"124\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-10 07:25 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:50:\"Newer Names Lenger Genearl Manager of Door Systems\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"newer_names_lenger_genearl_manager_of_door_systems\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:72:\"Lenger Promoted to Vice President/General Manager of Negwer Door Systems\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:119:\"Negwer Materials Inc. has promoted Jerry Lenger to vice president/general manager of its Negwer Door\nSystems division. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:35:\"Negwer, Lenger, Negwer Door Systems\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1844:\"<p>Negwer Materials Inc. has promoted Jerry Lenger to vice president/general manager of its Negwer Door <br />Systems division. <br />&nbsp;<br /><img alt=\\\"Jerry Lenger\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"364\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/negwer.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Lenger, a more than 30-year veteran in the door sector, is responsible for managing and supervising the door division&rsquo;s four locations in St. Louis and Columbia, Mo., and Chatham and Belleville, Ill. His expanded role includes maintaining and upholding Negwer&rsquo;s corporate responsibilities. <br />&nbsp;<br />Lenger joined Negwer in 2000 and became general manager of Negwer Door Systems in 2005 when Negwer Materials Inc. opened the new division to offer clients the latest technologies and trends in the door industry. <br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;Jerry has been instrumental in building and growing Negwer Door Systems,&rdquo; said Scott Negwer, president and CEO of Negwer. &ldquo;His vast knowledge of the door industry is a great asset to Negwer, and we all feel privileged to have such an expert on our team.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;<br />Lenger is a member of the Door and Hardware Institute and currently is serving as a member of its board of directors. <br />&nbsp;<br />Founded in 1924, Negwer Materials Inc. supplies building materials to general contractors, architects and specialty contractors. Products include acoustical systems; doors, frames and hardware; exterior wall systems; fasteners and&nbsp; tools; interior wall systems; CSI Division 10 specialty items; and light gauge steel trusses. Divisions include NMI Associates, Negwer Door Systems and Negwer Specialties. Headquartered in St. Louis, Negwer operates 15 locations throughout Missouri, central Illinois and Arkansas. For more information, visit www.negwer.com. <br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(310,124,4,2,1213162803,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"124\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-10 07:25 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:50:\"Newer Names Lenger Genearl Manager of Door Systems\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"newer_names_lenger_genearl_manager_of_door_systems\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:72:\"Lenger Promoted to Vice President/General Manager of Negwer Door Systems\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:119:\"Negwer Materials Inc. has promoted Jerry Lenger to vice president/general manager of its Negwer Door Systems division. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:35:\"Negwer, Lenger, Negwer Door Systems\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1838:\"<p>Negwer Materials Inc. has promoted Jerry Lenger to vice president/general manager of its Negwer Door Systems division. <br />&nbsp;<br /><img alt=\\\"Jerry Lenger\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"364\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/negwer.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Lenger, a more than 30-year veteran in the door sector, is responsible for managing and supervising the door division&rsquo;s four locations in St. Louis and Columbia, Mo., and Chatham and Belleville, Ill. His expanded role includes maintaining and upholding Negwer&rsquo;s corporate responsibilities. <br />&nbsp;<br />Lenger joined Negwer in 2000 and became general manager of Negwer Door Systems in 2005 when Negwer Materials Inc. opened the new division to offer clients the latest technologies and trends in the door industry. <br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;Jerry has been instrumental in building and growing Negwer Door Systems,&rdquo; said Scott Negwer, president and CEO of Negwer. &ldquo;His vast knowledge of the door industry is a great asset to Negwer, and we all feel privileged to have such an expert on our team.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;<br />Lenger is a member of the Door and Hardware Institute and currently is serving as a member of its board of directors. <br />&nbsp;<br />Founded in 1924, Negwer Materials Inc. supplies building materials to general contractors, architects and specialty contractors. Products include acoustical systems; doors, frames and hardware; exterior wall systems; fasteners and&nbsp; tools; interior wall systems; CSI Division 10 specialty items; and light gauge steel trusses. Divisions include NMI Associates, Negwer Door Systems and Negwer Specialties. Headquartered in St. Louis, Negwer operates 15 locations throughout Missouri, central Illinois and Arkansas. For more information, visit www.negwer.com. <br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(311,119,4,2,1213162893,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"119\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-06 07:10 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:55:\"bell electrical  takes  on high  profile green projects\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:52:\"bell_electrical_takes_on_high_profile_green_projects\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:67:\"Bell Electrical Contractors Tackles High-Profile \\\"Green\\\" Projects\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:1:\"4\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:143:\"Bell Electrical Contractors has been selected as the electrical contractor on record for a number of \\\"green\\\" projects in the St. Louis area. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:22:\"Bell Electrical, Green\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2945:\"<p>Bell Electrical Contractors has been selected as the electrical contractor on record for a number of &ldquo;green&rdquo; projects in the St. Louis area, including Washington University&rsquo;s Danforth Student Center, Solae Company headquarters, the redevelopment of St. Louis Centre, and the John Burroughs Sports and Performing Arts Center. All are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified projects.</p>\n<p>Bell is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, which is the sponsor of the LEED program. The company also has a LEED Accredited Professional on staff who has demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles of the LEED Rating System. LEED certified projects must meet strict standards aimed at improving the environment, including the installation of efficient energy systems, use of recyclable construction materials and use of construction methods which reduce environmental damage at the site.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"LEED logo\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"200\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/leedLogo2.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" />In addition to taking on &ldquo;green&rdquo; projects, Bell incorporates energy-saving concepts and practices into other areas of its business. All of the worn-out florescent light bulbs and exterior lamps collected during the execution of the company&rsquo;s lighting maintenance contracts are recycled at an approved facility. Bell also participates in Ameren UE&rsquo;s Pure Power program on the Leader Level. Pure Power is a Green-e Certified&reg;, voluntary program which gives AmerenUE electric customers the opportunity to support wind farms and other renewable energy facilities in the Midwest.</p>\n<p>&ldquo;Sourcing your energy from coal or gas fired turbans is certainly harmful to the environment,&rdquo; says Charles Pavalec, Bell&rsquo;s President. &ldquo;We can never get away from it because wind does subside and the sun does go down. Yet there are a lot of things we can do to help reduce consumption and minimize its effect on the environment. Too many companies want to talk the talk of going &ldquo;green&rdquo;. Bell is willing to put forth the effort to walk the walk and lead by example&rdquo;.</p>\n<p>Some of the energy-saving concepts Bell incorporates into its &ldquo;green&rdquo; projects include designing lighting systems in a creative way so that the client will use less wattage per square foot, and the use of occupancy sensors. &ldquo;The architect and the whole team work together to make a green building happen,&rdquo; says Pavalec. &ldquo;When purchasing materials, we even factor in the manufacturer&rsquo;s location to the project so that we can save as much as possible on gas and transportation costs. And, since construction creates a lot of trash, we always make sure to separate&nbsp; metals from paper and wood products so they can be recycled instead of going into landfills.&rdquo;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(333,129,2,2,1213371574,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"129\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-13 05:29 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"President\\\'s E-Verify  Order Raises Contractor Questions\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:53:\"presidents_e_verify_order_raises_contractor_questions\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:55:\"President\\\'s E-Verify Order Raises Contractor Questions\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:512:\"Following President Bush\\\'s June 6 executive order directing federal agencies to require their contractors to use the federal E-Verify system, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council proposed a rule on June 12 to require contractors and subcontractors that perform work on the federal government\\\'s domestic construction projects to use E-Verify. The prosposed rule was reported in ASA Today, the online newsletter of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA).\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:53:\"E-Verify, President, immigration, contractors, status\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5066:\"<p>Following President Bush&rsquo;s June 6 executive order directing federal\nagencies to require their contractors to use the federal E-Verify\nsystem, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense\nAcquisition Regulations Council proposed a rule on June 12 to require\ncontractors and subcontractors that perform work on the federal\ngovernment&rsquo;s domestic construction projects to use E-Verify. The prosposed rule was reported in <em>ASA Today</em>, the online newsletter of the\nAmerican Subcontractors Association (ASA).</p>\n<p>ASA\nreported that the proposal to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation\nwould insert a clause in prime contracts for federal construction\nrequiring contractors to:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enroll in E-Verify within 30 calendar days of contract award.</li>\n<li>Use E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of all employees assigned to the contract within 30 days of contract award.<br /> Verify the employment eligibility of new employees assigned to the contract within three days.<br /> </li>\n<li>Flow down the same requirements to all subcontracts on the project that exceed $3,000.<br /> </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Currently voluntary, E-Verify is an Internet-based system for\nsubmitting employees&rsquo; names, dates of birth, and Social Security\nnumbers to check against federal databases for work authorization\npurposes. If the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the Social\nSecurity Administration finds a mismatch in the submitted information,\nthe employer and employee must follow a confirmation process. The\nacquisition councils estimate that the average cost for a contractor\nwith 50 employees to participate in E-Verify for the first year is\n$1,168.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Immigration Status\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/immigration.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Employers that participate in E-Verify must also sign a\nMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DHS and SSA agreeing to abide by\ncurrent legal hiring procedures and to ensure that no employee will be\nunfairly discriminated against in the E-Verify process. In the written\nexplanations accompanying their proposed rule, the acquisition councils\nsaid they would consider compliance with the MOU &ldquo;a performance\nrequirement under the terms of the Federal contract or subcontract.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>ASA\nis seeking members&rsquo; input about the proposed rule&rsquo;s impact on them. ASA\nhas posted a link to the proposed rule on the ASA Web site at\nwww.asaonline.com. Some state governments also see E-Verify as part of\nthe answer to the federal government\\\'s flawed immigration policies. In\nMissouri, a new law requires all employers receiving money from the\nstate or tax credits in excess of $5,000 to use E-Verify. A new law in\nSouth Carolina also requires any company doing business with the state\nto use the system.</p>\n<p>The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) said earlier\nthis week that it questioned the use of E-Verify as an immigration\nstatus remedy. \\\"While AGC supports the full enforcement of our\nimmigration laws,\nAGC remains committed to their comprehensive reform, and the\nassociation questions whether this piecemeal measure will hasten or\ndelay the day when we will see that kind of reform,\\\" Stephen E.\nSandherr, chief executive officer of AGC of America said. \\\"Ironically,\nwe also find ourselves questioning\nwhether the executive order is itself in violation of our current\nlaws,\\\" he added.</p>\n<p>The new requirement will take effect only after the relevant federal\nagencies revise the regulations that govern federal contracts. AGC&nbsp; said it will\ncarefully examine the new executive order and the proposed revisions of\nthe regulations to determine if the changes would cause problems for\nthe contractors responsible for constructing and maintaining the\nfederal infrastructure. AGC also will investigate whether or not the\nchanges conflict with the current immigrations laws, and if so, may\ncontemplate even stronger action.</p>\n<p>Immediately, AGC said it will also begin seeking further guidance on\na host of questions that the executive order raises, including:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\\"Who is a \\\"contractor\\\" for the purposes of the executive\norder? Does it include a subcontractor? Does it include a material\nsupplier? Does it include a vendor of commercial items?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"What\n&ndash; if any &ndash; are the procedures and deadlines for employers and/or\nemployees to correct the many mistakes that even the E&ndash;Verify system\nwill inevitably make?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"How should employers deal with\nindividuals who can satisfy the pre&ndash;existing rules and standards &ndash;\nwhich Congress has written into the Immigration and Nationality Act &ndash;\nbut not the E&ndash;Verify system that the President has mandated entirely on\nhis own? How do employers avoid getting caught in the middle?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"What\nare the penalties for non&ndash;compliance? Should federal contractors\nanticipate debarment for even honest mistakes made in ignorance of\ntechnical requirements?\\\"</li>\n</ul>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/immigration.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(313,125,2,2,1213201868,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"125\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 06:09 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Honey They Shrank the House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"honey_they_shrank_the_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:48:\"Honey,  They Shrank the House, Architects Report\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:208:\"As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the\nsize of the typical U.S. home is declining, the American Institute of Architects reported. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:20:\"AIA, Housing, Survey\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4130:\"<p>As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the<br />size of the typical U.S. home is declining, a survey by the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;<img alt=\\\"Shrinking House\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />To address the needs of an aging population there is an emphasis on greater accessibility throughout the home. To add value and improve<br />their properties, homeowners are also investing in more outdoor living options with a trend toward lowmaintenance<br />landscaping. Additionally, residential architects report depressed business conditions, albeit<br />with healthier conditions for remodeling and renovation projects.</p>\n<p>These findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focus specifically on overall home layout and<br />use in the first quarter of 2008.<br /><br />&ldquo;The recent weakness in the housing market forces households to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink their overall space needs,&rdquo; said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. &ldquo;While smaller homes<br />may be a short-term response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at the beginning of<br />a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>Overall home layout and size highlights<br />Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2008/2007<br />&bull; Greater accessibility 67%/74%<br />&bull; Informal space 61%/63%<br />&bull; Access in / out of home 59%/n/a<br />&bull; Open space layout 53%/51%<br />&bull; Finished basement / attic 46%/46%<br />&bull; Single-floor plan 40%/43%<br />&bull; Volume 28%/31%<br />&bull; Square footage 16%/21%<br />&bull; Lot size 7%/7%</p>\n<p><br />&ldquo;Outdoor living elements continue to be extremely popular and include traditional features such as<br />decks, porches and patios, with the addition of outdoor &ldquo;rooms&rdquo; and cooking areas as a more recent<br />trend,&rdquo; added Baker. &ldquo;Lately, data shows a preference towards extending the home through blended<br />indoor / outdoor space.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements, but there is also growing demand for lowmaintenance<br />landscaping options due to water conservation issues.&rdquo;<br />Outdoor living and landscaping highlights 2008/2007<br />&bull; Low maintenance landscaping 70%/n/a<br />&bull; Outdoor living space 67%/63%<br />&bull; Blended indoor / outdoor living 55%/54%<br />&bull; Upscale landscaping 42%/51%<br />&bull; Exterior / security lighting 39%/n/a<br />Housing market business condition</p>\n<p>AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2008 (any score above 50 is positive)<br />&bull; Billings: 39<br />&bull; Inquiries for new projects: 42</p>\n<p>Baker continued, &ldquo;With weak billings, inquiries for new projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests<br />that the conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve anytime soon.&rdquo;<br />Specific residential segments (index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus %<br />weakening conditions)</p>\n<p><br />&bull; Additions / alterations: 31<br />&bull; Kitchen and bath remodeling: 25<br />&bull; Custom / luxury home market: -21<br />&bull; Townhouse / condo market: -34<br />&bull; Second / vacation home market: -50<br />&bull; Move-up home market: -51<br />&bull; First-time buyer / affordable home market: -59</p>\n<p><br />The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 500 architecture firms that<br />concentrate their practice in the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders in shaping<br />how homes function, look, and integrate into communities and this survey helps to identify emerging<br />trends in the housing marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly basis.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:25:\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(314,121,2,2,1213201894,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"121\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-09 12:51 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"I44 Back on Fast Track\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:23:\"i_44_back_on_fast_track\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:34:\"MODOT Puts I-44 Back on Fast Track\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:156:\"The Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) completed emergency pavement repair work on June 6 on Interstate 44 from Interstate 270 to Interstate 55. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:20:\"I-44, MODOT, lanes, \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2098:\"<p>The Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) completed emergency pavement\nrepair work on June 6 on I-44 from I-270 to I-55.</p>\n<p style=\\\"margin-bottom: 0pt;\\\">&nbsp;Working with contractors Micro-Surfacing, Inc., and Gaines Construction, Inc., MODOT&nbsp; addressed pavement delamination related to the creation of additional lanes that were put in place to relieve traffic displaced by the I-64 reconstruction.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;<span style=\\\"font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\\\">Crews\nwill return at a future date to be determined for miscellaneous clean\nup and touch up work on restriping, with minor impacts to traffic.</span></p>\n<p class=\\\"style1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;\\\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\\\"style1\\\"><img alt=\\\"I-44 Repaving\\\" class=\\\"table-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/I-44.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Sections\nof the interstate were experiencing raveling where striping was removed\nto add an additional lane. The asphalt patch that was applied to the\nrumble strips and median lanes were peeling off the pavement.</p>\n<p class=\\\"style4\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 0pt;\\\">From I-270 to Murdoch, was done by Micro-Surfacing, Inc. to repair the pavement raveling. The repair is a two-foot-wide asphalt sealing along the areas of I-44 where striping\nwas removed.&nbsp; The work was done Monday thru Friday from 8:30\na.m. to 3 p.m.</p>\n<p class=\\\"style4\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 0pt;\\\">&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\\\"style4\\\" style=\\\"margin-bottom: 0pt;\\\">East from Murdoch to I-55 the work was done by Gaines Construction. The&nbsp; pavement repair included\nthe removal of seven-foot sections of peeling asphalt, primarily in the\nmedian lanes and the shoulder lanes. The work was done by Gaines Construction at night,\nMonday thru Friday from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m..</p>\n<p style=\\\"margin-bottom: 0pt;\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><strong></strong></span>The entire section of I-44 from\nI-270 to I-55 will be re-surfaced in 2010. The lanes will be returned\nto four lanes each way with shoulders.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:24:\"/images/uploads/I-44.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(315,125,2,2,1213201992,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"125\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 06:09 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Honey They Shrank the House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"honey_they_shrank_the_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"\\\"Honey,  They Shrank the House,\\\" Architects Report\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:208:\"As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the\nsize of the typical U.S. home is declining, the American Institute of Architects reported. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:20:\"AIA, Housing, Survey\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4130:\"<p>As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the<br />size of the typical U.S. home is declining, a survey by the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;<img alt=\\\"Shrinking House\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />To address the needs of an aging population there is an emphasis on greater accessibility throughout the home. To add value and improve<br />their properties, homeowners are also investing in more outdoor living options with a trend toward lowmaintenance<br />landscaping. Additionally, residential architects report depressed business conditions, albeit<br />with healthier conditions for remodeling and renovation projects.</p>\n<p>These findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focus specifically on overall home layout and<br />use in the first quarter of 2008.<br /><br />&ldquo;The recent weakness in the housing market forces households to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink their overall space needs,&rdquo; said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. &ldquo;While smaller homes<br />may be a short-term response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at the beginning of<br />a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>Overall home layout and size highlights<br />Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2008/2007<br />&bull; Greater accessibility 67%/74%<br />&bull; Informal space 61%/63%<br />&bull; Access in / out of home 59%/n/a<br />&bull; Open space layout 53%/51%<br />&bull; Finished basement / attic 46%/46%<br />&bull; Single-floor plan 40%/43%<br />&bull; Volume 28%/31%<br />&bull; Square footage 16%/21%<br />&bull; Lot size 7%/7%</p>\n<p><br />&ldquo;Outdoor living elements continue to be extremely popular and include traditional features such as<br />decks, porches and patios, with the addition of outdoor &ldquo;rooms&rdquo; and cooking areas as a more recent<br />trend,&rdquo; added Baker. &ldquo;Lately, data shows a preference towards extending the home through blended<br />indoor / outdoor space.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements, but there is also growing demand for lowmaintenance<br />landscaping options due to water conservation issues.&rdquo;<br />Outdoor living and landscaping highlights 2008/2007<br />&bull; Low maintenance landscaping 70%/n/a<br />&bull; Outdoor living space 67%/63%<br />&bull; Blended indoor / outdoor living 55%/54%<br />&bull; Upscale landscaping 42%/51%<br />&bull; Exterior / security lighting 39%/n/a<br />Housing market business condition</p>\n<p>AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2008 (any score above 50 is positive)<br />&bull; Billings: 39<br />&bull; Inquiries for new projects: 42</p>\n<p>Baker continued, &ldquo;With weak billings, inquiries for new projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests<br />that the conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve anytime soon.&rdquo;<br />Specific residential segments (index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus %<br />weakening conditions)</p>\n<p><br />&bull; Additions / alterations: 31<br />&bull; Kitchen and bath remodeling: 25<br />&bull; Custom / luxury home market: -21<br />&bull; Townhouse / condo market: -34<br />&bull; Second / vacation home market: -50<br />&bull; Move-up home market: -51<br />&bull; First-time buyer / affordable home market: -59</p>\n<p><br />The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 500 architecture firms that<br />concentrate their practice in the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders in shaping<br />how homes function, look, and integrate into communities and this survey helps to identify emerging<br />trends in the housing marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly basis.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:25:\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(316,125,2,2,1213202621,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"125\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 06:09 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Honey They Shrank the House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"honey_they_shrank_the_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"\\\"Honey,  They Shrank the House,\\\" Architects Report\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:216:\"As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the\nsize of the typical U.S. home is declining, the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:20:\"AIA, Housing, Survey\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4130:\"<p>As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the<br />size of the typical U.S. home is declining, a survey by the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;<img alt=\\\"Shrinking House\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />To address the needs of an aging population there is an emphasis on greater accessibility throughout the home. To add value and improve<br />their properties, homeowners are also investing in more outdoor living options with a trend toward lowmaintenance<br />landscaping. Additionally, residential architects report depressed business conditions, albeit<br />with healthier conditions for remodeling and renovation projects.</p>\n<p>These findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focus specifically on overall home layout and<br />use in the first quarter of 2008.<br /><br />&ldquo;The recent weakness in the housing market forces households to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink their overall space needs,&rdquo; said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. &ldquo;While smaller homes<br />may be a short-term response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at the beginning of<br />a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>Overall home layout and size highlights<br />Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2008/2007<br />&bull; Greater accessibility 67%/74%<br />&bull; Informal space 61%/63%<br />&bull; Access in / out of home 59%/n/a<br />&bull; Open space layout 53%/51%<br />&bull; Finished basement / attic 46%/46%<br />&bull; Single-floor plan 40%/43%<br />&bull; Volume 28%/31%<br />&bull; Square footage 16%/21%<br />&bull; Lot size 7%/7%</p>\n<p><br />&ldquo;Outdoor living elements continue to be extremely popular and include traditional features such as<br />decks, porches and patios, with the addition of outdoor &ldquo;rooms&rdquo; and cooking areas as a more recent<br />trend,&rdquo; added Baker. &ldquo;Lately, data shows a preference towards extending the home through blended<br />indoor / outdoor space.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements, but there is also growing demand for lowmaintenance<br />landscaping options due to water conservation issues.&rdquo;<br />Outdoor living and landscaping highlights 2008/2007<br />&bull; Low maintenance landscaping 70%/n/a<br />&bull; Outdoor living space 67%/63%<br />&bull; Blended indoor / outdoor living 55%/54%<br />&bull; Upscale landscaping 42%/51%<br />&bull; Exterior / security lighting 39%/n/a<br />Housing market business condition</p>\n<p>AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2008 (any score above 50 is positive)<br />&bull; Billings: 39<br />&bull; Inquiries for new projects: 42</p>\n<p>Baker continued, &ldquo;With weak billings, inquiries for new projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests<br />that the conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve anytime soon.&rdquo;<br />Specific residential segments (index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus %<br />weakening conditions)</p>\n<p><br />&bull; Additions / alterations: 31<br />&bull; Kitchen and bath remodeling: 25<br />&bull; Custom / luxury home market: -21<br />&bull; Townhouse / condo market: -34<br />&bull; Second / vacation home market: -50<br />&bull; Move-up home market: -51<br />&bull; First-time buyer / affordable home market: -59</p>\n<p><br />The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 500 architecture firms that<br />concentrate their practice in the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders in shaping<br />how homes function, look, and integrate into communities and this survey helps to identify emerging<br />trends in the housing marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly basis.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:25:\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(317,125,2,2,1213202653,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"125\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 06:09 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Honey They Shrank the House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"honey_they_shrank_the_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"\\\"Honey,  They Shrank the House,\\\" Architects Report\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:216:\"As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:20:\"AIA, Housing, Survey\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4130:\"<p>As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the<br />size of the typical U.S. home is declining, a survey by the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;<img alt=\\\"Shrinking House\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />To address the needs of an aging population there is an emphasis on greater accessibility throughout the home. To add value and improve<br />their properties, homeowners are also investing in more outdoor living options with a trend toward lowmaintenance<br />landscaping. Additionally, residential architects report depressed business conditions, albeit<br />with healthier conditions for remodeling and renovation projects.</p>\n<p>These findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focus specifically on overall home layout and<br />use in the first quarter of 2008.<br /><br />&ldquo;The recent weakness in the housing market forces households to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink their overall space needs,&rdquo; said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. &ldquo;While smaller homes<br />may be a short-term response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at the beginning of<br />a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>Overall home layout and size highlights<br />Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2008/2007<br />&bull; Greater accessibility 67%/74%<br />&bull; Informal space 61%/63%<br />&bull; Access in / out of home 59%/n/a<br />&bull; Open space layout 53%/51%<br />&bull; Finished basement / attic 46%/46%<br />&bull; Single-floor plan 40%/43%<br />&bull; Volume 28%/31%<br />&bull; Square footage 16%/21%<br />&bull; Lot size 7%/7%</p>\n<p><br />&ldquo;Outdoor living elements continue to be extremely popular and include traditional features such as<br />decks, porches and patios, with the addition of outdoor &ldquo;rooms&rdquo; and cooking areas as a more recent<br />trend,&rdquo; added Baker. &ldquo;Lately, data shows a preference towards extending the home through blended<br />indoor / outdoor space.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements, but there is also growing demand for lowmaintenance<br />landscaping options due to water conservation issues.&rdquo;<br />Outdoor living and landscaping highlights 2008/2007<br />&bull; Low maintenance landscaping 70%/n/a<br />&bull; Outdoor living space 67%/63%<br />&bull; Blended indoor / outdoor living 55%/54%<br />&bull; Upscale landscaping 42%/51%<br />&bull; Exterior / security lighting 39%/n/a<br />Housing market business condition</p>\n<p>AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2008 (any score above 50 is positive)<br />&bull; Billings: 39<br />&bull; Inquiries for new projects: 42</p>\n<p>Baker continued, &ldquo;With weak billings, inquiries for new projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests<br />that the conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve anytime soon.&rdquo;<br />Specific residential segments (index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus %<br />weakening conditions)</p>\n<p><br />&bull; Additions / alterations: 31<br />&bull; Kitchen and bath remodeling: 25<br />&bull; Custom / luxury home market: -21<br />&bull; Townhouse / condo market: -34<br />&bull; Second / vacation home market: -50<br />&bull; Move-up home market: -51<br />&bull; First-time buyer / affordable home market: -59</p>\n<p><br />The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 500 architecture firms that<br />concentrate their practice in the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders in shaping<br />how homes function, look, and integrate into communities and this survey helps to identify emerging<br />trends in the housing marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly basis.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:25:\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(318,125,2,2,1213202699,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"125\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 06:09 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Honey They Shrank the House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"honey_they_shrank_the_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"\\\"Honey,  They Shrank the House,\\\" Architects Report\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:216:\"As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:20:\"AIA, Housing, Survey\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4125:\"<p>As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, a survey by the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;<img alt=\\\"Shrinking House\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />To address the needs of an aging population there is an emphasis on greater accessibility throughout the home. To add value and improve<br />their properties, homeowners are also investing in more outdoor living options with a trend toward lowmaintenance<br />landscaping. Additionally, residential architects report depressed business conditions, albeit<br />with healthier conditions for remodeling and renovation projects.</p>\n<p>These findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focus specifically on overall home layout and<br />use in the first quarter of 2008.<br /><br />&ldquo;The recent weakness in the housing market forces households to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink their overall space needs,&rdquo; said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. &ldquo;While smaller homes<br />may be a short-term response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at the beginning of<br />a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>Overall home layout and size highlights<br />Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2008/2007<br />&bull; Greater accessibility 67%/74%<br />&bull; Informal space 61%/63%<br />&bull; Access in / out of home 59%/n/a<br />&bull; Open space layout 53%/51%<br />&bull; Finished basement / attic 46%/46%<br />&bull; Single-floor plan 40%/43%<br />&bull; Volume 28%/31%<br />&bull; Square footage 16%/21%<br />&bull; Lot size 7%/7%</p>\n<p><br />&ldquo;Outdoor living elements continue to be extremely popular and include traditional features such as<br />decks, porches and patios, with the addition of outdoor &ldquo;rooms&rdquo; and cooking areas as a more recent<br />trend,&rdquo; added Baker. &ldquo;Lately, data shows a preference towards extending the home through blended<br />indoor / outdoor space.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements, but there is also growing demand for lowmaintenance<br />landscaping options due to water conservation issues.&rdquo;<br />Outdoor living and landscaping highlights 2008/2007<br />&bull; Low maintenance landscaping 70%/n/a<br />&bull; Outdoor living space 67%/63%<br />&bull; Blended indoor / outdoor living 55%/54%<br />&bull; Upscale landscaping 42%/51%<br />&bull; Exterior / security lighting 39%/n/a<br />Housing market business condition</p>\n<p>AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2008 (any score above 50 is positive)<br />&bull; Billings: 39<br />&bull; Inquiries for new projects: 42</p>\n<p>Baker continued, &ldquo;With weak billings, inquiries for new projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests<br />that the conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve anytime soon.&rdquo;<br />Specific residential segments (index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus %<br />weakening conditions)</p>\n<p><br />&bull; Additions / alterations: 31<br />&bull; Kitchen and bath remodeling: 25<br />&bull; Custom / luxury home market: -21<br />&bull; Townhouse / condo market: -34<br />&bull; Second / vacation home market: -50<br />&bull; Move-up home market: -51<br />&bull; First-time buyer / affordable home market: -59</p>\n<p><br />The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 500 architecture firms that<br />concentrate their practice in the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders in shaping<br />how homes function, look, and integrate into communities and this survey helps to identify emerging<br />trends in the housing marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly basis.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:25:\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(319,125,2,2,1213202929,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"125\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 06:09 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Honey They Shrank the House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"honey_they_shrank_the_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"\\\"Honey,  They Shrank the House,\\\" Architects Report\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:216:\"As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:20:\"AIA, Housing, Survey\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4176:\"<p>As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, a survey by the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;<img alt=\\\"Shrinking House\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />To address the needs of an aging population there is an emphasis on greater accessibility throughout the home. To add value and improve<br />their properties, homeowners are also investing in more outdoor living options with a trend toward lowmaintenance<br />landscaping. Additionally, residential architects report depressed business conditions, albeit<br />with healthier conditions for remodeling and renovation projects.</p>\n<p>These findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focus specifically on overall home layout and<br />use in the first quarter of 2008.<br /><br />&ldquo;The recent weakness in the housing market forces households to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink their overall space needs,&rdquo; said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA.</p>\n<p>&ldquo;While smaller homes may be a short-term response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at the beginning of a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Overall home layout and size highlights</strong><br /><em>Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2008/2007</em><br />&bull; Greater accessibility 67%/74%<br />&bull; Informal space 61%/63%<br />&bull; Access in / out of home 59%/n/a<br />&bull; Open space layout 53%/51%<br />&bull; Finished basement / attic 46%/46%<br />&bull; Single-floor plan 40%/43%<br />&bull; Volume 28%/31%<br />&bull; Square footage 16%/21%<br />&bull; Lot size 7%/7%</p>\n<p><br />&ldquo;Outdoor living elements continue to be extremely popular and include traditional features such as decks, porches and patios, with the addition of outdoor &ldquo;rooms&rdquo; and cooking areas as a more recent trend,&rdquo; added Baker. &ldquo;Lately, data shows a preference towards extending the home through blended indoor / outdoor space.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements, but there is also growing demand for low maintenance landscaping options due to water conservation issues.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Outdoor living and landscaping highlights 2008/2007</strong><br />&bull; Low maintenance landscaping 70%/n/a<br />&bull; Outdoor living space 67%/63%<br />&bull; Blended indoor / outdoor living 55%/54%<br />&bull; Upscale landscaping 42%/51%<br />&bull; Exterior / security lighting 39%/n/a</p>\n<p><strong>Housing market business condition</strong></p>\n<p><em>AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2008 (any score above 50 is positive)</em><br />&bull; Billings: 39<br />&bull; Inquiries for new projects: 42</p>\n<p>Baker continued, &ldquo;With weak billings, inquiries for new projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests<br />that the conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve anytime soon.&rdquo;<br />Specific residential segments (index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus %<br />weakening conditions)</p>\n<p><br />&bull; Additions / alterations: 31<br />&bull; Kitchen and bath remodeling: 25<br />&bull; Custom / luxury home market: -21<br />&bull; Townhouse / condo market: -34<br />&bull; Second / vacation home market: -50<br />&bull; Move-up home market: -51<br />&bull; First-time buyer / affordable home market: -59</p>\n<p><br />The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 500 architecture firms that<br />concentrate their practice in the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders in shaping<br />how homes function, look, and integrate into communities and this survey helps to identify emerging<br />trends in the housing marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly basis.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:25:\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(320,125,2,2,1213203184,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"125\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 06:09 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Honey They Shrank the House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"honey_they_shrank_the_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"\\\"Honey,  They Shrank the House,\\\" Architects Report\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:216:\"As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:20:\"AIA, Housing, Survey\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4231:\"<p>As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, a survey by the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;<img alt=\\\"Shrinking House\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />To address the needs of an aging population there is an emphasis on greater accessibility throughout the home. To add value and improve<br />their properties, homeowners are also investing in more outdoor living options with a trend toward lowmaintenance<br />landscaping. Additionally, residential architects report depressed business conditions, albeit<br />with healthier conditions for remodeling and renovation projects.</p>\n<p>These findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focus specifically on overall home layout and<br />use in the first quarter of 2008.<br /><br />&ldquo;The recent weakness in the housing market forces households to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink their overall space needs,&rdquo; said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA.</p>\n<p>&ldquo;While smaller homes may be a short-term response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at the beginning of a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Overall home layout and size highlights</strong><br /><em>Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2008/2007</em><br />&bull; Greater accessibility 67%/74%<br />&bull; Informal space 61%/63%<br />&bull; Access in / out of home 59%/n/a<br />&bull; Open space layout 53%/51%<br />&bull; Finished basement / attic 46%/46%<br />&bull; Single-floor plan 40%/43%<br />&bull; Volume 28%/31%<br />&bull; Square footage 16%/21%<br />&bull; Lot size 7%/7%</p>\n<p>&ldquo;Outdoor living elements continue to be extremely popular and include traditional features such as decks, porches and patios, with the addition of outdoor &ldquo;rooms&rdquo; and cooking areas as a more recent trend,&rdquo; added Baker. &ldquo;Lately, data shows a preference towards extending the home through blended indoor / outdoor space.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements, but there is also growing demand for low maintenance landscaping options due to water conservation issues.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Outdoor living and landscaping highlights 2008/2007</strong><br />&bull; Low maintenance landscaping 70%/n/a<br />&bull; Outdoor living space 67%/63%<br />&bull; Blended indoor / outdoor living 55%/54%<br />&bull; Upscale landscaping 42%/51%<br />&bull; Exterior / security lighting 39%/n/a</p>\n<p><strong>Housing market business condition</strong></p>\n<p><em>AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2008 (any score above 50 is positive)</em><br />&bull; Billings: 39<br />&bull; Inquiries for new projects: 42</p>\n<p>Baker continued, &ldquo;With weak billings, inquiries for new projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests that the conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve anytime soon.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Specific residential segments</strong><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\n<p><em><strong></strong>(index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus % weakening conditions)</em><br />&bull; Additions / alterations: 31<br />&bull; Kitchen and bath remodeling: 25<br />&bull; Custom / luxury home market: -21<br />&bull; Townhouse / condo market: -34<br />&bull; Second / vacation home market: -50<br />&bull; Move-up home market: -51<br />&bull; First-time buyer / affordable home market: -59</p>\n<p><br />The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 500 architecture firms that<br />concentrate their practice in the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders in shaping<br />how homes function, look, and integrate into communities and this survey helps to identify emerging<br />trends in the housing marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly basis.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:25:\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(321,125,2,2,1213203307,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"125\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 06:09 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Honey They Shrank the House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"honey_they_shrank_the_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"\\\"Honey,  They Shrank the House,\\\" Architects Report\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:216:\"As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:20:\"AIA, Housing, Survey\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4233:\"<p>As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, a survey by the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;<img alt=\\\"Shrinking House\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />To address the needs of an aging population there is an emphasis on greater accessibility throughout the home. To add value and improve<br />their properties, homeowners are also investing in more outdoor living options with a trend toward lowmaintenance<br />landscaping. Additionally, residential architects report depressed business conditions, albeit<br />with healthier conditions for remodeling and renovation projects.</p>\n<p>These findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focus specifically on overall home layout and<br />use in the first quarter of 2008.<br /><br />&ldquo;The recent weakness in the housing market forces households to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink their overall space needs,&rdquo; said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA.</p>\n<p>&ldquo;While smaller homes may be a short-term response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at the beginning of a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Overall home layout and size highlights</strong><br /><em>Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2008/2007</em><br />&bull; Greater accessibility 67%/74%<br />&bull; Informal space 61%/63%<br />&bull; Access in / out of home 59%/n/a<br />&bull; Open space layout 53%/51%<br />&bull; Finished basement / attic 46%/46%<br />&bull; Single-floor plan 40%/43%<br />&bull; Volume 28%/31%<br />&bull; Square footage 16%/21%<br />&bull; Lot size 7%/7%</p>\n<p>&ldquo;Outdoor living elements continue to be extremely popular and include traditional features such as decks, porches and patios, with the addition of outdoor &ldquo;rooms&rdquo; and cooking areas as a more recent trend,&rdquo; added Baker. &ldquo;Lately, data shows a preference towards extending the home through blended indoor / outdoor space.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements, but there is also growing demand for low maintenance landscaping options due to water conservation issues.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Outdoor living and landscaping highlights 2008/2007</strong><br />&bull; Low maintenance landscaping 70%/n/a<br />&bull; Outdoor living space 67%/63%<br />&bull; Blended indoor / outdoor living 55%/54%<br />&bull; Upscale landscaping 42%/51%<br />&bull; Exterior / security lighting 39%/n/a</p>\n<p><strong>Housing market business condition</strong></p>\n<p><em>AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2008 (any score above 50 is positive)</em><br />&bull; Billings: 39</p>\n<p>&bull; Inquiries for new projects: 42</p>\n<p>Baker continued, &ldquo;With weak billings, inquiries for new projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests that the conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve anytime soon.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Specific residential segments</strong><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\n<p><em><strong></strong>(index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus % weakening conditions)</em><br />&bull; Additions / alterations: 31<br />&bull; Kitchen and bath remodeling: 25<br />&bull; Custom / luxury home market: -21<br />&bull; Townhouse / condo market: -34<br />&bull; Second / vacation home market: -50<br />&bull; Move-up home market: -51<br />&bull; First-time buyer / affordable home market: -59</p>\n<p><br />The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 500 architecture firms that<br />concentrate their practice in the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders in shaping<br />how homes function, look, and integrate into communities and this survey helps to identify emerging<br />trends in the housing marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly basis.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:25:\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(322,125,2,2,1213203503,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"125\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 06:09 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Honey They Shrank the House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"honey_they_shrank_the_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"\\\"Honey,  They Shrank the House,\\\" Architects Report\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:216:\"As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:20:\"AIA, Housing, Survey\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4226:\"<p>As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, a survey by the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;<img alt=\\\"Shrinking House\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />To address the needs of an aging population there is an emphasis on greater accessibility throughout the home. To add value and improve<br />their properties, homeowners are also investing in more outdoor living options with a trend toward lowmaintenance<br />landscaping. Additionally, residential architects report depressed business conditions, albeit<br />with healthier conditions for remodeling and renovation projects.</p>\n<p>These findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focus specifically on overall home layout and<br />use in the first quarter of 2008.<br /><br />&ldquo;The recent weakness in the housing market forces households to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink their overall space needs,&rdquo; said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA.</p>\n<p>&ldquo;While smaller homes may be a short-term response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at the beginning of a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Overall home layout and size highlights</strong><br /><em>Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2008/2007</em><br />&bull; Greater accessibility 67%/74%<br />&bull; Informal space 61%/63%<br />&bull; Access in / out of home 59%/n/a<br />&bull; Open space layout 53%/51%<br />&bull; Finished basement / attic 46%/46%<br />&bull; Single-floor plan 40%/43%<br />&bull; Volume 28%/31%<br />&bull; Square footage 16%/21%<br />&bull; Lot size 7%/7%</p>\n<p>&ldquo;Outdoor living elements continue to be extremely popular and include traditional features such as decks, porches and patios, with the addition of outdoor &ldquo;rooms&rdquo; and cooking areas as a more recent trend,&rdquo; added Baker. &ldquo;Lately, data shows a preference towards extending the home through blended indoor / outdoor space.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements, but there is also growing demand for low maintenance landscaping options due to water conservation issues.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Outdoor living and landscaping highlights 2008/2007</strong><br />&bull; Low maintenance landscaping 70%/n/a<br />&bull; Outdoor living space 67%/63%<br />&bull; Blended indoor / outdoor living 55%/54%<br />&bull; Upscale landscaping 42%/51%<br />&bull; Exterior / security lighting 39%/n/a</p>\n<p><strong>Housing market business condition</strong></p>\n<p><em>AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2008 (any score above 50 is positive)</em></p>\n<p>&bull; Billings: 39</p>\n<p>&bull; Inquiries for new projects: 42</p>\n<p>Baker continued, &ldquo;With weak billings, inquiries for new projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests that the conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve anytime soon.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Specific residential segments</strong><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\n<p><em><strong></strong>(index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus % weakening conditions)</em><br />&bull; Additions / alterations: 31<br />&bull; Kitchen and bath remodeling: 25<br />&bull; Custom / luxury home market: -21<br />&bull; Townhouse / condo market: -34<br />&bull; Second / vacation home market: -50<br />&bull; Move-up home market: -51<br />&bull; First-time buyer / affordable home market: -59</p>\n<p><br />The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 500 architecture firms that concentrate their practice in the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders in shaping how homes function, look, and integrate into communities and this survey helps to identify emerging trends&nbsp; in the housing marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly basis.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:25:\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(323,126,4,2,1213211629,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 09:06 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:49:\"Teamsters 682 Reaches Agreement With Independents\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:49:\"teamsters_682_reaches_agreement_with_independents\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:49:\"Teamsters 682 Reaches Agreement with Independents\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:109:\"A new five-year agreement has been reached between several independent contractors and Teamsters Local 682.  \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:60:\"Teamsters 682, independent contractors, teamsters, agreement\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:706:\"<p><br />A new five-year agreement has been reached between several independent contractors and Teamsters Local 682.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>New wages and fringes will be retroactive to 5/1/2008, increaseing wages by $0.96 and an increase of $0.04 in Health and Welfare contributions.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Contractors will also have an opportunity to withdraw from the Central States Pension Plan and pay a like amount into a qualified 401K plan acceptable to the Teamsters (not sponsored by the Teamsters).</p>\n<p>A detailed wage and fringe information document that also contains the instructions for&nbsp; the optional withdrawal from the Central States Pension Plan is currently being reviewed for final distribution.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(324,126,4,2,1213211859,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"126\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 09:06 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:49:\"Teamsters 682 Reaches Agreement With Independents\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:49:\"teamsters_682_reaches_agreement_with_independents\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:49:\"Teamsters 682 Reaches Agreement with Independents\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:109:\"A new five-year agreement has been reached between several independent contractors and Teamsters Local 682.  \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:60:\"Teamsters 682, independent contractors, teamsters, agreement\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:707:\"<p><br />A new five-year agreement has been reached between several independent contractors and Teamsters Local 682.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>New wages and fringes will be retroactive to 5/1/2008. The package increases wages by $0.96 and&nbsp; Health and Welfare contributions by $0.04.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Contractors will also have an opportunity to withdraw from the Central States Pension Plan and pay a like amount into a qualified 401K plan acceptable to the Teamsters (not sponsored by the Teamsters).</p>\n<p>A detailed wage and fringe information document that also contains the instructions for&nbsp; the optional withdrawal from the Central States Pension Plan is currently being reviewed for final distribution.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(325,127,4,2,1213285619,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-12 05:40 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:48:\"Research Says Energy Star Pays: LEED Not So Much\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:47:\"research_says_energy_star_pays_leed_not_so_much\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:48:\"Research Says Energy Star Pays: Leed Not so Much\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:1:\"9\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:146:\"\nNew research has found that an Energy Star rating from the U.S.\nEnvironmental Protection Agency increases the asset value of an office\nbuilding. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:34:\"green, LEED, Energy Star, research\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3762:\"<p>In &ldquo;Doing Well by Doing Good? Green Office Buildings,&rdquo; Professor JohnQuigley at the University of California, Berkeley &ndash; Haas School of Business<br />and coauthors Piet Eichholtz and Nils Kok of Maastricht University, Netherlands, determined that investments in proven green building practices</p>\n<p>lead to sizable increases in a property&rsquo;s market value and effective rent, or the average per square foot rent paid. Energy Star certified buildings produced an 8.5 percent increase in effective rent. The additional annual rent for going green amounts to almost $309,000, based on the average size building. Likewise, the incremental value of a green structure is an estimated $5.1 million more than an ordinary building. The study did not<br />calculate the incremental cost of investing in green building practices.<br /><br />Quigley said, &ldquo;Finding there is a linkage between energy and profitability of rental properties is potentially significant and leads to more extensive<br />uses of this information.&rdquo; This research offers quantitative evidence for builders and investors who value the social responsibility factors of green<br />buildings but have lacked data about the financial performance of these investments. <br /><br />This research focused solely on commercial property. Quigley, Eichholtz, and Kok first identified 694 buildings in a number of major U.S. cities<br />including San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. All are green certified by the federal government&rsquo;s Energy<br />Star program or the private LEED (&ldquo;Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesign&rdquo;) standard. <br /><br />While the three researchers documented higher asset values for Energy Star rated buildings, they did not find a similar increase associated with<br />LEED Certification. &ldquo;It is claimed that LEED-certified buildings have lower operating costs and increased asset values,&rdquo; the authors claimed, but<br />not a single LEED-certified building included in the study produced higher effective rent as a result of its green integrity. Only the Energy Star<br />buildings produced higher rents, Quigley said. The control group consisted of nearly 7,500 other office buildings within a quarter mile of the<br />certified buildings. In many cases, the green buildings were taller, newer and larger than the control group of buildings but those characteristics<br />were adjusted in statistical models.<br /><br />Quigley claims his study is the first systematic analysis of environmentally-sustainable construction and its economic impact on the real<br />estate market. He said he undertook the research to see if the touted economic advantages of green building were \\\"hype or real.&rdquo; While Quigley&rsquo;s<br />work concludes that the resulting profitability is real, he is continuing to research why green commercial buildings produce higher rents and market<br />value by using engineering data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).<br /><br />Quigley and his coauthors also suggested that companies with well-defined and aggressive corporate social responsibility policies may be able to<br />outperform competitors in other ways: enhancing the corporate image, improving profitability and productivity, and reducing exposure to<br />regulation and unwelcome activism.<br /><br />Prof. Quigley is the I. Donald Terner Distinguished Professor in Affordable Housing and Urban Policy, Haas Real Estate Group at the University of<br />California, Berkeley. He is also the Chancellor&rsquo;s Professor of Economics at the Department of Economics and a Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman<br />School of Public Policy. <br /><br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(326,127,4,2,1213285655,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"127\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-12 05:40 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:48:\"Research Says Energy Star Pays: LEED Not So Much\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:47:\"research_says_energy_star_pays_leed_not_so_much\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:48:\"Research Says Energy Star Pays: LEED Not so Much\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:1:\"9\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:145:\"New research has found that an Energy Star rating from the U.S.\nEnvironmental Protection Agency increases the asset value of an office\nbuilding. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:34:\"green, LEED, Energy Star, research\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:3756:\"<p>In &ldquo;Doing Well by Doing Good? Green Office Buildings,&rdquo; Professor JohnQuigley at the University of California, Berkeley &ndash; Haas School of Business<br />and coauthors Piet Eichholtz and Nils Kok of Maastricht University, Netherlands, determined that investments in proven green building practices</p>\n<p>lead to sizable increases in a property&rsquo;s market value and effective rent, or the average per square foot rent paid. Energy Star certified buildings produced an 8.5 percent increase in effective rent. The additional annual rent for going green amounts to almost $309,000, based on the average size building. Likewise, the incremental value of a green structure is an estimated $5.1 million more than an ordinary building. The study did not<br />calculate the incremental cost of investing in green building practices.<br /><br />Quigley said, &ldquo;Finding there is a linkage between energy and profitability of rental properties is potentially significant and leads to more extensive<br />uses of this information.&rdquo; This research offers quantitative evidence for builders and investors who value the social responsibility factors of green<br />buildings but have lacked data about the financial performance of these investments. <br /><br />This research focused solely on commercial property. Quigley, Eichholtz, and Kok first identified 694 buildings in a number of major U.S. cities<br />including San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. All are green certified by the federal government&rsquo;s Energy<br />Star program or the private LEED (&ldquo;Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesign&rdquo;) standard. <br /><br />While the three researchers documented higher asset values for Energy Star rated buildings, they did not find a similar increase associated with<br />LEED Certification. &ldquo;It is claimed that LEED-certified buildings have lower operating costs and increased asset values,&rdquo; the authors claimed, but<br />not a single LEED-certified building included in the study produced higher effective rent as a result of its green integrity. Only the Energy Star<br />buildings produced higher rents, Quigley said. The control group consisted of nearly 7,500 other office buildings within a quarter mile of the<br />certified buildings. In many cases, the green buildings were taller, newer and larger than the control group of buildings but those characteristics<br />were adjusted in statistical models.<br /><br />Quigley claims his study is the first systematic analysis of environmentally-sustainable construction and its economic impact on the real<br />estate market. He said he undertook the research to see if the touted economic advantages of green building were \\\"hype or real.&rdquo; While Quigley&rsquo;s<br />work concludes that the resulting profitability is real, he is continuing to research why green commercial buildings produce higher rents and market<br />value by using engineering data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).<br /><br />Quigley and his coauthors also suggested that companies with well-defined and aggressive corporate social responsibility policies may be able to<br />outperform competitors in other ways: enhancing the corporate image, improving profitability and productivity, and reducing exposure to<br />regulation and unwelcome activism.<br /><br />Prof. Quigley is the I. Donald Terner Distinguished Professor in Affordable Housing and Urban Policy, Haas Real Estate Group at the University of<br />California, Berkeley. He is also the Chancellor&rsquo;s Professor of Economics at the Department of Economics and a Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman<br />School of Public Policy. <br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(327,128,4,2,1213307999,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-12 11:56 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"Midwest Council ASA Hires Janet Coppedge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"midwest_council_asa_hires_janet_coppedge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:40:\"Midwest Council ASA Hires Janet Coppedge\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:120:\"The American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council hired Janet Coppedge to assist Reba Gillick, executive director.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:31:\"ASA, Midwest, Coppedge, Gillick\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:857:\"<p>The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) Midwest Council hired Janet Coppedge to assist Reba Gillick, executive director.<br /><br />The Midwest Council&rsquo;s membership is at an all time high.&nbsp; Janet will assist Reba with the newsletter, planning meetings, events and seminars, special projects and day-to-day operations of the chapter.<br /><br />Janet is co-owner of TAC Transmissions and had 12 years experience with Maritz Travel Company as director of operations.&nbsp; She has worked with many non-profits and associations <br /><br />ASA is a construction trade association of quality specialty contractors and supplier serving the construction industry and the community.&nbsp; The Midwest Chapter ASA\\\'s&nbsp; purpose is to improve the construction process through active participation in education, legislation and cooperation.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(328,128,4,2,1213308032,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"128\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-12 11:56 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"5\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"Midwest Council ASA Hires Janet Coppedge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"midwest_council_asa_hires_janet_coppedge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:40:\"Midwest Council ASA Hires Janet Coppedge\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:120:\"The American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council hired Janet Coppedge to assist Reba Gillick, executive director.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:31:\"ASA, Midwest, Coppedge, Gillick\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:857:\"<p>The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) Midwest Council hired Janet Coppedge to assist Reba Gillick, executive director.<br /><br />The Midwest Council&rsquo;s membership is at an all time high.&nbsp; Janet will assist Reba with the newsletter, planning meetings, events and seminars, special projects and day-to-day operations of the chapter.<br /><br />Janet is co-owner of TAC Transmissions and had 12 years experience with Maritz Travel Company as director of operations.&nbsp; She has worked with many non-profits and associations <br /><br />ASA is a construction trade association of quality specialty contractors and supplier serving the construction industry and the community.&nbsp; The Midwest Chapter ASA\\\'s&nbsp; purpose is to improve the construction process through active participation in education, legislation and cooperation.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"5\";}'),(329,128,4,2,1213308156,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"128\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-12 11:56 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"5\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:40:\"Midwest Council ASA Hires Janet Coppedge\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"midwest_council_asa_hires_janet_coppedge\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:40:\"Midwest Council ASA Hires Janet Coppedge\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:120:\"The American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council hired Janet Coppedge to assist Reba Gillick, executive director.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:31:\"ASA, Midwest, Coppedge, Gillick\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:860:\"<p>The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) Midwest Council hired Janet Coppedge to assist Reba Gillick, executive director.<br /><br />The Midwest Council&rsquo;s membership is at an all time high.&nbsp; Janet will assist Reba with the newsletter, planning meetings, events and seminars, special projects and day-to-day operations of the chapter.<br /><br />Coppedge is co-owner of TAC Transmissions and had 12 years experience with Maritz Travel Company as director of operations.&nbsp; She has worked with many non-profits and associations <br /><br />ASA is a construction trade association of quality specialty contractors and supplier serving the construction industry and the community.&nbsp; The Midwest Council ASA\\\'s&nbsp; purpose is to improve the construction process through active participation in education, legislation and cooperation.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"5\";}'),(330,129,2,2,1213371254,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-13 05:29 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"President\\\'s E-Verify  Order Raises Contractor Questions\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:53:\"presidents_e_verify_order_raises_contractor_questions\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:55:\"President\\\'s E-Verify Order Raises Contractor Questions\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:514:\"Following President Bush’s June 6 executive order directing federal agencies to require their contractors to use the federal E-Verify system, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council proposed a rule on June 12 to require contractors and subcontractors that perform work on the federal government’s domestic construction projects to use E-Verify. The prosposed rule was reported in ASA Today, the online newsletter of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA).\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:53:\"E-Verify, President, immigration, contractors, status\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5072:\"<p>Following President Bush&rsquo;s June 6 executive order directing federal\nagencies to require their contractors to use the federal E-Verify\nsystem, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense\nAcquisition Regulations Council proposed a rule on June 12 to require\ncontractors and subcontractors that perform work on the federal\ngovernment&rsquo;s domestic construction projects to use E-Verify. The prosposed rule was reported in <em>ASA Today</em>, the online newsletter of the\nAmerican Subcontractors Association (ASA).</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Immigration Status\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/immigration.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />ASA\nreported that the proposal to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation\nwould insert a clause in prime contracts for federal construction\nrequiring contractors to:<br /></p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enroll in E-Verify within 30 calendar days of contract award.</li>\n<li>Use E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of all employees assigned to the contract within 30 days of contract award.<br /> Verify the employment eligibility of new employees assigned to the contract within three days.<br /> </li>\n<li>Flow down the same requirements to all subcontracts on the project that exceed $3,000.<br /> </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Currently voluntary, E-Verify is an Internet-based system for\nsubmitting employees&rsquo; names, dates of birth, and Social Security\nnumbers to check against federal databases for work authorization\npurposes. If the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the Social\nSecurity Administration finds a mismatch in the submitted information,\nthe employer and employee must follow a confirmation process. The\nacquisition councils estimate that the average cost for a contractor\nwith 50 employees to participate in E-Verify for the first year is\n$1,168.</p>\n<p>Employers that participate in E-Verify must also sign a\nMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DHS and SSA agreeing to abide by\ncurrent legal hiring procedures and to ensure that no employee will be\nunfairly discriminated against in the E-Verify process. In the written\nexplanations accompanying their proposed rule, the acquisition councils\nsaid they would consider compliance with the MOU &ldquo;a performance\nrequirement under the terms of the Federal contract or subcontract.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>ASA\nis seeking members&rsquo; input about the proposed rule&rsquo;s impact on them. ASA\nhas posted a link to the proposed rule on the ASA Web site at\nwww.asaonline.com. Some state governments also see E-Verify as part of\nthe answer to the federal government\\\'s flawed immigration policies. In\nMissouri, a new law requires all employers receiving money from the\nstate or tax credits in excess of $5,000 to use E-Verify. A new law in\nSouth Carolina also requires any company doing business with the state\nto use the system.</p>\n<p>The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) said earlier\nthis week that it questioned the use of E-Verify as an immigration\nstatus remedy. \\\"While AGC supports the full enforcement of our\nimmigration laws,\nAGC remains committed to their comprehensive reform, and the\nassociation questions whether this piecemeal measure will hasten or\ndelay the day when we will see that kind of reform,\\\" Stephen E.\nSandherr, chief executive officer of AGC of America said. \\\"Ironically,\nwe also find ourselves questioning\nwhether the executive order is itself in violation of our current\nlaws,\\\" he added.</p>\n<p>The new requirement will take effect only after the relevant federal\nagencies revise the regulations that govern federal contracts. AGC&nbsp; said it will\ncarefully examine the new executive order and the proposed revisions of\nthe regulations to determine if the changes would cause problems for\nthe contractors responsible for constructing and maintaining the\nfederal infrastructure. AGC also will investigate whether or not the\nchanges conflict with the current immigrations laws, and if so, may\ncontemplate even stronger action.</p>\n<p>Immediately, AGC said it will also begin seeking further guidance on\na host of questions that the executive order raises, including:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\\"Who is a \\\"contractor\\\" for the purposes of the executive\norder? Does it include a subcontractor? Does it include a material\nsupplier? Does it include a vendor of commercial items?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"What\n&ndash; if any &ndash; are the procedures and deadlines for employers and/or\nemployees to correct the many mistakes that even the E&ndash;Verify system\nwill inevitably make?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"How should employers deal with\nindividuals who can satisfy the pre&ndash;existing rules and standards &ndash;\nwhich Congress has written into the Immigration and Nationality Act &ndash;\nbut not the E&ndash;Verify system that the President has mandated entirely on\nhis own? How do employers avoid getting caught in the middle?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"What\nare the penalties for non&ndash;compliance? Should federal contractors\nanticipate debarment for even honest mistakes made in ignorance of\ntechnical requirements?\\\"</li>\n</ul>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/immigration.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(331,129,2,2,1213371437,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"129\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-13 05:29 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"President\\\'s E-Verify  Order Raises Contractor Questions\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:53:\"presidents_e_verify_order_raises_contractor_questions\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:55:\"President\\\'s E-Verify Order Raises Contractor Questions\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:512:\"Following President Bush\\\'s June 6 executive order directing federal agencies to require their contractors to use the federal E-Verify system, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council proposed a rule on June 12 to require contractors and subcontractors that perform work on the federal government\\\'s domestic construction projects to use E-Verify. The prosposed rule was reported in ASA Today, the online newsletter of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA).\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:53:\"E-Verify, President, immigration, contractors, status\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5066:\"<p>Following President Bush&rsquo;s June 6 executive order directing federal\nagencies to require their contractors to use the federal E-Verify\nsystem, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense\nAcquisition Regulations Council proposed a rule on June 12 to require\ncontractors and subcontractors that perform work on the federal\ngovernment&rsquo;s domestic construction projects to use E-Verify. The prosposed rule was reported in <em>ASA Today</em>, the online newsletter of the\nAmerican Subcontractors Association (ASA).</p>\n<p>ASA\nreported that the proposal to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation\nwould insert a clause in prime contracts for federal construction\nrequiring contractors to:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enroll in E-Verify within 30 calendar days of contract award.</li>\n<li>Use E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of all employees assigned to the contract within 30 days of contract award.<br /> Verify the employment eligibility of new employees assigned to the contract within three days.<br /> </li>\n<li>Flow down the same requirements to all subcontracts on the project that exceed $3,000.<br /> </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Currently voluntary, E-Verify is an Internet-based system for\nsubmitting employees&rsquo; names, dates of birth, and Social Security\nnumbers to check against federal databases for work authorization\npurposes. If the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the Social\nSecurity Administration finds a mismatch in the submitted information,\nthe employer and employee must follow a confirmation process. The\nacquisition councils estimate that the average cost for a contractor\nwith 50 employees to participate in E-Verify for the first year is\n$1,168.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Immigration Status\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/immigration.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Employers that participate in E-Verify must also sign a\nMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DHS and SSA agreeing to abide by\ncurrent legal hiring procedures and to ensure that no employee will be\nunfairly discriminated against in the E-Verify process. In the written\nexplanations accompanying their proposed rule, the acquisition councils\nsaid they would consider compliance with the MOU &ldquo;a performance\nrequirement under the terms of the Federal contract or subcontract.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>ASA\nis seeking members&rsquo; input about the proposed rule&rsquo;s impact on them. ASA\nhas posted a link to the proposed rule on the ASA Web site at\nwww.asaonline.com. Some state governments also see E-Verify as part of\nthe answer to the federal government\\\'s flawed immigration policies. In\nMissouri, a new law requires all employers receiving money from the\nstate or tax credits in excess of $5,000 to use E-Verify. A new law in\nSouth Carolina also requires any company doing business with the state\nto use the system.</p>\n<p>The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) said earlier\nthis week that it questioned the use of E-Verify as an immigration\nstatus remedy. \\\"While AGC supports the full enforcement of our\nimmigration laws,\nAGC remains committed to their comprehensive reform, and the\nassociation questions whether this piecemeal measure will hasten or\ndelay the day when we will see that kind of reform,\\\" Stephen E.\nSandherr, chief executive officer of AGC of America said. \\\"Ironically,\nwe also find ourselves questioning\nwhether the executive order is itself in violation of our current\nlaws,\\\" he added.</p>\n<p>The new requirement will take effect only after the relevant federal\nagencies revise the regulations that govern federal contracts. AGC&nbsp; said it will\ncarefully examine the new executive order and the proposed revisions of\nthe regulations to determine if the changes would cause problems for\nthe contractors responsible for constructing and maintaining the\nfederal infrastructure. AGC also will investigate whether or not the\nchanges conflict with the current immigrations laws, and if so, may\ncontemplate even stronger action.</p>\n<p>Immediately, AGC said it will also begin seeking further guidance on\na host of questions that the executive order raises, including:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\\"Who is a \\\"contractor\\\" for the purposes of the executive\norder? Does it include a subcontractor? Does it include a material\nsupplier? Does it include a vendor of commercial items?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"What\n&ndash; if any &ndash; are the procedures and deadlines for employers and/or\nemployees to correct the many mistakes that even the E&ndash;Verify system\nwill inevitably make?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"How should employers deal with\nindividuals who can satisfy the pre&ndash;existing rules and standards &ndash;\nwhich Congress has written into the Immigration and Nationality Act &ndash;\nbut not the E&ndash;Verify system that the President has mandated entirely on\nhis own? How do employers avoid getting caught in the middle?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"What\nare the penalties for non&ndash;compliance? Should federal contractors\nanticipate debarment for even honest mistakes made in ignorance of\ntechnical requirements?\\\"</li>\n</ul>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/immigration.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(332,125,2,2,1213371471,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"125\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-11 06:09 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:27:\"Honey They Shrank the House\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:27:\"honey_they_shrank_the_house\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:52:\"\\\"Honey,  They Shrank the House,\\\" Architects Report\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:216:\"As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:20:\"AIA, Housing, Survey\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:4226:\"<p>As the housing market woes deepen, inflation affects the overall economy and utility costs continue to escalate, the size of the typical U.S. home is declining, a survey by the American Institute of Architects reported Tuesday.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;<img alt=\\\"Shrinking House\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />To address the needs of an aging population there is an emphasis on greater accessibility throughout the home. To add value and improve<br />their properties, homeowners are also investing in more outdoor living options with a trend toward lowmaintenance<br />landscaping. Additionally, residential architects report depressed business conditions, albeit<br />with healthier conditions for remodeling and renovation projects.</p>\n<p>These findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focus specifically on overall home layout and<br />use in the first quarter of 2008.<br /><br />&ldquo;The recent weakness in the housing market forces households to be more sensitive to housing affordability concerns. Coupled with rising home energy costs, this encourages many to rethink their overall space needs,&rdquo; said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA.</p>\n<p>&ldquo;While smaller homes may be a short-term response to economic conditions, there are signs that we may be at the beginning of a longer cycle where house sizes stabilize or even decline.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Overall home layout and size highlights</strong><br /><em>Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases) 2008/2007</em><br />&bull; Greater accessibility 67%/74%<br />&bull; Informal space 61%/63%<br />&bull; Access in / out of home 59%/n/a<br />&bull; Open space layout 53%/51%<br />&bull; Finished basement / attic 46%/46%<br />&bull; Single-floor plan 40%/43%<br />&bull; Volume 28%/31%<br />&bull; Square footage 16%/21%<br />&bull; Lot size 7%/7%</p>\n<p>&ldquo;Outdoor living elements continue to be extremely popular and include traditional features such as decks, porches and patios, with the addition of outdoor &ldquo;rooms&rdquo; and cooking areas as a more recent trend,&rdquo; added Baker. &ldquo;Lately, data shows a preference towards extending the home through blended indoor / outdoor space.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements, but there is also growing demand for low maintenance landscaping options due to water conservation issues.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Outdoor living and landscaping highlights 2008/2007</strong><br />&bull; Low maintenance landscaping 70%/n/a<br />&bull; Outdoor living space 67%/63%<br />&bull; Blended indoor / outdoor living 55%/54%<br />&bull; Upscale landscaping 42%/51%<br />&bull; Exterior / security lighting 39%/n/a</p>\n<p><strong>Housing market business condition</strong></p>\n<p><em>AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2008 (any score above 50 is positive)</em></p>\n<p>&bull; Billings: 39</p>\n<p>&bull; Inquiries for new projects: 42</p>\n<p>Baker continued, &ldquo;With weak billings, inquiries for new projects and project backlogs, evidence suggests that the conditions in the residential market are not poised to improve anytime soon.&rdquo;</p>\n<p><strong>Specific residential segments</strong><em><strong> </strong></em></p>\n<p><em><strong></strong>(index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus % weakening conditions)</em><br />&bull; Additions / alterations: 31<br />&bull; Kitchen and bath remodeling: 25<br />&bull; Custom / luxury home market: -21<br />&bull; Townhouse / condo market: -34<br />&bull; Second / vacation home market: -50<br />&bull; Move-up home market: -51<br />&bull; First-time buyer / affordable home market: -59</p>\n<p><br />The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 500 architecture firms that concentrate their practice in the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders in shaping how homes function, look, and integrate into communities and this survey helps to identify emerging trends&nbsp; in the housing marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly basis.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:25:\"/images/uploads/house.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(334,129,2,2,1213371633,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"129\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-13 05:29 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"President\\\'s E-Verify  Order Raises Contractor Questions\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:53:\"presidents_e_verify_order_raises_contractor_questions\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:55:\"President\\\'s E-Verify Order Raises Contractor Questions\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:395:\"Following President Bush\\\'s June 6 executive order directing federal agencies to require their contractors to use the federal E-Verify system, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council proposed a rule on June 12 to require contractors and subcontractors that perform work on the federal government\\\'s domestic construction projects to use E-Verify. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:53:\"E-Verify, President, immigration, contractors, status\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5066:\"<p>Following President Bush&rsquo;s June 6 executive order directing federal\nagencies to require their contractors to use the federal E-Verify\nsystem, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense\nAcquisition Regulations Council proposed a rule on June 12 to require\ncontractors and subcontractors that perform work on the federal\ngovernment&rsquo;s domestic construction projects to use E-Verify. The prosposed rule was reported in <em>ASA Today</em>, the online newsletter of the\nAmerican Subcontractors Association (ASA).</p>\n<p>ASA\nreported that the proposal to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation\nwould insert a clause in prime contracts for federal construction\nrequiring contractors to:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enroll in E-Verify within 30 calendar days of contract award.</li>\n<li>Use E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of all employees assigned to the contract within 30 days of contract award.<br /> Verify the employment eligibility of new employees assigned to the contract within three days.<br /> </li>\n<li>Flow down the same requirements to all subcontracts on the project that exceed $3,000.<br /> </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Currently voluntary, E-Verify is an Internet-based system for\nsubmitting employees&rsquo; names, dates of birth, and Social Security\nnumbers to check against federal databases for work authorization\npurposes. If the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the Social\nSecurity Administration finds a mismatch in the submitted information,\nthe employer and employee must follow a confirmation process. The\nacquisition councils estimate that the average cost for a contractor\nwith 50 employees to participate in E-Verify for the first year is\n$1,168.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Immigration Status\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/immigration.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Employers that participate in E-Verify must also sign a\nMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DHS and SSA agreeing to abide by\ncurrent legal hiring procedures and to ensure that no employee will be\nunfairly discriminated against in the E-Verify process. In the written\nexplanations accompanying their proposed rule, the acquisition councils\nsaid they would consider compliance with the MOU &ldquo;a performance\nrequirement under the terms of the Federal contract or subcontract.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>ASA\nis seeking members&rsquo; input about the proposed rule&rsquo;s impact on them. ASA\nhas posted a link to the proposed rule on the ASA Web site at\nwww.asaonline.com. Some state governments also see E-Verify as part of\nthe answer to the federal government\\\'s flawed immigration policies. In\nMissouri, a new law requires all employers receiving money from the\nstate or tax credits in excess of $5,000 to use E-Verify. A new law in\nSouth Carolina also requires any company doing business with the state\nto use the system.</p>\n<p>The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) said earlier\nthis week that it questioned the use of E-Verify as an immigration\nstatus remedy. \\\"While AGC supports the full enforcement of our\nimmigration laws,\nAGC remains committed to their comprehensive reform, and the\nassociation questions whether this piecemeal measure will hasten or\ndelay the day when we will see that kind of reform,\\\" Stephen E.\nSandherr, chief executive officer of AGC of America said. \\\"Ironically,\nwe also find ourselves questioning\nwhether the executive order is itself in violation of our current\nlaws,\\\" he added.</p>\n<p>The new requirement will take effect only after the relevant federal\nagencies revise the regulations that govern federal contracts. AGC&nbsp; said it will\ncarefully examine the new executive order and the proposed revisions of\nthe regulations to determine if the changes would cause problems for\nthe contractors responsible for constructing and maintaining the\nfederal infrastructure. AGC also will investigate whether or not the\nchanges conflict with the current immigrations laws, and if so, may\ncontemplate even stronger action.</p>\n<p>Immediately, AGC said it will also begin seeking further guidance on\na host of questions that the executive order raises, including:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\\"Who is a \\\"contractor\\\" for the purposes of the executive\norder? Does it include a subcontractor? Does it include a material\nsupplier? Does it include a vendor of commercial items?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"What\n&ndash; if any &ndash; are the procedures and deadlines for employers and/or\nemployees to correct the many mistakes that even the E&ndash;Verify system\nwill inevitably make?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"How should employers deal with\nindividuals who can satisfy the pre&ndash;existing rules and standards &ndash;\nwhich Congress has written into the Immigration and Nationality Act &ndash;\nbut not the E&ndash;Verify system that the President has mandated entirely on\nhis own? How do employers avoid getting caught in the middle?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"What\nare the penalties for non&ndash;compliance? Should federal contractors\nanticipate debarment for even honest mistakes made in ignorance of\ntechnical requirements?\\\"</li>\n</ul>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/immigration.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(335,130,4,2,1213374583,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-13 06:23 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Midwest Block & Brick Completes Gray Summit Facility\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"midwest_block_brick_completes_gray_summit_facility\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:52:\"Midwest Block & Brick Completes Gray Summit Facility\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:147:\"Midwest Block & Brick, a division of Midwest Products Group, has just completed a  10,000 square foot office and warehouse facility in Gray Summit.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:50:\"Midwest Block & Brick, masonry, brick, Gray Summit\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1786:\"<p>Midwest Block &amp; Brick, a division of Midwest Products Group has completed a new 10,000 square foot office and warehouse facility in Gray Summit.</p>\n<p><br />Midwest invested over $2 million for the site acquisition and building development. The new facility was designed by HKW Architects and includes the offices for Midwest Block &amp; Brick; the 8,000 square foot warehouse; and their 2,000 square foot showroom. The new facility is located on seven acres of land in Franklin County, which will allow ample space for future expansion. <br /><br />Darryl Winegar, Midwest\\\'s vice president and general manager, said \\\"We are proud of our new facility.&nbsp; We wanted to build a quality facility in Franklin County that is representative of the masonry and landscape materials we sell.\\\"</p>\n<p><br />The new warehouse and showroom were designed and built to provide products to meet the masonry and landscaping needs of the growing communities in Franklin and West St. Louis Counties. The new Grey Summit facility services the Franklin County communities of Augusta, Labadie, Pacific, St. Clair, Union and Washington; and the St. Louis County communities of Eureka, St. Albans and Wildwood. <br /><br />The company will continue to maintain their other area locations in Wentzville, Missouri and Waterloo, Illinois.<br /><br />Besides Midwest Block &amp; Brick, Midwest Products Group has several divisions headquartered in the St. Louis region, including Kirchner Block &amp; Brick, St. Louis Retaining Wall Company and Gateway Insulation.<br /><br />For more information about Midwest Block &amp; Brick and their new Grey Summit facility, please Midwest Block &amp; Brick John Slattery at 636.742.5460 or visit their web site at www.midwestblock.com<br /></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(336,131,4,2,1213375044,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-13 06:34 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:44:\"Environmental  Operations Promotes Whitehead\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:43:\"environmental_operations_promotes_whitehead\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:43:\"Environmental Operations Promotes Whitehead\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:184:\"Environmental Operations, Inc., has promoted Brian Whitehead of St. Louis to environmental scientist.  Whitehead joined Environmental Operations in 2007 as an environmental specialist.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:35:\"Whitehead, Environmental Operations\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:607:\"<p>Environmental Operations, Inc., has promoted Brian Whitehead of St. Louis to environmental scientist.&nbsp; Whitehead joined Environmental Operations in 2007 as an environmental specialist.</p>\n<p>Environmental Operations, 1530 S. Second St., St. Louis, is ranked as the region\\\'s second largest environmental consulting firm.&nbsp; The company identifies and resolves environmental issues with integrated environmental and financial expertise, brownfield incentives and risk assumption tools.&nbsp; More information is available at www.environmentalops.com &lt;http://www.environmentalops.com/&gt; .</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(337,132,4,2,1213386036,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-13 09:20 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"5\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:44:\"Midwest Council ASA Hosts PAC Claybird Shoot\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:44:\"midwest_council_asa_hosts_pac_claybird_shoot\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:45:\" Midwest Council ASA Hosts PAC Claybird Shoot\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:157:\"The Midwest Council American Subcontractors Association (ASA) is hosting a claybird tournament July 19 to benefit the council\\\'s Political Action Committee. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:46:\"claybird, shoot, Midwest Council ASA, ASA, PAC\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:755:\"<p>The Midwest Council,&nbsp; American Subcontractors Association (ASA) is hosting a claybird tournament July 19 to benefit the council\\\'s Political Action Committee.&nbsp;</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Claybird\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"320\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/features/shootclose.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"240\\\" />The event will&nbsp; be&nbsp; held beginning at 9 a.m. at the Blackhawk Hunting Club, 1259 Breavator Rd, Old Monroe, MO.&nbsp; The entry fee is $100. The event is open to anyone interested.</p>\n<p>Sponsorships are available.</p>\n<p>For more information or to register, contact Reba A. Gillick, executive director, ASA-Midwest Council, P.O. Box 270, Union, MO 63084<br />(314) 214-1664, email reba@asamidwest.com.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"5\";}'),(338,133,2,2,1213488090,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-14 01:31 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"CNR Survey Says: Credit Crunch Putting Brake on Construction\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:59:\"cnr_survey_says_credit_crunch_putting_brake_on_construction\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:60:\"CNR Survey Says: Credit Crunch Putting Brake on Construction\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:285:\"Tightening lending standards are taking the steam out of construction in metropolitan St. Louis. That is the indication of an Internet credit survey recently completed by St. Louis Construction News & Real Estate (CNR), the \\\"Voice for the St. Louis Construction Industry\\\" since 1969.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:38:\"survey, credit,  availability, tighter\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1927:\"<p>Tightening lending standards are taking the steam out of construction in metropolitan St. Louis. That is the indication of an Internet credit survey recently completed by St. Louis Construction News &amp; Real Estate (CNR), the \\\"Voice for the St. Louis Construction Industry\\\" since 1969. <br />&nbsp;<br /><img alt=\\\"Credit Crunch\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/credit-crunch.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Eighty-five percent of those responding to the survey said that credit for development and construction has become less available in recent months. Seventy-six percent of respondents said that tighter credit markets have affected the willingness or ability of firms to expand in the area; and 52 percent said that they know of development or construction projects that have been disrupted by sudden changes in the availability of credit.<br />&nbsp;<br />The survey results illustrate that the forces that brought down the Pyramid Companies and their many development projects downtown are being felt in the broader economy.<br />&nbsp;<br />Survey respondents tied the credit crunch to the recession in the housing industry and 82 percent of them said that the downturn in housing has affected other industries in the area.<br />&nbsp;<br />For nearly a decade, construction was a major engine of economic growth in St. Louis that provided good-paying jobs to roughly 100,000 people. CNR\\\'s credit survey indicates that tight credit standards are causing that engine to sputter.<br />&nbsp;<br />The CNR credit survey was an unscientific electronic survey, based on questions recently posed to Midwest construction sources by an economist at the St. Louis Federal Reserve.&nbsp; CNR sent to contractors, architects, and engineers by email and asked them to visit the magazine\\\'s web site and complete the survey. The magazine received 57 unique responses.<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:33:\"/images/uploads/credit-crunch.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(339,129,2,2,1213488131,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"129\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-13 05:29 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"President\\\'s E-Verify  Order Raises Contractor Questions\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:53:\"presidents_e_verify_order_raises_contractor_questions\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:55:\"President\\\'s E-Verify Order Raises Contractor Questions\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:395:\"Following President Bush\\\'s June 6 executive order directing federal agencies to require their contractors to use the federal E-Verify system, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council proposed a rule on June 12 to require contractors and subcontractors that perform work on the federal government\\\'s domestic construction projects to use E-Verify. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:53:\"E-Verify, President, immigration, contractors, status\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5066:\"<p>Following President Bush&rsquo;s June 6 executive order directing federal\nagencies to require their contractors to use the federal E-Verify\nsystem, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense\nAcquisition Regulations Council proposed a rule on June 12 to require\ncontractors and subcontractors that perform work on the federal\ngovernment&rsquo;s domestic construction projects to use E-Verify. The prosposed rule was reported in <em>ASA Today</em>, the online newsletter of the\nAmerican Subcontractors Association (ASA).</p>\n<p>ASA\nreported that the proposal to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation\nwould insert a clause in prime contracts for federal construction\nrequiring contractors to:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enroll in E-Verify within 30 calendar days of contract award.</li>\n<li>Use E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of all employees assigned to the contract within 30 days of contract award.<br /> Verify the employment eligibility of new employees assigned to the contract within three days.<br /> </li>\n<li>Flow down the same requirements to all subcontracts on the project that exceed $3,000.<br /> </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Currently voluntary, E-Verify is an Internet-based system for\nsubmitting employees&rsquo; names, dates of birth, and Social Security\nnumbers to check against federal databases for work authorization\npurposes. If the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the Social\nSecurity Administration finds a mismatch in the submitted information,\nthe employer and employee must follow a confirmation process. The\nacquisition councils estimate that the average cost for a contractor\nwith 50 employees to participate in E-Verify for the first year is\n$1,168.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Immigration Status\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/immigration.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Employers that participate in E-Verify must also sign a\nMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DHS and SSA agreeing to abide by\ncurrent legal hiring procedures and to ensure that no employee will be\nunfairly discriminated against in the E-Verify process. In the written\nexplanations accompanying their proposed rule, the acquisition councils\nsaid they would consider compliance with the MOU &ldquo;a performance\nrequirement under the terms of the Federal contract or subcontract.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>ASA\nis seeking members&rsquo; input about the proposed rule&rsquo;s impact on them. ASA\nhas posted a link to the proposed rule on the ASA Web site at\nwww.asaonline.com. Some state governments also see E-Verify as part of\nthe answer to the federal government\\\'s flawed immigration policies. In\nMissouri, a new law requires all employers receiving money from the\nstate or tax credits in excess of $5,000 to use E-Verify. A new law in\nSouth Carolina also requires any company doing business with the state\nto use the system.</p>\n<p>The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) said earlier\nthis week that it questioned the use of E-Verify as an immigration\nstatus remedy. \\\"While AGC supports the full enforcement of our\nimmigration laws,\nAGC remains committed to their comprehensive reform, and the\nassociation questions whether this piecemeal measure will hasten or\ndelay the day when we will see that kind of reform,\\\" Stephen E.\nSandherr, chief executive officer of AGC of America said. \\\"Ironically,\nwe also find ourselves questioning\nwhether the executive order is itself in violation of our current\nlaws,\\\" he added.</p>\n<p>The new requirement will take effect only after the relevant federal\nagencies revise the regulations that govern federal contracts. AGC&nbsp; said it will\ncarefully examine the new executive order and the proposed revisions of\nthe regulations to determine if the changes would cause problems for\nthe contractors responsible for constructing and maintaining the\nfederal infrastructure. AGC also will investigate whether or not the\nchanges conflict with the current immigrations laws, and if so, may\ncontemplate even stronger action.</p>\n<p>Immediately, AGC said it will also begin seeking further guidance on\na host of questions that the executive order raises, including:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\\"Who is a \\\"contractor\\\" for the purposes of the executive\norder? Does it include a subcontractor? Does it include a material\nsupplier? Does it include a vendor of commercial items?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"What\n&ndash; if any &ndash; are the procedures and deadlines for employers and/or\nemployees to correct the many mistakes that even the E&ndash;Verify system\nwill inevitably make?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"How should employers deal with\nindividuals who can satisfy the pre&ndash;existing rules and standards &ndash;\nwhich Congress has written into the Immigration and Nationality Act &ndash;\nbut not the E&ndash;Verify system that the President has mandated entirely on\nhis own? How do employers avoid getting caught in the middle?\\\"</li>\n<li>\\\"What\nare the penalties for non&ndash;compliance? Should federal contractors\nanticipate debarment for even honest mistakes made in ignorance of\ntechnical requirements?\\\"</li>\n</ul>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/immigration.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(340,134,4,2,1213506307,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-14 06:49 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:75:\"CB Richard Ellis  Selected as Sale Agent  for Westminster Christian Academy\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:73:\"cb_richard_ellis_selected_as_sale_agent_for_westminster_christian_academy\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:74:\"CB Richard Ellis  Selected as Sale Agent for Westminster Christian Academy\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:254:\"With plans well underway for Westminster Christian Academy\\\'s new 70-acre campus in Town & Country, Westminster has put its current 30-acre campus, located at 10900 Ladue Road, up for sale and has selected CB Richard Ellis as the exclusive listing agent.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:54:\"CB Richard Ellis, Wesminister Chrisitian Academy, sale\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2192:\"<p>With plans well underway for Westminster Christian Academy\\\'s new 70-acre campus in Town &amp; Country, Westminster has put its current 30-acre campus, located at 10900 Ladue Road, up for sale and has selected CB Richard Ellis as the exclusive listing agent.<br />&nbsp;<br /><img alt=\\\"Westminister Academy\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"195\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/westminister_2.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Westminster\\\'s Creve Coeur campus includes the current main 155,000-square-foot facility with two gymnasiums, an indoor swimming pool, a cafeteria and classrooms. The grounds currently hold five tennis courts; athletic fields for baseball, softball, football and soccer.<br />&nbsp;<br />In order to expand, Westminster purchased two adjacent plots of land southwest of Interstate 64/Highway 40 and Maryville Centre Drive, where it will build a new campus with multiple academic and recreational facilities. The new campus is part of a $50 million capital campaign to support the school\\\'s vision and is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2010-2011 school year.<br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"Though building a new campus is necessary for Westminster\\\'s future growth, we have and will continue to invest significantly in maintaining, improving and beautifying our existing campus,\\\" said Robert H. Johnson, CCIM, Westminster board member. \\\"Ideally, we would like to see it used by an organization that shares our commitment to serve the St, Louis community and will benefit from the improvements we\\\'ve made. CB Richard Ellis understands our goals and will work with us to find the right buyer for our Creve Coeur campus.\\\"<br />&nbsp;<br />CB Richard Ellis First Vice President Marc Cacciarelli, SIOR, and Senior Vice President Tripp Hardin, SIOR, will market the property. The two veterans have decades of experience in the St. Louis market.<br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"We are extremely excited about being chosen to market such a high-profile property,\\\" said Peter Krombach, SIOR, senior managing director, CB Richard Ellis. \\\"With its central location in an upscale neighborhood, the Westminster campus is a great opportunity for a variety of buyers.\\\"<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";}'),(341,135,4,2,1213507064,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-14 07:13 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"SWT Design Hires Zach Snovelle\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:30:\"swt_design_hires_zach_snovelle\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:29:\"SWT Design Hire Zach Snovelle\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:154:\" SWT Design Inc. has recently hired Zach Snovelle, graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture and Minor in Horticulture.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:20:\"SWT Design, Snovelle\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:409:\"<p>&nbsp;SWT Design Inc. has recently hired Zach Snovelle, graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture and Minor in Horticulture.&nbsp; Snovelle was previously an intern with SWT Design from January 2007 through August 2007 and recently received a National Student Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architecture for outstanding academic achievement.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(342,135,4,2,1213507167,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"135\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-14 07:13 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:30:\"SWT Design Hires Zach Snovelle\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:30:\"swt_design_hires_zach_snovelle\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:29:\"SWT Design Hire Zach Snovelle\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:154:\" SWT Design Inc. has recently hired Zach Snovelle, graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture and minor in horticulture.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:20:\"SWT Design, Snovelle\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:409:\"<p>&nbsp;SWT Design Inc. has recently hired Zach Snovelle, graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture and minor in horticulture.&nbsp; Snovelle was previously an intern with SWT Design from January 2007 through August 2007 and recently received a National Student Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architecture for outstanding academic achievement.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(343,136,4,2,1213507620,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-14 07:21 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:47:\"Robert Elsperman Named to Purdue Advisory Board\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:47:\"robert_elsperman_named_to_purdue_advisory_board\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:48:\"Robert Elsperman Named to Purdue Advissory Board\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:217:\"Robert P. Elsperman, P.E., of Tarlton Corp., a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction management firm, has been appointed to the advisory council for the School of Civil Engineering at Purdue University.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:26:\"Elsperman, Tarlton, Purdue\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1839:\"<p>Robert P. Elsperman, P.E., of Tarlton Corp., a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction management firm, has been appointed to the advisory council for the School of Civil Engineering at Purdue University. Elsperman will serve a three-year term. The advisory council comprises 24 upper-level executives of civil engineering firms across the United States who are alumni of the School of Civil Engineering at Purdue.</p>\n<p>Elsperman also recently was elected to a three-year term to the Board of Directors for St. Andrew&rsquo;s Resources for Seniors and St. Andrew&rsquo;s Resources for Seniors Systems, a faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the growing senior population. St. Andrew&rsquo;s sponsors and manages 20 senior communities in Missouri and Illinois that include independent living, assisted living and skilled care, as well as subsidized apartment communities for low-income older adults.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Elsperman has been active in many St. Louis organizations. He served as chairman of the advisory board for the Salvation Army and has been a member of the advisory council for the Hope Center. His other civic affiliations have included the Boy Scouts of America, United Way, Children&rsquo;s Miracle Network and Howard Park Early Childhood Center. In 2000, Elsperman received the &ldquo;Individual of the Year&rdquo; award for general contractors from the Greater Missouri Chapter of the March of Dimes.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Elsperman was named president of Tarlton in 1972. His father, the late Arthur Elsperman, organized the firm in 1945. In 1999, a new generation of the Elsperman family&mdash;Tracy Elsperman Hart and Dirk G. Elsperman&mdash;became president and chief operating officer/executive vice president, respectively.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(344,137,4,2,1213508078,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-14 07:30 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Hendricks Closes Clayton Apartment Sale\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:39:\"hendricks_closes_clayton_apartment_sale\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:38:\"Hendrick Closes Clayton Apartment Sale\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:161:\"Hendricks & Partners announced the sale of Byron Place, located at 7546-7550 Byron Place in Clayton, MO. The 19-unit apartment community was sold for $1,700,000.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:35:\"Hendrick, Byron Apartments, Clayton\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:954:\"<p>Hendricks &amp; Partners announced the sale of Byron Place, located at 7546-7550 Byron Place in Clayton, MO. The 19-unit apartment community was sold for $1,700,000.</p>\n<p>The Seller was Byron Investments, LLC of Chesterfield, MO. The Buyer was Byron Apartments, LLC of St. Louis, MO. The transaction was negotiated by Steve Pearl of the St. Louis office of Hendricks &amp; Partners on behalf of the Seller. Byron Place was purchased on a current cap rate of 6.35% +/- and currently has lower than market rental rates.</p>\n<p>\\\"After the new owner has stabilized his ownership takeover, it is my understanding he will be making various capital improvements to the units and common areas, thus allowing him to bring the rental rates more in-line with the Clayton sub market. I believe that this transaction shows that current<br />cash flow is not the only factor a buyer is looking for in this current capital market climate,\\\" Pearl said. <br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(345,137,4,2,1213508136,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"137\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-14 07:30 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Hendricks Closes Clayton Apartment Sale\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:39:\"hendricks_closes_clayton_apartment_sale\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:38:\"Hendrick Closes Clayton Apartment Sale\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:161:\"Hendricks & Partners announced the sale of Byron Place, located at 7546-7550 Byron Place in Clayton, MO. The 19-unit apartment community was sold for $1,700,000.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:35:\"Hendrick, Byron Apartments, Clayton\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:947:\"<p>Hendricks &amp; Partners announced the sale of Byron Place, located at 7546-7550 Byron Place in Clayton, MO. The 19-unit apartment community was sold for $1,700,000.</p>\n<p>The Seller was Byron Investments, LLC of Chesterfield, MO. The Buyer was Byron Apartments, LLC of St. Louis, MO. The transaction was negotiated by Steve Pearl of the St. Louis office of Hendricks &amp; Partners on behalf of the Seller. Byron Place was purchased on a current cap rate of 6.35% +/- and currently has lower than market rental rates.</p>\n<p>\\\"After the new owner has stabilized his ownership takeover, it is my understanding he will be making various capital improvements to the units and common areas, thus allowing him to bring the rental rates more in-line with the Clayton sub market. I believe that this transaction shows that current<br />cash flow is not the only factor a buyer is looking for in this current capital market climate,\\\" Pearl said.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";}'),(346,137,4,2,1213508280,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"137\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-14 07:30 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"20\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:39:\"Hendricks Closes Clayton Apartment Sale\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:39:\"hendricks_closes_clayton_apartment_sale\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:38:\"Hendrick Closes Clayton Apartment Sale\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:161:\"Hendricks & Partners announced the sale of Byron Place, located at 7546-7550 Byron Place in Clayton, MO. The 19-unit apartment community was sold for $1,700,000.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:35:\"Hendrick, Byron Apartments, Clayton\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:942:\"<p>Hendricks &amp; Partners announced the sale of Byron Place, located at 7546-7550 Byron Place in Clayton, MO. The 19-unit apartment community was sold for $1,700,000.</p>\n<p>The Seller was Byron Investments, LLC of Chesterfield, MO. The Buyer was Byron Apartments, LLC of St. Louis, MO. The transaction was negotiated by Steve Pearl of the St. Louis office of Hendricks &amp; Partners on behalf of the Seller. Byron Place was purchased on a current cap rate of 6.35% +/- and currently has lower than market rental rates.</p>\n<p>\\\"After the new owner has stabilized his ownership takeover, it is my understanding he will be making various capital improvements to the units and common areas, thus allowing him to bring the rental rates more in-line with the Clayton sub market. I believe that this transaction shows that current cash flow is not the only factor a buyer is looking for in this current capital market climate,\\\" Pearl said.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"20\";}'),(347,138,4,2,1213545648,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-15 05:56 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co.\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"reichmann_joins_contegra_construction_co\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:42:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co. \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:125:\"Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"Reichmann, Contegra\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:864:\"<p>Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development. Making the announcement was Eric Gowin, president of the Edwardsville, Ill.-based design/build construction management firm.</p>\n<p>In his new position, Reichmann will seek to help Contegra expand its book of business in central and southwest Illinois as well as assist with its marketing efforts in metro St. Louis.</p>\n<p>Prior to joining Contegra, Reichmann was vice president of project development for H Construction Services Inc. in Carlinville, Ill. <br />Founded in 2003, Contegra Construction is a design/build and construction management firm based in Edwardsville, Ill. that serves the industrial, health care, retail and office markets in Missouri and Illinois.&nbsp; It also operates a branch office in Earth City, Mo.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(348,139,4,2,1213546418,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-15 06:03 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:53:\"Paric Completes $4.8 Million Ballpark Hilton Addition\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:51:\"paric_completes_48_million_ballpark_hilton_addition\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:53:\"Paric Completes $4.8 Million Ballpark Hilton Addition\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:151:\"Paric Corporation has completed a renovation and expansion project at the former Ballpark Hilton, located in the former World\\\'s Fair Spanish Pavilion.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:22:\"Ballpark HIlton, Paric\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1011:\"<p>Paric Corporation has a completed renovation and expansion project at the former Ballpark Hilton, located in the former World\\\'s Fair Spanish Pavilion. The project added a 16,000-square-foot, two-story meeting room.&nbsp;&nbsp; Paric completed the $4.8 million project ahead of schedule and under budget while overcoming a long list of construction challenges.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Ballpark Hilton\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"186\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Arch-View-Ballroom-1-copy.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />This is Paric\\\'s second successful project completion with Lodging Hospitality Management at the high-profile location at One South Broadway across from Busch Stadium.&nbsp; The new meeting space features views of the St. Louis Arch and high-end amenities, such as imported Italian carpets. <br /><br />Work was scheduled around ongoing events at the hotel and the hotel remained open during the renovations.&nbsp; ACI Boland served as architect on the project.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(349,138,4,2,1213546617,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"138\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-15 05:56 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co.\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"reichmann_joins_contegra_construction_co\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:42:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co. \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:125:\"Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"Reichmann, Contegra\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1012:\"<p>Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development. Making the announcement was Eric Gowin, president of the Edwardsville, Ill.-based design/build construction management firm.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Scott Reichmann\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"325\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Scott-Reichmann.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />In his new position, Reichmann will seek to help Contegra expand its book of business in central and southwest Illinois as well as assist with its marketing efforts in metro St. Louis.</p>\n<p>Prior to joining Contegra, Reichmann was vice president of project development for H Construction Services Inc. in Carlinville, Ill. <br />Founded in 2003, Contegra Construction is a design/build and construction management firm based in Edwardsville, Ill. that serves the industrial, health care, retail and office markets in Missouri and Illinois.&nbsp; It also operates a branch office in Earth City, Mo.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(350,138,4,2,1213639249,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"138\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-15 05:56 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co.\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"reichmann_joins_contegra_construction_co\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:42:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co. \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:125:\"Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"Reichmann, Contegra\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1012:\"<p>Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development. Making the announcement was Eric Gowin, president of the Edwardsville, Ill.-based design/build construction management firm.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Scott Reichmann\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"250\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Scott-Reichmann.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" />In his new position, Reichmann will seek to help Contegra expand its book of business in central and southwest Illinois as well as assist with its marketing efforts in metro St. Louis.</p>\n<p>Prior to joining Contegra, Reichmann was vice president of project development for H Construction Services Inc. in Carlinville, Ill. <br />Founded in 2003, Contegra Construction is a design/build and construction management firm based in Edwardsville, Ill. that serves the industrial, health care, retail and office markets in Missouri and Illinois.&nbsp; It also operates a branch office in Earth City, Mo.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(351,138,4,2,1213639418,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"138\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-15 05:56 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co.\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"reichmann_joins_contegra_construction_co\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:42:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co. \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:125:\"Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"Reichmann, Contegra\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1012:\"<p>Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development. Making the <img alt=\\\"Scott Reichmann\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"250\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Scott-Reichmann.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" />announcement was Eric Gowin, president of the Edwardsville, Ill.-based design/build construction management firm.</p>\n<p>In his new position, Reichmann will seek to help Contegra expand its book of business in central and southwest Illinois as well as assist with its marketing efforts in metro St. Louis.</p>\n<p>Prior to joining Contegra, Reichmann was vice president of project development for H Construction Services Inc. in Carlinville, Ill. <br />Founded in 2003, Contegra Construction is a design/build and construction management firm based in Edwardsville, Ill. that serves the industrial, health care, retail and office markets in Missouri and Illinois.&nbsp; It also operates a branch office in Earth City, Mo.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(352,138,4,2,1213639526,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"138\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-15 05:56 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co.\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"reichmann_joins_contegra_construction_co\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:42:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co. \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:125:\"Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"Reichmann, Contegra\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1012:\"<p>Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development. Making the <img alt=\\\"Scott Reichmann\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"227\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Scott-Reichmann.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" />announcement was Eric Gowin, president of the Edwardsville, Ill.-based design/build construction management firm.</p>\n<p>In his new position, Reichmann will seek to help Contegra expand its book of business in central and southwest Illinois as well as assist with its marketing efforts in metro St. Louis.</p>\n<p>Prior to joining Contegra, Reichmann was vice president of project development for H Construction Services Inc. in Carlinville, Ill. <br />Founded in 2003, Contegra Construction is a design/build and construction management firm based in Edwardsville, Ill. that serves the industrial, health care, retail and office markets in Missouri and Illinois.&nbsp; It also operates a branch office in Earth City, Mo.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(353,138,4,2,1213639597,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"138\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-15 05:56 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:41:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co.\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"reichmann_joins_contegra_construction_co\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:42:\"Reichmann Joins Contegra Construction Co. \";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:125:\"Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:19:\"Reichmann, Contegra\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1013:\"<p>Scott Reichmann has joined Contegra Construction Co. in the newly created position of vice president of business development. Making the <img alt=\\\"Scott Reichmann\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"227\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Scott-Reichmann.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"200\\\" />announcement was Eric Gowin, president of the Edwardsville, Ill.-based design/build construction management firm.</p>\n<p>In his new position, Reichmann will seek to help Contegra expand its book of business in central and southwest Illinois as well as assist with its marketing efforts in metro St. Louis.</p>\n<p>Prior to joining Contegra, Reichmann was vice president of project development for H Construction Services Inc. in Carlinville, Ill.</p>\n<p>Founded in 2003, Contegra Construction is a design/build and construction management firm based in Edwardsville, Ill. that serves the industrial, health care, retail and office markets in Missouri and Illinois.&nbsp; It also operates a branch office in Earth City, Mo.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(354,140,4,2,1213639938,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-16 08:07 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Ebersoldt + Underwood Architecture Hires Matthew Hux\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"ebersoldt_underwood_architecture_hires_matthew_hux\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:52:\"Ebersoldt + Underwood Architecture Hires Matthew Hux\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:91:\"Ebersoldt + Underwood Architecture (E+U) recently hired Matthew Hux as an intern architect.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:26:\"Ebersoldt + Underwood, Hux\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:846:\"<p>Ebersoldt + Underwood Architecture (E+U) recently hired Matthew Hux as an intern architect.<br /><br />In this position, Hux will implement the Building Information Model (BIM), design projects, serve as job captain, and oversee construction<br />documentation and administration.</p>\n<p>Hux has a Masters Degree in Architecture from Tulane University in NewOrleans and he is an associate member of the American Institute of<br />Architects (AIA) and the Young Architects Forum St. Louis (YAFSTL). He resides in Brentwood, MO and is a construction volunteer for Habitat For<br />Humanity.<br /><br />St. Louis-based Ebersoldt + Underwood Architecture (E+U) specializes in residential housing, historic adaptive reuse, mixed-use developments, experimental housing, urban infill, affordable multi-family housing and green design.<br /><br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(355,140,4,2,1213640019,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"140\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-16 08:07 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:52:\"Ebersoldt + Underwood Architecture Hires Matthew Hux\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:50:\"ebersoldt_underwood_architecture_hires_matthew_hux\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:52:\"Ebersoldt + Underwood Architecture Hires Matthew Hux\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:91:\"Ebersoldt + Underwood Architecture (E+U) recently hired Matthew Hux as an intern architect.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:26:\"Ebersoldt + Underwood, Hux\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:825:\"<p>Ebersoldt + Underwood Architecture (E+U) recently hired Matthew Hux as an intern architect.<br /><br />In this position, Hux will implement the Building Information Model (BIM), design projects, serve as job captain, and oversee construction documentation and administration.</p>\n<p>Hux has a Masters Degree in Architecture from Tulane University in NewOrleans and he is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Young Architects Forum St. Louis (YAFSTL). He resides in Brentwood, MO and is a construction volunteer for Habitat For Humanity.<br /><br />St. Louis-based Ebersoldt + Underwood Architecture (E+U) specializes in residential housing, historic adaptive reuse, mixed-use developments, experimental housing, urban infill, affordable multi-family housing and green design.<br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(356,141,4,2,1213640878,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-16 08:22 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:56:\"Kaiser Electric Awarded Contracts for Two Flight Centers\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:56:\"kaiser_electric_awarded_contracts_for_two_flight_centers\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:56:\"Kaiser Electric Awarded Contracts for Two Flight Centers\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:226:\"General contractor ARCO Construction has selected Kaiser Electric as the electrical contractor/engineer on projects to wire two new FlightSafety International Learning Centers - one in St. Louis and the other in Lafayette, LA.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:26:\"Kaiser, Arco, FlightSafety\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1983:\"<p>General contractor ARCO Construction has selected Kaiser Electric as the electrical contractor/engineer on projects to wire two new FlightSafety International Learning Centers - one in St. Louis and the other in Lafayette, LA.</p>\n<p>FlightSafety International is the world\\\'s leading aviation training company.&nbsp; Both centers are currently under construction and are expected to be completed by December 2008.</p>\n<p>Kaiser Electric is providing turnkey electrical design and low voltage wiring for the centers\\\' lighting, computer, communication, fire, security and voice data systems. GMA Design Group, Inc. of St. Louis is the architect on the projects.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\\\"This is a unique project in terms of electrical wiring and design,\\\" said Mike Murphy, Kaiser Electric vice-president/project manager. \\\"We are dealing with technically advanced simulators that require both hydraulic and electrically actuated wiring, plus the wiring of innovative computer technology used to record and analyze data collected from the simulators.\\\"</p>\n<p>FlightSafety\\\'s new 80,000-square-foot St. Louis facility, located at 4649 Le-Bourget Drive, will include classrooms, computer room, administrative offices, customer service and two, 25-foot-high simulator bays, which can house up to nine, full flight simulators. The new facility is adjacent to FlightSafety\\\'s existing 40,000-square-foot center in St. Louis.&nbsp; The 70,000-square-foot FlightSafety Learning Center in Lafayette, Louisiana will emphasize helicopter training for offshore operations and provide courses for the majority of helicopter types operating in the Gulf region.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Kaiser Electric Inc. www.kaiserelectric.com based in Fenton, MO, has been providing electrical contracting and engineering services to the St. Louis metro area for more than 50 years. The company focuses primarily on industrial, commercial and communications projects and employs about 155 electricians and 34 staff members.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(357,142,4,2,1213770616,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-17 08:26 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:70:\"Holland Construction Services Completes O\\\'Fallon High School Addition\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:68:\"holland_construction_services_completes_ofallon_high_school_addition\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:70:\"Holland Construction Services Completes O\\\'Fallon High School Addition\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:220:\"Holland Construction Services, Inc. completed the new classroom addition for O\\\'Fallon School District #203 allowing O\\\'Fallon Township High School to provide relief for space demands due to continued growth in the area.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:31:\"Holland, O\\\'Fallon, high school\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:944:\"<p>Holland Construction Services, Inc. completed the new classroom addition for O\\\'Fallon School District #203 allowing O\\\'Fallon Township High School to provide relief for space demands due to continued growth in the area.</p>\n<p>Seven classrooms, new chemistry labs and 1,000 square feet of administrative offices in the $3.7 million expansion gives the school space to spread out, relieving overcrowding in the building, while maintaining a quality learning environment, which was a high priority for OTHS, said Darcy Benway, OTHS District #203 superintendent.</p>\n<p>Wm. B. Ittner, Inc. provided architectural services for the project.</p>\n<p>Holland Construction and Ittner are also teaming on the $37 million O\\\'Fallon Township High School Millburn Freshmen Campus expansion, currently under construction for District #203.</p>\n<p>Holland Construction Services is a f contracting and construction management firm based in Swansea, IL.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(358,143,2,2,1213771841,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-17 08:33 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:46:\"Transportation Shocks Heading for Construction\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:46:\"transportation_shocks_heading_for_construction\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:46:\"Transportation Shocks Heading for Construction\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:160:\"Contractors and suppliers trying to get a handle on the cost of moving construction materials and equipment across the country took a double hit in\nrecent days.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"fuel, transportation, materials costs\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1334:\"<p>Contractors and suppliers trying to get a handle on the cost of moving construction materials and equipment across the country took a double hit in<br />recent days.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Transportation\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/transportation.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Crude oil futures on July 16 hit a new record approaching $140 per barrel, despite a promise by Saudi Arabia to boost production, according to the Associated Press.</p>\n<p>Depending on where material is coming from, rail lines may no longer offer an alternative to the rising cost of moving material by truck. Rail lines across the country were already operating at capacity before disaster struck in Iowa. Rail shipments across that state have been virtually halted by washed-out track and the collapse of two major bridges, according to the Des<br />Moines Register. <br /><br />The Union Pacific Railroad reported that both its north-south and east-west lines were out of service. The shutdown has implications for national traffic because the east-west line across Iowa is the railroad\\\'s main route from Chicago to the Pacific Coast. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway also expects to lose its main east-west line when the Des Moines River flooding reaches Ottumwa, according to the newspaper.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:34:\"/images/uploads/transportation.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(359,133,2,2,1213771880,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"133\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-14 01:31 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:60:\"CNR Survey Says: Credit Crunch Putting Brake on Construction\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:59:\"cnr_survey_says_credit_crunch_putting_brake_on_construction\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:60:\"CNR Survey Says: Credit Crunch Putting Brake on Construction\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:285:\"Tightening lending standards are taking the steam out of construction in metropolitan St. Louis. That is the indication of an Internet credit survey recently completed by St. Louis Construction News & Real Estate (CNR), the \\\"Voice for the St. Louis Construction Industry\\\" since 1969.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:38:\"survey, credit,  availability, tighter\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1927:\"<p>Tightening lending standards are taking the steam out of construction in metropolitan St. Louis. That is the indication of an Internet credit survey recently completed by St. Louis Construction News &amp; Real Estate (CNR), the \\\"Voice for the St. Louis Construction Industry\\\" since 1969. <br />&nbsp;<br /><img alt=\\\"Credit Crunch\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/credit-crunch.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Eighty-five percent of those responding to the survey said that credit for development and construction has become less available in recent months. Seventy-six percent of respondents said that tighter credit markets have affected the willingness or ability of firms to expand in the area; and 52 percent said that they know of development or construction projects that have been disrupted by sudden changes in the availability of credit.<br />&nbsp;<br />The survey results illustrate that the forces that brought down the Pyramid Companies and their many development projects downtown are being felt in the broader economy.<br />&nbsp;<br />Survey respondents tied the credit crunch to the recession in the housing industry and 82 percent of them said that the downturn in housing has affected other industries in the area.<br />&nbsp;<br />For nearly a decade, construction was a major engine of economic growth in St. Louis that provided good-paying jobs to roughly 100,000 people. CNR\\\'s credit survey indicates that tight credit standards are causing that engine to sputter.<br />&nbsp;<br />The CNR credit survey was an unscientific electronic survey, based on questions recently posed to Midwest construction sources by an economist at the St. Louis Federal Reserve.&nbsp; CNR sent to contractors, architects, and engineers by email and asked them to visit the magazine\\\'s web site and complete the survey. The magazine received 57 unique responses.<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:33:\"/images/uploads/credit-crunch.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(360,143,2,2,1213771954,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"143\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-17 08:33 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:46:\"Transportation Shocks Heading for Construction\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:46:\"transportation_shocks_heading_for_construction\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:46:\"Transportation Shocks Heading for Construction\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:160:\"Contractors and suppliers trying to get a handle on the cost of moving construction materials and equipment across the country took a double hit in\nrecent days.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"fuel, transportation, materials costs\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:1329:\"<p>Contractors and suppliers trying to get a handle on the cost of moving construction materials and equipment across the country took a double hit in recent days.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Transportation\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/transportation.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Crude oil futures on July 16 hit a new record approaching $140 per barrel, despite a promise by Saudi Arabia to boost production, according to the Associated Press.</p>\n<p>Depending on where material is coming from, rail lines may no longer offer an alternative to the rising cost of moving material by truck. Rail lines across the country were already operating at capacity before disaster struck in Iowa. Rail shipments across that state have been virtually halted by washed-out track and the collapse of two major bridges, according to the Des<br />Moines Register. <br /><br />The Union Pacific Railroad reported that both its north-south and east-west lines were out of service. The shutdown has implications for national traffic because the east-west line across Iowa is the railroad\\\'s main route from Chicago to the Pacific Coast. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway also expects to lose its main east-west line when the Des Moines River flooding reaches Ottumwa, according to the newspaper.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:34:\"/images/uploads/transportation.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(361,144,4,2,1213806867,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-18 06:31 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:48:\"Julie Gibbs-Alley Joins Environmental Operations\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:48:\"julie_gibbs_alley_joins_environmental_operations\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:48:\"Julie Gibbs-Alley Joins Environmental Operations\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:84:\"Julie Gibbs-Alley has joined Environmental Operations as an environmental specialist\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:37:\"Gibbs-Alley, Environmental Operations\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:313:\"<p>&nbsp;Julie Gibbs-Alley Joins Environmental Operations, Inc., as an environmental specialist.</p>\n<p>Environmental Operations www.environmentalops.com, identifies and resolves environmental issues with integrated environmental and financial expertise, Brownfield incentives and risk assumption tools.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(362,144,4,2,1213806914,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"144\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-18 06:31 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:48:\"Julie Gibbs-Alley Joins Environmental Operations\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:48:\"julie_gibbs_alley_joins_environmental_operations\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:48:\"Julie Gibbs-Alley Joins Environmental Operations\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:84:\"Julie Gibbs-Alley has joined Environmental Operations as an environmental specialist\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:37:\"Gibbs-Alley, Environmental Operations\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:312:\"<p>&nbsp;Julie Gibbs-Alley Joins Environmental Operations, Inc., as an environmental specialist.</p>\n<p>Environmental Operations www.environmentalops.com identifies and resolves environmental issues with integrated environmental and financial expertise, brownfield incentives and risk assumption tools.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(363,145,4,2,1213807677,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-18 06:41 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:44:\"Bobcat \\\"Unleashed\\\" Tour Comes to St. Louis\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:39:\"bobcat_unleashed_tour_comes_to_st_louis\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:44:\"Bobcat \\\"Unleashed\\\" Tour Comes to St. Louis\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:104:\"The \\\"Bobcat 50 Years Unleashed North American Road Tour\\\' will come to St. Louis area Saturday, Aug. 2.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:36:\"Bobcat, road tour,  Bobcat St. Louis\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1021:\"<p>The \\\"Bobcat 50 Years Unleashed North American Road Tour\\\' will come to St. Louis area Saturday, Aug. 2.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Bobcat\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"114\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/bobcat.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Bobcat Company is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Bobcat loader in 2008. St. Louis is on a list of 23 cross-country stops that will feature a traveling exhibit of historical Bobcat&reg; equipment, collectibles and memorabilia.</p>\n<p>Local dealer Bobcat of St. Louis is hosting the Bobcat 50 Years Unleashed North American Road Tour. The event will include live product demonstrations and the world-famous Bobcat Square Dance, a choreographed routine featuring four Bobcat skid-steer loaders dancing like a group of human square dancers.<br /><br />Attendees will have a chance to take home several major door prizes. Ten prize winners will qualify as finalists for The Great Road Tour Giveaway and be entered in a drawing for one of two $50,000 contractor package</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(364,146,4,2,1213808251,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-18 06:54 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:48:\"Jim Taylor, Inc. Receives Quality Roofing Status\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:46:\"jim_taylor_inc_receives_quality_roofing_status\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:48:\"Jim Taylor, Inc. Receives Quality Roofing Status\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:162:\"Jim Taylor, Inc., a woman-owned roofing contracting company in Belleville, IL, has received Firestone Building Products\\\'  \\\"Partner in Quality\\\" status for 2008.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:15:\"Taylor, roofing\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:712:\"<p>Jim Taylor, Inc., a woman-owned roofing contracting company in Belleville, IL, has received Firestone Building Products\\\'&nbsp; \\\"Partner in Quality\\\" status for 2008. The company has won the award 12 times during the past 13 years.<br /><br />This status is awarded to companies that have achieved the highest levels of roofing quality by meeting or exceeding criteria based on the amount of warranted roofs installed and warrantable repair incidents.<br /><br />Taylor Roofing provides various roofing services and inspections in addition to installing all types of roofing.<br /><br />Jim Taylor, Inc. is owned and operated by Catherine Taylor-Yank of O\\\'Fallon and Sherri Reno of Swansea. &nbsp;<br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(365,147,4,2,1213808891,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-18 07:01 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Korte Adds Staff to Manage National Expansion\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:45:\"korte_adds_staff_to_manage_national_expansion\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:45:\"Korte Adds Staff to Manage National Expansion\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:67:\" The Korte Company has recently added four positions to its staff. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:38:\"Korte, Morrison, Maas, Capelle, Araujo\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1267:\"<p>&nbsp;The Korte Company has recently added four positions to its staff.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Mike Morrison has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and has joined the company as a project superintendent. He will begin in Great Neck, NY and will supervise the United States Postal Service project. <br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Korte\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"193\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/korte.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"191\\\" />Dan Maas, a construction management graduate, has joined the company as a project engineer and works out of the St. Louis office.&nbsp; Caitlin Capelle graduated from the University of Missouri with an environmental design degree. She currently works in the Korte Interiors department, located in the Highland, IL&nbsp; office. Jessica Araujo has started as a receptionist in the St. Louis office.<br /><br />&nbsp;According to Todd Korte, President and CEO of The Korte Company, \\\"We continue to chart steady growth nationally, which is a reflection of our diversified client base.\\\" <br /><br />The Korte Company, founded in 1958, specializes in design-build, construction management and construction services, and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri with offices in Highland, Illinois and Las Vegas, NVMa,.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(366,147,4,2,1213808953,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"147\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-18 07:01 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:45:\"Korte Adds Staff to Manage National Expansion\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:45:\"korte_adds_staff_to_manage_national_expansion\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:45:\"Korte Adds Staff to Manage National Expansion\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:67:\" The Korte Company has recently added four positions to its staff. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:38:\"Korte, Morrison, Maas, Capelle, Araujo\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1264:\"<p>&nbsp;The Korte Company has recently added four positions to its staff.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Mike Morrison has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and has joined the company as a project superintendent. He will begin in Great Neck, NY and will supervise the United States Postal Service project. <br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Korte\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"193\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/korte.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"191\\\" />Dan Maas, a construction management graduate, has joined the company as a project engineer and works out of the St. Louis office.&nbsp; Caitlin Capelle graduated from the University of Missouri with an environmental design degree. She currently works in the Korte Interiors department, located in the Highland, IL&nbsp; office. Jessica Araujo has started as a receptionist in the St. Louis office.<br /><br />&nbsp;According to Todd Korte, President and CEO of The Korte Company, \\\"We continue to chart steady growth nationally, which is a reflection of our diversified client base.\\\" <br /><br />The Korte Company, founded in 1958, specializes in design-build, construction management and construction services, and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri with offices in Highland, Illinois and Las Vegas, NV.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(367,148,4,2,1213809586,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-18 07:16 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:49:\"Local Mortgage Broker Bussard in  National Top 30\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:48:\"local_mortgage_broker_bussard_in_national_top_30\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:49:\"Local Mortgage Broker Bussard in  National Top 30\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:176:\"Local St. Louis mortgage broker Gary Bussard of  Residential Mortgage Consultants was listed in the top 30 mortgage producers nationally in the  June issue of Broker magazine. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:43:\"Busssard, Residential Mortgage  Consultants\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:201:\"<p>Local St. Louis mortgage broker Gary Bussard of&nbsp; Residential Mortgage Consultants was listed in the top 30 mortgage producers nationally in the June issue of<em> Broker </em>magazine.<br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(368,149,4,2,1213810013,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-18 07:23 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"Housing Starts Decline 3.3 Percent in  May\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:40:\"housing_starts_decline_33_percent_in_may\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:42:\"Housing Starts Decline 3.3 Percent in  May\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:149:\"The U.S. Commerce Department reported June 17 that new-home starts declined 3.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 975,000 units in May.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:24:\"housing, starts, decline\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:2839:\"<p>The U.S. Commerce Department reported June 17 that new-home starts declined 3.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 975,000 units in May. This was the lowest total starts number since March of 1991.&nbsp; Single-family starts declined 1.0 percent to a rate of 674,000 units, their lowest since January of 1991.<br /><br />\\\"Builders are doing the right thing by slowing new production in view of the very weak demand in the market and reluctance of prospective buyers to move<br />forward with a purchase at this time,\\\" noted National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) President Sandy Dunn, a home builder from Point Pleasant, W.Va. \\\"Production of new homes won\\\'t pick up until the demand side does, and it\\\'s going to take some decisive policy action on the federal level for thatto happen. It\\\'s high time for Congress to move on a housing stimulus packagethat will substantially bolster our weakened national economy.\\\"<br /><br />\\\"The housing downswing is still underway, with systematic declines in both housing starts and building permits forMay,\\\" said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. \\\"It also squares with the results of our own builder surveys, which indicate that builders recognize the fundamental weakness on the demand side of the market and are taking the<br />appropriate steps to limit new inventory. Evidence suggests that some pent-up demand is there, but Congress and the Administration need to do what<br />they can to help release it. A temporary home buyer tax credit would be just the incentive that many qualified buyers need to go forward with their<br />homeownership plans.\\\"<br /><br />While single-family starts fell 1 percent to a rate of 674,000 units in May, multifamily starts - which typically display significant month-to-month<br />volatility - sank back 8 percent to a more realistic 301,000-unit ratefollowing a substantial uptick in April.<br /><br />Housing starts fell in three out of four regions in May, with the Midwest posting a 25 percent decline from the previous month, the South posting a<br />4.4 percent decline and the West registering a 10.3 percent decline. Only the Northeast posted a gain for the month, with a 61.5 percent boost<br />following a large decline in April.<br /><br />Building permits, which can be an indicator of future building activity, were down 1.3 percent overall in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of<br />969,000 units. Single-family permits fell 4 percent in the month to a rate of 623,000 units, while multifamily permits rose 3.9 percent to 346,000<br />units.<br /><br />Regionally, issuance of building permits was mixed in May, with the Midwest and South reporting declines of 7.6 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively,<br />and the Northeast and West posting respective gains of 30.6 percent and 4.1 percent.<br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(369,143,2,2,1213813447,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"143\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-17 08:33 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:46:\"Transportation Shocks Heading for Construction\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:46:\"transportation_shocks_heading_for_construction\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:46:\"Transportation Shocks Heading for Construction\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:160:\"Contractors and suppliers trying to get a handle on the cost of moving construction materials and equipment across the country took a double hit in\nrecent days.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:37:\"fuel, transportation, materials costs\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2122:\"<p>Contractors and suppliers trying to get a handle on the cost of moving construction materials and equipment across the country took a double hit in recent days.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Transportation\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/transportation.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Crude oil futures on July 16 hit a new record approaching $140 per barrel, despite a promise by Saudi Arabia to boost production, according to the Associated Press.</p>\n<p>Depending on where material is coming from, rail lines may no longer offer an alternative to the rising cost of moving material by truck. Rail lines across the country were already operating at capacity before disaster struck in Iowa. Rail shipments across that state have been virtually halted by washed-out track and the collapse of two major bridges, according to the Des<br />Moines Register. <br /><br />The Union Pacific Railroad reported that both its north-south and east-west lines were out of service. The shutdown has implications for national traffic because the east-west line across Iowa is the railroad\\\'s main route from Chicago to the Pacific Coast. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway also expects to lose its main east-west line when the Des Moines River flooding reaches Ottumwa, according to the newspaper.</p>\n<p align=\\\"left\\\">The high cost of fuel has eclipsed\nIraq as the second highest ranking issue on Gallup\\\'s monthly \\\"Most\nImportant Problem\\\" list, after roughly tying Iraq at No. 2 in May, and\nranking third prior to that. The 25% citing fuel and energy prices in\nJune as the nation\\\'s top problem is up from 17% in May and 6% in\nJanuary.</p>\n<p align=\\\"center\\\"><img src=\\\"http://media.gallup.com/poll/graphs/080617MIP1_lsknfdu4w.gif\\\" /></p>\n<p>According to the June 9-12 Gallup Poll, the economy/jobs retains its\nposition as No. 1, with the percentage of Americans citing the overall\neconomic climate exceeding 40% for the fifth straight month.\nTop-of-mind concern about the Iraq conflict, now 20%, is down slightly\nfrom the start of the year, and is much lower than it was a year ago.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:34:\"/images/uploads/transportation.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(370,60,2,2,1213816884,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:2:\"60\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-05-14 10:43 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Regional Excellence Judges\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:26:\"regional_excellence_awards\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:30:\"Regional Excellence Goes Green\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:278:\"\\\"Green construction\\\" was a theme among the projects selected by judges for recognition in the 2008 CNR Regional Excellence Awards. Six of the eight projects incorporated major commitments to sustainable, energy-conserving construction and operation in their building programs.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:42:\"Regional Excellence, awards, green, judges\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:7844:\"<p><img class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/green-building.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />\\\"Green construction\\\" was a theme among the projects selected by judges for recognition in the 2008 CNR Regional Excellence Awards. Six of the eight projects incorporated major commitments to sustainable, energy-conserving construction and operation in their building programs. <br /><br />The winners of the Regional Excellence Awards for this year are: Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Expansion; <br />Doisy Research Center at St. Louis University; Express Scripts; Frieze Harley Davidson; Kerr Foundation; Monsanto Data Center; Moosylvania Marketing; and St. Louis Community College at Wildwood. <br /><br />The judges were Sarah Tetley of PGAV Architects, president, St. Louis Chapter, American Institute of Architects; Price Marr, manager, strategic sourcing, Ameren; George Azzani, president, Kaiser Electric; Stephen Bannes, professor and program director, graduate studies in construction management, Washington University; Rick Lodewyck, president, CDG Engineers; and Terry Simpson, senior project manager, Northstar Management Co.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"2008 Regional Excellence judging at the offices of CNR\\\" class=\\\"image-right\\\" height=\\\"177\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/reg-ex-judge1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" title=\\\"judging\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />The stated purpose of the awards, now in their 19th year, is to recognize projects completed in the last year that \\\"in sum, demonstrate excellence in design, excellence in construction, and a positive contribution to the St. Louis community.\\\" Awards are presented to the designer the general contractor/construction manager, and the owner for each project. Each year 150-200 persons attend the awards which are presented at a dinner ceremony, held in cooperation with the St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction. This year\\\'s presentation will be held June 19 at the Randall Gallery.&nbsp; For more information on attending the awards event, e-mail tom@stlouiscnr.com.<br /><br /><strong>Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Hospital Expansion</strong> is the first project completed under the integrated project delivery agreement of \\\"lean construction\\\".&nbsp; As such it has become a national model for a new way of delivering construction to minimize and drive out waste. The project was completed six weeks early and under budget. Because hospital intensive care rooms a are very complex the team built a mockup of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) inside a team member\\\'s warehouse, discovering that it was impossible to build as drawn. The lessons learned in reconfiguring the mockup were transferred to the construction of the 60-room NICU.<br />Owner: Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Hospital<br />Designer: Christner and McGrath<br />General Contractor: Alberici Constructors<br /><br /><strong>Doisy Research Center</strong> is the new front door for the St. Louis University Medical Campus and host to modern facilities to generate new research involving vaccine development, molecular biology, virology, immunology and epidemiology. It is a major component of the largest building project in St. Louis University history. The signature triangular shape reflects the highly efficient relationship of research space to support space within the building. Although delayed by unexpected conditions, such as a previously-unknown quarry beneath the site, and delays in getting the necessary funding approvals from the National Institutes of Health the project was completed safely and within budget. <br />Owner: St. Louis University<br />Designer: Cannon Design<br />General Contractor: Clayco<br /><br /><strong>Express Scripts\\\' </strong>decision to move to the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus led to a major revival in north St. Louis County. It was the first time a Fortune 500 company has located on a public university campus. The 320,000 square foot building was designed to meet LEED certification standards. The 16-month project was completed ahead of schedule and within budget. <br />Owner: Express Scripts<br />Designer: Christner, Inc. <br />General Contractor: Clayco<br /><br /><strong>Frieze Harley-Davidson</strong> brought innovative design and green construction to the retailing of a product not generally associated with either design or environmentalism, while contributing to the economic growth of O\\\'Fallon. The 34,000 square foot dealership, incorporates such features as solatubes to bring light inside, a radiant heat/hot water system powered by motorcycle waste oil, bamboo flooring in the customer area, and 60-foot-tall wind turbine.<br />Owner: Frieze Harley-Davidson<br />Designer: Karasek Architects<br />General Contractor: Trumpet Builders<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Kerr Foundation\\\'s</strong> renovation of 21 O\\\'Fallon St., just north of the President Casino on the riverfront, was designed as an educational showcase for sustainable building - and building renovation - strategies. The 58 points earned on the LEED rating system is only one less than the number earned by the renowned Alberici headquarters building - which has been billed as one of the \\\"greenest\\\" buildings in the world. Features include everything from rain barrels to collect water used to irrigate the building\\\'s \\\"green roof\\\" roof deck&nbsp; to both photovoltaic and&nbsp; wind turbine power generation. <br />Owner: William A. Kerr Family Foundation<br />Designer: TMA&nbsp; Architects<br />General Contractor: Trumpet Builders<br /><br /><strong>Moosylvania Marketing</strong> renovated an 80-year-old Baptist church and 1950s era school into a modern and memorable office setting, booting the revival of downtown Maplewood. Tarlton converted the church into four levels open workspace. The scope of work invluded maintaining the building\\\'s historical significance and eligibility for tax credits while applying state-of-the-art technology and modern amenities. Tarlton won a 2008 \\\"Build America\\\" award, sponsored by the Aon, from the Construction Services Group of the Associated General Contractors of America for the project. <br />Owner: Moosylvania Marketing<br />Designer: Klitzing Wetsch Associates,Inc.<br />General Contractor: Tarlton<br /><br /><br /><strong>Monsanto Data Center</strong> takes the idea of data center as a concrete bunker and turns it on its head. Faced with a wall of fritted glass that provides 60 percent sun shading and is also a security feature, the center addresses the human needs of the IT staff working within its walls. The inside of the center is warm and well-lit, with inviting work areas. The project is registered for LEED certification. The new data center factored in Monsanto\\\'s ranking as one of 12 green IT companies in Computerworld magazine\\\'s&nbsp; top Green-IT Companies for 2008.&nbsp; <br />Owner: Monsanto<br />Designer: Fox Architects<br />General Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.<br /><br /><strong>St. Louis Community College</strong> (SLCC) at Wildwood is the first green college campus in Missouri. This year SLCC was awarded a LEED gold certification. SLCC blends green design elements with traditional Gothic motifs. The structure is designed to be 30 percent more energy efficient than a typical code-compliant building of its size.&nbsp; The sustainability features had a number of challenges, including reinforcing the \\\"green roof\\\" to hold the weight of 1,000 plant trays,&nbsp; building a \\\"floating\\\" ceiling in the center of the room to accommodate air flow needs, and recycling 95 percent of the construction waste material. <br />Owner: St. Louis Community College<br />Designer: William B. Ittner, Inc.<br />Construction Manager: Kwame Building Group<br />General Contractor: L.A. Schaefer Construction Co.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:34:\"/images/uploads/green-building.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:79:\"Six of eight CNR Regional Excellence winners featured sustainable construction.\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(371,60,2,2,1213985723,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:2:\"60\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-05-14 10:43 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:26:\"Regional Excellence Judges\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:26:\"regional_excellence_awards\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:30:\"Regional Excellence Goes Green\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:278:\"\\\"Green construction\\\" was a theme among the projects selected by judges for recognition in the 2008 CNR Regional Excellence Awards. Six of the eight projects incorporated major commitments to sustainable, energy-conserving construction and operation in their building programs.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:42:\"Regional Excellence, awards, green, judges\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:7846:\"<p><img class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/green-building.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />\\\"Green construction\\\" was a theme among the projects selected by judges for recognition in the 2008 CNR Regional Excellence Awards. Seven of the eight projects incorporated major commitments to sustainable, energy-conserving construction and operation in their building programs. <br /><br />The winners of the Regional Excellence Awards for this year are: Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Expansion; <br />Doisy Research Center at St. Louis University; Express Scripts; Frieze Harley Davidson; Kerr Foundation; Monsanto Data Center; Moosylvania Marketing; and St. Louis Community College at Wildwood. <br /><br />The judges were Sarah Tetley of PGAV Architects, president, St. Louis Chapter, American Institute of Architects; Price Marr, manager, strategic sourcing, Ameren; George Azzani, president, Kaiser Electric; Stephen Bannes, professor and program director, graduate studies in construction management, Washington University; Rick Lodewyck, president, CDG Engineers; and Terry Simpson, senior project manager, Northstar Management Co.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"2008 Regional Excellence judging at the offices of CNR\\\" class=\\\"image-right\\\" height=\\\"177\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/reg-ex-judge1.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" title=\\\"judging\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />The stated purpose of the awards, now in their 19th year, is to recognize projects completed in the last year that \\\"in sum, demonstrate excellence in design, excellence in construction, and a positive contribution to the St. Louis community.\\\" Awards are presented to the designer the general contractor/construction manager, and the owner for each project. Each year 150-200 persons attend the awards which are presented at a dinner ceremony, held in cooperation with the St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction. This year\\\'s presentation will be held June 19 at the Randall Gallery.&nbsp; For more information on attending the awards event, e-mail tom@stlouiscnr.com.<br /><br /><strong>Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Hospital Expansion</strong> is the first project completed under the integrated project delivery agreement of \\\"lean construction\\\".&nbsp; As such it has become a national model for a new way of delivering construction to minimize and drive out waste. The project was completed six weeks early and under budget. Because hospital intensive care rooms a are very complex the team built a mockup of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) inside a team member\\\'s warehouse, discovering that it was impossible to build as drawn. The lessons learned in reconfiguring the mockup were transferred to the construction of the 60-room NICU.<br />Owner: Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Hospital<br />Designer: Christner and McGrath<br />General Contractor: Alberici Constructors<br /><br /><strong>Doisy Research Center</strong> is the new front door for the St. Louis University Medical Campus and host to modern facilities to generate new research involving vaccine development, molecular biology, virology, immunology and epidemiology. It is a major component of the largest building project in St. Louis University history. The signature triangular shape reflects the highly efficient relationship of research space to support space within the building. Although delayed by unexpected conditions, such as a previously-unknown quarry beneath the site, and delays in getting the necessary funding approvals from the National Institutes of Health the project was completed safely and within budget. <br />Owner: St. Louis University<br />Designer: Cannon Design<br />General Contractor: Clayco<br /><br /><strong>Express Scripts\\\' </strong>decision to move to the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus led to a major revival in north St. Louis County. It was the first time a Fortune 500 company has located on a public university campus. The 320,000 square foot building was designed to meet LEED certification standards. The 16-month project was completed ahead of schedule and within budget. <br />Owner: Express Scripts<br />Designer: Christner, Inc. <br />General Contractor: Clayco<br /><br /><strong>Frieze Harley-Davidson</strong> brought innovative design and green construction to the retailing of a product not generally associated with either design or environmentalism, while contributing to the economic growth of O\\\'Fallon. The 34,000 square foot dealership, incorporates such features as solatubes to bring light inside, a radiant heat/hot water system powered by motorcycle waste oil, bamboo flooring in the customer area, and 60-foot-tall wind turbine.<br />Owner: Frieze Harley-Davidson<br />Designer: Karasek Architects<br />General Contractor: Trumpet Builders<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Kerr Foundation\\\'s</strong> renovation of 21 O\\\'Fallon St., just north of the President Casino on the riverfront, was designed as an educational showcase for sustainable building - and building renovation - strategies. The 58 points earned on the LEED rating system is only one less than the number earned by the renowned Alberici headquarters building - which has been billed as one of the \\\"greenest\\\" buildings in the world. Features include everything from rain barrels to collect water used to irrigate the building\\\'s \\\"green roof\\\" roof deck&nbsp; to both photovoltaic and&nbsp; wind turbine power generation. <br />Owner: William A. Kerr Family Foundation<br />Designer: TMA&nbsp; Architects<br />General Contractor: Trumpet Builders<br /><br /><strong>Moosylvania Marketing</strong> renovated an 80-year-old Baptist church and 1950s era school into a modern and memorable office setting, booting the revival of downtown Maplewood. Tarlton converted the church into four levels open workspace. The scope of work invluded maintaining the building\\\'s historical significance and eligibility for tax credits while applying state-of-the-art technology and modern amenities. Tarlton won a 2008 \\\"Build America\\\" award, sponsored by the Aon, from the Construction Services Group of the Associated General Contractors of America for the project. <br />Owner: Moosylvania Marketing<br />Designer: Klitzing Wetsch Associates,Inc.<br />General Contractor: Tarlton<br /><br /><br /><strong>Monsanto Data Center</strong> takes the idea of data center as a concrete bunker and turns it on its head. Faced with a wall of fritted glass that provides 60 percent sun shading and is also a security feature, the center addresses the human needs of the IT staff working within its walls. The inside of the center is warm and well-lit, with inviting work areas. The project is registered for LEED certification. The new data center factored in Monsanto\\\'s ranking as one of 12 green IT companies in Computerworld magazine\\\'s&nbsp; top Green-IT Companies for 2008.&nbsp; <br />Owner: Monsanto<br />Designer: Fox Architects<br />General Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.<br /><br /><strong>St. Louis Community College</strong> (SLCC) at Wildwood is the first green college campus in Missouri. This year SLCC was awarded a LEED gold certification. SLCC blends green design elements with traditional Gothic motifs. The structure is designed to be 30 percent more energy efficient than a typical code-compliant building of its size.&nbsp; The sustainability features had a number of challenges, including reinforcing the \\\"green roof\\\" to hold the weight of 1,000 plant trays,&nbsp; building a \\\"floating\\\" ceiling in the center of the room to accommodate air flow needs, and recycling 95 percent of the construction waste material. <br />Owner: St. Louis Community College<br />Designer: William B. Ittner, Inc.<br />Construction Manager: Kwame Building Group<br />General Contractor: L.A. Schaefer Construction Co.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:34:\"/images/uploads/green-building.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:79:\"Six of eight CNR Regional Excellence winners featured sustainable construction.\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(375,150,2,2,1213990488,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"150\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-20 07:53 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"An Evening  of Excellence\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:24:\"an_evening_of_excellence\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:24:\"An Evening of Excellence\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:349:\"Excellence in many forms - scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community - was recognized on Thursday evening  at  the 19th annual CNR/Aon Regional Excellence Awards and the St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,  held at the Randall Gallery downtown.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:26:\"Regional Excellence, Aon, \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3239:\"<p>Excellence in many forms&nbsp;-\n scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community &ndash; was recognized on Thursday evening&nbsp; at&nbsp; the 19th annual CNR Regional Excellence Awards and St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,&nbsp; held at the Randall Gallery downtown.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Awards\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/awards.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Aon, a national leader in construction risk management services, sponsored the event for the first time. Lori Goltermann, president of Aon Missouri, said that Aon\\\'s sponsorship&nbsp; was a recognition of Aon\\\'s commitment to the St. Louis construction industry. Goltermann noted that on a national basis Aon also sponsors the Associated&nbsp; General Contractors of America\\\'s \\\"Build America\\\" awards. Earlier this year Tarlton was presented a Build America award at the&nbsp; AGC national convention for the Moosylvania Marketing project, located&nbsp; in Maplewood. Moosylvania was also a recipient of a Regional Excellence&nbsp; Award Thursday.</p>\n<p>\\\"Green construction\\\" was a theme among the projects selected by\njudges for 2008 CNR Regional Excellence Awards. Seven of the eight projects incorporated major commitments to sustainable,\nenergy-conserving construction and operation in their building\nprograms.<br /><br />The winners of the Regional Excellence Awards for this year are: Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Expansion; <br />Doisy\nResearch Center at St. Louis University; Express Scripts; Frieze Harley\nDavidson; Kerr Foundation; Monsanto Data Center; Moosylvania Marketing;\nand St. Louis Community College at Wildwood. <br /><br />The judges were\nSarah Tetley of PGAV Architects, president, St. Louis Chapter, American\nInstitute of Architects; Price Marr, manager, strategic sourcing,\nAmeren; George Azzani, president, Kaiser Electric; Stephen Bannes,\nprofessor and program director, graduate studies in construction\nmanagement, Washington University; Rick Lodewyck, president, CDG\nEngineers; and Terry Simpson, senior project manager, Northstar\nManagement Co. The\nstated purpose of the awards, now in their 19th year, is to recognize\nprojects completed in the last year that \\\"in sum, demonstrate\nexcellence in design, excellence in construction, and a positive\ncontribution to the St. Louis community.\\\" Awards are presented to the\ndesigner the general contractor/construction manager, and the owner for\neach project.</p>\n<p>NAWIC presented over $20,000 in scholarships. Winners of the NAWIC scholarships were Hala Abdelaziz, architecture Washington University; Jeycea Bobo, civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Techology; Christine Brinkmann, civil engineeering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Sarah Herrig, architectural and civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Annsih KesMa-Serud, architectural technology, Ranken Technical College.&nbsp; The recipient of NAWIC\\\'s most prestigious scholarship,&nbsp; the Carol Kueker Memorial Scholarship was Christine Palmer, civil engineering, UM-St. Louis/ Wash U. joint engineering program.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/awards_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(376,150,2,2,1213990559,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"150\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-20 07:53 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"An Evening  of Excellence\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:24:\"an_evening_of_excellence\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:24:\"An Evening of Excellence\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:349:\"Excellence in many forms - scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community - was recognized on Thursday evening  at  the 19th annual CNR/Aon Regional Excellence Awards and the St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,  held at the Randall Gallery downtown.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:26:\"Regional Excellence, Aon, \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3355:\"<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Excellence in many forms&nbsp;-\n scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community &ndash; was recognized on Thursday evening&nbsp; at&nbsp; the 19th annual CNR Regional Excellence Awards and St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,&nbsp; held at the Randall Gallery downtown.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Awards\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/awards.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Aon, a national leader in construction risk management services, sponsored the event for the first time. Lori Goltermann, president of Aon Missouri, said that Aon\\\'s sponsorship&nbsp; was a recognition of Aon\\\'s commitment to the St. Louis construction industry. Goltermann noted that on a national basis Aon also sponsors the Associated&nbsp; General Contractors of America\\\'s \\\"Build America\\\" awards. Earlier this year Tarlton was presented a Build America award at the&nbsp; AGC national convention for the Moosylvania Marketing project, located&nbsp; in Maplewood. Moosylvania was also a recipient of a Regional Excellence&nbsp; Award Thursday.</p>\n<p>\\\"Green construction\\\" was a theme among the projects selected by\njudges for 2008 CNR Regional Excellence Awards. Seven of the eight projects incorporated major commitments to sustainable,\nenergy-conserving construction and operation in their building\nprograms.<br /><br />The winners of the Regional Excellence Awards for this year are: Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Expansion; <br />Doisy\nResearch Center at St. Louis University; Express Scripts; Frieze Harley\nDavidson; Kerr Foundation; Monsanto Data Center; Moosylvania Marketing;\nand St. Louis Community College at Wildwood. <br /><br />The judges were\nSarah Tetley of PGAV Architects, president, St. Louis Chapter, American\nInstitute of Architects; Price Marr, manager, strategic sourcing,\nAmeren; George Azzani, president, Kaiser Electric; Stephen Bannes,\nprofessor and program director, graduate studies in construction\nmanagement, Washington University; Rick Lodewyck, president, CDG\nEngineers; and Terry Simpson, senior project manager, Northstar\nManagement Co. The\nstated purpose of the awards, now in their 19th year, is to recognize\nprojects completed in the last year that \\\"in sum, demonstrate\nexcellence in design, excellence in construction, and a positive\ncontribution to the St. Louis community.\\\" Awards are presented to the\ndesigner the general contractor/construction manager, and the owner for\neach project.</p>\n<p>NAWIC presented over $20,000 in scholarships. Winners of the NAWIC scholarships were Hala Abdelaziz, architecture Washington University; Jeycea Bobo, civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Techology; Christine Brinkmann, civil engineeering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Sarah Herrig, architectural and civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Annsih KesMa-Serud, architectural technology, Ranken Technical College.&nbsp; The recipient of NAWIC\\\'s most prestigious scholarship,&nbsp; the Carol Kueker Memorial Scholarship was Christine Palmer, civil engineering, UM-St. Louis/ Wash U. joint engineering program.</p>\n<p>NAWIC&nbsp; also recognized the contributions of several chapter members during the past year.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/awards_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(377,150,2,2,1213990931,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"150\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-20 07:53 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"An Evening  of Excellence\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:24:\"an_evening_of_excellence\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:24:\"An Evening of Excellence\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:349:\"Excellence in many forms - scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community - was recognized on Thursday evening  at  the 19th annual CNR/Aon Regional Excellence Awards and the St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,  held at the Randall Gallery downtown.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:26:\"Regional Excellence, Aon, \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3576:\"<p>&nbsp;Excellence in many forms&nbsp;-\n scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community &ndash; was recognized on Thursday evening&nbsp; at&nbsp; the 19th annual CNR Regional Excellence Awards and St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,&nbsp; held at the Randall Gallery downtown.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Awards\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/awards.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Aon, a national leader in construction risk management services, sponsored the event for the first time. Lori Goltermann, president of Aon Missouri, said that Aon\\\'s sponsorship&nbsp; was a recognition of Aon\\\'s commitment to the St. Louis construction industry. Goltermann noted that on a national basis Aon also sponsors the Associated&nbsp; General Contractors of America\\\'s \\\"Build America\\\" awards. Earlier this year Tarlton was presented a Build America award at the&nbsp; AGC national convention for the Moosylvania Marketing project, located&nbsp; in Maplewood. Moosylvania was also a recipient of a Regional Excellence&nbsp; Award Thursday.</p>\n<p>\\\"Green construction\\\" was a theme among the projects selected by\njudges for 2008 CNR Regional Excellence Awards. Seven of the eight projects incorporated major commitments to sustainable,\nenergy-conserving construction and operation in their building\nprograms.<br /><br />The winners of the Regional Excellence Awards for this year are: Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Expansion; Doisy\nResearch Center at St. Louis University; Express Scripts; Frieze Harley\nDavidson; Kerr Foundation; Monsanto Data Center; Moosylvania Marketing;\nand St. Louis Community College at Wildwood. <br /><br />The judges were\nSarah Tetley of PGAV Architects, president, St. Louis Chapter, American\nInstitute of Architects; Price Marr, manager, strategic sourcing,\nAmeren; George Azzani, president, Kaiser Electric; Stephen Bannes,\nprofessor and program director, graduate studies in construction\nmanagement, Washington University; Rick Lodewyck, president, CDG\nEngineers; and Terry Simpson, senior project manager, Northstar\nManagement Co. The\nstated purpose of the awards, now in their 19th year, is to recognize\nprojects completed in the last year that \\\"in sum, demonstrate\nexcellence in design, excellence in construction, and a positive\ncontribution to the St. Louis community.\\\" Awards are presented to the\ndesigner the general contractor/construction manager, and the owner for\neach project.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Monsanta Data Center Excellence Award Recipients\\\" class=\\\"table-right\\\" height=\\\"177\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Monsanto.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" title=\\\"Monsanta Data Center Excellence Award Recipients\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />NAWIC presented over $20,000 in scholarships. Winners of the NAWIC scholarships were Hala Abdelaziz, architecture Washington University; Jeycea Bobo, civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Techology; Christine Brinkmann, civil engineeering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Sarah Herrig, architectural and civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Annsih KesMa-Serud, architectural technology, Ranken Technical College.&nbsp; The recipient of NAWIC\\\'s most prestigious scholarship,&nbsp; the Carol Kueker Memorial Scholarship was Christine Palmer, civil engineering, UM-St. Louis/ Wash U. joint engineering program.</p>\n<p>NAWIC&nbsp; also recognized the contributions of several chapter members during the past year.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/awards_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(378,150,2,2,1213991635,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"150\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-20 07:53 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"An Evening  of Excellence\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:24:\"an_evening_of_excellence\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:24:\"An Evening of Excellence\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:349:\"Excellence in many forms - scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community - was recognized on Thursday evening  at  the 19th annual CNR/Aon Regional Excellence Awards and the St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,  held at the Randall Gallery downtown.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:26:\"Regional Excellence, Aon, \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3580:\"<p>&nbsp;Excellence in many forms&nbsp;-\n scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community &ndash; was recognized on Thursday evening&nbsp; at&nbsp; the 19th annual CNR/Aon Regional Excellence Awards and St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,&nbsp; held at the Randall Gallery downtown.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Awards\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/awards.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Aon, a national leader in construction risk management services, sponsored the event for the first time. Lori Goltermann, president of Aon Missouri, said that Aon\\\'s sponsorship&nbsp; was a recognition of Aon\\\'s commitment to the St. Louis construction industry. Goltermann noted that on a national basis Aon also sponsors the Associated&nbsp; General Contractors of America\\\'s \\\"Build America\\\" awards. Earlier this year Tarlton was presented a Build America award at the&nbsp; AGC national convention for the Moosylvania Marketing project, located&nbsp; in Maplewood. Moosylvania was also a recipient of a Regional Excellence&nbsp; Award Thursday.</p>\n<p>\\\"Green construction\\\" was a theme among the projects selected by\njudges for 2008 CNR Regional Excellence Awards. Seven of the eight projects incorporated major commitments to sustainable,\nenergy-conserving construction and operation in their building\nprograms.<br /><br />The winners of the Regional Excellence Awards for this year are: Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Expansion; Doisy\nResearch Center at St. Louis University; Express Scripts; Frieze Harley\nDavidson; Kerr Foundation; Monsanto Data Center; Moosylvania Marketing;\nand St. Louis Community College at Wildwood. <br /><br />The judges were\nSarah Tetley of PGAV Architects, president, St. Louis Chapter, American\nInstitute of Architects; Price Marr, manager, strategic sourcing,\nAmeren; George Azzani, president, Kaiser Electric; Stephen Bannes,\nprofessor and program director, graduate studies in construction\nmanagement, Washington University; Rick Lodewyck, president, CDG\nEngineers; and Terry Simpson, senior project manager, Northstar\nManagement Co. The\nstated purpose of the awards, now in their 19th year, is to recognize\nprojects completed in the last year that \\\"in sum, demonstrate\nexcellence in design, excellence in construction, and a positive\ncontribution to the St. Louis community.\\\" Awards are presented to the\ndesigner the general contractor/construction manager, and the owner for\neach project.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Monsanta Data Center Excellence Award Recipients\\\" class=\\\"table-right\\\" height=\\\"177\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Monsanto.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" title=\\\"Monsanta Data Center Excellence Award Recipients\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />NAWIC presented over $20,000 in scholarships. Winners of the NAWIC scholarships were Hala Abdelaziz, architecture Washington University; Jeycea Bobo, civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Techology; Christine Brinkmann, civil engineeering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Sarah Herrig, architectural and civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Annsih KesMa-Serud, architectural technology, Ranken Technical College.&nbsp; The recipient of NAWIC\\\'s most prestigious scholarship,&nbsp; the Carol Kueker Memorial Scholarship was Christine Palmer, civil engineering, UM-St. Louis/ Wash U. joint engineering program.</p>\n<p>NAWIC&nbsp; also recognized the contributions of several chapter members during the past year.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/awards_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(379,151,4,2,1214199494,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-22 07:20 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Systainability Practice\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:74:\"gallop_johnson_and_neuman_establishes_enviromental_systainability_practice\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Systainability Practice\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:84:\"Gallop, Johnson & Neuman www.gjn.com, has established a \\\"Green Business Practice.\\\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:44:\"Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, green, sustainable\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:4731:\"<p>Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman www.gjn.com, has established a \\\"Green Business Practice,\\\" comprised of six experienced attorneys addressing a full spectrum of environmental sustainability issues and related business, governmental, regulatory and judicial matters for clients<br />Mr. Campbell said, \\\"The Green Business Practice formally organizes our firm\\\'s deep-rooted legal experience in environmental issues, energy, bio-technology, economic development, real estate, construction, reclamation, recycling, hazardous materials, insurance, product liability, toxic tort and related business, governmental and regulatory matters, including litigation and intellectual property.<br /><br />\\\"For many years, Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman has addressed such issues in different cross-practice areas at the firm; now, our Green Business Practice is wholly dedicated to such matters for our clients in St. Louis and nationally,\\\" Thomas J. Campbell, managing partner,&nbsp; said.<br /><br />Last December, Gallop Johnson &amp; Neuman was the first law firm in St. Louis to become a certified partner in the American Bar Association-Environmental Protection Agency Law Office Climate Challenge, a program to encourage law firms to become better environmental and energy stewards. Also last year, the firm established a Green Committee to formally address environmental sustainability issues internally. An outgrowth of these efforts was to formalize the Green Business Practice.&nbsp; Attorneys now working in the new Green Business Practice at Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman include:<br />&nbsp;<br />John W. Traeger, a partner with extensive experience dealing with federal, state and local environmental regulatory authorities, leads the Green Business Practice. Traeger is general counsel at the firm and also leads the Environmental Law Practice. He serves on the firm\\\'s Ethics Committee, and is earning Leadership in Energy &amp; Environmental Design (LEED) Professional Accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council. Traeger is on the board of directors of Sustainable St. Louis, a Missouri non-profit organization that serves as an information resource and facilitator in areas of regional sustainability. Before joining the firm in 2000, Traeger served as environmental corporate counsel internally at Ralston Purina Co., Continental Baking Co. and Sigma Chemical Co. in St. Louis.<br />&nbsp;<br />Alan S. Breckenridge, a partner in the law firm\\\'s litigation department, is chair of the firm\\\'s green committee, which is implementing sustainable measures and operational practices firm-wide. These measures to date include reducing paper and energy usage; recycling paper and other products; purchasing recycled products; and revamping firm policies to become better environmental stewards. Breckenridge is broadly experienced in litigation matters, including environmental, health, torts, products liability, and others.<br />&nbsp;<br />Thomas P. Hohenstein, a partner in the litigation department, focuses his practice on construction law, real estate law and related insurance matters. Mr. Hohenstein has extensive experience handling construction litigation in state and federal courts and in arbitrations.&nbsp; He assists clients in drafting and negotiating construction contracts, representing developers, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, material suppliers, architects, engineers, landlords, and surety companies. <br /><br />John W. Kepler III is chairman of the intellectual property practice group and a partner at the firm. He serves clients including biological, electrical, industrial machinery, software and consumer product companies, among others. He is author of expert practice case articles for legal and business publications, and he lectures on dynamic issues at legal seminars and professional meetings. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at the Washington University School of Law. <br />&nbsp;<br />Suzanne L. Zatlin is a partner in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department. Zatlin represents individuals, businesses and developers in green-related real estate acquisitions, sales, exchanges, financing, development and leasing of residential and commercial property, including for subdivisions and condominiums, and in the negotiation of utility easements.</p>\n<p><br />Robert B. Preston is an associate in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department.&nbsp; His practice includes representing clients in real estate acquisitions, sales and exchanges, tax appeals, zoning and land use disputes, and in other real estate matters.&nbsp; Preston also handles various real estate financing matters, including public financing. <br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(380,151,4,2,1214199617,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"151\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-22 07:20 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Sustainability Practice\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:74:\"gallop_johnson_and_neuman_establishes_enviromental_sustainability_practice\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Sustainability Practice\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:84:\"Gallop, Johnson & Neuman www.gjn.com, has established a \\\"Green Business Practice.\\\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:44:\"Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, green, sustainable\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:4724:\"<p>Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman www.gjn.com, has established a \\\"Green Business Practice,\\\" comprised of six experienced attorneys addressing a full spectrum of environmental sustainability issues and related business, governmental, regulatory and judicial matters for clients<br />Mr. Campbell said, \\\"The Green Business Practice formally organizes our firm\\\'s deep-rooted legal experience in environmental issues, energy, bio-technology, economic development, real estate, construction, reclamation, recycling, hazardous materials, insurance, product liability, toxic tort and related business, governmental and regulatory matters, including litigation and intellectual property.<br /><br />\\\"For many years, Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman has addressed such issues in different cross-practice areas at the firm; now, our Green Business Practice is wholly dedicated to such matters for our clients in St. Louis and nationally,\\\" Thomas J. Campbell, managing partner,&nbsp; said.<br /><br />Last December, Gallop Johnson &amp; Neuman was the first law firm in St. Louis to become a certified partner in the American Bar Association-Environmental Protection Agency Law Office Climate Challenge, a program to encourage law firms to become better environmental and energy stewards. Also last year, the firm established a Green Committee to formally address environmental sustainability issues internally. An outgrowth of these efforts was to formalize the Green Business Practice.&nbsp; Attorneys now working in the new Green Business Practice at Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman include:<br />&nbsp;<br />John W. Traeger, a partner with extensive experience dealing with federal, state and local environmental regulatory authorities, leads the Green Business Practice. Traeger is general counsel at the firm and also leads the Environmental Law Practice. He serves on the firm\\\'s Ethics Committee, and is earning Leadership in Energy &amp; Environmental Design (LEED) Professional Accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council. Traeger is on the board of directors of Sustainable St. Louis, a Missouri non-profit organization that serves as an information resource and facilitator in areas of regional sustainability. Before joining the firm in 2000, Traeger served as environmental corporate counsel internally at Ralston Purina Co., Continental Baking Co. and Sigma Chemical Co. in St. Louis.<br />&nbsp;<br />Alan S. Breckenridge, a partner in the law firm\\\'s litigation department, is chair of the firm\\\'s green committee, which is implementing sustainable measures and operational practices firm-wide. These measures to date include reducing paper and energy usage; recycling paper and other products; purchasing recycled products; and revamping firm policies to become better environmental stewards. Breckenridge is broadly experienced in litigation matters, including environmental, health, torts, products liability, and others.<br />&nbsp;<br />Thomas P. Hohenstein, a partner in the litigation department, focuses his practice on construction law, real estate law and related insurance matters. Mr. Hohenstein has extensive experience handling construction litigation in state and federal courts and in arbitrations.&nbsp; He assists clients in drafting and negotiating construction contracts, representing developers, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, material suppliers, architects, engineers, landlords, and surety companies. <br /><br />John W. Kepler III is chairman of the intellectual property practice group and a partner at the firm. He serves clients including biological, electrical, industrial machinery, software and consumer product companies, among others. He is author of expert practice case articles for legal and business publications, and he lectures on dynamic issues at legal seminars and professional meetings. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at the Washington University School of Law. <br />&nbsp;<br />Suzanne L. Zatlin is a partner in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department. Zatlin represents individuals, businesses and developers in green-related real estate acquisitions, sales, exchanges, financing, development and leasing of residential and commercial property, including for subdivisions and condominiums, and in the negotiation of utility easements.</p>\n<p><br />Robert B. Preston is an associate in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department.&nbsp; His practice includes representing clients in real estate acquisitions, sales and exchanges, tax appeals, zoning and land use disputes, and in other real estate matters.&nbsp; Preston also handles various real estate financing matters, including public financing.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(381,151,4,2,1214199741,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"151\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-22 07:20 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Sustainability Practice\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:74:\"gallop_johnson_and_neuman_establishes_enviromental_sustainability_practice\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Sustainability Practice\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:85:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman www.gjn.com has established a \\\"Green Business Practice.\\\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:44:\"Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, green, sustainable\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:4724:\"<p>Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman www.gjn.com, has established a \\\"Green Business Practice,\\\" comprised of six experienced attorneys addressing a full spectrum of environmental sustainability issues and related business, governmental, regulatory and judicial matters for clients<br />Mr. Campbell said, \\\"The Green Business Practice formally organizes our firm\\\'s deep-rooted legal experience in environmental issues, energy, bio-technology, economic development, real estate, construction, reclamation, recycling, hazardous materials, insurance, product liability, toxic tort and related business, governmental and regulatory matters, including litigation and intellectual property.<br /><br />\\\"For many years, Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman has addressed such issues in different cross-practice areas at the firm; now, our Green Business Practice is wholly dedicated to such matters for our clients in St. Louis and nationally,\\\" Thomas J. Campbell, managing partner,&nbsp; said.<br /><br />Last December, Gallop Johnson &amp; Neuman was the first law firm in St. Louis to become a certified partner in the American Bar Association-Environmental Protection Agency Law Office Climate Challenge, a program to encourage law firms to become better environmental and energy stewards. Also last year, the firm established a Green Committee to formally address environmental sustainability issues internally. An outgrowth of these efforts was to formalize the Green Business Practice.&nbsp; Attorneys now working in the new Green Business Practice at Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman include:<br />&nbsp;<br />John W. Traeger, a partner with extensive experience dealing with federal, state and local environmental regulatory authorities, leads the Green Business Practice. Traeger is general counsel at the firm and also leads the Environmental Law Practice. He serves on the firm\\\'s Ethics Committee, and is earning Leadership in Energy &amp; Environmental Design (LEED) Professional Accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council. Traeger is on the board of directors of Sustainable St. Louis, a Missouri non-profit organization that serves as an information resource and facilitator in areas of regional sustainability. Before joining the firm in 2000, Traeger served as environmental corporate counsel internally at Ralston Purina Co., Continental Baking Co. and Sigma Chemical Co. in St. Louis.<br />&nbsp;<br />Alan S. Breckenridge, a partner in the law firm\\\'s litigation department, is chair of the firm\\\'s green committee, which is implementing sustainable measures and operational practices firm-wide. These measures to date include reducing paper and energy usage; recycling paper and other products; purchasing recycled products; and revamping firm policies to become better environmental stewards. Breckenridge is broadly experienced in litigation matters, including environmental, health, torts, products liability, and others.<br />&nbsp;<br />Thomas P. Hohenstein, a partner in the litigation department, focuses his practice on construction law, real estate law and related insurance matters. Mr. Hohenstein has extensive experience handling construction litigation in state and federal courts and in arbitrations.&nbsp; He assists clients in drafting and negotiating construction contracts, representing developers, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, material suppliers, architects, engineers, landlords, and surety companies. <br /><br />John W. Kepler III is chairman of the intellectual property practice group and a partner at the firm. He serves clients including biological, electrical, industrial machinery, software and consumer product companies, among others. He is author of expert practice case articles for legal and business publications, and he lectures on dynamic issues at legal seminars and professional meetings. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at the Washington University School of Law. <br />&nbsp;<br />Suzanne L. Zatlin is a partner in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department. Zatlin represents individuals, businesses and developers in green-related real estate acquisitions, sales, exchanges, financing, development and leasing of residential and commercial property, including for subdivisions and condominiums, and in the negotiation of utility easements.</p>\n<p><br />Robert B. Preston is an associate in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department.&nbsp; His practice includes representing clients in real estate acquisitions, sales and exchanges, tax appeals, zoning and land use disputes, and in other real estate matters.&nbsp; Preston also handles various real estate financing matters, including public financing.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(382,151,4,2,1214199898,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"151\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-22 07:20 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Sustainability Practice\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:74:\"gallop_johnson_and_neuman_establishes_enviromental_sustainability_practice\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Sustainability Practice\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:85:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman www.gjn.com has established a \\\"Green Business Practice.\\\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:44:\"Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, green, sustainable\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:4722:\"<p>Gallop, Johnson and Neuman www.gjn.com, has established a \\\"Green Business Practice,\\\" comprised of six experienced attorneys addressing a full spectrum of environmental sustainability issues and related business, governmental, regulatory and judicial matters for clients<br />Mr. Campbell said, \\\"The Green Business Practice formally organizes our firm\\\'s deep-rooted legal experience in environmental issues, energy, bio-technology, economic development, real estate, construction, reclamation, recycling, hazardous materials, insurance, product liability, toxic tort and related business, governmental and regulatory matters, including litigation and intellectual property.<br /><br />\\\"For many years, Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman has addressed such issues in different cross-practice areas at the firm; now, our Green Business Practice is wholly dedicated to such matters for our clients in St. Louis and nationally,\\\" Thomas J. Campbell, managing partner,&nbsp; said.<br /><br />Last December, Gallop Johnson &amp; Neuman was the first law firm in St. Louis to become a certified partner in the American Bar Association-Environmental Protection Agency Law Office Climate Challenge, a program to encourage law firms to become better environmental and energy stewards. Also last year, the firm established a Green Committee to formally address environmental sustainability issues internally. An outgrowth of these efforts was to formalize the Green Business Practice.&nbsp; Attorneys now working in the new Green Business Practice at Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman include:<br />&nbsp;<br />John W. Traeger, a partner with extensive experience dealing with federal, state and local environmental regulatory authorities, leads the Green Business Practice. Traeger is general counsel at the firm and also leads the Environmental Law Practice. He serves on the firm\\\'s Ethics Committee, and is earning Leadership in Energy &amp; Environmental Design (LEED) Professional Accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council. Traeger is on the board of directors of Sustainable St. Louis, a Missouri non-profit organization that serves as an information resource and facilitator in areas of regional sustainability. Before joining the firm in 2000, Traeger served as environmental corporate counsel internally at Ralston Purina Co., Continental Baking Co. and Sigma Chemical Co. in St. Louis.<br />&nbsp;<br />Alan S. Breckenridge, a partner in the law firm\\\'s litigation department, is chair of the firm\\\'s green committee, which is implementing sustainable measures and operational practices firm-wide. These measures to date include reducing paper and energy usage; recycling paper and other products; purchasing recycled products; and revamping firm policies to become better environmental stewards. Breckenridge is broadly experienced in litigation matters, including environmental, health, torts, products liability, and others.<br />&nbsp;<br />Thomas P. Hohenstein, a partner in the litigation department, focuses his practice on construction law, real estate law and related insurance matters. Mr. Hohenstein has extensive experience handling construction litigation in state and federal courts and in arbitrations.&nbsp; He assists clients in drafting and negotiating construction contracts, representing developers, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, material suppliers, architects, engineers, landlords, and surety companies. <br /><br />John W. Kepler III is chairman of the intellectual property practice group and a partner at the firm. He serves clients including biological, electrical, industrial machinery, software and consumer product companies, among others. He is author of expert practice case articles for legal and business publications, and he lectures on dynamic issues at legal seminars and professional meetings. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at the Washington University School of Law. <br />&nbsp;<br />Suzanne L. Zatlin is a partner in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department. Zatlin represents individuals, businesses and developers in green-related real estate acquisitions, sales, exchanges, financing, development and leasing of residential and commercial property, including for subdivisions and condominiums, and in the negotiation of utility easements.</p>\n<p><br />Robert B. Preston is an associate in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department.&nbsp; His practice includes representing clients in real estate acquisitions, sales and exchanges, tax appeals, zoning and land use disputes, and in other real estate matters.&nbsp; Preston also handles various real estate financing matters, including public financing.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(383,151,4,2,1214199988,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"151\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-22 07:20 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Sustainability Practice\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:74:\"gallop_johnson_and_neuman_establishes_enviromental_sustainability_practice\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Sustainability Practice\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:73:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman has established a \\\"Green Business Practice.\\\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:44:\"Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, green, sustainable\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:4686:\"<p>Gallop Johnson and Neuman has established a \\\"Green Business Practice,\\\" comprised of six experienced attorneys addressing a full spectrum of environmental sustainability issues and related business, governmental, regulatory and judicial matters for clients . \\\"The Green Business Practice formally organizes our firm\\\'s deep-rooted legal experience in environmental issues, energy, bio-technology, economic development, real estate, construction, reclamation, recycling, hazardous materials, insurance, product liability, toxic tort and related business, governmental and regulatory matters, including litigation and intellectual property.<br /><br />\\\"For many years, Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman has addressed such issues in different cross-practice areas at the firm; now, our Green Business Practice is wholly dedicated to such matters for our clients in St. Louis and nationally,\\\" Thomas J. Campbell, managing partner,&nbsp; said.<br /><br />Last December, Gallop Johnson &amp; Neuman was the first law firm in St. Louis to become a certified partner in the American Bar Association-Environmental Protection Agency Law Office Climate Challenge, a program to encourage law firms to become better environmental and energy stewards. Also last year, the firm established a Green Committee to formally address environmental sustainability issues internally. An outgrowth of these efforts was to formalize the Green Business Practice.&nbsp; Attorneys now working in the new Green Business Practice at Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman include:<br />&nbsp;<br />John W. Traeger, a partner with extensive experience dealing with federal, state and local environmental regulatory authorities, leads the Green Business Practice. Traeger is general counsel at the firm and also leads the Environmental Law Practice. He serves on the firm\\\'s Ethics Committee, and is earning Leadership in Energy &amp; Environmental Design (LEED) Professional Accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council. Traeger is on the board of directors of Sustainable St. Louis, a Missouri non-profit organization that serves as an information resource and facilitator in areas of regional sustainability. Before joining the firm in 2000, Traeger served as environmental corporate counsel internally at Ralston Purina Co., Continental Baking Co. and Sigma Chemical Co. in St. Louis.<br />&nbsp;<br />Alan S. Breckenridge, a partner in the law firm\\\'s litigation department, is chair of the firm\\\'s green committee, which is implementing sustainable measures and operational practices firm-wide. These measures to date include reducing paper and energy usage; recycling paper and other products; purchasing recycled products; and revamping firm policies to become better environmental stewards. Breckenridge is broadly experienced in litigation matters, including environmental, health, torts, products liability, and others.<br />&nbsp;<br />Thomas P. Hohenstein, a partner in the litigation department, focuses his practice on construction law, real estate law and related insurance matters. Mr. Hohenstein has extensive experience handling construction litigation in state and federal courts and in arbitrations.&nbsp; He assists clients in drafting and negotiating construction contracts, representing developers, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, material suppliers, architects, engineers, landlords, and surety companies. <br /><br />John W. Kepler III is chairman of the intellectual property practice group and a partner at the firm. He serves clients including biological, electrical, industrial machinery, software and consumer product companies, among others. He is author of expert practice case articles for legal and business publications, and he lectures on dynamic issues at legal seminars and professional meetings. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at the Washington University School of Law. <br />&nbsp;<br />Suzanne L. Zatlin is a partner in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department. Zatlin represents individuals, businesses and developers in green-related real estate acquisitions, sales, exchanges, financing, development and leasing of residential and commercial property, including for subdivisions and condominiums, and in the negotiation of utility easements.</p>\n<p><br />Robert B. Preston is an associate in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department.&nbsp; His practice includes representing clients in real estate acquisitions, sales and exchanges, tax appeals, zoning and land use disputes, and in other real estate matters.&nbsp; Preston also handles various real estate financing matters, including public financing.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(384,151,4,2,1214200151,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"151\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-22 07:20 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Sustainability Practice\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:74:\"gallop_johnson_and_neuman_establishes_enviromental_sustainability_practice\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:75:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman Establishes Enviromental Sustainability Practice\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:73:\"Gallop, Johnson and Neuman has established a \\\"Green Business Practice.\\\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:44:\"Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, green, sustainable\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:4705:\"<p>Gallop Johnson and Neuman www.gjn.com has established a \\\"Green Business Practice,\\\" comprised of six experienced attorneys addressing a full spectrum of environmental sustainability issues and related business, governmental, regulatory and judicial matters for clients .</p>\n<p>\\\"The Green Business Practice formally organizes our firm\\\'s deep-rooted legal experience in environmental issues, energy, bio-technology, economic development, real estate, construction, reclamation, recycling, hazardous materials, insurance, product liability, toxic tort and related business, governmental and regulatory matters, including litigation and intellectual property.<br /><br />\\\"For many years, Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman has addressed such issues in different cross-practice areas at the firm; now, our Green Business Practice is wholly dedicated to such matters for our clients in St. Louis and nationally,\\\" Thomas J. Campbell, managing partner,&nbsp; said.<br /><br />Last December, Gallop Johnson &amp; Neuman was the first law firm in St. Louis to become a certified partner in the American Bar Association-Environmental Protection Agency Law Office Climate Challenge, a program to encourage law firms to become better environmental and energy stewards. Also last year, the firm established a Green Committee to formally address environmental sustainability issues internally. An outgrowth of these efforts was to formalize the Green Business Practice.&nbsp; Attorneys now working in the new Green Business Practice at Gallop, Johnson &amp; Neuman include:<br />&nbsp;<br />John W. Traeger, a partner with extensive experience dealing with federal, state and local environmental regulatory authorities, leads the Green Business Practice. Traeger is general counsel at the firm and also leads the Environmental Law Practice. He serves on the firm\\\'s Ethics Committee, and is earning Leadership in Energy &amp; Environmental Design (LEED) Professional Accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council. Traeger is on the board of directors of Sustainable St. Louis, a Missouri non-profit organization that serves as an information resource and facilitator in areas of regional sustainability. Before joining the firm in 2000, Traeger served as environmental corporate counsel internally at Ralston Purina Co., Continental Baking Co. and Sigma Chemical Co. in St. Louis.<br />&nbsp;<br />Alan S. Breckenridge, a partner in the law firm\\\'s litigation department, is chair of the firm\\\'s green committee, which is implementing sustainable measures and operational practices firm-wide. These measures to date include reducing paper and energy usage; recycling paper and other products; purchasing recycled products; and revamping firm policies to become better environmental stewards. Breckenridge is broadly experienced in litigation matters, including environmental, health, torts, products liability, and others.<br />&nbsp;<br />Thomas P. Hohenstein, a partner in the litigation department, focuses his practice on construction law, real estate law and related insurance matters. Mr. Hohenstein has extensive experience handling construction litigation in state and federal courts and in arbitrations.&nbsp; He assists clients in drafting and negotiating construction contracts, representing developers, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, material suppliers, architects, engineers, landlords, and surety companies. <br /><br />John W. Kepler III is chairman of the intellectual property practice group and a partner at the firm. He serves clients including biological, electrical, industrial machinery, software and consumer product companies, among others. He is author of expert practice case articles for legal and business publications, and he lectures on dynamic issues at legal seminars and professional meetings. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at the Washington University School of Law. <br />&nbsp;<br />Suzanne L. Zatlin is a partner in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department. Zatlin represents individuals, businesses and developers in green-related real estate acquisitions, sales, exchanges, financing, development and leasing of residential and commercial property, including for subdivisions and condominiums, and in the negotiation of utility easements.</p>\n<p><br />Robert B. Preston is an associate in the firm\\\'s real estate and construction law department.&nbsp; His practice includes representing clients in real estate acquisitions, sales and exchanges, tax appeals, zoning and land use disputes, and in other real estate matters.&nbsp; Preston also handles various real estate financing matters, including public financing.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(385,152,4,2,1214201429,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-22 08:04 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:46:\"Michael Jersa Joins Coldwell Banker Commercial\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:46:\"michael_jersa_joins_coldwell_banker_commercial\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:48:\"Michael Jersa Joins  Coldwell Banker  Commercial\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:84:\"Coldwell Banker Commercial has added Michael Jersa as a sales and leasing associate.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:22:\"Jersa, Coldwell Banker\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:876:\"<p>Coldwell Banker Commercial has added Michael Jersa as a sales and leasing associate.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />In this role, Jersa is responsible for handling general types of commercial real estate, including office, industrial and retail properties. Prior to joining Coldwell Banker Commercial, he was involved in the distribution field for more than 15 years, specializing in business development.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />\\\"Michael\\\'s experience finding customer-focused solutions will be vital to his new position,\\\" said Gregory J. Nooney Jr., SIOR, managing principal. \\\"That expertise, along with his strong drive and work ethic, will make him an asset to the company.\\\"<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Jersa holds a master\\\'s degree in business from Lindenwood University in St. Charles and a bachelor\\\'s degree in history from Benedictine College in Atchinson, KS.&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(386,153,4,2,1214201943,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-22 08:12 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:48:\"Holland Construction Completes Ballwin Walgreens\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:48:\"holland_construction_completes_ballwin_walgreens\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:49:\"Holland Construction Completes Ballwin  Walgreens\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:117:\"Holland Construction Services has completed a Walgreens Store in Central Plaza in Ballwin, at 15253 Manchester Road. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:31:\"Holland Construction, Walgreens\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:832:\"<p>Holland Construction Services has completed a Walgreens Store in Central Plaza in Ballwin, at 15253 Manchester Road.&nbsp; The $2.6 million, 14,490-square-foot Walgreens retail location will replace the plaza\\\'s existing Walgreens, relocating to the site where a Hi-Fi-Fo-Fum store formerly stood. In addition to larger retail space, the new Walgreens store will offer a drive-thru pharmacy and photographic services for added customer convenience.</p>\n<p>Holland Construction Services has a long working relationship with Pace Properties and the Walgreen Co. Aedis, Inc. of St. Louis performed architectural services. Among the multiple Walgreens retail locations constructed by Holland are the stores in Troy, MO, Watson Road in Crestwood, Kennerly Center in South St. Louis County, and North Lindbergh in Hazelwood. &nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(387,154,4,2,1214242920,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-23 07:38 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:58:\"Environmental Operations Completes Three AmerenUE Projects\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:58:\"environmental_operations_completes_three_amerenue_projects\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:58:\"Environmental Operations Completes Three AmerenUE Projects\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:133:\"Environmental Operations, Inc., has completed environmental construction projects for AmerenUE in Moberly, Mexico and Jefferson City.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:34:\"Environmental Operations, AmerenUE\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:511:\"<p>Environmental Operations, Inc., has completed environmental construction projects for AmerenUE in Moberly, Mexico and Jefferson City.<br /><br />&nbsp;Environmental Operations, 1530 S. Second St., St. Louis, is ranked as the region\\\'s second largest environmental consulting firm. The company identifies and resolves environmental issues with integrated environmental expertise, brownfield incentives and risk assumption tools.&nbsp; More information is available at www.environmentalops.com.<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(388,155,4,2,1214243343,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-23 07:43 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:71:\"Northstar Management Company, LLC, Celebrates 10 Year Company Milestone\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:69:\"northstar_management_company_llc_celebrates_10_year_company_milestone\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:71:\"Northstar Management Company, LLC, Celebrates 10 Year Company Milestone\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:76:\"Northstar Management Company, LLC, is is celebrating 10 years of operations.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:50:\"Northstar Management, 10 years, program management\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1421:\"<p>Northstar Management Company, LLC, is is celebrating 10 years of operations.&nbsp; In that decade Northstar program management services have included more than $3 billion in construction projects throughout St. Louis and the Midwest.<br />&nbsp;<br />Northstar was founded in 1998 by Ken Kadel and Ken Cates. Northstar has grown from a company of three to its current size of 19 full-time employees. <br />&nbsp;<br />Northstar serves as an independent owner\\\'s representative/program management firm whose sole focus is representing the owner\\\'s best interests throughout the planning, design and construction process. All Northstar projects to date have been completed on time, within budget, and have met or exceeded the owner\\\'s expectations for facility use and function, Ken Cates said<br />&nbsp;<br />\\\"We are very proud of the trust and confidence our clients have with Northstar,\\\" Cates said. \\\"Furthermore, we appreciate the support we have received from the design and construction community. It is gratifying to be recognized as a leader in this industry. We look forward to our continued involvement in shaping the way facility projects are developed and implemented.\\\" <br />&nbsp;<br />Currently, projects for which Northstar provides project management services include The Chase Park Plaza, St. Anthony\\\'s Medical Center, St. John\\\'s Mercy Medical Center, and Mid-America Transplant.<br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(389,156,4,2,1214243748,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-23 07:51 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"6\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"Terracon Begins 800 Bridges Project\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:35:\"terracon_begins_800_bridges_project\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:35:\"Terracon Begins 800 Bridges Project\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:186:\"Terracon has begun geotechnical engineering and laboratory  services for the Missouri Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement  Project as part of the Missouri Bridge Partners design-build team. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:36:\"Terracon, 800  bridges, geotechnical\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:1552:\"<p>Terracon has begun geotechnical engineering and laboratory&nbsp; services for the Missouri Safe &amp; Sound Bridge Improvement&nbsp; Project as part of the Missouri Bridge Partners design-build team.&nbsp; Terracon is the geotechnical consultant on the design contract and a&nbsp; subconsultant to Parsons Transportation Group. The Safe &amp;&nbsp; Sound program will replace or rehabilitate 802 of Missouri\\\'s&nbsp; lowest-rated bridges, with at least one in every county, within the&nbsp; next five years. To complete the&nbsp; investigations, Terracon assembled a team of engineers and field&nbsp; technicians from its St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield and Kansas&nbsp; City, Mo., offices as well as the Bettendorf, Des Moines and Cedar&nbsp;</p>\n<p>Rapids, Iowa, offices. \\\"Our goal as a&nbsp; subconsultant is to provide reliable geotechnical data for the&nbsp; design-build team,\\\" said David Harwood, P.E., senior project&nbsp; principal. \\\"Terracon\\\'s capabilities and resources are especially&nbsp; suited to the demands of a multi-site design-build project, which&nbsp; requires successfully responding to intensive workloads, deadlines&nbsp; and budgets.\\\"</p>\n<p>Other major&nbsp; participants on the Missouri Bridge Partners team include: Zachry&nbsp; American Infrastructure, Fred Weber, Inc., Clarkson Construction,&nbsp; HNTB and Infrastructure Corporation of America. Total costs for the&nbsp; Safe &amp; Sound program are estimated at $400 million to $600&nbsp; million, and project completion is expected in October&nbsp; 2011.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"6\";}'),(390,58,4,2,1214323313,'a:32:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:2:\"58\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-05-08 07:59 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"4\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"4\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:51:\"Green Building/Sustainability Conference Comes Here\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:51:\"green_building_sustainability_conference_comes_here\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:51:\"Green Building/Sustainability Conference Comes Here\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:174:\"Greening the Heartland, the premier annual conference on green building and sustainability in the Midwest, will be held June 22-24 at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:38:\"Greening the Heartland, sustainability\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:17459:\"<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">Greening the Heartland, the premier annual conference on green building and sustainability in the Midwest, will be held June 22-24 at America&rsquo;s Center in downtown St. Louis,. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) &ndash; St. Louis Regional Chapter will host this fifth annual event, which is geared toward people interested in greening their town, business, college campus or building.</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; color: #000000; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">&ldquo;We are honored to have this prestigious conference in the Gateway City,&rdquo; says Pat Justis, board chair of the USGBC&rsquo;s St. Louis chapter. &ldquo;Greening the Heartland 2008 will be an opportunity not only to highlight the latest in green building techniques but also to discuss how the public and private sectors can work together to promote sustainable design and construction strategies.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; color: #000000; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">Greening the Heartland will demonstrate how green buildings promote the &lsquo;triple bottom</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">line&rsquo; of profitability, people and the environment &ndash; without compromising resources for</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">future generations. It will feature international sustainability leaders in four</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">content areas: corporate; community; education; and government. </span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; color: #000000; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">These leaders include:</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; color: #000000; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">Ray Anderson, the founder of Interface, who revolutionized the commercial floor covering industry by producing America&rsquo;s first free-lay carpet tiles; </span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; color: #000000; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">Jaime Lerner, an architect and urban planner responsible for creating and structuring the Institute of Urban Planning and Research of Curitiba in Brazil; </span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; color: #000000; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">Leith Sharp, who established the Harvard Green Campus Initiative; and Grand Rapids, Michigan </span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; color: #000000; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">Mayor George Heartwell, whose city of Grand Rapids, MI has &ldquo;gone green&rdquo; by implementing a variety of environmental measures.</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; color: #000000; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">&ldquo;We have some of the top leaders in sustainability speaking at this conference,&rdquo; says</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">Brandyn Jones, conference co-chair. &ldquo;In addition, we will have nearly 50 sessions,</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">numerous tours showcasing St. Louis&rsquo; most innovative buildings and sites and an extensive<span style=\\\"mso-spacerun: yes;\\\">&nbsp; </span>exposition featuring the latest in sustainable building products and services.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">The sessions will focus on such topics as how to transform communities through green</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">development, staying green and staying competitive, state-of-the-art energy technologies</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">and new construction innovations. Before and after the conference, there will be</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">professional workshops, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design</span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"color: #000000;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;\\\">(LEED&trade;) training where attendees can earn continuing education credits.</span><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"></span></span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">St. Louis</span><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">&rsquo; greening efforts will be highlighted during bus and bike tours. One bus tour will include a visit to Alberici headquarters, which has been certified Platinum under the LEED for New Construction rating system at 60 points, the world&rsquo;s second highest credit level achieved to date. Another will visit St. Louis Community College&rsquo;s new state-of-the-art<span style=\\\"mso-spacerun: yes;\\\">&nbsp; </span>Wildwood campus. This &ldquo;green&rdquo; campus is the first of its kind in Missouri built with<span style=\\\"mso-spacerun: yes;\\\">&nbsp; </span>environmentally friendly materials and architecture.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">The Honorary Chairs for Greening the Heartland are: Corporate &ndash; David Kemper,</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">Chairman, Commerce Bank; Education &ndash; Dr. Paul Ferguson, Provost, Southern Illinois</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">University Edwardsville; Government &ndash; Honorable Linda Goldstein, Mayor of Clayton,</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">Missouri</span><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">; and Community &ndash; Glenda Abney, Manager, Earthways Center.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">The USGBC &ndash; St. Louis Regional Chapter was founded in January 2001.The chapter seeks to transform the built environment by: increasing LEED-registered and certified buildings; facilitating professional development and accreditation; and promoting practical green building standards.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">There are eleven other heartland regional chapters plus two affiliates partnering with</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">USGBC &ndash; St. Louis Regional Chapter on Greening the Heartland. They are: Central</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">Illinois</span><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">; Chicago; Cincinnati Regional; Detroit Regional; Flatwater; Greater Kansas City;</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">Indiana</span><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">; Mississippi Headwaters; Missouri Heartland; West Michigan; Iowa; Cleveland</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">Green</span><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"> Building Coalition; and the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance.</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times; font-size: small;\\\">&nbsp;</span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">Conference registration is now open at </span><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: blue;\\\">www.greeningtheheartland.org </span><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">For more</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\">information about the conference, sponsorships and/or being an exhibitor, call 1-866-933-</span></span></span></p>\n<p class=\\\"MsoNormal\\\" style=\\\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-size: small;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: Times;\\\"><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: black;\\\">4GRN or email to </span><span style=\\\"font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; color: blue;\\\">info@greeningtheheartland.org</span></span></span></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"4\";}'),(391,157,2,2,1214324850,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-24 06:03 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"in_the_green_world_old_is_new\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:226:\"Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies. At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:69:\"Greening the Heartland, America\\\'s Center, sustainability, conference\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5671:\"<p>Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies.</p>\n<p>At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable.&nbsp; Greening the Heartland, a regional conference on green building and sustainability in the Midwest, is being held through tomorrow at America\\\'s Center in downtown St. Louis,. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - St. Louis Regional Chapter is hosting this fifth annual event, which is geared toward people interested in greening their town, business, college campus or building.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Roger Gooch of Forbo Flooring\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"270\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/forbo.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Roger Gooch  of  Forbo Flooring\\\" width=\\\"180\\\" />In the event\\\'s exposition hall, Roger Gooch, south central regional manager for Forbo Flooring Systems, explained that his company has been making its \\\"new\\\" sustainable product since the middle of the 19th century. Linoleum is manufactured using linseed oil and wood \\\"flour\\\". It used to be made with cork, but the shortage of good cork is one reason why your favorite wine now has a screwtop. Another name for linseed oil - at least the kind extracted without the use of solvents is flaxseed, which you can buy at any health food store and put on your salad. The primary difference between today\\\'s linoleum and the product that readers of a certain age may remember, Gooch said, is the addition of UV coating, which seals the surface and improves durability and sheen. <br /><br />At St. Louis\\\' Subsurface Constructors, Inc. exhibit the sustainable product was \\\"vibrostone columns\\\".&nbsp; Subsurface has built a solid foundation (sorry about that) for a national business in the sustainable construction industry by combining a drilled, compacted piling system which reuses the onsite material and additions such as recycled railroad ballast. This system displaces minimal dirt on the site itself and piles on the points when an owner is seeking LEED certification. <br /><br />Dropping in at the many presentations by national and local speakers and talking with exhibitors and sponsors produced a reporter\\\'s notebook full of information:<br /><br /><strong>Rep. Russ Carnahan</strong> opened the conference and announced that he and another<br />representative had just formed the High Performance Buildings Caucus in the<br />U.S. House of Representatives to advance legislation for&nbsp; high performing<br />(\\\"green\\\") buildings.<br /><strong><br /></strong><img alt=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" height=\\\"225\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/subsurface.jpg\\\" title=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" /><strong>Ray Anderson</strong>, founder of Interface Flor, said his company has reduced<br />greenhouse gas emissions by 82 percent since 1996, reduced water use by 75<br />percent, and reduced fossil fuel use by 62 percent while doubling its sales<br />and profits. \\\"If Interface, a petro intensive manufacturer can do it, anyone<br />in construction can do it,\\\" he said.<br /><br /><strong>Ecos Materials</strong>, based in Rock Hill, MO, is sells an interior/exterior<br />sheathing board made from rice hulls and wheat husks that is being used in<br />multi-family housing in Louisville, KY.<br /><br /><strong>Over 110 employees at McCarthy</strong> have obtained LEED professional certification<br />in the last two years.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong></strong></p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"184\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/greening-seminar.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" /><strong>The facilities managers for the state of Missouri</strong> are using software to<br />better maintain buildings and slash heating, cooling, and lighting bills.<br /><br /><strong>Pay as you go:</strong> Leith Sharp, sustainability director for Harvard University,<br />explained that the university\\\'s sustainability office is funded out of the<br />savings that its projects realize for the university. Turns out that is not<br />unique. Cleveland\\\'s sustainability office is funded the same way - from<br />savings it can find in city operations. Ditto Grand Rapids.<br /><br /><strong>As general manager of CI Select Flooring, Linda Goldstein</strong> has been in the<br />forefront of carpet recycling and green flooring in St. Louis. As mayor of<br />Clayton, she finds herself in the forefront of greening municipal government<br />in eastern Missouri. Clayton now lists LEED certification as a public<br />benefit that can help a develop get a special public use development (PUD)<br />zoning classification. The city is now considering regulation to allow<br />windmills atop highrise roofs.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Chris Klehm</strong>, president of E2, said plumbing codes are all so antiquated they<br />encourage waste and poor performance and block efficiency and<br />sustainability.<br /><br /><strong>Pheadra Svec</strong>, a consultant to KC government, said \\\"We kept hearing&nbsp; stories that<br />building codes prohibited green practices, so we took at look at the code<br />paragraph by paragraph and we found that there was no code nor ordinance<br />that prohibited anything in LEED. Permit applications for green projects<br />were getting rejected, but the barrier was not the code.\\\"<br /><br /><strong>Solutia</strong> is marketing sunglasses for your windows.<br /><br />More information on attending the conference can be found at www.greentheheartland.com<br /></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/greening.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";}'),(392,157,2,2,1214324874,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"157\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-24 06:03 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"in_the_green_world_old_is_new\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:226:\"Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies. At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:69:\"Greening the Heartland, America\\\'s Center, sustainability, conference\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5665:\"<p>Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies.</p>\n<p>At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable.&nbsp; Greening the Heartland, a regional conference on green building and sustainability in the Midwest, is being held through tomorrow at America\\\'s Center in downtown St. Louis,. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - St. Louis Regional Chapter is hosting this fifth annual event, which is geared toward people interested in greening their town, business, college campus or building.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Roger Gooch of Forbo Flooring\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"270\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/forbo.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Roger Gooch  of  Forbo Flooring\\\" width=\\\"180\\\" />In the event\\\'s exposition hall, Roger Gooch, south central regional manager for Forbo Flooring Systems, explained that his company has been making its \\\"new\\\" sustainable product since the middle of the 19th century. Linoleum is manufactured using linseed oil and wood \\\"flour\\\". It used to be made with cork, but the shortage of good cork is one reason why your favorite wine now has a screwtop. Another name for linseed oil - at least the kind extracted without the use of solvents is flaxseed, which you can buy at any health food store and put on your salad. The primary difference between today\\\'s linoleum and the product that readers of a certain age may remember, Gooch said, is the addition of UV coating, which seals the surface and improves durability and sheen. <br /><br />At St. Louis\\\' Subsurface Constructors, Inc. exhibit the sustainable product was \\\"vibrostone columns\\\".&nbsp; Subsurface has built a solid foundation (sorry about that) for a national business in the sustainable construction industry by combining a drilled, compacted piling system which reuses the onsite material and additions such as recycled railroad ballast. This system displaces minimal dirt on the site itself and piles on the points when an owner is seeking LEED certification. <br /><br />Dropping in at the many presentations by national and local speakers and talking with exhibitors and sponsors produced a reporter\\\'s notebook full of information:<br /><br /><strong>Rep. Russ Carnahan</strong> opened the conference and announced that he and another<br />representative had just formed the High Performance Buildings Caucus in the<br />U.S. House of Representatives to advance legislation for&nbsp; high performing<br />(\\\"green\\\") buildings.<br /><strong><br /></strong><img alt=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" height=\\\"225\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/subsurface.jpg\\\" title=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" /><strong>Ray Anderson</strong>, founder of Interface Flor, said his company has reduced<br />greenhouse gas emissions by 82 percent since 1996, reduced water use by 75<br />percent, and reduced fossil fuel use by 62 percent while doubling its sales<br />and profits. \\\"If Interface, a petro intensive manufacturer can do it, anyone<br />in construction can do it,\\\" he said.<br /><br /><strong>Ecos Materials</strong>, based in Rock Hill, MO, is sells an interior/exterior<br />sheathing board made from rice hulls and wheat husks that is being used in<br />multi-family housing in Louisville, KY.<br /><br /><strong>Over 110 employees at McCarthy</strong> have obtained LEED professional certification<br />in the last two years.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong></strong></p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"184\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/greening-seminar.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" /><strong>The facilities managers for the state of Missouri</strong> are using software to<br />better maintain buildings and slash heating, cooling, and lighting bills.<br /><br /><strong>Pay as you go:</strong> Leith Sharp, sustainability director for Harvard University,<br />explained that the university\\\'s sustainability office is funded out of the<br />savings that its projects realize for the university. Turns out that is not<br />unique. Cleveland\\\'s sustainability office is funded the same way - from<br />savings it can find in city operations. Ditto Grand Rapids.<br /><br /><strong>As general manager of CI Select Flooring, Linda Goldstein</strong> has been in the<br />forefront of carpet recycling and green flooring in St. Louis. As mayor of<br />Clayton, she finds herself in the forefront of greening municipal government<br />in eastern Missouri. Clayton now lists LEED certification as a public<br />benefit that can help a develop get a special public use development (PUD)<br />zoning classification. The city is now considering regulation to allow<br />windmills atop highrise roofs.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Chris Klehm</strong>, president of E2, said plumbing codes are all so antiquated they<br />encourage waste and poor performance and block efficiency and<br />sustainability.<br /><br /><strong>Pheadra Svec</strong>, a consultant to KC government, said \\\"We kept hearing&nbsp; stories that<br />building codes prohibited green practices, so we took at look at the code<br />paragraph by paragraph and we found that there was no code nor ordinance<br />that prohibited anything in LEED. Permit applications for green projects<br />were getting rejected, but the barrier was not the code.\\\"<br /><br /><strong>Solutia</strong> is marketing sunglasses for your windows.<br /><br />More information on attending the conference can be found at www.greentheheartland.com</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/greening.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(393,150,2,2,1214324893,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"150\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-20 07:53 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"An Evening  of Excellence\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:24:\"an_evening_of_excellence\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:24:\"An Evening of Excellence\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:349:\"Excellence in many forms - scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community - was recognized on Thursday evening  at  the 19th annual CNR/Aon Regional Excellence Awards and the St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,  held at the Randall Gallery downtown.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:26:\"Regional Excellence, Aon, \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3580:\"<p>&nbsp;Excellence in many forms&nbsp;-\n scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community &ndash; was recognized on Thursday evening&nbsp; at&nbsp; the 19th annual CNR/Aon Regional Excellence Awards and St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,&nbsp; held at the Randall Gallery downtown.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Awards\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/awards.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Aon, a national leader in construction risk management services, sponsored the event for the first time. Lori Goltermann, president of Aon Missouri, said that Aon\\\'s sponsorship&nbsp; was a recognition of Aon\\\'s commitment to the St. Louis construction industry. Goltermann noted that on a national basis Aon also sponsors the Associated&nbsp; General Contractors of America\\\'s \\\"Build America\\\" awards. Earlier this year Tarlton was presented a Build America award at the&nbsp; AGC national convention for the Moosylvania Marketing project, located&nbsp; in Maplewood. Moosylvania was also a recipient of a Regional Excellence&nbsp; Award Thursday.</p>\n<p>\\\"Green construction\\\" was a theme among the projects selected by\njudges for 2008 CNR Regional Excellence Awards. Seven of the eight projects incorporated major commitments to sustainable,\nenergy-conserving construction and operation in their building\nprograms.<br /><br />The winners of the Regional Excellence Awards for this year are: Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Expansion; Doisy\nResearch Center at St. Louis University; Express Scripts; Frieze Harley\nDavidson; Kerr Foundation; Monsanto Data Center; Moosylvania Marketing;\nand St. Louis Community College at Wildwood. <br /><br />The judges were\nSarah Tetley of PGAV Architects, president, St. Louis Chapter, American\nInstitute of Architects; Price Marr, manager, strategic sourcing,\nAmeren; George Azzani, president, Kaiser Electric; Stephen Bannes,\nprofessor and program director, graduate studies in construction\nmanagement, Washington University; Rick Lodewyck, president, CDG\nEngineers; and Terry Simpson, senior project manager, Northstar\nManagement Co. The\nstated purpose of the awards, now in their 19th year, is to recognize\nprojects completed in the last year that \\\"in sum, demonstrate\nexcellence in design, excellence in construction, and a positive\ncontribution to the St. Louis community.\\\" Awards are presented to the\ndesigner the general contractor/construction manager, and the owner for\neach project.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Monsanta Data Center Excellence Award Recipients\\\" class=\\\"table-right\\\" height=\\\"177\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Monsanto.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" title=\\\"Monsanta Data Center Excellence Award Recipients\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />NAWIC presented over $20,000 in scholarships. Winners of the NAWIC scholarships were Hala Abdelaziz, architecture Washington University; Jeycea Bobo, civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Techology; Christine Brinkmann, civil engineeering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Sarah Herrig, architectural and civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Annsih KesMa-Serud, architectural technology, Ranken Technical College.&nbsp; The recipient of NAWIC\\\'s most prestigious scholarship,&nbsp; the Carol Kueker Memorial Scholarship was Christine Palmer, civil engineering, UM-St. Louis/ Wash U. joint engineering program.</p>\n<p>NAWIC&nbsp; also recognized the contributions of several chapter members during the past year.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/awards_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(394,157,2,2,1214325062,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"157\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-24 06:03 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"in_the_green_world_old_is_new\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:226:\"Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies. At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:69:\"Greening the Heartland, America\\\'s Center, sustainability, conference\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5709:\"<p>Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies.</p>\n<p>At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable.&nbsp; Greening the Heartland, a regional conference on green building and sustainability in the Midwest, is being held through tomorrow at America\\\'s Center in downtown St. Louis,. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - St. Louis Regional Chapter is hosting this fifth annual event, which is geared toward people interested in greening their town, business, college campus or building.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Roger Gooch of Forbo Flooring\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"270\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/forbo.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Roger Gooch  of  Forbo Flooring\\\" width=\\\"180\\\" />In the event\\\'s exposition hall, Roger Gooch, south central regional manager for Forbo Flooring Systems, explained that his company has been making its \\\"new\\\" sustainable product since the middle of the 19th century. Linoleum is manufactured using linseed oil and wood \\\"flour\\\". It used to be made with cork, but the shortage of good cork is one reason why your favorite wine now has a screwtop. Another name for linseed oil - at least the kind extracted without the use of solvents is flaxseed, which you can buy at any health food store and put on your salad. The primary difference between today\\\'s linoleum and the product that readers of a certain age may remember, Gooch said, is the addition of UV coating, which seals the surface and improves durability and sheen. <br /><br />At St. Louis\\\' Subsurface Constructors, Inc. exhibit the sustainable product was \\\"vibrostone columns\\\".&nbsp; Subsurface has built a solid foundation (sorry about that) for a national business in the sustainable construction industry by combining a drilled, compacted piling system which reuses the onsite material and additions such as recycled railroad ballast. This system displaces minimal dirt on the site itself and piles on the points when an owner is seeking LEED certification. <br /><br />Dropping in at the many presentations by national and local speakers and talking with exhibitors and sponsors produced a reporter\\\'s notebook full of information:<br /><br /><strong>Rep. Russ Carnahan</strong> opened the conference and announced that he and another<br />representative had just formed the High Performance Buildings Caucus in the<br />U.S. House of Representatives to advance legislation for&nbsp; high performing<br />(\\\"green\\\") buildings.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>Ray Anderson</strong>, founder of Interface Flor, said his company has reduced<br />greenhouse gas emissions by 82 percent since 1996, reduced water use by 75<br /><img alt=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"225\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/subsurface.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />percent, and reduced fossil fuel use by 62 percent while doubling its sales<br />and profits. \\\"If Interface, a petro intensive manufacturer can do it, anyone<br />in construction can do it,\\\" he said.<br /><br /><strong>Ecos Materials</strong>, based in Rock Hill, MO, is sells an interior/exterior<br />sheathing board made from rice hulls and wheat husks that is being used in<br />multi-family housing in Louisville, KY.<br /><br /><strong>Over 110 employees at McCarthy</strong> have obtained LEED professional certification<br />in the last two years.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong></strong></p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"184\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/greening-seminar.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" /><strong>The facilities managers for the state of Missouri</strong> are using software to<br />better maintain buildings and slash heating, cooling, and lighting bills.<br /><br /><strong>Pay as you go:</strong> Leith Sharp, sustainability director for Harvard University,<br />explained that the university\\\'s sustainability office is funded out of the<br />savings that its projects realize for the university. Turns out that is not<br />unique. Cleveland\\\'s sustainability office is funded the same way - from<br />savings it can find in city operations. Ditto Grand Rapids.<br /><br /><strong>As general manager of CI Select Flooring, Linda Goldstein</strong> has been in the<br />forefront of carpet recycling and green flooring in St. Louis. As mayor of<br />Clayton, she finds herself in the forefront of greening municipal government<br />in eastern Missouri. Clayton now lists LEED certification as a public<br />benefit that can help a develop get a special public use development (PUD)<br />zoning classification. The city is now considering regulation to allow<br />windmills atop highrise roofs.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Chris Klehm</strong>, president of E2, said plumbing codes are all so antiquated they<br />encourage waste and poor performance and block efficiency and<br />sustainability.<br /><br /><strong>Pheadra Svec</strong>, a consultant to KC government, said \\\"We kept hearing&nbsp; stories that<br />building codes prohibited green practices, so we took at look at the code<br />paragraph by paragraph and we found that there was no code nor ordinance<br />that prohibited anything in LEED. Permit applications for green projects<br />were getting rejected, but the barrier was not the code.\\\"<br /><br /><strong>Solutia</strong> is marketing sunglasses for your windows.<br /><br />More information on attending the conference can be found at www.greentheheartland.com</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/greening.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(395,157,2,2,1214325213,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"157\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-24 06:03 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"in_the_green_world_old_is_new\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:226:\"Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies. At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:69:\"Greening the Heartland, America\\\'s Center, sustainability, conference\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5733:\"<p>Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies.</p>\n<p>At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable.&nbsp; Greening the Heartland, a regional conference on green building and sustainability in the Midwest, is being held through tomorrow at America\\\'s Center in downtown St. Louis,. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - St. Louis Regional Chapter is hosting this fifth annual event, which is geared toward people interested in greening their town, business, college campus or building.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Roger Gooch of Forbo Flooring\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"270\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/forbo.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Roger Gooch  of  Forbo Flooring\\\" width=\\\"180\\\" />In the event\\\'s exposition hall, Roger Gooch, south central regional manager for Forbo Flooring Systems, explained that his company has been making its \\\"new\\\" sustainable product since the middle of the 19th century. Linoleum is manufactured using linseed oil and wood \\\"flour\\\". It used to be made with cork, but the shortage of good cork is one reason why your favorite wine now has a screwtop. Another name for linseed oil - at least the kind extracted without the use of solvents is flaxseed, which you can buy at any health food store and put on your salad. The primary difference between today\\\'s linoleum and the product that readers of a certain age may remember, Gooch said, is the addition of UV coating, which seals the surface and improves durability and sheen. <br /><br />At St. Louis\\\' Subsurface Constructors, Inc. exhibit the sustainable product was \\\"vibrostone columns\\\".&nbsp; Subsurface has built a solid foundation (sorry about that) for a national business in the sustainable construction industry by combining a drilled, compacted piling system which reuses the onsite material and additions such as recycled railroad ballast. This system displaces minimal dirt on the site itself and piles on the points when an owner is seeking LEED certification. <br /><br />Dropping in at the many presentations by national and local speakers and talking with exhibitors and sponsors produced a reporter\\\'s notebook full of information:<br /><br /><strong>Rep. Russ Carnahan</strong> opened the conference and announced that he and another<br />representative had just formed the High Performance Buildings Caucus in the<br />U.S. House of Representatives to advance legislation for&nbsp; high performing<br />(\\\"green\\\") buildings.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>Ray Anderson</strong>, founder of Interface Flor, said his company has reduced<br />greenhouse gas emissions by 82 percent since 1996, reduced water use by 75<br /><img alt=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"225\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/subsurface.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />percent, and reduced fossil fuel use by 62 percent while doubling its sales<br />and profits. \\\"If Interface, a petro intensive manufacturer can do it, anyone<br />in construction can do it,\\\" he said.<br /><br /><strong>Ecos Materials</strong>, based in Rock Hill, MO, is sells an interior/exterior<br />sheathing board made from rice hulls and wheat husks that is being used in<br />multi-family housing in Louisville, KY.<br /><br /><strong>Over 110 employees at McCarthy</strong> have completed the qualiications for their LEED professional certification in the last two years.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong></strong></p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"184\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/greening-seminar.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" /><strong>The facilities managers for the state of Missouri</strong> are using software to<br />better maintain buildings and slash heating, cooling, and lighting bills.<br /><br /><strong>Pay as you go:</strong> Leith Sharp, sustainability director for Harvard University,<br />explained that the university\\\'s sustainability office is funded out of the<br />savings that its projects realize for the university. Turns out that is not<br />unique. Cleveland\\\'s sustainability office is funded the same way - from<br />savings it can find in city operations. Ditto Grand Rapids.<br /><br /><strong>As general manager of CI Select Flooring, Linda Goldstein</strong> has been in the<br />forefront of carpet recycling and green flooring in St. Louis. As mayor of<br />Clayton, she finds herself in the forefront of greening municipal government<br />in eastern Missouri. Clayton now lists LEED certification as a public<br />benefit that can help a develop get a special public use development (PUD)<br />zoning classification. The city is now considering regulation to allow<br />windmills atop highrise roofs.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Chris Klehm</strong>, president of E2, said plumbing codes are all so antiquated they<br />encourage waste and poor performance and block efficiency and<br />sustainability.<br /><br /><strong>Pheadra Svec</strong>, a consultant to KC government, said \\\"We kept hearing&nbsp; stories that<br />building codes prohibited green practices, so we took at look at the code<br />paragraph by paragraph and we found that there was no code nor ordinance<br />that prohibited anything in LEED. Permit applications for green projects<br />were getting rejected, but the barrier was not the code.\\\"<br /><br /><strong>Solutia</strong> is marketing sunglasses for your windows.<br /><br />More information on attending the conference can be found at www.greentheheartland.com</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/greening.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(396,150,2,2,1214325239,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"150\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-20 07:53 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:25:\"An Evening  of Excellence\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:24:\"an_evening_of_excellence\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:24:\"An Evening of Excellence\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:349:\"Excellence in many forms - scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community - was recognized on Thursday evening  at  the 19th annual CNR/Aon Regional Excellence Awards and the St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,  held at the Randall Gallery downtown.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:26:\"Regional Excellence, Aon, \";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3580:\"<p>&nbsp;Excellence in many forms&nbsp;-\n scholarship, volunteerism, design, construction, collaboration, and contribution to the community &ndash; was recognized on Thursday evening&nbsp; at&nbsp; the 19th annual CNR/Aon Regional Excellence Awards and St. Louis Chapter, National Association of Women in Construction recognition awards,&nbsp; held at the Randall Gallery downtown.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Awards\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"303\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/awards.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"266\\\" />Aon, a national leader in construction risk management services, sponsored the event for the first time. Lori Goltermann, president of Aon Missouri, said that Aon\\\'s sponsorship&nbsp; was a recognition of Aon\\\'s commitment to the St. Louis construction industry. Goltermann noted that on a national basis Aon also sponsors the Associated&nbsp; General Contractors of America\\\'s \\\"Build America\\\" awards. Earlier this year Tarlton was presented a Build America award at the&nbsp; AGC national convention for the Moosylvania Marketing project, located&nbsp; in Maplewood. Moosylvania was also a recipient of a Regional Excellence&nbsp; Award Thursday.</p>\n<p>\\\"Green construction\\\" was a theme among the projects selected by\njudges for 2008 CNR Regional Excellence Awards. Seven of the eight projects incorporated major commitments to sustainable,\nenergy-conserving construction and operation in their building\nprograms.<br /><br />The winners of the Regional Excellence Awards for this year are: Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Expansion; Doisy\nResearch Center at St. Louis University; Express Scripts; Frieze Harley\nDavidson; Kerr Foundation; Monsanto Data Center; Moosylvania Marketing;\nand St. Louis Community College at Wildwood. <br /><br />The judges were\nSarah Tetley of PGAV Architects, president, St. Louis Chapter, American\nInstitute of Architects; Price Marr, manager, strategic sourcing,\nAmeren; George Azzani, president, Kaiser Electric; Stephen Bannes,\nprofessor and program director, graduate studies in construction\nmanagement, Washington University; Rick Lodewyck, president, CDG\nEngineers; and Terry Simpson, senior project manager, Northstar\nManagement Co. The\nstated purpose of the awards, now in their 19th year, is to recognize\nprojects completed in the last year that \\\"in sum, demonstrate\nexcellence in design, excellence in construction, and a positive\ncontribution to the St. Louis community.\\\" Awards are presented to the\ndesigner the general contractor/construction manager, and the owner for\neach project.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Monsanta Data Center Excellence Award Recipients\\\" class=\\\"table-right\\\" height=\\\"177\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Monsanto.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: right;\\\" title=\\\"Monsanta Data Center Excellence Award Recipients\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />NAWIC presented over $20,000 in scholarships. Winners of the NAWIC scholarships were Hala Abdelaziz, architecture Washington University; Jeycea Bobo, civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Techology; Christine Brinkmann, civil engineeering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Sarah Herrig, architectural and civil engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Annsih KesMa-Serud, architectural technology, Ranken Technical College.&nbsp; The recipient of NAWIC\\\'s most prestigious scholarship,&nbsp; the Carol Kueker Memorial Scholarship was Christine Palmer, civil engineering, UM-St. Louis/ Wash U. joint engineering program.</p>\n<p>NAWIC&nbsp; also recognized the contributions of several chapter members during the past year.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/awards_1.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(397,157,2,2,1214325321,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"157\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-24 06:03 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"in_the_green_world_old_is_new\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:226:\"Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies. At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:69:\"Greening the Heartland, America\\\'s Center, sustainability, conference\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5727:\"<p>Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies.</p>\n<p>At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable.&nbsp; Greening the Heartland, a regional conference on green building and sustainability in the Midwest, is being held through tomorrow at America\\\'s Center in downtown St. Louis,. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - St. Louis Regional Chapter is hosting this fifth annual event, which is geared toward people interested in greening their town, business, college campus or building.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Roger Gooch of Forbo Flooring\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"270\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/forbo.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Roger Gooch  of  Forbo Flooring\\\" width=\\\"180\\\" />In the event\\\'s exposition hall, Roger Gooch, south central regional manager for Forbo Flooring Systems, explained that his company has been making its \\\"new\\\" sustainable product since the middle of the 19th century. Linoleum is manufactured using linseed oil and wood \\\"flour\\\". It used to be made with cork, but the shortage of good cork is one reason why your favorite wine now has a screwtop. Another name for linseed oil - at least the kind extracted without the use of solvents is flaxseed, which you can buy at any health food store and put on your salad. The primary difference between today\\\'s linoleum and the product that readers of a certain age may remember, Gooch said, is the addition of UV coating, which seals the surface and improves durability and sheen. <br /><br />At St. Louis\\\' Subsurface Constructors, Inc. exhibit the sustainable product was \\\"vibrostone columns\\\".&nbsp; Subsurface has built a solid foundation (sorry about that) for a national business in the sustainable construction industry by combining a drilled, compacted piling system which reuses the onsite material and additions such as recycled railroad ballast. This system displaces minimal dirt on the site itself and piles on the points when an owner is seeking LEED certification. <br /><br />Dropping in at the many presentations by national and local speakers and talking with exhibitors and sponsors produced a reporter\\\'s notebook full of information:<br /><br /><strong>Rep. Russ Carnahan</strong> opened the conference and announced that he and another<br />representative had just formed the High Performance Buildings Caucus in the<br />U.S. House of Representatives to advance legislation for&nbsp; high performing<br />(\\\"green\\\") buildings.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>Ray Anderson</strong>, founder of Interface Flor, said his company has reduced<br />greenhouse gas emissions by 82 percent since 1996, reduced water use by 75<br /><img alt=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"225\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/subsurface.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />percent, and reduced fossil fuel use by 62 percent while doubling its sales<br />and profits. \\\"If Interface, a petro intensive manufacturer can do it, anyone<br />in construction can do it,\\\" he said.<br /><br /><strong>Ecos Materials</strong>, based in Rock Hill, MO, is sells an interior/exterior<br />sheathing board made from rice hulls and wheat husks that is being used in<br />multi-family housing in Louisville, KY.<br /><br /><strong>Over 110 employees at McCarthy</strong> have completed the qualiications for their LEED professional certification in the last two years.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong></strong></p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"184\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/greening-seminar.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" /><strong>The facilities managers for the state of Missouri</strong> are using software to<br />better maintain buildings and slash heating, cooling, and lighting bills.<br /><br /><strong>Pay as you go:</strong> Leith Sharp, sustainability director for Harvard University,<br />explained that the university\\\'s sustainability office is funded out of the<br />savings that its projects realize for the university. Turns out that is not<br />unique. Cleveland\\\'s sustainability office is funded the same way - from<br />savings it can find in city operations. Ditto Grand Rapids.<br /><br /><strong>As general manager of CI Select Flooring, Linda Goldstein</strong> has been in the<br />forefront of carpet recycling and green flooring in St. Louis. As mayor of<br />Clayton, she finds herself in the forefront of greening municipal government<br />in eastern Missouri. Clayton now lists LEED certification as a public<br />benefit that can help a develop get a special public use development (PUD)<br />zoning classification. The city is now considering regulation to allow<br />windmills atop highrise roofs.<br /><br /><strong>Chris Klehm</strong>, president of E2, said plumbing codes are all so antiquated they<br />encourage waste and poor performance and block efficiency and<br />sustainability.<br /><br /><strong>Pheadra Svec</strong>, a consultant to KC government, said \\\"We kept hearing&nbsp; stories that<br />building codes prohibited green practices, so we took at look at the code<br />paragraph by paragraph and we found that there was no code nor ordinance<br />that prohibited anything in LEED. Permit applications for green projects<br />were getting rejected, but the barrier was not the code.\\\"<br /><br /><strong>Solutia</strong> is marketing sunglasses for your windows.<br /><br />More information on attending the conference can be found at www.greentheheartland.com</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/greening.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(398,158,4,2,1214330352,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-24 07:51 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:54:\"Bartnett-Bothmann Joins Woolpert as Business Developer\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:54:\"bartnett_bothmann_joins_woolpert_as_business_developer\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:54:\"Bartnett-Bothmann Joins Woolpert as Business Developer\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:99:\"Sally Bartnett-Bothman has joined  the St. Louis office of Woolpert, Inc. as a business developer. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:16:\"Bartnett-Bothman\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:803:\"<p>Sally-Bartnett Bothmann has joined the St. Louis office of Woolpert, Inc., a national engineering, architecture, planning, and enterprise firm,&nbsp; as a business developer. Bartnett-Bothmann has 14 years of experience in the commercial and industrial construction and real estate field. She will focus on Missouri and Southern Illinois clients</p>\n<p>\\\"Sally\\\'s enthusiasm, combined with her reputation as a strategic thinker with comprehensive industry knowledge, will be an valued addition to our sales and marketing efforts in this region,\\\" said Tim Racke, Woolpert private market leader.</p>\n<p>Bartnett-Bothmann is a member of the minority and membership committees of the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers and the St. Louis chapter, American Society of Professional Estimators.</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(399,159,4,2,1214331513,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-24 08:09 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"7\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:22:\"EDM Adds Tillit, Berry\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:21:\"edm_adds_tillit_berry\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:22:\"EDM Adds Tillit, Berry\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:61:\"Kristine Tillit and Rick Berry have joined EDM Incorporated. \";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:18:\"Tillit, Berry, EDM\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:468:\"<p>Kristine Tillit and Rick Berry have joined EDM Incorporated.</p>\n<p>Tillit is a recent graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardswille, where she received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. She will&nbsp; focus on marketing and accounting&nbsp; at EDM.</p>\n<p>Berry has joined EDM as a business development specialist. He is trained as a structural engineer and formerly worked at Booker Associates and CH2M HILL Lockwood Greene.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"7\";}'),(400,157,2,2,1214334733,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"157\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-24 06:03 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"in_the_green_world_old_is_new\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:226:\"Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies. At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:69:\"Greening the Heartland, America\\\'s Center, sustainability, conference\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5728:\"<p>Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies.</p>\n<p>At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable.&nbsp; Greening the Heartland, a regional conference on green building and sustainability in the Midwest, is being held through tomorrow at America\\\'s Center in downtown St. Louis,. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - St. Louis Regional Chapter is hosting this fifth annual event, which is geared toward people interested in greening their town, business, college campus or building.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Roger Gooch of Forbo Flooring\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"270\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/forbo.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Roger Gooch  of  Forbo Flooring\\\" width=\\\"180\\\" />In the event\\\'s exposition hall, Roger Gooch, south central regional manager for Forbo Flooring Systems, explained that his company has been making its \\\"new\\\" sustainable product since the middle of the 19th century. Linoleum is manufactured using linseed oil and wood \\\"flour\\\". It used to be made with cork, but the shortage of good cork is one reason why your favorite wine now has a screwtop. Another name for linseed oil - at least the kind extracted without the use of solvents is flaxseed, which you can buy at any health food store and put on your salad. The primary difference between today\\\'s linoleum and the product that readers of a certain age may remember, Gooch said, is the addition of UV coating, which seals the surface and improves durability and sheen. <br /><br />At St. Louis\\\' Subsurface Constructors, Inc. exhibit the sustainable product was \\\"vibrostone columns\\\".&nbsp; Subsurface has built a solid foundation (sorry about that) for a national business in the sustainable construction industry by combining a drilled, compacted piling system which reuses the onsite material and additions such as recycled railroad ballast. This system displaces minimal dirt on the site itself and piles on the points when an owner is seeking LEED certification. <br /><br />Dropping in at the many presentations by national and local speakers and talking with exhibitors and sponsors produced a reporter\\\'s notebook full of information:<br /><br /><strong>Rep. Russ Carnahan</strong> opened the conference and announced that he and another<br />representative had just formed the High Performance Buildings Caucus in the<br />U.S. House of Representatives to advance legislation for&nbsp; high performing<br />(\\\"green\\\") buildings.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>Ray Anderson</strong>, founder of Interface Flor, said his company has reduced<br />greenhouse gas emissions by 82 percent since 1996, reduced water use by 75<br /><img alt=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"225\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/subsurface.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />percent, and reduced fossil fuel use by 62 percent while doubling its sales<br />and profits. \\\"If Interface, a petro intensive manufacturer can do it, anyone<br />in construction can do it,\\\" he said.<br /><br /><strong>Ecos Materials</strong>, based in Rock Hill, MO, is sells an interior/exterior<br />sheathing board made from rice hulls and wheat husks that is being used in<br />multi-family housing in Louisville, KY.<br /><br /><strong>Over 110 employees at McCarthy</strong> have completed the qualifications for their LEED professional certification in the last two years.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong></strong></p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"184\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/greening-seminar.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" /><strong>The facilities managers for the state of Missouri</strong> are using software to<br />better maintain buildings and slash heating, cooling, and lighting bills.<br /><br /><strong>Pay as you go:</strong> Leith Sharp, sustainability director for Harvard University,<br />explained that the university\\\'s sustainability office is funded out of the<br />savings that its projects realize for the university. Turns out that is not<br />unique. Cleveland\\\'s sustainability office is funded the same way - from<br />savings it can find in city operations. Ditto Grand Rapids.<br /><br /><strong>As general manager of CI Select Flooring, Linda Goldstein</strong> has been in the<br />forefront of carpet recycling and green flooring in St. Louis. As mayor of<br />Clayton, she finds herself in the forefront of greening municipal government<br />in eastern Missouri. Clayton now lists LEED certification as a public<br />benefit that can help a develop get a special public use development (PUD)<br />zoning classification. The city is now considering regulation to allow<br />windmills atop highrise roofs.<br /><br /><strong>Chris Klehm</strong>, president of E2, said plumbing codes are all so antiquated they<br />encourage waste and poor performance and block efficiency and<br />sustainability.<br /><br /><strong>Pheadra Svec</strong>, a consultant to KC government, said \\\"We kept hearing&nbsp; stories that<br />building codes prohibited green practices, so we took at look at the code<br />paragraph by paragraph and we found that there was no code nor ordinance<br />that prohibited anything in LEED. Permit applications for green projects<br />were getting rejected, but the barrier was not the code.\\\"<br /><br /><strong>Solutia</strong> is marketing sunglasses for your windows.<br /><br />More information on attending the conference can be found at www.greentheheartland.com</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/greening.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(401,160,2,2,1214410595,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-25 05:59 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:57:\"The St. Louis Shriners Hospital is Moving - Into the City\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:54:\"the_st_louis_shriners_hospital_is_moving_into_the_city\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:57:\"The St. Louis Shriners Hospital is Moving - Into the City\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:302:\"\nThe St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children is returning to its roots.\nNational leaders of the Shriners, in town for a national convention in early\nJuly, will celebrate plans for a new 247,000-square-foot hospital at Clayton\nand Newstead Avenues on the Washington University School of Medicine campus\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:48:\"Shriners, Washington  University, City, hospital\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2758:\"<p>The St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children is returning to its roots.<br />National leaders of the Shriners, in town for a national convention in early<br />July, will celebrate plans for a new 247,000-square-foot hospital at Clayton<br />and Newstead Avenues on the Washington University School of Medicine campus<br />with a ceremonial groundbreaking on July 3, 2008. The new facility will be<br />built just two blocks from the site of the original St. Louis Shriners<br />Hospital for Children, which was built at Clayton and Euclid Avenues in<br />1924.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Shiners Hospital location\\\" height=\\\"208\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/features/map.jpg\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />The new 40-bed facility will feature an expanded research center, a larger<br />outpatient area, a motion analysis lab, four surgical suites, 30 clinic<br />examination rooms, and more space for orthotics and prosthetics. There will<br />be 12 private rooms for children waiting for same-day surgery; 10 beds in a<br />Center for Metabolic Bone Disease and Molecular Research; and six rooms for<br />parents. The research center will take up an entire floor of the six-story<br />structure and include a DNA lab.<br /><br />Construction at the new $170 million hospital actually will begin in early<br />2009 with completion slated for 2011. The project also includes construction<br />of a 260-space parking garage. The hospital and parking garage will rise up<br />on the site of a former Pepsi Bottling Co. plant and parking lot. The new<br />facility will replace the current Shriners Hospital for Children on<br />Lindbergh Boulevard in Frontenac, MO. Tammy Robbins, director of public<br />relations for the St. Louis Shriners hospital, said the hospital moved from<br />its original St. Louis city location to the suburban Frontenac facility in<br />1963. Once the new facility is completed, the Shriners intend to sell the<br />hospital on Lindbergh.<br /><br />\\\"This is an exciting time for the Shriners Hospitals for Children in St.<br />Louis,\\\" Ralph Semb, president and chairman of the board of trustees said in<br />a report to the Shriners Fraternity. \\\"We expect that this new hospital will<br />ultimately set the industry standard for quality and attract the best and<br />brightest physicians and clinical staff in pediatric specialty care,\\\" he<br />added.<br /><br />Most of the medical staff at the Shriners Hospital for Children are on the<br />faculty at Washington University. Semb said that moving the hospital closer<br />to the university and St. Louis Children\\\'s Hospital would improve patient<br />care, research, and education.<br /><br />Paric Corp. is the general contractor. Gresham Smith &amp; Partners is the<br />architect.<br /></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/shriners.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(402,160,2,2,1214411125,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"160\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-25 05:59 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:57:\"The St. Louis Shriners Hospital is Moving - Into the City\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:54:\"the_st_louis_shriners_hospital_is_moving_into_the_city\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:57:\"The St. Louis Shriners Hospital is Moving - Into the City\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:301:\"The St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children is returning to its roots. National leaders of the Shriners, in town for a national convention in early\nJuly, will celebrate plans for a new 247,000-square-foot hospital at Clayton and Newstead Avenues on the Washington University School of Medicine campus\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:48:\"Shriners, Washington  University, City, hospital\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2703:\"<p>The St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children is returning to its roots. National leaders of the Shriners, in town for a national convention in early<br />July, will celebrate plans for a new 247,000-square-foot hospital at Clayton and Newstead Avenues on the Washington University School of Medicine campus<br />with a ceremonial groundbreaking on July 3, 2008. The new facility will be built just two blocks from the site of the original St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children, which was built at Clayton and Euclid Avenues in 1924.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Shiners Hospital location\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"208\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/map.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Shriners Hospital location\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />The new 40-bed facility will feature an expanded research center, a largeroutpatient area, a motion analysis lab, four surgical suites, 30 clinic<br />examination rooms, and more space for orthotics and prosthetics. There will be 12 private rooms for children waiting for same-day surgery; 10 beds in a<br />Center for Metabolic Bone Disease and Molecular Research; and six rooms for parents. The research center will take up an entire floor of the six-story<br />structure and include a DNA lab.</p>\n<p>Construction at the new $170 million hospital actually will begin in early 2009 with completion slated for 2011. The project also includes construction of a 260-space parking garage. The hospital and parking garage will rise up on the site of a former Pepsi Bottling Co. plant and parking lot. The new facility will replace the current Shriners Hospital for Children on Lindbergh Boulevard in Frontenac, MO. Tammy Robbins, director of public relations for the St. Louis Shriners hospital, said the hospital moved from its original St. Louis city location to the suburban Frontenac facility in 1963. Once the new facility is completed, the Shriners intend to sell the hospital on Lindbergh.<br /><br />\\\"This is an exciting time for the Shriners Hospitals for Children in St. Louis,\\\" Ralph Semb, president and chairman of the board of trustees said in<br />a report to the Shriners Fraternity. \\\"We expect that this new hospital wil ultimately set the industry standard for quality and attract the best and<br />brightest physicians and clinical staff in pediatric specialty care,\\\" he added.<br /><br />Most of the medical staff at the Shriners Hospital for Children are on the faculty at Washington University. Semb said that moving the hospital closer<br />to the university and St. Louis Children\\\'s Hospital would improve patient care, research, and education.<br /><br />Paric Corp. is the general contractor. Gresham Smith &amp; Partners is the architect.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/shriners.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(403,160,2,2,1214411437,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"160\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-25 05:59 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:57:\"The St. Louis Shriners Hospital is Moving - Into the City\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:54:\"the_st_louis_shriners_hospital_is_moving_into_the_city\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:57:\"The St. Louis Shriners Hospital is Moving - Into the City\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:301:\"The St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children is returning to its roots. National leaders of the Shriners, in town for a national convention in early\nJuly, will celebrate plans for a new 247,000-square-foot hospital at Clayton and Newstead Avenues on the Washington University School of Medicine campus\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:48:\"Shriners, Washington  University, City, hospital\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2669:\"<p>The St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children is returning to its roots. National leaders of the Shriners, in town for a national convention in early&nbsp; July, will celebrate plans for a new 247,000-square-foot hospital at Clayton and Newstead Avenues on the Washington University School of Medicine campus with a ceremonial groundbreaking on July 3, 2008. The new facility will be built just two blocks from the site of the original St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children, which was built at Clayton and Euclid Avenues in 1924.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Shiners Hospital location\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"208\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/map.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Shriners Hospital location\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />The new 40-bed facility will feature an expanded research center, a largeroutpatient area, a motion analysis lab, four surgical suites, 30 clinic examination rooms, and more space for orthotics and prosthetics. There will be 12 private rooms for children waiting for same-day surgery; 10 beds in a Center for Metabolic Bone Disease and Molecular Research; and six rooms for parents. The research center will take up an entire floor of the six-story structure and include a DNA lab.</p>\n<p>Construction at the new $170 million hospital actually will begin in early 2009 with completion slated for 2011. The project also includes construction of a 260-space parking garage. The hospital and parking garage will rise up on the site of a former Pepsi Bottling Co. plant and parking lot. The new facility will replace the current Shriners Hospital for Children on Lindbergh Boulevard in Frontenac, MO. Tammy Robbins, director of public relations for the St. Louis Shriners hospital, said the hospital moved from its original St. Louis city location to the suburban Frontenac facility in 1963. Once the new facility is completed, the Shriners intend to sell the hospital on Lindbergh.<br /><br />\\\"This is an exciting time for the Shriners Hospitals for Children in St. Louis,\\\" Ralph Semb, president and chairman of the board of trustees said in a report to the Shriners Fraternity. \\\"We expect that this new hospital wil ultimately set the industry standard for quality and attract the best and brightest physicians and clinical staff in pediatric specialty care,\\\" he added.<br /><br />Most of the medical staff at the Shriners Hospital for Children are on the faculty at Washington University. Semb said that moving the hospital closer to the university and St. Louis Children\\\'s Hospital would improve patient care, research, and education.<br /><br />Paric Corp. is the general contractor. Gresham Smith &amp; Partners is the architect.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/shriners.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(404,157,2,2,1214411469,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"157\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-24 06:03 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"in_the_green_world_old_is_new\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:226:\"Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies. At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:69:\"Greening the Heartland, America\\\'s Center, sustainability, conference\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5728:\"<p>Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot new sustainable technologies.</p>\n<p>At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable.&nbsp; Greening the Heartland, a regional conference on green building and sustainability in the Midwest, is being held through tomorrow at America\\\'s Center in downtown St. Louis,. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - St. Louis Regional Chapter is hosting this fifth annual event, which is geared toward people interested in greening their town, business, college campus or building.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Roger Gooch of Forbo Flooring\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"270\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/forbo.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Roger Gooch  of  Forbo Flooring\\\" width=\\\"180\\\" />In the event\\\'s exposition hall, Roger Gooch, south central regional manager for Forbo Flooring Systems, explained that his company has been making its \\\"new\\\" sustainable product since the middle of the 19th century. Linoleum is manufactured using linseed oil and wood \\\"flour\\\". It used to be made with cork, but the shortage of good cork is one reason why your favorite wine now has a screwtop. Another name for linseed oil - at least the kind extracted without the use of solvents is flaxseed, which you can buy at any health food store and put on your salad. The primary difference between today\\\'s linoleum and the product that readers of a certain age may remember, Gooch said, is the addition of UV coating, which seals the surface and improves durability and sheen. <br /><br />At St. Louis\\\' Subsurface Constructors, Inc. exhibit the sustainable product was \\\"vibrostone columns\\\".&nbsp; Subsurface has built a solid foundation (sorry about that) for a national business in the sustainable construction industry by combining a drilled, compacted piling system which reuses the onsite material and additions such as recycled railroad ballast. This system displaces minimal dirt on the site itself and piles on the points when an owner is seeking LEED certification. <br /><br />Dropping in at the many presentations by national and local speakers and talking with exhibitors and sponsors produced a reporter\\\'s notebook full of information:<br /><br /><strong>Rep. Russ Carnahan</strong> opened the conference and announced that he and another<br />representative had just formed the High Performance Buildings Caucus in the<br />U.S. House of Representatives to advance legislation for&nbsp; high performing<br />(\\\"green\\\") buildings.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>Ray Anderson</strong>, founder of Interface Flor, said his company has reduced<br />greenhouse gas emissions by 82 percent since 1996, reduced water use by 75<br /><img alt=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"225\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/subsurface.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />percent, and reduced fossil fuel use by 62 percent while doubling its sales<br />and profits. \\\"If Interface, a petro intensive manufacturer can do it, anyone<br />in construction can do it,\\\" he said.<br /><br /><strong>Ecos Materials</strong>, based in Rock Hill, MO, is sells an interior/exterior<br />sheathing board made from rice hulls and wheat husks that is being used in<br />multi-family housing in Louisville, KY.<br /><br /><strong>Over 110 employees at McCarthy</strong> have completed the qualifications for their LEED professional certification in the last two years.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong></strong></p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"184\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/greening-seminar.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" /><strong>The facilities managers for the state of Missouri</strong> are using software to<br />better maintain buildings and slash heating, cooling, and lighting bills.<br /><br /><strong>Pay as you go:</strong> Leith Sharp, sustainability director for Harvard University,<br />explained that the university\\\'s sustainability office is funded out of the<br />savings that its projects realize for the university. Turns out that is not<br />unique. Cleveland\\\'s sustainability office is funded the same way - from<br />savings it can find in city operations. Ditto Grand Rapids.<br /><br /><strong>As general manager of CI Select Flooring, Linda Goldstein</strong> has been in the<br />forefront of carpet recycling and green flooring in St. Louis. As mayor of<br />Clayton, she finds herself in the forefront of greening municipal government<br />in eastern Missouri. Clayton now lists LEED certification as a public<br />benefit that can help a develop get a special public use development (PUD)<br />zoning classification. The city is now considering regulation to allow<br />windmills atop highrise roofs.<br /><br /><strong>Chris Klehm</strong>, president of E2, said plumbing codes are all so antiquated they<br />encourage waste and poor performance and block efficiency and<br />sustainability.<br /><br /><strong>Pheadra Svec</strong>, a consultant to KC government, said \\\"We kept hearing&nbsp; stories that<br />building codes prohibited green practices, so we took at look at the code<br />paragraph by paragraph and we found that there was no code nor ordinance<br />that prohibited anything in LEED. Permit applications for green projects<br />were getting rejected, but the barrier was not the code.\\\"<br /><br /><strong>Solutia</strong> is marketing sunglasses for your windows.<br /><br />More information on attending the conference can be found at www.greentheheartland.com</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/greening.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(405,161,2,2,1214504822,'a:26:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-26 08:18 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:72:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  ‘Top 100 Green Design Firms\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:66:\"hok_tops_engineering_news_records_first_top_100_green_design_firms\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:74:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  ‘Top 100 Green Design Firms\\\'\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:177:\"HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a r survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:31:\"HOK, green, design, survey, ENR\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3238:\"<p>HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a r survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).</p>\n<p>The rankings&nbsp;&mdash; the first&nbsp; time&nbsp; such a listing has been published in <em>ENR&nbsp;&mdash;</em> are based on revenue for design services generated in 2007 from projects actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building council&rsquo;s LEED certification system.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"390\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/SYMANTEC_image.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />HOK generated $151.45 million, or 23 percent of total revenue, from sustainable projects in 2007. In the magazine&rsquo;s individual rankings by sector, HOK ranked first in the &ldquo;Healthcare&rdquo; sector; first in the &ldquo;Government Offices&rdquo; sector; second in &ldquo;Commercial Offices;&rdquo; and third in &ldquo;Education.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;The market for sustainable design has passed the tipping point and is rapidly becoming mainstream,&rdquo; according to the magazine. &ldquo;ENR\\\'s first &lsquo;Top Green Design Firms&rsquo; is an attempt to bypass the marketing and hype and measure the market by ranking designers based on their 2007 revenue from projects that were registered and actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />The ENR Top 100 Green Designers generated $1.74 billion in revenue from sustainable projects in 2007, with $1.62 billion domestically and $121.2 million abroad. Green design accounted for 7.4 percent of the Top 100&rsquo;s total design revenue.<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We&rsquo;re delighted that the ENR ranking reinforces HOK&rsquo;s green design leadership role and impact,&rdquo; said HOK Sustainable Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus. &ldquo;This kind of recognition doesn&rsquo;t come easily &ndash; it&rsquo;s the result of many HOK people over many years working hard to make a positive impact and raise the bar for our clients, partners and profession.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />A pioneer in the green building movement since the early 1990s, HOK&rsquo;s sustainable design expertise has led to more than 30 LEED-certified projects, six BREEAM-rated projects and more than 100 others actively pursuing certification. The firm also has placed a significant role in applying sustainable design strategies to emerging geographic regions, building types and sectors. In addition, HOK principals authored a pioneering text on sustainability, &ldquo;The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design,&rdquo; &lt;published by John Wiley&nbsp; Sons.<br />&nbsp;<br /><br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/hok-website.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";}'),(406,160,2,2,1214504839,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"160\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-25 05:59 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:57:\"The St. Louis Shriners Hospital is Moving - Into the City\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:54:\"the_st_louis_shriners_hospital_is_moving_into_the_city\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:57:\"The St. Louis Shriners Hospital is Moving - Into the City\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:301:\"The St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children is returning to its roots. National leaders of the Shriners, in town for a national convention in early\nJuly, will celebrate plans for a new 247,000-square-foot hospital at Clayton and Newstead Avenues on the Washington University School of Medicine campus\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"9\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:48:\"Shriners, Washington  University, City, hospital\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:2669:\"<p>The St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children is returning to its roots. National leaders of the Shriners, in town for a national convention in early&nbsp; July, will celebrate plans for a new 247,000-square-foot hospital at Clayton and Newstead Avenues on the Washington University School of Medicine campus with a ceremonial groundbreaking on July 3, 2008. The new facility will be built just two blocks from the site of the original St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children, which was built at Clayton and Euclid Avenues in 1924.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Shiners Hospital location\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"208\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/map.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Shriners Hospital location\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />The new 40-bed facility will feature an expanded research center, a largeroutpatient area, a motion analysis lab, four surgical suites, 30 clinic examination rooms, and more space for orthotics and prosthetics. There will be 12 private rooms for children waiting for same-day surgery; 10 beds in a Center for Metabolic Bone Disease and Molecular Research; and six rooms for parents. The research center will take up an entire floor of the six-story structure and include a DNA lab.</p>\n<p>Construction at the new $170 million hospital actually will begin in early 2009 with completion slated for 2011. The project also includes construction of a 260-space parking garage. The hospital and parking garage will rise up on the site of a former Pepsi Bottling Co. plant and parking lot. The new facility will replace the current Shriners Hospital for Children on Lindbergh Boulevard in Frontenac, MO. Tammy Robbins, director of public relations for the St. Louis Shriners hospital, said the hospital moved from its original St. Louis city location to the suburban Frontenac facility in 1963. Once the new facility is completed, the Shriners intend to sell the hospital on Lindbergh.<br /><br />\\\"This is an exciting time for the Shriners Hospitals for Children in St. Louis,\\\" Ralph Semb, president and chairman of the board of trustees said in a report to the Shriners Fraternity. \\\"We expect that this new hospital wil ultimately set the industry standard for quality and attract the best and brightest physicians and clinical staff in pediatric specialty care,\\\" he added.<br /><br />Most of the medical staff at the Shriners Hospital for Children are on the faculty at Washington University. Semb said that moving the hospital closer to the university and St. Louis Children\\\'s Hospital would improve patient care, research, and education.<br /><br />Paric Corp. is the general contractor. Gresham Smith &amp; Partners is the architect.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/shriners.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(407,161,2,2,1214504854,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"161\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-26 08:18 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:72:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  ‘Top 100 Green Design Firms\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:66:\"hok_tops_engineering_news_records_first_top_100_green_design_firms\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:74:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  ‘Top 100 Green Design Firms\\\'\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:177:\"HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a r survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:31:\"HOK, green, design, survey, ENR\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3238:\"<p>HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a r survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).</p>\n<p>The rankings&nbsp;&mdash; the first&nbsp; time&nbsp; such a listing has been published in <em>ENR&nbsp;&mdash;</em> are based on revenue for design services generated in 2007 from projects actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building council&rsquo;s LEED certification system.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"390\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/SYMANTEC_image.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />HOK generated $151.45 million, or 23 percent of total revenue, from sustainable projects in 2007. In the magazine&rsquo;s individual rankings by sector, HOK ranked first in the &ldquo;Healthcare&rdquo; sector; first in the &ldquo;Government Offices&rdquo; sector; second in &ldquo;Commercial Offices;&rdquo; and third in &ldquo;Education.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;The market for sustainable design has passed the tipping point and is rapidly becoming mainstream,&rdquo; according to the magazine. &ldquo;ENR\\\'s first &lsquo;Top Green Design Firms&rsquo; is an attempt to bypass the marketing and hype and measure the market by ranking designers based on their 2007 revenue from projects that were registered and actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />The ENR Top 100 Green Designers generated $1.74 billion in revenue from sustainable projects in 2007, with $1.62 billion domestically and $121.2 million abroad. Green design accounted for 7.4 percent of the Top 100&rsquo;s total design revenue.<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We&rsquo;re delighted that the ENR ranking reinforces HOK&rsquo;s green design leadership role and impact,&rdquo; said HOK Sustainable Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus. &ldquo;This kind of recognition doesn&rsquo;t come easily &ndash; it&rsquo;s the result of many HOK people over many years working hard to make a positive impact and raise the bar for our clients, partners and profession.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />A pioneer in the green building movement since the early 1990s, HOK&rsquo;s sustainable design expertise has led to more than 30 LEED-certified projects, six BREEAM-rated projects and more than 100 others actively pursuing certification. The firm also has placed a significant role in applying sustainable design strategies to emerging geographic regions, building types and sectors. In addition, HOK principals authored a pioneering text on sustainability, &ldquo;The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design,&rdquo; &lt;published by John Wiley&nbsp; Sons.<br />&nbsp;<br /><br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/hok-website.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(408,161,2,2,1214504968,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"161\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-26 08:18 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:73:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  \\\'Top 100 Green Design Firms\\\'\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:66:\"hok_tops_engineering_news_records_first_top_100_green_design_firms\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:73:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  \\\'Top 100 Green Design Firms\\\'\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:177:\"HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a r survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:31:\"HOK, green, design, survey, ENR\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3238:\"<p>HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a r survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).</p>\n<p>The rankings&nbsp;&mdash; the first&nbsp; time&nbsp; such a listing has been published in <em>ENR&nbsp;&mdash;</em> are based on revenue for design services generated in 2007 from projects actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building council&rsquo;s LEED certification system.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"390\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/SYMANTEC_image.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />HOK generated $151.45 million, or 23 percent of total revenue, from sustainable projects in 2007. In the magazine&rsquo;s individual rankings by sector, HOK ranked first in the &ldquo;Healthcare&rdquo; sector; first in the &ldquo;Government Offices&rdquo; sector; second in &ldquo;Commercial Offices;&rdquo; and third in &ldquo;Education.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;The market for sustainable design has passed the tipping point and is rapidly becoming mainstream,&rdquo; according to the magazine. &ldquo;ENR\\\'s first &lsquo;Top Green Design Firms&rsquo; is an attempt to bypass the marketing and hype and measure the market by ranking designers based on their 2007 revenue from projects that were registered and actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />The ENR Top 100 Green Designers generated $1.74 billion in revenue from sustainable projects in 2007, with $1.62 billion domestically and $121.2 million abroad. Green design accounted for 7.4 percent of the Top 100&rsquo;s total design revenue.<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We&rsquo;re delighted that the ENR ranking reinforces HOK&rsquo;s green design leadership role and impact,&rdquo; said HOK Sustainable Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus. &ldquo;This kind of recognition doesn&rsquo;t come easily &ndash; it&rsquo;s the result of many HOK people over many years working hard to make a positive impact and raise the bar for our clients, partners and profession.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />A pioneer in the green building movement since the early 1990s, HOK&rsquo;s sustainable design expertise has led to more than 30 LEED-certified projects, six BREEAM-rated projects and more than 100 others actively pursuing certification. The firm also has placed a significant role in applying sustainable design strategies to emerging geographic regions, building types and sectors. In addition, HOK principals authored a pioneering text on sustainability, &ldquo;The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design,&rdquo; &lt;published by John Wiley&nbsp; Sons.<br />&nbsp;<br /><br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/hok-website.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:85:\"HOK was a sponsor and exhibitor at this week\\\'s \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" conference\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(409,161,2,2,1214505040,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"161\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-26 08:18 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:73:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  \\\'Top 100 Green Design Firms\\\'\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:66:\"hok_tops_engineering_news_records_first_top_100_green_design_firms\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:73:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  \\\'Top 100 Green Design Firms\\\'\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:175:\"HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:31:\"HOK, green, design, survey, ENR\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3236:\"<p>HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).</p>\n<p>The rankings&nbsp;&mdash; the first&nbsp; time&nbsp; such a listing has been published in <em>ENR&nbsp;&mdash;</em> are based on revenue for design services generated in 2007 from projects actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building council&rsquo;s LEED certification system.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"390\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/SYMANTEC_image.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />HOK generated $151.45 million, or 23 percent of total revenue, from sustainable projects in 2007. In the magazine&rsquo;s individual rankings by sector, HOK ranked first in the &ldquo;Healthcare&rdquo; sector; first in the &ldquo;Government Offices&rdquo; sector; second in &ldquo;Commercial Offices;&rdquo; and third in &ldquo;Education.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;The market for sustainable design has passed the tipping point and is rapidly becoming mainstream,&rdquo; according to the magazine. &ldquo;ENR\\\'s first &lsquo;Top Green Design Firms&rsquo; is an attempt to bypass the marketing and hype and measure the market by ranking designers based on their 2007 revenue from projects that were registered and actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />The ENR Top 100 Green Designers generated $1.74 billion in revenue from sustainable projects in 2007, with $1.62 billion domestically and $121.2 million abroad. Green design accounted for 7.4 percent of the Top 100&rsquo;s total design revenue.<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We&rsquo;re delighted that the ENR ranking reinforces HOK&rsquo;s green design leadership role and impact,&rdquo; said HOK Sustainable Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus. &ldquo;This kind of recognition doesn&rsquo;t come easily &ndash; it&rsquo;s the result of many HOK people over many years working hard to make a positive impact and raise the bar for our clients, partners and profession.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />A pioneer in the green building movement since the early 1990s, HOK&rsquo;s sustainable design expertise has led to more than 30 LEED-certified projects, six BREEAM-rated projects and more than 100 others actively pursuing certification. The firm also has placed a significant role in applying sustainable design strategies to emerging geographic regions, building types and sectors. In addition, HOK principals authored a pioneering text on sustainability, &ldquo;The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design,&rdquo; &lt;published by John Wiley&nbsp; Sons.<br />&nbsp;<br /><br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/hok-website.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:85:\"HOK was a sponsor and exhibitor at this week\\\'s \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" conference\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(410,161,2,2,1214505368,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"161\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-26 08:18 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:73:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  \\\'Top 100 Green Design Firms\\\'\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:66:\"hok_tops_engineering_news_records_first_top_100_green_design_firms\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:73:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  \\\'Top 100 Green Design Firms\\\'\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:175:\"HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:31:\"HOK, green, design, survey, ENR\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3232:\"<p>HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"390\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/SYMANTEC_image.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />The rankings&nbsp;&mdash; the first&nbsp; time&nbsp; such a listing has been published in <em>ENR&nbsp;&mdash;</em> are based on revenue for design services generated in 2007 from projects actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building council&rsquo;s LEED certification system.<br /><br />HOK generated $151.45 million, or 23 percent of total revenue, from sustainable projects in 2007. In the magazine&rsquo;s individual rankings by sector, HOK ranked first in the &ldquo;Healthcare&rdquo; sector; first in the &ldquo;Government Offices&rdquo; sector; second in &ldquo;Commercial Offices;&rdquo; and third in &ldquo;Education.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;The market for sustainable design has passed the tipping point and is rapidly becoming mainstream,&rdquo; according to the magazine. &ldquo;ENR\\\'s first &lsquo;Top Green Design Firms&rsquo; is an attempt to bypass the marketing and hype and measure the market by ranking designers based on their 2007 revenue from projects that were registered and actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />The ENR Top 100 Green Designers generated $1.74 billion in revenue from sustainable projects in 2007, with $1.62 billion domestically and $121.2 million abroad. Green design accounted for 7.4 percent of the Top 100&rsquo;s total design revenue.<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We&rsquo;re delighted that the ENR ranking reinforces HOK&rsquo;s green design leadership role and impact,&rdquo; said HOK Sustainable Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus. &ldquo;This kind of recognition doesn&rsquo;t come easily &ndash; it&rsquo;s the result of many HOK people over many years working hard to make a positive impact and raise the bar for our clients, partners and profession.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />A pioneer in the green building movement since the early 1990s, HOK&rsquo;s sustainable design expertise has led to more than 30 LEED-certified projects, six BREEAM-rated projects and more than 100 others actively pursuing certification. The firm also has placed a significant role in applying sustainable design strategies to emerging geographic regions, building types and sectors. In addition, HOK principals authored a pioneering text on sustainability, &ldquo;The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design,&rdquo; published by John Wiley&nbsp; Sons.<br />&nbsp;<br /><br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/hok-website.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:85:\"HOK was a sponsor and exhibitor at this week\\\'s \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" conference\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(411,162,2,2,1214633069,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-27 07:55 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:58:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: \\\"When Being Right is Not Enough\\\"\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:51:\"kwames_tony_thompson_when_being_right_is_not_enough\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:60:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: “When Being Right is Not Enoughâ€\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:299:\"Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said the inherent risk in today’s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:48:\"Tony Thompson, Metro, Kwame Building Group, risk\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5737:\"<p>Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said, the inherent risk in today&rsquo;s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind.&nbsp; <br /><br />Thompson, who guided his company through the recent Metrolink extension project lawsuit, spoke before the June meeting of the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association on his experience at managing his company through the storm.&nbsp; He said he was there to tell the subcontractors and suppliers in attendance about what happens &ldquo;when being right is not enough.&rdquo;<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"330\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Tony_web.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Thompson founded Kwame in 1991 as an advocate for owner interests through cost estimating and management services. &ldquo;If we can&rsquo;t save you our fees, don&rsquo;t hire us,&rdquo; he said. <br /><br />Thompson drew applause from the subcontractors and suppliers in the room when he said that he stood on his firm&rsquo;s capabilities rather than playing the minority card. Thompson holds a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Washington&nbsp; University and bachelors degrees in&nbsp; architectural engineering and environmental design from the University of Kansas. Prior to forming Kwame, he served as project engineer for Anheuser-Busch Companies, as a mechanical engineer at Monsanto Chemical Company, and as a construction engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. &ldquo;How am I disadvantaged?,&rdquo; he asked.<br /><br />The lawsuit between Metro and the Cross County Collaborative involving the MetroLink extension project from Forest Park to Shrewsbury resulted in a complete victory for the defendants, Cross County Collaborative (CCC), on all counts. The jury returned verdicts in favor of the CCC and against Metro on all counts in the Metro litigation. Cross County Collaborative received more than $2.5 million on its claims of breach of contract. Metro was seeking $81 million in damages over delays and costs associated with the extension.<br /><br />The CCC won a judgment for attorneys&rsquo; fees and court costs. Thompson said that he had not signed over his interests in the lawsuit to the partnership, the legal expense still would have put his firm out of business. <br /><br />The members of the partnership each carried $8 million in professional liability insurance. But Larry Salci, the executive director of Metro who drove the lawsuit contended fraud on the part of the partnership, which voided the liability protection. <br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative was the construction group in charge of the $550 million light rail project, which opened in 2006. Metro officials, led by Salci, fired the collaborative in August 2004 before filing suit against it in St. Louis County Circuit Court, alleging fraud and mismanagement of the project. The extension was more than a year late and about $128 million over its original budget, according to Metro.<br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative, which includes Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade &amp; Douglas Inc.; STV Inc.; Jacobs Civil Inc.; and Kwame Building Group, countersued in November 2004, seeking $17 million for work it said it completed for Metro but for which Metro never paid. All except Kwame are international firms, with operations in St. Louis. Parsons Brinckerhoff and STV are based in New York. Jacobs is based in Pasadena, CA<br /><br />Metro, in its suit against the Cross County Collaborative and its member companies, alleged they defrauded the agency in part by submitting incomplete design documents, which allegedly they concealed and that ultimately led to the cost overruns.<br /><br />Thompson said that the lawsuit contended that his firm had produced bad cost estimates, but he said that Metro did not produce a single example during the trial. Thompson said that Metro claimed that the CCCs mismanagement of scheduling issues such as utility relocations adversely affected the cost of the project, but that Metro&rsquo;s own organization chart for the extension showed Metro employees at all the key control points. &ldquo;There was nothing ever done that wasn&rsquo;t dictated by Metro,&rdquo; Thompson said.<br /><br />Thompson challenges the commonly-held notion that it is important to document everything. Documentation &ndash; particularly email &ndash; can come back to haunt you when things go wrong, he said. Thompson said that during the trial the CCCs attorney produced emails showing that shortly after Metro executive had attended a construction fraud conference a plan was developed to accuse the CCC of fraud and fire it.&nbsp; He said that Metro even produced critical path chart of the activities needed to accomplish that objective.&nbsp; <br /><br />Thompson said that during the trial,&nbsp; &ldquo;I slept like a baby. I woke up every hour, kicking and screaming.&rdquo;&nbsp; Kwame cut staff, tightened management procedures, and put Thompson on the road selling work in other parts of the country to survive. Colleagues in the St. Louis construction industry were empathic but were not going to hire Kwame while the trial was under way. <br /><br />In the end, Thompson said, his business came out of the experience stronger, better run, and more profitable. He said that he has moved on from the experience, for the most part.<br /><br />&ldquo;Forgive and forget&hellip; but remember their names,&rdquo; Thompson said. <br /><br /></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:26:\"/images/uploads/banana.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(412,161,2,2,1214633099,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"161\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-26 08:18 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:73:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  \\\'Top 100 Green Design Firms\\\'\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:66:\"hok_tops_engineering_news_records_first_top_100_green_design_firms\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:73:\"HOK Tops Engineering News-Record\\\'s First  \\\'Top 100 Green Design Firms\\\'\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:175:\"HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:31:\"HOK, green, design, survey, ENR\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:3232:\"<p>HOK, an early adherent to sustainable design, is the greenest design firm on the planet, according to a survey published in the June 23 issue of Engineering News-Record (ENR).</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"390\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/SYMANTEC_image.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"he HOK-designed Symantec headquarters in Culver City, California, earned a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its innovative sustainable strategies. Photo by Lawrence Anderson.\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />The rankings&nbsp;&mdash; the first&nbsp; time&nbsp; such a listing has been published in <em>ENR&nbsp;&mdash;</em> are based on revenue for design services generated in 2007 from projects actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building council&rsquo;s LEED certification system.<br /><br />HOK generated $151.45 million, or 23 percent of total revenue, from sustainable projects in 2007. In the magazine&rsquo;s individual rankings by sector, HOK ranked first in the &ldquo;Healthcare&rdquo; sector; first in the &ldquo;Government Offices&rdquo; sector; second in &ldquo;Commercial Offices;&rdquo; and third in &ldquo;Education.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;The market for sustainable design has passed the tipping point and is rapidly becoming mainstream,&rdquo; according to the magazine. &ldquo;ENR\\\'s first &lsquo;Top Green Design Firms&rsquo; is an attempt to bypass the marketing and hype and measure the market by ranking designers based on their 2007 revenue from projects that were registered and actively seeking certification from major third-party environmental standards or ratings organizations.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />The ENR Top 100 Green Designers generated $1.74 billion in revenue from sustainable projects in 2007, with $1.62 billion domestically and $121.2 million abroad. Green design accounted for 7.4 percent of the Top 100&rsquo;s total design revenue.<br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;We&rsquo;re delighted that the ENR ranking reinforces HOK&rsquo;s green design leadership role and impact,&rdquo; said HOK Sustainable Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus. &ldquo;This kind of recognition doesn&rsquo;t come easily &ndash; it&rsquo;s the result of many HOK people over many years working hard to make a positive impact and raise the bar for our clients, partners and profession.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />A pioneer in the green building movement since the early 1990s, HOK&rsquo;s sustainable design expertise has led to more than 30 LEED-certified projects, six BREEAM-rated projects and more than 100 others actively pursuing certification. The firm also has placed a significant role in applying sustainable design strategies to emerging geographic regions, building types and sectors. In addition, HOK principals authored a pioneering text on sustainability, &ldquo;The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design,&rdquo; published by John Wiley&nbsp; Sons.<br />&nbsp;<br /><br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:31:\"/images/uploads/hok-website.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:85:\"HOK was a sponsor and exhibitor at this week\\\'s \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" conference\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(413,162,2,2,1214633176,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"162\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-27 07:55 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:58:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: \\\"When Being Right is Not Enough\\\"\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:51:\"kwames_tony_thompson_when_being_right_is_not_enough\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:58:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: \\\"When Being Right is Not Enough\\\"\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:299:\"Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said the inherent risk in today’s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:48:\"Tony Thompson, Metro, Kwame Building Group, risk\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5731:\"<p>Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said, the inherent risk in today&rsquo;s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind.&nbsp; <br /><br />Thompson, who guided his company through the recent Metrolink extension project lawsuit, spoke before the June meeting of the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association on his experience at managing his company through the storm.&nbsp; He said he was there to tell the subcontractors and suppliers in attendance about what happens &ldquo;when being right is not enough.&rdquo;<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"330\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Tony_web.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Thompson founded Kwame in 1991 as an advocate for owner interests through cost estimating and management services. &ldquo;If we can&rsquo;t save you our fees, don&rsquo;t hire us,&rdquo; he said. <br /><br />Thompson drew applause from the subcontractors and suppliers in the room when he said that he stood on his firm&rsquo;s capabilities rather than playing the minority card. Thompson holds a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Washington&nbsp; University and bachelors degrees in&nbsp; architectural engineering and environmental design from the University of Kansas. Prior to forming Kwame, he served as project engineer for Anheuser-Busch Companies, as a mechanical engineer at Monsanto Chemical Company, and as a construction engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. &ldquo;How am I disadvantaged?,&rdquo; he asked.<br /><br />The lawsuit between Metro and the Cross County Collaborative involving the MetroLink extension project from Forest Park to Shrewsbury resulted in a complete victory for the defendants, Cross County Collaborative (CCC), on all counts. The jury returned verdicts in favor of the CCC and against Metro on all counts in the Metro litigation. Cross County Collaborative received more than $2.5 million on its claims of breach of contract. Metro was seeking $81 million in damages over delays and costs associated with the extension.<br /><br />The CCC won a judgment for attorneys&rsquo; fees and court costs. Thompson said that he had not signed over his interests in the lawsuit to the partnership, the legal expense still would have put his firm out of business. <br /><br />The members of the partnership each carried $8 million in professional liability insurance. But Larry Salci, the executive director of Metro who drove the lawsuit contended fraud on the part of the partnership, which voided the liability protection. <br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative was the construction group in charge of the $550 million light rail project, which opened in 2006. Metro officials, led by Salci, fired the collaborative in August 2004 before filing suit against it in St. Louis County Circuit Court, alleging fraud and mismanagement of the project. The extension was more than a year late and about $128 million over its original budget, according to Metro.<br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative, which includes Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade &amp; Douglas Inc.; STV Inc.; Jacobs Civil Inc.; and Kwame Building Group, countersued in November 2004, seeking $17 million for work it said it completed for Metro but for which Metro never paid. All except Kwame are international firms, with operations in St. Louis. Parsons Brinckerhoff and STV are based in New York. Jacobs is based in Pasadena, CA<br /><br />Metro, in its suit against the Cross County Collaborative and its member companies, alleged they defrauded the agency in part by submitting incomplete design documents, which allegedly they concealed and that ultimately led to the cost overruns.<br /><br />Thompson said that the lawsuit contended that his firm had produced bad cost estimates, but he said that Metro did not produce a single example during the trial. Thompson said that Metro claimed that the CCCs mismanagement of scheduling issues such as utility relocations adversely affected the cost of the project, but that Metro&rsquo;s own organization chart for the extension showed Metro employees at all the key control points. &ldquo;There was nothing ever done that wasn&rsquo;t dictated by Metro,&rdquo; Thompson said.<br /><br />Thompson challenges the commonly-held notion that it is important to document everything. Documentation &ndash; particularly email &ndash; can come back to haunt you when things go wrong, he said. Thompson said that during the trial the CCCs attorney produced emails showing that shortly after Metro executive had attended a construction fraud conference a plan was developed to accuse the CCC of fraud and fire it.&nbsp; He said that Metro even produced critical path chart of the activities needed to accomplish that objective.&nbsp; <br /><br />Thompson said that during the trial,&nbsp; &ldquo;I slept like a baby. I woke up every hour, kicking and screaming.&rdquo;&nbsp; Kwame cut staff, tightened management procedures, and put Thompson on the road selling work in other parts of the country to survive. Colleagues in the St. Louis construction industry were empathic but were not going to hire Kwame while the trial was under way. <br /><br />In the end, Thompson said, his business came out of the experience stronger, better run, and more profitable. He said that he has moved on from the experience, for the most part.<br /><br />&ldquo;Forgive and forget&hellip; but remember their names,&rdquo; Thompson said. <br /></p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:26:\"/images/uploads/banana.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(414,162,2,2,1214633273,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"162\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-27 07:55 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:58:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: \\\"When Being Right is Not Enough\\\"\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:51:\"kwames_tony_thompson_when_being_right_is_not_enough\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:58:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: \\\"When Being Right is Not Enough\\\"\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:298:\"Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said the inherent risk in today\\\'s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:48:\"Tony Thompson, Metro, Kwame Building Group, risk\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5724:\"<p>Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said, the inherent risk in today&rsquo;s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind.&nbsp; <br /><br />Thompson, who guided his company through the recent Metrolink extension project lawsuit, spoke before the June meeting of the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association on his experience at managing his company through the storm.&nbsp; He said he was there to tell the subcontractors and suppliers in attendance about what happens &ldquo;when being right is not enough.&rdquo;<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"330\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Tony_web.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Thompson founded Kwame in 1991 as an advocate for owner interests through cost estimating and management services. &ldquo;If we can&rsquo;t save you our fees, don&rsquo;t hire us,&rdquo; he said. <br /><br />Thompson drew applause from the subcontractors and suppliers in the room when he said that he stood on his firm&rsquo;s capabilities rather than playing the minority card. Thompson holds a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Washington&nbsp; University and bachelors degrees in&nbsp; architectural engineering and environmental design from the University of Kansas. Prior to forming Kwame, he served as project engineer for Anheuser-Busch Companies, as a mechanical engineer at Monsanto Chemical Company, and as a construction engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. &ldquo;How am I disadvantaged?,&rdquo; he asked.<br /><br />The lawsuit between Metro and the Cross County Collaborative involving the MetroLink extension project from Forest Park to Shrewsbury resulted in a complete victory for the defendants, Cross County Collaborative (CCC), on all counts. The jury returned verdicts in favor of the CCC and against Metro on all counts in the Metro litigation. Cross County Collaborative received more than $2.5 million on its claims of breach of contract. Metro was seeking $81 million in damages over delays and costs associated with the extension.<br /><br />The CCC won a judgment for attorneys&rsquo; fees and court costs. Thompson said that he had not signed over his interests in the lawsuit to the partnership, the legal expense still would have put his firm out of business. <br /><br />The members of the partnership each carried $8 million in professional liability insurance. But Larry Salci, the executive director of Metro who drove the lawsuit contended fraud on the part of the partnership, which voided the liability protection. <br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative was the construction group in charge of the $550 million light rail project, which opened in 2006. Metro officials, led by Salci, fired the collaborative in August 2004 before filing suit against it in St. Louis County Circuit Court, alleging fraud and mismanagement of the project. The extension was more than a year late and about $128 million over its original budget, according to Metro.<br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative, which includes Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade &amp; Douglas Inc.; STV Inc.; Jacobs Civil Inc.; and Kwame Building Group, countersued in November 2004, seeking $17 million for work it said it completed for Metro but for which Metro never paid. All except Kwame are international firms, with operations in St. Louis. Parsons Brinckerhoff and STV are based in New York. Jacobs is based in Pasadena, CA<br /><br />Metro, in its suit against the Cross County Collaborative and its member companies, alleged they defrauded the agency in part by submitting incomplete design documents, which allegedly they concealed and that ultimately led to the cost overruns.<br /><br />Thompson said that the lawsuit contended that his firm had produced bad cost estimates, but he said that Metro did not produce a single example during the trial. Thompson said that Metro claimed that the CCCs mismanagement of scheduling issues such as utility relocations adversely affected the cost of the project, but that Metro&rsquo;s own organization chart for the extension showed Metro employees at all the key control points. &ldquo;There was nothing ever done that wasn&rsquo;t dictated by Metro,&rdquo; Thompson said.<br /><br />Thompson challenges the commonly-held notion that it is important to document everything. Documentation &ndash; particularly email &ndash; can come back to haunt you when things go wrong, he said. Thompson said that during the trial the CCCs attorney produced emails showing that shortly after Metro executive had attended a construction fraud conference a plan was developed to accuse the CCC of fraud and fire it.&nbsp; He said that Metro even produced critical path chart of the activities needed to accomplish that objective.&nbsp; <br /><br />Thompson said that during the trial,&nbsp; &ldquo;I slept like a baby. I woke up every hour, kicking and screaming.&rdquo;&nbsp; Kwame cut staff, tightened management procedures, and put Thompson on the road selling work in other parts of the country to survive. Colleagues in the St. Louis construction industry were empathic but were not going to hire Kwame while the trial was under way. <br /><br />In the end, Thompson said, his business came out of the experience stronger, better run, and more profitable. He said that he has moved on from the experience, for the most part.<br /><br />&ldquo;Forgive and forget&hellip; but remember their names,&rdquo; Thompson said.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:26:\"/images/uploads/banana.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(415,162,2,2,1214633908,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"162\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-27 07:55 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:58:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: \\\"When Being Right is Not Enough\\\"\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:51:\"kwames_tony_thompson_when_being_right_is_not_enough\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:58:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: \\\"When Being Right is Not Enough\\\"\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:298:\"Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said the inherent risk in today\\\'s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:48:\"Tony Thompson, Metro, Kwame Building Group, risk\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5741:\"<p>Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said, the inherent risk in today&rsquo;s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind.&nbsp; <br /><br />Thompson, who guided his company through the recent Metrolink extension project lawsuit, spoke before the June meeting of the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association on his experience at managing his company through the storm.&nbsp; He said he was there to tell the subcontractors and suppliers in attendance about what happens &ldquo;when being right is not enough.&rdquo;<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"330\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Tony_web.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Thompson founded Kwame in 1991 as an advocate for owner interests through cost estimating and management services. &ldquo;If we can&rsquo;t save you our fees, don&rsquo;t hire us,&rdquo; he said. <br /><br />Thompson drew applause from the subcontractors and suppliers in the room when he said that he stood on his firm&rsquo;s capabilities rather than playing the minority card. Thompson holds a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Washington&nbsp; University and bachelors degrees in&nbsp; architectural engineering and environmental design from the University of Kansas. Prior to forming Kwame, he served as project engineer for Anheuser-Busch Companies, as a mechanical engineer at Monsanto Chemical Company, and as a construction engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. &ldquo;How am I disadvantaged?,&rdquo; he asked.<br /><br />The lawsuit between Metro and the Cross County Collaborative involving the MetroLink extension project from Forest Park to Shrewsbury resulted in a complete victory for the defendants, Cross County Collaborative (CCC), on all counts. The jury returned verdicts in favor of the CCC and against Metro on all counts in the Metro litigation. Cross County Collaborative received more than $2.5 million on its claims of breach of contract. Metro was seeking $81 million in damages over delays and costs associated with the extension.<br /><br />The CCC won a judgment for attorneys&rsquo; fees and court costs. Thompson said that he had not signed over his interests in the lawsuit to the partnership, the legal expense still would have put his firm out of business. <br /><br />The members of the partnership each carried $8 million in professional liability insurance. But Larry Salci, the executive director of Metro who drove the lawsuit contended fraud on the part of the partnership, which voided the liability protection. <br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative was the construction group in charge of the $550 million light rail project, which opened in 2006. Metro officials, led by Salci, fired the collaborative in August 2004 before filing suit against it in St. Louis County Circuit Court, alleging fraud and mismanagement of the project. The extension was more than a year late and about $128 million over its original budget, according to Metro.<br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative, which includes Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade &amp; Douglas Inc.; STV Inc.; Jacobs Civil Inc.; and Kwame Building Group, countersued in November 2004, seeking $17 million for work it said it completed for Metro but for which Metro never paid. All except Kwame are international firms, with operations in St. Louis. Parsons Brinckerhoff and STV are based in New York. Jacobs is based in Pasadena, CA<br /><br />Metro, in its suit against the Cross County Collaborative and its member companies, alleged they defrauded the agency in part by submitting incomplete design documents, which allegedly they concealed and that ultimately led to the cost overruns.<br /><br />Thompson said that the lawsuit contended that his firm had produced bad cost estimates, but he said that Metro did not produce a single example during the trial. Thompson said that Metro claimed that the CCC\\\'s mismanagement of scheduling issues such as utility relocations adversely affected the cost of the project, but that Metro&rsquo;s own organization chart for the extension showed Metro employees at all the key control points. &ldquo;There was nothing ever done that wasn&rsquo;t dictated by Metro,&rdquo; Thompson said.</p>\n<p>Thompson challenges the commonly-held notion that it is important to document everything. Documentation &ndash; particularly email &ndash; can come back to haunt you when things go wrong, he said. Thompson said that during the trial the CCC\\\'s attorney produced emails showing that shortly after a Metro executive had attended a construction fraud conference a plan was developed to accuse the CCC of fraud and fire it.&nbsp; He said that Metro even produced critical path chart of the activities needed to accomplish that objective.</p>\n<p><br />Thompson said that during the trial,&nbsp; &ldquo;I slept like a baby. I woke up every hour, kicking and screaming.&rdquo;&nbsp; Kwame cut staff, tightened management procedures, and put Thompson on the road selling work in other parts of the country to survive. Colleagues in the St. Louis construction industry were empathic, Thompson recalled, but were not going to hire Kwame while the trial was under way. <br /><br />In the end, Thompson said, his business came out of the experience stronger, better run, and more profitable. He said that he has moved on from the experience, for the most part.<br /><br />&ldquo;Forgive and forget&hellip; but remember their names,&rdquo; Thompson said.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:26:\"/images/uploads/banana.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(416,162,2,2,1214634485,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"162\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-27 07:55 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:58:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: \\\"When Being Right is Not Enough\\\"\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:51:\"kwames_tony_thompson_when_being_right_is_not_enough\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:58:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: \\\"When Being Right is Not Enough\\\"\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:299:\"Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said, the inherent risk in today\\\'s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:48:\"Tony Thompson, Metro, Kwame Building Group, risk\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5741:\"<p>Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said, the inherent risk in today&rsquo;s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind.&nbsp; <br /><br />Thompson, who guided his company through the recent Metrolink extension project lawsuit, spoke before the June meeting of the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association on his experience at managing his company through the storm.&nbsp; He said he was there to tell the subcontractors and suppliers in attendance about what happens &ldquo;when being right is not enough.&rdquo;<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"330\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Tony_web.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Thompson founded Kwame in 1991 as an advocate for owner interests through cost estimating and management services. &ldquo;If we can&rsquo;t save you our fees, don&rsquo;t hire us,&rdquo; he said. <br /><br />Thompson drew applause from the subcontractors and suppliers in the room when he said that he stood on his firm&rsquo;s capabilities rather than playing the minority card. Thompson holds a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Washington&nbsp; University and bachelors degrees in&nbsp; architectural engineering and environmental design from the University of Kansas. Prior to forming Kwame, he served as project engineer for Anheuser-Busch Companies, as a mechanical engineer at Monsanto Chemical Company, and as a construction engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. &ldquo;How am I disadvantaged?,&rdquo; he asked.<br /><br />The lawsuit between Metro and the Cross County Collaborative involving the MetroLink extension project from Forest Park to Shrewsbury resulted in a complete victory for the defendants, Cross County Collaborative (CCC), on all counts. The jury returned verdicts in favor of the CCC and against Metro on all counts in the Metro litigation. Cross County Collaborative received more than $2.5 million on its claims of breach of contract. Metro was seeking $81 million in damages over delays and costs associated with the extension.<br /><br />The CCC won a judgment for attorneys&rsquo; fees and court costs. Thompson said that he had not signed over his interests in the lawsuit to the partnership, the legal expense still would have put his firm out of business. <br /><br />The members of the partnership each carried $8 million in professional liability insurance. But Larry Salci, the executive director of Metro who drove the lawsuit contended fraud on the part of the partnership, which voided the liability protection. <br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative was the construction group in charge of the $550 million light rail project, which opened in 2006. Metro officials, led by Salci, fired the collaborative in August 2004 before filing suit against it in St. Louis County Circuit Court, alleging fraud and mismanagement of the project. The extension was more than a year late and about $128 million over its original budget, according to Metro.<br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative, which includes Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade &amp; Douglas Inc.; STV Inc.; Jacobs Civil Inc.; and Kwame Building Group, countersued in November 2004, seeking $17 million for work it said it completed for Metro but for which Metro never paid. All except Kwame are international firms, with operations in St. Louis. Parsons Brinckerhoff and STV are based in New York. Jacobs is based in Pasadena, CA<br /><br />Metro, in its suit against the Cross County Collaborative and its member companies, alleged they defrauded the agency in part by submitting incomplete design documents, which allegedly they concealed and that ultimately led to the cost overruns.<br /><br />Thompson said that the lawsuit contended that his firm had produced bad cost estimates, but he said that Metro did not produce a single example during the trial. Thompson said that Metro claimed that the CCC\\\'s mismanagement of scheduling issues such as utility relocations adversely affected the cost of the project, but that Metro&rsquo;s own organization chart for the extension showed Metro employees at all the key control points. &ldquo;There was nothing ever done that wasn&rsquo;t dictated by Metro,&rdquo; Thompson said.</p>\n<p>Thompson challenges the commonly-held notion that it is important to document everything. Documentation &ndash; particularly email &ndash; can come back to haunt you when things go wrong, he said. Thompson said that during the trial the CCC\\\'s attorney produced emails showing that shortly after a Metro executive had attended a construction fraud conference a plan was developed to accuse the CCC of fraud and fire it.&nbsp; He said that Metro even produced critical path chart of the activities needed to accomplish that objective.</p>\n<p><br />Thompson said that during the trial,&nbsp; &ldquo;I slept like a baby. I woke up every hour, kicking and screaming.&rdquo;&nbsp; Kwame cut staff, tightened management procedures, and put Thompson on the road selling work in other parts of the country to survive. Colleagues in the St. Louis construction industry were empathic, Thompson recalled, but were not going to hire Kwame while the trial was under way. <br /><br />In the end, Thompson said, his business came out of the experience stronger, better run, and more profitable. He said that he has moved on from the experience, for the most part.<br /><br />&ldquo;Forgive and forget&hellip; but remember their names,&rdquo; Thompson said.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:26:\"/images/uploads/banana.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(417,163,4,2,1214635320,'a:31:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"4\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-27 08:36 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"5\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:42:\"Schulz Installed as Electrical Board Chair\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:42:\"schulz_installed_as_electrical_board_chair\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:11:\"field_id_26\";s:42:\"Schulz Installed as Electrical Board Chair\";s:11:\"field_ft_26\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_31\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_id_44\";s:150:\"Kurt Schulz, sales representative of Cooper Crouse-Hinds has been installed as chairman of the board of The Electrical Board of Missouri and Illinois.\";s:11:\"field_ft_44\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_28\";s:31:\"Schulz, Electrical Board, chair\";s:11:\"field_ft_28\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_38\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_38\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_39\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"field_offset_39\";s:1:\"y\";s:11:\"field_id_40\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_40\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_29\";s:563:\"<p>Kurt Schulz, sales representative of Cooper Crouse-Hinds has been installed as chairman of the board of The Electrical Board of Missouri and Illinois. The 2008-2009 fiscal year is EBMI\\\'s 100th year of operations.&nbsp; A member of the organization since 1997, Schultz succeeds Keith Cooper of McClure Engineering.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />Officers installed with Schultz are Cathi Reader, Frost Electric Supply as first vice chair; Dave Schepers, Ameren as second vice chair;&nbsp; and John MacArthur, Frost Electric Supply as treasurer. &nbsp;<br /><br /></p>\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:1:\"5\";}'),(418,164,2,2,1214943000,'a:28:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:0:\"\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:0:\"\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-07-01 10:01 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"AGC Announces Keystone Finalists\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:32:\"agc_announces_keystone_finalists\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Submit\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:33:\"AGC Announces Keystone Finalists \";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:127:\"The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC) has announced the 30 finalists for the 2008 Construction Keystone Awards.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"AGC, Keystone, awards\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:7567:\"<p>The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC) has announced the 30 finalists for the 2008 Construction Keystone Awards. Finalists included office buildings, residential complexes, healthcare facilities, entertainment and hospitality establishments and infrastructure projects.</p>\n<p>The Construction Keystone Awards are sponsored by the AGC of St. Louis.</p>\n<p>The submissions include10 categories and represent the highest level of craftsmanship and quality in the local construction industry. The projects were accepted from a diverse group of area general contractors and specialty contractors and consist of a variety of projects. A distinguished panel of judges from the St. Louis area selected the finalists from 42 submissions on June 16, 2008.<br /><img alt=\\\"Keystone Awards Logo\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"252\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/keystone-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />The Keystone Awards honor the achievements of St. Louis construction firms for efforts to deliver high-quality projects on time and within budget. The 2008 Keystone Awards mark only the second year in the awards\\\' eleven-year history that the work of a promising new contractor will be recognized with the Emerging Contractor award. Emerging contractors can only be considered an emerging contractor for three years, thus limiting the projects available for submission.<br />The 2008 Keystone Awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3, 2 at the Millenium Hotel.<br />\\\"Every year it is inspiring to see how these local companies take advances in technology and building procedures and use them to construct such fabulous examples of industry excellence,\\\" said Leonard Toenjes, AGC president. <br />The judges of the 2008 Keystone Awards include the following: Ed Alizadeh, ACEC-MO chapter officer; Dan Esarey, IFMA-St. Louis chapter officer and retired from the St. Louis Art Museum; James Freeman, ASA Midwest chapter officer; Steve Gantner, CSI chapter officer; Dr. Eric Showalter, UMR; Kevin Stover, Mo. DED and Sara Tetley, AIA-St. Louis chapter officer.<br /><br /><strong>2008 KEYSTONE AWARD FINALISTS</strong><br /><br />General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project Under $5 Million: <br /><br />1.) Contractor: Helmkamp Construction Company:&nbsp; Project: G. Building Patio ADA Improvements, Owner: Monsanto Company<br /><br />2.) Contractor:The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC; Project: Kirberg Companies Headquarters Complex; Owner: DCE Properties LLC<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><br />3.) Contractor: Paric Corporation; Project: Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark; Owner: Lodging HospitalityManagement<br /><br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project $5-$20 Million</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: HBD Contracting, Inc; Project:.Franklin School Apartments; Owner:Franklin Partners, L.P.<br /><br />2. Contractor:Paric Corporation; Project: Tudor Building; Owner:Tudor Development, LP/Tudor Retail Partners, LLC&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3. Owner:Volk Construction Company; Project:Washington University New Data Center for Genome Sequencing Center; Owner: Washington University School of&nbsp; Medicine&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project $20 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Alberici Constructors, Inc.; Project SSM Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Medical Center Surgery Expansion; Owner SSM Health Care&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Alberici Constructors, Inc.; Project:St. Louis Children\\\'s Hospital East Expansion, Owner: BJC Healthcare&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies; Project: Lumiere Place; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br /><br />General Contractor or Construction Manager, Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Under $15 Million<br />&nbsp;<br />1.) Contractor: Helmkamp Construction Company; Project:Char Ash System for Sioux Char Ash Upgrade project; Owner: Ameren&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.; Project: Dougherty Ferry Bridge Over I-270: Owner:MoDOT&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: Volk Construction Company; Project Washington University School of Medicine Replacement of Two Boilers; Owner: Washington University School of Medicine&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Industrial/Infrastructure Construction $15 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1. Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies; Project Holcim Silos; Owner: Holcim (US) Inc.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Tarlton Corporation; Project: Chesterfield Village Site, Utility Master Plan (CVSUMP); Owner: Pfizer Inc.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><br />Interior Build Out</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor Helmkamp Construction Company; Project,&nbsp; AB Law, William H. Webster Faculty Commons; Owner: Washington University in St. Louis<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Interface Construction&nbsp; Corporation; Project: St. Mary\\\'s Health Center&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fourth Floor Renovation; Owner: SSM Health Care <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />3.) Contractor: The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC; Project: Lawrence Group Offices; Owner: Security Building Partners LLC<br /><br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor, Building Construction Project Under $2 Million</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: ACME Constructors &amp; Erectors; Project: Anheuser-Busch Law Building Renovation; Owner: Washington University in St. Louis<br /><br />2.) Contractor:Drilling Service Company&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ; Project: Roberts Tower Drilled Shaft Construction; Owner: SMR Tower Investments, LLC<br /><br />3.) Contractor: Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers; Project: Harrah\\\'s \\\"Eat-Up\\\" Buffet; Owner:Harrah\\\'s Casino <br /><br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor, Building Construction Project $2 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers; Project: F Building West Office Renovation; Owner: Monsanto Company<br /><br /><br />2.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc;.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Project: Lumiere Place Casino; Pinnacle Entertainment and Hotel&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: Subsurface Constructors, Inc.; Project: Pinnacle Casino Foundations and Earth Retention Systems; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><strong>Specialty Contractor Industrial/Infrastructure Construction</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: ACME Constructors &amp; Erectors; Project: Lange-Stegmann/Agrotain International, LLC Production and Distribution Facility; Owner:Lange-Stegmann/Agrotain<br />International, LLC<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />2.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc.; Project: Chrysler S - RT Body Shop; Owner: DaimlerChrysler<br /><br />3.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc.: Project: CVSUMP Generator and and Power Distribution; Owner:Pfizer Global Research and Development<br /><strong><br />Emerging Contractor</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Ability Building and Restoration, LLC; Project: Lumiere Place Casino&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br /><br />2.) Contractor: Boyer Fire Protection; Project: Confluence Academy; Owner:Edison Schools<br /><br />3.) Griffonetti Concrete Cutting, LLC; Project: Grand Glaize WasteWater Improvements; Owner: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/keystone.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(419,162,2,2,1214943068,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"162\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-27 07:55 PM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:58:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: \\\"When Being Right is Not Enough\\\"\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:51:\"kwames_tony_thompson_when_being_right_is_not_enough\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:58:\"Kwame\\\'s Tony Thompson: \\\"When Being Right is Not Enough\\\"\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:299:\"Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said, the inherent risk in today\\\'s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:48:\"Tony Thompson, Metro, Kwame Building Group, risk\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5741:\"<p>Tony Thompson, president of Kwame Building Group, offers a cautionary tale for all service providers in the St. Louis construction industry: Even if you do all the \\\"right\\\" things, he said, the inherent risk in today&rsquo;s construction industry could cost you your business and/or your piece of mind.&nbsp; <br /><br />Thompson, who guided his company through the recent Metrolink extension project lawsuit, spoke before the June meeting of the Midwest Council, American Subcontractors Association on his experience at managing his company through the storm.&nbsp; He said he was there to tell the subcontractors and suppliers in attendance about what happens &ldquo;when being right is not enough.&rdquo;<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"330\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/Tony_web.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Kwame Building Group President Tony Thompson\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />Thompson founded Kwame in 1991 as an advocate for owner interests through cost estimating and management services. &ldquo;If we can&rsquo;t save you our fees, don&rsquo;t hire us,&rdquo; he said. <br /><br />Thompson drew applause from the subcontractors and suppliers in the room when he said that he stood on his firm&rsquo;s capabilities rather than playing the minority card. Thompson holds a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Washington&nbsp; University and bachelors degrees in&nbsp; architectural engineering and environmental design from the University of Kansas. Prior to forming Kwame, he served as project engineer for Anheuser-Busch Companies, as a mechanical engineer at Monsanto Chemical Company, and as a construction engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. &ldquo;How am I disadvantaged?,&rdquo; he asked.<br /><br />The lawsuit between Metro and the Cross County Collaborative involving the MetroLink extension project from Forest Park to Shrewsbury resulted in a complete victory for the defendants, Cross County Collaborative (CCC), on all counts. The jury returned verdicts in favor of the CCC and against Metro on all counts in the Metro litigation. Cross County Collaborative received more than $2.5 million on its claims of breach of contract. Metro was seeking $81 million in damages over delays and costs associated with the extension.<br /><br />The CCC won a judgment for attorneys&rsquo; fees and court costs. Thompson said that he had not signed over his interests in the lawsuit to the partnership, the legal expense still would have put his firm out of business. <br /><br />The members of the partnership each carried $8 million in professional liability insurance. But Larry Salci, the executive director of Metro who drove the lawsuit contended fraud on the part of the partnership, which voided the liability protection. <br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative was the construction group in charge of the $550 million light rail project, which opened in 2006. Metro officials, led by Salci, fired the collaborative in August 2004 before filing suit against it in St. Louis County Circuit Court, alleging fraud and mismanagement of the project. The extension was more than a year late and about $128 million over its original budget, according to Metro.<br /><br />The Cross County Collaborative, which includes Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade &amp; Douglas Inc.; STV Inc.; Jacobs Civil Inc.; and Kwame Building Group, countersued in November 2004, seeking $17 million for work it said it completed for Metro but for which Metro never paid. All except Kwame are international firms, with operations in St. Louis. Parsons Brinckerhoff and STV are based in New York. Jacobs is based in Pasadena, CA<br /><br />Metro, in its suit against the Cross County Collaborative and its member companies, alleged they defrauded the agency in part by submitting incomplete design documents, which allegedly they concealed and that ultimately led to the cost overruns.<br /><br />Thompson said that the lawsuit contended that his firm had produced bad cost estimates, but he said that Metro did not produce a single example during the trial. Thompson said that Metro claimed that the CCC\\\'s mismanagement of scheduling issues such as utility relocations adversely affected the cost of the project, but that Metro&rsquo;s own organization chart for the extension showed Metro employees at all the key control points. &ldquo;There was nothing ever done that wasn&rsquo;t dictated by Metro,&rdquo; Thompson said.</p>\n<p>Thompson challenges the commonly-held notion that it is important to document everything. Documentation &ndash; particularly email &ndash; can come back to haunt you when things go wrong, he said. Thompson said that during the trial the CCC\\\'s attorney produced emails showing that shortly after a Metro executive had attended a construction fraud conference a plan was developed to accuse the CCC of fraud and fire it.&nbsp; He said that Metro even produced critical path chart of the activities needed to accomplish that objective.</p>\n<p><br />Thompson said that during the trial,&nbsp; &ldquo;I slept like a baby. I woke up every hour, kicking and screaming.&rdquo;&nbsp; Kwame cut staff, tightened management procedures, and put Thompson on the road selling work in other parts of the country to survive. Colleagues in the St. Louis construction industry were empathic, Thompson recalled, but were not going to hire Kwame while the trial was under way. <br /><br />In the end, Thompson said, his business came out of the experience stronger, better run, and more profitable. He said that he has moved on from the experience, for the most part.<br /><br />&ldquo;Forgive and forget&hellip; but remember their names,&rdquo; Thompson said.</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:26:\"/images/uploads/banana.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),(420,164,2,2,1214943307,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"164\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-07-01 10:01 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"AGC Announces Keystone Finalists\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:32:\"agc_announces_keystone_finalists\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:33:\"AGC Announces Keystone Finalists \";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:127:\"The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC) has announced the 30 finalists for the 2008 Construction Keystone Awards.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"AGC, Keystone, awards\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:7566:\"<p>The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC) has announced the 30 finalists for the 2008 Construction Keystone Awards. Finalists included office buildings, residential complexes, healthcare facilities, entertainment and hospitality establishments and infrastructure projects.</p>\n<p>The Construction Keystone Awards are sponsored by the AGC of St. Louis.</p>\n<p>The submissions include 10 categories and represent the highest level of craftsmanship and quality in the local construction industry. The projects were accepted from a diverse group of area general contractors and specialty contractors and consist of a variety of projects. A distinguished panel of judges from the St. Louis area selected the finalists from 42 submissions on June 16, 2008.<br /><img alt=\\\"Keystone Awards Logo\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"252\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/keystone-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />The Keystone Awards honor the achievements of St. Louis construction firms for efforts to deliver high-quality projects on time and within budget. The 2008 Keystone Awards mark only the second year in the awards\\\' eleven-year history that the work of a promising new contractor will be recognized with the Emerging Contractor award. Emerging contractors can only be considered an emerging contractor for three years, thus limiting the projects available for submission.<br />The 2008 Keystone Awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3, at the Millenium Hotel.<br />\\\"Every year it is inspiring to see how these local companies take advances in technology and building procedures and use them to construct such fabulous examples of industry excellence,\\\" said Leonard Toenjes, AGC president. <br />The judges of the 2008 Keystone Awards include the following: Ed Alizadeh, ACEC-MO chapter officer; Dan Esarey, IFMA-St. Louis chapter officer and retired from the St. Louis Art Museum; James Freeman, ASA Midwest chapter officer; Steve Gantner, CSI chapter officer; Dr. Eric Showalter, UMR; Kevin Stover, Mo. DED and Sara Tetley, AIA-St. Louis chapter officer.<br /><br /><strong>2008 KEYSTONE AWARD FINALISTS</strong><br /><br />General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project Under $5 Million: <br /><br />1.) Contractor: Helmkamp Construction Company:&nbsp; Project: G. Building Patio ADA Improvements, Owner: Monsanto Company<br /><br />2.) Contractor:The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC; Project: Kirberg Companies Headquarters Complex; Owner: DCE Properties LLC<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><br />3.) Contractor: Paric Corporation; Project: Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark; Owner: Lodging HospitalityManagement<br /><br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project $5-$20 Million</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: HBD Contracting, Inc; Project:.Franklin School Apartments; Owner:Franklin Partners, L.P.<br /><br />2. Contractor:Paric Corporation; Project: Tudor Building; Owner:Tudor Development, LP/Tudor Retail Partners, LLC&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3. Owner:Volk Construction Company; Project:Washington University New Data Center for Genome Sequencing Center; Owner: Washington University School of&nbsp; Medicine&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project $20 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Alberici Constructors, Inc.; Project SSM Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Medical Center Surgery Expansion; Owner SSM Health Care&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Alberici Constructors, Inc.; Project:St. Louis Children\\\'s Hospital East Expansion, Owner: BJC Healthcare&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies; Project: Lumiere Place; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br /><br />General Contractor or Construction Manager, Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Under $15 Million<br />&nbsp;<br />1.) Contractor: Helmkamp Construction Company; Project:Char Ash System for Sioux Char Ash Upgrade project; Owner: Ameren&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.; Project: Dougherty Ferry Bridge Over I-270: Owner:MoDOT&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: Volk Construction Company; Project Washington University School of Medicine Replacement of Two Boilers; Owner: Washington University School of Medicine&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Industrial/Infrastructure Construction $15 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1. Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies; Project Holcim Silos; Owner: Holcim (US) Inc.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Tarlton Corporation; Project: Chesterfield Village Site, Utility Master Plan (CVSUMP); Owner: Pfizer Inc.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><br />Interior Build Out</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor Helmkamp Construction Company; Project,&nbsp; AB Law, William H. Webster Faculty Commons; Owner: Washington University in St. Louis<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Interface Construction&nbsp; Corporation; Project: St. Mary\\\'s Health Center&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fourth Floor Renovation; Owner: SSM Health Care <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />3.) Contractor: The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC; Project: Lawrence Group Offices; Owner: Security Building Partners LLC<br /><br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor, Building Construction Project Under $2 Million</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: ACME Constructors &amp; Erectors; Project: Anheuser-Busch Law Building Renovation; Owner: Washington University in St. Louis<br /><br />2.) Contractor:Drilling Service Company&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ; Project: Roberts Tower Drilled Shaft Construction; Owner: SMR Tower Investments, LLC<br /><br />3.) Contractor: Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers; Project: Harrah\\\'s \\\"Eat-Up\\\" Buffet; Owner:Harrah\\\'s Casino <br /><br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor, Building Construction Project $2 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers; Project: F Building West Office Renovation; Owner: Monsanto Company<br /><br /><br />2.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc;.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Project: Lumiere Place Casino; Pinnacle Entertainment and Hotel&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: Subsurface Constructors, Inc.; Project: Pinnacle Casino Foundations and Earth Retention Systems; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><strong>Specialty Contractor Industrial/Infrastructure Construction</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: ACME Constructors &amp; Erectors; Project: Lange-Stegmann/Agrotain International, LLC Production and Distribution Facility; Owner:Lange-Stegmann/Agrotain<br />International, LLC<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />2.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc.; Project: Chrysler S - RT Body Shop; Owner: DaimlerChrysler<br /><br />3.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc.: Project: CVSUMP Generator and and Power Distribution; Owner:Pfizer Global Research and Development<br /><strong><br />Emerging Contractor</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Ability Building and Restoration, LLC; Project: Lumiere Place Casino&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br /><br />2.) Contractor: Boyer Fire Protection; Project: Confluence Academy; Owner:Edison Schools<br /><br />3.) Griffonetti Concrete Cutting, LLC; Project: Grand Glaize WasteWater Improvements; Owner: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/keystone.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(421,164,2,2,1214943452,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"164\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-07-01 10:01 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"AGC Announces Keystone Finalists\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:32:\"agc_announces_keystone_finalists\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:33:\"AGC Announces Keystone Finalists \";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:127:\"The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC) has announced the 30 finalists for the 2008 Construction Keystone Awards.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"AGC, Keystone, awards\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:7570:\"<p>The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC) has announced the 30 finalists for the 2008 Construction Keystone Awards. Finalists included office buildings, residential complexes, healthcare facilities, entertainment and hospitality establishments and infrastructure projects.</p>\n<p>The Construction Keystone Awards are sponsored by the AGC of St. Louis.</p>\n<p>The submissions include 10 categories and represent the highest level of craftsmanship and quality in the local construction industry. The projects were accepted from a diverse group of area general contractors and specialty contractors and consist of a variety of projects. A distinguished panel of judges from the St. Louis area selected the finalists from 42 submissions on June 16, 2008.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Keystone Awards Logo\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"252\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/keystone-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />The Keystone Awards honor the achievements of St. Louis construction firms for efforts to deliver high-quality projects on time and within budget. The 2008 Keystone Awards mark only the second year in the awards\\\' eleven-year history that the work of a promising new contractor will be recognized with the Emerging Contractor award. Emerging contractors can only be considered an emerging contractor for three years, thus limiting the projects available for submission.</p>\n<p>The 2008 Keystone Awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3, at the Millenium Hotel.<br />\\\"Every year it is inspiring to see how these local companies take advances in technology and building procedures and use them to construct such fabulous examples of industry excellence,\\\" said Leonard Toenjes, AGC president. <br />The judges of the 2008 Keystone Awards include the following: Ed Alizadeh, ACEC-MO chapter officer; Dan Esarey, IFMA-St. Louis chapter officer and retired from the St. Louis Art Museum; James Freeman, ASA Midwest chapter officer; Steve Gantner, CSI chapter officer; Dr. Eric Showalter, UMR; Kevin Stover, Mo. DED and Sara Tetley, AIA-St. Louis chapter officer.<br /><br /><strong>2008 KEYSTONE AWARD FINALISTS</strong><br /><br />General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project Under $5 Million: <br /><br />1.) Contractor: Helmkamp Construction Company:&nbsp; Project: G. Building Patio ADA Improvements, Owner: Monsanto Company<br /><br />2.) Contractor:The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC; Project: Kirberg Companies Headquarters Complex; Owner: DCE Properties LLC<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><br />3.) Contractor: Paric Corporation; Project: Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark; Owner: Lodging HospitalityManagement<br /><br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project $5-$20 Million</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: HBD Contracting, Inc; Project:.Franklin School Apartments; Owner:Franklin Partners, L.P.<br /><br />2. Contractor:Paric Corporation; Project: Tudor Building; Owner:Tudor Development, LP/Tudor Retail Partners, LLC&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3. Owner:Volk Construction Company; Project:Washington University New Data Center for Genome Sequencing Center; Owner: Washington University School of&nbsp; Medicine&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project $20 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Alberici Constructors, Inc.; Project SSM Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Medical Center Surgery Expansion; Owner SSM Health Care&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Alberici Constructors, Inc.; Project:St. Louis Children\\\'s Hospital East Expansion, Owner: BJC Healthcare&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies; Project: Lumiere Place; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br /><br />General Contractor or Construction Manager, Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Under $15 Million<br />&nbsp;<br />1.) Contractor: Helmkamp Construction Company; Project:Char Ash System for Sioux Char Ash Upgrade project; Owner: Ameren&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.; Project: Dougherty Ferry Bridge Over I-270: Owner:MoDOT&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: Volk Construction Company; Project Washington University School of Medicine Replacement of Two Boilers; Owner: Washington University School of Medicine&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Industrial/Infrastructure Construction $15 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1. Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies; Project Holcim Silos; Owner: Holcim (US) Inc.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Tarlton Corporation; Project: Chesterfield Village Site, Utility Master Plan (CVSUMP); Owner: Pfizer Inc.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><br />Interior Build Out</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor Helmkamp Construction Company; Project,&nbsp; AB Law, William H. Webster Faculty Commons; Owner: Washington University in St. Louis<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Interface Construction&nbsp; Corporation; Project: St. Mary\\\'s Health Center&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fourth Floor Renovation; Owner: SSM Health Care <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />3.) Contractor: The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC; Project: Lawrence Group Offices; Owner: Security Building Partners LLC<br /><br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor, Building Construction Project Under $2 Million</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: ACME Constructors &amp; Erectors; Project: Anheuser-Busch Law Building Renovation; Owner: Washington University in St. Louis<br /><br />2.) Contractor:Drilling Service Company&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ; Project: Roberts Tower Drilled Shaft Construction; Owner: SMR Tower Investments, LLC<br /><br />3.) Contractor: Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers; Project: Harrah\\\'s \\\"Eat-Up\\\" Buffet; Owner:Harrah\\\'s Casino <br /><br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor, Building Construction Project $2 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers; Project: F Building West Office Renovation; Owner: Monsanto Company<br /><br /><br />2.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc;.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Project: Lumiere Place Casino; Pinnacle Entertainment and Hotel&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: Subsurface Constructors, Inc.; Project: Pinnacle Casino Foundations and Earth Retention Systems; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><strong>Specialty Contractor Industrial/Infrastructure Construction</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: ACME Constructors &amp; Erectors; Project: Lange-Stegmann/Agrotain International, LLC Production and Distribution Facility; Owner:Lange-Stegmann/Agrotain<br />International, LLC<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />2.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc.; Project: Chrysler S - RT Body Shop; Owner: DaimlerChrysler<br /><br />3.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc.: Project: CVSUMP Generator and and Power Distribution; Owner:Pfizer Global Research and Development<br /><strong><br />Emerging Contractor</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Ability Building and Restoration, LLC; Project: Lumiere Place Casino&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br /><br />2.) Contractor: Boyer Fire Protection; Project: Confluence Academy; Owner:Edison Schools<br /><br />3.) Griffonetti Concrete Cutting, LLC; Project: Grand Glaize WasteWater Improvements; Owner: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/keystone.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(422,164,2,2,1214943528,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"164\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-07-01 10:01 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"15\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:32:\"AGC Announces Keystone Finalists\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:32:\"agc_announces_keystone_finalists\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:33:\"AGC Announces Keystone Finalists \";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:127:\"The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC) has announced the 30 finalists for the 2008 Construction Keystone Awards.\";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:21:\"AGC, Keystone, awards\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:7579:\"<p>The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC) has announced the 30 finalists for the 2008 Construction Keystone Awards. Finalists included office buildings, residential complexes, healthcare facilities, entertainment and hospitality establishments and infrastructure projects.</p>\n<p>The Construction Keystone Awards are sponsored by the AGC of St. Louis.</p>\n<p>The submissions include 10 categories and represent the highest level of craftsmanship and quality in the local construction industry. The projects were accepted from a diverse group of area general contractors and specialty contractors and consist of a variety of projects. A distinguished panel of judges from the St. Louis area selected the finalists from 42 submissions on June 16, 2008.</p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Keystone Awards Logo\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"252\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/keystone-inside.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />The Keystone Awards honor the achievements of St. Louis construction firms for efforts to deliver high-quality projects on time and within budget. The 2008 Keystone Awards mark only the second year in the awards\\\' eleven-year history that the work of a promising new contractor will be recognized with the Emerging Contractor award. Emerging contractors can only be considered an emerging contractor for three years, thus limiting the projects available for submission.</p>\n<p>The 2008 Keystone Awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3, at the Millenium Hotel.<br />\\\"Every year it is inspiring to see how these local companies take advances in technology and building procedures and use them to construct such fabulous examples of industry excellence,\\\" said Leonard Toenjes, AGC president. <br />The judges of the 2008 Keystone Awards include the following: Ed Alizadeh, ACEC-MO chapter officer; Dan Esarey, IFMA-St. Louis chapter officer and retired from the St. Louis Art Museum; James Freeman, ASA Midwest chapter officer; Steve Gantner, CSI chapter officer; Dr. Eric Showalter, UMR; Kevin Stover, Mo. DED and Sara Tetley, AIA-St. Louis chapter officer.<br /><br /><strong>2008 KEYSTONE AWARD FINALISTS</strong><br /><strong><br />General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project Under $5 Million</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Helmkamp Construction Company:&nbsp; Project: G. Building Patio ADA Improvements, Owner: Monsanto Company<br /><br />2.) Contractor:The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC; Project: Kirberg Companies Headquarters Complex; Owner: DCE Properties LLC<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />3.) Contractor: Paric Corporation; Project: Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark; Owner: Lodging HospitalityManagement<br /><br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project $5-$20 Million</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: HBD Contracting, Inc; Project:.Franklin School Apartments; Owner:Franklin Partners, L.P.<br /><br />2. Contractor:Paric Corporation; Project: Tudor Building; Owner:Tudor Development, LP/Tudor Retail Partners, LLC&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3. Owner:Volk Construction Company; Project:Washington University New Data Center for Genome Sequencing Center; Owner: Washington University School of&nbsp; Medicine&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Building Construction Project $20 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Alberici Constructors, Inc.; Project SSM Cardinal Glennon Children\\\'s Medical Center Surgery Expansion; Owner SSM Health Care&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Alberici Constructors, Inc.; Project:St. Louis Children\\\'s Hospital East Expansion, Owner: BJC Healthcare&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies; Project: Lumiere Place; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br /><br />General Contractor or Construction Manager, Industrial/Infrastructure Construction Under $15 Million<br />&nbsp;<br />1.) Contractor: Helmkamp Construction Company; Project:Char Ash System for Sioux Char Ash Upgrade project; Owner: Ameren&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.; Project: Dougherty Ferry Bridge Over I-270: Owner:MoDOT&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: Volk Construction Company; Project Washington University School of Medicine Replacement of Two Boilers; Owner: Washington University School of Medicine&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><strong>General Contractor or Construction Manager, Industrial/Infrastructure Construction $15 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1. Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies; Project Holcim Silos; Owner: Holcim (US) Inc.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Tarlton Corporation; Project: Chesterfield Village Site, Utility Master Plan (CVSUMP); Owner: Pfizer Inc.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><br />Interior Build Out</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor Helmkamp Construction Company; Project,&nbsp; AB Law, William H. Webster Faculty Commons; Owner: Washington University in St. Louis<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />2.) Contractor: Interface Construction&nbsp; Corporation; Project: St. Mary\\\'s Health Center&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fourth Floor Renovation; Owner: SSM Health Care <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />3.) Contractor: The Lawrence Group Projects, LLC; Project: Lawrence Group Offices; Owner: Security Building Partners LLC<br /><br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor, Building Construction Project Under $2 Million</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: ACME Constructors &amp; Erectors; Project: Anheuser-Busch Law Building Renovation; Owner: Washington University in St. Louis<br /><br />2.) Contractor:Drilling Service Company&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ; Project: Roberts Tower Drilled Shaft Construction; Owner: SMR Tower Investments, LLC<br /><br />3.) Contractor: Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers; Project: Harrah\\\'s \\\"Eat-Up\\\" Buffet; Owner:Harrah\\\'s Casino <br /><br /><br /><strong>Specialty Contractor, Building Construction Project $2 Million Or More</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Murphy Co., Mechanical Contractors &amp; Engineers; Project: F Building West Office Renovation; Owner: Monsanto Company<br /><br /><br />2.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc;.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Project: Lumiere Place Casino; Pinnacle Entertainment and Hotel&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />3.) Contractor: Subsurface Constructors, Inc.; Project: Pinnacle Casino Foundations and Earth Retention Systems; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><strong>Specialty Contractor Industrial/Infrastructure Construction</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: ACME Constructors &amp; Erectors; Project: Lange-Stegmann/Agrotain International, LLC Production and Distribution Facility; Owner:Lange-Stegmann/Agrotain<br />International, LLC<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />2.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc.; Project: Chrysler S - RT Body Shop; Owner: DaimlerChrysler<br /><br />3.) Contractor: PayneCrest Electric, Inc.: Project: CVSUMP Generator and and Power Distribution; Owner:Pfizer Global Research and Development<br /><strong><br />Emerging Contractor</strong><br /><br />1.) Contractor: Ability Building and Restoration, LLC; Project: Lumiere Place Casino&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ; Owner: Pinnacle Entertainment<br /><br />2.) Contractor: Boyer Fire Protection; Project: Confluence Academy; Owner:Edison Schools<br /><br />3.) Griffonetti Concrete Cutting, LLC; Project: Grand Glaize WasteWater Improvements; Owner: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/keystone.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"15\";}'),(423,157,2,2,1214946523,'a:29:{s:9:\"weblog_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:8:\"entry_id\";s:3:\"157\";s:6:\"sticky\";s:1:\"n\";s:14:\"allow_comments\";s:1:\"n\";s:16:\"allow_trackbacks\";s:1:\"n\";s:10:\"entry_date\";s:19:\"2008-06-24 06:03 AM\";s:15:\"expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:23:\"comment_expiration_date\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"category\";a:1:{i:0;s:2:\"16\";}s:9:\"author_id\";s:1:\"2\";s:10:\"new_weblog\";s:1:\"2\";s:6:\"status\";s:4:\"open\";s:14:\"trackback_urls\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"versioning_enabled\";s:1:\"y\";s:5:\"title\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:9:\"url_title\";s:29:\"in_the_green_world_old_is_new\";s:6:\"submit\";s:6:\"Update\";s:10:\"field_id_5\";s:35:\"In the \\\"Green\\\"  World, Old is New\";s:10:\"field_ft_5\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_9\";s:227:\"Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot, new sustainable technologies. At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable. \";s:10:\"field_ft_9\";s:4:\"none\";s:11:\"field_id_13\";s:1:\"4\";s:10:\"field_id_7\";s:69:\"Greening the Heartland, America\\\'s Center, sustainability, conference\";s:10:\"field_ft_7\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"field_id_8\";s:5729:\"<p>Who knew? Linoleum and pile drilling are hot, new sustainable technologies.</p>\n<p>At the \\\"Greening the Heartland\\\" Conference, it sometimes seems as if everything old is not only new again - it\\\'s often environmentally sustainable.&nbsp; Greening the Heartland, a regional conference on green building and sustainability in the Midwest, is being held through tomorrow at America\\\'s Center in downtown St. Louis,. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - St. Louis Regional Chapter is hosting this fifth annual event, which is geared toward people interested in greening their town, business, college campus or building.<br /><br /><img alt=\\\"Roger Gooch of Forbo Flooring\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"270\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/forbo.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Roger Gooch  of  Forbo Flooring\\\" width=\\\"180\\\" />In the event\\\'s exposition hall, Roger Gooch, south central regional manager for Forbo Flooring Systems, explained that his company has been making its \\\"new\\\" sustainable product since the middle of the 19th century. Linoleum is manufactured using linseed oil and wood \\\"flour\\\". It used to be made with cork, but the shortage of good cork is one reason why your favorite wine now has a screwtop. Another name for linseed oil - at least the kind extracted without the use of solvents is flaxseed, which you can buy at any health food store and put on your salad. The primary difference between today\\\'s linoleum and the product that readers of a certain age may remember, Gooch said, is the addition of UV coating, which seals the surface and improves durability and sheen. <br /><br />At St. Louis\\\' Subsurface Constructors, Inc. exhibit the sustainable product was \\\"vibrostone columns\\\".&nbsp; Subsurface has built a solid foundation (sorry about that) for a national business in the sustainable construction industry by combining a drilled, compacted piling system which reuses the onsite material and additions such as recycled railroad ballast. This system displaces minimal dirt on the site itself and piles on the points when an owner is seeking LEED certification. <br /><br />Dropping in at the many presentations by national and local speakers and talking with exhibitors and sponsors produced a reporter\\\'s notebook full of information:<br /><br /><strong>Rep. Russ Carnahan</strong> opened the conference and announced that he and another<br />representative had just formed the High Performance Buildings Caucus in the<br />U.S. House of Representatives to advance legislation for&nbsp; high performing<br />(\\\"green\\\") buildings.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>Ray Anderson</strong>, founder of Interface Flor, said his company has reduced<br />greenhouse gas emissions by 82 percent since 1996, reduced water use by 75<br /><img alt=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"225\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/subsurface.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Subsurface Constructors exhibit\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" />percent, and reduced fossil fuel use by 62 percent while doubling its sales<br />and profits. \\\"If Interface, a petro intensive manufacturer can do it, anyone<br />in construction can do it,\\\" he said.<br /><br /><strong>Ecos Materials</strong>, based in Rock Hill, MO, is sells an interior/exterior<br />sheathing board made from rice hulls and wheat husks that is being used in<br />multi-family housing in Louisville, KY.<br /><br /><strong>Over 110 employees at McCarthy</strong> have completed the qualifications for their LEED professional certification in the last two years.<br /><strong><br /></strong><strong></strong></p>\n<p><img alt=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" class=\\\"image-left\\\" height=\\\"184\\\" src=\\\"/images/uploads/greening-seminar.jpg\\\" style=\\\"float: left;\\\" title=\\\"Greening the Heartland seminar session\\\" width=\\\"260\\\" /><strong>The facilities managers for the state of Missouri</strong> are using software to<br />better maintain buildings and slash heating, cooling, and lighting bills.<br /><br /><strong>Pay as you go:</strong> Leith Sharp, sustainability director for Harvard University,<br />explained that the university\\\'s sustainability office is funded out of the<br />savings that its projects realize for the university. Turns out that is not<br />unique. Cleveland\\\'s sustainability office is funded the same way - from<br />savings it can find in city operations. Ditto Grand Rapids.<br /><br /><strong>As general manager of CI Select Flooring, Linda Goldstein</strong> has been in the<br />forefront of carpet recycling and green flooring in St. Louis. As mayor of<br />Clayton, she finds herself in the forefront of greening municipal government<br />in eastern Missouri. Clayton now lists LEED certification as a public<br />benefit that can help a develop get a special public use development (PUD)<br />zoning classification. The city is now considering regulation to allow<br />windmills atop highrise roofs.<br /><br /><strong>Chris Klehm</strong>, president of E2, said plumbing codes are all so antiquated they<br />encourage waste and poor performance and block efficiency and<br />sustainability.<br /><br /><strong>Pheadra Svec</strong>, a consultant to KC government, said \\\"We kept hearing&nbsp; stories that<br />building codes prohibited green practices, so we took at look at the code<br />paragraph by paragraph and we found that there was no code nor ordinance<br />that prohibited anything in LEED. Permit applications for green projects<br />were getting rejected, but the barrier was not the code.\\\"<br /><br /><strong>Solutia</strong> is marketing sunglasses for your windows.<br /><br />More information on attending the conference can be found at www.greentheheartland.com</p>\";s:11:\"field_id_42\";s:28:\"/images/uploads/greening.jpg\";s:11:\"field_id_43\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"field_ft_43\";s:4:\"none\";s:10:\"category_0\";s:2:\"16\";}'),