SLCCC Recognizes Best Practices
Date Posted: January 4, 2014
Posted In: News, Organizations,
Best practices in the construction industry were recognized by the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers (SLCCC) during its annual awards on December 19, 2013 at the Doubletree Hotel St. Louis at Westport, St. Louis, MO.
Mechanical Dynamics and Analysis (MDA) was recognized for materials management and constructability during the addition to their turbine generator repair and testing facility in St. Louis. The 16 month project was completed in August, 2013 by Tarlton Corporation. Project challenges included long lead times to secure made-to-order pieces from international manufacturers. These required early pre-orders for large, expensive items plus transportation and storage of the huge equipment during installation.
The new barge unloading and storage facility on the St. Louis riverfront for Continental Cement was recognized for use of effective front end planning and materials management techniques. With the onset of construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge running through Continental Cement’s property, the company had to relocate the existing barge unloading dock. This provided the opportunity to upgrade facilities with the addition of one of the first cement storage domes of its type in the country. The 128 foot tall dome can hold 44,000 tons of cement. Construction of the dome required placement of heavy mechanical and electrical systems on top of a floating, unstable structure which constantly needed balancing as well as close coordination with the existing occupied facility which was operating 24-7. The project was carried out by S. M. Wilson Co. with engineering support from SEI Engineers.
Saint Louis University shared honors with Clayco and the Lawrence Group for the expansion and renovation of a 47 year old office building to accommodate the School of Law. An aggressive 10 month schedule was needed to be ready for the university’s fall 2013 semester. The $32 million project made use of constructability, front end planning and team building best practices to complete the project. Construction included addition of a 12th floor and installation of large structural steel beams that were fabricated off site, staged on a small project site, hoisted through a small window opening and spliced together inside the building.
An Honorable Mention Award was presented to Nooter Construction, Bechtel and Florida Power & Light for effective use of zero accident techniques, constructability and lessons learned for their $45 million project of condenser replacements at the utility’s Turkey Point facility.
An Honorable Mention was also presented to Ameren and Burns & McDonnell for use of front end planning, quality management and alignment for the addition of 138kV capacitator banks at 6 substations in Illinois.
There are fifteen best practices which have been validated by the Construction Industry Institute (CII) to provide savings in cost and schedule. Validation is based on results from projects throughout the country. The CII is recognized as a principal construction industry forum for improving the business effectiveness and sustainability of capital facilities.
SLCCC also presented awards for Diversity Inclusion and Advocacy. E. M. Harris and Pangea Group were recognized for Organizational Excellence. Gwen Crimm of the Construction Careers Center, Joyce Morgan of S. M. Wilson and Ron Unterreiner of Rhodey Construction were honored with individual awards as Diversity Inclusion Champions.
The St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers (SLCCC) is the owner organization representing major buyers of construction. SLCCC promotes the region through collaborative leadership to improve the efficient delivery of construction projects. It serves as the owners’ voice for design and construction.