Collaboration key as Ozarks builders predict another surge

As the Ozarks commercial construction industry continues its post-recession boom, the need for communication and collaboration among area firms is more prevalent then ever.

Coming on the heels of last year’s 132-project prediction and more than 200 projects that came to fruition, area leaders predict another 115 projects exceeding $388.7 million combined during the next 12 months.

More than 70 area architectural firms and owners submitted project information for the second annual Springfield Regional Construction Bidding Forecast report and roughly 100 industry leaders turned out Sept. 19 at Missouri State University’s William H. Darr Agricultural Center to hear the results.

“Being a local architect, the study helps my firm and others plan the year ahead,” said Jon Dodd, director of architecture for Buxton Kubik Dodd Creative. “When we understand the whole picture of what’s happening out there, it helps us stagger the bid process and opens opportunity to bid larger projects.”

The results were part of a joint study by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Contractors Association and Missouri State University regarding projects in and around the Springfield area.

Forecast results
Presenter Rick Quint, president of Q & Co. LLC and an SCA board member, said, on average, about 10 projects representing $32.4 million will be bid each month until next September. However, in real time, the projects are not spaced out as evenly, he said, noting the majority of jobs identified will go to bid within the next six months.

During the September forum, Quint said the list is just the tip of the iceberg.

“These are just the projects people are willing to tell us about,” he said.

Of the 115 projects forecasted, 75 are building projects, 29 are civil and 11 are specialty jobs, which include security upgrades, for instance. About $275.9 million is projected in the public sector and $112.8 million in the private sector.

Forecast committee member GR Stovall, a business developer for Branco Enterprises Inc., said the predictions are not foolproof.

“Take [Missouri State University architect and Director of Planning, Design and Construction] Doug Sampson’s opening statement during the forum as an example,” he said, joking some might call it a confession. “He said right off he didn’t submit every project MSU had on the agenda. He has good reason for that, usually due to waiting on funds and such, but that tells you right off this forecast has some holes.”

Contacted by Springfield Business Journal this week, Sampson said smaller projects on his list typically run less than $100,000 and include such jobs as recarpeting an office building and small remodeling. Despite the omissions, MSU is again poised to be one of the largest players on the upcoming slate, with more than 100 fully funded projects on the agenda.

On tap for the coming months, MSU plans a $10.5 million renovation to Sunvilla Tower, $2 million in lab renovations to Temple Hall and a $1.3 million Federal Emergency Management Agency shelter.  

Sampson said work already has begun on the $5 million Davis-Harrington Welcome Center and $14.1 million occupational therapy building.

Needed collaboration
As leaders touted collaboration during last year’s inaugural event, it seems some area owners took notice. Sampson said MSU worked with Springfield Public Schools during the past year to coordinate the bidding process on large projects using the SCA’s online bidding calendar. Stovall said more area leaders are starting to take notice.

“I know Doug spoke with SPS a lot to guide this process and it has made things easier,” he said. “I knew of two or three architects who weren’t using the SCA’s bidding calendar and I’ve told them they need to get on the same page. Some have cooperated, but some haven’t.  

“The calendar has more participation than in the past; I think we still have some work to do.”

As the workload increases, architect Dodd said the need to coordinate bids only grows.

“If you have multiple large projects on the same day, contractors have to choose which to bid on because not everyone has the manpower to work multiple angles,” he said. “Decreased bids leads to less variety for owners to choose from. Coordination can lead to more production in the long run and an easier work flow for everyone involved.”

Harkening back to his words of “only a prediction,” Stovall said the actions of those involved can speak volumes going forward.

“Is this going to be a crystal ball of what’s to come? No,” he said. “It’s a big win to get everyone in the same room talking about the same things, but how we act the next 11 months is as, or more, important, than how we acted in that room.”