Construction in the Ozarks: Winter 2015

Last edited 3 p.m., Nov. 3, 2015 

From City Utilities’ new $4.4 million bus transfer station downtown to the roughly 22,000-square-foot Southwest Center for Independent Living expansion happening on the south side, construction crews are changing the Ozarks’ landscape.

The 31st annual Salute to Design and Construction Awards begin at 5 p.m. Nov. 5 at Ramada Plaza Hotel & Oasis Convention Center and include awards from the Springfield Contractors Association, Springfield Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and National Association of Women in Construction.

—Emily Letterman, Features Editor

Acacia Spa
4058 S. Lone Pine Ave.

General contractor Adam Pyle & Associates LLC is working with building owner Christina Chanter on the relocation of Acacia Spa, which is owned by Richard and Allyson Kennedy. Firm partner Tim Rosenbury  of project architect and structural engineer Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. said the 9,000-square-foot project was slated to wrap this fall but is behind schedule. Designed with retail space and a juice bar at ground level, as well as a full-service day spa on the upper level, the project also includes guest lounges, steam showers, arctic rooms, saunas, aesthetician and massage rooms, and a multipurpose event space opening into a courtyard. Additional engineering work is from Anderson Engineering Inc., civil; and Colvin Jones Davis LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing.

Aspen Springfield
1000 block of East St. Louis Street

The student housing complex from Austin, Texas-based developer Aspen Heights Construction LLC will comprise four, five-story apartment buildings connected in a horseshoe shape. Designed by Dallas-based Humphreys & Partners Architects LP, the complex will house 564 beds in 166 two-, three- and four-bedroom units across 208,000 square feet. Additional engineering is from Houston, Texas-based Integrity Structural Corp. Sales and marketing manager Ericka Pasquale said amenities include a pool, hot tub, fire pit, outdoor grill, parking garage, fitness center, tanning beds and study rooms. Pasquale said construction should wrap late next summer, with students moving in by August.

City Utilities bus station
211 N. Main Ave.

City Utilities of Springfield is working with DeWitt & Associates Inc. on the $4.4 million downtown bus transfer station between Main Avenue and Grant Street. The 4,476-square-foot building will replace the McDaniel Street station. The final design includes ample transparency, allowing passengers to see and navigate toward buses and eliminate pedestrian crossings in front of drivers. Canopies above the outdoor waiting area are sloped outward to help filter vehicle noise and fumes, and the building’s interior is designed with more seating, ticketing, offices for security and supervisors, a driver’s lounge, public restrooms and a multipurpose community room. Project architect is H Design Group LLC, and engineers are CJW Transportation Consultants LLC, civil; Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc., structural and design consultant; and Malone Finkle Eckhardt & Collins Inc., mechanical, electrical and plumbing. Randy Ganz, president and CEO of general contractor DeWitt & Associates, estimated project completion around May.

East Cherry Flats
1243 E. Cherry St.

Developer Russell Meck of RKJ Properties LLC is on track for a late December completion of the four-story East Cherry Flats apartment complex in the Rountree neighborhood. Project Manager Robin Newhart of general contractor Morelock-Ross Builders Inc. said the project is designed with 24 furnished four-bedroom apartments that will be leased by the bedroom. The $5.4 million complex is funded through Springfield First Community Bank. Architect is Buxton Kubik Dodd Creative with engineering work from Anderson Engineering Inc., civil; J&M Engineering LLC, structural; and Pellham-Phillips Architects and Engineers Inc., mechanical, electrical and plumbing.

James Place
2420 W. Grand St.

O’Reilly Development Co. LLC’s $5.5 million special needs and affordable housing community, James Place, is on schedule for a spring completion. General contractor on the 10-building, roughly 35,000-square-foot project is Build LLC. Kansas City-based Stark Wilson Dunn Architects Inc. designed the community with engineering work from Olsson Associates Inc., civil; Bob D. Campbell & Co. Inc., structural; and Hoss & Brown Engineers PC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing. The housing community is designed with 40 units comprising eight one-bedroom special needs units for handicapped and disabled residents and 32 family units. The project includes service coordinator offices, a kitchenette and casual area, common laundry and family space. Outside amenities include raised planting and garden areas with handicap accessible sidewalks and paths around the community.

Southwest Center for Independent Living
1450 W. Cambridge St.

The Southwest Center for Independent Living is expanding across Cambridge Street with a roughly 22,000-square-foot building. CEO Gary Maddox said the $2.5 million project, financed by Springfield First Community Bank, would provide room to grow with a community room for youth activities, a universally accessible kitchen and expanded assistive technology space. Slated for completion in mid-April, the expansion also includes a complete, universally designed apartment for training. Morelock Ross Builders Inc. is general contractor on the project, with design work from Slone Architects & Interior Designers Inc. Engineering work is by Lee Engineering Inc., civil; Edelman Engineering Corp., structural; and Vandersluis Engineering Inc., mechanical, electrical and plumbing. Maddox said the center would add a minimum of 10 staff members during the next two years.

Township 28
3900 S. Lone Pine Ave.

Owner and general contractor Township 28 LLC wrapped construction on the first building of the multiphase southeast apartment development with a ribbon-cutting Oct. 29. TLC Properties Director of Marketing Chelsey Bunch said the seven-building, 138-unit complex isn’t expected to be finished until July. Architect H Design Group LLC designed the $12 million complex financed by OakStar Bank. Engineering is from Pinnacle Design Consultants LLC, civil and structural; and Colvin Jones Davis LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing. Amenities in the 133,103-square-foot complex will include an outdoor swimming pool, smoothie bar, fitness center, electric car charging stations and an indoor basketball court.