Environmental Works readies for headquarters move

Environmental Works is preparing for a year-end move to its new corporate headquarters, under construction now on East Chestnut Expressway.

The environmental consulting firm is renovating a 30,000-square-foot building on 2.5 acres at 1455 E. Chestnut Expressway for what will be the company's fourth location since opening in 1992, according to a news release. Environmental Works' 38 employees are currently based at 4,800 square feet at 1016 W. Battlefield Road, where the company has been located for nine years.

The $2 million project is turning the former Sara Lee Corp. spice plant into office space and warehouse storage, which will be used to store heavy equipment needed for the company's emergency-response and field-service operations, the release said.

Before buying the 29-year-old building, the firm performed an environmental assessment of the structure. Environmentally friendly elements of the renovation include energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air-condition systems; increased natural lighting; built-in recycling bins; and an outdoor green space.

Springfield Builders Inc. is the project's general contractor, Jack Ball and Associates Architects PC is the architect, and engineers are Olsson Associates Inc. - mechanical, electrical and plumbing - and Pinnacle Design Consultants Inc. - structural.

The move will position Environmental Works closer to downtown, where it has performed projects such as environmental assessments, asbestos/lead-based paint inspections and remediation for properties including the Vandivort Center Theatre, Park Central Branch Library and the Heer's, Woodruff and McDaniel buildings, the release said.

The company also has regional offices in Rolla and Kansas City, Kan.

See SBJ's Nov. 3 issue for updates on more than 20 construction projects in the Ozarks.