Saddleback Development expedites projects with use of metal buildings

Saddleback Development Inc., located at 1389 N. Cedarbrook, specializes in commercial construction particularly, with pre-engineered metal buildings.

"We do all types of general contracting for commercial projects, including new building and remodels," said owner Art Hessee.

The metal buildings come "like a kit," and are put together after concrete is poured, he added.

The metal building "kits" are made by Varco Pruden, a Memphis-based dealer of pre-engineered buildings that has an office in St. Joseph.

Hessee said Saddleback uses the metal buildings in construction because they are a time-saver in getting projects completed.

"It generally takes a lot less time than having a red iron or conventional stick building (wood framing) put up. Putting up a metal building can take from two weeks to 10 (weeks) to put up," he said. "But a red iron or conventional stick building can take up to 50 percent longer to complete."

The metal buildings have been around since the 1940s or 1950s, Hessee said.

"They're very good for building a commercial, industrial or warehouse site as well as strip malls," he said

Saddleback Construction has a fully stocked shop for the metal buildings.

"We can deal with sheet metal or any type of steel fabrication" Hessee said.

These days, the company is completing the remodeling work on the Arby's at 735 S. Glenstone. Some of the company's other projects include the Kelly Plaza at National and Walnut Lawn, and the vocational agricultural building for the Forsyth School District.

Saddleback Construction works within a 100-mile radius of its Springfield office.

Hessee, a Springfield native who spent 20 years as a general contractor in California, returned to the city in 1995. He has been the owner of Saddleback Construction for three years. Hessee bought the company, formerly known as Reed and Associates, from Richard Reed in November 1999 and renamed it after a California mountain range where he likes to ride his motorcycle.

As the owner of the company, Hessee's day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing the administration of the company, building client relationships and negotiating new projects.

Hessee said his company saw "a tapering off," in the private sector, because of the downturn in the economy.

"The tapering off was in the, third quarter of last year," he said. "I attribute that to an overabundance of empty spaces for lease. An investor will develop a spec building in the hopes of leasing it out. When it's not being leased fast enough, it slows down the speed of building."

However, Hessee said he believes things are picking back up.

"After September 11, people had to realize that life goes on," he said. "We must continue to live, do business and can't be in a holding pattern."