Revitalization was front and center yesterday as industry professionals kicked off the 30th annual Salute to Design & Construction with a mixer in downtown Springfield’s newest residential addition, The U.
Formerly the McDaniel building, The Vecino Group’s $7 million, 39-unit student housing complex was the backdrop for around 60 industry experts as Springfield Contractors Association President Brent Beattie announced the 2015 finalists for Project of the Year.
Submitted by the public and chosen by a panel of judges, project finalists are the shower house at YMCA Camp Wokanda, in Ash Grove; an addition to The Alpha House, a Springfield residential re-entry for federal prisoners; and the athletic fields at Missouri State University.
“I’m not surprised [Gov. Jay] Nixon always comes to Springfield to talk about economic development,” said Springfield Mayor Bob Stephens, addressing the crowd. “The design and construction industry is one of the largest contributors to the economic development.
“I was in the square last week and every direction I looked I could see construction. Downtown is making strides in a big way.”
Following the mayor’s speech and a proclamation presentation by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, attendees got the public’s first glimpse into the unique student housing complex, including a second-floor studio apartment and a third-floor roof-top terrace.
Designed as an environment for student entrepreneurs, Vecino building manager Bradley Wilkinson said The U hosts a guest speaker in “The Garage” each month for students.
“We call this place The Garage because that’s where all the great ideas started, like Google and Apple. This is a shared office space students can use to further their ideas and goals,” he said. “We’ve already hosted local businessmen such as [Farmers Park developer] Matt O’Reilly and [Springfield Brewing Co. partner] Bryan Bevel.”
The U is just one of four downtown Vecino Group projects. Combine The U’s 39 units with 90 in the former Woodruff building and 30 in the Sterling Hotel and the development company will soon own 159 apartment units at the intersection of Park Central East and Jefferson Avenue. The Vecino Group also converted the former Landmark office building around the corner, at 309 N. Jefferson Ave., into 68 affordable housing rental units dubbed The Frisco, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.
The Project of the Year winner will be named during the annual Salute to Construction banquet, slated 5 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Oasis Convention Center. The SCA also will name its Developer of the year, along with the American Institute of Architects’ Craftsman of the Year and The National Association of Women in Construction’s Women of the Year.
The first Salute to Design and Construction was held in 1985 as one of a dozen “Salutes" to various segments of Springfield's community, included health care, military, agriculture and government, sponsored by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1988, the Salute Council took over the planning and implementation of the Salute to Design & Construction, according to the SCA.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
