Cole Is Not Clowning Around With Hunger

During the holiday season, we are reminded that hunger is scary, which is why Cole partnered up with Incite Design Studio to participate in Canstruction St. Louis.

Founded in 1992 by a group of architects and engineers as a way to combat hunger through innovative design, Canstruction features Citywide Competitions where competitors utilize canned food to design and create structures called Cansculptures. The Cansculptures are then displayed and judged, with awards given in various categories including “Best Meal” or “Best Use of Labels”.

For the competition this year, Incite designed our Cansculpture in the design of Pennywise, the infamous clown from Stephen King’s novel It, with Cole providing an assist with the actual Canstruction construction. Our collaboration netted the Incite-Cole team two awards: “Best Use of Labels” and the coveted “People’s Choice”!

Once the competition is over, the cans are donated to Operation Food Search. This year, Canstruction St. Louis provided Operation Food Search with 19,512 pounds of food comprised of 17,000 cans + 100 boxes + 48 salt and pepper shakers. A $32,975.28 value, this haul represents enough to feed 4,878 people!

A big believer in giving back to our community, Cole extends a big thank you to Incite Design Studio for teaming up, and gives a shout out to Hastings+Chivetta for organizing Canstruction St. Louis. To learn more about the national organization, please visit www.canstruction.org. Additional information regarding Canstruction St. Louis can be found on their Facebook page, @canstructionSTL.

Announcing Cole’s Vice President of Engineering for Accessibility

Cole is pleased to announce that Melissa Anderson has joined our staff as the Vice President of Engineering for Accessibility.

Prior to joining Cole, Melissa worked at the US Access Board, serving as their Transportation Engineer, developing accessibility guidelines and assisting Federal, State and Local Agencies in meeting their obligations to provide accessible facilities for people who have disabilities. Her work involved refining the proposed Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines, updating the Transportation Vehicle Accessibility Guidelines and leading the Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee. Melissa also continues to participate as a subject matter expert on several research panels and remains a member of two committees for the Transportation Research Board.

Prior to her work for the Access Board, she was employed for 10 years with the Missouri Department of Transportation, where she was involved in traffic and safety data collection and analysis, research, standards development, and professional services procurement. Melissa became the statewide non-motorized transportation engineer, where she was responsible for developing pedestrian and bicycle policy, training staff and local agencies, and reviewing plans for accessibility.

Previously, Melissa also worked for two small local agencies on a wide variety of projects including water and waste water design, managing street and sidewalk programs, review of residential and commercial developments, and long range planning and zoning updates.

Cole is excited to have Melissa lead our ADA Team, providing expert guidance and working with our clients to understand their obligation to provide accessible facilities. We look forward to sharing her skills with our partners in the evaluation of their existing infrastructure and development of State and community transition and prioritization plans and accessible pedestrian networks.

Goal! From Parking Lot to Soccer Field at Nahed Chapman New American Academy

In early 2016, Peter Tao of Tao + Lee Associates, Inc., approached Cole’s Jim Roth, PE, to discuss providing Civil Design consultation on a soccer field installation for a local school. This preliminary discussion became a multi-team project that transformed a pothole riddled piece of asphalt into a professional quality soccer field for the 320 students of Nahed Chapman New American Academy (NCNAA).

Cole provided survey and site planning services, along with storm water management design to direct water away from the synthetic turf field. Cole’s Jim Roth, PE, and Stan Fowler, EIT, donated their time and engineering expertise to this necessary project, and Tom Reynolds and Chad Weber provided survey services.

“No words can capture the feeling of seeing the students of NCNAA enjoy themselves on an improved playing surface and shelter and of being a part of a team that provided children who are grateful for what they have with experiences that they will cherish.” – Stan Fowler, EIT, Cole

The project team included professionals from Construction Forum STL, DG @ Design, Engraphix, PHL Inc., Millstone Weber, St. Louis Mosaic Project, St. Louis Public Schools, Tao + Lee & Associates, and Washington University in St. Louis.

The St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club provided additional support by donating tickets to a St. Louis Football Club match earlier this year for a group of NCNAA students. Two St. Louis FC players also attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and challenged the students to a scrimmage on the new soccer field.

Involvement in the project also included participation in the Gateway Welcome Project’s stirring committee, whose aim is to make the St. Louis metropolitan area a welcoming place for foreign-born immigrants and refugees and their families.

The Nahed Chapman New American Academy’s International Welcome School opened in 2009 to create a safe and nurturing school environment for immigrant students and war refugees, many of whom struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. To learn more about the school and its mission, please visit: www.slps.org/NCNAA.

To learn more about the Gateway Welcome Project and their important work in the region, please visit: www.gatewaywelcomestl.org.

The Lofts of Washington University Receives LEED Platinum Certification

The Lofts of Washington University has been awarded LEED Platinum Certification from the United States Green Building Council. The project received 84 total points out of only 80 required to achieve platinum, the highest level of certification. This 167-unit student housing and retail complex located in the Delmar Loop area of University City, Missouri, features a United Provisions grocery store and the 24-hour Peacock Loop Diner. The $80 million project was built on 4.5 acres which were previously occupied by underutilized buildings and surface parking.

Together with the University, the project team was striving for platinum certification throughout the design and construction process. Cole’s contribution includes working closely with Paric, the General Contractor, on pollution prevention during construction. In addition, Cole utilized a creative approach to stormwater management with a 25,000 gallon cistern to harvest rain water, several rain gardens for bioretention, and assisted DTLS Landscape Studio on a green roof. Cole has been involved in many LEED Certified projects on the Washington University campus, but this is the first LEED Platinum Certification for both Cole and the University.

Designed to minimize impact on the environment while creating healthy spaces for people, it is anticipated that the project will be 46 percent more efficient than standard construction. Architects Tao + Lee and William Rawn Associates are responsible for the solar thermal panels which heat 25 percent of the buildings’ hot water, solar photovoltaic cells providing 10 percent of the electrical needs, and exterior aluminum sunshades serving as both a cooling element and a unique design feature.

The Lofts is the first model of its kind for Washington University. The mix of uses brings new amenities to the neighborhood and has created a positive dramatic change for the Delmar Loop built environment.

AMC Theatre Opens this Month at Streets of St. Charles

The Streets of St. Charles continues to flourish into a premier mixed-use community. Among the latest entertainment offerings for residents and visitors is the AMC Theatre opening this month. A 40,000 square-foot theatre complex with eight (8) screens makes up this new movie going experience and adds to the state-of-the-art amenity options on the property. The theatre is adjacent to a 1,250-space parking garage and is part of a 400,000 square-foot multi-use building that is currently under construction – the latest phase of development at Streets of St. Charles.

Cole is proud to have been a part of the overall project since its onset and is excited to see the latest attraction come to life. Our civil engineering and design services on the AMC Theatre included the planning and layout of the building, grading and storm sewer design, utility coordination, and construction administration. Cole’s landscape architecture team was responsible for extending the layout of the theatre entrance plaza and the incorporation of existing design elements for a display wall, in addition to continued streetscape design, site furnishings, and plantings. As both consultants and tenants, we look forward to future growth and development at Streets of St. Charles.

Olin Business School Dedication Ceremony

Washington University celebrated the new Knight Hall and Bauer Hall last Friday at a very well attended ribbon cutting and building dedication ceremony. This major expansion was constructed adjacent to the Charles F. Knight Executive Education Center on the current site of Eliot Hall and nearly doubles the size of the Olin Business School on the Danforth Campus. A striking glass atrium links two five-story state-of-the-art buildings which provide 175,000 sf of new program space. The $90 million project integrates seven classrooms, an auditorium, 75 faculty offices, numerous forums, lounges, offices, and spaces for interaction and collaboration.

Cole’s primary responsibilities included design of the storm and sanitary sewer systems, site grading, design of Best Management Practices (BMP’s), ADA accessibility, and coordination for LEED certification. The project also encompassed several ancillary efforts to accommodate the expansion. This consisted of a stair tower addition with a fully functional green roof which can be used for gathering space at McMillan Hall, additional labs and classroom space, and a new pedestrian plaza to create a cohesive new identity for Olin Business School. We worked alongside a talented team which included Tarlton Corporation as the Construction Manager; Santa Monica, CA, based Moore Ruble Yudell, Architect-of-Record; local Mackey Mitchell Architects, Associate Architect; KPFF, structural engineer; and mechanical engineers of Buro Happold and William Tao & Associates.

Cole is honored to continue our collaboration with Washington University on this and many other campus projects. We’re proud to contribute to the resources and spaces that build momentum for the students, faculty, and alumni.

The Roxton Grand Opening

Cole is pleased to announce the opening of The Roxton in Denton, Texas. The Grand Opening Celebration will be held on Oct 16 from 5pm-7pm.  The property underwent rehabilitation in late 2012 with the assistance of a HTC (Housing Tax Credit) award from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Cole’s duties included analysis of existing infrastructure and design of replacement infrastructure, project phasing, coordination of platting and permitting, landscape architecture, and construction phase services for the 120 affordable housing unit property.

The Roxton (formerly Singing Oaks) represents just one of several HTC projects designed by Cole. Our experience with Housing Tax Credits includes numerous projects in North Texas and Louisiana.  We’ve helped complete over 2,500 multi-family units in 13 different communities.  Projects have included new construction, phased reconstruction, and over 600 senior assisted living units. Whether our clients are applying for competitive or non-competitive housing tax credits, we can help with pre-application site selection all the way through entitlements, design, and construction.

Cole is providing HTC engineering consultant services for additional projects on the boards in the state of Texas including Amberwood in Longview, a 78 unit property on 6.8 acres slated for completion this year; Saige Meadows in Tyler; Summit Parque in Dallas; and Abbington Meadows in Howe. We wish all of our clients luck in the upcoming TDHCA tax credit selection process for 2014.

Our St. Louis Office is Moving

Cole is pleased to announce that we are moving our corporate headquarters from Sunset Hills to downtown St. Louis, MO, at Union Station. On July 8, 2013, our St. Louis team will be working out of the Power House building in a fresh open setting that better reflects our collaborative environment.  This relocation complements our recent St. Charles County, MO, office move to the new urban inspired Streets of St. Charles and places us in a location similar to the Texas office in Frisco Square. All three of Cole’s established offices are now located in thriving business and entertainment districts.

This move not only continues to allow us to better serve the St. Louis region, it further aligns Cole with the re-urbanization of American cities; one of the more significant trends of our industry. We’re excited to have an office in the City of St. Louis which is experiencing a remarkable period of revitalization.

Stop by and visit soon! Our new address is: Power House at Union Station, 401 S. 18^th Street, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63103 (phone remains the same 314-984-9887).

Our office will be closed on July 5 to accommodate the move. We wish you a safe and happy Independence Day celebration!

Stribling Hall Receives LEED Silver Certification

Stribling Hall at the Missouri Military Academy (MMA) has recently been awarded LEED Silver Certification by the United States Green Building Council. Cole worked with M+H Architects on the demolition of existing Stribling Hall and construction of a new 6,000 SF building and improvements to the main entry of the campus and drop-off area. Cole’s contribution to LEED Certification included a stormwater pollution prevention plan, calculations for dedicated open space, drought tolerant native landscape design, and a tree shadow study complete with the selection of highly reflective paving materials. Our additional responsibilities included site grading, storm and sanitary sewer design, AutoTurn analysis, and consultant coordination for geothermal well layout and associated piping.

Ensuring that our projects endure through smart and skillful design and implementation is an intrinsic part of what we do here at Cole. Whether it’s water quality, material reuse, or energy efficient construction methods, we incorporate sustainable practices wherever possible. Our success lies in allowing sustainable elements to drive design decisions and subsequently integrate seamlessly with the built project. Stribling Hall, which was completed in early 2012, is the 10th LEED Certified project on which Cole has worked and the second on the MMA campus.

Cole’s Commitment to Licensure

For years, our partnerships have taken us to places beyond our regional borders. Regardless of location, Cole has always sought opportunity in new markets that are relationship driven and value unique, quality design, and progressive technology; which is synonymous with the Cole brand. Today we find ourselves working extensively throughout the United States on environmentally sensitive land developments and infrastructure projects.

With a staff licensed in nearly 40 states and a portfolio of projects representing a considerable national presence, Cole is committed to becoming an expert in virtually any part of the country. Along with the flexibility and knowledge required to work on substantial sites in many states comes the responsibility and commitment of continuing education. We are proud that our staff places a major emphasis on obtaining and maintaining licensure. In 2012 alone, eight of our staff members obtained licenses in 15 new states. As growth plans for 2013 and beyond come to fruition, we will continue to add to our portfolio of licenses. Currently our staff represents:

• Professional Engineers Registered in 36 States.

• Professional Landscape Architects Registered in 17 States.

• Professional Land Surveyors Registered in 7 States.