John Deere Reman targets ’26 completion for $13.5M expansion

John Deere Reman targets ’26 completion for $13.5M expansion

Investment would consolidate some company facilities

BY: GEOFF PICKLE, DIGITAL EDITORgpickle@sbj.net

Posted online October 18, 2024 | 9:59 am

A planned multimillion-dollar investment in Strafford by John Deere Reman will mean increased operational efficiencies in the Springfield area, a company official says.

The business operated by Moline, Illinois-based Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) announced Oct. 14 that it would invest $13.5 million to expand its plant in Strafford. The project would grow the 601 MO-125 facility, known as the John Deere Reman Core Center, by 120,000 square feet to bring its footprint to 400,000 square feet. Company officials are targeting a mid-2025 groundbreaking and 2026 completion for the expansion. Parking lot improvements are currently underway to prepare for the expansion, officials say.

Kevin Schrag, manager of John Deere Reman, said the expansion in Strafford would allow the company to consolidate some of its operations in the Springfield area under one roof.

“We’re spread out over multiple facilities. It’s a bit of a function of how we’ve grown in the area,” Schrag said, noting the company has five facilities in the area. “The key driver for this particular expansion is really consolidating some of our external warehousing operations to drive logistical improvements.”

Schrag said the current plan calls for two leased locations, including a facility operated in partnership with SRC Holdings Corp., to be consolidated into the John Deere Reman Core Center.

“We’ll work with them on the timing of that,” he said.

Local impact
John Deere Reman, which remanufactures engines and fuel and electronic components for agriculture and construction customers, started in Springfield in 1998 as a joint venture with Springfield Remanufacturing Corp. It became wholly owned by Deere 10 years later.

The John Deere Reman Core Center opened in 2012 and represented a roughly $14 million investment, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. Springfield-based Q and Co. LLC led construction of the project.

Schrag said Q and Co. has been hired for the expansion, as well, along with local architecture and engineering firms Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, Miller Engineering PC and Olsson Inc.

“Quality is at the core of Q & Co., and we are proud to partner with John Deere and this exceptional design team on another project for a company that also values quality – John Deere,” said Darren Beck, construction manager at Q & Co., in a news release.

Schrag additionally said the city of Strafford has been instrumental in its growth plans. The John Deere Reman Core Center is located adjacent to the bustling Southwest Missouri Rail and Business Park, south of Interstate 44 on the southwest side of Strafford. Nearby neighbors include Warson Brands, L&W Industries and Dayton Freight. It’s about 4 miles northeast of Buc-ee’s, located en route to Strafford from Springfield along I-44.

“We have been honored to be home to this facility for over a decade, appreciating the solid legacy John Deere and its products represent,” Strafford City Administrator Martha Smartt said in the release. “We look forward to this expansion, recognizing the company’s investment has had a profound impact on our community and southwest Missouri.”

The John Deere Reman Core Center employs 211 people, said Schrag, noting the original plans for the Strafford facility called for around 55 jobs. Noting the company has more than 500 employees in the Springfield area, he said additional jobs likely would be on the way.

“My expectation is this space will allow us to grow the business,” Schrag said, declining to estimate the number of new jobs the facility expansion would create. “We have a very skilled and highly engaged employee base here. It’s the employees that drive all of the results in the end.”

A “relatively small number” of existing local employees would transition to Strafford amid the consolidation efforts, he added.

Global impact
The Strafford plans follow a 2021 move in which John Deere Reman added around 130 employees to its local workforce as it transitioned its drivetrain and hydraulic remanufacturing operations from a plant in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, which closed, according to past reporting.

“I would say this is the next logical step,” Schrag said. “All of John Deere Reman’s operations are centralized to the Springfield area. This investment is showing our continued commitment to that.”

Deere & Co., which has some 83,000 employees and more than 100 locations globally, is No. 64 on the 2024 Fortune 500 list that ranks U.S. companies based on annual revenues. The publication reported $61.3 billion in annual revenue for Deere in the list published this summer.

Deere’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report is scheduled for release on Nov. 21.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2024, Deere reported net income of $1.7 billion on net sales and revenues of $13.2 billion for the period ended July 28, according to an Aug. 15 news release. Those figures were down 42% and 17%, respectively, from a year earlier.

Deere & Co.’s stock closed Oct. 15 at $401.99, compared with a 52-week range of $340.20 to $420.47 per share.

From the Ground Up: The Risdal Family Teen Center for Great Futures

810 W. Catalpa St.

BY: KAREN CRAIGO, REPORTERkcraigo@sbj.net

Posted online October 11, 2024 | 4:10 pm

Last edited 8:49 a.m., Nov. 8, 2024 [Editor's note: Own Inc. is the civil engineer. The company's previous name was used before.]

Owner: Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield Inc.
General contractor: Ross Construction Group LLC
Architect: Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective
Engineers: Own Inc., civil; RTM Engineering Consultants LLC, structural; and Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 30,500 square feet Cost: $12 million
Funding source: Capital campaign
Estimated completion: August 2025
Project description: Now that road and sidewalk improvements are completed, a lot of building construction is happening in the portion of the Grant Avenue Parkway south of Grand Street. Last week’s From the Ground Up featured a new multifamily development, The Wayfarer in the Dale, going up on 1112 S. Grant Avenue. Just south of that project, west of Grant on Catalpa Street, The Risdal Family Teen Center for Great Futures has begun to rise from its lot – itself located next to the new Nordic Landing affordable housing apartment building. The center has been in the works since July 2021, with a groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 15. The goal is for the two-story center to be a safe place for middle- and high-school students to go after school to access programming in education, workforce readiness, the arts, character and leadership, health and wellness, and sports and recreation. It will have a gym and a game room, plus food, computers, laundry and shower facilities, with mental health care available. Services will be offered free of charge, Boys and Girls Club officials say. A portion of the second floor is intended to be leased for youth services and an overnight shelter, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

Evangel University Ribbon cutting for AGFinancial Arena

Thank you Evangel University for a powerful building dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for The AG Financial Arena. So blessed to be there and witness those unique moments for this special building.

Pittman Elementary ribbon Cutting

Congratulations to the students, families, and staff of Pittman Elementary! Our team from Buxton Kubik Dodd was on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony as they opened their new multipurpose gymnasium and storm shelter yesterday. It's always a great feeling to help provide safe places for our community, especially when it includes a family member. Our very own Lisa Wampler's daughter attends Pittman, so it made this project even more special!

Ebenezer Fire Station No. 1

Ebenezer Fire Station No. 1

1391 State Highway WW

BY: KAREN CRAIGO, REPORTERkcraigo@sbj.net

Posted online September 20, 2024 | 4:01 pm

General contractor: RE Smith Construction Co.
Size: 20,000 square feet
Estimated cost: $4.4 million
Estimated completion: December
Project description: The new Ebenezer Fire Station No. 1 will serve the fire district with the largest coverage area in Springfield, according to project officials. Constructed of preengineered metal, structural steel and concrete masonry unit components, the station will feature four drive-thru apparatus bays, one apparatus maintenance bay, and a living area with kitchen, sleeping quarters, workout area, community room and administrative offices. The project architect is Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, and engineers are Own Inc., civil; Miller Engineering PC, structural; and Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, mechanical, electrical and plumbing.

Finley Ridge Apartments Phase II

Finley Ridge Apartments Phase II

2349 N. 20th St., Ozark

BY: KAREN CRAIGO, REPORTERkcraigo@sbj.net

Posted online September 20, 2024 | 3:04 pm

General contractor: Morelock Builders & Associates Inc.
Size: 204,368 square feet
Estimated cost: Would not disclose
Estimated completion: Dec. 15
Project description: Phase II of the Finley Ridge Apartments project includes a pair of four-story buildings with 48 units each. Building 1 is slated to be completed Oct. 15, with Building 2 scheduled to wrap up Dec. 15. Units range from one bedroom at 737 square feet to three bedrooms at 1,165 square feet. All together, project officials say, the complex will have 192 units with a shared community and fitness room, as well as an outdoor pool, community grill stations and green space. The project architect is Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, and engineers are Toth & Associates Inc., civil; RTM Engineering Consultants LLC, structural; and Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, mechanical, electrical and plumbing.

West Plains Vet Supply

West Plains Vet Supply

2845 W. Kearney St.

BY: KAREN CRAIGO, REPORTERkcraigo@sbj.net

Posted online September 20, 2024 | 2:48 pm

General contractor: Hambey Construction LLC
Size: 30,540 square feet
Estimated cost: $3.4 million
Estimated completion: December
Project description: West Plains Veterinary Supply of Springfield Inc. is getting an addition to its wholesale sales building, to include some 3,000 square feet of retail space in front of the building and more than 27,000 square feet of warehouse space. The project architect is Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, and engineers are Lee Engineering & Associates LLC, civil; Miller Engineering PC, structural; and Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, mechanical, electrical and plumbing.

VIDEO: Watkins Elementary Ribbon Cutting

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Paul Mueller Co. breaks ground on $22M expansion

Paul Mueller Co. breaks ground on $22M expansion

BY: MIKE CULLINAN, REPORTERmcullinan@sbj.net

Posted online August 27, 2024 | 11:56 am

Amid sweltering summer heat, Paul Mueller Co. (OTC: MUEL) officials broke ground Aug. 26 on a multimillion-dollar expansion project at its Springfield headquarters.

The groundbreaking ceremony, which included Gov. Mike Parson among state officials in attendance, was held outside on the future construction site near the corner of Phelps Street and LaFontaine Avenue. Dozens of employees at the 84-year-old stainless steel manufacturing company also were present for the kickoff of the $22 million expansion work that is expected to create 133 jobs, according to officials.

The new production facility, which will increase capacity for the assembly of large production modules, will add more than 100,000 square feet of space, including a clear-span, climate-controlled production area spanning 60,000 square feet, according to a news release. The facility will be at the northwest portion of the company’s 1600 W. Phelps St. campus, which sits at the intersection of Kansas and Chestnut Expressway.

“It will provide a column-free open manufacturing space where we can assemble and test larger systems for our pharmaceutical, food, beverage and chemical customers,” Mueller Co. President and CEO David Moore said in the release. “Our co-workers have made this possible by safely providing increased value to our customers, resulting in the largest backlog and highest profitability in our history. The facility will also expand product development and training capabilities to support our growth.”

After the ceremony, Moore said construction should begin immediately and expects the company will be operating in the building by next fall. Ross Construction Group LLC is general contractor on the project and architect is Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective.

“I would imagine the building will be complete in September [2025],” he said. “We’re building this building for a handful of product lines. Our pharmaceutical product line will probably move most of their production into it. We make large modules for pharmaceutical customers and that will free up more space in our tank shop for our other tank-based product lines.”

According to the release, the company is set to receive benefits from the Missouri Works program, which awards withholdings or tax credits in exchange for job creation. It also is receiving assistance from Missouri One Start, a division of the state Department of Economic Development that assists businesses with recruitment and training needs.

Michelle Hattaway, DED director, said at the groundbreaking that the expansion announcement is just the latest chapter of Mueller Co.’s long history of commitment to excellence in manufacturing.

“We’re excited to continue to follow along with your success story as you expand capacity for the assembly of large production modules,” she said, adding her state department also is proud to continue partnering with the Springfield-based company as it grows

Officials declined to disclose details of the economic incentives for the expansion project. However, Moore said the company’s planned addition of 130-plus jobs because of the expansion will likely be gradual.

“As the completion of the building nears, we’ll be trying to ramp up early,” he said.

The groundbreaking comes a few weeks after Mueller Co. reported its second-quarter financial report. Its second-quarter net income finished at $6.8 million, a 41% increase from the same three-month period in 2023.

The financial report also noted its backlog this year is $187.3 million, as of June 30, compared with $106 million on June 30, 2023. The majority of the total is in the U.S., where backlog is $181.2 million.

The company’s over-the-counter stock yesterday hit a 52-week high of $150 per share. The stock’s 52-week low is $47.03 per share.

Evangel approaches end of $24M arena work

Evangel approaches end of $24M arena work 

New athletic facility prepares to host first game Sept. 19

BY: MIKE CULLINAN, REPORTERmcullinan@sbj.net

Posted online August 23, 2024 | 2:23 pm

As students make their return to Evangel University’s campus this month, they do so with the school’s highest-priced project in its near 70-year history about to wrap up.

The university’s AGFinancial Arena, a 71,268-square-foot athletic facility on the northwest corner of campus, is in the final weeks of construction, according to school officials.

It will serve as the new home for Evangel’s basketball, football, soccer and volleyball programs.

“It’s just a little bit under $24 million, and that’s all in – construction, furnishings, electronics, lighting,” said Michael Kolstad, Evangel’s chief of staff and executive vice president, of the project price tag.

The facility’s first scheduled event is a Sept. 19 home volleyball match against Columbia College, said Shawn Fink, a construction contractor for Evangel who serves as the owner’s representative for the project. He estimated work was about 90% complete as of Aug. 16. The arena’s opening is in advance of its ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Oct. 4.

Williams Construction Co. is general contractor for the project designed by Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective. It’s the first new building to be added to campus in over a decade, Kolstad said.

“By price tag, it is our largest, but the excitement is already starting to build,” he said. “And as the students and the athletes come back, just that childlike enthusiasm, excitement, it’s worth a million dollars to see it on their faces as they walk in.”

Financial aid
Evangel officials say the project was funded through private donations, and the university will have no debt upon the building’s completion.

Its funding included a $10 million matching pledge made in November 2023 from the Green family, who own the Hobby Lobby and Mardel Christian & Education retail chains. The Greens’ pledge was to match up to $10 million in donations to Evangel through this November.

“We’re done. We’re going to make an announcement probably in the next two to four weeks,” Kolstad said of reaching the matching pledge total for the athletics facility, which was part of Evangel’s $24 million Here.Now capital campaign. “We were able to do it in eight months.”

The capital campaign also included the renovation of campus dormitory Walther Hall and installation of a field for intramural athletics. Both were completed in 2023, according to Evangel officials.

The Green family has a history of aiding Christian universities, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. The family previously donated $5 million to help fund a 2013 merger of Evangel, Central Bible College and Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

Additionally, the arena project in July received a naming-level donation – described by university officials as a capstone gift – from AGFinancial for an undisclosed amount, which Fink said resulted in the facility name change from the Valor Center. Founded in 1988, AGFinancial’s original purpose was to integrate the stewardship and financial service ministries of the Assemblies of God, according to its website. It provides loans, investment planning, insurance and other financial services to individuals, families, churches and ministries. Evangel is also affiliated with the Assemblies of God denomination.

AGFinancial Arena replaces the 37,200-square-foot J. Robert Ashcroft Facilities Center, opened in 1967, according to the university website.

“This was the last part of the campus that we had not upgraded, really since the start of the university back in 1955,” Kolstad said. “We have almost 500 student-athletes. And it was time.”

Arena amenities
Fink said construction of the building at Pine Lane and Park Drive started in May 2023. The southern portion, dubbed the Randy Rowden Training Center, primarily serves the football and soccer programs. It includes 16 locker rooms, 25 offices for the athletic department, an athletic medicine hub and a covered terrace area that overlooks the field used for men and women’s soccer home games and practice, football practice and marching band rehearsals.

Rowden, who died in 2013, was a longtime supporter of the university, according to Evangel officials. His widow, Shirley, wanted to honor him and provided Evangel with an initial gift to start the arena project.

“We actually accelerated the schedule on that portion of the building to try to get the soccer and football programs in so that their late summer, early fall programs could begin,” Fink said. “We were able to hit that goal, and so they’re in there and operating now.”

Practices are in full swing for soccer and football as their seasons start this month. The roster size for football is around 125, while roughly 35 students each participate on the men’s and women’s soccer teams, according to school officials.

The training center’s 4,060-square-foot weight room also more than doubles the size of the one in the Ashcroft Center. Fink pointed out the school’s Valor logo is embedded on much of the new equipment in the room, which also features padded flooring and artificial turf.

“That weight room, it’s like it’s an NFL-quality weight room,” Kolstad said. “These football players come in and they’re just grinning ear to ear. And I think a couple of tears here and there.”

On the north side of the facility is the gym, which includes two regulation-size cross courts for basketball and volleyball.

“The arena itself seats about 1,425, plus we have five box suites and some standing room,” Fink said, adding total capacity is around 1,600. “We have four visiting team locker rooms, which is a pretty huge amenity. Between that and the cross courts, it really elevates our ability to host tournaments, etc.”

Adjacent to the gym are the building’s main lobby and concourse, which include space for a ticket booth, concessions, restrooms and a store that will sell university and team apparel.

“The lobby for us will as well be multipurpose. We’ll use that for banquet facilities and other events,” Fink said, adding the space can hold roughly 100 people for gatherings.

Outside the arena, officials are planning for a student plaza in the southeast corner of the property. It will include a large exterior LED screen and parking room for food trucks.

“If you think pregame, whether it be soccer, football, basketball, volleyball in the arena, that’s really meant to be a place for students to come and congregate,” he said. “We’re putting some resources into that.”

As for the Ashcroft Center, a facility that has no air conditioning and sits across from AGFinancial Arena, Kolstad said there’s no plan to tear it down. The building, which has an arched roof and pointed spires, was designed after an airport terminal that was constructed in Texas, according to Evangel’s website. 

Kolstad said the center’s future use is to be determined.

“We want to keep as much real estate as we can. We are going to take the year to study it,” he said. “It makes a nice facility for some of these other things that we’ve not had.”

Some ideas under consideration are an indoor practice facility for court sports, an additional location for intramural athletics and a pickleball venue.

“It’s not going anywhere. The bones of the structure are excellent,” he said. “It probably would make no sense to tear it down.”

This is the incredible story of one of our own family members. Brian Kubik's son, Cross Kubik, has written a book about his battles with cancer. It details his fight, his survival and his faith in our risen savior, Jesus Christ, that brought him through. We so appreciate the support by James River Church and John Lindell

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-s_q79yrke/

From the Ground Up: Pittman Elementary School storm shelter

From the Ground Up: Pittman Elementary School storm shelter

2934 E. Bennett St.

BY: KAREN CRAIGO, REPORTERkcraigo@sbj.net

Posted online August 9, 2024 | 1:04 pm

Owner: Springfield Public Schools
General contractor: BP Builders LLC
Architect: Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective
Engineers: Toth and Associates Inc., civil and structural; and Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 9,617 square feet
Cost: $4.8 million
Funding source: Proposition S general obligation bond
Estimated completion: August
Project description: A storm shelter to provide protection to the school population during severe weather events is nearing completion at Pittman Elementary School in east Springfield. The prestressed concrete building will be used as a multipurpose gymnasium with basketball and volleyball courts and music room and is also equipped with restrooms. Bleacher seating is included with a platform for school activities. The shelter is joined to the school by a connecting corridor. The project is funded by Proposition S, the $220 million bond approved by voters in April 2023, and similar shelters are underway or already complete at five other SPS elementary schools.

The Spirit of St. Louis Apartments are officially open.

AG FINANCIAL ARENA

July 2  EVANGEL UNIVERSITY FACEBOOK:

We’re excited to share some big news! As a longstanding supporter of our university’s mission, AGFinancial is providing a significant sponsorship toward EU’s new athletic facility as a capstone gift to the ‘matching challenge’ offered by the Green Family. We’re happy to present this first look at the brand new AGFinancial Arena, opening Fall 2024!

It is through the tremendous generosity of friends, families, and other EU supporters like AGFinancial that God has poured His blessings and kindness on our university.

Branson entertainment venue readies for opening day

Branson entertainment venue readies for opening day

BY: MIKE CULLINAN, REPORTERmcullinan@sbj.net

Posted online July 1, 2024 | 11:37 am

A multimillion-dollar Branson entertainment venue first announced in early 2022 is set to open this week.

July 3 is the scheduled grand opening for The Social Birdy following several small private events in the days leading up to the public unveiling, according to a news release. The $5 million venture at 1250 Branson Hills Parkway is just west of several big-box retailers, such as The Home Depot and Target. Officials previously targeted a May launch for the 18,000-square-foot project, which incorporates a restaurant and bar, an 18-hole putting course, pickleball courts, golf simulator bays and a full-service golf and pickleball shop, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

“We want to create a setting people enjoy so enthusiastically that they plan to come back over and over again. We strategized and planned a ton to ensure that The Social Birdy would be more than a once-a-year visit for locals and tourists,” said Trey Pelz, co-owner, in the release. “We are committed to creating repeatable shared experiences that are not ‘sub-par.’ We want The Social Birdy to become everyone’s default for date night.”

Pelz and friends Mark Mason, Matt Martin and Chris Rohr, as well as several silent partners, own the business through MMTC Development Group LLC. Springfield-based Richards Construction & Renovations LLC was general contractor on the project with Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective as architect.

Around 14,000 square feet comprise the interior, with an additional 4,000 square feet for the back patio area that includes fire pits, televisions and seating capacity for around 85, according to past reporting. The menu for the restaurant includes burgers, fried and hot chicken, a fry flight with flavors such as truffle garlic parmesan and lemon pepper buffalo, sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, shakes and a full bar.

The venue’s golf and pickleball pro shop will carry name brands such as Bad Birdy, Callaway, Cobra and TravisMathew, according to the release. Additionally, it houses an area where professionals will assist golfers with custom club fittings and golf lessons.

Pelz said The Social Birdy, which includes four pickleball courts on the back end of the facility, will staff around 55 employees. Bocce ball, shuffleboard and cornhole also will be among the outdoor games available to play.

“Pickleball is such a great social sport that brings people together no matter what their skill or background,” Pelz said in the release. “It’s a low-key way to get some exercise and have fun with friends.”

The five golf simulator bays at the venue can take players to 80 different golf courses and provide several hybrid golf games, according to the release. The simulators also offer baseball, soccer and dodgeball, among other game options.

Pelz said extensive engineering work had been the biggest issue contributing to project delays, according to past reporting. The project also grew from when it was first announced in January 2022 as a $3.5 million, 9,000-square-foot venture.

The location overlooks a portion of the golf course at Branson Hills Golf Club and is about a mile from U.S. Highway 65

Moxy Momentum: Officials expect new downtown hotel will open within a month

Moxy Momentum: Officials expect new downtown hotel will open within a month

BY: MIKE CULLINAN, REPORTERmcullinan@sbj.net

Posted online April 5, 2024 | 9:36 am

A hotel project several years in the making is nearing a conclusion in downtown Springfield.

The newest entry in Marriott International Inc.’s (Nasdaq: MAR) Moxy Hotels brand, Moxy Springfield Downtown, is expected to open by late April or early May, according to hotel officials. The eight-story, 98-room hotel will be the first Moxy to launch in Missouri, said Tim O’Reilly, CEO of O’Reilly Hospitality Management LLC.

Construction crews are active on all floors of the 430 South Ave. structure as the project comes down to the final few weeks, O’Reilly said. Work on the 52,000-square-foot building, which was built in 1930, has included retaining elements of its original design, such as limestone flooring and travertine walls. Infill activity, which included demolition of most of the interior walls and ceilings of the building in preparation for a complete reconstruction, began in late 2021.

O’Reilly Build LLC is general contractor for the project designed by Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective.

The plan to bring a new hotel downtown originated in 2017 when O’Reilly, through South Street Partners LLC, purchased the building for an undisclosed amount from G&S Holdings LLC. The property most recently housed the downtown branch of Great Southern Bank.

“It’s been good,” O’Reilly said of construction during a recent property tour with Springfield Business Journal. “We’ve had a couple of delays here and there. Anytime you redo a historic building, you’re going to get surprises in the plans.”

O’Reilly signed a franchise agreement with Marriott in 2018 after being impressed with the Moxy concept, which the company launched in 2013. Marriott has opened 150 Moxy locations worldwide, including 41 in North America, according to its website.

Moxy Springfield Downtown General Manager Jan Vanco said the Springfield Moxy will be the first in the region to open.

“Memphis is the closest,” he said. “There’s one in development that was just agreed upon in Fayetteville, [Arkansas].”

O’Reilly added his company is developing another Moxy in Kansas City, which is currently in the design phase.

“It’s on rapid expansion, and they’re planning to double the volume in the next couple of years,” Vanco said of Marriott’s plans. “Moxy is definitely one of the main focus brands.”

Vanco’s employment at the Moxy marks his first work experience in Springfield since he graduated from Missouri State University in 2002. With roughly 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Vanco previously worked at several hotels, including Marriott ventures in Texas, La Meridien Houston Downtown and Marriott DFW Airport South.

He said the hotel will hire roughly 50-60 employees. Upon opening, the Moxy, which has its own parking lot, will join other downtown hotels such as Hotel Vandivort, Tru by Hilton and University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center.

Sense of community
Aside from offering king, double queen and bunk bed rooms, the Moxy includes The Eyrie, a 3,300-square-foot rooftop bar and restaurant, a first-floor bar that doubles as the check-in area, and a basement with over 1,800 square feet for meetings and events that also will house a food and beverage concept called The Subterranean.

O’Reilly said The Eyrie and The Subterranean are not Marriott-affiliated concepts, adding both will be run by O’Reilly Hospitality Management. He declined to disclose his company’s investment in the project.

The room sizes generally range 250-400 square feet, according to officials. The Moxy website’s reservation calendar shows rooms available for rent beginning in June, with prices ranging $156-$197 per night. However, Vanco said the online calendar will be adjusted once the hotel’s opening date is finalized.

“A lot of the focus is on common spaces for the guests as well as for locals to create that sense of community and togetherness,” Vanco said.

O’Reilly agreed, noting the rooms are a little smaller than what you might find in most hotels.

“The common areas are the place to be. That’s what we hope everybody embraces because that’s what Moxy is,” he said. “Bring your laptop and do your work down in the lobby and have a drink and something to eat.”

Newly installed furniture wraps around one of the walls in the bar and check-in area, which also will operate as a coffee spot in the daytime. O’Reilly said Echelon Coffee LLC, which leases shop space from O’Reilly Hospitality Management at 2407 N. Glenstone Ave., will provide the coffee.

Signage in the bar tells visitors to “Let the adventure begin,” which O’Reilly said is a general theme at the Moxy.

“This is the meeting place to jump off into exploring the Ozarks. That felt good to Marriott, and they loved a sense of place, kind of fused in with what we’re doing,” he said, pointing to an art fixture hanging from the ceiling shaped like an upside-down canoe. “We love the interior. Juli Russell is our interior designer, and she’s just fantastic. She’s done several of our nicest hotels around the country.”

Some of the design incorporates the O’Reilly family’s love of biking via a mural of bikes coming out of one of the walls, while other elements include nods to country rock band The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, which originated in Springfield. Images of the band will be in the elevator, while a lyric excerpt from one of their songs is on signage in the lobby.

Above and below
Food and beverage will be handled by Matt Hales, an executive chef with O’Reilly Hospitality Management.

“He is an extremely creative guy, and he’s agreed to take on the challenge of being the main chef here for a period of time while we get up and running,” O’Reilly said. “Our (food and beverage) is going to be sophisticated yet dialed into what people really want. It’s not going to be an extravagant three-course meal experience on the roof. It’s going to be a lot of nice hors d’oeuvres and small plates.”

The Eyrie, which is defined as a large nest for a bird of prey, is expected to be open several nights a week. While O’Reilly noted a desire to occasionally have falconry flying demonstrations on the roof, he said there’s no schedule for when those will be offered.

“With Matt’s capabilities and creativity, it’s definitely going to be a changing menu pretty frequently, but it’s going to be a lot of shareables and really to generate the communal feeling between people and to share the views, share the food with great cocktails,” Vanco said.

There will be a bird theme to menu items, such as Flying Fig Flatbread, Soarin’ Bao Buns and The Talon Mojito. Drink rails are positioned along the rooftop to allow customers to take in an expansive view of downtown.

“We’ll be creative with that space, too,” O’Reilly said. “We’ll be having sunrise yoga up here when the weather’s nice and all sorts of fun little stuff.”

Across a basement hallway from the fitness center is The Subterranean, which O’Reilly refers to as a “barbecue and jazz dive.” The venue, which officials say has a speakeasy vibe, will intermittently be open for food and jazz music acts, as well as private parties, meetings and social events.

“It kind of has a couple different alter egos,” O’Reilly said.

Vanco said the venue won’t have standard operating hours.

“It’ll be very much driven by social media, reservations and notifications,” he said.

Nearly two years of the delay to start construction on the Moxy project was attributed to waiting on historic tax credit approval through the National Parks Service and the state of Missouri, O’Reilly said, declining to disclose the total. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic’s arrival further hampered efforts to keep the project moving forward.

Amid the long wait to reach this point, O’Reilly said he’s remained confident in the team his company’s assembled.

“I knew it was going to happen. Once you’re invested and have a loan and put a bunch of equity in, there’s no turning back. You can’t just not open,” he said. “It’s really cool breathing life back into this building. There was not much going on here when we bought it.”

From the Ground Up: New Life Church addition and renovation

From the Ground Up: New Life Church addition and renovation

776 W. Farm Road 186

BY: KAREN CRAIGO, REPORTERkcraigo@sbj.net

Posted online May 17, 2024 | 2:40 pm

Owner: New Life Church
General contractor: Hambey Construction LLC
Architect: Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective
Engineers: Lee Engineering & Associates LLC, civil; Miller Engineering PC, structural; and Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 10,740 square feet
Cost: $1.7 million
Lender: Mid-Missouri Bank
Estimated completion: October
Project description: New Life Church is getting new life in the form of a 6,308-square-foot addition and 4,432-square-foot renovation to several existing classrooms as well as the lobby and vestibule area, according to Hambey Construction officials. The addition is mostly geared toward the youth of the church and upon completion will include a 2,432-square-foot kids’ auditorium, plus three offices, three classrooms, a workroom and a lobby. The church website notes that over half of its facility is dedicated to a secure and fun environment for children, plus a teen church that meets at the same time as the adult service with its own worship band. To fund construction and renovation efforts, the church is conducting a capital campaign dubbed the Make Room Project.

Pittman Elementary School storm shelter

Pittman Elementary School storm shelter

2934 E. Bennett St.

BY: KAREN CRAIGO, REPORTERkcraigo@sbj.net

Posted online April 12, 2024 | 1:17 pm

General contractor: BP Builders LLC
Size: 9,617 square feet
Estimated cost: $4 million
Estimated completion: September
Project description: Connected to Pittman Elementary School, a storm shelter is being erected. The concrete building is designed to provide shelter for the entire school population during severe weather events and is equipped with restrooms. The building also will serve as a multipurpose gymnasium and music room. The project architect is Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, which also served as mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer. Toth and Associates Inc. served as civil and structural engineer.

Second Baptist Church renovation

Second Baptist Church renovation

3111 E. Battlefield Road

BY: KAREN CRAIGO, REPORTERkcraigo@sbj.net

Posted online April 12, 2024 | 1:00 pm

General contractor: J.E. Dunn Construction Co.
Size: 38,000 square feet
Estimated cost: Would not disclose
Estimated completion: April 30
Project description: The project is a partial renovation of a church building and conversion of an existing drive-thru canopy into finished interior space. The scope includes a new children’s education area featuring a large-group worship room with a stage and LED wall, a remodeled nursery and preschool space and an indoor playground. The project architect is Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, which also served as mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer. Other engineers were Own Inc., civil; and RTM Engineering Consultants LLC, structural

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co.

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co.

1777 N. Packer Road

BY: KAREN CRAIGO, REPORTERkcraigo@sbj.net

Posted online April 12, 2024 | 12:51 pm

General contractor: Ross Construction Group LLC
Size: 115,375 square feet
Estimated cost: Would not disclose
Estimated completion: January 2025
Project description: A two-phase build begins with construction of a new 67,750-square-foot manufacturing facility, to be completed in May, followed by the construction of 47,625 square feet of new meeting and office space, scheduled to wind up in January 2025. The project architect is Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, which also served as mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer. Other engineers are Own Inc., civil; and Miller Engineering PC