22
• MAY 22, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal
Celebrate Construction A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal
May 22, 2020
Effects of pandemic drive what clients look for in design features, how builders procure supplies by Michelle Leach
Deemed “essential,” the construction industry in April lost a reported 975,000 jobs, amid what Associated General Contractors of America called “deteriorating demand.” Midlands builders remain busy, albeit in a changed world. Zak Olsen, general manager of Ronco Construction, cautions how early metrics, such as March and April permits and inspections data, don’t provide an Olsen accurate, full picture; comparing year-on-year June and July data may provide a better understanding of where things are at in construction. “The biggest question is, ‘What is the true economic forecast?’” he said. “There is a lot of reservation when it comes to analyzing what is next for facility expansion or relocation projects — ‘Are we building new and adapting to life after the pandemic?’ ‘Is technology the next big investment?’” Some projects are accelerated to take advantage of downtime, while others have been put on hold. Clients’ operations down the line represent
a big question mark; for instance, Olsen referred to how a west Omaha movie theater that wrapped on-time is sitting dormant. “There is no job creation there, and then they’ve got the responsibility of servicing debt,” he said. Additionally, Olsen noted some logjams in materials procurement and products such as light fixtures coming from overseas, China specifically. Largely, he said, the current environment feels different Frazell from the recession and other tumultuous periods, as there has been more of a “rallying spirit” and universal support, driving his optimistic forecast. Lueder Construction has remained busy, most recently, with the completion of larger multi-family complexes, an expanded senior living facility, church expansions, and several retail and office renovations and additions. “We are currently seeing far more general contractors bidding smaller projects more frequently in addition to less variety in projects,” said President Greg Key. “That said, CmR [Construction Manager at-Risk], design assist
Reaanddit
Brett Clarke, principal at Frontier Builders and vice president of MOBA. and hard bids continue as usual, as does work certain materials due to excess supply.” in the field.” Key anticipates jobsite hygiene practices As tradesmen fill and diversify pipelines, will persist, and technology such as live video Key’s team has seen an uptick in new trade feeds to limit face-to-face contact will ramp up, partner relationships. as the industry no longer has the option to be “While procurement of certain materials “slow-to-adopt” to powerful tech. coming from heavily-quarantined states and The supply chain will play a larger part of countries has caused disruptions, it is refreshing planning, but Key anticipates U.S. reshoring will to hear emphasis placed on procurement of eventually have a positive impact. American-made materials moving forward,” he “It seems reasonable to anticipate additionsaid. “Conversely, we’ve seen declines in cost for al costs with potential shortening of delivery times,” he said. At the onset, G. Lee Homes experienced a dramatic drop in remodels, what President Greg Frazell attributes to stock market shockwaves more than anything else; three weeks into ‘work-from-home,’ remodel activity picked up tremendously. “Clients may have a spouse in health care, and want to create different entrances,” said Frazell, who is also Metro Omaha Builders Association president. “We’ve had a lot of outdoor covered spaces, people who are redoing their decks and sports courts, or they’re adding home gyms. It’s had a pretty big impact on what people are looking at on the remodel side. It’s also giving us talking points on the new construction side.” For instance, clients rethink current layouts with design modifications to accommodate things like distance learning, and client-partners leveraging technology (i.e. sending a YouTube video critique of plan revisions). Frazell, too, referenced some bottlenecks in materials like windows, due to COVID-19-driven plant closures and personnel changes among domestic manufacturers. “Nebraska is such a unique place to live,” he Continued on next page.
Reap!
Celebrate Construction — inside MAY 22, 2020
THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS
THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:
$2.00
VOL. 46 NO. 21
Altus Architectural Studios sees uptick due to pandemic medical needs by Richard D. Brown
Building momentum to expand client base, Little Guy Design opens California location. – Page 2
40 er d Un 40
Matthews Tullius leverages experience to develop leaders. – Page 3
t en ym o l p g Em ffin oln Sta c Lin &
Staffing companies say virtual is the ‘new norm’. – Page 4
Altus Architectural Studios, an Omaha-based planning firm specializing in health care sector needs, is seeing an uptick in opportunities throughout a wider geographic area as clients are seeking help on an expedited schedule to address facilities for the testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients. Even long-term strategic planning projects involving multi-million dollar facilities are being designed by applying future pandemic best-practices modeling. “We specialize in medical design — it’s 95 to 98% of what we do as we grow to meet the needs of national health care clients,” said President Loren Lamprecht. Lamprecht, who along with colleagues Michael Hamilton and Michael Levin founded the firm in 2001, have seen the firm grow to 22 total employees; 17 work out of the Omaha headquarters at 12925 West Dodge Road. A Denver office opened two years ago has grown to five staffers. Altus Architectural Studios is dedicated to serving the architectural Continued on page 9.
From left, President Loren Lamprecht, Managing Principal Michael Hamilton and Project Architect Evan Lamprecht … Increasing workload with need for COVID-19 testing and treatment facilities. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)
Grow Nebraska yielding positive results for state’s entrepreneurs by Becky McCarville
After a move from its former facility in Holbrook, Nebraska in 2018 to its current headquarters at the Younes Campus in Kearney, the Grow Nebraska Foundation has ramped up its outreach beyond southwest Nebraska to cover the entire state. Grow Nebraska
helps small businesses leverage digital marketing by offering training and ecommerce solutions via its four online stores and its brick and mortar space in Kearney. In addition, the foundation partners with outside organizations to offer training on topics Continued on page 9.
Rob Wellendorf, president of Execso.
Reinforce advisory team to navigate PPP forgiveness, unchartered waters by Michelle Leach
At the annual MarkeTech Conference... After moving its headquarters to the Younes Campus in Kearney in 2018, longtime foundation evolves from regional to statewide, adapting to economic challenges. (Photo courtesy of Grow Nebraska Foundation)
Editor’s note: This article is part of a series sharing firsthand experiences from local organizations on how their respective industries are adapting to COVID-19. A business is often only as good as the banking, financial planning and accounting partners that enable owners to focus on business operations. In today’s environment, those trusted advisers are also helping
employers navigate the likes of Paycheck Protection Program waters. “When the announcement first came out that PPP funding was going to be available to businesses, we immediately began receiving calls from customers with questions on how to apply,” said AccessBank President Samantha Mosser. “Our familiarity with SBA financing gave us the knowledge we needContinued on page 10.