ka

As cities evolve and grow, it’s important to preserve and remember their history. The construction industry is responsible for shaping skylines, and Kraus-Anderson’s 122-year history in the Twin Cities has involved many landmark buildings. KA has a full-time archivist, Matt Goff, to organize the company’s historical archives and artifacts, and to tell the story of many culturally significant buildings throughout the Twin Cities. To discuss construction’s history and the ever-evolving Twin Cities skyline, we are talking to Matt Goff and KA Director of Business Development John Campobasso.

Anti-Bullying Specialist & BollyX (Fitness, Exercise)

As Founder and President of Action Against Bullying, LLC and most recently Ltd in the UK, an organization specialized in training teachers and guidance counselors, providing support to parents, young people and the community, what makes Action Against Bullying more unique from other organizations is the specialized academic and practical knowledge from examining bullying, not only from an educational psychological perspective, but also from the socio-economic angle. It thus allows for a broader pro-active bullying, including racism and racist bullying prevention training curriculum in schools, for educators and for the community. Additionally, AAB is DASA certified (Dignity For All Students Act) and officially a contract vendor for all NYC public schools and work has been conducted at schools in New York as well as in New Jersey. 

The North Park School for Innovation, part of the Columbia Heights Public School District in Minnesota, is changing the way students prepare for a 21st-century world. The PreK through 5^th Grade building has a focus on STEM, creativity, and sustainability with flexible learning studios that facilitate hands-on learning programs for students.

North Park was designated as a Green Ribbon School, one of less than 50 schools nationwide honored by the Department of Education for leading the way in reducing environmental impact, promoting health, and ensuring high-quality environmental education programming that prepares students with sustainability skills and concepts.

North Park Principal Jeff Cacek and Director of Teaching and Learning Tara Thukral discuss the North Park School for Innovation.

When we talk about construction, it’s easy to jump right to the multi-million dollar projects like skyscrapers, multifamily housing, stadiums and event spaces. These multi-phased projects can be complicated and take years to complete. But a lot of the behind-the-scenes in construction involves smaller scale projects, like tenant improvements, renovations, buildouts, maintenance, and more.

While they may be labeled as Small Projects, they are vastly important to the client, and require attention to detail, flexibility, and diligent planning. Kraus-Anderson’s Special Projects team performs over 300 projects a year that are under $500,000. These projects range from installing plexiglass in office spaces for social distancing to emergency response projects that require tight turnarounds. No matter the project, no job is too small or unique.

KA Vice President Doug Jaeger and Senior Project Manager Bob Janssen discuss the smaller projects in construction and the unique challenges and opportunities they bring.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and empower people to play a role in making great childhoods happen. CornerHouse, an accredited Child Advocacy Center based in Minneapolis, has worked over the past 30 years to address the traumatic effects of child abuse – supporting children and families throughout the disclosure, investigation, and legal processes. Most recently, CornerHouse expanded its services to provide therapeutic healing through mental health and advocacy services.

CornerHouse Executive Director Mitzi Hobot and Kraus-Anderson President and Chief Operating Officer Al Gerhardt, who has been involved with CornerHouse for over 20 years, discuss its innovative approach to reducing trauma in child abuse investigations and how the physical environment impacts the process.

2021 is off to a good start and even though this mix is a couple of days late it's February's finished mix for the month. I had so much fun organizing and playing some of my favorite current tunes and some of 2020's tracks that I was really feeling. I have a wide array of different artists including my boys Paul Najera, Jr. Quijada, Boy's Don't Disco, and that dope Late Night Jackin Label. Felix Da Housecat, The Shapeshifters, Crazibiza, Green Velvet, Block & Crown, Cedric Gervais, and Bingo Players plus other notables. Don't forget to support your boy and Klubbhead Radio on iTunes, Mixcloud, iHeartRadio, or your favorite podcast player. 

Thank You!

Social Media Follow Me
https://solo.to/deejayka

https://www.solo.to/deejayka/
Tips:
Venmo: @deejayka
Cashapp: $deejayka

After the tragic death of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests and civil unrest, almost every industry has had to look in the mirror – reflecting on overt, covert and systemic racism that exists, and which creates barriers for people of color and other underrepresented groups. The construction industry is no different.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 88% of construction workers are White, compared to 78% in the overall workforce. In Minnesota, only 4.8% of the construction workforce is comprised of people of color. How can we create more opportunities for people of color in this industry?

The North Central Regional Council of Carpenters, which represents union members across the Midwest, is taking steps toward equity. They launched the Carpenters in Action program, which aims to pipeline local, diverse community members into the carpenters union. The first cohort was directly involved in rebuilding the Lake Street corridor, which was hit hard over the summer following the Minneapolis riots. The long-term goal is to provide well-paying careers that build wealth and equity in the industry.

We discuss the Carpenters in Action program and how we can create more diversity in the construction industry with KA’s Director of Inclusion and Diversity Laurie Trousil; Barb Pecks, who is the Union business representative of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters; and Kennoshia Fullilove, who graduated from the Carpenters in Action program this past summer.

The City of Virginia, located along Minnesota’s Iron Range, is booming with new development projects. When Mayor Larry Cuffe took office in 2014, he was faced with a unique set of challenges that have been impacting Minnesota’s mining communities. High unemployment rates and the need for a more diversified local economy are challenges now made more complicated amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the City of Virginia has taken on multiple large-scale construction projects, including a complete rebuild of the Miners Event and Convention Center, bringing new life into the deteriorating facility that will serve as a gathering space for the region.

Virginia Mayor Larry Cuffe and Kraus-Anderson’s Tracy Pogue and Bob Fitzgerald discuss how the City of Virginia is positioning itself for the future of the Iron Range.

The Nobel Hall of Science at Gustavus Adolphus College, located in St. Peter, Minnesota, has been a staple on campus for decades. But its recent transformation is setting up Gustavus to be one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Kraus-Anderson completed the renovation and expansion project this summer, nearly doubling the building’s footprint to over 177,000 square feet. The new space includes new laboratories, teaching and study spaces, and connects Nobel Hall with the Schaefer Fine Arts Center. The project was an intentional move to gear Gustavus toward the STEAM movement, aligning Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics with the Arts.

Gustavus Provost and Dean Brenda Kelly, Geology and Environmental Studies professor Julie Bartley, and KA Project Manager Alec Miller discuss the Nobel Hall project and how Gustavus Adolphus College is aligning itself for the future.

When Ayan Abukar emigrated to the U.S. from Ethiopia, staying in refugee camps before arriving in Minnesota in 1998, her passion was to help others. Growing up in refugee camps taught her the importance of community, and she has worked for decades to help underserved communities in the Twin Cities.

Ayan saw the need for more affordable and accessible healthcare for the immigrant community, so she opened Action Care Community Clinic. The clinic sets out to provide quality care for those who may not be familiar with the U.S. healthcare system and need extra support. To discuss Action Care Community Clinic’s impact, we sat down with Ayan Abukar and clinic manager Kelli Hopkins.

In Part 2 with Michael Latiner and Ryan Trompeter of BuiltWorlds, they dive into the BuiltWorlds Venture Forum (BVF), which is investing in the most promising construction technology and services. They also discuss the productivity gap in the global construction industry, and how technology investments can work to increase efficiency and address problems like the industry's labor shortage. 

We’re launching into a two-part series here on Build Me Up, featuring an innovative company that is pushing the industry forward: BuiltWorlds. This powerful, digital-first platform evolved from a simple blog in 2013 to a robust network and learning platform made specifically for the industry.

In Part I, Michael Latiner, who leads the BuiltWorlds Venture Forum, and Ryan Trompeter, Senior Venture Analyst with the BVF, discuss how BuiltWorlds got started and its evolution to becoming a network of thought leaders that is pushing the industry forward. Stay tuned for Part II, when we dive into the BuiltWorlds Venture Forum (BVF), which is investing in the most promising construction technology products and services.

Bethesda Lutheran Communities, a non-profit that supports people with developmental disabilities across the U.S., recently opened Cornerstone Village. This first-of-its-kind living community in Victoria, MN, combines active seniors and independent adults with disabilities, creating an inclusive, integrated environment that has not been modeled in the U.S. Accessibility is a priority at Cornerstone Village, and smart home technology in every unit allows residents to do everything from locking the doors, adjusting the thermostat, and switching the lights, all completely hands-free.

Bethesda’s Vice President of Real Estate Tom Campbell and Kraus-Anderson Project Manager Aaron Zabel discuss the innovative model at Cornerstone Village.

So much is still unknown about the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools are navigating hybrid learning and offices are planning for an eventual return to work, there are many questions on preventative measures to slow the spread of the virus.

Washing your hands, wearing a mask and social distancing are still the most effective ways to prevent COVID-19, but many people have been asking how a building’s indoor air quality can play a role in the spread of the virus. It is easy for misinformation and fear to spread surrounding so many unknowns, so we talked to three MEP experts to get to the facts of how a building’s HVAC system can affect – or not affect – the spread of COVID-19

To discuss what is known about the link to indoor air quality and COVID-19, we are talking to Kraus-Anderson’s MEP Systems Group Manager Matt Stringfellow, Facilities Assessment Manager Tim Kittila, and Principal at KFI Engineers, Randy Christenson.

The complexity of health insurance and employee benefits can be a bit overwhelming for a lot of people. As of January 2020, there is a new type of HRA, called the Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or ICHRA. This innovative new system, while it may seem complex, is meant to keep things simple for both the employer and the employee.

At Kraus-Anderson Insurance, part of the KA family of companies, the independent agency is dedicated to navigating the ever-changing world of employee benefits. ICHRA is meant for businesses of all sizes, with an emphasis on giving employees plenty of choices.

On the latest episode of Build Me Up, we sat down with Kraus-Anderson Insurance’s Vice President of Employee Benefits Kelly Brenna and Senior Benefit Advisor Jenny Pine, to break down ICHRA and what it means for both the employee and the employer.

When longtime Community Development Director Dwight Picha began his tenure with the City of Woodbury in 1977, its population was just 8,000 people. 43 years later, Woodbury is one of the most populous suburbs in Minnesota with over 74,000 residents.

Recently retired, Dwight oversaw the development of approximately 10 million square feet of commercial real estate. About 90 percent of the homes in Woodbury today were constructed during Dwight’s time with the city. Woodbury also boasts excellent parks and school systems, and some key development projects include the CityPlace shopping center and the HealthEast Sports Center, one of the largest multiuse sports centers in the state.

To discuss the City of Woodbury’s tremendous growth, we sat down with Dwight Picha and Kraus-Anderson Construction Executive Vice President Rich Jacobson, who is a Woodbury resident himself.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of our lives. But perhaps no industry was as impacted as the aviation industry. The rapid shutdown of air travel is forcing the industry to get innovative as they navigate their way through this challenging economic setback.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, managed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), served nearly 40 million travelers in 2019. It was named Best Airport in North America for the fourth year in a row, with constant construction projects underway. Kraus-Anderson has been doing constant work at MSP Airport since the 1990s. The latest project to complete is the Silver Ramp, a 5,000-car parking garage and new hub for car rentals. More is underway, including dining, shopping, and improvements to check-in, baggage claim areas and more.

To learn more about how one of the busiest airports in the country is planning for the future amidst a global pandemic, we sat down with Brian Ryks, Executive Director and CEO of the MAC, as well as Rich Jacobson, Executive Vice President at Kraus-Anderson Construction.

Often times, when we use the term “innovation,” people quickly jump to flashy, technologically advanced innovations. But that is not always the case. BX Civil and Construction (BX-CC), a highway construction company based in South Dakota, is making very intentional investments in both its people and technology. BX-CC CEO and Owner Kari Karst knew that investing in technology was vitally important to keeping the company moving forward. The stringless paving technology has increased efficiency, but it has also helped foster a growth mindset among BX-CC’s employees. On the latest episode of the Build Me Up podcast, Kari Karst and BX-CC Field Technology Specialist Taylor Popham discuss stringless paving, the evolution of the construction industry, and how the company’s employees have embraced this technology.

We have a mental health crisis in our country, and often it is the children that slip through the cracks. In Minnesota alone, over 100,000 children need treatment for serious emotional disturbances. Many children with complex mental illnesses will need weeks or months of round-the-clock care to get well, but the average stay in children’s psychiatric hospitals is 7-10 days, on average. The Hills Youth and Family Services, based in Duluth, Minnesota, is working to address this growing need across the state.

Their latest facility, Cambia Hills of East Bethel, is the first purpose-built psychiatric residential treatment facility for children in Minnesota. It combines specialized education services and residential treatment all under one roof. Its innovative partnership with the Northeast Metro 916 School District is providing flexible learning opportunities for Cambia Hills residents, ranging from ages 6-17.

In the latest episode of the Build Me Up podcast, The Hills Youth and Family Services CEO Jeff Bradt, along with District 916 Assistant Superintendent Daniel Naidicz and Tammy Bednar, Principal at Cambia Hills, discuss their partnership, this state-of-the-art facility, and the growing need for mental health treatment.