The Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City (HCA) was founded in 1950 and consists of approximately 150 general contractors, specialty contractors, major suppliers, suppliers and affiliate members. Our members help build and maintain most of the region's critical infrastructure, including roads, highways, bridges and preparing sites for major commercial and public development, all with a commitment to making it better for you...
Putting KC's promises under the microscope
With long-promised capital improvements again threatened by political thimble-rigging and budget shifts, the local construction industry has enacted a campaign to "Stop the Nonsense at City Hall."
HCA Executive Director Ed DeSoignie noted that, for many years, the HCA has supported Kansas City sales tax efforts dedicated to funding capital improvements. "We are extremely concerned that voter-approved capital improvement dollars are being diverted from their intended use to boost up the city budget. As a major supporter of the sales tax campaign in 2007, our credibility with the public is on the line and we take it very seriously."
"Unless our elected officials at City Hall reverse these self-destructive moves," said DeSoignie, "the people of Kansas City will be left with more broken promises, streets, bridges and sidewalks that will continue to crumble, as men and women in construction continue to be without work."
An independent study known as the CIC (Community Infrastructure Committee) report made clear that Kansas City should spend at least $150 million on deferred maintenance. The city has never reached that level of commitment, but in the past has made concerted efforts to attain that goal.
This year's budget provides only $42 million for deferred maintenance, an amount that falls far short of meeting the stated needs and past capital improvement campaign promises. Kansas City's acting city manager has recommended that funding for deferred maintenance be cut to $35 million in next year's budget. And that number could go even lower if $8 million is used for bond payments under the Mayor's "Schools First" proposal.
"These actions not only damage the credibility of our industry, they undermine the public trust," said DeSoignie. "We are asking all Kansas City, Missouri residents to contact the mayor and city council and tell them to stop raiding the capital improvements sales tax fund and live up to the commitment they made to voters to spend capital improvement sales tax dollars on capital projects as well as increase the deferred maintenance budget - not cut it. Only then can we start making things better again in Kansas City."
Veteran labor executive, Bridgette Williams, to become Deputy Director of Heavy Constructors Association
Capital Projects Management Department
City Hall Should Follow Through On This "Capital" Idea
By Edward R. DeSoignie, Executive DirectorThe Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City
As was reported in this morning's editorial in The Kansas City Star - http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/1572085.html - a proposed Capital Projects Management Department would speed completion of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of major construction projects such as roads and public buildings.
The Heavy Constructors Association has long advocated for improvements to the city's contracting process to eliminate inefficiencies and foster better construction management practices. Such improvements will enhance our ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective projects to the citizens on a timely basis.
The Star noted the issues raised by local contractors and labor union leaders who don't like to or even refuse to bid on Kansas City, Mo. projects. Many times they would rather deal with other cities in the metro area that offer more streamlined construction regulations with less red tape.
The Star cited a consultant, Tshibanda & Associates, which said dozens of already-funded capital projects managed by various city agencies are behind schedule by as much as 30 months.
Instead of having to deal with different city departments that may not communicate well with each other, contractors should be able to go to one department that will move things forward efficiently and equitably.
This is especially true at a time when we are hunting high and low for projects that will allow us to keep our employees on the payroll - and perhaps even hire new ones. That, in turn, will spread positive economic ripple effects throughout our region.
Let's tell the folks at City Hall we think this is a great idea and that we want to see it happen. And soon.
Highway Improvements:
A Key Component of Economic Growth
The Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City
The face of economic recovery
Heavy construction supports thousands of families
With America's infrastructure and economy at a critical juncture, the people who create that infrastructure have launched a campaign to raise public awareness of the jobs they do.
You already may have seen the billboards, emblazoned with the faces of "heavy constructors." These are the faces of the people who make it possible for commuters to get to their jobs, and for food and other essential goods to be delivered where needed. They're the ones who don vests and hard hats, braving the elements as they crank up powerful pieces of equipment. They're laborers, operators, mechanics, truck drivers, masons, flaggers and crew supervisors - hard-working folks with good-paying jobs. They build our highways, streets, bridges, sewers and water systems.