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
The Heavy Constructors Association (HCA) of Greater Kansas City, which
advocates for transportation infrastructure and safety improvements on
behalf of the area's road and bridge builders, announced today that
labor leader Bridgette Williams will become part of its management team
beginning Jan. 1, 2010.
Williams, who has led Kansas City's AFL-CIO as
President of the chapter for the last 15 years, will serve as Deputy
Director of the association. The HCA represents union contractors that
build and maintain most of the private and public infrastructure in the
area, including city streets, interstate highways, bridges, airports
and water and sewer systems.
During her tenure with AFL-CIO, Williams helped
boost participation by organized labor in major infrastructure and
landmark construction projects in the area. As the first female and
first African American to be elected President of a chapter of the
AFL-CIO, she spearheaded policy changes aimed at providing more
opportunities for minorities and women in construction.
As an organization committed to improving the safety
and quality of life of everyone who lives and works in this community,
we feel very fortunate to have Bridgette Williams join our team," said
Heavy Constructors Executive Director Edward DeSoignie. "She brings a
wealth of experience, talent, perspective and respect in the Greater
Kansas City business and labor communities that will only make this
organization stronger and more effective for our members."
DeSoignie said Williams in her new role with the
Heavy Constructors will focus on management/labor initiatives and
governmental and community relations. Efforts in 2010 will include
working with federal, state and local governments to find funding
solutions for critical transportation infrastructure needs.
"Pulling out of a recession starts with economic
development, and economic development starts with construction," said
Williams. "Construction is the one productive, good-paying American
industry, with good benefits, that hasn't been outsourced. We must, and
will do everything possible to keep families working."
For instance, DeSoignie said he and Williams will
work with Kansas City to improve the city's construction project
delivery system, in order to get already-funded, backlogged street,
bridge, water and sewer improvement projects off the shelf so people
can get work.
The Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas
City was founded in 1950 and has approximately 155 contractor and
affiliate members who construct and supply materials for most of the
area's major transportation infrastructure projects.
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
A proposal surfacing at City Hall holds the promise of great benefits for our industry, our employees and our town.
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.
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
By Edward R. DeSoignie, Executive Director
The Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City
The Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City
I was flabbergasted after I read this letter to the editor of the
Topeka Capital-Journal in the newspaper’s 10/24/09 online edition - http://cjonline.com/opinion/2009-10-24/letter_taking_issue
Derrick Sontag, with Americans for Prosperity-Kansas, wrote that “most
economic research studies have not found that more highway projects
lead to job increases in the economy overall.”
I’d bet that Mr. Sontag also is privy to some studies that prove beyond a doubt that the earth is flat. Yeah, right.
It is absolutely indisputable that highway improvements and other
transportation improvements boost economic development. This has been
true since the days of ancient Rome, and even earlier.
It brings to mind what Vice President Joe Biden said last June, when he
broke ground on the big U.S. 69 project in Overland Park.
“The impact of this goes well beyond the shovels we’re putting in the
ground today,” the Vice President said. “There are companies that make
the asphalt you’re going to be pouring. They will be employing more
people. There are people who build the machinery you’re using, and
repair it. They will be continuing to employ people.”
Mr. Biden also noted the cafes and restaurants that would benefit from patronage by construction workers.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 million of
federal highway expenditure supports 30 jobs. That includes the
construction jobs and spinoff jobs, such as the jobs created by
companies that provide sheet steel for guard rails. Also included are
the jobs that blossom when the construction workers and steel workers
go out and spend the money they make.
The fact is that highway improvements can benefit the state’s economy
in the short term and long term. In the short term, the construction
jobs created by highway improvements generate wages that churn in the
economy three times over. Longer term benefits can be realized if the
project enables local business development and reduces injuries and
deaths that cause suffering at multiple levels, including a negative
impact on the economy.
Mr. Sontag says “between 2002 and 2006, Kansas
ranked eighth in highway spending per capita but only 33rd in gross
state product growth.”
Folks, “gross state product” is a squishy measure
that may not accurately reflect what is happening economically within a
state. In fact, this argument holds up about as well as oatmeal filling
in a pothole.
Lively, contentious debate is a wonderful thing. It
expands our horizons and supports the foundation of our democracy. But
anyone who says transportation improvements don’t contribute to the
state’s economy is running on empty.
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.