In today’s construction news, read about The University of St. Thomas’s recently built Schoenecker Center having received LEED Gold certification, one of the highest grades granted by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). On the other hand, at DHL Express’s global logistics hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, work has started on a modern aviation repair facility and an extended aircraft apron, which will help the company better support on-time client deliveries. Lastly, according to an examination of federal employment data supplied by the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment increased in September in 80% of U.S. states compared to the same period last year.
LEED Gold for Schoenecker Center Green Construction
Original Source: Schoenecker Center Earns LEED Gold for Green Construction
The University of St. Thomas’ new Schoenecker Center received LEED Gold, one of the highest classifications from the USGBC. The university’s STEAM hub was recognized for sustainable design and construction.
The world’s most popular green building rating system is LEED. The Schoenecker Center was praised for its energy, water, and interior environmental quality green building measures.
“Sustainability has become embedded in our culture across the university, and the Schoenecker Center is a prime example of our teams coming together to develop creative solutions that drive our sustainability goals forward,” said facilities management vice president Jim Brummer.
The Schoenecker Center received 63 USGBC points (60 are needed for LEED Gold) for its many green building methods, including using local building materials, avoiding construction waste, and optimizing energy.
Since 2008, the university has required LEED Silver certification for all new facilities over 25,000 square feet. The Anderson Student Center, Schoenecker Hall North, and Frey Hall were LEED projects.
St. Thomas and the USGBC are aiming for LEED Silver for the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena under development. LEED-certified space will cover 1 million square feet on the St. Thomas campus after the arena opens.
“Pursuing sustainable building practices just makes sense for us at St. Thomas,” said construction director John Silva. “Reducing our carbon footprint, improving staff and student conditions, or lowering energy and operational costs makes sense and is the right thing to do.”
To become carbon neutral by 2035, the institution is designing new buildings for LEED accreditation. Energy conservation initiatives in new and existing buildings have lowered carbon emissions by 51% at St. Thomas during the past decade.
That work was noticed. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education awarded St. Thomas its second STARS gold grade in 2024. The Princeton Review ranked St. Thomas 17th in Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation for 2025.
“At St. Thomas, we’re executing on our sustainability commitments,” Brummer added. “I hope our work shows that we care deeply about our goals and work hard to achieve them.”
LEED buildings reduce carbon emissions, run efficiently, and protect human and environmental health.
One of the Schoenecker Center’s most exciting green elements is underground. First on the St. Thomas campus, a 241,000-gallon cistern under the front lawn gathers rainwater and reuses grey water for irrigation. Cistern reduces building outdoor water use by 100%.
Other green aspects of the Schoenecker Center, designed by RAMSA and BWBR Architects and built by McGough Construction, include:
HVAC systems exceed ASHRAE 90.1-2010 efficiency by 27%.
LED fixtures with integrated lighting controls. 94% of occupied places adjust illumination.
Exterior lighting installations prevent light pollution.
Low-flow fixtures save 38% of indoor water.
76% of regular-occupied spaces offer good outdoor views, connecting residents to nature.
Schoenecker Center guests now have more electric vehicle charging stations at Anderson Parking Facility.
Sustainable features will reduce Schoenecker Center energy use and costs, saving the university $108,000 annually.
University operational costs have dropped significantly due to campus sustainability investments. In fiscal year 2015, St. Thomas’ Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses used 37 million kWh of power. Electrical consumption dropped to 28 million kilowatt-hours in fiscal year 2024, saving $1 million.
“Our team at St. Thomas really rallies around sustainable practices and when we see these results, it makes it all worth it,” Brummer said. And definitely, these financial triumphs push us to pursue sustainable solutions in the future.”
On Feb. 5, 2024, St. Thomas opened the Schoenecker Center. STEM and arts teaching facilities are available in the five-level, 130,000-square-foot Summit Avenue facility.
DHL Express Initiates Construction of a Maintenance Facility Worth US$292 Million
Original Source: DHL Express begins construction of US$292m maintenance facility
DHL Express is building a modern aviation repair facility and aircraft apron at its global logistics center at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to improve customer delivery times. The expansion will allow the aviation apron to accommodate additional planes, improving freight capacity.
Building the LEED-certified, carbon-neutral aviation maintenance hangar on 20ha DHL is leasing will cost US$292m and house two Boeing 777s side by side. Waterproof line maintenance for DHL’s 737s, 767s, and 777s will be possible with this extension.
“We have been adding newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft to our network in recent years, and this new facility provides more space to maintain more aircraft at once. This speeds up turnaround times, making the fleet more efficient to manage an increasing volume of packages, said DHL Express EVP of global aviation Rob Hyslop.
A recently formed joint venture between DHL Express and Kalitta Air, a longtime DHL service partner and global provider of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, adds 300 employees to support the new maintenance facility. Kalitta Air and DHL will manage key airplane maintenance at the new site.
“I am thrilled to support DHL’s continued growth in our state,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. “This expansion creates jobs and strengthens Kentucky’s position as the nation’s top logistics hub. DHL leaders, thank you for your commitment to the commonwealth.”
By January 2026, the new plant should be completely operating.
Construction Jobs in the US are Increasing Annually
Original Source: U.S. construction employment jumps year-over-year
According to Associated General Contractors of America review of federal employment data, construction employment rose in September in 80% of states.
Between August and September, only 24 states and DC created construction jobs. If contractors could locate enough suitable applicants, more states would have added personnel year-over-year, according to association officials.
“It is great that four out of five states have added construction jobs over the past year,” said association chief economist Ken Simonson. “If there were enough qualified workers to fill job openings, even more states would see gains.”
In September 2023–2024, 40 states added construction jobs while 10 states and D.C. shed them. Construction employment increased most in Texas (42,300, 5.1%), followed by Florida (37,100, 5.9%), Ohio (16,400, 6.9%), and Michigan (12,600, 6.6%).
Alaska gained the most jobs over the past year (21.1%), followed by Hawaii (11.8%), Oklahoma (9.4%), and Nevada (8.8%).
The most construction jobs lost in the past year were 6,900 in New York (1.8%).
In the month, industrial employment rose in 24 states and D.C., fell in 23 states, and was unchanged in Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Texas added 8,100 jobs (0.9%), followed by Ohio (6,700, 2.7%), Florida (3,600, 0.5%), and South Carolina (2,900, 2.4%). Ohio gained the most, followed by South Carolina, Nebraska (1.9%, 1,200 jobs), and Alaska (1.9%, 400 jobs).
Association executives encouraged Congress to expand financing for construction workforce training and education initiatives to address manpower shortages that may be slowing sector employment growth. They said Congress should increase funding by reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which funds workforce training, and the Carl. D. Perkins Technical Career and Technical Education Act, which funds in-school career and technical education.
“Enabling more people to learn about construction as a career is essential for filling the openings created by the many infrastructure, power, and manufacturing projects under way,” said association CEO Jeffrey Shoaf.
Summary of today’s construction news
In summary, the Schoenecker Center, a 130,000-square-foot, five-story structure on Summit Avenue with a range of STEM and arts teaching areas, was formally inaugurated on February 5, 2024, at St. Thomas.
On the other hand, as part of a newly formed joint venture between DHL Express and Kalitta Air, a longstanding service partner of DHL and a supplier of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services to clients worldwide, 300 additional staff will be hired to support the new maintenance facility. At the new facility, Kalitta Air and DHL will work together to manage the vital airplane repair operations. By January 2026, the new facility should be completely functional.
Lastly, as part of a newly formed joint venture between DHL Express and Kalitta Air, a longstanding service partner of DHL and a supplier of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services to clients worldwide, 300 additional staff will be hired to support the new maintenance facility. At the new facility, Kalitta Air and DHL will work together to manage the vital airplane repair operations. By January 2026, the new facility should be completely functional.
