New facility to serve as electric operations hub for more than 135,000 customers 

KAI Build and joint venture partner PARIC Corporation broke ground on Oct. 24 to start construction of Ameren Missouri’s new North Metro Operating Center at 4427 Geraldine Avenue. The $21 million facility will replace the adjacent Geraldine Operating Center which has employed hundreds of Ameren employees and provided electric operations to North St. Louis for over 60 years.

The North Metro Operating Center will be a localized hub for up to 500 Ameren employees who perform work from electric system repairs to major infrastructure upgrade projects to storm restoration. The new facility, which is expected to be completed in Dec. 2020, will include:

  • 19,600-square-foot office building for administrative offices and a crew area
  • 26,000-square-foot open truck shelter for 42 trucks
  • 6,400-square-foot storage building
  • 4,400-square-foot, three-sided trailer storage building

“Ameren Missouri is committed to creating stronger communities where we work and live, which is why we are reinvesting in North St. Louis by building the new North Metro Operating Center next door to our current facility,” said Michael Moehn, Chairman and President of Ameren Missouri. “The new, larger facility was needed to continue to meet our customers’ service reliability needs in North St. Louis and surrounding communities. A project of this magnitude requires collaboration and partnership with a number of stakeholders, including local government officials, community leaders and a host of diverse contractors.”

Ameren Missouri is constructing the project through a joint venture partnership with its general contractors, PARIC Corporation and minority-owned KAI Build.
“KAI Build is proud to be a part of helping the transformation of the north bookend of the city. Ameren, being an excellent corporate citizen and making this investment, gets the snowball rolling to help start the development infill between this project and the central corridor,” said Michael Kennedy, Jr., CEO of KAI Enterprises. “This allows developers to start looking at all the possibilities north of Delmar. These anchor projects are so important. This feels really good.”

The joint venture partnership between PARIC and KAI will represent the two firms’ eighth project together over the past 20 years. As a prominent construction leader in the area, PARIC recognizes the impact of partnership with diverse businesses.

“We are very excited to start this project with Ameren Missouri alongside our longtime partners KAI,” said Keith Wolkoff, President of PARIC Corporation. “We pride ourselves on bringing meaningful inclusion efforts to all of our projects and embed that into our company culture. The importance of growing the capabilities of minority firms in our area is crucial.”

 

About KAI Enterprises
KAI Enterprises is a national design and build firm providing delivery-oriented building solutions with a diverse portfolio of experience, in-house multi-discipline professionals, and expertise in both design and construction delivery. Founded in 1980, KAI has grown into one of the largest minority-owned firms in the AEC industry. For nearly 40 years, KAI has been instrumental in transforming communities through its expertise in residential, commercial, K-12, higher education, healthcare, science and technology, aviation, mobility, sports and entertainment, government, water and community-focused projects. KAI Enterprises is comprised of four distinct business units—KAI Design, KAI Engineering, KAI Build and KAI 360 Construction Services. To learn more about KAI, visit www.kai-db.com.

About PARIC Corporation
PARIC Corporation was established in 1979 and is currently one of the largest privately held, St. Louis based, companies and ranked nationally in the ENR Top 200. As a premier General Contractor, Construction Manager, and Design/Builder PARIC provides a complete range of construction services, specializing in commercial, interiors, academic, healthcare, historic renovation, hospitality and entertainment, senior living, and multi-family. PARIC is at the forefront of construction advancements, utilizing the latest in virtual design and construction technology. PARIC partners with clients to help build their vision by providing a level of quality and service that we believe is unmatched. For more information about PARIC visit PARIC.com.