In 2001, McCarthy Construction partnered with Washington University to provide full sponsorship of the Minority Youth in Construction Summer Program and over the past years dozens of students learned what it takes to be a skilled craftsman – while also being a solid student.
This is just one of McCarthy’s efforts to increase diversity in the construction field and on its work sites.
This dedication helped McCarthy rank among Building Design & Construction (BD&C) magazine’s “Best AEC Firms to Work For” in the $394 billion U.S. architecture/engineering/construction industry.
The winners were chosen from applicant firms from across the nation’s design, engineering, and construction sectors.
The following factors were weighed in the editors’ judgment:
— Innovative recruitment and retention practices.
— Professional development, education and training programs
— Evidence of social, environmental and corporate responsibility
— Quality of the workplace environment
— Extraordinary compensation and benefits programs
—General business practices and public/industry perception of the firm
“Nothing is more important to McCarthy’s success as a business and member of the community than our people,” said Mike Bolen, McCarthy chief executive officer and chairman.
“While our employees, clients and even competitors often tell us that McCarthy is a special place, it is quite an honor to be recognized by a respected publication like Building Design & Construction, whose editorial focus on the building ‘team’ parallels McCarthy’s team-oriented approach to our business.”
Judging panel comments on McCarthy included, “We were looking for firms that create truly positive workplaces for their employees. In addition to being a leader in employee education, McCarthy has, through its employee-ownership model, created an ‘intrapreneurial’ environment that encourages employees to take responsibility for growing the firm.”
McCarthy at Pinnacle
McCarthy is celebrating its honor to help transform the Riverfront into one of the region’s showplaces.
Ground has been broken and work is underway on the $400 million Pinnacle Casino and Hotel project located at Laclede’s Landing, near the Gateway Arch.
It will feature a large casino, a 200-room luxury hotel, spa, business center, fine restaurants and 12,000-square-feet of meeting and convention space.
The casino project is estimated to create 4,500 jobs: 700 construction jobs, 1,300 permanent jobs, and an additional 2,500 ancillary service jobs in the region.
McCarthy is the general contractor and its design team will incorporate open space and “a contemporary ambiance” in a design inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, according to the firm.
The project will feature a soaring tower with a dramatic light feature that could possibly become a new icon along the St. Louis riverfront.