Helmkamp Completes Construction on Sustainability Campus

Sustainability Campus Celebrates Grand Opening in Maryland Heights

Waste Connections of Missouri recently held a grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on their new Sustainability Campus in the City of Maryland Heights. The community building is focused on educating students and the public about waste management.

The 4,000 sq. ft. of new construction near Pattonville High School offers a campus with office and educational space and was a collaborative design-assist project with St. Louis-based architecture and engineering firm, Vestal Corporation, leading the design. General Contractor Helmkamp Construction was partnered with for preconstruction and construction services.

District Manager for Waste Connections, Ben Tucker, said, “If you look at the original rendering that Vestal came up with and what the campus is as we see it today, the look is spot on. It’s incredible and I know it didn’t come without challenges, so we thank Helmkamp for that.”

Rendering for the Waste Connections Sustainability Campus in partnership with the City of Maryland Heights.

“The interpretive center project involved interest from many parties from concept to completion. Everyone came together in the beginning with Vestal to finalize the image. The building is unique with exposed beams and full glass front. The site is a great location for community use and education of local students through the greenhouses and landfill process. Construction of the project went well with continual input and participation from Maryland Heights & Waste Connections. Very pleased to see the final results and provide a great looking space for many to enjoy in years to come.” Ryan Clay, Senior Project Manager at Helmkamp Construction, added.

Waste Connections is a company that, despite its growth, has a demonstrated track record of progress towards environmental sustainability goals such as Beyond Net Zero, increasing recycling resources recovered by at least 50% and biogas recovery by at least 40%, reduction in emissions, and overall carbon footprint.

The gathering for this project celebrated a new era of environmental innovations and partnerships. The campus signifies the city’s focus on sustainable resources and building a brighter, greener future.

The project has already earned the City of Maryland Heights a 2023 Innovation Award from the Missouri Municipal League. The Innovation Award program showcases municipal projects that have been successfully implemented and demonstrate new approaches for solving municipal challenges. The acknowledgment serves as a model for other communities.

Cherie Summa, P.E. and District Manager for Champ Landfill said, “The outcome is a shining example of what happens when public and private sectors join forces for the betterment of the community and our future.”

City of Maryland Heights Mayor, Mike Moeller, and Cherie Summa, P.E. & District Manager for Champ Landfill, cut the ribbon at the Waste Connections Sustainability Campus’ grand opening.

Helmkamp Construction Co.’s project team for the Sustainability Campus included Reagan Wendler (Superintendent), Ryan Clay (Senior Project Manager), and Brian Bechard (Director of Preconstruction).