Category Archives: Latest News

Staff Spotlight!

Meet Trenton (left) and Seri (right). Please note this photo was taken before the global virus outbreak and social distancing measures were enacted. Trenton and Seri recently received high praise from Superintendent Sam for their excellent work and dedication to safety on our $60M Argyle High School Phase II project. We wanted to give them a moment in the spotlight. Help us recognize these two hardworking team members!

We’re Hiring!

Despite the current situation, we press on with our work observing every precaution and then some. Commercial construction has been deemed an “essential business” that should carry on with prescribed safety measures. That said, we are currently accepting resumes for project superintendents with K-12 experience as well as project managers and assistant project managers. Send your qualifications to resumes@steelefreeman.com. Direct hire only! Recruiters will not receive a reply.

Iowa Park CISD Bids April 2nd!

Subcontractors: We are electronically bidding IOWA PARK ISD Bond Projects on Thursday APRIL 2nd through www.buildingconnected.com. As always, to view plans, specs and VIDEO of the pre-bid meeting, go to our virtual plan room: https://steelefreeman.com/plan-room-2/

Remember – we already have this project under contract! Best wishes everyone!

Lake Dallas ISD Bids this Thursday!

Subcontractors: We are electronically bidding Lake Dallas ISD Bond Projects on Thursday through www.buildingconnected.com. As always, to view plans, specs and video of the pre-bid meeting, go to our virtual plan room: https://steelefreeman.com/plan-room-2/

Remember – because we already have this project under contract, it is not a moving target! Best wishes everyone!

Client Testimonial

Our pre-construction team is responsible for setting up each project for success with meticulous analysis and ideas for creative and strategic solutions. They are also the key contact for our subcontractor community, responsible for our extensive sub outreach. Our team makes it easy for our subs to understand project plans so they can provide comprehensive bids that we can compare – apples-to-apples.

Our complete and organized plans encourage more subcontractors to bid our projects which results in the best pricing options for our clients. This benefits our subcontractor network by making the process efficient so they have time to bid on more projects giving them an opportunity to grow their business.

Here is a wonderful testimonial we received from one of our subs: “Whoever organizes your plans deserves some recognition. 50% of the plan sets we encounter are single-volume PDFs with no page naming. 49% have the pages labeled in the file name. Then there’s the 1% (Steele & Freeman) who not only break them out, keep the file naming consistent, but you break it out into separate folders.

Because they’re so well organized, I can get to work right away without wasting a lot of valuable time renaming pages and breaking them into separate files. I’m sure your other trades really appreciate it. We certainly do!”
– Jeremy

Pre-Bid Meeting for Iowa Park CISD

CALLING ALL SUBS: Steele & Freeman is bidding exciting K-12 multi-site bond projects for Iowa Park CISD!

Join us for the Pre-Bid Conference at 10AM Tuesday at Iowa Park High School (1 Bob Dawson Dr, Iowa Park, TX) to learn more about these projects in advance of the sub bidding.

Design by VLK Architects, Inc.

Type: Additions & renovations to Iowa Park High School, Bradford Elementary School, Kidwell Elementary School
Budget: $16.4M

Email: bids@steelefreeman.com
Plan room: https://steelefreeman.com/plan-room-2/

Pre-Bid Meeting for Lake Dallas ISD

CALLING ALL SUBS: Steele & Freeman is bidding exciting K-12 multi-site bond projects for Lake Dallas Independent School District!

Join us for the Pre-Bid Conference at 10AM Monday at Lake Dallas High School (3016 Parkridge Dr, Corinth, TX) to learn more about these projects in advance of the sub bidding.

Design by VLK Architects, Inc.

Type: Additions & renovations to Lake Dallas High School, Lake Dallas Middle School, Corinth Elementary, & Lake Dallas ISD Multi-Purpose Indoor Practice Facility
Budget: $48.3M

Email: bids@steelefreeman.com
Plans available in our plan room: https://steelefreeman.com/plan-room-2/

Project Update: Ennis Public Safety Facility

Things are progressing well at our Ennis Public Safety Facility! Project Manager Nathan reports that exterior masonry is wrapping up now and we have begun conditioning the building. Floors are being polished and overhead doors will be installed next week. This new 38,000 SF combined fire and police facility has a budget of $10M and was designed by RBDR Architects.

Special Thank You to Assistant PM Reilly Freeman!

Special thank you to Reilly Freeman for stepping up to write his thoughts on the Fundamental of the Week and elaborate on the subject in a video. Reilly explained what embracing a Can-Do Spirit means for our clients. It means they don’t hear they word ‘can’t.’ According to Reilly, saying ‘yes’ and finding a creative solution is just a lot more fun than saying ‘can’t’ and making an excuse. Spoken like a true Freeman!

Women In Construction: Marketing Coordinator Courtney

Continuing our Women in Construction Week theme, we’d like to introduce you to Marketing Coordinator Courtney. Courtney has been with Steele & Freeman about two years. She started with the company as an intern and was hired full time after graduation from TCU. “I enjoy working at Steele & Freeman because of our unique culture and the variety of people we get to meet through construction. I have learned so much already and continue to learn from my coworkers daily. I also like that each day holds a new challenge, so every day is a little different and keeps it interesting,” Courtney said. #wicweek2020

Welcome New Staff Member: Jayson!

Meet our new Associate Project Manager Jayson! Jayson has experience managing construction projects with special focus on abatement inspection and remediation. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Baylor University. Jayson will be assisting Project Manager Miguel on a municipal project. Please help us welcome, Jayson, his wife Karissa and his son Jax Hudson to the Steele & Freeman Family!

Women In Construction: Executive Assistant to the President Angie

Continuing our Women in Construction Week theme, meet Angie – Executive Assistant to the President (Mike Freeman). Angie has been with the company for three years. She says Steele & Freeman has been one of her most favorite jobs of her career. She is a busy mom of five and she says her favorite of our 23 Fundamentals is #9, Family is Everything. She likes the way Mike encourages staff to never miss an important moment with family. Though her responsibilities are always evolving – one thing stays the same…she gets things done! She enjoys having a “front row seat” watching projects go from concept to completion. Her favorite time of the day is Cuban Coffee Time AKA 2PM when she brews up an especially potent concoction of sugar and coffee to get everyone energized for the last part of the day. (We think that is also a lot of other people’s favorite time of the day well!!) If you are nice to Angie, she might you up a batch of her beef empanadas or guava pastries. #wicweek2020

Women In Construction: Director of Marketing & Communications Monica

As we continue with our Women in Construction Week theme, meet our Director of Marketing & Communications Monica deLaGarza. Monica has been with Steele & Freeman for three years. She leads new business pursuits and directs communications and branding for the firm. One of her favorite roles at work is fostering the culture of the company. Monica is often spotted out in the community representing the company. She is a graduate of TCU (journalism, advertising and PR) and will be starting business school there in the fall. Monica has more than 20 years of experience. She is a member of Leadership Fort Worth and was honored as a 40-Under-40 by the Fort Worth Business Press. She is currently serving as a board member for CREW Fort Worth and is a member of SMPS Fort Worth. Monica says she likes the way Steele & Freeman allows her to be an engaged and present mom with work / life integration. #wicweek2020

Women In Construction: Project Coordinator Janet

This week we are featuring our female team members in honor of National Women in Construction Week. Project Coordinator Janet has been with Steele & Freeman 22 years this May. She touches every single project that we work on through contract administration and processing. Janet said she truly enjoys her work and uses it as an opportunity to learning architectural and construction terminology. Janet goes above and beyond for the company by leading our annual company fishing retreat. She has announced she will retire this spring so she can spend more time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Janet is also looking forward to traveling across the US to visit friends. Thank you for all you do, Janet!

Welcome New Staff Member!

We are excited to announce another new team member. Superintendent Steve is a seasoned professional with 40 years of experience. He likes to stay out of the spotlight so we don’t have a photo of him to share, but after thoroughly reviewing and discussing our 23 Fundamentals, Steve gave some great feedback that we’d like to share. He said, “You all are light years ahead in the way you treat people.” Please help us welcome Steve to the Can-Do Crew!

Thank You to Superintendent Sam!

Special thank you to Superintendent Sam for stepping up to do our weekly Fundamental as a video! Sam is celebrating 18 years with Steele & Freeman today and he is currently building our $60M Argyle High School Phase II project. These videos are for internal viewing by our team only but here is a screenshot.

New Project Announcement: Arlington Fire Station No. 1

Steele & Freeman is delighted to announce that we have been awarded a new project to reconstruct the City of Arlington’s Fire Station No. 1. This $8.9M facility will be located on West Main Street in Arlington across the street from Theater Arlington. Design by PGAL. This will be our first project with PGAL and the third fire station we have built for the City of Arlington.

SFI Attends NAMC Networking Event

Steele & Freeman was well-represented at the NAMC networking event on Tuesday. We actively market our projects to subcontractors to get the most competitive pricing for our clients. We are proud to sponsor this event geared to minority-owned subcontractors. Thank you to Jeff Postell and Post L Group Drywall & Acoustical Ceilings for hosting the event!

President Mike Freeman Featured in Fort Worth Inc. Magazine

If you haven’t seen this month’s issue of Fort Worth Inc. magazine, our company President, Mike Freeman is pictured on page 44. Mike likes to stay out of the spotlight, but he stepped up when Fort Worth Inc. called to schedule this shoot! The write up on Steele & Freeman is on page 41.
https://fwtx.com/magazines/magazine-digital-issue?issue=647929&i=1580502219

Project Update: Argyle High School Phase 2

Thank you to Superintendent Sam for this update and photos of our Argyle High School Phase 2 project.
On the day of this work, more than 30 finishers, carpenters and MEP trades arrived early to beat the rain and place and finish approximately 15,000 SF of concrete for the new band hall area of the project. This specific area doubles as the storm shelter for the facility and meets all the newly mandated building code criteria. Rigorous structural requirements and inspections are performed to verify that this building component will last and provide peace of mind and security to this district when the weather conducts its own test.

Team, Team, Team

We received a great compliment from one of our subcontractors and we are very proud to share it here:  “I wanted to take a minute to say how much we appreciate our relationship with Steele Freeman. I am going through my aging [invoices] report and low and behold Steele & Freeman is the only GC not on my list and most importantly rarely do you ever have a single invoice onto that list. That says a lot about how you guys partner with your subs.

Also, your staff from the field team and management team to your administrative team are always great to work with.  You guys run a good site, handle your business professionally and best of all take – care of your subcontractor partners.

So Thank You.” #TeamTeamTeam

Project Update: Flower Mound Library Expansion

We hope your 2020 is off to a great start! Superintendent Luke sent in an update on his Town of Flower Mound Library expansion. This project adds to the north and south side of the existing building. We are going to share this in two posts. Here is what’s happening on the south addition: Structural steel is complete. Roof joist installation and stud framing continue and the building envelope installation is beginning.

Project Update: Argyle High School

Special thank you to Superintendent Sam and Project Manager Nathan for this update! We are currently installing grade beams on the new administration area and they are 95% complete. We are wrapping up the grease trap which will be tied in soon and preparing to pour the first slab in the first week of January (see photo). This slab will be for the auditorium including the lower seating and back stage. The piers for the classroom addition, new field house and gymnasium are complete and foundation beams will start at the end of January.

Project Update: New Grapevine Animal Shelter

Superintendent Jim reported demolition is complete on the existing shelter structure and paving demo is 95% complete with asphalt removal starting today. Moisture conditioning will begin next week. This is our first project with City of Grapevine. This facility was designed by Quorum Architects! We are also working on the Grapevine Golf Course Club House project which is currently in pre-construction.

SFI Delivers Legendary Service

We strive to deliver legendary service on every project. On a recent school project we were approached about how to build a homecoming float. Rather than merely offering advice, Superintendent Javier and Carpenter Eustaquio took the time to build the float so it would be safe for the students to ride on. Javier and Eustaquio were excited to receive a card and cake as a thank you. #ThisIsWhyWeBuild #SacrificeEverythingForSafety

Project Update: Ennis Public Safety Facility

We are happy to bring you this update on our Ennis Public Safety Facility!

On the outside of the building, metal studs and roof decking are nearing completion on the main building. Roofing and exterior waterproofing will begin within the next week. Project Manager Nathan would like to thank our subs, Rice Drywall, Structural Fabrications Inc, and DMG Masonry for their work to date.

Inside the building, metal ductwork is being installed by Travis Mechanical, electrical runs are being installed by Intex Electric and metal stud walls are being started by Rice Drywall. Roof drains and copper piping are being installed by Curl’s Plumbing. This 38,000 SF facility was designed by RBDR Architects.

The Hills Church West Campus Grand Opening

Today we are at The Hills Church West Campus celebrating their grand opening! We build for people. It is a very special day when the buildings we construct open to welcome the people we built it for. This beautiful church was designed by BOKA Powell. Special thank you to our client, The Hills Church for the opportunity to work with them again and for our dedicated and skilled subcontractor team. Great work by Superintendent Mauricio and our Project Managers Glenn and Boyd and the entire field team! #ThisIsWhyWeBuild #ItsNotAboutTheBuilding #ItsAboutPeople

SFI Named One of Fort Worth’s Fastest Growing Companies for 2019!

Our company President, Mike Freeman stopped by the offices of FW Inc. Magazine yesterday for his moment in front of the camera. Mike was photographed for an upcoming issue of the magazine featuring the leaders of the companies that were recognized as the “Fastest Growing” in Fort Worth. Though corporate growth is not a priority to us, it just happens organically when you have a talented team that is dedicated to providing legendary service.

New Project

We are proud to announce that Steele & Freeman has been selected to build Fire Station #3 for the City of Haltom City. This new $5.5M, 14,000 SF facility was designed by RPGA Design Group, Inc. It will be located at the northeast corner of Old Denton Rd. and Northern Cross Blvd.

Space Improvements for Local Schools

Did you know that kids don’t use lockers at school these days? Check out the improved use of this space that is better suited for today’s teens. As part of a large, multi-phased renovation project at a local school, our team is removing lockers throughout the facility and replacing them with benches so kids can have a place to sit and visit.

SFI Sponsors the Ruffolution!

Steele & Freeman was proud to sponsor Ruffolution this weekend which was an event put on by NAWIC South Central Region. Proceeds benefit NAWIC Fort Worth Chapter #1 Foundation, Inc. providing scholarships for students in construction-related degree and apprenticeship programs. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to Straydog, a no-kill shelter.

SFI Awarded Diamond Level Safety Award

We are pleased to announce we have been been recognized by the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) with a Diamond Level STEP (Safety Training Education Process) Award which is given to firms that are “dramatically safer than the industry average.” We sacrifice everything for safety. Safety is more than simply wearing hard hats and safety vests – it is about being tirelessly vigilant for the safety of each person on and around the site.

The Can-Do Crew Kids Go Back To School!

All the Can-Do Crew Kids have gone back to school! Steele & Freeman believes in putting family first. This Fundamental is a favorite among our staff and according to them, it is a big reason why they love to work here. Their positive feedback has resulted in Steele & Freeman being recognized as a Best Company to Work For in Fort Worth. We are proud to have a great work place and vibrant culture. Here is an album of our back-to-school memories for the 2019-2020 school year! #FamilyIsEverything

Fort Worth ISD South Hills High School

We are currently in pre-construction with our Joint Venture Partner Post L Group Drywall & Acoustical Ceilings on an extensive renovation and addition project for Fort Worth ISD at South Hills High School in South Fort Worth. This $39.9 M project will provide new science classrooms, labs and other instructional spaces. Common spaces will be renovated to provide an ideal space for student interaction and collaboration. Architecture by Jacobs & Associates Architects.

June W. Davis Elementary School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Ribbon cuttings for our projects are always exciting. Today we had an especially meaningful and emotional ribbon cutting at Crowley ISD’s new June W. Davis Elementary School. Words like pioneer, trailblazer and legend are used to describe June W. Davis. It is obvious she is a powerhouse not only in the Crowley community, but in Tarrant County. We were honored to build this school that bears her name and honors her phenomenal legacy. The first day of school is Thursday!!