About Us
1984
The Dawn of a New Era.
From the ashes of V. Jobste & Sons, our six founders stepped forward with the idea that they would approach business differently than other companies in the industry. Not only would they build quality construction, they’d build lasting relationships with every client we work with. Meet THE ORIGINALS: Jim Barr, Don Brennan, Wynn Carter, Lu Ori, and Joe West.
1984
The First…But Not the Last.
Within the first two weeks of incorporation, River City Construction is awarded five projects totaling $4.7 Million. This sets the stage for rapid growth and helps establish us as a leader in the construction industry.
1985
Client Focus.
River City Construction is awarded our first project with a Fortune 50 company, heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, Inc. This marks the beginning of a long-standing relationship. To this day, Caterpillar remains one of River City Construction’s largest and most important clients.
1990
Market Target.
Having completed many correctional facilities for the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Capital Development Board, River City Construction is awarded the Big Muddy River Correctional Facility in Ina, Illinois. The Big Muddy project paves the way for River City Construction’s endeavors into the Southern Illinois region. To this day, both the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Capital Development Board remain important partners of River City Construction.
1992
Growth.
River City Construction opens its doors in Benton, IL after numerous project successes within the Correctional and Water/Wastewater Treatment markets.
2001
Untapped Territory.
River City Construction is awarded the University of Missouri’s Life Science Building project. This opportunity provided us even more University of Missouri projects including the Virginia Avenue Student Housing Complex in 2002 and the Brewer Field House in 2003. Our work with MU makes River City Construction a strong player in the Central Missouri market. To this day, MU continues to be one of RCC’s largest clients in the Central Missouri region.
2002
The House That Relationships Built.
River City Construction opens its new headquarters at our current location in East Peoria, IL. The Benton, IL location continues to operate in Southern Illinois.
2004
Missouri Expansion.
Building on our success with the University of Missouri, River City Construction opens our Ashland, Missouri office. Higher Education quickly becomes our leading market sector in this region. Our buildings become known for being more than just buildings, but centers of learning that shape tomorrow’s leaders.
2008
A Lasting Legacy.
Jim Barr, one of the original founding six and President retires. Bernie Koch takes the reigns.
2008
Taking the Base.
River City Construction is awarded its largest single project contract since its inception at Scott Airforce Base for the ADAL USTRANSCOM Consolidation and USTRANSCOM Joint Intellegence Opeartions Center (JIOC). River City Construction continues to work at Scott Airforce Base, and maintains strgon relationships with the Federal Government.
2016
Building the First of its Kind.
River City Construction beats our previous record for the largest single project and is awarded the New Fulton State Hospital project for the State of Missouri. The new 300-bed high-security psychiatric hospital is one of the first of its kind and will help transform the practice of mental health treatment.
2017
Passing the Torch.
John Sutherland assumes the Presidency when Bernie Koch retires.
2019
Trandsforming Mental Health Treatment Facilities.
On the heels of completing the Fulton State Hospital, River City Construction is awarded the design/build contract for the new In-Patient Treatment Center for the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Capital Development Board. When complete, the facility will transform the treatment of mental health within the Department of Corrections and help shift a longstanding paradigm.
2019
Poised for the Future.
River City Construction is poised to serve our clients well into the future. The company is now made up of over 400 talented and exceptionally skilled people committed to the pursuit of project excellence. We have built over $5 billion in projects. And, we have formed numerous, lasting relationships with leaders within businesses, hospitals, schools, treatment facilities, civic organizations, and government entities along the way. 35 YEARS AND COUNTING….- Safety
- Technology
- Diversity
- Training/ Development
- Pre-Construction Services
- Quality Assurance
Safety
Work hard. Work smart. Work safe.
Safety is a top priority on our job sites and an integral part of River City Construction’s culture. To make sure we’re practicing top safety measures on each project, we provide our workforce with intensive training, mandatory practices, and frequent on-site inspections. Here are just a few examples of the training and communications we go through to keep costs down and avoid unnecessary downtime on projects: OSHA 30 cards, site specific orientations, outside training partners (Travelers), national and local safety stand downs, job hazard analysis, risk assessments and Tool Box Talks. We also use NoteVault for daily log reporting, and our Safety Awareness Program gives every employee incentive to practice safety with added bonuses throughout the year. At River City Construction, attention to safety is a win-win for everyone!
Technology
We’re an open book with real-time info and reports.
State-of-the-art technology is used extensively in our day-to-day operation. It helps us (and you) get a feel for the project before we even begin. From installation to planning, we leverage the most advanced technology to make sure we have seamless project management and communication from start to finish. It also helps us enhance every aspect of the project. Through our programs, we can easily track subcontractor bids, deliver updated drawings right to the site, track day-to-day records and inspections, create detailed budget reports, and schedule any updates.
Diversity
Creating ladders of economic opportunity.
Creating a diverse job site with our subcontracting partners and workforce is an important part of our company culture. That’s why we actively seek out MBE, WBE and VBE firms and continually build relationships with disadvantaged businesses to add to our list of subcontractors and suppliers. Since 2009, we have been part of the SBA 8A mentor/protégé program and successfully completed over $30 million in projects that utilized the mentor/protégé joint venture. And in 2019, River City Construction was awarded USMCA Contractor of the Year. Rest assured, when you work with us, you’re not just getting quality construction. You’re helping build ladders of change and opportunity in your community.
Partnerships:
- US Minority Contractors Association (USMCA)
- Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce
- Peoria Area Diversity in Employment Action Team (PADEAT)
- University of Missouri Advocacy / Mentoring Program (PADEAT)
Training/ Development
We take the motto ‘learn something new every day’ to heart.
No question about it… River City Construction aims to be the best and continually trains our project teams and workforce on how to improve job quality and consistency. From weekly Tool Box Talks to monthly Lunch & Learns, we’re constantly driving on-the-job training and ongoing learning for continued success. We even leverage the knowledge of community leaders to ensure we’re in touch with the latest demands and needs. Excellence is at the heart of everything we do.
Pre-Construction Services
Stakeholders assemble!
Precon services (as we call them) give you an opportunity to further develop your concepts. We do this by using the latest technology so you can see your project in a 3D model, rendering or virtual world. This helps you make informed decisions on key items, such as project budget, schedule and phasing, site logistics, and life-cycle costs. River City Construction also works hand-in-hand with design teams to ensure the best outcome for every client on every project. The planning and decisions made before a shovel hits the dirt result in tremendous cost savings, expedited schedules, and enhanced safety on the job site for you. Let’s get started on bringing your vision to life!
Quality Assurance
The RCC Stamp of Approval
Quality assurance isn’t just lip service for River City Construction. We stand behind each project we do and maintain numerous certifications and memberships to provide you with a high level of expertise.
- RCC is part of the US Army Corp of Engineers Quality Control Program which is a valuable program that assures quality of workmanship.
- Fifteen team members have earned the distinguished LEED Accredited Professional (AP) designation which follows the nationally accepted benchmark for sustainability and the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.
- Twenty-two team members have completed the Certified Healthcare Constructor’s certificate program or the American Society for Healthcare Engineering certificate program – both of which focus on The Joint Commission standards, environmental infection control and other safety measures specific to the healthcare environment.
Plus, we have been recognized with the prestigious American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Steel Erection Certification since 2009.
So, while many companies can claim that they provide quality work, River City Construction takes it to the next level with the team and resources in place to exceed our clients’ exacting standards and expectations.
MoreThe project consists of the construction of a one-story cancer treatment center of approximately 15,150 square feet and an enclosed pedestrian walkway that connects the cancer treatment center to Saint Anthony’s Health Center. The cancer treatment center includes both business and hospital occupancies. Work includes site construction, steel structural frame on concrete spread footings, poured-in-place concrete vault for radiation protection of the cancer treatment linear accelerator,..
- Vision
- Values
- Our Promise
- Life at RCC
- Community
Vision isn’t something we strive for – it’s what we live and breathe.
Our vision is to be the most respected and reputable builder in our operating area. To accomplish this, every decision we make hinges on whether it aligns with our mission and promise to you. It impacts how we make and foster relationships. It helps us lead with integrity and follow through on what we say we’ll do. And it helps us ensure you are 100% satisfied at the end of the day. Because our reputation means everything, and we’re committed to making sure it remains exemplary and growing because of the quality work we do.
Guiding principles that make our world go ‘round.
We know that in order to make our company great, we must go all in and live the company’s vision and values. They are truly what set us apart from others. This is our mantra, what keeps us grounded and what keeps us growing and moving forward. That said, every project we work on, we make sure our commitment to your success and our goal to deliver 100% satisfaction is evident in all that we do.
V – We employ a team that embodies our uncompromising set of core VALUES.
I – We put INTEGRITY at the foundation on which we conduct business.
S – We are committed to SAFETY excellence in all that we do.
I – We provide INNOVATIVE solutions that deliver results.
O – We collaborate as ONE team working hard toward your success.
N – We build long-standing relationships with a NETWORK of clients, business and community partners.
River City Construction Brand Promise
At River City Construction, we don’t just build
quality, state-of-the-art buildings.
We build relationships.
That’s because people are the foundation of what we do.
When you team with us,
you aren’t just hiring a builder to create a structure.
You’re hiring a partner who puts safety and integrity first;
a group who is committed to making you successful;
and a team who makes the experience fun and exciting.
Together, we create centers
that educate and shape tomorrow’s leaders.
We build places of rest
where patients can have time to heal.
We construct facilities
where families can gather to create memories.
We plan infrastructures
that support the communities you live in and serve.
We design places of commerce
where your customers feel welcomed and valued.
And we lay the blocks
that inspire entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.
Simply put…
Your mission is our mission. Your success is our success.
That’s our promise to you –
complete satisfaction, every step of the way.
All work and lots of play.
Life is too short to not have fun doing what we do. And while the construction process can be stressful, done right, it can be fun, exciting and enjoyable for everyone! Throughout the process, we host partner events with you, our designers and subcontractors. We stay positive and forward-thinking even when faced with challenges. We collaborate to make sure every voice is heard. And we celebrate project milestones with special events. We also foster community and fun within our own walls, ensuring spirits stay high and everyone always puts their best foot forward.
Giving back to the communities that help us thrive.
Paying it forward is a passion of ours. That’s why we encourage our entire team to contribute their time and treasures to charitable organizations that serve the communities we operate and live in. You’ll see our friendly faces serving on non-profit boards. You’ll run into us supporting and attending charitable events. And you’ll hear about friendly competitions that pull even more support such as our River City Charitable Challenge, CANstruction, and Rebuilding Together. These are all incredible events that make a positive impact on the communities we live in and work.
So you want to work with us?
We love adding new members to the team, and we are always looking for strong talent, regardless if a position is posted or not. But before you fire off your resume and list of reasons you want to work with us, take a look at our company mission and values. If you can live and believe our company’s mission and promise to our customers, then carry on and let’s get to know each other. Simply send us your resume, cover letter, references and how you heard about us. If we think you’re a good fit, we’ll be in touch by phone or email soon!
Thinking of pursuing a career in construction or design?
River City Construction is always looking for the next generation of talent. Ideal candidates will have a high school degree, however, we will consider students who are in their senior year of high school. What does a day in the life of our interns looks like? You will be assigned to a department where you will have an individual path of training, development, and experiences. You will also have a personal liaison to act as your guide throughout the summer and makes sure you are getting the experience you desire. Simply send us your resume, cover letter, references, and how you heard about the position. If we think you’re a good fit, we’ll be in touch by phone or email soon!
