For the past five years, M Property Services, LLC, along with NorthSide Regeneration has sponsored a Project Design Challenge to expose St. Louis area youth to the fields of architecture, engineering, urban planning and construction. In 2018, high school students from public, private and charter schools throughout St. Louis City were challenged with “Planning for the Autonomous Vehicle in NorthSide Regeneration.”

NorthSide Regeneration is an urban, mixed-use community being developed by M Property Services that encompasses over 1,500 acres in North St. Louis City.

The challenge began in January with each team assigned a mentor – a professional in the field of architecture or engineering who would help guide them through the creative and design process. The deadline for project submissions was April 13.

On April 21, all teams were given 25 minutes to orally present their project, then answer questions to a six-person jury, which included Don Koster, Senior Lecturer at Washington University and Design Practice Leader at Arcturis; Paul Whitson, Regional Leader of Healthcare at HOK; St. Louis City Alderwoman Marlene Davis, Ward 19; Darryl Piggee, attorney at Stone, Leyton & Gershman, P.C.; William Laskowsky, Chief Development Officer at M Property Services; and Paul McKee, Chairman at M Property Services and owner of NorthSide Regeneration.

“We are so proud of the efforts that all of the students put forth in this year’s challenge. Many times, students surpass our expectations, even introducing the professionals to products that they were not aware of and designs that are innovative and unexpected. This year was no exception,” said Laskowsky.

The jury deliberated and chose Gold, Silver and Bronze winners, with all other teams earning an Honorable Mention. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony on April 30 at the Engineers’ Club of St. Louis. Six-time Olympic medalist and East St. Louis native Jackie Joyner-Kersee presented the awards. Dr. Elizabeth Bender, Associate Superintendent of College and Career Readiness at St. Louis Public Schools, was the speaker for the evening.

2018 Project Design Award Winners and Honorable Mentions

Gold McKinley Classical Leadership Academy (teacher: Matthew Rosado, mentors: Amy Phillips and Decorda McGee)

Silver St. Mary’s High School

Bronze Gateway STEM High School

Honorable Mentions Vashon High School and four teams from St. Mary’s High School

The challenge is coordinated each year by Karen Bahr, Executive Assistant at M Property Services. Over the past five years, approximately 285 students from 55 teams representing nine schools (CCC, Roosevelt, St. Mary’s, Metro, Gateway, McKinley, Vashon, Cleveland and Carnahan) and 34 mentors have participated in the Project Design Challenge. Past challenges include, “Neighborhood Entry Marker”, “Urban Park”, “Neighborhood Streetscape” and “Parking Lot of the 21st Century”.