Build Me Up: Exploring Construction History with John Campobasso and Matt Goff

As cities evolve and grow, it’s important to preserve and remember their history. The construction industry is responsible for shaping skylines, and Kraus-Anderson’s 122-year history in the Twin Cities has involved many landmark buildings. KA has a full-time archivist, Matt Goff, to organize the company’s historical archives and artifacts, and to tell the story of many culturally significant buildings throughout the Twin Cities.

On the latest episode of KA’s Build Me Up podcast, Matt Goff and KA Director of Business Development John Campobasso discuss construction’s history and the ever-evolving Twin Cities skyline.

Prioritizing History

Kraus-Anderson has always prioritized documenting its own history. When its new downtown Minneapolis headquarters was built, part of the KA Block, historical artifacts were embedded in the modern office. Lloyd Engelsma purchased the downtown block in the 1940s, and small details throughout the building honor that history. One conference room, labeled the Founders Room, has Lloyd’s original desk displayed. The original KA shield was preserved before the original office building was demolished and is now displayed in the new space, and historical photos are embedded throughout the space to pay homage to its history. The KA History Center, which has designated space on the first floor of KA’s headquarters, plays an integral role in moving the company forward while documenting and archiving its history.

Shaping the Twin Cities

Part of Matt’s role involves telling the nuanced stories of the historical landmarks that KA has touched around the Twin Cities. One of the most storied buildings in KA’s history is the LaSalle Apartments in downtown Minneapolis, which was originally a YMCA built during World War I. KA Founder J.L. Robinson was integral in making it happen to address this social need during an economically challenging time. As the Twin Cities landscape evolved in the 1990s, KA converted the building to the luxury LaSalle Apartments.

Matt’s regular “Throwback Thursday” posts to KA’s social media channels have driven nostalgic memories from those who have grown up in the Twin Cities and witnessed the city’s evolution. When the iconic Dinkytown McDonald’s announced its closure, many people had stories to tell of their time spent there. But Matt’s findings of the once-controversial decision to build the McDonald’s completes the story for the longtime Twin Cities establishment.

Documenting, archiving, and discussing history is critically important to shaping the next generation. While it is easy to focus solely on the building side of our business, understanding how complex and intertwined the construction industry is with its surrounding communities provides much-needed perspective on the work we do. To learn more about KA’s history in the Twin Cities, tune in to the latest episode of KA’s Build Me Up podcast. You can subscribe to Build Me Up wherever you listen to podcasts.