A multiphased project designed by DLR Group and constructed by McCarthy Building Cos. is reimagining the Metro Tech High School campus in Phoenix.

The $82-million renovation and new construction project will enhance the school’s ability to provide 20 career and technical education programs as well as offer real-world practice and public-facing service opportunities.

The project includes more than 150,000 sq ft of renovations as well as the construction of a 22,500-sq-ft competition gymnasium and sports fields.

Construction will be completed in time for the 2027-2028 school year. Metro Tech was established on the West High School campus in the mid-1980s. As part of the campus renovation project, several original features from the historic school will be preserved.

“This project is about more than construction; it’s about building once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunities for students on this campus,” says Tyler Shupe, McCarthy project director.

“We’re proud to create a campus that reflects the ambition and skill of Metro Tech’s students, bringing them alongside us through the process. Phoenix Union’s incredible commitment to training and developing the next generation of skilled trade workers, medical professionals and other vital careers is clear from the transformative vision of this project,” he says.

Denver Moves to Reduce Project Permit Wait Times

With industry pressure to expedite what critics say has been Denver’s overly slow-moving project permitting process, city officials now are working out details of an overhaul launched by Democratic Mayor Mike Johnston’s April executive order—so far with mixed reviews.

Johnston’s order established a centralized Denver permitting office to “overhaul Denver’s permitting and development approval processes, making building in the city easier by streamlining permit review timelines and coordination across city departments,” says a city statement.

The goal is to get every permit submittal completed within 180 days of reaching the office.

The office began operations in mid-May with Jill Jennings Golich, former city community planning and development deputy executive director, as inaugural director. She now oversees a team of 280 staffers across several city departments.

“We right now are laying the groundwork for a more efficient and smarter permitting process, and a lot of that has come through,” Jennings Golich says, noting that the 180-day clock has started for projects submitted on or after May 14.

“We have built some specific intervention points where we will check in on projects if they start to exceed certain thresholds,” she says. The office comes in the wake of widespread criticism of the pace of Denver’s permitting.

Although average permitting times are down 30% so far this year, the 180-day target is notably lower than the June 2025 90-day average of 266 days for large commercial developments—which is up slightly since the office’s launch. In the most extreme instances, reviews have taken more than two years.

There’s a built-in process to foster more accountability; after 180 days, applicants can now appeal to the permit office executive board. If the appeal takes more than 30 days to resolve, the city will refund up to $10,000 in permit-related fees. The permit office will also require responses to all customer questions within two business days.

Granite Wins $111M Utah Interstate Rehab Contract

Granite Construction said it has won a $111-million contract from the Utah Dept. of Transportation to rehabilitate the Interstate 215 corridor from State Route 201 to North Temple, a company spokesman has confirmed.

Crews will rubblize three miles of existing portland cement concrete pavement on I‑215 and overlay it with 175,000 tons of highly modified hot‑mix asphalt.

Following the rehabilitation, the Watsonville, Calif., contractor will cap the work with a 6-in. overlay of asphalt that meets state DOT compaction and rut-resistance standards.  

The spokesman said all structure and pavement work will be self‑performed by Granite, with AAA Barricade handling traffic control.

Environmental and permitting approvals—including water quality, stormwater and noise permits —were secured in advance under UDOT’s terms, the spokesman added.

Included in the upgrades is stormwater infrastructure work, which involves 22,000 linear ft of new pipe. Additionally, 22 bridges will undergo deck replacement, hydro-demolition, pothole patching and structural repairs.

The $190-million overall project budget, a blend of state and federal funds, supports measures such as ramp-metering installation at California Avenue to extend pavement life to 15 years.

Suntec Concrete Launches Employee Skills Program

A comprehensive in-house training and development program will equip Suntec employees with skills that empower them in their work, families and communities, says a Suntec representative. The programming at Suntec University’s Phoenix-based campus includes life skills training, leadership development and industry knowledge training. Although still being developed, the program ultimately will expand into each Suntec operating market, with future components including mentorship opportunities, career-path resources and outreach into communities.

Terracon Foundation Grants Awarded to Two Colorado Universities

The community investment arm of engineering consultancy Terracon announced $11,000 in grants to be allocated between two Colorado universities.

Colorado State University will receive a $6,000 grant to fund Bridge Week expenses of the ENpower Bridge and Peer Mentoring program hosted within the Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering. Bridge Week is part of the specialized transition program geared toward empowering incoming engineering students, especially those from underrepresented or first-generation backgrounds, with a strong start to their college journey.

University of Colorado, Denver, is receiving a $5,000 grant to support graduate student scholarships provided by the university. The funding will support summer and fall tuition costs for graduate students in the Dana Crawford Preservation Program, which equips graduates to participate in preserving historic buildings and sites.