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The North Spokane Corridor project will receive $35 million under the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. The grant is one of 51 transportation projects funded by the $1.5 billion U.S. Department of Transportation program, set up to quickly create jobs and boost local economies while investing in improving transportation. Photo: WSDOT Washington Governor Chris Gregoire discussed the North Spokane Freeway grant during a press conference announcing another TIGER grant for Mercer Corridor Redevelopment in Seattle. �This is a huge win for a project that has long been the centerpiece of efforts to boost Spokane�s economy and create

Facebook broke ground on a new $188 million data center in Prineville. The 147,000-sq-ft facility is expected to create more than 200 jobs during its 12-month construction phase, led by the joint venture general contractor team of Redwood City, Calif.-based DPR Construction Inc. and Portland-based Fortis Construction. Photos courtesy Sheehan Partners Photos courtesy Sheehan Partners Photos courtesy Sheehan Partners For its first building of this type, Facebook found that Prineville offered “a suitable climate for environmental cooling, renewable power resources, available land, talented regional workforce and supportive business environment,” says Tom Furlong, the company’s director of site operations. The custom

The residential real estate market is making gains as sales increase in many areas. We have witnessed this as we have sold out of our finished home inventory in several communities and we are starting to see many of our communities enter into presale agreements to build homes for delivery in 2010. While pre-sales are just beginning to pick up, this is an important indicator in terms of economic recovery, along with the stronger home sales. This is all good news for homebuilders, and it�s important to take note of what the return to pre-sales could mean for the real

Northwest Construction launched the Legacy Awards at the 2009 Best of breakfast, to recognize individuals who have made a lasting change in the local construction industry. The 2009 award went to Jack Rafn, Rafn Co., Bellevue, who sat on the original steering committee that contacted Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) National and requested chapter-in-formation status. Photo Credit: ABC Jack Rafn worked to maintain cooperative relationships with all project team members, a controversial idea when he started his company in 1978. Rafn Company lost a job they had been low bidder on, solely because of their open shop status. This discrimination

McGraw-Hill Construction is forecasting that total construction starts will climb 11% to $466.2 billion in 2010, following an estimated 25% decline in 2009. Bob Murray is vice president of economic affairs with McGraw-Hill Construction. Related Links: McGraw-Hill Construction is forecasting mixed numbers for the Southwest. After a 39% drop in construction between 2006 and 2009, an improving residential market and signs of strength in select public-sector markets such as transportation and infrastructure could spark an overall turnaround in 2010, says Bob Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction. "This is not a booming market; it is just inching

Gregs G. Thomopulos, P.E., Chairman & CEO of Stanley Consultants of Houston, was elected president of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers for a two-year term. FIDIC represents globally the consulting engineering industry. Thomopulos has been on the organization’s executive committee for six years. His election marks the first time in 20 years that a U.S. citizen holds the position, which only three other Americans have held in FIDIC’s nearly 100-year history. Dynamic Lighting Solutions in Pearland announced Robert C. Horswood joined the company as utility sales representative, Eastern Division. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s

Texas Construction presents its thirteenth annual Best Of awards issue, which honors projects completed in our region between Sept. 1, 2008, and Sept. 1, 2009.

Featured Product  December 2009 The Chem-Calk 1250 Series The Chem-Calk 1250 Series is a high-performance oxime/neutral silicone sealant with high UV resistance and rapid curing. The sealant features a non-corrosive, low-odor formulation that can be applied to a wide range of substrates without compromising them, including masonry, metal, plastic and wood. The sealant can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings, and is able to retain its elastomeric properties in temperatures ranging from -61°F to 348°F. The Chem-Calk 1250 Series meets many different industrial standards, including ASTM C920, TT-S00230C and TT-S-001543A, and is compliant with CARB and SCAQMD environmental regulations.

FERRELL Hanson Alaska LLC recently appointed Shane Ferrell as a civil designer. Ferrell holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University and while pursuing his education, served as a material coordinator and construction manager for a Class I Railroad. Ferrell currently is assisting with the conceptual design for the Port MacKenzie Rail Line Extension with the Alaska Railroad Corp. Four architects have been named associate principals in Mahlum’s Seattle and Portland offices – Mitch Kent , AIA and Todd Olson, AIA in Portland; Kirk Haapala , AIA, LEED AP and Erik Goodfriend , AIA, LEED AP,