UPDATE: The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has given Florida officials until Feb. 25 to find a way to address Gov. Rick Scott’s stated concerns about financial risk and keep the project alive. Florida state lawmakers and members of its Congressional delegation are racing to find a way to save the state�s high-speed rail plans and the $2.4 billion in federal dollars committed to build it, after Gov. Rick Scott rejected the funds for building a Tampa-to-Orlando line. Related Links: Letter from Gov. Rick Scott to US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood “In order to complete it, it looks like we are
Federal agents found illegal workers hiding at a big federal construction project in Orlando. Related Links: Hiding Illegals? In a Confined Space? Say It Isn’t So! U.S. immigration agents, returning Feb. 9 to a site they had previously visited earlier the same day, discovered six illegal workers hiding in the ceiling of the Orlando Veterans Administration Medical Center, which is under construction. The agents, part of the Dept. of Homeland Security, and the Orlando Police Department received an anonymous tip that “illegal immigrants were stuck in a storage container somewhere on the construction site.� The caller indicated the hidden subjects
An arbitration panel overseeing a dispute between the general contractor and owner of a Jacksonville, Fla. garage that collapsed during construction has announced initial findings in favor of the contractor. Choate Construction Co. of Atlanta announced Feb. 7 that the panel ruled in its favor on all issues. Choate had faced claims related to the collapse and for breach of contract. The contractor also stated that it had received favorable rulings on its claims for breach of contract and wrongful termination. Berkman Plaza II LLC, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based developer Harbor Cos., was the owner of the 413-space parking garage
PENNELL Metromont Corp., a Greenville, S.C.-based provider of precast/prestressed concrete building systems, announced earlier this month that it has acquired a majority interest in Royal Concrete Concepts of West Palm Beach, Fla. RCC manufactures custom precast concrete modular building systems for residential, educational, commercial and military projects. The Florida firm’s product line includes unitized modules for residential construction that are shipped virtually complete with all components and finishes, including cabinetry, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, windows and doors. The company’s manufacturing facility has the capacity to build 25 three-bedroom houses per day. SANGER "The investment in RCC allows us to further diversify
Article toolbar Last year, an estimated 350 people representing specialty contractors flocked to a pre-bid meeting regarding construction of a 145-acre Legoland Florida theme park on the site of the former Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven, 45 miles from Orlando. The development, which will be the world's largest Legoland, is the only theme park under construction in Florida. The gaggle of contractors gathered was a sign of the nearly starved construction economy—tantamount to vultures circling. Rendering courtesy of Legoland Florida TOY TOWN Giant, nonstructural LEGO pieces will adorn both new and renovated buildings at what is planned as
MOSS Scott Moss has been named president of Moss & Associates, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., which is in the initial phase of a multiyear transition. Moss began his career as a project engineer with Centex Rooney. He most recently served as vice president of Moss. Dan Kaufman has become president of R.J. Griffin & Co., headquartered in Atlanta. Kaufman most recently served as manager of the company’s South Division, also in Atlanta. Jack Nix Jr., formerly president and CEO, will continue as CEO only. Mike Bartlett will serve as executive vice president and COO after David Paris Jr.’s retirement. Melanie Parks
The Southeast’s construction and design industries may have taken a hit during the recent economic downturn, but construction and design excellence is still in abundant supply throughout the region, judging by the winners of Southeast Construction’s “Best Of 2010” competition. In fact, this year’s awards competition received another robust group of entries. More than 180 projects from the states of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas were submitted for consideration and competed within 22 different categories, based on construction type. An independent jury of industry experts reviewed the entries, and met in September to finalize this year’s winners. Eligible projects had
The $855-million North Terminal Phase 1 represents one portion of the $2.95-billion Miami North Terminal Expansion program, created to handle the ever-increasing passenger traffic demands at Miami International Airport. Photo Parsons-Odebrecht Joint Venture Related Links: Best Of 2010 Phase one consisted of 1.3 million sq ft of new construction and 1.1 million sq ft of renovation and involved the opening of 30 gates, more than 115 ticket counters, three Skytrain stations and approximately 5,000 ft of train guideway. Parsons-Odebrecht Joint Venture began the fast-track project in March 2007. About half of the construction took place atop a 50-year-old terminal. Perhaps
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