Riding a stretch of increasing levels of demand for 13 out of the last 15 months, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped in April for the second month this year. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lead-time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the April ABI score was 48.8, down sharply from a mark of 51.7 in March.This score reflects a decrease in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 60.1, up from a
As I had predicted, the construction industry’s efforts to have the Colorado legislature pass a revised construction defects law has failed. The bill was intended to assure that construction defects claims initiated by condominium homeowners associations be arbitrated before going to court. But all is not lost because developers and contractors of condominium projects have other avenues available to achieve the same result. It appears that a local developer, an affiliate of Metropolitan Homes, may have a solution.The construction industry’s fear that juries are likely to favor condominium owners and their associations in defects lawsuits has prompted the industry to
The federal legislation that currently funnels federal aid for highway and bridge construction to the states is entitled “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” (or “MAP-21”). This legislation was passed as a two-year bill designed to authorize spending for FY 2013 and FY 2014. The legislation was due to expire October 31, 2014, but was extended last summer through May 31 of this year. The extension continued federal aid for highway, highway safety and public transportation programs at status quo funding levels. Not only did Congress need to deal with the expiration of this authorizing legislation last year,
Forty-six percent of highway contractors reported that motor vehicles had crashed into their construction work zones during the past year, according to the results of a new highway work zone study recently conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged summer travel motorists to stay alert while driving through work zones, noting that drivers and passengers are more likely than highway workers to be hurt or killed in work zone accidents.“If the thought of saving someone else’s life isn’t enough to get you to slow down, just remember that you and your passengers are more likely to
It looks as though the optimists won in April. Those predicting that the March slowdown in job growth was just a temporary blip related to the difficult winter weather may have been right—in April, the U.S. economy added a healthy 223,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate dipped to 5.4%. This could be an early sign that the second quarter is reviving after economic growth fell to nearly zero in the first quarter. In April the positives certainly outweighed the negatives. Some of the industries with the strongest gains included professional/business services (up 62,000 jobs), education and health services (up 61,000
Tom Case has been named senior vice president in the civil group for Sundt Construction in Tempe, Ariz. Case, who is also chairman of the Highway & Transportation Division for the Associated General Contractors of America's board of directors, is charged with expanding the firm's portfolio as well as its geographic reach.
Less than 20 years ago, Aztec Engineering, Phoenix, was a disadvantaged business enterprise firm looking to make its mark. Today, the firm is the fifth largest on ENR Southwest's Top Design Firms ranking based on annual revenue. Aztec reported $27.83 million in regional revenue in 2014 and moved up 15 spots on the survey over the previous year, when it logged $14.95 million. The firm also ranks atop the survey's transportation category, with a plethora of projects in Arizona. Related Links: ENR Southwest Top Design Firms Engineering News Record Robert Lemke, CEO of Aztec, says the reason for the firm's
Do green schools make better learning environments? Are green schools healthier for children and teachers? Do green, healthy schools support higher student test scores? Photo by David Patterson Photography, courtesy of RB and B Architects CSU researchers will be comparing student health and performance at schools like Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins to those at others that do not have as many green features. Researchers at Colorado State University plan to find out. Jennifer Cross, a professor of sociology, has received a four-year, $1-million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to analyze the effects of green school
For the past 12 years Wespac Construction Inc. has been organizing the McDowell Mountain Music Festival in central Arizona and the number of people, along with the charitable donations, have been rising ever since the first band took the stage.The festival draws between 16,000 and 18,000 people over the three day period, has raised over $1 million in the past 12 years for local charities and has drawn some of the biggest names in music all while being a self sufficient enterprise.Nate Largay, son of the company’s president, John Largay, and communications director for Wespac Construction, said the company decided
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in March, declined in April. The index now stands at 95.2 (1985=100), down from 101.4 in March. The Present Situation Index decreased from 109.5 last month to 106.8 in April. The Expectations Index declined from 96.0 last month to 87.5 in April. Consumers’ appraisal of current-day conditions continued to soften. Those saying business conditions are “good” edged down from 26.7% to 26.5%. However, those claiming business conditions are “bad” also decreased from 19.4% to 18.2%.Consumers were less favorable in their assessment of the job market. Those stating jobs are “plentiful” declined
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