Regional designers report that many market sectors have improved, and most firms saw their revenue grow in 2013. But they also have post-recession concerns about staffing and owner finances. Design leaders cite regional strength in the energy, multifamily, commercial and hospitality sectors. They say public-sector work remains generally sluggish. Rendering by Davis Partnership, Courtesy of Adolfson and Peterson The 11-story CoBank Center in Greenwood Village, Colo., is being developed by Shea Properties, designed by Davis and RNL and being built by Adolfson & Peterson. Related Links: ACEC/CO Engineering Excellence Awards New Risk Index Identifies Top Industry Concerns "The surge in
Parsons Brinckerhoff has named Jason Longsdorf director of planning in the firm's Denver office. Longsdorf will manage the environmental, transportation planning and placemaking staff. He previously served as PB's regional environmental director. Longsdorf will also oversee development of planning and environmental work for PB's offices in Austin, Texas; Houston; Dallas; Tempe, Ariz.; Albuquerque; and Salt Lake City. Related Links: ACEC/CO Honors Outstanding Engineers HCC Presents Annual Industry Awards James A. Brady has been appointed chief operating officer at Denver's Wilson & Co., Engineers & Architects. Brady has 24 years of experience in transportation planning and design. He has been with
Superintendent Carol Hilty likes to say that the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), although unique, is simply a school serving the children of Colorado. “Our students just happen to be deaf and blind,” she says. Photo courtesy of RTA Architects Since its humble beginning in 1874 with just seven students who were deaf, the school has grown to serve an average of 235 students on campus and 500 students statewide annually, from birth to age 21. The campus occupies 17 buildings and sits on 37 acres in Colorado Springs.In 2010 the school won a BEST Grant
Alta Alameda Station, a 338-unit, LEED-Gold-certified community on more than five acres in Denver’s Baker neighborhood will be complete in June. The for-rent community is already 60% leased, says project developer Wood Partners LLC. Alta Alameda Station offers studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom units, each with a patio or deck and vinyl plank flooring in entryways, kitchens and bathrooms. Photo courtesy of Wood Partners LLC Alta Alameda Station is a new LEED-Gold apartment community being built directly across from the Alameda light rail station in Denver. The apartments, located at 275 Cherokee Street west of South Broadway, are directly
New construction starts in April rose 3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $533.7 billion, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. The increase maintained the upward movement established in March, which followed sluggish activity at the outset of 2014. By major sector, April gains were reported for nonresidential building and housing, while nonbuilding construction (public works and electric utilities) retreated. Through the first four months of 2014, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis came in at $153.8 billion, unchanged from the same period a year ago.April’s data raised the Dodge Index to 113
After more than 18 months of planning and fundraising, Metro CareRing broke ground May 14 on its new Hunger Relief Center at East 18th Avenue and Downing Street. GH Phipps Construction Cos. is building the 15,000-sq-ft center. Visualization by Norris Design / Design by Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture During the event, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock revved up a bulldozer brought in for the occasion to “bulldoze hunger”—but not the building. Construction began in early June, with completion expected in early 2015.The $3.4-million project replaces a cramped and deteriorating building constructed in the 1950s. The new facility, designed by Denver’s Barker
Members of the Associated Builders and Contractors Rocky Mountain Chapter were recognized in May by their peers within the commercial construction industry at the annual ABC Safety and Scholarship Awards Banquet held at the Marriott City Center in downtown Denver. The Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) awards are granted by ABC National based on applications. The awards are given in four categories—silver, gold, platinum and diamond. They are based on 20 key elements of a contractor’s safety program that include safety policies, employee commitment and training, management commitment and budgeting.Member firms receiving the highest awards of the evening were
The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has reverted into negative territory for the last two months. 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 March ABI score was 49.6, up slightly from a mark of 48.8 in March. This score reflects a decrease in design activity (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 59.1, up from the reading of 57.9 the previous month.The AIA has added a new indicator measuring the trends in new
Total construction spending rose modestly for the third straight month in April as a mix of increases and declines in public and private categories showed the sector’s recovery remains fragile and fragmented, according to a recent analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. “Residential, private nonresidential and public construction spending all have areas of strength but also pockets of weakness,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “While the overall trend remains more positive than last year, growth is likely to be spotty for the foreseeable future.”Construction put in place totaled $954 billion in
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had decreased in April, improved moderately in May. The index now stands at 83.0 (1985=100), up from 81.7 in April. The Present Situation Index increased to 80.4 from 78.5, while the Expectations Index edged up to 84.8 from 83.9 in April. Consumers’ assessment of present-day conditions also improved in May. Those stating business conditions are “good” decreased to 21.1% from 22.2%, while those stating business conditions are “bad” declined to 24.1% from 24.8%.Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was more favorable. Those claiming jobs are “plentiful” rose to 14.1% from 13.0%, while
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