According to the results of a recently released survey, the United States is undergoing a parking revolution as the industry embraces a variety of new technologies that make it easier for people to find and pay for parking, and for parking authorities to better manage it. Denver is among the cities leading the nation in parking innovations. Other notable municipalities include San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Portland, Miami, Houston, Boston, Pittsburgh and Tampa. Dozens of other cities were also identified. Clearly, parking technology is becoming mainstream.These findings come from the “2013 Emerging Trends in Parking” survey
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had improved in April, increased again in May. The index now stands at 76.2 (1985=100), up from 69.0 in April. The Present Situation Index increased to 66.7 from 61.0. The Expectations Index improved to 82.4 from 74.3 last month. Consumers’ appraisal of present-day conditions also improved in May. Those saying business conditions are “good” increased to 18.8% from 17.5%, while those stating business conditions are “bad” decreased to 26.0% from 27.6%. Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was also more positive. Those claiming jobs are“plentiful” increased to 10.8% from 9.7%, while those claiming
Construction employment increased in 170 out of 339 metropolitan areas between April 2012 and April 2013, declined in 123 and was stagnant in 46, according to a new analysis of federal employment data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that a majority of metro areas are adding construction jobs as private-sector demand accelerates in many parts of the country. “Demand for construction continues to grow in many parts of the country amid increasing private-sector investments in new residential, energy and supply chain facilities like factories, rail lines and warehouses,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s
Total construction spending registered a small gain in April but showed mixed patterns among major segments, according to a recent analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. “The report underscores patterns that have prevailed for several months: surging home and apartment construction, volatile private nonresidential activity and shrinking public investment,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “This uneven result is leading to selected materials cost increases and localized reports of worker shortages despite continuing hard times for many contractors and workers.”Construction put in place totaled $861 billion in April, rising 0.4% since March
The long-awaited Marina Heights development along Tempe Town Lake has taken another step towards groundbreaking, according to a statement released Friday by the City of Tempe. If development deals are finalized by the City Council in June, the 2 million-sq-ft, 20-acre project will be the largest office development deal in Arizona history. Related Links: New 10-Story Office Tower Plans Announced at Tempe Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge Echoes Undulating Shapes of Tempe Environment Ryan Companies US Inc. of Phoenix, and Sunbelt Holdings, Scottsdale, Ariz., will develop the site owned by Arizona State University, adjacent to the Hayden Ferry Lakeside development completed
Balfour Senior Living’s new $74-million senior living community in downtown Denver broke ground on April 24. The 281,000-sq-ft, five-story, 203-unit project will include a mix of 112 independent apartments, 65 assisted-living apartments and 26 memory-care units. The project also includes renovation of the 2,500-sq-ft historic Moffat Train Depot, which will be used as a great room. Located in the Riverfront Park neighborhood, the facility will be downtown Denver’s first upscale senior-living facility. It will have all the amenities of a high-end hotel, including upscale suites, fine dining areas, a rooftop garden with panoramic mountain views, below-grade parking, a salon, banquet-performance
The site of Denver’s storied Pagliacci’s restaurant in the Highlands neighborhood will soon host a new multifamily project named Lumina. A local team led by TreeHouse Brokerage & Development is finalizing plans for 61 boutique-style rental lofts in a five-story building designed by Denver architects Tres Birds Workshop. Rendering by Tres Birds Workshop The design for Lumina offers a streamlined building with visual flair, but one that also fits into the context of Denvers rapidly changing LoHi neighborhood. Inspired by the history of Pagliacci’s and Colorado’s abundant sunlight, Lumina will feature a curved façade accented by a decorative screen that
The new administration building for the Denver Art Museum broke ground at the end of April and is projected to be complete in spring 2014. The 50,000-sq-ft building will more efficiently house the museum’s 100-plus employees, including administration, curators and others currently located elsewhere and allow for closer collaboration among them. Rendering by Roth Sheppard Architects The 50,000-sq-ft building will more efficiently house the museums 100-plus employees. In addition to staff offices, the privately funded, $11.5-million project will also contain a research library for scholars and 9,000 sq ft of collection storage.The three-story structure is located on Denver Art Museum
Michael Arledge, a journeyman electrician for Greiner Electric, Littleton, has won the Associated Builders and Contractors’ 2013 Craft Professional of the Year. The award was presented May 3 during ABC’s 21st Century Workforce Development Conference in Birmingham, Ala. Photo courtesy of ABC From left: Ed Rojeck, Tradesmen International; Greiner Electrics Michael Arledge, winner of ABCs Craft Professional of the Year Award; and 2013 ABC National Chairman Greg Hoberock. Each year ABC presents the Craft Professional of the Year award to a construction craft professional who excels in his or her field, maintains a lifelong commitment to training and upholds the
After indicating increasing demand for design services for the better part of a year, the Architecture Billings Index reversed course in April. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lag between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the April ABI score was 48.6, down from a mark of 51.9 in March. This score reflects a decrease in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings) and is the lowest mark since July 2012. The new projects inquiry index was 58.5, down
RSS