At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $433.9 billion, new construction starts in August climbed 8% relative to July, it was reported by McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Cos. After declines in the previous three months, the August pickup was the result of greater activity for each of construction’s three main groups – non-residential building, residential building and non-building construction. During the first eight months of 2012, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis came in at $304.5 billion, up 3% from the same period a year ago.The August statistics raised the Dodge Index to 92 (2000=100), up
Pittsburgh-based dck worldwide purchased Summit Builders earlier this month. The Phoenix-based general contractor will be renamed Summit dck, to underscore the effort to unite the capabilities of both companies and open up the Southwest market for dck. Photo courtesy Summit dck Summit recently completed Trillium North, a 274-unit apartment community in Phoenix. Photo courtesy Summit dck Summit built the 80,000-sq-ft Naco Border Patrol Station in Bisbee, Ariz., which also included a 12,600-sq-ft firing range. Related Links: Long-Stalled Tempe Condo Towers Reborn as Apartments ENR Southwest's Ranking of Top General Contractors “We’ve worked in the area but never had a strong presence
A contractor working for Australian mining giant BHP Billiton was killed on Sept. 22 at the Pinto Valley Mine, about 5 miles west of Globe, Ariz. Operations at the site were immediately stopped at the mine, which is undergoing a $195-million construction project to restart the mine. Image: ENR Pinto Valley Mine is located approximately 5 miles west of Globe, Ariz. Related Links: Safety Experts Caution Contractors About Hot Weather Danger in Wake of Tucson Death Safety in Construction: Safety-Culture Clash Meant 13 Workers Never Made It Home [9/2008] BHP officials said in a statement that an investigation into the
Pat Maciulla MACIULLAhas joined Lang Wyatt Construction in Tucson, Ariz., as director of operations. He brings nearly 40 years of experience, including 20 years with Giles Construction, where he served as president for more than a decade. Related Links: ENR Southwest People ENR Southwest Lee & Associates of Phoenix has hired veteran broker Scott Smith as a principal for the firm's industrial team. Smith transfers from the Lee & Associates office in Orange, Calif. where he started in 2002. He has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years, starting his career at CB Richard Ellis in 1983 and later
The Colorado Dept. of Transportation has announced the scope of a planned $110-million project to upgrade Denver’s congested Sixth Avenue Freeway (U.S. 6) near where it intersects with the central I-25 corridor. CDOT says the multi-phase project, which will begin early next year, consists of the following elements: • Replaces five bridges that are currently in poor condition, including: U.S. 6 over Bryant Street, U.S. 6 over I-25, Federal Boulevard over U.S. 6, U.S. 6 over the South Platte River (just west of I-25) and U.S. 6 over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad east of I-25. • Reconstructs the U.S.
The first phase of construction on a University of Colorado Boulder campus utility project that will provide efficient heating and cooling while significantly reducing the university’s carbon emissions began in late August, with utility work and construction staging on the south side of campus. The project is expected to be complete in the winter of 2014 and involves three major components: renovation of the campus power house on 18th Street; construction of a separate, new heating and cooling plant; and installation of new utility distribution systems.“Safe, reliable and efficient energy is crucial for providing uninterrupted power that supports CU-Boulder’s educational
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Denver International Airport commemorated a significant construction milestone of the South Terminal Redevelopment Program on August 29. Elected officials, travel and aviation industry members and employees impacted by the program all gathered to witness the ceremonial release and transfer of the Jeppesen Terminal roof tension cables to temporary structures that will support the tents for the duration of construction. Photo courtesy of City and County of Denver Denver Mayor Michael Hancock led the late August ceremonial transfer of the Jeppesen Terminal roof tension cables to temporary structures that will support the tents for the duration
Construction employers nationwide added 1,000 jobs in August while the industry’s unemployment rate fell to 11.3%, according to an analysis of new federal data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. The unemployment declines come as the construction industry continues to shrink, association officials noted, adding that over 214,000 workers have left the industry since August 2011. “While we all breathe a sigh of relief any time the sector adds jobs, these numbers are hardly cause for celebration,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “If it wasn’t for the fact that the housing sector is
Construction spending in July maintained consistent year-over-year growth despite a pullback from the June peak, according to a recent analysis of new federal data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said they expect the disparity between private and public construction to persist unless Washington acts to fix infrastructure-funding challenges and pass long-delayed measures. “The July spending numbers send a very mixed message,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Construction of new homes, apartments and most private nonresidential structures appears to be driving gains in construction activity even as the public sector continues to drag
The Denver Merchandise Mart, a fixture in the Denver tradeshow, event and wholesale industries for more than 45 years, is now under the ownership and management direction of Woodhaven-Hawthorne. The company has begun a multi-year capital improvement campaign, which will feature renovations and refurbishments to both the interior and exterior of the Denver Mart over the next four years. Photo by Roger Blakey Photography Inside the Terrace Garden area at the Denver Merchandise Mart during the August Gift, Apparel, Resort Show. A privately owned venture capital company, Woodhaven-Hawthorne has committed to spending $4 million for the refurbishment and renovation of
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