The U.S. Green Building Council recently ranked Colorado eighth in the nation in LEED projects. The 2013 ranking was down from third overall in 2012 and second in 2011. But the state certified 124 LEED projects last year, compared to only 99 in 2012, representing more than eight million sq ft of real estate, says Angie Fyfe, USGBC Colorado executive director.“We had lower LEED [certified] square footage here last year, which is how the council ranks states, but Colorado had a 25% increase in the number of LEED projects certified,” Fyfe says.The LEED approval process can often take 2.5 years
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed SB 1307 Tuesday night in an attempt to counter a 2012 bill and prevent the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from asserting its federal oversight role over all industries in Arizona — including residential and commercial construction — but only time will tell whether it will be enough. Mark Minter, executive director of the Arizona Builders Alliance says SB 1307 is a “conditional repeal” action of SB 1441, passed in 2012, that will only go into effect if OSHA follows through on a “show cause” letter delivered to the Industrial Commission of Arizona in March.
Following a modest two-month recovery in the level of demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) again turned negative last month. 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 (AIA) reported the March ABI score was 48.8, down sharply from a mark of 50.7 in February. This score reflects a decrease in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 57.9, up from the reading of 56.8 the previous
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25) showed that the overall new business volume for March was $7 billion, up 3% from a year ago. Month-over-month, new business volume was up 30% from February. Year to date, cumulative new business volume increased 6% compared to 2013. The MLFI-25 index reports economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross section of the $827-billion equipment finance sector, Receivables over 30 days increased to 2.1% from 1.8% the previous month, and were up slightly from 2.0% during the same period in 2013.Charge-offs were down at a new all-time
It’s smart to hedge high-risk bets, especially in Las Vegas. The Southern Nevada Water Authority did just that by buying a builder’s risk policy prior for the $817 million third intake project at Lake Mead. Backed by a half dozen reinsurers, the policy offers up to $650 million in loss coverage on a $10 million premium. The water authority bought it from Lloyd’s of London through Marsh LLC, New York City, after a year of discussion and research.Insurance proved a prudent bet as the project has grappled with flooding delays, cost overruns and a worker fatality. The agency last month
New methods of project delivery are changing the face of project procurement. But what is the role of small or medium-size regional contractors in alternative project delivery (APD)? While the newer methods were initially used primarily on large projects, more and more owners are seeing the value of APD on smaller projects as well. APD allows owners more flexibility to accelerate the project time line, identify and mitigate risks, incorporate greater innovation and receive the overall best value. Related Links: Dramatic Increase in the Use of BIM W.W. Clyde Awarded Two Major Projects APD is a growing industry trend. Yet
The $50-million, 200,000-sq-ft, Class A build-to-suit office building has indoor and outdoor environments that appeal to the well-educated, ecologically savvy employees who work at companies like Google or Apple.
The list of the biggest projects to begin construction last year across the Mountain States bucks a national trend toward more private-sector work and a decline in public-sector starts. It also signals at least a temporary lull in new megaprojects across the five-state region. A surge of residential and commercial projects has helped to offset weaker levels of nonbuilding starts as many of the region's large highway and water projects have been recently completed. Related Links: Mortenson Toops Out Schwab Campus Denver Broncos Break Ground on New Practice Facility The 2013 starts list contains a healthy mix of infrastructure, energy,
ENR Mountain States continues its 2014 series on "Things to Watch" across the region: projects, people, firms and trends that may have ripple effects on the industry. This second installment offers more of the things we consider worth watching. Related Links: CDOT Selects U.S. 6 Design-Build Team CDOT Selects U.S. 6 Design-Build Team Colorado Ranked 8th in the U.S. in LEED400 projects awaiting approvalThe U.S. Green Building Council has ranked Colorado eighth in the nation in LEED projects in 2013, down from third overall in 2012 and second in 2011. But the state certified 124 LEED projects last year, compared
Denver architecture firm RNL has appointed John Yonushewski, principal, to the role of chief operating officer and David Carnicelli to studio lead for the firm's private-sector architecture studio. Ian Roth has been promoted to director of building information modeling, and Jeff Anglada has been named director of RNL's Los Angeles office. Merlin Maley has been promoted to associate principal and Western region transit director, and Ken J. Anderson, associate principal, has been elevated to Eastern region transit director. Marc Herndon has also been promoted to associate principal. Dominic Weilminster and Matt Shawaker have been promoted to senior associates, and Leslie
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