The last several years have been a mixed bag for most construction companies operating in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. But after tentative improvement in 2011, the following year brought generally better news to the Southwest construction industry. In fact, seven of the top 10 firms responding to ENR Southwest's annual survey of general contractors reported an increase in revenue during 2012 compared with the previous year. Related Links: ENR Southwest Rankings Index ENR Southwest Top Contractors 2013 Rankings ENR Southwest Top Contractors 2013 by Market Sectors Success May Bring ChallengesFirms operating in many different construction sectors expressed a positive
Kitchell is a name synonymous with the growth of Arizona and the West; its projects have dotted the regional landscape since the firm was founded in 1950. From hospitals to prisons and everything in between, the company has built virtually every building type in a wide variety of locales and keeps its focus on building long-term client relationships, fostering internal talent and driving innovation. Related Links: Gila River Opens Kitchell-built Wild Horse Pass Kitchell Leads Healthcare Construction Resurgence Much of the culture within Phoenix-based Kitchell and its core contracting business, Kitchell Contractors Inc., was embedded in the firm's DNA by
Salt Lake City officials unveil on July 19 what they say is the largest public-owned building anywhere to generate as much energy as it uses. In planning Salt Lake City’s new $125-million Public Safety Building, city officials came to the design team with a full slate of requests. They wanted a building that could withstand and continue to operate after a large-scale earthquake or terrorist attack.They asked for a building that would be welcoming to the public, could host city events and extend a three-block stretch of public buildings that includes the Matheson Courthouse, the historic City County Building, the
Total construction spending climbed modestly in May as growth in residential and public construction offset a drop in private nonresidential activity, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials predicted that spending would remain uneven through the second half of 2013. “Hesitancy by private owners to commit to new construction, along with continuing shrinkage in public budgets, will keep the recovery weaker than it otherwise would be,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “On the plus side, both new residential spending and improvements to existing homes will keep some
Owners of retail and hotel establishments are reporting growing levels of green building activity planned over the next two years, according to a new report recently released by McGraw-Hill Construction in partnership with Waste Management. The report, titled “Green Retail and Hospitality SmartMarket Report: Capitalizing on the Growth in Green Building Investments,” is based on a study of 79 retail, 30 hotel and 22 restaurant owners conducted in 2013 by McGraw-Hill Construction. The study defined a green building project as one built to LEED or another recognized green building standard, or one that is energy-efficient, water-efficient and improves indoor-air quality
Transportation improvement and the reduction of traffic congestion and air pollution are the main reasons 85% of Denver-area residents believe the Regional Transportation District’s FasTracks program was a good decision, according to a recent public opinion survey of residents living in the eight-county metropolitan region. Nearly a decade after metro-area taxpayers approved the build-out of the FasTracks mass transit program, an overwhelming majority continue to believe the benefits of more light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit outweigh any other considerations. According to the survey, Denver-area residents cited reduced traffic and air pollution and the creation of thousands of
Resurfacing work on I-70 eastbound in Glenwood Canyon, east of Hanging Lake Tunnel, has been completed ahead of schedule. Contractor Interstate Highway Construction of Englewood had a contract with the Colorado Dept. of Transportation for a 94-working-day project and completed the work in 78.5 days—or 15.5 days early. With a $6,000/day early completion incentive offered by CDOT, IHC will earn an incentive of $93,000 for the accelerated work. Photo courtesy of CDOT CDOT says the concrete reconstruction will extend the life of the highway for up to 30 years. “We implement early-completion incentives on projects with high public and community
The Library and Academic Resource Center Modernization at Colorado State University Pueblo in Pueblo, Colo., has become one of only 30 buildings in Colorado to earn Platinum-LEED status. As the first and tallest building constructed on the southern Colorado campus in 1965, the rejuvenated facility is now the nexus for campus cultural and academic activity. Photo courtesy of BWG Replacement of major sections of existing precast walls with glass created an entirely new experience from the previously dark building. Photo courtesy of BWG The addition of windows on all four elevations created a cadence of light and materials suited to
Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Trimble, which provides technology solutions and products to the construction industry, officially opened its new campus in Westminster on June 24. Trimble’s new campus is a 125,000-sq-ft, four-story building on 15 acres in the Westmoor area of Westminster, at 10368 Photo courtesy of Trimble The new four-story building sits on 15 acres in the Westmoor area of Westminster. It houses 475 employees, with space to accommodate up to 570. Westmoor Dr. The new campus houses 475 employees, with space to accommodate up to 570. The employees focus on marketing, testing and applications engineering in the construction, surveying, agriculture
The nation’s construction industry is continuing to recover, primarily in the housing construction sector, according to the latest construction cost report from property and construction consultant Rider Levett Bucknall. The commercial, hospitality and business industries are planning for construction growth throughout 2013 while the health-care and manufacturing industries should see steady improvement throughout the latter half of 2013. Denver has experienced a quarterly increase in “in-place” construction costs of 0.6%, slightly below the national average.“Construction employment show signs of improvement, albeit modest to date,” said RLB Executive Vice President and Director Peter Knowles. “Of particular interest is the potential for
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