Construction employment declined in 30 states from August 2011 to August 2012 and in 26 states in the past month, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that construction employment declined in most states even as long term infrastructure programs and tax measures languish. “Construction employment continues to decline in many states as key tax and infrastructure decisions languish in Washington,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Thousands more construction workers could be employed today in states across the country if we had long-term federal tax and
he cost of key construction materials increased in August and year-to-year, resuming a trend that has forced contractors to pay more for materials even as competitive pressures restrain prices for finished projects, according to a recent analysis of federal figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. “After years of depressed construction activity, the last thing contractors need is to see materials price increases further erode their already slim margins,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “This isn’t the kind of economic recovery most contractors spent the past few years praying for.”The producer price index
Aging infrastructure for marine ports, inland waterways and airports threatens more than one million U.S. jobs, according to a new Failure to Act report from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Between now and 2020, investment needs in the nation’s marine ports and inland waterways sector total $30 billion while planned expenditures are about $14 billion, leaving a total investment gap of nearly $16 billion. Similarly, with airports between now and 2020, there is an investment need of about $114 billion, while anticipated spending is $95 billion, leaving a gap of nearly $19 billion, as well as an additional need
Since the beginning of the recession in early 2008, architecture firms have collectively seen their revenue drop by 40% and have had to cut personnel by nearly a third. Despite a national recovery from the recession in 2009, construction activity continued to spiral downward, according to the recently release 2012 AIA Firm Survey. Related Links: 2012 AIA Firm Survey Total construction spending levels, which exceeded $1 trillion in 2008, fell to under $800 billion in 2011. As a result, gross revenue at architecture firms declined from more than $44 billion in 2008 to $26 billion by 2011, a 40% decline
A new industry report reveals that in order for green building to continue to gain market share at a comparable rate to the past decade, more far-reaching benefits need to be documented and demonstrated to organizational leadership for them to increase their level of green investments. These include benefits across the spectrum of financial, environmental and social benefits—often referred to as the “triple bottom line.”The report was released by McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Cos., in the form of its latest SmartMarket Executive Brief. Titled “Determining the Value of Green Building Investments: A Perspective From Industry Leaders on Triple
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.
RSS
