The amount contractors pay for a range of key construction materials held steady in September but climbed 8.1% from the year-earlier level, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released last week by the Associated General Contractors of America. Meanwhile, the price contractors charge for new nonresidential building construction edged up only 2% to 3% over 12 months, depending on building type. “Feeble demand for construction is forcing contractors to absorb the bulk of materials price hikes, instead of passing them along to owners,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “This pattern has persisted for more than
A new public opinion poll recently released by Denver’s Regional Transportation District shows that seven years into RTD’s multi-billion dollar FasTracks transit expansion program, 80% of metro-area residents say that approving FasTracks funding in 2004 was a good decision. Not surprisingly, jobs, employment and the economy continue to be seen as the top issues facing the Denver metro area, cited by 47% of survey participants. However, when asked to identify the most important benefits specific to FasTracks, the top three responses were:• Reducing traffic congestion – 26%• Providing more choice to get to and from places throughout the region –
SnapShot October 31, 2011 Submitted By: Jackie ShumakerJackie Shumaker Photography Denver Denver’s Sema Construction upgrades the Union Pacific Railroad Arvada Double Track. Construction photographer Jackie Shumaker used a Canon EOS-1D Mark II N with a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 USM lens set at f/8, 1/250 sec. and ISO 200. “The scene reminded me of a time gone by,” Shumaker says. “I chose black and white to emphasize the romance of the railroads and the workers, past and present, who build them.” Photographer: Jackie Shumaker
Denver Water has hired Julie Anderson as director of customer relations and Sally Covington as director of public affairs. Anderson joined Denver Water as manager of customer care in 2008. Before that she was group manager of consumer affairs at Molson Coors Brewing Co., where she oversaw all North American contact center operations from 2001 to 2008. Covington joins Denver Water from Denver International Airport, where she worked for 11 years, most recently as deputy manager of aviation marketing and government affairs. Her expertise is in local, national and international media relations; marketing; public relations; and government affairs. Steve Parkerof
On The Scene October 31, 2011 Bill Ritter Former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter spoke at the unveiling of the dedication stone for the new History Colorado Center in Denver on Oct. 7. The ceremony marked the end of a two-year construction period for the $110.8-million museum. Other officials in attendance were, from left, Gov. John Hickenlooper; Lieutenant Gov. Joe Garcia; David Tryba,principal at Denver’s Tryba Architects; Bill Mosher,principal and area director for project manager Trammell Crow Co.; Jerry Morgensen, chairman emeritus at Greeley, Colo.-based Hensel Phelps Construction Co.; and Ed Nichols, president and CEO of History Colorado. Photo Courtesy Of
Nov. 4, 2011 Courtesy of History Colorado Former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter spoke at the unveiling of the dedication stone for the new History Colorado Center in Denver on Oct. 7. The ceremony marked the end of a two-year construction period for the $110.8-million museum. Other officials in attendance were, from left, Gov. John Hickenlooper; Lieutenant Gov. Joe Garcia; David Tryba,principal at Denvers Tryba Architects; Bill Mosher,principal and area director for project manager Trammell Crow Co.; Jerry Morgensen, chairman emeritus at Greeley, Colo.-based Hensel Phelps Construction Co.; and Ed Nichols, president and CEO of History Colorado. Photo courtesy of City
McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Cos., recently released its annual construction forecast for 2102, which predicts that overall U.S. construction starts for next year will remain essentially flat. The level of construction starts in 2012 is expected to be $412 billion, following the 4% decline to $410 billion predicted for 2011. The construction industry has struggled to see recovery take hold over the past couple of years. After plunging 24% in 2009, new construction starts leveled off in 2010 and have hovered within a set range during 2011, said Robert Murray, vice president of economic affairs, McGraw-Hill Construction.“The backdrop
The new owner of Denver’s landmark Emerson School, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, kicked off the property’s $3.2-million sustainable renovation on Oct. 13. Courtesy of SLATERPAULL Architects The Emerson School, completed in 1885, is located at 1420 Ogden St. in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood. A major part of the project is the geothermal heating and cooling field being installed under the old elementary school’s rear parking lot. Colorado Geothermal Drilling recently started boring thirty 300-ft-deep holes for the geothermal and expects to finish in a week or so.“We want to demonstrate how to make an older building sustainable,” said
RTA Architects McGraw-Hill Dodge Construction outlook for Colorado Springs area for the near future. McGraw-Hill Dodge Colorado Springs is likely to see a flat construction market next year. 19 S. Tejon St.Colorado SpringsPresident:Randy ThorneEmployees: 24Founded: 1975What's New: The firm is working on a $20-million OR/OB expansion at Parker Adventist Hospital and a $7.5-million renovation and addition at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind.City GrillSteve BachMayor Colorado Springs“We have an abundance of assets in Colorado Springs, from unsurpassed outdoor recreational opportunities and a diverse cultural landscape to strong business and military institutions,” Bach says. “We are also a very
At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $424.7 billion, new construction starts in August advanced 8%, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Cos. The gain followed a 10% decline in July, and continued the fluctuating pattern that’s been present in recent months. The pickup for total construction in August was the result of greater activity for each of construction’s three main sectors. For the first eight months of 2011, total construction on an unadjusted basis was reported at $274.8 billion, down 6% from the same period a year ago.The August statistics lifted the Dodge Index to 90 (2000=100),