The September report of the Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) from the National Association of Credit Management fell in September to 54.9 from 56.7. While still firmly in the growth category, this is the lowest reading in nearly two years. Not even the “Polar Vortex” months of bad winter weather early in the year were as weak, NACM says. The collapse was felt in a variety of categories. “This was not a small reversal of fortune by any stretch of the imagination,” said NACM Economist Chris Kuehl. “This could be termed a collapse, and it begs a very important question—which is
The U.S. construction industry added 16,000 jobs in September, according to the Oct. 3 Bureau of Labor Statistics preliminary estimate. The August estimate was revised downward from 20,000 to 16,000 net new jobs. Nonresidential construction added 3,200 jobs in September, accounting for only 20% of the total gain in construction employment. “After a disappointing August jobs report, this new data reaffirms the ongoing momentum in the broader national economy,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The release also confirms that nonresidential construction’s expansion continues to be a moderate one, with the industry adding only a few thousand
Nonresidential construction spending slipped in August, according to an Oct. 1 release from the U.S. Census Bureau. Nonresidential construction spending shrank 1.2% on a monthly basis in August but has still managed to expand 6% year-over-year. Spending for the month totaled $603.7 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis. The government also revised the July spending figure down from $617.8 billion to $611.3 billion. “This is why it is never a good idea to get excited about one month’s worth of data,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “After a significant acceleration in spending in July, the
With the recent hire of White Construction Group, Castle Rock, Colo., as CM/GC, the Stanley Marketplace project team is in place. The adaptive reuse of an abandoned manufacturing building in Aurora, Colo., into a mixed-use development could also fuel other rehab projects in the area, Aurora officials say. Rendering by gkkworks The new marketplace that will house several restaurants, a beer garden, local retailers, offices and community programs. The retail project, located in Aurora’s “Opportunity Triangle” between Stapleton, Lowry and the Fitzsimons Medical Campus—is the brainchild of developer Flightline Ventures.For years, the 133,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility and the 22 acres surrounding
The U.S. General Services Administration recently released a report designed to help the Army attain net-zero energy by employing high-impact energy-efficiency strategies. The report presents the findings of a green-building demonstration project completed at Fort Carson near Colorado Springs, Colo. As a flagship in the Army's Net Zero Initiative, Fort Carson has set a net-zero-energy goal for the entire base by the year 2020, which means that the base—home to approximately 900 buildings equaling about 14 million sq ft of real property—will need to generate as much energy as it consumes by then.As part of GSA’s mission to green the
Colorado-based Honnen Equipment, a John Deere construction equipment dealer with locations in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and southern Idaho, celebrated the grand opening of its new 60,000-sq-ft, full-service facility at 1380 S. Distribution Dr. in Salt Lake City on Sept. 18. Photo courtesy of Honnen Equipment Co. The Honnen Equipment opening included tours, an equipment rodeo contest, vendor displays and product demonstrations. The event included tours of the parts warehouse, shop and rebuild area as well as an equipment rodeo contest, vendor displays and product demonstrations.The fully stocked, expanded parts warehouse and increased capacity service shop and rebuild area will provide
The Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Confidence Index (CCI) increased across all three indices in the first half of 2014. The CCI reflects construction industry prospects using three measured categories—revenues, profit margins and hiring. Each index now stands at a post-recession high, implying that nonresidential construction’s recovery, already robust, is positioned to continue into the year ahead. During the first six months of 2014 (readings above 50 indicate growth):• Sales expectations rose from 63.2 to 68.2• Profit margin expectations expanded from 57.5 to 60.3• Staffing level intentions moved higher from 62.2 to 65, indicating acceleration in hiring going forward.“A number
The Colorado Ballet has completed a long-awaited move into its new home at 1075 Santa Fe, on the north end of Denver’s Santa Fe Art District. The move from the ballet’s former home of 20 years to the expansive new facility brings to life artistic director Gil Boggs’ vision for the largest resident dance company in the state. The new space will also help to establish a center for dance in the state. Image courtesy of Semple Brown Design The new space for the Colorado Ballet in Denvers Santa Fe Arts District is comprised of eight studios as well as
The Denver Botanic Gardens opened it new $6-million Science Pyramid to the public on September 18. The 5,258-sq-ft pyramid will showcase the research being done at the gardens on contemporary botanic and environmental issues, as well as topics like global steppe climates. Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin, courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens Thirty panels on the pyramids high-performance faade feature photovoltaic collectors to gather energy for interior exhibits. The new space empowers visitors to become citizen scientists and do their part as ambassadors for global conservation as a part of the Botanic Gardens’ broader mission. Various projects conducted under the Botanic
Odyssey Elementary, slated to become the greenest school in the state, opened its doors to students August 25 in Woods Cross, Utah. The building can function as a net-zero facility, generating all its own electricity, and is on track to achieve LEED-Gold certification. The owner, Davis School District, is pushing the envelope for 21st century schools. In traditional schools, teachers are often limited in their pedagogical approaches by the classroom and the building in which they teach.Not so at Odyssey. The school has flexible spaces that can be easily moved or adjusted to meet student and teacher needs. It was designed around
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