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
Denver’s Golden Triangle Construction (GTC) celebrated in September its 35th year in the construction industry at the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter, a building constructed by GTC in 2011 and designed by Animal Arts in Boulder. Photo courtesy of GTC At 36,040 sq ft, the new Denver Municipal Animal Shelter, built by GTC, more than doubles the size of the original shelter. In attendance were many of the clients and architects that GTC has worked with over the years. Pet adoptions throughout the evening were sponsored by GTC, and one lucky pup even found a new home with one of GTC’s
Denver’s JE Dunn Construction celebrated the mid-September topping out of Trimble’s Westminster building project. Trimble currently has 164 locations, but the new 125,000-sq-ft, four-story building and research center located at 10368 Westmoor Dr. will be the first to be owned by Trimble. The company’s new location will also house all of its existing employees, with space to accommodate up to 570 people. Photo courtesy of JE Dunn Construction JE Dunn erected the final piece of steel at Trimbles new Colorado headquarters in Westminster on Sept. 10. Rendering by OZ Architecture/Courtesy of Trimble Trimbles new 125,000-sq-ft, four-story building in Westminster will accommodate up
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.
The first phase of construction on a University of Colorado Boulder campus utility project that will provide efficient heating and cooling while significantly reducing the university’s carbon emissions began in late August, with utility work and construction staging on the south side of campus. The project is expected to be complete in the winter of 2014 and involves three major components: renovation of the campus power house on 18th Street; construction of a separate, new heating and cooling plant; and installation of new utility distribution systems.“Safe, reliable and efficient energy is crucial for providing uninterrupted power that supports CU-Boulder’s educational
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Denver International Airport commemorated a significant construction milestone of the South Terminal Redevelopment Program on August 29. Elected officials, travel and aviation industry members and employees impacted by the program all gathered to witness the ceremonial release and transfer of the Jeppesen Terminal roof tension cables to temporary structures that will support the tents for the duration of construction. Photo courtesy of City and County of Denver Denver Mayor Michael Hancock led the late August ceremonial transfer of the Jeppesen Terminal roof tension cables to temporary structures that will support the tents for the duration
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