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),
Colorado business leaders’ outlook on the economy has turned negative heading into the fourth quarter, according to the most recent quarterly Leeds Business Confidence Index, or LBCI, released earlier this month by the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business. Confidence decreased in all six economic categories measured by the index, with hiring plans leading the decline. For the fourth quarter of 2011, the LBCI posted a reading of 47.3, down from 51.6 in the third quarter, according to Richard Wobbekind, Leeds School economist and executive director of the Business Research Division, who conducts the quarterly survey. “Unfortunately, this quarterly
In Colorado there are two types of mechanic’s liens, and understanding the difference between them is critical for both owners and contractors. One type provides for mechanic’s lien remedies to those who supply labor, materials, services and other lienable benefits for the improvement of property, under contract with a property owner or the owner’s agent. We will call that a “Section 101” lien—the section of the Colorado mechanic’s lien statute that creates the remedy. The other lien type arises when construction work is contracted by someone other than the property owner (for example, a tenant) and when the owner fails
Construction spending increased by 1.4% between July and August and was up 0.9% compared to August 2010, the Associated General Contractors of America in a recent analysis of new Census Bureau data. Association officials noted that despite this month’s increases, public-sector activity has declined even as private-sector demand has steadily increased this year. “There is no doubt that declining public-sector demand for construction is dragging down the entire construction industry,” AGC CEO Stephen Sandherr said. “If it wasn’t for the modest increase in private sector demand, the hard-hit construction industry would be in much worse shape this year.”Sandherr noted that
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined sharply in August, remained essentially unchanged in September. The index now stands at 45.4 (1985=100), up slightly from 45.2 in August. The Present Situation Index decreased to 32.5 from 34.3. The Expectations Index edged up to 54.0 from 52.4 last month.Consumers’ assessment of current conditions weakened further in September. Those claiming business conditions are “good” decreased to 11.7% from 14.1%, while those claiming business conditions are “bad” remained virtually unchanged at 40.4%.Consumers’ appraisal of employment conditions, however, was mixed. Those claiming jobs are “hard to get” increased to 50.0% from 48.5%,
At its early October meeting, the Denver Board of Water Commissioners voted to increase water rates for 2012 to provide funding for the utility’s capital projects. The new water rates will take effect in January and will help the utility stay on top of projects to address its aging infrastructure. The water rates for 2012 will reflect a 5.5% increase for all customers. Denver Water says the effects of the proposed changes on customer bills will vary depending upon the amount of water the customer uses and whether the customer lives in Denver or is served by a suburban distributor
The Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo., Airport will receive a $221,500 grant from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation to develop a program that will allow travelers checking in there to change planes at Denver International Airport without undergoing further security screening. The airport was selected as one of 29 other airports out of 70 total applicants competing for funding made available through the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). The money is targeted specifically to develop the “wingless flight program,” as well as enhance the airport’s ability to understand current area transportation needs and promote the commercial air transportation potential for
History Colorado celebrated a building milestone in early October with the on-schedule and on-budget completion of construction on the new History Colorado Center—just one year after it topped out. The $110.8-million, 200,000-sq-ft state-owned facility will be a 21st Century museum, educational and tourist destination when it opens to the public next spring. Courtesy of History Colorado Center At the October 7 completion ceremony, an inscribed block of limestone was installed on the buildings exterior to honor Gov. John Hickenlooper (far left), former Gov. Bill Ritter (at the podium) and the 2008 Legislative Assembly, which helped fund the project. The History
The developers of the SWAN Ranch mixed-use project in southeastern Wyoming knew from the start their odds of success were good because of the property’s prime location just south of Cheyenne. Then they got lucky. Courtesy of Anderson Mason Dale The new 27,000-sq-ft Wyoming Welcome Center, being built by Sampson Construction Inc., was designed by Denvers Anderson Mason Dale Architects to blend with its environment, including manmade landforms and tree lines. The 4,000-acre development, which contractors believe is currently the largest in the state, is situated near Interstates 25 and 80, and served by the Union Pacific and BNSF railroads.“As
The Associated General Contractors of Colorado has received more than 35 ACE Awards entries submitted by 26 AGC member companies. Winners will be honored at the ACE Awards Banquet on November 4 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Colorado Convention Center Hotel, from 6 – 11:30 p.m. Courtesy of AGC of Colorado and Haselden Construction The new 34,000-sq-ft science building on Denver's Auraria campus, built by Haselden Construction, consolidates the science offices, classrooms and teaching facilities for CU-Denver, Metro State College and CCD into one location. Here are the entries and the firms who submitted them. Contribution to the Community• Brown-Schrepferman &
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