Florida is looking to the private sector to bankroll high-speed rail. The state’s proposal for federal funding anticipates that private-sector funding would cover all operations and maintenance expenses for a planned line between Orlando and Tampa. State transportation planners aren’t committing any state funding to the system for the foreseeable future. Despite widespread enthusiasm for the project, the president of the Florida Transportation Builders Association is worried about high-speed rail’s long-term impact on state transportation funding, especially since the state has no dedicated funding source for a rail system. “There doesn’t appear to be any recognition at all of the
Snapshot January 5, 2010 Our editors are everywhere�at all the industry events that matter most. When They're not speaking on panels, they're busy taking notes�and snapping photos�so they can inform their readers about what was said and who was there. The restoration of the Coweta County Courthouse in Newnan, Ga. The restoration of the Coweta County Courthouse in Newnan, Ga., included a complete replacement of the dome’s copper cladding to match historical details, says the architect, Lord, Aeck & Sargent, Atlanta. The courtroom was also restored to its original colors and finishes. Selective demolition helped reveal many of the building’s
Georgia: Peachy Again? There’s no doubt that 2009 was a tough year for Georgia contractors and design firms. McGraw-Hill Construction estimates the value of new 2009 contracts tallied just $12.2 billion, or 30% lower than 2008’s $17.5 billion—and less than half the amount generated during 2007. Related Links: 2010 Southeast Construction Outlook Florida 2010 Outlook North Carolina 2010 Outlook South Carolina 2010 Outlook The coming construction season should offer some relief. According to McGraw-Hill Construction, the total value of new Georgia construction contracts should jump by 24% overall and tally $15.2 billion. That’s still a historically modest figure, but likely
North Carolina: Mild Upturn The past year wasn’t anything to celebrate in the Tar Heel State, either. By McGraw-Hill Construction’s estimates, the value of new contracts fell 26% for a 2009 total of almost $14.2 billion, with residential (-39%) and nonbuilding (-27%) the most impacted construction types. Related Links: 2010 Southeast Construction Outlook Florida 2010 Outlook Georgia 2010 Outlook South Carolina 2010 Outlook An expected 5% uptick should equate to nearly $14.9 billion in new 2010 contracts in North Carolina, says McGraw-Hill Construction. As elsewhere, 2010 will be a mix of good news and bad news for North Carolina firms.
South Carolina: Surging? Boeing’s selection of South Carolina for its new final assembly plant for the 787 Dreamliner has this state feeling positive. Related Links: 2010 Southeast Construction Outlook Florida 2010 Outlook Georgia 2010 Outlook North Carolina 2010 Outlook McGraw-Hill Construction expects that to continue in 2010, as it predicts South Carolina to have the second-strongest percentage improvement in new contracts for states in the Southeast Construction region. The company forecasts a 16% overall increase, for a total value of about $8.4 billion for 2010. Again, however, that increase will only partially offset last year’s larger decline of about 30%.
Contractors are normally an optimistic breed. But with 2009 firmly cemented as the fourth straight year of declining prospects, they seem to finally be feeling a little down. Industry representatives interviewed for this story have apparently exchanged their normal cockeyed optimism for a more realistic perspective. Slide Show Southeast Construction posted a one-click online poll in November, with readers asked to classify their opinions about the coming construction season. The highest percentage, 30%, chose “declining slightly” to sum up their expectations for 2010. Overall, 49% predicted a downturn of some kind, while only 27% foresee an uptick in their business
The new year will likely bring considerably more pain to contractors and designers working in the Southeast Construction region, especially as firms focused on a still-declining commercial sector work off their thinning backlogs. Companies fortunate enough to be working in publicly funded markets should start to see some improvement in 2010, however. Related Links: Florida 2010 Outlook Georgia 2010 Outlook North Carolina 2010 Outlook South Carolina 2010 Outlook Southeast Industry Outlook National Outlook 2010 That’s the opinion of McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction, in its forecast for the four-state region of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The
Florida: Residential Rises? The previous year was definitely a stormy one for firms busy in the Sunshine State. McGraw-Hill Construction’s latest estimate for Florida’s 2009 construction activity predicts an 18% overall decline. This is the result of a 27% downturn in the state’s nonresidential projects as well as a 36% further retrenchment in the residential market. Fortunately for Florida firms, the nonbuilding sector buoyed the overall number somewhat, growing by a significant 35% during 2009. Related Links: 2010 Southeast Construction Outlook Georgia 2010 Outlook North Carolina 2010 Outlook South Carolina 2010 Outlook For 2010, McGraw-Hill predicts a 6% overall increase
Wastewater utilities and contractors and designers that work in the wastewater sector must be prepared to adapt to a changing regulatory environment and a volatile economy in order to stay afloat, according to speakers and attendees at the Water Environment Federation’s annual conference, held Oct. 11-14 in Orlando. Greater regulatory enforcement, the current economy, technology advances and the need for sustainability-based measures are clearly pressing WEF members to make short- and long-term changes. Related Links: ULI Presents Project of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Awards Baker Roofing Co. Launches Renewable Energy Division Maschmeyer Concrete Acquires Central Florida-based Company Peter Silva, assistant
Almost nowhere did the condominium market go boom quite like it did in South Florida, and Miami in particular. Thousands of units were under construction at any one time for a period of years, with glitzy events often held to celebrate the latest and greatest luxury condo to be announced or actually started. Photo courtesy the Rilea Group of Miami, the project developer. An aerial view of the 1450 Brickell project in downtown Miami. Coastal Construction Group is the general contractor. Photo courtesy Enclos Corp. Workers with Enclos Corp. attach a unit of the building's curtain-wall system, which project team
