ACCEND Construction Welcomes Industry Veteran as General Superintendent

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ACCEND Construction LLC, a new general contracting firm with a fresh approach to commercial construction, has hired Tony Fontanetta as general superintendent. In his position, Fontanetta will oversee projects to ensure they are completed within budget, on schedule and in accordance with client specifications. Fontanetta will also ensure that jobsite safety and quality control are maintained during projects. Over the course of his 34-year career, Fontanetta has overseen 6.5 million square feet of construction including office interiors, hospitality and restaurant projects, new construction and heavy renovations. In his previous position, he helped oversee and grow the field from $0 to … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Inches Higher in March

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The Dodge Momentum Index increased 0.5% in March to 145.5 (2000=100) from the revised February reading of 144.8. The momentum index, issued by Dodge Data & Analytics, is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. The March uptick was due to a 2.8% increase in the commercial component of the momentum index, while the institutional component fell 3%. The overall momentum index has essentially moved sideways and stayed within a very narrow band of activity since the … Read more

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Technology, Innovative Strategies Key in Renovating Historic Sports Arena on Busy College Campus

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By Jim Yechout Accommodating constraints on a jobsite is nothing new for superintendents. But the $110-million, 18-month renovation of Northwestern University’s Welsh-Ryan Arena, located in Evanston, Illinois, posed a few more challenges in one project than usual. Compact jobsite, surrounded by other highly active buildings, walkways and sports fields College activities, students, coaches and others that required access to all sides of the jobsite Close proximity to a residential neighborhood Fast-track construction timetable aimed at being fully operational for the 2018 basketball season Historic renovation with intricate and complex selective demolition Although building a new facility could potentially have been … Read more

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New Findings on Contractor Use of Safety Best Practices Released

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A new report from CPWR and Dodge Data & Analytics, “Contractor Use of Best Safety Practices,” summarizes the results of two recent surveys that explored topics such as how frequently contractors engage in selected safety practices, differences between large-, small- and medium-sized contractors and use of Lean construction. In the case of Lean construction, the report found that familiarity with the concept has grown considerably. In 2013, when contractors were first surveyed about this concept, only 52% said they were familiar with Lean construction compared to 71% today. As shown in the accompanying chart, this report also found that contractors … Read more

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Associated Builders and Contractors Honors America’s Top Construction Projects

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Associated Builders and Contractors honored 92 projects collectively worth nearly $3.7 billion at the 29th annual Excellence in Construction Awards gala during ABC Convention 2019 in Long Beach, California. The EIC awards program honors both general and specialty contractors for innovative and high-quality merit shop construction projects. “ABC members and their employees continue to amaze me with their breadth of skills and craftsmanship,” said 2019 ABC National Chair Tony Rader, telecom vice president of National Roofing Partners. “From schools to manufacturing facilities, medical centers and hotels, this year’s variety of Excellence in Construction award-winning projects show not only the exceptional … Read more

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