Nonresidential Construction Spending Continues to Grow Through Mid-Summer

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Nonresidential construction spending expanded 0.5 percent in July and is up 12.7 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to a Sept. 1 release by the U.S. Census Bureau. This represents the strongest year-over-year percentage growth in spending since April 2008. On a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis, nonresidential construction spending totaled $696.1 billion in July, which is the best reading since March 2009. Additionally, June's estimate was upwardly revised 0.9 percent from $686.9 billion to $692.8 billion. “A number of forces are at work and are conspiring to help push nonresidential construction spending higher,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist … Read more

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Michael Kaufmann Joins PREMIER Design + Build Group

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ITASCA, Ill. — Michael Kaufmann has recently been hired as an assistant superintendent for PREMIER Design + Build Group, LLC, with a focus on  projects in the firm’s Northeast division. Kaufmann has worked as a builder and developer in New Jersey since 1983. He has served as a facility and site manager for the past seven years, taking on an increased workload and managing successful projects for a variety of clients. Kaufmann is key in the construction of a new 263,415-square-foot industrial spec building underway in Union, New Jersey. In this role, he is helping turn an 18-acre site with … Read more

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Sundt Completes Interdisciplinary Complex at Orange Coast College

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COSTA MESA, Calif. — Sundt Construction, Inc. recently completed construction of the new Interdisciplinary Complex at Coast Community College District's Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California. The $38-million project provides students and staff with a 200-station open computer lab, 11 mixed-use computer teaching labs, lecture classrooms for the business and math departments, administrative offices, meeting rooms, a workroom, lounge and study areas. Totaling 78,000 square feet, the three-story facility designed by LPA Architects features an intricate exterior skin comprising architectural concrete, exposed structural steel, plaster, metal panels and curtainwall. To successfully integrate the various skin materials, Sundt's team required … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Moves Higher in August

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NEW YORK, N.Y. — The Dodge Momentum Index increased to 128.3 (2000=100) in August, up 2.8 percent from its July reading of 124.8, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The index 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. Planning data continues to trend higher following a weak start to the year, in response to improving economic data and real estate market fundamentals, which bodes well for construction spending through the first half of 2016. The August … Read more

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Treasure Island Resort and Casino Reopens Tradewinds Buffet

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Treasure Island Resort and Casino and Knutson Construction recently celebrated the completion of the $7-million, 16,000-square-foot remodel of the Tradewinds Buffet. Planning for the project began in February 2015 and its grand re-opening was held Sept. 3. Located inside the resort and casino in Welch, Minnesota, the project presented many challenges, including a complete remodel of the buffet while the surrounding casino and adjacent kitchen remained fully operational. A full-height partition wall was built to protect and separate visitors, guests and staff from the construction area. A temporary buffet was built and utilized by guests and visitors … Read more

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