Projections Reveal Nonresidential Construction Spending to Grow

  • Posted on

Spending on nonresidential buildings nationally increased only modestly last year, barely outpacing inflation in building costs. Halfway through the seventh year of continuous growth for the cyclical construction industry, 2018 might have looked to be the year that the industry would enter another recession. However, when polled at the beginning of this year, the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel—consisting of leading economic forecasters— instead saw acceleration in activity, projecting 4 percent growth in 2018 and a nearly equal 3.9 percent in 2019. “At the halfway point of the year, this panel is even more optimistic,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , , ,

Ground Broken on $25M Crown Valley Park Community Building in Laguna Niguel

  • Posted on

C.W. Driver Companies celebrated the groundbreaking of the Crown Valley Park Community Building, a 30,000-square-foot, three-story building in Laguna Niguel, California. The $25-million project marks the final phase of a three-tier improvement plan for Crown Valley Community Park, with full completion anticipated for spring 2020. The new facility will include offices, a multi-purpose room for up to 300 people, a kitchen, classrooms and other spaces designated for art, technology, dance and fitness. Adding to the building’s appeal is a rooftop patio overlooking the adjacent community pool. Integrated design firm LPA Inc. worked alongside C.W. Driver Companies to create a facility … Read more

Filed under: ProjectsTagged with: ,

New ‘Best Built Plans’ Program Can Help Reduce Strains, Sprains on Jobsite

  • Posted on

Manually lifting and moving heavy materials on jobsites can result in strain, sprain and related soft tissue injuries. These types of injuries are a leading cause of disabling injuries in the construction industry. Working with a community of practice that included researchers, insurers and industry stakeholders, CPWR’s Research to Practice and Training staff surveyed and interviewed contractors to understand the motivators and barriers to engaging in materials handling practices that would minimize the risks for these types of injuries. Based on their responses, CPWR developed a program, Best Built Plans, to provide contractors and workers with practical tools and information … Read more

Filed under: SafetyTagged with: , ,

Construction Adds 19,000 Jobs as Unemployment Plummets in July, Says ABC

  • Posted on

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. construction industry added 19,000 net new jobs in July after adding 13,000 net new jobs in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data supplied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry has added 308,000 net new jobs since the first of the year, a robust increase of 4.4 percent. The construction industry unemployment rate dove to 3.4 percent in July, recording its lowest level in the 18-year history of the series. The national unemployment rate for all industries inched down to 3.9 percent. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 13,200 net jobs … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Marks Completion of Lake County Court Tower

  • Posted on

WAUKEGON, Ill. – Clark’s Lake County Courts expansion project team, along with hundreds of community members including county judges and elected officials, gathered recently for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Lake County Court Tower in downtown Waukegan, Illinois. The new facility, which has opened to the public, will help improve the efficiency of the county’s justice system. The new Lake County Court Tower, an eight-story, 200,000-square-foot structure, features 12 new courtrooms, jury assembly space, administrative offices and space to accommodate future growth. Clark Construction, who is serving as the construction manager at-risk for the three-phase project, performed ten months … Read more

Filed under: ProjectsTagged with: ,