July Construction Starts Increase 6 Percent

  • Posted on

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The value of new construction starts in July advanced 6 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $728.1 billion, it was reported by Dodge Data & Analytics. Leading the way was a 26 percent jump by the nonbuilding construction sector, which reflected an improved level for public works and the start of two massive power plants, located respectively in California and New York. Residential building in July increased 8 percent, as multifamily housing rebounded after three consecutive monthly declines. Running counter was a 7 percent slide for nonresidential building following its … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: ,

Power UP Selected Finalist in 2017 Keystone Awards for Kiener Plaza Renovation Project

  • Posted on

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Associated General Contractors of Missouri has selected local electrical contractor Power UP as a finalist for its prestigious Keystone Awards. Power UP recently completed electrical installation work on a $24-million renovation to Kiener Plaza in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Award winners will be announced at the AGC’s Construction Gala in November. Closed since February 2016, the 3.5-acre Kiener Plaza re-opened on May 16 with a new playground, multiple fountains, native Missouri landscaping, benches, 140 trees, open gathering space and a large event lawn west of the Old Courthouse. The park was also expanded about eight … Read more

Filed under: NewsTagged with: ,

Dodge Data & Analytics’ Sweets Reaches 100K Building Product Listing Milestone

  • Posted on

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Sweets, Dodge Data & Analytics’ interactive building product database (http://sweets.construction.com/), now provides free access to updated metadata on over 100,000 products for AEC professionals researching, comparing, selecting, specifying and installing commercial products. Building on Sweets’ 100-year-old commitment to architecture, engineering and construction professionals, Sweets now offers the most comprehensive building product information resource in the industry, accessible online and via its workflow integration solutions—Sweets apps for Autodesk’s Revit and AutoCAD. With a registered user base of over 300,000, Sweets has the most up-to-date product metadata representing such brands as Allegion, Nystrom, Sloan, Armstrong and CertainTeed. Architects, … Read more

Filed under: ProductsTagged with: , ,

Construction Spending Decreases as Public Investment Tumbles, Private Outlay Grow Slows

  • Posted on

Construction spending in June declined from May but increased from a year ago as public investment shrank for nearly every type of structure, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that the significant declines in public-sector construction spending come at a time when much of the nation’s public infrastructure is deteriorating due to age or overuse. “Construction spending is still increasing overall but growth has become much more uneven across categories in recent months,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “There has been a steep decline in public … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: ,

ABC Reports Construction Input Prices Plod Higher, Energy Prices Down

  • Posted on

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction input prices increased .3 percent in July and are up 3 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonresidential construction input prices were in line with overall industry dynamics, increasing 0.3 percent for the month and 2.7 percent for the year. Eight of 11 key construction input prices rose in July. Among the inputs experiencing declines in prices were crude petroleum (down 8 percent) and natural gas (down 7 percent). Natural gas prices have fallen during four of the past six … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,