ABC Releases February Construction Spending Data

National nonresidential construction spending declined 1 % in February, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.179 trillion. Spending was down in a monthly basis in 15 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending fell 0.9%, while public nonresidential construction spending was down 1.2% in February. “Virtually every nonresidential construction segment experienced a decline in spending in February,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “In certain instances, the monthly decline was sharp, including healthcare (-2.2%), commercial (-1.9%) and water supply (-1.8%). … Read more

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Linc Housing Starts Construction on Supportive Housing for People at Risk of Homelessness

Construction is underway on North Harbor Apartments, a Homekey development that served as interim housing and is now being transformed into 87 supportive housing apartments for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. The development is one of four Homekey sites for Linc Housing, with a total of 393 new affordable and supportive homes in Orange and Los Angeles counties in California. In February 2023, Linc finished the first phase of the project when it transformed the former Studio 6 Motel into interim housing. This next phase will take the previous 119 rooms and completely renovate the building … Read more

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New AI Resource Guide Available for Contractors

Associated Builders and Contractors has released an artificial intelligence technology guide for the construction community, which includes definitions, construction use cases and considerations. The purpose of the guide is to provide a level of knowledge to ensure contractors can be active participants in the construction AI conversation. The guide describes uses of AI during the construction project lifecycle, including preconstruction, construction and building maintenance. It also provides definitions of terms, such as deep learning and predictive AI, as well as best practices in drafting office AI policies. “The possibilities of AI technology may sound endless, but we must first educate … Read more

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Phelps Construction Group Begins Ellis Island Museum Renovations

Phelps Construction Group has begun the renovations to the National Museum of Immigration on Ellis Island in New York harbor, a project for The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation working in partnership with the National Park Service. Phelps was selected by the foundation as the construction manager during the early stages of the project. Working alongside the architect, Highland Architects, and the exhibit designer, Ralph Applebaum Associates, Phelps has played a role in the design development, determining how to bring the museum up to current standards while preserving the historic fabric of this national monument. The phased renovations to the 137,000-square-foot … Read more

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MindForge to Host Virtual Q&A on Communication Efficiency in Construction

MindForge, a software platform streamlining communication for the construction industry, will host a free virtual Q&A session noon ET Thursday, March 28 on resolving onsite conflict, battling worker poaching and jobsite leadership gaps. In this 45-minute session, MindForge founder Stokes McIntyre and construction performance coach Perry Maughmer will talk through the mounting pressures specialty contractors face. Hear from Maughmer on how he coaches construction and specialty contract leaders to navigate all the above — and more. For more information or to register for the session, visit mindforge.live/huddle-session. About MindForge MindForge is a software platform that helps everyone on a construction … Read more

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