KBE Building Corp. Completes Second Commissary Project

  • Posted on

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — KBE Building Corporation has completed its second project for the federal Defense Commissary Agency — the new Commissary and Navy Exchange project in Annapolis, Maryland. KBE served as general contractor for the $27-million project, which included the renovation of the 51,000-square-foot Joint Commissary and the new construction of a 98,000-square-foot Navy Exchange with a 10,000-square-foot garden center. The Joint Commissary and Navy Exchange is a one-story building of brick and block exterior, steel frame and white membrane roof. The project is eligible for LEED Silver certification for the unique way it captures onsite rainwater. Roof pipes direct … Read more

Filed under: News

Architecture Billings Index Reaches Highest Mark Since 2007

  • Posted on

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The last three months have shown steadily increasing demand for design services and the Architecture Billings Index is now at its highest level since 2007. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the July ABI score was 55.8, up noticeably from a mark of 53.5 in June. This score reflects an increase in design activity (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 66.0, following a very … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, News

July Construction Employment Increases, Worker Availability Decreases

  • Posted on

Construction firms added jobs in 39 states from July 2013 to July 2014 and in 34 states from June to July, according to an analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the employment gains are good news, but that the pipeline of skilled craft workers, supervisors and other employees appears to be emptying rapidly. “The overall trend in construction employment has been very consistent in 2014, with more than three-fourths of states adding jobs each month on a year-over-year basis,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “However, growing numbers of contractors … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, NewsTagged with:

Delivery Systems Vary Widely in Benefits for Owners, Architects & Contractors

  • Posted on

NEW YORK, N.Y. — New research from McGraw Hill Construction published in its Project Delivery Systems SmartMarket Report reveals that while owners, architects and contractors in the buildings sector all agree that the choice of a delivery system on a project impacts project cost, schedule and the potential for overall client satisfaction, perspectives on which of the three established delivery systems can best deliver these and other benefits often vary widely by player. Established delivery systems include design-bid-build systems, in which owners hold a separate contract with the design firm and contractor on a project; design-build systems, in which one … Read more

Filed under: News

Turner Construction Company to Perform Classroom Modernization Project at Kramer Middle School

  • Posted on

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Turner Construction Company announced construction is underway on a $28-million modernization of Kramer Middle School in Washington, D.C., which has not seen a significant renovation since its original construction in 1943. “On this job we are putting more than $17 million in place in nine weeks, which is no small feat,” said Kaan Celebi, project manager. He continued, “I”m confident that we will pull it off for the students, the client and the community.” Scheduled for completion in phases, planned improvements include installation of a new elevator, build-out of IT and electrical closets, replacement of the … Read more

Filed under: News