"Build America Bonds" Program Generates $44-$50B in New Construction, AIA Says

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AIA Calls for Renewal of Program to Spur Job Creations in Design and Construction Industry  WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Institute of Architects has called on Congress to renew in full the Build America Bonds program, in the wake of an AIA estimate that it generated between $44 to $50 billion in new construction activity and jobs in the last two years alone. By providing an attractive tax-credit bond to a wide range of investors, the program exceeded most expectations, and more than $180 billion in municipal debt was issued through the BABs program in 2009 and 2010. Under the … Read more

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McCarthy Building Companies Begins Demolishing Former March Air Force Base Hospital

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Demolition Marks Final Stages of Deconstruction, Makes Way for $3.3 billion March LifeCare Campus RIVERSIDE/MORENO VALLEY, Calif. — McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., one of the premier hospital builders in the U.S., has begun demolishing the former March Air Force Base (AFB) Hospital to make way for construction of a $3.3 billion, 200 acre medical, “health and wellness city” known as March LifeCare. A ceremony to mark the final stages of deconstruction at March AFB and kicking-off demolition of the 190,000 sq. ft., five-level military hospital tower was held on March 28. The event included speakers, a military fly-over, and a … Read more

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AGC Names 39 Firms as Nation's Safest Construction Companies

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The Associated General Contractors of America named 39 firms as the nation's safest construction companies. The association, which oversees the Construction Safety Excellence Awards, an annual ranking of construction safety programs, noted that these companies were recognized for the strength of their safety programs and overall safety performance during 2010. “For the construction industry, protecting employees is a top priority,” said Ted Aadland, the association's past president and the CEO of Portland, Oregon-based Aadland Evans Constructors, Inc. “Completed projects don"t mean anything if worker safety is compromised.” Aadland said these companies were selected because of their strong commitment to safety. … Read more

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Seattle Hospital Engages Visitors in Construction Progress with "Where's Waldo" Game

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In order to engage patients, families and visitors in the construction progress of its expansion, Seattle Children's Hospital has launched a Where's Waldoâ„¢ game. The hospital, along with Sellen Construction, invites visitors to the site to find Waldo and win a prize. Construction began after the Seattle City Council voted to approve Seattle Children’s growth plans, providing the nearly at-capacity 250-bed hospital the ability to add an additional 350 beds in four phases over the next 20 years. Children’s opened its Northeast Seattle campus in 1953 and has worked closely with neighbors over the years to minimize the impact of … Read more

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Another State Approves NCCER's Mobile Crane Operator Certification Program

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GAINSVILLE, Fla.— The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) has been approved as a mobile crane operator certifying organization for the State of Washington. NCCER's Mobile Crane Operator Certification Program is accredited by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and recognized by OSHA, The Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) and The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Any organization that is an NCCER Mobile Crane Endorsed Accredited Assessment Center can administer the Mobile Crane Operator Certification Program, which consists of written assessments and practical examinations that meet or exceed current ASME B30.5 consensus safety standards and OSHA 29 … Read more

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