Balfour Beatty hires new senior VP for Houston division

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Balfour Beatty Construction announced named John Waltz as senior vice president for the Houston division’s Large Projects group. In this role, he will help the company grow its presence in Houston as a leading contractor for vertical construction projects. “We”ve had great success providing clients with interior construction services in the Houston area for 31 years,” said Steve Mechler, president of Balfour Beatty Construction’s Houston division. “John brings additional strength to the growing Large Projects group in our Houston office, helping us to expand our operations and better serve our clients.” Balfour Beatty Construction’s Houston division began as SpawMaxwell Company, … Read more

Filed under: Movers & Shakers, News

Architecture Billings Index Remains Positive for Fourth Straight Month

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Led by the commercial sector, the Architecture Billings Index has remained in positive territory four months in a row. The ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the February ABI score was 51.0, following a mark of 50.9 in January. This score reflects a slight increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 63.4, up from mark of 61.2 the previous month and its highest reading since July 2007. “This … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, News

New ADA Rules in Effect for Commercial Renovation, New Construction

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CHICAGO, Ill. — New Americans with Disabilities Act regulations originally announced in 2010 officially took effect March 15. Property owners will now be required to meet these expanded regulations for renovation or construction projects, or risk ADA-compliance lawsuits. To help owners and operators avoid legal fees and civil penalties, the Jones Lang LaSalle Project and Development Services group, together with LCM Architects, a leading national architecture and design firm specializing in ADA-friendly design, offers an ADA-compliance platform. This construction-management program assists owners in achieving ADA compliance and is particularly focused on the needs of multi-site property portfolios. The Jones Lang … Read more

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FMI Releases Q1-2012 Construction Outlook Report

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RALEIGH, N.C. — FMI released the first-quarter, 2012 Construction Outlook Report. FMI’s forecast for total construction put in place in 2012 is a 5 percent increase compared to 2011, or $826.3 billion. The last time construction put in place was at this level was 2000-01. Despite slow growth projections and rising gasoline prices, the GDP is still growing and consumers are still spending, reflected in the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index increasing to 70.8 in February compared to 70.4 a year ago. Along with the Federal Reserve’s intervention, these factors have served to keep growth slow and inflation in check. … Read more

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Arlington’s Pentagon Renovation Wins Grand Award for Best Construction Project of 2011

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HONOLULU — Arlington’s Pentagon renovation project was the most significant construction project of 2011, the Associated General Contractors of America announced. As a result, the project’s contractor, Hensel Phelps Construction Co., was the grand award winner while 15 other firms received the association’s Alliant Build America Award in other categories. “These projects demonstrate the qualities that have made the construction industry great: hard work, ingenuity and world-class skill,” said Kristine Young, the association’s president and the CEO of Des Moines, Iowa-based Miller the Driller. “Contractors like these are not only building exceptional projects, they”re building a better, more prosperous America.” … Read more

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