SpeharDavid Spehar has been named corporate building information modeling lead with architect-engineer Stantec Inc. Spehar, who works in Stantec's Cleveland office, will continue developing and communicating a comprehensive BIM strategy for the 12,000-employee firm. Related Links: ENR Midwest ENR StormGary A. Storm has been promoted to senior principal with the Kansas City, Mo., office of structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti. Storm has more than 30 years of structural engineering experience, with an emphasis on the design of long-span roof structures for stadiums and arenas as well as in conducting investigations of collapsed and distressed structures. He also has experience
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans on Saturday to redevelop the sites of a pair of coal plants shuttered in last month, citing potential light-industrial, residential, commercial or retail uses for the two parcels. During his 2011 campaign for the mayor's office, Emanuel vowed to order the plants upgraded or closed due to their proximity to residential neighborhoods. According to a study by the National Research Council, emissions from the plants annually resulted in $120 million in health damages to area residents. Prior to their closure, the facilities reportedly were the last of their kind to operate in a major
After four consecutive months of declines, demand for architectural design services ascended into positive territory in August, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architectural Billing Index (ABI). AIA reported an August ABI score of 50.2, up from 48.7 in July. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.The new projects inquiry index was 57.2, up from 56.3 in July.As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lag time between architectural billings and construction spending.AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker says the August figures don't necessary herald a turnaround for the
Northwestern University has announced plans to proceed with construction of a $220-million complex for athletic and recreational activities at the north end of its campus in Evanston, Ill. Plans also call for renovations to the existing Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris Aquatics Center and Henry Crown Sports Pavilion. “This new plan will provide greatly enhanced recreational facilities for all of our students, increased parking at the north end of campus and improved areas for our athletic programs,” said Morton Schapiro, Northwestern president, at a Saturday news conference. “This is a game-changer in every regard for the University.”At the same
The Chicago Circle, the nation's worst bottleneck for trucks and one of the worst for automobiles, is slated for a $384-million overhaul that could begin as soon as 2014. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is developing plans to relieve congestion at the 50-year-old, circular interchange, where traffic from three area expressways, including I-90, I-94 and I-290, converge just west of Chicago's Loop.“We're looking at a complete structural replacement and a reconfiguring of the interchange itself,” IDOT Project Manager Steve Schilke told reporters Thursday. In addition to increasing capacity, plans call for extending merge and weaving distances.A joint venture of
Construction employment declined in the majority of states in July, with most Midwest states proving no exception to the trend, according to new data compiled by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America. Illinois lost the most jobs of any state in the nation, some 9,800 in all, or a 5% decline over the same period last year. Missouri (-9500 jobs),Wisconsin (-6,900 jobs) and Michigan (-6,100 jobs) also logged substantial losses in July. Only Indiana registered significant year-over-year employment gains in the Midwest, adding 9,500 jobs to its ranks, the fifth largest gain in the nation as a percentage of
Average construction backlogs rebounded in the U.S. in the second quarter, with Midwest states logging a quarter-to-quarter increase of .39 months, according to newly released data from the Washington, D.C.-based Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). However, the Midwest continues to lag other regions. While Midwest states registered an average backlog of 6.73 months in the second quarter, the figure fell short of the 8.75 months logged in the South, 7.50 months logged in the West and 7.28 months logged in the Northeast. Midwest backlogs also dropped .21 months from the same period a year ago.The national picture proved brighter, with
The Midwest remained a tale of two regions in June, with Indiana, Minnesota and Ohio logging solid construction employment gains during the month and Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin logging substantial losses, according to year-over-year data compiled by the Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Job losses in the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville metropolitan market were the worst in the nation (-5,600 jobs, -5%), followed by New York City (-5,500 jobs, -5%); New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, La. (-5,100 jobs, -16%); Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. (-4,800 jobs, -9%) and Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y. (-4,700 jobs, -% percent).The Indianapolis-Carmel and Akron, Ohio, markets logged the region's greatest gains, with
Entries for ENR's Best Projects 2012 Competition have surpassed the 500 mark, an indication the program is gaining greater industry support in several regions of the nation. Many regions, including the Midwest, Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, California and Texas & Louisiana continue to actively solicit entries for the two-tiered program, which honors excellence in 18 categories ranging from office, health care and cultural/worship to industrial, landscaping and transportation.Projects first compete in one of nine regional contests, with expert panels of design and construction professionals evaluating projects on the basis of five criteria, including teamwork, safety and innovation. This fall, winning projects in
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has indicated it intends to investigate a July 23 construction accident that killed an Indianapolis worker in the parking lot of an apartment complex. A worker on site lowered the arms of a skid loader, unaware that Ronald Davenport was standing on the side of the machine, where he was pinned between the arm of the skid loader and the frame.Davenport was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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