Illinois added 12,000 construction jobs in November, placing it among the nation's top five gaining states for a third consecutive month, according to year-over-year data compiled by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Only Texas (47.300 jobs), California (40,800 jobs), Florida (34,900 jobs) and Washington (12,800 jobs) posted stronger showings for the same period, AGC data indicate.In October, Illinois added 14,800 construction jobs, the fourth largest gain among states in year-over-year comparisons. The state added 11,700 jobs in September, placing it third among states. On a percentage basis, Illinois (6.2%) placed 10th among job-gaining states in year-over-year comparisons,
Amid rumors that costs for a planned event center near Chicago's McCormick Place had skyrocketed 75%, the city's Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (McPier) on Tuesday awarded a $164-million contract for the facility, about 17% greater than originally budgeted. The contract, awarded to a team led by Clark Construction Group, Chicago, also calls for construction of a $391-million hotel in efforts to transform the area into an entertainment district and boost prospects for McCormick Place, the city's premier convention center. Among other uses, the 10,000-seat event center will host basketball games for DePaul University's Blue Demons.The center, designed by New
Illinois added 14,800 construction jobs in October, the fourth largest gain among states in year-over-year comparisons, according to data compiled by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Only Florida (38,900 jobs), Texas (38,500) and California (34,300 jobs) made stronger showings for the same period, AGC data indicate. Illinois additionally logged the fourth-largest percentage increase (7.8%) among states in October, followed by neighboring Wisconsin (7,000 jobs 7.2%).Other Midwest states, including Michigan (4,300 jobs, 3/3%), Indiana (3,500 jobs, 2.8%) and Missouri (1,700 1.6%), also added jobs in October, with only Ohio, (1,000, -0.5%) posting declines for the same period.In all,
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says he intends to use $49.3 million in tax incremental financing (TIF) to extend a proposed 2.1-mile street car line and finance infrastructure alterations for the $123.9-million project. Subject to approval by Milwaukee's Common Council and Redevelopment Authority, funds would finance a 0.4-mile lakefront extension added to original plans and, if required, the cost of relocating utility lines for the project. Earlier this week, Milwaukee sued the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, seeking to reverse a commission ruling requiring the city to finance the relocations rather than utilities and their ratepayers. The suit, filed with Milwaukee County
Midwest construction backlogs continued to rebound in the third quarter, rising from 6.42 months to 6.92 months – a 7.9% increase – in quarter-to-quarter comparisons, according to data compiled by Washington, D.C.-based Associated Builders and Contractors. Midwest backlogs additionally rose by 12.7% in quarter-over-quarter comparisons. Strong showings in the Midwest, West and Northeast propelled national backlogs to 8.8 months in the third quarter, an all time high, eclipsing the previous record of 8.5 months in the second quarter of 2014.“Recent data regarding nonresidential construction and employment has shown only sporadic gains, which is consistent with the less optimistic backlog readings
Obituary: Related Links: People Showcase Industry Job Postings James W. Cox, 79, senior vice president at Cox Design Associates, Chicago, died on July 7 in Evanston, Ill., the firm told ENR on Oct. 27. The cause of death was heart failure, says President Robert Cox, brother of James Cox. At his death, James Cox was active on several health care projects. "His attention to the human aspects of design work always included animated spaces that focused on bringing light and textures into the built environment," Robert Cox says.
Major metro areas across the region saw significant increases in construction employment in September, according to year-over-year comparisons compiled by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America. In raw numbers, the Chicago metro area posted the nation's fourth strongest showing, adding 9,000 jobs (7%) during the period. By comparison, Cleveland added 6,100 jobs (17%), St. Louis 5,100 jobs (8%), Indianapolis 3,300 jobs (7%), Milwaukee 2,100 jobs (8%), and Detroit 1,600 jobs (8%), Only Houston (13,500 jobs, 7%), Los Angeles (10,100 jobs, 9%) and Dallas (9,900 jobs, 9%) outperformed Chicago in September. In all, construction employment increased in 236 out of
Chicago-based Cronus Chemicals indicated Wednesday it intends to construct a $1.4-billion fertilizer plant in Tuscola, Ill., about 20 miles south of Champaign, Ill., an undertaking that will bring between 1,500 and 2,000 construction jobs to the region. Tuscola competed for more than a year for the project against Mitchell County, Iowa. Cronus initially evaluated more than 75 potential sites in nine states before narrowing the field to Illinois and Iowa. It is unclear whether Cronus received incentives to locate the plant in lllinois. FutureGen Industrial Alliance Inc., a global consortium power producers and electric utilities, previously considered the Tuscola site
The Illinois Department of Transportation on Tuesday broke ground on the first phase of a $255-million project to restore passenger rail service between Chicago and the region's Quad Cities, located near the Illinois-Iowa state line. Initial work will focus on executing $23 million in track, signal and capacity improvements to accommodate additional trains at a BNSF rail yard in Aurora, Ill., once service between Chicago and Moline, Ill., commences. Additional work will involve grading and drainage upgrades, with renovations scheduled to conclude next summer. As planned, a future phase will include track, signal, station and rolling stock improvements on 53-miles
Consumer review service Angie's List Inc. plans to undertake expansion of its Indianapolis headquarters, including renovations to a 176,000-sq-ft former Ford manufacturing facility owned by Indianapolis Public Schools. The company, co-founded by Angie Hicks in 1995, also plans to construct a 1,000-space parking facility adjacent to its campus, sited on the city's east side. Angie's indicated the additional space will accommodate 1,000 new employees while consolidating an additional 800 from multiple area locations. The $40-million project is key to ongoing revitalization of the city's East Washington Street corridor, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard indicated in a statement. Indiana Economic Development Corp.
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