Charles Keyes, a structural engineer with Martin/Martin Inc., is the 2013 recipient of the ENR Mountain States Legacy Award, given to an individual who has contributed significantly to the regional architecture-engineering-construction sector and the community. Photo courtesy of Martin/Martin Inc. Chuck Keyes stands on the construction site of Denver's Currigan Hall in 1967, where he led the structural engineering design for its patented space-frame system. Related Links: AIA Colorado Honors 2011 Award Winners ACEC Scholarships Keyes, 72, is beginning a "phased retirement" after 45 years at the Lakewood, Colo., firm and its predecessors. He is best known for his structural
The design profession and construction industry recently lost a valued and distinguished member when engineer Richard Weingardt died on Sept. 24 at the age of 75. Courtesy of ACEC Colorado Richard Weingardt Weingardt started his own structural engineering firm, Richard Weingardt Consultants Inc. (RWC) at the age of 27. To date, he and his firm have completed engineering for more than 5,000 projects. They include major engineering work on Denver International Airport, the Jefferson County Courthouse and projects throughout the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Korea. RWC continues its practice as one of Colorado's leading structural engineering firms.Weingardt served
The Colorado Dept. of Transportation recently completed inspections of the 491 bridges on the state highway system that were potentially damaged by recent flooding in northern and northeastern Colorado. Of the 491 bridges, 120 were determined to be stable but in need of repair. The remaining 291 are currently open with no need for repairs. After further inspection, some bridges were reported to have “notable damage,” but none were in need of replacement.“Early in the flooding it had initially appeared as though some of the bridges may have been destroyed when viewed by aerial photography,” said CDOT State Bridge Engineer Josh Laipply. “Once
New construction starts in September advanced 13% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $556 billion, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. Nonresidential building bounced back after losing momentum in August, and the nonbuilding construction sector was lifted by the start of several large power plants, which ran counter to the sharply downward trend for electric utilities that’s been present during 2013. For the first nine months of 2013, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were reported at $379.3 billion, up 2% from the same period a year ago. If electric utilities were excluded
Showing a steady increase in the demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index continues to accelerate, as it reached its second highest level of the year. 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 September ABI score was 54.3, up from a mark of 53.8 in August. This score reflects an increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 58.6, down from the reading of 63.0
Gov. John Hickenlooper and Colorado Dept. of Transportation Executive Director Don Hunt announced 44 partnership projects on Oct. 17 as part of the state’s Responsible Acceleration of Maintenance and Partnerships (RAMP) program. The projects total $580 million to expand the statewide transportation system. The RAMP program was created in December 2012 as a new approach to budgeting and planning to accelerate completion of transportation projects. “The innovative RAMP program will allow us to make critical improvements to our state’s transportation system,” Hickenlooper said. “These transportation improvements will increase the safety and access of our roadways. Also, these projects will boost
At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $490.2 billion, new construction starts in August advanced 2% relative to July, it was reported by McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. Residential building stayed on the upward track, and nonbuilding construction (public works and electric utilities) rebounded after its loss of momentum in July. At the same time, nonresidential building retreated from its improved July amount, continuing the up-and-down pattern present during 2013. For the first eight months of 2013, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis came in at $329.4 billion, up 1% from the same period a
The Colorado Dept. of Transportation selected on Sept. 23 four additional contracting teams to begin repairs on three major corridors as well as the highways east of I-25 that sustained damage during the floods. The goal is to complete temporary or permanent repairs to restore mobility on these state highway routes by December 1. The first three contractors were selected among 14 proposals, and the S.H. 72 contractor was selected among five competitors. All four contractors will begin work by conducting a full assessment of the areas this week with the help of CDOT engineers and bridge inspectors.The contracts are
Construction materials prices rose only 0.3% in August and are up 1.4% year-over-year, according to the Sept. 13 Producer Price Index release by the U.S. Dept. of Labor. In addition, nonresidential construction materials increased 0.5% for the month and are 1.2% higher than one year ago. “In a world characterized by additional looming warfare, fluctuating global currencies, rising U.S. interest rates and plunging gold prices, one would expect much more volatility in materials prices,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Despite all of those shifting factors, construction materials prices remain remarkably stable, which is noteworthy given the
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased slightly in August, decreased in September. The index now stands at 79.7 (1985=100), down from 81.8 in August. The Present Situation Index grew to 73.2 from 70.9. The Expectations Index fell to 84.1 from 89.0 last month. Consumers’ appraisal of present-day conditions improved moderately. Those claiming business conditions are “good” increased to 19.5% from 18.7%, while those claiming business conditions are “bad” decreased to 23.9% from 24.5%.Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was also more favorable. Those saying jobs are “plentiful” increased slightly to 11.5% from 11.3%, while those saying jobs
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