Federal agents found illegal workers hiding at a big federal construction project in Orlando. Related Links: Hiding Illegals? In a Confined Space? Say It Isn’t So! U.S. immigration agents, returning Feb. 9 to a site they had previously visited earlier the same day, discovered six illegal workers hiding in the ceiling of the Orlando Veterans Administration Medical Center, which is under construction. The agents, part of the Dept. of Homeland Security, and the Orlando Police Department received an anonymous tip that “illegal immigrants were stuck in a storage container somewhere on the construction site.� The caller indicated the hidden subjects

An arbitration panel overseeing a dispute between the general contractor and owner of a Jacksonville, Fla. garage that collapsed during construction has announced initial findings in favor of the contractor. Choate Construction Co. of Atlanta announced Feb. 7 that the panel ruled in its favor on all issues. Choate had faced claims related to the collapse and for breach of contract. The contractor also stated that it had received favorable rulings on its claims for breach of contract and wrongful termination. Berkman Plaza II LLC, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based developer Harbor Cos., was the owner of the 413-space parking garage

PENNELL Metromont Corp., a Greenville, S.C.-based provider of precast/prestressed concrete building systems, announced earlier this month that it has acquired a majority interest in Royal Concrete Concepts of West Palm Beach, Fla. RCC manufactures custom precast concrete modular building systems for residential, educational, commercial and military projects. The Florida firm’s product line includes unitized modules for residential construction that are shipped virtually complete with all components and finishes, including cabinetry, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, windows and doors. The company’s manufacturing facility has the capacity to build 25 three-bedroom houses per day. SANGER "The investment in RCC allows us to further diversify

A large, defunct crane company is gearing up for a second act.

MOSS Scott Moss has been named president of Moss & Associates, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., which is in the initial phase of a multiyear transition. Moss began his career as a project engineer with Centex Rooney. He most recently served as vice president of Moss. Dan Kaufman has become president of R.J. Griffin & Co., headquartered in Atlanta. Kaufman most recently served as manager of the company’s South Division, also in Atlanta. Jack Nix Jr., formerly president and CEO, will continue as CEO only. Mike Bartlett will serve as executive vice president and COO after David Paris Jr.’s retirement. Melanie Parks

The overall value of new Georgia construction contracts dropped by 1% in October, for a total of roughly $921.9 million, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" The month’s residential contracts were estimated at $314 million, or 22% ahead of the same period of a year ago. The other two markets fell, however. The nonresidential category declined 2%, for a total of $352.8 million. Nonbuilding contracts, which include infrastructure and civil work, dropped 17% to tally $255.1 million. For the year to date, Georgia contracts are estimated at $9 billion, or 8% down

Manhattan Construction Group’s Florida subsidiary, Kraft Construction Co. of Naples, has changed its name to Manhattan Kraft Construction. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" The management and organization of the company is unaffected by this change. Manhattan Construction Group acquired Kraft Construction in 2008.

The Korte Co. of St. Louis has been awarded a $15.3-million contract to design-build the Fort Bragg Troop and Family Medical Clinic project. div id="articleExtrasA" div id="articleExtrasB" div id="articleExtras" Scheduled to be completed by summer 2012, the 51,000-sq-ft, two-story facility will provide a range of medical support for soldiers and their families.

The Miami Art Museum broke ground in December for its new Herzog and de Meuron-designed facility in Downtown Miami’s Museum Park, next to the future home of the Miami Science Museum. The new museum is scheduled to open in 2013. Photo By Juan Cabrera Taking part in the recent groundbreaking for the new Miami Art Museum facility were, from left: Thom Collins, MAM Director; Miami-Dade County Commission Audrey M. Edmonson; MAM Board of Trustees Chairman Aaron Podhurst; Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez; Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally A. Heyman; Miami-Dade County Manager George M. Burgess; and Christine Binswanger, senior partner with