Florida’s transition to more efficient and clean energy production hit a speed bump in January when Juno Beach, Fla.-based FPL Group said it would immediately halt work on approved nuclear and modernization projects that collectively totaled as much as $20 billion. The sudden move came on the heels of the state Public Service Commission rejecting FPL’s requests for rate hikes totaling more than $1 billion. FPL Group Chairman and CEO Lew Hay cited the decision as evidence of a deteriorating regulatory climate in Florida that “is increasingly hostile to investment.” The largest projects are two additional nuclear units at the

Florida is looking to the private sector to bankroll high-speed rail. The state’s proposal for federal funding anticipates that private-sector funding would cover all operations and maintenance expenses for a planned line between Orlando and Tampa. State transportation planners aren’t committing any state funding to the system for the foreseeable future. Despite widespread enthusiasm for the project, the president of the Florida Transportation Builders Association is worried about high-speed rail’s long-term impact on state transportation funding, especially since the state has no dedicated funding source for a rail system. “There doesn’t appear to be any recognition at all of the

The PBSJ Corp., the Tampa architect-engineer, confirms an internal probe into whether its subsidiary PBS&J International Inc. violated U.S. law in pursuing projects overseas. The parent firm, which ranks No. 30 on ENR’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms with $594.3 million in 2008 revenue, disclosed the investigation in a Dec. 30, 2009, filing to the federal Securities and Exchange Commission. It said it could not file on time its required year-end annual report for 2009 because its board was seeking “to determine whether any laws have been violated, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, in connection with certain

Snapshot   January 5, 2010 Our editors are everywhere�at all the industry events that matter most. When They're not speaking on panels, they're busy taking notes�and snapping photos�so they can inform their readers about what was said and who was there. The restoration of the Coweta County Courthouse in Newnan, Ga. The restoration of the Coweta County Courthouse in Newnan, Ga., included a complete replacement of the dome’s copper cladding to match historical details, says the architect, Lord, Aeck & Sargent, Atlanta. The courtroom was also restored to its original colors and finishes. Selective demolition helped reveal many of the building’s

On The Scene   January 5, 2010 Our editors are everywhere�at all the industry events that matter most. When They're not speaking on panels, they're busy taking notes�and snapping photos�so they can inform their readers about what was said and who was there. Florida Marlins Ballpark Florida Marlins Ballpark Workers with LPR Construction, Loveland, Colo., recently began jacking the roof trusses off their shores for the retractable roof of the $515-million Florida Marlins Ballpark in Miami. To accommodate the anticipated 10 in. of vertical and 6 in. of simultaneous horizontal deflection as the shore loads are removed, the roof panel was

Related Links: In November, Value of New Contracts Fell 32% in North Carolina BJAC Awarded Contracts with UNC-Wilmington, UNC Hospitals PCL Construction Donates $10,000 to Second Harvest of Metrolina The value of new South Carolina contracts signed in November for future construction fell by just 2%, compared to the same period of a year ago, for a monthly total of about $521.9 million. The nonresidential sector declined the most, dropping by 17% to tally $155.3 million. The residential sector also fell, by 4%, for a total of roughly $224.8 million. The nonbuilding sector surged by 25%, however, to total $141.9

Related Links: Value of Georgia’s New Contracts Fell 24% in November CONRAC Opens at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Benning Construction to Build New Community Center Terminus 200 Awarded LEED CS Gold Certification A design/build team that consists of Melbourne, Fla.-based BRPH Architects-Engineers and Lifecycle Construction Services of Washington, D.C., was awarded an $11.5-million contract for an 88,000-sq-ft Readiness Training Center at Fort Gillem. The facility will house several units of the Georgia National Guard and will include administrative offices, training areas and storage buildings. Antiterrorism measures and sustainable design features will be included, with a goal of LEED Silver certification.

Related Links: Value of New Florida Contracts Increased 10% in November Willis A. Smith to Expand Ringling Museum, Rebuild Booker High Martin Marietta to Build Aggregates Terminal at Port Manatee Miami’s Master Plan Named AIA “Urban Design of the Year” Zyscovich Designing New Miami Dade College Classroom Facility FaverGray Awarded Four New Projects SIKON Construction of Deerfield Beach is building a 13,800-sq-ft Blue Bell Creameries Distribution Center in Delray Beach. The panelized steel structure was designed by Gresham, Smith and Partners of Birmingham, Ala. The project is slated for completion at the end of 2010.

Related Links: Value of New Florida Contracts Increased 10% in November Martin Marietta to Build Aggregates Terminal at Port Manatee Miami’s Master Plan Named AIA “Urban Design of the Year” SIKON Construction to Build Distribution Center in Delray Beach Zyscovich Designing New Miami Dade College Classroom Facility FaverGray Awarded Four New Projects Sarasota-based Willis A. Smith Construction has been hired to handle the expansion of the Circus Museums at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota. The expansion will add 24,475 sq ft to the existing Circus Museum’s Tibbals Learning Center. This addition will include 12,000 sq

Related Links: Value of New Florida Contracts Increased 10% in November Willis A. Smith to Expand Ringling Museum, Rebuild Booker High Martin Marietta to Build Aggregates Terminal at Port Manatee Miami’s Master Plan Named AIA “Urban Design of the Year” SIKON Construction to Build Distribution Center in Delray Beach Zyscovich Designing New Miami Dade College Classroom Facility Construction manager FaverGray of Jacksonville has been awarded four new construction projects in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, for a combined total contract value of $23.2 million. In Gainesville, Fla., FaverGray is building two projects: the Estates at Sorority Row, a 28-unit, 48,154-sq-ft