The Georgia World Congress Center Authority announced April 30 that it has signed a $35-million contract with 360 Architecture of Kansas City, Mo., to design a $1-billion, operable-roof stadium for the Atlanta Falcons. The GWCCA owns and operates the Georgia Dome and other downtown properties. Related Links: The Southeast Schemes Up Super Stadium Plans Atlanta's Construction Market Making a Comeback Bid "360's creativity and qualifications made them the best fit for this project, and we believe they will put us in the best position to deliver the ultimate game day experience for our fans," Atlanta Falcons President and CEO Rich

Florida’s largest electric utility has completed the installation of 4.5 million "smart meters," a project funded partly by $200 million in U.S. Dept. of Energy grants from the 2009 stimulus law. Photo courtesy FPL Florida Power and Light Co. recently completed the installation of 4.5 million smart meters, an effort funded partly by a $200-million grant from the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Related Links: At Cape Canaveral, FPL Stages a Powerful Launch Senate Holds Confirmation Hearings on EPA, DOE Nominees In announcing the finalization of the smart grid enhancements, Juno Beach, Fla.-based Florida Power & Light Co. stated that it

A lack of inspections and improper erection—including double-tee beams that lacked welds and columns that were not grouted—were factors in the Oct. 10 collapse of a parking garage under construction at Miami Dade College in Doral, Fla., that killed four workers, according to citations issued April 8 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Photo by Robert Hernandez, courtesy Miami-Dade Fire Rescue The Oct. 10 collapse of a portion of a parking garage under construction at Miami Dade College killed four workers. Related Links: Fla. Garage Project Suffers Collapse, Killing Four In all, OSHA issued citations for six "serious"

President Obama’s March 29 visit to PortMiami—the site of a $1-billion tunnel project financed partly by private funding—gave him the opportunity to promote ways of increasing both public and private funding for infrastructure. Noting the locale of Obama’s infrastructure push, Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) criticized the president for federal inaction on funding for a high-priority dredging project at the Miami port. Photo courtesy Parsons Brinckerhoff President Obama used his March 29 visit to PortMiami to renew his call for increased public and private spending on infrastructure projects. Related Links: Port Of Miami Tunnel Project Features Big Challenges WRDA Bill

 GEORGEJeff George has joined Gilbane Building Co. in Atlanta as director of corporate and commercial markets. The firm says it expects to see increased construction activity in the Southeast markets. George, a 30-year industry veteran, spent the past seven years as a vice president with Balfour Beatty Construction, Atlanta. He also previously worked for Hardin Construction. Related Links: Southeast People News Randy Larson Takes the Wheel for Ride of a Lifetime Brian Keane, Marcus King and Daniel Curtis have joined the infrastructure team of Merrick & Co.'s office in Charlotte. The firm says it is experiencing growth in the civil

Gerald Seeber, the Tampa Bay Water general manager who urged the utility to pursue an expensive and as-yet unsuccessful lawsuit against HDR Engineering over cracking at its reservoir, has told the group he is seeking employment elsewhere. Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Water The $129-million renovation of Tampa Bay Water's 15.5-billion gallon reservoir in Lithia, Fla., kicked off Feb. 8. A few days later, it was announced that current general manager Gerald Seeber would be stepping down. Related Links: Tampa Bay Water General Manager Job Listing Facing New Sinkhole Concerns, Tampa Bay Water Cancels Reservoir Expansion Tampa Bay Water Opts for

Last year, when single-handedly driving his motor coach across the country -- covering about 20,000 miles in the process -- to most of engineer Professional Service Industries' roughly 100 offices, the big danger Randy Larson faced wasn't the driving conditions. It was the possibility that the five-month outreach and team-building tour by the Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., firm's new president might become "The Larson Show." It was something "we really had to guard against," he says. Photo by Scott Judy Randy Larson, president of Professional Service Industries, hit the road in 2012 to visit as many of his new company's employees

Utility Duke Energy announced on Feb. 5 that it is canceling previous plans to repair its damaged Crystal River nuclear plant in Citrus County, Fla. Instead, the company says it will build a new natural-gas powerplant elsewhere in the state to replace the retired 914-MW facility. Photo courtesy Duke Energy Progress Energy Florida initiated a project to replace generators at the Crystal River nuclear plant, but the work caused cracking in the containment dome. Attempts at repair failed. Related Links: Crystal River's Controversial Repairs Central to Duke Energy Hearings Duke Study: Crystal River Repairs Could Hit $3.4 Billion Does Ouster

  KRISTIANSENAlexander Kristiansen has joined architectural firm BJAC in Raleigh, N.C., as director of health care. Kristiansen will lead the design and management of health care projects. He has spent much of his career focused on health care facilities and has international project experience. Related Links: 2013's Top 20 Under 40 Class ENR Southeast: People Peter Tuffo has joined Suffolk Construction to serve as vice president of west coast operations in Fort Myers, Fla., as the company seeks to expand its reach into the state's southwest region. Tuffo has more than 15 years of industry experience and previously served in

For many contractors and designers working in the Southeast, 2012 will likely be remembered as the year in which the industry finally began to bounce back from the economic doldrums. Related Links: Georgia Announces 'Go Build' Program Construction of $1.3B SunRail Project Kicks Off Jury Verdict for HDR is Setback for Tampa Bay Water Crystal River's Controversial Repairs Central to Duke Energy Hearings Congress Seeks Answers About Orlando VA Project The Port of Miami Tunnel's Breakthrough Moment $1B Atlanta Intermodal Project Wins Federal Acceleration Georgia Tax Vote Delivers Only Small Boost for Roadbuilders GC Vows Thorough Probe of Garage Collapse