Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed SB 1307 Tuesday night in an attempt to counter a 2012 bill and prevent the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from asserting its federal oversight role over all industries in Arizona — including residential and commercial construction — but only time will tell whether it will be enough. Mark Minter, executive director of the Arizona Builders Alliance says SB 1307 is a “conditional repeal” action of SB 1441, passed in 2012, that will only go into effect if OSHA follows through on a “show cause” letter delivered to the Industrial Commission of Arizona in March.

It’s smart to hedge high-risk bets, especially in Las Vegas. The Southern Nevada Water Authority did just that by buying a builder’s risk policy prior for the $817 million third intake project at Lake Mead. Backed by a half dozen reinsurers, the policy offers up to $650 million in loss coverage on a $10 million premium. The water authority bought it from Lloyd’s of London through Marsh LLC, New York City, after a year of discussion and research.Insurance proved a prudent bet as the project has grappled with flooding delays, cost overruns and a worker fatality. The agency last month

The construction job count edged upward in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada during the month of February. In Arizona, there were about 126,000 construction jobs in February up from 125,500 in January, reflecting a 3.6% year-over-year increase on the month. The state’s overall unemployment rate was 7.3% in February, down from 7.5% in January. Arizona’s civilian labor force numbered about 3,006,200, up from 3,004,300 in January.“In Arizona, job growth in particular with regard to construction, statewide we are seeing a bit of a bounceback in the construction industry,” said Robert Carreira of southeast Arizona’s Center for Economic Research at Cochise

From December to January, construction jobs were slightly down in Nevada and Arizona, and slightly up in New Mexico, according to statistics made public this week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Nevada, there were about 59,500 jobs in January up from 58,300 jobs in December, and reflecting a 4.4% year-over-year increase on the month. The state’s overall unemployment rate was 8.7% in January, down from 9% December. Nevada’s civilian labor force numbered 1,367,600 in January, up from 1,364,700 in December.In Arizona, there were about 125,000 construction jobs in January, down from 125,300 construction jobs in December, while

Bob Harper, vice president of Gilbane Building Co., has rejoined the firm's business unit in Phoenix as senior business development manager after three years in Houston. He has worked at Gilbane for 44 years.Harper Related Links: Engineering News Record Architectural Record Edward "Ned" McKnight has joined Shepley Bulfinch as a senior member of its health care design practice in Phoenix. McKnight is a member of the American Institute of Architects.Paul Kinne has returned to Panattoni Development Co. as development manager in Reno. He had been vice president of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada and had been at Panattoni

Kenneth Bowyer of All Crane Rental of Florida won the 2014 MCM & CIC Crane Operator Skills Championship last week in Las Vegas, Nev., beating out other operators from throughout the U.S. and Canada, including two entrants who qualified at CONEXPO-CON/AGG. By John Guzzon An operator navigates a barrel through a slalom course during the MCM & CIC Crane Operator Skills Championship last week in Las Vegas, Nev. By John Guzzon James Tom of Bakers Welders and Crane, Zanesville, Ohio measures his skills against a simulator at the CIC booth at CONEXPO-CON/AGG March 3. First runner-up is Bruce Gay, a

Tres Amigas and Broadview Energy recently announced agreements have been reached in a move designed to guarantee the viability of the project that backers hope will lead to the development and construction of up to 500 megawatts of wind energy generation in northeast New Mexico. Minneapolis-based NRS LLC is the manager/developer for Broadview Energy, with currently has about 2,000 megawatts in active development around the country, and a history of successful wind farm development, principally in Midwest and Western states.“Our associate, Robert Walker, has been working on acquiring the transmission path from New Mexico to California for several years,” said

The 13-story Art Deco Professional Building at Central Avenue and Monroe Street in the heart of downtown Phoenix has been sold to CSM Corporation and will be converted into a premium select-service hotel. Image courtesy CSM Corporation Rendering of the Professional Building at Central Avenue and Monroe Street in downtown Phoenix. The building originally opened in 1932, housing the offices for Valley Bank and Trust and the Maricopa County Medical Society above. It is traditional Art Deco style with strong vertical lines, a central tower with setback wings and windows, and decorative grills above the main entrance. at Monroe Street

Two painters died late Wednesday morning when their boom lift tipped over at the Lower Buckeye Jail in Phoenix. The lift, owned by H&E equipment, was parked on a hill and the men were painting a six-story building, said Lt. Brandon Jones, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. The lift had been placed on a downhill slope on the jail's northwest side. The men were working for Riddle Painting and Coating, a contracted vendor.Inmates in the recreation yard of the county jail facility saw the painters fall and reported it to correctional officers. The men were transported to

 SydnorDouglas B. Sydnor has joined Gensler's Phoenix office as a senior architect. Sydnor is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects and has more than 35 years of experience in the Phoenix area, most recently as president and CEO of Douglas Sydnor Architect and Associates in Scottsdale. He received a master's degree from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University. Related Links: Engineering News Record Architectural Record  HaggDouglas Haag has been promoted to chief administration officer for Sundt Construction. He joined the firm in 2010 as director of administration. Haag will lead the company's strategic management