The City of Phoenix Public Transit Department hired Kini Knudson P.E. as its new Deputy Director for Facilities. David Wagner Knudson brings over 13 years experience in the public sector, with more than six years as an engineer/ project manager in Phoenix Public Transit�s Facilities Division. Prior to joining the City of Phoenix, Knudson served as a naval officer in the United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps. He holds a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona, and a MBA from Arizona State University. Geotechnical & Environmental Services Inc. has hired David Wagner as their Ground Source
A second project to widen U.S. 60 (Grand Avenue), this time between 99th Ave. and Loop 303 in the northwest Valley, started in January. Crews will widen Grand by adding third lanes in each direction, along with intersection improvements to help with traffic flow. The $18-million project, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is being built by Markham Contracting Co. Inc. of Phoenix and is scheduled for completion in fall 2011. The project was originally estimated to cost $45 million, but competitive bidding lowered the actual cost, freeing funds for use on other highway improvements in
United Construction, a prominent Nevada general contractor, recently shuttered its 21-year-old Las Vegas division in response to the deepening recession. The Reno-based company notified employees of the decision on Feb. 10. United's local offices had been located at 5130 S. Valley View Blvd., Suite 100, in Las Vegas. The three remaining division staff members were laid off. Photo: United Construction United won best industrial project in Southwest Contractor�s Best of 2007 awards for this warehouse inside the ProLogis Park North master-planned business complex in North Las Vegas. �It was a surprise move, although we had been biting our nails for
About 55,000 people�a 16% yearly decline and the event�s lowest turnout since its 2007 peak of about 92,000�attended the annual exhibition held on Feb. 2-5. However, the thin crowd�s mood was more upbeat this year, visitors said, and exhibitors were selling more, too�a sign that the economic slump may be near the end. Photo: Tudor Van Hampton Fast-handed masons competed for more than $100,000 in cash and prizes in front of 4,000 spectators on Feb. 3 at the World of Concrete. Photo: Tony Illia Booth spaces shrunk this year, allowing smaller exhibitors to become more visible. Related Links: Stimulus to
Cement consumption will rise by 5.2% this year, aided by federal stimulus spending, according to Portland Cement Association�s chief economist, Ed Sullivan. He gave a 2010-14 forecast on Feb. 2 at the World of Concrete show in Las Vegas. Slide Show Photo courtesy of Hanley Wood. Chris Swanson of Rescue, Calif., demonstrates his artistry skills with decorative concrete by using acid etching and staining techniques to depict a unique cross design on a 10-ft by 10-ft slab. Related Links: Moods and Masons Rise At Annual Concrete Show Last year�s administrative delays releasing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will result
Voters in Bernalillo County, N.M. handily approved a total of $617 million in school construction funding during a special mill levy and general obligation bond election Feb. 2nd. Rendering: Claudio Vigil Architects The $24-million Food and Nutrition Services Building will be the first to be funded by the APS bond passage. The mill levy’s 68.3% ‘yes’ vote continues existing property taxes through 2015 while $225 million in general obligation bonds received 72.1% approval. “The focus with this money will be on renewal and renovation of our older schools,” says Karen Alarid, AIA, executive director of capital operations and director of
In its final report on the collapse of the Dallas Cowboy�s practice facility that injured 12 people, the National Institute of Standards and Technology recommends owners of other fabric-covered, tubular-steel-framed structures have their buildings evaluated. Photo: put photo credit here Summit Structures designed the University of New Mexico Indoor Practice Facility Photo: UNM Photo: UNM Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers, Albuquerque, which completed a report for the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, about its indoor practice facility, found that wind pressure could enter the steel-and-fabric building through openings in the structure and not escape. This would overstress the training facility. In addition,
Plans for a Southern Nevada national nuclear waste repository are all but kaput. The U.S. Energy Dept. said Feb. 1 it will withdraw its Nuclear Regulatory Commission application within 30 days. The move comes after DOE spent nearly three decades and $38 billion on waste repository tests and studies at Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The agency planned to store up to 77,000 tons of radioactive waste there from 80 sites in 35 states. Spent utility fuel and high-level defense waste would be placed in specially engineered containers housed inside a network of tunnels built deep within
Related Links: Nevada Contractors Association Names Award Winners EPA Recognizes Tempe for Smart Growth Achievements THOMAS Roger Thomas, LEED AP, senior project manager with Burke & Associates, was elected to the Las Vegas Chapter Board of Directors for the USGBC. Thomas is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a dual major in Forestry and Philosophy. Thomas is also a member of NAIOP and serves on their Sustainable Development Committee as well as the NV Energy Design Development Committee. BURKE Kevin Burke, President and CEO of Burke & Associates was named Chairman of the Nevada State Contractors Board. Burke has
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson recognized Tempe and three other diverse communities that are models of how to grow in ways that protect our nation’s air, land, and water; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; provide safe and affordable housing; and strengthen local economies. Related Links: Nevada Contractors Association Names Award Winners Burke & Associates Employees Selected for USGBC, NSCB and AGC Leadership Roles "Every year the Smart Growth Achievement Award winners show us new and creative ways to bring environmental sustainability to our communities -- and this year is no exception," says EPA Administrator Jackson. "Smart Growth has an important