When the recession hit, CCI Mechanical Inc. of Salt Lake City decided not to change its pricing strategy, enter new markets or chase work outside its core focus. Instead, the mechanical contractor chose to stay the course, honoring its long-standing commitment to customer service. Photo courtesy of CCI Mechanical CCI Mechanical served as the HVAC and plumbing contractor for Salt Lake City's Public Safety Building, the new home for the city's police, firefighters and emergency dispatchers. Photo courtesy of CCI Mechanical CCI Mechanical performed the HVAC and plumbing work for City Creek Center in downtown Salt Lake City, a mixed-used

Despite a series of recent reports that the U.S. economy finally seems to be on firm ground and trending upward, the 2014 outlook for the construction sector remains mixed and riddled with questions. Related Links: Slow, Steady Job Growth Forecast for Colorado in 2012 2013 Will Finish Strong, Simonson Says An early December report from the U.S. Labor Dept. showed that the nation's gross domestic product rose 3.6% in the third quarter, unemployment dropped to 7%—the lowest point in five years—and the country created 203,000 jobs in November. The growth in GDP was well above the 2.8% increase that had

U.S. Engineering Co. has emerged as a regional and national leader in the efficient offsite prefabrication of mechanical components and in the multi-trade collaboration needed to assemble them. Related Links: St. Joseph Hospital Will Have Big Economic Impact 2013 AGC/C ACE Awards Winners The Colorado offices of the mechanical contractor have recently tackled some of the state's largest and most complex health care projects. Those include a $47.6-million contract working with general contractor Haselden Construction at the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) New Inpatient Tower and Critical Care Wing Expansion in Aurora, Colo., and a $76.8-million contract to provide mechanical

After experiencing two solid years of recovery in 2012 and 2013, the region's specialty contracting sector is anticipating slower growth, but not a pullback, in 2014. Many of the old issues remain: stiff competition for jobs, lower-than-desirable margins and slow pay practices from some owners. Add to that new concerns about labor shortages for skilled workers, more regulation and uncertainty surrounding the impact of the Affordable Care Act. But then the good news: More work is available, materials prices have stabilized and most firms have solid recovery plans. Photo courtesy of Cache Valley Electric Cache Valley Electric did the electrical,

Nearly 50 years since the last neighborhood streetcars rumbled though Salt Lake City, the S-Line marks the return of that transit option to the city. The first phase of the project eschews the street for a reclaimed rail corridor with green space and trails. Photo by Brian Fryer The S-Line uses the same vehicles as the TRAX light rail system, with some modifications to the exterior. Inside, the cars have more room for standing passengers and bicycles. With a blast of celebratory fireworks and the sounding of a train bell, officials from the Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake and South

Gov. John Hickenlooper joined Colorado Dept. of Transportation and federal, state and local officials to preview the new eastbound Interstate 70 Twin Tunnel bore near Idaho Springs on Dec. 7. 
After just eight months of rock blasting, rock bolting and paving, the third lane of eastbound I-70 between east of Idaho Springs to U.S. 6, including through the Twin Tunnels, opened to traffic. Photo courtesy of CDOT The $106-million Twin Tunnels Project added one eastbound lane. Photo courtesy of CDOT This is the first of several projects designed to improve safety and mobility along the I-70 mountain corridor. 
“The I-70

The Children’s Hospital recently marked completion of its new Colorado South Inpatient Facility in Lone Tree, Colo. A ribbon cutting was held on December 4 at the CHC South facility, and the first patients arrive on December 19. Rendering courtesy of Davis Partnership The four-story, 180,000-sq-ft, full-service hospital includes inpatient, outpatient and emergency services. The facility is a four-story, 180,000-sq-ft, full-service hospital that includes inpatient, outpatient and emergency services. Other components of the project comprise a main-level entry that opens up to a two-story glass atrium, complete with food service for patients and families.Imaging, emergency and surgical departments are all

Mortenson Construction marked completion of the concrete construction of Charles Schwab’s new Colorado campus with a topping-out ceremony at the project site on November 1. Photo courtesy of Mortenson Construction The steel structure for the retail building was also topped out at the ceremony. Each of the two approximately 220,000-sq-ft office buildings was topped out. The ceremony was attended by all 250 workers on site. When complete, the two LEED-Gold-targeted office buildings will have the capacity to house approximately 2,800 employees.The campus also includes an amenities building that connects the two office buildings, as well as a separate 17,000-sq-ft retail

Colorado-based contractor White Construction Group is partnering with Humphries Poli Architects of Denver and the Elitch Gardens Historic Theatre Foundation to restore one of the classic landmarks of northwest Denver, the Elitch Gardens Theatre. 
  Photo courtesy of White Construction Group In addition to life-safety and other infrastructure upgrades, this phase of the project includes renovations to the scene-changing pit and backstage structures. 
Built in 1891, the Elitch Theatre was a prominent part of Colorado culture for a century, hosting performers such as Grace Kelly, Douglas Fairbanks, Edward G. Robinson, Mickey Rooney and Robert Redford. The theater screened Colorado’s first

The Denver Broncos broke ground on Nov. 19 for a significant facility expansion and renovation of the team headquarters at Dove Valley south of Denver. Rendering by Sink Combs Dethlefs and Intergroup Architects, courtesy of Saunders Construction An aerial view of the new practice facility, which will be built on the west side of the Broncos existing workout facilities at Dove Valley. Rendering by Sink Combs Dethlefs and Intergroup Architects, courtesy of Saunders Construction The facilitys full-length field, locker rooms and football service area will be accompanied by meeting spaces, a video production room and a Broncos retail outlet store.