More than 2,000 construction jobs added in Arizona as Nevada and New Mexico report slight losses when seasonally adjusted.

The University of Washington-Tacoma completed renovations on the historic McDonald-Smith Building, Washington’s dogged convention center project faces further delays, MIT study validates Seattle concrete association’s claims, and more.

In our regular collection of news and notes from the construction herd in the Southwest comes.

After deliberations, the independent jury of industry professionals have selected 26 projects as worthy of an award in ENR Southwest’s annual contest.

Arizona-based masonry and concrete firm is selected by regional editors based upon skills, revenues and safety record.

Year-over-year, Washington ranks 11th and Oregon 9th in jobs added in the construction industry.

Despite strong gains, Nevada remains nearly 75,000 construction jobs short of pre-recession levels.

While overall employment in the southwest saw little growth in May, the construction industries in Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada joined 13 other states that all posted month-over-month and year-over-year employment gains in the sector.

Southwest Roundup: News items include employment issues at Tesla’s Gigafactory, Albuquerque’s ART Project plans, future plans for Metrocenter Mall and more.

Portland’s City Commissioner proposes a new tax to fund affordable housing, Union Pacific investment and derailment news and more.