A county corner has determined the June 13 death of a construction worker at the Deep Rock Tunnel Connector (DRTC) site in Indianapolis was the result of a head injury. Twenty-five-year-old William Simpson died of “massive crushing blunt force traumatic injury of the head,” Alfarena Ballew, chief deputy Marion County coroner indicated Monday. Although Ballew ruled the injury an accident, it remains unclear how the incident occurred. Simpson was killed more than 250 feet below grade while working on an overnight shift for the project, an eight-mile tube utility Citizens Energy Group (CEG) is constructing eliminate raw sewage overflows. Simpson,
Utility officials say it is unclear whether the death of a construction worker at the Deep Rock Tunnel-Connector (DRTC) site in Indianapolis was the result of an accident or a medical condition. Twenty-five-year-old William Isacc Simpson died more than 250 feet below grade early Friday morning while working on an overnight shift for the project, an eight-mile tube intended to help prevent raw sewage overflows when completed in 2017. Simpson, one of eight to 10 workers excavating the tunnel when the incident occurred, was employed by a joint venture of Walnut, Calif.-based J.F. Shea Construction Co. Inc. and Omaha, Neb.-based
Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs on Tuesday unveiled new plans for renovations to Wrigley Field that will add $75 million to the project, originally budgeted at $500 million. Updated renderings were released less than a week after Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts indicated he had broken off negotiations with 15 neighborhood rooftop owners, who threatened to sue over a 5,000-sq-ft video board and other outfield signage included in original plans, approved by the city in 2013. Revised plans call for four additional signs and a second video board, which would further block views from surrounding rooftops. Rooftop owners, who have spent
Architectural billings remained mired in negative territory for a second-consecutive month in April, despite optimism that business conditions are improving, according to the American Institute of Architects Architectural Billings Index Although the national index rose from 48.8 to 49.6 from March to April, only scores above 50 denote an increase in billings. The Midwest logged a slight increase, from 46.6 to 47, for the same period. Other regions logged dramatic downturns, with the East falling from 46.8 to 42.9 and the West from 50.7 to 48.9. Only the South remained in positive territory, rising from 52.8 to 57.5 between March
The intersection of Clark Street and Wacker Drive marks the spot where Chicago's housing boom screeched to a halt in early 2008, a casualty of a looming credit crisis. This summer, the location will mark the latest chapter of the market's turnaround. Following a 10-year odyssey, crews are applying finishing touches to a high-rise that has swapped owners, occupancies and design concepts. For four years, the bulk of its 30-story podium—a concrete shell—stood idle after financing for the remaining 65 floors fell through. Related Links: Digging Deeper: Orangutan Sanctuary Builders See Forest From the Trees Digging Deeper: Fast-Tracked Pellet Plant
Many of the Midwest's top design firms saw mild to moderate improvement in revenue last year, though prosperity in the region wasn't on par with business growth in the South, West and Southwest.
TraceyTim Tracey has been promoted to director of architect-engineer SmithGroupJJR's Chicago office, which employs 60 people. Tracey, previously design director for the office, is a member of the Lean Construction Institute Chicago Community of Practice Core Group. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening the office's holistic and integrated design process. Related Links: ENR Midwest People Showcase ENR People Cameron Trefry has been promoted to regional director and Dawn Riegel to director, interior architecture and design, with architect Ware Malcomb. Both are with the firm's Chicago office. ForceChristina Force has joined the St. Louis office of architect-engineer
Most Midwest states logged increases in construction employment in April, with Illinois and Indiana showing particular improvement following a tepid start to the year, according to year-over-year data compiled by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).By percentage, Michigan led the region (5,600 jobs, 4.3%), followed by Ohio (7,600 jobs, 4.2%), Missouri (4,000 jobs, 3.8%), Wisconsin (3,700 jobs, 3.8%), Illinois (5,200 jobs, 2.8%) and Indiana (-100 jobs, -0.1%).By comparison, Indiana shed 1,000 to 3,000 jobs in February and March. Job growth in Illinois was nearly flat, less than 1%, for the same period. Economists predict both states will benefit
After two consecutive months of growth, the American Institute of Architects Architectural Billings Index (ABI) plunged into negative territory in March, reflecting softening demand for design services in U.S. markets. The index slipped from 50.7 in February to 48.8 in March. Scores above 50 denote an increase in billings.“This protracted softening in demand for design services is a bit of a surprise given the overall strength of the market the last year and a half,” AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker indicated in a statement. “Hopefully, some of this can be attributed to severe weather conditions over this past winter. We
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