Construction job losses in Chicago slowed in August after recording the highest spikes of any metro market in the nation in June and July, according to year-over year data compiled by the Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The last full month of summer proved the charm for Chicago, which lost 3,300 jobs in August, as compared to 5,000 jobs in June and July.In year over year comparisons, St. Louis (-5,100 jobs, -4%), Detroit (-3,000 jobs, -14%), and Milwaukee (-2,100 jobs, -8%) also logged losses in August, while Indianapolis (+3,300 jobs, +8%) continued showing signs of improvement. Cleveland

Illinois logged more construction job losses in August than any state in the nation, according to new data compiled by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). In year-over-year comparisons, Illinois lost 11,500 jobs in August, representing a 5.9% dip in the state's construction employment rate. August also marked the second consecutive month Illinois led the nation in annual employment declines.Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin also recorded substantial annual declines in construction employment in August. Indiana and Ohio, both beneficiaries of Detroit's resurgent auto industry, saw construction employment rise for the same period, with increases of 10,400 (8.7%) and 4,500

The design-build contractor for the $465-million Cleveland Medical Mart and Convention Center—which includes a 767,000-sq-ft replacement of Cleveland's underground convention center—says it is on course to complete its $355-million contract on budget and two months ahead of its scheduled Sept. 15, 2013, completion. The expected early finish is made possible, in part, by the use of a hybrid delivery system that merges bridging design-build with early participation of the design-build contractor and its major subcontractors in a design-assist mode. Related Links: Cleveland Medical Mart and Convention Center Cleveland Medical Mart and Convention Center Northeast Ohio The team also credits collaborative

  SpeharDavid Spehar has been named corporate building information modeling lead with architect-engineer Stantec Inc. Spehar, who works in Stantec's Cleveland office, will continue developing and communicating a comprehensive BIM strategy for the 12,000-employee firm. Related Links: ENR Midwest ENR        StormGary A. Storm has been promoted to senior principal with the Kansas City, Mo., office of structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti. Storm has more than 30 years of structural engineering experience, with an emphasis on the design of long-span roof structures for stadiums and arenas as well as in conducting investigations of collapsed and distressed structures. He also has experience

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans on Saturday to redevelop the sites of a pair of coal plants shuttered in last month, citing potential light-industrial, residential, commercial or retail uses for the two parcels. During his 2011 campaign for the mayor's office, Emanuel vowed to order the plants upgraded or closed due to their proximity to residential neighborhoods. According to a study by the National Research Council, emissions from the plants annually resulted in $120 million in health damages to area residents. Prior to their closure, the facilities reportedly were the last of their kind to operate in a major

For better and for worse, the Midwest is emerging as a tale of two regions: the one that is regaining momentum on the strength of a resurgent manufacturing sector and the other that is idling on the tracks of a derailed economy.

By late August, as the sun set on one of the most scorching summers in U.S. history, it became clear that Monroe, Ohio-based Baker Concrete Construction Co. just might achieve its goal of registering zero OSHA recordable incidents of heat-related injury or illness this season, despite punishing conditions on sites such as that of the new Meldahl Hydroelectric Plant, located east of Cincinnati.

After four consecutive months of declines, demand for architectural design services ascended into positive territory in August, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architectural Billing Index (ABI). AIA reported an August ABI score of 50.2, up from 48.7 in July. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.The new projects inquiry index was 57.2, up from 56.3 in July.As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lag time between architectural billings and construction spending.AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker says the August figures don't necessary herald a turnaround for the

Northwestern University has announced plans to proceed with construction of a $220-million complex for athletic and recreational activities at the north end of its campus in Evanston, Ill. Plans also call for renovations to the existing Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris Aquatics Center and Henry Crown Sports Pavilion. “This new plan will provide greatly enhanced recreational facilities for all of our students, increased parking at the north end of campus and improved areas for our athletic programs,” said Morton Schapiro, Northwestern president, at a Saturday news conference. “This is a game-changer in every regard for the University.”At the same

The Chicago Circle, the nation's worst bottleneck for trucks and one of the worst for automobiles, is slated for a $384-million overhaul that could begin as soon as 2014. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is developing plans to relieve congestion at the 50-year-old, circular interchange, where traffic from three area expressways, including I-90,  I-94 and I-290, converge just west of Chicago's Loop.“We're looking at a complete structural replacement and a reconfiguring of the interchange itself,” IDOT Project Manager Steve Schilke told reporters Thursday. In addition to increasing capacity, plans call for extending merge and weaving distances.A joint venture of