Several large public projects will continue to move forward in 2010, but with the economy still troubled and financial markets unyielding, private jobs are few. Yet they create opportunities for some firms as the industry right-sizes and moves forward. “The name of the game for 2010 and beyond is to make sure you are well diversified in different product types,” says Pat Di Filippo, executive vice president of Turner Construction Co. in New York, who adds that his firm has a lot of work under way and in the pipeline, even though overall, there has been a dramatic drop in
Related Links: Value of New Florida Contracts Fell 38% in September FIU, MDX Form Partnership to Improve Transportation in Region Edwards Construction to Build J.J. Taylor Warehouse Diocese of the Armenian Church to Build New Sanctuary Hostetter Construction to Build New Fresh Market Broward County’s $810 million south runway reconstruction and expansion at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport moved closer to reality when officials selected a 15-member team led by PBS&J of Tampa, Fla., and RS&H of Jacksonville, Fla., to provide preliminary design work. The work will expand Runway 9R/27L from 5,000 ft to more than 8,000 ft. The Federal Aviation
After years of gaining strength, the health-care sector took a dramatic pause this year as credit tightened, the economy softened and national debate over health-care reform created uncertainty on the horizon. Skanska USA Building is working on the $53-million Carilion Clinic, which features an imaging department with MRIs and CT scanners, diagnostics, nuclear medicine and 208 patient/exam rooms. Clark Construction Group and Balfour Beatty Construction are working on the $641.4-million Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Nationally, McGraw-Hill Construction research shows that health-care project starts dropped 36% from 110 million sq ft of new construction in 2008 to 70 million
As we take a look back at the accomplishments and challenges of 2009, we ask our readers to join in the discussion by telling us what you think the year ahead will bring. Our one-click poll asks: "How do you see construction opportunities in Texas during 2010?" No need to register or provide information about yourself. Really. Just click here. Results will be published in our January issue outlook feature. Slide Show Photo: Aerial Photography Manhattan Construction finished the Dallas Cowboys stadium in 2009. While Texas hasn’t completely escaped the worst recession since World War II, its design and construction professionals have
Creating opportunities and fine-tuning operations “This has been a year to regroup, refocus, repurpose, retool,” SpawMaxwell’s Spaw says. He credits the company’s All Hands on Deck program—empowering all staff to look for opportunities and develop business—with contributing to the company’s success. The firm has retrained teams to estimate and bid in a tight market and has competed for more public sector, higher education, civic and mission-critical work. Slide Show Photo: Aerial Photography Manhattan Construction finished the Dallas Cowboys stadium in 2009. “It’s all about embracing change and having a model that can adjust to the rough times,” Spaw says. “We’re
Texas leaders from the design community, academia and government will present sessions at the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in Phoenix this month. Included are: Community meetings are a part of the bcWORKSHOP’s approach. Here, one is held in the shell of a home, completed in May 2009. Shown, UTA SOA students, Congo Street residents and workshop members. Related Links: 2009 Top Green Builders Dallas safe and green Zaida Basora, director of building inspection and the building official for the city of Dallas, will discuss her city’s new green building program. She led the city’s green
Even though the recession has hurt the Texas health-care market, numerous jobs are moving forward. “Texas is the best health-care market in the United States now,” says James King, director of health care for Turner Construction’s Texas Region in Dallas. “There are still large projects coming out, and several more will come out.” King attributes the progress to the state’s pro-business environment and to the fact that Texas does not require a certificate of need before a hospital proceeds with expansion plans. Turner is working on a $22-million, 65,000-sq-ft addition to Weatherford Regional Medical Center in Weatherford for Community Health
In building its own $3-million, LEED gold-certified headquarters in Sarasota, Fla., general contractor Willis A. Smith Construction sought to make a statement, both to its employees and prospective clients. Slide Show Photo: Willis A. Smith Construction Willis A. Smith Construction of Sarasota, Fla., recently obtained LEED Gold certification for its new headquarters building. The contractor is focusing more on opportunities in the green building market. “Sustainability is sweeping the country,” says David E. Sessions, the firm’s president. “We wanted, as a firm, to become a leader in sustainability and be recognized for that. Importantly, we wanted to educate ourselves and
The University of South Carolina’s $40-million Honors Residence Hall in Columbia extends the school’s commitment to the environment and sustainability, while integrating classrooms and study areas into students’ living quarters. Photo: Garvin Design Group Large overhangs block direct sunlight from heating the upper-floor interiors. Photo: Garvin Design Group The new facility was designed by Garvin Design Group of Columbia, S.C. China Construction, also of Columbia, was the general contractor. “‘Living and learning’ has emerged in the last few years as a national trend,” says project architect Mark L. Timbes, a principal with Garvin Design Group of Columbia. “We did everything
In South Florida, Memorial Health System is moving forward with a new children’s hospital, while in Central Florida, the long-discussed Nemours Children’s Hospital project is finally getting started. Image: Memorial Health Systems. A rendering of the new Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital facility, now under construction in Hollywood, Fla. Photo: Skanska USA Building. Skanska USA Building holds a $220-million construction contract for the Nemours Children’s Hospital project in Orlando, which is targeting a 2012 completion. Related Links: Healthy Additions Despite the national recession, and the Sunshine State’s own dismal downturn—including, of all things, population—two health systems have found there’s no time