U.S. Architecture firms saw improving business conditions for the second consecutive month in September, with billings growing at their fastest rate in two years, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architectural Billing Index (ABI). AIA reported a September ABI score of 51.6, up from 50.2 in August. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billingsHowever, conditions aren't improving in all regions. As in August, firms in the Western (53.4) and Southern (51.9) regions reported growth, while those in the Northeast (49.5) and Midwest (47.2) continued to show weaker billings.September marked the second consecutive month of growth in
A 2009 fire at a casino in Joliet, Ill., has sparked a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against six companies involved in renovations and additions to the structure at the time of the blaze. On Tuesday, attorneys for the former Empress Casino filed an $83.5-million suit in Cook County Circuit Court alleging that contractor W.E. O'Neil, Chicago, should not have allowed welders to perform work in the casino's kitchen, the source of the fire, due to the presence of combustible cooking residue in kitchen duct work.The suit outlines a scenario in which a welder employed by Addison, Ill.-based Jameson Sheet Metal accidentally sparked
Thirty states added construction jobs in September, but Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin were not among them, according to year-over-year data compiled by Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). By comparison, Indiana (+6,300 jobs, 5%) and Ohio (+1,000, 6%) remained in positive territory, as they have in previous month-over-month comparisons this year.On a percentage basis, regional losses were greatest in Wisconsin (-5,300 jobs, -6.1%), followed by Illinois (-8,400 jobs, -4.4%), Missouri (-2,700 jobs, -2.6%) and Michigan (-3,000 jobs, -2.4%).Among states losing construction jobs during the past year, Alaska lost the highest percentage (-2,400 jobs, -16.1%), followed by New
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
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.
