When the first visitors to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum enter the World Trade Center site this month, they will likely focus on the two reflecting pools at the heart of the plaza, defined by the names of the victims of the terrorist attacks. They are unlikely to miss the already towering 1 WTC structure standing on the northwest corner of the site, well on its way to becoming the nation's tallest building at 1,776 feet. But as much of their attention is drawn to the plaza and what used to be called the “Freedom Tower,” they might

There's been good news this week for Connecticut contractors as several sources plan to launch new projects. These include Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceutical's announced plans to invest $42.5 million over the next two years to build a 63,000-sq-ft research and development unit on its 294-acre campus in Ridgefield and Danbury, CT. Completion is slated for 2013. Further details on construction were not available at press time. Boehringer Ingelheim says it also hopes to gain approval this year for a $65-million pilot plant on campus.Several Connecticut hospitals are also planning projects that are expected to take shape in the next year. These

New Jersey will move closer to becoming the nation's first offshore wind power producer if a planned 24-MW pilot project off the coast of Atlantic City obtains its last permit and approval under a state incentive program. The firm expects both as early as this fall. Rendering Courtesy of University of Massachusetts Wind Energy Center Several East Coast cities are considering development of offshore wind projects like this one proposed for the town of Hull, Mass. Fishermen's Energy, a consortium of mostly East Coast fishing companies, has received all the necessary state permits to build a demonstration-scale, six-turbine offshore wind

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey board has unanimously approved a revised series of Hudson River toll and fare hikes as outlined August 18 by NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo and NJ Gov. Chris Christie. Under the new plan, which is pending a comprehensive review of the PA's capital plan and operations, tolls and fares would still rise but not as steeply as in the initial proposal that critics charged was excessive. Increases under the new plan include $1.50 E-Z Pass hike next month with a $0.75 increase in December each year from 2012-2015, for a total boost

NYC-based United American Land plans to develop 49,000-sq-ft of retail space in the Brooklyn Municipal Building at 210 Joralemon St. Under the deal, part of the city’s ongoing efforts to revitalize Downtown Brooklyn, UAL will pay $10 million to develop the western portion of the first, second, and below-grade floors of the 13-story, 383,000-sq-ft structure, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office reports. The project will create 64 full-time construction jobs and 114 permanent jobs. Construction is set to begin in 2012. Contractors have not yet been chosen, says an industry source.Sherida Paulson, principal at PKSB Architects in New York, was chosen to

Members of the NYC District Council of Carpenters and the Association of Wall, Ceiling, and Carpentry Industries of Greater New York have agreed to keep talking, at least until Friday, Aug. 19, four days after their last contract deadline extension. The union and management have extended deadlines several times since the original June 30th expiration date of the contract. Neither the union nor management would comment.Separately, the Cement and Concrete Workers District Council and the Cement League reached a tentative deal on Aug. 16, their last extended contract deadline. At issue was a proposed 20% wage cut for union workers.The

The Republic of Kosovo has awarded Hill International in Marlton, N.J. a €6.95-million ($9.9-million) contract to provide construction supervision and management services for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Morine-Merdare Motorway (Route 7), a primary artery through the Pristina capital. The three-year deal calls for supervision and management services related to construction of a dual carriageway about 103 kilometers long, Hill says. Hill will provide work supervision for about 32 months with a defect liability period of 18 months.Kosovo's Ministry of Infrastructure awarded a €650-million design and build contract to Turkey's Bechtel & Enka last year, Hill says. Work began

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is scheduled to vote on its controversial Hudson River toll/fare hike proposal this Friday, three days after it held a series of public hearings in both states. NY/NJ residents reportedly packed hearing rooms and vented frustration over the hefty hikes, which include a near doubling of the peak-hour cash toll to $15 this year and an additional $2 in 2014. The PA cites several factors for a need to raise revenues, including more than $11 billion in funding necessary to rebuild the World Trade Center and $6 billion in increased security

Washington, D.C.-based Associated Builders and Contractors says its measure of the nation's construction industry backlog rose 10% in the second quarter to an average of 8.1 months, up from 7.3 months the previous quarter. ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) is 12% higher than a year ago, and backlog has expanded in all regions, particularly in the South in which project orders rose 1.87 months during the quarter compared to a year ago, the trade group says. The Northeast, however, posted the smallest gain, 0.04 months, from the same period last year. ABC expresses caution about the overall rise in activity,

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has scheduled nine public hearings on August 16 in response to the controversial Hudson River toll/fare hikes it proposed earlier this month. The PA cites several factors for a need to raise revenues, including more than $11 billion in funding necessary to rebuild the World Trade Center and $6 billion in increased security requirement costs since the September 11 attacks. The hearings will take place in both New York and New Jersey and registration at the agency’s Web site is required. The PA will accept comments online through 6 p.m. August