The results are in for ENR Southwest's design firm survey, and according to both the collected data and industry executives, a slow, steady recovery continues to unfold in the marketplace. Related Links: ENR Southwest Overall Top Design Firms 2014 ENR Southwest Top Design Firms 2014 By Market Sector "I'm seeing cautious optimism and steady momentum, although there is some concern about the slowdown in new and used home sales," says Doug Plasencia, vice president of Michael Baker Corp.'s Phoenix office. "However, we're still seeing a continuous stream of design-build opportunities coming from the federal sector."Overall, the 75 firms that participated

Equipment supplier and Caterpillar dealer Empire Southwest is known throughout the region as a supplier of heavy machinery for innovative and unique projects. Last year, the firm began work on their own unique project: a component rebuild facility in Mesa, Ariz., that uses a robust structural foundation to support heavy-duty lifting. Related Links: Heavy Duty Playground Opens in Las Vegas Nevada Tower Design Banks On Potential Expansion In mid-2013, Empire Southwest and general contractor Porter Brothers Construction of Gilbert, Ariz., broke ground on the 90,000-sq-ft facility as an addition to Empire Southwest's Mesa campus. The new building will house the

Bohannan Huston is a regionally focused firm cemented in New Mexico. But the firm, which performs civil, structural, construction, mechanical and electrical engineering services, has recently extended its reach throughout the Southwest. The firm puts an emphasis on advanced technologies and the ability to perform a variety of engineering and design services, ranging from surveying and mapping to preconstruction and on through to the end of the job. Related Links: Engineering News Record Architectural Record Serving in a variety of capacities on a variety of project types, Bohannan Huston's most high-profile start in 2013 was the $450-million El Cabo wind

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed SB 1307 Tuesday night in an attempt to counter a 2012 bill and prevent the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from asserting its federal oversight role over all industries in Arizona — including residential and commercial construction — but only time will tell whether it will be enough. Mark Minter, executive director of the Arizona Builders Alliance says SB 1307 is a “conditional repeal” action of SB 1441, passed in 2012, that will only go into effect if OSHA follows through on a “show cause” letter delivered to the Industrial Commission of Arizona in March.

Photo by John Guzzon for ENR An operator moves a barrel through a slalom course during a competition this month in Las Vegas. Related Links: OSHA To Reopen Controversial Crane and Derrick Rules Viewpoint: OSHA Crane Rules Must Change Viewpoint: OSHA Crane Rules Have Merit Companies that test crane operators disagree with each other on the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration's proposal to push back by three years mandatory certification for these workers. Public comments closed on March 12 for the proposed delay, which OSHA floated earlier in the year after industry groups had asked the safety agency to

In the desert just outside Santa Teresa, N.M., a 12-mile-long, $400-million railroad service and intermodal facility is nearing the end of construction. The Strauss Rail Yard is the first new yard to be developed by Union Pacific Railroad in nearly a century, and it is big. Related Links: Engineering News Record Architectural Record "There really is nothing to compare it to. This has been a real renaissance," says Zoe Richmond, director of public affairs for Union Pacific's Phoenix office. "Trains have gotten a lot more efficient, but they are also a lot longer."Driven by an inability to expand its landlocked

The combined value of the 25 largest projects to break ground in the Southwest in 2013 totaled $3.72 billion—a slight uptick from $3.7 billion in 2012. The Top Starts list, compiled from information provided in part by McGraw Hill Construction, shows that the region is on a growth trend once again, thanks to Nevada and Las Vegas. Related Links: 2013 Top Starts List View the Southwest's 2012 Top Starts List On this year's list, three of the top seven projects are in Clark County, Nev.—Copper Mountain Solar in Boulder City and SLS Hotel & Casino and The Cromwell in Las

As the largest and most diverse municipality in the Southwest, the city of Phoenix has pushed the boundaries of development and construction. As an owner, the city has worked with nearly every construction firm in the Southwest and has influenced scores of others with its drive to collaborate and streamline its construction processes.

Kenneth Bowyer of All Crane Rental of Florida won the 2014 MCM & CIC Crane Operator Skills Championship last week in Las Vegas, Nev., beating out other operators from throughout the U.S. and Canada, including two entrants who qualified at CONEXPO-CON/AGG. By John Guzzon An operator navigates a barrel through a slalom course during the MCM & CIC Crane Operator Skills Championship last week in Las Vegas, Nev. By John Guzzon James Tom of Bakers Welders and Crane, Zanesville, Ohio measures his skills against a simulator at the CIC booth at CONEXPO-CON/AGG March 3. First runner-up is Bruce Gay, a

The 13-story Art Deco Professional Building at Central Avenue and Monroe Street in the heart of downtown Phoenix has been sold to CSM Corporation and will be converted into a premium select-service hotel. Image courtesy CSM Corporation Rendering of the Professional Building at Central Avenue and Monroe Street in downtown Phoenix. The building originally opened in 1932, housing the offices for Valley Bank and Trust and the Maricopa County Medical Society above. It is traditional Art Deco style with strong vertical lines, a central tower with setback wings and windows, and decorative grills above the main entrance. at Monroe Street