Builders broke ground last month on the fewest homes in nearly two years, a reflection of declines in home prices and low demand that has made it difficult for them to compete.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Home construction slows to a crawl
Robert D. LiMandri
Mr. LiMandri is the commissioner of the Department of Buildings, which oversees nearly a million properties in New York City, by enforcing various building codes and laws.
Existing-Home Sales Fell 9.6% in February
Foreclosures and strict lending standards accounted for the month's poor showing.
Rate on 30-year fixed mortgage rises to 4.86 pct.
Fixed mortgage rates rose slightly this week, but the average rate on the 30-year loan remained below 5 percent.
Rajaratnam made frantic calls on Goldman tip-trial
Hedge fund manager Raj Rajaratnam made millions in two minutes of frantic calls after receiving an inside tip about a huge investment in Goldman Sachs Group Inc at the height of the financial crisis, the Galleon founder's insider trading trial heard.
TrimFleet offers comprehensive mobile computing technology for the construction supply market
Trimble has expanded its TrimFleet construction supply fleet management solution with mobile computing hardware, software and sensors, which allow organizations to increase productivity and efficiency. The next generation products for the TrimFleet solution include:Trimble Vehicle Gateway 850 (TVG850): The TVG850 is a state-of-the-art in-vehicle computing platform that serves as the core of the TrimFleet solution. With worldwide
Guilty plea set for conman-turned-FBI informant
Convicted conman Barry Minkow, who after leaving prison became an FBI informant in fraud cases, is set to plead guilty in Miami to new fraud charges involving homebuilder Lennar Corp.
StoTherm Mineral provides thermally insulated facade for the Pen Afan Primary School in Wales
Pen Afan Primary School in Abergwynfi, South Wales, replaces the previous infant and junior school (located at two individual sites) and is in a class of its own. Designed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Pen Afan Primary School is a fascinating building, made up of impressive circular pods. StoTherm Mineral provides the thermally insulated facade for the Pen Afan Primary School.Jonathan Morris of Neath Port Talbot
Goldfield Announces 2010 Results
[PR Newswire] - The Goldfield Corporation , a leading provider of electrical construction services throughout the United States and a developer of condominiums, today announced results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.
Sterling Construction?s Utah Subsidiary Part of Joint Venture That Moved the Longest Two-Span Bridge in the Western Hemisphere
[Business Wire] - Sterling Construction Company, Inc. , today announced that Provo River Constructors , a joint venture in which Sterling?s Utah subsidiary, Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company, LLC is a partner, transported and placed the pre-constructed Sam White Bridge in American Fork, Utah, using Accelerated Bridge Construction technology.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Stocks point higher ahead of economic reports
Stocks appear headed toward a slightly higher opening ahead of new reports on consumer confidence and U.S. housing prices.
Interserve lowers Mouchel offer (Financial Times)
The consulting and maintenance group has rejected the revised 135p a share
proposal from Interserve, prompting the outsourcing and construction group to
walk away from the deal
proposal from Interserve, prompting the outsourcing and construction group to
walk away from the deal
AECOM wins seven awards for water recycling project
AECOM Technology Corporation, a provider of technical and management support systems for government and commercial clients, has received seven awards for its work on the city of Filmore Water Recycling Program project in California, according to a press release .
City Weighs Extending Deadline for Property Tax Break
The city?s housing department hopes to kick-start construction, but critics contend the move would cost the city too much in revenue.
Layne Christensen Announces Fiscal 2011 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Webcast and Conference Call
[GlobeNewswire] - MISSION WOODS, Kan. -- Layne Christensen Company will host a conference call and webcast with analysts and investors on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time to discuss fiscal 2011 fourth quarter and year-end results.
South Nyack man is acting county commissioner of finance
A lifelong Rockland resident has been appointed acting county commissioner of finance, a job that will likely make him a close adviser to County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef.
Breezehouse now available US-wide
Since its introduction in 2005, the Breezehouse has stood out as an icon in design and architecture circles for its distinctive silhouette, clean lines, and innovative use of light and space. The Breezehouse is centered around its beautiful signature Breezespace, a glass-enclosed living area situated under a distinctive butterfly roof. Dramatic sliding glass doors or NanaWalls open to connect the Breezespace to the outdoors,
Fortrans's Poli-Cut pH control system is a self-contained portable pH control system for the concrete polishing, grinding and cutting industries
Concrete is polished and ground with diamond abrasives using water as a lubricant. The concrete that is removed forms a slurry which is removed by filtration. The high pH water that is left after filtering is recycled back into the polishing or grinding operation. However, there is always excess high pH water that must be disposed of. This water cannot be discharged into the storm water or sewer drain or to the environment
Design Details: Fireplaces
What's smokin' hot in fireplace design? New materials, funky shapes, and in some cases, products that produce no smoke at all.
I am putting in 1000 sq. ft. of Mannington vinyl tile. The dealer says there isn't a green product available as the glue is not low-VOC.
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Bainbridge Island, WA
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Asked by
Michelle Dean Hickory Valley, TN
I live in a small rural town in Tennessee, and not much is known about these products. Please help!
Answer
Answered by
Molly McCabe, AKBD, CGP
Bainbridge Island, WA
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
South Nyack man is acting county commissioner of finance
A lifelong Rockland resident has been appointed acting county commissioner of finance, a job that will likely make him a close adviser to County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef.
Rome firm hopes for condo comeback
Jason Free Realty, 1903 Turner McCall Blvd., was founded in 1983 and has since spun off JFR Management and JFR Beach Rentals, both property management arms.
Rome firm hopes for condo comeback
Jason Free Realty, 1903 Turner McCall Blvd., was founded in 1983 and has since spun off JFR Management and JFR Beach Rentals, both property management arms.
Free Tuesday News Online
The city has approved final construction plans for a new Logan's Roadhouse restaurant.
Consumer Confidence drop weakens economic and construction recovery
This is a post from Jim Haughey's blog that covers the US construction industry.Jim Haughey is the Chief Economist for Reed Construction Data and has over thirty years experience as a business economist, including twenty years monitoring the construction market. He has a Ph.D. degree in economics from the University of Michigan and has previously taught at the University of Michigan, Ohio University, Michigan State University and the University of Massachusetts. Go to Jim Haughey's blog
Masdar Headquarters Project
Multidisciplinary project team led by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill designs world's first large-scale positive-energy building with help from Autodesk� BIM solutions.
Trimble to distribute the new Tekla BIMSight 3D Modeling Solution
Trimble has been selected as a preferred distributor for the new Tekla BIMSight 3D Modeling Solution. Trimble will offer a free download of the 3D modeling solution on BIMtoField.com, a Trimble Website dedicated to helping building owners, contractors, and engineers better understand the potential of solutions that allow the transfer of Building Information Modeling (BIM) data to field level systems for increased productivity and
Manitex showcases truck-mounted cranes at ConExpo 2011
At ConExpo 2011, Manitex International, Inc. featured its largest-ever collaborative display among its four North American-based manufacturing divisions: Manitex, Inc., Manitex Liftking, Manitex Load King, and Badger Equipment Company.Manitex, Inc. focussed its display on three truck-mounted cranes illustrating the flexibility and capability of its flagship 50-ton platform. The first of these is the 50155S. With 155' (47m) of
NVR?s CEO Reaped Nearly $31 Million in 2010
Documents show that Paul Saville?s bonus could have been even more had the builder hit its maximum performance targets.
Lenders Aim to Push Nevada Development Into Bankruptcy - WSJ.com
Lenders Aim to Push Nevada Development Into Bankruptcy - WSJ.com: Toll Brothers chairman Robert I....
Treasury to Begin Selling Off Mortgage Securities
The department will sell up to $10 billion of its portfolio each month.
Monday, March 28, 2011
L.A. Councilman Parks celebrates narrow victory; Hogan-Rowles won't seek recount
Celebrating his narrow victory on Friday, Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard C. Parkssaid voters "saw through the facade" ofthe well-funded campaign mounted against him by public service unions in the March 8 city election.
Construction industry gets by
In 2008, Kyle Eberts was forced to lay off half of his employees because business in the construction industry was down.
Signs of Strengthening Conditions In the Housing Industry Emerging
New residential construction data indicate slowly improving conditions that will yield moderate gains through 2011.
Designers Discuss How to Link New Facebook Campus to Local Community
By Paula Melton
This article originally appeared on GreenSourceMag.com
Dear Menlo Park, you have a new notification. Facebook posted on your wall: We’re moving in! Isn’t there anything to do around here?
Thus the seed was planted for a large-scale design charrette aimed at
Parsons: Parsons Appoints Anido as Senior Vice President and Regional Development Executive for Florida (Market Wire)
PASADENA, CA (MARKET WIRE) Parsons is pleased to announce that Guillermo
(Bill) Anido, Jr., has joined the firm as Senior Vice President and Regional
Development Executive for Florida. In this role, he will be responsible for
developing our municipal and regional relationships in the Florida market,
representing Parsons to key stakeholders in the communities where we are
expanding our presence.
(Bill) Anido, Jr., has joined the firm as Senior Vice President and Regional
Development Executive for Florida. In this role, he will be responsible for
developing our municipal and regional relationships in the Florida market,
representing Parsons to key stakeholders in the communities where we are
expanding our presence.
Training Seminar
The East Tennessee Section is hosting a training seminar on April 14th featuring Ted Douglas, CCC. More information and a registration form will be available so...
FHFA Posts 0.3% Decline in Home Prices in January
While three Census divisions saw increases from December, all areas saw year-over-year declines.
McCaffery's new president hopes to promote opportunities for South Works
Job: President, Chicago-based real estate development firm McCaffery Interests Inc., since January.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Markets yawn at inflation news
Stock values last week moved within a narrow band on the nation's stock exchange, with indices losing value on both national exchanges compared to the previous week.
20 Times Square: Chinese Financing Could Raise LEED Gold Above World’s Fifth Ugliest Building
TweetEmailTweetEmailAccording to a report that appeared last week in Crain’s, Vornado has raised between $500 and $700 million from a Chinese investment concern to finance the construction of 20 Times Square, the Richard Rogers-designed, 1.3 million-square-foot, 42-story tower planned to rise above the Port Authority Bus Terminal that will aim for LEED for Core and Shell Gold from USGBC. The discussions appear to be ongoing; Vornado would
Pakistan replaces US with China as its principal arms supplier
Pakistan is beefing up its arsenal of long-range missiles by embracing China as its new strategic arms partner and backing away from the US, analysts have told Fox News.
Layne Christensen Company Acquires Wildcat Civil Services
[GlobeNewswire] - MISSION WOODS, Kan. -- Layne Christensen Company today announced the recent acquisition on February 28, 2011 of Wildcat Civil Services , a cured-in-place rehabilitation company based in Kiowa, Colorado.
New Home Sales Numbers Saw Jump in February
Price declines hit across the country as new homes competed with their distressed counterparts.
U.S. Manufacturing Rises While Construction Sags
The Institute for Supply Management said manufacturers expanded at the fastest pace in nearly seven years last month, but construction activity continued to fall in January.
Time to Make the Donuts
After a million and one Powerpoint Slides, proof-of-concept demos, conference calls and a strong opinion or two, product development for Geedra?s Online Photo-Data solution is underway.� More details to follow, but in the meantime we?re looking forward to offering the AEC industry?s first ever Online Photo-Data Solution in the summer of 2011.
Tags: construction photo documentation, construction photography, construction video, Construction Webcams, Geedra, general contractor, risk management
Presentations slated on Fall Hill projects
Fredericksburg staff and engineering consultants will give presentations on two major Fall Hill Avenue projects tomorrow at Maury Commons.
Alex Karakhanov Joins PB
Alex Karakhanov has been named a Supervising Estimator in the Honolulu, Hawaii office of Parsons Brinckerhoff , a global infrastructure strategic consulting, engineering and program/construction management organization.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The Construction Contractor's Digest | Construction Executive Advisory
Covey?s 6th Habit ? Synergize
Stephen Covey?s suggests that to be effective as a professional is to synergize with others. The author?s explanation of this is practical. He asserts that if we consider the other side as well as our own interests, we should be able to build more long-term value into any agreement. In other words, to work with others is a better course than to work against others. Trust has to be built but when established then synergy is the next logical step.
Not having resistance, but trust of the other parties allows for discussions and proposals to consider more options. If we are able to consider what is possible, we then can include more things in our agreement that will enhance value to both parties. It is simple, but powerful. Trust allows each of us to speak frankly and openly to the other side. If each party values the win/win concept, then obstacles such as price in a construction contract can be compensated by other valuable considerations such as cash flow, future marketing opportunities, and safety cost savings.
In construction situations, a wise course may be to seek ?cost reduction support?. That is, the sharing of expenses. Somewhat awkward at first but after a time, companies can work out a system of personnel, equipment, purchasing etc. that keeps overhead down.
Some may call this a ?buying group?. No matter the title, consistently seeking cost reductions in a cost sensitive business is a critical strategic direction that cannot be overlooked. A variable cost business which construction is, benefits from this in good economic times and bad.
This is an excerpt from our recent book, The Practical Construction MBA (2011, 458 pages) for more information ? go to : http://stevensci.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SCII&Category_Code=PCMBABook
Shifting Perspectives in Custom Home Building
Custom home clients' priorities are evolving in the wake of the Great Recession.
Stephenson&Turner: New Zealand Government Building
With help from Autodesk Revit Architecture and Autodesk Revit Structure software, Stephenson&Turner designs New Zealand's first environmentally certified government building.
Massachusetts Ruling on Foreclosures is a Warning to Banks
Massachusetts Ruling on Foreclosures is a Warning to Banks: The highest court in Massachusetts ruled...
ASSA ABLOY: ASSA ABLOY: Competition authorities approves Swesafe acquisition (Market Wire)
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (MARKET WIRE)
Robins & Morton: Auburn University Basketball Arena
Autodesk Building Information Modeling (BIM) Solutions help Robins & Morton build a new basketball arena using leaner and greener practices.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Army Corps seeking $300K for flood study
By JOY BROWN STAFF WRITER The Army Corps of Engineers has no idea if it will receive federal funding this year for a key flood control study of the Blanchard River watershed, and this week asked northwest Ohio officials for $300,000 to complete the study's first part.
March Newsletter Online
The March newsletter is now online.
This newsletter has information about the upcoming March section meeting, April's Technical Seminar and Golf Tournament...
This newsletter has information about the upcoming March section meeting, April's Technical Seminar and Golf Tournament...
Some N.Y. School Aid to be Restored
State officials have arrested 11 more bus drivers in the greater New York City Some N.Y. School Aid to be Restored New York's legislative leaders said after closed-door negotiations Friday with A chauffeur charged in the Connecticut slaying of a millionaire real estate Police Seize Counterfeit Clothing New Jersey State Police say they have shut ...
Help Your Customers Manage Their Pavement
Property managers are handling more and more aspects of their properties and most don’t have the time to learn what they need to know to about pavement maintenance. This is where pavement maintenance contractors can really make an impact. These property managers rely on you as the expert in their pavement, and anything you can do to help them understand how to best maintain their parking lot helps them get more bang for their maintenance buck and reinforces your relationship with
Nonunion Construction Grows in New York City
The companies and construction unions will soon enter what may be their tensest negotiations in years, with employers demanding large concessions.
New Complex at USC School of Cinematic Arts
Autodesk BIM solutions improve the design, construction, and operation of a new educational complex for the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California (USC).
ISG Jackson builds modular health centre in Gorleston
The new health centre in Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk is a two-storey modular building. This temporary solution enables NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney to relocate vital community-based clinical services from existing unsuitable accommodation across Gorleston onto a site that will ultimately house a permanent structure.Based at Shrublands Park in Gorleston, the interior includes more than 60 rooms, with a physiotherapy
Control a hydraulic excavator with two Series IV USB joysticks
This week at IFPE 2011, CH Products has used its HFX Series IV USB Joysticks to demonstrate Simlogs professional Hydraulic Excavator. Visitors to CH Products' booth could virtually control a hydraulic excavator with the aid of two Series IV USB joysticks. The HFX Series IV joystick is a heavy-duty, Hall effect controller designed for use in high operating force, hand-operated applications. Available with several high-function
Frank Gehry All Smiles at Star-Studded 82nd Birthday
Remember back around this time in 2009 how bummed Frank Gehry seemed to be about turning 80 ? Granted, that's right as the architecture industry was struggling through one of its worst periods in decades, and in turn wasn't treating the starchitect too well at all either.
Federal Communications Commission Approves CenturyLink-Qwest Merger
The Federal Communications Commission today approved the pending merger between CenturyLink, Inc.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Frank Gehry's New World Center
A new concert hall by Frank Gehry opens on January 25, 2011, in South Beach, Miami. Howard Herring, president of the New World Symphony, takes us on a tour of the building.
A Mortgage Broker Extends a Lifeline to Spec Builders
Healy Capital in Washington fills a void vacated by bank lenders.
Harnessing social media in the construction industry
Social media is transforming business communications and the marketing of products and services to clients, but the key to online success is developing a good strategy.
The Heyday of Mansard Roofs - Streetscapes
New York City was peppered with mansard roofs between 1868 and 1873. A few spectacular examples survive.
Project aims for clean water in Haiti
Project Zoranger, a 501 3 nonprofit organization, aims to raise money to build a well to bring clean drinking water to the small farming village of Zoranger , about an hour outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
MSite biometric workforce management solution provides accurate construction workforce management reports to The Careys Group
Having previously used card-based solutions, The Careys Group (Careys) wanted to source a workforce management solution that would manage employees' credentials to produce on-site reports for time and attendance, CSCS accreditation and roll call and muster reporting.Careys has chosen Human Recognition Systems (HRS)'s MSite biometric workforce management solution to provide accurate and live workforce management reports at Eaton
Cuts begin to bite for UK builders sooner than expected (Financial Times)
Leading goups feel effects of sharp drop in public investment in new
construction projects and stalling of existing programmes
construction projects and stalling of existing programmes
Panel Builders market expected to grow in 2011
Panel Builders' demand patterns and market trends are shifting in 2011, prompting greater optimism in the market. According to a new market research survey on the UK panel builders market from MTW Research, the panel builders market is likely to exhibit stronger growth in the second half of 2011, stimulated by a range of key strengths and opportunities. One such market opportunity is highlighted as the growing demand for
Chemineer's SC3 impeller mixer can save up to 85 percent energy in Anoxic Zones
A Chemineer SC3 impeller mixer design has been found to use just 1.44 w/m3, (specific power consumption) compared to a submersible mixers 10.2 w/m3, in a direct Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) comparison study to achieve the required velocity profile in a typical water industry tank base.Taking a typical site with a total tank volume of 2861 m3, the annual energy cost of Chemineers SC3 impeller was 1,804 (2861 m3 x 1.44 w/m3
An Ohio Town Yields to Get a Project Restarted
While some are crying foul at variances, Fischer Homes points to design and practicality.
New Home Sales Hit Lowest Rate On Record, Census Reports
New homes are struggling to compete with existing-home prices, which have been pushed down by distressed properties.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Autodesk AEC is proud to announce our 2012 Product Portfolio
We announced our 2012 product portfolio yesterday which will include new releases of Revit Structure as well as AutoCAD Structural Detailing. We also announced the Autodesk Building Design Suite. Over the next few weeks I'll share exciting new information including...
New Complex at USC School of Cinematic Arts
Autodesk BIM solutions improve the design, construction, and operation of a new educational complex for the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California (USC).
Judge orders mediation in DeKalb schools suit
Citing millions of dollars of legal fees, a judge ordered DeKalb County schools to mediate its case with construction giant Heery International.
Sounds Good: Inside Carnegie Hall’s LEED Silver Overhaul
TweetEmailTweetEmail
Considering how few things in New York City exist today much as they did during the Benjamin Harrison administration, it’s something of a wonder that Carnegie Hall is still Carnegie Hall. Of course, today’s Carnegie Hall is notably different than the one that opened in 1891 — the acoustics are better, there isn’t as much horse-and-buggy traffic by the entrance, no one in the lobby is debating whether Grover
Federal Communications Commission Approves CenturyLink-Qwest Merger
The Federal Communications Commission today approved the pending merger between CenturyLink, Inc.
Arcadis U.S. expands to U.S. Virgin Islands
International consulting and engineering company ARCADIS announced the expansion of ARCADIS U.S. , to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Home sales fell 9.6 percent in February, lowest level in 9 years: report
Fewer Americans bought previously occupied homes in February and those who did purchased them at steep discounts.
Wood Information Sheet explains the causes of weathering and its significance to timber performance
Weathering develops through exposure of wood to rain, snow and ice, sunlight and wind but good design can avoid many of the less desirable effects of weathering.TRADA Technology has published a revised Wood Information Sheet, Specifying timber exposed to weathering the process when uncoated timber exposed out of doors changes colour over time. The Wood Information Sheet explains the causes of weathering and its significance to
FE Peacock designs and manages construction of affordable housing development in Lincolnshire
FE Peacock Construction Ltd has begun work on an affordable housing development in Grantham, Lincolnshire, on behalf of Nottingham Community Housing Association, a provider of social housing for rent and shared ownership in the East Midlands. FE Peacock designed the development and will manage the construction process on site.The development, located on Edinburgh Road in Grantham, will comprise three two-bedroom houses, four
UNR Holdings, Inc.: UNR Holdings Completes Phase II of ~$525 Million Nemchinovka Development (Market Wire)
ORLANDO, FL (MARKET WIRE) UNR Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: UNRH) ("UNR" or the
"Company"), a commercial and residential development company, today announced
that it has recently completed construction on Phase II of its Nemchinovka
development which will be valued between $525 Million on the low end to $735
Million on the high end based on current real estate values.
"Company"), a commercial and residential development company, today announced
that it has recently completed construction on Phase II of its Nemchinovka
development which will be valued between $525 Million on the low end to $735
Million on the high end based on current real estate values.
New Priorities in Remodeling
The next decade will yield solid growth and many new opportunities in remodeling.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
M&I Bank's loan troubles extended to Milwaukee-area developers - JSOnline
M&I Bank's loan troubles extended to Milwaukee-area developers - JSOnline: The news of Marshall...
Use Caution When Dealing with Flood-Damaged Electrical Equipment
South Dakota Department of Labor 700 Governors Drive Pierre , SD 57501 www.sdjobs.org For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 Media Contact: Dawn Dovre, 605-773-3094 PIERRE , S.D. The South Dakota Electrical Commission reminds residents to be cautious in structures containing water-damaged electrical equipment.
Homebuilder sentiment ticked up in March
Homebuilders' pessimistic outlook improved slightly this month, but it remains dim amid falling home prices and a weak pace of construction.
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