BreakingNews

BreakingNews

April 15, 2015

Market News

Recent U.S. and global macroeconomic news has been mostly negative as the first quarter ended, showing at least a weather-related slowdown in the economy or the first signs of slowing growth. Job creation slowed in the first quarter and manufacturing output turned down as well. Cold winter weather and the cutback in oil/gas jobs significantly impacted the economy.

News at the regional level is less negative. The Allegheny Conference announced that investment in the region's companies was $2.3 billion in 2014, including 66 new or expansion development deals for Western PA businesses. For the construction market, non-residential contracting reached slightly more than $700 million for the first quarter. That's a strong start to the year, particularly in light of the $900 million contracted in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Project News

Bids for the K-12 market have been coming in at or below most budgets, a sign that the market is still very competitive or that architects and districts have gotten better at budgeting. Within the the past week bids were taken for the McKee Elementary, Marshall Middle School and the Brooks and Allard schools in Moon Township. Nello Construction was awarded the Moon schools. Results for the others can be seen at BuildingPittsburgh.

Oxford Development is taking design/build proposals for its 575-car parking garage at the Three Crossings development in the Strip. Check BuildingPittsburgh for the contractors invited to propose. Google took CM proposals Monday for its 66,000 sq. ft. fit-out at Bakery Square 2.0. In the heavy/highway market the biggest prize on the street at the moment is the $12 million Homeville Viaduct replacement in West Mifflin.

Ensinger Plastics selected Massaro as construction mgr. for its $21 million new plant in South Strabane. Howard Hanna Real estate Services awarded Dick Building Co. a contract for its new office in Sewickley. Penn State chose the team of EYP Architects/DPR Construction to do its $30 million AgEngineering Building as the university's first true IPD delivery system. PSU also awarded HOK the design contract for the $100 million chemical/biomedical engineering building.

Eric Roberson with MBA's Chelsea Carr at the March 31 Meet the MBA event at the Kaufmann Center

More information about the market is available at BuildingPittsburgh.

People News

Bob Fittipaldo has joined Burns & Scalo Real Estate Services, Inc. as Director of Facility Management. Previously, Mr. Fittipaldo was responsible for real estate, facilities and construction management at Giant Eagle, Inc. He is a graduate of Washington & Jefferson College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, as well as a Masters in Business Administration from Robert Morris University.

Lami Grubb Architects LP has changed its name to LGA Partners, effective immediately, to reflect the firm's new leadership. Founding partner Suzan Lami announced that Paulette T. Burns and Jonathan Glance, AIA have been promoted to partners at LGA.

Massaro Construction Management Services, LLC opened a new office located in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. The Central Pa Massaro team is led by Kevin Nestor, senior project manager. The new office is located directly across from the Centre County Courthouse at 117 E. High Street and will provide a customer resource center in central Pennsylvania.

Oxford Development Company announced the expansion of their property management services with the opening of a Johnstown/Altoona area office. Kelly Campitell will head up the Johnstown office for Oxford. Ms. Campitell has over 28 years' of experience in Commercial Real Estate including construction, project and general management with an international project management firm.

Coming Events

Blue Book Building & Construction Network Showcase, April 28

The Blue Book Network is presenting its Spring 2015 Showcase networking event on April 28 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at Heinz Field. Click to download registration

form or register online.

ACE Mentor Appreciation Night, April 29

Join the ACE Mentor program in acknowledging its mentors on April 29 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at Easy Street, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant St. Downtown. Click for more informatoin or to register.

Dialogue with Pittsburgh City Officials, May 21

NAIOP Pittsburgh's monthly chapter meeting on May 21 will feature Mayor Peduto's key department heads for development and construction. Meet Kevin Acklin, chief of staff for Bill Peduto, Robert Rubinstein, acting director of URA, Maura Kennedy, director of Permits, Licensing & Inspections (formerly BBI) and Ray Gastil, director of city planning. Go to naioppittsburgh.com for more information or to register.

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Tall Timber Group is the publisher of BreakingGround and DEVELOPINGPittsburgh magazines and the Pittsburgh Homebuilding Report, and is a consultant for contractors and designers serving the construction and real estate market. For more information about our services, contact Jeff Burd or call:

Tall Timber Group
506B McKnight Park Dr.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237
412-366-1857

www.talltimbergroup.com

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