BreakingNews

BreakingNews

September 17, 2015

Market News

While the construction industry (among others) anxiously awaits a final decision to proceed on the ethane cracker from Shell, construction activity in the industrial segment of the market is very robust. Through August, contracting in the manufacturing/industrial sector is roughly one-third of the total $2.4 billion in nonresidential construction. The lion's share of that work is in power and natural gas projects. Additional manufacturing and power generation projects are in the pipeline, with perhaps another $500 million or more to start before the end of 2015.

Project News

Within the power plant sector, a couple of projects are actively contracting. In Westmoreland County, the $500 million, 950-mw Tenaska power plant is moving ahead after getting DEP approvals. Fluor, Black & Veatch & Kiewitt are putting proposals together for the EPC contract, which should be decided late in the fall. Bids were taken by first Energy last week for the MEP portion of the $200 million dewatering building at the Bruce Mansfield plant in Shippingport. Mascaro is roughly 75% completed with the erection of the building structure. Get more information on the Shell project and the Clinton Commerce Park at BuildingPittsburgh.

In the commercial segment of the market, Burchick was awarded the $6 million new facility for Animal Friends. Rycon Construction was selected as the new contractor for the Vitmore apartment project on Baum Blvd. Ferchilll Development is working with Turner Construction on preconstruction for its $70 million, 140,000 sq. ft. new spec lab building in Pittsburgh Technology Center on Second Avenue. PJ Dick is taking bids on Oct. 7 for the new $14 million school for the Watson Institute in South Fayette Twp.

The biggest K-12 project in the state will be going out to bid around Oct. 15. State College Area School District's new $110 million high school is expected to bid in mid-Nov. Massaro CM Services indicates that SCASD will take bids on the 4 main primes plus site construction, fire protection and food service equipment.

Corrections

The parking garage.transit facility at the 3 Crossings was incorrectly identified in the Sept. 9 BreakingNews. The correct name is The Hub.

The size of the new distribution center being developed by Ashley Capital at Findlay Industrial Park was also reported inaccurately. The building will be 316,000 sq. ft.

A joint venture of Trumbull and Brayman were the successful bidders on the $240.8 million Charleroi Locks & Dam.

Bryant Garvin from Gateway Engineers (center, in blue shirt) leads a discussion on blogs at the MBA's social media seminar Sept. 15.

To keep up to date with the market check out BuildingPittsburgh.

People News

Green Building Alliance welcomed Stephanie Sikora as its new communications director. Prior to joining GBA Sikora worked in the communications offices of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and County Controller Chelsa Wagner. She holds an MA from Point Park University and a BA from Shippensburg University. GBA also welcomed Mary Schrag as program and resources coordinator. Schrag has a BA from Bluffton University and is GBA's Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience Fellow (PULSE) for 2016-2016.

ThenDesign Architects announced the hiring of new staff. Cheryl Fisherjoined the firm as a project planner and LEED Accredited Professional with 15 years of experience. She is a graduate of Cleveland State University. Haley Kennedy has been hired as an interior designer. She earned a bachelor's degree in interior design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Taylor Opellahas joined the firm as an interior designer. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a bachelor's degree in interior design and minor in architecture. She has special training in sustainable design and has completed the Autodesk Building Performance Analysis Certificate (BPAC) Program Zora Pavlovic has joined the firm as a project manager. She is a graduate of Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design.

Coming Events

SMPS/MBA Real Estate Development Financing, Sept. 23

The September meeting of SMPS Pittsburgh will be a joint presentation with the Master Builders' Association on development financing. The luncheon will be held at the Rivers Club from 11:30AM to 1:30PM on September 23. Click to register for the event.

CREW August 27 Luncheon Rescheduled to Sept. 29

Check the CREW Pittsburgh website for more information or to register. The next Connect with Crew event will be held Oct. 20 at the James Gallery.

BIM Reality Capture Seminar, October 6

This seminar will demonstrate how rapidly developing technologies utilizing photogrammetry, drones and point clouds now make it possible to capture existing environments and convert them into usable BIM models quickly and cost effectively. Demonstration by Case Technologies will be Oct. 6 at Nevillewood Country Club from 4:00 - 7:00PM. Space is limited. Click to learn more 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

Learn more about GBA events.