| |
|
Market News
Unemployment went up to 5.5% in Pittsburgh during March, according to Dept. of Labor numbers released Monday. That was actually not bad news. Job creation added 7,000 to the payrolls (400 seasonally adjusted) but more people joined the workforce search that were added. For a region with a population growth problem, that's good news.
After digesting first quarter construction results, Tall Timber Group reported a surprise in what was a dormant sector - K-12 education. The K-12 market experienced a ten-fold jump in contracting from Jan-March compared to the same period in 2015. That's the good news. The downside of the data was that $126 million of the $140 million came from three project, $67 million Thomas Jefferson High, $33 million Ringgold Middle and $25 million South Fayette High. With about $105 million in projects bidding or about to bid in the market, K-12 will have its healthiest year in a while in 2016. The sector still lacks depth, however, and these seven project may make up 80% of the total construction.
Project News
One of the projects about to go out in the K-12 market is the new $22 million Rogers Elementary in Shaler, which Massaro CM Services says should be release in another week or so. Massaro is also managing the $30 million-plus Brooke Co. WV school bidding on May 2.
Mascaro was the low general construction bidder on the $42.7 million Brush Creek Water Pollution Control Plant Upgrade in Cranberry Twp. That was a re-bid, which seems to be within budget and expected to be awarded next week.
The
Business Times reported today on Exel/DHL Supply Chain's 260,000 square foot build-to-suit distribution center for Philips Respironics south of New Stanton. To the north of Pittsburgh, construction is about to start on two new industrial buildings in Callery Industrial Park, 80,000 and 45,000 square respectively.
There were nervous rumors late last week that Shell had put the Franklin cracker project in Monaca on hold. It appears that due to capital budget trimming, a number of Shell's projects (including Franklin) will be slowed down. Word from Monaca is that everything under contract is still going ahead but schedules will be extended to delay the expense impact in 2016.
|
|
People News
L.R. Kimball, a CDI Company announced the hiring of Charles "Chic" Noll as director of business development in its Frick Building location.
|
Master Builders' Association
is bringing fall protection training to anyone with a smart phone or tablet. An app, called Harness Hero, is a game app that is an innovative approach to saving lives in the construction industry and enhances company-sponsored fall protection traning.
|
|
Coming Events
ACE Pittsburgh Spring Gala, May 18
Wednesday, May 18 ACE Mentor's Pittsburgh chapter will celebrate the 2015-16 school year with its Engage and Enlighten Gala at the Renaissance Hotel, Downtown. For more info on sponsorships or to register
contact ACE Pittsburgh.
NAWIC Workforce Trades Scholarship Deadline, May 20
National Association of Women in Construction, Chapter 161 is accepting applications for its 2016 Construction Trades Scholarships. The scholarships assist those in registered apprenticeship training programs of the construction industry, technical schools or equivalent. Recipients are selected based upon commitment to the construction industry, academic achievement and financial need. Applications must be postmarked by May 20, 2016..
Download the scholarship application
or
contact Ann Graff.
NAIOP Pittsburgh Golf Outing, June 27
|
|
| |
| Join Our Mailing List Not regularly getting BreakingNews? Email [email protected] to be added to the list. |
|
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 |
|
|
|
