ABC Greater Houston Celebrates the Men and Women in the Construction IndustryThe skills, work ethic, and safety of our craft professionals represent the foundation of our nation and community’s built environment. These men and women also contribute to an industry that accounted for $1.1 billion in spending in 2015.Ensuring that this critical resource is perpetuated for the generations ahead is the mission of the Construction Career Collaborative (C3), an alliance of socially responsible Owners, Contractors, and Specialty Contractors, with a mission to positively affect the issues facing the craft worker for the commercial construction industry, and endorsed and led by executives/members of ABC/CMEF, AGC Houston, ASA, and several other trade associations. C3 is based on three principles to support the craft professional: Financial Security, Health, and Well-Being; Safety Training; and Craft Training.  :
Reshaping the Construction Industry
The Leaning Tower of Pisa was not designed to lean. Neither was the Millennium Tower in San Francisco, but according to several sources, it is not only leaning 2 inches, but has sunk 16” since its completion in 2009. Two inches doesn’t seem like much, but when you live in one of the top award winning residential towers in the world, two inches might as well be two feet. No, I take that back. Two inches of lean in one of the highest earthquake zones in the world is a disaster waiting to happen. In this case, the tower at 301 Mission Street, leaning 2 inches and sinking double the amount that it was projected to in the next 50 years is no small matter and if nothing else is a legal disaster in the making.The owners of the condominiums in this award winner have hired four legal firms to represent them in court. How can they afford to do that? Good question. It seems that folks like Joe Montana and Hunter Pence have bought units there and as you might imagine, there are some confidential owners who have bought units for investment purposes in this the 4th tallest tower in San Francisco.The combined filings to this point amount to $500 million for a building that 6 years ago was said to have cost $350 million.
September 02, 2016
Hi there. The Chamberlin Man here.You’ve probably noticed Chamberlin’s quarterly news features a fairly standard set of content. Front and center you’ll find a story covering one of our recent projects, offering examples of our solution mindset and teamwork. See our latest, Frost Bank in San Antonio, TX, in the photo on the right and in our story on our website.Second, we always have a guest columnist share their perspective on building envelope solutions that offers valuable insight for our client readers. Check out this issue’s piece by Phil Dregger on the importance of roof maintenance – and the disastrous effects not maintaining your roof properly can have.
September 01, 2016
A tech startup has just launched hardware coupled with cloud-based software designed to allow employers in the construction industry to conduct real-time monitoring of conditions that could cause health problems for the workers on their jobsites.As with any industry, there are certain health risks associated with construction. That's why the developers of this monitoring system are hopeful the technology can find widespread acceptance. Respiratory illnesses, skin problems due to exposure to certain substances, and high levels of noise and vibrations are included in the monitoring system’s calculations.One of the system's developers said the monitoring should improve the overall health of workers, which of course means there is self-interest for companies investing in it as well.
August 31, 2016
We recently wrote about the 144 projects that are changing the London skyline, but let’s not forget that the largest city in America, New York, is also undergoing a construction boom both above and below ground.Of course we have heard about the Hudson Yards and World Trade Center rebuild, but a recent article in amny.com and noted by the AGC Smart Brief, lists 12 “supertalls” that are changing the NYC skyline as we know it. Whether on the fringes of Central Park or around the World Trade Center, the towers, both commercial and residential, will offer vistas and sky views to those who have the means to either “buy in” or lease in the city.
August 30, 2016
Adaptive Construction Solutions Inc., located in Houston, Texas, recruits, trains and integrates veterans into the ironworking industry.Adaptive Construction Solutions, which opened its doors in April, completed its first three training classes, providing more than 70 veterans with introductory ironworking training and careers with notable Houston steel erection companies like Empire Steel, Steelco and Postel International.We have fostered quick success, growth and expansion by creating a culture of camaraderie and “can-do” attitude that attracts veterans and employers alike. In a few short months, Adaptive Construction Solutions and its partners have already expanded their ironworking projects from Southeast Texas to Central Texas. Veterans from all over the country are responding to ACS’ aggressive social media marketing campaign, attracted by the strong opportunities in Texas construction.
August 29, 2016
The industrial construction industry is an ever changing and ever growing industry, especially in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The Houston area, which takes on the brunt of the majority of this work, is always looking for the next idea of how to maintain a skilled workforce. Labor shortage in general is not a problem, a skilled labor force, however, is where most companies may agree on a commonality of shortages.Melisa Wynne with Ref-Chem says, “Entry level helpers and laborers are plentiful in the Gulf Coast region. Our (Human Resources – Craft Recruiting) problem is manning a project where we need 100 skilled and certified pipefitters, boilermakers and/or welders. There are simply not enough skilled craftsmen to staff all of the projects in our region.”
August 26, 2016
Why would anyone want to build a twisted design in the first place? Developments in design and technology can reduce wind loads on the buildings and take advantage of solar angles.
August 25, 2016
39 states add construction jobs in latest 12 months; reports on July starts divergeEditor’s note: Construction Citizen is proud to partner with AGC America to bring you AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson's Data DIGest. Check back each week to get Ken's expert analysis of what's happening in our industry.Seasonally adjusted construction employment rose in 39 states from July 2015 to July 2016, declined in 11 states and was unchanged in the District of Columbia, an AGC analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released on Friday showed. The highest percentage gains occurred in Iowa (17%, 12,800 jobs), followed by Hawaii (13%, 4,500), Idaho (13%, 4,800), Colorado (11%, 16,100), Arizona (8.6%, 10,900) and Massachusetts (8.4%, 11,600). Iowa and Massachusetts set new records. California again added the most jobs (29,100 jobs, 4.0%), followed by Florida (16,400, 6.1%), Colorado, Iowa and Massachusetts. North Dakota again lost the highest percentage of construction jobs (-8.5%, -2,900), followed by Wyoming (-7.5%, -1,700) and Kansas (-7.3%, -4,400). Kansas lost the largest number of construction jobs, followed by North Dakota, Alabama (-2,400, -3.0%) and Kentucky (-2,300, -3.0%). From June to July, seasonally adjusted construction employment increased in 23 states and D.C., shrank in 26 states, and was unchanged in Alaska.
August 24, 2016
One of the most expensive high school football stadiums in America is getting even more costly thanks to the rising cost of concrete and additional roadwork being done around the facility.The McKinney Independent School District's stadium was already projected to cost right around $62.8 million.Now the school board has been given an update pushing that number up $7.1 million – a much higher price tag than what voters in the area approved earlier this year. The new estimate will make this the most expensive high school stadium ever built, according to the Associated Press.
August 23, 2016