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The Austin City Council recently extended through March 2016 the current, temporary rules governing overnight concrete pours on downtown job sites.The Austin AGC and our industry allies have been very active on this issue since it developed in late 2014. We’re simply trying to ensure that construction companies working downtown are not subject to rules that may sound solid in theory but in practice will create undue restrictions. Without the opportunity to pour concrete in the late evening hours, a number of problems are created for both the industry at work and the people who live, work and socialize downtown. Pouring at night helps:Alleviate daytime traffic congestion downtown due to large numbers of large concrete trucks required;Keep the public safe from the large number of concrete trucks required;Keep workers safe from high daytime temperatures on hot concrete;
Reshaping the Construction Industry
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Click on image to view more information.Spending, tax bills augur well for construction; Dodge starts slip in NovemberEditor’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.Last Friday, President Obama signed legislation that sets spending levels and limitations for federal agencies for fiscal year (FY) 2016, ending next September, and that extends and amends a variety of tax provisions. An AGC analysis of direct federal spending by agency shows "an increase of approximately $8 billion" from FY 2015 for accounts that cover construction. The act "fully funds the authorized levels contained in the recently-enacted FAST Act [authorizing highway, transit and Amtrak programs], resulting in a 5.5% increase in highway funding and a 10% increase in transit funding over FY 2015 levels."
December 28, 2015
With last minute shopping and preparations for Christmas celebrations happening at this moment all over the country – and the planet – our team thought it would be appropriate to take a moment to reflect on the reason for the season. Each day, we work toward advancing a socially responsible, sustainable and value added construction industry. Through the help of our sponsors, contributing writers, and others we never stop pushing toward the goal of a more perfect industry.
December 24, 2015
The following article originally appeared in the December newsletter to clients of Kiley Advisors, LLC. Reprinted with permission.Dan Gilbane’s tweet carried the good news; so did his Linkedin post. Soon it was on the company’s website: “ENR honors Gilbane’s Charlie Nelson with Legacy Award.” All privileged to know this humble, authentic, and consistently effective leader are on our feet in a thunderous, prolonged standing ovation, some with tears in our eyes. Never has an individual been more worthy.The award recognizes an industry veteran, with many years of experience and extensive contributions to the industry and the community. Charlie significantly exceeds those standards. He is a 54-year veteran, the first 34 with Lott, the last 20 with Gilbane. He has been both a field engineer and a president, and the list of projects he has successfully shepherded is staggering.
December 23, 2015
“Congratulations, you have been selected to be a part of the team! Your starting date will be….” There are no sweeter words than these that I’ve heard in the eight months I scratched and clawed, typed, copied and pasted my instrument and electrical technician resume and work applications day after day. Of course, with some breaks in between as I focused on school, I prepped myself to get back into the workforce. After getting settled in, signing paperwork, and completing training modules, it is finally time to get moving!One word came to mind as I put on my hard hat and safety goggles after completing my training modules: Planning. If you fail to plan, plan to fail.As I start my day, I go into my emails and check to see what is lined up for the day. Whether it be PMs (preventative maintenance), specific projects, such as replacing a valve, or completing company training modules, the day starts off by planning.
December 22, 2015
Click on image to view more information.Construction employment rises from year ago in 44 states, D.C.; housing shows gainsEditor’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 44 states and the District of Columbia from November 2014 to November 2015 and declined in six states, an AGC analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released today showed. The number of places with year-over-year (y/y) gains was the most since February. The top three states for jobs added were again California (41,000 jobs, 5.9%), New York (30,500, 8.9%) and Florida (29,300, 7.2%).
December 21, 2015
One of the construction companies involved in building One World Trade Center has struck a deal with federal prosecutors to pay out $20 million after an alleged overbilling scheme was uncovered.The government accused Tishman Construction, a unit of Aecom, of improperly billing clients on projects including One World Trade Center as well as the Plaza Hotel in New York. Tishman overbilled clients by fraudulently adding one to two hours of unworked or unnecessary "guaranteed" overtime pay per day to time sheets for labor foremen, according to prosecutors.Reuters reported the details:“Through a systemic practice, Tishman Construction bilked its clients by charging them for unworked time and at rates higher than those bargained for by their clients," Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Robert Capers said in a statement.John Gallagher, a spokesman for Tishman, said the company fully cooperated with the investigation.The settlement, reported by Reuters, follows similar accords with construction companies in recent years over alleged fraudulent billing practices on projects in New York City.
December 18, 2015
As most readers of this blog are aware, the ultimate vision for C3 is the creation of a sustainable and credentialed craft workforce for the commercial construction industry. In short, commercial construction is not attracting young people in near enough numbers to replace those who are leaving it for reasons such as retirement. C3 was created to address this challenge, and we have begun to gain traction. As 2015 comes to a close, I would like to reflect on the progress that C3 has made and look forward to 2016.This year has seen C3 take marked strides forward in this long and complex journey. Among the highlights are the robust growth among its ranks of owners, contractors and specialty contractors, the addition of several new projects that specify C3 requirements in their project specifications, the hiring of Maria Aimone as C3 Operations Manager and the launch of the new C3 Training Database.
December 17, 2015
Nadine Post writes an interesting piece for ENR asking where the revolution in the construction industry is and explains that all the technology changes that are taking place are making projects much more complex to design and build.
December 16, 2015
Click on image to view more information.November PPIs rise for new buildings, some subcontractors, but fall for many inputsEditor’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.The producer price index (PPI) for final demand in November was unchanged from October on a not-seasonally-adjusted basis (up 0.3%, seasonally adjusted) and declined 1.1% year-over-year (y/y), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported Friday. AGC posted tables and an explanation focusing on construction prices and costs. Final demand includes goods, services and five types of nonresidential buildings that BLS says make up 34% of total construction. The PPI for final demand construction, not seasonally adjusted, decreased 0.3% for the month and increased 2.1% y/y. The overall PPI for new nonresidential building construction—a measure of the price that contractors say they would charge to build a fixed set of five categories of buildings—climbed 2.0% since November 2014. The 12-month increases ranged from 1.0% for healthcare construction to 1.9% for industrial buildings, 2.2% for schools and warehouses, and 2.3% for offices.
December 15, 2015
