Jim Kollaer's blog

The Harris County Commissioners Court on August 27, passed an 8 part item that includes the establishment of a new set of criteria for all “buildings” using Federal funds built by Harris County. This initiative was passed after a “working group” of department heads and representatives from each commissioner’s office worked with the county attorney to propose the new guidelines for projects that include Federal monies flowing into the region to rebuild after Harvey and possibly for all County projects.  [node:read-more:link]

The mantra of the residential and renovation contractors and subs that “Residential is different from Commercial construction. We can’t afford to do all that stuff...” has been repeated in my face for my entire career. [node:read-more:link]

According to a Pew Study, Generation Z followed the Millennials and were born between 1996 (revised start date) and 2012 meaning that the oldest is now 23 years old and the youngest is 7 and in primary school today. [node:read-more:link]

Industry organizations have been advocating for some period for additional Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs that would better serve the industry and would provide for expanded accelerated programs for workers in the industrial, commercial, and even the residential sectors of the industry. [node:read-more:link]

Skender, a Chicago based design and construction company listed as number 80 on the list of top US Building Contractors, has teamed with BuiltWorlds magazine to release a new research report titled 2019 Modular Construction Update. This report provides some interesting information on the current state of off-site and prefab construction. [node:read-more:link]

The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building for 20th and 21st Century Art at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) has recently topped out according to an article in ArchDaily. This last building in the 14-acre museum masterplan is scheduled for completion in 2020 and is the most complex building in the campus. The building will be the last on the campus and will further enhance the museum’s role as an international destination in Houston. [node:read-more:link]

As the shortage of skilled workers continues and the demand for units grows, you can expect that more modular production will be tried across the country. [node:read-more:link]

On July first, the Transbay Transit Center, closed over 9 months ago when cracks were discovered in two major structural girders, had what folks in the hotel business call a “soft opening,” sans buses. [node:read-more:link]

Wishing all of our readers a safe and happy Fourth of July! - the construction citizen crew [node:read-more:link]