AGC Constructor

February 2016

Top News

AGC Charities Needs Your Help Now

We hope you'll consider supporting AGC Charities this spring as we help to build a new handicap accessible water park addition to the non-profit Morgan's Wonderland, the world's first theme park designed with special-needs individuals in mind and built for everyone's enjoyment. The new expansion to the theme park, Morgan's Inspiration Island, will serve as the world's first ever fully accessible water park when it opens in spring 2017. The volunteer contractors, who are being organized by Linbeck Group and the AGC of San Antonio, plan to conduct most of the construction work during a two-day blitz on March 7 and 8. If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please contact Nahee Rosso at 703-837-5348 or rosson@agc.org. Please consider supporting this effort by donating to AGC Charities' Operation Opening Doors. View the list of items we need to complete this project. Watch a video to learn more.

Construction Firms Add 18,000 Workers in January as Employment Hits Highest Level Since 2008, Unemployment Falls to 17-Year Low

Construction firms added 18,000 workers in January, as the industry's unemployment rate declined to a 17-year low of 8.5 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. Association officials noted that the number of construction jobs added in January was down compared to the last three months of 2015 and could reflect either a slowdown in nonresidential construction activity or an inability of contractors to find qualified workers. "While the construction industry continues to add jobs, the January figures mark a significant decline in the rate of growth compared to the end of last year," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "It will take a few months to evaluate whether firms are running out of people to hire or if broader economic uncertainty is leading to a decline in demand for many types of construction services." Learn More...

A Call for Help

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry often lands among the top 10 industries at risk for suicide. Leaders in the industry are starting to take notice and changing the culture with a new vision and a set of best practices. Read more about this topic in the latest issue of Constructor magazine.

Other stories include the top 10 regulatory concerns that exist for the industry, steps to improve construction worker safety and the much-anticipated Service & Supply Buyers' Guide. Plus, there's plenty more inside the January/February issue. Give it a read today.

Advocacy

AGC-Supported Water Infrastructure Trust Fund Legislation Re-Introduced

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), John Duncan (R-Tenn.), and Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) introduced the Water Investment Trust Fund Act. This legislation will provide a small, deficit-neutral, protected source of revenue to help states replace, repair, and rehabilitate critical clean and drinking water facilities by creating a voluntary system that would allow businesses that rely on a clean water source to contribute to the fund. Learn More...

Business Tips

Relying on the CGL Policy to Protect You from Professional Risk is a Recipe for Disaster

The complex world of construction risk transfer is a hotbed of emerging and evolving issues, with critical issues constantly being shaped by case law and the practical realities of day-to-day business transactions. Among the numerous issues that we see, there’s been a noticeable increase in discussion about the need for professional liability insurance and the proper methods for covering this risk. The following is a discussion of some of the key considerations and strategies. Learn More...

Member News

Goldberg & Connelly Welcomes Craig M. Nisnewitz to the Firm

Goldberg & Connelly, an AGC of New York State LLC member, recently announced that Craig M. Nisnewitz has joined the firm's Construction Claims & Litigation Groups. Mr. Nisnewitz concentrates his practice in construction law, commercial litigation, and government contracting with city, state, and public authority agencies. For over 31 years, Mr. Nisnewitz has represented general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, suppliers, engineers, developers and owners in disputes involving public and private construction projects. Mr. Nisnewitz is a magna cum laude graduate of Queens College of the City University of New York and of Hofstra University School of Law. Mr. Nisnewitz may be reached at cmnisnewitz@goldbergconnolly.com.

McShane Construction Selected by Brinshore Development for 78-Unit Affordable Housing Complex in Chicago

Jeffrey A. Raday, P.E., president of McShane Construction Company, a Builders Association member, recently announced the recent award of Park Place, an affordable housing residence for long-standing respected client, Brinshore Development. The multi-phase construction assignment kicked off in early November with completion slated for Second Quarter 2017. Learn More...

Otis Elevators Selected for Leading Children's Hospital

Otis Elevator, a member of multiple AGC chapters, has entered into a multimillion-dollar agreement with W.S. Bellows Construction Corporation, also a member of multiple AGC chapters, to supply elevator units for Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the nation. Otis is a unit of United Technologies Corp. Learn More...

Parrish Construction Group, Inc. Promotes New President

Parrish Construction Group, Inc., a Georgia-based commercial construction company and an AGC Georgia member, has announced that Rodney Smith has been promoted to president. Learn More...

Tocci Building Companies Hires Arash Arbabi as Project Controls Manager

Tocci Building Companies (Tocci), an AGC of Massachusetts member, announced recently that Arash (Ari) Arbabi has joined the team as project controls manager. In his new role, Arbabi will develop and manage complex project schedules, as well as assist Tocci’s estimating and management teams. Learn More...