12 Percent Increases Reported for Both North, South Carolina

McGraw-Hill Construction recently reported that the value of September contracts for future construction activity increased by 12 percent in both North Carolina and South Carolina, compared to the same period a year ago.

In North Carolina, compared to September 2003, the most recent month's 12-percent improvement resulted in a $1.6 billion contract total, up from last year's $1.4 billion tally. The residential sector showed the greatest increase, growing by 19 percent to end at approximately $1.1 billion. The next biggest market, nonresidential, improved by 2 percent, and was estimated at approximately $300.2 million. The value of nonbuilding contracts declined by 8 percent over last September, ending at an estimated $197.3 million. The total value of August contracts in North Carolina was slightly more than $1.6 billion.

Year-to-date, 2004 North Carolina contract activity has increased by 17 percent, compared to the first nine months of 2003, to total approximately $16 billion. Nonresidential is 1 percent below 2003's pace, with nearly $3.5 billion in contracts reported to date. Residential construction has increased by 23 percent to total roughly $10.7 billion, and the nonbuilding sector is estimated to be 19 percent ahead of 2003, with nearly $1.8 billion in contracts reported.

The value of South Carolina activity also increased by 12 percent in September, with the residential and nonbuilding categories again contributing to the improvement. The nonbuilding category improved by 12 percent for a monthly total of $137.2 million, while residential increased by 16 percent over last September to total roughly $540.8 million. The nonresidential category was even with last September's total, with approximately $178.5 million in contracts reported. The total value of September contracts was roughly $856.5 million.

Year-to-date, the value of new contracts in South Carolina is estimated at nearly $9 billion, or 23 percent ahead of 2003. Nonbuilding construction is roughly 49 percent ahead of last year's total through the first nine months of 2004, with nearly $1.9 billion in contracts reported. Nonresidential, with an estimated value of approximately $2.2 billion, has improved by 19 percent for the year-to-date, while the value of residential contracts, estimated at about $4.9 billion, has improved by 17 percent for the year.

Village of Meadowview Apartments Being Built in Boone, N.C.

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Summit Contractors has been awarded a contract to build The Village at Meadowview in Boone, N.C. Tri Star Development of Chapel Hill, N.C., is the developer. Summit will build 204 units in 13 buildings, along with a clubhouse and swimming pool.

Bradley and Ball Architects of Greensboro, N.C., is the project architect. The completion date for the project is April 2005.

Caddell Construction Building Military Dormitory

Caddell Construction Co. of Montgomery, Ala., was awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, to design-build a new three-story dormitory complex to house approximately 300 military personnel at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

Construction is well under way and completion is scheduled for spring 2005, with overall contract value of $9.6 million. Source: Engineering News-Record.

Makson Construction Starts on Student Housing Project in Salisbury, N.C.

Makson Construction, a Salisbury, N.C.-based general contracting and development company specializing in residential and multi-family housing, recently started construction on a student housing community in Salisbury. Known as College Park, the complex is scheduled to open in August 2005.

The College Park apartment community will consist of three buildings with 12 units each.

Groundbreaking Held for Fayetteville Outpatient Center

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in mid-October for the Cape Fear Valley Health System's Health Pavilion North, a new, $14.6 million outpatient center in Fayetteville, N.C. The new facility is being developed by Cogdell Spencer Advisors, a real-estate firm specializing in health care facilities, in partnership with Cape Fear Valley Health System.

As an extension of the Cape Fear Valley Health System, the two-story, 64,000-sq.-ft. Health Pavilion North will include an urgent-care facility, primary care physician office and an on-site lab and pharmacy. Physical and occupational therapy will also be offered on site, while medical office space will be reserved for other specialty services.

Peterson Associates is the project architect and M.B. Kahn is the general contractor. The project is scheduled to open in spring 2006.

Second Shell Building Set for Kannapolis Business Park

MarkPiercePoole Properties, a Charlotte-based commercial real estate development firm partnering with the city of Kannapolis, N.C., to build Kannapolis Gateway Business Park, announced it will break ground on a second shell building in the park within six months.

The 50,000 sq.-ft. building, suitable for manufacturing or distribution operations, will be offered for sale or lease.