Work Starts on Charlotte Light Rail System

Archer Western Contractors of Morrisville, N.C., is beginning construction of the South Corridor Light Rail Line in Charlotte. The system will combine the refurbishment of existing trolley tracks along with new construction to create a 10-mi. rapid transit system stretching from uptown Charlotte to Interstate 485.

The $107 million project is the first light rail system to be constructed in North Carolina and in the Southeast. Initial operations are scheduled for early 2007.

N.C. Activity Up Again; S.C.'s Continues to Decline

McGraw-Hill Construction reported that, compared to a year ago, the value of March contracts for future construction activity improved by 1 percent in North Carolina, while declining by 29 percent in South Carolina.

In North Carolina, the most recent month's 1-percent improvement resulted in an approximately $2 billion cumulative value. The biggest sector, residential, was the only positive one, increasing by 14 percent to tally approximately $1.4 billion. Meanwhile, after improving by 34 percent during the previous month, the value of nonresidential contracts decreased by 25 percent in March, over the same period of a year ago, to total $300.3 million. The value of nonbuilding contracts also declined, by 19 percent, to a total estimate of approximately $272 million.

Year-to-date, North Carolina contract activity has increased by 8 percent over the first three months of 2004 to total approximately $5.7 billion. Nonresidential is 17 percent behind last year's pace, with nearly $1.1 billion in contracts reported to date. Residential construction has climbed by 15 percent to total roughly $3.7 billion, and the nonbuilding sector is estimated to be 21 percent ahead for the year, with approximately $960.4 million in contracts reported.

The value of South Carolina activity decreased by 29 percent in March to total roughly $1.1 billion. Though nonbuilding was the only negative category, it declined by 88 percent to tally only $95.7 million for the month. The nonresidential category rebounded from a major decline in March to improve by 91 percent for a monthly total of roughly $288.9 million. The residential sector increased by 15 percent, to total roughly $726.3 million.

Year-to-date, the value of new contracts in South Carolina is estimated at roughly $2.7 billion, or 18 percent behind last year's pace. Residential, estimated at almost $1.9 billion and with a 17-percent improvement so far, is the only sector with a positive growth rate. The nonbuilding category, with a $293.3 million total, is estimated to be 71 percent behind the first three months of 2004, while nonresidential, with a value of $573.3 million, is 21 percent behind last year's pace.

Ground Broken for New Hospital in Charleston

BGKS, a joint venture between Brasfield & Gorrie, M.B. Kahn and Southern Management Group, recently broke ground of a new, $186 million hospital in downtown Charleston. The new 641,000-sq.-ft. hospital will include a seven-story patient tower and a four-level platform designed to house the diagnostic and treatment components of the facility.

The project also includes a 52,000-sq.-ft. central energy plant and a utility connection to the hospital that is designed to accommodate all future phases of the project. The project is scheduled for completion by early 2008.

Development Plans Under Way Along Catawba River

Cherokee Investment Partners of Raleigh, N.C., and the Culture & Heritage Foundation of Rock Hill, S.C., signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2005 to develop 400 acres in York County along the Catawba River at Interstate 77. The mixed-use project will complement a new museum to be built on the site; however no contractor has been selected yet for that project which is estimated at $67 million. A start date has not been announced for either project.

UNC to Get New Cancer Center

Skanska USA will begin construction of a new cancer center at the University of North Carolina in October. The project is initially valued at $130 million and is scheduled to be completed by 2009. The center will encompass 300,000 sq. ft. and will be situated adjacent to the existing hospital.