DBIA Recognizes Skanska for Tampa Airport Terminal

The Design-Build Institute of America's Southeast Chapter recently honored Skanska USA Building's Georgia Division for its work on Airside Terminal "E" at Tampa International Airport. The project was recognized as the best public sector project of 2003 and as the year's best overall design-build project. Awards were presented at the organization's annual banquet in Atlanta in December.

The project was built as a joint venture between Skanska's Georgia and Florida divisions. Completed in October 2002, the 270,000-sq.-ft., $70-million terminal contains 14 gates. A new automated baggage system was also included in the work.

Skanska is currently working on a $129 million baggage and security enhancement facility at TIA.

Swire Properties Announces Carbonell Condo in Miami

Miami-based developer Swire Properties recently broke ground on the Carbonell, a 284-unit, 40-story condominium project on Miami's Brickell Key. The project is estimated to be completed by March 2005.

Las Olas Leads Office Leasing Upswing

Fort Lauderdale-based Stiles Realty Co. recently announced that, with the Las Olas Boulevard district as its engine, downtown Fort Lauderdale office leasing is rebounding dramatically, according to its third-quarter market survey data released recently.

The summary of central business district leasing shows 58,554 sq. ft. of Class-A office space absorbed in third quarter, and a decrease in available sublease space of 8,888 sq. ft. Las Olas Boulevard continues to be a powerful drawing card, especially for financial services and professional firms. Since January, over 98,000 sq. ft. of space has been leased along Las Olas Boulevard.

"Activity is up substantially in downtown, as companies begin taking action to expand for the first time in three years," said Stiles Realty President Thomas Kates. "Until now, even firms that were doing well felt expansion was not appropriate. Now we're seeing urgency from tenants. They want all the amenities - plus fast-tracked occupancy."

Clancy & Theys Wins $32 Million Clearwater Project

The Orlando office of Clancy & Theys Construction Co. was recently awarded a $32 million contract to build a new administration, operations and maintenance facility for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority in Clearwater.

Two existing facilities will be consolidated into the new Scherer Drive address, which will house 125 administrative personnel, 160 maintenance personnel and 600 drivers.

The new facility will include a two-story, 40,000-sq.-ft. administration building; a 160,000-sq.-ft. bus maintenance building and operations facility; and a connector bridge between the two facilities.

Telecom Contractor Buys Rival

Dycom Industries, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., announced that it completed the purchase of substantially all the assets of First South Utility Construction for $50 million in cash and 175,840 shares of Dycom common stock. First South, Greensboro, N.C., provides telecommunication plant construction, design and engineering services throughout the eastern U.S. It had revenue of $140.3 million in 2002. Dycom, a national engineering, construction and maintenance firm providing services to telecommunication providers, had revenue of $624 million in 2002

Scott Partnership Starts $10 Million Childcare Projects

The Scott Partnership Architecture, Orlando, is currently under construction of Facility A of the YMCA Childcare Centers at Disney in Orlando, and in permitting for Facility B, also in Orlando.

This $10 million ground-up daycare project encompasses 49,901 sq. ft. combined. The facility features natural playground settings with wood and trees, a large indoor play-space and customized millwork.

Construction on Facility A began Nov. 20, 2003, and is expected to conclude July 2004. Construction on Facility B was scheduled to begin January 2004 and conclude by fall.

The Scott Partnership is providing architecture, engineering, security design, landscape, civil engineering and interior design services.

Miami AIA Names Pavarini "GC of the Year"

The Miami Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has awarded Pavarini Construction, Miami Lakes, Fla., with its "General Contractor of the Year Award." Pavarini entered the southeastern U.S. construction market in 1967 with the construction of One Biscayne Tower in Miami. The contractor's South Florida office is now led by Chief Executive Officer Gene McGovern.

Skanska Awarded $3.6 Million Healthcare Contract

Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach recently awarded Skanska USA Building with a $3.6 million cardiac cath lab renovation and build-out contract. Construction was scheduled to begin in December.

Bliss & Nyitray to Engineer School Addition

Bliss & Nyitray's Miami office has been retained by PJB Associates, a Miami-based architecture firm, to provide structural engineering services for an addition to Key Biscayne Community School. The $8.2 million, three-story, 64,000-sq.-ft. addition will be constructed using the design-build method, and is scheduled for completion in March 2005.