Florida Contract Activity Moves Up in March

The value of contracts for future construction in Florida increased by a significant 26 percent in March over the same year-ago period, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. March contracts for Florida totaled nearly $4.7 billion, nearly $1 billion ahead of the $3.7 billion estimated at this time last year.

In March, the nonbuilding sector showed the greatest percentage increase, moving up by 82 percent over March 2003. The most recent month's report indicated an estimated $678.9 million for this sector, compared to the $372.3 million of a year ago. The biggest dollar volume gains continued to be in residential market, which increased by 43 percent over last March, with the most recent figure of $3.3 billion comparing to last year's $2.3 billion. Nonresidential building construction continued to decline, however, moving down 33 percent to $687.7 million, compared to last year's $1 billion.

For the year-to-date, overall activity has increased by 16 percent, from the $11.3 billion reported in the first three months of 2003 to 2004's cumulative $13.1 billion. The residential market has been the only positive sector to date, however, having improved 31 percent so far in 2004, with roughly $9.2 billion in activity reported. Nonresidential activity has decreased by 13 percent, with a cumulative $2.4 billion to date. The nonbuilding sector has decreased by 4 percent, and ended at just under $1.5 billion through the first three months.

The Gardens Mall Announces Major Redevelopment

The Forbes Co. of Southfield, Mich., owners of The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, announced it will begin construction later this year on a redevelopment of the mall. The project will include an approximately 144,000-sq.-ft. Nordstrom; a 90,000-sq.-ft. Macy's expansion; a 35,000-sq.-ft. Saks Fifth Avenue expansion; and some additional mall shops.

Nordstrom will occupy a portion of the existing Burdines building and is scheduled to open its new store by spring 2006.

Plans call for an expanded Burdines-Macy's store in the former Macy's building.

Suffolk, BC Architects Picked for Diplomat Residences

Developer Taylor Woodrow recently selected Suffolk Construction Co. of West Palm Beach as general contractor for its 28-story Diplomat Oceanfront Residences project in Hollywood. The company also selected Coral Gables-based BC Architects - formerly Brito, Cohan & Associates - as the project architect.

Located adjacent to the Diplomat Resort and Spa, the Diplomat Oceanfront Residences will feature 135 luxury condominium units. Units will range in size from 2,300 to 3,200 sq. ft. and in price from $600,000 to $6 million.

Groundbreaking Held for News-Journal Center

Farmer Baker Barrios Architects of Orlando has completed architectural design services for The News-Journal Center in Daytona Beach. The $26-million facility will consist of an 860-seat main theater, 260-seat studio theater, classrooms, rehearsal spaces, faculty and staff offices, dance studios and conference rooms.

The News-Journal Center is scheduled for completion in the winter of 2005.

Beck Working at Sawgrass Mills

Tampa-based Beck has begun work on interior renovations and a new parking garage at The Mills Corp.'s Sawgrass Mills shopping center in Sunrise.

The 214,000-sq.-ft. parking garage is a three-level, pre-cast concrete structure that will have a total of 658 parking spaces.

Specific enhancements to the interior of the center include: replacing sections of the floor and carpeting; adding lighting and new paint to common areas; establishing seating areas throughout the center; completely remodeling restrooms; and renovating the food courts. The renovation will also include the installation of new directional signage.

Skanska Secures $65 Million Tampa Hospital Project

Skanska USA Building has secured a $65 million assignment to expand Tampa General Hospital. Construction is expected to begin in September, with completion planned for September 2006.

The project will include the construction of a four-story building above an existing parking area. The new building will house an emergency department, operating rooms, a women's center for delivery, an intensive care unit and a cardiovascular center. The hospital's central energy plant will also be expanded.

Stellar Begins Construction for United States Cold Storage

The Stellar Group of Jacksonville has started constructing a new 145,000-sq.-ft. distribution facility for United States Cold Storage in Medley, Fla., that will incorporate both dry and refrigerated space to serve customers in southern Florida. Stellar is providing design-build services including architecture, engineering, construction, refrigeration and insulation and roofing.

The building will consist of a conventional structural steel frame, insulated metal wall panels and a single ply membrane-roofing system. This facility is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2004.

McCree to Build Copley Square

Copley Square Developer Barry L. Miller recently hired McCree Inc. of Orlando to construct the largest townhome community in downtown Orlando. Copley Square is located on six acres in downtown Orlando just east of Delaney Avenue on Michigan Street.

1661 Riverside Project Announced for Jacksonville

Jacksonville-based Midland Development recently announced plans for 1661 Riverside, a loft/townhome project in the city's Riverside/Avondale area. The developer described the project as an "urban village," with 69 lofts, 21 townhomes and adjoining retail shops planned.

The project is planned for a spring 2006 completion.

Wuesthoff Medical Center Receives Third-Floor Addition

The Robins & Morton Group announced it is building a 41,165-sq.-ft., third-floor addition to Wuesthoff Medical Center in Melbourne. The $8.3 million expansion will add 23 medical surgery beds, 10 observation beds and five examination rooms, along with required support services.

Tilt-Con Awarded Four New Projects

Tilt-Con Corp. of Altamonte Springs has been awarded the contracts on the following projects:

• Quiet Waters Business Park, Buildings 6 and 7, in Deerfield Beach, Fla., for general contractor FN Thompson Construction;
  
• CX Continental office space in Miami Lakes for general contractor Ralph Merritt Construction;
  
• Spears Manufacturing facility in Orlando for Duke Construction; and,
  
• YMCA in Weston, Fla., for general contractor James A. Cummings, Inc.