Florida AGC to Unify as Statewide Chapter

In what the group is calling "a strategic move to maximize member value and legislative effectiveness," all five Florida chapters of Associated General Constructors of America are finalizing plans for a unified statewide chapter. Effective Jan. 1, 2005, unifications with AGC's state headquarters in Tallahassee will begin, with each chapter retaining local boards.

According to AGC, the initial transition phase, now in effect, has Orlando-based AGC of Central Florida and Jacksonville-based AGC of Greater Florida operating through the end of this year although both offices have closed.

Continuing statewide meetings are being held to assure a merging of assets and programs.

Florida Contract Activity Increases 14 Percent in April

The value of contracts for future construction in Florida increased by a significant 14 percent in April over the same year-ago period, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. April contracts for Florida totaled roughly $4.4 billion, or about $500 million more than was reported in April 2003.

In April, the nonbuilding sector continued to show the greatest percentage increase, improving by 35 percent over April 2003. The most recent month's report indicated an estimated $589.2 million for this sector, compared to the $435.4 million of a year ago. The biggest dollar volume gains continued to be in the residential market, which increased by 16 percent over last April, with the most recent figure of $3 billion comparing to last year's $2.6 billion. Nonresidential construction declined again, however, decreasing 5 percent to nearly $807 million, compared to last year's $852.8 million.

For the year-to-date, overall activity has increased by 17 percent, from the $15.2 billion reported in the first four months of 2003 to 2004's cumulative $17.7 billion. The residential market has shown the greatest strength to date, having improved 29 percent so far in 2004, with roughly $12.5 billion in activity reported. With its strong April figures, the nonbuilding sector turned positive, and now is approximately 6 percent ahead of last year with nearly $2.1 billion in activity reported so far in 2004. Nonresidential activity continues to be down for the year, though, showing a 12-percent decline, with a cumulative $3.2 billion to date.

Office Depot to Build New Headquarters in Boca Raton

Office Depot, headquartered in Delray Beach, recently announced a number of key participants in the development of its new global headquarters to be constructed in Boca Raton. The company expects the new facility to be ready in the first half of 2006.

The company has named Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum of Atlanta to serve as the project architect and Stiles Corp. of Fort Lauderdale as development manager. Stiles will assist in obtaining regulatory approval of the project, which will include 600,000 sq. ft. of office space and a 2000-car parking facility on more than 20 acres of property. Stiles will also supervise the general contractor.

Also named to the project team is Cushman & Wakefield of Atlanta, who will provide overall program management, including serving as the owner's representative.

AMEC to Exit U.S. CM Market, Sells Southeastern Division

Brito Cohan & Associates of Coral Gables, an architecture and planning firm Facchina-McGaughan LLC, a new firm founded by two veteran construction executives, has purchased the assets of AMEC Construction Management's Southeastern division. It will operate as a general contractor in south Florida and the Washington, D.C., area.

The sale comes on the heels of AMEC's decision to make "a controlled exit" from its construction management business in the United States. In addition to its operations in Fort Lauderdale and Washington, D.C., the company has stated plans to either close or sell its offices in New York, Boston, San Francisco and Chicago.

Paul V. Facchina, CEO of The Facchina Group of Companies in La Plata, Md., is chairman of the new company, which will operate independently of The Facchina Group. Serving as president of the new firm is A.S. McGaughan Jr., who headed up AMEC's Southeastern division prior to its acquisition by Facchina-McGaughan.

"Work on current projects will continue seamlessly," McGaughan said, adding that personnel in both the Bethesda and Fort Lauderdale offices remain in place. Among projects now under construction are the St. Regis Hotel, Broward County's first five-star hotel, and Brickell on the River, a 42-story residential project on the Miami River.

$11.8 Million Dredging of Miami River to Begin

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded an $11.8 million contract to Roy F. Weston and Bean, a joint venture, for the first-phase dredging of the Miami River. The project was scheduled to begin no later than August, and was expected to last several years.

Gov. Jeb Bush praised the project's announcement, which was the culmination of efforts by local, state and federal authorities over several years to improve the river's water quality, navigability and economic viability. The build-up of sediment along the river basin has increasingly limited vessels from loading to full capacity and many can only travel at high tide.

"With the completion of this dredging project will come a safe and reliable navigation channel, which will stimulate growth along the river," said Gov. Bush.

Related Names John Moriarty as Las Olas Beach Club Builder

The Related Group of Florida has named John Moriarty and Associates of Hollywood as the general contractor for its 29-story Las Olas Beach Club condominium project in Fort Lauderdale. The company is currently building Related's One Miami project in downtown Miami as well as The Beach Club in Hallandale.

Radius Condo Announced for Hollywood

Lane Investment and Development Corp., a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Lane Co., has announced plans for Radius, a joint venture with Hollywood, Fla.-based FIRM Realty, for the 12-story, 285-unit, "entry-level luxury" condominium and retail development in Hollywood. Groundbreaking was scheduled for October, with completion slated for May 2006.

Radius was designed by Miami-based architectural firm Mouriz, Salazar & Associates, and features a curvilinear design. It will feature 36,000 sq. ft. of retail.

Keene to Build Wilder's The Loop

Orlando-based general contractor Keene Construction Co. was awarded a multimillion-dollar contract by The Wilder Companies to construct The Loop, a shopping, restaurant and entertainment village in Osceola County. When completed in spring 2005, The Loop will consist of 440,000 sq. ft. of retail, restaurant and entertainment establishments.

Tenants that have been officially announced include Kohl's, Regal Cinemas 16, The Sports Authority, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Ross Dress for Less, Michaels, Petco, Pier 1 and Macaroni Grill.

ACI Builds David C. Hinson Middle School in Volusia Co.

Aviation Constructors Inc./ACI Commercial, Tampa, is building the new $17.5 million David C. Hinson Middle School in Daytona Beach for Volusia County Public Schools. Comprised of 10 buildings totaling 150,000 sq. ft., the campus is scheduled for completion in April 2005. Daytona Beach-based Hawkins & Hall Architects designed the school.

Ajax Building Completes First of Six Lake Co. School Projects

Ajax Building Corp. of Tallahassee recently completed the $10.3 million construction and renovation of the Mount Dora Middle School in Lake County. The project was the inaugural effort of a planned countywide renovation schedule under way at six additional schools. The total project budget for all of the renovations and construction is roughly $121 million.

Additional activity is under construction at Eustis High School, Leesburg High School, Mount Dora High School, Tavares High School and Umatilla High School.

J. Raymond Awarded Northlake Square

J. Raymond Construction Corp. of Longwood, Fla., has started work on Northlake Square in Palm Beach Gardens.

The project for Congress Plaza West Joint Venture/Retail Property Group consists of nine acres of sitework and new retail. Project architect is Saltz Michelson Architects. The project is scheduled for an October completion.