Diplomat Settlement Ousts Plumbers' Officials as Pension Fund Trustees

Nearly two years after the Labor Department filed a lawsuit charging trustees of the Plumbers and Pipefitters National Pension Fund with mismanaging the plan's substantial investment in the Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, the department says it has reached a settlement, removing four trustees and requiring them to pay $10.98 million in penalties.

The settlement, announced Aug. 3, resolves allegations against the trustees, who include plumbers' union President Martin J. Maddaloni and General Secretary-Treasurer Thomas Patchell. The settlement, which still must be approved by federal district court in Fort Lauderdale, does not require either official to resign his union post.

"The plumbers trustees mismanaged the investment and placed the retirement benefits of thousands of union workers at risk," Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in a statement.

In the Sept. 12, 2002, lawsuit, the department alleged that the trustees violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act by imprudently proceeding with the Diplomat project without feasibility studies, market analyses, market-tested construction budgets, construction schedules, economic models, financing arrangements or other information with which to make an informed decision.

Lawyers for Maddaloni and Patchell issued a statement that said, "We find it both inappropriate and regrettable that the U.S. Department of Labor would issue a misleading press release regarding a matter which is before a court for consideration." The statement did not elaborate on which aspects of the release the attorneys contended were misleading. Source: Engineering News-Record. By Sherie Winston

Residential Contributes to 5 Percent July Gain

The overall value of contracts for future construction in Florida continued to climb in July, even though two of the three market sectors showed double-digit declines for the month, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. Residential was the lone sector that grew over the year-ago period of July 2003.

In July, the value of residential contracts improved by 21 percent over July 2003. The most recent month's report indicated an estimated $3.4 billion for this sector, compared to the roughly $2.8 billion of a year ago. Nonresidential decreased by 19 percent from July 2003's $1 billion figure, however, to total just over $818.1 million. Nonbuilding construction also declined by a significant 15 percent, to end at about $784.6 million, down from last July's $927.4 million figure.

Residential construction is the main reason for the positive year-to-date numbers. For the first seven months of 2004, overall activity has increased by 19 percent, from the cumulative $28.4 billion reported in this period in 2003 to 2004's $33.8 billion cumulative total. Residential is up 30 percent so far in 2004, with roughly $23.6 billion in activity reported. The nonbuilding sector is down 4 percent compared to 2003, with a $3.8 billion total. Nonresidential is 1 percent ahead for the year, with an estimated $6.4 billion in contracts reported to date.

Florida DOT Approves Cracked Pier Fix

A contractor and the Florida Department of Transportation have agreed on a plan to replace four cracked columns of the new Memorial Causeway Bridge in Clearwater with twin piers. The piers will preserve the 300-ft. road sections currently held up by the cracked columns.

FDOT inspectors in February discovered cracks in the four columns and one footing of the 2,340-ft.-long cast-in-place segmental bridge during construction. The cracks extended 6 in. into the structures to the first layer of steel reinforcement.

PCL Civil Constructors, a division of PCL Enterprises, Edmonton, Alberta, suggested the plan after FDOT rejected its original proposal to seal the cracks. "What we were trying to do was come up with an option that could be accomplished very quickly, reasonably economically and not remove the superstructure," said Jerry Harder, PCL vice president. "This particular option enabled us to use the old piers as temporary supports for the bridge until the new piers are built."

The new piers will cost under $10 million rather than the original $25 million estimate for repairs to the bridge, which originally was to open July 21. The completion date now is Sept. 1, 2005.

PCL will pay for the replacement piers as part of a deal reached with FDOT officials on Aug. 5 and agreed not to sue the city of Clearwater or FDOT. In return, the state has waived $15,089 a day in liguidated damages for late completion that started accruing on July 22.

Harding says the new piers will have the same shape as the old. "Nominally, what we have done is that we've taken the old pier, split it in half and just moved it out a little bit either way," he explained. Source: Engineering News-Record.

Tampa Expressway Authority Orders Tests on Project Piers

Another setback has hit the unfinished $350 million reversible-lane elevated toll road being built in the median of Tampa's Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway. The local expressway authority has stopped all work and called for new geological testing before building or connecting any more of the roadway's piers.

On July 6, inspectors discovered pier No. 99 had settled 1.3 in. Acceptable design margins allow bridge piers to sink no more than 1 in. during construction. Pier No. 97, which sits 240 ft. east of No. 99, collapsed April 13 after sinking into an unexpected sinkhole. Two 150-ft. sections of roadway buckled in the event.

The authority hired Ardaman & Associates, an Orlando-based engineering firm, to oversee testing of existing piers and placement of the remaining 125 piers. Preliminary geological tests revealed that piers No. 97 and 99 were built on a ledge of limestone, rather than a solid bed.

"This is a very confusing situation," said Pat McCue, executive director of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority. "There doesn't seem to be any pattern to the problem. There's no record of anything like this ever happening before."

Testing costs could reach $2.5 million, McCue said. Combined with cleanup and repairs, added costs to the project could reach $14.3 million. Roughly $11.2 million should be covered by insurance, while a contingency budget would cover the rest, he added.

Prior to the project's first setback, PCL Civil Constructors, a division of PCL Enterprises, Edmonton, had been ahead of schedule on its $145 million contract for the three-lane, 6-mi. precast concrete elevated portion between Tampa and Brandon. Completion could now be delayed up to three months, to October 2005.

Ardaman & Associates also is charged with deciding what must be done to fix the elevated roadway. Joe Amon, a vice president with Ardaman & Associates and managing principal of the Tampa operation, said a group decision will be made with PCL and designer Figg Engineering, Tallahassee, based on the test results. Source: Engineering News-Record. By Bill Chastain in Tampa.

Pavarini to Build Jade Beach

Pavarini Construction, Miami Lakes, announced it has signed an agreement with developer Fortune International Realty Inc. of Miami to build Jade Beach, an estimated $100 million condominium to be located in Sunny Isles Beach. According to Pavarini, the structure will measure over 1 million sq. ft., and stand over 50 stories high.

The Carlos Ott Partnership is the project architect. Local architects Revuelta Vega Leon, Miami, and Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design, Sunny Isles Beach, are also involved with design.

Skanska Named CM for Pair of Health Care Projects

Skanska USA Building has been awarded an $80 million construction-management services contract from Baptist Health South Florida to build the replacement facility for Homestead Hospital in Homestead.

The 307,000-sq.-ft., 120-bed facility will feature all private patient rooms, additional clinical space for outpatient diagnostic services, more operating rooms and an emergency room that will triple the size of the existing one. The project is expected to be completed in 2006. The architect is HKS Architects.

The company also won a $22.5 million construction-management contract to build a new health-care facility adjacent to the Pinellas County Jail Complex. This 164,000-sq.-ft. project will include 432 beds and clinical, dental, mental health and pharmacy areas for inmates as well as renovations to food service and laundry facilities. This project is targeted for a January 2006.

AGC of Greater Florida Announces Merger, Move to Tallahassee

The Associated General Contractors of Greater Florida has opened an office in Tallahassee, a move that is partly in anticipation of the January 2005 consolidation of the Greater Florida and Central Florida chapters of AGC. Upon consolidation, the Greater Florida AGC chapter will represent general contractors in 46 of Florida's 67 counties, including in the metropolitan areas of Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville.

Meanwhile, the Northwest Florida Chapter of AGC, based in Pensacola, clarified that it will not be joining any statewide unification of Florida AGC chapters. In fact, effective Aug. 1, the Northwest Florida Chapter became the ninth section of the Alabama Branch of Associated General Contractors.

"The panhandle section of Florida embraces this bold, innovative step as positive and productive for all of AGC, especially us and Alabama AGC," stated James L. Woodall, executive vice president of the Northwest Florida Chapter. "We are most pleased to have made this connection. We, of course, continue to wish the balance of Florida chapters the best and offer our cooperation whenever and however we can."

Hardin Construction to Build CNL Tower in Orlando

CNL Realty & Development Corp. has contracted with Hardin Construction Co. to build CNL Tower II and expand the existing parking garage. The new 12-story office tower is 240,000 sq. ft. plus a two-level garage expansion.

The architect is HKS of Orlando. Completion is slated for August, 2005.

Batson-Cook Starts on Tampa Children's Science Center

Batson-Cook Co.'s Tampa office recently broke ground on the "Kids in Charge!" children's science center at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa. This new facility - the fifth project Batson-Cook has constructed for MOSI - will feature interactive science exhibits.

The one-story, 45,000-sq.-ft. structure will include 25,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, as well as offices and party rooms. The building will consist of load-bearing masonry with stucco exterior walls.

Pinnacle Place Project in Tampa Progresses

Pinnacle Place Development Partners, developer of the Pinnacle of Tampa Bay condominium and retail project, has hired Morris Architects of Orlando to oversee the architectural design and site planning and named Skanska as the construction manager.

The project was announced as including two 40-story condo towers of approximately 170 units each, and about 100,000 sq. ft. of retail.

H.J. High Breaks Ground on Pierson Middle School

H. J. High Construction Co. of Orlando has broken ground on Phase I of the new T. Dewitt Taylor Middle/High School replacement campus in Pierson. The project includes a new 10-building, 185,000-sq.-ft. campus, to be completed in three phases.

In this design, the middle school and high school have been incorporated into one single campus with each having separate and combined facilities. The high school has its own classrooms, gymnasium and auditorium. The middle school will keep its students separated within their own classrooms and a multi-purpose building that functions as a gymnasium and flexible meeting space.

Kaufman Lynn Announces Condo, Office Projects

Kaufman Lynn General Contractors of Boca Raton will build Park Lofts, a 70-unit loft-style condominium being developed by Intrepid Development.

The $12 million, six-story condominium is being built in Miami's Overtown district. Designed by Bermello Ajamil & Partners in Miami, Park Lofts is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2005.

The company also announced it will build The Silver Building, a $4.1 million, 15,000-sq.-ft., two-story commercial office in Boca Raton. The project owner is The Silver Companies of Maryland.

NASA Picks Jacobs to Design O&C Building at KSC

Jacobs Engineering Group reported the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has selected it to provide design and other professional services to revitalize and upgrade the Operation and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center.

Each phase of construction is expected to exceed $5 million. Concept validation and design was expected to commence in late August 2004.

Originally built in the 1950s, this is the first major renovation to the entire 200,000-sq.-ft. O&C building. The renovation includes the removal/demolition of all interior systems.

Keene Building Three More L.A. Fitness Locations

Keene Construction Co. of Maitland is under way on three new L.A. Fitness centers, in Miami, Coconut Creek and Palm Beach Gardens. Each of the new facilities will measure more than 40,000 sq. ft. Keene previously built two L.A. Fitness centers in Orlando.

Tilt-Con Awarded New Projects

Tilt-Con Corp. of Altamonte Springs has been awarded the tilt-up contracts on the Suddath Relocation Systems project in Deerfield Beach, and for the Sun Sentinel in Tamarac.

On the Suddath Relocation Systems project, Tilt-Con is working as a subcontractor to Stiles Corp. to build a 116,000-sq.-ft. warehouse. Butters Construction and Development is the general contractor for the 48,700-sq.-ft. Sun Sentinel office/warehouse/distribution center project.

HuntonBrady to Design Interiors for Priority Healthcare Headquarters

HuntonBrady Architects of Orlando was recently selected to provide interior design services for Priority Healthcare Corp's expansion and renovation in Lake Mary. The expansion includes 52,000 sq. ft. of new office space, almost doubling the size of the pharmaceutical distributor's current location. The expansion adds space for training rooms, conference rooms, boardrooms and a new executive suite.

VOA Designs for Orlando Doubletree

Architects VOA Associates of Orlando is providing full architectural and interior design for a complete "re-imaging" project to convert the 742-room Radisson Hotel, located near Universal Studios in Orlando, to the Doubletree Hotel Brand. The $10 million project is being undertaken by property owner MeriStar Hospitality Corp. of Arlington, Va.

The project includes a complete exterior and interior renovation, including building facade, and refurbishment of all guest rooms, lobby, restaurant and retail space and more than 60,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Construction will extend over a two-year period, with completion scheduled for 2005.

Miller Construction Completes Renovation of McCrory Building

Miller Construction Co. of Fort Lauderdale has completed the renovation of the McCrory Building, one of downtown Fort Lauderdale's landmark buildings, originally built in 1936.

In collaboration with owner Steve Halmos, Miller turned the art deco-style building on South Andrews Avenue into a two-story office and retail facility, while retaining its 1930s-era style. The building's second-floor offices are now headquarters for Halmos' companies, The Reunion Group and Halmos Holdings. The ground floor is designed to accommodate a restaurant or retail operation.