Euro American Advisors recently retained PCL Construction Services as general contractor for its 55 West on the Esplanade, a 32-story, 405-unit condominium project in Orlando.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in early 2008.

801 North Orange Under Way in Orlando

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Downtown Development Board's Frank Billingsley were among the elected officials and business leaders who attended the recent celebration for 801 North Orange. The $25 million mixed-use project is being developed by Craig Ustler and Tom Ustler of 801 North Orange LLC.

The eight-story mixed-use building will feature approximately 96,000 sq. ft. of office space, 18,000 sq. ft. of street-level commercial space and a 362-car attached parking garage. The project broke ground in June and is scheduled for completion in mid-2006.

Brasfield & Gorrie is the general contractor. Baker Barrios Architects is the project architect.

Nonresidential Activity Surges in October

Nonresidential contracts surged in October, as the overall value of Florida contracts for future construction signed during the month improved by 24 percent over the same period of a year ago, McGraw-Hill Construction reported recently. Overall, the total value of new October contracts was estimated at nearly $5.7 billion, compared to the $4.6 billion figure reported last year.

The nonresidential sector jumped by 55 percent, to total nearly $1.1 billion for the month, compared to last October's $695.4 million. The residential market continued its escalation, improving by 19 percent compared to last October, with approximately $4.1 billion in new contracts. The nonbuilding sector, which includes streets and highways, bridges and sewer and water projects, also increased, by 9 percent, to total approximately $520 million, up from last year's $479 million.

For the year-to-date, Florida activity is valued at roughly $58.8 billion for the first ten months of 2005, or about 19 percent ahead of the same period of a year ago. The nonresidential category is down by 1 percent, totaling nearly $9.3 billion to date. The value of nonbuilding contracts, estimated at nearly $5.8 billion, is 10 percent ahead of 2004's pace. Residential is approximately 26 percent ahead of last year, with a cumulative value of nearly $43.8 billion.

HOK to Design $80 Million Children's Courthouse

HOK Florida announced it has been awarded a design contract with Miami-Dade County for its new $80 million Children's Courthouse. The firm has designed more than 15 courthouses in the state of Florida.

Creative Contractors Continues at Lakeland Regional Medical Center

Creative Contractors of Clearwater has been awarded three new contracts totaling roughly $31.6 million with Lakeland Regional Medical Center. The work consists of the complete demolition and remodeling of five floors of patient care rooms, which are being converted from semi-private to private rooms. A service elevator is also being added to one wing of the hospital.

Further work includes renovating an existing patient care area into a hospital laboratory with offices, and converting the kitchen and cafeteria into an education area with classrooms.

Stiles to Develop Arbor Square in Pasco County

Stiles Corp. of Fort Lauderdale announced plans to develop, design and build Arbor Square at Connerton, an 80,000-sq.-ft. retail shopping center in Pasco County. A 45,600-sq.-ft. Publix Super Market will anchor the center, which will include two out-parcels. The shopping center also will include 23,000 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant space and 9,000 sq. ft. of office space. Construction is to begin in the first quarter of 2006 with completion slated for fall.

Environmental Restoration Begins at MacDill Air Force Base

Earth Tech has been selected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Omaha District to provide environmental restoration services at MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa. The performance-based task order contract was awarded for one year with two optional years, for a total value of as much as $9.8 million.

Earth Tech will provide environmental restoration and closure services at 22 sites at MacDill AFB, part of the Air Force Air Mobility Command. The work will include in-situ groundwater treatment; the demolition and removal of a small arms firing range; site monitoring and surveillance; soil and sediment removal; regulatory agency coordination; and community relations support. Earth Tech will serve as the prime contractor on the project, working with subcontractors Bhate Environmental Associates and Black & Veatch.

McCree Progressing on $12 Million School Project

McCree Design Builders of Orlando has begun construction of a $12 million project for Windermere Elementary School, near Orlando. The company's contract includes the construction of four new buildings on the campus that will replace all of the school's current portables. These new facilities will include administrative space, a media lab and classrooms.

Upon completion of the new structures, McCree will renovate the existing two-story, 70,000 sq.-ft. structure. The project architect is Harvard Jolly of St. Petersburg.

Window and Door Company Expands Manufacturing Facility

WinDoor, an Orlando-based designer and manufacturer of hurricane-resistant windows and doors, broke ground recently on a new 300,000 sq.-ft. manufacturing facility that represents an estimated capital investment of more than $14 million.

WinDoor plans to move into the new facility in August.

Keene Starts Another Publix Store

Keene Construction of Maitland has started construction of its 135th Publix grocery store in Sebastian. The 43,000 sq. ft. grocery store and 15,000 sq. ft. of retail is scheduled for completion in April. Atlanta-based Alliance Realty Services is the developer.

Lamm & Co. Awarded Orlando Office Building Project

Lamm & Co. of Orlando was recently awarded a $6.2 million, 77,000 sq. ft. office building for DRMP Engineers. The architect was KZF Design.

Christiano Construction Awarded Contract at Tampa International

Christiano Construction was recently awarded the new $2.6 million dollar Customs Facility at Tampa International Airport. This 3,000 sq. ft. stand-alone general aviation processing facility will serve two fixed-base operations at the airport.

Seretta Construction Wins Tilt-Up Contracts for Two Projects

Apopka-based Seretta Construction has been appointed the tilt-up contractor for a pair of Florida projects. Edwards Construction of Orlando chose the concrete contractor for its Pioneer Growers project in Belle Glade, which is a 33,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and warehouse facility.

Eastgroup Properties of Orlando selected the company for its Southridge IV project in Orlando. This 70,000 sq. ft. building will be the latest addition to Southridge Business Park.

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