A 7 percent overall gain in December capped a vibrant 2005 for Florida contract activity as the value of 2005 starts pushed ahead 18 percent over 2004's pace, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. Nonresidential contracts fell notably again in December, as it did in November, but the overall value of Florida contracts for future construction signed during the month was 7 percent ahead of last December, due to a huge surge in non-building construction and the continuing growth of the state's residential market. Overall, the total value of December contracts was estimated at nearly $4.9 billion, compared to last December's $4.5 billion.

In December, the nonresidential sector dropped 20 percent, to total $622 million for the month, compared to last December's $773.5 million. The residential market improved by 7 percent, with nearly $3.6 billion in new contracts. The non-building sector, which includes streets and highways, bridges and sewer and water projects, surged by 62 percent to total approximately $634.8 million, compared to last December's $392 million estimate.

For 2005, Florida activity ended up at roughly $69 billion, or about 18 percent ahead of 2004. The nonresidential category ended the year down by 3 percent, and with a $10.9 billion total. The value of non-building contracts, estimated at about $6.75 billion, was 9 percent ahead of 2004's total. Residential ended up approximately 24 percent ahead of last year, with a cumulative value of nearly $51.3 billion.

GOAA Selects Design-Builder for New OIA Complex

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority has selected Southern Construction Group of Orlando to design-build its the new Construction, Engineering and Finance Complex administration building at Orlando International Airport. The $10 million, three-story, 53,000 sq.-ft. building is scheduled for completion in December 2006.

SCG's team includes MLM-Martin Architects; SGM Engineering (MEP); Bowen Engineering (structural); Harris Civil Engineers; JCR Consulting (landscape architect); City Design Group (lighting consultant); and QORE Property Sciences (geotechnical engineer).

Ginn Co. Picks ACI for $67 Million Oceanfront Condo

Tampa-headquartered ACI Construction Services is serving as the construction manager for Ocean Tower at Hammock Beach, an oceanfront condominium being developed by The Ginn Co. in Palm Coast. The $67.5 million condominium features five towers, ranging from eight to 10 levels and two levels of structured parking.

The 92-unit complex has a total area of 609,000 sq. ft. and is slated for completion in fall 2006.

Riviera Beach Renews Redevelopment Contract With Program Manager

The City of Riviera Beach's Community Redevelopment Agency recently renewed its program management/construction management contract with PSA Constructors of Orlando for a three-year period. PSA is the prime consultant responsible for overall management of the redevelopment of 858 acres that includes oceanfront property on Singer Island.

With a potential build-out value of more than $2 billion, the redevelopment area includes residential, commercial, recreational, marine and hospitality components designed to revitalize the area. Viking Inlet Harbor Properties is the master developer.

H.J. High Picked as CM for Palm Bay School

H.J. High Construction Co. of Orlando is working as the construction manager for the new $12.4 million, 109,000 sq.-ft. Elementary School "S" in Palm Bay. The school will feature 46 classrooms and accommodate 940 students.

Architects in Association Rood and Zwick is the project architect. The school is slated for completion in July.

Weitzer Commences Work for Coral Gables Projects

Residential developer Weitzer Communities announced the start of demolition of the existing building at 32-50 Alhambra Circle in the downtown district of Coral Gables to make way for Villa Alhambra. The 36-unit development will consist of condominiums and two-story townhomes.

The company also announced it has broken ground on Valencia Grande, a 32-unit, five-story Mediterranean-styled building located in Coral Gables.

Ardaman Secures Contract with SFWMD

The South Florida Water Management District recently signed Ardaman & Associates of Orlando to a three-year contract for continuing services for geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing. The not-to-exceed contract has a value of $4 million and includes work throughout the district.

Kaufman Lynn to Build Police and Fire Training Facility

Kaufman Lynn General Contractors of Boca Raton has been named to build Boca Raton's new Police and Fire Training Center. The $8 million project includes the renovation of the former Sony building on Congress Avenue, including the removal and replacement of the roof and complete interior renovation. The new facility will include an auditorium, classroom/training rooms, gymnasium and police, fire and life safety administrative offices.

The architect for the project is PGAL of Boca Raton. Final completion is scheduled for December.

HuntonBrady Tapped for University and Elementary Projects

HuntonBrady Architects of Orlando was recently selected to design the new Biomedical Science Building at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The proposed 200,000-sq.-ft. facility will be a multidisciplinary facility for the Health Science Center Colleges, the Biomedical Engineering Department of the College of Engineering and Animal Care Services. According to HuntonBrady, the construction budget is estimated to be $65 million, with completion in 2008.

The firm also was selected to design a new urban elementary school prototype for Orange County Public Schools in Florida. The 96,000 sq.-ft. school will be designed in collaboration with Mateu Architecture. The new school prototype is based on a "kit of parts" concept which allows each individual school to be designed and assembled using interchangeable components that respond to site-specific conditions.

HDR Opens West Palm Beach Office

HDR, an Omaha-based architectural, engineering and consulting firm, has opened an architecture office in West Palm Beach. This office will be HDR's South Florida center for economic and development advisory services for public-sector clients, focusing on urban redevelopment, transit-oriented development, town center revitalization and public-private partnerships.

Juan-Pablo Perez will be the principal in charge of the office.

PanaSteel Relocates to Stuart

PanaSteel Building Solutions (PBSI), a manufacturer and supplier of light-gauge steel framing, has relocated its corporate headquarters to Stuart, Fla., and opened a 25,000 sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Click here for more Florida News >>