Florida’s March Project Starts are Bleak

McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction, reported that the value of new Florida contracts declined by 49% overall in March, compared to the same period of a year ago. That follows a 46% drop in February and a 43% overall decline in January. According to this latest report, the value of March contracts for future construction totaled roughly $2.5 billion, well down from last March’s $4.8 billion total.

Once again, all three of the construction sectors used by McGraw-Hill Construction suffered deep, double-digit percentage declines. Residential again experienced a significant dropoff, falling 49% compared to last March to total about $1.1 billion for the month. This time, that wasn’t the steepest decline. That was experienced by the nonbuilding sector, which fell back 68% compared to last March to total just $266.7 million for the month. Nonresidential fell sharply again, too, dropping 40% (for the second month in a row) compared to last March, and totaled roughly $1.1 billion.

Through the first quarter of 2008, the numbers are not looking good. Residential is 50% behind the pace of the first three months of 2007, and is valued at about $3.3 billion. Nonresidential is a dubious 33% behind ‘07’s pace, with approximately $3 billion in new starts. The nonbuilding sector is 49% behind last year, with about $1.3 billion in new projects.

Developer, Ft. Lauderdale Team Up for Affordable Housing

Carlisle Development Group, one of the largest affordable housing developers in Florida, has entered into a joint venture with the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale to develop Dixie Court Apartments I and II. The $25 million rental apartment complex will include 154 units.

“Developments like Dixie Court have an extremely positive impact on the quality of life of the residents in the area, as well as improve local property values," Matthew S. Greer, CEO of Carlisle Development, said in a press statement.

The development is a garden-style apartment complex consisting of 66 one-bedroom units, 60 two-bedroom units and 28 three-bedroom units. Carlisle reports the project will target “low to very-low income households.”

“We are pleased to be able to respond to the community’s demand for affordable housing rental apartments,” Tam English, executive director of the Housing Authority, said in a press statement.

Monthly rental rates are estimated to range from $400 to $1,110. Tenant applicants must meet specific affordable housing income guidelines. Twenty percent of the units will be set aside at 30% of the area median income (AMI) and 80% of the units will be set aside at 60% AMI.

Amenities include a community clubhouse, computer lab, library, car care area, picnic pavilion and playground. Resident programs include financial counseling and job training. Construction is scheduled to be completed by March 2009.

Stiles Building Nation’s Largest Lexus Dealership

Stiles Construction Co. of Fort Lauderdale has started work on what it claims will be the nation’s largest Lexus dealership – a 1 million sq-ft facility in North Miami, with customer features including a resort-like Lexus Lifestyle Center.

Craig Zinn Automotive Group, the project owner, expects completion of the 9-acre complex by spring 2009.

This is the latest automotive industry project for Stiles, which has built more than 6 million sq ft of dealerships throughout the Southeast. It will be the Lexus brand’s largest dealership in terms of square footage, according to the owner.

The facility will have 116 service bays, and will incorporate a four-story, 808,074-sq-ft enclosed parking structure to hold inventory of up to 2,000 automobiles.

Stiles is using energy-saving construction techniques and recyclable materials throughout the building process. The facility will feature an intelligent building management system. Additionally, the dealership’s showroom will feature the Lexus Lifestyle Center, which will allow clients access to facilities for health-focused consultation and amenities.

Allen Morris Co. Developing Green Coral Gables Office Building

Miami-based real-estate developer the Allen Morris Co. announced that it will be developing Ponce de Leon Towers, a Silver LEED-certified office building in Coral Gables.

The 215,000-sq-ft commercial office building will be located within the mixed-use Old Spanish Village development, currently under construction.

The project is slated to be completed by 2010. Associated Consulting International is the project architect.

FIU Breaks Ground on $34 Million College Building

Officials with Florida International University recently broke ground on a $34 million College of Nursing and Health Sciences building, which will be used to teach, conduct research and serve FIU’s growing population of academic health students. The project, designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum Florida, also includes campus utility infrastructure improvements to service the building and the entire future Academic Health Sciences campus.

The 114,000 sq-ft College of Nursing and Health Sciences building is an interdisciplinary sciences building programmed to provide flexible teaching, simulation and research spaces to support nursing education and training. The five-story building will include two 300-seat auditoriums, a 90-seat classroom, two 60-seat teaching classrooms and instructional and research lab environments.

Aloft Breaks Ground in Jacksonville

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced its groundbreaking for a 136-room Aloft hotel in Jacksonville. Developed by the Summit Group, Aloft Jacksonville Airport is scheduled to open in January.

The new hotel will be part of the RiverCity Marketplace, a 1.3 million-sq-ft, 465-acre lifestyle center at the intersection of Interstate 95 and Airport Road.

DooleyMack to Renovate, Expand Pensacola’s Saenger Theatre

DooleyMack Constructors of Sarasota has been selected to construct a 26,000 sq-ft addition and renovations to the Saenger Theatre in Pensacola. Referred to as the “Grand Dame of Palafox,” the theatre first opened its grand hall in 1925.

Plans call for the theater’s renovations to expand the stage and dressing rooms, develop a new entrance and pre-function area, create a multi-use space, replace the theatre seating and restore much of the original Spanish Baroque architecture.

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