R.J. Griffin Tapped for Children's Healthcare Project

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta recently announced their request to the state to approve a $344 million expansion plan to ease current over-occupancy and accommodate future growth at Children's Healthcare facilities at Scottish Rite and Egleston. This is reportedly the largest hospital construction certificate-of-need application project in Georgia's history.

General contractor R. J. Griffin & Co. of Atlanta has been selected to perform the additions and renovations at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. The project is currently in preconstruction with construction slated to begin in 2004, pending approval of the certificate of need. Completion is scheduled for 2007.

The Scottish Rite project consists of additions and renovations to the existing hospital to include a new emergency department, new patient beds, a new surgery addition, an expanded lobby and other items. The architect for this project is HKS of Atlanta.

December Contracts Surge, But 2003 Remained Negative

McGraw-Hill Construction reported that December contracts for future construction in Georgia surged by 14 percent in December, though the 2003 year declined by 2 percent compared to the previous year.

In December, the nonresidential sector declined by 19 percent to roughly $318.7 million, down from last year's $393.2 million. Residential improved to $989.2 million, 31 percent ahead of last year's $752.4 million. Nonbuilding construction increased 14 percent, to roughly $247.6 million.

Through 2003, the nonresidential sector was down by 5 percent compared to 2002, ending at roughly $5.1 billion. Residential activity was the only positive market for the year, improving 10 percent to approximately $11.9 billion. Nonbuilding declined significantly, 33 percent, to just over $2.3 billion, from last year's $3.4 billion.

$100 Million Theme Park to Proceed in Savannah

Suitt Construction Co. of Greenville, S.C., and the W.G. Pitts Co., Jacksonville, Fla., have been named the construction services team for Steamboat City, a $100 million theme park near Brunswick. The 2,100-acre development will include hotels, restaurants, shops, retail and a waterpark, all designed around a theme of coastal Georgia history.

Construction was reported to start in April, with grand opening scheduled for Memorial Day 2006.