Clark Wins $30 Million Project at Fort Benning

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded Clark Construction Group of Tampa a $30 million design-build contract for a barracks complex at Fort Benning, Ga. Trans Systems/LMJ is serving as Clark's architectural partner for the project.

The complex includes a stick-built barrack for 489 soldiers, a company operations facility at Martin Army Community Hospital and a battalion headquarters for the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Infantry Regiment. These structures will be constructed on three separate sites.

The project will include some sustainable-design features, such as limited site disturbance, water and energy conservation measures, daylighting, indoor air-quality monitoring, high recycled-content building materials, construction waste recycling and reuse management programs and regionally manufactured materials. The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2005.

R.J. Griffin Breaks Ground on $46 Million Atlanta Project

Atlanta-based R.J. Griffin & Co. recently broke ground in midtown Atlanta on a $46 million, 700,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use high-rise for Novare Group, Wood Partners and Loudermilk LLC. The Spire project will feature 393 condominium units and 21,500 sq. ft. of retail and restaurant space. It will be topped off by a glass, steel and aluminium structure.

March Contracts Improve by 22 Percent

The value of contracts in Georgia increased by 22 percent in March, compared to the same period of a a year ago, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. Together, Georgia's March contracts totaled nearly $1.9 billion, roughly $340 million ahead of March 2003.

In March, the nonbuilding sector showed the greatest percentage increase, improving by 88 percent over last year's $126 million to end up at almost $236.5 million. Residential activity increased again, totaling roughly $1.2 billion for the month, 34 percent ahead of last March's $915.3 million. Nonresidential declined, however, decreasing 18 percent to roughly $387.8 million, down from the $472.4 million reported a year ago.

For the year-to-date, nonresidential remained positive by 1 percent compared to the same period of a year ago, with roughly $1.2 billion of activity reported. Residential activity was 23 percent ahead of the first three months of 2003, with approximately $3.5 billion reported so far in 2004. Nonbuilding was down by 10 percent from last year's $689.2 million, to just under $621 million through March.

Batson-Cook Wins Gameday Center Project at UGA

Batson-Cook was recently awarded the contract to construct the Gameday Center at the University of Georgia in Athens. The eight-story, 210,000-sq.-ft. structure will house 133 condominium units, a 192-space parking deck and retail space, and will be located within walking distance to the university's athletic facilities.

The project architect is Urban Design Group.

Georgia DOT Opens 17th Street Bridge

The Georgia Department of Transportation recently opened the new 17th Street Bridge over Interstate 75/I-85, completing the two-year project that will provide greater access from midtown to the west side of the downtown connector.

"This is a great day for the Georgia DOT, the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia," said DOT Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl. "This bridge will play a vital role in congestion relief and connectivity in this part of the city."

The 830-foot long bridge is designed as a multimodal bridge, allowing it to serve automobiles, transit, pedestrians, and bicycles, and it is capable of accommodating rail in the future.

"Connecting Atlantic Station and the surrounding community to midtown and the MARTA Arts Center station will be a great benefit to the area and, as a bonus, this bridge will reduce the congestion that we now have on 10th and 14th streets. It's a win for everyone," said Linnenkohl.

GUCA Presents Safety Awards

The Georgia Utility Contractors Association announced its 2003 Hard Hat Safety Awards, presented recently at the Freight Depot in Atlanta.

Winners included: Holt & Mahone Constructors; Western Summit Constructors; H's Masonry and DeKalb Pipeline Co. Western Summit Constructors was named the Overall Winner, an award the company previously won in 1998, 2000 and 2001.