Batson-Cook Wins Part of Aflac's $100 Million Expansion

Batson-Cook of West Point, Ga., was awarded one of the first phases of a $100 million expansion to the Paul S. Amos campus of American Family Life Assurance Co. in Columbus. The $16 million project, a 95,000-sq.-ft. addition, will house customer service facilities as well as a connector building between the existing building and the addition. The construction will also provide an expansion to the existing cafeteria.

A multi-purpose room for 500 people, two training rooms, conference rooms and a break room will be constructed while the existing structure remains operational. The two-story facility will be composed of a structural steel frame with a curtainwall and pre-cast concrete exterior.

Georgia Contract Activity Takes a Breather in April

Georgia construction contract activity took a breather in April, with collective contract value down 11 percent compared to last April, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. The value of contracts signed during April for future construction totaled nearly $2 billion, compared to the $2.2 billion reported a year ago.

The biggest market, residential, improved by 5 percent compared to April 2005 and totaled roughly $1.4 billion, up from last April's total of nearly $1.3 billion. The value of nonbuilding contracts improved by 28 percent to approximately $274.5 million, compared to last April's $214.6 million. The nonresidential category, meanwhile, fell 53 percent to tally $340.6 million for the month.

For the year to date, the nonresidential category is 10 percent behind the first four months of 2005, with a roughly $1.8 billion total. The residential market, valued at nearly $5.8 billion to date, is about 16 percent ahead of the same period of a year ago. The nonbuilding sector, with its $1.2 billion total, is 7 percent ahead of 2005's pace.

Hardin Construction to Build 3344 Peachtree

Regent Partners has selected Hardin Construction Co. to build 3344 Peachtree, a mixed-use tower in Atlanta. The 1.5 million sq.-ft., 48-story tower will include 99 condominium units, 500,000 sq. ft. of class-A office space, a restaurant and retail space. Topping out at 635 ft., it will be the tallest building to be built in Atlanta in more than 10 years.

Also included is an 11-story, 1600-space parking deck.

The architect is Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates of Atlanta. Occupancy for the office space is scheduled for spring 2008, with the residences to follow.

Post Properties Starts Buckhead Apartment Community Project

Developer Post Properties has started construction of Post Alexander, a new apartment community adjacent to Phipps Plaza in Atlanta's Buckhead district.

The $62 million, 300,000 sq.-ft. development will include 307 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in a five-story building with two levels of controlled-access parking. Post expects to deliver the first apartments by spring 2008.

Georgia DOT, HNTB to Study Truck-Only Lanes

The Georgia Department of Transportation has selected HNTB Corp. to conduct a study evaluating the feasibility of truck-only lanes statewide, with particular emphasis on the Atlanta and Savannah areas.

Georgia's 2035 Statewide Transportation Plan shows that truck traffic is increasing at a rate that is almost 50 percent greater than general traffic.

Kennesaw State Adds Performing Arts/Academic Center

Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga., is constructing a new multipurpose academic and performing arts center. The Beck Group of Atlanta is serving as the owner's representative and contract compliance officer for the Georgia State Finance and Investment Corporation.

The 35,000 sq.-ft. facility will include a 700-seat auditorium, art gallery, a choral practice facility, classrooms and staff office space. Construction is scheduled for completion in March.

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