Developers Announce Plans for 1010 Midtown in Atlanta

Developers Daniel Corp. of Birmingham, Selig Enterprises of Atlanta and the Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund announced plans for 1010 Midtown, a 35-story, 630,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use development featuring 443 condominiums and 38,000 sq. ft. of retail and dining space. Construction for 1010 Midtown - located on Peachtree Street between 11th and 12th streets - was slated to start this past August, with the first homes available in fall 2008 and retail opening in early 2009.

The Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund is a joint venture between Canyon Capital Realty Advisors and Earvin "Magic" Johnson, focused on the development and redevelopment of real estate in densely populated, ethnically diverse urban communities.

Archer-Western Wins $146 Million I-75 Contract

According to McGraw-Hill Construction's Network, Archer Western Contractors was awarded a $145.8 million contract to widen and reconstruct approximately 12.8 kilometers of Interstate 75 in Crisp and Dooly counties.

The contract was awarded in July. The completion date was reported as December 2009.

August Contract Activity Drops 10 Percent

Due to a 19 percent decline in the residential market, Georgia construction contract activity dropped by 10 percent in August, compared to the same period of a year ago, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. The value of contracts signed during August for future construction totaled roughly $2.5 billion, down from the $2.8 billion reported last August.

Residential's 19 percent decline resulted in a monthly total of about $1.3 billion, down from the $1.65 billion reported last August. The nonresidential category also declined, by 1 percent, to tally $762.4 million for the month. The value of nonbuilding contracts continued to remain positive, however, moving up 6 percent over last August with a total of $423.3 million for the month.

Despite the August drop, for the year-to-date, Georgia contract activity is now 6 percent ahead of 2005's pace, with roughly $19.2 billion in new contracts. The nonresidential category is 2 percent behind the first eight months of 2005, with a roughly $4.6 billion total. The residential market, valued at about $11.7 billion to date, is still about 6 percent ahead of 2005. And the nonbuilding sector, continuing its positive surge, is now 23 percent ahead of the '05 pace, with a total of about $2.8 billion.

Batson-Cook to Build Astoria at the Aramore

Batson-Cook was named general contractor for the $35 million Astoria at the Aramore, a 16-story mixed-used project located between the Buckhead and Midtown areas of Atlanta.

The project will feature 71 residential units as well as retail and office space, and a four-level parking deck.

Kairos Development Corp. is the developer for the project.

Groundbreaking Held for Shoppes at River Crossing

Developers Jim Wilson & Associates of Montgomery, Ala., and Chicago-based General Growth Properties led a ceremonial groundbreaking for The Shoppes at River Crossing in September. The two companies are building the 750,000-sq.-ft. regional shopping and entertainment center at Interstate 75 and Riverside Drive in Macon, Ga.

The center is scheduled to open in the spring of 2008 with upscale specialty stores, restaurants, two department stores and five mid-size anchor stores. Construction was scheduled to commence in October. It will be the first open-air retail and entertainment center in Bibb County.

A pair of Birmingham-based firms was leading the design and construction. Crawford McWilliams Hatcher is the architect and Brasfield & Gorrie is the general contractor.