Contract Volume Up 13 Percent in October

Georgia construction contract activity rebounded from its fall in September and improved by 13 percent in October, compared to the same period of a year ago, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. The value of contracts signed during October for future construction totaled $2.6 billion, up from the $2.3 billion reported last October.

Residential construction declined by 13 percent, however, to a monthly total of about $1.2 billion, down from the $1.4 billion reported last October. Nonresidential improved by 13 percent, for a roughly $592.4 million total. The biggest jump was in the nonbuilding category, which more than doubled compared to last October for a total of $780.3 million.

The October increase brought Georgia's year-to-date tally to $23.9 billion, or 5 percent ahead of 2005's pace. The nonresidential category is 4 percent behind the first ten months of 2005, with a $5.6 billion total. Residential, valued at about $14.3 billion to date, is 3 percent ahead of 2005. And the nonbuilding sector is 30 percent ahead of '05, with a total of roughly $4 billion.

Archer-Western Wins $218M I-85 Contract

The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded Archer-Western Contractors of Atlanta with a $218 million contract to widen more than 14 mi. of Interstate 85 in Coweta County, according to McGraw-Hill Construction's Network. In addition to the widening work, the project involves construction of 17 bridges.

Construction was scheduled to start last October. Completion is targeted for mid-2009.

$200 Million I-95 Widening Project Starts in Glynn County

Gov. Sonny Perdue, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl and local leaders held a ceremonial groundbreaking on a $199 million widening of 6 mi. of Interstate 95 in Glynn County in Brunswick. The work is part of a record $2.25 billion in statewide transportation infrastructure improvements begun in Fiscal Year 2006 and moves I-95 closer to six lanes throughout Georgia.

"We've been working on widening I-95 to six lanes for more than 15 years," said Commissioner Linnenkohl. "Thanks to the governor's commitment to transportation and his Fast Forward Program, we've been able to direct more than $250 million into that work in just the past two years. As a result, we're now only 20 mi. from completion."

The Glynn County project will widen I-95 to three lanes in each direction from south of the Turtle River to north of the CSX Railroad/Old Jesup Road bridge. It includes the construction of four double bridges and approaches. Tidewater Skanska of Norfolk, Va., will perform the work, which is scheduled to be completed in November 2009.
Batson-Cook Awarded Sea Island Beach Club

The Sea Island Co. has awarded a $61.5 million contract to Batson-Cook Co. of Atlanta to build the Sea Island Beach Club at Sea Island, Ga. The contract, Batson-Cook's fifth at this resort, will provide 38 one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. The three-story structure also will provide about 143,300 sq. ft. of entertainment selections, such as a banquet hall, kitchen and dining/socializing areas, a cinema, ice cream parlor and "kids camp" activity area.

In addition to the main Beach Club building, Batson-Cook will update and expand two existing terrace houses. The Mackay residence building will encompass 13,150 sq. ft. and feature six two-bedroom suites, while the Dunbar residence will measure about 19,000 sq. ft. and include 12 one- and two-bedroom suites. The contract also includes a 253-vehicle, 87,895-sq.-ft. garage.

Architectural Design Group of Raleigh, N.C., is the project architect.

Choate Starts Two Senior-Living Projects, Lofts

Atlanta-based Choate Construction Co. has started construction on two separate senior-living projects: the 22-story Parc at Buckhead, the first high-rise independent-living facility in Atlanta's Buckhead area; and the Somerby at Alpharetta, a 188-unit independent-living apartment complex also in Atlanta.

The Corcoran Ota Group of Atlanta is the architect of the 193-unit Parc at Buckhead project, which is scheduled for completion in November. Thompson Hancock Witte & Associates is the architect for the Somerby at Alpharetta project.

Choate also recently started construction on its Tribute Lofts project. Located in downtown Atlanta, the project features 147 loft-style apartments in three buildings totaling 152,000 sq. ft.

Groundbreaking Held for Eon at Lindbergh TOD

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in early November for eon at Lindbergh, which is being promoted as one of Atlanta's most environmentally friendly new developments.

The new condominium residences will be built to EarthCraft Multifamily certification standards, so homeowners will use less energy. The project is located in Buckhead at Lindbergh City Center, a transit-oriented development (TOD) specifically planned for access to mass transit.

The residences are being developed by The Dawson Co., and the community is owned by a joint venture involving Dawson and Lane Co. Lane Realty Construction is building eon at Lindbergh.

The community will include 352 one- and two-bedroom units ranging from 700 to 1,200 sq. ft. Prices will start in the $180,000s.

McCarthy to Build Kaiser Permanente Facility in Suburban Atlanta

The Atlanta office of McCarthy Building Cos. has started construction on the Kaiser Permanente West Cobb Medical Office Building in Austell, Ga. When completed in early 2007, the 26,000-sq.-ft. facility will include radiology, pharmacy and laboratory facilities as well as minor procedure rooms. The project architect is Perkins + Will in Atlanta.

McCarthy has built nearly 50 Kaiser Permanente facilities in the United States.

Developers Announce Plans for Mezzo

Developers Tivoli Properties and Kennedy Capital Group announced their plans to break ground in early November on Mezzo, a 20-story condominium development located near the Midtown and Buckhead areas of Atlanta. The condominium will include 94 residential units plus approximately 3,000 sq. ft. of street-level retail. Mezzo is slated to open in spring 2008.

The Related Group of Miami, the largest multifamily builder in the country, is one of Tivoli's investors in this development.