$112M Meeting Park Project Breaks Ground

Winter Properties of Atlanta was set to break ground on its Meeting Park development, a mixed-use community near historic Marietta Square in Marietta. According to the company, the $112 million development will encompass more than 12 acres and will consist of 159 residential condominium units of up to 1,600 sq ft; 131 townhomes ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 sq ft; and some single-family residences. The development also will include 78,000 sq ft of retail and office space, a central neighborhood park and additional green space.

"This will be a walkable live-work-play environment, ideal for those who are seeking a sense of community with urban components but who don't want to live in the greater density of Midtown or Downtown," says Carl Meinhardt, vice president of design at Winter Properties.

The first phase, scheduled to be complete in fall 2008, will include 70 condominiums, 32 townhouses and 7,600 sq ft of retail space. The entire community is slated to be complete late 2009.

Georgia Contract Volume Up 7 Percent

Georgia construction contract activity increased again in November, improving by 7 percent compared to the same period of a year ago, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. The value of contracts signed during November for future construction totaled $1.9 billion, up from the $1.8 billion reported last November.

Residential construction declined by 33 percent, however, to a monthly total of about $865.1 million, down from the $1.3 billion reported last year. Nonresidential improved by 25 percent, for a roughly $543.3 million total. As it was in October, the biggest November jump was in the nonbuilding category, which improved to $536.8 million for the month, up substantially from last year's $94.2 million.

The November increase brought Georgia's year-to-date tally to $25.9 billion, or 5 percent ahead of 2005's pace. The nonresidential category is 2 percent behind the first 11 months of 2005, with a $6.2 billion total. Residential, valued at about $15.2 billion to date, is flat compared to 2005. And the nonbuilding sector is now 43 percent ahead of '05, with a total of roughly $4.5 billion.

Georgia DOT Invested $2.25 Billion on Improvements in '06

As a result of its Fast Forward program, the Georgia Department of Transportation reported that it invested a record $2.25 billion in improvements to Georgia's transportation infrastructure during Fiscal 2006. This amount is nearly double the amount spent during 2005, the previous highest year, GDOT indicated.

"The Fast Forward program is reducing traffic congestion and even further enhancing Georgia's marketability for new business development," Gov. Sonny Perdue said in a statement. "Improving our transportation infrastructure is well worth the investment we've made."

"When we began the Fast Forward program nearly three years ago, Gov. Perdue gave us a challenge - to get these much-needed projects underway," added GDOT Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl. "We have accepted that challenge and are well on our way to fulfilling that mission."

Among the Fast Forward projects started in FY06 were $300 million in Interstate 75 widenings in south Georgia; a $200 million widening of Interstate 95 in Glynn County; and the $147 million reconstruction of the Interstate 85/Georgia State Route 316 interchange in Gwinnett County.