Georgia Contracts: 42% Overall Drop in June

All sectors declined again as the value of Georgia’s June contracts for future construction fell 42% compared to the same period of a year ago, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction. The total value of new contracts was roughly $1.8 billion, down from last June’s $3.2 billion.

In June, the value of residential contracts fell 36% compared to last June to total roughly $675.2 million. Meanwhile, nonresidential contracts declined by 49% for a total of about $762.3 million. Nonbuilding construction – which includes streets, highways, bridges and other infrastructure – declined by 36%, for an approximately $393.5 million total.

For the year-to-date, the value of new Georgia contracts is now 34% behind 2007’s pace, with roughly $9.4 billion in project starts. The residential market is 48% behind ‘07, with roughly $3.8 billion in new projects so far this year. The nonresidential market is 17% behind last year, with about $4 billion in new project starts. The nonbuilding sector is 26% behind ’07, with about $1.5 billion in new starts.

BRPH Wins Design Contract for East Forsyth High

The Atlanta office of BRPH Cos. was awarded the architectural services contract for East Forsyth High School in Forsyth County. The facility’s design will be based on a prototype originally created by BRPH and also used for West Forsyth and Lambert high schools.

The project will include 294,000 sq ft and accommodate 1,950 students. The centerpiece of the campus will be a two-story building, featuring a media center. A central courtyard will provide natural light to the classroom wings of the facility, and adjacent to the courtyard will be an 850-seat cafeteria.

The school will also feature a weight room, aerobic/dance studio, nature trails, 2,000-seat gym and 5,600-seat stadium. An arts wing will house a 580-seat fine arts center, as well as the school’s visual arts, choral and band programs.

Hardin Helps Atlanta Habitat Build First Townhouse Project

Hardin Construction Co. of Atlanta is among the corporate sponsors helping Atlanta Habitat for Humanity build its first ever townhouse project, a milestone event of Atlanta Habitat’s 25th anniversary year.

Hardin will provide 15 volunteers per weekend for eight weeks of construction of the two-story attached townhouse units in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood near Fort McPherson.

Hardin has also pledged financial support to the project, which includes six total townhouse units. Previously Atlanta Habitat had built only traditional single-family detached houses.

“Hardin salutes Atlanta Habitat for Humanity on 25 years of service, and we are honored to partner with them on this signature project,” Hardin Chairman and Habitat board member Brantley Barrow said in a company statement.

The townhouse project will use “green” building practices adopted by Atlanta Habitat in 2004.

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