Georgia Contract Activity Fell 29% in July

Despite a significant increase in the value of new nonbuilding-sector projects, Georgia’s overall value of new contracts for future construction fell 29% in July, 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 nearly $1.7 billion, down from last July’s $2.4 billion.

In July, the value of residential contracts fell 51% compared to last July to total roughly $476.4 million. Meanwhile, nonresidential contracts declined by 46% for a total of about $528.7 million. Nonbuilding construction – which includes streets, highways, bridges and other infrastructure – improved by 56%, for an approximately $674.7 million total.

For the year-to-date, the value of new Georgia contracts is now 32% behind 2007’s pace, with roughly $11.3 billion in project starts. The residential market is 48% behind ‘07, with roughly $4.3 billion in new projects so far this year. The nonresidential market is 17% behind last year, with about $4.8 billion in new project starts. The nonbuilding sector is 12% behind ’07, with about $2.2 billion in new starts.

R.J. Griffin Building Woodward Academy Athletic Center

Atlanta-based R.J. Griffin & Co. has started construction of a $22 million athletic and fitness center on Woodward Academy’s main campus in College Park, Ga.

The 100,000-sq-ft building will include a gym, wrestling arena, offices and training room. The contractor states the project will be complete by fall 2009. Perkins + Will of Atlanta is the project architect.

Fortune-Johnson to Start Apartment/Condo Complex in Atlanta

Atlanta-based Fortune-Johnson is set to start construction of a 334-unit residential complex in Atlanta that includes both apartments and condominium units, according to McGraw-Hill Construction.

The development will include two five-story buildings, with one featuring 214 apartment units and another that includes 120 condominium units. The project owner is for Newport Development of Atlanta. Niles Bolton Associates, Atlanta, is the architect.

McGraw-Hill estimates the value of the project at $52 million.

Work Set to Begin on Toyo Tire Facility Expansion

According to the latest information from McGraw-Hill Construction, expansion of Toyo Tire North America’s facility in White, Ga., has started. Kajima Building & Design Group of Atlanta is the general contractor.

The project will reportedly expand Toyo Tire’s existing facility by 600,000 sq ft.

BRPH Completes Rivers Elementary Design

The Atlanta offices of BRPH Cos. has completed design phase services for Rivers Elementary School in Fayetteville, in Fayette County, Ga. The facility’s design is based on a prototype originally created by BRPH and also used for Spring Hill, Kedron, Peeples, Crabapple Lane, Cleveland, Sara Harp Minter,and Inman Road Elementary Schools.

The 96,000-sq-ft school design was blended into recently developing groups of communities. The school’s residentially inspired aesthetics utilize a brick exterior with a pitched, standing-seam metal roof, and also features a central courtyard that allows natural daylight into every classroom. The facility accommodates 675 students.

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