Georgia Contract Activity Drops 44% in August

The dollar volume of all sectors fell significantly in August as the overall value of new Georgia contracts for future construction fell 44%, 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 $1.3 billion, compared to last August’s $2.3 billion.

In August, the value of residential contracts fell 52%, compared to last August, to total roughly $432 million. The nonbuilding segment – which includes infrastructure projects – dropped even further, falling 68% compared to last August for a $206.7 million total. Meanwhile, nonresidential contracts declined by 13% for a total of about $664.3 million.

For the year-to-date, the value of new Georgia contracts is now 34% behind 2007’s pace, with roughly $12.5 billion in new project starts. The residential market is 49% behind ’07 so far, with roughly $4.7 billion in new contracts. The nonresidential market is 17% behind last year, with about $5.5 billion in new project starts. The nonbuilding sector is now 23% behind ’07, with about $2.4 billion in new starts.

BRPH Designing $65 Million Manufacturing Project

Melbourne, Fla.-based BRPH Cos. is providing design services to EFACEC Transformers, an affiliate of Portugal-based EFACEC Group, for the company’s new manufacturing facility in Savannah.

The $65 million complex will include a 235,000-sq-ft manufacturing plant for the production of power transformers and 17,000 sq ft of office space on a 43-acre site. The design-build project is scheduled for completion in August 2009.

Skanska to Build Valdosta State Student Union

Skanska USA Building of Atlanta will manage the construction of a new student union center at Valdosta State University in Valdosta. Local firm Ellis, Ricket and Associates is the architect of record.

The $43.2 million project will replace the current student union, gymnasium, pool house and pool.

Approximately 122,141 sq ft in size, the new, three-story building will house a theater, bookstore, retail area, dining rooms, kitchens, offices, meeting rooms, lounges, student organization rooms and a multi-purpose room. Amenities include a fountain, a grand stair and cedar trees in the dining and lounge areas.

The scope of work at the site includes the removal of hazardous material (asbestos) and the demolition of existing structures and utilities, site landscaping, hardscape, reinstallation of utilities and construction of the new building.

Groundbreaking was scheduled to take place in late September, and construction is expected to complete in December 2009. The facility is scheduled to open in January 2010.

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