Georgia Contracts: Rough Start to 2009

The overall value of new Georgia contracts signed in January for future construction fell 45%, 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 $846.9 million, compared to last January’s total of more than $1.5 billion.

During the month, two of McGraw-Hill Construction’s three broad categories showed significant declines. The residential category had the largest percentage decline. That market’s January total was 60% behind last year’s, for a total of about $226.8 million. The figure compares to last January’s total of nearly $568.8 million.

The nonresidential category also fell significantly, dropping 50% compared to last January to total about $387.6 million for the month. The year-ago total for this sector was approximately $775 million.

The nonbuilding sector showed positive growth compared to a year ago. The total value of this sector’s January contracts was $232.5 million, or 11% better than the $208.8 million reported in January 2008.

Choate Construction Awarded Two Atlanta Projects

Atlanta-based Choate Construction Co. has been awarded two projects in the Atlanta area.

In January, the contractor started work on a contract to build out the fifth floor of the Shepherd Center, a hospital located on Peachtree Road. The 33,000-sq-ft project is an interior build out of the fifth-floor patient wing. It will accommodate 35 new patient rooms and associated support space for medical staff. The project is expected to be completed in June. Choate has been working with the Shepherd Center for the past four years.

At Pinecrest Academy, Choate is building a new Consecrated Women’s Residence. The new living space will provide areas for worship, study and community gatherings for the academy’s Catholic faculty. The 20,000 sq-ft residence hall will accommodate 20 rooms. The community areas will include a chapel, kitchen, meeting room, offices, library, computer room, laundry facilities and dining room. Construction started in February, with completion anticipated for September.

Atlanta’s New Downtown Sky Bridge Connects Marriott Marquis and Hilton Atlanta

The completion of a new pedestrian sky bridge linking the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and Hilton Atlanta in the heart of Peachtree Center was slated for March, according to the two hotel chains. The bridge crosses above Courtland Street between Harris and Baker Streets at a height of 20 ft. It measures 107 ft long and 8 ft wide.

“There is an electrifying synergy created from the sky bridge and the fact that these two brands are connected with one goal in mind: being able to host the highest value conventions, meetings and events in the city of Atlanta,” stated Keith Hensley, with the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

The completion was set for March.

McShane Construction Completes Phase IV of Ashley Midtown

McShane Construction Co. recently completed the 17-building, 51,522 sq-ft Phase IV of the Ashley Midtown project in Savannah for developer, The Integral Group. The infill development is located near the existing Ashley Midtown apartment, townhome and senior living community in Savannah.

The apartment complex is comprised of 17 buildings scattered in and around the current Benjamin Van Clark neighborhood area. The buildings included a mix of 13 two-story buildings and four single-story facilities, supporting 18 two-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedroom units. The project also included a community building.

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