Georgia Project Starts Fall 41% in March

The value of Georgia’s March contracts for future construction fell 41% compared to the same period of a year ago, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction. It was yet another significant decline for the state, which experienced a 28% drop in February and a 39% falloff in January. The total value of new contracts was slightly less than $1.3 billion, down from last March’s nearly $2.2 billion.

In March, residential remained the most negative sector again. It fell 57% compared to last March to total roughly $575.8 million. Nonresidential contracts fell considerably, too, dropping 17% for a total of about $449.4 million. Nonbuilding construction – which includes streets, highways, bridges and other infrastructure – also declined, by 14%, for an approximately $259.2 million total.

For the year-to-date, the value of new Georgia contracts is now 37% behind 2007’s early pace, with roughly $4 billion in project starts. The residential market is 55% behind the first three months of 2007, with roughly $1.7 billion in new projects so far this year. The nonresidential market is 12% behind last year, with about $1.6 billion in new project starts. The nonbuilding sector is 7% behind ’07, with about $712.9 million in new starts.

Liberty Harbor Goes Vertical

After 18 months of demolition, site preparation and infrastructure work, vertical construction is under way at Liberty Harbor, a $2 billion, 155-acre waterfront development in Brunswick.

“We have reached a major milestone in the life of this project,” Gary Waxman, principal of Liberty Harbor, said in a press statement. To date, the project has demolished six buildings onsite; installed utilities, including a lift station; and built all of its related infrastructure.

Upon completion, Liberty Harbor will include approximately 2,400 residences and 300 home sites, a 450-wet slip marina, a boardwalk and a yacht club offering water sports, entertainment and dining. Construction of the harbor marina is set to begin later this year.

Columbia Theological Seminary Celebrates “Ground-blessing” for Residence Hall

Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga., held a “ground-blessing” in April for its new $9.6 million, four-story student residence hall.

The project was designed by architecture firm Lord, Aeck & Sargent of Atlanta, and is being built by New South Construction Co., also of Atlanta. According to the architect, the 60-bed, 34,000 sq-ft residence hall will feature a variety of sustainable design strategies. The building is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and is targeted for LEED silver certification.

New South Construction is targeting a spring 2009 completion of the project.

The residence hall is expected to use approximately 50% less energy use than a conventionally constructed facility. The building’s lighting will include motion-sensor switching, energy-efficient lamps and generous daylighting.

It will include studio and one-, two- and four-bedroom apartment units, a recreation/workout area, a community kitchen with indoor and outdoor seating and fireplaces, laundry area and mechanical and facilities support spaces.

Other firms involved with the project include: Morgan & Bartos Constructors of Atlanta, program manager; Andrews, Hammock & Powell of Macon, MEP/FP engineer; KSi/Structural Engineers of Atlanta, structural engineer; and Eberly & Associates of Atlanta, civil engineer/landscape architect.

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