APAC-Southeast Purchases J.W. Conner & Sons

APAC-Southeast recently announced the purchase of the construction operations of J.W. Conner & Sons Inc. The acquisition included Delta Asphalt Paving Co. and C&D Equipment.

Most of the Conner employees were offered jobs with the Central Florida division of APAC-Southeast. Those not going to work for APAC-Southeast held primarily office positions. J.W. Conner & Sons Inc. will continue to pursue its real estate interests.

APAC-Southeast assumes the completion of all Conner contracts which include paving and grading projects with state, regional and local governments.

Central Florida NAIOP Announces Progress in UCF Endowed Chair

The Central Florida chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties announced that local real estate magnate Jim Heistand, majority owner of Orlando-based Capital Partners, has contributed $300,000 to fund an eminent scholar endowed chair for the University of Central Florida School of Real Estate.

According to the chapter, the funding represents the initial step toward endowment of an undergraduate real estate degree program within the University of Central Florida's College of Business Administration in Orlando.

ASLA Presents Charleston's Stephen Livingston with LaGasse Medal

The American Society of Landscape Architects will present its LaGasse Medal to Stephen D. Livingston, director of the department of parks for the city of Charleston, S.C. The award, in the landscape architect category, will be presented in October 10 during ASLA's Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale.

ASLA indicated Livingston was selected for the award in recognition of his leadership in management and conservancy of natural resources and public lands. For the past 26 years, he has managed and conserved natural resources, parks, open space and public lands in Charleston. As director of the parks department, Livingston heads up a staff of 150 people who plan, design, construct and maintain 1,200 acres of urban public facilities.

In addition to restoring and maintaining the city's large existing park system, Livingston has led the development of several significant projects, including the South Carolina Aquarium.

Cement Supplies Tighten Due to Still-Strong Demand

According to a recent report by the Portland Cement Association of Skokie, Ill., strong demand for cement again this construction season is resulting in tight supplies in some areas of the country.

"Because mortgage rates have remained near historic lows, home building continues to be very strong," said PCA Chief Economist Ed Sullivan. "In addition, nonresidential and public construction is also expected to increase as the economy improves."

According to PCA's May 2005 survey of cement suppliers, 23 states report tight supplies of cement. Among these, 10 states report tight supplies in only portions of the state.

Cement consumption in the United States grew to 119.9 million metric tons in 2004, an increase of 6.8 percent over 2003 and a record year for cement consumption. Through the first quarter of 2005, U.S. cement consumption has increased 7 percent over very strong 2004 levels.

To meet demand, additional cement is also being imported. Imports' share of total U.S. consumption rose from 20.6 percent in 2003 to 22.7 percent in 2004. PCA expects that imports' share will exceed 25 percent during 2005 through 2007.

Structural Steel Prices Drop During First Half of '05

Structural steel prices have dropped more than $100 per ton since the beginning of 2005, reflecting a 20 percent decrease in the cost of material, according to the American Institute of Steel Construction. The current decrease in price, from a typical price of $618 to $510 per ton of wide flange, is primarily the result of lower scrap costs, AISC stated.

Major U.S. producers reduced mill prices of structural steel effective June 8, according to AISC.

Catalfumo Wins Workplace Safety Award

Catalfumo Construction of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., recently received several awards from Florida Atlantic University's Florida Institute of Safety and Construction.

The company was presented with the 2005 Safety Awareness Corporate Award for its commitment to employee safety. Catalfumo's assistant safety director, Benjamin Kidder, was the recipient of the 2005 Safety Instructor Founders' Award.