Articles

1. Impact on Highway Construction

   September 20, 2016

   Technology: Impact on Highway Construction

   Infrastructure projects are complex and have a unique set of requirements. Contractors working on these types of projects need to be aware of regulations, safety mandates and so much more in order to succeed.

   In fact, a new report on the future of road and highway construction in the United States from IBS World shows the road and highway construction industry continues to experience a number of challenges, which include budgetary constraints and uncertainty around government funding.

   In fact, a bill passed by Congress last December could have an impact on these types of construction projects in the future—and specifically on how technology is used at the jobsite.

   On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed the FAST (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation) Act, which aims to provide long-term funding certainty for surface transportation infrastructure planning and investment. The FAST Act allocates $305 billion during fiscal years 2016 through 2020 for highway, motor vehicle safety, public transportation, motor carrier safety, hazardous materials safety and rail, as well as research, technology and statistics programs.

   The objective is to focus on safety and continue to streamline project delivery. This is where technology enters the equation.

   The FAST Act also continues the Technology and Innovation Deployment Program, which funds efforts to accelerate the implementation of new technologies on highway transportation projects.

   In fact, the law sets aside at least $12 million for each of fiscal years 2016 to 2020 to accelerate the deployment and implementation of pavement technology. It also dedicates an unspecified amount for the advanced transportation and congestion management technologies deployment program.

   The bottom line is the program aims to “Fix America’s Surface Transportation.” As this happens, contractors working on these project have a lot of factors to address. Perhaps now is the time to identify how highway projects are changing today—and how technology can help enable more efficient highway construction projects in the future.

   Impact of Legislation

   Tom Webb, vice president of strategy and R&D (research and development) at HCSS, a provider of software for heavy/highway contractors, says his customers have noticed an increase in construction projects. However, the promise of streamlining project delivery and safety through the FAST Act has not been realized yet.

   As one of the first long-term funding plans for United States surface transportation in 10 years, this FAST Act enables DOTs (Departments of Transportation) to move larger, multiyear projects into the construction pipeline, according to another provider of heavy/highway software for the construction industry, B2W Software; however, the impact won’t be felt until next year when design and construction considerations begin.

   “We have experienced changes related to MAP-21 and the Every Day Counts initiatives, and it is anticipated that FAST will build on these regulations and mandates,” says Rich Humphrey, vice president of marketing, B2W Software.

   MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 Century) was signed on July 6, 2012, and provided funding for surface transportation programs at more than $105 billion for fiscal years 2013 and 2014, while Every Day Counts was launched in 2009 to speed up the delivery of highway projects and address challenges presented by limited budgets. The initiative is a state-based model to identify and deploy proven, but underused innovations to shorten the project delivery process, enhance roadway safety, reduce congestion, and improve environmental sustainability.

   As a result of these laws and the newer legislation, the adoption of technology will continue to accelerate for transportation infrastructure. In fact, Humphrey of B2W Software says this will specifically happen with the digitization of the construction process, which includes eliminating paper processes.

   “It is important for transportation contractors to realize that with the promise of more projects comes the expectation to deliver these projects faster and in line with increased regulations (such as safety, quality, and transparency),” says Humphrey. “They will not be able to meet the increased demand and delivery expectations using the same processes they always have.”

   This is where technology comes into play. Software enables contractors to streamline workflows, improve efficiencies, eliminate paper, and move to more digital processes. All this will result in improved margins.

   Data on the Job

   Perhaps one of the most important tools on the construction jobsite today is the data that exists. Today, technology offers contractors a wealth of information that can make construction methods more efficient. Now, it is a matter of leveraging the data to improve business processes.

   Webb of HCSS points to four key ways technology can improve efficiencies, specifically on highway construction projects, including making construction methods more efficient; removing inefficiencies; reducing paperwork; and driving a crew-oriented safety culture.

   “Some of the most costly inefficiencies of the past revolve around equipment breakdowns and rework,” he says. “For the 21st-century contractor using GPS (global positioning software) and preventative maintenance solutions, equipment breakdowns are happening at a much lower frequency. Rework is also reduced, as the construction foremen now have access to the plans created all the way back in the estimating process.”

   Tablets such as iPads are also changing technology at the jobsite, he says, as old paperwork processes can now be done in a fraction of the time with new technology.

   This sentiment is echoed by Humphreys of B2W Software, who explains there are many opportunities to leverage technology on highway construction projects.

   Technology can help solve the challenges of managing project complexity that results from large geographic ranges that often extend to congested urban environments; public demands and mandates related to project safety, quality, and transparency; and margins and operational efficiency tied directly to capital equipment and resource utilization.

   “Technology provides the ability to meet these challenges and drive efficiency by better utilizing and connecting resources, including people, equipment, and workflows,” says Humphrey. “As the availability of data increase, the sophistication of technology will allow companies to utilize this abundant information to drive significant highway construction efficiencies.”

   B2W Software even goes as far to say that it estimates a 20-25 percent improvement in efficiency could be achieved by providing mobile field staff with access to project data. The first step is ensuring there is a single source of truth for information to be delivered. Next, data needs to be put in the right hands at the right time. Also, data collection workflows—whether from mobile devices, telematics, or other sensor technologies—is a critical component of how data is collected. Finally, digitizing data enables reporting and business intelligence to make critical decisions.

   Ultimately, on these highway construction projects, putting the data into the right hands is the key component to how highway projects are changing today.

   “Supporting the crew with technology is perhaps the greatest engagement and efficiency benefit a contractor can do to bring more value to the table,” explains Webb of HCSS. “Job success is won and lost in the field and the crew is the biggest influencer of that success.”

   Posted: 9/7/2016 3:50:17 PM

   http://www.conexpoconagg.com/news/september-2016/technology-impact-on-highway-construction/?utm_term=Read%20More&utm_campaign=Today%5Cu2019s%20Construction%20%26%20Tech%20Trends&utm_content=email&utm_source=Act-On+Software&utm_medium=email&cm_mmc=Act-On%20Software-_-email-_-Today%5Cu2019s%20Construction%20%26%20Tech%20Trends-_-Read%20More

2. Confined Spaces

   June 16, 2016

   

   https://www.osha.gov/confinedspaces/index.html

    

   “This rule will save lives of construction workers. Unlike most general industry worksites, construction sites are continually evolving, with the number and characteristics of confined spaces changing as work progresses. This rule emphasizes training, continuous worksite evaluation and communication requirements to further protect workers’ safety and health.”

   – Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, Dr. David Michaels

   Confined spaces – such as manholes, crawl spaces, and tanks – are not designed for continuous occupancy and are difficult to exit in the event of an emergency. People working in confined spaces face life-threatening hazards including toxic substances, electrocutions, explosions, and asphyxiation.

   This webpage contains information on the new regulation, compliance assistance documents, and other resources OSHA has to help employers and workers understand the rule. OSHA will continue to publish new guidance products in the coming months, and will post them here. Please check the website often for updates.

   Construction workers often perform tasks in confined spaces – work areas that (1) are large enough for an employee to enter, (2) have limited means of entry or exit, and (3) are not designed for continuous occupancy. These spaces can present physical and atmospheric hazards that can be prevented if addressed prior to entering the space to perform work. This page is a starting point for finding information about these spaces, the hazards they may present, and ways to safely work in them.

   Standard

   • Confined Spaces in Construction (PDF). Final Rule, (May 4, 2015).
   • UPDATED Reader friendly version (PDF) of the upcoming 29 CFR 1926, Subpart AA

3. Buffalo Creek Casino Construction

   May 9, 2016

   

   

   Construction Watch: Buffalo Creek Casino

   by Buffalo Rising May 9, 2016, 9:49 am 0 Comments

    

   The Seneca Nation’s $40 million expansion is rising up. The nation apparently wasted no time in getting started on the project that will soon see the casino upping the ante on its offerings.

   Once complete, this second wave of amenities will include a performance stage for live entertainment at Stixx Sports, enhanced gaming operations (300 additional slot machines, additional table games with a high limit room), additional retail space, a super-sized Buffalo Savors Grill, a Western Door concept restaurant (indoor and outdoor seating), and new banquet and meeting space.

   The new build out extends westward towards South Park. Work on the expansion began in January, and is expected to be complete in spring of 2017.

4. Construction Workers are the Happiest Employees

   March 28, 2016

   

    

   If you think you’re content toiling away at your desk, crunching data, or hammering out the details of a grand design, try asking a construction worker or facility service employee if they ever whistle while they work.

   The answer will change your perspective about getting excited for work everyday.

   According to TINYpulse’s 2015 Best Industry Ranking report, gathered from its anonymous one-question feedback surveys from over 30,000 employees across more than 500 organizations, among 12 distinct industries, construction and facility service workers are the happiest employees.

   Next in line were consumer products, technology, and software. Telecom, energy, and utilities are grouped together, coming in fourth place. Health care rounded out the top five. Manufacturing brought up the rear in last place.

   Construction On The Rise

   It’s important to note that the construction industry—both residential and commercial—is bouncing back from a recession low of $716.9 billion, or 4.9% of GDP, in 2010. Three years later, it was up to $925.4 billion, or 5.8% of GDP. Likewise, 70% of what the U.S. produces is for personal consumption, making for a strong consumer product sector.

   On a macroeconomic scale, this steady growth is definitely a mood booster, as it contributes to job creation and higher salaries. Who isn’t happy to get a bit more dough in their paycheck?

   But before you decide to ditch your keyboard and go buy a tool belt—or a lawn mower, as landscapers were among this group—the survey team at TINYpulse recommends taking a closer look at what actually drives workplace satisfaction, and what makes people unhappy.

   TINYpulse surveys revealed the top three issues standing in the way of happy employees were:

   1. Managers who aren’t supportive
   2. Not having the tools to succeed
   3. No opportunity for professional growth

   Nearly half, or 49% of employees said a negative relationship with their supervisor factored in to their overall dissatisfaction. Though many manufacturing facilities have evolved into well-lit, clean, and highly technical environments, Dan Davis, editor in chief of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, commented on dissatisfaction among the ranks of the industry. He says that the lack of routine safety meetings could send a message to staff that their employer doesn’t care what happens to them.

   A president of another facility that got high marks for employee satisfaction advised: “Always ask for their thoughts on how to solve a problem. Always follow up with people on their ideas for improvement.”

   According to TINYpulse’s recent culled from responses to its anonymous feedback surveys, 26% of employees say they are frustated by the lack of tools they could use to do their jobs better. More than half, or 66% of all employees don’t feel they have strong opportunities for professional growth for two reasons—staff isn’t always aware of what might be available to them, as well as a lack of training and mentorship.

   In the construction industry, a variety of organizations offer coaching and career mentorship to students. Once they’re ready for the workforce, the industry has a long history of providing new workers with apprenticeships so they can learn the skills required to move on to tackle more challenging work.

   Supportive Colleagues = Happy Employees

   But skills, tools, and sensitive supervisors do not guarantee happiness. A big boost to job satisfaction was rooted in good relationships with colleagues. recently revealed that, especially among millennials, work friendships were both mood boosting and motivating.

   Indeed, the TINYpulse industry survey found that 34% of the happiest employees say their peers and colleagues are what drive their workplace satisfaction, and rated them an 8.5 out of 10.

   In the report, Jay Walter, general manager of JWH Group, an Australian home-building company, summed up the overall effect on happiness the industry has on its workers.

   “This is an industry that has many walks of life with people working in an office to people out on site,” he says. “One thing that unites everybody at the end of the day is kicking back for a little bit with a few beers and talking stuff out—the good and the bad. If people have an issue, they will come see a manager during office hours, but sometimes the best environment is when people can relax a bit and just have a drink alongside a manager.”

    

    

    

    

    

5. All Workers Have Rights

   February 29, 2016

   All Workers Have Rights

    

   Filed in Workplace Rights By Dr. David Michaels and Dr. David Weil on September 3, 2015

   Most workers in this country are employed by businesses that play by the rules, protecting health and safety on the job and paying fairly and in accordance with the law. But for too many, that’s not the case.

   These workers are typically employed in low-wage sectors such as agriculture, construction, food service, residential care, and waste processing. Many don’t speak English as their primary language and don’t know their rights. Fearing retaliation or even deportation if they happen to be undocumented, they’re often afraid to speak up.

   To educate this vulnerable worker population, the Department of Labor, through its Consular Partnership Program, joins with foreign embassies and their consulates for Labor Rights Week each year leading up to Labor Day. It’s a collaborative effort to increase awareness and inform workers of their rights – and employers of their responsibilities – under U.S. labor laws.

   

   We’re joined by worker rights groups, faith-based and community organizations and local unions, which either host or organize informational workshops, educational sessions, and other special events. Other U.S. government agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board, share information and educational materials on the laws they enforce.

   For us, Labor Rights Week is about people like Giovanni E. Tolentino and Allan Butay, residential care workers in the San Francisco Bay Area employed in an industry where foreign workers are prevalent. They are among the more than 1,300 residential care workers we’ve helped since 2011 after repeated investigations in the region found that workers were underpaid by millions of dollars.

   It’s also about reaching out to protect workers like those employed by Kehrer Brothers Construction in Illinois. The company knowingly exposed non-English speaking workers to asbestos, violating numerous workplace safety and health standards and inexcusably putting their lives at risk.

   Of course, informing workers of their rights and protecting them from recalcitrant employers isn’t just something we do during Labor Rights Week; it’s a year-round effort involving Labor Department staff who are actively engaging workers, advocates and employers in communities nationwide.

   Through that dedicated outreach and partnerships with groups like EMPLEO, LABORAL, and Justice and Equality in the Workplace, the Wage and Hour Division and Occupational Safety and Health Administration are ensuring workers are paid properly and kept safe on the job.

   

   Wage and Hour Division Investigator Priscilla Cruz speaks to agricultural workers about EMPLEO at the event “Dia del Trabajador Agricola” (Agricultural Worker Day) in Greenfield, Calif. on Aug. 30, 2015. More than 5,000 people attended the event.

   Through strategic enforcement and complaints filed by informed workers, investigations nationwide during fiscal year 2014 found that as many as 270,000 workers in low-wage industries were underpaid by more than $240 million. Our top priority is to make sure that money gets into the hands of those who’ve earned it. To assist us in that process, we created a new online tool called Workers Owed Wages, allowing workers to see if we’ve collected and are holding money for them.

   To ensure that workers return home safely at the end of their workday, OSHA strictly enforces the laws protecting worker safety and health. Employers are required to provide workers with the equipment they need to do their jobs safely, and training in a language they can understand. OSHA has many resources online, including videos on workers’ rights in English and Spanish and a special message for the Hispanic workforce.

   Reducing worker exposures to hazardous situations and ensuring a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work is an all-hands-on-deck enterprise. This Labor Rights Week and every week, we work with communities, advocates, and vulnerable workers to make sure they know their rights under federal law.

   You can follow our efforts on Twitter using #LaborRightsWeek and #IHaveRights. We’ll also be getting the message out in Spanish at @USDOL_Latino, as well as through Facebook.

   Dr. David Michaels is the assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health and Dr. David Weil is the administrator of the Wage and Hour Division.

6. US Dept Labor vs Niagara Falls Employer regarding safety

   US Labor Department sues Niagara Falls employer for firing employee
   who raised safety concerns at Buffalo demolition site
   Regional Environmental Demolition Inc., officers, had ‘no reason and no right’ to retaliate

   BUFFALO, N.Y. – He took the right step, and was fired for it.

   He was a demolition and asbestos abatement laborer employed by Regional Environmental Demolition Inc. at an asbestos abatement project in Buffalo from April to June 2014. At the job site at 527 West Utica St., the man observed weakened or deteriorated sections of flooring called “soft spots.” At one spot, his foot broke through the floor.

   Concerned that he or others might fall through the floors, the laborer told his superiors who also worked for the Niagara Falls contractor of the hazard multiple times. In June 2014, the company discharged him after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration contacted the employer in response to an anonymous complaint. The concerned worker then filed a whistleblower complaint with OSHA, which investigated and found it had merit.

   Now, the Labor Department has filed suit in federal court against Regional Environmental Demolition and its officials Charles Van Epps and Enrico Liberale for retaliating against the former employee for raising these safety concerns. The suit seeks payment to the worker for lost wages and compensatory damages, interest, front pay, emotional and financial distress damages and punitive damages. The action also seeks to have all references to the matter expunged from his personnel records.

   “Regional Environmental Demolition had no reason and no right to fire this worker for repeatedly reporting a safety hazard that could have seriously harmed him and his fellow workers. Firing or retaliating against workers who raise safety concerns is intimidation, plain and simple. If employees fear losing their jobs, hazards can go unreported and injuries can result,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York.

   “The Occupational Safety and Health Act gives us the authority to sue employers who retaliate against employees in safety and health matters. We will do so when the case warrants, as it does here,” said Jeffrey Rogoff, the regional solicitor of labor in New York.

   Filed with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, on Feb. 19, the suit also asks the court to permanently enjoin the defendants from future violations, and require them to post a notice to their employees that they will not discriminate against employees who exercise their workplace safety and health rights.

   Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who raise various protected concerns or provide protected information to the employer or to the government. Employees who believe that they have been retaliated against for engaging in protected conduct may file a complaint with the secretary of labor to request an investigation by OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program. Detailed information on employee whistleblower rights, including fact sheets, is available at http://whisleblowers.gov.

   Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

   # # #

   Perez v. Regional Environmental Demolition Inc., Charles Van Epps and Enrico Liberale Civil Action Number: 16-CV-149V

   Editor’s note: The U.S. Department of Labor does not release the names of employees involved in whistleblower complaints.

   Media Contacts:

   Ted Fitzgerald, 617-565-2075 fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov

   Release Number: 16-358-NEW

7. Solar City

   February 24, 2016

   

   1.2-million sq. ft. solar panel ‘Gigafactory’ in Buffalo almost ready, will make 1 GW/year

   

   Michael Graham Richard (@Michael_GR)
   Technology / Solar Technology
   January 25, 2016

   Share on Facebook

   

   Promo image SC/BN

   Soon after SolarCity acquired solar panel maker Silevo in the summer of 2014, it announced the construction of a 1.2-million-square-foot ‘Solar Gigafactory’ in Buffalo, New York. The move had two main goals: 1) For the solar installer to get its own secure supply of high-efficiency solar panels (Silevo panels are currently 21% efficient, but the company claims that they can get to 24%) and 2) drive down the cost of the panels and of installing them.

   SolarCity/Promo image

   If the panels are higher efficiency, you need fewer of them per roof for a given capacity, lowering installation costs, and if you make them in very large quantities in a ‘Gigafactory’, you can further reduce costs through economies of scale.

   SolarCity/Promo image

   The Buffalo solar gigafactory, which can be seen in the photo at the top of this article, aims to start producing solar cells in 2016, with a ramping up to 1 GW of annual capacity by 2017. If all goes well, the facility could eventually be expanded to 5 GW/year at some point. The solar cells produced there have a target price of around $0.50/watt, which would make them very competitive with other power sources.

   While the exterior of the plant seems pretty close to complete, there are still 950 workers finishing the interior. Once operational, SolarCity says that it will create about 500 jobs, with the possibility of more if they go forward with the expansion to 5 GW/year.

   SolarCity won’t have trouble finding use for the production from the Buffalo plant: Their own demand for panels already exceeds what it will be able to produce, so they’ll still have to buy from other solar panel manufacturers. This makes the 5 GW/year expansion seem very likely.

   Tesla/Promo image

   One thing that’s obviously missing from the factory is solar panels on the roof, like with the Tesla battery Gigafactory (pictured above). I hope that SolarCity will eat its own cooking and do it — otherwise it’s a missed opportunity!

   Here’s a model of what the finished thing should look like:

   NY State Gov/Promo image

   The Bufallo solar gigafactory is expected to start production in about 6 months

   Via TWC News, Electrek

8. 2015 Downtown Construction Recap

   February 21, 2016

   Downtown development continues to roll. Fifty-four downtown area projects were finished, announced, or underway in 2015. That is three more than the 2014 recap. The Buffalo skyline had three significant additions this year: HARBORCENTER, Conventus and 250 Delaware. Three more are under construction: UB Medical School, John Oishei Children’s Hospital, and Roswell Park’s Clinical Research Center.

   

   

   Residential
   Just 44 units were brought online downtown, one of the lowest numbers in recent years. Include the Larkin District, and that number jumps by 141 units (41 units at Seneca Street Lofts and 100 at Hydraulic Lofts). The largest project, technically in Allentown, was Strathman Manor at 481 Franklin Street with twelve apartments. Also in Allentown, Ellicott Development added nine apartments to the 10 Symphony Circle complex. 112 Genesee, 173 Elm, and 172-76 Franklin each had five apartments. Four apartments were added to the second floor of 888 Main Street, three apartments were completed at 537 Main Street, and two were opened in 483 Main Street.

   The development pipeline is significant with 350 units now under construction and 491 units announced last year. The largest project underway is Evergreen Health’s conversion of 117-145 Cherry Street into a fifty unit apartment building.

   Two large projects are changing the face of lower Niagara Street. Norstar Development is constructing eight buildings with a total of 48 units at the north end of the Shoreline Apartments site. Nearly across the street, Schneider Development is wrapping up conversion of 295-305 Niagara into Turner Bros. Lofts with 40 apartments and commercial space.

   Ciminelli Real Estate has 45 units underway in The Sinclair, the former Educational Opportunity Center at Washington and E. Mohawk streets. Further south, two projects in the Joseph Ellicott Preservation District are converting dated office space into apartments. Thirty-six units are going into the Stanton Building at 251 Main Street and 26 units are being built-out on the upper floors of the White Building at 298 Main.

   Near the Medical Campus, Sinatra & Company is creating 31 apartments and a small amount of commercial space in the historic Phoenix Brewery at Washington and Virginia streets. Greenleaf & Co. is turning the Bosche Building at 918 Main Street and its neighbor at 916 Main into 23 apartments.

   The first residential development along Ohio Street broke ground this year. Ellicott Development is constructing a five-story, 21-unit residential building at 399 Ohio that will include ground floor restaurant space. It is the first of several buildings the developer plans for a site along the Buffalo River. Ellicott Development is also constructing nine townhouses in its Waterfront Place development along Ojibwa Circle.

   In the Theater District, a development team is creating 12 apartments in the Birzon Building at 686 Main Street. The building’s lower two levels will contain commercial space. At S. Elmwood and Edward Streets, Wayne Bacon is creating a half dozen apartments in the former Immaculate Conception Church rectory.

   At 5-7 Genesee Street overlooking Roosevelt Square, a development partnership headed by architect Steve Carmina is converting two non-descript buildings into three apartments and space for a ground floor restaurant.

   

   Proposed Residential
   Developers announced plans for 491 additional units this year. Krog Corp. is planning up to 150 units in the Trico complex at the south end of the Medical Campus. Also targeting the Medical Campus is a proposal for 76 ‘micro’ units in Lofts @ 400 by Rocco Termini at Oak and E. Tupper streets.

   At the northern end of the Medical Campus, Ellicott Development announced plans to put 12 apartments in the Our Lady of Lourdes church on Main Street. Nearby, pioneering downtown residential developer First Amherst Development proposed 38 apartments in a four-story building at 19 North Street.

   Ellicott Development has had a busy year. The company’s mixed-use project at 500 Pearl Street includes 28 apartments on two levels.

   On North Street in Allentown, Uniland Development switched gears on redeveloping the Nazareth Nursing Home property at 291 North Street and is negotiating to sell the property to Westmont Living for a 99-unit senior living facility. In Waterfront Village, Ciminelli Real Estate is proposing a 30-unit condominium and townhouse project for a 2.4 acre site at 240-60 Lakefront Boulevard.

   First Amherst Development Group is also returning to its roots by proposing to add 23 units to the Lofts @ Elk Terminal complex.

   McGuire Development Company announced plans for a new residential building at its Compass East property along Michigan Avenue but has not released a design. Nearby, a development group headed by Steve Carmina is proposing 12 apartments plus cultural and commercial space at 163-67 Broadway.

   Lisa Martineck is planning three apartments on the second floor of 220 Franklin Street next to the Curtiss Hotel. Martineck’s Capello Salon & Day Spa will move into the building’s ground floor.

   Also on the residential front, Schneider Development has started sales at the Historic Warehouse Lofts condominium conversion on Ellicott Street. Over half of the 30 units are sold or under contract.

   

   Offices
   With the nearly-empty One Seneca tower literally looming over downtown, developers are justifiably gun shy about building new office space downtown without a substantial anchor tenant. Two projects completed this year had much of their space pre-leased to allow construction to proceed. Uniland Development’s 250 Delaware’s office space was leased before opening. It is anchored by Delaware North, Key Bank, and the Department of Homeland Security.

   Ciminelli Real Estate opened Conventus, a 350,000 sq.ft. building at Main and High streets anchored by Kaleida Health, UBMD, Athenex, and the Buffalo Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub.

   Buffalo Dialysis has signed a lease with Uniland Development to anchor its 520 Ellicott Street project. Construction on the 23,000 sq.ft. building will start this spring. Also on the medical front, Plaza Group is renovating the former Alpha Graphics building at 520 Delaware for Womens Health PC.

   Ellicott Development is planning commercial space in two of its upcoming projects. The seventh floor of 500 Pearl Street will encompass 28,000 sq.ft. of office space. At the Our Lady of Lourdes site at the edge of the Medical Campus, the company is proposing an office building of up to 160,000 sq.ft. The Krog Corp. will also be marketing a large chunk of the Trico complex to medical campus users.

   Sticking to medical offices, Evergreen Health Services broke ground on a five-story addition to the Roanoke Building at 206 S. Elmwood Avenue.

   In a promising sign, Architect Michael Anderson of Abstract Architecture purchased 313 Broadway at the corner of Cedar Street and will relocate to the near East Side site.

   

   Hotels
   Hotels remain hot. The big opening of the year was the Marriott at HARBORCENTER. The 205-room hotel is the final component of the mixed-use complex constructed on the Webster Block at the foot of Main Street.

   Two hotels are under construction. Mark Croce is converting a former office building at 204 Franklin into the Curtiss Hotel. The 68-room boutique property will open in mid-2016 and will include some special features such as an outdoor hot springs, a revolving bar in the ground floor restaurant, and rooftop lounge.

   Also under construction is the Westin hotel at 250 Delaware. The 118-room property will occupy the first five floors of the complex and will be run by Delaware North.

   The hotel boom appears to be rolling on. 500 Pearl Street will be anchored by a 109-room hotel and the Trico complex is expected to have a 138-room hotel component. A hotel in the AM&As Department Store complex is still alive but construction has not started.

   Infrastructure
   Work to return cars to the 500 block of Main Street wrapped up at the end of the year. The next phase of the project covering the foot of Main Street was pushed along by a federal government funding award. The City is also planning streetscape work along Franklin Street, infrastructure work along Pearl to return it to two-way traffic, and the long-delayed streetscape project pegged for Genesee Street between Washington and Elm streets.

   

   Restaurants
   2015 was the year for restaurant and brewery/distillery openings downtown. A few of the most significant ones were along Ellicott Street including Deep South Taco at 291 Ellicott, Big Ditch Brewery at E. Huron and Ellicott, Toutant at 437 Ellicott, and Niagara Distilling at 459 Ellicott.

   Plans for a $40 million expansion at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino were also unveiled this year. The two-story addition will add 360 additional slot machines and ten additional table games, expanded restaurants, and retail space.

   Thanks to all of the developers and investors both large and small that keep us busy at Buffalo Rising year round. Apologies to anyone overlooked in this recap.

   Tagged with: Downtown development, Downtown Development Recap, Downtown Residential

   ShareEmail, Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Reddit, Pinterest, StumbleUpon

   Written by WCPerspective

   

   Buffalo and development junkie currently exiled in California.

   Downtown Development Recap: 2015 Edition

    

9. Green Building

   February 16, 2016

   Study Finds Global Green Building is Expected to Double by 2018

   Feb. 16, 2016, 3:30 p.m.

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   NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Companies involved in U.S. construction plan on intensifying their involvement in green building over the next three years, according to the new World Green Building Trends Study from Dodge Data & Analytics, conducted with support from United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) and its UTC Climate, Controls & Security business. The U.S. is also one of the global leaders in the percentage of firms expecting to construct new green institutional projects and green retrofits of existing buildings.

   The global study, which received additional support from Saint-Gobain, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Regenerative Network, positions the U.S. as a strong participant in the global green movement. Responses from more than 1,000 building professionals from 60 countries place the U.S. green industry in context. The study also provides specific comparisons with 12 other countries from which a sufficient response was gained to allow for statistical analysis: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

   According to the report, U.S. construction should see an increase in the share of green work in the next few years, largely as a result of companies intensifying their involvement in the green building industry. An increasing percentage of respondents projected that more than 60 percent of their projects would be green projects – from 24 percent of respondents in 2015 to 39 percent in 2018. Respondents projecting that fewer than 15 percent of their projects would be certified green plummeted from 41 percent in 2015 to 27 percent by 2018.

   While this increased share of green building is impressive, it is significantly less than many developing countries included in the survey. For example, Brazil expects six-fold growth (from 6 percent to 36 percent) in the percentage of companies conducting a majority of their projects green; five-fold growth is expected in China (from 5 percent to 28 percent); and four-fold growth is expected in Saudi Arabia (from 8 percent to 32 percent).

   “The strong U.S. industry for green building projects is clearly an opportunity for U.S. firms, but so is the rapid rise of green in many of the developing countries,” said Stephen Jones, Senior Director of Industry Insights, Dodge Data & Analytics. “Expertise from experienced green designers, builders and manufacturers from the U.S. is likely to be essential to support the aggressive green building expectations revealed by the study respondents.”

   In the U.S., the highest percentage of respondents report that they expect to work on new green institutional projects (such as schools, hospitals and public buildings), green retrofits of existing buildings and new green commercial construction (such as office and retail buildings) in the next three years. When compared with global averages, it becomes clear that the U.S. is a leader in new green institutional construction and green retrofits of existing buildings.

   • 46 percent of U.S. respondents expect to work on new green institutional buildings, compared to 38 percent globally;

   • 43 percent of U.S. respondents plan to work on green retrofits of existing buildings, again well above the global average of 37 percent.

   The U.S. is also distinguished from the global findings in terms of the importance it places on reducing energy consumption as an environmental reason for building green. Over three quarters (76 percent) of U.S. respondents consider this important, nearly double the percentage of the next most important environmental factor, which is reducing water consumption. While the other 12 countries in the study prioritize the reduction of energy consumption, only Germany, Poland and Singapore do so to the same extent.

   “The survey shows that global green building activity continues to double every three years,” said United Technologies Chief Sustainability Officer John Mandyck. “More people recognize the economic and productivity value that green buildings bring to property owners and tenants, along with the energy and water benefits to the environment, which is driving the green building industry’s growth. It’s a win-win for people, planet and the economy.”

   The study demonstrates the benefits of building green, with median operating cost decreases for green buildings of 9 percent expected in just one year globally. Building owners also report seeing a median increase of 7 percent in the value of their green buildings compared to traditional buildings, an increase that is consistent between newly built green buildings and those that are renovated green. These business benefits are a critical driver for the growth of green building anticipated globally.

   The U.S. is also notable for having the lowest percentage of respondents who report that their company uses metrics to track green building performance. Only 57 percent of U.S. respondents report using metrics, compared to a 75 percent average globally. This may be linked to the fact that the U.S. is also the country with the highest level of concern reported about higher perceived first costs for green building, notably more than the percentage who consider this an important challenge to green in other developed countries with active construction markets like Germany and the U.K.

   To download the full study “World Green Building Trends 2016: Developing Markets Accelerate Global Green Growth SmartMarket Report,” visit http://analyticsstore.construction.com/smartmarket-reports/2016WorldGreen.html?sourcekey=PRESREL . To download the U.S. report, visit
   http://analyticsstore.construction.com/smartmarket-reports/WorldGreen2016_US?sourcekey=PRESREL.

   About Dodge Data & Analytics
   Dodge Data & Analytics is the leading provider of data, analytics, news and intelligence serving the North American construction industry. The company’s information enables building product manufacturers, general contractors and subcontractors, architects and engineers to size markets, prioritize prospects, target and build relationships, strengthen market positions, and optimize sales strategies. The company’s brands include Dodge, Dodge MarketShare™, Dodge BuildShare®, Dodge SpecShare® and Sweets. To learn more, visit http://www.construction.com.

   About UTC Climate, Controls & Security
   UTC Climate, Controls & Security is a leading provider of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, building controls and automation, and fire and security systems leading to safer, smarter, sustainable and high-performance buildings. UTC Climate, Controls & Security is a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.CCS.UTC.com or follow @UTC_CCS on Twitter.

   SOURCE UTC Climate, Controls & Security

   RELATED LINKS
   http://www.ccs.utc.com/ccs/en/worldwide

    

    

    

    

10. Levi’s Stadium is one of the greenest stadiums in all of the NFL

    January 28, 2016

    

    Home to the San Francisco 49ers and venue to the Superbowl 50, Levi’s Stadium is truly a majestic piece of art that focus on technology, open spaces and sustainable concept. The stadium was designed in such way that people in the stadium have spectacular view of the playing field but also stunning views of the Silicon Valley. The Stadium was built recently and was the first NFL stadium to open with a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

    Levi’s Stadium Quick Facts

    The stadium has a seating capacity of 68,500 and it was opened on September 14, 2014. The naming rights of stadium cost $220 million and are valid for the next 20 years. The architect of the Superbowl 2016 venue was HNTB, which are experts on sporting arenas.

    The funding of this stadium was almost all private with only 12% public funding used to built the stadium, which construction cost was around $1.3 billion.

    Levi’s Stadium Construction Details

    The 49ers stadium was build by a large group of contractors and some major milestones where achieved during its construction.

    Read more: http://construction.about.com/od/Existing-Projects/fl/Levis-Stadium-Home-to-the-Super-Bowl-2016.htm