Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/34592
66 • JULY 2011 • WORLD FENCE NEWS The Dodge Report April construction levels unchanged from prior month • The Original Ultra Reliable and Secure Hydraulic Slide Gate Operator • Fully Enclosed Hydraulic Motors • Few Moving Parts Linear AE-1000 Telephone Entry System Full Featured Primary Access Control For Apartments, Condos, Dormitories, Office Buildings and Gated Communities BEDFORD, Mass. — New con- struction starts in April were reported at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $400.2 billion, basically the same amount as March, according to Mc- Graw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Non-residential building slipped back after its elevated March pace, while non-building construction (pub- lic works and electric utilities) contin- ued to retreat. In contrast, residential building in April registered a moderate gain, helped by upward movement for mul- tifamily housing. During the first four months of 2011, total construction on an unad- justed basis came in at $122.1 billion, down 9% from the same period of 2010. SECUR-TY MANUFACTURED BY LOGICAL DECISIONS, INC. DO IT ONCE DO IT RIGHT PERFECT TIE EVERY TIME The April data produced a reading of 85 for the Dodge Index (2000=100), unchanged from the revised level for March and also February. • 1 5/8”, 1 7/8”, 2 3/8”, 3” and 4” • 9, 6 and 11 GAUGE STEEL PREFORMED TIES • CORRECTIONAL and MILITARY APPROVED • GALVANIZED, ALUMINIZED and STAINLESS STEEL • VINYL COATED LOGICAL DECISIONS, INC. PHONE 1-800-676-5537 • FAX 800-676-5535 WWW.LDI.COM WORLD’S LARGEST HY-SECURITY GATE OPERATOR DISTRIBUTOR “The pattern of construction starts has been essentially flat within a broad range for about two years now, and the past three months have come in to- wards the lower end of that range,” stated Robert A. Murray, vice-presi- dent of economic affairs for McGraw- Hill Construction. “There have been a few positive signs in recent months, such as the strengthening trend shown by multifamily housing and the pickup for manufacturing plants. However, single family housing remains stalled, and the tough fiscal environment con- tinues to dampen the prospects for in- stitutional building and public works, even with the occasional support com- ing from large projects such as took place during April. More and more, it’s looking like the best that can be ex- pected this year for the overall level of construction starts is flat activity.” Non-residential building in April dropped 2% to $160.2 billion (annual rate), down slightly after the 26% gain reported for March. Much of April’s decreased contracting came from the commercial and industrial structure types, which had been boosted in March by the start of several very large projects. Office construction in April dropped 55%, after being lifted in March by the start of a $1.1 billion data center for the National Security Agency in Utah. While down substan- tially, the office category in April did include the start of a $126 million cor- porate headquarters in Akron, Ohio as well as the $125 million office portion of the $420 million City Center mixed use project in Washington, D.C. The manufacturing plant category in April was also down substantially, falling 59% from March which in- cluded the start of a $900 million semiconductor plant in Oregon. Both stores and warehouses posted large April declines, sliding 22% and 30%, respectively. Running counter to the generally downward trend for com- mercial building in April was hotel construction, which jumped 91%. Large hotel projects that reached groundbreaking in April included a $127 million hotel in New York, N.Y. and a $108 million hotel in Blooming- ton, Minn. The institutional side of the non- residential market in April was mixed. The largest gain was registered by transportation terminal work, soaring 287% with the support of several large projects. These included a $1.2 billion air- port terminal renovation and expan- sion at JFK International Airport in New York, N.Y, a $580 million train and bus terminal in San Francisco, and a $135 million airport terminal expan- sion in Philadelphia. Healthcare facilities in April Many items in stock - caps, finials, rings, wall mounts, column bases ….. Custom made parts Short volume runs In-house tool & die shop Phone: 301-334-9100 Fax: 301-334-7846 www.cpalmerdiecastinginc.com strengthened after a sluggish March, climbing 24% with the push arising from such large projects as a $470 mil- lion medical center in San Antonio and a $175 million hospital in Jones- boro, Ark. The educational building category in April improved 3%, helped by a $103 million expansion to a medical research facility in Madison, Wis., a $65 million expansion to an art mu- seum in Queens, N.Y., and a $64 continued on page 69 W e Carr y The Following Brands Gatekeeper shipping to most of the Eastern United States. s, Inc. is centrall 800-378-Gate (4283) • 423-332-5808 • www y located near Chattanooga, Call for a Fr ee Catalog Or der T s ship within 24 hour nn., with 1 to 2 da e ys .gatekeepers.net s. SPECIAL ORDERS DESIGNSM O CUST