Gulf Coast Rebuild Siphoning Hoosiers

A study shows that with major construction projects planned in central Indiana
over the next three years, the area faces a shortage in skilled craftspeople.

The 2005 Central Indiana Craft Labor Study finds that 6,500 construction jobs
will be available in the next three years and if they aren't filled, companies will
need to hire out-of-area workers.

Many of those workers are already being paid incentives to lure them to
the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast region.

Meantime, major projects under way include the Indiana stadium and convention center expansion and the Indianapolis International Airport Midfield Terminal.

The Indianapolis-based Indiana Construction Roundtable Inc., an organization
of construction consumers, released the study.

The study is the third annual conducted by FMI Corp. for the ICR. The initial study, conducted in 2003, was undertaken based on concerns that the strength and projected growth of nonresidential construction in Central Indiana threatened to outpace the supply of skilled craft labor.

Study findings indicate that the total volume of construction put in place, including residential, will grow to $9 billion by 2007. This represents a gain of nearly $2 billion vs. 2001, the last year that broad craft labor shortages were experienced.

The gain of 28 percent when considered in conjunction with the shortages experienced further raises concerns about the availability of sufficient levels of
skilled workers in the coming months and years.

The total supply of skilled craft labor for nonresidential work only, and within the 14 crafts that were studied, peaked at 35,738 workers during 2005. This represents a cushion of approximately 8 percent above the average annual requirement predicted by the model.

However, construction in Central Indiana tends to be highly seasonal, and the 8 percent cushion is required to meet demand during peak summer and fall seasons.

Total demand for nonresidential craft labor will accelerate from 2006 through 2008, reaching 36,636 in 2008. Over the same time period, it is likely that the availability of travelers to Central Indiana will be diminished.

FMI estimates that a total of 685 craftspeople worked as nearby travelers, as defined in this report, in Central Indiana during 2005. This number is expected to fall to 500
in 2006, and 140 in 2007, reversing the trend of this relatively reliable source of labor.

This decline in available travelers is expected to aggravate craft labor supply issues through 2009. If there are no net additions to the local craft labor supply, then the reduced participation of travelers will reduce total available labor supply from
35,738 in 2005, to 35,184 in 2008, even as the demand for workers is increasing.

This would result in an average annual shortage of 1,451 during 2008, with more severe seasonal shortages.

For more information, visit www.indianaconstruction.org on the Internet
and click on "The 2006 Craft Labor Report."

Arches Project Starts; 3,000 Houses Coming

Construction is under way on The Arches at Oakwood Shores, a 129-unit development on Chicago's South Side.

The Arches is part of Oakwood Shores, a 94-acre master-planned, mixed-income community of 3,000 for-sale and rental homes. It is emerging as a traditional Chicago neighborhood of brick-and-masonry homes and tree-lined streets.

The Arches offers rowhomes, townhomes, courtyard townhomes and six-flats with one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums. Homes available range from 857-sq.-ft., one-bedroom condominiums to rowhomes of more than 3,000 sq. ft., with a mix of market-rate pricing from $279,500.

The development is two blocks from Chicago's lakefront at 39th and Pershing and Ellis, once the site of the Chicago Housing Authority's Ida B. Wells and Madden Park communities.

The first phase of single-family homes, which will be complete in June 2006, have sold out. More are planned for the development's third phase, which will launch in late summer 2006.

Construction for the entire project, by the Skender/Riteway-Huggins Joint Venture, is expected to be finished in December 2007.

St. Louis' Pet Tower To Become Apartment

The National Register of Historic Places-listed Pet Inc. tower that overlooks Busch Stadium in St. Louis is being converted into luxury apartments.

The $49 million project, to be called Pointe 400, is being built in part because of market demand for rental residences downtown. The first group of apartments will be ready for move-in this summer.

The building will hold one- and multi-bedroom apartments averaging 1,100 sq. ft. each. The apartments will have 9- to 12-ft. ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Gateway Arch, the Mississippi River or the stadium.

Work includes interior renovations, the installation of new building systems and the replacement of 1,180 window units that need to replicate the distinctive look of the original windows produced by a company that is no longer in business.

The concrete structure was built in 1969 as the corporate headquarters for Pet Inc.

The landmark building was originally designed by Alfred Aydelott.

St. Louis-based Brinkmann Constructors is the contractor, and St. Louis-based The Lawrence Group is the renovation architect.

Permits Received for Interstate 355 Extend

The Downers Grove-based Illinois Tollway has been granted environmental permits to proceed with construction of the 12.5-mi. south extension of the North-South Tollway (Interstate 355).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed its endangered species consultation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency have issued the section 401 water quality certification and 404 permit authorization to begin construction of one of the project's major components -- a 1.5-mi. bridge over the DesPlaines River Valley. The bridge will be built 80 ft. above the DesPlaines River Valley.

The extension is part of the Tollway's 10 year, $5.3 billion Congestion-Relief Plan, Open Roads for a Faster Future.

Work Starts on Tallest Wausau Tower

An 11-story tower, believed to be Wausau's tallest, has started in the north central Wisconsin city.

The $15 million First Wausau Tower will hold 140,000 sq. ft. of space and house nine floors for offices and a level for underground parking, mechanical equipment and a penthouse.

The project, which began in December, is expected to last through January 2007.

Neenah-based Miron Construction Co. Inc. was named the general contractor.

Storied Missouri School To Build Journalism Institute

Summit Design + Build Formed

Chicago-based Summit Design + Build LLC has formed at 1035 W. Lake St. Suite 301.

The executive team includes President Adam Miller and owners Kenneth Motew and Michael Zucker.

Prior to forming Summit Miller was vice president of Deefield-based KCC Group Design + Build Inc., which was previously known as Kiferbaum Construction Co.

Motew and Zucker founded in 1999 Chicago-based Peak Construction Development LLC, a company that focuses on the construction and development of multi-unit residential, single family and mixed-use properties.