New housing complex for Temple students breaks ground

Blue Bell-based Goldenberg Group has broken ground on a 984-bed student-housing development near the Temple University campus at 12th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue.

The $199 million project will include 30,000 square feet of ground-level retail, restaurant and commercial space opening to a plaza with seating, green space, and activity areas, Goldenberg said in a release Wednesday.

The 470,000-square-foot, privately run complex is to join the company’s three-year-old View at Montgomery student-housing tower on a 4.6-acre site between 11th and 12th Streets, where John Wanamaker High School previously stood.

The complex, scheduled for completion in summer of 2019, is being financed through a $163 million loan from Goldman Sachs & Co.’s merchant banking division, Goldenberg said.

Source: Philly.com

ABI August 2017: Firms across the country see billings growth

More than one-third of firms report an increase in change orders in the last five years

Architecture firm billings increased for the seventh consecutive month in August, with the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score rising to 53.7, as more firms reported improving business conditions in August than in July. Inquiries into new projects remained strong as well, and firms continued to report an increase in the value of new design contracts.

Dodge Momentum Index Declines In September

NEW YORK – October 6, 2017 – The Dodge Momentum Index fell in September, moving 8.4% lower to 116.4 (2000=100) from the revised August reading of 127.1. The Momentum Index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. Both components of the Momentum Index declined in September. The institutional building component fell 11.5% from August, while the commercial building component fell 6.1%. While the overall Momentum Index has lost ground for four consecutive months, this should not be seen, in and of itself, as a predictor of a turn in building markets. Prior to the previous peak of the Momentum Index in January 2008 it had suffered similar significant declines, only to rebound and post strong gains in subsequent months in line with overall economic growth. Similarly, the Momentum Index posted healthy gains from late-2016 through early 2017. Economic growth remains solid, and building market fundamentals are supportive of further growth in construction activity.

In September, 10 projects entered planning each with a value of $100 million or more. For the commercial building sector, the leading projects were a $200 million office complex in San Jose CA and a $200 million mall in Staten Island NY. The leading institutional projects were a $400 million civic complex in Los Angeles CA and a $100 million casino in Tulalip WA.

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About Dodge Data & Analytics

: Dodge Data & Analytics is North America’s leading provider of analytics and software-based workflow integration solutions for the construction industry. Building product manufacturers, architects, engineers, contractors, and service providers leverage Dodge to identify and pursue unseen growth opportunities and execute on those opportunities for enhanced business performance. Whether it’s on a local, regional or national level, Dodge makes the hidden obvious, empowering its clients to better understand their markets, uncover key relationships, size growth opportunities, and pursue those opportunities with success. The company’s construction project information is the most comprehensive and verified in the industry. Dodge is leveraging its 100-year-old legacy of continuous innovation to help the industry meet the building challenges of the future. To learn more, visit www.construction.com

Source: Construction.com

Top 10 OSHA Violations Announced at National Safety Congress

Top from left: Fall Protection, Hazard Communication, Scaffolding, Respiratory Protection, Lockout/Tagout
Bottom from left: Ladders, Powered Industrial Trucks, Machine Guarding, Fall Protection – Training Requirements, Electrical – Wiring Methods

On Sept. 26, at the National Safety Council's annual Congress & Expo, OSHA Deputy Director of Enforcement Programs Patrick Kapust announced the preliminary list of 10 standards most frequently cited by the agency’s inspectors during Fiscal Year 2017. Fall protection was the most-cited standard for the seventh year in a row, followed by Hazard Communication, and Scaffolding. The only new addition to last year’s list was Fall Protection – Training Requirements, which came in at ninth place. OSHA publicizes the Top 10 list to increase awareness of these standards so employers can take steps to find and fix the hazards to prevent injury or illness

OSHA Awards $10.5 Million in Susan Harwood Safety and Health Training Grants

OSHA has awarded $10.5 million in one-year grants to 80 organizations through the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. The program funds grants to nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based groups, employer associations, unions, joint labor-management associations, and colleges and universities. See the list of Fiscal Year 2017 Susan Harwood Training Grant recipients for details on the education and training offered by each awardee.

OSHA Memorandum Outlines 30-Day Enforcement Plan for Silica Construction Standard

Enforcement of OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica standard for construction went into effect on Sept. 23. The agency announced in a September 20 memorandum a 30-day enforcement phase-in to help employers comply with the new standard. Citations may be considered for employers not making any efforts to comply. For more information on silica hazards and OSHA’s standard, visit the Silica Final Rule webpage.

Summary of NLRB Decisions for Week of September 18 - 22, 2017

Gulf Coast Rebar, Inc.  (12-CA-149627, et al.; 365 NLRB No. 128)  Jacksonville, FL, September 18, 2017.

The Board (Members Pearce and McFerran; Chairman Miscimarra, dissenting) reversed the Administrative Law Judge and found that the Respondent violated Section 8(a)(5) and (1) by failing to respond to the Union’s information request.  The Respondent had contended that it had effectively repudiated the collective-bargaining agreement and was under no obligation to respond to the Union’s information request, and, in any event, that the Union’s charge was untimely.

Summary of NLRB Decisions for Week of September 25 - 29, 2017

Pacific Coast Sightseeing Tours & Charters, Inc., a wholly owned Subsidiary of Coach USA, Inc., and Megabus West, LLC, an indirectly owned Subsidiary of Coach USA, Inc.  (21-CA-168811 and 21-RC-167379; 365 NLRB No. 131)  Anaheim, Bakersfield, and Van Nuys, CA, September 27, 2017.  Errata to Decision and Order issued September 18, 2017.  Errata   Amended Decision.

Chinatown’s Eastern Tower Community Center finally breaks ground: At 20 stories, it will be the neighborhood’s tallest tower

After 16 years, countless design proposals, years of fundraising, and navigating plenty hiccups along the way, Chinatown has officially and finally broken ground on the Eastern Tower Community Center at 10th and Vine. 

The project is a $75 million venture that will bring 150 apartments to the site, as well as office, commercial, and retail space. But most importantly, it will include a community and recreation center, the first for the Chinatown neighborhood. 

“It is in the community and for the community,” said Margaret Chin, chairwoman of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC). 

Flanagan Mechanical Services allegedly owes contributions to Steamfitters Union funds

PHILADELPHIA - A Yardley business allegedly failed to pay contributions to labor union funds.

Steamfitters Union Local 420 Welfare Fund, Steamfitters Union Local 420 Pension Fund, et al. filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Sept. 11 against Flanagan Mechanical Services LLC and John Flanagan, citing the Employee Retirement Security Act and the Labor Management Relations Act.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege they conducted a payroll audit of employer contributions from January 2013 to July 2015 and a total of $32,619.40 is due.

The plaintiffs hold Flanagan Mechanical Services LLC and Flanagan responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to respond to their requests for payment.

The plaintiffs seek unpaid principal contributions, interest, liquidated damages, court costs, audit fees and any further relief the court grants. They are represented by William T. Josem and Jeremy E. Meyer of Cleary Josem & Trigiani LLP in Philadelphia.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:17-cv-04073-NIQA

Source: Penn Record

Mills Electric Inc. allegedly owes more than $95,000 to labor union funds

PHILADELPHIA - A Flourtown employer allegedly failed to pay contributions to labor union funds.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 98 Health & Welfare Fund, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 98 Pension Plan, et al. filed a complaint in the U.S.

District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Sept. 12 against Mills Electric Inc. and Tyrece Mills, citing the Labor Management Relations Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege the defendants submitted late payments in October and November 2016 without paying interest or liquidated damages, and in December 2016 and January did not submit any payments.

The plaintiffs hold Mills Electric Inc. and Tyrece Mills responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to pay the delinquency identified by the plaintiffs' counsel in letters sent in July and August.

The plaintiffs seek $96,325.66 for unpaid principal, interest, $11,256.71 in liquidated damages, court costs and any further relief the court grants.

They are represented by William T. Josem and Jeremy E. Meyer of Cleary Josem & Trigiani LLP in Philadelphia.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:17-cv-04076-WB

Source: Penn Record

Carson Concrete Corp. allegedly owes contributions to Cement Masons Union funds

PHILADELPHIA - A Boothwyn corporation is alleged to have failed to pay contributions to labor union funds.

Cement Masons Union Local No. 592 Pension Fund, Cement Masons' Union Local No. 592 Welfare Fund, Cement Masons' Union Local No. 592 Join Apprenticeship Training Fund, et al. filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Sept. 15 against Carson Concrete Corp., citing the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege the defendant has failed to pay the amount of $13,254.35 as owed under the contracts.

The plaintiffs seek all contributions due and owing to the plaintiff, liquidated damages, interest, court costs and any further relief the court grants. They are represented by Maureen W. Marra of Jennings Sigmond PC in Philadelphia.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:17-cv-04127-BMS

Source: Penn Record

Union protests contractor's alleged failure to deduct taxes

Union workers Thursday staged a protest at the worksite of a company they contend has failed to pay state payroll withholding taxes on more than $10 million of state Division of Highways contracts.

Workers with Painters District Council 53 rallied at the site of a bridge painting project on Kanawha Turnpike in South Charleston, a $1.25 million contract awarded to Seminole Equipment of Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Builders were worried about SUNY Poly bidding practices

The arrest of SUNY Polytechnic Institute President Alain Kaloyeros a year ago on accusations he steered millions of dollars in construction contracts to firms connected to the Cuomo administration did little to convince general contractors across the state that business practices at the high-tech school had improved.

Several months after Kaloyeros resigned and Cuomo's economic development chief took over SUNY Poly's real estate and construction projects, a top official at the Associated General Contractors of New York State in Latham notified school officials that he still had concerns over how they were awarding contracts — and whether they were following the letter of the law.

On Dec. 23, Associated General Contractors Vice President Joseph Hogan sent a letter to officials at SUNY Poly's real estate arm, known as Fuller Road Management Corp., asking why they weren't following state law when it came to handing out construction contracts.