Local Construction Outlook
The outlook for construction projects in the Boston area remains positive. Turner Construction Co. will be the GC for the 18-story, 500,000-square-foot office building at One Marina Park Drive at Fan Pier. Simon Property Group is planning an expansion at Copley Place with an addition to Neiman Marcus and 280 residential condo units. Other potential projects include a hotel at 275 Albany St, a mixed retail residential project on Bromfield and Washington St., a 10-year expansion plan for Suffolk University and dormitories at UMass-Boston. West of Boston in Devens, the US Army has announced plans to build a 280,000-square-foot training facility.
Local 63 and Area Contractors Reach Agreement
Sheet Metal Workers Local 63 and area contractors agreed to a 6-year contract with a wage re-opener after 3 years. The first three years of the agreement comes with a total increase of $6.45 as follows: 1st year: $2.00, 2nd year: $2.15, 3rd year: $2.30. Increases are due every six months. There were also some changes to mileage provisions. Other than that, the contract remained unchanged. Union members approved the contract on July 17.
RI Construction Outlook
CVS recently announced plans for a 150,000-square-foot expansion to their corporate headquarters at Highland Corporate Park. Roger Williams University started construction on Global Heritage Hall, a 52,000-square-foot academic building. Shawmut Design and Construction is the GC. The Navy started construction on a $28.5-million development at the Naval Station in Newport. The Naval Supply Corps and Center for Service Support is relocating to the area from Athens GA. There will also be a renovation of an existing 27,000-square-foot facility to house the Marine Corps Detachment. HV Collins Co of Providence is the GC. Gov. Carcieri has also issued an executive order that mandates green construction standards for all state building construction, expansion and renovation. Brown University, Roger Williams and Johnson & Wales have also jumped on the green building band wagon.
SMWIA, UTU Merger Halted by Judge
A federal judge recently enjoined the pending merger between the SMWIA and the UTU. The judge found that UTU members were not aware when they approved the merger of conflicts between the constitutions of the two unions. The judge also found that the plaintiffs had shown a substantial likelihood of success on their claim that they were deprived of a "meaningful vote" on the merger. The ruling prevents any merger until the legal challenge is concluded.
RI Apprenticeship Bills Passed
Two bills regarding apprenticeship training passed without the Governor's signature in July. H 8041/S 2173 requires contractors to maintain an apprentice-training program prior to bidding on a public construction contract valued at $1 million or more. S 2555 allows students who successfully complete an authorized vocational program to receive credit for apprenticeship instruction in certain trades.
