Construction employers added 6,000 workers to payrolls in May as the industry's unemployment rate dropped to 8.6 percent, its lowest May level in six years, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. However, association officials cautioned that gains remain spotty and that thousands of highway construction jobs are at risk because of a pending halt in federal transportation funding later this summer. “Even with five straight months of construction employment gains, the industry remains vulnerable to sudden shifts in demand,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Should Washington allow federal highway funding to come to a halt as predicted later this summer, the sudden loss of billions of dollars worth of demand would cost many construction workers, as well as workers from other segments of the economy, their jobs.” Construction employment totaled six million in May, the highest total since June 2009 and an increase of 188,000 or 3.2 percent from a year earlier, Simonson noted. Residential construction employers added 3,300 jobs in May and 105,600 (4.9 percent) over 12 months. Nonresidential construction firms added 2,700 employees since April and 82,000 (2.2 percent) since May 2013. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Developer unveils look of $300M 'regional shopping center' in South Norwalk
NORWALK — General Growth Properties, Inc., (GGP) will put forward for approval a 700,000-square-foot regional retail center for the last dozen acres of Norwalk’s Reed Putnam Urban Renewal area, otherwise known as the 95/7 site. On Monday, GGP representatives showed The Hour drawings of the proposed complex, which they say will not be a traditional, fortress-like mall, but rather a retail center that will reach out to surrounding parts of Norwalk. “We’re not trying to turn our backs on the surrounding areas. We’re not trying to bring in tons of local restaurants that could compete — that competition is already coming from the surrounding towns. We want to help this area,” said Douglas T. Adams, GGP’s senior director. “In terms of a net benefit, we’re going to draw a million people a month.”
Center street bridge project will mean traffic headaches
WALLINGFORD — A century old bridge spanning Wharton Brook on Center Street, or Route 150, has “exceeded its useful life,” according to the state Department of Transportation, and will be replaced. The project is expected to cause traffic delays and disruption to nearby businesses well into 2017. The bridge, built in 1914, is next to the Vinny’s Deli parking lot at 567 Center St. Vinny Ianuzzi, the deli’s owner, was the only adjacent property owner to attend a meeting last week with state officials. “We definitely have concerns,” Ianuzzi said. Route 150 is a state road, therefore the state is responsible for maintenance of the bridge. The purpose of the project, according to the meeting notice sent to nearby property owners, is to “replace the structure to meet current design standards.” DOT officials could not be reached for comment Wednesday. The project includes replacing the bridge with a concrete deck and steel girder structure supported by concrete pillars. The $3.9 million state-funded project is expected to completed by late 2017. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Gravestone uncovered at Meriden HUB site
MERIDEN — Contractors interested in redeveloping the Hub site were warned that not everything buried below the 14-acre parcel was known. Because the site has seen many different uses through the years, there would likely be brick, stone and concrete to uncover, in addition to old piping from streets abandoned long ago. Although he knew some element of surprise was possible, LaRosa Construction co-owner Joseph LaRosa was stunned to see a gravestone when he visited the site last week. “It’s unbelievable,” he said, noting that most of what has been uncovered so far is rock, concrete and brick. “We’re pretty sure no one was ever buried there, but it’s a mystery.”
Not much taller than a foot, the marble gravestone bears the name of Josie Viola Hubbard who was born Feb. 12, 1883 and died just three years and two months later on April 11, 1886, according to the stone. Along with Josie’s name are the initials of her parents: F.E. and D.L. Hubbard. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
"If I have a tenant, I don't want them to be there only one year and then have to leave. I'd like to see them make it their home," she said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
$200M,100-store center proposed for West Haven
WEST HAVEN >> Two developers with a track record of success are looking to build a $200 million “high-end” shopping center with 100 outlet stores, six restaurants and, in its second phase, a hotel and possibly apartments on the West River Crossing site the city has spent two decades trying to get off the ground. The 347,826-square-foot waterfront development — the biggest taxable thing proposed for West Haven in decades — would be called “The Haven” and would be aimed at an affluent market that extends well beyond West Haven’s borders, its developers said Tuesday.
The Haven would create more than 1,200 entry-, mid- and executive-level jobs — plus hundreds of construction jobs — and generate more than $3 million in annual tax revenue for the city, said Mayor Ed O’Brien. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Construction spending rises modestly in April
Total construction spending rose modestly for the third straight month in April as a mix of increases and declines in public and private categories showed the sector's recovery remains fragile and fragmented, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials said the industry could benefit from new federal investments in infrastructure to offset declining public sector demand. “Residential, private nonresidential and public construction spending all have areas of strength but also pockets of weakness,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “While the overall trend remains more positive than last year, growth is likely to be spotty for the foreseeable future.” Construction put in place totaled $954 billion in April, 0.2 percent above the revised February total and 8.6 percent higher than in April 2013. The year-over-year growth so far in 2014 has exceeded the full-year increase of 5.0 percent recorded from 2012 to 2013. Private residential construction spending inched up 0.1 percent in April to a six-year high. The latest total exceeded the year-ago level by 17 percent. Single-family construction rose 1.3 percent in April and 14 percent year-over-year. Multifamily spending soared 4.4 percent and 31 percent, respectively. Improvements to existing single- and multifamily structures slumped 2. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE