FacilityBlog » Economic Development

IFMA Leads Broad Industry Coalition in Support of the Civilian Property Realignment Act

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:24:43 +0000

As the nation’s largest holder of real estate, the federal government has the opportunity and resources to influence the development and implementation of integrated building operation, maintenance, and space utilization practices.

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Commercial Sector Expected to Lead Real Estate Recovery

Heidi Schwartz — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:20:49 +0000

Slight increase in nonresidential construction spending expected in 2012 with substantial growth projected for 2013.

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WEB EXCLUSIVE: Derelict UK Brownfields Site Undergoes Transformation

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:40:52 +0000

This brownfield site is now proving to be a perfect example of urban regeneration that not only uses land that, to all intents and purposes, has become derelict, but through commercial development uses the attributes of the site to create new opportunities for the local community.

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New York Passes Design-Build Legislation

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:03:07 +0000

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed New York Works Infrastructure Fund Act, which will permit design-build on infrastructure projects for the first time in the state’s history. The legislation is aimed at creating tens of thousands of jobs through $1 billion of targeted and accelerated investment.

The high level of bipartisan support mustered for the bill virtually ensured its passage. While job creation and tax reform is the emphasis, significant expansion of the state’s design-build authority is a key component of the law. Design-build is an integrated approach that delivers design and construction services under one contract

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Pentagon Renovation Wins Award From Design-Build Institute of America

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:01:48 +0000

Called the most complex renovation project in contemporary history, the renovation of Wedges 2-5 at the Pentagon updated four million square feet of space.

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ABI Drops For Fifth Straight Month

Heidi Schwartz — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:45:19 +0000

The new projects inquiry index was 53.7, a considerable slowdown from a reading of 58.1 in June.

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New Data: AIA Consensus Construction Forecast

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:34:46 +0000

According to the latest AIA semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, nonresidential construction spending is expected to decline for the remainder of 2011; modest growth is projected for 2012.

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Design-Build Project Delivery Used for 40%+ of Projects

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:55:11 +0000

From 2005 to 2010, numbers are up 10% for design-build project delivery, an integrated approach that delivers design and construction services under one contract with a single point of responsibility.

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Building Code for Sustainable Construction Emphasizes Functional Resilience

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:38:28 +0000

The PCA/IHBS ordinance provides mandatory requirements for increased resistance to natural disasters with the goal of reducing the number of destroyed buildings, protecting property, and saving human life.

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Architecture Billings Index Remains in Reverse

Heidi Schwartz — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:24:51 +0000

Inquiries for new projects drop to slowest pace of growth since February 2010.

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BOMA Applauds Passage Of Critical Tax Legislation

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:42:31 +0000

BOMA International applauds Congress’ recent passage of the $859 billion tax bill, which includes provisions that will strengthen commercial real estate and economic recovery.

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NFL Star Eddie George Briefs Congress on Creating Healthy Communities

Heidi Schwartz — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:34:44 +0000

George, along with other key officials, made the case why investment in parks spurs economic growth, helps combat childhood obesity, and offers a myriad of environmental benefits.

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Sears Tower Going Greener

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:00:55 +0000

The project will result in energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions to the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, cutting base building electricity use by up to 80% (by way of a combination of energy savings and cogeneration).

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Clinton Climate Initiative Focuses on City Infrastructure

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:20:09 +0000

The program will support the development of large-scale urban projects that demonstrate cities can grow in ways that are “climate positive.”

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Ohio’s Infrastructure Receives a Grade of C-

Heidi Schwartz — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:52:09 +0000

The ASCE Ohio Council estimates that an investment in infrastructure renewal of more than $46 billion is needed over the next five years to address the state's crumbling infrastructure.

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New Commercial Property Index Reveals Negative Capital Growth

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:25:30 +0000

According to the IPD U.S. Annual Property Index, capital growth was -12.2% in 2008. For the 12 months to the end of December 2008, all property income return in the U.S. was 5.4%, contributing to an overall total return of -7.4%.

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City of Houston Deploys New Brownfield Inventory System

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:31:43 +0000

The City of Houston has deployed a customized brownfield inventory system to make its efforts to remediate and redevelop environmentally contaminated properties more efficient.

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Strategy During Economic Downturn? Back To Basics

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:36:33 +0000

The 2009 Ernst & Young real estate business risk report, produced in conjunction with Oxford Analytica, itemizes the 10 top business risks faced by the industry as ranked by leading sector analysts.

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Commercial Property Owners Focus on Preserving Value of Existing Assets

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:08:46 +0000

Battered by the U.S. economic recession, the commercial real estate market is struggling to maintain values across all property types and geographic areas, kicking a growing number of investors into survival mode as they painfully watch the value of their existing portfolios decline

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A Green Destiny in Florida

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:53:13 +0000

A model green community is being planned for central Florida.

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Brownfield Redevelopment Projects Qualify for Economic Development Incentives and USGBC LEED Points

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:43:20 +0000

With a new Administration on the horizon, the environmental movement and a trend towards sustainable development practices could soon dominate community development strategies at both federal and state levels.

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FRIDAY FUNNY: Makeover Transforms NYC Bureau from “DMV Dull” to “LUV Lovely”

Heidi Schwartz — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:56:32 +0000

Second only to Las Vegas as a nuptial destination, the Big Apple is hoping to lure away romantics with the $12 million makeover of its Marriage Bureau.

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