Construction Bulletin articles from August 2005

Construction Bulletin archives from August 2005

Contractor Streamlines Grading Process.(equipments and services of Dennis Fehn Gravel & Excavating, Inc.)
August 5, 2005... Staff The Trimble GPS system automatically supplies the computer-controlled hydraulic system with the necessary information to control the raising and lowering of the blade. Dennis Fehn Gravel & Excavating, Inc., of Albertville, Minn.,...

The Integrated Construction Site.
August 5, 2005... Staff Technology benefits contractors Few will argue that construction is an industry of close tolerances, where precision and accuracy can make or break a contractor's bottom line. At the same time, the pressures of a compressed...

Buikema Joins KKE Architects.(Clifford Buikema)(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... Staff Clifford Buikema , AIA, has joined KKE Architects, Inc. as associate in its Minneapolis location. Drawing from 33 years of experience in facilities planning, he will work closely with the firm's Justice Team clients including...

Interstate Highway System's 50th Anniversary.
August 5, 2005... Staff The Interstate Highway System -- the 46,717-mile ribbon of concrete and asphalt that links and moves America -- will be 50 years old on June 29, 2006. And the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) -- the...

Transportation Contractors Drive Big Ticket Sales.(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... Staff Annual construction equipment expenditures by highway, bridge and other transportation contractors far outpace those of general building contractors, an American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) analysis of U.S....

ARA Launches 50th Anniversary Celebration.(American Rental Association)(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... Staff It began in 1955 when 21 business owners gathered in Illinois to discuss joining forces to strengthen their equipment rental businesses. Today, the American Rental Association is an international trade association of more than 7,500...

Kimley-Horn Hires Three.(Gary Christensen, Brandon Bourdon and Chadd Larson, Kimley-Horn and Associates)(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... Staff Gary Christensen , Brandon Bourdon and Chadd Larson have joined Kimley-Horn and Associates. Christensen specializes in all facets of airport consulting services. Bourdon concentrates on traffic engineering for publics sector...

Hill Joins Schoell & Madson.(Jay R. Hill)(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... Staff Jay R. Hill has been named branch manager of Schoell & Madson's Elk River office. Hill has dual licensing as a professional civil engineer and land surveyor, and he can provide detailed project management from conceptual planning to...

Winiecki Joins WSB & Associates.(Tony Winiecki)(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... Staff Tony Winiecki has joined the Transportation Group of WSB & Associates as a senior project manager. Winiecki has over 15 years' experience in traffic and transportation engineering.

Mn/DOT Closing Rest Areas.(Minnesota/Department of Transportation)(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... Staff To prepare for the potential shutdown of state government, Mn/DOT began closing rest areas on June 29. With few exceptions, Class II and Class III rest areas, those with non-flushing toilets, will close first. The full-service travel...

Ahern Promoted At TKDA.(John Ahern)(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... Staff John Ahern as been promoted to director of the Airport Department of TKDA. His new responsibilities include maintaining ongoing client relationships with the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, Greater Minnesota airports and...

Badgers Win ASCE Canoe Competition.(American Society of Civil Engineers)
August 5, 2005... Staff Mix thousands of pounds of concrete with hundreds of civil engineering students, add equal parts ingenuity and determination, throw in a dash of sultry South Carolina summer, pour it all into a canoe mold, and what do you get? A 2005...

I-90 Eastbound Lanes To Close.(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... Staff Reconstruction of Interstate 90 between Alexandria and Spencer is under way. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) closed the eastbound lanes between Alexandria (Exit 344) and Spencer (Exit 353) as of Monday, June 27....

AGC Testifies To Strengthen Pension Plans.(Associated General Contractors of America )
August 5, 2005... Staff The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) testified at a hearing on Capitol Hill before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue to urge Congress to pass a multi-employer pension bill that would increase the...

Minneapolis Library.(Minneapolis Central Library )
August 12, 2005... By Stew Thornley The grand opening of the new library is scheduled for May 20, 2006. More than a decade-and-a-half of efforts will culminate with the opening of the Minneapolis Central Library in May of 2006. The genesis of the project...

Resource Management.(management of Structural Group)
August 12, 2005... Staff Regardless of your size, companies should look for means to better collaborate with their suppliers. It is not a secret that the big companies benefit from their buying power. Through the collective purchase of thousands of...

Condominiums to Replace Greenhouse.(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... Staff A 30-unit condominium complex may rise in place of a closed greenhouse at 6030 E. Superior St. along the Lester River. Potential developers Jeff Linder and Jay Zierden have requested variances from the Duluth Board of Zoning Appeals...

Occupational Safety Awareness.(revision of Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways )(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... Staff In December of 2003, the Federal Highway Administration revised Section 6 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD). The revision stated that roadway workers should work behind traffic safety...

Plant Opening.(buildings and facilities of Powerscreen Horizon )(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... Staff The recently opened Powerscreen Horizon 6203 dry screening plant is designed for large-volume processing of crushed stone, sand, gravel, coal, and recycled concrete and asphalt. With a capacity of up to 800 tons per hour, the plant...

Uniroyal Tires Pass Test.(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... Staff Uniroyal Tire, a leading brand for passenger and commercial cars, pickups, light trucks, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, recently tested its commercial light truck tires on round-the-clock emergency operations across the...

Training Ensures Work.(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... Staff MINK Pipe Trades partnered with Mechanical Systems, Inc., a mechanical contracting firm based in Wichita, Kan., to supply piping and air-systems for Kansas State University's new Biosecurity Research Institute in Manhattan, Kan. The...

Horton Announces New CEO.(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... Staff Roseville, Minn.-- Hugh K. Schilling, founder of Horton Holdings, Inc., announced the appointment of Randall Nord as president and chief executive officer for the company and all subsidiary companies upon his entrance into partial...

Making A Good Impression.(Valley Landscaping )
August 19, 2005... By Tara Deering, Technical Writer, Two Rivers Marketing, Des Moines, Iowa Valley Landscaping completes jobs faster and cleaner with compact track loaders. Craig Wendt is all about making sure his landscaping company looks good -...

Committed To Contamination Control.(methods for maintaining construction equipments)
August 19, 2005... By John Fenton, Vice President, Product Support Toromont CAT If you had an opportunity to safely double - or even triple - change intervals, would you be interested? How often do you change your hydraulic oil and filters? What about...

Six Steps For Prolonging Tire Life.
August 19, 2005... Staff By maintaining the proper inflation pressure for a given tire size and load, tires last longer and are safer. Provided by the Tire Retread Information Bureau "Keeping tires properly inflated is the single most critical...

CONEX Minnesota Returns In February 2006.(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff CONEX Minnesota is pleased to once again present the area's only event serving the construction, municipal, landscape, and outdoor power equipment industries. Now it its fifth year, CONEX Minnesota continues to be an effective,...

Ingersoll-Rand Offers Courses.(Ingersoll-Rand Road Institute )(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff The Ingersoll-Rand Road Institute has announced the 2005-2006 asphalt paving class schedule. Courses are held in Chambersburg, Pa., and Phoenix, Ariz. Both facilities have a full course curriculum of two- to five-day session. Courses...

Reed Construction Data's 2005 Forecast Conference.(North American Construction Forecast)(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff Reed Construction Data has announced the speaker line-up for The BuildingTeam Summit 2005 scheduled for October 27 and 28 at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. Since 1996, Reed Construction Data has hosted the...

Cement Shortage Worsens.
August 19, 2005... Staff The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) asked the Southern Tier Cement Committee (STCC) to withdraw its complaint that triggered the current anti-dumping duty on Mexican cement and allow cement supplies to arrive from...

WRDA Bill Provides Critical Funding.(Water Resources Development Act )(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) applauded House passage of the $10-billion reauthorization of Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) which would authorize funding for major navigation, flood control and...

ABC Applauds OSHA Reform Bills.(Associated Builders and Contractors)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing, with bipartisan support, four Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reform bills providing small businesses with the...

AET Opens Second Office.(American Engineering Testing, Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff American Engineering Testing, Inc. (AET), a St. Paul-based full-service laboratory and engineering consulting firm, opened its 10th regional office in the Upper Midwest in the greater La Crosse, Wisconsin, area. Strategically, the...

Harmon Names DORMA Partner.(DORMA Group North America )(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff Specialty glazing contractor, Harmon, Inc., has been named as an automatic door partner for DORMA Group North America in Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis, and South Bend, Ind.

NTEA Announces Inaugural Member Verification Program.(National Truck Equipment Association)(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) is pleased to announce that 86 distributor and manufacturer members have achieved Member Verification Program (MVP) status as of July 1. To qualify, truck equipment manufacturers...

ASLA Announces 2005 Professional Awards.(American Society of Landscape Architects)(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has announced the recipients of its 2005 Professional Awards. This marks the inaugural year for the Residential Design Category, co-sponsored by Garden Design Magazine. The awards...

2005 Construction Awareness Days.(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff The AGC of South Dakota has begun preparation for 2005 Construction Awareness Day events, the association's premier recruitment tool. Events have been scheduled for: September 20 - Rapid City; September 22 - Pierre; September 27 -...

Online Construction Career Source.(National Center for Construction Education and Research)(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and MonsterA[R], the leading global online careers property and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc., has announced the formation of an alliance to provide...

Search For Executive VP.(AGC of South Dakota)(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff Jim Keyes, executive vice president with the AGC of South Dakota, plans to complete his career with the association on August 1, 2005, after 30 years of service. The chapter has commenced a search process and hopes to have a new...

FCI Hosts 16-City Seminar.(Fire Control Instruments Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Staff Fire Control Instruments (FCI), a part of Honeywell Fire Systems, is a leading provider of emergency evacuation systems for commercial, industrial and educational facilities worldwide. Beginning in September, FCI will host a 16-city...

The Crunch Bunch.(Mobile crushing equipment )
August 26, 2005... Staff Mobile crushing equipment not only replaces stationary systems, it can also eliminate the use of haulers and reduce staffing, saving money and creating production efficiencies. "If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, then...

Keeping Track Of Equipment.
August 26, 2005... Staff RSC's Total Control(TM) shows where your equipment and money are going. Since the first time a prehistoric caveman loaned somebody his pointed rock, people have faced the challenge of keeping track of tools and equipment....

New Jails in Minnesota.(Wright Construction Corp to build new jails )(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Wright County in Minnesota plans to build a $35-million jail to fight present overcrowding. The proposed jail could house up to 600 inmates. According to Wright County Sheriff Gary Miller, 30 Minnesota counties are considering...

School Expansion.(Mounds Park Academy)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Maplewood, Minn.-- Mounds Park Academy has begun construction on a new $16-million, 246,000-square-foot expansion which will add a new sports facility, a two-story classroom wing and room for pre-kindergarten offerings. The project...

Proposed Mixed-Use Development.(plans of Hines)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Hines, a Houston-based developer, is in the process of developing potential master plans for a proposed mixed-use development in Minneapolis. The development is the collaborative effort of partners Rich Pogin and Bruce Lambrecht and...

Northfield Mixed-Use Project.(Collaborative Design Group Inc to design the project)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Collaborative Design Group Inc. of Minneapolis was selected by developer Mendota Homes of St. Paul to design The Crossing, a mixed-use project along the Cannon River in Northfield. The Crossing will contain seven buildings on six...

Developers Drawn to Biwabik.(Naterra Land )(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Biwabik, Minn.-- Minneapolis-based Naterra Land plans to build between 230 and 240 single-family residences on 2,000 acres it acquired from the Minnesota Power Co. last year. The land, which cost the company $3.25 million, is along...

Burnsville Renovations.(School District 191)(grocery store to be renovated in to a weightlifting training cente)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Burnsville, Minn.-- The former grocery store located in a converted mall near Nicollet Avenue and Burnsville Parkway may be converted into a training center for USA Weightlifting, an organization that trains weightlifters with...

New Townhomes in Duluth.(housing development)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Duluth, Minn.-- Ground broke last month for a $5-million, 20-unit townhouse development on the edge of the golf course at Cloquet Country Club. The homes consist of two models ranging from 960 to 1,854 square feet. From one to three...

Possible New Target Store.(Target Corp plans for a new discount store in downtown)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff According to sources familiar with discussions between Target Corp. and the city of St. Paul, the corporation has recently added Cleveland Circle to its list of potential sites for a new discount store in downtown. The site sits...

Power Plant Investment.(Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, the cooperative that supplies electricity to Rochester, Minn., has decided to pay for part of the 600-megawatt addition to a South Dakota power plant. SMMPA will invest as much as $100...

Plans for a New Stadium.(Minnesota Vikings)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Minnesota Vikings owner Zygmunt Wilf announced last month he was committed to building a stadium in Blaine, Minn., along with a billion-dollar multi-use complex. Wilf has been actively negotiating to purchase land on a 740-acre site...

Council Supports Building Plans.(The Rochester City Council)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Rochester, Minn.-- The Rochester City Council voted unanimously this month to endorse Castleview, a Salvation Army project providing subsidized housing for homeless and low-income residents. The Salvation Army's plan calls for a...

New Housing Development.(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff The Levee Road parking lot at Water and Starkey streets in St. Paul closed on July 5 to make way for a housing project expected to begin soon. The project, a five-story West Side Flats housing development, will be built in response...

University of Minnesota at Crookston Expands.(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff The Board of Regents for the University of Minnesota unanimously approved funding to pay for Centennial Hall, a new, two-story, 84-bed apartment building on the southwestern edge of the college's Crookston campus. Construction will...

New Sports Dome Planning Slowed.(The Rochester City Council)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Rochester, Minn.-- The Rochester City Council voted 4-2 on July 6 to slow planning on a year-round sports dome proposed at University Center Rochester. Instead of receiving $500,000 of local sales tax money to hire an architect and...

Proposed Wal-Mart in Sauk Centre.(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Sauk Centre, Minn.-- City officials are discussing a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter on Timberlane Drive and 12th Street South, north of Interstate Highway 94. Wal-Mart has received necessary application forms, but as of early July had...

New Employees at DLR.(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff DLR group added several new staff members to its Minneapolis office including architect Deborah Rathman, corporate practice leader John Crosby and K-12 education specialist Peter Schroeder. The Eden Prairie office welcomed project...

Clough Island Development.(in Duluth,Minnesota)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Duluth, Minn.-- Plans to develop Clough Island in Minnesota have led city officials to initiate a planned development district over other types of zoning in order to give them an additional level of control over the controversial...

New Mine in Minnesota.(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Plans to build a copper-nickel-platinum mine on the eastern Iron Range in Hoyt Lakes, Minn., were announced last month. The proposed mine will be the largest non-iron mining operation in the state's history. PolyMet has applied for...

Lawsuit Filed to Halt Development.( A&L Development)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Duluth, Minn.-- Landlord and preservationist Eric Ringsred filed suit last month against A&L Development, the city of Duluth and the Duluth Economic Development Authority. Ringsred asked a state court to stop possible changes to...

Jury Ruled on Delayed Demolition Damages.(jails)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff Fargo, N.D.-- John Strand was found not liable last month for Cass County's counterclaim stating Strand's 2003 lawsuit caused $39,000 in damages for a six-day delay in the demolition of the old jail and sheriff's residence. The...

Coal Gasification Plant in Hoyt Lakes.(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff The U.S. Senate voted 85-12 last month to approve an energy bill that sets aside as much as $800 million in government loans for Excelsior Energy Inc.'s Mesaba Project, a proposed coal gasification plant in Hoyt Lakes, Minn. The...

Proposed Senior Housing in St. Paul.(The South St. Paul Planning Commission)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff The South St. Paul Planning Commission voted 4-1 on July 6 to approve a controversial housing complex for low-income seniors proposed by the Dakota County Community Development Agency. The proposed development will contain a...

New Housing Development in Mendota Heights.(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff The Mendota Heights City Council unanimously approved a multifamily residential development for the former Ecolab site on June 29. The 25-acre site is a project of Opus Corp., with a plan including 62 town houses and 48 condominiums...

Redevelopment for Rosemount.(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Staff A major downtown makeover has begun for the city of Rosemount, Minn., including new retail, office and condominiums or townhouses for renting or owning. Currently, phase one of the redevelopment, Core Block East, is in the works. The...