Most Clicked AGC SmartBrief Stories
1. Gloom replaces glitz in Las Vegas
AGC SmartBrief | Jan 05, 2009
As visitors to Las Vegas cut back on their vacation and gambling budgets, casinos have had to put several construction projects on hold. Boyd Gaming tore down the 50-year-old Stardust casino to build a $4.8 billion hotel complex in its place, but it halted the 5,000-room Echelon project partway through construction. Sun (Baltimore), The (free registration) (01/04)
2. Recession crimps Vegas casinos and construction
AGC SmartBrief | Dec 30, 2008
October gambling revenues in Clark County, Nev., plummeted 24.3% from last year, while area construction plunged 92% in October compared to the year before. The downturn has stalled development on several construction projects, including a $4.8 billion resort that is now on hold until 2010. MGM Mirage sold Treasure Island for $775 million to pump cash into finishing its $9.1 billion CityCenter, the largest private construction project in the U.S. TIME (12/29)
3. Top 5 in political comedy
AGC SmartBrief | Dec 30, 2008
The Daily Beast laughed its way through the election season and gathers its favorite videos here. Chris Rock takes a jab at Bill Clinton, the Daily Show skewers dumb voters and, of course, "Saturday Night Live" takes on Sarah Palin. Daily Beast, The (12/28)
4. Obama recovery plan to include school renovations
AGC SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
U.S. schools need an estimated $255 billion in repairs, according to the American Federation of Teachers. President-elect Barack Obama hopes to include school renovations in his economic-stimulus plan, although he has not yet disclosed the total that he wants to dedicate to schools. Obama's transition team has announced an initial $25 billion should be split between schools and deteriorating roadways. USA TODAY (12/30)
5. U.S. to reshape military bases in Guam
AGC SmartBrief | Jan 05, 2009
More than 25,000 people will relocate to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam over the next six years as part of a plan to realign U.S. military bases. Plans to expand the base on Guam are also spurring a real estate boom and new construction. However, some officials are concerned that the $15 billion in projects could tax the island's infrastructure. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) (01/03)
6. Workers install spire underpinning on Trump's Chicago tower
AGC SmartBrief | Jan 05, 2009
Donald Trump's Chicago skyscraper received the underpinning for its spire on Saturday. A helicopter delivered the three-legged steel sections to the roof of the tower where ironworkers aligned and bolted them into place. Workers installed eight of the sections on the decorative spire, which is more than 227 feet tall. The tower is the second-highest in the U.S. Chicago Tribune (free registration) (01/04)
7. Construction accounts for 15% of mass layoffs in November
AGC SmartBrief | Dec 31, 2008
Construction companies accounted for 15% of the nation's "mass layoffs" in November, according to the Labor Department. A mass layoff generally involves one employer shedding at least 50 jobs. Meanwhile, many highway, bridge and street construction workers filed for unemployment, according to a report by the department. Journal of Commerce (Canada) (12/31)
8. And the top materials for 2008 are...
AGC SmartBrief | Dec 31, 2008
Graphene is the strongest material ever tested, according to researchers who worked with the single-atom-thick material this year. Also on the list of top materials in 2008 are nanoparticles and wearable electronics. A new ceramic better than nacre, the material which lines abalone shells, could be used for buildings and acoustic metamaterials to dampen sound. MIT Technology Review (12/31)
9. State budget, slow demand threaten California construction firms
AGC SmartBrief | Jan 05, 2009
California's heavy construction industry faces a state budget deficit and a slowdown in the demand for new housing in 2009. In addition, experts say they will not know when the economic downturn will end until President-elect Barack Obama and Congress decide on an economic stimulus package. Meanwhile, many contractors are shifting to public projects. Associated Construction Publications (01/05)
10. Contractor says screen will protect workers building Chicago high-rise
AGC SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
The contractor for a planned Chicago high-rise believes creating a closed environment for construction workers would boost productivity and workers safety. Walsh Construction interested in installing a protection screen protect workers from Chicago's wind and to contain heat in the winter months. GoStructural.Com (01/01)
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