Activity Up in North Carolina, Down in South Carolina

McGraw-Hill Construction recently reported mixed results for the value of June contracts for future construction activity in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina, with North Carolina growing by 1 and South Carolina declining by 11 percent.

In North Carolina, the overall 1-percent gain revealed the sectors continuing their respective recent trend, with nonbuilding showing significant growth, residential continuing double-digit improvement and nonresidential declining again. The growth brought the value of June contracts to roughly $1.9 billion. Nonbuilding contracts showed the greatest growth, improving by 36 percent over last June to end at an estimated $180.9 million. Residential contracts increased by 18 percent to total $1.3 billion. Nonresidential declined by 37 percent, however, and was estimated at $390.3 million.

Year-to-date, North Carolina contract activity has increased by 21 percent over 2003. Nonresidential is just 2 percent ahead of 2003, with almost $2.5 billion in contracts reported to date. Residential construction has increased by 25 percent to total roughly $7 billion, and the nonbuilding sector is estimated to be 57 percent ahead of 2003, with roughly $1.2 billion reported.

South Carolina activity declined by 11 percent in June overall, with both the nonresidential and nonbuilding categories decreasing by 29 percent. Nonresidential had a monthly total of $223.3 million, while nonbuilding tallied $167.7 million. Residential increased by 8 percent over last June to total roughly $587.1 million.

Even with this decline, however, the value of new contracts for the year-to-date in South Carolina is estimated at 30 percent ahead of 2003. Nonbuilding construction's nearly $1.5 billion value more than doubles the 2003 total for the first six months of this market of $641.6 million. Nonresidential, with an estimated value of $1.4 billion, has improved by 12 percent for the year-to-date, while the value of residential contracts, estimated at $3.2 billion, has improved by 15 percent for the year.

Suitt Building $30 Million Manufacturing Plant in South Carolina

Suitt Construction Co. of Greenville, S.C., has been awarded the contract to build a $30 million manufacturing plant for Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. in Pickens County, S.C.

The 300,000-sq.-ft. project includes 180,000 sq. ft. of production area, 60,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space and 60,000 sq. ft. of offices. The building is being constructed with a structural steel frame and precast concrete exterior.

Construction is scheduled for completion in mid-2005. The facility is located in the Pickens County Commerce Park, near Liberty, S.C.

Strom Thurmond Center at USC Named "Outstanding Sports Facility"

The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association has named the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center at the University of South Carolina as an "Outstanding Sports Facility." Cannon Design, with regional offices in Jacksonville, Fla., working in association with The Boudreaux Group, designed the facility, which serves as a "gateway" for both the university and the city of Columbia.

The $38.5 million facility houses a four-court gymnasium with elevated running track; an auxiliary gym for indoor soccer/hickey; an 18,000-sq.-ft. fitness area; two pools; a climbing wall; multipurpose aerobic studios; locker rooms; wellness center and other amenities.

The annual NIRSA Outstanding Sports Facilities competition recognizes recreation facilities nationwide that demonstrate examples of exemplary architecture and programming.

CM Black Construction Expands Concord Business Park

CM Black Construction Co. of Concord, N.C., and Oiles America Corp. recently broke ground on a 32,129-sq.-ft. office and manufacturing facility addition at The International Business Park at Concord. The new structure will be adjacent to the current Oiles America facility making the combined buildings 77,687 sq. ft. Project completion is slated for February.

The precast concrete and steel structure will feature a glass and brick veneer exterior. The corporate expansion is the latest in a series for the Oiles America Concord facility.