Both Carolinas End 2006 With December Declines

The value of new contracts signed in December for future construction activity decreased by 20% in North Carolina and by 26% in South Carolina, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. The results for the final month of the year left North Carolina with a 3% gain in 2006, and South Carolina 3% down.

In North Carolina - which totaled nearly $1.6 billion for the month - all sectors were negative in December, except nonresidential, which was flat. The residential category fell by 18% to total $1 billion, down from last December's $1.2 billion. Meanwhile, the volume of nonbuilding contracts dropped by a significant 75% to tally about $54.7 million for the month, well down from the $219.7 million of a year ago.

Despite the December decline, North Carolina contract activity ended 2006 3% ahead of 2005, with a total of approximately $24.8 billion. For the year, the nonresidential category, at $5.9 billion, finished 11% ahead of '05, while the residential market was 3% higher with a $17 billion total. The nonbuilding sector ended 20% down, though, with a nearly $1.9 billion total.

In South Carolina, all three construction sectors experienced double-digit percentage declines, as December contracts totaled about $792.8 million, 26% below last November's $1.1 billion. The nonresidential category dropped by 27% to tally $169.9 million for the month. Residential also fell significantly, by 18%, to tally about $562.4 million, down from last December's $689 million. The value of nonbuilding contracts declined by 57% to total $60.6 million.

For the year, South Carolina ended 2006 3% behind 2005, with new contracts totaling nearly $12.4 billion. The nonresidential category finished 2% behind 2005 with a total of $2.7 billion. Nonbuilding, at $1 billion, was 15% behind '05. The residential sector, at nearly $8.6 billion, was 2% behind the previous year.

Groundbreaking Held for Teacher Housing Initiative in Hertford Co.

SECU Foundation, Hertford County (N.C.) Public Schools and the Partners for Hertford County Public Schools Foundation recently held a groundbreaking ceremony in December for Hertford Pointe, a unique teacher housing initiative in Ahoskie, N.C.

The complex is being developed to help Hertford County's struggles to recruit and retain teachers in this rural portion of northeastern North Carolina. According to the project's announcement, apartments will be available for a monthly rent of about $500. The apartments are located with walking distance of a local high school and elementary school. SECU Foundation is a foundation of the State Employees Credit Union

The 24-unit apartment housing complex is slated for completion in June and should be available to teachers in July.

Raleigh Awards $105M Water-Treatment Plant to Archer-Western

The City of Raleigh, N.C., Department of Public Utilities has awarded a $105 million contract to Archer-Western Contractors of Atlanta to build a water-treatment plant in Garner, N.C., according to McGraw-Hill Construction.

The facility will measure approximately 8,800 sq ft. Arcadis Geraghty & Miller of Raleigh is the project engineer, and Giffels Architects of Raleigh is a consulting engineer.