Heery Reels in Aquarium Assignment

The Georgia Aquarium has again hired Atlanta-based Heery International to manage the facility’s recently announced $110 million expansion. Scheduled to break ground this summer and slated for a November 2010 opening, the expansion will allow the aquarium to offer both a dolphin exhibit and performances.

“Our team put its heart and soul into the first phase of the Georgia Aquarium’s development between 2002 and 2005,” said David Kimmel, vice president with Heery in a statement announcing the contract. “Despite the magnitude of the project, we were able to complete it on time and on budget. We’re pleased that the board continues to support the aquarium’s growth and continues to appreciate our efforts to bring their vision to fruition.”

Georgia Project Starts Fall 16% in April

The value of Georgia’s April contracts for future construction fell 16% compared to the same period of a year ago, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of Southeast Construction. The total value of new contracts was roughly $1.6 billion, down from last April’s $1.9 billion.

In April, the value of residential contracts fell 38% compared to last April to total roughly $719.6 million. Meanwhile, nonresidential contracts improved by 36% for a total of about $766.4 million. Nonbuilding construction – which includes streets, highways, bridges and other infrastructure – declined by 37%, for an approximately $141 million total.

For the year-to-date, the value of new Georgia contracts is now 32% behind 2007’s pace, with roughly $5.7 billion in project starts. The residential market is 53% behind ‘07, with roughly $2.4 billion in new projects so far this year. The nonresidential market is 3% ahead of last year, with about $2.5 billion in new project starts. The nonbuilding sector is 14% behind ’07, with about $852.5 million in new starts.

Georgia Streamlines Agencies to Promote Reservoir Builds

Scared straight by one of the worst droughts in its history, Georgia is acting to ease reservoir construction and expansion with new funding and by streamlining the state agencies responsible for water-system permitting.

On May 13, Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) signed the Water Conservation and Drought Relief Act on the banks of a depleted Lake Sydney Lanier, Atlanta’s principal reservoir. The lake fell last December to an elevation 1,050.79 ft above mean sea level, its lowest level since 1958, when it was first being filled. The new law creates a Water Supply Division and establishes the Georgia Reservoir Fund within the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. GEFA provides financing and other support services for infrastructure and other environmental improvements.

WSD will assist local governments with reservoir and water-supply permitting processes in coordination with the environmental protection division of the state Dept. of Natural Resources. WSD may also plan, design, acquire, construct, operate, manage and maintain new reservoirs for local governments.

The reservoir fund will allocate reservoir and water-system infrastructure funds approved by the state’s General Assembly. Initial funding includes $40 million in grants for local governments to develop reservoirs in the amended budget for Fiscal Year 2008 and $30 million in low-interest loans for local governments in the FY 2009 budget.

Twelve reservoirs with an estimated aggregate annual yield of 285 million gallons per day currently are under permit review or construction, according to GEFA. “This is a major component of drought-proofing Georgia,” says Jack C. Dozier, executive director of the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, Marietta. “The recognition here is that water is by and large going to control our future.

Georgia’s drought began about March 2006, says Pam Knox, assistant state climatologist. It’s “more mild right now than it was, but the growing season is starting.” She doesn’t foresee an end to it this year.

Lane Company Starts on No. 10 Park Apartments

Atlanta-based Lane Co. has started construction on its No. 10 Park rental apartment development, a $60 million upscale community in Atlanta’s Central Perimeter area.

The five-story No. 10 Park development will feature 312 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Lane Realty Construction is the general contractor, and Lane Management will lease and manage the completed apartments. The Preston Partnership is the architect. The first phase of completion is targeted for summer 2009.

Developer Completes $59 Million Two Blocks Apartments

Pollack Partners, a new multifamily development firm based in Atlanta, announced the completion of its first project, Two Blocks Apartment Homes, a $59 million apartment community in suburban Atlanta.

Pollack developed the community in a joint venture with BHC Property Group. The mid-rise development includes 400 one- and two-bedroom apartment homes in Dunwoody.

The company is also developing another, $35 million luxury rental community in Atlanta, and a $42 million luxury apartment community in Tampa.

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