Members' Edge - May 31, 2018

AGC News

AGC Survey On Drone Use In Construction Activities

AGC has prepared a drone use survey to determine the state of the art in drone use on highway, bridge, heavy and civil projects. AGC's Highway and Transportation Division has created a task force to address the use of Unmanned Arial Systems - aka drones - in civil construction operations. The task force is looking at issues such as: how contractors are using drones in day-to-day operations, what impediments to their use exist, what are best practice recommendations, what technical issues need to be addressed, how can AGC work with FHWA and state DOTs in addressing these concerns.

Please take the time to have the person in your company who is the expert on drone use complete the survey.

Visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScii43wBtXs2H6VmWcrGNZteFSGjJGAbtmqowh4xRSlWVF-rw/viewform to view the full article online.

AGC Releases Construction Jobs and Year-To-Date Construction Spending Figures

Measures to Reform Taxes, Reduce Regulatory Burdens and Increase Infrastructure Funding are Helping Construction Employers and Workers as Demand and Pay Continue to Expand

Construction employment increased by 25,000 jobs in May and by 286,000 jobs over the past year while construction spending reached $1.310 trillion in April, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. Association officials noted that the employment and spending increases have come as federal officials have reformed taxes, reduced regulatory burdens and boosted infrastructure spending.

"Construction workers and their employers are clearly benefitting from steps Congress and the administration are taking to boost economic demand," said Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC of America's Chief Executive Officer. "Construction pay, employment and demand have all increased as business conditions have improved."

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2018/06/01/construction-employers-add-25000-jobs-may-and-286000-year-construction-spending to view the full article online.

Texas Building Branch PAC Goes Four Out Of Five In Runoff Elections

Visit http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1119709320910&ca=29f84e20-2a6b-48e8-82b5-1ed1ba7be98d to view the full article online.

Member News

McCarthy Building Cos. Completes Phase I Of Museum Of Fine Arts Expansion Project

The first phase of the project includes a new 80,000 square-foot Glassell School of Art. McCarthy is the construction manager at-risk and has worked with the design team, Steven Holl Architects, from the beginning of the project to ensure the vision for the school came to life. McCarthy utilized innovative technologies to construct models and plan for the unique project challenges, features and materials.

"McCarthy is pleased to be the general contractor on such an architecturally unique and important project such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston that will offer a lasting legacy to the city," said McCarthy Houston Division President, Jim Stevenson. "We collaborated with the entire project team to ensure the challenges posed by such unique designs were carefully and strategically considered and approached."

The Glassell School of Art is now double in size and will serve more than 7,000 students each year. The school’s addition includes a Studio School for adults, a Junior School with classes for students ages three-to-18, and the distinguished Core Residency Program for post-graduate artists and critics. The school links to two existing gallery buildings and a sculpture garden as part of a redevelopment of the 14-acre, Susan and Fayez S. Sarofim Campus.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/MC.GlassellSchoolFactSheet.FNL.pdf to view the full article online.

Gilbane Building Company Mourns Passing Of Longtime Employee

Dinesh Dhansukhlal Ghia, 73, passed away surrounded by family and friends at his home in Sugar Land, Texas on Sunday, May 20, 2018, after a 6-month-long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Dinesh was born on October 3, 1944 in Gujarat, India, to the late Prabhavati and Dhansukhlal Gheewala and graduated with a Masters degree from VJTI Mumbai in 1966. Dinesh was widely known for his skill and proficiency in the construction industry at Gilbane Building Company, where he held the position of Vice President and Chief Estimator until he retired in 2018 after 40 years of service. Dinesh was responsible for constructing hundreds of buildings during his lifetime, including schools, hospitals, courthouses, convention centers, hotels, and skyscrapers. He performed his job with an eye toward perfection and an unparalleled level of detail.

Donations in Dinesh's name to ALS Association Community of Hope are welcome and appreciated.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=506386&issueID=57412 to view the full article online.

Laura Bellows Names Jack Bellows As CEO of W. S. Bellows Construction Corp.

Laura Bellows, President and Chairman announced the promotion of her son, Jack Bellows, as president of W. S. Bellows Construction Corporation, effective September 4, 2018. Laura will continue to serve as chairman and CEO while Jack will move into business development, client relations and personnel support. Both Laura and Jack will continue to work side-by-side with COO Tony Mansoorian as the company transitions into additional leadership roles.

Jack Bellows, 33, graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in civil engineering followed by a Master of Engineering in civil engineering in 2008. He joined Bellows Construction in 2008 and has worked on several notable Houston projects such as Texas Children’s Hospital, BLVD Place and the Houston Zoo. Jack is currently project manager for the new Center for Conservation at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=506392&issueID=57412 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

AGC Is Proud To Be A Pinnacle Sponsor Of OSHACON!

Visit http://oshacon.org/ to view the full article online.

Free Seminar On How to Comply With The Davis-Bacon Act

On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division will host a free seminar to ensure contractors know how to comply with federal
requirements.

Held at the HCC-West
Loop campus from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Event is open to construction contractors, contracting agencies and other stakeholders.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/DavisBaconFlyer.pdf to view the full article online.

Lee College Looking For Part-Time Craft Instructors To Grow Skilled Workers

Lee College is looking to hire part-time craft instructors to support a
curriculum developed for fast track industrial training. Thanks to a grant from
the TWC National Dislocated Worker Disaster Grant (Harvey Grant), the college
is able to offer classes to help train and grow a skilled workforce.

Lee College needs instructors who have a minimum of three years of work
experience in subject matter as well as one of the following criteria:

· Documented related work
experience in area of study;

· Certification(s) in the area of
study;

· Associate degree or higher in
the area of study.

Any interested party can contact Lupe Martinez directly at gmartinez@lee.edu or by phone at 281-425-6214. You may also contact Marsha Tuha, Director, Workforce Development
at mtuha@lee.edu.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/LeeInstructor.pdf to view the full article online.

Construction Begins On $962M Cable-Stay Bridge In Houston

Construction has started on a $962 million bridge replacement project on the Sam Houston Tollway. The Harris County Toll Road Authority expects the cable-stay bridge, which will cross the Houston Ship Channel, to be completed in 2024. The Harris County Toll Road Authority says it’s replacing the bridge so it can handle growing traffic. The bridge currently carries about 55,000 vehicles a day. That’s expected to grow to about 160,000 vehicles a day by 2035.

Visit https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/transportation/2018/06/01/288149/work-starts-on-billion-dollar-project-to-replace-houston-ship-channel-toll-bridge/ to view the full article online.

Silica Citations Hit 166 In Six Months

As of April
17, OSHA and state safety agencies have issued 116 violation citations under
OSHA's new silica safety rule. The regulation went into effect September 23, 2017but
OSHA began full enforcement October 23, 2017.

The most frequently mentioned violation
involved contractors allegedly failing to measure silica levels, which was the
subject of 35 citations. Andrews Myers
PC attorneys Anthony Stergio andAndrew Clark offer helpful
information regarding OSHA safety issues and how they are affecting the
construction industry.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/OSHASilica.pdf to view the full article online.

Membership Benefits

Take Advantage Of Your AGC Membership With Offer From GM!

Visit https://www.agc.org/member-benefits/gm-chevrolet-buick-gmc?_zs=Vsnnc1&_zl=Hchp4 to view the full article online.

AGC Members Benefit From Partnership With ClickSafety Online Training

AGC of America's online
training collaboration with ClickSafety.com gives Members 10% off a
comprehensive library of courses, many available in both English and Spanish,
covering a variety of construction safety and general industry topics.

Visit https://www.agc.org/member-benefits/online-safety-training to view the full article online.

AGC Members Save More Than $10M Annually; Are You Participating?

AGC members are eligible to participate in more than 20 discount programs specially designed to meet the needs of contractors. Whether you are looking to purchase a new vehicle for your fleet or for ways to cut costs on fuel and shipping, AGC programs can save you money. Enroll and maximize the value of your membership.

Visit https://www.agc.org/member-benefits/member-discount-programs to view the full article online.

Here's Looking at You

Military May Shootout Brings Vet In Construction Together

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=505647&issueID=57412 to view the full article online.

Construction Leadership Council Rebuilds Home And Hope

Although the heat
index was sweltering, 25 young professionals (including members of the AGC
Houston staff) came together on Saturday, May 19 in the Fifth Ward for the
first Construction Leadership Council Day of Service with Rebuilding Together Houston.

Thanks to Linbeck Group, LLC; McCarthy
Building Co.; Gilbane Building Company; Anslow Bryant
Construction; Marek Brothers Systems, Inc.; and Tellepsen
Builders for providing the talent and a labor of love to lend a hand.

The team performed significant repairs to a house that sustained
significant damage by Hurricane Harvey. The homeowner applied through the Rebuilding Together Houston Home After Harvey program. The work included exterior paint to the siding and trim and building three sets of steps with hand rails.

Special thanks to Shannon Davis, Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. pictured left with Charlene Anthony, AGC Houston, for helping to secure and coordinate the project!

Visit https://www.facebook.com/pg/AGCHoustonChapter/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155721503349117 to view the full article online.