Judge approves $1 billion settlement as Surfside marks anniversary of deadly collapse

Florida Construction News staff writer A judge gave final approval last week to a $1 billion settlement for victims of the Champlain Tower’s collapse that killed 98 people one year ago. The decision by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman came a day before the one-year anniversary of the disaster in... Continue reading

Florida Construction News staff Forty-three states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs during the past year, but momentum slowed in May with only 22 states adding jobs, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America. New York lost... Continue reading

Florida Construction News staff writer Miller Construction Company has launched site work on phase one of the Tampa Commerce Center for Hines, a global real estate firm. The project includes two speculative warehouse buildings totaling about 400,000 square feet. The project team also includes Randall-Paulson Architects, Hibbard Engineering (MEP), Clear... Continue reading

Florida Construction News staff writer The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has designated much of Estero Island as critically eroding beach, a designation means erosion is threatening development, infrastructure, wildlife habitats and recreational interests. Shoreline that is technically not eroding, but is between two segments that are, can also... Continue reading

Florida Construction News staff writer President Joe Biden on Wednesday asked Congress to suspend the federal gasoline tax for three months, to help tackle record pump prices and provide temporary relief for American families this summer. “We can bring down the price of gas and give families just a little... Continue reading

Florida Construction News staff writer The Town of Callahan will receive $4 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to construct a clean water supply plant at Crawford Diamond Industrial Park, a 1,800-acre industrial ‘mega-site’. “I am happy to support a project that will spur economic growth and create... Continue reading

Florida Construction News staff writer The Construction Backlog Indicator increased to nine months in May from 8.8 months in April, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)  report released Tuesday. The stat is based on a member survey conducted from May 17 to June 3. Backlog in the infrastructure... Continue reading

Florida Construction News staff writer Funding has been secured to build ‘The Preserve’, a 240-unit workforce apartment community located in Flagler Beach. The community project will be developed through a joint venture with Portage Real Estate and Piedmont Private Equity. Plans include eight apartment buildings and one clubhouse for community... Continue reading

Florida Construction News staff writer Fort Lauderdale’s city commission took a critical step this week toward building the Las Olas Loop, an underground transportation network. Using dedicated electric vehicles, passengers would travel between downtown and the beach within the Loop, avoiding road traffic and the need to find parking. The... Continue reading

Florida Construction News staff writer Tampa Water Department crews removed an extremely large raw-water pump on Wednesday, a step in the ongoing renovations underway to modernize the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Plant in Tampa. The pump is now 60 years old, and this is a preventative measure to prolong... Continue reading