Yearly Archives: 2016

The Architecture Billings Index reflects consecutive months of increasing demand for design activity at architecture firms. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the March ABI score was 51.9, up from the mark of 50.3 in the previous month. This score reflects an increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 58.1, down from a reading of 59.5 the previous month.

July 13-15 Event Geared To Increasing Architects’ Advocacy Skills in Legislative and Political Arenas. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced the opening of registration for its first-ever “SpeakUp” advocacy and action event, which will take place at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill on July 13-15 in Washington, D.C.

BRIDGE Housing has named Alison Lorig as Senior Vice President of Development, Pacific Northwest. BRIDGE is a nationally recognized nonprofit developer, owner and manager of affordable housing.

In celebration of Earth Day, affordable housing nonprofit Mercy Housing announced the roll out of its environmental sustainability program, Green Hope. The initiative is designed to reduce waste, reduce consumption of natural resources, and create healthier living environments in the affordable communities in which it serves. Green Hope will guide Mercy Housing in all aspects of its operations, from designing, building, and rehabilitating properties, to office practices, property operations, and Resident Services.

The Boulder Group, a net leased investment brokerage firm, has completed the sale of a single tenant net leased Shopko Hometown property located at 110 Watters Drive in Dwight, Illinois for $2,115,000. The 26,254 square foot Shopko Hometown property is strategically located along Interstate 55 approximately 75 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. There are approximately 6,000 people living within a five mile radius earning average annual household incomes in excess of $61,000. Following the Shopko and Pamida merger, the building was converted to a Shopko Hometown.

International award-winning firm KTGY Architecture + Planning is pleased to announce that Timber in Newark, Calif., built by visionary California homebuilder Trumark Homes and designed by KTGY, received top honors at the 2016 Building Industry Association (BIA) Bay Area Excellence in Home Building Awards earlier this month. Timber received the “Multi-Product Community of the Year” Award and “Best Architectural Design – Multi-Family” Award. The community also received an award for “Best Signage.”

Ginnie Mae President Ted Tozer and China’s Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land and Resources WANG Shiyuan are working together to share best practices on affordable housing financing policy and strategy. A meeting held today between the two leaders represents an important element of Ginnie Mae’s global investor strategy, which is designed to deepen the bilateral relationship between the United States and China on affordable housing policy

The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 54 in the first quarter of 2016, dipping four points below the previous quarter but remaining in positive territory above 50.

Today’s overwhelming passage by the U.S. Senate of S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act, by a tally of 85-12 represents a significant step forward on the path toward a modernized energy economy. The Alliance to Save Energy applauds the widespread benefits this bill’s energy efficiency provisions will result in: more American jobs, enhanced national security and an improved environment. Today’s positive step sends a strong bipartisan message that will help this bill safely to the finish line and across President Obama’s desk

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) acknowledged CEMEX USA Brooksville South cement plant in Brooksville, Florida, as part of the 2015 Cement Industry Energy and Environment Awards at its 2015 Spring Meeting in Chicago.

Apartment markets appeared mixed in the April 2016 National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) Quarterly Survey of Apartment Market Conditions, with two of four indexes landing below the breakeven level of 50. The Market Tightness (43) and Equity Financing (45) indexes showed declining conditions for the second quarter in a row, while Sales Volume (53) and Debt Financing (50) indicated improving and steady conditions, respectively.

The BPC’s Executive Council on Infrastructure, a group of corporate CEOs and executives, has been working over the past year to identify a new model for infrastructure investment. The United States needs a renewed approach that addresses the pervasive under-appreciation of future infrastructure liabilities, ensures local communities have tools at the ready to make needed investments, and increases the flow of private capital into projects, all while securing critical long-term public benefits.

Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors, a nationally-recognized real estate brokerage and advisory firm specializing in retail property sales, announced today that President Ed Hanley and Senior Vice President Kevin Fryman represented the buyer and seller in the sale of Stevenson Ranch Plaza in Santa Clarita, a 97% occupied, 187,035-square-foot Ralphs grocery-anchored shopping center located in the Los Angeles metro area. The sale price was $72.5 million

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that the President has made additional disaster assistance available by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for Public Assistance projects undertaken by the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa as a result of flooding during the period of May 24 to August 1, 2011 in Iowa and during the period of May 25 to August 1, 2011 in Nebraska

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved two amendments offered by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to her broad, bipartisan energy bill. The first, to provide needed flexibility to the Alaska gasline project, passed the Senate by voice vote. The second, to add a resources title composed of 30 lands and water bills to the underlying bill, later passed by a roll call vote of 97 to 0

Hanley Investment Group, a nationally-recognized real estate brokerage and advisory firm specializing in retail property sales, announced today that Executive Vice President Eric Wohl completed the sale of the Gateway @ Cedros, a rare trophy coastal retail center in Solana Beach, Calif. The sale price was $6.725 million, representing $837 per square foot

This year, the Earth Day Network has unveiled the first of five large undertakings that will count down to the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020: Planting 7.8 billion trees to help mitigate climate change and pollution, protect biodiversity and support communities. In keeping with the “Trees for the Earth” Earth Day 2016 theme, the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has issued a list of strategies that commercial real estate professionals can use to create more environmentally friendly landscapes.

Nationwide housing starts fell 8.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.089 million units in March, according to newly released data from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department. Overall permit issuance was also down 7.7 percent.

Habitat for Humanity has been named “Brand of the Year” in the social services nonprofit category based on the 2016 Harris Poll EquiTrend® Equity Score. This is the second consecutive year the global nonprofit has been recognized for its strength in brand equity.

Early registration for the 2016 National Conference on Ending Homelessness is now available. The conference will take place at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel from July 26 to 28, 2016.