Florida Construction Law

Parts of the roof at two schools and the District Administration Building in Clearfield, Utah, will be replaced with roofing materials that can withstand strong winds, according to this article. The materials were chosen after a storm in December 2010 damaged the roofs. The roof replacement at the Kaysville Junior High School also will involve seismic work, according to this article. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Building is booming in Corpus Christi, Texas, as the result of the intense activity at the Eagle Ford shale formation. Energy firms have needed to build facilities such as storage tanks and docks, and more work is planned. "Had you asked the port managers of Corpus Christi five to 10 years ago whether they'd be expanding infrastructure, they would have said no," said Andrew Lebow, a senior vice president at Jefferies Bache LLC in New York. "No one foresaw that domestic production, especially Texas production, would increase like it has. In terms of infrastructure, the industry has had to scramble." From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

The search continues to develop construction materials that could change the way things are built, but in this article Dina Spector cites six materials already being developed. Graphene and aerographite are each mentioned, as is a material lighter than water but stronger than some steel. Also mentioned is the use of live bacteria to create self-healing concrete.  From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Leaks still plague the roof of the Government Plaza building in Mobile, Ala., amid an ongoing $3.2 million project to repair and replace the structure. Connie Hudson, Mobile County Commissioner, said the roof is "still under construction" and that leaks should be eliminated once the work is finished at the end of May. The new roof will carry a "20-year, no-leak guarantee," Hudson added. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Denver International Airport is building a hotel and transit center. The cost of the project increased last year, and has increased again -- to as much as $730 million when "related costs, such as new bridges to the terminal" are included. The price hike is attributed to "increased competition for construction work and 'unexpected conditions in excavation,' " according to airport manager Kim Day. The state's auditor says he will retain construction consultants to "thoroughly evaluate the construction process to learn what connection that had on budget inflation and to identify risk so as to mitigate future budget issues." From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

A part of the roof at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash., will be tested with an adhesive material to determine whether the entire dome could soon showcase a wrap of the Warhol flower from pop artist Andy Warhol, according to these articles. The test will check if the material and the colors have held up after six months. The cost of wrapping the entire dome is estimated at $2.2 million. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

President Barack Obama is expected to propose changes to U.S. deportation policies, drawing criticism from 22 Republican senators, according to these reports. The changes include exempting some immigrants who have not committed serious crimes. However, the changes show "a near complete abandonment of basic immigration enforcement," according to the letter from the senators. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

The leaky roof at the historic Crawford County Courthouse in Bucyrus, Ohio, will undergo temporary repairs due to the lack of funds available for a long-lasting solution. A proposed renovation project on the building is expected to cost more than $1 million. Meanwhile, the temporary roof repairs are slated to cost $45,000 and may start this summer, depending on contractor bids. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com .

U.S. claims for jobless benefits rose by 24,000 last week, more than expected but at a time when numbers may have been distorted by the Easter holiday. Economists said that the broader trend of about 300,000 claims a week remains intact, indicating fewer firings by employers anticipating renewed demand. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Violations on fall-protections, exposure to silica dust and other workplace safety standards should come with tougher penalties, according to a report from the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. Peter Dooley, an Arizona-based senior consultant for the group, said about 15% of fatalities in the workplace are fall related. The report also stated that exposure to silica dust and other construction materials could raise the risk of lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis and other diseases. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

The cupola atop the 151-year-old town hall in Hanover in Plymouth County, Mass., has been removed with a crane so both the cupola and the building can undergo repairs. The copper-plated cupola had bent during strong winds in March, and a later structural inspection revealed the roof was not safe. The inspection revealed that the roof of the cupola had separated from its support columns, making it a public hazard and prompting emergency funds to be allocated for its removal.  From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Roofs' ability to withstand hurricane damage can be tripled inexpensively with a quarter-inch bead of wood adhesive, according to nonprofit FLASH. The group has launched an initiative to debunk myths on storms, including the perception that making homes more resilient to storms is too costly. The group also notes that hurricane straps and clips cost 50 cents each and a peel-and-stick water barrier can be added during roof replacement for about $750.  From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose from 46 in March to 47 in April, showing that the home builder sentiment on single-family housing was basically flat. A reading below 50 is an indication that most builders hold a pessimistic view on the market. This is because of tight credit for buyers, as well as shortage of workers and lots, said David Crowe, chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

The roof replacement project at the Silver Lake Visitor Center in Washington State will not require a plastic covering despite the fact that the shingles contain 20% asbestos, according to this article. The shingles, which will be lifted with shovels, are not expected to crumble and release powder, said parks spokeswoman Virginia Painter. The old shingles will be replaced with slate-like shingles in late May, Painter added. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Roof Integrated Solar Energy has announced a new eligibility track for its Certified Solar Roofing Professional designation, which will allow more solar roofing professionals to qualify for the certification. With the new eligibility track, those who have three years' experience; involvement in a minimum of five projects installing commercial and residential roof-mounted photovoltaic systems; and 40 hours of recognized education and training are eligible to sit for the CSRP exam. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Comments are coming in on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's proposal to reduce the amount of silica dust that workers can be exposed to. Since 1968, lung diseases related to silica-dust exposure have fallen by 90%, causing some to question why the rule comes now. Others say costs to implement engineered solutions are "grossly underestimated." OSHA could take two years to make its final decision on the measure, according to this articl e . From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

A hail storm in Michigan and some parts of Illinois damaged several roofs, according to these articles. In Michigan, Kent City High School lost the roof of its gymnasium in 80 mph winds. Meanwhile, the storm tore off shingles and damaged roof vents, gutters and downspouts in Rockford, Ill., said Arvel Eldridge, owner of Aeldridge Roofing. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

A storm last Saturday revealed several areas on the roof of Miller Park in Milwaukee "where the bulb seals between the roof panels need maintenance, repairs and/or replacement," according to Mike Duckett, executive director of the Miller Park Stadium District. The roof was not designed to be watertight, and its panels shift every time it opens and closes, this article notes. Repairs to fix leaks typically involve "replacing or repairing worn or torn bulb seals, or modifying the shape and size of the respective bulb seals between moveable panels," Duckett said. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

A proposal in the House of Representatives seeks to slash funding for the National Labor Resources Board. Rep. Matt Salmon, R- Ariz., who introduced the measure, said that NLRB hinders the process of job creation because it holds a pro-union bias, which could influence the decisions of companies on where to locate their businesses. Furthermore, the functions carried out by NLRB on labor issues are also being done by the Department of Justice without deference to unions, Salmon said. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

A $1 billion development project is being planned by Howard Hughes Corp. for a 66-acre property in Columbia, Md. The project would include a hotel, 2,100 residential units, retail space, a library, concert hall, conference center and swimming pool, as well as parking for up to 4,360 vehicles. Should approval be granted, the project is scheduled to break ground by spring of 2015. There are also future plans to develop space for corporate and medical offices. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Plans are moving ahead for the Sacramento Kings' proposed new arena in Sacramento, Calif. The professional basketball team's project still must overcome several approval hurdles, but city officials expect construction to begin by October or November. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

U.S. exports fell in February, the trade gap widened, and initial claims for jobless benefits climbed last week, but service sector activity increased last month. Economists now say first-quarter U.S. growth is likely to be much less than expected after robust 2.6% annualized growth in the fourth quarter. Looking ahead, however, exports and the economy are expected to pick up their pace. From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com

Labor Department: Economy added 192,000 jobs in March The Labor Department reported that 192,000 jobs were added to U.S. payrolls in March, a slight drop from February's total of 197,000. The unemployment rate remained at 6.7% for the month. About 500,000 job searchers entered the market in March, most of whom found jobs.  From NRCA Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified Construction Lawyer Trent Cotney, P.A. 407 North Howard Avenue Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33606 www.trentcotney.com