Construction Dive’s Friday Punch List is a series dedicated to sharing major building headlines that contractors may have missed from the week.
It was yet another busy week for construction news.
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since 2023 and Mortenson announced it had won the construction manager at risk contract for the Kansas City Royal’s new $1.9 billion ballpark in a joint venture with McCownGordon Construction.
Read on for more news construction execs should know about.
New bobblehead commemorates famous construction photo
The most iconic photo in construction history has been immortalized once again. This time via a toy.
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Milwaukee, has launched an exclusive bobblehead based on the photo “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper,” according to a Friday announcement from the museum.
The photo, which depicts construction workers taking a break on a steel beam in space high above the city, was taken in September 1932, during the construction of Rockefeller Center as a publicity stunt. The bobblehead’s launch is meant to coincide with the photo’s anniversary, per the announcement.
The bobbleheads are replicas of the 11 construction workers depicted in the photo, per the release. The limited-run bobbleheads cost $100, along with an $8 shipping charge per order.
—Matthew Thibault
Turner reaches end zone on 2 stadium upgrades
Turner celebrated the completion of two stadium upgrades to kick off the first weeks of football season.
The New York City-based contractor on Wednesday highlighted the completion of the East Stands renovation at Michie Stadium for the Army Black Knights at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
The 160,000-square-foot project included new premium seating and hospitality spaces, improved concessions and upgraded building systems. Turner won the job in 2024.
Meanwhile, in Houston, Turner unveiled the BMW Lone Star Ballroom and the BMW M Club Blue, two ultra-premium hospitality spaces at Reliant Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Texans.
The venues give fans VIP field access, dining and bar amenities and a “museum of moments” featuring Texans memorabilia, according to a Thursday release.
—Joe Bousquin
Gilbane names new Arizona business lead
Gilbane Building Co. has picked a new leader in Arizona.
The Providence, Rhode Island-based contractor has tapped Ryan Young as its new business leader in the Grand Canyon state, according to a Wednesday announcement. In the role, Young will work on the businesses’ project delivery capabilities, develop teams and build relationships with the firm’s clients and partners in the state.
Young brings project experience in higher education, life sciences, healthcare, corporate office, mission critical and advanced technology, per the announcement.
“Ryan’s depth of experience across Arizona, combined with his operational leadership and commitment to developing people, will be a tremendous asset to Gilbane,” said Ryan Heeter, vice president and West division leader at Gilbane, in the announcement.
—Matthew Thibault
$1B military housing job to get modular units
Volumetric Building Cos., in partnership with Layton Construction and Gensler, will produce 3,000 living units for a Department of Defense housing project at Joint Base San Antonio in Texas, according to a LinkedIn video announcement from its CEO Vaughan Buckley.
VBC will manufacture the units, which will ultimately house 6,000 soldiers, across its U.S. factories. The modular builder also plans to expand its production capacity through second shifts and additional production lines, according to the announcement.
The program represents over $1 billion in construction value, said Buckley.
—Sebastian Obando
