SolarCity factory project exceeds minority hiring goals

The mayor of Buffalo said the construction hiring numbers are a good sign that SolarCity will continue its practices when employment triples at the site over the next few months.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 6, 2015

Contractor refuses to refund INDOT for crumbling asphalt

Indiana highway contractor Brooks Construction said the transportation department's specifications are to blame for the state's asphalt problems.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 5, 2015

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Legal Issues

Contracts, disputes, change orders and delays can keep builders up at night. Construction Dive covers some of the top issues facing the industry.

By Construction Dive staff

OSHA fines TX contractors $47K for worker's death

An OSHA spokesperson called the fatality at the New Braunfels, TX, job site "heartbreaking" and "totally avoidable."

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 2, 2015

MO city proposes tiny-house-friendly building codes

Seneca, MO, hopes to capitalize on the microliving trend and encourage new residents to move to the city.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 2, 2015

CT contractor sentenced to 2 years in prison for stealing from elderly couple

The couple paid Pablo Miraballes more than $32,000 for work on their home, but construction experts told police the work was substandard and should only have cost between $10,000 and $12,000.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 2, 2015

Apple store project plagued by contractor, union controversies

A contractor on the San Francisco project, Build Group, has filed a $5.2 million lien for nonpayment, and union workers are up in arms about Apple's hiring practices.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 1, 2015

Congress votes to fund construction of mismanaged VA hospital

The Aurora, CO, project has been plagued with delays and cost overruns of more than $1 billion.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 1, 2015

NYC revokes contractor's license for unpaid fines in 'unprecedented' move

Contractor MRMD has said it is being unfairly targeted by the city and has filed a formal protest in an attempt to get its contractor's license back.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 1, 2015

CFMA report: Contractors not always at fault in public project disputes

The author of the study, which tracked 107 litigated cases between federal agencies and contractors, said it should encourage both contractors and federal officials to improve communication at all stages of a project.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 30, 2015

NYC mayor introduces 'retrofit accelerator' to cut building emissions

The announcement was part of Bill de Blasio's "One City Built to Last" initiative, which outlined measures to retrofit all city-owned buildings by 2025.

By Deborah Barrington • Sept. 29, 2015

Catellus alleges Lennar used unfair lobbying practices in attempt to win $6B Bay Area project

"We know their consultants, some of which are out of state, donated to the mayor's campaign," said Ted Antenucci, CEO of Catellus. 

By Deborah Barrington • Sept. 29, 2015

MN contractor under federal investigation for fraud in alleged construction bond scheme

Investigators claim that Gerard Roy forged bond documents in order to win public projects and employ people he met in prison.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 28, 2015

INDOT demands $5.15M from highway contractor for crumbling asphalt

Brooks Construction is the first contractor the department has held financially responsible since reporting that there could be as much as $71 million worth of faulty asphalt used in 188 state road projects.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 28, 2015

OSHA fines MT contractors $151K for cave-in hazard violations

Officials said the incident reflects the need for heightened attention on safety concerns for temporary construction workers.  

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 25, 2015

'Day of reckoning' costs contractors American Bridge/Fluor millions for Bay Bridge problems

The penalties were the result of 32 rods on its seismic stabilizers snapping — which delayed the 2013 opening of the bridge's new eastern span.

By Deborah Barrington • Sept. 25, 2015

Report: Inclusionary housing rules don't increase market-rate prices

Findings from a Massachusetts think tank defy claims by many builders and developers who say affordable housing mandates will translate to even higher housing prices.

By Deborah Barrington • Sept. 24, 2015

Milwaukee mayor signs deal giving $47M to new Bucks arena complex

The agreement paves the way for construction to begin on the $500 million basketball complex.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 24, 2015

PA demolition contractor rejects plea deal reducing murder charges

The trial of Griffin Campbell, who faces six counts of third-degree murder and related offenses in connection with a 2013 Philadelphia building collapse, will begin Sept. 29.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 23, 2015

Judge orders VA contractor to serve 5 years in prison for felony construction fraud

Timothy Phelps, of Timberlynn Construction, reportedly abandoned a $120,000 garage project after performing only $30,000 worth of work.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 23, 2015

Federal ruling allows tribe to proceed with construction of $500M MA casino

But a rival developer, who is seeking permission to build a casino in a nearby location, said it is "likely that the Department of Interior’s decision will be challenged and litigated for years."

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 23, 2015

Report: Immigration slowdown contributing to construction labor shortage

John Burns Real Estate Consulting said that many Mexican-born workers have not returned to the U.S. due to increased immigration controls and more job opportunities in Mexico.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 22, 2015

ABC lauds appeals court decision to uphold Idaho law banning PLAs

Idaho is one of 23 states to enact laws restricting or banning the use of government-mandated project labor agreements.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 21, 2015

NY construction owner sentenced to prison for $3.8M payroll tax scheme

Patrick White, owner of R & L Construction, Inc. in Yonkers, NY, was also ordered to serve one year of home confinement for failing to pay the IRS millions.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 21, 2015

LA approves $80M in new state construction projects

Planned construction originally exceeded the state budget by $385 million, leaving the governor to decide which projects would be sent to the Bond Commission for approval.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 21, 2015

Battle heats up between CA county, Turner Construction with new lawsuit

The county's suit reportedly asks for "tens of millions of dollars" in damages due to project delays and alleged workmanship problems.

By Emily Peiffer • Sept. 18, 2015