Half of U.S. states now allow design-build on public projects

Missouri recently became the 25th U.S. state to adopt legislation providing for the use of design-build on public projects.

Missouri House Bill 2376 authorized any municipality or school district to procure projects through a single contract with a design-build contractor. The new law expands the ability for government entities in the state beyond large cities and counties to use design-build. The adoption of this law marks a milestone in the two-decade movement to enact design-build legislation nationwide.

According to the Design-Build Institute of America, a study by the Construction Industry Institute and Penn State University found that design-build is the most economical and efficient project delivery system. The study concluded that design-build costs around 6.1% less than traditional design-bid-build, with a delivery speed around 33.5% faster.

Effective January 1, 2022, New York City requires garage owners to retain a specially designated professional engineer to conduct an assessment and file a report at least once every six years. Hoffmann Architects + Engineers offers tips and best practices on how to comply with NYC Local Law 126 parking garage inspection rules.

Mixed-Use | Oct 20, 2022

ROI on resilient multifamily construction can be as high as 72%

A new study that measured the economic value of using FORTIFIED Multifamily, a voluntary beyond-code construction and re-roofing method developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), found the return can be as high as 72%.

Building Team | Oct 18, 2022

Brasfield & Gorrie chairman’s home vandalized by anti-development activists

Activists vandalized the home and vehicles of Miller Gorrie, chairman of Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie, in protest of a planned $90 million, 85-acre police, fire and public safety training center in Atlanta.

Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2022

Ambitious state EV adoption goals put pressure on multifamily owners to provide chargers

California’s recently announced ban on the sale of new gas-powered vehicles starting in 2035—and New York’s recent decision to follow suit—are putting pressure on multifamily property owners to install charging stations for tenants.

| Oct 13, 2022

Boston’s proposed net-zero emissions code has developers concerned

Developers have raised serious concerns over a proposed new energy code by the City of Boston that would require newly constructed buildings over 20,000 sf to immediately hit net-zero emissions goals.