A former lawyer and government affairs officer for the General Contractors Association of New York, she said her passion lies at the intersection of construction and public policy. Farber was appointed executive director of the Subcontractors Trade Association — a New York City-based association of union subcontractors — in January, becoming the first woman to hold the role in the group’s 66-year history. The biggest challenge right now for the construction industry is the rise in material prices. A lot of subcontractors were hurt by the unprecedented spike in costs. Addressing issues with insurance, change orders and contract payments, as well as taking a partnering approach with the industry, will go a long way to improving the delivery of essential capital projects and stretching limited capital dollars.

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/ny-union-head-material-prices-are-constructions-biggest-challenge/642520/

The Town Council voted to allow the Middle School Building Committee to proceed with the $58.6 million school project while expressing concerns about the budget being $21 million over what voters approved at referendum. The committee’s website offers a breakdown: $17.2 million for construction and $3.8 million for other “soft” costs. The new middle school is “desperately needed,” Superintendent of Schools Enza Macri said Friday. “I’m sure there’s nobody who wants to go back twice,” Mayor Steve Fortenbach said. If project costs exceed even $1 over $56 million, he added the question whether to spend more must again be put to voters. Members will be reviewing project information “to see where a partner in this project may not have provided appropriate information,” the superintendent continued.

https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/cromwell-school-building-panel-trying-close-21-17776683.php

An obscure dormitory building on a downtown residential street is becoming part of the complex homelessness puzzle leaders are piecing together to find enough shelter for those without a roof and keep them off the streets permanently. The building in question, which is three houses away from the historic Octagon House, is the center of complex agreement between the city, its housing authority, the state, and a Stamford nonprofit that wants to play a major role in helping unhoused people in Danbury find homes. As a result, the Elm Street dorm building is a key to the city’s long term homelessness plan, even if the city is keeping its options open about precisely how it will fit into the larger puzzle. The agreement fits into the larger picture of Danbury’s post-pandemic homelessness strategy that includes the city’s newly opened Danbury Support Center at 41 New St., which is at capacity with 20 men and women, and the former Super 8 motel at 3 Lake Ave., owned by Pacific House, where 35 people are sheltered.

https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/danbury-homeless-elm-street-17777461.php

Patrons will find additional programming and much more space after visiting the newly renovated New Milford Public Library, which reopens this week. “It’s going to be a true destination point for the downtown,” said Mayor Pete Bass, while giving a tour of the library to Hearst Connecticut Media. A ribbon cutting to open the library after the $8.5 million project will be held at 10 a.m. on Feb. 18. The $8.5 million renovation project for the library at 24 Main St. was proposed in 2016, yet Bass said the renovation has been “an over 20-year process.” The library building closed in May 2020 to make way for the renovation project, and construction began that June. The library offered patrons curbside service and lobby browsing as well as in-person and online programming while construction was happening.

https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/new-milford-library-offer-new-expanded-amenities-17769555.php?src=nthpdesecp

A developer is seeking zoning approval for a food court in a mixed-use building at 17 Talcott Notch Road in Farmington. The 34,208-square-foot building, which contains healthcare offices, a hair salon and an accounting firm, is owned by Sarjac Partners LLC, a real estate development company. The principal of Sarjac Partners, Michael Reiner of Farmington, filed the zoning application. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled to open during the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Monday, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The building is located near a busy intersection of Farmington Avenue. According to the application, the area has recently seen a decline in the number of restaurants.

Food court proposed in Farmington mixed-use office building

Dykes, the commissioner of energy and environmental protection, had come under fire for enforcing a bottle deposit law as written, as opposed to how lawmakers described their intentions in debate. Gilman, the commissioner of administrative services, angered Republicans during her confirmation hearing for failing, in their view, to adequately explain what her agency was doing to ensure school construction money was properly spent. The House confirmed both commissioners after brief debates. The fix enacted Thursday was simple, requiring the addition of a dozen words to the bottle law: “‘Carbonated beverage’ does not include any product that contains wine or spirits.” Every Democrat and 14 Republicans voted for Dykes’ confirmation including Candelora, the House GOP leader. The House confirmed Gilman on an 89-48 vote, with one Democrat, Rep. Minnie Gonzalez of Hartford, joining 47 Republicans in opposition. Candelora was one of three Republicans voting for passage.

House confirms Katie Dykes at DEEP, Michelle Gilman at DAS

A man authorities describe as part of a years-long conspiracy to rig bids at major construction projects across Connecticut has agreed to pay the government more than $300,000 in addition to serving five months in prison. Gary DeVoe of Bethlehem is one of four men and three companies convicted of dividing up among themselves industrial insulation contracts at public and private construction projects valued at $39 million. “The charged bid-rigging conspiracy occurred amongst individuals at competing insulation contractors seeking to allocate customers amongst insulation contractors and extract higher prices from project owners,” federal prosecutors said in court filings. “The aim of the bid-rigging was to fraudulently benefit all of the insulation companies, rather than directly lining the pockets of any particular individual.” The jobs involved installing insulation around heating, cooling and duct systems at 34 new construction and renovation jobs. The government claims the rigged bids cost building owners more than $1 million in losses.

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-conn-bid-rigging-conspiracy-20230209-20230209-vpb65gcs3zhwfekdphps24wvbi-story.html

Gov. Ned Lamont plans to nearly double the state’s investment in affordable housing development, raising it to $600 million in the coming two-year state budget, according to documents released Wednesday. Lamont unveiled his $50.5 billion two-year budget proposal Wednesday in a speech focused on economic growth that benefits a wider range of incomes. That speech carried a heavy focus on meeting growing housing needs, as well as investing in education, workforce training, child care and tax cuts aimed at lower-income households. Lamont’s budget aims to incentivize developers to build 6,400 housing units in the next two years. That spending includes $50 million annually for the Housing Trust Fund administered by the State Department of Housing. It provides loans and grants for affordable housing development.

Gov. Lamont proposes $600M for affordable housing, tying it to fair economic growth

A former Gateway Community College building on Sargent Drive may become home to the school’s automotive and transportation technology programs, according to city officials. The initial concept for reuse of the currently underutilized building would be a part of Gateway District, which is under the Long Wharf development plan to upgrade the city’s waterfront. The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system is looking to use the space on Sargent Drive for its automotive needs for Gateway; the school’s North Haven campus currently houses those. The city is in the process of acquiring the space from the state. There was a bill recently introduced in the General Assembly (H.B. 5719) to transfer the parcel to New Haven for $1. CSCU last year received a bond authorization of $28 million for the automotive project, according to the system. It has undergone a preliminary design process.

https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/gateway-building-long-wharf-development-plan-17773771.php?src=nhrhpdesecp

Nonnewaug High School students learned firsthand about life in the world of architecture and construction during a career-panel discussion Wednesday morning. The student-led event featured seven local professionals, including a civil engineer, welder, plumber, heavy equipment operator, Department of Transportation supervisor, construction manager, architect, and pool business strategist. As for skills, each explain the degrees in certifications required for their field, but said soft skills like communication, perseverance, the ability to problem solve, showing up every day, attitude and being able to work well with others were vital to their success. The event was organized by Nonnewaug seniors Sage Mauro and Sophie Pape and junior Madison Willis as part of their Mastery Based Learning Experience project, a new statewide graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2023.

https://www.rep-am.com/localnews/2023/02/08/construction-from-the-ground-up-students-learn-about-building-architecture-at-career-panel/