Detroit’s Michigan Central Station Rehab Named Best Construction Project of 2025

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The rehabilitation of Detroit’s Michigan Central Station was the most outstanding construction projects of 2025, the Associated General Contractors of America announced. As a result, the project’s contractor, Christman | Brinker Corktown Transformational Joint Venture, received the overall top prize in the Baldwin Group Build America Awards. The joint venture also won a Build America Award for the best construction management renovation project valued over $126 million. The Christman/Brinker joint venture restored one of Detroit’s most iconic landmarks after more than 30 years of abandonment. Originally opened in 1913, the 640,000-square-foot Beaux-Arts station had suffered severe structural damage, water infiltration and extensive deterioration. Over 76 months, the team stabilized, restored and modernized the building while … Read more

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Construction Hiring Remained Slow in January

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The construction industry had 231,000 job openings on the last day of January, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings decreased by 14,000 in January and are down by 1,000 from the same time last year. “While construction hiring accelerated in January, rising to the fastest rate since the first half of 2025, that’s unfortunately not saying much,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The … Read more

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IAPMO Opens Public Review for Manual on Construction Practices for Potable Building Water Systems

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IAPMO has opened a 45-day public review period for a revised draft of its Manual of Recommended Practice: Construction Practices for Potable Building Water Systems, inviting industry stakeholders to review and comment. The updated draft reflects ongoing refinement informed by industry experience, emerging research and stakeholder input. The manual provides guidance for managing potable building water systems during new construction, renovations, expansions and commissioning, helping protect water quality before buildings are occupied. The document addresses key construction-phase activities that can impact water quality, including preconstruction planning, construction practices, flushing protocols, water quality monitoring and preoccupancy disinfection. It is intended for … Read more

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ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Rebounds in February, Contractor Confidence Grows

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.1 months in February, according to an ABC member survey conducted Feb. 20-March 6. The reading is up 0.1 months from January but down 0.2 months from February 2025. Backlog increased sharply during February in the Middle States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Notably, the Middle States is the only region with higher backlog than one year ago. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales and staffing levels increased again in February, while the reading for profit margins … Read more

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Construction Input Prices Surge in February, Says ABC

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Construction input prices increased 1.3% in February compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data released. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 1.3% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 3.1% higher than one year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 3.7% higher. Prices increased in all three energy categories last month. Natural gas and unprocessed energy materials prices were up 10.9% and 6.0%, respectively, while crude petroleum prices were up 4.7% in February. “Construction materials costs surged in February due to significant … Read more

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