News Briefs (382)

Listen to this article

Housing Market Index inches up

The National Association of Home Builders housing construction index rose a point in April to 62, according to figures released by the association. March’s figure of 61 was the lowest in 26 months, according to the association.“While any score above 60 reflects a strong market on an historic basis, the fact that the April HMI barely rose from its March reading — the lowest it had been in more than two years — indicates that builders remain less optimistic about marketing conditions for new single-family homes than they were before interest rates started going up,” Robert Mitchell, president of the association, said in a statement.Mitchell is a home builder in Rockville, Md.The index is compiled from a monthly survey of builders and the numbers are used to calculate a seasonally adjusted overall index. Any number higher than 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good. The index for single-family home sales for the next six months went up 68 to 69 and for inquiries by prospective owners, the level fell from 45 to 44.

Thompson appoints builder to DNR board

Gov. Tommy G. Thompson last Friday appointed Catherine L. Stepp, co-owner and vice-president of First Stepp Builders Inc. in Racine, to the state’s Natural Resources Board. The board conducts hearings on behalf of the Department of Natural Resources and makes policy recommendations to the state agency. The term, which runs through May 1, 2005, requires Senate confirmation.The Racine-Kenosha Builders Associa-tion has twice named First Stepp Builder of the Year. Stepp also serves as an environmental monitor for the company.

DBIA announces award

The Design-Build Institute of America will take nominees for an industry leadership award. The Distiniguished Leadership Award will be given in three categories: public project owners, private project owners and full-time faculty at educational institutions.Winners will be chosen by a jury of DBIA members, owners, media representatives, educators and industry officials. For educators, the award will be based on development of design/build courses, research into the project and involvement in the industry. The owner award will be based on use of and advocacy for the design/build delivery system.Nominations may be submitted by DBIA members or by the owners and educators themselves. The deadline is July 12 for e-mail nominations and July 19 for mailed or delivered submittals. The winners will be announced before the Professional Design-Build Conference in San Diego on Oct. 4-5.For information, call 202-682-0110 or visit their Web site.