Couture developer won’t meet Friday HUD loan deadline, in another setback

July 26, 2019 1:59 pm Leave a comment

This rendering shows the 44-story Couture project standing to the left of the US. Bank building and Northwestern Mutual's new headquarters tower. (Rendering courtesy of Rinka Chung Architects)

The developer of downtown Milwaukee's Couture high-rise said it won't meet a deadline for a federal loan guarantee to finance the project, in another delay for the long-awaited tower.

Tagged with: Barrett Lo Visionary Couture The Couture

Report: Construction costs fall, employment growth softens in 2Q

July 25, 2019 3:19 pm Leave a comment

The cost of construction in Milwaukee fell slightly in the second quarter of 2019, but remains above historic averages, as year-over-year construction employment growth has softened locally, according to a market analysis from Mortenson Construction.

Tagged with: jobs

CRANE COUNT: Backlog of projects grows 17 percent in 7 years

July 25, 2019 2:43 pm Leave a comment

Cranes tower over Portland, Oregon, recently. Seattle and Los Angeles share the national lead in construction cranes at 49 each, according to the latest index by Rider Levett Bucknall. (Photo by Sam Tenney)

Seattle and Los Angeles share the national lead in construction cranes at 49 each, international construction consultant Rider Levett Bucknall announced recently.

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Milwaukee renovation program hits milestone in troubled area

July 25, 2019 12:57 pm Leave a comment

A renovation program in one of Milwaukee's predominantly black neighborhoods has reached a significant milestone almost three years after the fatal police shooting of a black man sparked riots in the area.

Tagged with: Sherman Park

Worker dies from electric shock at abandoned Milwaukee mall (UPDATE)

July 24, 2019 3:21 pm Leave a comment

The vacant Northridge Mall stands on West Brown Deer Road in the city of Milwaukee recently. Milwaukee city officials last week argued that mall owner U.S. Black Spruce Enterprise Group had created conditions at the mall that contributed to the death of Victoriano Diaz, who was electrocuted in July. (File photo by Rick Benedict)

Authorities say a maintenance worker died when he stuck his hand in a high-voltage transformer at an abandoned mall on Milwaukee’s northwest side.

Tagged with: accident electricity

Suit accuses Fox Valley contractor of shorting workers on lunch breaks; company denies claim

July 24, 2019 3:02 pm Leave a comment

A lawsuit filed this week accuses a Fox Valley construction company of failing to give its employees a full lunch break, effectively "shaving" hours from workers' weekly earnings — a claim the company denies.

Tagged with: Construction Solutions of the Fox Valley wages

New home sales rise 7% in June after 2 months of decline

July 24, 2019 12:58 pm Leave a comment

U.S. new home sales rose at a modest pace in June but remained below sales levels earlier this year, suggesting low mortgage rates and a healthy job market aren't encouraging many more purchases.

Tagged with: new home sales new-home construction