Tom Daykin and Jeff Bollier Milwaukee Journal Sentinel As the United States and Wisconsin reopen, workers will most likely be returning to their offices gradually as businesses adopt social-distancing policies to combat the coronavirus pandemic. That’s the consensus among office ...

Tagged with: BMO Tower commercial real estate Irgens Development Partners Michael Best & Friedrich LLP Titletown District

By Sean Ryan The federal government Tuesday officially shifted toward project labor agreements, confirming the fears of nonunion contractors. Starting May 13, federal agencies can require PLAs on projects that receive more than $25 million in federal money. Mike Zignego, ...

Tagged with: ABC International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 Local 139 McGowan Michael Best & Friedrich LLP nonunion Obama PLA project labor agreements Steve Stone union Zignego Zignego Co.

By Sean Ryan A state court of appeals will ask the Wisconsin Supreme Court to consider the case over Milwaukee’s sick leave law. Instead of ruling Thursday in the lawsuit between the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and 9to5, National ...

Tagged with: 9to5 Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce Michael Best & Friedrich LLP Milwaukee County Circuit Court National Association of Working Women Wisconsin Supreme Court

By Jack Zemlicka Dolan Media Newswires It seems impossible to drive anywhere in Wisconsin without encountering roadwork. Federal stimulus money has accelerated several highway and city street projects in the state, and the work beyond those orange barrels is expected ...

Tagged with: Department of Transportation eminent domain Highway 100 Michael Best & Friedrich LLP roadwork stimulus Wisconsin

By Sean Ryan A Milwaukee alderman is defending the city’s preference for local bidders against criticism from Milwaukee 7, a group formed to promote regional cooperation. “It seems any type of legislation or a policy objective that benefits the city ...

Tagged with: American Sewer Services Inc. Ashanti Hamilton Baas bidding Clean Water Fund DNR local preference Michael Best & Friedrich LLP Milwaukee Milwaukee 7 MJ Construction Inc. Underground Pipeline Construction Inc. Wanta Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association

Sean Ryan [email protected] Milwaukee is bidding out three contracts that would grant a 5 percent cushion to city-based builders even as two contractors are asking a judge to prohibit the local preference. A Milwaukee County judge on Nov. 3 will ...

Tagged with: American Sewer Services Inc. contract lawsuit local preference Michael Best & Friedrich LLP Milwaukee MJ Construction Inc. Super Excavators Inc. Underground Pipeline Construction Inc.

Paul Snyder [email protected] The town of Magnolia and a farming company are taking their development dispute to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals with both sides predicting dire consequences if they lose. Agricultural development in the state will die if Larson ...

Tagged with: farm Michael Best & Friedrich LLP Trade and Consumer Protection waste management Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Sean Ryan [email protected] A-1 Excavating Inc.’s $474,000 settlement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration could send a serious message to other underground contractors. The agreement settles citations the Bloomer-based company received in 2008 and 2009. Inspectors from OSHA targeted ...

Tagged with: A-1 Excavating Inc. citations Michael Best & Friedrich LLP Operating Engineers Local 139 osha settlement Wisconsin Laborers District Council

Paul Snyder [email protected] Backers of Milwaukee’s ordinance that favors local companies in construction bidding are defending the rule, even though its first use is likely to cost taxpayers more than $25,000. “I do think it’s a fair trade-off,” said Milwaukee ...

Tagged with: American Sewer Services Inc. Michael Best & Friedrich LLP Milwaukee Department of Public Works MJ Construction Inc. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association

Sean Ryan [email protected] Regulators have a stern message for contractors: If you ignore runoff and storm-water rules, we’ll see you in court. This week, the Wisconsin Department of Justice settled two cases against property owners and contractors that violated state ...

Tagged with: Michael Best & Friedrich LLP runoff Wisconsin Department of Justice Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources