The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is typically the slowest time of the year for bidding. Every year there is usually a plum out there that will keep some estimators busy right through the holidays but it’s usually a slack time. During the next two weeks, however some very interesting projects are bidding that may give an indication about the market.

 Next week bids are being taken on two apartment projects worth roughly $30 million each. Morgan Management is taking bids from Mistick Construction and MW Builders on theRochesterVillageproject, 228 units inPark Placein Cranberry Twp. At the other end of town, EQA Landmark has asked for prices on its 250-unit apartment project at Newbury inSouth Fayettefrom Dynamic, Mistick Construction and MW Builders. These are the first of what may be five apartment complexes to start in 2012. The upheaval in the housing market, the growth in employment in natural gas/energy and the availability in financing is driving a boom in multi-family construction nationally and we are about to experience it in western PA. Expect at least twice the number of multi-family and attached units in 2012 – perhaps 2,100 units – as in 2011 or 2010.

 On the 15^th JC Penney is bidding its new store at the Monroeville Mall, a 110,000 fit-out of part of the former Boscov’s space, which Rycon is preparing for the tenant right now. Bids will come from Rycon, Mosites Construction and Poerio from this area plus EMJ Corp., Woods Construction and Whiting-Turner from out of town. And on the 19^th Dick’s will take bids from Rycon, Continental, TD Farrell and WDS Construction for their new $10 million store in Cranberry Twp. on Route 228.

That’s two new apartment complexes and two new retail stores plus the $90 million Mt. Lebanon High project on the 14^th and the $60 million Squirrel Hill Tunnel rehabilitation on the 15^th. Merry Christmas, someone!