Last week’s jobs data helped put a happier face on the state of the overall economy. The comments from a Shell executive about the signing of 10 third-party agreements for supply and product from the proposed ethane cracker also should add optimism to the business outlook in the region; however the bidding activity remains very light, even for June.

The highlight of this week’s bid board is the addition and renovation to the Fox Chapel Golf Club. FCGC has invited BRIDGES, Franjo, Jendoco, A. Martini & Co., Mascaro, MBM & Volpatt to bid the $6 million, 12,000 sq. ft. addition, which also includes a similar amount of renovation. MIllcraft is reportedly interviewing Mascaro, Massaro, PJ Dick, Mosites and Turner in follow-up to an RFP for the redevelopment of the former Saks Fifth Avenue site.

Harrison County Board of Education awarded Landau a $2.5 million contract for work at the Simpson Elementary. Volpatt Construction was selected to renovate the Hamburg Theater, the first phase of the City Theater’s $7 million capital project on the South Side. A. Martini & Co. was selected by Excela Healthcare to act as the design/build contractor for a $9 million renovation to Frick Hospital’s entrances. Work is beginning on the emergency entrance. Excela also gave Martini the green light to do site work and access road construction for its $20 million-plus new ambulatory center in Latrobe.