With some of the more desirable projects in the region in the final stages before starting – Ensinger Plastics, GE, Union Trust Building – there were a handful of nonresidential projects started in April that underscore the strength of the regional economy at the moment.

In the ultra-tight industrial/flex space market, Al Neyer got underway with a new 47,245 sq. ft. building at Elmhurst’s Airside Business Park in Moon Twp. and the new 86,000 sq. ft. warehouse and office for Paragon Foods at the RIDC Thorn Hill Industrial Park in Marshall Twp. Buncher started work on the 77,000 sq. ft. Building 2000 at its Jackson’s Pointe Commerce Park north of Zelienople. Modal Construction is building industrial flex Building 3 and 5 for the Ridilla Family Trust in Hempfield, totaling 52,000 sq. ft.

Suburban neighborhood retail continues to flourish in the face of an industry-wide shift in balance between bricks-and-mortar and online sales. Montana’s Ribs and Chops is being built out by Gilcon Construction at Southpointe Town Center. Another Five Guys Burgers is going into the Old Mill in Washington PA. Metro Properties has started the next building at its Park Place development at Race Track Road and Route 19.

School work is gearing up for summer. Yarborough was awarded the general contract for a $1 million vestibule security project at several Hampton Township schools. Work in underway at Moon, West Allegheny and North Allegheny School District projects. In the private sector, Groom Construction from Boston has started on a new 10,000 sq. ft. Kiddie Academy in Bridgeville.