Digging into the weeds of the April employment reports, AGC reported on the metropolitan-level construction employment levels compared to the previous April peak and trough. Pittsburgh had 57,100 workers employed in construction in April 2018, 400 more than the peak in April 2008. Pittsburgh was one of only two PA metros (Altoona was the other) that had exceeded its previous peak employment level.

There was an interesting comparison of data that illustrated just how much better Pittsburgh fared in the last recession than other PA cities. In April, the new Pittsburgh level was 16% above the trough, the low point of 49,700 in April 2011. Compare that to Philadelphia’s suburban metro, which saw construction employment plunge to 38,900 in April 2011. Today, suburban Philadelphia employment still lags its 2008 peak and has but 1,000 more workers employed than Pittsburgh.

In construction news, Burns & Scalo Real Estate is excavating the site for its $35 million, 160,000 square foot Riviera office building (see below). The Riviera is being built 100% spec, although rumors of an anchor tenant swirl. Burns & Scalo is banking on the burgeoning tech industries and the proximity of Pittsburgh Technology Center to attract tenants as construction proceeds.

The University of Pittsburgh is seeking Predetermination of Responsibility responses on June 20 for its Salk Hall Phase 2 renovation. This is the prequalification for contractors interested in bidding the four prime contracts for the $40 million project. The bidding will go through DGS but will be limited to the contractors Pitt approves through the PDR process. Read more about the PDR here.