Archive: Construction Today
Winter 2010
A Look at Education Buildings
GBCA Member Projects Mean Good News for Schools
The construction industry has always played a critical role in the development of education. By constructing physical space, the industry helps establish a sense of identity for schools, universities, and training facilities. Through the scale, materials, and design of the structures, contractors provide the built environment educational institutions need to maximize opportunities for social and intellectual exchange. Building adds economic and cultural value to the region. Download PDF
Centuries of Experience
The 120th GBCA Annual Business Meeting
On January 11, 2010 the general Building Contractors Association (GBCA) held its 120th Annual Business Meeting at the Union League of Philadelphia. A "who's who" of the construction industry, the 300 attendees came together to discuss the issues of the industry in 2010 and beyond. Download PDF
The GBCA Education Program
One of the most important functions at the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) is education. We are committed to providing educational services to a wide group of parties ranging from high school students, through apprentices and journeymen to middle and top management. Download PDF
Fall 2009
Outstanding Achivements
13th Annual Construction Excellence Awards 2009
The General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) is proud to announce the results of the 2009 Construction Excellence Awards. The Construction Excellence Awards is the premier construction awards program recognizing excellence in construction, safety, and diversity. The program has always been dedicated to creating a greater awareness throughout the region of the quality workmanship produced by union contractors. Download PDF
The Industry Is Going Green
But are MBE and WBE firms being left behind?
I started my research for this article by going on the internet to find any articles, studies or commentary that addressed the challenges and opportunities for minority and women-owned business in a construction industry that is increasingly focused on sustainable "green" construction ... it was remarkably silent. This was particularly disturbing, as a keystone of the Administration's Recovery Plan is the move towards a green economy and green jobs. But what does this really mean for MBE and WBE firms in the construction industry, how poised are these firms to meet the challenges of a green construction industry? Download PDF
The Reading Viaduct
Can it be the next "High Line"?
A decade ago, the city was offered at least $2 million to take over ownership and control of the big, threestory railroad bed, which suddenly seems like a hot commodity. Its future is in debate among residents and community leaders in Chinatown and neighborhoods north of Vine Street. Download PDF
Ending the Paper Chase
Philadelphia Construction Leaders Are Changing Payment Practices
While the construction industry is widely accepting cutting edge operations technology like BIM, the critical Billing and Payment activity largely remains mired in archaic nineteenth century processes. These paper based processes consume staff resources, create risk and slow down payments. Ending this "Paper Chase" with the use of the Textura Payment Management System was the topic of a recent General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) sponsored forum of construction owners, general contractors and subcontractors. Download PDF
Summer 2009
Building Green
GBCA Members Building Sustainable Projects Across the Region
The drive to build environment-conscious buildings is not new. Appearing as early as the 1970's, the first generation of "green" buildings often featured solar panels and heat-absorbing masonry structures. These forays into eco-friendly design however were often expensive, unreliable and the positive benefits were often hard to quantify. It's no surprise then that neither the technology nor aesthetics caught on. What a difference a few decades can make. Download PDF
What! LEED Again?
How you can bid a LEED® project and win?
I sincerely believe that the statement above is the normal response (plus a few expletives), when the majority of contractors see LEED on a set of construction documents. The company wants to bid on a project, but the feeling in-house is, "We need this one, but it's a LEED project" or, "We have no experience. So, how can we bid it and win this job?" Download PDF
Where exactly are the "GREEN" jobs?
The Role GREEN plays in the Economic Recovery of the
Construction Industry and American Economy
The US Conference of Mayors reported that a major shift to renewable energy sources and energy efficiency is expected to produce four million new jobs during the next three decades. Many of these jobs will be created as a direct result of the economic stimulus included within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The ARRA's intent is to create "direct Green Collar jobs" in weatherization, energy efficiency, renewable energy development and installation, construction, transportation, and manufacturing. When these jobs take shape it will cause additional indirect jobs to be created. An "indirect job" is created when a business that creates a new direct job needs good or services to operate properly. Download PDF
Spring 2009
IAP 101: What does the IAP do for You?
The history of the pioneering program that continues
to better the industry.
On May 1, 1960, The General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) entered into collective bargaining agreements with the Carpenters Metropolitan District Council, the Cement Masons Union and the Laborers District Council. In each of these agreements was a section establishing the new and innovative Industry Advancement Program (IAP). This Industry Advancement Program is recognized as the earliest active program of its kind in the United States. Download PDF
Fighting the Tower of Babel in the Construction Industry
How agcXML can increase productivity
If we look to Gensis we see: "All mankind spoke a single language..." and "They have just begun to exploit their linguistic unity, just think of what they will do later! Nothing will be unattainable for them!" Unfortunately for the Babylonians "God gave them different languages and that ended the building of the city. The city was called Babel which means confusion." Download PDF
The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act
Opportunities for Contractors in Challenging Economic Times
The Nation is facing Once-in-a-generation challenges due to the current economic climate. In particular, the commercial construction industry has been impacted by tight credit markets and declining demand. Download PDF
Winter 2009
12TH Annual Construction Excellence Awards 2008:
Outstanding Achievements. Are you ready to celebrate?
The General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) is proud to announce the results of the 2008 Construction Excellence Awards. Download PDF
Entering The Hard Market:
Managing Risk to Keep Your Businesss Viable
In 2008, our nation lost more than 2.6 million jobs, the biggest loss of jobs since 1945. Thus far, 2009 has proven to be equally challenging with credit markets still frozen, halting thousands of building and construction projects across the country. Download PDF
A Good Neighbor:
The Dorrance H. Hamilton Building
Founded in 1824, Philadelphia's Thomas Jefferson Medical College is the largest private medical school in the United States. Download PDF
Approaching Labor Negotiations:
Collective Bargaining Preparations are Underway
Labor negotiations are a complex and lengthy process. Therefore preparationsare well underway for upcoming contract negotiations with area building trades unions whose agreements expire this spring and summer. Download PDF
Fall 2008
20 years later... Addressing Diversity in the Construction Industry
A few months ago, an MBE subcontractor came into the office looking for work, running into one of the owners who inquired, "You're in looking for work?" The sub nodding, the owner responded, "So are we!" Download PDF
Every business needs a mentor. The Mentor/Protege Initiative
"We all need a mentor to help us understand, help us to broaden vision and expand our knowledge of the industry," said Angelo Perryman, President of Perryman Building & Construction Services. Download PDF
Summer 2008
Please Touch Museum Grabs the Brass Ring:
A New Life for Historic Memorial Hall
When Portia Sperr founded Please Touch Museum in 1976 she was thinking small. Very small. Say, under three feet. Download PDF
The Presidential Candidates Square Off:
Obama or McCain? What will it mean for the construction industry?
After a historic democratic primary, the spotlight is now burning brightly on Senators Barack Obama and John McCain as they race towards the White House. The outcome of the upcoming elections will have a tremendous impact on public policy for the next four years. Download PDF
Industry Leaders:
Profiling the Construction Community
The Industry Leaders Profile offers an overview of the outstanding firms in the construction industry. Construction Today is pleased to feature three Minority Business Enterprises (MBE)/ WomenOs Business Enterprises (WBE) firms who continue to serve as leaders to the industry. Download PDF
Spring 2008
Bringing Safety to new Heights:
B. Pietrini & Sons Brings A New Formwork Solution to Philadelphia
The construction of the residences at the Ritz-Carlton in Center City Philadelphia has moved forward steadily since the fall of 2006. Download PDF
Thinking Outside the Box: Re-evaluating Fall Protection Systems
Following a recent reported fatality on a construction site in this region, TN Ward Company wanted to learn from this unfortunate "fall from height" incident. Download PDF
Star Wars-type Technology Advances Awareness:
Gilbane uses Dbo2 SafetyNet System to Record Safety Observations
Light sabers, micro-communications, holographic messages, C3PO, R2D2, and now we have DBO2. Star Wars technology has made the leap into construction safety. Download PDF
Workshop of the World: The John Grass Wood Turning Company Story
The John Grass Wood Turning Company is one of the oldest commercial hand wood turning shops in America. Download PDF
Winter 2008
GBCA 11th Annual Construction Excellence Awards
Contractors Association (GBCA) is proud to announce the results of the 2007 Construction Excellence Awards. Download PDF
Fall 2007
Episcopal Academy:The New Pursuing the Golden Mean
Some of America's leading minds in construction and architecture have come together to form a new $212 million campus for one of America's oldest and most esteemed educational institutions. Download PDF
Try Education - Now!
An investment in education might be the greatest return on investment we can make. Download PDF
Professional Construction Management Education
Raising the construction industry's professionalism with qualified graduates. Download PDF
