Extensive renovation needed inside Capitol
Last year, masons, painters and sheet metal workers working under Christman Construction extensively renovated the exterior of the State of Michigan Capitol Building, making long-overdue repairs to the corroded dome, sandstone and other architectural elements.

Earlier this month, Michigan House Office Director Tim Bowlin and architecture consultant Christman Construction took journalists on a tour deep within the 1872-era building, explaining that the mechanical and electrical systems are in desperate need of repair.

Paint and mortar failures are caused by a lack of humidity control, and there are code violations brought on by valves being too close to electrical gear. Foundations are cracking. Pipes are leaking, plaster is being damaged, fire suppression systems are rusting and the heating and cooling system is largely outdated.

A proposed budget is being developed and set for release by year's end by the Michigan Capitol Commission, which said that by year-end, the commission will develop a plan and a proposed budget to address the issues. House Business Office director Tim Bowlin told the news service MIRS that “up to $50 million worth of bonding” will be needed to get the project going.

"If something is not done now, it's going to cost more later," Christman's Chad Clark told reporters.

Momentum Index stumbles in September 
NEW YORK - The Dodge Momentum Index fell 4.3 percent in September to 129.0 from its revised August reading of 134.8 (2000=100).

The Momentum Index, compiled by Dodge Data and Analytics,  is a monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. The Dodge group reported on Oct. 7 that September’s decline follows five consecutive months of gains for the Momentum Index, and "resumes for now the saw-tooth pattern that’s often been present in the data since 2014. Even with the recent volatility on a month-to-month basis, the Momentum Index continues to trend higher, signaling that developers have moved plans forward despite economic and political uncertainty."

With the September report the Momentum Index is 5.1 percent higher than one year ago.

Blue Water Meet and Greet slated Oct. 26
A barbeque meet and greet with Democratic political candidates in Michigan’s Thumb area will be held Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. in the Blue Water Labor Temple, 2441 W. Water Street, Port Huron.

The event is being organized by Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2 Business Rep. Jim Ritchie, who urges residents in the area to attend and  get to know who is representing them. For more information, call Ritchie at (586) 557-8569.