The Blue Book Network Velocity Index ticked up 0.5% to 100.9 in February from a revised 100.5 in January (December 2018 = 100). This the most stable the Index has been since before the pandemic began.
The Blue Book Network Velocity Index is a measure of month-to-month changes in bidding activity in The Blue Book Network, accounting for seasonality, providing a leading indicator of construction spending to inform critical decision making.
Analysis by building sector shows that the manufacturing, institutional, and multifamily categories fell back slightly, but were offset by gains in commercial and lodging. Lodging jumped nearly 50% to 69.4 following a 44% increase from December to January.
Some highlights:
• The institutional building sector dipped 2.5% to 117.2, but showed strengthening in the Midwestern states
• The manufacturing sector was mostly unchanged, with Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, Washington, and Louisiana gaining
• The commercial buildings sector climbed 3.6% to 75.1
• Lodging continued its two-month recovery with strong gains mostly in the Sun Belt
• Multifamily, while down slightly, remained strong at 118.8, bolstered by Midwest and Southeast states
• States split the difference in February, with 22 on the rise
• Midwest states held the line with most showing moderate increases
• Larger states losing ground included California, Florida, New York, and Texas, with modest declines.
More on the The Blue Book Network Velocity Index.
Related Stories
| Apr 2, 2013
6 lobby design tips
If you do hotels, schools, student unions, office buildings, performing arts centers, transportation facilities, or any structure with a lobby, here are six principles from healthcare lobby design that make for happier users—and more satisfied owners.
| Apr 2, 2013
Green building consultant explores the truth about green building performance in new book
A new book from leading sustainability, green building author and expert Jerry Yudelson challenges assumptions about the value of sustainable design and environmentally-friendly buildings.
| Mar 29, 2013
M+W Group acquires LifeTek Solutions in America
The global engineering and construction company M+W Group has announced that their operations in the Americas have acquired 100% ownership of LifeTek Solutions, Inc.
| Mar 29, 2013
PBS broadcast to highlight '10 Buildings That Changed America'
WTTW Chicago, in partnership with the Society of Architectural Historians, has produced "10 Builidngs That Changed America," a TV show set to air May 12 on PBS.
| Mar 29, 2013
Shenzhen projects halted as Chinese officials find substandard concrete
Construction on multiple projects in Guangdong Province—including the 660-m Ping'an Finance Center—has been halted after inspectors in Shenzhen, China, have found at least 15 local plants producing concrete with unprocessed sea sand, which undermines building stabity.
| Mar 27, 2013
Small but mighty: Berkeley public library’s net-zero gem
The Building Team for Berkeley, Calif.’s new 9,500-sf West Branch library aims to achieve net-zero—and possibly net-positive—energy performance with the help of clever passive design techniques.
| Mar 27, 2013
RSMeans cost comparisons: college labs, classrooms, residence halls, student unions
Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for four building types across 25 metro markets.
| Mar 26, 2013
Will Google Glass revolutionize the construction process?
An Australian architect is exploring the benefits of augmented reality in the design and construction process.