The construction industry will get a boost from Uncle Sam in 2016 after Congress passed a $1.14 trillion fiscal year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill.
The General Services Administration, which is responsible for constructing and managing most of the government’s non-military buildings, was allotted $1.6 billion for building construction and acquisition. That figure is triple its past funding. Of the $1.6 billion, $948 million is earmarked for new federal courthouses.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ construction account more than doubled to $1.2 billion. Just under $650 million of that amount, however, is contingent on the VA entering into an agreement with another federal entity to manage construction projects of $100 million or more. That stipulation was put in to address the VA’s alleged mismanagement of major projects in recent years.
The bill also extended the tax deduction for energy-efficient commercial buildings.
Related Stories
| Aug 15, 2016
MILITARY GIANTS: Cross-laminated timber construction gets a salute from the Army
By privatizing the construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and ownership of its hotels the Army expects to cut a 20-year timetable for repairs and replacement of its lodging down to eight years.
| Aug 15, 2016
Top 40 Military Engineering Firms
Jacobs, AECOM, and Burns & McDonnell top Building Design+Construction’s annual ranking of the nation’s largest military sector construction and construction management firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 15, 2016
Top 40 Military Construction Firms
Fluor Corp., The Walsh Group, and Hensel Phelps top Building Design+Construction’s annual ranking of the nation’s largest military sector construction and construction management firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | Jun 20, 2016
Fire resistive blast and ballistic glass walls in high security facilities
For federal courthouses, embassies, government facilities and other high profile buildings, building materials are chosen based on their ability to mitigate or minimize the injuries and fatalities to occupants during an attack.
Building Team Awards | May 27, 2016
Big police academy trains thousands of New York's finest
The Police Training Academy in Queens, N.Y., consists of a 480,000-sf academic/administration building and a 240,000-sf physical training facility, linked by an aerial pedestrian bridge.
Government Buildings | Apr 22, 2016
Public-private partnership used to fund Long Beach Civic Center Project
Arup served as a lead advisor and oversaw financial, commercial, real estate, design, engineering, and cost consulting.
Architects | Mar 16, 2016
PGAL acquires Dallas-based Pro Forma Architecture
The merger adds a firm that has specialized in municipal projects.
Industry Research | Feb 22, 2016
8 of the most interesting trends from Gensler’s Design Forecast 2016
Technology is running wild in Gensler’s 2016 forecast, as things like virtual reality, "smart" buildings and products, and fully connected online and offline worlds are making their presence felt throughout many of the future's top trends.
Government Buildings | Feb 4, 2016
Bronx police station design revealed by Bjarke Ingels Group
The blocky, modern design is meant to convey accessibility and public service.
Government Buildings | Jan 26, 2016
California governor proposes $1.5 billion to repair, replace state buildings
The program would include two new state office buildings in Sacramento.
