Just under ten legal challenges to the Biden Administration’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate have now been sent to the U.S. Supreme Court. Those challenges say that an order announced earlier this fall by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requiring that companies with more than 100 employees must either mandate vaccinations or conduct regular Covid-19 testing exceeds the authority of that agency. To date, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans has issued an emergency stay of the vaccine mandate. But a ruling late last week from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati supported the mandate. Challenges to the mandate have been filed by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Job Creators Network, and attorneys general from 25 states. The ongoing battle is now being dominated by dates: The Supreme Court has asked the Biden Administration to respond to all challenges no later than December 30. Meanwhile, the OSHA mandate is requiring companies to ensure that their employees are either vaccinated or implementing weekly Covid-19 tests as of January 4. At the same time, OSHA has said it won’t begin to punish employees for failing to impose the mandate until January 10, with a deadline of February 9 for the Covid-19 tests. By Garry Boulard
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New Mexico is one of three states that could see the development of new solar energy projects as the result of a Biden Administration initiative. Officials with the Bureau of Land Management have issued a call for land to be nominated in New Mexico, as well as Colorado and Nevada, to develop such projects soon. The call comes as BLM has given its approval to the development of two solar energy projects in Riverside County, in southwest California. Those two projects, called Arica and Victory Pass, have the potential of generating a combined 465 megawatts of electricity, according to sources. BLM would like to see up to 140 square miles of land in Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico developed for its solar energy potential, with the possibility of some 40 new and very large-scale projects being built. The 140 square miles comprises what is being called “solar energy zones” in the three states. Those zones are regarded by the BLM as being particularly well suited for the utility-scale production of solar energy projects. BLM has pinpointed land in southern New Mexico in what is called the Afton Solar Energy Zone for such projects. That land, located within the borders of the BLM’s Las Cruces District, is made up of some 77,600 acres of undeveloped desert. The call to develop more projects in the three states comes as the White House is moving to reignite clean energy development put on hold during under the Trump Administration. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, in a conference call with the press, remarked, “We fully intend to meet our clean energy goals.” Haaland, a former member of Congress representing New Mexico’s first congressional district, earlier remarked that in the effort to build such projects the Interior Department will first consult with solar energy zone “fisherman, outdoor enthusiasts, sovereign tribal nations, states, territories, local officials, agricultural and forest landowners and others.” By Garry Boulard A longtime popular golf course in Denver is on track to be redeveloped with possible affordable housing options, youth sports venues, and perhaps even a grocery store geared for lower income shoppers. Located at 414 E. 35th Avenue, the former private 18-hole Park Hill Golf Course, opened in 1931, was one of the city’s most durable courses until it was closed in 2018 and subsequently purchased for $24 million by the Denver-based developer Westside Investment Partners. In the last 3 years the future of the sprawling 155-acre green space has been the subject of any number of public input and community meetings, not to mention a survey resulting in the participation of around 1,300 people. Now the City of Denver has released a statement regarding what is called the Park Hill Golf Course Reimagined project, exploring the possibilities of a park with defined community gathering spaces, as well as spaces for businesses owned by people of color, among other priorities. In a statement, the City says survey respondents have also indicated a preference for recreational sports opportunities at the former golf course site, while also emphasizing a desire to preserve the dozens of trees populating the site. Plans now call for Westside to work with area residents and businesses in the new year, with the hope of putting together a comprehensive blueprint for the site’s redevelopment. By Garry Boulard After dramatic increases in the 2020 and 2021 markets, house prices nationally are expected to stabilize in the coming year, according to a recently released survey of housing experts. Compiled by the National Association of Realtors, the 2022 Housing Market Hidden Gems report, which also included input from economists, sees a 5.7% increase in the annual median home price, with the hottest markets located in the South and West. Those markets, according to Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, most likely underperformed in the last twelve months. “Several markets did reasonably well in 2021, but not as strong as the underlying fundamentals suggested,” he said. “Therefore,” Yun continued, “in 2022 these ‘hidden gem’ markets have more room for growth.” Such predictions, however, are guardedly given, barring any significant transmission of the omicron Covid-19 variant next year. The report also notes other ongoing challenges for the industry: “Builders continues to face the economic fallout of the pandemic, delays in sourcing materials and parts, rising costs of raw materials, and difficulty hiring construction workers.” NAR statistics confirm the wild ride that the nation’s real estate industry has undergone in the last 20 months. In February 2020, before the Covid-19 outbreak, monthly existing sales stood at around 5.3 million, only to fall to around 4 million by May. As the nation reopened last fall, monthly sales shot up to a record nearly 6.5 million, and as of this past October were just a little bit south of that figure. The median price range, meanwhile, has gone from just under $300,000 in early 2020, to around $353,000 earlier this year. Altogether, Yun projected that the pace of home sales nationally will decline to 5.9 million in 2022, down from the 6 million seen in 2021. By Garry Boulard A roughly 20,000 square foot building formerly serving as a health club and gymnasium on the northwest side of Albuquerque is being listed for sale at just under $3.2 million. Located at 4487 Irving Boulevard, the one-story clear span metal structure was built in 1980 and sits on a 2.6-acre site. Listed with Westwood Realty, the building seems a place of no end, as one large interior recreational space unfolds into another. Called the Cottonwood, the building has seen upgrades to its HVAC, electrical, and sprinkler systems. On a site zoned as non-residential light manufacturing, the Cottonwood also features a peak ceiling height of 16 feet. Known formerly as Dana’s Westside Gymnastics School and before that the Stars Studio, the building is nestled to the south of the Cottonwood Heights neighborhood comprised of mostly modern suburban homes. By Garry Boulard New Office and Retail Project Set for Construction in Growing Commercial Stretch of El Paso12/20/2021 Members of the El Paso Plan Commission have given their approval to the building of a project that will see the construction of a rectangular-shaped, one-story structure at 3624 Joe Battle Boulevard. The site in northeastern El Paso is located on a byway populated with one-story office and commercial structures on one side and a three-story Woodsprings Suite hotel on the other. The commission votes come on the heels of a City of El Paso planning staff approval recommendation for the project. The property, which is currently vacant, is owned by a company called Kambiz Properties, based in El Paso. The 9,200 square foot structure will house both office and retail space, with the larger one-acre site seeing the creation of a parking lot with 47 vehicle spaces and a small amount of bike parking space. When work will begin on the project has not yet been announced. By Garry Boulard All signs are pointing to increased work for the construction industry in 2022, says a well-known construction association official, with infrastructure spending expected to be particularly noticeable later in the year. Speaking in a webinar, Anirban Basu, chief economist for the Associated Builders and Contractors, suggested that the amount of work for builders may not be the issue as much as the nature of the work. Contractors, he said, should “think very long and hard” before entering into any contractual obligations, making certain in the process to have “enough margin and contingency.” Basu, who is also the chief executive officer of the Baltimore-based Sage Consulting Group, anticipates an increase in spending for any number of public projects at both the state and local level, particularly in new school construction. But Basu cautions that the year ahead will hardly be one without challenges, noting ongoing price increases for a number of building materials, including an unprecedented 146% jump in steel mill products since late 2020. Factors working in favor of materials price decreases next year include a likely inflation rate decrease as well as an improved supply chain, especially in aluminum, copper and steel products. Ultimately, Basu recommends that construction companies should think big: “Significant technologies are more expensive and recruiting costs are significant and training costs are significant.” But, he continued, “It’s nice to have a larger line of credit and more bonding capacity to go after some of these large scale projects that are coming down the pipe, whether in infrastructure or other segments.” A recent consumer confidence index released by the Associated Builders and Contractors showed increased sales expectations as of November by nearly 65% of respondents, compared with 42% a year ago. Similarly, just under 25% of respondents a year ago said they expected their profit margins to increase, while nearly 35% said the same last month. By Garry Boulard The public comment phase of a much-discussed plan that would see the building of a one-mile urban trailway in downtown Albuquerque is expected to continue until the final day of next January. As proposed, the project will run from the Rail Yards Market to east downtown and includes along that route access points to outdoor entertainment, businesses and various other amenities. In a press release, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller remarked that the proposed trail has the potential to be a “transformative amenity that reconnects and reinvigorates our downtown and opens up new spaces and experiences for families to enjoy.” Talked about for several years, the project would make available to walkers, runners, and bike riders a swath of the city that is not generally accessible, comprising as it does rail track infrastructure and not much else. According to a release sent out by the City of Albuquerque, the new trail, built adjacent to several historic neighborhoods, has the potential of reversing disinvestments in such areas by “connecting communities split by the railroad tracks, and by fostering equitable programing and business development.” The plan has been under consideration by city officials and both business owners and residents for several years, with a feasibility study done by the city’s Planning Department completed in 2019. Early designs have imagined the trail running adjacent to the railroad tracks, with some landscaped segments. The parameters of the project to date have been given shape as a result of a community survey, public meetings, and design charettes. A final price tag for the project is not yet known, but it is thought that funding for much or even a part of it may be secured through funds coming out of the recently passed federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. By Garry Boulard Santa Fe's Popular Marketplace, Part of the Larger Popular Santa Fe Rail Yard, is Up for Sale12/17/2021 One of the most prominent commercial retail spaces in New Mexico is up for sale for $17.5 million. The Market Station is part of the larger 50-acre Santa Fe Railyard that includes art gallery and performance art space, along with the northern terminus of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express line. Owned by the Santa Fe-based 500 Market LLC, the Market Station has housed Bosque Brewing, ice cream shop La Lecheria, the Opuntia Cafe, and the specialty outdoor apparel and gear store REI, among other tenants. Sources say that 500 Market, which purchased a majority portion of the building in the summer of 2019, has always intended to be a short-term owner of the Market Station. In the last two years 500 Market has upgraded the property, while also bringing in new tenants. To date, the company improved the Market Station’s occupancy from around 60% to nearly 100%. Listed by NAI Sun Vista, which has offices in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, the Market Station with nearly 60,000 square feet of space, has a ground lease with the City of Santa Fe until the year 2057. Reflecting its increased value as a property, the Market Station in 2017 was listed for sale for $11.5 million. The Market Station was built in 2008 and weathered its first challenging Great Recession years to become a retail mainstay. The larger railyard was opened with a train station in 1880, eventually serving as a popular farmer’s marketplace. Work redeveloping the property for its commercial, retail, and public space potential launched some 15 years ago. By Garry Boulard Construction project backlogs saw another increase last month, providing the latest evidence of a rebounding, post-pandemic economy. According to a new report issued by the Associated Builders and Contractors, the group’s construction backlog indicator hit the 8.4-month mark in November, up by 0.3 months over the month before. The backlog indicator saw an increased workload in the infrastructure, heavy industrial, and commercial and institutional sectors. By region, the Middle West and South saw the greatest increase in backlog work, while the northeast declined from 8.7 months to 7.7 months and the West marginally moved from 8.1 months to 8.0 months. At the same time, the ABC survey reveals that contractors are in general feeling better about their businesses with the association’s construction confidence index significantly up from 59.7 in October to 65.2 last month. Positive sales expectations, meanwhile, have climbed from 53% in October to nearly 65% in November. Such growing confidence, said Anirban Basu, chief economist with ABC, show that it’s “getting better out there.” “While the outlook for construction remains imperfect,” continued Basu in a statement, “extraordinarily low interest rates have created enough appetite for deal-making to push backlog higher and persuade the average contractor that sales, employment, and profit margins will climb over the next six months.” The survey additionally reveals increased construction industry staffing expectations with 49% of respondents in October saying they will hire more workers, and nearly 55% saying the same in November. By Garry Boulard |
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