5 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 2, 2020

1. Precast concrete tower honors victims of United Airlines Flight 93 (BD+C) 
"The 93-foot-tall precast tower comprises 40 custom-made aluminum wind chimes, with each chime producing a distinct musical note. Together, these chimes create a set of “40 voices” to memorialize the 40 passengers and crew who lost their lives when the flight was hijacked by terrorists."

2. University of North Carolina Charlotte Academic Complex completes (BD+C) 
"Upgrades began in 2015 and included improvements to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, the installation of a fire protection system, improvement to accessibility, the addition of interior finishes and exterior windows, and addressed minor building settlement."

3. Public and private nonresidential construction spending slumps in July (AGC) 
"Construction spending in July totaled $1.36 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, a gain of 0.1% from June. A 1.2% drop in nonresidential spending nearly canceled out a 2.1% jump in residential spending, which was boosted by growth in both single-family (3.1%) and multifamily construction (4.9%)."

4. California unveils coronavirus testing plan that could speed school, business reopening (San Francisco Chronicle)
"California has entered into an agreement worth up to $1.7 billion with a company that could process tens of thousands of coronavirus tests per day as soon as November, a step that could help the state return more quickly to normal life, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday."

5. Real Estate Market Crash Unlikely, Experts Say (Commercial Property Executive)
"Economists are calling the pandemic-induced recession unique in several ways. Here’s how analysts expect the health crisis to change the real estate market."