Ready. Set. Go Build!

Construction is booming in Nashville.  If there is any doubt, simply look at the Nashville Business Journal’s “Crane Watch.” Construction of smart buildings are also easier now thanks to the advancements in technology. One of them is Digital twins for cities that helps builders design and conceptualize large-scale projects. Despite vast amount of new construction, contractors continue to struggle to find … Read More

I Protest! – Government Bid Protest Battles

I have had occasion to work with a number of clients confronted with bad outcomes in a government procurement process. The disputes have involved state, local and University of Tennessee procurements. Although each dispute involved unique issues, some elements are common to any bid protest. Grounds to Protest? The protestor carries the burden of establishing that the procurement agency’s decision … Read More

Local Hire? So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night . . .

On March 10, less than two months after Mayor Megan Berry imposed requirements implementing Charter Amendment 3, a/k/a Nashville’s local hire law, Governor Haslam signed a bill voiding the amendment.  Accordingly, Metro Nashville believes the measure is dead, interpreting the bill to prohibit Metro from implementing Charter Amendment 3 and the rules and regulations imposed by Mayor Barry earlier this year.  … Read More

It’s Baaack: Local Hire Amendment Requirements Imposed

On October 7, 2015, I wrote about the potential death knell for Nashville’s local hiring law.  At the time, Herbert Slatery, Tennessee Attorney General, issued a formal opinion in which he found the charter amendment violated Tennessee contractor licensing laws.  Additionally, Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) filed a bill seeking to invalidate the measure.  Based on these developments, I anticipated the local hiring law … Read More

The Gatlinburg Wastewater Treatment Plant Failure

Many people in the construction industry in Tennessee, and throughout the U.S., heard about the tragedy that occurred in April 2011 at the Gatlinburg Wastewater Treatment Plant (“Gatlinburg WWTP”) in East Tennessee. However, the way in which the failure occurred should be a clear example for designers and contractors when making changes in the field that can impact the structural integrity … Read More

Death Knell for Local Hiring Law?

Last week, Mayor Barry delayed implementation of Nashville new local hiring law citing concerns from labor and industry groups.  Following on the heels of the Mayor’s announcement, Herbert Slatery, Tennessee Attorney General, issued a formal opinion and found the local-hire amendment violated Tennessee’s contractors licensing laws.  The AG determined the Tennessee Contractors Licensing Act of 1994 prohibited counties and municipalities from … Read More

A Record Breaking Year for Construction in Nashville

Record Breaking Year for Construction in Nashville Great news for the construction industry in Nashville, Tennessee as construction activity continues to boom.  Metro Nashville issued just over $2.4 billion in building permits during its recently ended 2014-2015 fiscal year.