Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! We are back after a well-deserved break, let’s build up excitement for fresh opportunities, demolish old mindsets, and cement our path to success. Grab your hard hat—it's time to raise the roof in 2025!

PROJECTS

Project Announcement: $1.5B Tampa International Airport Expansion

Hensel Phelps broke ground back in December 18th on the 600,000-sq-ft expansion, Airside D at Tampa International Airport.  This project is part of the airport's plans to deal with the anticipated 40-per-cent increase in passengers by 2037. The airport currently serves up to 25 million passengers annually and the expansion is expected to help increase to serve 35 million by 2037. The 16-gate Airside D is scheduled to open to passengers in 2028.

• Client: Tampa International Airport (TPA)

• General Contractors: HENSEL PHELPS

• Architect & Engineering: HNTB / Gensler

• Award: Aviation

• Value: $1.5 Billion

• Location: Tampa, Florida

Major Project Announcement: $800M Meta Data Center

Recently announced, Meta is developing a 715,000 sqft data center on a 328-acre site in Davenport, Iowa. The minimum $800 million investment will include the construction of two data halls and is expected to create at least 35 operational jobs. The project is expected to commence construction in the first quarter of 2025, with completion anticipated by the fourth quarter of 2027.

• Client: Meta

• General Contractors: TBD

• Award: Data Center

• Value: $800 million

• Location: Davenport, Iowa

Project Announcement: The $7 Billion "City within a City"

Halo Vista is a $7 billion mixed-use development spanning 2,300 acres in northwest Phoenix, Arizona. Located around the TSMC campus, the project will encompass up to 8,960 residential units, along with commercial districts, cutting-edge industrial facilities, and dynamic retail hubs. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, and will unfold over the next 25 years.

• Developer: Mack Real Estate Group & McCourt Partners

• Sector: Mixed-Use/Technology

• Investment Value: $7 Billion

• Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Project Update: The $4 Billion Switch Citadel Campus

The Switch Citadel campus, is a $4 billion facility currently spanning 7.2 million square feet across 2,000 acres. It is powered entirely by 100% renewable energy, making it one of the greenest data centers globally. Building 1 was completed in 2017, while Building 2 is currently under construction, and site preparation has begun for Building 3. When fully built, the campus will cover over 12 million square feet and provide up to 2 gigawatts of capacity, cementing its position as one of the largest data centers in the world.

• Company: Switch

• General Contractor: Gray

• Electrical Contractor: Helix Electric

• Sector: Data Center/Mission Critical

• Total Value: $4 Billion +

• Location: Reno, Nevada

NEWS

LEED v5: A Step Towards Sustainable Construction

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is set to release LEED v5 in 2025, emphasizing decarbonization and a streamlined credit system to enhance sustainability. This update prioritizes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and waste reduction, aligning with global climate goals and simplifying certification for eco-conscious projects. (USGBC)

LEED v5 reflects the growing demand for sustainable construction, driven by regulatory pressures and client expectations. As sustainability becomes central to construction, LEED v5 provides a framework for innovation in design, materials, and technologies. Embracing this evolution will be essential for stakeholders aiming to align with industry trends and contribute to environmentally responsible development. (LEED Resources)

Recent innovations have led to the development of graphene-enhanced, 3D-printable concrete, which improves strength and reduces carbon emissions by 31%, advancing sustainable construction. (Science Daily)

The US Construction Road in 2025

In 2025, the US construction industry is poised for growth across various sectors. Here’s a snapshot overview:

Residential construction is expected to rebound, with single-family housing starts projected to increase by 13.1% and multi-family starts by 9.5%, driven by stabilizing mortgage rates and demographic shifts. (ConstructConnect)

Nonresidential construction, particularly in manufacturing, healthcare, and data centers, is forecasted to thrive, fueled by public and private sector collaboration. (Ducker Carlisle)

The industry is also anticipated to embrace technological advancements, such as AI and Building Information Modeling (BIM), to enhance efficiency and address labor shortages. (BDO)

Sustainability will remain a key focus, with increased adoption of green building practices to meet evolving client and regulatory expectations. (J.B. Donaldson)

However, challenges persist, including economic uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages, necessitating strategic planning and innovation to navigate the evolving landscape. (UpMetrics)

WORLD

Reef Group Data Center, London, UK

Havering Council (UK) is currently in talks with private sector developer Digital Reef to develop a vast data center campus in the eastern London Borough of Havering. Billed as the “London Data Freeport,” this project is expected to become “Europe’s largest data center,” spanning a 175-hectare site. It would consist of ten 50MW units and five 20MW units, providing a total capacity of 600MW and bringing an estimated investment of £5.3 billion ($5.97bn).

Covering around 330,000 square meters (3.55 million square feet) of new data center floor space, the project proposes a five-year construction phase. It is projected to create roughly 2,370 jobs for local residents in the area. The project was expected to start back in 2023 but due to complications discussions are still ongoing.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

3D Concrete Printing: Revolutionizing Construction in 2025 and Beyond

The global 3D concrete printing market is expected to reach USD 315,409.2 million by 2033, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 57.1% from 2025 to 2033. Imarc Group

Researchers have developed a 3D concrete printing method that captures carbon dioxide, improving printability, increasing strength, and enhancing durability. Science Daily

The world's first 3D-printed hotel is under construction in Texas, showcasing the technology's potential in creating complex architectural designs efficiently. Reuters

These developments indicate that by 2025, 3D concrete printing will play a pivotal role in addressing construction challenges, promoting sustainability, and enabling innovative architectural solutions.

The Developments in 4D Simulation

4D simulation integrates 3D modeling with project timelines, enabling dynamic visualization of construction progress. Studies show it can reduce project delays by up to 55% and cut planning time by 30%. It enhances communication, reduces rework costs by 20%, and improves site safety through proactive planning.

By linking building components to their scheduled phases, it identifies potential conflicts early, avoiding costly overruns. Widely used in large infrastructure projects, 4D simulation supports cost savings of 10-15% and optimizes resource allocation. As digital tools gain traction, 4D simulation is pivotal in boosting efficiency, collaboration, and successful project delivery.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

Your quiz questions for this week:

What is the slope of a roof often called?

A. Pitch // B. Span // C. Rise

What is the “footer” in construction?

A. Decorative trim at door bases // B. The lowest portion of a foundation that spreads load // C. A tool for measuring foot traffic

What is “dry rot”?

A. Decay of wood caused by fungi // B. Shrinkage of concrete // C. Cracking of drywall

What is a “retaining wall” used for?

A. Separate building interiors // B. Support roof loads // C. Hold back soil and prevent erosion

What is a “general contractor” responsible for?

A. Performing only electrical work // B. Only ordering materials // C. Hiring specialized subcontractors and managing overall construction

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY

THIS WEEK’S HOT JOBS

1. Electrical Superintendent, Data Center, Traveling

2. Electrical Project Manager, Data Centers, TX

3. Electrical Project Manager, Healthcare, TX

4. Electrical Superintendent, Manufacturing, Traveling

5. MEP Superintendent, Data Center, Traveling

6. Project Manager, Healthcare, KY

7. MEP Project Manager, Healthcare, KY

8. Mechanical Engineer, Pharmaceutical, NC

9. Estimator, Commercial, TX

10. Project Manager, Data Center, NC

REFLECTION

This week’s question to ask yourself..

What would I do if I knew I couldn’t fail?

🚧Answers

Q1. A. Pitch // Q2. B. The lowest portion of a foundation that spreads load // Q.3 A. Decay of wood caused by fungi // Q.4 C. Hold back soil and prevent erosion // Q5. C. Hiring specialized subcontractors and managing overall construction

How many did you get?

Enjoyed TheJobWalk? Share with friends!