McGraw-Hill Construction Research and Analytics

Construction activity is rebounding in Wilmington, Del., as building and non-building sectors improve. Residential starts are expected to rise sharply; non-residential and non-building are also forecast to strengthen. Solid Gray=Total Construction; Red=Residential Building; Yellow=Non-Residential Building; Dashed Gray=Non-Building

City Grill

CAPODANNO

Ed Capodanno

President

Associated Builders and Contractors Delaware

Capodanno says construction in Wilmington is making modest gains. "It's not a great market, but it's better than it was two or three years ago," he says. Capodanno says that the city's multifamily residential segment is strong, citing new condominium projects and conversions of other existing buildings to residential. Commercial development is limited mostly to retrofits, he says. "We probably won't get back to the levels of activity before the recession," he adds. "We'd be happy to be back to the levels of the early 2000s."

Firms in Focus

Hatzel & Buehler Inc.

2093 Philadelphia Pike,Claymont, Del.

Vice President: John J. Condi

Employees: 200

Founded: 1884

Milestone: Hatzel & Buehler is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year. Established in New York City in 1884, the company is the oldest electrical contractor operating in the United States.