Miami building contracts up 47 percent

Contracts for future construction in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach metropolitan area are up 47 percent for the year to date, compared to the period in 2011, according to a report from McGraw-Hill Construction. That number is boosted by residential contracts, which have surged 94 percent in the same period. Nonresidential construction contracts have increased by 19 percent for the year. Nonresidential buildings include commercial, manufacturing, hotel and other buildings. Residential buildings include single-family homes and apartments. – Alexander Britell