McGraw-Hill Construction reported that new construction starts increased 7% in July at a seasonally adjusted rate of $411.2 billion. Nonresidential building grew 3% to $160.0 billion, with the office category  jumping 130% as a result of the $1.3 billion World Trade Center Tower 3 in lower Manhattan NY. Eduacational building category held steady in July and healthcare gained 3% with the start of four large hospital projects located in Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia.

At the same time, residential building fell 3% in July to $112.9 billion, with single family housing receding 2% and multifamily housing dropped 8%. The South Central region was down one percent in the first seven months of this year.