BEMIDJI, MINN. — Minneapolis-based Kraus-Anderson Construction Co. has been selected by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to complete a building addition and renovation at Bemidji State University, which is located in Bemidji. The 26,000-square-foot addition and renovation at Sattgast Hall will include new labs, classrooms and offices, as well as new science, healthcare and technology facilities. The $6.9 million science building addition is slated for completion in early 2010. Kraus-Anderson previously worked with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to build the new Allied Center for Health Nursing School, which will utilize lab space at Sattgast Hall. The building is being constructed to exceed the Minnesota Energy Code.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Dallas office of Walton Construction Co. has been selected the build the new Main Instructional and Public Square Buildings for the Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired in Austin. New construction will consist of five buildings totaling more than 118,360 square feet. It will include a two-story main instructional building, a natatorium, a student activity center, a kitchen and dining facility, and a fine arts auditorium. Construction began in December and is expected to be complete in December 2010. The owner is Texas Facilities Commission, and the project architect is Halff Associates.
CHILLICOTHE, MO. — KAI Design & Build, DLR Group, and JE Dunn Construction have completed the Chillicothe Correctional Center located at 3151 Litton Rd. in Chillicothe. The $120 million prison, which has replaced an outdated facility constructed in 1887, provides expanded services to female offenders in substance abuse treatment, academic education and re-entry services. The 430,000-square-foot facility includes five butterfly-shaped housing units with a total capacity of 1,636 inmates. Future plans call for an additional housing unit to be constructed at the site. Components at the prison include a beauty shop, a religious center, a library, a bakery, a cosmetology lab, a gymnasium and a greenhouse. More than 400 security cameras were installed throughout the campus, which was completed in less than 2 years. St. Louis-based KAI Design & Build provided design services for the central plant, which houses the campus’ mechanical systems; the administrative segregation and mental health building; the reception and diagnostic center with the medical wing; the central services building, which houses the facility’s education, recreational and industrial training areas; and the greenhouse. DLR Group provided design and engineering services for the administration building, the housing units and the central utility loop. JE Dunn served as construction …
ANN ARBOR, MICH. — University of Michigan’s Board of Regents has approved the $108 million purchase of pharmaceutical firm Pfizer Inc.’s Ann Arbor property. Situated adjacent to the University’s North Campus, the 174-acre site includes approximately 2 million square feet of laboratory and administrative space in 30 buildings. While the specific uses for each building will be set throughout the next year, the property will be used for the university’s research activities in health, biomedical sciences and other disciplines. As a result of the expansion, the university has anticipated the need to hire 2,000 researchers and staff members during the next 10 years. The majority of funding for the acquisition is coming from the university’s health reserves, with the institutions investment proceeds funding the remainder of the purchase. The university plans to close on the Pfizer property in June following successful due diligence and compliance with any state and regulatory requirements.
GLEN ROSE, TEXAS — Fort Worth, Texas-based Speed Fab-Crete has completed renovations and additions to First United Methodist Church in Glen Rose. Construction included the repair and protection of numerous stained glass windows, as well as the addition of 10 new stained glass windows. The second floor of the sanctuary was removed to create a more spacious area, and the sanctuary’s seating capacity was expanded to 317 people. Another existing building was converted into a fellowship hall with classrooms and restrooms. Finally, building improvements were made, including the replacement of the HVAC system, the replacement of the roof, the enhancement of the buildings audio-visual capabilities and an upgrade to the lighting system. The project architect was Fort Worth-based Callahan & Freeman Architects. First United Methodist Church was first constructed in 1885. The existing sanctuary was built in 1916.
SAN MARCOS, CALIF. — Ledcor Construction Inc. has completed the construction for Windy Point Corporate Center, a 466,918-square-foot campus located at 750 Windy Way in San Marcos. The building will serve as the sports medicine school for Saint Augustine University. The campus comprises two two-story buildings totaling 68,000 square feet. The project is owned by Windy Point Partners LP. Project partners include McArdle Associates Architects, KLT Consulting Structural Engineers, D.A. Whitacre Construction, San Diego Air Conditioning, William Rogers Drywall, A&M Reinforcing Specialists Inc., Qualltech Concrete Inc., Pacific Coast Iron, Bergelectric Corp. and Vision Systems Inc.
NEW YORK CITY — Rochester, N.Y.-based The Pike Company and Fairfax, Va.-based Dewberry have partnered to provide design and construction services for a $56 million project at Fort Hamilton Armed Forces Reserve Center in Brooklyn, New York City. Construction will consist of a new, 123,000-square-foot Armed Forces Reserve Center; a 3,500-square-foot maintenance training building; and other new facilities, including classrooms and arms rooms. Dewberry will serve as the primary designer for Pike’s design-build team. Dewberry will also provide overall project management and engineering services. Construction will begin this month, and is scheduled to take 30 months to complete. The project is being undertaken as part of the Armed Forces Reserve Centers’ Base Realignment and Closure Report (BRAC).
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. — A student housing fund managed by a partnership between Chicago-based Blue Vista Capital Management and Atlanta-based Place Properties has acquired the Hill Place student housing complex from an undisclosed party for an undisclosed amount. The 288-unit student housing complex in Fayetteville can house 840 students and features a clubhouse equipped with wireless Internet, a game room, a fitness center, tanning beds and two swimming pools.
BROWARD COUNTY, FLA. — Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Moss & Associates has completed construction of four fire-rescue stations in Broward County as part of a $31.7 million program. A fifth station, the Broward County Fire Rescue Station in Pembroke Park, is expected to deliver in January. The completed buildings include the Regional Everglades Fire Rescue Station, the Airport/Seaport and Regional Technical Rescue Station, the Hazardous Materials Fire Rescue Station and the Regional Logistics Warehouse. Designed by PGAL Architects, the properties feature sleeping areas, workshops, office areas and drive-through bays.
NEW YORK CITY — Construction is under way for Green Beginnings Academy & Arts Center, an 8,000-square-foot pre-school located within the Clinton Greens luxury multifamily development at 515 W. 51st St. in Manhattan. The project is being developed by Wonder Works Construction & Development Corp., and marks the developer’s fourth Manhattan pre-school in a little more than 3 years. The project will encompass ground-level and second-floor space within the building. It will be able to accommodate up to 100 students, ages 6 months to 5 years. It will be complete in time for the spring 2009 semester. The project is owned by the Manhattan Jewish Education Network. The project architect is DIA/WRKS.