VALDOSTA, GA. — Skanska USA Building has broken ground on a new 122,141-square-foot student union center, located at the intersection of Baytree Road and North Oak Street on the campus of Valdosta State University. The $43.2 million project includes construction of the three-story building and demolition of existing structures. The property is being designed by Ellis, Ricket and Associates and will house a theater, bookstore, dining room, kitchens, offices and a multipurpose room. Delivery is scheduled for December 2009, and the facility will open in January 2010.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. — Rendina Cos. has broken ground on its three-building, 100,000-square-foot University Centre development, located at the intersection of U.S. 441 and Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. South University has signed a 10-year lease for the 40,000-square-foot first building and 30,000 square feet of space in the second property. The university will occupy the site in fourth quarter 2009, taking advantage of the building’s amenities, which include large lab space, lecture halls, a library and seminar rooms.
NEW YORK CITY — Construction is complete for the $49 million expansion of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum located in Brooklyn, New York City. The two-story expansion contains new exhibits, a new café, a new gift ship, a coat check and additional restrooms. The project has also been LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council; sustainable elements include flooring and display cases made from recycled content; a geothermal heating and cooling system, photovoltaic panels and waterless urinals. The 51,000-square-foot expansion constitutes a doubling in size of the current museum. The project was designed by Rafael Viñoly. In addition to the $48 million provided by the city of New York and the $1 million provided by the state of New York, the museum raised a total of $19.5 million for new exhibits, programs and endowments, as well as $11.5 million for future phases of its master plan. Founded in 1899, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum was the world’s first museum created specifically for children.
WAYNE, N.J. — Groundbreaking has occurred for the expansion and modernization of William Paterson University’s Science Hall in Wayne. Construction at the 141,800-square-foot facility will include an approximately 67,600-square-foot addition, as well as the modernization of labs, classrooms, assembly spaces, administrative offices, and core facilities. The building’s infrastructure will also be enhanced. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2011. The project is being designed by the New York office of HOK.
WINCHESTER, VA. — Cowperwood Co. and KMD Architects’ development of a $28 million,165,000-square-foot facility in Winchester for the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been completed and is fully operational. The property is LEED certified and features a green roof to absorb rain water and a 10-foot wall made from local boulders. The building includes office and warehouse space and an emergency command center.
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis-based KWAME Building Group has been selected as construction manager and owner’s representative for the St. Louis Community College’s new William J. Harrison Northside Education Center, which will be located in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood of St. Louis. The 30,000-square-foot building, which will include classroom facilities, will be constructed to achieve LEED Certification. Construction of the two-story building is expected to begin in winter 2009, with completion slated for 2010. St. Louis-based KAI Design & Build is acting as architect for the $10 million project.
HENDERSON, NEV. — CORE Construction—Nevada has completed the construction of Nevada State College’s first permanent facility. Located at 1021 E. Paradise Hills Dr., the two-story, 42,000-square-foot building features laboratories and multiple classrooms. Originally planned as the school’s liberal arts building, the facility will now serve as a general education and student services building. CORE was contracted by Nevada State Public Works Board to construct the $13.3 million project. Carpenter Sellers Architects was the architect of record for the project.
RAVENNA, OHIO — Ohio-based Hoty Builders LLC has completed construction of an office building located at 444 Enterprise Parkway in Ravenna. The 5,800-square-foot building was completed for Ravenna S.S.A LLC, and will house the Social Security Administration. The estimated cost of completion was not disclosed.
O’FALLON, ILL. — Swansea, Ill.-based Holland Construction Services has completed Central School District #104’s new middle school, which is located at 160 St. Ellen Mine Rd. in O’Fallon. This fall, students will begin attending classes at the 35,888-square-foot Joseph Arthur Middle School. The new facility will relieve overcrowding throughout the district, while adding approximately 20 acres of green space and athletic fields. Wm. B. Ittner Inc. of St. Louis acted as designer for the $6.5 million project.
SAN MATEO, CALIF. — McCarthy Building Companies Inc., LPA Inc. and Kwan Henmi Architecture/Planning Inc. will break ground for the construction of a 230,000-square-foot project at the College of San Mateo in October. The $142.5 million project encompasses a 140,000-square-foot Student Services and Faculty Administration Building, a 90,000-square-foot Health and Wellness building and campus-wide improvements. Designed by Kwan Henmi, the Allied Health and Wellness center will feature a wellness center on the first floor, a fitness center and cosmetology program on the second floor, and nursing and dental programs on the third floor. Completion is slated for early 2010. The four-story Student Services and Faculty Administration Building, designed by LPA, will feature administrative offices, a dining area, a kitchen, a campus bookstore, an Extended Opportunity Programs and Services office, a student services office and a financial aid office. Completion is expected in 2011. The site work improvements, which will begin in 2009, include landscaping, hardscaping, fountains, a complete upgrade to the campus’ existing 12KV electrical infrastructure, site utilities, roadway and parking area resurfacing, and a new chemical-free treated chiller plant. The site work improvements are slated for completion in 2010. Additionally, the project is seeking LEED Silver certification.