ALLEN, TEXAS — A joint venture between Global Entertainment Corp., The MGHerring Group and the city of Allen has broken ground for the development of the Allen Event Center, a $50 million entertainment and event center located in Allen. The facility will feature 6,275 fixed seats and 26 luxury suites, with an ultimate capacity of 8,500 seats. The project is scheduled for completion in October 2009.
CHICAGO — Jones Lang LaSalle, in partnership with TR Advisors, has been selected to manage certain real estate holdings for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which is the second largest transportation system in the United States. While serving as CTA’s real estate broker, Jones Lang LaSalle will be responsible for securing concessions at CTA stations and increasing efforts to establish transit-oriented development across the CTA system. This is the first time the CTA has outsourced management of its real estate portfolio. Kurt Little and Lorna Moritz are leading the Jones Land LaSalle team.
HOLLYWOOD, FLA. — Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Stiles Construction recently completed a three-phase, 151,341-square-foot oceanfront redevelopment project for the City of Hollywood, located at Garfield Street midway between Hollywood Boulevard and Sheridan Street. The project includes a 148,000-square foot parking garage and the 3,341-square-foot Garfield Community Center. An additional part of the development, Charnow Park, features four beachfront pavilions and an interactive fountain.
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis-based KWAME Building Group has been named program management consultant for the Airport Experience Program, a renovations campaign at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Over a 5-year period, the airport’s terminal, concourse and passenger support facilities will undergo renovations. Restoration of the airport’s domed ceilings will begin in mid-July; additionally, replacement of the interior baggage system and a $1.5 million roadway signage program will begin in early 2009. One of the first projects will be a $5 million renovation of the inbound baggage handling systems and six carousels, which is expected to be complete in the spring of 2009. The program also includes renovation of the main terminal and concourses A, B and C.
RINDGE, N.H. — Bedford, N.H.-based Eckman Construction has completed the new Attilio and Beverly Petrocelli Hall at Franklin Pierce College in Rindge. The $4.3 million project consisted of the construction of a 23,000-square-foot facility, which will house the college’s arts, humanities and social sciences programs. Petrocelli Hall contains classrooms, a computer lab, design studios, a darkroom, a conference room and faculty offices. It will be open in time for the start of the fall semester.
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis-based KAI Design & Build has completed a 10,000-square-foot addition to the Mount Grace Convent located at 1438 E. Warne Ave. in St. Louis. The $2.8 million project included demolition of the existing rectory and two adjacent residences, as well as construction of a two-story addition, garage and 65-space parking lot. A kitchen, three bedrooms for visitors and guests, eight bedrooms for the sisters, and a basement were completed for the project. The convent is home to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, who are known as the Pink Sisters because of their unique rose-colored habits.
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis-based KWAME Building Group has been named construction manager and owner representative for Harris-Stowe State University’s $17 million Early Childhood Development and Parenting Education Center in St. Louis. The two-story, 47,000-square-foot facility will include a new childcare center and academic learning facility. Construction on the project began in June, with completion slated for 2009. KAI is providing architectural services; Kozeny-Wagner Inc. is acting as general contractor for the project.
POMONA, N.J. — Construction is underway for a new 153,000-square-foot campus center at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, located in Pomona. The new facility is part of the college’s 10-year master plan, and will be built in anticipation of LEED-Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Sustainable features will include use of the campus’ existing geothermal wellfield for heating and cooling, a roof that will collect stormwater for irrigation, and a digital building management system that will promote energy efficiency. Upon completion, the campus center will feature a food service market, a coffeehouse, a venue for large events, meeting rooms, a bookstore, lounge spaces and offices. Princeton, N.J.-based KSS Architects is serving as project architect, with Charlottesville, Va.-based VMDO Architects serving as associate architect. Completion is scheduled for early 2011.
DEERFIELD, ILL. — Krusinski Construction Co. has received a $12.2 million contract to develop the first phase of a new synagogue for Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim located at 1201 Lake Cook Rd. in Deerfield. The three-building development, which will be constructed in two phases, is situated on the site of an existing office complex. Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim is relocating from its current facility in Glenview, Ill. As part of the 46,000-square-foot first phase, two existing buildings will be partially demolished and replaced with a 600-seat sanctuary, a social hall that can hold up to 1,000 people, a village center, offices, and five pre-school classrooms with an outdoor playground. Phase II will include a 21,500-square-foot educational wing for the congregation’s religious school and adult education classes. The start date for Phase II has not been determined. Jerry Krusinski and Michael Metz of Krusinski Construction Co. are the project executives. Graham Harwood of Owner Services Group is representing the owner during construction.
KELLER, TEXAS — Sperry Van Ness (SVN) has brokered the sale of a church and 9.78 acres of land to the Forth Worth Catholic Diocese for $2.4 million. The church, which is located at 2040 and 2050 Willis Lane in Keller, consists of a one-building complex that totals 21,000 square feet. It is currently leased to Milestone Church. Heather Konopka of Hurst, Texas-based SVN/Konopka & Co. represented the seller, North Richland Hills, Texas-based Life Church. The buyer was represented by J.C. Burciaga of JCB Unlimited.