Civic

MILWAUKEE — Marquette University and Opus North Corp. have broken ground for the development of the five-story, 115,000-square-foot Discovery Learning Complex. Located along Wisconsin Avenue between 16th and 17th streets in Milwaukee, the $35 million facility will feature a Discovery Learning Laboratory, a two-story engineering materials and structural testing laboratory, teaching and research laboratories, common areas and office space. The building is the first phase of a $100 million, 250,000-square-foot complex. Completion is slated for August 2011. Opus North is the design-builder, along with Opus Architects & Engineers as the designer and architect of record. Hammel Green & Abrahamson also provided design services.

CHICAGO — Leopardo, serving as general contractor, is constructing the $3.9 million Valley Forge Park and Field House in Chicago. Located at 7001 W. 59th St., the 10,244-square-foot field house will feature a half-court gymnasium, fitness and clubrooms, locker rooms, a pantry, and a reception and administrative office. Additionally, the project includes a new play lot and improvements to the existing baseball field. Seeking LEED Silver certification, the project will feature geothermal systems for heating and cooling, rainwater harvesting and a pre-vegetated modular green roofing system. Booth Hansen is providing architectural services for the project, which is scheduled for completion in September.

CHICAGO — Leopardo, serving as general contractor, has broken ground for the construction of West Humboldt Park Branch Library, which is located at 733 N. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago. Designed by Lohan Anderson, the $6.4 million, 14,800-square-foot project will offer community meeting space with computers and Internet access. Seeking LEED Silver certification, the library features geothermal systems for heating and cooling and a pre-vegetated modular green roofing system. Completion is slated for December.

BERKELEY, MO. — The City of Berkeley has selected St. Louis-based Kwame Building Group to construct the new Berkeley Municipal Complex in Berkeley. The company is overseeing the design and construction of a two-story, 29,500-square-foot city hall and a 17,200-square-foot fire station, as well as the renovation of an existing police station. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in spring 2011. St. Louis-based ArchImage is providing architectural services for the project.