SAN ANTONIO — The University of Texas System has selected Dallas-based HKS and San Antonio-based Overland Park Partners to design Phase I of the new Competitive Athletics Complex at the University of Texas – San Antonio (UTSA). The $22 million phase will include a 1,000-seat soccer stadium, a 5,000-seat track and field stadium, and the initial infrastructure needed for the complex. The entire project is expected to cost $84 million and will be located on 60 acres at Kyle Seale Parkway and North Loop 1604 on UTSA's Main Campus. The university expects the complex to be open by 2012.
WILMINGTON, DEL. — Construction has commenced for the new Delaware Children's Museum. Located in Wilmington at the former waterfront home of the Kahunaville restaurant and bar, the project will consist of the 37,000-square-foot renovation of the building. The façade will be redesigned and Kahunaville's famed volcano will be removed. The interior of the facility will include several high-tech, hands-on exhibits for children. The completion date was not disclosed. Emory Hill & Co. is the project's general contractor.
BYRON, NORMAL AND AURORA, ILL. — Turner Construction Co. has completed three school projects in Illinois. The first project was Byron Community School, a $21.5 million project that consisted of the construction of a 125,000-square-foot middle school in Byron. The school can accommodate 500 students and features a 550-seat auditorium. The second project was the renovation of Sugar Creek Elementary School in Normal. The project included the installation of a new geothermal mechanical system, and interior renovations to classrooms, administrative areas and the kitchen. The final project was the completion of Phase I construction for Metea Valley High School in Aurora. Upon completion in 2011, the $124 million project will consist of a 462,000-square-foot building serving 3,000 students.
CHICAGO — Baum Realty Group has negotiated a 12,400-square-foot lease on behalf of nonprofit group Open Books for its Chicago flagship bookstore and literacy community center. The center will be located at 213 W. Institute Place and Open Books will take occupancy this fall. The new space will have a 5,192-square-foot bookstore on the ground floor and 7,208 square feet for offices and classrooms on the second floor. Andrew Watson, Marc Imrem and Jordan Shtulman of Baum represented Open Books in lease negotiations.
CAPE CORAL, FLA. — J.L. Wallace has finished work on Cape Christian Fellowship’s 22,000-square-foot educational building. Designed by Titsch & Associates, the property is located at 2110 Chiquita Blvd. in Cape Coral. The building encompasses two public assembly rooms, administrative offices and 14 classrooms.
ST. LOUIS — Construction is complete for the new Early Childhood Development & Parenting Education Center at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis. The $17 million project is located at 10 N. Compton Ave. It totals 47,885 square feet and houses children from newborn through pre-kindergarten, as well as the university's Early Childhood Education Department — both of which are housed in separate wings of the building. Amenities include an outdoor playground and courtyard, a parents library and education room, a multipurpose room with a full kitchen, a student computer lounge, a large lecture hall and smart board technology in each classroom. The project is seeking LEED-Silver certification, with sustainable features including energy-efficient mechanical systems, pervious pavement and play surfaces, a rain garden and recycled rubber for playground surfaces. The project architect was KAI Design + Build. Locally based Kwame Building Group served as construction manager and owner's representative, with Arnold, Mo.-based Kozeny-Wagner serving as general contractor.
PLANO, TEXAS — Cadence McShane Construction Co. has been selected for an 84,299-square-foot expansion and renovation project at Plano East Senior High School in Plano. The project includes the construction of a new two-story, 54,194-square-foot science wing that will feature 16 labs, one prep room, one chemical storage room and a modern lab safety system. In addition, Cadence McShane will be renovating 29,324 square feet, comprising the school's cafeteria, kitchen, culinary arts space and administrative areas. Completion is slated for August 2010. WRA Architects is providing design services. Plano East Senior High is situated at 3000 Los Rios Blvd. and currently totals 471,538 square feet.
LAS VEGAS — CORE Construction – Nevada has completed the 333,654-square-foot Sunrise Mountain High School. The $77 million property is located on 47 acres at 2575 N. Los Feliz St. in Las Vegas. Sunrise includes an indoor gym, activity fields and tennis and basketball courts. Tate Snyder Kimsey of Las Vegas designed the project.
BROOKLYN PARK, MINN. — RJM Construction is currently renovating Prairie Seeds Academy, a K-12 school located at the intersection of 62nd Avenue and West Broadway in Brooklyn Park. The $8.1 million project includes a 30,000-square-foot remodel and a 55,000-square-foot addition to the school. The addition will include a gymnasium, an auditorium, science classrooms, a media center, a music room, a central atrium and administrative offices. Completion is scheduled for March 2010.
SAN ANTONIO — The grand opening has been held for the new Performing Arts Center at San Antonio’s Palo Alto College. The $20.4 million project consisted of a 46,243 square foot building that contains a 400-seat theater, a dance studio, a recording studio, a recital hall, a computer lab, drama and speech classrooms, and a scene shop. The project is part of a $450 million expansion of the campus that was approved in 2005.