NEW HAVEN, CONN. — New Haven Mayor John SeStefano, Jr. has announced the formation of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of New Haven. The new EDC will operate to attract new businesses to the area and help maintain existing companies. In addition, the EDC will work to ensure that New Haven is well positioned for future growth and long-term prosperity. Michele Whelley has been appointed the CEO. She comes to New Haven with more than 20 years of experience in economic development in both the private and public sectors.
Civic
CARROLLTON, GA. — Atlanta-based Carter will develop a $26 million athletic complex for The University of West Georgia on a 200-acre site in Carrollton, Ga. The complex will feature a 9,000-seat football stadium, fitness facility, golf driving range, tennis courts and softball/baseball fields, as well as house athletic-administration offices and academic classrooms. The project is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009.
CHICO, CALIF. — Sundt Construction Inc. is currently constructing a $43 million student-housing/dining facility at Chico State University in Chico. Located on Legion Avenue, the three-story, 111,000-square-foot building will provide living space for 229 students in a dormitory cluster format. Designed by AC Martin, the building also features student recreation and administrative space and a 24,951-square-foot dining facility on the ground floor.
ATLANTA — Forest Park/Fort Gillem Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) have selected Cousins Properties, LNR Property Corporation’s Commercial Property Group and The Benham Cos. as the team for the $750 million redevelopment of Fort Gillem. Approximately, 1,200-acres of the military base will be redeveloped over 10 to 15 years to include 717 single-family and multifamily residences; 435,000 square feet of retail space; more than 1 million square feet of office space; more than 8.2 million square feet of light manufacturing and warehouse distribution space; and more than 200 acres of green space. At completion the project will add 25 to 30 percent more land to the city of Forest Park, Ga., and approximately $243 million in new real property taxes to the area. The project is expected to generate 4,700 new construction jobs and 17,642 permanent jobs.
HOUSTON — Cadence McShane has completed construction on the new 97,887-square-foot Pearl Hall Elementary School located at 1504 Ninth St. in Houston. The new Pearl Hall Elementary School, originally opened in 1952, was part of a $300 million bond program for the replacement of five district schools. The completed school includes 47 classrooms for general studies, a gymnasium, cafeteria/auditorium, library, computer laboratory, music room, clinic, meeting rooms and administrative office space. Bay Architects, Inc. provided the architectural services for the project.
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — Sundt Construction has broken ground for the construction of Capital Unity Council’s new $15 million unity center, Capital Unity Center in Sacramento. Located at 1619 North St., the three-story, 32,529-square-foot project is designed to be an interactive learning experience that engages visitors with programs and activities that embrace inclusion, honor California’s diversity and motivate people to play an active role in building unity in their communities. Sundt is serving as general contractor for the project; Sacramento-based Paul Menard Associates and Albuquerque, N.M.-based Studio Southwest Architects are providing architectural services.
SAN DIEGO — San Diego-based Veralliance Properties, through its affiliate DMH Campus Investors, has acquired Neurocrine Biosciences Campus, a two-building campus located at 12780-12790 El Camino Real in San Diego’s Del Mar Heights submarket, for $109 million. The property includes two three-story buildings totaling 220,804 square feet, and a 4.2-acre parcel that is entitled for approximately 93,000 square feet of office space. Additionally, the sale included a 12-year leaseback to Neurocrine Biosciences for the laboratory building at 12780 El Camino Real. The office building is currently available for lease. Neil Fox and Mike Hoeck of Phase 3 Properties represented the seller, Neurocrine, dba Science Park Center LLC, and the buyer in the transaction.
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, ILL. — Swansea, Ill.-based Holland Construction Services has completed construction for Holy Trinity Church & School, an 80,000-square-foot Catholic school and church located on Fountains Parkway in Fairview Heights. The $14 million project constitutes the consolidation of the former Our Lady of Assumption and St. Albert the Great Catholic schools in Fairview Heights, as well as students from the former St. Stephen School in Caseyville, Ill. The facility is made up of a 15,240-square-foot church that seats approximately 1,200 people, a 31,756-square-foot school, and 38,129 square feet that comprises a parish conference room and a gymnasium. Stauder Architecture provided design services for the project, as well as master planning for the eventual expansion of the 19-acre site, which will include playgrounds and athletic fields.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Eagle Mountain Saginaw Independent School District has completed the purchase of 160 acres within the master-planned community of Chapel Hill located in north Fort Worth. The district will use the land to build a new high school, middle school, bus terminal and maintenance facility. The high school and middle school both will be located on 130 acres at the intersection of Bonds Ranch Road and the future extension of Boat Club Road, while the bus terminal and maintenance facility will be located on 30 acres two miles south of Bonds Ranch Road. There is no timetable yet set for the project’s completion.
LOVELAND, COLO. — The Boys & Girls Club of Larimer County and Loveland-based McWhinney are developing a new club facility, which will be located at 2500 E. First St. in southwest Loveland next to New Vision Charter School. The more than $3 million project will offer 20,000 square feet of space that will serve up to 300 children. The facility will feature a gymnasium, two classrooms, a learning center, a computer lab, a kitchen, office and storage space, an open game room, a library, two art rooms, a music room and a teen room. Sinnett Builders is serving as general contractor for the project, which is slated to open in August.