Tuesday, March 3, 2026
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CivicDevelopmentIllinoisMidwest

Brookfield Zoo Chicago Unveils $500M Renovation Plan

by Kristin Harlow

CHICAGO — Brookfield Zoo Chicago has unveiled its “Next Century Plan” that will reshape more than 100 acres, representing nearly half of the zoo’s existing property. The zoo has outlined a 15-year campus plan in four phases, with further improvements projected over 30 years. Plans call for new, immersive experiences with the preservation of historical structures and includes nearly all existing zoo areas. The zoo also plans to expand its current property westward. The investment is expected to reach $500 million from public and private funding. The first phase of the project is underway and includes completed projects such as the $10 million renovation of the Seven Seas dolphin habitat, reimagining of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fountain, new animal habitats within the Hamill Family Nature Plaza and the opening of the Philip W. K. Sweet Jr. Animal Care and Conservation Center. Culminating the end of Phase I is Tropical Forests, a $66 million project underway that creates four new outdoor habitats crafted to emulate the natural homes of gorillas, orangutans and monkeys. Tropical Forests, set to open in 2025, also includes a new Gorilla Conservation Center. Architectural and planning teams for the project include Booth Hansen, Jones & Jones Architects …

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CivicDevelopmentTexas

AP Construction Completes 158,250 SF Civic Project in Amarillo

by Taylor Williams

AMARILLO, TEXAS — Adolfson & Peterson (AP) Construction has completed the Potter County District Courts Building, a 158,250-square-foot civic project in Amarillo. Designed by HOK Group Inc., the new building houses courtrooms, a jury assembly area and county offices, as well as courtroom in-custody holding and records storage spaces. Additional security enhancements include a separate sheriff’s access area with a vehicle sally port, as well as separate access points for judges and other elected officials. Construction began in March 2021.

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Sunset-Amphitheater-El-Paso
CivicDevelopmentRetailTexas

El Paso City Council Approves $80M Concert Venue, Partners With Operator

by Taylor Williams

EL PASO, TEXAS ­— The El Paso City Council has approved a proposal to develop an $80 million concert venue and has formed a public-private partnership with the operator, Colorado-based hospitality firm Venu (formerly known as Notes Live). The site spans 17 acres of city-owned land and will anchor the Cohen Entertainment District on the city’s northeast side. The venue will be known as Sunset Amphitheater and will have a seating capacity of 12,500. The City of El Paso is providing $30.6 million in performance-based incentives under the terms of the partnership deal. Construction is set to begin this fall and to be complete in 2026. Venu is also planning to open a $220 million concert venue in the northern Dallas suburb of McKinney.

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CivicDevelopmentMidwestMinnesota

Kraus-Anderson Begins $40.2M Middle School Renovation Project in St. Paul, Minnesota

by Kristin Harlow

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Kraus-Anderson has begun an extensive renovation project for St. Paul Public Schools at Hidden River Middle School and Wilson School, which will serve as a temporary location for the school community while Hidden River is remodeled. The combined construction cost of both projects is $40.2 million. Designed by DLR Group, the 98,491-square-foot project will feature a full interior remodel for Hidden River, including new mechanical and electrical systems. A 3,600-square-foot addition will create a new main entrance at the northeast corner of the building, and a 7,200-square-foot addition will expand the kitchen, loading dock and mechanical room. Completion is slated for fall 2025.

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CivicDevelopmentTexas

Tellepsen Construction Underway on 17,450 SF Academic Project at Houston’s San Jacinto College

by Taylor Williams

HOUSTON — General contractor Tellepsen Construction is underway on the Center for Biotechnology, a 17,450-square-foot academic project on the campus of San Jacinto College in Houston. Designed by Pfluger Architects, the facility is a laboratory suite with an entry lobby fitted with lockers, a breakroom and workroom for students and staff. Completion is slated for May 2025.

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Armstrong-Center-CCU-Lakewood-CO
CivicColoradoDevelopmentWestern

Colorado Christian University Nears Completion of $170M Expansion Project in Lakewood, Colorado

by Amy Works

LAKEWOOD, COLO. — Colorado Christian University (CCU) is nearly the completion of $170 million of new facility construction at the Lakewood campus, just west of Denver. The facilities include Leprino Hall, an academic building; Yetter and Rockmont Halls, apartment-style residence halls; Anschutz Student Center; and the soon-to-be-completed Armstrong Center. The 60,000-square-foot Armstrong Center will enable the school of music to return to CCU’s main campus, expand the library, offer a 500-seat performance theater and provide the university with its first dedicated chapel. Additionally, CCU is investing $45 million for a new science and engineering building and athletic facilities.

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Affordable HousingCivicDevelopmentGeorgiaMultifamilySoutheast

Atlanta BeltLine, Invest Atlanta Approve $172M Budget for Affordable Housing and Trail Construction

by John Nelson

ATLANTA — The board of directors of Atlanta BeltLine Inc. and Invest Atlanta have approved the Atlanta BeltLine budget for the 2025 fiscal year. Totaling $172 million and marking a 12 percent increase over the 2024 budget, the funding will be directed toward the goal set in 2005 of developing 5,600 units of affordable housing by 2030, as well as acquiring land for the completion of trail construction on the planned 22-mile corridor by the end of 2030. Funding sources for the budget include $69 million from the tax-allocation district (TAD); $49 million from donations; $32 million from the BeltLine special service district (SSD); and $20 million from federal grants. “This is a historic and exciting time for Atlanta BeltLine as we get closer to completing the trail while meeting important goals,” says Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine Inc. “Supported by our new budget, we will exceed our goals for affordable housing, accelerate the pace for trail work and invest in more economic opportunities for all.” The new funding will help The BeltLine to develop more affordable housing than originally set out by the 2005 BeltLine Redevelopment Plan, which is notable since development costs have risen significantly …

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CivicDevelopmentSoutheastVirginia

Hoar Construction Breaks Ground on 25,000 SF Recreation Center at George Mason University in Northern Virginia

by John Nelson

FAIRFAX, VA. — Hoar Construction has broken ground on a new, 25,000-square-foot recreation center at George Mason University in Fairfax, roughly 20 miles outside Washington, D.C. Dubbed the Activities Community Wellness Building, the facility will serve as the home of the school’s pep band, as well as host student programming and events. Completion is scheduled for spring 2025. The building will feature a full-size NCAA basketball court, additional courts for basketball and volleyball games, yoga and exercise class space, conference rooms, storage and office suites. Powers Brown Architecture is the project architect, and IMEG Corp. is serving as the civil engineer.

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UMass-Chan-Medical-School-Worcester
CivicDevelopmentMassachusettsNortheast

UMass Completes $350M Academic Project at Chan Medical School in Worcester

by Taylor Williams

WORCESTER, MASS. — The University of Massachusetts (UMass) has completed a $350 million academic project at Chan Medical School at the university’s Worcester campus. The building encompasses 350,000 square feet of lab, educational, research and administrative space across nine floors that will be used to support the work of all three graduate schools on campus. Shawmut Design & Construction provided general contracting and construction management services for the project. ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge designed the facility in collaboration with ZGF Architects.

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CivicDevelopmentTexas

Satterfield & Pontikes Breaks Ground on 84,200 SF Elementary School in Elgin, Texas

by Taylor Williams

ELGIN, TEXAS — General contractor Satterfield & Pontikes has broken ground on an 84,200-square-foot academic project for the Independent School District of Elgin, an eastern suburb of Austin. Designed by Pfluger Architects, Trinity Ranch Elementary will feature an above-average-sized gym, enhanced security measures, an interior courtyard and a media center. The school will be able to accommodate up to 850 students and is expected to be complete in time for the fall 2025 semester.

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