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.
Civic
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.
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.
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.
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 …
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.
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.
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.
MANKATO, MINN. — Kraus-Anderson (KA) has broken ground on renovation projects for three elementary schools in Mankato, a city in southern Minnesota. The projects are part of a $105 million building bond passed by Mankato Area School District voters in November 2023. ISG is the project architect. Construction is slated for completion this fall. A $4 million renovation for Roosevelt Elementary will include an 8,132-square-foot addition to the front entry that expands the administrative offices; two new classrooms that will also serve as storm shelters; a new trash enclosure in the parking lot; and the renovation of four bathrooms. A $1.7 million project at Washington Elementary will feature a 4,262-square-foot addition with a new security vestibule; mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements; and updates to the front office spaces. Bridges Elementary will undergo a $1.1 million renovation to include a 2,373-square-foot addition with a new security vestibule; mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements; and updates to the front office spaces.
ELGIN, TEXAS — General contractor Satterfield & Pontikes is underway on construction of an 84,200-square-foot academic project for the Independent School District of Elgin, an eastern suburb of Austin. Designed by Pfluger Architects, Harvest Ridge 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 2024 semester.