Industry News

Southern Utah University is planning to construct the $20 million Gibson Science Center in Cedar City. The 42,385-sf facility will be built as an addition to the University’s Science Center and will house the departments of biology, chemistry, and nursing. The four-story project will provide 23 laboratories, 34 offices, three classrooms, two animal care rooms, a greenhouse, and a museum. Site work will begin in summer of 2009 with completion slated for July of 2010.

Methodist Stone Oak Hospital opened its new healthcare facility in San Antonio on March 9, 2009. Designed by HOK Architects and constructed by Skanska USA Building, the hospital features 132 private rooms and can expand to accommodate up to 350 beds. Housing surgery, cardiology, oncology, intensive and acute care, and obstetrics, the hospital is accompanied by a 120,000-sf medical office building.

The Canadian parliament is considering legislation that would regulate registration of select agents and promote safety and security. Bill C-11, the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act, would require individuals to obtain clearances for select agent access, with disease agents categorized by threat level. The legislation would also establish handling procedures for each level. For more information, view Bill C-11.

The Canadian government allocated up to $2 billion in its 2009 budget to repair, retrofit, and expand facilities at post-secondary institutions. The funding represents a strategic investment in knowledge infrastructure.

The Integrated Emergency Operations Center opened at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., in March of 2009. Consolidating emergency operations for the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and the Washington Headquarters Service, the facility will support improved joint decision making for emergency preparedness. Battelle provided design and construction services for the project.