Industry News

Rockhurst University is building a $6-million, 16-acre Loyola Park athletic complex featuring a baseball stadium, six tennis courts, a soccer field, and jogging paths. The tennis facilities could open by fall 2003, with baseball practice beginning in spring 2004 and soccer in fall 2004. Rockhurst University recently received a $2.3-million gift from Tom and Jean McDonnell to help complete the project.

AmSouth Bancorp is nearing completion of its $139-million operations center in Riverchase, Ala. Expected to open in April 2003, the four-story, 450,000-sf facility will house the bank's check and computer processing headquarters. The facility, part of a 49-acre campus, will house 1,500 employees including those consolidated from a leased operations center in North Birmingham and office space in Riverchase Galleria Tower. General contractor Brasfield & Gorrie LLC began construction on the facility in 2001.  

Johnson & Wales University broke ground on February 11 on its $82-million academic center and residence halls. The five-story, 145,000-sf facility, designed by LS3P Associates, is located in Charlotte's Gateway Village. Slated to open in fall 2004, the Charlotte campus will offer Business, Culinary Arts & Hospitality associated and bachelor's degree programs. The first floor and mezzanine levels will contain a chocolate laboratory and four bakeshops.

Cox Radio is consolidating the operations of its five Jacksonville radio stations into a single 28,000-sf facility in Southside Jacksonville. Construction of the facility is expected to begin in early March 2003 with occupancy slated for September. The project will cost $2-million to build, for a total occupancy cost of approximately $3.4-million.

DynCorp, the EPA's new technology contractor, has leased 68,000 sf in Highwoods Properties' Research Commons development in Research Triangle Park.