Industry News

Christian Hospital Northwest, part of St. Louis-based BJC Healthcare, is planning to construct a $16.8-million emergency care and outpatient diagnostic center in St. Louis. Part of a complete campus renovation, the 40,000-sf facility will house a 24-hour emergency department, a breathing center, a sleep disorders center, radiology, labs, primary care physician offices, and a community education and resource center. The ability to double in size to meet rising demand will be built into the design.

Saint Louis University will raise $45-million to build a new university arena in Midtown St. Louis. Hosting basketball games, commencement, cultural events, conferences and conventions, the proposed 12,000- to 13,000-seat area will also provide a venue for entertainment, sporting competitions and other events.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has selected architectural firm Designform Inc. of Birmingham as lead designer for a 40,000-sf office facility and a 1,200-car parking structure to be built at the western campus entrance. The office facility, housing labs, classrooms, administrative offices, and the visitor's center, will feature a concave glass wall.

Kennedy Health System opened its new 26,000-sf Kennedy Memorial Hospital emergency department in Turnersville, N.J., on February 27, 2003. Housed in a new three-story, 90,000-sf facility, the $23-million emergency department nearly quadruples the size of the previous department. Featuring 29 treatment rooms, the facility has two centers of patient treatment: one for trauma and acute care and another for less acute conditions.

The U.S. Department of State's Overseas Buildings Operations Bureau awarded San Antonio-based The H.B. Zachry Co. the $50.6-million contract to design and build the new United States Embassy in Cambodia. Sited in Phnom Penh, the 128,000-sf compound is expected to begin construction in June 2003 and reach completion in January 2006. The H.B. Zachary Co., which participated in the design and construction of the U.S.