Industry News

Lawrence Livermore Laboratory has received approval from the federal government to build a laboratory for the study of potential biological weapons in Livermore, Calif. Rated Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3), the lab will enable research in the detection of potential threats including anthrax, botulism, and other diseases. In planning the facility, the National Nuclear Security Administration reviewed 92 public comments and, as a result, incorporated 33 changes to the planned facility.

The City of Poway broke ground on a 5,900-sf council chamber building and a two-story 50,400-sf City Hall office building in October 2002. The $14.6-million project was designed by McGraw/Baldwin Architects. Douglas E. Barnhart Inc. is providing construction management services.

Mykrolis, formerly Millipore Microelectronics Inc., is relocating its headquarters to 180,000 sf in Billerica. The semiconductor equipment company will finish moving its 250 Massachusetts employees into the building by March 2003. Mykrolis, now an independent entity, is relocating from the Bedford office of its former parent company, Millipore Corp. Mykrolis' new facility was previously a local campus of Brampton, Ontario-based Nortel Networks Ltd.

John Muir/Diablo Primary Care Medical Group will occupy 10,000 sf at San Ramon's Bishop Ranch 9 business park. Initially housing x-ray, laboratory, and pediatric functions, the facility will also open an urgent care facility in spring of 2003. John Muir/Mt. Diablo Health System is the first medical tenant in the park, where it plans to expand in the future.

The Greater Richmond Convention Center, originally built to 167,000 sf in 1986, is undergoing a $165-million renovation and expansion that will enlarge the facility to almost 700,000 sf. Slated to open in February 2003, the Richmond, Va., center will house 32 meeting rooms totaling 50,000 sf; 180,000 sf of exhibition space; a 258-seat auditorium; a 30,000-sf ballroom; and a 250-seat food court.