Industry News

The University of Missouri Columbia is building a new 124,000-nsf Life Sciences Center (LSC). Construction began in December of 2001 on the $60-million project which will include a DNA research facility, five teaching/computer labs, a 250-seat auditorium, 50 research labs, technologically advanced classrooms, a greenhouse, and multipurpose equipment rooms. The facility will provide flexible space to maximize interactions and foster interdisciplinary team research.

The City of Chester is engaged in a 63,000-sf renovation of City Hall. The 20-year-old, two-story facility will be updated by A&E Construction with a new, open glass atrium lobby overlooked by the Council Chamber. Designed by Hillier Architecture, the project began construction in February of 2002 and is slated for completion by December. Part of Chester's downtown revitalization initiative, the renovated facility will consolidate public services in a single structure.

Advancing California's Emerging Technologies (ACET), an Alameda-based biotech incubator, will begin construction on a new 30,000-sf lab complex in December 2002. Funded by a $6.4-million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the complex will triple ACET's existing facilities, and will include forty 500-sf labs, video conferencing facilities, an international trade office, and parking on the 3.5-acre site.

The U.S. Navy has completed a $2.7-million cleanroom used to repair and refurbish hydraulic components for reuse in naval aircraft. The 8,500-sf facility was designed by Architects Larson/Carpenter of San Diego and built by construction company Soltek Pacific, also of San Diego.

Toyota Industries Corp. and automotive parts-maker Denso plan to build a 152-acre manufacturing plant near Pendergrass, Ga., comprised of between 200,000- to 400-000 sf. The facility will initially employ 150 workers when it opens in 2005. Toyota Industries Corp. is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp.