Industry News

The $100-million contract for the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center's first construction sequence was awarded to Centex Construction. Located underground on the Capitol's east grounds, the center will be completed in several phases. The project team includes architect RTKL Associates and construction manager Gilbane Building.

George Washington University is engaged in a $7.8-million project to upgrade its Foggy Bottom Campus communications network. Over 15,000 faculty, students, and administrators will use the network, which will be accompanied by the university's implementations of Internet telephony services, making the network accessible via desktop or laptop computers.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is involved in a renovation and expansion of the newly acquired Hamilton Building that will add 300,000 sf of studio and gallery space. The project will allow the Academy, the oldest art school in the country, to consolidate its museum and create a single campus. Located across the street from the Academy, the Hamilton building will allow a 400-student total enrollment and is slated for completion in fall 2003.

The second phase of the Western Research Campus in Richmond is currently being entitled. Simeon Commercial Properties will break ground on the 90,000-sf life science facility in the spring of 2003.

The University of Maryland is building the $130-million Comcast Center, a 17,000-seat basketball arena facility including a gymnasium, athletic training facilities, administrative offices, and a student athlete academic and career development center. Construction began in July of 2000 and is slated for completion in fall of 2002. Construction management is being provided by a partnership of Gilbane and Smoot Construction.