Industry News

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.

Illinois-based Newell Rubbermaid's home products division is planning a $26.8-million internal expansion of its 1,200,000-sf Greenville plant. The plant will become the single-source manufacturer and distributor for a new product line launched by Rubbermaid. 

Chula Vista's Southwestern College is developing the $22-million Education Village with San Diego State University where the schools will share classroom space. In Otay Mesa, Southwestern and Sweetwater Union High School are planning Project Synergy, a $123-million, 305,900-sf classroom and office facility. The first phase of construction is slated to start in September 2003 and reach completion in early summer of 2005. A new Sweetwater district high school will open adjacent to the facility the following autumn.

Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco recently broke ground on a 25,000-sf emergency department addition and renovation project. As builder McCarthy constructs the new ER addition, renovation of the existing adjacent facilities will also be completed. A new medical center entrance will integrate the new and renovated areas of the facility. Completion of the $5.7-million project, designed by architect PageSoutherlandPage, is expected in October 2003.