Industry News

Level 3 Communications Inc. is putting the finishing touches on its new $100 million data center in Needham. Level 3 plans to initially occupy approximately 80,000 sf of the huge 320,000-sf facility. The state-of-the-art structure’s back-up features include wiring for 13,8000 volts of power; a 400,000-gallon buried water tank for the cooling system; and triple redundancies in many of the building systems. Construction manager for the project is Sullivan & McLaughlin Cos. of Boston.

The Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae) has plans to downsize its headquarters, leaving its current 400,000-sf building for a 200,000-sf  facility to be built next door. Boggs & Partners, working with the Wiehe Design Group, will design the headquarters. Interior architecture will be performed by Blue Chair Design. The civil engineer is Urban Engineering and Associates. The scheduled groundbreaking is in October 2002; completion is anticipated late in 2003 or early 2004.

 Easter Seals is planning to begin construction in 2002 on a four-story regional headquarters in Silver Spring. The Harry and Jeanett Weinberg Inter-Generational Care Center will be housed at the facility. It will provide an adult day care center, and also accommodate 102 children and 60 adults. Architect for the project is Weihe Design Group of Washington; the developer is Atlantic Realty.

The University of Georgia is building an academic achievement center for athletes. The $7.2-million project will accommodate academic counselor offices, study rooms, tutoring rooms, computer labs. Beers Construction Co. is handling the project.

The Jackson Laboratory is working with Boston-based Einhorn Yaffee Prescott in the design of a new Genetics Resource Building. In addition, the East Research Building will be expanded by 55,000 sf to accommodate offices, research labs, conference rooms, and support space.