Industry News

The University of Maryland has selected the Baltimore office of Cannon Design to design a 200,000-sf educational center at its Shady Grove Campus. Computer classrooms, laboratories, and administrative and faculty offices will be housed at the new center.

Kaiser Permanente has opted to relocate its Northern California optical lab from Berkeley to Richmond instead of consolidating with a Southern California Kaiser lab. The 39,000-sf Richmond facility will house administration and manufacturing operations and will employ 140.

New England Biolabs has selected Boston-based Jung/Brannen Associates as architect of record for the design of its new 150,000-sf Ipswich laboratory building. The firm will collaborate with Weston Williamson of London to create the three-story R&D facility.

Advancing California's Emerging Technologies (ACET) may team up with Catellus Development to create ACET's new home on 3.3 acres of the 213-acre former U.S. Naval Air Station Fleet Industrial Center. Originally a bioscience incubator, ACET has expanded its focus to include technology and energy applications. Currently operating from 8,800 sf of smaller Alameda Naval Air station labs, the ACET is seeking a $64-million grant to cover land, design and building costs for the new facility.

Southwest Business Corp. plans to consolidate its services at a new 100,000-sf headquarters on a 3.7-acre site in North Central San Antonio. Groundbreaking for the $12 to $14-million building plus 4.5-story parking structure is planned for 2003, with occupancy anticipated in 2005. The company provides insurance and financial services.