Industry News

Bedminster, N.J.-based Verizon Wireless plans to build a 175,000-sf network operations center in the Solana business complex in Southlake. The $20 million center is one of two centers (the other in Bedminster) that monitor and control the firm's nationwide network.  Employing 400 people in its first phase, the facility could potentially expand to 350,000 sf and accommodate 1,000 employees.

Xoma Ltd., a Berkeley-based biopharmaceutical firm, has planned a $25 million expansion of its existing protein-manufacturing factory. The larger facility will allow Xoma to accommodate more contract work from biotech companies.

Hale Manufacturing Company is planning to build an 80,000-sf facility on eight-plus acres near its present plant and offices in central New York State's Herkimer County. Completion is expected by late fall 2001. The company is a specialist in the design and manufacture of primarily solid wood and fine-wood veneer bookcases, and related wood storage cabinetry. The new facility will allow Hale to consolidate three present disparate sites into a single, larger one-story building with integrated manufacturing, finishing and shipping operations.

King Products Inc. has won architectural sign contracts in excess of $2 million to provide way finding signs for the main terminal at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., and for Terminal "F" at the Philadelphia International Airport in Pennsylvania.

The United States Institute of Peace will convert a parking lot near the Vietnam and Korean war memorials into a 75,000- to 100,000-sf facility to promote the use of peaceful means in the prevention, management, and resolution of international conflicts. The $31-million to $35-million structure will house approximately 60 employees. It will accommodate both conference and research space as well as an exhibit area, and will provide 340 underground parking spaces, to be shared with the nearby Navy medical facility.